Podcasts about Jordan River

Welcome to Day 2804 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2804 – The Devil Never Made Him Do It – Luke 4:1-13 Putnam Church Message – 01/18/2026 Luke's Account of the Good News - “The Devil Never Made Him Do It.”    Last week investigated a prophet who was unmatched in all history, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, in a message titled “The Greatest Mortal Who Ever Died.” Today, we begin our study through the ministry of Jesus Christ in a message titled: “The Devil Never Made Him Do It.” Our Core verses for this week are Luke 4:1-13, found on page 1595 of your Pew Bibles. Follow along as I read. OPENING PRAYER Holy Father, we gather today in the name of Jesus, our victorious Savior. As we open Your Word, teach us to recognize temptation, to discern the lies of the enemy, and to cling to the truth that sets us free. Strengthen our hearts by Your Spirit, steady our minds by Your Scriptures, and shape our lives to reflect the obedience of Christ in the wilderness. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen. Today, we come to a moment in Luke's Gospel that occurs quietly, without crowds, without choirs of angels, without disciples watching in awe. There are no miracles, no sermons, no parables, and no healings. Instead, there is silence, sand, hunger, and a solitary battle in the wilderness. It is here that Jesus faces the enemy of our souls in a way no other human ever has — and He triumphs. And He does so not by leaning on His divine authority, but by walking in obedience as a human filled with and yielded to the Holy Spirit. Our preaching text this morning comes from Luke 4:1–13 (NLT). Luke writes: “Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.” (Luke 4:1–2) Luke wants us to see something right away: Jesus did not accidentally wander into temptation. He did not stumble into a spiritual ambush. He was led there. Led by whom? Led by the Spirit. And with that, Luke invites us into one of Scripture's most profound mysteries: God can lead His children into places of testing for the purpose of strengthening, purifying, and proving them. This is not new. Israel experienced the same. Moses reminded the people in Deuteronomy 8:2 (NLT): “Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you…” Jesus is reliving the story of Israel — but where Israel failed, Jesus prevails.     Context: Between Baptism and Ministry Before we move further, we must notice the timing: Just before the wilderness comes the baptism. Just before the temptation comes the affirmation. Just before the war comes, the voice from heaven. In Luke 3, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father declared: “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” (3:22) Immediately after that, Jesus is taken to the desert. This pattern is familiar to anyone who has walked with God: Mountaintops are...

Welcome to Day 2802 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2802 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 115:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2802 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2802 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: Our God is Supreme Today, we are continuing our journey through the "Egyptian Hallel," the magnificent collection of praise songs sung by the Jewish people during the Passover festival. We are stepping into the first half of Psalm One Hundred Fifteen, covering verses one through eight, in the New Living Translation. To set the stage, let us remember where we stood in our previous trek. In Psalm One Hundred Fourteen, we witnessed the sheer, terrifying power of the Theophany. We saw the earth tremble, the Red Sea flee, and the Jordan River turn back at the very presence of the God of Jacob. It was a psalm of action, movement, and cosmic disruption. Yahweh stepped into history, and the chaotic forces of nature panicked. But as we turn the page to Psalm One Hundred Fifteen, the tone shifts from the dramatic trembling of the earth to a profound, theological reflection. According to Jewish tradition, while Psalms One Hundred Thirteen and One Hundred Fourteen were sung before the Passover meal, Psalm One Hundred Fifteen was the first hymn sung after the meal was finished. Imagine the scene. Jesus and His disciples have just finished the Last Supper. The bread has been broken; the cup of the new covenant has been poured. And before they walk out into the dark night toward the Garden of Gethsemane, they lift their voices to sing these exact words. They sing about the glory of God, the foolishness of the world's idols, and the absolute sovereignty of the King of Heaven. This psalm is a brilliant polemic—a theological argument—against the gods of the surrounding nations. It contrasts the living, unrestrained God of Israel with the dead, handcrafted statues of the pagan world. It challenges us to ask: Where does the glory belong, and what are we truly placing our trust in? Let us dive into the text. Psalm One Hundred Fifteen: verse one. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. The psalm opens with one of the most profound statements of humility in the entire Bible. The psalmist repeats the phrase for emphasis: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us." This is the ultimate deflection of human pride. When Israel looked back at the Exodus—when they remembered the sea parting and the enemies drowning—it was incredibly tempting to pat themselves on the back. It is human nature to assume that if God blesses us, saves us, or uses us, it must be because we are somehow special, worthy, or superior. But the psalmist violently rejects that idea. He says, "Lord, do not give us the credit. We did not part the sea. We did not defeat the Egyptian empire. The glory belongs entirely, exclusively, and completely to Your Name." And why does the glory go to His Name? Because of two foundational attributes: His "unfailing love" and His

Watch the Devotion Based on Genesis 3:15; Matthew 4:1–11 The Champion Who Fought for You At the time of this recording one of our US Navy carrier strike groups has positioned itself in the Middle East. The purpose of this mission is to strengthen alliances, deter aggression from our near peer competitors and provide rapid response in the region. In a situation like this, you don't send just anyone into a fight. You send people who are trained, tested, and capable of winning—and you give them the equipment to win. Because the outcome affects everyone else. When the mission is critical, you need champions. Right after the fall into sin, God promised a champion. In Genesis 3:15, the LORD spoke to the serpent and said that the offspring of the woman would crush his head. That was a battlefield promise. Evil would not have the final word. A champion was coming. Fast forward to the wilderness on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Jesus, newly baptized, is led into combat—not against flesh and blood, but against the devil himself. Forty days, no food, complete weakness. This is not a fair fight by human standards. And that's the point. Where Adam fell in a perfect garden, Jesus stands firm in a barren wasteland. Where Israel failed in the wilderness, Jesus holds the line. The devil attacks the way he always does—by twisting God's Word, questioning God's care, and offering shortcuts to glory without suffering or the cross. And Jesus doesn't argue. He doesn't negotiate. He answers every assault with, “It is written.” Jesus fights with the Word of God. This isn't just an example for you to follow. This is a victory Jesus wins for you. Jesus goes into this fight as your substitute. He resists temptation in your place. He defeats the devil on your behalf. The serpent strikes, but Christ stands. The head is crushed, just as God promised. The champion has won. That matters for you. Because you still face temptation. A war fighter on deployment reached out to me asking for prayers to fight against the sins of lust and coveting, and laziness with the Word of God. You will still feel weakness. You may lose battles. But your salvation does not rest on your performance. It rests on Christ's victory. In your baptism, his win becomes yours. His obedience covers your failure. His triumph silences the accuser. The devil can still harass, but he cannot condemn. His head is crushed. So, when the fight is fierce, when the pressure is heavy, remember this: the battle that decided your eternity is already over. Your champion stands victorious, and he stands for you. Prayer: Mighty God and Father, our Lord Jesus walked into the wilderness to face the devil's temptations, but he did not succumb to Satan's lies or falter in his resolve to save the world from the prison of hell. Bolster our faith by his mighty victory that we may battle against the forces of evil with courage and confidence; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, an in-depth investigatory show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (2/17/26). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v73pkys","div":"rumble_v73pkys"}); Video Source Links (In Chronological Order): (9) Instagram Allegations of bodies buried at Epstein's New Mexico ranch prompt investigation calls EFTA00067066.pdf EFTA00038382.pdf (11) Bethany Blankley on X: "NM Epstein ranch now owned by Texas comptroller candidate @DonHuffines https://t.co/akMjV2t0i4 via @thecentersquare I asked his attorney several questions: When asked if the Huffines were concerned about the sex-trafficked victims on the property if they had done any forensic" / X NM Epstein ranch now owned by Texas comptroller candidate | Texas | thecentersquare.com (10) The Last American Vagabond on X: "They're just straight lying to everyone. How does anyone support these clowns? https://t.co/hwef9NkR12" / X (10) James Li on X: "Dan Bongino is lying. According to the FBI, they hold approximately 14.6 Terabytes of archived data related to Epstein. To date, the DOJ has only released ~300GB worth of files (roughly 2% of the total). This isn't going away Dan!! https://t.co/S2XgWO6iCW" / X New Tab (14) Kevork Almassian on X: "The Empire Above Epstein" / X (11) ParaPower Mapping on X: "Lmfao HOOOLY SHIIIT, look at this https://t.co/VcKqE21oXe" / X EFTA02656963.pdf The Prince and The Spy - The Last American Vagabond Axon acquires Carbyne for $625 million, consolidating Israeli 911 surveillance tech with US police body camera giant | The Capture Cascade Timeline Public safety giant Axon acquires Carbyne for $625 million in cash | Ctech Welcome to the Palantir World Order IMA: The Palantir AI Panopticon (11) Kim Dotcom on X: "Breaking Palantir was allegedly hacked. An AI agent was used to gain super-user access and here”s what the hackers allegedly found: Peter Thiel and Alex Karp commit mass surveillance of world leaders and titans of industry on a massive scale. They have thousands of hours of" / X AI overlords of the world hacked: Fallout from the massive Palantir breach — RT World News Meet Your Digital Twin: This AI Model Can Predict Your Future Health – and Help You Change It | Weizmann USA New Tab Apple buys Israeli ‘pre-speech' tech firm implicated in Gaza genocide - The Grayzone Q US20250173415A1 - Using facial movements to generate a conversational record - Google Patents Trump Admin Admits 4 New mRNA COVID Shots Underway & The US' New Israeli-Made AI Pre-Crime System (1) GIDEON: The AI System That Flags Threats Before the Next Attack - YouTube (11) Whitney Webb on X: "I've warned about the pre-crime push to "stop mass shootings before they happen" for years, especially during the first Trump administration. I don't think it's a coincidence that this happens just as the full extent of the Epstein-Thiel-Carbyne911 relationship is being" / X Whitney Webb Interview - CIA/Mossad-Linked Surveillance Systems Quietly Installed Throughout The US The Truth About the United States' "Continuity of Government" Plans & The Coronavirus Perfect Storm (1) REX 84 Brooks-North-Inouye Iran Contra. - YouTube New Tab Big Tech Confirms DHS Subpoenas: Meta and Google Users Targeted Over Anti-ICE Posts Homeland Security Demands Social Media Sites Reveal Names Behind Anti-ICE Posts - The New York Times New Tab DARPA's "Generative Optogenetics" Program Is All That We've Feared & Held Hostage By Geoengineering US-Israeli Start-Up Announces Reckless Solar Geoengineering Experiments from April 2026 - Center for International Environmental Law (14) Ryan Rozbiani on X: "NEW

