Podcasts about jesus you

It's Father's Day week and we're doing something special. In Part 1 of The Dad Year Lookback, Jeff Zaugg revisits five conversations that stirred something deeper this year, featuring Dave Brickey, Lance Welch, Dr. Jake Smith, Chris Cirullo, and Craig Allen Cooper. ✅ Why your weakness as a dad might be your greatest strength ✅ The difference between raising kids in the gap vs. the gain ✅ How to stop dismissing your own feelings before you dismiss your kids' ✅ God's call for dads to be bringers of order, not complainers of disorder ✅ The secret gift of a minivan that turned an atheist toward Jesus You don't have to do the miracles. You just have to be tight with the man who did.

The Spirit of Truth Who Leads Us in Righteousness - John 14:15-17, 25-27; John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15 Please turn in your Bibles to John 14. You can find that on page 1071. Before we read, let me remind you of a couple things and explain why we're jumping ahead to chapter 14. Last week, we finished up John 5. If you remember, chapter 5 was about the Jewish leaders accusing Jesus of equating himself with God. Jesus responded by affirming that, yes, he was indeed equal with the Father. In the middle of chapter 5, Jesus made a very clear declaration that he shares the glory and power of the Father because he and the Father are one. Well, today, I thought we would do something a little different. Since we just considered God the Father and the Son, I thought we would round that out by considering the Holy Spirit. We're going to stay in the Gospel of John, but look at selected passages from chapters 14-16. Next week, we'll return to chapter 6 So, if you would, turn to John 14 and we'll begin with verses 15-17. Reading John 14:15-17, 25-27; John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15 Prayer “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is his role in your life?” That question stumped me. I was a High school senior at the time. And I was applying to a Christian college. That question about the Holy Spirit was on the admissions application, but I didn't know how to answer it. Yes, I had grown up in the church, and yes, I was a believer in Jesus. Our church, although a faithful church, was light on teaching and discipleship or maybe I just wasn't paying attention. “Who is the Holy Spirit?” I didn't know. Maybe that's you… if I asked you to tell me about the Holy Spirit, would you know where to begin? If not, you're not alone. Of all the doctrines about God, the area of weakest understanding is the Holy Spirit. In a recent study from Lifeway Research, 28% of Christians in the United States believe the Spirit is divine but not equal to God the Father and the Son. Another 21% were unsure. In a second question, 56% believed the Spirit of God to be a force but not a divine person. You know, when it comes to God, we can conceptualize God as a Father… we can comprehend Jesus in his human nature, and through Jesus' testimony and ministry, we can understand that he is fully God. But it's harder to understand the Holy Spirit. My hope is that by the end of this sermon... We would each more fully grasp… Who the Holy Spirit is, what role he performs, and how we benefit from and receive him. Who, what, and how. But even beyond these important questions about the Holy Spirit and the benefits we have in him… I also hope that we would each feel and sense his convincing and convicting work in our hearts and minds. That's my prayer. As we begin, let me summarize Jesus' teaching about His Spirit… this way: (1) The eternal Spirit of God, (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God, (3) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. There are three points there. Let me say that again if you are taking notes... (1) The eternal Spirit of God, (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God, and (3) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. 1. The eternal Spirit of God… answering the WHO 2. who speaks truth and conviction as God… answering the WHAT 3. dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. the HOW. And just to be sure… These verses on the Holy Spirit are not exhaustive… they are just a few of the many Biblical texts. All throughout the Scriptures we learn about the Spirit of God. ·      In the book of Acts… The Holy Spirit is given and he leads the early church. ·      We learn of his work in and through believers through the apostles Paul and Peter and others. ·      In Genesis 1, we learn that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters… ·      Furthermore, the Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles… was given as a festival by God to teach about salvation and God's grace in the giving of His Spirit. ·      The prophets also spoke of God's Spirit… ·      And all throughout the Scriptures… we're promised to have “rivers of living waters” flowing forth from us… through the work of God's Holy Spirit. We can't cover all of that, but Jesus' teaching on the Holy Spirit in John's Gospel is very helpful. It's very clear and very foundational. So let's dive in. (1) The eternal Spirit of God So again, #1, The eternal Spirit of God. In the verses we read, Jesus calls God's Spirit by many names. He's called “the Helper” which means advocate. Jesus also names him the “Spirit of Truth” several times … Jesus calls him the “Holy Spirit.” That title is used throughout the New Testament. But the most common New Testament name is just “the Spirit.” Referring to God's Spirit. And from these verses… one thing we see over and over… is that the Holy Spirit is sent from both God the Father and from God the Son. Let me highlight some verses: ·      Chapter 14:16 – “The Father will give you the Helper” ·      and 14:26 “The Father will send [him] in my name” ·      Chapter 15:26, Jesus said, “I will send you from the Father… the Spirit of truth. Who proceeds from the Father.” ·      And again, in chapter 16, Jesus said again, “I will send him to you” We'll be reciting the Nicene creed in a little bit. It summarizes what we believe the Bible teaches about God… And regarding the Holy Spirit, it says He “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” That's helpful… it's a good summary of what these and other verses teach. The Holy Spirit “proceeds from” both the Father and the Son. The Spirit, therefore, has the full authority of God because he is God. He proceeds from God. He's unified with God the Father and God the Son. Furthermore, we learn here that the Holy Spirit is eternal. We get a glimpse of his eternal nature in chapter 14 verse 16… he's given to us forever. He will be with us for all time into heaven. And as we look to eternity past, as I briefly mentioned from Genesis 1, the Holy Spirit has always existed. Jesus teaches that not only is he, himself, fully God… but he teaches that the Holy Spirit is also God. Remember what we considered two weeks ago from John 5? Our God is one God, three persons, same in substance, equal in power and glory. Well, these verses affirm that for the Holy Spirit. We call God a triune God - a Trinity - 3 in 1. All three persons of God work in union one with one another; the Father, the Son, and the Spirit… and they share the same substance and power and glory. That's why in John 16 verse 14… Jesus says of the Holy Spirit that “he will glorify me.” That's because each divine person of the Trinity exalts one another as God. So, to summarize point #1 - the Holy Spirit is the eternal Spirit of God… fully God, forever existing, with all the knowledge, wisdom, glory, power, and authority of God. (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God # 2… He speaks truth and conviction as God. We're on to the what question. What role does the Spirit fulfill? What do the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit accomplishes? Well, first, the very titles that Jesus uses for the Spirit reveal his role. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Helper.” In our reading, we heard that four times…. the English doesn't really capture the breadth of the concept here. Really “helper” in Greek comes with the sense of being a counsellor or an advocate. You know, someone who represents you, who is for you, like in a legal setting. He guides you and he speaks to you and is for you. Jesus also calls the Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth.” That is in our verses three times. What is this Counsellor counselling us about? Well, he counsels us on the truth. He counsels us on God's truth. His Word. Throughout these verses, over and over, we're given a very clear understanding of what truth the Holy Spirit speaks. Look down at chapter 14 verse 26. Jesus says, “he will teach you all things AND bring remembrance all that I have said” Now keep that in mind and go one chapter ahead to chapter 15, verse 26. The very end of the sentence, there… Jesus says of the Spirit “he will bear witness about me.” So, the Holy Spirit is revealing Christ and his testimony. Chapter 16 is similar. Verse 13 it says, “he will guide you in all the truth” and then “He will declare to you the things that are to come” This is the role of the Holy Spirit… to speak God's truth, to enlighten our minds, to bear witness about Jesus' work… All the things about Jesus… You know, his life, his teaching, his redemption, and our future hope in him to come. The Spirit declares all this to us. He testifies to us the truth of God's Word. You see, all those things are found in God's Word. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals God Word to us. Really, God's Word and Spirit go hand and hand. They are inseparable. We're given a beautiful image of this in Ezekiel chapter 37. God gave Ezekiel a vision. In a dream, God showed Ezekiel a valley full of dead dry bones. But as God's Word went forth… God breathed his breath onto those dry bones. His breath is his Spirit - same word. And through the ministry of the Word being spoken by the prophet and God's Spirit being given… the valley of dry bones began to rattle... And then the bones came together. God gave new life to the bones. A vast army of God's people was resurrected through the work of God's Word and His Spirit… together. Friends, none of us can know and believe this Word without the work of the Holy Spirit. We're ignorant and sinful, we're dead dry bones…. We're unable to know God and nor believe in him by ourselves. But God has given us a great gift… the Spirit of Truth. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit does more than just speak God's word to us. He also convicts our hearts and minds. Look now at chapter 16 verse 8… it says, “He will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment” Verses 9-11 then elaborate on that. We're not capable of seeing our sin and our blindness. And what the Spirit does in our lives is that he persuade us in three ways. He brings conviction of sin. He brings conviction of righteousness. And he brings conviction of judgment. “Conviction” here means to convince. To bring to light. To see yourself and your need for God and his salvation.  Let me say it this way… conviction is the Holy Spirit applying his truth to your heart in your situation. He shows you your condition and he enables you to respond. And it's more than just knowing what is right and wrong. It's also seeing your own depravity and your failure to live up to God's standard. God's Spirit brings that conviction… When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, he enlightens your mind to see your sin and to repent of it. And that's related to the second conviction… the conviction of righteousness. You see, the Holy Spirit also reveals to you God's standard of holiness and goodness. He prompts you to not only repent of your sin, but to pursue the goodness and righteousness that God calls you to in his Word. Do you see the two sides of it? Not only conviction of your sin, but a conviction to pursue holiness. And the third conviction is conviction of judgment. You see, it is more than just knowing your sin and seeing the path to holiness. It is realizing the judgment of God upon sin and the devil. It's a recognition that God has been at work throughout history to bring redemption from that judgment through Christ. Truly, without this conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment… our hearts and minds would remain blind. We would not be able to see our sin or our situation, nor how to respond. But God has revealed his truth and is applying it in our hearts and minds. So, to summarize point #2… The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, speaks the truth of God, through His Word. He reveals God's redemption in Christ and he brings conviction. He convicts us of sin. He points us to the righteousness of God. And he shows us the judgment and hope of God in Christ. 3.) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ So, here's where we are … #1 The eternal Spirit of God - the who. #2 He speaks truth and conviction as God - the what. And that brings us to #3… he dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. This is the how question. How does God do this? How does he dwell in us?  Well, it's a mystery… ok, let me close in prayer. I'm just kidding. It is a mystery, but we can't leave it at that. Look with me at John chapter 14, the end of verse 17. Look at it. John 14:17 “You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” Do you see that? Notice the two prepositions … “with” and “in.” “He dwells with you and will be in you” Have you ever seen one of the Pixar movies called “Inside out?” There are two movies. Maybe some of the kids have seen them. Well, in the first movie, a young girl named Riley was dealing with all of her emotions after her family moved across the country. And we're brought to the headquarters of her mind… In her head, there's a command center with knobs and levers and buttons. It's where Riley's emotions lived. They're represented by different characters. Joy, sadness, anger, fear, and despair. And of course, they all want control… Well, at one point, Sadness and Joy were arguing… and they accidentally knocked over some of Riley's memory blocks. But as they scramble to retrieve them, Sadness and Joy got sucked like a vacuum out of the headquarters of Riley's mind. Well, that causes Anger and Despair to take over. Because of it, Riley was left in a state of apathy. I won't tell you what happens. You'll have to see it. It's a good movie, helpful in many ways… It's a picture of how we struggle with sin and emotions on the inside. But one thing is apparent. Riley is missing something. Riley is not in control. Her emotions are battling it out. If I can relate this to the Holy Spirit… What the Spirit does is enter into the headquarters of our hearts and minds. He speaks to our thoughts, and our emotions, and our desires, and our passions. Our sinful tendencies don't go away, but as we fill our mind with God's Word, the Holy Spirit takes that and guides us and speaks to us. He guides us in all the ways that we discussed… in truth and conviction. So, when you are on the precipice of sin or when you are struggling with unbelief about one of God's promises, God's Spirit prompts you. For example, maybe a family member or co-worker has said something unkind… and you're tempted to become angry. But then, you're prompted by the Holy Spirit… “Man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God requires.” James 1. Or it's late at night, you have your phone with you and lustful thoughts come to mind. You're struggling with temptation… but you also have the Spirit's leading. He brings to mind Jesus' word. “if anyone looks at a woman with lustful thoughts he has already committed adultery in his heart” or the corollary “if anyone looks at a man in that way” Will you listen to the Spirit within you in those moments when he prompts you? Or maybe you feel the weight of physical pain, or grief, or discouragement. If so, let the Holy Spirit bring to mind the truth and hope of Christ. That is, what he's accomplished for you on the cross and in the resurrection… and the hope he gives. We would be here for days to unpack all the ways the Spirit prompts, guides, encourages, and convicts us. And to be clear, the Holy Spirit is not like a professional counsellor that you meet with every so often. He does not have office hours nor only occasionally speaks into your life. No, if you believe by faith in Christ, God's Spirit is with you and is in you. He's given you a new heart. He's enlightened your mind. He has applied the work of Christ to you, that you may receive and rest upon Christ alone for salvation. And in that salvation, the Holy Spirit has united you to Christ. You are ingrafted into Christ. The Spirit of God dwells within you. Sinclair Ferguson, you know, pastor and theologian, says it this way, “…to have the Spirit is to have Christ; to have Christ is to have the Spirit. Not to have the Spirit of Christ is to lack Christ. To have the Spirit of Christ is to be indwelt by Christ.” If you are in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit in you. Now, there's a lot more that could be said. When we get to John 15, in particular, we'll consider our union with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us. As Jesus said, he is the vine and we are the branches. That will be a few months out. Here's the summary: The eternal Spirit of God, who speaks truth and conviction as God, will dwell with you and in you, ifyou have received the grace of Christ by faith in him. Conclusion Back to the opening question: “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is his role in your life?” Honestly, I don't even remember what I wrote on my college application. This was before the internet, by the way, so I couldn't research online. But I did call a friend in another state who was also applying and all I remember is that he was a great help. And the school did accept me. But how would you answer that? Well, if I had to answer that question today, here's what I'd say: The Holy Spirit is one of three Persons of the Trinity. He is the same in substance and equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son. He is eternal and unchangeable having proceeded from the Father and the Son. And he is the one who applies the salvation of Christ in the hearts and minds of God's children. He unites us to Christ by faith. The Holy Spirit furthermore speaks the truth of God Word to us. He brings conviction of sin and causes us to repent and renew our trust in God and in the Gospel. In moments of temptation, he reminds us of God's promises and reminds us of Jesus ministry of reconciliation and his righteousness. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us in truth. He reveals that we are God's and assures us of salvation in Christ. He is not some mystical force, but as God and as a person of the Godhead, he possesses God's nature as a loving, just God, who knows us, his creatures… and speaks to us through his Word… We need God's assurances and his conviction, and we need to know and believe in our Savior, Jesus Christ. I would furthermore add by saying that when I find myself overwhelmed by situations or being tempted, I seek to listen to his convicting voice within… who brings to mind his Word, which he inspired… and who reminds me of the cross and my forgiveness in Jesus. The Spirit of Truth is my Helper and he will be with me forever. May God, through the Holy Spirit, assure and bless us in Christ. May he mature us in our understanding of him and may he lead us in righteousness and truth. Amen

