Podcast appearances and mentions of Joel Osteen

Titus 3:3-8 NIV “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”   *Transcription Below*   Hunter Beless is an author of several children's books including Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It! and Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray. She is also a Bible teacher, co-author of Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace and the founder of Journeywomen Ministries, which empowers women to live out their faith through deep commitment to their local church. Hunter hosts the Journeywomen Podcast, sharing resources and insightful conversations with women of faith. She and her husband, Brooks, have four beautiful children, whom Hunter homeschools. You can find her on Instagram @hunterbeless, or at https://www.hunterbeless.com/books. Journeywomen Podcast   Thank You to Our Sponsor: The Sue Neihouser Team   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Questions and Topics We Cover: 1. What rhythms have been most profitable to you (spiritually, relationally, physically, and productively?)  2. In your own home, how have you intentionally helped your children know and love God through Scripture?  3. How is the Gospel useful for not only salvation, but also sanctification?   Similar Episodes from The Savvy Sauce: 16 Reflecting Jesus in Our Relationships with Rach Kincaid 57 Implementing Bite-Size Habits That Will Change Your Life with Author, Blogger, Podcaster, and Speaker, Kat Lee 150 Brain Science and Spiritual Abundance with Ken Baugh 166 Journey from Empty to Well Nourished Soul with Gretchen Saffles  207 Cultivating Character in Our Children with Cynthia Yanof Special Patreon Release Wholehearted Quiet Time with Naomi Vacaro 267 Apologetics with Ray Comfort 274 Holy Spirit Stories and Fruit and Ways to Identify His Guidance in Our Lives with Margaret Feinberg   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    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.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:16) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Thank you to the Sue Neihouser Team for sponsoring this episode. If you're looking to buy or sell a home this season, make sure you reach out to Sue at 309-229-8831. Sue would love to walk alongside you as you unlock new doors.   My guest for today is Hunter Beless, and you may recognize her as the founder of Journey Women Ministries. She's also a podcaster and an author of multiple books, including this recent one, Jesus Loves You More. Hunter is going to share today about all things discipleship.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Hunter.    Hunter Beless: (1:17 - 1:23) Thank you so, much for having me. I just love the concept of this show, and I'm excited to be here with you today.    Laura Dugger: (1:23 - 1:56) Well, I've been looking so, forward to getting to chat with you. You've been on my list for years, so, I'm thankful this worked out. And even, it may have been years ago, but I heard you publicly share that you had chosen to put your faith in Christ in elementary school, I believe. But then as you transitioned into high school, you were open about then choosing to pursue the ways of the world. So, will you just speak to that experience and talk to that teenage girl who's currently facing some similar temptations?    Hunter Beless: (1:56 - 6:39) Oh, that'd be such a privilege to get to speak to any young woman who is in a situation like this. I often think, like, if I would have just had one older friend who was encouraging me in the Lord, who would be willing to testify to God's grace in her life, and who would reach back and try and help me just to continue walking in the grace that he had extended to me through his son, like, I wonder if it would have gone differently for me, Laura. But, you know, the Lord did save me at a young age, and I lived fervently for him, loved God's word, even from a young age.    And I remember, like, seeing groups of people that I wanted to like me, and wanting so, desperately to be accepted by them. But knowing that when I opened the pages of scripture, the Holy Spirit brought conviction to my heart in a way that would not allow me to act in accordance with the things that these groups were doing, in order to be approved of by them. And so, I thought to myself, "Well, maybe I'll just stop reading my Bible so, much." This is about eighth or ninth grade. And, you know, then I won't feel a sense of conviction when it comes to, like, these behaviors that I know I need to, you know, adapt to, in order to be approved of by the people that I deemed, you know, significant. And so, I set my Bible aside.    And it's a really sad story. I mean, as I continued to spend time outside of God's word, I would still go to church with my family and things like that on Sunday mornings. But I just began to look less and less like a follower of Christ, and more and more like the world. And eventually, you know, I spent my entire duration of my high school years doing that. And I have to tell you; I just went back to my 20-year high school reunion. And there was a girl that I saw there. And she told me what a jerk I was in that season of my life. And it was such a wonderful thing to be reminded of what it looks like for me to not be walking in the Spirit, but to be walking in the flesh. And to really have to reckon with, that is what it looks like to be walking like the world.    And I just told her, I said, "You know what, you're completely right." I said, "I was." I was totally looking out for my good and not for the good of others. I was absolutely living for myself and not for the Lord. But by God's grace, when it came time for my senior year of high school, he allowed me to get to the end of myself. And you would have thought, like, looking back, I had the resume, I had the 4.0, I had the salutatorian status, I was the president of my high school senior class. You would have thought, this girl's crushing it. But I had never been more anxious, more depressed, more insecure, more selfish, obviously, as testified to by the girl that I just referenced, than I was in that season of my life.    And I remember I had a youth pastor who had just come into our church. And he said, "Hey," he said, "How's your time in the word looking?" And I said, "Well, I could either lie, or I could tell the truth." And I said, "You know, it's looking pretty, pretty bleak." And he said, "I just want to challenge you to get back in God's word." And at the same time, my dad had a tragic accident. It was a near death accident. And I was kind of reckoned with the brevity of life as a senior in high school. And I cried out to the Lord. And I said, "God, if you really are who you say you are, would you show me who you are through your word?"    And that sparked, Laura, this passion for God's word. And it allowed me then to see the difference in my own life, what it looks like for Hunter to be walking without listening to the voice of God, and what it looked like for Hunter to have her face in her Bible, and to seek to live by God's word. And I tell you what, I probably don't look nearly as impressive by the world's standards. But the joy and the peace, and really just the transformation that the Lord has accomplished in my life through his word, is something that I cannot stop testifying to. And I just cannot encourage women enough, like if you are wrestling with the flesh, to get into God's word, because God works by the power of the Holy Spirit through his word in the lives of his people. And so, that's why really this whole passion has just overtaken my life for God's word.    Laura Dugger: (6:40 - 6:59) Wow, that is incredible to hear that transformation, because God did it, and God can do it again. And God can do it for each one of us listening. But you are so passionate about discipling others. Can you first tell us, what were some of the significant ways that you've been discipled?    Hunter Beless: (7:00 - 10:07) Yeah, well, I went to college, and that was the first time that I had ever really had someone seeking to do spiritual good in my life, outside of my parents. And really, even with my parents, like, you know, sitting down intentionally studying the word, that wasn't a part of our family culture. And so, when I went to college, there was a girl, her name was Meredith. And I remember, she sat down, and she taught me how to read my Bible, for really the very first time. I remember being confronted with some of the truths of scripture, Laura, and I'm like, "That's in the Bible? That disrupts me. Like, I didn't know that, you know?" And so, it was such a wonderful time, just of really kind of being confronted with my own theological ideas from my, you know, lack of ability and time to really understand the message of the text, you know, and then to really reevaluate that and be conformed to the text and to allow it to conform me. So, Meredith had a significant influence in my life in how to study the Bible.    And then I had an older woman named Joyce, who at the time, I believe, was in her late 40s, maybe early 50s. And I just remember, Joyce found out that I began to memorize scripture. So, somewhere along the way, I realized, like, this book is so, significant that I need to start, you know, hiding scripture away in my heart. Some of that was just watching my own grandmother and seeing the way that the Lord had used scripture in her own life. And realizing, like, wow, if my grandmother has these truths hidden away in her heart for this season, and she had dementia, I need to start hiding scripture away in my heart, too. So, Joyce and I really, we started up a group on scripture memory.    And I'll never forget the first time I met her, she said, "Hey, I heard you're starting to memorize Ephesians." I never finished. But she said, "Let's hear it." And so, she just opened up her Bible. And I just started quoting Ephesians. And one of Joyce's coined phrases that at the time I didn't realize was actually scripture itself, she would hold the Bible out in front of me. And she would say, "Hunter, this is no empty word for you, but your very life." And she had so many phrases like that, that I didn't even realize at the time, because I was pretty biblically illiterate, that were the words of scripture themselves. That's Deuteronomy 32:47. And Joyce really embodied that message for me, that scripture is that man doesn't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. And so, watching her just live with her face in her Bible, proverbially speaking, and seeking to meditate on its truths and live by those day in and day out really transformed who I am even today. And she gave me a picture of what I'd like to look like years down the road.    So, I've had various mentors, but those are some of the first. And the Lord definitely used them in significant ways to do spiritual good in my life.    Laura Dugger: (10:08 - 10:36) And I don't know what kind of life those women lead if they're in public or more private disciplines, but their faithfulness, you just see the impact how it ripples out to bless generations. And even you, Hunter, you're leading this incredible ministry, where you disciple others through helping women know and love God through his word. So, will you share how you ended up getting to do this awesome work that you get to do today?    Hunter Beless: (10:37 - 15:41) Oh, well, the beginnings of this, you would not have thought were awesome. And in fact, you and I were just chatting, and I still am recording out of my closet. And really, it's all just been an overflow of what the Lord has been doing in my own life. And I did feel like along the way, I just, I began to just love learning from older women. And I do think that's a biblical, like scriptural kind of practice. You look at Titus 2, you see the older women are to teach the younger women what is good. I was a younger woman who loved learning from older women. And so, I had this, over the years, this just long list of women who had invested in me who had, you know, testified to God's grace in their life, who had taught me the scriptures.    And when my husband Brooks and I were in the military, we found ourselves on post. And just due to the transiency of a military lifestyle, the churches around military installations tend to be a little bit tired, sometimes depleted, because people in the military are moving so, frequently. So, it's hard, right, to have continuity to see people through in their discipling process and all of that. And so, I really missed those mentors that I'd had from college, and the year after college, after coming into marriage. And so, I thought to myself, like, man, I want the other women. I was also interfacing with either believers or non-believers who really had never been discipled. And I thought, man, I just wish I could get you with Joyce, or I wish I could get you with Meredith. I wish I could connect you, you know, with X, Y, or Z woman from the past couple of years.    And so, I thought, I also simultaneously was listening to a lot of podcasts because I was super lonely. Just because, you know, moving into a new culture, and then my husband was gone at least 50% of the time for training or deployment. And so, I'd be walking along the military installation listening to like sermon audio, like John Piper or Timothy Keller or whatever. And I thought, man, I wish that there was a conversational podcast about theology for women that would just be more warm and kind of like what we're doing right now. And my husband was like, "Well, you should start it." And so, I just started with the women who had mentored me. If you go back to the very beginning of the podcast, it's truly like my college roommates. It's my mentors from Pine Cove Christian Camps where Brooks and I met.    And I think I just by God's grace, the podcasting network was so, small at the time. I remember Journey Women landed in the number two spot right behind Joel Osteen whenever the thing launched. And so, then from there, it just gave the podcast some notoriety, which is what then allowed, you know, some of the names that you would recognize to reach out and to say, "Hey, you know, could we come on the podcast?" And at the time, I had no knowledge of, you know, how to market people marketing books or any of that Bible studies, etc. And yeah, it was a really fun season, actually, because it was pre-COVID. And you know, people weren't used to doing a whole lot online. And so, had some really, really fun conversations. And along the way, the Lord has helped me to hone in more of a vision of what I'm doing. Because at first, it was just like, let's get in the closet and have like fun, intentional conversations that I could share with my girlfriends or with maybe the military spouse that I'm meeting on the playground that I may never see again, you know.    And then along the way, people started even wanting to donate to the podcast and different things like that. And I thought, I really need to have a clearer aim. And so, now, you know, over the past eight years, the Lord has given us this mission to help women know and love God through his word, to find their hope in the gospel and to invest deeply in their local churches as they go out on mission for the glory of God. And some of that came and Laura, I'm sure you face this from women really seeking out discipling online, and us realizing we can't disciple you. Like, we cannot come alongside you and help you to grow in godliness, you know, but we can do that via the interwebs. But the degree to which we're able to do that is super-duper limited. And so, what does it look like for us then to equip women so, that then they would be encouraged to seek out fellowship in the local church, and to be investing their time, energy and talents in the local church. And so, that's become kind of our resounding gong at Journey Women over the years, just because we really do believe that ministry happens best in the context of the local church. And that's something that the Lord has validated through seeing women reaching out online and realizing like, hey, we could never, you know, provide what they need. But God in his grace has given us the local body that is able to do that.    Laura Dugger: (15:42 - 19:08) So, well said, because this is a great place that we can meet people anytime what is most convenient for them with a podcast. But then also, so, that's great for sowing seeds. But there's nothing that replaces that embodied relationship. And it just makes me think of God that he created us that way. And he knew it because Jesus even being embodied, little baby sent to earth, so, nothing replaces that. And, Hunter, I just I love hearing about your public ministry and the way the Lord has blessed and grown it.    