Welcome back to Anchored by the Sword Podcast

You may remember the TV show, “Hee Haw” and on one of the shows, Doc Campbell is confronted by a patient who says he broke his arm in two places. Doc replies, “Well then, stay out of them places!” Sometimes, that is precisely the right approach to overcoming temptation. Other times, however, temptation seems to come looking for you. Jesus, for example, was on a spiritual retreat! He had just been baptized by John in the Jordan River. The Holy Spirit then directed him into the wilderness where he would spend 40 days in prayer and fasting. You would think...Article Link

We're back! Join us for this special series for Lent 2026, on the gospel texts for Year A. In this episode, Rev. Liz Kearny, Rev. Anne Dunlap, and Dr. Sharon Fennema meet Jesus at the end of his 40 day wilderness journey, famished, not long after he has been baptized by John in the Jordan River, and go deep talking about the Son of God, the "diabolos," and temptations that tear us apart. Transcript available here: https://bit.ly/TWARepisodes

As Rooted Fellowship steps into a new season of leadership, we turn to Joshua 3–4 and the powerful moment when Israel stood before a raging Jordan River. With Moses gone and a new generation watching, the question hung in the air: Will God still be with us?The answer was unmistakable.Before the waters parted, the priests had to step in. Before the people crossed, the Ark, the presence of God, went first. This wasn't just a story about geography; it was theology. It was about reverence, risk, remembrance, and trust. It was about a God who finishes what He starts.In this message, we are reminded:God's presence goes before us.Faith requires stepping into the water.Leaders are raised up but God remains the constant.We must remember and tell the stories of His faithfulness.The dates matter because God's promises unfold with precision.Most of all, this passage points beyond Joshua to a greater Joshua. Jesus. Who stepped into the waters of sin and death and made a way for us to cross from death to life.As we install new leadership and look toward the future, we do so with trembling joy. The same God who planted this church will carry it forward. The same God who was faithful then is faithful now.The question is not whether God will show up.The question is: Will we step in?

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.'” 12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.' 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them 15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” 16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”

2 Kings 5:1-14 "Naaman is Washed in the Jordan River"

In this week's sermon, we continue our sermon series "Moving Forward." This week we look at the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, and how God parted it for them. We use this to look and see how we can step out on faith even when things seem impossible. We're glad that you made it to this sermon! We're also available on Youtube. For more info on our worships services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com

Most men today are ruled by emotion, pleasure, and impulse. That is not freedom. That is slavery.In this episode of The Manly Catholic, Fr. Dom confronts a hard truth the modern world refuses to face: darkness has invaded the mind, and Christ came to reclaim it. Drawing from Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and the Church's constant teaching, this episode unpacks a powerful image: Jesus Christ as water. Water always flows to the lowest place. So does Christ.He descends into the darkest places of the human soul, especially the intellect, to heal, cleanse, and restore order. From the Jordan River to Galilee, from the manger to the Cross, Christ consistently goes where others refuse to go. He does the same in your life, if you let Him.This homily challenges men to reject emotivism, hedonism, and the lie that truth is subjective. You cannot build a holy life on feelings. You must put on the mind of Christ.Fr. Dom confronts:Why “I feel” is a dangerous way to approach truthHow logos, logic, and truth are inseparable from Jesus ChristWhy disordered passions lead men into sin, division, and confusionHow the Sacraments actively form and renew the mind of Christ in usWhy Catholic education and fatherhood are battlefields for the soulThis is a direct call to Catholic men: think clearly, live ordered, defend truth, and lead your families with conviction. Christ is the Light. Stop negotiating with darkness.Powerful Quotes from the Episode“Jesus Christ is like water. He always goes to the lowest place.”“Never start theological or philosophical truth statements with ‘I feel.'”“If we don't put on the mind of Christ, we begin conforming God to our image instead of the other way around.”Key Takeaway for Men (Act on This Today)Stop letting your emotions govern your intellect.Begin today by rejecting “I feel” as your foundation for truth. Anchor your thinking in Christ through daily prayer, frequent Confession, and intentional study of Catholic teaching. Order your mind, and your life will follow.

Joshua 3 provides a powerful example of trusting God when your next step feels scary. In part six of this sermon series, Pastor Phil Hopper uses the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan to illustrate dying to self, daily surrender, and bold obedience to God's Word. As Israel's priests step into a flooded Jordan River, you'll see how biblical faith, obedience, and trust in God break spiritual bondage, defeat fear, and release God's promises in your life.  Drawing from Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6-7, and 1 Corinthians 15:31, you'll learn why there is no resurrection power without crucifixion and what it means to say, “I die daily.” If you're ready for spiritual breakthrough and freedom from sin, this sermon will help you walk by faith, obey completely, and trust God with every outcome. Connect with us on Social Media↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kcBooks & Resources: https://abundant-life.com/resources/books/ Listen to The Well Podcast⤵Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wadnywAMEK7c0E1qatMoY?si=SjH6Ko7VR3OoHrRy1yYLlQ&nd=1&dlsi=395ae55d95ac4b11Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-well/id1233267223YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR50sV854C2hogfBmv7YogvCjiNYLz9a2 Find Your Next Step:https://alife.livingproof.co/Watch More Sermons:https://abundant-life.com/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://abundant-life.com/  Listen to The Well Podcast ⤵Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wadnywAMEK7c0E1qatMoY?si=SjH6Ko7VR3OoHrRy1yYLlQ&nd=1&dlsi=395ae55d95ac4b11Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-well/id1233267223YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR50sV854C2hogfBmv7YogvCjiNYLz9a2Find Your Next Step: http://alife.livingproof.co/ Watch more sermons: https://abundant-life.com/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://abundant-life.com/ Connect with us on Social Media ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/Web: https://abundant-life.com/resources/books/Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/ More information on our sermons: https://abundant-life.com/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://abundant-life.com/

