Podcasts about life in christ

A tree goes through a torturous process to become fine furniture. There’s the felling and the debarking and the cutting and the planing and the sanding and the drilling and the glueing and the pounding. But the final product can serve people for generations. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see how the challenges we face in life may not be pleasant—in fact may seem down right torturous—but the Lord uses those to shape us into the people He wants us to be. Join us on August 16 for the annual Jesus Revolution Baptism, a celebration of new life in Christ at Pirate’s Cove with Pastor Greg Laurie! --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As many Bible students know, the book of Psalms is a collection of songs. It’s a spiritual songbook, primarily written by David. He was called the sweet psalmist of Israel. They’re rich in captivating imagery and candid confessions to the Lord. They offer great comfort and reassurance. And Pastor Greg Laurie is currently presenting a new series in Psalms here on A NEW BEGINNING. Today, we’ll draw some fresh hope from words we’ve read many times before. Join us on August 16 for the annual Jesus Revolution Baptism, a celebration of new life in Christ at Pirate’s Cove with Pastor Greg Laurie! --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As many Bible students know, the book of Psalms is a collection of songs. It’s a spiritual songbook, primarily written by David. He was called the sweet psalmist of Israel. They’re rich in captivating imagery and candid confessions to the Lord. They offer great comfort and reassurance. And Pastor Greg Laurie is currently presenting a new series in Psalms here on A NEW BEGINNING. Today, we’ll draw some fresh hope from words we’ve read many times before. Join us on August 16 for the annual Jesus Revolution Baptism, a celebration of new life in Christ at Pirate’s Cove with Pastor Greg Laurie! --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the average home, you’ll find four Bibles. Or more accurately, in some homes there are four Bibles there but good luck finding them. What a shame because the Bible leads us to joy . . . it can keep us from sinning . . . it’s full of free counseling . . . it offers hope and freedom . . . and comforts us in affliction. Hopefully you can grab one of your four Bibles as Pastor Greg Laurie leads our study of the Psalms today on A NEW BEGINNING. And for a repeat of today’s study, go to harvest.org. Join us on August 16 for the annual Jesus Revolution Baptism, a celebration of new life in Christ at Pirate’s Cove with Pastor Greg Laurie! --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the average home, you’ll find four Bibles. Or more accurately, in some homes there are four Bibles there but good luck finding them. What a shame because the Bible leads us to joy . . . it can keep us from sinning . . . it’s full of free counseling . . . it offers hope and freedom . . . and comforts us in affliction. Hopefully you can grab one of your four Bibles as Pastor Greg Laurie leads our study of the Psalms today on A NEW BEGINNING. And for a repeat of today’s study, go to harvest.org. Join us on August 16 for the annual Jesus Revolution Baptism, a celebration of new life in Christ at Pirate’s Cove with Pastor Greg Laurie! --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asaph knows that God is good to His people, and yet the prosperity of the wicked almost leads him to stumble from the faith. Even as he recognizes the wickedness of the arrogant, he sees that their riches increase, and he wonders if faith in the LORD is worth it. He holds his tongue from leading others astray and turns instead to the LORD's saving presence in His sanctuary. There, he recalls that the wicked do not have the only thing that lasts: eternal life in Christ. Because God is the heritage that belongs to all the faithful, we can confidently confess with Asaph that the LORD Himself is our very portion forever.  Rev. Tom Eckstein, pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 73.  To learn more about Concordia Lutheran, visit www.concordiajt.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

In this powerful sermon, guest speaker Sean Samuelu shares his journey from serving as an English-speaking pastor at a Korean Presbyterian church to planting Remedy Chapel in Fresno, across from Fresno City College. He expresses deep gratitude for the mentorship of Pastor Karl and the church's generous support, which has impacted lives both locally and globally. Diving into Psalm 107, Sean explores four groups of people—those who wander, sit in darkness, live in foolishness, and face storms—highlighting God's unfailing love that heals, saves, and delivers. Through personal anecdotes and scripture, he underscores the transformative power of Jesus, encouraging believers to reflect on God's goodness and inviting others to consider the hope found in Christ.Watch all our sermons on our YouTube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

In this inspiring episode of The Conquer Addiction Podcast, listeners are invited to discover the transformative power of finding new identity in Christ, especially in the journey of overcoming addiction. With real-life stories and a deep dive into biblical truths—particularly 2 Corinthians 5:17—this episode offers hope, practical spiritual insight, and encouragement for anyone wrestling with addiction or supporting a loved one through it. Special highlights include details about the upcoming CURE Conference in Bangor, Maine, plus an exploration of why lasting change comes not just from breaking habits but from embracing a completely new life in Christ. Whether attending the conference in person, tuning in online, or revisiting powerful past episodes, listeners will find both spiritual guidance and actionable steps to walk in freedom and share that hope with others.   Website: https://omainc.org Email: OMADirector2017@gmail.com or priorityev@mac.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/165704310121828/ Website: https://priorityev.info Instagram: instagram.com/bro_ken   Outreach Ministries of Alabama, Inc., PO Box 98 Valhermoso Springs, AL  35775 Phone:   256-778-8096

In our series Summer In The Psalms, Eugene Fidell walks through Psalms 133–134, reminding us that God blesses His people when they live in unity. We also celebrated baptisms as a sign of new life in Christ.