Get the notes!Why Is Jesus Greater Than Angels? (Hebrews 1:4–14)An Deep-Dive Expositional Study from Let's Talk ScriptureWhen believers face intense social pressure, professional pushback, or cultural isolation because of their faith, the temptation to compromise rarely looks like a dramatic, overnight abandonment of the truth. Instead, it looks like a quiet withdrawal—a slow, subtle slide into comfortable religious traditions that allow us to blend back into the background.This is precisely the pastoral crisis confronting the original readers of the Epistle to the Hebrews.In this complete expositional study, we will dig directly into Hebrews 1:4–14 to uncover a truth that shatters the illusion of any “safe” religious compromise: Jesus Christ is not merely a prominent historical prophet or an exalted spiritual option. He is the self-existent, unchangeable Creator who sits enthroned far above the highest angelic orders. —1. The Historical Emergency: The Temptation of the Quiet WithdrawalTo fully grasp the architecture of Hebrews chapter 1, we must first step into the sandals of the first-century Hebrew congregation receiving this letter.The Pressure of Persecution: These Jewish believers were enduring severe societal distress, legal threats, and intense ostracization by the broader Jewish nation. While the text notes they had not yet resisted unto blood or physical martyrdom, the emotional and economic toll of being cut off from their community was immense.The Illusion of a Lateral Shift: Internal pressure mounted to return to the public safety of Temple Judaism—the operational world of animal sacrifices and institutional Mosaic worship. Believers began to muse to themselves that they could temporarily mask or deny their public confession of Jesus, conform outwardly to localized temple rituals until the social storm blew over, and then quietly return to Christ later.The Pre-70 AD Context: Because the author frequently references operational temple sacrifices as an ongoing daily reality, we know this letter was written prior to 70 AD—the historic year Roman legions razed Jerusalem and burned the temple to the ground.The author of Hebrews writes to dismantle their compromise immediately. He establishes a profound structural truth: turning away from the final revelation of the Son to seek refuge in old, temporal shadows is not a lateral cultural shift—it is absolute theological ruin.2. Having Become So Much Better: The Paradox of Christ's Humanity“Having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.” — Hebrews 1:4In first-century Jewish thought, angels were held in the highest possible regard. They were viewed as glorious, disembodied celestial powers who stood directly in the Divine Council and served as the majestic mediators who delivered the Law of Moses on Mount Sinai. Proving how a historical human figure—One who walked the earth, ate, slept, and suffered a shameful physical crucifixion on a Roman cross—surpassed these immortal spiritual beings was an absolute logical necessity.The passage solves this by addressing both Christ's divine nature (ontological state) and His historic mission (redemptive state):Ontologically: As the second member of the Godhead, Jesus is inherently, eternally, and uncreationally superior to all things.Historically: In the Incarnation, Jesus took on a true human nature and was temporarily positioned “lower than the angels” in His localized, earthly state.Authoritatively: Through His absolute, sinless obedience, His finished redemptive work on the cross, and His subsequent physical resurrection, He elevated human nature within His own person. In His glorified humanity, He “became” positionally and officially superior, ascending back to the cosmos to take possession of His ultimate inheritance: the personal, holy covenant name of God, Yahweh.3. Family vs. Instrumentality: Metaphysical Sonship (Hebrews 1:5–7)The author builds an unyielding wall of contrast between the Son and the angels using the relational language of family versus the mechanical language of tools.A. The Sovereign Decree of SonshipThe author challenges the reader rhetorically: “For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You'?” (quoting Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14).While angels are collectively labeled “sons of God” in a generic sense because they are created spiritual entities, no individual angel has ever been granted a personal decree of sonship from the Father. The phrasing “Today I have begotten You” points directly to the public coronation and cosmic enthronement of the Davidic King. Jesus is the unique, ontological Son who shares the exact inner life, substance, and nature of the Father.B. Command For Angelic WorshipInstead of treating Christ as an equal celestial peer, the Father issues an absolute imperial mandate in verse 6: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” Holy angels strictly refuse worship from created things (as demonstrated uniformly throughout scripture, cf. Revelation 22:8–9). Therefore, the fact that the Father commands the entire angelic host to bow before the incarnate Christ is absolute biblical proof of the Son's true and total deity.C. The Mutable Status of AngelsIn stark contrast to the stable identity of the Son, verse 7 defines the boundaries of the angelic host: “Who makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flaming fire.” The key verb here is makes. Angels are created, mutable instruments. The text utilizes the Greek term leitourgos, which identifies a public officer or liturgical servant. Angels are majestic, swift, and powerful, but they are ultimately subordinate tools shaped by the Creator's will to execute localized, operational tasks.4. The Seated Monarch vs. The Standing Servants (Hebrews 1:8–14)The final section of the text provides an unmatched portrait of cosmic sovereignty, contrasting the permanent, resting posture of the King with the continuous, alert posture of His couriers. THE COSMIC CONTRAST (HEBREWS 1:13-14) [ THE SON ] [ THE ANGELS ] Ontological God Created Instruments ▼ ▼ POSTURE: SEATED POSTURE: STANDING (Right Hand of Majesty) (Attentive Before Throne) ▼ ▼ SACERDOTAL STATUS: FUNCTIONAL ROLE: Completed Sacrifice Ministering Spirits Sent to & Perfect Redemption Serve the Heirs of Salvation A. Direct Attribution of DeityIn verse 8, the Father addresses the Son directly with words that leave no room for theological ambiguity: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Jesus occupies the one true divine throne because He alone is ontologically qualified to sit upon it.B. Creator Over Blind EntropyQuoting Psalm 102, the text applies the personal name of God (Yahweh) directly to Jesus: “You, Lord, in the beginning founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.” The material cosmos is fundamentally temporary. The author uses a vivid clothing metaphor, stating that the heavens will wear out like an old garment and be rolled up like a mantle by Jesus Himself. This reveals that the end of our physical universe is not an accident of natural thermodynamic decay or blind cosmic entropy. Rather, cosmic dissolution is an active, personal, master-stroke executed by the unchangeable, immutable hands of Christ.C. The Posture of Finished RedemptionThe climax of the chapter turns on a visual contrast:The Son Is Seated: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” In Old Testament tabernacle architecture, there were no chairs. The Levitical priests stood daily because their sacrifices were repetitive and could never fully remove sin. Christ's seated posture proves the finality, perfection, and non-repeatable nature of His redemptive work.The Angels Are Standing: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” Angels stand attentively before the throne, waiting to be dispatched as spiritual couriers.The ultimate insight here provides profound encouragement for every believer. Though human beings are currently physically weaker than angels within our space-time framework, the ultimate cosmic inheritance does not belong to celestial spirits—it belongs to Christ and His church. Angels inherit absolutely nothing; they are assigned to serve as guardians and witnesses of the great redemption God is completing through you.Bring This Expositional Study into Your Church or Home GroupIf your soul was blessed by this deep-dive study of Hebrews 1:4–14, you can now bring the complete teaching architecture into your own ministry, small group, or personal study library. We have packaged the entire expositional workflow into a premium, publication-grade digital curriculum suite.Available Now: The Hebrews 1:4–14 Complete Curriculum SuiteThis premium digital bundle is fully optimized for immediate download and print distribution, beautifully styled in our signature deep slate blue and gold publication layout to enable seamless, text-centered instruction.What's Inside the Bundle:Master Exegetical Outline (PDF): A comprehensive, verse-by-verse academic breakdown of the text using an un-bulleted, strict alphanumeric hierarchy. It includes bold time-markers matching our video teaching, allowing you to copy, paste, and adapt the material directly into Microsoft Word without losing structural indents.Interactive Bible Study Lesson (PDF): An expositional narrative guide packed with interactive multiple-choice questions (numbered with alphabetical choices) and dedicated reflection boxes to spark robust table talk in your small group.Dual Curriculum Guides (Teacher & Student Editions): * The Teacher's Edition includes a complete instructional blueprint, pedagogical directives, and a detailed diagnostic answer key with deep theological commentary.The Student's Edition features a clean text layout and specialized, dashed write-in sections for intentional study journal notes.Complete Print Quiz & Answer Matrix (PDF): A standalone, non-interactive 13-question examination tool designed for academic evaluation, paired with a separate master answer sheet detailing extensive exegetical explanations for each correct option.Invest in uncompromising, textually grounded biblical instruction. Equip your home or church study group with the tools needed to proclaim the absolute preeminence and sovereign majesty of Jesus Christ.

Read OnlineIncreasing Your Capacity to Love“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” John 15:13–15Is it possible to know everything that Jesus knows? Certainly not. Yet, Jesus says in today's Gospel, “I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” Jesus Himself is the full revelation of the Father. Therefore, in Him we have been given perfect access to the life of God. Even though God has revealed everything to us, we are limited in our ability to receive it because we are finite creatures. Nonetheless, our imperfect natures do not limit what Jesus has told us from the Father.By analogy, consider water. When we are thirsty, we drink a glass of water. If we are very thirsty, we might drink several glasses. However, we are limited in how much water we can consume in one sitting. All that Jesus has revealed to us from the Father is like an infinite ocean of grace. He doesn't offer us only one glass or even several. He offers us the ocean. Though He bestows it on us fully, we are limited in what we can receive by our finite nature and sin.The goal of the Christian life is not to take one “sip” or “glass” of grace. Our goal is to continuously increase our capacity for receptivity. The greatest of saints spent their lives doing so. The more grace they received, the greater their capacity, and the greater their capacity, the more they received. Saint Teresa of Ávila described this process as progressing through the “mansions” of the interior castle, with each step drawing the soul closer to union with God. Saint John of the Cross taught that detachment from worldly attachments and the purification of the soul increase our receptivity to God's grace. Saint Thomas Aquinas explained that the theological virtues, especially charity, expand the soul's capacity for divine love.The presence of grace in any soul ensures that the soul will attain Heaven upon death. However, the level of glory that each will experience for eternity is determined by how much the soul's capacity for grace expands in this life. This capacity is built through love. Jesus teaches, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” The love of charity is the process by which we lay down our lives for others. Jesus is not only the source of such love, He is also the Model. His choice to die on the Cross in His human nature exemplifies the kind of sacrificial love we are called to embody.That form of sacrificial charity can be difficult to comprehend and live. Our fallen human nature tempts us toward selfishness. We can easily become deceived into thinking that taking is better than giving, being served is better than serving, and looking out for ourselves is better than putting others before us. The only way out of such deception is to enter into friendship with Jesus: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”The freedom to love is found through obedience to God. Though we cannot arrive at such obedience instantaneously, we can grow into it through prayer, penance, and fidelity to His commands. What does He command us to do? “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you” (John 15:12). Jesus loved us by laying down His life for us. In turn, we are called to lay down our lives for others. This means thinking of others before ourselves, anticipating their true needs, and working for their highest good—the salvation of their souls.Reflect today on how Christ's infinite ocean of grace flows into your life. What areas of selfishness or fear prevent you from receiving more of His love? Commit to growing in charity by laying down your life in concrete ways for those whom God has placed in your path. Seek to imitate Jesus who calls you His friend and shares everything with you that He has heard from the Father. Remember His command: “Love one another as I love you.” The more you love, the more your soul will expand, and the more you will share in His eternal glory.My infinite Lord, the depth of love within Your soul is incomprehensible, yet You have revealed that love to us and invited us to receive it. Please flood me with the gift of charity so that I will not only share more fully in Your eternal glory, but so that You will touch others through the charity You place within my heart. Grant me the grace to embrace sacrificial love, laying down my life for others as You laid down Your life for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Deus Caritas Est by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: 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.

