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In this episode, Pastor Cindy talks about the power and authority we have to carry out the Father's business. Like Jesus in Luke, chapter 2, we have the same spirit that led him to heal the sick, cast out demons, preach the gospel and LOVE people with the heart of the Father. With Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father, we have been given the keys to the Kingdom and our lives should look like it. Everywhere we go, we carry the Kingdom and everything we do, is about our Father's business. Scripture reference: John 17:1-5, 20-26, 1 Corinthians 12, Luke 2:48-49, Matthew 9:18-37, Matthew 10:1, 5-20, John 14:12-14, Romans 8:12-17, 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27, 1 Cor 13:1-8, Gal 5:22-25. Order your copy of Cindy's new book, NEW MOVES OF GOD Check out Cindy's TV show, CINDY STEWART LIVE. You can register for the 6-week, self paced e-course at COMPELLED TO CHANGE. Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindy@cindy-stewart.com. She'd love to hear from you. Pastor Cindy's Website Pastor Cindy's Facebook Pastor Cindy's Instagram Gathering Website Gathering Facebook Check out the other shows from KB PODCAST PRODUCTIONS: THE KINGDOM BRINGER PODCAST with Darin Eubanks Next Level Podcast with Michael McIntyre Super-Natural Living with Beth Packard KINGDOM MASTER MIND PODCAST with Ann McDonald Podcast music from HOOKSOUNDS.COM
Proverbs chapters 5 and 7 explore the destructive consequences of following cultural views of sexuality that ignore God's design. Proverbs 8 shifts our focus to a better way - God's wisdom. Wisdom is personified as a dignified woman who calls out to all. Unlike the seductive voice of folly, wisdom offers life, joy, and clarity. She's not hidden or exclusive; she stands at the crossroads and city gates, calling everyone to listen and follow God's design for life. Wisdom, like Jesus, speaks truth with love, offering guidance to those who seek it diligently. Proverbs 8 reminds us that wisdom isn't just practical but eternal—it existed before creation and aligns perfectly with God's order. Living apart from God's wisdom leads to chaos and brokenness, but embracing it brings understanding, justice, and joy. It teaches us to hate evil, shun pride, and make prudent, God-honoring decisions. At the world's birth, wisdom shaped chaos into creation, so she also redeems our personal messes when we turn to her. Like Jesus, wisdom doesn't deceive or mislead; it offers lasting fulfillment and directs us toward the life God designed us to live. To fully embrace wisdom, we must hear, take, and listen. Hearing wisdom calls for tuning out the noise of a culture saturated with distractions. Taking wisdom means choosing it over fleeting treasures like money or possessions, recognizing its incomparable value. Listening to wisdom involves a heart of humility and a willingness to apply God's truth. As we diligently seek wisdom, God transforms our lives, bringing joy, purpose, and a glimpse of His eternal plan. May we respond to wisdom's call and live lives that reflect the wisdom found in Jesus!