And now a brief message from our sponsor. With over 28 years of experience in real estate, Sue Neihouser of the Sue Neihouser Team is a RE/MAX agent of Central Illinois, and she loves to walk alongside her clients as they unlock new doors. For anyone local, I highly recommend you call Sue today at 309-229-8831. And you can ask her any real estate questions. Sue lives in Central Illinois and loves this community and all that it has to offer. When unlocking new doors with her clients, Sue works hard to gain a depth of understanding of their motivations and dreams and interests in buying and selling their home. And then she commits to extensive market research that will give them confidence in their decision. Sue truly cares for each of her clients and the relationship she forms with each family along the entire home buying or selling process. This was absolutely our experience when we worked with Sue and her team. The house that we desired at the time was actually not even on the market, but Sue had a connection and was able to ask those homeowners if they would be willing to sell. She was timely in her response as she walked us through this whole process, and she helped us sell our home with the right offer coming in hours after it was listed. We kept saying she's thought of everything. And Sue's continued generosity was astonishing. I remember one afternoon after we had settled into our new home, and she was knocking on the door dropping off a goodie bag for our family that came from the local bakery. Our daughters also loved getting to know Miss Sue as she assisted us in finding truly our dream home.    So, whether you're looking to buy a home for the first time, or looking to upgrade or downsize, or making the big decision to move to an assisted living from your home of many years, Sue will be there to help you navigate the big emotions and ensure the process is smooth and stress free, and that the new doors to be unlocked are ready and waiting for more memories to be made. So, call her today at 309-229-8831 or visit her website at sueneihouser.com. And that is sueneihouser.com. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I'd also love to hear a little bit more about your personal life. So, what does a day in the life look like for Hunter Beless?    Hunter Beless: (19:09 - 21:25) Well, I think if somebody joined me in a day in a life, in this season, Laura, I feel like I'm too busy. I have committed to too much. And so, what it looks like practically, it's going to be a lot of time running from this or that event and just trying to do the things that I committed to before or some of the other things that the Lord has allowed in my life came to fruition. But just leaning into him for the grace that I need moment by moment, you know, and trusting that he is the same and that he has provided all of the grace that I need. His grace is sufficient for me, you know, as I'm running errands and facing the temptation to feel anxious or overwhelmed that, you know, I think it's Luke 12, where it's talking about how I can't even add a moment, not even the smallest amount of time to my life by worrying. So, I'm just going to entrust all of this to the Lord.    So, for me, I wonder how many women are listening to this and that they can relate to this because I talked to various people who they don't have a podcast, but they don't have the same work as me, but they feel that same temptation towards anxiety and the feelings of overwhelms that we all face, you know, and yeah, I think my life probably looks a lot like many of y'all's. And for me, it's just the constant meditation on scripture and just rehearsing the truths of God's word that are never changing, even in the midst of my ever-changing and chaotic circumstances. So, it doesn't seem to change even if I do a better job, which I could have done, planning my schedule or, you know, prayerfully considering the commitments that I made, but just resting and knowing that he is unchanging and that he is ever-present and that he is all-knowing and that he has provided everything that I need and his son.    So, that is what it looks like. Every day looks different, but again, leaning into the truths of God's word, meditating on those truths, rehearsing those truths over and over, and resting in the grace that the gospel provides. That's the thing that never changes.    Laura Dugger: (21:27 - 22:06) And I love that overview because if we look from the outside, you're homeschooling, you run this ministry, you have a podcast, and you're cooking healthy recipes for your family, but I'm sure do you also have weekly patterns? Because to me, it's a stewardship issue. You've been faithful with little, it sounds like, so, he has given you the opportunity to be faithful in much, and it's a season of much where you've written books and produced all this content. So, do you have a system in place or rhythms throughout the week that have helped you live that full, abundant life?    Hunter Beless: (22:06 - 24:19) Yeah, that's a really good question. Obviously, the weekly rhythm that we always start with is worshiping with the saints on Sunday. I look forward to that like no other. And we are in a church that the Lord is just so, gracious to have provided a pastor who prioritizes the preaching of the word and who is consistently proclaiming the gospel from the pulpit. And so, Laura, on the weeks where I feel like I have been so, busy that I have not spent the time in God's word that I would desire, just the recognition that going to church on a Sunday is such a blessing to get to receive God's word. And so, there have been many times that I just show up and I'm just like, "Thank you, Lord." Thank you for the provision of your word. Thank you for the provision of the body of Christ. And so, Sundays are just like a non-negotiable for us. We go to church on Sundays. And then, you know, we have various things. My kids are actually homeschooled on two days out of the week or three days out of the week. And then, they go to school two days. So, we do like a university model is what it's called. And so, on the three days that they are home, I am full tilt homeschooling, doing everything home-related.    And in fact, I have had to learn that part of their education is also helping care for our home. And so, we really see it as a team effort to keep the home, like, tidy and running and functioning well, so that we can, you know, spend as much time in it as we do, like, with happy hearts. And then, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I typically am in this closet working while the children are at school. Saturdays, we rest together as a family. We spend a lot of time outdoors. I also make bread regularly. And I think there's something liturgical for me about making bread. And, like, when everything else feels, like, a little bit chaotic and out of my control, the beauty of just doing a simple task like making bread to provide food for my family and nourishment is something that really brings me great joy. So, Saturdays are also bread-making days. And then, the week begins again. That is awesome.    Laura Dugger: (24:19 - 24:41) I love hearing that. And it makes me curious to go even a little bit further. I'll give you a few categories, but I'd love to hear what rhythms in these categories have been most profitable to you. So, when you think of it spiritually, physically, relationally, and just productively, how you stay creatively fresh.    Hunter Beless: (24:41 - 28:24) Yeah. You know, spiritually for me, and I'm a mother of, like, young children, right? So, my kids are ranging from age 11 to age 3. I would say we're still in a season in which sleep is a little bit unpredictable, particularly in those early waking hours. But I do my very best to try and get in God's Word first. And that is not because I want to check it off the list, but because I need the people in my home and beyond. So, really trying to just orient myself rightly to the truths of God's Word first thing is huge. I also do try to work out. So, that gets to the physical piece. I neglected working out for many years. I actually, hilariously, was a personal trainer when we were back in the military. And that was kind of my gig while Brooks was gone. And so, I know how to work out, and I enjoy working out. But with the children, it has been a difficult thing for me to prioritize. But just this last year, I got, this is the most, like, basic thing ever. I got a Peloton. I bought it secondhand off of Marketplace. And it has just been a wonderful way for me to sweat and exercise my body first thing in the morning without, you know, really requiring a whole lot. I don't have to leave the house. I don't have to go outside or anything, because Brooks does travel quite a bit still for work. And so, I try to ride the Peloton. Doesn't always happen. Happens less than it does, than I want for it to, but it does help.    And then, yeah, relationally is really, that's a really good question. I think one thing that the Lord has blessed me with, having lived a season of extreme transiency, right? So, we did eight years of military. And then, we did two years at, you know, university where Brooks got his MBA. And now, we're in our first, like, what we would call, like, a civilian kind of location, where he's got his first civilian job. We're almost 15 years deep into marriage now. And so, all of the friendships that I made along those eight years of moving almost annually. I think we moved, like, six or seven times in eight years. Yeah, just trying to maintain those relationships. I only have one or two from each duty station, but I love using Voxer or Voice Memo to keep in touch with people who have known me for, you know, a longer time. And that's just one thing that's really fun. I have to be careful not to let that overtake my time on my phone, but I do love to keep in touch with old friends. And they are some of the friends that the Lord has used just really to help me navigate the various challenges that we face, right, in life and relationally in marriage and all of that.    So, anyways, and relationally in marriage, Brooks and I were really just relishing in the friendship that God has given us with one another. I don't think it's been easy over the years, especially with all of the transiency and all of the deployments and all of the many moves that we've faced. But God has really just given us a true appreciation for one another. And to begin to see now, 15 years into marriage, that the differences that He has given each of us are a gift to help us be conformed into the image of His Son. So, that's some of it, spiritually, physically, relationally. Did I miss anything?    Laura Dugger: (28:25 - 28:32) Just even productively as you're creating content, how do you stay creatively inspired and fresh?    Hunter Beless: (28:33 - 30:55) Yeah, I love, my friend Gretchen Stoffels has a lot of wonderful things to say about this. She talks a lot about producing from the overflow and not the undertow. And that's ministered to me over the years. I find a lot of times when I am not creatively fresh, it's either because I'm overproducing or because I'm not honestly spending, most of what I do is all revolving around God's Word. So, it's like if I'm not spending time in God's Word and allowing myself to just be struck anew with truths from the text, then what do I have to share? So, that helps me too in knowing when am I overcommitted? Because if I don't have time then to be relishing in God's Word, not for the sake of producing something, but just like you said, just being struck and wonder by who God is, then I really need to reevaluate the commitments that I'm making and slow things down a bit. And so, that's kind of what has helped me to protect that time with the Lord so that then I would have something to offer others.    And I don't just think about it in terms of producing a podcast or writing a book or sending out a newsletter. I mean, honestly, even with the children, this has been something that I've been thinking about for the last six to eight months. If I want them to understand how God's Word informs all of life, then I need to be with my face in my Bible because who is it that they spend the most time with, right? All throughout their life. Like, it's me. And so, I get to then help them realize like, oh, here is how Scripture applies to all these different circumstances. But if I don't spend time in God's Word, then I've got nothing to give. And I have a friend who was a missionary actually in a remote country with the IMB. And I asked her, I said, "How did you ever evangelize with people in this remote context from this different religion and all of this?" And she said, "You know what, I just had to be so, filled up with God's Word that that's what came out." And I think about that all the time. So, when I'm feeling dry, I'm like, "Oop, oop, that's a good sign. I need to go back to God's Word."    Laura Dugger: (30:56 - 31:07) I love that. And let's go there then in your own home. How have you intentionally helped your children to know and to love God through Scripture?    Hunter Beless: (31:09 - 33:52) This is going to sound really selfish, but, you know, this whole endeavor, right, I've realized the significance of God's Word in my own life. And so, I'm constantly thinking, Laura, like, how am I going to get into God's Word? You know, like, that's, it sounds selfish. But if I really believe that I need God's Word for all of life, I'm going to have to figure out how am I going to get that in. And then it's wonderful because I get to bring the children along in that. So, maybe that's just like a fresh take on it, right? Because we're always thinking as mothers, like, how can we be investing in our children more heavily in all of these things? And I think those are good and right desires. Obviously, Deuteronomy speaks to that. You know, we're supposed to teach our children diligently the ways of the Lord. But I think it's just so refreshing when we come to the text as learners, as co-learners. And so, for me, I'm just always thinking, like, how can we learn together who God's Word is? How can we worship the Lord together in our home?    And then it helps me see those times, right, when you are offering instruction to the children, when you are being intentional about, you know, for us, we do, like, catechesis, for example, which is a series of questions and answers just to help disseminate doctrinal truths and help the children learn, like, here are, you know, foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. Then I'm not just like, "Okay, who is God? You know, God is the Spirit." I'm, like, thinking about the things that we're learning in a way where I also am seeking to learn as well. And I think that just gives a posture of humility, too. Like, as a parent, where it's not like, "You gotta learn your Bible verse this week, kid." You know, it's like, "We get to, we get to, look, we get to learn God's Word together, you know?" And then that helps them understand the joy of learning God's Word. And it also gives them a very real picture of a parent who's being transformed by the truths of God's Word. What better witness is there? And so, really, I've stopped seeing it as, "Hey, here's our time," you know, which we do have.    And practically, for us, a lot of that happens around the table because I've realized that, like, when children are well-fed, when they have something to do with their hands, they may be a little bit more prone to, like, have open ears, ready to hear, you know, instruction. But we do have those rhythms kind of in place, but I don't want it to be relegated to those rhythms. I want it to be all of life. I want us to understand it doesn't just mean we're gonna sit here over breakfast and do our Bible reading for the day. This is something that is really going with us through the day because we need it not just for this moment, but for all of life.    Laura Dugger: (33:53 - 35:38) You draw so much wisdom there, and I think especially that it's not an either-or, having that set-aside rhythm and time, or just hoping it'll be incorporated into all of life. But it's both.   I want to make sure that you're up to date with our latest news. We have a new website. You can visit thesavvysauce.com and see all of the latest updates. You may remember Francie Henrichsen from Episode 132, where we talked about pursuing our God-given dreams. She is the amazing businesswoman who has carefully designed a brand-new website for Savvy Sauce Charities, and we are thrilled with the final product, so, I hope you check it out. There you're going to find all of our podcasts, now with show notes and transcriptions listed, a scrapbook of various previous guests, and an easy place to join our email list to receive monthly encouragement and questions to ask your loved ones, so, that you can have your own practical chats for intentional living. You will also be able to access our donation button, or our mailing address, for sending checks that are tax-deductible, so, that you can support the work of Savvy Sauce Charities and help us continue to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ. So, make sure you visit thesavvysauce.com today.   