Sermon Notes: John 1:19-34 (I Am Not, but He Is) Please turn to the Gospel of John, chapter 1. We'll be considering verses 19-34 this morning. As you are turning there, let me say that the Gospel of John is a beautiful literary work. Greek scholars marvel at its elegance. Its words are simple, yet it has a depth of poetic beauty in how its themes are interwoven. And because of that, the Gospel of John speaks to both those with little or no background in the Christian faith as well as to those who have studied the Scriptures their whole lives. ·      On one level, the apostle John makes clear who Jesus is, what he has done, and why it matters. ·      And on another level, we are given profound theological insights in a rich literary form. We'll continue to see that as we work our way through the book. As I read, you will hear about John in these verses. This is referring to John the Baptist, not the apostle. Reading of John 1:19-34. Back in first grade, I was asked to give the opening comments for our first-grade play. That involved standing in front of the big curtain. I had a script which welcomed everyone, thanked the teachers, and gave a brief highlight of what they were about to see. The drama teacher told me multiple times to talk slowly and to keep my hands out of my pockets. Which of course, I forgot to do. But nonetheless, I did my part, and then the curtain opened and the play began. Well, the opening 18 verses of John's Gospel are like the prologue to a play. They set the stage for what is to come. We're given the book's background and themes and we're introduced to the main character. As we've studied, verses 1-18 speak of Christ's divine nature as creator and as the light of the world. We were also introduced to John the Baptist who bore witness to the light. We were told of what it means to believe. And then last week, we learned that the Word of God has come to us in the flesh, in the person of Jesus. And when he came, God displayed his glory and grace. All of that was introductory. And as we now get to verse 19, the curtain opens. We don't just hear about Jesus, but we are given story after story of his life and ministry. To say it in another way, verses 1-18 are the theological treatise for the book… and verses 19 to the very end are the historical witness of the book. John makes the upfront argument that Jesus is God in the flesh and that salvation is found in him, and then from verse 19 on, he shows us that this is true by showing us Jesus' life and ministry. Speaking of a prologue, that was my prologue for this sermon. Two points this morning. You can see them in your bulletin. Point number 1: I am not …and point number 2: But he is I am not, but he is. John the Baptist very clearly states that he is not the Christ, but he, that is Jesus, is. 1. I Am Not So, #1. I am not. Let me begin with a little context. It mentions here that John the Baptist was in the town of Bethany… specifically it's just beyond the Jordan River. This is a different town than the other Bethany which was near Jerusalem just over the Mount of Olives. This one was much farther away. It would have taken a day or two to travel there by foot. And in Bethany, John had attracted a crowd and a following. And one of the things he was doing was baptizing. Well, despite the distance, that caused a stir in Jerusalem. News reached the ears of the Jewish leaders, and so, as we read, they sent a delegate. They had two main questions: who are you? (verse 19) and why are you baptizing (verse 25)? John does answer both questions, but he does it in a way that redirects them away from himself and to Christ. I learned something interesting this week. There are people today who believe that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet. They not only venerate John the Baptist, you know, worship him in a way… but they also reject Jesus as the Messiah. Now, it's a relatively small group, several thousand. They live on the border of modern day Iraq and Iran. Their recorded history goes back to the 300s, so they've been around a while. And it's very possible that their roots go all the way back to the 1st century when this book was written. You see, one reason why the apostle John writes these things, is to make absolutely clear (1) who John the Baptist was and wasn't and (2) who Jesus is. And he quotes John the Baptist's words. ·      He was not the prophet Elijah. Yes, he came in the spirit of Elijah – but he was not Elijah in the flesh. The Jews expected Elijah to return. ·      He also makes clear that he was not “the prophet.” That is likely a reference to Moses or even the greater Prophet who was to come after Moses, namely Christ. John denies that as well. But most importantly, in verse 20 – he states unequivocally that he is not the Christ.  He is not the promised Savior who was to come. In the Greek, it's the phrase “ἐγὼ οὐκ εἰμὶ ὁ χριστός.” I am not the Christ. By the way, “ἐγὼ εἰμὶ” in the Greek is the phrase “I am.” It's the same Greek words that Jesus used in his “I am” statements throughout the book. I am the light of the world. I am the vine. I am the great shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, etc. And so when John the Baptist says he is not the Christ, it is in part setting up the rest of the narrative in the book. Who is Jesus? He is the Christ - the promised Savior. A few years ago, a friend of mine passed away. He had a sudden heart attack. He was a single guy in his 40s, so he wasn't that old. Vocationally he was a nurse, but interestingly he had also been to seminary. He was a great guy. He loved to participate in ministry and mission work including medical missions. He also had a great Scottish accent. He was originally from the Isle of Skye. As one of his pastors I went to the funeral home shortly after they received his body. I was there with a close friend of his. And I learned something about him that I didn't know before. On his chest, he had a tatoo. It was a Greek phrase. “ἐγὼ οὐκ εἰμὶ ὁ χριστός.” I am not the Christ. You see, he had been so moved by this verse in John 1, that he wanted to remind himself each day in the mirror who he was not and to whom he should direct people. He was not the Christ… he was not his own savior nor a savior for others, but he had a savior who has come. That is what John the Baptist was doing in these verses. He was redirecting people away from himself and to Jesus. I count 6 times in these verses where John redirects people away from himself and to Christ. No, I am not him but let me tell you and show you who he is. A couple of examples are found in his further answers to the delegation. By the way, they were very persistent, as we read. They asked him, ok, then if you are not Elijah nor the prophet nor Christ, then who are you and why are you baptizing? ·      First, John answers who he was. He quotes the prophet Isaiah. He says, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,'” You see, Isaiah had prophesied that one would come. This prophet's very purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah. John was saying that he is that one. His whole ministry was to direct people to Christ. It was to prepare the people for the arrival of the Lord. ·      And second, John answered why he was baptizing. His answer also revealed Christ. Verse 31 makes that clear. John said, “I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel.” Here's what that means. John's baptism was about calling people to repentance and warning them about judgment. The water symbolized the cleansing that they needed. It showed them that they needed God to truly cleanse them… and it reminded them that a Savior was promised who would bear their judgment. By the way, this is why we don't connect John's baptism with the baptism that Jesus established. ·      #1, John's baptism was a ceremonial cleansings from the old covenant. That's why the delegate was asking him why he was baptizing since he was not Elijah nor the prophet. ·      #2. John's baptism was not done in the name of Jesus nor the Trinity as Jesus directed. It was very different. ·      #3 …perhaps the clearest reason. In the book of Acts, chapter 19, some of John the Baptists disciples were living in Ephesus. They had only been baptized into John's baptism. The apostle Paul explained to them that John's baptism was only a baptism of repentance. So, John's disciples were then baptized into Jesus' baptism – that is, into the new covenant baptism in Jesus' name. To say it again, John's baptism was to prepare the people's hearts for the coming of Christ. They needed to see their need for a Savior and repent. Ok, to summarize main point #1: John's identity in these verses is directly related to Christ, both in the negative and the positive. The negative - I am not him. And the positive - the very purpose of my life is to point people to him. And point to him, he does. 2. But He Is Which bring us to #2. But He Is John is not the Christ, as he says, and implicit in that statement is that the one to whom John directs people is the Christ. Look at verse 29. This is a new subsection. We read that it's now the very next day. The previous day, John had been answering the delegation about who he was not and that his purpose was to direct people to the Lord. But now, Jesus has come to John. And with absolute clarity, John gives witness to who Jesus is. Look how John describes Jesus in 29. He says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Remember, the apostle John's primary audience was Jewish. When they read or heard this, they would have no questions about its meaning. Jesus is identified as the sacrificial lamb, whom God sent to atone for the sin of the world. Sacrificing lambs had been part of their annual Passover celebration. Back when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, the very last command that God gave them was to sacrifice a lamb. They were to put its blood over their doorpost. And if they did that, the angel of death would pass over them and spare their firstborn. And the angel did spare them. But the Egyptians were not spared. And so Pharaoh released the Israelites from their bondage. Every year they were to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt by sacrificing a lamb. It was both a remembrance of God's deliverance out of Egypt, and a foreshadowing of the deliverance from sin that God would accomplish for them through the Messiah. So here, John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is that sacrificial Lamb – He's the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world… Now, you may be asking, Why is a Lamb of God needed? Why a sacrifice? That is a critical question. As we work our way through the book, the answer will become clear. But in the meantime, let me try to briefly answer. You see, in the heart of each and every human is a rebellion against God and against our fellow man. We see and experience this every day. We see and experience deceit, and anger, and betrayal. Evil exists in many forms – oppression, rape, and murder. And truthfully, if we just search our own hearts, we know our own selfishness and bitterness and desires for that which is not ours. All of those things fall under Scripture's category of sin. Over the years, I've had conversations with friends and family about the truth of Christianity. They've brought up good questions. For example, they've asked, if God really exists or if Christianity is really true, then why is there so much evil in the world. It's a very important question. I've usually respond that Christianity's view of the world includes a very clear understanding of evil and sin. I believe Christianity is true, in part, because it answers the questions of evil… it answers other life questions as well like meaning and morality and existence… including the difficult things in life and our rebellious hearts. Sometimes that will be followed up with the question. But if God is as you say he is, then why doesn't he do anything about it? About the evil and sin… He has. He's sent a Lamb. And that Lamb is Christ, and as John the Baptist says in verse 34, he is the Son of God. He sacrificed himself to deliver us not from the bondage of Egypt, but from the bondage of sin and the corruption of the world. The reason that a sacrifice was necessary goes all the way back to the beginning of the Bible. The very first command that God gave was to not eat of that which was forbidden. And the consequence of doing so was death. We cannot escape the consequences of sin. Those consequences include death and separation from God and his judgment. But God sent his Lamb to be sacrificed on our behalf. As the author of Hebrews puts it, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. And so, when John sees Jesus, he calls him the Lamb of God and as the Son of God. John furthermore testifies that even though he came before Jesus, yet Jesus ranked before him because Jesus was before him. John had said earlier that he was not even worthy to untie Jesus' sandals. That was one of the most lowly of jobs reserved for a servant. John was saying that he wasn't even worthy to do that. Jesus' worthiness so far exceeds our unworthiness. Yet he has come to us. Let me note one more thing about John's testimony. These verses say that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, but Jesus' baptism is a baptism of the heart. By the way, this is talking about true baptism – not the outward sign like you saw earlier this morning, but baptism of the heart when we receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ. And the reason that we can receive the Spirit of God from Christ, is because God's Spirit remains on Christ. Did you notice that phrase used twice? The Holy Spirit descended and remained on him. It indicates God the Father anointing Jesus as King. In the Old Testament, God's Spirit would rest upon God's anointed kings. But God's Spirt would leave when that King departed from God's way, like he did for King Saul. That is why King David prayed in Psalm 51, Lord, take not your Holy Spirit from me. In other words, do not remove your hand of Spiritual blessing on my kingship. May your Spirit remain on me as king of your people despite my sin. By the way, this Holy Spirit anointing of kings is different from the Spirit's work in the hearts of believers… old and new. I just want to be clear about that. What John the Baptist was witnessing in verses 32-34 was God the Father anointing his Son through his Spirit. When it says that God's Spirit remained on Jesus, it was indicating Jesus' eternal kingship. Next week we'll see that title King given to him. And let me mention one more thing about chapter 1. Every single title for Jesus in the entire book of John is introduced in chapter 1. Jesus is the Word of God. He is Christ, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Messiah, He is Rabbi (which means Teacher), King of Israel, and the Son of Man. Some of those we'll come across next week. In other words, this whole chapter bears witness to who Jesus is. Besides John the Baptist and the apostle John, God the Father and the Holy Spirit also bear witness to him. He is the Christ - Lamb of God and Son of God who takes away the sin of the world. I am not, but he Is. Application and Conclusion In Southern California, there's a very interesting solar power facility. It's in the Mojave Desert. It's different because it does not use a single solar panel. No, instead, this facility uses mirrors that direct the rays of the sun to central boilers. The boilers are super-heated by the sunlight reflected off of the mirrors. That causes the water boil, which creates steam, which then turns turbines, and which then generates power. There are 347,000 mirrors there. And as the sun moves across the sky, they all reposition themselves to keep the light shining on one place. Friends, you and I are not the Christ. No, but we are to reflect him and direct others to him. Like John the Baptist, we are to believe the Lamb of God for others to see. We are to testify that he has come to take away the sin of the world. We are to exalt Christ, witnessing to him in all the ways highlighted here. We are in a sense to be like mirrors that direct others to Jesus. And when we all work in concert, God is glorified and Christ is exalted. When people see us individually, they see him. And when people see a church whose members reflect Christ, they will see him. I would argue that our number one responsibility is to show forth Christ. It's tempting to have our number one focus be on other things. I am not saying that we should not have careers or serve our communities in different ways or have opinions about important matters. But if any of that puts the spotlight on us rather than Christ or if it overshadows our witness to him, then we are not fulfilling our responsibility to reveal him. So, May we each recognize that we are not our own savior, nor the savior of others. We are not the Christ… but Jesus is.  May we, like John, direct others to him, the Lamb of God, who is the Son of God and Savior of the world. Amen

