Podcasts about John Bunyan

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “This hill, though high, I covet to ascend;The difficulty will not me offend.For I perceive the way to life lies here.Come, pluck up, heart; let's neither faint nor fear.Better, though difficult, the right way to go,Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.”~Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan, 17th Century English writer and preacher “Everything is needful that He sends; nothing can be needful that He withholds.”~John Newton, 18th Century English hymnwriter and preacher “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”~John 16:33 (NIV) “The Bible is profoundly realistic because it tells us suffering is inevitable. No one escapes it. We shouldn't be surprised and shocked by it. The Bible is terribly matter-of-fact about the reality that the world is filled with misery. Yet, it offers not merely a spiritual afterlife but the hope of a renewed creation, the resurrection, and a material world wiped clean of decay and suffering and death. No other religion promises such a thing."~Tim Keller, 21st Century American pastor and author “Though Satan should buffet,though trials should come,let this blest assurance control,that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,And hath shed His own blood for my soul.”~“It Is Well With My Soul,” Horatio Spafford, 19th Century American hymnwriterSERMON PASSAGEHebrews 12:3-17 (ESV) 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly   the discipline of the Lord,     nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,     and chastises every son whom he receives.”7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

Introduction: Guard Your Heart… (Proverbs 4:20–27) With the WORD OF GOD (Proverbs 4:20–22) Psalm 119:9–11 (ESV) – How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Because it BRINGS TRUE LIFE (Prov 4:22a) Because it BRINGS LASTING HEALING (Prov 4:22b) With UNWAVERING VIGILANCE (Proverbs 4:23–27) Luke 6:45 (ESV) – The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. By Watching WHAT YOU SAY (Prov 4:24) Proverbs 13:3 (ESV) – Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. By Controlling WHAT YOU FOCUS ON (Prov 4:25) By Directing WHERE YOU GO (Prov 4:26–27) 1 Kings 11:2–4 – ...for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love... For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods... Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead Proverbs 4:20-27What was your big take-away from this passage / message?How do you guard your heart with the Word of God? How would you describe your devotional life and the ways it needs to improve?What does it look like to be vigilant in guarding your heart? How have you been lazy in guarding your heart in the past?What actions steps do you need to take moving forward?BreakoutPray for one another. AUDIO TRANSCRIPT The Lord saved me at a young age, but my relationship with Him wasn't really deep until I was a senior in high school.At that time, I became a serious student of God's Word and I bought myself a nice new Bible.Do you want to see that nice and new Bible 16 years later?Alright, thanks. I'll show Jay. Jay wants to see it.Here's how it looks now. How's it look?Some of you get it. Yeah, it does look good in some ways. It doesn't look great in other ways, though, does it?You may be wondering, did you get run over by a lawn mower or something while you were reading it?Nothing as dramatic as that, but for years, this Bible went everywhere with me.It took it to Haiti, twice to Kenya, all the missions, trips I led as a youth pastor.I preached a lot of sermons and taught a lot of lessons from this Bible.When I first bought it, I protected it. I guarded it. I kept it in the box. It came in whenever I put it into my backpack or went on a trip.But as years went by, I stopped protecting it with the box and I just hoped for the best.And I kept getting more worn out, kept getting more beat up.With each passing year, I kept looking worse and worse and worse and worse.It really bummed me out to look at this Bible and what it had become.Other people would comment on it as well, like, "Do you need to buy a new Bible or get it rebounded?"It's going to fall apart any minute.So I eventually took people up on that and I bought a nice leather-bound Bible.And I learned my lesson with my old Bible because I still have the box for the new one.And I still keep it in there all the time whenever I travel or put it into my backpack.I am resolved to guard this copy of God's Word moving forward.It has immense value to me. It is precious to me.So I want to take care of it by any means necessary.According to God's Word, there is something of immense value within youthat you often fail to consider and guard properly.Your heart. Your heart should be precious to youand you should want to take care of it by any means necessary.Over this past year, we have focused on one major theme from Scripture.God wants your heart.God wants your heart.But what if you don't want God like you used to?What if you don't want to give God your heart like you used to?This is the final week of our latest series, Heart Problems.What to do when you don't want God?Every single person in this room has a heart problem of some kind.It could be apathy and prayer, spiritual laziness and gratitude,unrepentant sin in your life.Thankfully, God has solutions to every single heart problem you can experience.Over the past few weeks, we've discovered three of God's solutionsto these heart problems.Evaluating your heart. Confessing sin from your heartand giving thanks with your heart.Maybe at this point you're thinking, "Well, Taylor, I'm good to go.I've done all those things. I've evaluated my heart.I've confessed sin from my heart. I've given thanks to my heart.Time to move on from this series and go back to the Sermon on the Mount.Thanks so much. I'm done with this."Well, not so fast.You are missing one important piece of the puzzle,and that is guarding your heart.Because if you fail to guard your heart,you will lose all the progress that you've made over the past few weeks.And all the old heart problems that you had will return and intensify.New heart problems will pop up and spiral out of control.You must protect yourself from this danger.You must do your best to resolve these heart problems when they first pop upinstead of ignoring them and leaving them undoubt with.We'll spend the rest of this message talking about what it looks liketo guard your heart in action.I want you to walk out of this series with a confidencethat you can resolve heart problems right when they appearthrough God's power and with God's methods.So before we continue, let's go to the Lord in prayer.Please pray for me, and I will pray for you.Father, we come to you with a sense of weightiness.But we all have a heart problem of some kind right now.None of us can say that we don't.I pray that we can be honest about it this morning.Bring those things to you that you can change us,that you can convict us, that you can build us up.Lord, I can do none of those things.All I can do is share your word,and you are the only one who can use your word to change lives.And I ask that you would do that this morning.I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.So over the past two Sundays,we spent a lot of time with King David in the Psalms.This morning we're going to spend some timewith King David's son Solomon in Proverbs chapter 4 verses 20 through 27.So if you have a Bible with you,you can turn to Proverbs chapter 4 verses 20 through 27.And as you turn there,let me give you a quick crash course on King Solomon.At a young age, this man was given a blank check by God himself.Name what you want, and I'll give it to you.You ever think about how awesome that is?Just imagine that.What do you think you would ask forif God gave you that blank check?Well, Solomon didn't ask for what was expected.He didn't ask for riches, for honor, or the ability to fly.That would be really cool though.No, what does he ask for instead?Wisdom.Wisdom, which is the ability to apply God's wordto every situation you experienceand every decision that you make.Wisdom is knowledge and action.And God was so pleased with this answerthat he still gave Solomon all the stuffhe didn't ask for minus the superpower flighthe didn't get that.But Solomon was blessed with so much material stuff,most importantly, with wisdom from God.And he used this wisdom to accomplish a lot of great thingslike building the first temple,but later in life, he squandered that wisdom,which we'll talk about at the end of this message.But the first nine chapters of Proverbsare written from the perspectiveof a father speaking to his son.Solomon is addressing his own son,but he's also acting like a fatherly figureto anyone who listens to what he has to say.His wise words should not be ignored.They should not be forgotten.They should be treasured.And in these chapters, Solomon tells his sonthat wisdom is the most valuable thing.It's better than silver, gold, or precious jewels.He's seek after wisdom and get it.He also warns his son against many thingsthat he should not do.But our main focus this morningis Solomon's words of wisdom about his son's heart.That is the thing that Solomon is most concerned aboutbecause if your heart is wrong,it doesn't really matter what else you get right.Solomon gives his son and everyone who readsProverbs 4, 20 through 27 the same command,guard your heart.So on your outline,guard your heart with the word of God.Guard your heart with the word of God.Let's read verses 20 through 21."My son, be attentive to my wordsand climb your ear to my sayings.Let them not escape from your sight.Keep them within your heart."These verses remind me a lot of conversationsI had with my dad when I was younger,when he made it very clear that I should listento what he had to say and not tune him out.I have very similar conversations with my own sonthat vary in their level of effectiveness and success.In those moments, I want my son, Sam, to close his mouth,open his ears, and heed my warningsto listen to what I have to say.But you have to remember that this instructionfrom an earthly father isn't the only thinghappening in this passage.Remember, this is the authoritative word of God.It's not just the end of the Andy Griffith Show.When Sheriff Andy sits down with Opieto give the major moral lesson,no, your heavenly father is sitting you downto give you commands and instructions.God himself is calling you to be attentive to his words,to incline your ears to his sayings,to not let them escape your sightand to keep them within your heart.That sounds very similar to Psalm 119-11.How can a young man keep his way pureby guarding it according to your word?With my whole heart I seek you.Let me not wander from your commandments.I have stored up your word in my heartthat I might not sin against you.You cannot guard your heart, fight sin,and lead a pure life apart from significant time in the Bible.It's just not possible.It's like trying to build a deck on the back of your housewithout any tools or any supplies of any kind.You can have the best of intentions,but you will get nowhere fast.It's not enough just to read the Bible.You need to keep it stored up in your heart.How do you do that?You push out other things to make room for it.You kill the bad habits in your life.You let go of those hobbies that hold you backand that vie for your attention.You make room for God's word by memorizing it.I know what some of you are thinking,"Taylor, I can't memorize stuff. I have a horrible memory."Let me share a universal truth with you.You memorize what you care about.If you love sports,you have a ton of information about players,games, teams, write your fingertips at all times.If you love golf in this room,you have a lot of informationdownloaded into your brain about the perfect golf swing.All the courses you want to play at in the world,if you're a movie freak,you have film knowledge, directors, actors,write in your brain,what is the focus of your memorization?What do you make the most room for in your heart?John Bunyan, the man who wrote one of the best-selling books of all time,The Pilgrim's Progress, hundreds of years ago,was described in this way."This man is a living Bible.Prick him anywhere and he will bleed the Bible.The very essence of the Bible flows from him.He cannot speak without quoting a textfor his very own purpose.He cannot speak without quoting a textfor his very soul is full of the Word of God."Is that description true of you?I wish I fit this description far more than I do.But this can describe you.It can describe me if we grab ahold of the right motivations.And let me tell you this morning,I have no desire to guilt youfor spending more time in the Bible.Do you want to know why?Because that motivation won't last beyond the end of this week.You may be diligent in studying, reading, praying this week,but it won't last any longer.You need the motivation only God can provide.You need to believe that this book is far more importantthan anything else you can set your mind toor fill your time with.Truly be convinced from your heart that reading this book,studying it, living it, applying it,blesses and benefits you in every wayand in every area of life.My yelling, my nagging, my pesteringmay make you feel like a shame dogpopped on the nose with a rolled up newspaper.But those tactics will not make you lovethe instructions of your heavenly mastereven one bit more.So let's talk about two motivationsthat will inspire you to guard your heartwith the Word of God.So on your outline,guard your heart with the Word of Godbecause it brings true life.Because it brings true life.Let's check out the first half of verse 22."For they are life to those who find them."You are only as healthy as what you consume.As the old saying goes, "You are what you eat."That is true both physically and spiritually.Your physical well-being cannot rise abovewhat you put into your body.Your spiritual well-being cannot rise abovewhat you put into your heart.When he was tempted by Satan and the wilderness,Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8.3,"Man shall not live by bread alonebut by every word that comes from the mouth of God."Maybe you are spiritually starving this morningbecause you have never feasted on the Word of God.You have never tasted the goodness of Jesus Christin the gospel.Listen, nothing and no one can satisfy your longingsand cravings apart from Jesus Christ.Stop poisoning yourself with the junk food of this world.That diet will do nothing but make you sick,hurt your heart, and kill your eternal soul.Life is offered to you today in the Word of God.Let go of the junk food of this worldand grab a hold of Jesus Christ who suffered,died, and rose again so that you can have eternal lifethat starts now and lasts forever.Grab a hold of Christ by faith and you will have that life.Guard your heart with the Word of Godbecause it brings true lifeand because it brings true healing.Because it brings true healing.Let's read all of 22."For they