John 6:57-58 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever." It is obvious in Jesus' conversation with the crowd who sought Him because He had miraculously fed them that the message was that He was the true life-giving bread sent from God. In these verses, Jesus repeats the theme that began with the miracle. Jesus is the living bread sent from God. Notice Jesus emphasized the quality of life four times: the living Father, I live, the one who eats Me will live, and live forever. Would you celebrate life in Christ with me today? Look at what Jesus said. He lives because the Father lives, and the one who eats or abides in Jesus lives because He lives. Let's connect it and rejoice. We live because Jesus lives, and Jesus lives because the Father lives. Believing that Jesus was sent by the Father unites us with both the Father and the Son, which is the work of the Holy Spirit, who the Apostle Paul called, the Spirit of Life in Christ (Rom. 8:2). The Spirit of Life in Christ sets us free from the law of sin and of death. Listen to how Paul echoes Jesus' declaration that the one who eats His flesh has life forever. Romans 8:9-14. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Let me state the highlights I want to spotlight. The spirit is alive. Give life to your mortal bodies. Not live according to the flesh. Putting to death the deeds of the fleshly body, you will live. These are the sons of God! Do you get it? The bread that the fathers ate and died was the bread of the flesh. It was earthly. Our flesh is sinful. His flesh was righteous. The bread that came down from heaven, Jesus Christ, is the bread of life, and those who eat of His flesh live forever. The sons and daughters of God live by the Spirit, out of the life of Jesus, whom God sent to not only die for us, but to live for us. To live to love with Jesus happens as we abide in Him, which is to eat of His flesh. That's living life to the fullest for the glory of God. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

What is baptism really all about? Water baptism is a way of going public with your faith—an outward sign of the inner change Jesus has made in your life. When you're baptized, you're saying, “I belong to Him.” It doesn't save you, but it boldly shows you're all in—living a new life in Christ and identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection.

What is baptism really all about? Water baptism is a way of going public with your faith—an outward sign of the inner change Jesus has made in your life. When you're baptized, you're saying, “I belong to Him.” It doesn't save you, but it boldly shows you're all in—living a new life in Christ and identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection.

Jesus's question at the Pool of Bethesda, 'Do you want to get well?' challenges us to consider what true healing requires. Wellness demands recognizing our powerlessness, identifying harmful patterns, abandoning false sources of hope, and sometimes changing relationships. The path forward involves responding in faith, replacing old habits with new ones, repeating truth instead of lies, and demonstrating genuine repentance. True healing isn't just physical—it's a complete transformation that may require leaving behind our old identity to embrace a new life in Christ. The miracle of wellness begins when we honestly answer whether we're ready for the cost and commitment of a completely new life.

This week we faced a hard but holy truth: death is coming for all of us—but it doesn't have to cancel out our purpose.

In this message, Dale explores the spiritual practice of prayer. We discover that a flourishing life in Christ is deeply rooted in ongoing, honest conversation with God. As we seek to grow spiritually, we're reminded that prayer isn't just a routine—it's the lifeline of a thriving, Spirit-filled faith.Message: Flourish Through PrayerSeries: FLOURISHSpeaker: Dale McCamish (Senior Minister)Date: 7-27-2025Find out how you can connect or partner with us: wcconline.org/connectFollow us on social media: @wcconlinechurch

What is baptism really all about? Water baptism is a way of going public with your faith—an outward sign of the inner change Jesus has made in your life. When you're baptized, you're saying, “I belong to Him.” It doesn't save you, but it boldly shows you're all in—living a new life in Christ and identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection.

What is baptism really all about? Water baptism is a way of going public with your faith—an outward sign of the inner change Jesus has made in your life. When you're baptized, you're saying, “I belong to Him.” It doesn't save you, but it boldly shows you're all in—living a new life in Christ and identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection.

Restoring Lost Values | Week 5: Integrity - The Way to Be Made Whole // Ryland Walter // In a world filled with pressure and brokenness, many of us have become desensitized to the erosion of our culture. Yet, there is hope in Christ, our Redeemer, who offers us restoration and a return to true character and godly values. Join us for this series as we explore the crucial task of restoring lost values in our lives and communities. As we navigate the changing landscape around us, let's rediscover the timeless principles that guide us, dust off what's been neglected, and actively participate in bringing back what is essential for a flourishing life in Christ.