Read OnlineKing Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Mark 6:14–16When a person sins seriously and refuses to repent, the damaging effects of that sin deepen over time, creating spiritual blindness and unrest. In contrast, repentance not only brings forgiveness, it allows God to transform the wounds of sin into instruments of grace, using even our failures for His glory.Herod is a prime example of how obstinacy magnifies the damage caused by sin. The first paragraph of today's Gospel takes place some time after Herod executed John. The rest of the Gospel recounts how Herod was manipulated into beheading John by Herodias, his illegitimate wife, and her daughter. While much could be said about John's execution and the good fruit borne by his ultimate testimony to the Truth, it is also helpful to reflect on Herod's pitiful state to learn from his failure in order to avoid a similar response to sin.As soon as Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, John's ministry began to decrease, as he himself acknowledged: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). John's mission was one of preparation for the Messiah, calling people to repentance and pointing to the One who would bring salvation. Once Jesus began His public ministry, John's work was complete, and God permitted his arrest by Herod so that his martyrdom could become his greatest witness to Christ.Jesus' ministry was markedly different from John's. While John preached repentance and fearlessly rebuked Herod for his sinful relationship, Jesus' public ministry was marked not only by authoritative teaching but also by miraculous signs, including healings and even raising the dead. His fame spread quickly, reaching even Herod.When Herod heard about Jesus, he irrationally concluded that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. This reaction reveals Herod's inner turmoil. His erroneous belief was not borne of faith but of the torment of a guilty conscience. Herod had killed a holy man. His unresolved guilt blinded him to this truth and distorted his perception of Jesus, preventing him from recognizing the Messiah.Herod's tragic story reveals the universal danger of unrepentant sin, offering us a lesson about the destructive power of guilt and the healing grace of repentance. Unrepentant sin not only leads to further sin but also causes irrational thinking, fear, and paranoia. His guilt interfered with his ability to think clearly and rationally—not only about Jesus but likely about many other aspects of his life.Similarly, when we fall into serious sin, we are faced with two paths: repentance or obstinacy. Repentance opens the door to God's mercy, healing, and transformation. Through His grace, this path not only sets us free but also forms virtue within us and opens us to the spiritual gift of wisdom. Obstinacy, on the other hand, leaves us in spiritual unrest, deepening the wounds of sin. That path leads to self-destructive irrationality, confusion, and blindness. Reflect today on the importance of sincere and total repentance for past sins. Though difficult, an honest assessment of our sins and sincere repentance is the path to immediate freedom and eternal glory. We must understand and believe in the power of repentance. When we fall into sin, we must have the courage to face it, own it, and seek God's mercy. Learn from Herod by rejecting his example, and allow God's mercy to flood your life, eliminating the effects of a guilty conscience and leading you to peace and freedom. Most merciful Lord, I come before You as a sinner in need of Your infinite mercy. Free me from the spiritual blindness and obstinacy that prevent me from fully opening my heart to You. Grant me the courage to confess my guilt without fear, so that I may receive the forgiveness only You can give. By Your grace, transform my past sins into opportunities for Your glory, and turn my guilt into virtue through the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Caravaggio, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

In the Nation Era, we continue the story of the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Land of Canaan. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, a new generation emerges, determined to obey God's commands and learn from the mistakes of the prior generation. Moses delivers am encouraging speech, reminding the Israelites of their duties and responsibilities as they enter the Promised Land. He tells of the blessings that come with obedience to God's Law and curses that come from forgetting and disobeying the Law. As Joshua takes over leadership, God demonstrates His power through miraculous signs, including the parting of the Jordan River and the fall of the fortified city of Jericho.Bible ReadingsDeuteronomy 30:15-20Joshua 5:13-15Joshua 6:1-21Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...

Before God moves around us, He often works within us.In Joshua 3, Israel stands at the edge of promise. The wilderness is behind them. The Promised Land is in front of them. The Jordan River is at flood stage. And before God explains the miracle, He gives one command:“Consecrate yourselves.”In this sermon, Pastor walks through Joshua 3:1–17 and reveals a timeless Kingdom pattern: 

The scene at the Jordan River was chaotic and messy - hundreds of people standing in muddy waters, confessing their deepest sins to John the Baptist. Tax collectors admitted theft, adulterers confessed betrayals, and soldiers acknowledged brutality. Into this scene of guilt and shame walked Jesus, not to preach or call others to repentance, but to be baptized alongside the very sinners He came to save. Jesus had no sin to confess, yet He insisted on baptism when John tried to prevent it, saying it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. This wasn't an accident - Jesus deliberately traveled 70 miles from Galilee to identify with sinners in their shame. In a culture that valued honor above all, the sinless Son of God chose to embrace our shame and stand with us in our brokenness. His baptism became a preview of the cross, where He would bear what He didn't deserve and be numbered with the transgressors He came to save. Heaven's response was dramatic and immediate. The sky tore open violently after 400 years of divine silence, the Spirit descended like a dove signaling new creation and the end of judgment, and the Father declared His pleasure in His Son. This divine approval came precisely after Jesus humbled Himself by stepping into the water with sinners. The Father's declaration over Jesus extends to all who are united with Him by faith, giving believers a stable identity rooted in Christ rather than performance or others' opinions.