are life to those who find them in healingto all their flesh."The Word of God provides a remedy for every ailment.It provides a solution to every heart problem.This book is like the ultimate Swiss army knife.It is multifaceted, multi-purpose,and useful for every situation.It is a genuine lifesaver.I can't guarantee you much,but I guarantee you there is no trial,there is no discouragement,there is no relational issuethat you cannot come to the Word of Godand find wisdom for.There is no issue, you'll come across and be like,"Well, the Bible can't help me with this.Time to buy a self-help book or watch that lifetime movie.Maybe that'll help me."No.The healing help you are looking for is in the Word of God.It's right at your fingertips.You can have access to it every single secondof every single day.And the Lord has brought me so much healing personallyby praying through Scripture,especially through the Psalms.The Psalms provide you a vocabularyfor how to pray to Godas you experience every emotion.Anger, fear, frustration, confusion, sadness,excitement, joy.Do you pray through Scripture?If you don't, let me teach you how to do it.This is very complex.Are you all ready for this?All right, really pay attention.Read a verse and then pray about it.Read the next verse and then pray about it.Read the next verse and then pray some more about it.Rinse, wash, and repeat.Can you do that?You can do that.Pray through God's Word.Pray through the Psalms.Are you overwhelmed right now?Are you at the lowest point that you've been in a long time?Are you in need of healing?Push out what the world has to say about you and your issues.Make room for what God has to say about you and your issues.Guard your heart with the Word of Godand you will experience the healing and the lifethat you are so desperate for.Guard your heart, secondly, with unwavering vigilance.With unwavering vigilance.Verse 23 is the centerpiece of this entire passage.It is one of the go-to verseswhen it comes to the importance of your heart.Solomon writes this,"Keep your heart with all vigilancefor from it flow the springs of life."After a year of repetition,you may be tired of hearing it,but I'm going to say it again,your heart is who you really are on the inside.Your heart is like a spring or a fountain.Everything that you think, say, and do flows from it.Most fountains only pour out what they are filled with.If a decorative fountain is filled with contaminated water,it will only pour out unclean water that you shouldn't drink.If a fondue fountain is filled with cheese and chocolate,you shouldn't be surprised when it only pours out cheese and chocolate.Your heart is a fountain that will only pour out what it is filled with.Have you ever come across a person who is rude in every situationand constantly rags on everyone?And then someone comes along to defend this person."Oh, well, you know, they might be rough around the edges,but deep down, he or she really is a nice and kind person."What do we think about that?Is that true?Incorrect.What is in that person's heart spews out of their mouth.Their heart is full of resentment and disrespect,so it comes out in how they talk to everyone.I can't put it any better than our Lord when He said,"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good,and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil.For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks."You show who you really are by what you say and by what you do.And with that essential truth in mind, Solomon says,"Keep your heart with all vigilance."Vigilance.Do you know who I think of when I hear that word?McGruff the crime dog.Does anyone remember McGruff?He was a character in the '80s who was created to increase personal safetyand awareness of crime.He was a bloodhound in the trench coatwho had a really deep and intimidating voice.Does anyone know what his tagline was?Anyone remember?"Take a bite out of crime."McGruff set his sights on important issues like bullying, drug use, home invasion.And he would just be so emphatic that you have to defend yourself.You have to have alarm systems. You have to have a deadbolt on your door.McGruff wants you to be constantly aware and unwaveringly vigilantin order to guard your loved ones and yourself from the crime that wants to take a bite out of you.Well, God himself wants you to be constantly aware and unwaveringly vigilantin order to guard your heart from the sin that wants to take a bite out of you.You cannot take breaks or vacations from this vigilance.Heart security is infinitely more important than home security.Spiritually, your head needs to be on a swivel at all times.You must be circumspect, not careless, cautious, not casual.So what should you be on the lookout for?How should you guard your heart with unwavering vigilance?What should you be focused on your outline?Guard your heart with unwavering vigilance by watching what you say.By watching what you say.Let's read verse 24."Put away from you crooked speech and put devious talk far from you."Crooked speech and devious talk, what does that mean?It's not about trying to be honest, it's about trying to be honest.It's about trying to be honest.It's about trying to be honest.It's about trying to be honest.It's about trying to be honest.It's about trying to be honest.It's about trying to be honest.It's about trying to be honest.That is a stupid thought that you and I both fall for.We've already established that you show who you are on the insideby what you say on the outside.So let's run that through.If you lie to others on the outside, who does that make you on the inside?That makes you a what?A liar.It's that simple.You cannot call yourself a lover of the truthif you constantly indulge in one of the activities that God hates the most.Elsewhere in Proverbs it says, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord."So should you mess around with something that is described so harshly?No, we really shouldn't.The pathway of Christian speech is straight, not crooked.You need to walk the straight highway of God's truthinstead of stumbling down those side roads of deception.Put away crooked speech and devious talk by fessing up to how you've been deceitful.Sit that person, sit those people downto unravel every single lie that you've told.Those conversations sure won't be fun,but they sure will set your heart free.Put away crooked speech and devious talk by entering into tough conversations,by praying to God, "God, I know I'm going to be tempted to be dishonest.I know I'm going to be tempted to stress the truth.Guard my heart.Help me to only say what is true, even if it costs me."Put away crooked speech and devious talk by diving into Proverbs that talk about how you speak.Proverbs like the one we're studying this morning, or Proverbs 13.3,"Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life, he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."Be vigilant in guarding your heart by guarding your mouth.Be vigilant in what you say and what you don't say.Guard your heart with unwavering vigilance by controlling what you focus on.So Solomon moves from what you say to where you look in verse 25."Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze be straight before you."Where you look is where you'll end up.Where you look is where you'll end up.Imagine that after church, I take a nice long walk,I find myself on a road with a really steep embankment.And for some reason, I stop looking directly aheadand my eyes start to wander to the embankment.Keep looking at it, keep looking at it, keep looking at it.If I keep doing that, where am I going to end up?Smashing into the guardrail or through the guardrailand rolling down the entire road.Smashing into the guardrail or through the guardrail and rolling down the embankment.I will most likely get in a very serious accident.I could have avoided that if I had kept my eyes looking directly forwardwhere I should have been looking.Where are you looking right now?Are you looking where God wants you to look?Or are you looking where the enemy wants you to look?Where the world wants you to look?If you keep up with watching those corrupting movies and shows,you'll end up with those movies and shows rewriting your thinking.If you keep up with mindlessly, endlessly scrolling on social mediaall hours of the day, you'll end up as a spiritual zombie.As an undisciplined slacker who doesn't give his or her familythe time and attention that they deserve.If you keep up with that pornography addiction,you will end up feeling very aloneand ruining the good connection that you have with your spouse.You become what you behold.Be vigilant in guarding your heart by controlling where you lookand what you focus on.Finally, guard your heart with unwavering vigilanceby directing where you go.By directing where you go.Let's wrap up with verses 26 through 27."Ponder the path of your feet, then all your ways will be sure.Do not swerve to the right or to the left.Turn your foot away from evil."Staple this truth to your brain and never forget it.You are one decision away from life-shattering disaster.You can destroy all the trust that you've worked so hard to build up in an instant.You can tear your reputation to shreds with one choice.You can do serious damage if you're not careful of where you go.Don't do what feels good.Don't do what feels right.Do what is good.Do what is right."Ponder the path of your feet.Direct yourself to where you should go."But here's the thing.You can't ponder the path of your feet on your own.You will go to the right or to the left if you isolate yourself.You will not turn your foot away from evil if you try to go this way alone.Direct yourself towards worshiping with God's people every single week.Direct yourself towards intentional Christian community in small groups.Direct yourself to honest and accountable relationships in the body of Christ.If you've been on the outskirts of this church for weeks, months, or even years,I want to encourage you to dive in.Take a risk.Be vulnerable.Listen, you may have been hurt in the past by a church,and I in no way want to nullify that or minimize that pain.But that pain will not go away if you don't get involved in this church.It will only get worse and worse and worse.To truly be in community, to be truly known, to truly know others,it's always a risk.It always requires you being vulnerable.Take that step in faith and trust the Lord.Trust that He will direct you to where you should go.That He will direct you towards greater maturity and connectedness in the body of Christ.Please know that we love you and we want you here.Be vigilant and guard in your heart by directing where you go.At the end of this message, you may be thinking, "Well, Taylor,all this stuff that Solomon is saying is very obvious.I already know all this stuff. It's not complex."You're right.Keeping your heart, guarding your heart is not complex,except when it comes to actually doing it.When theory becomes reality, when rubber meets the road,when your worldly desires experience a head-on collision with your godly affections.Before we close a curtain on this series,I want to give you a word of warning from Solomon himself.It's actually a warning from his own life,because Solomon didn't listen to his own words.As time went on, he didn't guard his heart with the word of God.He didn't guard his heart with unwavering vigilance.He was told, "Time and time again,don't marry foreign wives from pagan nations who worship other gods.If you do that, they will cause you to not be faithful to the Lord."Solomon knew that, but he didn't listen.Which leads to one of the saddest passages in the entire Old Testament.Solomon clung to these in love.He had 700 wives who were princesses and 300 concubines.And his wives turned away his heart.For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods.And his heart was not wholly true to the Lord, his God,as was the heart of David, his father.What a heartbreaking end for Solomon.What a serious warning for you and for me.Solomon knew it all.He knew what the right thing to do was, but he didn't do it.He didn't guard his heart.It's tempting to think, "Well, my heart seems like it's fine right now."But then you fail to think,"Well, I'm going to have heart problems moving forward."You may not think that you have heart problems right now,and that you're free from them.But what about tomorrow?What about next week?What about next month?What about next year? Are you ready?Evaluating your heart is not a once in a lifetime appointment.It is a daily appointment with the Lord.Confessing sin from your heart isn't something you just do once at your conversion.No, it is a daily acknowledging and repenting of your sin.Giving thanks with your heart isn't something that you just do in Novemberwhen you're eating turkey with your family.It is a daily discipline that shapes how you view Godand how you view your own life.Guarding your heart isn't just something you do when you have the time.No, it's something you do 24/7, 365 days a year.Guard your heart with the Word of Godbecause it is the only source of help, encouragement, and strength that you can find.Guard your heart with unwavering vigilancefor from it flow the springs of life.Your heart problems can only be solved by God's solutions.Let's pray.Father, we come to you.And we acknowledge that there is something going on within all of us.Whether it's doubt, severe anxiety, constant complaining,a sin that we don't think anyone knows about, but you do.What help us to lay all those things at your feet,help us to seek after you for help, for encouragement, for strength.Lord, we don't have the energy in ourselves to guard our hearts.We don't have the passion that's needed within ourselves, but you do.Give us your strength, give us your encouragement, give us your passionso that we can guard our hearts, not just today, but every day moving forward.We ask all these things in Jesus' name. Amen

In a poignant performance of Pilgrim: The Musical, Leisa stood before a special section for the Deaf and using American Sign Language expressively interpreted the performance. The musical, based on John Bunyan’s book The Pilgrim’s Progress about one man’s faith journey, was deeply moving, but so was Leisa’s delivery. When asked about her interpreting, Leisa said, “The reason I do Pilgrim and the reason I interpret is because the gospel should be accessible to everyone. And the Deaf are a group that is [largely] ignored.” She went on to say, “It’s heartbreaking because less than 2 percent of the Deaf worldwide have heard about Jesus.” Leisa uses her gift so the Deaf can know Jesus. Like Leisa, we’re called to use our gifts and abilities to be witnesses of God’s love and draw others to Jesus—to impact the world with the good news. The apostle Peter wrote, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). These gifts include loving and praying for others (vv. 7-8). Whether you’re an encourager, a helper serving behind the scenes, a teacher, a speaker, a prayer warrior, or have another gift or ability, God can use you to serve others. Just ask. He’ll show you a way.