Please turn to the last chapter of 2 Corinthians. Chapter 13. Our sermon text is verses 1-10. You can find that on page 1153. Last week, the apostle Paul reminded the church of his fatherly love for them. Paul was their earthly spiritual father. And as their spiritual father, he warned them about their sin. Those who had wandered from the truth and godly living needed to return to the Lord. And they needed to do that before Paul's third visit. In the last paragraph in chapter 12, Paul expressed his fear that the Corinthians would not repent. That brings us to chapter 13. In our verses this morning, Paul warns them about what will happen if his fears come true. He will need to discipline them. Reading of 2 Corinthians 13:1-10. Prayer Just last month, Lifeway research published a study on church discipline. They found that many churches have discipline policies but rarely are their policies put into practice. Four out of five churches have discipline policies, but only one in seven have recently put those policies into practice. It's not surprising. Discipline is not fun. Parents know that. Children know that. And when something difficult happens in the church as a result of someone's behavior or belief our natural tendency is to avoid the issue, or we hope that the person who committed the offense will move on. Hard conversation and actions are difficult. However, those difficult church discipline conversations and actions are the most loving thing that can be done. It's loving for the sake of their souls, for the sake of any victim of their sin, and for the peace and purity of the church. In short, church discipline matters. Now you may have two questions in your mind. #1 – what exactly is church discipline. And #2 – how does it relate to this text in 2 Corinthians 13. Those are excellent questions. My goal today is to answer them. In fact, the sermon outline lists several questions. Not just the what, but also the why and the how and the who. We'll spend our time going through them, and I hope by the end you will not only have a picture of church discipline's importance, but will also see its loving purpose in your life and our church. 1: What is church discipline and what is it not? Question #1: What is church discipline and what is it not? That's a great place to start and I found a good definition from another pastor. He put it this way:  “Church discipline is the process by which the church confronts sin in the life of a believer and seeks to bring about repentance, restoration, and reconciliation.” Let me say that again. “Church discipline is the process by which the church confronts sin in the life of a believer and seeks to bring about repentance, restoration, and reconciliation.” We're going to see that worked out in these verses. In fact, I believe, these verses, 2 Corinthians 13:1-10 are the most helpful passage in the Bible on church discipline. That's a bold statement. We read another helpful passage earlier from Matthew 18. It's considered by most to be the foremost directive for church discipline. In that passages, Jesus talks about when a brother in Christ sins against you, that you should first go to him. If he doesn't listen, bring someone with you. And if he still doesn't listen, Jesus says, bring the matter to the church. It's very helpful. We're told how to deal with sin when we are sinned against. And the church has some level of responsibility to adjudicate. But the question is this, what does it look like for the church to handle such situations? And this is where 2 Corinthians 13 helps. It gives us an example which includes the warning of discipline, the lead up to discipline, the basis of discipline, and its purpose. The reason that this text is about church discipline is found right there in the middle of verse 1. Take a look at it. Paul writes, “Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” Remember again from last week, Paul had just warned them about the consequences of unrepentance, and here he used the language of judgment. That requirement of 2-3 witnesses goes back to the Old Testament laws regarding crimes and offenses. So, in other words, the warning in chapter 12 could lead to the legal action described in chapter 13, depending on whether the sin is proven. So, even though the word “discipline” is not used, these are matters involving the judgement of sin. And that is the heart of church discipline. It's judging and confronting serious sin in a believer's life in order to bring peace and purity to the church. Alright, let's consider some examples. That's always helpful. First, let's go to Corinth. As you know, we've spent the last 7 months working through this letter. And one of the things we've seen over and over is how the false apostles taught a false Gospel and were making false accusations against Paul. Those were serious matters. And add to that, at the end of chapter 12, Paul lists two other categories of sin that continued to infect the church. One category dealt with the peace of the church – he includes “quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”  Those things will tear the church apart. He then listed sins that affected the purity of the church – he mentions “impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality.” So, false doctrine was being taught, an innocent party was being accused, the unity of the church body was being damaged, and the lifestyle of some in the church was contrary to God's design. Those are serious things. Let me expand that with some concrete examples today. If a pastor constantly berates church staff members or volunteers with a harsh and derogatory tone, and is unrepentant about it or does not change, that pastor needs to be discipline. If a wife or husband breaks the one-flesh union they have with their spouse by committing adultery, that wife or husband has committed a grave sin and needs discipline. If there's case of domestic abuse involving members of a church, the abuser needs discipline and the one being abused needs care. Just to be sure, there are civil laws and civil punishments related to some of these situations. Those need to be worked out through the legal system. In other words, when it comes to church discipline, there are no physical punishments. Again, the civil courts handle that. Rather, when we talk about church discipline, we are specifically talking about spiritual discipline. That means formally confronting sin and seeking repentance and restoration. That may involve requiring someone to abstain from the Lord's Table, or it may involve removal from membership. For the younger children here. Last week, I asked you if you had ever been warned by your parents about consequences. You said or did something that was hurtful to someone else. Maybe you lied about something, and your mom or dad sat you down and warned you. I saw many of you nodding your head, that yes, that happens. Well, have you ever ignored their warning? Did you say or do something you parents warned you not to do? I see some nodding. Maybe you disrespected your mom or you continued to lie about something. Well, what happened? You were punished. Right? Maybe you lost a privilege like screen time or playing with friends, or maybe a spanking, or maybe you had to write an apology letter. All of those different consequences are forms of discipline. You were being disciplined by your parents. And what was the goal of that discipline? Was it to make you mad at your parents? No. It was to help you learn what is good and right and true. It's so that you would learn how to love others and how to be truthful and honest and hardworking. Well, it's a similar thing in this chapter. Turns out, adults need disciple, too. The truth is, we are all selfish. We desire things that are not ours. We commit acts that dishonor God and break the trust and unity in the church. Even though the power and penalty of sin has been removed by Christ, those in him still have the presence of sin, and we all are still on the path of sanctification and renewal. 2. What is the basis of church discipline? So that is generally what church discipline is about. Which brings us to a second question.  Actually, this question is not on the outline – it's a late addition, but it is crucial. What is the basis of church discipline? Church discipline needs to be based on the truth. It needs to pursue truth. This is absolutely critical. It's why these verses begin with the need for 2-3 credible witnesses. It's why Paul sent multiple brothers to Corinth to assess the situation. And look at verse 8. “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” There has to be truthful and credible testimony and evidence. It's really easy to make assumptions and it's really easy for someone to twist or pervert the truth in defense of sin or out of retribution or revenge. The truth is not always clear and that makes it difficult, but credible testimony and witnesses need to be pursued. In other words, church discipline needs to stand for what is true and right and good and it needs to be based on what is true and right and good. Those given charge to care for your souls and care for the church need to pursue the truth with diligence and care. That is really important, so I wanted to include that question. 