Even going back to the heart of this conversation of discipleship, Hunter, how do you think the local church, and especially older women in the community, can play a vital role in encouraging young people to love Scripture?    Hunter Beless: (35:40 - 39:34) You know, I love this question, and I just, I cannot overemphasize the value of older women who love God's Word in the church enough. You know, I think in the culture, we're hearing and seeing that, you know, it's not good to grow old. I mean, that's being perpetuated by all of the Instagram ads that we receive, and by seeing shiny faces that look like they haven't aged one bit. And I'm like, "No, God's Word says that women, older women in particular, have tremendous value in the family of God." And so, I think I want older women just to realize, like, we need you. And in fact, no one is exempt. No woman is exempt from the Titus 2 mandate to teach the younger women what is good. And how do we know what's good? Well, we know God alone is good. And because God is good, we know His Word is good. And if you don't have any clue, like how to reach back and invest in the next generation, I have great news for you. All you need is God's Word.    So, I mean, the littlest learners, the children in the community, I think they are the most gracious recipients of anybody in our community, you know, just when it comes to God's Word. And so, look for ways that you can encourage the younger people in your sphere of influence, in your local church, with God's Word. And often I think that just starts with maybe even meditating on one verse. You know, it can be that simple. Or for me, one way that I want to encourage, you know, the children in my life with God's Word is by identifying ways that I see God working in their lives and naming it. I mean, how encouraging would that be if an older saint in the church said, "Hey, you know, I don't know, my oldest daughter's name is Hadley. Hey, Hadley, like, I see God working in you. You are showing kindness, you know, to the other children in the church. Thank you so much for that. And I'm just praising God for the work he's doing in your life," you know.    But I think in order for them to do that, right, they have to be willing to be inconvenienced by being around the children. And we just had a sermon on this, a wonderful sermon from the book of Mark about Jesus saying, "Let the little children come to me." And so, I think just realizing that Jesus himself, right, he was unbothered. He delighted in the presence of children. So, I think in our older age, you know, especially after you have young kids and you've done all of your time, you know, investing in the next generation in that way, just realizing that there is value in serving in kids' ministry or children's ministry in the church and just getting around the children to be able to give yourself the opportunity to know them in a way where you can meet them with the truths of God's Word. It could also be just having younger families in your home. And I know that can be such an inconvenience. I mean, we're a hot mess. We are so chaotic. And I know, you know, you even have to consider the breakables. Like, you got to protect those, you know, when we come into the house. But figure out, like, what does hospitality look like where we can welcome in younger children, the families with younger children in the home, seek to encourage the parents. I mean, truly, Laura, what else are we doing here? Like, we have been given two things. We have been given the mission of evangelizing and discipling. And that message is the same.    At the heart of both of those things is the gospel. The gospel is for salvation and for sanctification. And so, if you're an older person in the church, keep meditating on the gospel. Keep, you know, seeking to disseminate the truths of the gospel to everybody around you. And remember, the littlest of these, I think, are the most eager learners. And it's such a great opportunity.    Laura Dugger: (39:36 - 39:52) Goodness, I love that. And as you say, disseminate these truths of the gospel for both salvation and sanctification. Can you even share clearly what is that gospel that applies to everyone?    Hunter Beless: (39:53 - 43:58) Oh, yes. I mean, this is the good news that I continually am rehearsing over and over and over again. I think for me, you know, I realized as a young child that the gospel was for salvation, right? That I love the Titus 3. You know, I just wrote this Bible study on Titus with Courtney Docter. If you don't have, like, a great comprehensive kind of gospel text that you've got in your back pocket, I think Titus 3:3-7 is a wonderful text to commit to memory. It says, "So, we are sinners." Romans 3:23. You know, we were created by God to glorify him. And yet, we have chosen to glorify ourselves. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, we too were once foolish. I think it's easy to see that when you really think about your life. You know, like, even me testifying to my life in high school. We too were once foolish. There's no getting around that. But we too, let me see, where am I now? "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us," "not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy," So, how does he save us? Well, he sent his son, Jesus. When did the kindness of God our Savior appear? Well, it appeared over 2,000 years ago. In a stable in Bethlehem. When, like you said, God sent his son to live a perfect life. And then he gave his life on the cross so, that we might have right relationship with God. He saved us. Not by works of righteousness, but according to his mercy, "By the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."    So, when, and by the way, he rose from the grave. Let's see, is that in here? I don't know. But let's see. That one's not in this particular gospel text of Titus 3:3-7. But we know that from the gospels, right? That Jesus Christ died on the cross. And that he rose again three days later. Overcoming death. So, that we too might not have to experience eternal death. We get to experience eternal life. When we turn from our sin and trust in him. And that's when that washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit happens. We're filled with the spirit. He's poured out his spirit on us. Verses 6 and 7 says, "whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." And so, I think part of what it looks like for us to live with that hope of eternal life. Is to constantly be reflecting upon who we were apart from Christ. Who we are in Christ. And who we will be when we one day see Christ again. Face to face. And so, that for me is what it looks like. Just to relish in the gospel. To remember the gospel.    Even when I was talking earlier, Laura, about feeling overwhelmed. The temptation for me then is to feel down on myself. And to wrestle with shame. Because I've over committed, right? But I'm rehearsing the truths of the gospel to myself in that moment. And saying, "Okay. Yes, could I have planned my schedule better? Yes, could I have done all these things? But you know what? I, by God's grace, get instead to rest in the grace that the gospel provides for me in this moment. Knowing that with all these various responsibilities, I am not going to be executing them perfectly. But he has perfectly accomplished my salvation on the cross. And so, I can rest in his son. Knowing that my salvation is not based on my perfect performance. But on the performance of Christ." And that then again helps me then to relish in the gospel. To remember the gospel, like I said, is not just for that moment of salvation or justification. When we're saved from our sins and made right with God. But it's also for every moment of every day. Because we need it all the time. At least I do.    Laura Dugger: (44:00 - 44:20) Yes, absolutely. And I think we can hear that or repeat that so, often. But I love how you unpack it. Because especially for those who have been saved. When they rely on the gospel for sanctification. Can you give any more examples of what that looks like? Specifically for sanctification after the salvation?    Hunter Beless: (44:21 - 46:35) Yeah. I think it's just coming to a greater understanding of our desperate need for Jesus. And then as we rely on him more wholly. I think we're conformed even more into the image of his son. Just after that gospel hymn in Titus 3. Verse 8 says, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works." So, what is sanctification? Well, sanctification is growing in godliness. Or said another way, it's growing in good works. Right? So, we're not saved because of our good works. We're saved by the gospel so, that then we can produce good works. By God's grace. That's the sanctification process. And so, how does that happen? Well, verse 8 tells us, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things." What does it want us to insist on? It wants us to insist then on the contents of the gospel from Titus 3:3-7. So, we need to, in order to grow in our ability to do good to others. What do we do? We insist on the gospel.    And how does that work? Well, when I am feeling, again, overbooked, overwhelmed. And somebody comes into my life that needs service. If I'm functioning by the world's wisdom, what am I going to say? "You know what? I just don't have the margin for that. I can't do that. I need to protect my time." But if I'm looking at the gospel, what do I see? Well, I see what Christ died for me. Was that act of service self-protective in any way? No. So, what does it look like for me then to lay down my life for the good of another? And that's how the gospel then informs our living in such a way that we begin to grow by God's grace, not by our own effort, in godliness. So, I think that's how the sanctification process kind of works itself out.    Laura Dugger: (46:35 - 46:54) Thank you so much for sharing that. And you've taught us already so, much in this time together. But you've also written a book recently for children. Can you tell us a little bit more about it and share the lasting truths that you want to impart to children who get to read or listen to your book?    Hunter Beless: (46:55 - 49:47) Yeah. I think it started for me with really thinking about what are those kinds of scriptural, biblical truths that I want to offer to the children in these everyday moments like we've been talking about. My son, I already shared, he's been struggling with sleep for the last year or so,. And he'll come tumbling down the stairs in the middle of the night. And my initial reaction to that is to want to say, "It's okay. Mommy's here." Right? And that's true. And I do think that offers some temporal comfort. And it is a good thing for a mother to be present in the time of a child's need. But thinking more deeply, I began to say, "Buddy, God is with you. You have no need to fear." And the reason for that is because I started thinking about, well, what if mommy wasn't here? What if I wasn't able to be here? And some of that came just from having lost my own father in the last few years to cancer spontaneously. And just thinking, like, what are the lasting truths that I then want to impart to my children when I'm no longer able to be present? So, it is true. It's comfort that mommy is here in your time of need. But also, even when mommy's not able to be here, remember, God is with you always.  And it's been such an encouragement for me then to even see him, like, on the playground and his little buddy will get hurt. And he'll turn and he'll tell his buddy, like, "It's okay. God's with you." You know what I'm thinking? "That's so, good. Like, this is the kind of stuff that I want to be just ingrained within the children so, that their initial reaction is, 'It's okay. God is with me.'" Similarly, the message that is repeated throughout the book is, "Jesus Loves You More". And that was really instigated from one of my children requesting for me to say over and over again this popular phrase that we've all heard, "I love you to the moon and back." And I started thinking, like, "Okay, that's true. I do. I love you to the moon and back. I love you to the, you know, mountaintop and to the ocean floor. I love you as far as the east is from the west. But there is one who loves you even more than I ever could. And in fact, when my love fails you, His never will." And so, I wanted to get that.    If there's one message that I want my kids to know, it's that. It's that Jesus loves them so, much that he went all the way to the cross at Calvary and gave his very life so, that they could be made right with God. So, that's the message that I hope kids will take away from the book. I do hope that it inspires parents to think about what are those lasting truths that they want to impart to their kids. And I hope it equips them then to be able to share what I believe as Christian parents is the most important message we could ever give.    Laura Dugger: (49:48 - 49:54) I just want to acknowledge too, I'm so, sorry for the sudden loss of your father in recent years.    Hunter Beless: (49:55 - 50:19) Well, thank you. Yeah, it's, you know, my kids were just saying as we were hiking this last weekend, they're like, "We miss puppy." But we're like, I'm at a point now where I did go through many years of grief, missing him, you know, all of this. But just relishing in the fact that he's in the presence of the Lord Jesus. And I am just so grateful because he's in a much better place. So, I'm looking forward to the day that I get to join him there. Amen.    Laura Dugger: (50:20 - 50:28) Well, Hunter, you've already given us so much, but where can we go to continue being discipled by you after this conversation?    Hunter Beless: (50:30 - 51:14) Well, if you like conversations like this, you know, I infrequently show up at Journey Women. We used to do a weekly show and then it turned to bi-weekly and now we're seasonal. But I do love having conversations just like this. And I hope that, you know, just as our conversation today, I hope it encourages women just to get together, like you said, with women in their local context to open up God's word. And just to go deeper, relationally, conversationally, to come together around the truths of God's word. You've asked such great questions, Laura. And I think take some of these questions and ask your friends and see where the Lord guides those conversations. I think that'll just be such a blessing. It's been a blessing to meet and chat with you today.    Laura Dugger: (51:15 - 51:32) Well, I've loved every minute. And you may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge or insight or discernment. And so, as my final question for you today, Hunter, what is your Savvy Sauce?    Hunter Beless: (51:34 - 52:28) Oh, you try to nail me down to something practical. It's funny, Laura, because I feel like I resist practical. And I'm not sure what it is about me that resists practical other than maybe sometimes I felt like bound in by people's practical advice. Does that make sense? And so, for me, here's my practical advice. My practical advice is to allow all of your practices or your practicals to be informed by the principles of the text. So, allow the principles of scripture to inform your practice. And that's not very practical, but I think the only practical way you can do that is to get your face in your Bible and to really seek to know and love God through his word. And then he will certainly help inform your practice.    Laura Dugger: (52:30 - 56:34) I think that's actually more practical than you realize. That is wonderful. And Hunter, your joy and your laugh are just contagious. And you're clearly gifted from the Lord as a clear, articulate communicator. And it blesses so, many people in so many generations because you are able to filter in the truth and then communicate it in a way that's able to be received. So, it's been so encouraging to sit under your teaching and be inspired to take this out and to hopefully begin in our home. But also, those good works, as we're called as older women, too. None of us are exempt, as you said. So, I've just thoroughly enjoyed being with you. Thank you for being my guest. Thank you so much for having me. It's been so fun.   One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