Our new podcast exploring the stories behind the songs of Oaks Church Brooklyn. Today Antony sits down with Morgan and Kara to discuss the origins behind the song Jesus You're With Me.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 23rd of April, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in Psalm 2:7. The Lord says of Jesus: ”You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” Then we go to the Book of Hebrews 1:5, the exact same scripture: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You” You can go to Acts 13:33 - the same thing! Oh folks, He is everywhere. Jesus is the most mentioned person in the whole Bible. There are 66 books, and He's in every single one, because Jesus is the Word. John 1:1: ”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” There are none so blind as those who don't want to see!I want to say to that lady listening this morning, that old widow who is missing her husband and maybe her children, Jesus is with you. He is everywhere! When the astronauts circled the Earth, they acknowledged that God was present in the universe. You can go to the highest mountain, Mount Everest, He is there! You can go into the deepest canyon, the deepest mine on earth, He is there! Why? Because He lives inside you, my dear friend. He walks with you. He is with you every moment of the day. You never have to be lonely again if you can ask God to open your spiritual eyes.Now, I want to pray for you this morning, and I want you to pray after me:Heavenly Father, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, please open my spiritual eyes today that I may see You,that I may see You in the stars that shine at night;in the sun that rises in the morning;that I might see You in Your creation;that I might see You in that newly born baby; that I might see You in that lovely old gentleman; that I might see You in all Your glory! I ask this in Your precious name, amen.Have a wonderful day as you open your spiritual eyes today! Goodbye

What does it really mean to live a resurrected life?In this message from Romans 6:3–4, Ps. Rafy Panlilio reminds us that Christianity is not just about outward symbols—but an inward transformation brought by Christ.Baptism does not save—it points to what has already happened inside us. Just like a wedding ring symbolizes a covenant, our new life reflects what Jesus has done in our hearts.At the center of this message are two powerful realities every believer must understand:1. Dead to SinThe old self is no longer alive. Through Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin. This means sin is no longer our default. This is why the Christian life is not about “bawal”—it is about being free to live holy.As Pastor Rafy emphasizes, when we continue living in the old patterns, it only shows that we are not fully walking in the truth of who we already are in Christ.2. Alive to GodA resurrected life is not just about what we avoid—it's about what we now live for.Our bodies, our actions, and our daily decisions are now instruments for righteousness. God calls us not just to change behavior, but to live a life fully surrendered to Him.This message also challenges today's mindset of “self-help Christianity”—reminding us that the gospel is not just about improving life, but about confronting sin and walking in true righteousness.Because of Jesus:You are no longer bound.You are no longer the same.You are now alive to God.Preached last April 12, 2026, at GTC's 5:30 pm service.

Pastor gives us a look at the story, "On the Road to Emmaus," found in Luke 24:13-27. We don't know the actual location of Emmaus, nor do we know the names of those walking with Jesus in this story.  The story takes place later in the day on the day of Jesus' resurrection. Those Jesus walks with do not recognize Him. They are trying to figure out everything that had happened with Jesus and thinking about what the women had said about Jesus being alive and about the disciples having gone to the tomb and found it empty. Then Jesus begins to explain the scriptures to them concerning Himself. What Jesus shared is not recorded, but wouldn't it be fascinating to hear what was shared during that multi-mile walk!  What did Jesus tell them? Pastor shares the idea of Jesus, starting with the story of Abraham and Isaac in the book of Genesis: Genesis 22:1-18 - this is the story of Abraham and Isaac at Mt. Moriah.  Pastor shares some overwhelming details of this prophetic event. God tells Abraham He is going to test him and tells Abraham to sacrifice his son. And Abraham steps into obedience.  Pastor explores several phrases found in Genesis 22 "only son," "whom you love, "Moriah." (Moriah is where the temple wold be built in Solomon's day.) Abraham travels to Moriah and "on the third day" they arrive at Moriah and Abraham and Isaac leave the servants and head out the rest of the way alone. Isaac carries "the wood" for the offering.  Isaac asks Abraham "where is the lamb?" And Abraham replies that "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." Isaac willingly allowed his father to place him on the altar. As Abraham raises the knife, an Angel of the LORD calls out, "Abraham, Abraham, don't lay a hand on the boy. I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Isaac comes off the altar and the LORD provides a lamb for the sacrifice. In verse 14 we read that Abraham called the place "The Lord Will Provide." What Abraham saw was a picture of the sacrifice of God the Father in giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. The story ends with, "and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." The fulfillment to that promise to Abraham is found in Christ alone.   Jesus is the Living Hope of all the world.   First use of "love" in the Gospels… Matthew 3:17 - at the baptism of Jesus "this is my Son, whom I love." Mark 1:11 - at the baptism of Jesus "You are my Son, whom I love" Luke 3:22 - at the baptism of Jesus "you are my Son, whom I love" John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." As Jesus talked to the disciples, these are the kinds of things He would have reminded them of: He is the only One who is the Savior of the world. The only One who brings forgiveness, life and hope. The only One who brings life forevermore. He is Risen!!  He is risen indeed! He is alive! And He is returning!   Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Come hang out at Everyday Joy LIVE! Book your ( free ) tickets here! ✨ What if the gospel is more urgent than we realise? In this episode of Everyday Joy, Ash and Ro dive into Acts 4:12—“Salvation is found in no one else…”—and unpack the weight and beauty of that truth. Because if Jesus really is the only way…then sharing Him isn’t just a nice idea—it matters. This conversation is a powerful reminder that: We’re called to be bold, not silent We don’t have to have all the answers to share our faith Our story, our life, and our obedience can point people to Jesus You don’t need a platform.You don’t need perfection.You just need a willing heart. Because at the end of the day, people deserve the opportunity to know the truth—and to choose it. And maybe the question we need to ask ourselves is…Are we living like we believe there is no other name?

Let's celebrate Easter together!  At Centerpoint this year, we remembered the words of Jesus "You are the Salt of the Earth!" 

All of us experience times when the same grace that flows through us to others is hard to grasp for ourselves. Sadly our thoughts often slander us the same way religious bullies insulted Jesus: “You saved others but you can't save yourself” (Matthew 27:42 paraphrased). Thankfully we don't have to drown in shame — we can take heart from Jesus on the cross as he leads us into deeper experiences of grace. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi help us become more enthralled with Jesus this Holy Week. You'll experience him more personally and empathetically as you share in his experience of spiritual and emotional anguish on the cross. The Suffering Savior invites you to borrow his faith and trust that God is with you, loving you, and pleased with you as you grow in union with God and mature to become more like him.  Resources for this Episode: Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Unforsaken: Journey with Jesus on the Stations of the Cross Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

I want to read you some quotes from some theologians and authors that you could have found or may even still be able to find in your local Christian books store: Bob Wilkin: One can be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and yet not be a disciple. Jesus: You have abandoned the love you had at first. (Rev. 2:4) Joel Osteen: God wants to increase you financially, by giving you promotions, fresh ideas, and creativity. Jesus: Be faithful onto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (2:10) Robert Schuller: Sin is any act or thought that robs myself or another human being of his or her self-esteem. Jesus: You have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam... (2:14) Joseph Dillow: A Christian can be carnal, even persistently so, and still be saved. Jesus: You tolerate that woman Jezebel... (2:20) Joseph Prince: The bottom line is that the Holy Spirit never convicts you of your sins. He NEVER comes to point out your faults. Jesus: You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (3:1) Kenneth Copeland: Gods will is for you to prosper in every wayspiritually, physically, and financially. Jesus: You have but little power, and yet you have kept my word. (3:8) Norman Vincent Peale: Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. Jesus: You say, I am rich... I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. With each of the seven letters, Jesus repeats the same four words: The one who conquers... And then he follows up those words with some promises: The one who conquersI will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Rev. 2:7). The one who conquersI will give you the crown of life, and you will not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:1011). The one who conquersI will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone (Rev. 2:17). The one who conquersI will give authority over the nations, and I will give him the morning star (Rev. 2:2628). The one who conquerswill be clothed in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels (Rev. 3:5). The one who conquersI will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and I will write on him the name of my God and my own new name (Rev. 3:12). The one who conquersI will grant him to sit with me on my throne (Rev. 3:21). As you may know, the title of this sermon series captures the central theme of the book of Revelationa theme that can be summarized in a single word:Triumphant. But what does it mean to be triumphant? Jesus answers that question with four simple words:the one who conquers. So, the two questions before us this morning are: 1) What does it mean to conquer? and 2) What is promised to those who conquer? What does it Mean to Conquer? Let me begin by explaining what our Lord doesnotmean by these four words. Conquering does not mean that saying a prayer or repeating what is often called the sinners prayer guarantees salvation. It does not mean that God will prosper you financially or physically. It does not mean that your self-esteem will remain untouched. It does not mean that becoming a Christian allows you to live with unrepentant sin without fear. It does not mean that you can be wrong about Jesus without consequence. It does not mean that you will be free from suffering in this life. And it certainly does not mean that you can rely on your own strength. So, what then does it mean to conquer? If our time in Revelation has not made this clear enough, let me point you to a verse that stands at the very center of Johns apocalyptic masterpiecea verse that captures the theme of the entire book:And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death(Rev. 12:11, ESV). The Berean Standard Bible puts it this way:They have conquered by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death. Who did they conquer? They conquered the great dragonSatan himselfwho is called the deceiver and the father of lies. The apostle Paul speaks of this same reality inRomans 16:20:The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. But how is this possible? It is possible, first and foremost, because of what Jesus accomplished through the incarnation. The eternal Son of Godfully God from all eternitybecame fully man, being born of a virgin. He entered our world for this purpose: to accomplish redemption, to secure the forgiveness of sins, and to bring about the final defeat of sin, Satan, and death. However, the way Jesus secured the victory was not the way His disciplesor anyone elseenvisioned it. When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the final week before His crucifixion, He did so riding on a colt while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road ahead of Him. They shouted: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest! (see Mark 11:1-10). The crowds rightly believed they were welcoming the promised King, but by the end of the week, some of their voices would fall silent while others would cry out, Crucify Him! (Mark 15:12-13). Why? Because they misunderstood why Jesus came. They misunderstood what it meant for Him to conquer. The crowds believed their greatest need was for the promised King to overthrow Rome. In their minds, there was no greater tyrant than the Roman Empire. But what they failed to see was that a far greater tyrant ruled over themtheir own sin. Their greatest need was not political deliverance, but reconciliation to a holy God, because their sin demanded His righteous wrath. They had celebrated the Passover year after year, but they missed what it pointed to. That feast was never an end in itselfit was a signpost. It pointed beyond itself to a true and better Lambthe Lamb of Godwho would take away the sin of the world. Jesus was clear about how He would conquer, but because the crowds could not see past Rome, a suffering Messiah was not on their radar. Even His disciples struggled to understand that the Lamb of God had to suffer and die by way of the cross before there would ever be the Crown. Isaiah 53 prophesied long ago: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.... Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Jesus spoke plainly that this is what He came to do. On the way to Jerusalem shortly before Palm Sunday, He could not have been clearer: See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise (Mark 10:33-34). Jesus conquered by living the sinless life we could never live and by dying the death under the wrath of God that we all deserved. He did not conquer by taking the lives of His enemies, but by giving His life to reconcile sinners to God. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conqueredbut He conquered as the Lamb who was slain (see Rev. 5:56). This is why all of heaven rejoices:Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!(Rev. 5:12). So how do we conquer? The answer is found in the very verse we just read: And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death (Rev. 12:11). Do not miss what this verse is saying! It does not describe a different kind of victory than the one Jesus secured, but shows that we conquer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. First, we conquer by the blood of the Lamb. Our victory is not based on our strength or effort, but entirely on what Jesus has already accomplished. The victory was won at the crossnot by us, but for us. Just as we are saved by Christ alone, we conquer by trusting that what He did was enough and that His righteousness is all we need. Second, we conquer by the word of our testimony. In the book of Revelation, our testimony includes not only what we say but also the way we live in light of what we believe about Jesus. To confess Jesus as both Lord and Savior means living our lives based on that conviction, regardless of the cost. The word of our testimony is standing firmrefusing to compromise, refusing to bow before idols, and refusing to remain silent when the world demands our allegiance over Jesus. Third, we conquer by not loving our lives so as to shy away from death (BSB). To conquer is not to avoid suffering, but to remain faithful through it. To conquer is to value Christ above comfort, above safety, and even above life itself. The world says, Preserve your life at all costs. But Jesus says, Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matt. 16:25). I believe that when we consider these three things and apply them to our lives, we will regain the love we have abandoned, face suffering while holding onto hope, strengthen our resistance to compromise, see the emptiness of sexual sin, and care less about what others think of us. We will be less impressed by the powers of this world, and we will find ourselves more drawn to abide in Jesus as the source of our satisfaction and joy. And this is where everything begins to come into focus.Because if this is what it means to conquerif conquering means trusting in the blood of the Lamb, holding fast to our testimony, and remaining faithful even unto deaththen we must ask:what is promised to those who conquer? What is Promised to Those Who Conquer? Before we examine what is promised to those who conquer, let me show you something you might not have noticed before. Often, Revelation 23 is treated separately from the rest of the book, but remember what I shared with you at the start of this series about how I believe Revelation is structured. Do you remember the chart I showed you in my first sermon? If youve forgotten, let me show it to you again. There are seven vantage points through which Johns apocalypse is structured, each looking forward to the promise of a resurrected and renewed heaven and earth. Each of these vantage pointswhether it is the churches, the seals, the trumpets, or the bowlsis not telling a different story, but the same story from different angles. They all move toward the same goal:Revelation 21 and 22the new heaven and the new earth. Every cycle in Revelation is pulling us toward the same promise: that God will bring His people all the way home. This is where it all comes together, because the promises Jesus gives to those who conquer in Revelation 2 and 3 are the very realities we see fulfilled at the end of the book. In closing, let me show you what it is that we are promised and how Revelation 23 points us to the inheritance that is ours in Jesus. To the one who conquers, He promises access to thetree of life(Rev. 2:7)a promise fulfilled when we see that tree again in the new creation (Rev. 22:2). To the one who conquers, He promises that they will not be hurt by thesecond death(Rev. 2:11)a reality confirmed when death itself is finally destroyed (Rev. 20:14; 21:8). He also promiseshidden manna(Rev. 2:17)true and lasting satisfaction in God's presence; authority to reign with Him(Rev. 2:2628)a promise fulfilled when the saints reign forever and ever (Rev. 22:5); andwhite garments (Rev. 3:5)symbolizing purity, victory, and belonging, again seen in the glory of the redeemed (Rev. 22:14). And more still: to the one who conquers, He promises that they will be apillar in the temple of God(Rev. 3:12)a permanent place in His presence, where they will never go out again; and that they willsit with Him on His throne(Rev. 3:21)sharing in His rule, in His kingdom, forever. Do you see how every promise made to those who conquer is fully fulfilled at the end of Revelation? This fulfillment is not due to our strength, but because the Lamb has conquered on our behalf. Those who follow the Lamb may be stripped of everything this world offersstatus, possessions, even life itselfbut in Christ, they gain everything. Their inheritance is nothing less than the fullness of Gods kingdom, eternal life, and everlasting joy. What is lost here pales in comparison to the glory that awaits; in Christ, they become heirs of all things.