There are two quotes that have stuck with me that have helped me over the years: The first is from AW Tozer who said, It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply. The second is from John Bunyan who said, Conversion is not the smooth, easy-going process some men seem to think... It is wounding work, this breaking of the hearts, but without wounding there is no saving... Where there is grafting there will always be a cutting, the graft must be let in with a wound; to stick it onto the outside or to tie it on with a string would be of no use. Heart must be set to heart and back to back or there will be no sap from root to branch. And this, I say, must be done by a wound, by a cut.[1] Throughout the Bible, I see the wisdom of Tozer and Bunyans counsel as it relates to the hard stuff we experience in life. As much as God has used AW Tozer and John Bunyan, the real question is this: What has God said about the trials that will come and do we trust and believe Him enough to turn to Him even when we do not understand how He will work it out of our good? It is to James that we now turn our attention to discover what God has said about it. Gods Will for the Christians Life is to Finish Well Gods will for the life of the Christian is to receive the crown of life. What is the crown of life you ask? Ironically, it is a type of victors crown that the Christian will receive after he/she has died. During the Isthmian games a crown in the form of a wreath would be awarded the victor who finished whatever event a Greek male athlete participated in. Like the Olympics of today, only the best of the best would compete after training harder than anything else in their lives in the hope that they could receive the coveted crown. Borrowing language from the games, Paul wrote of the Christian life: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified (1 Cor 9:2527). Just before he was executed, Paul wrote to Timothy: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Tim. 4:7-8). The crown of life is eternal life with Jesus. At first glance, it sounds like James is telling us that in order to receive the crown of life, we have got to dig deep and persevere. This makes our salvation sound like we have to work for our salvation. This is not what James is saying at all, and we know this because of verse 18, which states: In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth... The word of truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ that saves. It is of this gospel that Paul wrote in Romans, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom. 1:16). It was because of Gods will that we went from spiritual death to spiritual life, and the evidence that we are now spiritually alive is with the life we are living today. Listen to what Jesus said in John 1:12-13, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God. In John 10:16, Jesus said that the evidence of those who belong to Him is in how they respond to Him: And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, with one shepherd (John 10:16). So here is the rub that is very important that you not only hear me say, but that you take it to heart. The one who perseveres to the end... even under and through various trials, is the one who was truly born again when they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ; it was in the moment that you were born again that you went from being spiritually dead to being alive with Christ! The crown of life is given not based on your merit, but because of your relationship with Jesus. It was His sinless life, His sacrificial death, and His victory over death that secured, secures, and will secure your salvation. The crown of life is awarded on the basis of your relationship with Jesus with the understanding that His merit is all that you need! The crown of life is not given to those who have good intentions, it is not given to those who are religious, it is not given because of some prayer you said, it is not given because you started out well, for it is given because you have been born again! Here is what the apostle John said of those who do not persevere until the end: They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19). If you are wondering how you can know that you belong to Jesus and that you are indeed born again, James provides us with four words: ...those who love Him. The evidence that you have been born again besides the fact that you will persevere under trial, is that you love Him. This is why Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed (1 Cor. 16:22). If you have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and have been born again as a result, you will love Jesus... which is evidence that God first loved you (1 John 4:9-19). Now, when it comes to the trials in life (v. 12) and the temptation(s) we all face, what purpose do they serve in the Christian life? James seems to indicate that trials are both allowed and designed by God while temptation comes from within and is used by the devil and his demons. What you cannot see in your English Bible is that the root of the Greek word for trial (peirasmos) and the root for temptation (peirazō) comes from the same Greek root and both words can be translated test or tempt. Trials are Designed by God to Ultimately Bless the Christian (vv. 12-13) So how do we make sense of these verses? Permit me to offer you an alternate translation of verse 13 that I think will open these verses up for you in a way that ought to help. Here is what I think is a better and more helpful way to translate James 1:13, No one is to say when he is tested, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. How do we know that God does not tempt us? We know because He is a God of love, we know because He is good, and we know because He is holy! Because God is infinitely good, James states in verse 17, Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. Not only is God good, but because He is God, He has not, does not, and will not change. Because God is good, every trial that God brings or allows into your life is designed to strengthen your faith... not destroy your it. This is why James can say in verse 12 that when the trials do come, you can receive them knowing that such trials will ultimately serve for your blessing. How do I know that? For starters, it is the pattern we see with God in the way that He has always dealt with His people. Consider Abraham as one example of how God will use and bring trials into the lives of His people to do the kind of thing that needs to happen in the life of the one who belongs to Him. After Issac was born and old enough to know better, God told Abraham to take his only son and to offer him as a burnt offering (Gen. 22). What was the purpose of the testing? For starters, to show Abraham that his identity was not to be found in the son he and Sarah had longed for and prayed for their entire lives. Did God make Abraham go through with the slaughtering of his only son? Nope. Abraham would have done it, but God stopped him and then said to him: For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me (v. 12). For most of Abrahams life, he struggled to trust God. All throughout Abrahams life God used the various trials in Abraham and Sarahs lives that God brought, allowed, and even the trials Abraham brought upon himself to temper his faith to the point that by the time we come to Genesis 22, he knew he could trust God even when doing so did not make sense, such as Gods instructions to sacrifice Isaac. How do I know this, besides the fact that Abraham was so committed to obeying God that God had to stop him from following through with sacrificing Isaac? Here is how I know: When Abraham, Isaac, and his servants arrived at the mountain where Abraham was to follow through with Gods instructions, Abraham said to his servants something that reveals that something had changed in his heart; here is what he said: Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you (Gen. 22:5). God told him to sacrifice Isaac, and the reason why Abraham was willing to go through with it was because over the years God was tempering Abrahams faith to the point that he knew God well enough to know that the God who told him to kill his son was both good and able to raise the dead. Abrahams action was the evidence that his faith in God was not just lip service (see Jas. 2:20-23). Temptation to Sin Comes from Within and Is Used by Satan to Destroy the Christian When the trials come, the primary danger we face in such moments is from within. Suffering can serve as a catalyst to deepen your relationship with God, or it can cause you to doubt the wisdom, goodness, and sovereignty of God. To be tempted is not sin, but it is what you do with the temptation. Notice what James says in verses 14-15, But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death (Jas. 1:1415). God does not tempt, but He does test. His testing often comes in the form of trials that serve to temper our faith for the purpose of making it stronger. Sin comes from within us, and whatever forms the temptation is that we are faced gives birth to sin when we are carried away and enticed by our own sin nature. Facing the temptation is not the sin, but giving into the temptation is. James tells us that when temptation comes (and it will), the downward progression leading to the act of sinning begins with a decision that involves both the mind and the heart. Giving into the temptation to sin begins when you decide to dwell on the temptation instead of run from it. The next step is to be carried away and enticed by your own lust (this is when both your heart and mind are lured by your own lust). Our lust comes from the sin nature that is within all of us, and when left unchecked... it gives birth to sin. Robert Plummer put it this way in his commentary on James: ...just as conception leads naturally to childbirth, giving free rein to sinful inclinations naturally results in discrete moral transgressions. Just as water runs downhill, so evil desire, if allowed to pursue its gravitational inclination, runs down into sinful activity.[2] Where does unchecked sin inevitably lead? It leads to death. Listen, most of the temptation we face comes by way of our own doing because of our own lustful desires. The devil is just one person and can only be at one place at a time. His demons are many, but they are also limited by their number and ability. However, Satan is also known as the Tempter for a reason. He is real and he wants to use temptation as a way to destroy your faith. The greater threat you face through is not the devil but your own heart and passions. To follow your passion is horrible advice if it is not tethered to the will of God for your life that you can only know and discern through His word and prayer. Conclusion Every time Abraham trusted his own heart or caved to his own fears, he was carried away and enticed by his own lust. The same can be said about Adam and Eve, the Hebrews in the wilderness, King David, and every other person we read about in the Bible. It wasnt until Abraham trusted in a good and sovereign God to lead him that he experienced the blessing God wanted for him. For Abraham, that blessing did not come when he wanted, but arrived when God knew Abraham was ready for it. All sin comes by way of trusting what you think is right, instead of believing God and trusting Him for what He has declared is right. So, how do we face the trials of life and at the same time resist the temptation to sin? James offers us some help in verses 16-17. Dont be deceived. Instead of trusting in what you desire, trust in the goodness of God and what He had declared to be good. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above... (v. 17a), so trust the One who is good and wants good for you. Focus on Gods unchanging character instead of your desires. James tells us that all that is good comes from, the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (v. 17b). We change all the time, our emotions ebb and flow, what we think is right one day may change the next day, but God does not change!His character remains the same. Instead of being carried away by your sin, turn to the God who does not change and trust Him. Trust Gods Word. It is because of His word that you have been born again when you heard the gospel. Tony Evens put it this way: For many, the Bible is like the queen of England. Its held in high esteem but wields no power over them personally. What Scripture accomplished for your salvation, though, it can accomplish for your sanctification.[3] When faced by temptation, Jesus used the Word of God to combat the devil; you can and ought to do the same. Know that God loves you. God called you by the word of truth, and He did it because He loves you. According to James 1:18, God gave you a new birth for the purpose of being His first fruits among His creatures. God instructed His people to give the first fruits of their possessions back to Him; for the Hebrew people, the first fruits were the best and first from their harvest. To be Gods first fruits among His creatures means that you are loved and treasured by Him! What He is doing in your life today, is for the purpose of something greater tomorrow that will ultimately lead to your sanctification and then glorification as His son/daughter. His no from His Word is for your good, your joy, and ultimately your thriving. [1] John Piper, The Hidden Smile of God (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books; 2001), 65. [2] Robert L. Plummer, James, in HebrewsRevelation, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XII, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 234. [3] Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 1339.