Show #2616 Show Notes: Ephesians 6: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph%206&version=KJV ‘Wile’: https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/wile ‘Principality’: https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/principality Demonic oppression: https://biblehub.com/q/what_is_demonic_oppression_and_its_cure.htm 30 Powerful verses about demonic oppression: https://biblestudyforyou.com/bible-verses-about-demonic-oppression/ Joel Osteen: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h44wZJCHJEQ 34 Satanic Sites: https://coachdavelive.com/wp-content/uploads/image-50.png 11 Doors that lead to demons: https://thesisterhoodhub.com/2025/06/07/11-doors-that-lead-to-demons/ Lou Holtz: https://www.facebook.com/reel/4401813276720938

The sermon emphasizes that God judges not merely external actions but the hidden realm of imagination, as revealed in Genesis 6:5, where humanity's continual evil thoughts preceded the flood. This inner faculty acts as a spiritual organ for receiving divine ideas, prophetic visions, and impressions that shape destiny. Biblical examples illustrate transformation: Abram's barren image replaced by countless stars, Joseph's bowing sheaves dream, Ezekiel's visions amid exile, and Peter's shift toward the Gentiles. The enemy corrupts this realm through lust, bitterness, unforgiveness, fear, and anxiety, hindering revelation. Renewal comes by fasting with prayer to erase wrong images and meditating on God's Word (Romans 12:2; Psalm 1) to sanctify and align the mind with His will. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others. 01.)What does God really see and judge in a person? 02.)What exactly is the "imagination" according to the Bible? 03.)Why did God send the flood in Noah's time? 04.)How does God change a person's future or identity? 05.)Why do many believers struggle to receive prophetic words, visions, or breakthroughs from God? 06.)What are the main ways the enemy corrupts or defiles a person's imagination? 07.)How can lust in the heart be as serious as the physical act? 08.)What practical steps can someone take to cleanse and sanctify their imagination?09.)Why is meditating on the Word of God more powerful than just reading large amounts quickly? 10.)How does changing the picture in your imagination affect your life practically?

In this encouraging episode from Joel Osteen, you'll hear that if you're going through a struggle right now, God is working to shift things in your favour. He'll take off the limits that have been holding you back! Sign up for the Miracle Channel eNewsletter for a new ebook and Scripture declarations each month, plus updates on the ministry! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Follow Joel Osteen: Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | YouTube

Pastor Michael emphasizes that true biblical healing and deliverance are not endpoints for personal comfort or fun, but doorways with a divine purpose: to transform people into genuine worshippers of God. Drawing from Exodus, he explains God freed Israel from 430 years of slavery not for leisure, but so they could worship Him in the wilderness. Using stories of debt cancellation, healed lepers who failed to return, and Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law who then served others—he stresses that freedom leads to consecration, heartfelt worship in spirit and truth, and selfless service to God's people, guarding against backsliding into worse bondage. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others. 01.)What is the true purpose of deliverance from bondage or slavery? 02.)Why did God deliver the Israelites from 430 years of slavery in Egypt? 03.)Is deliverance the final goal for believers? 04.)What happens if someone receives healing or deliverance but doesn't pursue worship? 05.)Why do many healed or delivered people (like the nine lepers) not return to give thanks or worship? 06.)What role does worship play after healing or deliverance? 07.)Does God heal and deliver just for personal benefit? 08.)What did Peter's mother-in-law do after Jesus healed her fever? 09.)How can someone in impossible situations (like debt, eviction, or oppression) experience breakthrough? 10.)What is the ultimate sign of being truly touched by God through healing/deliverance?

The message passionately calls believers to guard the spiritual fire on the altar of their hearts and the church, ensuring it burns continually day and night, as commanded in Leviticus 6:13. When this fire dims through neglect, worldly cares, or unfaithfulness, darkness gains ground illustrated by former churches now mosques. The preacher stresses two vital flames: faithfulness in honoring appointed times for worship, prayer, and assembly without excuses, and fervent intercession as the church's lifeline. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others. 01.)What does the command in Leviticus 6:13 ("The fire shall be burning continually... it shall not go out") mean for believers today? 02.)Why does the fire on the church's altar (or in people's hearts) go out, and what are the consequences? 03.)What is the "fire of faithfulness," and how do we keep it burning? 04.)Why is punctuality and consistency in attending God's house so important spiritually05.)What is the "fire of intercession," and why is it essential? 06.)How can ordinary people/prayer warriors sustain a burning prayer life that impacts the church and society? 07.)What role do parents (especially mothers/fathers) play in keeping the family/church fire burning? 08.)Why do worldly cares, excuses, or casual attitudes quench the fire more than direct attacks? 09.)How does faithfulness lead to greater trust, honor, and open doors from God? 10.)What practical steps can believers take right now to guard and rekindle the fire on their altar?

In this powerful teaching, Pastor Michael explores the profound biblical phrase "the finger of God" from Exodus 8:19, where Egyptian magicians acknowledged God's superior power when they could no longer replicate Moses' miracle of turning dust into lice. This finger dismantles darkness in Egypt, writes the law on stone tablets in Exodus 31 to establish divine order, silences accusers in John 8 through Jesus' grace, and casts out demons in Luke 11 as the Holy Spirit's work. It delivers, convicts, brings stability through the Word, and calls for humble surrender rather than a hardened heart. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others. 01.)What does "the finger of God" really mean in the Bible? 02.)Why did the Egyptian magicians specifically say "This is the finger of God" instead of "the hand of God"? 03.)Is there a limit to what the powers of darkness (Satan, magicians, occult) can do?04.)What does the finger of God do to demonic/occult systems? 05.)How does the finger of God appear after the plagues (in Exodus 31)? 06.)Why do many believers lack stability or breakthrough in life? 07.)What happened when Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger in John 8? 08.)How is the finger of God connected to deliverance and casting out demons today?09.)What blocks people from fully experiencing the finger of God's power? 10.)How can I personally receive the finger of God's work in my life right now?

In this compelling sermon, Pastor Michael unpacks Jesus' ministry in Capernaum from Mark 1, showing how God starts transformation and judgment with His own people in the church before addressing the world. Jesus taught with divine authority rooted in God's unchanging Word, unlike the scribes' shifting experiences. An unclean spirit's outburst in the synagogue exposed prior spiritual darkness, but the preached truth released light and deliverance. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others. 01.)Where and how does God begin to bring change or judgment to a nation, city, or family?02.)Why did Jesus choose to teach in the synagogue first instead of the streets or marketplace? 03.)What is the key difference between Jesus' teaching and that of the scribes? 04.)Why do many people lose blessings or miracles quickly after receiving them? 05.)Can an unclean/evil spirit be present inside a church or synagogue? 06.)What caused the unclean spirit to cry out and leave without Jesus directly commanding it? 07.)How can ordinary believers drive out darkness from their home? 08.)What simple method helped a family stop terrifying nightly knocking voices / demonic disturbances after years and moving four houses? 09.)How did a working woman heal from long-term dark black skin patches after medical treatments failed? 10.)Why should believers prioritize bringing and reading their Bibles instead of relying only on miracles, prayers, or pastors?

This sermon explores Matthew 7:7–8, warning against presuming familiarity with the well-known verse “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened.” The speaker emphasizes approaching Scripture afresh to hear God's new voice. He unpacks the threefold progression: asking as humble verbal petition rooted in relationship with the Father; seeking as passionate, wholehearted pursuit requiring effort and undivided focus; and knocking as bold, Spirit-led persistence that unlocks revelation and deeper realms. He explains why some ask but don't receive misaligned will, wrong motives, or missed timing urging believers to check motives, align with God's will, recognize seasons of favor, and receive like humble children. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others. 01.) Why do we often miss what God is really saying through familiar Bible verses? 02.) What are the three progressive actions Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:7? 03.) How does asking differ from begging, and what makes asking effective? 04.) Why does seeking require more than just asking? 05.) What does knocking represent spiritually? 06.) How do the three levels (ask, seek, knock) connect to body, soul, and spirit? 07.) Why do some people ask but not receive, even though Jesus said “everyone who asks receives”? 08.) What role do wrong motives play in unanswered prayer? 09.) How should believers approach God to avoid missing breakthroughs? 10.) Why do sinners/tax collectors receive from Jesus while religious leaders often miss Him?

Pastor Michael explains deliverance as God's spiritual system to restore people from bondage to dominion. True deliverance brings freedom from bondage (oppressive burdens draining strength), danger, and evil. Drawing from Exodus, he describes spiritual taskmasters that trap people in repetitive cycles, generational strongholds, and manifestations like sickness, financial struggles, or broken relationships. God intervenes powerfully bringing out, rescuing, redeeming, and judging oppressors. In the New Testament, Christ delivers believers from the power of darkness, transferring them into His kingdom, granting a clear mind, inner peace, self-control, and joyful obedience to God. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others. 01.)What is deliverance? 02.)Why do people (even believers) need deliverance? 03.)What are spiritual taskmasters today? 04.)How does God respond to bondage in Scripture? 05.)Can bondage affect generations and manifest in various problems? 06.)What happens when you start praying for deliverance? 07.)How is New Testament deliverance different/higher? 08.)What changes when true deliverance occurs through Christ? 09.)Is deliverance just casting out demons repeatedly? 10.)How can someone experience this deliverance practically?

In this episode, Joel Osteen reminds you that when you're in a desert season, breakthrough is coming. You may not see it yet, but God is about to shift things in your favour. Join the Fontaine family on Thrive weekdays at 11am MT on Miracle Channel or YouTube! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Follow Joel Osteen: Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | YouTube

Faith, Spirituality & the In-Between: What I'm Learning Right Now In today's Make It Happen Monday episode of the Wildly Wealthy Woman Podcast, I'm sharing a very real, very honest reflection on faith, spirituality, and what it looks like to live in the in-between—without needing to choose sides. This conversation was sparked by a powerful weekend at Elevated Life in Edmonton, where I had the honor of being a keynote speaker in a room filled with intuitive, spiritually gifted women—psychics, mediums, healers, and leaders who are deeply connected to their inner guidance. Being in that space brought up curiosity, reflection, and a deeper inquiry into what I believe to be true about God, Jesus, spirituality, intuition, and how all of it can coexist. What We Explore in This Episode My upbringing in a very structured Christian religion and how that shaped my early relationship with God Why leaving religion didn't mean leaving spirituality—and why returning to faith didn't mean abandoning intuition How my connection to God has evolved over the years through prayer, tapping, nature, and nervous system work Attending a psychic-style group experience with Sunny Dawn Johnson—and why it didn't feel scary, dark, or “wrong” Why curiosity feels more expansive than judgment in spiritually diverse spaces The growing shift I see toward integration rather than division in both faith-based and spiritual communities What it means to trust God and trust your intuition Why success, joy, and peace don't belong to one belief system alone I also share how teachers like Joel Osteen, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and Steven Furtick have supported my faith journey—alongside spiritual voices like Gabrielle Bernstein, Marianne Williamson, and Wayne Dyer. This episode isn't about deciding who's right or wrong.It's about creating space for honest exploration—without fear, shame, or separation. Questions I Invite You to Reflect On As you listen, I invite you to gently ask yourself: What does my relationship with God or a higher power feel like right now—in my body, not just my mind? Have I ever felt pressure to choose between faith and spirituality? Where do I feel closest to God or truth in my everyday life—prayer, nature, parenting, movement, tapping? What beliefs am I allowing to evolve without needing to rush certainty? What would it feel like to trust that God meets us in the in-between, not just in certainty? A Gentle Reminder Being a Wildly Wealthy Woman has never been about money alone.It's about living a rich, grounded, meaningful life—one rooted in faith, intuition, love, and personal truth. There is room for all of us in the room.There is room for God and curiosity.There is room for faith and nervous system healing.There is room for prayer, tapping, intuition, and grace. Want to Go Deeper? If this conversation resonated and you're craving community, reflection, and grounded transformation, I'd love to welcome you into the Wildly Wealthy Woman Experience. Inside, we combine EFT tapping, faith, manifestation, and leadership to help you create a life that feels rich on every level—relationships, health, purpose, money, and peace. You can also reach out anytime at support@jackiemcdonald.ca or DM me on Instagram—I truly love hearing from you. Thank you for being here.Thank you for being open.And thank you for walking this path with me. ✨