Send us a textEver wondered how Scripture can say God is one while revealing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in living, relational harmony? We take on the challenge head-on, not with philosophy but with clear passages that refuse to be flattened into a single-person performance. At the Jordan River, Jesus stands in the water, the Spirit descends, and the Father speaks from heaven—no costume changes, no echo tricks, just the triune God revealing himself in love and mission.From there, we walk through John 14 where Jesus promises “another Comforter,” the Spirit of truth whom the Father sends at the Son's request. The language is unmistakable: three distinct persons acting in perfect unity for our good. We also reach back to Genesis 1:26—“Let us make man in our image”—to show how the Old Testament sows seeds of plurality within the one God, later named fully in the New Testament as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Along the way, we address common objections, including why “Everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6 does not erase the real distinction between the Father and the Son.What does this mean for daily faith? Everything. Prayer finds its shape when we come to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. The gospel holds its power when we see the Son obediently laying down his life to the Father, and the Spirit applying that finished work to our hearts. A solitary god cannot be love from eternity, but the triune God is love—forever Father loving the Son in the fellowship of the Spirit—and that love welcomes us into communion.If this conversation sharpened your view of God and gave you new language for prayer and worship, share it with a friend who's wrestling with these questions. Subscribe for more Scripture-first studies, and leave a review with your favorite passage that shows the Triune God at work.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

God parts the Jordan River, and then He tells His people to stop and build a memorial. Joshua 4 shows us why remembering what God has done matters just as much as where we're going next. Learn how faith grows, calling is clarified, and forward momentum begins with remembering God's faithfulness.

The sermon centers on the biblical narrative of Israel crossing the Jordan River, emphasizing that God's miraculous provision is not an endpoint but the beginning of a spiritual journey marked by obedience, faith, and generational impact. Drawing from Joshua 3 and 4, it highlights the command to set up twelve stones as a living memorial—intended to provoke questions from future generations about God's faithfulness—calling believers to live with visible, tangible evidence of divine work in their lives. The preacher urges a shift from passive religiosity to active spiritual warfare, warning against a 'form of godliness' without power, and challenges individuals—especially fathers and leaders—to cultivate a life of obedience, sacrifice, and spiritual fruit that future generations can point to with awe. Rooted in the New Testament's call to persevere in godliness despite persecution, the message affirms that true discipleship produces enduring testimony, and every believer is invited to carry their own stones—proof of God's faithfulness—into the battles of life.

Jesus doesn't discard the Old Testament—He fulfills it. Jeff walks us through Matthew chapters 3 and 4, explaining how Jesus intentionally retraces the story of Israel. From the Jordan River—the lowest place on earth—to the wilderness of testing, the Gospel of Matthew reveals an incredible pattern: Jesus relives the Exodus, succeeds where Israel failed, and fulfills the promises of the Old Testament. Email us with comments or questions at thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com. Text “jeffcavins” to 33-777 to subscribe and get Jeff's shownotes delivered straight to your email! Or visit https://media.ascensionpress.com/?s=&page=2&category%5B0%5D=Ascension%20Podcasts&category%5B1%5D=The%20Jeff%20Cavins%20Show for full shownotes!

Mark 1:1–8 Before Jesus begins teaching, performing miracles, or gathering crowds, God sends someone first to prepare the way. In this episode, kids meet John the Baptist—the “voice in the wilderness”—and travel with families to the Jordan River to hear his message and see people being baptized. Along the way, we learn what repentance means, why John said he wasn't even worthy to untie Jesus' sandals, and how all of this was part of God's plan from the very beginning. We'll also hear a true story about the Titanic and discover why warnings aren't meant to scare us—they're meant to save us. Most of all, children will be reminded that God is patient, kind, and loving. Even when people mess up or forget Him, God always welcomes His children back when they ask for forgiveness.

God often releases His power after we move in faith, not before. Through stories like the Red Sea, the Jordan River, and the ten lepers, discover how God meets obedience with supernatural power along the way.Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside's conviction that God's grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God's presence and activity in your life.

What do you do when you're in “flood season”, when life feels fast, heavy, and uncertain?In this conversation, Pastor Chris Kouba and Josh Thomas dig into Joshua 4 and the powerful moment when God tells Israel to build memorials after crossing the Jordan River—one on the riverbank and one set in the river. Why two? Because we forget. And when we forget where we've been, we lose confidence about where we're going.They talk about practical ways to remember and recount God's faithfulness like journaling, physical reminders, and intentionally telling the “God stories” to your kids, your wife, your friends, and the people you lead. If you're in the middle of something right now, this one is for you: God is faithful at the finish line and He's faithful in the middle too!To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.Show NotesFollow on Instagram: @stepup.podcastFollow United City: @untdcitychurchConnect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.comMore About United City: https://unitedcity.church/

n this episode, we explore the profound spiritual lesson found in Joshua Chapter 3: "You have never been this way before." We discuss why God sometimes withholds clarity to prioritize our spiritual formation and how to navigate the tension between where you are and where God is taking you.In this episode, we cover:The Purpose of the Pause: Why God asks us to "camp" at the edge of our promise, not to delay us, but to ensure we have the strength and alignment to cross over.Presence Over Pressure: The critical difference between watching the obstacles (the River Jordan) and following the Authority (the Ark of the Covenant).Consecration as Preparation: Understanding that consecration isn't punishment; it is the act of clearing space in our hearts so we can perceive the new thing God is doing.Momentum vs. Obedience: Why cultural busyness is not a sign of spiritual faithfulness, and how to avoid the trap of "paralysis of analysis."The Danger of Familiarity: Learning to keep a reverent distance from the holy so we don't confuse God's plan with our own nostalgia or past experiences.Key Moments:The Paradox of "Now" and "Not Yet": Understanding that we are children of God now, even while our future is still becoming.Camping Before Crossing: Interpreting the three-day wait at the Jordan River as intentional positioning rather than wandering.Following the Ark: Instructions on why we must shift our focus from the impossible terrain to the presence of God.Consecrate Yourselves: The call to clean our spiritual vision because "tomorrow the Lord will do wonders."Crossing the Threshold: Moving from the waiting room into the "decision zone" where faith requires action.Website: http://LeondeJuda.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cljoficial/#Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/congregacionleondejuda

Speaker: Rob BerrethScripture: Matthew 3:13-17Episode Overview:In Matthew 3:13–17, the baptism of Jesus opens a window into the heart of the gospel: God saves sinners. At the Jordan River, the Father speaks, the Son submits, and the Spirit descends—revealing the Triune God acting together in perfect unity to accomplish salvation. Though sinless, Jesus steps into the place of sinners, identifying fully with them in order to fulfill all righteousness on their behalf. This passage shows that salvation is not human achievement, but God's gracious work from beginning to end.Key Highlights:• The Trinity revealed: Father, Son, and Spirit united in the mission of salvation• Why Jesus' baptism mattered, even though He had no sin• What it means for Christ to “fulfill all righteousness” for His people• How Jesus identifies with sinners without becoming a sinner• God's delight and approval in the saving work of His Son• The assurance and security that flow from a salvation planned and completed by GodCall to Action:Come honestly before God as you are—without excuses, self-reliance, or comparison. Rest in the finished work of Christ, trusting that what you could never accomplish for yourself, Jesus has fully done for you. Let this truth shape your repentance, deepen your assurance, and lead you into grateful obedience grounded in grace.Redeemer Church211 Northshore Dr. Bellingham, WA 98226www.redeemernw.org

In Week 4 of All I Do Is Win, Angie Addy teaches from Joshua 3, reminding us that winning in God's Kingdom often means stepping into the impossible before we see the miracle. Through Israel's crossing of the Jordan River, we're challenged to grow a faith that believes God can, responds in obedience, and refuses to give up—even while waiting. Be sure to reference the Sermon Reflection Guide linked below to go deeper and continue the conversation throughout the week.   All I Do Is Win Week 4 Stepping into the Impossible sermon reflection guide.

This sermon explores the pivotal moment at the Jordan River where John the Baptist's prophetic mission meets its ultimate fulfillment in the arrival of the Messiah. Though John initially resists baptizing the sinless Savior, Jesus insists on this act to fully identify with the humanity He came to redeem. The event serves as a stunning reveal of the Trinity in action, as the Father's voice and the descending Spirit confirm Jesus' identity as the promised King and suffering Servant. By submitting to baptism, Jesus sets the stage for His ultimate mission of forgiveness through the cross and resurrection. We conclude by challenging listeners to reflect on their own public identification with Christ and the assurance of their identity as children of God.