3. What are its goals? Ok, the next question is also very important. Actually, all of these are very important, but I think this one needs to be front and center. What is the goal of discipline? In a word the goal of spiritual discipline is “restoration.”  Look at verse 9. Second half of the verse. “Your restoration is what we pray for.” Paul desired that those in Corinth who were committing these grievous acts or who held to these unorthodox beliefs be restored. He wanted those who were gossiping and slandering other believers to put an end to the destruction that they were causing. He desired that the church forgive one another and be unified. In fact, he talked about repentance and forgiveness back in chapters 2 and 7. One of Paul's critics had repented from undermining Paul, and the apostle urged the church to restore him. He forgave this man, and so should the church. Verse 10 expands on the goal of restoration. Paul said that his use of authority is for “building up and not tearing down” That's at the end of verse 10. Church discipline is to build up the body of Christ. It's just like how the discipline of a child is for their maturity. The goal of church discipline is always repentance and restoration, which builds up the body of Christ. Now, to be sure, the destruction that some sin causes may not be reparable in this life. Some marriages broken by adultery are not reparable. Or worse, think about murder. It's also devastating. But let me say this, there is no sinful act that God will not forgive for those who come to him with a true repentance…. That is, who come to him with a heart grief for one's sin not just feeling sorry, and seek to turn from it. 4. What precedes discipline? Next question. What should precede discipline? In other words, at what point should a formal church discipline process begin? Part of the answer is found all throughout 1 and 2 Corinthians. Over and over Paul conveyed his love for the church. Over and over he identified sin in their midst that needed to be dealt with. He's been very specific about it. Over and over he has called them to return to faithful living and belief. And over and over Paul warned the church of the consequences. All of that is part of spiritual discipline, but in 2 Corinthians 13, the apostle warns of a formal process involving witnesses and authority and judgment. What I am saying is that that step needs to be the very last step after ample displays of love, ample warnings, and ample opportunities to be restored. Just to be sure, there are situations like abuse where for the sake of the victim, church discipline needs to be accelerated. But even then, it needs to be done carefully, with firm resolve, with a clear warning about the gravity of that sin, and a call to repentance and change. Look at verse 2. “ I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them.” Multiple warnings. In fact, this chapter is not the implementation of discipline. Rather it is a final warning. This is the discipline they will experience if they didn't repent. To sum up this answer: discipline needs to be preceded by patient, loving, clear, and firm warnings about the consequences of sin and the judgment of God. 5. What is the message of discipline? Next, what is the message of discipline? The message of church discipline is a plea for self-examination. Look at verse 5: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” Church discipline should implore the offender to search his heart. The severity of the unrepentant sin may indicate that he not a believer in Christ. In other words, the message of spiritual discipline is the message of the Gospel. It needs to be. The message is that Jesus' death and resurrection defeated sin and death. As Romans 6 asks, “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” If you have been redeemed by Christ, then by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in you, God enables you to repent of that sin and to pursue righteousness. That does not mean that dealing with the vestiges of sin in our lives is easy. No. But it does mean that God gives believers a heart grief of their sin and a desire to turn from it. And we have the help of the church to come along side of us as we seek to walk in the newness of life in Christ. Church discipline is about unrepentant sin and therefore its message is the Gospel. That is why Paul called the Corinthians to examine themselves. The test is whether they are in the faith, as verse 5 puts it. Discipline is a call not just for repentance from a specific sin but it is a call for repentance unto life - true Gospel repentance that sees our utter need for the mercy of God and turns to Jesus by faith as our Savior. This is the message of spiritual discipline. Furthermore, it is why, if the discipline is not heeded, that the one being disciplined should be removed from membership. We call that excommunication. Jesus said, “if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” In other words, treat him as an unbeliever. And let me ask, how do you treat an unbeliever? By loving them and witnessing to them the love of God in Christ… and calling them to faith and repentance. 6. What is the perception? Next, what is the perception of church discipline? Well, the perception is often negative. Sometimes its perceived negatively because it was handled poorly, perhaps by leaders who have no history or understanding of loving servant leadership. However, oftentimes spiritual discipline is handled lovingly and carefully but still considered harsh or as I heard recently, legalistic. In particular, the ones receiving the discipline often react against it. That's what was happening in Corinth. Some turned the tables on Paul. They claimed that he failed the test of faith. That's found twice in here. First in verse 3, they wanted proof that Christ was speaking through Paul because according to the false-apostles, Paul was not an apostle. They questioned his authority. Then in verse 7, Paul says that he prays to God “that you may do right, though we may seem to have failed.” Some had been calling him a failure. In both cases, the call to repentance was met with a counter-attack against Paul. But notice that he received it with grace. He says in verse 9, “For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong.” And that is when he says, “your restoration is what we seek.” In other words, Paul would rather appear weak if it meant that they would be strong in the faith and return to the Lord and to faithfulness in him. Even though the perception of discipline is often negative and often responded to with criticism, it should not deter the church from a loving, thoughtful, and diligent call to faith and repentance. 7. Where does the authority come from? One more question and it's related. Where does the authority for discipline come from? And the answer is that the authority has been given by the Lord, himself. Paul makes that clear in verse 10. To be sure, Paul was specifically speaking about his apostleship. In the establishment of the early church, the apostles were given the initial authority. But the ongoing authority has been given to the shepherds of God's flock. Those are the elders which the Lord establishes in his church. So, the authority comes from the Lord and is given to the church through her elders. And those elders are themselves accountable to the Lord and subject to the same discipline that they oversee. So, the ultimate authority is Christ. But he uses his church to protect his church and to maintain its purity and peace. Conclusion To summarize: 1. What is church discipline? It is the loving and careful process that confronts unrepentant sin, calls for repentance and restoration of the sinners and seeks peace and purity in the church. 2. What should discipline be based on? Discipline cases need to be based on truth and credible witnesses. 3. What are its goals? The restoration of the believer, the building up in maturity unto Christ, and the peace and purity of the church. 4. What should precede discipline? Formal discipline should be undertaken only after many loving and thoughtful attempts to confront sin, except in special cases involving egregious sin. 5. What is the message of discipline? Its message is the message of the Gospel – repent and believe for as verse 4 says, “he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.” The death and resurrection of Christ are at the center of discipline's call and its power to overcome sin. 6. What is the perception of discipline? Even though discipline is often perceived negatively or countered with baseless accusations, it should still be undertaken with humility and care. And 7. Where does the authority come from? The authority for discipline comes from Christ. He is Lord and King of the church and he entrusts that authority to the elders of his church who are called to fulfill that discipline, faithfully. I want to say that if you would like to talk through any of these points in more detail, please reach out to me. I recognize there's a lot here and these are difficult things. Let me leave you with this. May we be a church that seeks purity and peace. And may our elders lovingly and earnestly pursue us if we go astray… and if necessary, with spiritual discipline that points us to the Gospel. And may we as members receive the discipline, return to Christ, and be restored to his body, the church, all under the authority of Christ, our Lord.