Send us a textA late start, a lot of laughter—and then straight to the heart of it. Culture keeps changing, but the receipts don't. We walk into a sneaker convention expecting grails and story-rich classics, only to find last-week releases wearing heavyweight price tags. That disconnect between old-school collecting and hype-driven flipping sets the tone for the night: what happens when community turns into a marketplace and nostalgia runs into the algorithm?From there, we tackle a prickly question with zero varnish: why do Black men date outside their race? No viral shortcuts, no grand theories—just reality. Attraction sparks it, proximity shapes it, and money and stability complicate it. Case by case, preference is real and context matters.The conversation pivots through sports media and performance—Stephen A. Smith as swagger, symbol, and spectacle—before taking its sharpest turn of the night. **Druski's church skit opens the door to a deeper look at the mega-church money machine. We break down Joel Osteen's stadium-sized operation to unpack nonprofit status, tithes, accountability, and power—pastors as unregistered politicians, faith as a business model, and the tax code as a quiet stagehand.That scrutiny extends to entertainment power, too. Tyler Perry's Atlanta studio—Hollywood-scale ownership on Southern soil—becomes a case study in opportunity, leverage, and backlash when you build a city within a city and rent your White House set to the biggest films in the world.We close on home turf with the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Falcons. Are the Hawks finally building a defensive identity that sticks? Can Atlanta attract and keep the right stars? And with Matt Ryan stepping into leadership, will the Falcons find steady direction—or just nostalgia in a suit? We even cast our vote for Mike Tomlin's tone-setting over flash.We wrap with Black History Expo plans and a throwback party vibe. Tap play, share it with a friend, and tell us your take. If this episode made you laugh or hit a nerve, subscribe, rate, and drop a review—we're building this with you.Support the show

Today, we tackle modern Christianity's lightning rod—Joel Osteen. Love him or loathe him, you can't ignore him. He's built the biggest church in America, filled arenas, sold millions of books, and smiled for the cameras. But beneath the surface? Criticism. Controversy. Accusations of watered-down doctrine. “Encouragement over repentance.” “Positivity over discipleship.” The world applauds. Many believers balk.In a culture obsessed with comfort, Paul M. Neuberger asks: Are we trading truth for popularity? Are we making disciples or just fans? Because Jesus is still Lord when the crowds cheer and when the world mocks.So what will you do when your moment of truth arrives? Will you stand for Scripture or drift with the crowd?Get ready, gentlemen. This one's raw, real, and rooted in truth."Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." –Matthew 7:13-14Episode Highlights:08:11 - Because in the kingdom of God, charisma is not calling, success is not sanctification, and popularity is never proof of truth.43:10 - A gospel that promises blessing without repentance is incomplete. A Christ who saves without commanding obedience is misrepresented. A Christianity that avoids offense at all costs will eventually lose its power.48:03 - At C-Suite for Christ, we're going to continue to say the hard things, confront the uncomfortable truths, and stand unapologetically on the Word of God. Not because it's easy, not because it's popular, but because it's right.Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite

New year, NEW ORDER! That's the name of our new study in the book of John. Special guest “El Guapo” joins regulars Suzie Lind, Kevin Dixon and Mike Erre to relive 80s electronic pop and answer questions from the Journey community.TIMESTAMPS00:49 Blue Tuesday: Are we recording this?05:30 Touched By The Voice of God: (Or at least, Joel Osteen).11:58 True Faith: John content begins.15:42 Word To Your Mother: John content really starts now. - - - - -Have a question or comment for the NOW team? Join the conversation by texting us at +1 615 861 9503.

Don't be discouraged when people underestimate you! In this episode, Joel Osteen shares how God delights in defying the odds and revealing His favour in your life. Donate here to support outreaches that are sharing the truth about Jesus to Canada! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Follow Joel Osteen: Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | You-Tube 

Apostle Matthew delves into Judges 2 and Isaiah 5, depicting God as a heartbroken Father questioning Israel's disobedience despite abundant blessings promises, deliverance, protection, and a fruitful vineyard on a fertile hill. He warns that disobedience sparks spiritual decay, leading to moral collapse, as seen in Europe's shift from Christian innovation to secular decline. Prophesying Asia's rise in inventions, technology, and revival, he urges immediate repentance, seeking God while He is near, to embrace this time of visitation and avert judgment. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others 01.)Why does God ask “Why have you done this?” 02.)What does the vineyard in Isaiah 5 represent? 03.)What did God do for His vineyard (His people)? 04.)What did God expect from His people? 05.)What did the vineyard produce instead? 06.)What happens when God's people disobey? 07.)Why is Europe declining spiritually? 08.)Where is God shifting His attention now? 09.)What must people do during this time of visitation? 10.)What is an example of spiritual decay today?

The Law of Revelation: Spiritual growth is measured by the divine illumination you receive and apply, transforming information into living truth. From Paul's Damascus encounter to Peter's confession "You are the Christ" revelation births identity, purpose, and stability. Without it, zeal produces activity but no fruit. God's Word becomes a lamp to your feet only when it booms alive in your spirit. Seek the Spirit of wisdom and revelation; one moment of divine light outweighs years of study, unveiling your calling, inheritance, and destiny. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others 01.)What is the Law of Revelation? 02.)How is spiritual growth measured? 03.)What's the difference between information and revelation? 04.)Why did Paul change after the Damascus road? 05.)What did Jesus build His church on? 06.)Why do some Christians have zeal but no fruit? 07.)How should we read the Bible? 08.)What did Paul pray for the Ephesian church? 09.)What are the three levels of learning? 10.)What are the three things revelation brings?

  I CANNOT DO ALL THINGS Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through (en – in) Christ who strengthens me.  That is a wonderful Scripture but what does ‘all things' mean and what does ‘through' mean? To get the full meaning of all this I need to mention something a little irregular in the English interpretation of that text. The correct English word for ‘through' in that Scripture is ‘in'. The Bible uses the English word ‘through' 119 times in Paul's epistles, and the Greek word for through is always dia except in that one text here where the word en is used, and en means in, not through, so my reading of this would  be ‘I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me. This brings home the point that Christ is the one doing the ‘all things' that he wants to happen and I'm being strengthened in doing it with him. Am I being too pedantic, isn't me doing it through Christ okay? think it through, because with Paul this is all about being IN Christ – IN Christ is relational, being part of God's life, but doing things through Christ puts us in charge and not God, like us doing something through a lawyer - it is utilitarian and non-relational. You've seen sportsmen on TV signalling to Heaven that they are going to win this match through God – that seems a little presumptuous. But saying ‘I can do all things IN Christ' puts God in charge, as he does the things with and through us as the earthen vessel, that the excellency of the power is of God and not of us and it's a proclamation of yielded faith by us. What I'm saying is never going to change the way this verse is written or even said, probably even by me. But if I'm going to do something by faith I want to understand what I am really proclaiming and why. Paul says in Galatians - it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in the Son of God by faith, (Galatians 2:20). Being in Christ was Paul's revelation, his message – Christ in you the hope of glory – his glory. (Colossians 1:27) – Christ in us and us in him. Paul said that he wanted to be found in him (Philippians 3:9) I mentioned in my last talk that Moses was hidden in the cleft of a rock and only saw the glory of God after it had passed by because God had said you cannot see My face and live. (Exodus 33:17).  Paul says that rock was Christ. He said the rock that followed Israel through their journey in the wilderness was Christ (1Corinthians 10:4). Moses being hidden in the cleft of rock is us being hidden in Christ. The Bible says your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). God was prophesying to us that ‘In Christ you will see the work I have done and you will know that it was me that has done it from heaven and not just you on earth, and somehow, we have done it together!!  Previously I also shared the story of God being with Paul in that shipwreck at Malta. No one was lost as Paul had prophesied to them ‘An angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me…not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed (Acts 27:23). The people of Malta then lit a fire for them because it was cold and raining, and as Paul gathered firewood, a viper bit his hand and the islanders expected him to die, assuming some kind of divine justice, but Paul simply shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. They then think he is a god. Then Publius the magistrate of Malta hosts them generously and Paul heals his father who has a raging fever and the rest of the sick on the island came and were healed.  Malta wasn't Paul's idea. God went to Malta and Paul was IN Christ seeing God at work through himself as the clay vessel. The Holy Spirit and Paul did it together! Even Jesus said Truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father do. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise”.  I have two more questions today. The first question is - What does it mean to be ‘in Christ'?' The second question is how I can ‘do all things through (in) Christ who strengthens me' There is a clue to understanding what being IN Christ means in what Paul said in that shipwreck incident at Malta. He says ‘An angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me.” (Acts 27:2). Paul knew he belonged to God IN Christ. The way we know that that we are IN something is by knowing that we belong, like being in a family or a friendship or a group or a church community. We are accepted and we can be ourselves there and share the care there, as a part of it. The Bible says that Jesus died for all of mankind because we all belong to him. Paul said We are held in (synech??) by Christ's love for us. We are certain that if one died for all, then all of us have died. (2 Corinthians 5:14).   That means that because of what Jesus has done we all belong right from the start even if we do not know it or believe it - we are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6.), forgiven in Christ and belonging to him. He didn't ask for our permission he just did it. and we challenge people to believe it – that's the Gospel. Paul spoke of this as an eternal reality in God's destiny for humanity when he spoke to the Athenians about their unknown God in Acts 17:26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times (Kairos) and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might search for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being… When a person knows that they belong their hearts can open up to hearing and understanding and believing and finding new hope for their lives. So then belonging and believing lead to uprightness in behaving - belong believe behave – instead of ‘if you behave and truly believe what we believe we will tell you if you belong'.  The second question was how can I ‘do all things through (in) Christ who strengthens me' This requires that I ask myself three things when considering what lays ahead for me – a) what do I expect will happen? – then when something happens comes b) what actually happened? – then comes c) where was I surprised?  I find that concerning point a) I overate my self expectations, and b) what actually happens confirms point a, then c) I am surprised at how much more God does than I could ever have expected. It is God that takes us into things IN Christ, not us that takes Christ into all that we plan. There are shipwrecks and Malta experiences. We do our upmost and we see God do his highest. I will illustrate with a story. I went to a pastors conference in the late 90's with my old friend the late Hal Oxley. We had visited Toronto Canada and then visited the revival meetings in Pensacola and finally attended a pastors' conference in Houston Texas in the Lakewood church now run by Joel Osteen but then run by Joel's father John Osteen who was a very gifted and anointed man, with a healing and evangelical ministry and much wisdom and integrity. Hal had been a friend of John Osteen for some years. There were over two thousand pastors and leaders there and Hal received a warm welcome. He was also a storehouse of wisdom and experience and had conducted similar leadership events in Melbourne with a Q and A session at the end. Hal was the pioneer of the Christian School movement on the East Coast of Australia, and I visited his school before starting Northern Beaches Christian School – here in this actual building in 1981.  At the end of John Osteens conference there was also a question-and-answer session which Osteen conducted single handedly, and Hal was riveted by the complex questions of the pastors, and I knew he would have answered their questions excellently. The questions dealt with problems of administration and church programs including youth groups and home groups and financial management questions and some weird legalistic ones about tithing and church discipline. John Osteen would quietly listen and pause and speak his wisdom and Hal and I were impressed. But we began to notice that time after time especially with the tougher complex questions John Osteen would give the same answer, over and over again. He would say ‘Do the best you can and trust the holy Ghost' (he didn't say Holy Spirit). All the while Hal was writing comments on his ever-present note cards and showing them to me – comments like Vision statement needed here, or delegated authority essential etc. And I would nod, thinking this is going to be quite some conversation later.  Then right at the end one pastor said he wanted to start a Christian school, and his question was ‘what is the first thing I should do if I wanted to start a Christian school in Alabama?' I looked at Hal and he leaned over to me and said ‘I'd love to answer this one, and I thought just what a blessing that would be. I said to him ‘what would you say?' and Hal looked at me and said with a grin ‘do the best you can and trust the Holy Ghost'. I got the giggles, and we both had to hold ourselves in check and not explode laughing. But that answer was strikingly enough the simple truth of faith for all those difficult challenges. Think of some major decisions you've made lately doing the best you could – and the ones coming up. We belong to someone who belongs to us and who gets things done perfectly with us in the midst of our imperfection. God says to us – ‘In Christ you will see what I have done, and you will know that it was me and not just you, but somehow we did it together!!' So do the best you can and trust the Holy Ghost and watch as God brings his will to pass in your life. He will do the things, and we will give him the glory.  When you are in thr midst of something, doing it the best you can and you have an outcome in mind, and something goes wrong and the challenge seems too great. I've found that the thig to do is to capture that moment and realise that that moment of challenge, of difficulty of self-consciousness – that moment belongs to God. He hasn't dumped you in it and said ‘you sort this out', no he's in that and when you sort that out, however well or not you sort it out, God is there sorting it out for you in the world of the unseen, wanting you to know that and be conscious of that and believe that. You may not see an instant miracle happen but as you believe that God is at work it gets you out of your self consciousness and the moment belongs to God even though you may feel that this is still a real challenge for you. It is only afterwards that you realise that you don't have to be the master of that occasion. You've been brought into it and God is in it and your faith is there. Then afterward God will say, ‘see, we did that together' – we say who me? And od says ‘well done good and faithful servant' – amen Paul OSullivan – pauloss@icloud.com