What if God isn't asking you to try harder—but to trust Him more? Joshua 3 shows how Israel crossed the Jordan River not through their own effort, but by faith. Discover how surrendering to God ends self-reliance and opens the door to a Spirit-empowered life.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260123dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 Keep Your Attention on the Lamb of God When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what did John want people to do when he said, “Look!”? The word he used means something like, “Hey, look over there!” It is a kind of interjection, a way to draw people’s attention to something important that they might have otherwise missed. If John hadn’t pointed out Jesus, most would not have given him a second glance. There was nothing about Jesus’ appearance that would make him stand out in that crowd. John’s whole ministry, however, was to get people ready for the coming of God’s promised Savior. Jesus was the one hope of salvation that sinners have. It was important they didn’t miss, or worse, ignore the Lamb of God who was standing among them. When John said, “Look!” it was more than just calling their attention to a quick curiosity or a momentary distraction. Jesus was to hold their permanent attention. The Bible says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Somewhere, at some time, someone pointed you to Jesus. You have (hopefully!) come to know him as your Lord and Savior, the one who died to set you free. Now, don’t let yourself be distracted away from him. Rather, continue to train your eyes on him and his cross, and tune your ears to his voice in the Scriptures. Through his word, he will strengthen your faith and change your heart. Let the model of his humble love and the certainty of forgiveness in his name occupy your thoughts and fill your heart with joyful service and thanksgiving. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, you took away the sin of the world. Have mercy on me and keep my attention focused on you and your love. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260123dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 Keep Your Attention on the Lamb of God When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what did John want people to do when he said, “Look!”? The word he used means something like, “Hey, look over there!” It is a kind of interjection, a way to draw people’s attention to something important that they might have otherwise missed. If John hadn’t pointed out Jesus, most would not have given him a second glance. There was nothing about Jesus’ appearance that would make him stand out in that crowd. John’s whole ministry, however, was to get people ready for the coming of God’s promised Savior. Jesus was the one hope of salvation that sinners have. It was important they didn’t miss, or worse, ignore the Lamb of God who was standing among them. When John said, “Look!” it was more than just calling their attention to a quick curiosity or a momentary distraction. Jesus was to hold their permanent attention. The Bible says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Somewhere, at some time, someone pointed you to Jesus. You have (hopefully!) come to know him as your Lord and Savior, the one who died to set you free. Now, don’t let yourself be distracted away from him. Rather, continue to train your eyes on him and his cross, and tune your ears to his voice in the Scriptures. Through his word, he will strengthen your faith and change your heart. Let the model of his humble love and the certainty of forgiveness in his name occupy your thoughts and fill your heart with joyful service and thanksgiving. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, you took away the sin of the world. Have mercy on me and keep my attention focused on you and your love. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Talking Stones #RTTBROS #NightlightWhen Stones Tell StoriesI drove out past Hollister today and came across the crumbling remains of an old lava rock building standing alone in a winter field. The walls have mostly fallen, the roof is long gone, and frost clings to the dark stones. It's a ruin now, but somebody once built that structure with intention and effort. Somebody had a story there.It made me think of an old question from Scripture. In Joshua 4, after God miraculously stopped the Jordan River so Israel could cross on dry ground, He told them to take twelve stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial. Then He said this would happen:"When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over... That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever." (Joshua 4:21-24)What mean these stones? It's a question meant to spark remembrance, to keep alive the testimony of God's faithfulness for the next generation.Those lava rock ruins out in that frozen field don't tell me about Israel crossing Jordan, but they do remind me that every believer has stones of remembrance in their own life. Moments when God showed up. Times when He made a way. Seasons when His faithfulness held you together when everything else was falling apart.Don't let those memories crumble into forgotten ruins. Rehearse them. Tell them to your children. Speak them to yourself when doubt creeps in. Let the stones testify: God was faithful then. He is faithful now. He will be faithful tomorrow."Hitherto hath the LORD helped us."(1 Samuel 7:12)Prayer: Lord, help me remember Your faithfulness. Let my life be a testimony to the next generation that You are mighty to save and faithful to keep. Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Send us a textIn Joshua 4, God commands His people to stop, look back, and remember. Twelve stones are taken from the Jordan River, not as decoration, but as a declaration. A visible reminder of God's faithfulness meant to be passed down from one generation to the next.In this episode of The Pursuit of Manliness, we explore The Value of Remembering and why remembering is not weakness or nostalgia, but strength. Biblical masculinity is rooted in men who don't forget what God has done, who mark the moments of deliverance, and who lead their families and communities by telling the story of God's work.We'll talk about:Why God calls men to remember His faithfulnessHow forgetting leads to fear, pride, and spiritual driftThe role of memorials in shaping godly leadershipHow men today can build intentional reminders of God's work in their livesLearn more about The Pursuit of Manliness: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/ Join The Herd:  https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/join-the-herd Build your own local Tribe with Tribe Builder: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/tribe-builderRegister for our 2026 Fall Men's Retreat: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/2026-mens-retreatSupport the show

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260122dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 The Lamb Who Died for All When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what does it mean that he took away the sin “of the world”? The beginning of the Bible tells us how God created the entire human race through one man, Adam. All eight billion of us, spread around the world, are descended from him—all the way to the last baby born just before Christ returns on the Last Day. Unfortunately, just as Adam has passed down his human genes to us, we also inherit our sinful nature from him. We see evidence of that sin everywhere we look—including within ourselves. The Bible says that “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). But Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Not only the sin of some or just a few, but every single descendant of Adam and Eve. The prophet Isaiah foretold what Jesus would do: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Note that all have sinned, and the sins of all have been laid on Christ. God’s Word is clear about the extent of Jesus’ work: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2). That includes you, of course! Your sins were also placed on Jesus as he suffered for all. Whoever you are, however insignificant in the eyes of the world, lost among the masses of humanity, you, too, are loved by God and redeemed by the blood of his Son. Prayer: Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world—including my own. Have mercy on me! Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260122dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 The Lamb Who Died for All When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what does it mean that he took away the sin “of the world”? The beginning of the Bible tells us how God created the entire human race through one man, Adam. All eight billion of us, spread around the world, are descended from him—all the way to the last baby born just before Christ returns on the Last Day. Unfortunately, just as Adam has passed down his human genes to us, we also inherit our sinful nature from him. We see evidence of that sin everywhere we look—including within ourselves. The Bible says that “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). But Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Not only the sin of some or just a few, but every single descendant of Adam and Eve. The prophet Isaiah foretold what Jesus would do: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Note that all have sinned, and the sins of all have been laid on Christ. God’s Word is clear about the extent of Jesus’ work: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2). That includes you, of course! Your sins were also placed on Jesus as he suffered for all. Whoever you are, however insignificant in the eyes of the world, lost among the masses of humanity, you, too, are loved by God and redeemed by the blood of his Son. Prayer: Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world—including my own. Have mercy on me! Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260121dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 The Lamb of God Takes Away Our Sins When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what does it mean that he “takes away our sin”? Sin is defined in various ways throughout the Bible. It is rebellion against God; it is failing to live up to God’s law of perfect love; it is every thought, word, and action that does not flow from a right relationship with our Creator. Sin’s corruption permeates every part of our lives. Not only does sin lead to needless pain and cause countless problems in every personal relationship, but it also separates us from the holy God who made us and who will be our judge. Finally, the wages of sin is death. As one preacher of the gospel, Martin Luther, said, there are only two places where sin can be: on the sinner or on Christ. Either we carry the weight of our disobedience ourselves and accept its consequences of eternal separation from God, or we rejoice in God's work of placing our sin—all our sin—squarely on Jesus, the Lamb of God. This is the heart of the gospel, the good news of what Christ came to accomplish for us. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). The result for those who turn to Jesus in faith is that God no longer treats us as our sins deserve. Although our corrupted nature still leads us to act contrary to his word, sin does not factor into how God sees us. Instead, he assures us that, in Christ, we have been forgiven. He gives us strength to live for him and joy in the knowledge that we are his dearly loved children through faith in Jesus. Prayer: Lamb of God, you took away the sin of the world. Thank you for your mercy! Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260121dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 The Lamb of God Takes Away Our Sins When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what does it mean that he “takes away our sin”? Sin is defined in various ways throughout the Bible. It is rebellion against God; it is failing to live up to God’s law of perfect love; it is every thought, word, and action that does not flow from a right relationship with our Creator. Sin’s corruption permeates every part of our lives. Not only does sin lead to needless pain and cause countless problems in every personal relationship, but it also separates us from the holy God who made us and who will be our judge. Finally, the wages of sin is death. As one preacher of the gospel, Martin Luther, said, there are only two places where sin can be: on the sinner or on Christ. Either we carry the weight of our disobedience ourselves and accept its consequences of eternal separation from God, or we rejoice in God's work of placing our sin—all our sin—squarely on Jesus, the Lamb of God. This is the heart of the gospel, the good news of what Christ came to accomplish for us. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). The result for those who turn to Jesus in faith is that God no longer treats us as our sins deserve. Although our corrupted nature still leads us to act contrary to his word, sin does not factor into how God sees us. Instead, he assures us that, in Christ, we have been forgiven. He gives us strength to live for him and joy in the knowledge that we are his dearly loved children through faith in Jesus. Prayer: Lamb of God, you took away the sin of the world. Thank you for your mercy! Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us a textWhat does it look like for a man to step forward when the path ahead feels uncertain?In Joshua 3, Israel stands at the edge of the Jordan River—promised land in sight, but no bridge to get there. God calls the priests to step into the water first, trusting Him before the way is made clear. It's a powerful picture of biblical manhood: faith that moves, obedience that costs, and leadership that goes first.In this episode of The Pursuit of Manliness, we walk through Joshua 3 and challenge men to consider where God may be calling them to step out in faith at home, in their work, in their walk with Christ, and in their leadership of others. We'll talk about courage, obedience, and what it means to trust God when the waters haven't parted yet.Learn more about The Pursuit of Manliness: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/ Join The Herd:  https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/join-the-herd Build your own local Tribe with Tribe Builder: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/tribe-builderRegister for our 2026 Fall Men's Retreat: https://www.thepursuitofmanliness.com/gear/p/2026-mens-retreatSupport the show