This message is entitled: The Continued Reading of Pilgrim's Progress, Part 1, which includes. Section 1, entitled Cristian's Deplorable Condition, and Section 2 entitled Evangelist Directs Christian. 
The book, Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory on Salvation, written by John Bunyan, who was a Bondage of the Will preacher, in prison in England for preaching the gospel, and while he was in prison, he wrote Pilgrim's Progress, published in 1678, and still in print today, has been one of the most read Christian books in the world. Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory on salvation, and is the most accurate portrayal of salvation in an allegorical format ever written.
This book is worth reading over and over again, for what does Satan do, but he counterfeits salvation. If we think of the Bible as a wagon wheel with 66 spokes representing the 66 books of the Bible, and the hub of the will representing salvation, Satan counterfeits the hub of the wheel, and that is all he has to do to corrupt the 66 spokes, and that is how he destroys the true church. 
He never lets his foot off the accelerator, and thus the bondage of the will church must press its foot harder on the accelerator to continue to further define salvation more accurately in order to keep ahead of Satan's counterfeiting. John Bunyan in Pilgrim's Progress will put us way ahead of the curve in detecting how Satan counterfeits the scriptures, and thus every American should have a copy of Pilgm's Progress and read it over and over, not to replace our meditation on the Word of God, but to be a supplement. Pilgrim's progress is an allegory, and in this allegory, practically every paragraph, and sometimes every sentence, there is a hidden scripture that goes with it. And those of us that have read our Bibles day and night over years, every time we read Pilgrim's Progress, we will see the hidden meaning behind what John Bunyan is saying, because we will see the scriptures that he is referring to, for we know our scriptures. 
Thus in the following messages, a commentary will be given showing the Scriptures underlying the hidden meaning that we might understand the meaning of the allegorical sentences and paragraphs. Those of you that continue to listen throughout these several messages, you will be way ahead of the curve in detecting how Satan counterfeits so that you might avoid those false churches and ignorantly embrace their false doctrine. Those churches that have a false hub of the wheel, a false definition of salvation, a counterfeited salvation, what happens but the 66 spokes are tainted, that is the 66 books of the Bible are tainted, and thus without an accurate definition of salvation, we will be sucked into churches that have a false doctrine. And if we follow that false doctrine and end up in hell, what good did those churches do for us. 
they did us no good at all. So Satan is not stupid. He will always counterfeit salvation first and if he has accomplished that in a nation, if his false doctrine becomes dominant, he can pull his lever on the lazy boy, for the nation is going to go astray. , Like the moon being a reflection of the sun, so the morality of the nation is just a reflection of the doctrine of the church. Thus a dominant false doctrine will make America immoral. 
If you are a brand new creation, you're going to just love this book because when he begins to describe in an allegorical format, conversion, it will match your own conversion you've been truly converted. And hardly anywhere else can you find such an accurate description of what it's like to become a new creation. It is just wonderful, and it will give you great confirmation of your own conversion. 
And you will quickly learn how to detect others who have been falsely converted, because John Bunion does a great job of showinging us what a false conversion looks like juxtaposed to a true conversion.

In this chapter of The Pilgrim's Progress, we follow Christian as he and Hopeful rest in the Delectable Mountains and glean wisdom from the shepherds there.Minor updating has been done to make this recording more understandable.If you'd like to delve deeper into the lessons of this episode, check out the following resources (affil links):The Pilgrim's Progress Old English: https://amzn.to/4j1j3XgThe Pilgrim's Progress Modern English: https://amzn.to/3W3SNlvLittle Pilgrim's Big Journey: https://amzn.to/41YDs9GSupport our mission:▪️ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wanderingpilgrims▪️ Patreon: patreon.com/TheWanderingPilgrims▪️ Shop: teespring.com/stores/the-wandering-pilgrims▪️ Our Website: www.thewanderingpilgrims.comConnect with us for more insights and updates:▪️ Instagram: instagram.com/thewanderingpilgrims▪️ Facebook: facebook.com/The-Wandering-Pilgrims▪️ YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCbvMuDo9dpaQ0Bu71lRRiQw▪️ Twitter: @WanderPilgrims▪️ Truth Social: @wanderingpilgrims

Když v Bibli čteme výzvu "Přistupte směle k trůnu milosti!", je to skutečné pozvání. Zároveň ale předstupujeme před toho, který všechno ví a vidí, není mu skryto vůbec nic. A najednou se může objevit zaváhání: Chci to vůbec? O důvodech, proč teď k tomuto trůnu přistoupit, bude mluvit obsáhlá závěrečná kapitola z knihy Dvě úvahy o modlitbě Johna Bunyana, ze které bude ve Večeru pod lampou číst Petr Stoy.

Opposition is an opportunity to clarify the message and strengthen the movement -- but it requires Spirit-filled boldness. Pastor Jeremy Treat continues our series through Acts with a sermon from Acts 4:1-22.

Despair can loom over us like a fearsome giant. And doubt can become like a prison cell. John Bunyan envisioned both in The Pilgrim’s Progress but he didn’t forget—God has provided a means of escape.

John Bunyan, whom we shall see to be the master of Christian experience as well as of holy allegory has, in the passage at the head of this chapter, described a part of the work of these "helps" which is most valuable, and most required. "The man whose name was Help" came to Christian when he was floundering in the foul morass of despondency.

Když v Bibli čteme výzvu "Přistupte směle k trůnu milosti!", je to skutečné pozvání. Zároveň ale předstupujeme před toho, který všechno ví a vidí, není mu skryto vůbec nic. A najednou se může objevit zaváhání: Chci to vůbec? O důvodech, proč ted k tomuto trůnu přistoupit, bude mluvit obsáhlá závěrečná kapitola z knihy Dvě úvahy o modlitbě Johna Bunyana, ze které bude ve Večeru pod lampou číst Petr Stoy.

Psalm 88,O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.2 Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,5 like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave,like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.6 You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them.I am shut in so that I cannot escape;9 my eye grows dim through sorrow.Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you.10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?12 Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?13 But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.14 O Lord, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.16 Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.17 They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.Psalm 88 is similar to many other psalms in that first, it's a prayer, and second, it's a lament — the psalmist is struggling. We see this often in the psalms. But Psalm 88 is dissimilar to other psalms — or really, it's unlike any other psalm in that it has no resolution. Other psalms will feature moments of disorientation and darkness, but by the last verse, they spring forward, they bounce back, they recite hope. But that's not the case in Psalm 88. The very last verse, where we're expecting the light to break through, says, verse 18:“You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.” We can see it there on the page in verse 18. Darkness literally gets the last word in Psalm 88, which is why this psalm has been called “the saddest psalm of the Psalter.”It's uncomfortable to read; it's uncomfortable to preach; it's uncomfortable to listen to, but here we are this morning, and I want to know: Why does God give us Psalm 88?Now, we know the answer to that question is because somehow it's good for us. By God's grace, he loves us and he's committed to our everlasting good in Christ — we know that's true and that's where we should start any time we ask “why” about anything: God is good. He loves you. And he's sovereign. So a better question might be: Why is Psalm 88 good for us? In God's wisdom and love, why do we need Psalm 88?I think there are three reasons. We're going to look at each one, but first let's pray again and ask God for help.Father in heaven, by your grace we are here with your Word open before us, and we ask for your help. We reject any assumptions that there's nothing here for us, and we reject any pretense that thinks we can gain anything from you in our own strength. Our souls are needy and you must feed us. Do that, please, in Jesus's name, amen. The first reason we need Psalm 88 …1. Soul trouble is a real experience in Christian life.We don't know the historical details behind this psalm. The superscript tells us that it's from a son of Korah named Heman the Ezrahite — and there are a couple different “Hemans” in the Old Testament; we're not 100% sure which one this is, but he's not to be confused with He-Man, the cartoon from the 1980s. This is Heman the psalmist, but beyond that, we don't know much about what's going on. We don't know of a certain event he's responding to. And that's on purpose.It's important for us to see that the trouble in Psalm 88 is not an external physical enemy, but it's personal and spiritual … and the thing with personal, spiritual trouble is that it can happen anywhere at any time — in the Middle East in 600BC or here, today — and it can happen for all kinds of reasons, some that make sense and others that make no sense.In Need of a CategoryThe fact is it's trouble. The psalmist says in verse 3,“My soul is full of troubles.”And we can understand that … he has a troubled soul. Soul trouble. And this a category we need. There is such a thing as a condition of soul that's like being on the edge of the grave, he says in verse 3. He uses lots metaphors to describe the experience …Verse 4:“I am counted among those who go down to the pit, I am a man who has no strength.”To paraphrase him, he's saying, I've been betted against and drained of life, verse 4. I'm like a zombie and useless — discarded with the dead, verse 5. I'm forgotten and forsaken by God, verse 6.And this is the psalm. You heard it read. It's this kind of talking pretty much the whole way through, and it just goes from bad to worse, to finally darkness. This is soul trouble — it's a condition.Or, it's what some have called “spiritual depression.” That's the title that Martyn Lloyd-Jones gave it back in the 1960s (the word “depression” was not used back then like it is today). But he explained it as an experience in the Christian life when you're in a prolonged state of spiritual discouragement, heaviness, or lack of joy — and not because of some sin, but it just is. This experience has also been called “the dark night of the soul.” Or also “divine absence.”They're all talking about the same thing. It's an experience of intense spiritual dryness, disorientation, and darkness — it's when God has permitted himself to seem far from you.We need a category for this. So call it what you want — “spiritual depression” or “dark night of the soul” or “divine absence” — I'm calling it soul trouble (to use the words of verse 3). But the main thing is that you know it's a thing. It's a real experience in the Christian life, and some of you know about it all too well because you've been there … or you are there now. And we don't like to be there. We don't want to be here. But we can't just make it stop. Others Have Been There, TooWell, first thing we all should know about this experience is that when you find yourself there, you're not alone and it's not uncommon. Historically, we have lots of examples of past saints who've been there.Charles Spurgeon spoke openly of his own soul trouble. In 1858, he preached a sermon to his church titled, “The Christian's Heaviness and Rejoicing,” and in that sermon he said, I was lying upon my couch during this last week, and my spirits were sunken so low that I could weep by the hour like a child, and yet I knew not what I wept for …He battled this all throughout his ministry. Spurgeon can help us. But personally, I've been most helped by John Bunyan, another Baptist ancestor and pastor. Bunyan lived in the 1600s but we can read him today, and he talks about his struggles openly in his autobiography. He called his experience “many turnings and goings” upon his heart. That's another way to say Ups and downs. Back and forth. I want to read to you an extended quote from Bunyan, and it's in Old English, so hang with me (it's printed in the handout if you want to follow). He writes this: I have wondered much at this one thing, that though God doth visit my soul with never so blessed a discovery of himself, yet I have found again, that such hours have attended me afterwards, that I have been in my spirit so filled with darkness, that I could not so much as once conceive what that God and that comfort was with which I have been refreshed.I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible than I could well tell how to stand under, and yet at another time the whole Bible hath been to me as dry as a stick; or rather, my heart hath been so dead and dry unto it, that I could not conceive the least dram of refreshment, though I have looked it all over.Do you hear him? His Christian life is like a roller coaster. He sees and then he can't see. He has affections and then no affections. Rivers of refreshment; dry as a desert. And it doesn't make sense. You ever been there before?Brothers and sisters, you're not alone. As the Word of God!We can read about the experiences of past saints, but even better than that, God gave us Psalm 88. We can read the experience here as the word of God. We can walk with this psalmist as he's in the darkest part of the valley. Verse 7:“Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.”You've isolated me, verse 8. I'm shunned.I pray to you every day but you don't listen. Why do you reject me? Why are you hiding from me?I'm overwhelmed. I'm exhausted. I'm being destroyed and I can't get a break. I'm in the dark.Soul trouble. That's what this is. And we need Psalm 88 because soul trouble is a real experience in the Christian life. God gave us this psalm so that we know what to do with it.That's the second reason we need Psalm 88.2. We learn to take our soul trouble to God. Okay, so Psalm 88 is bleak and despairing at face-value, but when we look closer, we can see that it's not without hope, and that's because of the most obvious fact of this psalm: it is a prayer. Which means, everything that is said here is said to God. Look at this with me, verse 1: “O Yahweh, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!”Verse 9: “Every day I call upon you, O Yahweh; I spread out my hands to you.”Verse 13:“But I, O Yahweh, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.”Do see that? You, you, you! The psalmist is bringing his soul trouble to God even as he knows that God is the one in control of it. The God We Can TrustThat's the amazing thing of the very first line in verse 1. He starts this whole psalm with, “O Yahweh, God of my salvation.”Now why is that important? It's that he addresses God by his covenant name, Yahweh. The name “Yahweh” is the name that God revealed to Moses (and the people of Israel) as the grounds by which he can be trusted. This revelation is one of the highest moments in all the Bible. It is Exodus 34, on Mount Sinai: God passed before Moses and proclaimed his name:“Yahweh, Yahweh, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”God proclaimed himself to be the God who is there, and who is there to save. He is the present, saving God — Yahweh. That's his name! That's who he is! He is the present, saving God even when we can't see, even when we may not feel it. The psalmist acknowledges this reality right from the start. He's in the dark, but even in the dark he comes to the God of promise, the God of covenant faithfulness, the God of his salvation. That's what it means to call God by his name, “Yahweh” — which he does in verse 1, verse 9, and verse 13.The psalmist feels forgotten, but he has not forgotten who to tell it to. Verses 1, 9, and 13 frame this psalm. He's saying, Yahweh, I'm a mess, look at me. This is where I am. I'm a mess, but I'm your mess … And I'm coming to you. We are taught here to do the same thing. Three Possible ScenariosThere are really three possible scenarios we could be in. Track with me here:1. The best scenario — this is not to have soul trouble — this is when God is close and clear. It's what John Bunyan was talking about when he said “God doth visit my soul with blessed discoveries of himself.” We read the Bible and we can see! And we're mainly thankful! Don't you want that? It is “heaven on earth” (that's what the Puritan Thomas Brooks called it). It's the best scenario.2. The worst scenario — this is to have soul trouble, to feel all the things Psalm 88 feels, but it's to run away from God. It's to abandon God, reject God, refuse to pray. That is “hell on earth.” God, keep us from that. It's the worst scenario.So there's the best scenario and the worst scenario, and Psalm 88 is neither of those. So what is it?3. It's the second-best scenario. It's to have the soul trouble, but to bring the soul trouble to the God who ‘feels' far away. It's to call him by his name, Yahweh, the God of my salvation. It's to say, I'm a mess, but I'm your mess. It's not the best place to be, but it's the second-best place to be, and sometimes God calls us to second best.Part of Our Vocab?And again, in terms of a category, this is one that I want us to have in our church. I think it's a big problem in the local church when everyone pretends like they're in the best scenario when they're not. Everybody we see, we say, “Hey, how are you?” And it's constantly, “Great! Great! Great!” I want us all to know: we don't have to say “great” if it's not great. But then what do we say? If it's not great and somebody asks you, “Hey, how are you?” You can say, “I'm doing second-best.”Could we make that part of our vocabulary?If we're doing second-best, let's tell one another, and help one another. God loves you right there, in that valley, in second-best. He loves you. He is the God of your salvation. Take your soul trouble to him. Psalm 88 shows us how to do that.Third reason God gives us this psalm …3. Jesus has endured the darkness for us.The Book of Psalms overall is meant to be a guide for our worship. The psalms model for us how to live the life of real faith with all its ups and downs, turnings and goings. And it's amazing how we can identify with such an ancient text. We forget sometimes that this was written thousands of years ago. And yet, we can read it and we get where the writers are coming from. That's astounding. We have an ancient faith, and the psalms are for our faith. But the psalms are not about us and our faith. The psalms are mainly about the Messiah. Some psalms are more overt here than others, but every psalm, taken in context, is meant to point us to Jesus. The same goes for Psalm 88.And I think that becomes clearer the more we slow down and hear what the psalmist is saying. As dark as our own situation might be, there are parts of Psalm 88 that stretch beyond our experience. Wait, It's Not That DarkAs it turns out, I ran into my own soul trouble this past week. True story. I didn't cry for an hour like a child, like Spurgeon did, but I hit a snag, I was spinning my wheels for a bit, and providentially, I'm in Psalm 88. But the more I meditated on it, I was like, Yeah, I'm not there. It's not that dark. And I think we all have to say that by the time we get to verse 7. This is one we need to see together. Can everybody find verse 7? If you don't have a Bible, we'd love to give you one, but for now look on with a neighbor if you need to. We all need to see verse 7,“Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah”Now notice he doesn't say, “It feels like your wrath is upon me.” No, he says, “Your wrath” — ḥēmāh, your fury, your rage — “your wrath lies heavy upon me.” And I read that this week and said, I've never been there. Some of us in this room have been in some really dark places, but none of us have ever been there. When you get to Psalm 88, verse 7 — the wrath of God heavy upon me — you read that and realize: there's only one person who's ever been there and lived to talk to about it. His name is Jesus. And look, he went there for you. We can say, he went there for me.He Went There For YouHe went there, to that ultimate place of darkness, and he suffered that wrath, so that we don't have to. Which means: as dark as it might get for you, you can remember that Jesus has already gone there and beyond there — on the darkest of days, from a hill called the Skull, after he cried forsaken, after he said It was finished, after they sealed the tomb with a stone, he went there, to the grave where his companions became darkness … but then he looked Death in the face and he said You're done. … And he left. He got up.He was raised in death-defeating, indestructible life which he has right now, for you, where you are. You might feel alone, but you are not alone. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. Jesus is not afraid of the dark, and because of him we don't have to be either. Praise him! Praise him! What a Savior!Jesus, thank you for your great love for us. And thank you that the proof of your love is in your wounds. We know that you've not abandoned us. You've not forgotten us. But you're here with us always and you hold us even when we hurt. And we can't see. You've got us. We praise you, Jesus. We praise you.