Send us your feedback — we're listening Psalm 91:4 — Jesus, Cover My Morning With Your Wings and Let This New Day Begin in Peace and Purpose Psalm 91:4 (NIV): “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” Salmo 91:4: “Ele o cobrirá com as Suas penas, e sob as Suas asas você encontrará refúgio.” Psalm 23 Anchor (EN/PT-BR): “He leads me beside quiet waters.” “Ele me guia a águas tranquilas.” Psalm 37:5 (NIV): “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do this.” Salmo 37:5: “Entregue o seu caminho ao Senhor; confie nEle, e Ele agirá.” guided purpose • morning peace • safe refuge propósito guiado • paz da manhã • refúgio seguro Recorded Live from London, England Brazil • Spain • Peru • Mexico • Colombia Jesus, as the first light of morning breaks across Brazil, Espanha, Peru, México, Colômbia, and into every home listening now, we turn our hearts toward You. Jesus, Jesús, Jesus — You are the One who covers us with peace before the day even begins. Under Your wings we find the quiet that our minds have been searching for. Under Your covering, the anxious thoughts calm, and the new day becomes something we can face with purpose and confidence. Let this morning rise with Your presence leading every step. Your Word says You will cover us with Your feathers and that under Your wings we will find refuge. So we rest there now. We surrender the worries we woke up with. We place before You the conversations, the responsibilities, the unknowns, and even the things we are afraid to speak aloud. Jesus, Tú me cubres. Jesus, Tu me cobres. You surround us with a love that steadies the spirit. “He leads me beside quiet waters.” “Ele me guia a águas tranquilas.” Lead us, Jesus, into quietness on the inside even if the world around us is loud. Restore the soul before the day demands anything from us. Let Your peace govern the first hour so that fear has no voice and anxiety has no room. And as we commit our way to You, trusting that You act on our behalf, let the morning settle with assurance. Let purpose rise. Let courage take shape. Let the day ahead be carried not by our strength, but by Your faithful guidance. Jesus, cover this new beginning with Your wings and let peace be the first thing we breathe in. Psalm 91 morning prayer, oração Salmo 91 amanhecer, Jesus morning peace, Jesús oración de la mañana, Psalm 23 quiet waters, Salmo 37 confiança no Senhor, dailyprayer.uk Reverend Ben Cooper, oração da manhã Brasil, 5AM devotional Jesus, morning refuge prayer Psalm 91 wings refuge • manhã paz oração • Jesús Jesus morning prayer • Psalm 23 quiet waters • Salmo 37 confiar no Senhor • Peru México Colômbia Spain Brazil morning devotional • London England prayer • dailyprayer.ukSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 184 countries and 2,968 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network. This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month? Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it. You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.com. Together, we can keep prayer moving across the world. To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.uk. Buy me a Coffee

Send a textAt the beginning of this year, we decided to do a round table discussion with our friends and supporters on the topic of the "Armor of God". In the introduction from our last episode, Annette and I started with a word of prayer and by reading Ephesians 6:10-18. You will hear some of the people who are with us in our round table discussion and share what the "Armor of God" means in their lives, and what advice they shared, and why we should all wear it not only in the beginning of the year, but why we should wear it daily.Make sure to stay tuned because you don't want to miss the rest of our conversation. In our next episode, you will the hear a few more people discuss their thoughts on this topic. Thank you for listening, and we pray blessings to each and every one of our listeners. Thank you again to all our round table guests who were able to join us.We would love to hear from you: so, make sure to send us any comments or questions that you may have for us in any of our social media links. The question that Annette and I would like to hear your answer to these questions: what is the greatest takeaway you got from this episode? Why should you wear the "Armor of God." Feel free to answer this questions by connecting to any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

When Jesus Asked You: “Whom do you say that I am?”, Did You Answer Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”?  MESSAGE SUMMARY: The stories of the New Testament tell us that Jesus was no ordinary man. The Apostle John, in John 1:1-5, points out that Jesus, the Word, was the Creator of the Universe: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.". John tells us that Jesus had authority over nature, over creation, and over life itself, and he tells us that Jesus was the life-giver that came to earth for us. In John 20:26-29, Jesus asked the Apostle Thomas a fundamental question that Jesus asks you today– “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me?'”: “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.' Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”. When Jesus has asked you: “Whom do you say that I am?”, and how did you answer? Did you tell Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”? Have you, in your life, become a Jesus Follower? If not, why not?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 1:1-18; Isaiah 7:2-14; Matthew 1:21-24; Psalms 67:1-7. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Send a textFor the beginning of the year, we decided to do a round table with our friends and supporters on the topic of the "Armor of God". This is just the introduction on this topic. Annette and I started with a word of prayer and by reading Ephesians 6:10-18. You will hear us talk what the Armor of God are and what they represent and where or how Paul got the inspiration of writing it. We will talk about why it is important to start the year, or I should say why we need to wear it not just the beginning of the year but to wear it daily in our lives. Make sure to stay tuned because you don't want to miss the rest of our conversation. In our next episode, you will the hear the other people in our round table share which armor they think is more important for them and why they think we should always wear the Armor of God.Thank you for listening and we pray blessings to each and every one of our listeners and thank you again to all our round table guests who were able to join us. Our prayer is that this year you will not only have a New Years resolution but instead your goal is to be able to draw closer to God and that you will not only listen to our words and our message, but you will have a relationship with God and that you will always remember to wear His armor in your daily lives.We would love to hear from you so make sure to send us any comments or questions that you may have for us in any of our social media links. The question that Annette and I would like to hear your answer to these questions. What is the greatest takeaway you got from this episode and why should you wear the Armor of God." Feel free to answer this questions by connecting to any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send a textOur special guest for this episode is Ashley Nicole Kinkead. She is he author of “After the Locusts: A Story of Hope for Anyone Estranged or No Contact with a Parent" available on Amazon, in both Kindle and paperback. She speaks at churches and virtual platforms on the topics of estrangement, recovery, 12 steps, healing, and Christianity.Ashley was estranged from her parents, Joe and Christine, for 22 years. They reconciled in 2024. Through a recovery program in Ashley's church, they have spent the last year rediscovering and restoring their relationships across 3 states.The step of faith on Ashley's part has brought great restoration, peace, and healing. Ashley is passionate about sharing her faith, personal story, struggles, and real-life suggestions that worked with her parents to reconcile. Ashley is a Regeneration 12-step recovery leader at Lakepoint Church in Rockwall, TX.In the third part of our conversation, Ashley answered the question where we left off the last time and that is what is the common mistakes that parents/children make when they are trying to reconcile or reconnect with one another and how do they fix it? She also talks about the importance of the 12 Steps recovery especially when it comes to healing broken relationship and shared 3 of those 12 steps as well. To listen to the last part of our conversation go to: buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus/s5-p3-special-guest-interview-ashley-forgiveness-reconciliation If you want to hear more of Ashley's testimony, you can do so by going to: https://vimeo.com/1127215902  If you are ready and can't wait to read her book you can do so by going to: https://www.amazon.com/After-Locusts-Anyone-Estranged-Contact-ebook/dp/B0FW5BYBWNWe would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us any comments or questions that you may and we also want to ask you a question as well.Our question for you listeners is Why do you feel like God is calling you to reconcile either with your parents, children or anyone that you had a broken relationship with? Lastly, how God can help you forgive and reconcile your relationship with that person you had in your mind now as you are reading this question? Feel free to answer any or both of these questions in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

When pastors fall into sexual sin, adultery, or moral failure, the impact on churches, families, and individual believers can be devastating. In this episode of Redeeming Truth from Redeemer Bible Church, Pastor Jon Benzinger sits down with our pastors and biblical counselors to speak honestly about fallen pastors, pastoral disqualification, and how Christians can process betrayal while rebuilding trust in Christ—not in men. Drawing from real-life stories of hidden sin, long-term affairs, and leaders disqualified from ministry, this conversation addresses: Why sound theology—even Reformed doctrine—alone cannot keep a pastor from falling How discontentment, lust, pride, and heart-level idolatry fuel secret sin The ripple effects of pastoral failure on marriages, children, congregations, and communities Why pastors are "but men" who need accountability, prayer, and close fellowship How believers can grieve rightly while keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus You'll also hear: A sobering account of a large church shattered by a long-hidden affair Counseling insights on trust, trauma, disillusionment, and church discipline Biblical warnings from Luke 4:13; 1 Timothy 4:16; James 1; Romans 13, and more Why discontentment often becomes the gateway sin to adultery and moral failure Howard Hendricks' findings from thousands of fallen pastors—and what they all had stopped doing If you've been hurt by a fallen pastor, fear it could happen where you worship, or are a pastor who wants to finish well, this episode offers sober warning, biblical clarity, and gospel hope.  