Season 1, Episode 1: Nate Williams interviews an expert apologist against the Word-Faith movement (Clete Hux). Clete exposes the major foundational figures of the Prosperity Gospel, from Kenneth Hagin to Kenneth Copeland to Joel Osteen.

In Judges 1, after Joshua's death, Israel sought divine direction amid warfare, asking God who should fight the Canaanites first. The Lord replied, “Judah shall go up”—Judah meaning praise. Victory begins with worship, not strategy. David inquired of God before every battle; praise shifted atmospheres, confused enemies, and released angels. Seek God's voice through a prepared spirit, confirmed by Scripture, dreams, and prophecy. Lead with high praises and the Word Heaven's strategy for guidance and triumph in life's battles. All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others 01.)What did Israel do after Joshua died? 02.)Why is seeking God's direction more important than resources? 03.)What should be the first step before any action in battle or life? 04.)Who did God say should go up first? 05.)What is Heaven's strategy for victory? 06.)How did David win his battles? 07.)How does God confirm His direction? 08.)What combines with praise to bring breakthrough? 09.)What happens when praise goes first? 10.)How can we receive divine direction today?

Bienvenida al primer capítulo del libro “Cada día es viernes” de Joel Osteen.Este es un libro muy especial que hoy quiero compartir contigo desde el corazón.Tráete un cafecito ☕, regálate este momento y disfruta de esta lectura.Luego cuéntame en los comentarios qué te pareció y qué aprendizaje te llevas.Nos vemos en el siguiente capítulo.Con amor, Diana ✨

Angel Studios https://Angel.com/Herman Join the Angel Guild today where you can stream Thank You, Dr. Fauci and be part of the conversation demanding truth and accountability.  Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeThe Era of the Plastic Mayor // MS-NOW Makes Kindness into a Race War // Stop Attacking Mega-Churches, Jesus Loves ThemEpisode Links:Mayor Karen Bass Says Politicians Are Not to Blame for People Fleeing Los Angeles: “There's no way in the world it should be viewed as the mayor, the governor, Congress is going to take care of everything. It's all of our responsibilities.”Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson: “We can not incarcerate our way out of vioIence... it's racist…TELL ME YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ECONOMICS WITHOUT TELLING ME YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ECONOMICS: Seattle Socialist Mayor-elect Katie Wilson brags she made "the highest minimum wage in the country" & "taxes on large corporations," then complains about "affordability."Watch this video. Wajahat Ali is not a fringe figure: he's a New York Times columnist. Listen to what he thinks of you. Internalise it. Support for replacement migration is based on anti-white vitriol and vindictive ethno-narcissism. It must be reversed.Right-wing commentator Tim Pool's home is shot at by gunman who approached property in a vehicleMega church pastor entering like it's a concert. PS: meme vibes only.When asked, “Is Jesus the only way to heaven?”Joel Osteen says he isn't quite sure: “That's not really my business to judge … that's not exactly my w ay.” Still baffles me how people can't see he's a false teacher.

Robbing God and Ourselves Please turn in your Bibles to Malachi chapter 3, verses 6-12. In the Pew Bibles, you can find that on page 954 As we have gone through Malachi, we've seen a recurring pattern. First, the Lord makes an accusation. Second, he quotes the people of Israel questioning him – they ask “how?” and third, the Lord explains. ·      In chapter 1. “I have loved you” “How have you loved us?” “Because I chose you” ·      Next “You have despised my name” “How have we despised you?” “You have brought polluted offerings. ·      Chapter 2 – “you have been faithless.” “how have we been faithless?” “You have been unfaithful in your marriages” ·      And last week… “you have wearied me with your words” “How have we wearied you? “you have said ‘where is the God of justice?” This pattern has revealed two things. First, they had not been acting in faith before the Lord. And second, they were not aware of their faithless actions. They were blind to their own sin. Our text this morning continues this pattern. But it is also unique. It opens up with a call to respond. So, listen for that call and listen for the next example of their faithless actions. Reading of Malachi 3:6-12 Prayer One day over in Scotland, a poor man had been attending church… accidentally dropped a silver coin into the offering plate. It was very valuable to him. He had meant to offer a penny. When he asked for it back, the deacon refused, “sorry, in once, in forever.” Frustrated, the man responded, “at least I'll get credit in heaven.” To which, the deacon replied, “oh no, you'll get credit for what you meant to give.” Just trying to break the ice here. This is our fourth sermon this year on giving. We had three of them in our 2 Corinthians study and now this one. If you have been visiting, I don't want you to think that every couple of months you're going to hear a sermon on giving. No, in fact, before this year I don't think we had a single sermon on financial stewardship. Our philosophy of preaching involves working through books of the Bible. By doing so, we are allowing God's Word to direct our focus. That means as we go chapter by chapter, we'll come across matters that are sensitive. Matters that we need to hear. And that includes, of course, finances and money. It just so happens that both 2 Corinthians and here in Malachi touch upon giving (and that is not why I chose them) As you know, these are matters close to our hearts. Really, money in general is a personal topic. I can tell you that in the marriage counselling I've done over the years, financial conflicts have often been the thing that puts the most stress on marriages. Money can be a control mechanism. Money is often an idol. To be sure, money is not the problem. Jesus never said that money is the root of all kinds of evil. No, he said that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. What we're going to learn this morning is that your financial stewardship in regards to God's kingdom is an important matter. It is a window into your relationship with the Lord. We'll consider these verses in 3 points. Repent; renew; receive. 1. Repent – verses 6 and 7, return to me. 2. Renew – verse 8 to the middle of 10. God calls them to renew their obedience to the Lord… by bringing in the full tithe. 3. Receive – the end of verse 10 through 12. When they do, God will pour down the blessings of heaven. 1. Repent #1 – Repent. Notice that Malachi's prophecy in this section does not begin with a focus on their tithes. Rather, it begins with a focus on their relationship with the Lord. You see, it wasn't that the Lord walked away from them. No. Rather, they walked away from their relationship with him. They thought that God had abandoned them. They thought he didn't care. That's why the Lord begins in verse 6 with a reminder that he hasn't changed. And notice what he emphasizes. I do not change, that is why “you… are not consumed.” God is emphasizing his lovingkindness to them. He's reminding them of his patience and mercy toward them. The issue was their rejection of God and his ways. And it's not new. That is why in verse 7 God reminds them that their forefathers also turned aside from him. The returned exiles in Judah had been doing the same thing. In the previous chapters, God pointed out the various ways they had turned aside from his statues. And so, the Lord says to them: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” “But… but… Lord, we are back in Jerusalem. We have returned, haven't we? After all, we are back in the city where King David reigned… we are back where the temple is, where your very presence dwells. Why are you telling us to return to you? Is it not you who have departed us?” They didn't understand that it had never been about being in Jerusalem. Just like their forefathers before them, it was about their relationship with God. They had walked away from God's commands and his promises which was tantamount to walking away from him. But the Lord is gracious and bids them return to him. At the heart of this appeal to “return” is repentance. That is what repentance is. It's turning away from something that is not honoring to God and returning back to him and to what honors him. Honestly, these verses can apply to any pattern of sin in your life or my life. Yes, in a minute we're going to get into their failure to honor the Lord with their tithes and contributions. But the pattern we are given here is THE pattern for life - repentance and renewal. And so we should ask, what are the ways in which we have wandered from you, Lord? We ask him to reveal our sin… our pride our  lust or anger or coveting or dishonoring his name or steeling or lying or worse. And we then come to the Lord with contrite hearts. We grieve the ways in which we have broken God's commands, all of which have damaged our relationship with him… and with those we've sinned against. We repent, and we then we renew ourselves to walk again in God's ways. And when we repent, God is merciful and loving. He will receive us when we return to him. Did you notice that second part? “Return to me, and I will return to you.” Which brings us to the people's first question, “But you say, ‘how shall we return?'” They didn't know how. 2. Renew This is the renewal part, by the way. point #2. You see, renewal is the way we return to God. Renewal of our faith. Renewal of our obedience. But just like before, God's people didn't know what God was talking about. And so, in verse 8, the Lord asks, “will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me.” I've been robbed twice. One time, my car window was smashed in and some things were taken. Another time, I was out of the country. I was in a crowded market, and someone bumped into me. That sort of turned me around. Someone else then bumped into me. At first, I thought it was just because of the large crowds. But a few minutes later, I looked down and the pullover windbreaker I was wearing had been cut. Someone had sliced open the front of my jacket, where there was a zippered pouch. My wallet was gone. It happened without me even knowing it. I'm sure some of you have experienced worse. When it happens, you feel violated and unsettled. You think, what could I have done to prevent it? Here's the thing. Can man rob God? I mean, he knows and sees all things. He is furthermore all powerful. In his sovereignty, nothing is unknown and nothing is out of his control. In other words, robbing God is not really possible in the sense of God being taken by surprise. So, this is a shocking accusation. The people had been robbing him, so to speak. But just like the other patterns of sin, they didn't realize it. And so they ask. “How have we robbed you?” The Lord responds, “in your tithes and contributions.” They had not been fulfilling their obligations. They had been holding back. By the way, this is very similar to their polluted sacrificial offerings back at the end of chapter 1. But this accusation is broader. Notice in verse 9. “…you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.” Let's talk about this tithe thing. The word “tithe” comes from the Hebrew word for tenth. They were to give 10% of the fruit of their labors. That tithe was often paid in grain or other crops. And just like the sacrificial animals, they were to tithe their very best. Tithing was part of the Levitical law – those were laws related to the sacrificial system and the priest. Their tithe supported the priestly work. It was not an option, it was an obligation for them. In a minute, we'll come back to the question of whether tithing applies to us today. So, stay tuned. But first, why weren't they doing this? Why didn't they tithe? Well, besides the drought that they were in, which we've discussed, their crops had been infested by some sort of “devourer.” Verse 11 mentions that. …perhaps locusts had damaged their crops.  They didn't have much to begin with and now they were experiencing both a drought and an infestation. They didn't tithe because they didn't think they could afford the tithe. It's convicting to think about that… Is that not often our excuse? They justified not tithing but by doing so, they were in fact robbing God. It's like when you buy a house. You know, you go to the bank, you get a mortgage. You call it “your house,” but the bank really owns it. You pay the bank every month interest and principal. But if you don't make the payments, you are in a sense robbing the bank. They can take your house back. Not tithing was robbing God because it was all God's in the first place. They had been entrusted with it. But they thought it was theirs to give or not. And because of all the stress of the situation, they withheld from God what was truly his. So, here's the big question for us: Is giving 10% something that applies to God's people today? To ask it in another way, since tithe was part of the Levitical law, does it still apply to us? And I believe the answer to that question is “no” and “yes.” ·      “No” in the sense that we no longer have that explicit obligation. The tithe mentioned in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy was to maintain the ceremonial law and to support the Levites who didn't have a land inheritance, unlike the other tribes. The sacrificial system is no longer in effect. That is because Christ has come and has fulfilled it. Tithe was a part of that. ·      But the answer is also “yes.” The principle of tithing is still very much a part of the New Testament teaching. Jesus affirmed giving proportional to someone's income. Also, in 1 Corinthians 16, each person is directed to set aside a portion for the collection of the saints. As we studied in 2 Corinthians earlier this year, there's a call to give generously.  Furthermore, even though there are no more priests, we do learn that some elders in the church are to labor in teaching. In other words, supporting the work of the church and God's kingdom is a New Testament principle. It's just that it's not the formal “tithe” obligation from the ceremonial law. But, you ask, does that mean that 10% is not prescribed? Let me answer that by saying this. In the Old Testament, the tithe for the priests was not the only requirement to give. There was the Festival tithe. There was a poor tithe every third year. They were to give a first fruits offering at the earliest part of the harvest. There were others as well. Some estimate that their contributions added up to over 25% of their income. Here's how pastor Kevin DeYoung puts it. He said, “Whether the Old Testament requirement is a binding prescription or not, I find it hard to imagine that Western Christians who have seen the glory of God in the face of Christ and enjoy great prosperity, would want to give less than was required of the poorest Israelite.” He furthermore says this: “Statistics consistently show that Protestants give less than 3% of their income to their churches. A tithe, for most churchgoers, would be a huge step in the right direction.” I think that is well said. Tithe is no longer mandated, but 10% is a good starting place to pray about and consider. More importantly, though… and please hear me on this… we should give joyfully and sacrificially out of hearts that love the Lord and love his kingdom. Alright, going back to the peoples' question. “How shall we return?” God answers in verse 10 “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” He is referring to the storage rooms in the temple where the offering of crops was stored. They were to faithfully resume their tithing despite their poverty. You know, repentance and renewal go together. We can't separate them. As the Scriptures say, we are to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Your repentance from sin is validated by a renewed commitment to the Lord and his commands. This is not about earning salvation at all. It's about responding to the salvation that God has given you in Christ by renewing your faith in him and your obedience to him. 3. Receive Which brings us to number 3. Receive. We will experience God's blessings when our lives are aligned with his commands. I'm being very intentional how I say that. The second half of verse 10 talks about the windows of heaven being opened. It's talking about rain. And then in verse 11, we learn that the devourer will be destroyed. You know, the plague of locusts will end. And then the soil will once again be fruitful. The harvest will be plentiful. And then in verse 12, all the nations will call them blessed. Remember, God's people in Malachi's day were still under the Levitical framework. For them, there was a direct correlation between their tithing and the abundant blessing that God would give them. God was promising them that if they repented and renewed their commitment to him in their tithes, that yes, they would receive an abundance of God's blessings. But there's something else here. Did you notice that the language in verses 10-12 is the language of God's promise to Abraham? In God's covenant with Abraham, God promised to give Abraham's descendants an abundant land. And God promised that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through them. In other words, the promise here was a renewal of God's covenant promises with his people. The blessings they were promised were tied to their repentance and the renewal of their relationship with the Lord. For us, what's really important to understand is that the Levitical system and the covenant with Abraham have both been fulfilled in Christ. We cannot interpret these verses without understanding them through a Gospel lens. We can't say that if we are faithful in our gifts and offerings that God will materially bless us. No, rather, the blessings alluded to here are ultimately the blessings that we receive in Jesus Christ. He is the mediator of a new covenant. The priestly role and sacrifice itself have been fulfilled in him. Furthermore, the promise to Abraham about his seed and about all the nations of the earth being blessed are likewise fulfilled in Christ. Abraham's true seed, Jesus, bore the curse that our unfaithfulness deserves so that the blessings promised to Abraham might come to people from all nations. And speaking of curse, go back to verse 9. At the beginning of 9, the people were reminded of the curse of sin. Their failure to tithe and our failure to give, indeed condemn, as does any sin. But Jesus has satisfied our failure to meet these obligations and has likewise fulfilled the promise of blessing. What I am saying is that we dare not interpret Malachi 3's blessings to be material blessings. If we do so, we have failed to see the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. The blessings spoken of here, like the “land of delight” ultimately point us beyond the material things of this world. They point to a new creation – one where the curse, mentioned here, is no more… and people from all nations will worship the Lord in his very presence forever. There are so-called preachers today who abuse this passage and who falsely promise material reward. For example, Joel Osteen said this about Malachi 3:10. He said, “Tithing is the key to financial blessings.” God wants us to have the overflowing part, he said, “but…we have to be faithful and obedient with the first part, giving.” There are so many things wrong about that. It misapplies the Levitical obligations and blessings. It completely misses the reference in these verses to God's covenant with Abraham. Rather than focus on repentance and renewal and our relationship with the Lord, which is what this passage is about, it instead focuses on us. It is worldly and man-centered and turns money into an idol, rather than turning us from our idolatry and back to the Lord. It misses the true Gospel, the grace of God in Christ Jesus. The message of Malachi 3 is not “give so that God will give more back to you.” No, rather it is, “give because God has already given you abundantly in Christ.” To bring this all together, yes, we are promised blessings in verses 10 through 12. But those blessings are spiritual blessings in Christ. When we repent and renew ourselves to the Lord in obedience to him, God blesses us in abundant ways. For one, he renews our relationship with him. To use the words here… When we return to him, he will return to us. When we seek by God's Spirit, to live in obedience to his Word, we will spiritually flourish with assurance and peace in our hearts, and perseverance in trials, and hope for the future. And all of it comes from and through the ministry of Christ, through which we have already received abundant blessings. We do not give in order to receive Christ; we give because in Christ we have already received far more than we could ever repay. Conclusion So, may we not rob God. Because in doing so, we are robbing ourselves. Rather, may we renew our hearts toward him in faith and obedience. May we generously and joyfully contribute to the work of the saints. And through that repentance and renewal, may we experience the abundant blessings that God has given us in Christ Jesus.