Když v Bibli čteme výzvu "Přistupte směle k trůnu milosti!", je to skutečné pozvání. Zároveň ale předstupujeme před toho, který všechno ví a vidí, není mu skryto vůbec nic. A najednou se může objevit zaváhání: Chci to vůbec? O důvodech, proč tedy k tomuto trůnu přistoupit, bude mluvit obsáhlá závěrečná kapitola z knihy Dvě úvahy o modlitbě Johna Bunyana, ze které bude ve Večeru pod lampou číst Petr Stoy.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“I've tried to hate myself,Thinking that's how things will change,But it never helps, piling up the blame.Fighting fire with fire, hurt with more hurt,Breaking my own heart makes everything worse.”~“Kind to Myself” by Tenth Avenue North “That is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden; but get it off myself, I cannot; nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders; therefore am I going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden.” “I went but a little further, and I saw one, as I thought in my mind, hang bleeding upon the tree; and the very sight of him made my burden fall off my back, (for I groaned under a very heavy burden,) but then it fell down from off me.”~The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan “The only way that the disciplines strengthen the Christian life is when we view them as bread, not barter. They are not trading chips to exchange for God's grace but, rather, divine manna, providing the nutrition by which our love for Christ thrives. As we meditate upon the lavishness of grace across Scripture, commune with our God in prayer, and experience many dimensions of his mercy among his people, we grow in our understanding of his love. As a consequence, our love for him grows, displacing lesser loves that attack us even as they attract us.”~Unlimited Grace by Bryan ChapellSERMON PASSAGEHebrews 10:1-18 (ESV)1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,  but a body have you prepared for me;6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings  you have taken no pleasure.7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,  as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'”8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them   after those days, declares the Lord:   I will put my laws on their hearts,   and write them on their minds,”17 then he adds,   “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

June 2, 2025 ZACH MAXCEY,President of Providence TheologicalInstitute of New Covenant Theology,who will address: “An OVERVIEW of the UPCOMING2025 JOHN BUNYAN CONFERENCEin FRANKLIN, TN: ISRAEL: PAST,PRESENT & FUTURE” Subscribe: Listen:

Daily QuoteIf you want your children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. (John Bunyan)你若希望你的孩子总是能够脚踏实地，那就要让他们承担一些责任。（约翰•班扬）Poem of the Day村居高鼎稚子弄冰杨万里Beauty of WordsThe Wind in the WillowsKenneth Grahame

Would you like some advice for how to work through scrupulosity and salvation OCD from a famous Christian author? Allow me to share with you some important insights about working through salvation OCD by highlighting a statement from John Bunyan himself, who was known to have his own battle with scrupulosity. You are not alone […]