With Foothills Online you can join us every Sunday for gatherings at 9:30a + 11a. Join us at https://www.foothills.org/messages/—-Ready to take your next step in you journey of faith? Download the "How to Connect to Jesus" booklet at foothills.org/books—Visit our linktree at https://linktr.ee/foothillsboise—Foothills is a fun, energetic, laid back faith community. We don't take ourselves too seriously, but we take Jesus very seriously. We exist to coach people in becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. To connect people to Jesus, connect people to his community and to connect people to their mission in life.--Follow Foothills Christian Church: https://www.instagram.com/foothillsboise/ --Foothills Christian Church is a Jesus church with locations in Boise, Idaho.More info on Foothills: https://www.foothills.org
Thank you for listening to the Disciple City Church Podcast! To learn more about us or to connect with us, please visit our…Website: https://disciplecitychurch.orgInstagram: https://instagram.com/disciplecitychurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/disciplecitychurch
In this week's message from Matthew 26, Matthew Balentine leads us into the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus poured out His heart in prayer. With raw honesty and divine surrender, Jesus modeled how we, too, can wrestle with God's will and come out transformed. ⏳ Topics include: The meaning of the four Passover cups Jesus' emotional and spiritual battle Why persistent prayer matters What it looks like to truly surrender to God
Loving Like Jesus - Irresponsible Prodigal Love ‘Father's Day' Pt 5How can we love like Jesus unless we believe we are loved BY Jesus. How can we love OTHER'S with the love of Jesus if we can't see Jesus IN THEM. Enjoy this message! Watch today's ‘edited' message on YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/DXl4RKAWe5s PODCAST: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michael-zenkerWeekly Blog: https://mikezenker.blog/ ***Love what you are hearing? DONATE TODAY and help keep this going: Hope Fellowship: https://hopefellowshipycc.com/donate/ Growing In Grace Canada: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XHQ9UTBPTKDPW Hope Fellowship, Your Community Church ContentWeb: www.hopefellowshipycc.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hopefellowshipycc Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelZenker Growing In Grace Canada ContentYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKfv-9uArQHIzcebDIyS8F3nj2MF_FV-H Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growingingraceministriescanada Web: www.growingingrace.caSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AvFWO7epyVeIuNf5WHFRD Grace Awakening Network weekly Program 9:30pm EST: https://www.gantv.com/ GAN ‘On Demand': https://watch.gantv.com/categories/102/still-growing-in-grace
There’s never been anyone in history as radical as Jesus. As His followers we are called to be like him. We can live as Jesus did – be radical like He was – because as Christians, Jesus lives in us and wants to live through us. Ed Stetzer will talk with Greg Stier about his book, Radical Like Jesus and how we can put into practice the rhythms, activities and actions that Jesus modeled throughout His life on Ed Stetzer Live. Ed Stetzer Live is a listener supported program. To donate, click here. To learn more about Ed Stetzer, click here. To learn more about Ed Stetzer Live, click here.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/edstetzerliveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When the path gets tough and the assignment feels too heavy, don't throw in the towel; go back to the One who designed the plan. Like Jesus in Gethsemane, return to the Father in prayer. His presence brings peace, and His strength will carry you through.
On location at the TTM, Lego Hair says the quiet part loud when he says that "We" are gonna start a large scale yard project, and then proceeds to do nothing to help complete it. You know it's a shitshow when the production crew has to step to try and help them finish. We get treated to another montage of Famy attempting to cook and the fam celebrates Anna's birthday. Summertime has arrived which means you may have seen banners for Vacation Bible School going up around town. We explore the genesis of VBS and the changes over the years. Two different companies run the VBS paraphernalia game and we look into some questionable choices they've made. Enjoy what you hear? Feel like you have a Servant's Heart? Would you like to help support a snarking couple in Arizona? Get on the Gus Bus and head on over to www.buymeacoffee.com/diggingupthedug . If you would like to grab a jar and become one of the Pickle People, you get ad-free episodes, and even get them early. We post bonus episodes with Duggar content, personal topics, Mildred Mondays (gotta give the people what they want), recipes and other goodies. Join us on insta @digginguptheduggarspodWe also have a P.O. Box 5973, Glendale AZ, 85312
Thank you for listening to the Disciple City Church Podcast! To learn more about us or to connect with us, please visit our…Website: https://disciplecitychurch.orgInstagram: https://instagram.com/disciplecitychurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/disciplecitychurch
Roy Wooten of The Crucible Project and author of "Unstuck: 7 Ways to Break Free and Live Courageously" offers insights for putting our past wounds behind us, and live out of healthy, mature masculinity. Along with updates about what's happening in Haiti and in Nigeria, Mission Network News' Ruth Kramer offers helpful insights of what it means to think and live Gospelly in light of the LA riots. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here