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260120dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10 The Lamb of God Is God Himself When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But in what way was Jesus the “Lamb of God”? First, Jesus was a sacrifice for sin that only God himself could offer. All the lambs and other animal sacrifices brought to the temple by Jewish believers would never be enough to reconcile sinners to a holy God. Rather, they served to prepare the people for the one Lamb sent by God who alone could make full payment for our sins. This is possible because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was not only sent by God, he is God. The Bible tells us that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” So, when Mary gave birth to her firstborn son in Bethlehem, we can say that God in all his fullness was laid to rest in the manger. And when that child grew into a man, it was God in all his fullness who was hung on the cross to die. What does that mean for you and me? There can be no doubt that the payment made on our behalf was sufficient—more than sufficient—to cancel our debt with God. The blood that was shed for us was divine and holy blood. The very God that we have offended is the One who came to redeem us to himself, and, in Jesus, his work of redemption is complete. God and man have been fully reconciled through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was both fully God and fully man. Resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven, he continues to intercede for us before the Father. Our salvation has been brought to fullness. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal Son of God and yet you came to die in my place. Because of your holy life and innocent death, my sins have been forgiven and my debt with God has been paid in full. May this truth bring me comfort and peace, as I trust in you, my perfect Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260120dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10 The Lamb of God Is God Himself When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But in what way was Jesus the “Lamb of God”? First, Jesus was a sacrifice for sin that only God himself could offer. All the lambs and other animal sacrifices brought to the temple by Jewish believers would never be enough to reconcile sinners to a holy God. Rather, they served to prepare the people for the one Lamb sent by God who alone could make full payment for our sins. This is possible because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was not only sent by God, he is God. The Bible tells us that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” So, when Mary gave birth to her firstborn son in Bethlehem, we can say that God in all his fullness was laid to rest in the manger. And when that child grew into a man, it was God in all his fullness who was hung on the cross to die. What does that mean for you and me? There can be no doubt that the payment made on our behalf was sufficient—more than sufficient—to cancel our debt with God. The blood that was shed for us was divine and holy blood. The very God that we have offended is the One who came to redeem us to himself, and, in Jesus, his work of redemption is complete. God and man have been fully reconciled through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was both fully God and fully man. Resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven, he continues to intercede for us before the Father. Our salvation has been brought to fullness. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal Son of God and yet you came to die in my place. Because of your holy life and innocent death, my sins have been forgiven and my debt with God has been paid in full. May this truth bring me comfort and peace, as I trust in you, my perfect Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

SummaryIn this episode of "Echoes Through Eternity," Dr. Jeffrey D. Skinner delves into the often-overlooked dangers of personality-driven church planting. He highlights how the focus on a pastor's charisma can unintentionally shift Jesus to the background, leading to a church culture that prioritizes metrics and visibility over genuine spiritual growth. Drawing on insights from various thought leaders, including Henri Nouwen and Francis Chan, Dr. Skinner emphasizes the importance of maintaining a Christ-centered approach in worship and ministry, warning against the seductive nature of success that can lead to spiritual complacency.Dr. Skinner also discusses the pressures faced by church planters in today's digital age, where constant notifications and social media can distract from the core mission of discipleship. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own practices and the health of their church communities, urging them to prioritize worship that forms rather than merely inspires. The episode concludes with a call to lead humbly, plant carefully, and keep Jesus at the forefront of ministry efforts, ensuring that the church remains a true reflection of Christ's teachings.Takeaways'The most dangerous churches are not the ones that fail.''Worship does not exist to inspire you. It exists to reorder you.''If the church can't function without you, that is not a compliment.''You cannot rest without checking numbers.''Saying no is a form of faithfulness.'Key Resources from this epsiode.• Eugene PetersonPeterson gives language for longevity over visibility.He names the danger of speed, success, and celebrity in ministry long before social media existed.He reinforces your central warning without sounding reactive.Books to reference (essential)• A Long Obedience in the Same DirectionThis book is a direct antidote to personality-driven planting.It frames discipleship as faithfulness over time, not momentary impact.It fits perfectly with your theme of resisting urgency and re-centering on Christ.• Shawna Songer GainesPrimary voice for the episode's theological frame.Her line—“What is essential is never demanding”—is the backbone.She supplies the foreground vs background image, the Jordan River moment, and Christ-centered worship as re-centering.• Jay Y. KimNames the digital attention problem clearly.Gives language for the inward gaze and how technology disciples us.Helps you connect culture, formation, and ministry drift.church planting, personality-driven ministry, Christ-centered worship, spiritual growth, Henri Nouwen, Francis Chan, digital distractions, church health, discipleship, ministry challenges.Francis ChanServes as the cautionary example.Models humility, confession, and courage to step away.Illustrates how success can still be spiritually dangerous.• Henri NouwenQuoted directly from In the Name of Jesus.You accurately reference his warning about the temptations of relevance, popularity, and power.• Neil Postman-Amusing Ourselves to DeathReferenced for cultural critique.You quote Amusing Ourselves to Death accurately and apply it to digital formation.•

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260119dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 Jesus Is the Lamb of God John the Baptist was appointed by God to point people to their Savior Jesus. When John saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But in what way was Jesus a lamb? For nearly fifteen hundred years before this, Jewish believers had been commemorating the Passover Festival with a special meal featuring the meat of a lamb. In this way, they never forgot how God rescued them from slavery in a foreign land. While the angel of death had passed from house to house throughout Egypt, he passed over the homes of all who trusted God’s promise by painting their door frames with the blood of a lamb. Years later, the prophet Isaiah compared the coming Messiah to a lamb who quietly and without complaint allowed himself to be a sacrifice for others. He wrote, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). These and many other prophecies from the Old Testament help us understand why John later called Jesus “the Lamb of God.” He was sent to be our substitute, sacrificed in our place. As innocent as a young lamb looks, Jesus was even more pure at heart. The Passover lambs did not complain as they were led to be killed, partly because they did not understand what would happen to them and could not have done anything to protect themselves, even if they had known. But Jesus knew very well how he would suffer and die—and he had all the power of the Son of God to prevent it, yet he quietly and humbly accepted all of it. As the innocent Lamb of God, he came to stand between us and the punishment we deserved. Because of Jesus' sacrifice in our place, nothing stands between us and peace with God. Prayer: Jesus, Lamb of God, you came to take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on me. You willingly came to be my substitute, and with your death you became my Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260119dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 Jesus Is the Lamb of God John the Baptist was appointed by God to point people to their Savior Jesus. When John saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But in what way was Jesus a lamb? For nearly fifteen hundred years before this, Jewish believers had been commemorating the Passover Festival with a special meal featuring the meat of a lamb. In this way, they never forgot how God rescued them from slavery in a foreign land. While the angel of death had passed from house to house throughout Egypt, he passed over the homes of all who trusted God’s promise by painting their door frames with the blood of a lamb. Years later, the prophet Isaiah compared the coming Messiah to a lamb who quietly and without complaint allowed himself to be a sacrifice for others. He wrote, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). These and many other prophecies from the Old Testament help us understand why John later called Jesus “the Lamb of God.” He was sent to be our substitute, sacrificed in our place. As innocent as a young lamb looks, Jesus was even more pure at heart. The Passover lambs did not complain as they were led to be killed, partly because they did not understand what would happen to them and could not have done anything to protect themselves, even if they had known. But Jesus knew very well how he would suffer and die—and he had all the power of the Son of God to prevent it, yet he quietly and humbly accepted all of it. As the innocent Lamb of God, he came to stand between us and the punishment we deserved. Because of Jesus' sacrifice in our place, nothing stands between us and peace with God. Prayer: Jesus, Lamb of God, you came to take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on me. You willingly came to be my substitute, and with your death you became my Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Joshua 3 | January 18, 2026 | Pastor Todd SmithThe Israelites faced an impossible obstacle: the raging Jordan River at flood stage. Yet, in Joshua 3, God commanded them to cross, not by their strength, but by following His presence. This ancient story reveals a timeless truth about navigating life's daunting challenges. Discover how focusing on the Lord, sanctifying your life, and embracing moments of stillness can empower you to live a life of trust and obedience, even when you stand at the brink. Learn to recognize God's hand in your journey and find the courage to follow where He leads.To find out more about Crossroads Community Church or to connect with us, visit the following links:→ lifeatcrossroads.org→ facebook.com/lifeatcrossroadsTo give online: lifeatcrossroads.org/giveonline.CCLI License: 2915685CCS WorshipCast License: 9466GRANT OF LICENSE. Crossroads Community Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.Colossians 2:1-5 | September 28, 2025 | Pastor Todd SmithIn this powerful exploration of Colossians 2:1-5, we're challenged to develop courageous hearts and convictional minds in our faith journey. The apostle Paul's struggle and agony for believers he's never met reminds us of the depth of Christian love and the importance of spiritual encouragement. We're called to be 'knit together in love,' forming a tight-knit community that stands firm against false teachings and plausible arguments that threaten to lead us astray. The message emphasizes that all wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, urging us to seek Him above all else. This passage invites us to reflect on our own convictions about Jesus and how firmly we're willing to stand for truth in a world full of deceptive ideologies. Are we ready to live for Christ, not just in moments of crisis, but in our everyday lives? This teaching challenges us to step into the arena of faith with courage, conviction, and clarity, reminding us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces that seek to undermine our faith.To find out more about Crossroads Community Church or to connect with us, visit the following links:→ lifeatcrossroads.org→ facebook.com/lifeatcrossroadsTo give online: lifeatcrossroads.org/giveonline.CCLI License: 2915685CCS WorshipCast License: 9466GRANT OF LICENSE. Crossroads Community Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.