Psalm 131 Daily rest by walking within God's boundaries for in: life in Christ

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Tonight's talk is titled, Pentecost: Repentance Required If you have your bibles, lets jump into our key text, turn to Acts 2:38

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this July 23rd episode, your host Hunter invites listeners from around the globe to gather for day 205 of our journey through the Scriptures. Today's readings include 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38 and 39, Psalm 75, and 1 Peter 2. Join Hunter as he reflects on the story of King Hezekiah's illness and miraculous recovery, the lessons hidden within his encounter with Babylonian envoys, and the call from 1 Peter to crave pure spiritual nourishment for lasting transformation. Alongside thoughtful reflections, heartfelt prayers, and encouragement for real life change, Hunter reminds us to find our hope, comfort, and true life in Christ. Whether you're at home or, like Hunter and Heather, camping along the Oregon coast, take these next 20 minutes to open your heart to God's Word—because you are loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Change requires work. Change of appetites, change of habits. Changing the things we turn to instead of turning from. It's going to take some work, and that's going to take some time. You might be sick and tired of your way of doing things. Maybe you're just exhausted with yourself. If so, Peter tells us right here that getting rid of the things you want to change isn't going to be enough. If we just remove it, when the troubles come, when we're stressed out, we're going to go right back to where we've been and do the things we've done before. No, simply stopping what you're doing doesn't bring about the change that you want. It's not just stopping, no. It will also require starting—craving something new. The answer is never just to get rid of the old, to sweep the cupboards of all the junk food. No. You've got to change your diet and begin craving something altogether different: the pure spiritual milk of God's Word. It requires a total change of diet. We must replace it and not just remove it. We need to assume a childlike heart and crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word. The Word is Christ. To draw from Christ our nourishment, our comfort, our life. Peter says become like a baby in that regard: totally dependent upon him. Peter says if we do that, we will begin to experience change—real change from the inside out. So let's do that. Let's continue to show up here each and every day to train our souls, to partake of God's food, his milk, his bread, to be dependent upon him for our very breath. It's not just about getting rid of things. It's about him—finding our life in him, learning something new altogether as we come to him, the source of our true nourishment and life. And that's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation, Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, Heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And our Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.   OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Don't Stop Believing: A Reflection on Hebrews 12 A Sermon by Pastor Richard Sfameni, Lead Pastor at Victory Church in Providence, RI. The Power and Blessing of God's Word The Word of God stands as a timeless, life-changing force. It is not just information, but revelation—a source of power and blessing. For the believer, Scripture isn't just a traditional book; it is the living, inspired guide that shapes faith and anchors hope. The Christian Race: Endurance Over Speed Using the imagery from Hebrews 12, believers are reminded that following Jesus is not a sprint but a marathon. Life in Christ requires perseverance and a willingness to continue through battles, spiritual attacks, and moments of doubt. The encouragement is plain: Don't stop believing. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...” Faith as a Marathon The Christian journey is long and demanding, requiring perseverance, not a short burst of effort. Life brings seasons of spiritual honeymoon and also testing, but through faith, every hardship can be overcome. The Examples of Faith: A “Cloud of Witnesses” Hebrews 12 begins with a reminder that we are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” referring to the faith heroes listed in Hebrews 11. These individuals—Abraham, Moses, Samson, Gideon, and others—demonstrated faith amidst suffering, deprivation, and daunting obstacles. Their stories assure us: If they made it, we can too. Their testimonies cheer us on, encouraging us to keep running and believing despite all circumstances. Believers today have more resources—the full Bible, stories, and testimonies—than those early heroes did, yet the call is the same: keep the faith. Laying Aside Every Weight The Hindrances to Running the Race The passage urges us to “lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles.” Like a runner shedding unnecessary gear, believers must let go of anything holding them back from wholeheartedly following Christ. Practical Weights to Lay Aside: Weight Description Laziness Neglecting spiritual discipline or commitments Lack of Commitment Merely being involved rather than truly devoted Distractions Allowing social media or worldly interests to replace time with God's Word Unforgiveness Holding onto grudges, which hinders spiritual progress Critical Spirit Being harshly judgmental towards others within the faith community Bitterness Allowing wounds to fester into deep resentment   These are not just bad habits, but actual spiritual weights that slow our progress and can keep us from finishing strong. The passage highlights personal responsibility: We must choose to lay these aside. The Sin That So Easily Entangles: Unbelief The passage distinguishes between “weights” (various hindrances) and “the sin”—which, in context, is unbelief. Unbelief is not a minor issue to God; it reflects a lack of trust in His promises and a turning away from His truth. The greatest obstacle to enduring faith is not hardship, but losing faith in the faithfulness of God. “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3) Enduring with Encouragement Like athletes, we don't compete against each other, but run our own race, in our own lane. The victory is not comparison, but completion. The faithful who went before us testify: hardships can be overcome, faith can triumph, and God remains true. Grace to Overcome Lay aside every weight: Make choices that honor God over comfort or distraction. Persevere through unbelief: Trust in God's Word and His purposes, even when you cannot see the end. Closing Encouragement Let these truths settle in your heart: You are not running alone. The “crowd of witnesses” testifies to God's faithfulness through all generations. It's too soon to quit. Don't let weights or unbelief keep you from the victory promised to all who finish. The prize is eternal. While runners in ancient games received crowns that faded, your reward in Christ is everlasting. Stay encouraged. Don't stop believing. Lay aside whatever holds you back, and run with endurance—the Author and Finisher, Jesus, is waiting at the finish line.    