Believe for the extraordinary and expect God's supernatural favour in your life. In this episode, Joel Osteen shares how God loves to hear our bold, confident prayers. Join the Fontaine family on Thrive weekdays at 11am MT on Miracle Channel or YouTube! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Follow Joel Osteen: Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | YouTube

Discover the two key principles that form the foundation of a powerful mindset for success: serving others and turning to God in times of trouble. Ray Higdon shares inspirational stories, including insights from successful figures like Alex Hormozi and Joel Osteen, to illustrate the importance of these principles. Tune in now to learn how these simple yet profound concepts can transform your approach to success in business and life.   ——

This week on Seeking Sister Wife, Reise is reeling from his horrible date with Bess, Teresa finds yet another way to freak the Davis' out, Joel Osteen wrestles between a post nuptial agreement and Lorena getting deported and more!Follow me on social media, find links to merch, Patreon and more here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're excited to welcome back Jim Brammer, CEO of Special Event Services and Founder of Concert Stuff Group. From a tobacco farm in North Carolina to stages and stadiums around the world, Jim has spent nearly 40 years shaping the live event industry.He's worked with artists like Hootie & the Blowfish, Coldplay, and 3 Doors Down, and pioneered arena-quality production for ministries including Dr. Billy Graham, Joyce Meyer, and Joel Osteen. Founder of a network of companies that simplify large-scale events, Jim's leadership and people-first philosophy earned him the 2024 Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award.And he's still building, now bringing world-class entertainment back home with a 5,000-capacity amphitheater in downtown Winston-Salem. From farm fields to global stages, Jim Brammer's story is pure vision, grit, and heart.In this engaging conversation, Jim Brammer, CEO of Special Event Services and founder of Concert Stuff Group, shares his remarkable journey from a tobacco farm in North Carolina to becoming a key player in the live event industry. He discusses the evolution of his career, the importance of partnerships, and the lessons learned from family and early life experiences. Jim reflects on pivotal moments, including his work with Hootie and the Blowfish and Billy Graham's crusades, which shaped his business trajectory. The conversation also delves into the role of AI in modern entrepreneurship and the challenges faced in adapting to a changing industry landscape. In this conversation, Jim Brammer and the host discuss various themes surrounding business strategy, the impact of AI on decision-making, the evolution of the event industry, and the importance of community and work-life balance. They share personal anecdotes about hiring, leadership lessons from Jack Welch, and the challenges and opportunities in the live events sector, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. The discussion emphasizes the need for innovation, adaptability, and a focus on creating meaningful connections in both personal and professional realms.This Episode is brought to you by Elation and Main Light

In this episode, Joel Osteen shares that we can live free from worry and lack. We can walk confidently in the assurance that God will supply all of our needs according to Christ Jesus. Donate here to support outreaches that are sharing the truth about Jesus to Canada! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Follow Joel Osteen: Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | YouTube

THE YANKEES' POSTSEASON HEARTBREAK AND LOOK AT THE REMAINING MLB PLAYOFF TEAMS. TAYLOR SWIFT'S NEW ALBUM & BAD BUNNY HEADLINING THE SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW. OUR UNFORGETTABLE TRIP TO PR FOR BAD BUNNY'S RESIDENCY CONCERT. A QUICK RANT ON THE NY GIIANTS' 4TH QUARTER COLLAPSE AND MORE.  TAP IN, CATCH UP, AND RIDE WITH US FOR ANOTHER SEASON ON NY CULTURE PODCAST.

Join us for bonus stuff every week at https://www.patreon.com/timbutterly Subscribe to the channel for more from Tim Butterly. We got Colum Tyrrell on the show this week to talk about tims parents seeing Brian Holtzman for the first time. spoiler alert someone cries. We discuss all the ways Joel Osteen is cool, and how the grand canyon is prime Epstien real estate. As always hank you for hanging with us.  UPCOMING SHOWS AT https://timbutterly.com Catch new eps of Metal Girl Solid live - https://www.twitch.tv/timbutterly Check Out More  CHECK OUT COLUM: https://www.youtube.com/c/ColumTyrrell  Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/BUTTERLY and use code BUTTERLY and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/ijd4q5z4  #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Start your free online Hims visit today at https://www.hims.com/TBS 

This week on Seeking Sister Wife, Dani and Yessel tell his brother they're seeking, Slick Nick seems hesitant about his relationship with Teresa Pizza, Sad Dani cries moving out of Joel Osteen's closet and more!Follow me on social media, find links to merch, Patreon and more here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The show plays another round of ‘Does This Make You Feel Old?' from 2016.Then later, the show plays a prank on Nadia the Intern (2006).Plus celebrity pastor, Joel Osteen, calls the show to talk about his Houston recovery efforts (2016). Watch the full episode on YouTube:YouTube.com/@michaelzavalaFollow the Guys:Michael Zavala @michaelzavalaEric Star @mrericstarClark @justsimplyclarkFollow the Show:Instagram: @mznowtvwww.MZNOW.tvProduced at mzStudiosmzStudiosDallas.com

Step boldly into your Second Act with Antoinette Wolf ... former corporate executive, licensed real estate agent, mother, author, and entrepreneur. In this episode of The Second Act Executive, Antoinette shares essential strategies for executives over 50 who are transitioning from corporate leadership into their own businesses, private practices, or legacy-building ventures.Tonight, we cover:Wellness for executives: how to stay physically, mentally, and financially strong while leading in business and life.Financial fortitude: insights from Jim Cramer's How to Make Money in Any Market, why a financial cushion is critical, and actionable steps for building yours.Tech that gives you an edge: Meta's smart glasses (Me-To-Connect) and Apple's iPhone 17 Pro.Legacy leadership: creating impact through mentorship, philanthropy, and the Legacy Lead Library, featuring books by Jim Cramer, Joel Osteen, Melinda Gates, Joyce Meyer, Bill Clinton, Anna Wintour, Warren Buffett, and more.October Awareness Month: how to support Domestic Abuse, Alzheimer's, and Breast Cancer awareness with purpose and impact.Whether you're reinventing your career, expanding your business, or building a lasting family legacy, this episode equips you with actionable insights, inspiration, and strategies to lead with confidence and purpose.Tune in and step boldly into your Second Act.