Send us a textThis is a special devotional reading that I recorded for my best friends Rochelle, Nouke and Detris.  The devotional that I felt God wants me to share and dedicate to my friends and anyone who are celebrating their birthdays either today or this month are two of my life verses. The 1st verse that the Holy Spirit wants me to share is from Proverbs 3:5-6 and the last verse is Jeremiah 29:11. God wants me to remind everyone to Trust God and know that He wants what is best for us because He wants us to have a future and a hope that we can only get through Him.I also would like to say thank you to Annette for being my sister in Christ and doing this podcast with me and thank you to all our family, friends and all of our listeners and supporters who had been supporting us for four years now. We wouldn't be able to do this without God and all of you so thank you and my birthday wish is that God gives us wisdom to share God's message to all of you. Again, Happy birthday to everyone who are celebrating their birthday this month.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textOur special guest for this episode is Ashley Nicole Kinkead. She is he author of “After the Locusts: A Story of Hope for Anyone Estranged or No Contact with a Parent" available on Amazon, in both Kindle and paperback. She speaks at churches and virtual platforms on the topics of estrangement, recovery, 12 steps, healing, and Christianity.Ashley was estranged from her parents, Joe and Christine, for 22 years. They reconciled in 2024. Through a recovery program in Ashley's church, they have spent the last year rediscovering and restoring their relationships across 3 states.The step of faith on Ashley's part has brought great restoration, peace, and healing. Ashley is passionate about sharing her faith, personal story, struggles, and real-life suggestions that worked with her parents to reconcile. Ashley is a Regeneration 12-step recovery leader at Lakepoint Church in Rockwall, TX.In the second part of our conversation, we started with Ashley sharing the turning point of her life that she realized the importance of reconciliation with her parents or in other words her reconciliation story.You will also hear her mentioned the importance in participating in a Christian based program like Regeneration program or Celebrate Recovery which are two of the Christ based 12 step programs. Ashley will also share how grace and empathy plays a big role in her reconciliation story. I also like how she shared that we were not asked to think to forgive but we are commanded to forgive and that receiving forgiveness and grace from God and feeling it that we experience freedom and peace in our lives. If you enjoy listening to our conversation, make sure you follow us so that you don't miss the rest of our conversation that is filled with the Holy Spirit because it is that good.If you want to hear Ashley's testimony, you can do so by going to: https://vimeo.com/1127215902If you are ready and can't wait to read her book you can do so by going to: https://www.amazon.com/After-Locusts-Anyone-Estranged-Contact-ebook/dp/B0FW5BYBWNWe would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us any comments or questions that you may and we also want to ask you a question as well. Our question for you listeners is Why do you feel like God is calling you to reconcile either with your parents, children or anyone that you had a broken relationship with? Lastly, how God can help you forgive and reconcile your relationship with that person you had in your mind now as you are reading this question? Feel free to answer any or both of these questions in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textSorry for the late post. I did this recording exactly on my birthday. However, I had been busy celebrating my special day and birthday week with my family. This is a special devotional that I made for my cousins Jeff and Jheng, for my uncle or Tito Rico & a special shout out to also greet Tito Armand & Aunt Cecil whose birthday is the same as mine. I also want to say "Happy birthday" to anyone in our family that I might have forgotten to greet it and Happy birthday to all our listeners celebrating their birthdays either today or this month.The devotional that I felt God wants me to read for this devotional can be found in Numbers 6:24-26. I pray blessings to all of us as God has blessed us with another year of our lives. As God blesses us, I also pray that you all continue to bless other people around you and that your goal is to draw closer to God. If you haven't accepted Christ in your life, don't wait for tomorrow because tomorrow is not promise and the best gift you can give yourself is to accept God's gift of salvation in your life.I also would like to say thank you to Annette for being my sister in Christ and doing this podcast with me and thank you to all our family, friends and all of our listeners and supporters who had been supporting us for four years now. We wouldn't be able to do this without God and all of you so thank you and my birthday wish is that God gives us wisdom to share God's message to all of you. Again, Happy birthday to everyone who are celebrating their birthday this month.Thank you again for listening and feel free to message us in any of our social media links which is in the description below.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textOur special guest for this episode is Ashley Nicole Kinkead. She is he author of “After the Locusts: A Story of Hope for Anyone Estranged or No Contact with a Parent" available on Amazon, in both Kindle and paperback. She speaks at churches and virtual platforms on the topics of estrangement, recovery, 12 steps, healing, and Christianity.Ashley was estranged from her parents, Joe and Christine, for 22 years. They reconciled in 2024. Through a recovery program in Ashley's church, they have spent the last year rediscovering and restoring their relationships across 3 states. The step of faith on Ashley's part has brought great restoration, peace, and healing. Ashley is passionate about sharing her faith, personal story, struggles, and real-life suggestions that worked with her parents to reconcile.  Ashley is a Regeneration 12-step recovery leader at Lakepoint Church in Rockwall, TX.In this episode, Ashley will share the moment of her life that she decided to accept Christ as her personal savior and why she made that decision. She will also share the importance of accepting the gift of salvation that Christ offers us through the cross. You will also hear her share what she meant by "Our greatest hurt becomes our ministry." She will also share how her life was transformed after she accepted Christ as her personal savior. If you enjoy listening to the 1st part of our conversation, make sure you follow us so that you don't miss the rest of our conversation that is filled with the Holy Spirit because it is that good. If you want to hear Ashley's testimony, you can do so by going to: https://vimeo.com/1127215902If you are ready and can't wait to read her book you can do so by going to:https://www.amazon.com/After-Locusts-Anyone-Estranged-Contact-ebook/dp/B0FW5BYBWNWe would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us your feedback on our episode and to share with us why you think accepting God's gift of salvation important in your lives and why should others accept it too. Feel free to answer and share us your answer in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textFor our devotional today, we will be talking about "The Imperishable Crown" which is part of our "5 Heavenly Crown of Life Series". The verse that the Holy Spirit wants us to read and talk about can be found in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.This year, let us race with endurance and race with one goal in mind not just for this year but our main goal in life is to finish the race with Jesus and to know that at the end of the race which is our life that God has a reward waiting for us and that is eternal life which can only be won by His children. As a child of God, not only one winner wins but we all win because we are His children.To be a child of God, you have to run the race of life, and my prayer is that if you haven't accepted Him yet that you won't wait but do it now. God loves you and He wants you to Come to Him or Come back to Him.We would love to hear your thoughts on this topic and the question that we want to leave you is this: Why do you think the Imperishable Crown is important and what does this crown mean to you or your life?We would love to hear your thoughts and your answer to this question by going to any of our media links from below.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textFor our 1st year devotional this year, the Holy Spirit put in my heart to read James 1:12. Even if another year has passed, and a New Year started I know that not all of you will have a good start this year. However, there are so many bible verses that I can share with you, but this is the verse that He wants me to read and breakdown for you as this year begins. God loves you and whatever this year bring know that you are blessed and that God loves you that's why He died on the cross for your sins.Our prayer is that not a New Year's resolution but your main or top goal for this year is to draw closer to God. He loves you so Come or Come back to Jesus and His hands are wide open ready to hug you and shower you with love and comfort.We would love to hear your thoughts on this topic and the question that we want to leave you is this: How can God blessed you when you are enduring trials in your life? How can you receive the Crown of Life while still living in this world? We would love to hear your thoughts by sending us your answer to any of our media links from below.Thank you again for supporting us for four years and still supporting and sharing God's message to the world.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textIn this episode, you will hear Annette's and I final conversation about the Miracle of Christmas and also our New Years message and prayer to all our listeners. We thank you for supporting us for four years and we are looking forward to another year of God blessing us to be a vessel and a voice to share the love of God to all you. If you are blessed listening to any of our episodes whether it be a devotional or a testimonial episode, please feel free to share it to others so that together we can all share God's Word and Love to the world. Thank you again for listening and Annette and I wants to wish everyone a Happy New Year to all of you. Stay tuned because Annette and I with God's guidance and giving us wisdom has prepared inspiring devotional and more powerful testimony this coming year. Our prayer is that you will all start the year not with a New Year's resolution but with a goal to walk closer and grow more with your Spiritual walk with God. Don't do it alone because Jesus didn't do it alone, He choose 12 disciples so this year our prayer is for you to not only grow with your faith but also to find a church that teaches the right gospel and that you get connected to a small group. To God be the glory and Happy New Year!Annette and I would like to hear your thoughts not only on our topic this month but any episodes that you heard that was a blessing to you. What was your takeaway on that episode and why did that episode mean so much to you than others? Feel free to message us not only your thoughts but feel free to send us a prayer request so we can pray for you.Feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

John 13:1-11,Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”Last Sunday, we saw that the gospel of John is a book comprised of two sections. The first section, chapters 1-12, has been called the book of signs, in which: Jesus' location frequently changes. For three years he's traveling, back-and-forth, between Galilee and Jerusalem with stops in Samaria and Bethany in between. During this time, he's also gathering crowds. Such large crowds, in fact, that he's at one point in danger of being trampled by them. And he's working miracles — so definitive and comprehensive that no realm of reality, whether Satan and demons, forces of nature, or even the human body could claim to have remained outside his jurisdiction. And he's teaching — in sermons, in conversations, in questions, in parables — all with such unparalleled authority that he renders his audience speechless, stunned. That's the first section of John's gospel, chapters 1-12.Today, our sermon text begins the second section of John's gospel, what's rightly been called, the book of glory. Here, unlike section one: Jesus' location will not change — he'll remain in Jerusalem till his death. The crowds will no longer be involved, at least not throughout the next five chapters. Jesus will not be working miracles. He will not be teaching in parables. Rather, Jesus will mainly be speaking — plainly and deliberately — to his small, rag-tag group of men he called his 12, soon-to-be 11, disciples. All the while, we are those who are invited in, brought in, by John to this most private, intimate and pivotal of settings — the final moments of the Savior prior to the cross. This morning, we'll aim to set the scene for this book of glory by taking a look at four things: the Identity of Jesus, the Love of Jesus, and two Warnings from Jesus.First, the Identity of Jesus.IdentityIt's a fitting thing to begin with. After all, Jesus' identity is the very thing that's been most doubted, debated, and called into question up to this point in the story. We've heard statements like:1:46, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” 4:12, “Are you greater than our father Jacob?”6:30, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you?” 6:42, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?”8:48, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”10:20, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” It's quite the chorus of animosity, yes? And yet, chapter 13 is quick to show us that despite the many reproaches, Jesus remains unshaken.Verse 1,“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father…”You see it? No doubts. No questions. No confusion here. All along, Jesus has known his hour was coming. He has known his hour was the very thing he came here for. He has known his hour would be a time when he'd be glorified (John 12:23). And now, he knows his hour has come.A major aspect of Jesus' identity, of course, relates to this hour. And yet, even more basic to his identity, is what we see in verse three. Look down with me at verse 3:“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God…”Picture this with me for a moment. Like, put yourself there, in that very room, in this very moment:Here stands Jesus — a plainly clothed Jewish carpenter from Galilee. He's in a borrowed space — an upper room of someone else's home. He's flanked by fishermen, a tax collector, and a host of other unimpressive men. By the looks of it, he has little money, or perhaps even no money, to his name. And yet, here stands the man who rules the world. The one before whom every knee will one day fall. The supreme object of the Father's eternal smile.Jesus, in that moment, knew all that. He knew he'd ultimately come from God. That he, though headed to the grave, was ultimately headed back to God in Heaven. That despite appearances, his Father had placed all things in his hand. His is an unrivaled identity — the only Son from the Father. That's point one: the identity of Jesus.Point two: the Love of Jesus.Amazingly, these two marks appear side-by-side in the narrative. Following the report of Jesus' high and exalted identity, we find his love for his own people. LoveLook back with me to verse 1:“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”For anyone in the room this morning wondering: “Now, why did Jesus, on his very last night, choose to move away from the crowds? Like, up to this point, Jesus has regularly welcomed the masses. Not all the time, to be sure, but much of the time. So, why then, in his final hours, did Jesus choose to “lock himself up in a room,” so-to-speak, with only this small, hand-selected group of men?” Answer: Because he loved them. And you might think: “Well, yeah, of course he loved them. Jesus loves the world.” That's not wrong. Jesus, like his Father, loves the world, hence, John 3:16. It would be a mistake, however, to equate Jesus' love for the world with Jesus' love for his own. The two are not identical, but distinct. And, in fact, you can see that distinction, right here in verse one:“[Jesus] having loved his own who were in the world.”You see it? It's not: having loved his own just as he loved the world, but “having loved his own who were in the world.”Jesus' love here, in other words, is specific: He's talking about the love he has for this particular people — “his own.”And, Jesus' love is persistent: He will love his own to the end — all through and well beyond the nails, the thorns, and the spear. Jesus' love, in this text, is the unique love he has for his sheep… The ones who hear his voice, and believe in his name. The ones for whom, in his hour of glory, he will lay his life down for. How About You?And how about you? Are you his this morning? Have you heard his voice? Have you come to see that this Jewish carpenter from Galilee is in fact God in the flesh and Savior of your soul? Then this very love that we're talking about here is the love he has for you.It's December 28th, yes? Christmas Sunday. Much of the holidays are now behind you. Even more of the year 2025 is now behind you. As you look back, you may see evidences of Jesus' love for you — popping up in your memory, your calendar, the images on your phone. If you see these evidences, boy, savor those things. Ask God to impress them deep into your soul that you may not forget them in days ahead. But for those of you who, as you look back, think: “You know, I feel like I just got kicked in the teeth this Christmas. In fact, really this entire year. In fact, life has been tasting bitter now for quite a number of years. I look out for evidences of Jesus' love for me, and, if I'm honest, I'm just not seeing them.” ….If that's you, then allow me to invite you this morning to turn your focus to these words instead. To set your perception of the events of life to the side. To instead, humbly before the Lord, hear him say to you, “I have loved you, and am loving you, and will continue to love you to the end.” Jesus' love for you if you are his, brother or sister, is a particular and persistent love — active today just as it was on the cross and just as it will be in the age to come.What's the identity of Jesus? He's from God, going to God, having all things in his hand.What's the love of Jesus? It's the particular, persistent love he has for his own.What about the two warnings from Jesus? Well, they're going to come in just a moment, but not before the scene shifts.Jesus the ServantJesus, knowing the love he has for his disciples, is now going to demonstrate that love through what was, at that time, one of the lowest forms of human service imaginable.It is a jolting transition to say the least. Jesus, verse 4, rises from supper. He takes off his outer garments. He grabs a servant's towel. Then, after pouring some water into a basin, he begins to “wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” Now, consider how absolutely soiled his disciples' feet would've been at this time — having just been walking for miles, without shoes, on roads made up of packed-down dirt and animal manure. And consider how filthy that water, as Jesus went from washing one of his disciples' feet to another, would've been getting. And the towel! The very towel that Jesus had around his body, pressing against his skin — how soaked with filth it would've appeared.So it's no wonder that by the time Jesus gets to Peter and sets down the basin before him, Peter just can't take it anymore. It's as if the shock of seeing a man so superior to himself stooped down to such degrees of humiliation just finally became too much for him to bear. Verse 6 reads:“He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”Jesus says to Peter, I believe, sympathetically, assuringly, verse 7:“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”Nevertheless, Peter continues his resistance. He cannot understand what Jesus is doing. Cannot fathom ever being able to understand what Jesus is doing. And so he declares, verse 8:“You shall never wash my feet.”First WarningWhat a terrifying thing to say to a Savior. What an eternity-threatening response. And Jesus treats it as such, responding to it with one of the most sobering, consequential warnings in all the Bible. In verse 8, Jesus warns,“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”Just think over those words for a moment: No share with Jesus. None. Peter's response, in other words, has got him teetering on the brink of complete dislocation from Jesus. But why is that? I mean, wasn't Peter just trying to be respectful of Jesus? Honoring, even? I mean, “Jesus, you walk on water. You calm storms. I'm not going to have you wash my feet.” …No? Well then, Peter, who are you going to have wash your feet? It's true. Peter's resistance may well have been his attempt at honoring Jesus, but what it did was threaten to demote Jesus instead. Demote him. Downgrade Jesus from the rank of Total, Absolute Savior to the level of partial, limited Savior.The kind of savior who serves his people this far, but no further. The kind who cleanses these sins, but not those sins. The kind who is received by his people not on his terms, but on theirs. The kind who may provide bread, bring healing, and even calm storms, but certainly won't wash feet.Peter's resistance did not honor, but demote Jesus, or at least threaten to. And it is something we all have a tendency to do.Think about it: when you sin — like when you catch yourself saying something unkind, having a thought that's unclean, doing something you know is wrong, and then realize your guilt — do you always go immediately to Jesus asking to be forgiven? Like, the moment you sin, do you always go right away to Jesus, totally empty-handed, saying: Jesus, cleanse me again?Or, do you sometimes wait a bit… To let your guilt subside first. Or to rack up a few good works first. Or to wallow in greater degrees of misery first? I mean, you're not just going to go to Jesus just like that, with your unadulterated sin so fresh out of the oven, are you?If not, then what you're attempting to do instead is take the edge off your sin. Take it from a boil, down to a simmer. Get it to a point where it is, at least, slightly less abhorrent than it was originally before handing it over to Jesus. And the reason we do that — Note: The reason we do that — is because in our pride, we don't actually want a Total, Absolute Savior to help us with our sin. We don't. Rather, what we want is to demote Jesus to the level of partial Savior, because when we do, guess who gets promoted to the level of partial Savior right alongside him?You see it? Peter's resistance, as well as ours, is not really about Jesus' honor at all. It's about human pride, and our desire to have a claim on our salvation.Here's the thing: Jesus doesn't respond to Peter with gratitude. “Oh, thank goodness, I was hoping I'd not have to wash your feet.” He responds to Peter with a warning:“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”Said another way: To be saved by me, Peter, you must also be served by me — and that at your very worst. Your very lowest. Your very ugliest. You must place even your feet into my hands.Jesus is as an Absolute, Total Savior. He will be received as such or he will not be received at all. That's our first warning. The second is much quicker. In fact, it's not even technically a warning, but I would like us to hear it as such this morning.Second WarningIn verse 9, Peter responds to Jesus with his usual, over-the-top vigor:“‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!' Jesus said to him, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”Again, this is not technically a warning. It's a judgment. Judas, one of the twelve, was not clean. To use language from the first warning: Judas “had no share” with Jesus, for his heart had been given over to Satan. Just as we read in verse 2:“During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him.”So Judas has got Satan motivating him. It's Satan's will he's submitted to, not God's.But the reason I'd like us to heed all this as a warning is because Judas gave off no outward impression that he was in rebellion to Jesus. In fact, we have no biblical evidence suggesting any one of his fellow disciples ever suspected Judas was the one who would betray Jesus. Judas had looked the part. Had done all the things. He'd been present for the many conversations, sermons, and miracles throughout the past three years of his public ministry. In fact, Judas, just as all the other disciples, had just finished getting his feet washed by Jesus in that upper room.But despite outward appearance, when it came to who Judas was inwardly — what Judas really loved, to what Judas really treasured — it was not Jesus. His treasure may have been money, power, praise — regardless, the fact of the matter is that despite all Judas had seen, heard, and experienced, there was still something in the world Judas valued more than Jesus. So, when finally given the opportunity to gain it by losing Jesus, he took it. He agreed to betray Jesus.Brothers and sisters, beware of increasing in Jesus-oriented things, and Jesus-oriented practices, apart from a Jesus-oriented heart. We don't want to be known as the people who merely do things for Jesus, but the people who value Jesus above all things. We want, as the Apostle Paul, to be the kind of people, the kind of disciples, who increasingly count Christ as gain, and all other things as loss in comparison to him.So, the identity of Jesus: He's from God, going to God, having all things in his hand.The love of Jesus: It's the particular, persistent love he has for his own.The warnings from Jesus: You cannot have him as partial Savior. You cannot have him unless your heart treasures him to the end.TableNow, what brings us to the table this morning is the fact that the footwashing we see here in John 13 — counter-intuitive and challenging to human pride as it may have been — was really just a preview. A foreshadowing, of the even greater ignominy still to come. In a mere matter of hours…Jesus' outer garments are not going to be set down by him, but stripped off by Roman soldiers. Jesus' hands are not going to be wet with water, but his own blood. Jesus' skin is not going to be dirtied by his disciples' feet, but pierced for his disciples' sin. Jesus is going to hang on a cross, loving his own people to the very end.