Where do we see traces of Puritanism in today's American religious landscape? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 9, we come to the end of this series to learn about the relationship of the Quakers to the Puritans, the founding of Harvard and Yale Universities, and where we see traces of Puritanism in today's American religious landscape. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Series: Signs & GloryTitle: “Why Do People Reject Jesus?”Subtitle: Scripture: John 7:1-52 Isaiah 55:1-7Jeremiah 2:13Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Acts 3:20-22Matthew 10:34-35Look for the drama in scriptureBottom line: People reject Jesus for many reasons, but He still calls the thirsty to come and receive real life.INTRODUCTIONCONTEXTSERMON OUTLINECONCLUSIONNOTESOUTLINESQUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DISCUSSION QUESTIONSMAIN REFERENCES USEDOpening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same. INTRODUCTIONSome people in history seem to split the world in two. Say their name, and you immediately stir debate. Martin Luther King Jr.—hero of justice or dangerous disruptor? Galileo—scientific genius or arrogant heretic? Nelson Mandela, Joan of Arc, Malcolm X—each one beloved by some, opposed by others. But history's most polarizing figure? Jesus. No one sparked more debate, division, or devotion. And in John 7, we see that clearly. The question is: Why do people reject Him—and could we be doing the same?John Bunyan knew all about that and wrote, "There was a man, the world did think him mad, the more he gave away, the more he had."Feast of Tabernacles...Originally a harvest festival coming at the end of the last major harvest of the year (grapes). They celebrated God who brought the rain.Became a celebration of God's deliverance of Israel through the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness where God had to supernaturally supply them water for the whole nation in the desert.It had eschatological hopesFor the restoration of the nation of IsraelFor the ingathering of all nations under GodJesus presents himself as God's agent to make these end time events a reality. He does this as the source of life--abundant (like being celebrated during this festival) and eternal (like living water).Bottom line: People reject Jesus for many reasons, but He still calls the thirsty to come and receive real life.In his last 6 months, Jesus enters Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles surrounded by confusion, debate and division over who he is and why he matters. This is the context around his famous teaching about the Holy Spirit's role when he ascends and why he's called living water. OUTLINE (input from ChatGPT)1. Some reject Jesus because He doesn't follow their expectations.(John 7:1–10)Jesus' own brothers didn't believe because He didn't fit their agenda or timeline.We still wrestle with disappointment or control when Jesus won't do what we want, when we want.2. Some reject Jesus because His truth exposes their hypocrisy.(John 7:11–24)Jesus confronts those judging Him wrongly, especially for healing on the Sabbath.We resist truth when it challenges our comfort, image, or self-righteousness.3. Some reject Jesus because of assumptions and incomplete knowledge.(John 7:25–36)The crowd “knows” where Jesus is from and assumes He can't be the Christ.Spiritual blindness often comes from thinking we already understand everything.4. Some reject Jesus because they fear people more than God.(John 7:40–52)Division rises. Leaders pressure, mock, and dismiss. Nicodemus is silenced.Following Jesus means risking disapproval—but silence is a choice too.5. But Jesus still calls: If you're thirsty, come to Me and drink.(John 7:37–39)On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus invites all to receive living water—the Holy Spirit.Rejection isn't the end of the story. Jesus still offers Himself to anyone willing to come in faith.CONCLUSION Bottom line: People reject Jesus for many reasons, but He still calls the thirsty to come and receive real life."For decades one of the first places immigrants to America landed was Ellis Island. They came hoping for a better life, longing for a chance to find happiness. Near Ellis Island was a statue, and the statue was an invitation. A poem by Emma Lazarus captured the invitation:"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"What a beautiful invitation. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses." Jesus extends a better invitation. "Come, weary and broken. Come, thirsty and dying. Come to me and find life."" -Carter, p. 181The Lion"How are we to drink this water? Although the offer is free and open to all, there are yet some terms to be met. C. S. Lewis in his children's novel The Silver Chair puts his finger on this in the clearest of terms. Jill, seeing a lion, is scared out of her wits and runs into the forest. She runs so hard that she wears herself out and is just about to die of thirst, or so she thinks, when she hears the gurgling of a brook in the distance. She approaches it and is almost ready to go to the brook when on the grass before her is the same lion."Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion."I'm dying of thirst," said Jill."Then drink, " said the Lion."May I— could I-would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill.The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic."Will you promise not to — do anything to me, if I do come?" said Jill."I make no promise,'" said the Lion.Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer."Do you eat girls?" she said. "I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and em-perors, cities and realms," said the Lion. It didn't say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it."I daren't come and drink," said Jill."Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion."Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer."I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.""There is no other stream," said the Lion.It never occurred to Jill to disbelieve the Lion —no one who had seen his stern face could do that-and her mind suddenly made itself up. It was the worst thing she had ever had to do, but she went forward to the stream, knelt down, and began scooping up water in her hand. It was the coldest, most refreshing water she had ever tasted.Do you see what Lewis is saying? When you come to the water, you are coming to a Lion, you must come on the Lion's terms, and you have to yield yourself by faith in order to get the water. Some of us need to realize that we are thirsty, that we need that water so badly that we are going to die without it. We need to step out on faith, yielding to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and receive the water of eternal life.INVITATIONWhat about you?Are you paralyzed by the confusion, division and debate over who Jesus is and what he came to do?““Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it's all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions: What is God saying to me right now?What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper. What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don't have to get too specific to give him praise.Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)PrayNOTESJesus' brothers believed in Jesus but not the biblical Jesus; we see this all the timeJesus recognized that his brothers didn't believe in him as the Messiah yet though they'd lived with him for 30+ years; never sinned; Mary knowing who he was; favorite son; perfect son; resentment and sibling rivalry aboundsDoes Jesus divide people? (Yes)Family can be the toughest mission fieldFamily misunderstands when they don't believe in the biblical JesusReligious leaders miss the leader of their religion due to their self-righteousness, ambition and unbelief"Christ did not want to bring division. But because of the sinfulness of our hearts, because of our fallenness, because of our unwillingness to repent and bow to him, the Prince of Peace is Christ the Divider.When snow descends upon the Continental Divide, it melts and flows off either to the west or to the east, never to meet again. Christ is the continental divide in our lives. We will either go up with the morning stars or, to use Eliot's phrase, join the valley of the dying stars. Christ brings division to everyday life." -Hughes, p. 226Water"On the seven days of the Feast, a golden flagon was filled with water from the pool of Siloam and was carried in a procession led by the High Priest back to the temple. As the procession approached the watergate on the south side of the inner court three blasts from the shôphar - a trumpet connected with joyful occasions - were sounded. While the pilgrims watched, the priests processed around the altar with the flagon, the temple choir singing the Hallel (Pss. 113 - 118). When the choir reached Psalm 118, every male pilgrim shook a lulab (willow and myrtle twigs tied with palm) in his right hand, while his left raised a piece of citrus fruit (a sign of the ingathered harvest), and all cried 'Give thanks to the LORD!' three times. The water was offered to God at the time of the morning sacrifice, along with the daily drink-offering (of wine). The wine and the water were poured into their respective silver bowls, and then poured out before the LORD. Moreover, these ceremonies of the Feast of Tabernacles were related in Jewish thought both to the LorD's provision of water in the desert and to the Lord's pouring out of the Spirit in the last days. Pouring at the Feast of Tabernacles refers symbolically to the messianic age in which a stream from the sacred rock would flow over the whole earth." -Carson, p. 321-322"In general terms, then, Jesus' pronouncement is clear: he is the fulfil-ment of all that the Feast of Tabernacles anticipated." -Carson, p. 322OUTLINESee aboveQUESTIONS TO CONSIDERWhat do I want them to know? Why do I want them to know it?What do I want them to do?Why do I want them to do it?How do they do this?DISCUSSION QUESTIONSDiscovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/Read the passage together.Retell the story in your own words.Discovery the storyWhat does this story tell me about God?What does this story tell me about people?If this is really true, what should I do?What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)Who am I going to tell about this?Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcastAlternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:Who is God?What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)What do I do? (In light of who I am)How do I do it?Final Questions (Write this down)What is God saying to you right now? What are you going to do about it?MAIN REFERENCES USED“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent HughesExalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh WredbergThe Gospels & Epistles of John, FF BruceJohn, RC SproulJohn, KöstenbergerThe Gospel According to John, DA CarsonThe Light Has Come, Leslie NewbiginThe Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.orgThe Bible Project https://bibleproject.comNicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersionClaude.aiChatGPT Google Gemini

Who were Increase and Cotton Mather, and what happened with the Salem Witch Trials? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 8, we learn about the influence of both Increase and Cotton Mather (including how they got their names), the religious context in Salem, and what happened during the Salem Witch Trials. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Send us a textPut on your comfortable shoes and grab your walking stick because today we're embarking on the most famous allegory in the English language: John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress from 1678.  We'll cross plains, endure temptations, descend valleys, fight monsters, and ford rivers in our quest for the Celestial City!  Along the way, we'll talk about how this most Puritanical of texts is, ironically, deeply indebted to the ideas of the preceding religions it rejects.  Last one there's a rotten egg!An apology: please do forgive the plosives on this episode.  Reckon I got too near the microphone's pop filter.  I shall work on my technique in future.Link to The Pilgrim's Progress: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/bunyan/The%20Pilgrim's%20Progress%20-%20John%20Bunyan.pdfSupport the showPlease like, subscribe, and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you listen. Thank you!Email: classicenglishliterature@gmail.comFollow me on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and YouTube.If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting it with a small donation. Click the "Support the Show" button. So grateful!Podcast Theme Music: "Rejoice" by G.F. Handel, perf. The Advent Chamber OrchestraSubcast Theme Music: "Sons of the Brave" by Thomas Bidgood, perf. The Band of the Irish GuardsSound effects and incidental music: Freesounds.orgMy thanks and appreciation to all the generous providers!

What would America's founding father pray about? In this revealing episode, we examine George Washington's personal prayer journal, discovering a man who deeply acknowledged his sinfulness while fervently seeking God's mercy through Jesus Christ. His humble words—"I confess them, O Lord, with shame and sorrow, detestation and loathing"—paint a portrait of genuine Christian faith that shaped his worldview and leadership.Washington's explicit references to Jesus as his "only Savior" and his prayers for God to "bless our rulers in church and state" create a powerful challenge to modern narratives about America's founding. As Judge Nathaniel Freeman declared in 1802, our nation "may be considered not as a pagan but a Christian republic." The podcast explores how these primary source documents undermine revisionist histories that attempt to divorce America's governmental foundations from its Christian roots.We also journey through Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, reflecting on the seemingly impossible standards of the Beatitudes. Could their purpose be to demonstrate our absolute need for a Savior? The discussion of meekness reveals it isn't weakness, but rather "strength under control"—the capacity for action restrained by choice. This understanding transforms how we approach Jesus's challenging teachings.The episode concludes with a heartfelt call to action: use whatever time remains to strengthen our communities through faith. Starting with our own spiritual lives and marriages, then expanding outward to family, church, school, and nation, we're challenged to influence our spheres with godly principles. As John Quincy Adams wisely noted, "Duty is ours, results are God's." What duty might God be calling you to fulfill today?Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe

How do you prepare for suffering before it comes? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper examines John Bunyan's unwavering trust in God's sovereignty.

Why do the greatest lessons often come through suffering? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper explores how John Bunyan's time in prison made his ministry a balm for sufferers.

What sustains your faith when all is stripped away? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks at the hardships of John Bunyan to reveal how suffering teaches us to depend on God alone.

How did the fracturing of Christianity in Old England affect how churches were founded in New England? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 7, we learn about changes occuring in Old England affecting New England's religious landscape, the fracturing of Christianity in Old England, the secret Roman Catholic King of England and resulting secret partnership with France, Increase and Cotton Mather in New England, and the Church in Massachusetts. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What happens when the church in New England grows and the Halfway Covenant is established? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 6, we learn about Roger Williams and Rhode Island, declension of the church, issues that start to arise in New England, and how the Halfway Covenant was established. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

How was Rhode Island founded, and what was the religious landscape like in this colony? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 5, we learn about Anne Hutchinson and her religious beliefs, Thomas Hooker and his belief in Preparation, John Cotton and his religious beliefs, Roger Williams and his championing of religious liberty, and the founding of Rhode Island. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

We've now spent two weeks focusing on the corporate prayer service. It is our prayer that, if you are not participating in your church's prayer service, or if your church does not have one, you will find a way to begin this sweet means of grace. In this episode, Jeremy Walker and Teddy James discuss some helpful resources on learning to pray, both privately and corporately. Teddy also asks Jeremy for his counsel toward those in churches without a prayer service. How can a pastor begin to lead his flock toward this precious practice? How can a church member encourage his or her pastor to consider it? Next week we will wrap up this series with the second sermon from Jeremy Walker, which offers counsel to those sitting in the prayer service and not praying aloud. This is not an hour of passiveness for them. It should be a time of great, intentional activity. Show Notes: Piercing Heaven - https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/piercing-heaven-prayers-of-the-puritans-9781683593348?variant=31497830793278 Valley of Vision - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/ Prayer by John Bunyan - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/prayer-by-john-bunyan/ A Way to Pray (A Method of Prayer) by Matthew Henry - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/way-to-pray/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 4, we learn about the Puritans and Pilgrims settling into the New World colonies, the challenges they faced, the kind of church establishment they formed, what covenant congregationalist churches believed versus Presbyterians, and tensions between two wings of Puritans concerning the experience of grace in their lives. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Who was John Winthrop, and what was his role in the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony? The Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 3, we discuss the context of the Puritan migration to New England during the reign of Charles I, Puritan leader John Winthrop, and the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

In this chapter of The Pilgrim's Progress, we follow Christian and his new companion, Hopeful, as they navigate the complexities of their pilgrimage. Their journey takes a significant turn when they encounter Mr. By-Ends, a man whose name alone evokes suspicion. As they engage in a dialogue about faith and the pursuit of worldly gain, the contrast between their steadfast commitment to truth and By-Ends' opportunistic nature becomes starkly apparent.As they travel together, they converse with By-Ends, who hails from the wealthy town of Fair Speech, and he boasts of his connections to influential figures from that town. His conversation reveals the allure of riches and status, tempting Christian and Hopeful to consider the cost of their convictions. However, Christian's discernment shines through as he recognizes the dangers of compromising faith for material gain.This part also introduces Demas, who beckons them toward a silver mine, representing the seductive pull of earthly treasures. Christian's refusal to deviate from the path underscores the importance of remaining vigilant against distractions that can lead them astray. The encounter with the pillar of salt, serves as a poignant warning against looking back and longing for the comforts of the past.Join us as we reflect on the themes of integrity, temptation, and the importance of steadfastness in the face of worldly allurements. This part encourages us to consider what we truly value on our own journeys and to remain focused on the path set before us.Minor updating has been done to make this recording more understandable.If you'd like to delve deeper into the lessons of this episode, check out the following resources (affil links):The Pilgrim's Progress Old English: https://amzn.to/4j1j3XgThe Pilgrim's Progress Modern English: https://amzn.to/3W3SNlvLittle Pilgrim's Big Journey: https://amzn.to/41YDs9GSupport our mission:▪️ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wanderingpilgrims▪️ Patreon: patreon.com/TheWanderingPilgrims▪️ Shop: teespring.com/stores/the-wandering-pilgrims▪️ Our Website: www.thewanderingpilgrims.comConnect with us for more insights and updates:▪️ Instagram: instagram.com/thewanderingpilgrims▪️ Facebook: facebook.com/The-Wandering-Pilgrims▪️ YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCbvMuDo9dpaQ0Bu71lRRiQw▪️ Twitter: @WanderPilgrims▪️ Truth Social: @wanderingpilgrims