If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthlyIn a world where everything feels like it's falling apart, we, as believers, are held together by the power of unity and the grace of God. Join Pastor Rick as he unpacks the life applications from the scriptures that will transform every life and ensure that no matter what happens in the world and in our lives, we can be “Held Together” forever.Find out more about Grace Church here: https://gracechurchco.com/
June Kohls draws listeners in with a profound parallel between her life journey and the Samaritan woman at the well. Like Jesus who traveled specifically to meet this outcast woman, June reveals how God purposefully seeks us in our lowest moments, offering living water when we feel most unworthy.Growing up with an angry father and a codependent mother, June felt invisible even within her church community where leaders seemed to favor children from "normal" families. Despite early rejection, she maintained a unique connection with Jesus, asking not why her circumstances were difficult, but simply for God to heal her parents' hearts. This foundation of childlike faith eventually blossomed into her life's calling.After marrying young and losing her infant daughter to medical negligence, June nearly succumbed to despair. The birth of her son Chad gave her reason to persevere as a single mother. Through remarkable divine intervention, a company owner offered to back her in starting a successful clothing store. Later, intentional Bible study transformed her relationship with Christ, leading to founding Heart to Cross, a ministry serving 150 women through both spiritual guidance and practical assistance.When a stroke left June permanently blind in one eye, she recognized it as a spiritual attack. Rather than retreating, she doubled down on her commitment: "The devil was not taking me from my ordained calling." This resilient faith exemplifies how God weaves even our most painful experiences into something redemptive. June now leads women's groups at Destiny Worship Center, offering the same living water that transformed her life to others seeking wholeness.Ready to discover how your own painful past can become the foundation for your purpose? Subscribe to Road to Redemption for more powerful testimonies of hope and transformation.For more information contact us atrtrdestiny@gmail.com
Vision | Look Like Jesus by Pastor Dan DeBell
Author: Mark Lincoln, Scripture Reference: Hebrews 12:2-3, Series: Hebrews: Holding Fast to Christ
This summer we have invited several guest speakers to deliver a passage of scripture that has had a profound impact on their lives.Join us as we hear how God has and is still working in the hearts of people in the local Church!
Pentecost Sunday - the Spirit's role in our formation (Gal. 5:16-25), and the spiritual disciplines of unceasing prayer and examination
Pastor B G Stumberg John 4:1-26
Today is Shavuot (Pentecost) ... by God's own word in Acts 1:8 this feast is the Power Feast of the Lord. Jesus did not say to stay in Jerusalem till you receive tongues ... Jesus did not say to stay in Jerusalem till you receive spiritual gifts ... NO!! He said stay till the Holy Spirit comes to give us POWER to go and bring HIM to the ends of the earth.
Loving Like Jesus When Love Is Your Default Pt 4How can we love like Jesus unless we believe we are loved BY Jesus. How can we love OTHER'S with the love of Jesus if we can't see Jesus IN THEM. Enjoy this message! Watch today's ‘edited' message on YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/sZM7fGj-XEc PODCAST: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michael-zenkerWeekly Blog: https://mikezenker.blog/ ***Love what you are hearing? DONATE TODAY and help keep this going: Hope Fellowship: https://hopefellowshipycc.com/donate/ Growing In Grace Canada: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XHQ9UTBPTKDPW Hope Fellowship, Your Community Church ContentWeb: www.hopefellowshipycc.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hopefellowshipycc Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelZenker Growing In Grace Canada ContentYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKfv-9uArQHIzcebDIyS8F3nj2MF_FV-H Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growingingraceministriescanada Web: www.growingingrace.caSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AvFWO7epyVeIuNf5WHFRD Grace Awakening Network weekly Program 9:30pm EST: https://www.gantv.com/ GAN ‘On Demand': https://watch.gantv.com/categories/102/still-growing-in-grace
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg Midwestuary Conference August 22-24 in Chicago https://www.midwestuary.com/ https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/ My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/ Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/tWDuYmBB Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/ If you want to schedule a one-on-one conversation check here. https://calendly.com/paulvanderklay/one2one There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333 If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/ All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos. https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640 https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
If you live with other people, there's always ONE job no one wants to do. Maybe it's cleaning the bathrooms or folding laundry or picking up dog poop. But there's always SOMETHING everyone avoids. Not so with Jesus. There was a job to do - and he did it. In fact, he didn't even blink an eye. It didn't faze him one bit. One of the more profound ways we can live like Jesus is by NOTICING the needs around us. It will require a little humility and service - but it's one big way we LIVE LIKE JESUS.