Send us a textIn this episode, you will hear Annette talk about our topic of The Miracle of Christmas and the verse that you will hear us talk about can be found in Isaiah 9:6. This is the 2nd part of our conversation, so stay tuned so you don't miss the next part of it.Our prayer is that you will know and experience the Miracle of Christmas in your own life. Annette and I would like to hear your thoughts on our topic this month.Do you agree that The Miracle of Christmas is Jesus and why? Feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textIn this episode, you will hear Annette talk about our topic of The Miracle of Christmas and the verse that you will hear us talk about can be found in Isaiah 9:6. This is just an introduction of our conversation, so stay tuned so you don't miss the next part of it which is coming really soon.Our prayer is that you will know and experience the Miracle of Christmas in your own life. Annette and I would like to hear your thoughts on our topic this month. Do you agree that The Miracle of Christmas is Jesus and why? Feel free to message us in any of our social media links and Merry Christmas to all of you!Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textFor our devotional today, we will be reading from Luke 2:8-12. In these verses God wants to remind us, that the Good News of Christmas that the angels said to the shepherd's is still true until now. The Good News that they received from the angels are also the Good News that God wants to give us not only for Christmas but good news for our lives. I pray that if you haven't accepted Jesus' gift of salvation in your life that you won't wait and that you will unwrap it. Let us accept His gift because it is free for us but it's not free for Him. Remember to keep Christ this Christmas.During the devotion, the Holy Spirit reminded me that if you haven't had a chance to listen to our devotional on the "Lost Sheep" or if you want to hear it again you can do so by going to: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1902364/episodes/12609056We would love to hear your thoughts on our devotional and our new series. Feel free to message us in any of our social media links from below and tell us your answer from this question: Do you agree that the Greatest News of Christmas is Jesus and why?"Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textFor our devotional today, we will be reading from Luke 1:41 and 42. In this verse God wants to remind us, what is the Greatest Miracle of Christmas which will be our theme for this month. Our prayer is as you celebrate Christmas with your family that you will remember that God's gift of salvation in your life. Just like Mary and Elizabeth was called by God, you are also got a calling in your life, but it is up to you to hear and obey Him. Remember that God's gift to us is free but it is not free for Him because He gave it all when He gave himself to die in the cross because He loves us. Just like when someone gave us a gift, and it is up to us if we want to accept it or not. It is the same with God's gift to us. My prayer is that Christmas you will accept God's gift of salvation because tomorrow is never promised.I hope this devotional blesses you and stay tuned for our Special Christmas episode and Special Guests who will share what they think about the Greatest Miracle of Christmas. We also want to say thank you for listening and supporting us for four years now since we published our 1st episode and to our new supporters and listeners to our show, we want to say thank you. We would love to hear your thoughts on our devotional and our new series. Feel free to message us in any of our social media links from below and tell us your answer from this question: What is the Greatest gift of Christmas?"Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

If you follow Jesus You posses the greatest blessings a person can have, but sometimes those blessings are not immediately apparent, sometimes you look for different blessings and outcomes, but they are blessings “for your good, to build you up.”

Lisa is dedicated to exploring themes around faith, relationships, and spiritual growth. Through her podcast, she invites listeners into a discussion aimed at understanding and getting closer to God, focusing on His teachings and their impact on believers' daily lives.Episode Summary:Join host Lisa Lorenzo in this insightful episode of the "Faith with Friends" podcast recorded on December 3rd, as she delves into Chapter 3 of the Book of Luke. This installment is part of a special Christmas series that examines the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Lisa guides listeners through the significance of this chapter, emphasizing how it lays the groundwork for understanding God's message of love and repentance. The episode invites reflection on spiritual growth through powerful imagery and themes from Luke.In this episode, Lisa navigates the historical and spiritual landscape of Luke Chapter 3, discussing John the Baptist's pivotal role in preparing the way for Jesus. With SEO keywords such as "spiritual growth," "Christian podcast," and "John the Baptist," Lisa explains the need for repentance and transformation as we prepare our hearts for Christ's teachings. She provides a vivid description of the wilderness where John preached, highlighting the call for people to turn away from sinful paths toward a life aligned with God's expectations.Lisa offers a deep dive into the baptism of Jesus, noting how it signifies his solidarity with humanity. With an SEO focus on "baptism," "repentance," and "faith journey," the episode captures the essence of God's declaration over Jesus: "You are my beloved Son. With you I am well pleased." This powerful moment sets the tone for understanding identity in Christ, reminding listeners that God's love is unconditional and precedes our deeds. Lisa leaves her audience with thought-provoking questions about their spiritual journey, encouraging them to clear any barriers preventing them from fully embracing their faith.Key Takeaways:Preparation through Repentance: The episode emphasizes John the Baptist's role in preparing people's hearts via repentance, setting the stage for Jesus's teachings.Understanding Identity: God's declaration over Jesus before his ministry highlights the importance of recognizing our identity in Christ.Visualizing the Scriptures: Lisa vividly describes the biblical scene, urging listeners to imagine themselves in the narrative to better grasp its spiritual significance.Repentance as Preparation: Repentance is portrayed not as punishment but as a necessary step in preparing for a deeper relationship with Jesus.Intimacy with God: The challenge presented is to identify and clear spiritual wilderness areas, fostering a closer connection to God's presence.Notable Quotes:"John's entire ministry is one long shout in the desert. Get your hearts ready. Make room. The one you've been waiting for is finally coming.""God speaks identity before assignment, and that every great move of God begins with a prepared heart.""Repentance. It's not punishment, it's preparation. It is clearing the way of everything that keeps us from Jesus.""Let Luke 3 remind you that God doesn't wait for perfect conditions to speak. He speaks in the desert, in the dry season, in wilderness moments.""By Christmas we won't just know his story, we will know his heart."Resources:Follow Lisa Lorenzo on Instagram at @faithwithfriends_podcastThis episode invites you to reflect on your spiritual journey and share in the collective exploration of faith and understanding. Tune in to the full episode for enriching discussion and continue to...

Wednesday, 3 December 2025   But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30   “And seeing the forcible wind, he feared, and having begun to submerge, he croaked, saying, ‘Lord, You save me!'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Peter came down from the boat and commenced walking to Jesus. Matthew next records, “And seeing the forcible wind, he feared.”   It is the standard error that believers find themselves in to this day. What does it take to see the forcible wind? Follow the sequence of events:   Jesus: “You embolden! I, I am! You fear not!” Peter: “Lord, if You – You are – You command me to come to You upon the waters.” Jesus: “And He said, “You come!” Peter: He walked upon the waters to come unto Jesus. Peter: And seeing the forcible wind.   Jesus is the Object. Peter sees Jesus and petitions Him. Jesus directs Peter to come. Peter comes, looking at Jesus. Peter... takes his eyes off Jesus, “and having begun to submerge, he croaked.”   A new word is seen here, katapontizó, to plunge down, and thus to submerge. It is derived from kata, down against, and the same root as the area known as Pontus found in Acts 2:9 and 1 Peter 1:1. This word will only be seen again in Matthew 18:6.   Peter got distracted from what is most important. Jesus was the target to obtain. In allowing the distractions to take his eyes off the goal, his attention was likewise distracted. With his attention distracted, he was no longer mentally focused on what allowed him to walk on the water in the first place. Because of this, he cried out, “saying, ‘Lord, You save me!'”   Again, it is the standard response believers make in hopes of correcting their own blunders to this day: Believer is focused on Jesus. Believer takes his eyes off of Jesus and gets caught up in an infraction of the law, a particular sin, etc. Believer is now in a bad, bad pickle, finding no way of fixing his own slip-up. And so, believer croaks in his soul and to Jesus, “Help me! Help me, Lord Jesus!”   Life application: One of the most important thoughts for believers recorded in the New Testament is found in the first few words of Hebrews 12:2 –   “Eyeballing unto the ‘the faith Pioneer and Perfecter,' Jesus” (CG). Scholars repeatedly say that Peter's error was a lack of faith. And it is true that Jesus will call him ‘little-faithed' in the next verse. But Peter had faith, even if it was little. That was not the immediate problem. Rather, Peter took his eyes off of the Object of his faith.   The pastor who has been faithfully preaching to his congregation for many years may have amazing faith, but when he meets with a woman for counseling, his eyes may be misdirected from Jesus. At such a time, calamity may be just around the corner. It happened to David, and none of us is above such a lapse of judgment.   Along with Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 3:1 says, “Thence, holy brothers – heavenly calling participants, you scrutinize the Apostle and High Priest, our confession, Jesus!”   We are not just to look in the direction of Jesus, we are to eyeball Him and to scrutinize Him, mentally considering Him at all times. When we fail to do this, we begin to sink into the troubled seas around us. In 1 Chronicles 29, David, a man who understood what it meant to take his eyes off the Lord and to sink into sin, petitioned the Lord for just this type of determination for His flock –   “O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.”   Should we have any less of a heart? If not, then let us pray for such fixed determination. And while we are asking for our own strength, let us remember our fellow believers, those in our church, our pastors and teachers, and anyone else who comes to mind.   May we learn to direct our attention to Jesus, always remembering the sacred words of Scripture, “Eyeballing unto the ‘the faith Pioneer and Perfecter,' Jesus” (CG). Nothing else will do. All else will lead to a sad set of circumstances that may jeopardize our lives, our relationships, and our witness for the Lord Jesus.   Lord God, we are weak and frail creatures who need to constantly focus our hearts and souls on You. We should always scrutinize Jesus as if looking over the finest gem or most beautiful flower, considering every detail of His majesty. Help us to be focused on Him at all times. In this, we will be in the right frame of mind to handle all challenges we face. Amen.