In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex chats with Jim and Sam about Isaiah 5, a sobering passage about God's judgment.

In this week's Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Sarah Marshall (You're Wrong About Podcast) to discuss the scams of televangelists Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker from their start with a puppet ministry to a full-blown waterpark, Heritage USA, and so much more. Additionally, the discovery of money inside a bathroom wall at Joel Osteen's megachurch has raised questions about potential fraud. Stay Schemin'! (Originally Released 01/24/2022)CW: Mention of sexual assault CONgregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!Did you miss out on a custom signed Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes book? Look no more, nab your copy here on PODSWAG Follow on Instagram:Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaci Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES:https://www.biography.com/news/tammy-faye-jim-bakker-relationship-scandalshttps://abcnews.go.com/US/scandals-brought-bakkers-uss-famous-televangelists/story?id=60389342https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/plumber-finds-cash-checks-loose-toilet-wall-joel-osteens-lakewood-chur-rcna7512https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/televangelist-tammy-faye-bakker-became-unlikely-ally-aids-crisis-rcna2059https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-30-mn-594-story.html Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scam Goddess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Joel Osteen shares that the voices you listen to can impact your destiny. He stresses the importance of learning to tune out negative voices and tune in to what God says about you. Donate here to support outreaches that are sharing the truth about Jesus to Canada! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Follow Joel Osteen: Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | YouTube

In this episode, Joel Osteen helps you learn how meditating on God's Word creates new pathways of victory in your life. Sign up for the Miracle Channel eNewsletter for a new ebook and Scripture declarations each month, plus updates on the ministry! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Follow Joel Osteen: Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | YouTube

Nathan Apffel is a Christian, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and director of The Religion Business, a multi-part docuseries that exposes the financial practices and lack of accountability in Western religion, particularly Christianity. Drawing from personal experiences with church scandals and abuse, Apffel investigates how religious institutions accumulate vast wealth, estimated at $2 trillion in the U.S. alone, while often prioritizing internal spending over community impact, with 94 cents of every donated dollar staying within church walls. Co-produced with Chris Ayoub, the series features interviews with experts like Joel Osteen and highlights issues like the religious exemption from financial reporting. Apffel is developing tech solutions to promote transparency and community-driven reform in religious organizations. He advocates for ethical governance, victim support, and redirecting resources to solve global issues like poverty and homelessness. Based in the U.S., Apffel blends storytelling, technology, and faith to challenge the status quo and foster meaningful change in the "nonprofit Goliath" of organized religion. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: ⁠https://blackbuffalo.com⁠ ⁠https://prizepicks.onelink.me/lmeo/srs⁠ ⁠https://americanfinancing.net/srs⁠ NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-781-8900, for details about credit costs and terms. ⁠https://tryarmra.com/srs⁠ ⁠https://betterhelp.com/srs⁠ This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. ⁠https://bunkr.life⁠ – USE CODE SRS Go to https://bunkr.life/SRS and use code “SRS” to get 25% off your family plan. ⁠https://shawnlikesgold.com⁠ ⁠https://hillsdale.edu/srs⁠ ⁠https://ketone.com/srs⁠ Visit https://ketone.com/srs for 30% OFF your subscription order. ⁠https://rocketmoney.com/srs⁠ ⁠https://ROKA.com⁠ – USE CODE SRS ⁠https://simplisafe.com/srs Nathan Apffel Links: The Religion Business Website - https://www.thereligionbusiness.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/nathan_apffel IG - https://www.instagram.com/religionbusiness YT - https://www.youtube.com/@thereligionbusiness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You Can Find My Podcast Here: https://lauralynnandfriends.podbean.com/ Sign up for my newsletter here: Laura-Lynn Newsletter Richardson Nutritional Center: https://tinyurl.com/mudzzy3n Antibiotics at: Sales@larxmedical.com Promo code: LLTT Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin: SozoHealth@proton.me ☆ We no longer can trust our mainstream media, which is why independent journalists such as myself are the new way to receive accurate information about our world. Thank you for supporting us – your generosity and kindness to help us keep information like this coming! ☆ ~ L I N K S ~ ➞ DONATE AT: https://www.lauralynn.tv/ or lauralynnlive@protonmail.com ➞ TWITTER: @LauraLynnTT ➞ FACEBOOK: Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson ➞ RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/LauraLynnTylerThompson ➞ BITCHUTE: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/BodlXs2IF22h/ ➞ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/LauraLynnTyler

Hosts Pastor Rico Basso and Guest Pastor Bill Penna Question Timestamps: Yvonne, Facebook (3:34) - Is it true that alcohol is called "spirits" because spirits can attach themselves to you? Alfonzo, FL (6:00) - Is there a way to ask the Holy Spirit to come upon me and grant His power and gifts? Neil, MA (15:43) - How do you interpret Luke 14:33, when it says "a disciple of Christ has no possessions?" Pamela, NY (20:45) - Who was Rehab? Was she an innkeeper or prostitute? Charles, NJ (22:39) - Do you know anything about Joel Osteen using a book by an occultist for his material? Paul, NJ (26:49, continued after break at 33:23) - Is it greater to obey God's voice over His written word? Michael, NJ (36:01) - Do you think Babylon the Great mentioned in Revelation is the United States? Melvin, NJ (43:20) - Did Ezekiel literally eat the scroll he was given? Allie, NY (48:21) - When we pray for forgiveness from God, are we supposed to pray for forgiveness over just the sins from that day or all of our past sins? Ask Your Question: 888-712-7434 Answers@bbtlive.org

This episode is especially close to my heart—meet my Grandma, lovingly nicknamed “Bocca” when we were just toddlers. At 90 years young, she's still sharper than a tack! You could say my love for TV hosting runs in the family. My grandparents hosted a Christian television show called Heartbeat for over 30 years, interviewing remarkable figures like Mother Teresa and how Joel Osteen's father, John, got his start. Their missionary work truly spanned the globe. For this episode, I traveled to North Carolina, where their former television station has now been transformed into a beautiful home and family retreat... I have lots of videos to show you! And of course, no visit with Grandma is complete without stories—like the time I accidentally convinced her to buy me alcohol when I was 13. Oh, the memories!  ______________________________ Follow me on my Instagram or Facebook Podcast Facebook page here Check out KristiCapel.com Email: Kristicapelpodcast@gmail.com  

In this episode, Joel Osteen reminds you that opposition is often a sign you're close to breakthrough. He explains that God brings you out of hardship stronger and more prepared for your destiny. Join the Fontaine family on Thrive weekdays at 11am MT on Miracle Channel or YouTube! Sign up for our streaming service, Corco+ to stream thousands of titles of entertainment, documentaries, and teaching from your favourite pastors! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Follow Joel Osteen: Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | YouTube

Ask Me Anything LIVE!

Exposing Joel Osteen - what does he actually SAY that's so bad...?

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (07/07/25), Hank answers the following questions:Are Christians required to tithe today? Daniel - Brooklyn, NY (0:52)Could you reiterate your objection to Joel Osteen's teachings? Debbie - Eolia, MO (4:23)In 1 Samuel 15:35, why does it say that God regretted making Saul king of Israel? How can God regret something He did? Gary - Kansas City, MO (16:01)Is the Star of David an occult symbol? Wayne - Franklin, KY (18:44)Will God create again to get what we never gave Him? Kayla - Oklahoma City, OK (20:44)

Sumérgete en el fascinante y controvertido mundo de los televangelistas en este nuevo episodio de nuestro podcast. Exploramos las vidas, el meteórico ascenso, las extravagancias y, en algunos casos, las impactantes caídas de figuras icónicas que han marcado la historia de la televisión religiosa. En este episodio especial, desglosamos las historias de Jim Bakker, desde su imperio mediático hasta su notoria caída y resurgimiento, descubriendo los detalles de su vida, sus escándalos y su impacto duradero. También conocerás la trayectoria de Luis Palau, uno de los evangelistas más influyentes a nivel mundial, su enfoque en las cruzadas masivas y su legado de fe y evangelismo. Finalmente, adéntrate en el fenómeno de Lakewood Church y la filosofía de prosperidad de Joel Osteen, uno de los pastores más populares y mediáticos de la actualidad. Analizamos cómo estos líderes religiosos construyeron sus imperios, las controversias que los rodearon y el impacto cultural y social de su mensaje. ¿Qué hay detrás del carisma, la fe y el poder de los televangelistas? No te pierdas este análisis profundo sobre el televangelismo, las vidas de pastores famosos, los escándalos religiosos, la intersección entre la fe y el dinero, y los diferentes estilos de liderazgo espiritual. ¡Suscríbete a nuestro canal para no perderte futuros episodios donde exploramos temas que te harán pensar! Únete a este canal para acceder a sus beneficios: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCufpgYibos8dDFDms5SHxJg/join 2025 es el año de Herejes en Patreon. Mucho más contenido exclusivo creado por todos los Herejes, Larva, y Caro H Solis. Suscríbete y nos ayudas como de ninguna otra forma https://www.patreon.com/herejeselpodcast Merch https://chunchos.mx/collections/herejes Shows de  @Bobbyhereje  3 de Julio CDMX - Noche de Juegos! Show de Improv Comedy - El Hijo del Cuervo https://herejes.yasta.mx/eventos/167 17 de Julio Celaya, 4 Amigos Standup Comedy - Arbol de Café https://herejes.yasta.mx/eventos/200 18 de Julio León, 4 Amigos Standup Comedy - La Palomilla Bar https://lapalomilla.yasta.mx/eventos/1070 19 de Julio San Luis Potosí, 4 Amigos Standup Comedy - Bitter Dog Brewing Company https://potorrisas.yasta.mx/eventos/1234 - Ale Durán - https://www.instagram.com/corsario.hereje/ - Vasco - https://instagram.com/vasco.hereje/ -  @Bobbyhereje  - https://www.instagram.com/bobby.hereje Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're joined by genre-defying artist Cautious Clay, who tells us about the process behind his new album, The Hours: Morning! Plus, in RELEVANT Buzz, two Christian hits have broken into the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in over a decade, and we talk about why Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank are redefining industry momentum. Plus we have the notable news from all the TV up-fronts happening this week, and some surprising legislation that got filed this week. Plus, the crew reflects on the podcast's 20th anniversary, the one-sided "rivalry" we had with Joel Osteen in the early years, and Jesse still being bitter about Osteen standing us up at the Nik Wallenda high wire stunt. And at the end of the show, the crew plays another round of One Has to Go—play along!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Segment 1 • Animated movie produced by Joel Osteen raises concerns. • "King of Kings" draws from Charles Dickens' theology, which emphasizes works righteousness. • Christianity shouldn't be reduced to a to-do list, especially in media. Segment 2 • New film based on Charles Dickens' theology, produced by Joel Osteen. • Dickens was influenced by Unitarianism, rejecting the Doctrine of the Trinity and Original Sin. • "The Life of Our Lord" highlights Dickens' moralistic view, not the gospel of grace. Segment 3 • Which story is most agitating? ◦ A professor launches a course called "The Queer Bible." ◦ Euthanasia in the Netherlands on the rise. ◦ Persecution of Christians in Nigeria. ◦ Flu vaccine paradox: higher risk of flu among vaccinated. ◦ Leftists justifying violence against Trump. Segment 4 • More shocking stories from today's culture: ◦ Men competing in female sports tournaments. ◦ Liberal women disowning straight children. ◦ Australian Christians potentially jailed for praying for LGBT individuals. ◦ Scientific claims about animal communication showing signs of complex thought. ___ Preorder the new book, Lies My Therapist Told Me, by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Original Air Date: August 10, 2017  Learn how to manifest the life you want with two simple words. Pastor Joel Osteen, one of America's most influential religious leaders, discusses personal success, the power behind the words we speak and how each of us can make a difference. Oprah says Pastor Osteen changed the way she speaks power into her life.