In the face of despair, where do men find hope?This episode dives deep into personal pain, national struggle, and choosing faith when giving up feels easier. A raw, honest call to anchor your life in Christ.#citamchurchonline #ChurchEverydayGet in touch with us:http://www.citam.org/churchonline@citam.org(+254) 784 277 277(+254) 728 221 221

We continue our sermon series looking at Psalm 51 as we look at repentance and the depths of sin. Also, we find new life in Christ which is freely given.Psalm 51:1-17 Sin is the serious defiance of God.Sin firstly is offensive to THE LORD.Sin is extensively devastating. God is so gracious.Exodus 34:6  The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.God's grace is costly to Him, but free to us.Confession leads to restoration.Honestly leads to a re-created heart.Humility leads to re-established joy.

Above All | Colossians 3 | Pastor Steve Garcia What really changes when you start following Jesus? In this powerful and practical message, Lead Pastor Steve Garcia takes us deep into Colossians 3 to explore how new life in Christ calls for a new way of living. If Jesus is truly above all, then our hearts, minds, and behaviors should reflect His rule over our lives. This message isn't just a reminder—it's a call to action to live differently, think differently, and love differently as citizens of Heaven. ✅ If you're tired of drifting, if you're ready to grow, or if you're new to faith—this message is for you.

Dr. Jordan Stone preached on Romans 6:1–14.

Restoring Lost Values | Week 4: Generosity - The Way Out of Indifference // Ryland Walter // In a world filled with pressure and brokenness, many of us have become desensitized to the erosion of our culture. Yet, there is hope in Christ, our Redeemer, who offers us restoration and a return to true character and godly values. Join us for this series as we explore the crucial task of restoring lost values in our lives and communities. As we navigate the changing landscape around us, let's rediscover the timeless principles that guide us, dust off what's been neglected, and actively participate in bringing back what is essential for a flourishing life in Christ.

Sermon by Jonathan Wisdom on July 20, 2025 at New Covenant Church in Anderson, SC. Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 4:1-19 Outline: 1. A new life in Christ (v. 1-7) 2. A new community in Christ (v. 8-11) 3. A new hope in Christ (v. 12-19) www.ncchurch.net

Jesus calls us to more than belief—He calls us to surrender. This message unpacks what it means to pick up your cross, deny yourself, and follow Him. We'll explore the call to total allegiance, the death of earthly desires, and the truth that real self-denial leads not to loss, but to life in Christ.

Hear an incredible testimony from Caitlin Gonzalez‑Mazoni, who shares her journey from deep trauma, abuse, and depression to freedom, healing, and new life in Christ through Celebrate Recovery and the transforming love of Jesus.This message dives into:God's heart to redeem what feels beyond repairHow Jesus fulfills Isaiah 61 and changes us from the inside outA personal story of hope, healing, and surrenderAn invitation to ask: What step is God calling you to take today?If you're carrying wounds, shame, or struggles, know this: God is not finished with you yet.“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” – Isaiah 61:3

A fruitful life begins with the soil of the heart. Pastor Ken Ingold explores what Jesus' farming story reveals about the state of your soul—and why it matters more than you think.

Jesus moves from the feast at Matthew's house to answering questions about fasting. He explains fasting using analogies of clothing repair, wine storage, and weddings. We examine our new life in Christ and fasting from both doctrinal and devotional points of view.

Are you tired of the ups and downs in life? Feeling like your foundation is always shaking? In today's message, we conclude our Journey to Meaning series by focusing on something we all need — STABILITY. ✅ Real friendships ✅ Financial strength ✅ Health and stamina ✅ Purpose-driven living ✅ A solid spiritual foundation Pastor John Eaton brings a timely word about what it means to build your life on the unshakable foundation of God's Kingdom — a life that isn't blown around by circumstances, drama, or empty pursuits. Key Topics Covered in This Message: - Why acquaintances aren't enough — you need true, stable relationships - The danger of investing your life in temporary pleasures - How to commit to the things that truly matter - The power of spiritual maturity and daily discipline - Jesus' call to build your life on the Rock, not the sand (Matt. 7:24-27) From broken beginnings to lasting strength — this message is your invitation to start building a life that lasts. Make today the day you place your "stone marker" and say: From this moment forward, I'm committing to a stable life in Christ.

In Our Race Issues, Pray for One Another and Make a Difference Through Repentance and Reconciliation; Jesus Followers Are Placed Here for These Times MESSAGE SUMMARY: With regards to our race issues, it will not be through political parties, rallies, elections, slogans, or marches that our attitudes and practices are changed or the souls of our nations are converted. The deep change, which we all need, will only be through revival that comes from repentance – turning away from our sin and toward God and his righteous ways in Jesus Christ. As Jesus commanded us in John 5:12: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”. Also, in John 13:34-35, Jesus commanded us: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”. Jesus' “one another” is all inclusive and not just those that look like you and/or of your culture. We do not have just a “skin problem”, we have a “sin problem”. As Dr. Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Church in Dallas Texas recently said: “The evangelical church needs to speak up where it has been silent on injustice and racism. The biggest problem, in the culture today, is the failure of the church. We would not even have a racial crisis in America if the church had not consistently failed to deal with racism as the severe sin it is. But because the church has historically ignored and downplayed it {racial crisis}, the issue still exists. Where the church is called to set an example, we have cowered.”. The Bible makes it unequivocally clear that we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27): “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”.  Any hostility between brothers and sisters in Christ is an affront to God and damages our souls and the “blessed community” so many of us seek. You can start real “racial change” right where you are -- in your own heart first and then in your own relationship with God. At that point, you can then lead the change your own community -- one person at a time; one relationship at a time; and one act a time. You can reach out and build a relationship with someone different than you. However, doing nothing is no longer an option for us. Let us pray for one another about these things and let us get out and make a difference in our local communities. God has placed you and me here for such a time as this.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I can relate to the Israelites in the desert and their desire to return to what is predictable — even if it is miserable. Change is hard. Grant me the courage of Moses to walk the delicate balance of being still and moving on to the new life in Christ that you have for me. In Jesus' name, amen.       Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 72). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Inadequacy. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Abundance. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Genesis 1:27; Revelation 7:1-17; Ephesians 2:19; John.13:35; Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15; Psalms 103:12; Isiah 1:18 WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Prayer for America” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Mac Mullins preaches on roots during his final weekend as pastor in residency. These days, it feels like the foundation of our lives is hanging on by a thread. Safety and security often feel far away. Our gift is our life in Christ and it is eternal. We are firmly and deeply rooted in God. Preaching text: Colossians 2:6-10 