Some of us have heard the names of 17th-century poets like George Herbert, John Donne, and John Milton. But did you know that John Bunyan also wrote poems? And that there were many female poets too? Join Trinity, Mina, and Sean as they discuss these poets and their exciting lives with Dr. David Parry, Tutorial Fellow in English at Regent's Park College in Oxford, England.   Show Notes If you'd like to find out more about the poets Dr. Parry mentioned in this episode, here are their names: John Milton, John Bunyan, George Herbert, John Donne, Lucy Hutchinson, Mary Sydney. "Upon a Snail" by John Bunyan https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/upon-the-snail Some articles by Simonetta Carr about some of the authors mentioned: Lucy Hutchison https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/lucy-hutchinson-%E2%80%93-puritan-woman-changing-times John Donne https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/john-donne-poet-of-grace-and-comfort George Herbert https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/george-herbert-pastor-and-poet

What happened when Separatists from the Church of England left for North America? The Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 2, we move to New England and the Puritan settlements, discussing how the Separatists left for North America, the settlement at Plymouth Plantation, the difference between Pilgrims and Puritans, and the Puritans who didn't separate from the Church of England. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

In this chapter of The Pilgrims Progress, we witness the profound encounter between Christian and Faithful as they navigate the treacherous wilderness and approach the ominous town of Vanity. Their journey takes a pivotal turn when they reunite with Evangelist, who offers wise counsel and warnings about the trials that lie ahead. He emphasizes the importance of steadfastness in faith, urging them to remain vigilant against the temptations that Vanity Fair represents.As they enter the fair, Christian and Faithful become targets of ridicule and hostility, their distinct attire and language marking them as outsiders. This Vanity Fair, a bustling marketplace of worldly pleasures and vanities, reveals the stark contrast between the pilgrims' heavenly aspirations and the town's base pursuits. Despite the mockery and violence they face, Faithful stands firm in his beliefs, leading to a harrowing trial where he is condemned for his faithfulness to the truth.This part delves into themes of perseverance, the cost of discipleship, and the eternal conflict between the kingdom of God and the allure of worldly distractions. As Faithful meets a tragic end, we are reminded of the ultimate reward awaiting those who remain true to their convictions. Join us as we reflect on the courage it takes to uphold one's faith in the face of adversity and the promise of eternal life beyond this earthly journey.Minor updating has been done to make this recording more understandable.If you would like to pick up a copy of The Pilgrim's Progress to add to your home library, we have listed some of our favorites below. And we were sure to include one of our favorites rewritten for children. (affil links)The Pilgrim's Progress Old English: https://amzn.to/4j1j3XgThe Pilgrim's Progress Modern English: https://amzn.to/3W3SNlvLittle Pilgrim's Big Journey: https://amzn.to/41YDs9GSupport our mission:▪️ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wanderingpilgrims▪️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheWanderingPilgrims▪️ Shop: https://shop.thewanderingpilgrims.com/▪️ Our Website: www.thewanderingpilgrims.comConnect with us for more insights and updates:▪️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingpilgrims/▪️ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/The-Wandering-Pilgrims-581206039071736/

Part 5 of our ongoing book discussion series about the classic work by John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress, is finally here! James, Jonathan, and Jeffrey Stivason, pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church and a professor at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, pick up where they left off with Christian coming out of the Valley of the Shadow of Death and meeting his friend, Faithful. Their subsequent conversation covers the profound themes of temptation, discontentment, and shame, subjects that are relatable and applicable to all believers and illuminate the complexities of the Christian journey for each individual.  Two things really jump out at me as I read this…Bunyan recognizes that there are differences in the ways in which Christians are tempted, the ways in which therefore they are comforted and find hope, and that's a profound insight… This conversation with Faithful serves such an important purpose because it shows two men, walking the same pilgrim journey, yet in one sense experiencing it very differently. – Jonathan Master Don't miss this enlightening, instructive discussion! For the opportunity to win a copy of The Pilgrim's Progress, thanks to the generosity of Banner of Truth, enter here.    Show Notes: The Pilgrim's Progress: https://reformedresources.org/the-pilgrims-progress-clothbound/ Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress: https://reformedresources.org/pictures-from-pilgrims-progress-paperback/ Previous episodes in The Pilgrim's Progress book series: Episode 1: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-xagb6-15a7cd1 Episode 2: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yd3a6-15e351c Episode 3: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-etvjk-16d1999 Episode 4: https://theologyonthego.podbean.com/e/the-pilgrims-progress-part-4/

Why did the the Puritan movement start, and when did Puritans decide to travel to the New World? The Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 1, we continue where our last series left off with the Puritan movement in England to revisit how that movement started, how King James played a role in the Puritan movement in Great Britain, and what led the Pilgrims and Puritans to leave England for the New World between 1620-1640. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr,  Reformation in England  by Peter Marshall,  Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts  by  John Carden, and  Pilgrim's Progress  by John Bunyan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

In this part of The Pilgrim's Progress, we journey alongside Faithful and Christian as they encounter a curious character named Talkative. As they traverse the path to the heavenly country, Faithful engages Talkative in a conversation that reveals the stark contrast between mere words and genuine faith. Talkative, who appears charming and eloquent at a distance, soon exposes the emptiness of his religious profession when scrutinized closely.Through their dialogue, Faithful emphasizes the importance of authentic spirituality, urging that true religion is rooted not in talk only, but in action. The discussion becomes a profound exploration of grace, the necessity of a transformed heart, and the dangers of superficial faith. Christian shares his insights on Talkative's character, highlighting the peril of being deceived by outward appearances.Join us as we delve into the themes of sincerity, the power of genuine faith, and the call to live out our beliefs in our daily lives. This part serves as a reminder that true Christianity is marked by the fruits of the Spirit, not just the sound of eloquent words.Minor updating has been done to make this recording more understandable.If you would like to pick up a copy of The Pilgrim's Progress to add to your home library, we have listed some of our favorites below. And we were sure to include one of our favorites rewritten for children. (affil links)The Pilgrim's Progress Old English: https://amzn.to/4j1j3XgThe Pilgrim's Progress Modern English: https://amzn.to/3W3SNlvLittle Pilgrim's Big Journey: https://amzn.to/41YDs9GIf you appreciate our content and would like to support our mission, consider contributing through these platforms:▪️ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wanderingpilgrims▪️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheWanderingPilgrims▪️ Shop: https://teespring.com/stores/the-wandering-pilgrims▪️ Our Website: www.thewanderingpilgrims.comConnect with us for more insights and updates:▪️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingpilgrims/▪️ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/The-Wandering-Pilgrims-581206039071736/

In the first episode of our weekly Lenten series, we invite you to take a moment to slow down, quiet your heart, and hear what God may be saying to you. Throughout the season of Lent, we'll be releasing weekly episodes focused on themes of reflection, prayer, and contemplation.On March 19, 2021 we were delighted to host Christian author, leader, and teacher, Ruth Haley Barton. Barton is founding President/CEO of the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of Christian leaders and the congregations and organizations they serve. Ruth is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership and Sacred Rhythms. She reflects regularly on spirituality and leadership in her blog, Beyond Words, and on her podcast Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.We hope you enjoy this conversation around her book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence. Our attention, Barton believes, has become a commodity that we must protect if we are to avoid being swept away by our distracted age. She invites listeners to engage in these ancient biblical practices to find the rest for our souls that Jesus promises. In this Lenten season, we hope this will inspire you to pursue God's transforming presence in new ways and contemplatively sit in solitude and silence with the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Learn more about Ruth Haley Barton. Watch the full Online Conversation and read the transcript from March 19, 2021. Related reading:A Shocking Lack of Solitude, Cherie Harder Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:Blaise PascalJohn MiltonC.S. LewisRichard RohrDallas WillardHenry NouwenShop Class as Soulcraft, by Matthew B. CrawfordRabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelJulian of NorwichInvitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence, by Ruth Haley Barton Related Trinity Forum Readings:Confessions | A Trinity Forum Reading by St. Augustine, introduced by James K.A. Smith.Pilgrim at Tinker Creek | A Trinity Forum Reading by Annie Dillard, introduced by Tish Harrison Warren.Devotions | A Trinity Forum Reading by John Donne, introduced and paraphrased by Philip Yancey.The Long Loneliness | A Trinity Forum Reading by Dorothy Day, introduced by Anne and David Brooks.Wrestling with God | A Trinity Forum Reading by Simone Weil, introduced by Alonzo McDonald.The Pilgrim's Progress | A Trinity Forum Reading by John Bunyan, introduced by Alonzo McDonald.

In this par of The Pilgrim's Progress, we continue our journey alongside Christian and Faithful as they traverse the challenging terrain of their pilgrimage. Christian, eager to join his companion, races ahead but soon finds himself humbled by a sudden fall. Their heartfelt reunion leads to a rich exchange about their respective journeys, trials, and the dangers they have faced along the way.As they walk together, Christian learns of Faithful's encounters with the treacherous figures that sought to lead him astray, including the alluring Wanton and the cunning Adam I, who promised worldly delights but concealed a sinister agenda. Faithful's steadfast refusal to succumb to temptation serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant in one's faith.The conversation deepens as they reflect on the fate of their former neighbor, Pliable, whose return to the City of Destruction has left him ridiculed and shunned. Faithful's poignant observations about the nature of shame and the societal pressures faced by pilgrims resonate deeply, illustrating the internal struggles that accompany their external journeys.Christian shares his own harrowing experience in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, where he battled the formidable Apollyon. His story of divine deliverance amidst despair highlights the overarching theme of hope and reliance on God's strength in times of trial. Together, they encourage one another to persevere, recognizing that the path of the pilgrim is fraught with challenges but ultimately leads to glory.Join us as we delve into the trials and triumphs of these two pilgrims, exploring the profound lessons of faith, temptation, and the unwavering support of fellowship that guide them on their journey.Minor updating has been done to make this recording more understandable.If you would like to pick up a copy of The Pilgrim's Progress to add to your home library, we have listed some of our favorites below. And we were sure to include one of our favorites rewritten for children. (affil links)The Pilgrim's Progress Old English: https://amzn.to/4j1j3XgThe Pilgrim's Progress Modern English: https://amzn.to/3W3SNlvLittle Pilgrim's Big Journey: https://amzn.to/41YDs9GSupport our mission:▪️ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wanderingpilgrims▪️ Patreon: patreon.com/TheWanderingPilgrims▪️ Shop: teespring.com/stores/the-wandering-pilgrims▪️ Our Website: www.thewanderingpilgrims.comConnect with us on social media for more inspiring content:▪️ Instagram: instagram.com/thewanderingpilgrims▪️ Facebook: facebook.com/The-Wandering-Pilgrims▪️ YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCbvMuDo9dpaQ0Bu71lRRiQw▪️ Twitter: @WanderPilgrims▪️ Truth Social: @wanderingpilgrims