Send us a textStacy Kaye is an award-winning journalist and editor who published more than 1,000 articles over the course of her career. She grew up in the heart of the Bible belt and considers her faith and her family most important to her. After attempting to forge her own path for years, Stacy finally decided to try it God's way and has found life to be much sweeter since. Stacy is mom to four incredible children, four bonus children, and Gigi to six magnificent grandchildren.The book she wrote, "Damaged Goods - A Devotional for the Slightly Imperfect" is a devotional that explores relevant issues Christian women face today.On the 2nd part of our interview, Stacy gave some advice on how to overcome the crippling anxiety, fear and depression that she described in several chapters of her book. She also shared why we should let go of the anger we feel and forgive the people that hurt us. She also talked about how she was able to keep her faith intact in the middle of the storm in her life. Make sure to follow us so you don't miss the answer where we left off and to hear the rest of our conversation. You can buy her book in Amazon by going to: https://a.co/d/eZqyltVOur prayer is that by listening to our conversation that you will know that God loves you and that you are valuable and you are not a Damaged Good. No matter what you are going through that He is always there for you, and that God loves you and will never leave you.We would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us your feedback on our episode and if you have any questions feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Read OnlineAfter Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools!”  Luke 11:37–40It's hard to imagine Jesus calling someone a fool. But that's exactly what He did. This Pharisee had just finished listening to Jesus give a series of teachings and then invited our Lord to His home for dinner in an apparent gesture of kindness. But as the passage unfolds, it's clear that this Pharisee is no friend of Jesus. Instead, his hospitality and kindness are a cloak for the evil within his soul.Why does Jesus respond so fiercely, calling the Pharisee a fool? Because this Pharisee is filled with hypocrisy. His exterior actions do not flow from a heart filled with charity and faith. Instead, his exterior actions are a show. He is a fraud. He, like many of the Pharisees, was very concerned with various external rituals, such as scrupulously washing his hands before he ate. He believed that doing so was a sign of his holiness and closeness to God. But it wasn't. His heart was one that was filled with judgment and self-righteousness. He looked down on others and elevated himself. In doing so, he deceived others and even deceived himself. The central message we must take from this is that we must diligently focus upon that which is in our hearts. Our hearts, our interior life, must be blooming with love of God and others. We must place all of our efforts on cultivating a sincere life of virtue within. This is done by prayer and humility. Humility will open our eyes to see the truth of who we are. Prayer will strengthen us to change as we see that which needs to be changed within. Only then, when we see clearly the truth of who we are and prayerfully rely upon grace obtained by prayer, will we be able to become people of true integrity and holiness. And only then will our interior holiness be made manifest externally in our actions. Reflect, today, upon these powerful words of Jesus: “You fools!” Don't be offended by these words; they are words of love from our Lord. They are His fierce attempt to wake this Pharisee up and lead him away from his hypocrisy. Listen to these words as if they were also spoken to you. Every one of us can humbly benefit from this loving chastisement from Jesus. Every one of us needs to humbly be transformed more fully interiorly. Let Jesus' words speak to you and reveal to you the ways that you need to change. Perhaps your pride has led you to an interior practice of judgment of others. Perhaps it has blinded you to sins that you need to confess. If you can listen to these words as if they were spoken to you, then Jesus' fervor will reach you, and your eyes will be opened to that which is in your soul that needs to be changed. Do not turn a blind eye to this. Be open, be humble and listen. My fervent Lord, You spoke words of love in many ways. At times You were gentle and at times You were firm. Please give me the grace and humility I need to be open to Your firm rebukes of love. Help me to sincerely see the ways in which I need to change my life so that Your grace will transform my interior life, flowing over into my actions. I love You, dear Lord. Help me to love You more. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Luca Signorelli, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Send us a textStacy Kaye is an award-winning journalist and editor who published more than 1,000 articles over the course of her career. She grew up in the heart of the Bible belt and considers her faith and her family most important to her. After attempting to forge her own path for years, Stacy finally decided to try it God's way and has found life to be much sweeter since. Stacy is mom to four incredible children, four bonus children, and Gigi to six magnificent grandchildren. The book she wrote, "Damaged Goods - A Devotional for the Slightly Imperfect" is a devotional that explores relevant issues Christian women face today. In the 1st part of our conversation, she shared with us when she realized that God is calling her to be an author and her journey towards it and how she was able to choose which topic to write on her book. She also gave some advice on how to achieve a successful marriage and why it is important to have Jesus in the center of our relationship. Finally, for our listeners she gave a really good advice on how to put your life together after divorce and on God's healing for the hurting. Make sure to follow us so you don't miss the answer where we left off and to hear the rest of our conversation. You can buy her book in Amazon by going to: https://a.co/d/eZqyltVOur prayer is that by listening to our conversation that you will know that God loves you and that you are valuable. No matter what you are going through that He is always there for you and will never leave you.We would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us your feedback on our episode and if you have any questions feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Are you living a faith so quiet that people who know you best would be shocked to discover you're a Christian? Do you mistake political arguments for gospel proclamation, confusing cultural battles with the call of Christ? This convicting message confronts the stark reality that most American Christians face zero persecution - not because we're blessed, but because our faith is invisible. Discover why Jesus promised persecution to His followers, why we should actually pray for it, and what it reveals about whether our faith is genuine or just comfortable lip service.

Your Daily Prayer

When Jesus Asked You: “Whom do you say that I am?”, Did You Answer Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”?  MESSAGE SUMMARY: The stories of the New Testament tell us that Jesus was no ordinary man. The Apostle John, in John 1:1-5, points out that Jesus, the Word, was the Creator of the Universe: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.". John tells us that Jesus had authority over nature, over creation, and over life itself, and he tells us that Jesus was the life-giver that came to earth for us. In John 20:26-29, Jesus asked the Apostle Thomas a fundamental question that Jesus asks you today– “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me?'”: “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.' Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”. When Jesus has asked you: “Whom do you say that I am?”, and how did you answer? Did you tell Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”? Have you, in your life, become a Jesus Follower? If not, why not?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 1:1-18; Isaiah 7:2-14; Matthew 1:21-24; Psalms 67:1-7. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Power of God in Your Life” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --Colossians 2:6-76 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.Daniel 1:1-2King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of JudahThe Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar victory???Messes with my theology. Ever feel like God is giving all the victory to your enemies?When we are rooted in him, we can trust God to strategically use bad situations to bring about profound good.He did it here, He'll do it for you.Daniel 1:3-54 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.Daniel 1:6-76 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names:Daniel (God is my judge) → Belteshazzar (Bel favors him)Hananiah (gracious is Yahweh) → Shadrach (Ishtar)Mishael (who is like Elohim) → Meshach (Marduk)Azariah (he hears Yahweh) → Abednego (Nego)-iah, yah for Yahweh. -el for Elohim. Mesopotamian Gods Marduk, Ishtar, NegoFirst thing they did: they changed their names.Some names given to us, the Church:Dove (So and Psa)God's building (1Co 3:9)God's heritage (1Pe 5:3)Pillar of truth - 1Ti 3:15Free (Gal 4:26)Righteous (Heb 12)Faithful (Heb 13)Peace and mercy-givers (Gal)Being rooted into our name/title… We have these names from God. We need to lean into them by the way we live day-to-day.To be rooted in God means to know, believe, and live out our God-given identity.Daniel 1:8-109 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.“Both respect and affection” - this is what we call favor.Pray for us, for favorWhen we are rooted in Christ, his life flowing in us bears the fruits of respect and favor.Daniel 1:12-1612 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. 13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion and tested them for ten days.15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.“So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine” that was given to everyone else.If we're going to stand for Jesus through the winds and storms of life, we must be deeply rooted in Him.We won't stand for long if we don't have deep roots.The deeper our roots, the more solid we will stand.Colossians 2:6-76 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.Coming back to this - “Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught”We might have to wait on a miracle but we don't have to wait to be free.When we are deeply rooted, our loyalty to God is not determined by our circumstances.Colossians 2:88 Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.Closing, altar invitation for those who want to be set free from “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense”Babylon: Your paycheck is enough.Jesus: I am enough.Babylon: This is too hard. You should give up.Jesus: You can do all things when your roots draw strength from me.Babylon: Your identity is in…Jesus: Your identity is in me. God loved you so much that He sent me to die for you.-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --Colossians 2:6-76 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.Daniel 1:1-2King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of JudahThe Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar victory???Messes with my theology. Ever feel like God is giving all the victory to your enemies?When we are rooted in him, we can trust God to strategically use bad situations to bring about profound good.He did it here, He'll do it for you.Daniel 1:3-54 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.Daniel 1:6-76 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names:Daniel (God is my judge) → Belteshazzar (Bel favors him)Hananiah (gracious is Yahweh) → Shadrach (Ishtar)Mishael (who is like Elohim) → Meshach (Marduk)Azariah (he hears Yahweh) → Abednego (Nego)-iah, yah for Yahweh. -el for Elohim. Mesopotamian Gods Marduk, Ishtar, NegoFirst thing they did: they changed their names.Some names given to us, the Church:Dove (So and Psa)God's building (1Co 3:9)God's heritage (1Pe 5:3)Pillar of truth - 1Ti 3:15Free (Gal 4:26)Righteous (Heb 12)Faithful (Heb 13)Peace and mercy-givers (Gal)Being rooted into our name/title… We have these names from God. We need to lean into them by the way we live day-to-day.To be rooted in God means to know, believe, and live out our God-given identity.Daniel 1:8-109 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.“Both respect and affection” - this is what we call favor.Pray for us, for favorWhen we are rooted in Christ, his life flowing in us bears the fruits of respect and favor.Daniel 1:12-1612 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. 13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion and tested them for ten days.15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.“So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine” that was given to everyone else.If we're going to stand for Jesus through the winds and storms of life, we must be deeply rooted in Him.We won't stand for long if we don't have deep roots.The deeper our roots, the more solid we will stand.Colossians 2:6-76 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.Coming back to this - “Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught”We might have to wait on a miracle but we don't have to wait to be free.When we are deeply rooted, our loyalty to God is not determined by our circumstances.Colossians 2:88 Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.Closing, altar invitation for those who want to be set free from “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense”Babylon: Your paycheck is enough.Jesus: I am enough.Babylon: This is too hard. You should give up.Jesus: You can do all things when your roots draw strength from me.Babylon: Your identity is in…Jesus: Your identity is in me. God loved you so much that He sent me to die for you.-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Send us a textOur guest Matt Shoup is a Jesus follower, serial entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, Spain aficionado, aspiring paella chef, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and Spanish coffee. He exists to pour into people in life in life, leadership and business. Matt has been featured in publications such as INC Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, BBC, Fox Small Business, Huffington Post, US News and World Report, and EO Overdrive. Matt has founded 6 successful companies and grown them all from the ground up. In the 1st part of our conversation, he shared a very interesting and powerful salvation story of how he found Jesus at the back of a police car. He also talked about the difference in his life before and after he accepted Christ as his personal savior. You will also hear Matt share about his journey being an author including how he chooses a topic to write, and how he came up with the title of his book, "Painted Baby" which is about leadership and business.Make sure to follow us so you don't miss the answer where we left off and to hear the rest of our conversation. For more information on our guest so you can buy his books or connect with him, you can do so by going to his website: https://www.mattshoup.com/We would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us your feedback on our episode and if you have any questions feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Nahum 1-3; John 5 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Heather guides us through day 215 of our journey through the Scriptures on this third day of August. Together, we reflect on the powerful words from Nahum chapters 1-3 and John chapter 5. The episode revisits the story of Nineveh, picking up a century after Jonah, and explores God's justice, mercy, and relentless love. Heather emphasizes that the Scriptures are not ends in themselves, but signposts pointing us to Jesus—the true source of life. As we listen, we're encouraged to open our hearts to God's love, recognize Jesus at work among us, and allow our faith to be strengthened and renewed. The episode closes with thoughtful prayers and a warm invitation to connect further at dailyradiobible.com. Join us as we come together with listeners around the world to encounter God's Word, be reminded of His love, and carry that love into our day. Seeing Jesus in Scripture: Nahum's Prophecy and the Healing at Bethesda From Nineveh's Fall to Christ's Healing: Finding God's Love in the Text Nahum, Nineveh, and John 5: Encountering God's Love and Power God's Judgment and Mercy: Reflections on Nahum and the Work of Jesus Finding Life in Christ: Nahum's Warning and Jesus at the Pool Encountering God's Love Beyond Rules: Lessons from Nahum and John 5 Scripture Points to Jesus: Nahum's Vision and Christ's Compassion Reorienting to God's Love: Ancient Prophecy Meets the Ministry of Jesus Recognizing Jesus: Nahum's Message, Bethesda's Healing, and Our Heart's Choice Beyond Judgment to Love: Discovering Christ's Presence in Nahum and John 5 Here are 30 topical keywords covered in the text: Nahum, Nineveh, Book of Nahum, John 5, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Scriptures, Assyrians, destruction of Nineveh, judgment, love of God, Sabbath, healing at Bethesda, Jewish leaders, authority of Jesus, eternal life, resurrection, Moses, prayer, faith, forgiveness, spiritual renewal, Bible reading, encouragement, Daily Radio Bible, scripture study, God's will, worship, community, newsletter Certainly! Here's a short, summarized bio for "Hunter," in a story format, inspired by the provided text: Hunter's Story Each day, Hunter joins a journey that unites people across the globe, gathering not just to read words, but to seek the deeper story they tell. On most Sundays, you'll find Hunter inviting others into this rhythm, reminding them that the scriptures aren't just old stories—they're windows into a greater life, bearing witness to hope and renewal through Jesus. With open heart and mind, Hunter leads this community in prayer, longing for the Holy Spirit to shine light on the path ahead and to re-center everyone in the love they share. Whether diving into the challenges spoken by Nahum or the life-giving words of John, Hunter's voice is a steady encouragement, a reminder that together, we are strengthened, reassured, and embraced by grace as each day unfolds. Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Heather guides us through day 215 of our journey through the Scriptures on this third day of August. Together, we reflect on the powerful words from Nahum chapters 1-3 and John chapter 5. The episode revisits the story of Nineveh, picking up a century after Jonah, and explores God's justice, mercy, and relentless love. Heather emphasizes that the Scriptures are not ends in themselves, but signposts pointing us to Jesus—the true source of life. As we listen, we're encouraged to open our hearts to God's love, recognize Jesus at work among us, and allow our faith to be strengthened and renewed. The episode closes with thoughtful prayers and a warm invitation to connect further at dailyradiobible.com. Join us as we come together with listeners around the world to encounter God's Word, be reminded of His love, and carry that love into our day. Absolutely! Here are 10 thoughtful discussion questions based on this episode of the Daily Radio Bible: The episode opens by saying that the Scriptures bear witness to Jesus rather than being life in themselves. What does this perspective mean to you, and how might it change the way you read the Bible? Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh comes 100 to 150 years after Jonah's. How does the contrasting message between these two prophets reflect God's justice and mercy? In what ways did Nahum emphasize both God's power and his goodness? How do you see these two aspects of God in your own life? The description of Nineveh's fall is vivid and devastating. Why do you think the Bible includes such detailed imagery when depicting the consequences of turning away from God? Jesus' statement in John 5:39, "You study the Scriptures diligently... yet the Scriptures point to me," is highlighted in the episode. What are the risks of focusing on religious rules without embracing the person of Jesus? The host mentions that some people missed God's love because they were consumed with control, rules, and judgment. What are some modern-day examples of missing God's love in similar ways? How does Jesus' healing at the pool of Bethesda challenge the religious leaders' views on the Sabbath? What message do you think Jesus was trying to convey through this act? The prayers at the end of the episode emphasize being instruments of peace, forgiveness, and love. How can these prayers inspire the way you interact with others today? The episode encourages listeners to recognize God's love already present in their hearts. What practices or habits can help you become more aware of God's love in your everyday life? Reflecting on today's readings and the discussion, how can you move from simply knowing about God to truly experiencing and living in God's love? Feel free to use these for group discussion or personal reflection! Absolutely! Here's a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in this episode of the Daily Radio Bible podcast, with sub-topics nested under each main heading for clarity: 1. Welcome and Purpose of Gathering Host introduction (Heather) Daily tradition of coming together around the Scriptures The Scriptures point to Jesus, the source of life Prayer for Holy Spirit's illumination and encouragement 2. Scripture Readings Introduction Overview of today's readings: Nahum Chapters 1–3 and John 5 Timeline context: Nahum written 100-150 years after Jonah's time in Nineveh Focus on Nahum's message to Nineveh 3. Reading and Reflection: Nahum Chapters 1–3 Nahum Chapter 1 Vision against Nineveh Character of God: vengeance, power, justice, refuge for the trusting Prophecy of Nineveh's destruction and Israel's restoration Nahum Chapter 2 Call for Nineveh to defend itself against the coming enemy Description of Nineveh's future defeat and plundering Imagery of the city's fear and ultimate ruin Nahum Chapter 3 Lament over Nineveh: murder, lies, cruelty Graphic depiction of coming judgement: casualties, shame, desolation Comparison to the fallen city of Thebes Prophecy of Nineveh's collapse: no recovery, universal relief at its end 4. Reading and Reflection: John Chapter 5 Healing at the Pool of Bethesda Jesus heals a man who had been sick for 38 years Conflict with Jewish leaders over healing on the Sabbath Jesus' Discourse with Religious Leaders Jesus' explanation of His relationship with God the Father Claim of divine authority and equality with God Promise of resurrection and judgment by the Son Rejection by religious leaders: seeking approval, missing God's love Witnesses to Jesus Testimony of John the Baptist Greater testimony: Jesus' works and the Father's voice Challenge to the leaders' understanding of Scripture Heart issue: lack of God's love, focus on rules over relationship 5. Reflection and Application Jesus' assertion: “Your approval means nothing to me” Problems with religious leaders: obsession with rules, missing God's love The missed opportunity to recognize and receive God's love in Jesus Invitation to listeners: to come to Jesus and recognize His love 6. Prayers Prayers for guidance, preservation, and purpose Prayer for unity among peoples and God's coming kingdom Prayer for being instruments of God's peace (Adaptation of Prayer of St. Francis) The Lord's Prayer recited together Thanksgiving for spiritual nourishment and renewal 7. Closing Remarks Encouragement to visit dailyradiobible.com for resources Information about the email newsletter and downloadable materials Reminder to like, share, rate, and review the podcast Note about checking email spam folders for newsletter delivery Closing blessing: reminder of God's love and encouragement for the day If you'd like a timestamped version or a focus on a specific section, just let me know! Today on the Daily Radio Bible, we explored Nahum's strong message against Nineveh and reflected on Jesus's words in John 5 about true life and God's love. The Scriptures aren't just about rules—they point us to Jesus, who is love in action. Let's remember to open our hearts, be led by God's love, and share that love with others. Stay encouraged—the joy of the Lord is your strength, and you are loved.