Teaching about God's marvelous, wonderful and incomprehensible grace, Pastor Jack Graham tells us this grace is God's favor beyond measure. And to truly see the grace of God, he teaches we must look to Jesus and the Cross and feel the power of His Resurrection and know that there is life in Christ! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/395/29

John 6:30-31 So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.'” What a shameful testimony of unbelief we have in these verses! They had just experienced one of the most incredible signs of Jesus' ministry. He multiplied 5 loaves of bread and two fish to feed a crowd of probably over 15,000. What more proof did they need to believe Jesus was sent from God? They brought up the comparison of Moses, who gave their fathers manna to eat for forty years, to which Jesus will respond in the following verses. Today, let's ask ourselves if there is this kind of unbelief present in our own hearts. How many times has God shown Himself to be faithful to us in our lives? Countless. Haven't we been tested many times, and God has brought us through every time? Consider when God has given us grace to love people that have been difficult or even hostile. Hasn't God proved Himself over and over, enough so that we should never need another sign before we trust Him with our lives? Shouldn't we believe everything Jesus says as the words of God? That was the question facing this crowd. Do we have good reason to believe what Jesus says about Himself and about the work of God? The answer for them was, “No.” What about us? Although in the previous paragraph I asked about God's faithfulness to us in our lives, the fact is, we have the word of God recorded in our Bibles. That should be enough for us to believe Jesus is the Son of God and the giver of eternal life. Truly, truly, that's why John wrote his gospel. He recorded sign after sign as an eyewitness and recorded Jesus' words so that we might not be doubtful or unbelieving. We have the foundation of faith of Jesus, given to us from God, when He gave us eternal life in Christ. The faith of Jesus has become our faith! His life is our life! We have His life so that we might trust Him with everything in our lives. Regardless of the circumstances or the difficulty of relationships, we look to Jesus, revealed as the Son of God in the word of God. His love is the source of our love, which means we are living to love with Jesus for the glory of God. Today, may we be grateful for the undeniable proof we have that Jesus lives in us. We have the Holy Spirit doing the work of God in and through our lives. To God be the glory. Great things He has done. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

John 6:28-29 “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” In the previous verse, Jesus told the crowd to work for the food that endures to eternal life. Their response shows they missed the point Jesus was making about Himself being the giver of the food. Their natural frame of reference was work they had to do to get eternal life. We want to be careful not to make the same mistake. Notice, Jesus didn't say, “This is the work you have to do; believe in Him whom He sent.” Jesus didn't answer their question directly. Instead, He told them the work that God is interested in. It isn't the work of man, but the work of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. That's why Jesus told them the work God does, namely, believing in Him. We are going to learn later in this chapter that, indeed, it is God who does the work in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus (44-45). In effect, in this verse, He told them to do something they cannot do. They cannot do the work of God. Only God can do the work that results in eternal life. This is why it is misleading to tell people to put their faith in Jesus, which by the way, isn't in the NASB. When I typed in “put your faith in” in the search box of my Bible app, the app replied, “There are no verses in the current range of the NASB which fit the current search entry.” To tell people they must put their faith in Jesus to be saved is dangerous and destructive in two ways. First, it implies that God gives eternal life on the basis of something they do. It puts the power of salvation in their hands, so to speak. That's exactly what the crowd was looking for. “What shall we do?” Second, it robs the person of assurance. Faith is the assurance we receive as a witness from God that we have eternal life in Christ. This is clearly taught in Hebrews 11. As Jesus said in this verse, faith is the work of God. It is a witness to us and to the church that we belong to Christ. Peter testified to this reality after the Gentiles believed in Christ in Acts 15:8-9. “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.” Furthermore, later in this conversation Jesus confirms this truth by saying no one can come to Him unless they are brought and taught by God. It is God's work that they believe in His Son. Jesus spoke the truth in love to this crowd, and we should as well when people ask what they can do to be saved. We should say what Jesus said. It is God's work that you believe in Jesus. Share the gospel. God sent Jesus to die for the unjust, to do what they cannot do—namely, pay the price for their sinful, self-glorifying lives, putting an end to their attempts to justify themselves by anything they do (1 Pet. 3:18). Then three days later, God raised Jesus from the dead to declare that the sacrifice of His life is acceptable and pleasing to Him. God raised Jesus from the dead because He is the way, the truth, and the life, and the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Jesus has been authorized by the Father to give eternal life to those the Father gave to Him (John 17:2-3). Jesus was raised to live for them and produce fruit in their lives for the glory of God (John 15:7-8). He therefore calls all men to repent and believe in Jesus, which entails turning from reliance on their own efforts to live for God. Dying to their own life in this world, and turning from seeking to please God in their own strength and good deeds. Rejecting the desire to receive glory and significance from men rather than from God.

At the end of the day, when it comes to People being are our Purpose, I can't overstate how important our attitude is. Without the right attitude, it'll be very easy to look past the one God's wanting us to influence.

We remembered how Pentecost wasn't just an event… it was a turning point. It was the birth of the Church, the coming of the Spirit, and the unleashing of power into everyday believers.