https://andrewhorval.substack.com/p/no-one-like-jesus
How do I become more like Jesus? How can I follow Jesus in real life? What does it mean to live like Jesus? In this episode, Andrew Marcus and pastor Jeremy Writebol unpack what it really means to become more like Christ. Instead of just "trying harder," they explore the power of beholding Christ—fixing our eyes on who He is—as the starting point for real transformation. With practical wisdom on habits, community, and navigating friendships, this conversation offers clarity for anyone seeking to follow Jesus more genuinely. If you've ever felt like you're faking it, failing at it, or just not sure how to grow in Christlikeness—this episode is for you.
Dr. Kurt Skelly Pensacola Christian College Enrichment Retreat 2025
Thank you for listening to the Disciple City Church Podcast! To learn more about us or to connect with us, please visit our…Website: https://disciplecitychurch.orgInstagram: https://instagram.com/disciplecitychurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/disciplecitychurch
Welcome back to Stay True Podcast! Today, Madi is joined by one of her best friends, Courtney Slovenski! What does it actually mean to make disciples in real life– not just in church, but in your home, your neighborhood, and your everyday relationships? Madi and Courtney break it all down. Whether you're a parent trying to raise Jesus-loving kids, a college student figuring out how to stand strong in your faith, or someone who wants to walk out their true calling, this episode is for you. You don't need a perfect plan or a fancy platform to make an impact. You just need a heart that's willing to say “yes” to Jesus and show up for the people around you. Don't forget to stay you and stay true! Questions/topics discussed and answered: - What is a discipleship? - How to make disciples - Ways to live on mission in your every day life - How to disciple your kids - How to raise kids who love Jesus - Tips to memorize Scripture - Small steps of faith that make a big difference AND SO MUCH MORE! Helpful Resources: Dare To Be True: Defeat The Lies That Bind You and Live Out The Truth That Frees You by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Go to carawayhome.com/STAYTRUE or use code STAYTRUE at checkout for 10% off! Connect with Stay True!
In week six of our series on the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus model what it looks like to slip away to spend time alone with the Father. Pastor Kevin unpacks Mark 1:35 and how the power of prayer in silence and solitude can fuel us just like it did for Jesus. If we […] The post What's the Secret to Living A Life like Jesus? | Mark 1:35-45 | Kevin Queen appeared first on Cross Point Church.
For more information, click here: https://www.celebrate.churchSubscribe to the latest sermons: http://bit.ly/2T6ASbuTwo Words: Meet Jesus. This is the vision of Celebrate Church, led by Lead Pastor Noah Rollins and based in Sioux Falls, SD with multiple locations throughout the Midwest. ——Stay ConnectedWebsite: https://www.celebrate.church/Celebrate Church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateSF/Celebrate Church Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebrate_churchCelebrate Church Twitter: https://twitter.com/celebrate_cc
It's not always easy to love people like Jesus does. Join Tewannah Aman as she tells how God transformed her heart and mind, enabling her to see others through the eyes of Jesus, bringing healing and restoration to a number of relationships.
Jacob Seay continues our sermon series, Principles of Kingdom Living. With the theme of growing up to be like Jesus.