Send us a textCraig is a seasoned freelance video producer with over fifteen years of experience. In 2015, he co-founded Appian Media alongside his business partner, Stuart Peck, driven by a shared concern for the lack of engaging biblical media for young people. Their vision was to bridge the gap between the youth and Bible study through professionally produced, accurate, and free content. Appian Media has since produced multiple award-winning series, podcasts, workbooks, and children's videos, reaching millions worldwide.What sets Appian Media apart is their three-pronged approach: accuracy, professional production, and free accessibility. While many organizations may offer two of these elements, Appian Media stands out as one of the few providing all three. This commitment reflects their mission to remove barriers between people and the gospel.In the 2nd part of our interview, he explains what we can do to equip the next generation to counter the culture of Hollywood, and he also shares what the name Appian means and where they got the idea to name it. He also shared what he thinks is the future for our faith-based media and he also answered my question on how media literacy can provide education and empowerment.Make sure to follow us so you don't miss the answer where we left off and to hear the rest of our conversation. For more information on our guest and to watch the videos that they created you can go to: https://www.appianmedia.org/We would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us your feedback on our episode and if you have any questions feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textCraig is a seasoned freelance video producer with over fifteen years of experience. In 2015, he co-founded Appian Media alongside his business partner, Stuart Peck, driven by a shared concern for the lack of engaging biblical media for young people. Their vision was to bridge the gap between the youth and Bible study through professionally produced, accurate, and free content. Appian Media has since produced multiple award-winning series, podcasts, workbooks, and children's videos, reaching millions worldwide.What sets Appian Media apart is their three-pronged approach: accuracy, professional production, and free accessibility. While many organizations may offer two of these elements, Appian Media stands out as one of the few providing all three. This commitment reflects their mission to remove barriers between people and the gospel.In the 1st part of our interview, Craig started by sharing with us when and why he decided to accept Christ as his personal savior. He also shared with us about his company and what made him decide to be a videographer and how he and his friend started their media company. Make sure to follow us so you don't miss the answer where we left off and to hear the rest of our conversation. For more information on our guest and to watch the videos that they created you can go to:https://www.appianmedia.org/We would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us your feedback on our episode and if you have any questions feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textDavid Gregory is the New York Times' bestselling author of Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, which sold half a million copies, The Last Christian, a Christy Award finalist for best Christian fiction, and ten other books. Three of his books have been made into feature films. A Dallas Seminary graduate, international conference speaker, and former radio broadcaster, David is a leading voice seeking to bring the message of Christ to a new generation in unconventional ways and usher the worldwide church into a deeper experience of Christ in them.In the last part of our conversation, you will hear David answer the question where we left off the last time and that is how we can make Jesus relevant to a new generation. He also shared what he thinks the church is missing in the life of Jesus and why is it so critical?To connect with our guest or buy his books, you can do so buy going to: https://freewithgod.com and you can watch the books that he wrote that was turn into a movie either in Tubi or in Prime.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textDavid Gregory is the New York Times' bestselling author of Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, which sold half a million copies, The Last Christian, a Christy Award finalist for best Christian fiction, and ten other books. Three of his books have been made into feature films. A Dallas Seminary graduate, international conference speaker, and former radio broadcaster, David is a leading voice seeking to bring the message of Christ to a new generation in unconventional ways and usher the worldwide church into a deeper experience of Christ in them.In the 1st part of our conversation, you will hear David share when and why he made a decision to accept Christ as his personal savior. You will also hear him share when he decided to be an author, how he was able to choose what topic to write and the journey that he has to go through as an author and also how the books he wrote was turn into a movie.Make sure to stay tuned so you don't miss his answer to the question where we left of and to hear the last part of our conversation.To connect with our guest or buy his books, you can do so buy going to: https://freewithgod.comYou can buy the books that he wrote in his website or in Amazon, or you can watch the books that he wrote that was turn into a movie either in Tubi or in Prime.We would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us your feedback on our episode and if you have any questions feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Send us a textCathy Colver Garland co-authored Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ with her father, Dr. Randy Colver. She writes Gracefull Musings, a blog providing women a moment of rest and challenge before those little fingers appear under the bathroom door. A former Vice-President of a software company, she currently consults with institutions and companies on growth strategies. She also mentors' women in professional, spiritual, and personal development. Saved and living an “absolutely surrendered” life, her passion is to teach people to hear God's voice, surrender their lives, and walk in freedom.In the last part of our conversation, you will hear her as she continues to share what she wrote in their book about the topic "Prayer that gets answers" and also give an example of ways to get our prayers answered by God based on her own experience.Our prayer is by listening to Cathy's testimony is that you will draw a closer relationship with Christ and that you will know that God loves you and He wants a relationship from you.To connect with our guest or buy her book or her devotional that goes with it you can buy it in Amazon or go to her website: Revelationship - Book & Devotional Workbook and if you want a discount, you can click this link as well: www.revelationship.net/mothers-dayWe would love to hear from you so feel free to share with us your feedback on our episode and if you have any questions feel free to message us in any of our social media links.Connect with us through our Social Media Links:Email us at cometojesuswithannette.mahal@gmail.com Twitter and Instagram: @AnnetteMahal FB: Come to Jesus You can also send us a voice message if you are listening in Spotify or by sending your questions or comments to (571)601-0067. You can help support our podcast ministry and partner with us reach further to build God's Kingdom by either giving a onetime donation to our coffee podcast ministry or be a part of our monthly supporters. By partnering with us, you will get an invitation to join and be a part of our livestream events as it happens, unlock exclusive post and get a full access to all our bonus/special episodes, shout out to our new members, get a one-time gift for joining, be a part of our special community for our members only, receive a newsletter once a month, and most importantly partner with us as we share God's message to the world and that is by going to:www.buymeacoffee.com/cometojesus Thank you again for listening and always remember to Come to Jesus Daily!

Are you feeling stuck in your faith—comfortable, but not fully alive? Do you sense God calling you forward, but something inside keeps holding back? In this bold and honest message, Blake Bradley exposes the subtle danger of spiritual passivity and self-centered Christianity. Drawing from the story of King David in 2 Samuel 11, Blake shows how easy it is to stay behind when we're called to step up—and how that choice can lead to devastating consequences. But he also reveals the path back: a heart of repentance, a return to God's presence, and a life marked by surrender. This message is for you if: * You've been battling temptation or spiritual drift * You're ready to tear down the idol of self and say yes to God's call * You want to leave a legacy that burns for Jesus * You're hungry for more than surface-level Christianity This is a moment to examine who is truly on the throne of your heart. Is it Jesus—or the idol of self? Blake invites us to lay down passivity, pride, and marginal obedience in exchange for full surrender and generational legacy. Whether you're new to faith or walking with Christ for years, this message will stir you to respond with a deeper yes to the Lord. The Roads Church https://theroads.church

Once again we meditate on an Old Testament passage that is all about Jesus Christ. When we read " 5  The Lord God has opened my ear,     and I was not rebellious;     I turned not backward. 6  I gave my back to those who strike,     and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face     from disgrace and spitting. 7  But the Lord God helps me;     therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint,     and I know that I shall not be put to shame." We realize that Christ humbled Himself in so many ways, even giving His cheeks to His tormentors. Chad meditates on this and the meaning of "Word of the Father". Lynn sings "Step by Step". Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Chad Bird Lyrics to "Step by Step" Though I walk through   darkness And my eyes they cannot see Your voice has been my light. With every step guiding me   Word of the Father You speak to me You offered Yourself For Your enemies   Morning by morning Awaken me I pray Not by my own light And not in my own way   Lord you will help me With every step, every hour Day by day With every step, every hour Day by day You are the Word     You didn't hide Your face From hate and disgrace You brought light to the darkness To the whole human race   Word of the Father You speak to me You offered Yourself For Your enemies   Morning by morning Awaken me I pray Not by my own light And not in my own way   Lord you will help me With every step, every hour Day by day With every step, every hour Day by day You are the Word   You gave Your back to those who strike,     and Your cheeks to those who pulled out Your beard; You did not hide Your face You did not hide Your face     from all of this disgrace   You sustain me and remain with a word All who are weary And Your sacrifice was not in vain You carried all our shame I hope in Your name The name without shame The mighty name of Jesus You are the Word