Joshua 3 | January 18, 2026 | Pastor Todd SmithThe Israelites faced an impossible obstacle: the raging Jordan River at flood stage. Yet, in Joshua 3, God commanded them to cross, not by their strength, but by following His presence. This ancient story reveals a timeless truth about navigating life's daunting challenges. Discover how focusing on the Lord, sanctifying your life, and embracing moments of stillness can empower you to live a life of trust and obedience, even when you stand at the brink. Learn to recognize God's hand in your journey and find the courage to follow where He leads.To find out more about Crossroads Community Church or to connect with us, visit the following links:→ lifeatcrossroads.org→ facebook.com/lifeatcrossroadsTo give online: lifeatcrossroads.org/giveonline.CCLI License: 2915685CCS WorshipCast License: 9466GRANT OF LICENSE. Crossroads Community Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.Colossians 2:1-5 | September 28, 2025 | Pastor Todd SmithIn this powerful exploration of Colossians 2:1-5, we're challenged to develop courageous hearts and convictional minds in our faith journey. The apostle Paul's struggle and agony for believers he's never met reminds us of the depth of Christian love and the importance of spiritual encouragement. We're called to be 'knit together in love,' forming a tight-knit community that stands firm against false teachings and plausible arguments that threaten to lead us astray. The message emphasizes that all wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, urging us to seek Him above all else. This passage invites us to reflect on our own convictions about Jesus and how firmly we're willing to stand for truth in a world full of deceptive ideologies. Are we ready to live for Christ, not just in moments of crisis, but in our everyday lives? This teaching challenges us to step into the arena of faith with courage, conviction, and clarity, reminding us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces that seek to undermine our faith.To find out more about Crossroads Community Church or to connect with us, visit the following links:→ lifeatcrossroads.org→ facebook.com/lifeatcrossroadsTo give online: lifeatcrossroads.org/giveonline.CCLI License: 2915685CCS WorshipCast License: 9466GRANT OF LICENSE. Crossroads Community Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.

You may be one decision away from a completely different life. What if the breakthrough you are waiting for is actually waiting for your consecration? The Israelites had to step into flood waters before God parted the Jordan River. What raging river in your life requires a step of faith today? Join Pastor Kevin McGlamery as he begins the new series "All In" with the message "Get Ready for Amazing Things".

A new leader is established for Israel and they stand on the precipice of entering the Promised Land. Before that happens, they have to do a few things. On this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start in the book of Joshua and learn about Jericho, two spies and a prostitute. Then we see the nation of Israel finally cross the Jordan as the next generation does what their parents refused to do. 

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260112dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1 He Brings Justice “That’s not fair!” How many times do thoughts like that cross our minds? We object when watching the big game and the referee makes an unfair call. We see injustices in the world that are not so trivial, and we wonder, “Isn’t anyone going to do something about this?” We see things people do and say to each other. They hate, and they hurt. We want justice. We long for things to be right. We long for someone to make things right. Time and again, we have been let down by empty promises of those who vow to do what is right. We’ve looked to flawed humans as though they and their policies could make this world right and bring justice that would last. Only one person can do that, the one Isaiah pointed to. People in Isaiah’s day longed for justice. Leaders had let them down. Those who were supposed to serve and help were serving themselves. Those who were supposed to care for people’s souls cared only about themselves. But the Lord’s Servant would be different. Isaiah’s prophecy about the Lord’s Servant points to Jesus, the Lord himself. About 700 years after Isaiah’s word, Jesus would stand on the banks of the Jordan River and be revealed as the one who would bring perfect justice, who would right all that is wrong in the world. Normally, when we demand justice, it’s for others who have done wrong. However, we must admit that we, too, have been in the wrong. We deserved God's just punishment. But Jesus brings justice in a very gracious way. Jesus rights all the wrongs of the world, and our wrongs too. He did that by always doing what was right as our perfect substitute and Savior. He fulfilled perfect justice by suffering under God’s just punishment on the cross to spare us from that wrath. In Christ, we are justified, that is declared not guilty. This is who Jesus is and what he has done! Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I see injustice in the world may I look to you as the answer. As I also recognize the wrongs that I have done, may I look to you as the answer. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Read OnlineJesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:15–17Today, as we enter into Ordinary Time, we hear Jesus' first proclamation of the Gospel as recorded by Mark: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Those words rang true as Jesus began His public ministry, and they ring true for us today.Imagine the scene. The Eternal Son of God took on flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He grew up in Nazareth with His parents and learned the trade of carpentry from Joseph. At the age of thirty, He was baptized by John in the Jordan River and spent forty days in the desert—fasting, praying, and overcoming the devil's temptations. Afterward, He traveled to the Sea of Galilee and began His public ministry.Though every moment of Jesus' life was sacred, the first words of His public ministry stand out. The long-awaited “time of fulfillment” had arrived, and He began to proclaim, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” All that had been planned from the foundation of the world and all that was revealed in the Old Testament pointed to that moment. All of God's promises were about to be fulfilled.It would be fascinating to go back in time to that moment, knowing everything we know now about Jesus' life and mission, and observe the humble beginnings of the most important activity ever to take place. The ordinary people whom He called and prepared for such an extraordinary task are exceptionally inspiring. The many people who walked by Jesus, not knowing Who He was, magnify Jesus' humility. He hid His glory, relying on the power of His preaching and the workings of grace in the hearts of His disciples—and He continues to do so today.Though we cannot travel back to that historical moment, we should understand that it is a moment that transcends time. Just as Jesus spoke those words long ago at the Sea of Galilee, He speaks them anew today. He says to you, “Today is the time of fulfillment for you!” “Today” is the present moment every day of our lives.We often miss Jesus' proclamation to us because we fail to recognize the extraordinary significance of the Word of God and the immediacy of God's call to repentance. We must respond to that call in the same way that the first Apostles did. Jesus first encounters Peter and Andrew as they are fishing and says, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men,” and they follow. He then calls James and John, who also follow. They do not hesitate. Though Jesus had performed no miracles yet, He had no followers, and was unknown, these men knew they had to follow Jesus. They did so, leaving everything else behind.Reflect today on the very beginning of Jesus' ministry. Like the Apostles, do you make an immediate and complete response to Jesus every time He calls within every moment of your day? What “nets” in your life hold you back from following Him completely? Are there attachments, comforts, or distractions that hinder your response? Do you spend time with the Word of God and in prayer, listening for His proclamation to you to repent and believe in the Gospel? Just as He spoke to Peter, Andrew, James, and John, Jesus speaks to you today: “Come after me.” Do not hesitate to follow where He leads. Do not let this moment pass by—for He is calling you now.My divine Lord, as You began Your public ministry, the full radiance of Your glory was hidden from the eyes of the people of Galilee. Yet as You spoke, Your words resonated in the minds and hearts of those who listened with faith. Draw me now, and in every moment of my life, into this ongoing time of fulfillment. As You call me to repentance and faith, give me the strength to respond fully and without hesitation. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.Image: Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.