Romans 15:1-13
A Sermon for Ascension Sunday Acts 1:1-11 by William Klock The King came to Canada this week and I can help but reflect on how providential this event has been—the King of Canada coming to take his throne in the Senate chamber in Ottawa—in the same week that we remember and celebrate the ascension of Jesus. I might be tempted to title my sermon: A Tale of Two Kings. So a new Parliament needed to be opened. A throne speech had to be read. That's normally done by the Governor General, but these are not normal times. The new President next door, in what has always been Canada's best friend and ally, is now making economic war and daily challenging the country's sovereignty. It was time for the Sovereign to come and save the day. And so the King came, and he ascended to his throne in Parliament, and he read a speech. The last time the Sovereign did this was almost fifty years ago, so this is no small thing. And yet the King was here for all of about twenty-four hours. The speech he read was written by government speech-writers, not by the King. And even then, it's vitally important in our constitutional monarchy that the King avoid any openly political speech—and so the big concern of the day, the big thing that threatens the nation's economic well-being and sovereignty—was only hinted at obliquely. And everyone applauded. And then the King got back into his jet and flew home. And maybe it's just because I'm an American, but it doesn't seem to me that all the pomp and circumstance and expense really accomplished anything. The King didn't go to Washington to negotiate peace with the belligerent bully or to rough him up a bit or even to give him a good talking to. Instead, he came here, he sat in the Senate chamber, and recited back to the government the talking points it gave him. Again, I mean no disrespect to the King or to Canada's constitutional monarchy, but watching and listening to this week's events as an American—although I suspect even the staunches of Christian monarchists can't help but notice it too—that there's a big—an enormous—difference between the ascension of King Charles III in Ottawa this week and the ascension of Jesus that we read about today in both our Epistle and Gospel. I listened to the throne speech and even though I know that the King can't actually do anything, when it was over I still felt like: What now? The King flies all this way, he ascends to his throne with great pomp and circumstance, he reads a speech intended to stir patriotic feelings—and even as an American, watching and listening I felt pride for Canada—but then he got back into his airplane and went home. He didn't do anything about the current crisis. The enemy is still there. In fact, the King's talk of Canadian sovereignty just seemed to provoke a new round of fifty-first state talk. It's kind of a let down. I don't know what I expect the King should do, but he's a king after all and I sort of have a mental image of him taking off his pinstripe jacket, putting on a shining suit of armour, going to Washington, and popping the President in the nose. In real life that probably wouldn't solve anything. It's just that kings are supposed to deliver their subjects in times of trouble and cast down their enemies. Right? That's what kings are for. This is why the disciples were so discouraged when Jesus was crucified. They thought he was the Messiah, the anointed king, and then he got himself killed—and that's not what was supposed to happen to the king. He was supposed to defeat his enemies and take his throne. And then Jesus rose from death and he met them and they were so excited to go declare the good news to Jerusalem that Jesus actually had to calm them down and tell them to wait. Enthusiasm isn't enough. They also needed the power of God's Spirit—but that's for next week. But for forty days Jesus has been teaching them. He's been walking them through the scriptures and showing them how it was there along: the Messiah had to die in order to defeat his enemies and take his throne. Like I said a couple of weeks ago, those forty days must have been the most thrilling days in all of history as Jesus taught them and as it all came together. And yet, even then, the disciples were still stuck on the wrong things. But now I'm getting ahead of myself for today. Keep this all in mind and let's look at our Epistle again. The first chapter of Acts. Luke writes: Dear Theophilus, the previous book which I wrote had to do with everything Jesus began to do and teach. I took the story as far as the day when he was taken up, once he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to his apostles. Luke is talking about his Gospel. He goes on in verse 3: He showed himself to them alive, after his suffering, by many proofs. He was seen by them for forty days, during which he spoke about God's kingdom. As they were having a meal together, he told them not to go away from Jerusalem, but to wait, as he put it, “for the Father's promise, which I was telling you about earlier. John baptised with water, you see, but in a few days from now you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” So good so far. Forty days of Bible teaching with Jesus. All about the kingdom. He thinks they're ready to do the proclamation part of their new ministry, they just need to wait a minute