The Power of the Pivot #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Power of the Pivot "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (KJV)In the quiet cell of the Bedford jail, John Bunyan's quill scratched across parchment, forming what would become one of Christianity's most enduring allegories. The preacher, silenced by imprisonment, found his voice through ink and paper. When the pulpit was taken from him, he did not cease his ministry—he pivoted.The greatest ability in God's service is availability, but closely following is adaptability. When our carefully constructed plans crumble, when doors slam shut before us, the mature believer doesn't retreat in defeat but seeks new avenues of service. Spurgeon himself testified to this truth, declaring that when unable to preach through physical pain, he took up his pen to write books for Jesus, and when even that became impossible, he sought someone—anyone—with whom he could share his Master's message.Consider David Brainerd, who when bedridden with the illness that would eventually claim his life, spent his final energies teaching a Native American child his letters so the young boy might one day read Scripture for himself. He declared, "If I cannot serve God one way, I will another. I will never leave off this blessed service."The Bible is filled with such pivots. Joseph, sold into slavery and later imprisoned, never abandoned his faith. Instead, he embraced each new circumstance as an opportunity to serve. As he later told his brothers in Genesis 50:20 (KJV): "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."The Apostle Paul, confined to prison, penned epistles that have guided the church for centuries. His chains, rather than hindering the gospel, advanced it. "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel" (Philippians 1:12, KJV).Too often, we approach God's service with conditions and limitations. We tell the Lord what we will do and what we won't, what gifts we'll use and which ones we'll keep tucked away. We imagine ourselves serving in particular ways, in specific places, with certain people—and when reality doesn't match our expectations, we grow discouraged.Yet true service to God requires surrendering not just our availability but our preferences. It means saying, "Lord, here am I," without adding, "but only if..."The pivots in our journey are not detours from God's plan but essential parts of it. When one door closes, we must look for the window God has opened. When one method becomes impossible, we search for alternatives. When we can no longer serve in ways that showcase our strengths, we humbly embrace new tasks that might reveal our weaknesses—and God's sufficiency.Perhaps today you face an unexpected change in your ministry or service. Maybe illness has confined you, relationships have shifted, or opportunities have vanished. Remember the power of the pivot. Your circumstances may change, but your calling remains. Your methods may evolve, but your mission continues.Like Bunyan, when you cannot preach, perhaps you can write. Like Brainerd, when you cannot go, perhaps you can teach. Like Spurgeon, when one avenue of service closes, perhaps another awaits your discovery.

On the first episode of Three Ravens Series 6, we are making a right old fuss about an often overlooked county when it comes to folklore - Bedfordshire, the county of John Bunyan, little blue spacemen, and mysterious Medieval serial killers... We start off chatting about both St Winwaloe's Day, which is surprisingly saucy actually, and all the madness of Shrove Monday, after which we bustle across to Bedfordshire!After chatting through some amazing aspects of Bedfordshire's history, as represented by three pretty jaw-dropping historical finds, including the Dunstable Swan Jewel, a magical Viking sword, and a bunch of long-hidden skeletons, Martin then sits us down for Afternoon Tea, revisits the topic of Clangers, and introduces us to Chocolate Toothpaste, all of which are contenders for Bedfordshire's County Dish!After that, we get stuck into some folklore, including the spooky afterlife of the airmen who died in the R101 airship disaster, the now-leveled ancient henge arena and worship ground where the Celtic god Lugh drank the wellsprings of revelation, and discuss Bedfordshire's plethora of Shucks - all supplemented by some excerpts from next Saturday's Local Legends interview with local historian David Longman, who has a very naughty rector he wants to warn you about...Then it's on to the main event: Martin's story "The Devil's Fingermarks" which combines the Dark Lord himself with horse-stealing Georgians, Horace Walpole, William Beckford, and a rather haunted gothic castle!We really hope you enjoy it, will be back on Thursday with a new Magic and Medicines bonus episode about Ley Lines (and for the Three Ravens Second Birthday Livestream on YouTube!) all before the full interview with David comes out on Saturday!The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we accompany Christian through the harrowing Valley of the Shadow of Death, a treacherous path that tests his faith and resolve. As he ventures deeper, he encounters ominous figures and hears the chilling echoes of despair that haunt this desolate place. The valley, described as a wilderness filled with darkness and danger, serves as a metaphor for the trials we face in our own lives.Christian's journey is fraught with peril. He grapples with the haunting presence of hobgoblins, satyrs, and dragons that lurk in the shadows, and he is tormented by blasphemous thoughts that threaten to tear at his very soul. Yet, amidst the chaos, he clings to the hope inspired by a voice that reminds him of God's unwavering presence, even in the darkest of times.As dawn breaks, illuminating the path ahead, Christian reflects on the dangers he has overcome and the mercies he has received. The light reveals the snares and pitfalls that once seemed insurmountable, allowing him to navigate the treacherous terrain with newfound clarity. Join us as we explore the profound themes of faith, perseverance, and divine deliverance that resonate throughout this poignant narrative.Minor updating has been done to make this recording more understandable.If you would like to pick up a copy of The Pilgrim's Progress to add to your home library, we have listed some of our favorites below. And we were sure to include one of our favorites rewritten for children. (affil links)The Pilgrim's Progress Old English: https://amzn.to/4j1j3XgThe Pilgrim's Progress Modern English: https://amzn.to/3W3SNlvLittle Pilgrim's Big Journey: https://amzn.to/41YDs9GIf you enjoy our podcast and wish to support our mission, consider contributing through Buy Me a Coffee, Patreon, or our shop. Your support helps us continue sharing these inspiring stories.Support our mission:▪️ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wanderingpilgrims▪️ Patreon: patreon.com/TheWanderingPilgrims▪️ Shop: teespring.com/stores/the-wandering-pilgrims▪️ Our Website: www.thewanderingpilgrims.comConnect with us on social media for more inspiring content:▪️ Instagram: instagram.com/thewanderingpilgrims▪️ Facebook: facebook.com/The-Wandering-Pilgrims▪️ YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCbvMuDo9dpaQ0Bu71lRRiQw▪️ Twitter: @WanderPilgrims▪️ Truth Social: @wanderingpilgrims

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”~Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB) “O soul, are you weary and troubled?No light in the darkness you see?There's light for a look at the Savior,And life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face,And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,In the light of His glory and grace.”~“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” by Helen Lemmel, 1922 “A man there was, though some did count him mad, the more he cast away the more he had.”~John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressSERMON PASSAGEHebrews 4:1-13 (ESV) 1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,'”  although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.”6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice,  do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

It's Wednesday, February 19th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Christians faced the most murders and abductions in Africa Global Christian Relief released the Violent Incidents Database last month in partnership with the International Institute for Religious Freedom. The publicly accessible resource records over 6,000 verified incidents of religious persecution starting from 2022. Christians faced the most murders and abductions in Africa according to the database. Europe led in terms of damage to religious buildings. Believers faced the most sentences and arrests in Asia. Asia also led in terms of attacks on houses and people being forced to leave their home or country.   Global Christian Relief reported Nigeria, India, China, and Azerbaijan were some of the worst countries for the persecution of Christians in their 2025 Red List Report.  British woman in trouble for holding pro-life sign outside abortion mill A retired medical scientist in England will face trial next month for her pro-life work. The case began when authorities confronted 63-year-old Livia Tossici-Bolt for holding a sign near an abortion mill. The sign read “Here to talk, if you want to.”  Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom UK, noted, “Under far-reaching and vaguely-written rules, we have seen volunteers like Livia criminalized simply for offering conversations to those in need; and others dragged through courts for praying, even silently, in their minds.” Christian physician assistant fired for affirming two genders In the United States, a Christian healthcare worker is fighting for her religious freedom with the help of First Liberty. Back in 2021, the University of Michigan Health System fired Valerie Kloosterman. The physician assistant lost her job for remaining committed to the Biblical definition of male and female. She took her case to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month. Kloosterman said, “I couldn't do this without my faith. This battle belongs to the Lord. I'm His instrument and I'm required to be faithful. I'm hoping that I do that every step of this process even though it can be difficult and hard.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 says, “Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.” Trump announces reciprocal tariffs President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on Monday. He wrote on X, “On Trade, I have decided, for purposes of Fairness, that I will charge a RECIPROCAL Tariff -- meaning whatever Countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them. No more, no less!” A Trump administration official told The Hill the tariffs will apply equally to competitors, like communist China, or allies like the European Union or Japan or Korea. JP Morgan, Citigroup, & Morgan Stanley scrub DEI nonsense Big banks in the U.S. are reacting to President Trump's executive order against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, also known as DEI. Banks like Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and Citigroup have scrubbed their public references to DEI in recent weeks, reports The Wall Street Journal.  A White House fact sheet from last month noted, “In the private sector, many corporations and universities use DEI as an excuse for biased and unlawful employment practices and illegal admissions preferences, ignoring the fact that DEI's foundational rhetoric and ideas foster intergroup hostility.” Delta plane crashed at Canadian airport, flipped upside down A Delta Air Lines jet crashed at Canada's Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, reports Fox News. The flight was carrying 80 people on board from Minneapolis.  The plane ended upside down on the runway, leaving passengers hanging from their seats “like bats” as one passenger described.  At least 21 people were injured, but thankfully no one died in the crash.  Republican Rep. Pete Stauber of Minnesota said, “I am praying for those involved and will continue to monitor this situation as details emerge. I am incredibly grateful for the quick response of the first responders on the ground!”  Anniversary of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress And finally, this week is the 347th anniversary of the publication of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. His first volume of the book was announced on February 18, 1678. With 250 million copies sold, it's one of the best-selling books of all time.  If you don't have a copy, pick up one today. It's a must have volume for every Christian's library. Bunyan began the work from prison. He was sentenced for holding unsanctioned religious services. Despite suffering for his faith, he would produce a Christian classic that would influence the church for centuries.  The 19th century English preacher Charles Spurgeon said of Bunyan, “Read anything of his, and you will see that it is almost like reading the Bible itself. He had read it till his very soul was saturated with Scripture; and though his writings are charmingly full of poetry, yet he cannot give us his Pilgrim's Progress—that sweetest of all prose poems—without continually making us feel and say, ‘Why, this man is a living Bible!'” Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, February 19th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

On this segment of Discipleship for Dads, Kevin, Danny Craig, and Todd Strawser address the sensitive but important topic of sexuality. Our world is an individualized world, with more access to pornography than ever before. However, Jesus came to save us from our sin. Instead of breeding an environment of condemnation, shame, and guilt, it's important to have a culture of open communication and confession in the home, especially when it comes to sexual sin.This program includes:1. The World View in 5 Minutes with Adam McManus (Anniversary of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Delta plane crashed at airport & flipped upside down, Christian physician assistant fired for affirming two genders)2. Generations with Kevin Swanson

Have you ever read Pilgrim's Progress? It's a book (an allegory) by John Bunyan which portrays the joys and struggles of Christian, a pilgrim. In these adventures, we see many truths of Scripture illustrated in helpful ways.

We continue with our survey of the open and closed communion debate in preparation for a later review of John Collett Ryland's principles and practices related to it. Next I'll review the interactions of John Bunyan and William Kiffen.   For more information about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org