Once we are born again by the Holy Spirit, our lives cannot help but change direction. From his expositional series in 1 Peter, today R.C. Sproul shows that growing in holiness is a necessary result of our new life in Christ, and this growth is nurtured by God's Word. Get R.C. Sproul's commentary on 1–2 Peter for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4170/donate   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the ebook edition of the 1–2 Peter commentary for your donation of any amount: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Restoring Lost Values | Week 3: Contentment - The Guide to Great Wealth // Ryland Walter // In a world filled with pressure and brokenness, many of us have become desensitized to the erosion of our culture. Yet, there is hope in Christ, our Redeemer, who offers us restoration and a return to true character and godly values. Join us for this series as we explore the crucial task of restoring lost values in our lives and communities. As we navigate the changing landscape around us, let's rediscover the timeless principles that guide us, dust off what's been neglected, and actively participate in bringing back what is essential for a flourishing life in Christ.

Eight kids in and I still have never succeeded convincing a young child of mine of their future love of naps.  A good nap seems to be the bane of childhood existence.  Even once they resolve that it is definitely happening and there will be no negotiation, they want to express their displeasure in some form. Then I tell each one the truth; some day you are going to love a good nap.  Also, without a good nap now, you are a very different kind of child.  The nap is good for you NOW and you'll appreciate that later on.  You don't have to believe me, it's still true.This is how I often feel explaining the beauty of life in Christ to the immature believer; you depend on it now in ways you do not comprehend, and you'll grow to appreciate it in ways you cannot imagine. This Sunday we wrap up our study in Paul's letter to the Colossians.  Paul gives a brief run down of the implications of Christ's life in us.  It is so simple and so stunning. Pastor Dr. Aaron Weisser

A family who’d lost touch with their son and brother Tyler received an urn that was said to contain his cremation ashes. Just twenty-two years old, he’d apparently died of a drug overdose. For years, Tyler had dealt with the effects of drug addiction and poor choices. But prior to the reported overdose, he’d been sober after spending time in a transitional housing facility and completing an addiction recovery program. Then authorities made a shocking discovery—Tyler was actually alive! They’d mistaken him for another young man who’d died of an overdose. Later, after being reunited with family and reflecting on the death of the other young man, Tyler said, “That could have been me.” The Israelites once learned of their death—though they were very much alive. In a song of mourning, the prophet Amos sang these words to God’s rebellious people: “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again” (Amos 5:2). These words must have gotten their attention—they were dead?! But the prophet also spoke these comforting words from God Himself: “Seek me and live” and “Seek good . . . . Then the Lord God almighty will be with you” (vv. 4, 14). Though Israel was dead in their sins against God, He invited them to turn to Him and find life. As we deal with our sin, let’s confess it and bring it to the one who loves us and forgives us. God lovingly leads us from death to life (John 5:24).

Jesus Followers Have the Important Gospel Communication Tool – Their Life in Christ Lets Others See Jesus in Them MESSAGE SUMMARY:  In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Paul writes a complex statement that tells you, as a follower of Jesus, about the most important tool that God gives you for communicating the Gospel -- God lets others see Jesus in you through your life in Christ! Therefore, by living in Christ, your life becomes the most compelling argument for the Gospel – an argument that far surpasses written or spoken words. Paul's 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 text reads: “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”. Do others, from your life, see Jesus in you?     TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Evil Ways. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Goodness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isiah 35:1-9; John 1:14; Isaiah 11:1-2; Psalms 44b:14-26. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Stand in the Gap” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Dorotheos and Eusebia, a devout, aging Christian couple who lived in Anatolia, had no children. After many years, their fervent prayers for a child were answered, and they were blessed with a daughter, whom they named Kyriake ('Sunday' in Greek) because she was born on the Lord's day. The child grew up beautiful in body and soul and, though she had many suitors, chose to consecrate herself entirely to God and remain single. One of her suitors, angered at her refusal, denounced her and her parents to the Emperor Diocletian. Dorotheos and Eusebia were subjected to cruel tortures, then sent into exile, where they died under further torture. Kyriake was sent to Maximian, Diocletian's son-in-law, for trial. By his orders, she was subjected to a horrifying series of torments; but Christ Himself appeared to her in prison, healing and comforting her. Many pagans came to believe in Christ when they saw her miraculously saved from death by fire or from wild beasts; all of these were beheaded. Kyriake told Apollonius, the general who supervised her tortures: 'There is no way that you can turn me from my faith. Throw me into the fire — I have the example of the Three Children. Throw me to the wild beasts — I have the example of Daniel. Throw me into the sea — I have the example of Jonah the Prophet. Put me to the sword — I will remember the honored Forerunner. For me, to die is life in Christ.' Apollonius then ordered that she be beheaded. At the place of execution, she raised her hands in prayer and gave up her soul to God before the executioner could take her life.   Note: St Kyriake is also known as Dominica or Nedelja, Latin and Slavonic words for 'Sunday'.

How do we think about wisdom literature? Today Emma Dotter and Watermark Resident Theologian Garrett Wikle overview wisdom literature and dive into Proverbs 1-6 to discuss what wisdom is, why we need wisdom and how we gain wisdom. Through the book of Proverbs, God is pointing us to Himself. It highlights the greater redemptive story, as wisdom literature assumes we are in a right relationship with God, having been saved by God to abundant life in Christ and the flourishing found as we walk in Him and His design.Ask God to show you if you are drifting toward any of these areas: • Are you losing appetite for spiritual things? • Are you becoming worldly minded? • Are you no longer troubled by sin?Additional Scripture Referenced:Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26 – God will remove our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh. Hebrews 1:1-4 – "In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son…"1 John 1:8 – "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."To read A Heart Aflame for God by Matthew C. Bingham, check out this link: https://www.crossway.org/books/a-heart-aflame-for-god-hcj/?srsltid=AfmBOoqWYkB2w8aiXEEtLMTm4lUmSQ4nRgvMIS0TAAnrBx9xyjwAmTF7Listen to Garrett's previous episode on Deuteronomy 17-20 here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/s4-046-deuteronomy-17-20/id1600151923?i=1000695013496