so he can ascend to this throne and send the Spirit who will empower that proclamation. Jesus thinks their ready to be set loose on the world. But have you ever taught something to someone, explaining it to them, and they're nodding and you think they understand. You're ready to turn them loose. And then they ask you a question and you realise that they still don't understand the central point of what you've been trying to teach them? I took calculus as a freshman in college. Twice. The only class I ever failed. I understood the instructions. But no matter how hard I tried and no matter how long the professor explained it to me—I had the benefit of sitting next to him in the church choir—I never understood what it was all about. I didn't get it. I thought that at least I could just follow the instructions to solve the equations. I found that usually worked pretty well with math. But it didn't with calculus. So he—or my friends who understood calculus—would explain it to me and I'd say, “Right. I do this, then this, then this, and so on.” And they'd smile and say, “Yes!” Like it was finally sinking in for me. And then I'd do what I thought were the steps and it wouldn't work and they'd ask me to explain it, and I couldn't, because I never could wrap my head around the concept at the heart of it all. Brothers and Sisters, the kingdom was the heart of everything Jesus was teaching and doing. And the disciples knew this. That's, again, why they were so discouraged when he died. Dead kings don't establish kingdoms. But now Jesus is alive again and they're excited and especially so because for forty days Jesus has been teaching them even more about the kingdom. And then they ask, “Master, is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel.” I remember the look on my calculus professor's face when he through I'd finally got it through my thick skull and how his smile faded away when he realised I didn't get it at all and I can picture the same look on Jesus' face. Disappointment and exasperation. I don't know. Maybe Jesus knew that no amount of talk would get them straight on this and that it would only fall into place once they saw him ascend and once they'd received the Spirit. But it's clear: despite all the teaching, the disciples still didn't get it. See, this idea of the “kingdom of God”, for the Jews it had become shorthand for the idea that one day the Lord would fulfil his promises, come back to Israel, take up his throne. He'd defeat Isreal's enemies and he'd set Israel to rights—and then they'd all live happily ever after with God as their king and the pagans under their feet. They sang songs, like Psalm 2, about the nations raging and the kings of the earth getting together to plot against the Lord and his people. And in the middle of the song the Lord bursts out in laughter, mocking the nations and their feeble kings. And then the Lord lets loose his wrath and announces, “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.” And then the king speaks: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” And then the Psalmist can announce to the nations: “Now, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be angry and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled.” It's the king in shining armour come to crush his enemies and set his people to rights. They sang songs like the one in Isaiah 52 about the beautiful feet of the one who brings good news and who announces to Zion, “Your God reigns.” “The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God.” This was the same song in which they sang about the suffering servant who would be exalted only after he had borne their griefs and sorrows, only after he'd been stricken and afflicted.” This was the hope of Israel and this is why the disciples had followed Jesus. They believed he was the Messiah, the king who would rescue his people and defeat their enemies. Again, for those three days he was in the tomb it looked like they'd been wrong, but now Jesus was alive again. They knew with absolute certainty that he really is the Messiah. And so now they're asking him: “Your resurrection put the story back on track, Jesus. So when are you going to fulfil those old promises, defeat the nations and their kings, and set Isreal on the top of the heap?” And Jesus says to them in verse 7: “It's not your business to know about times and dates. The Father has placed all that under his own direct authority. What will happen, though, is that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth.” I've noticed a lot of people read this and think that Jesus is saying something like, “No. It's not time to restore the kingdom. I'll do that sometime in the future and only the Father knows the date.” But that's not what Jesus is saying at all. Think of the pair Jesus met on the road to Emmaus. They were saying that they'd hoped Jesus was the one who would redeem Israel, but well, he'd been crucified so scratch that idea. And that's the point when Jesus explains to them that it was actually through his crucifixion that he would accomplish God's long-promised redemption. Even though it was there all along in songs like Isaiah 52, it doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone that the Messiah would usher in God's kingdom by his suffering and death. And yet when Jesus says this, suddenly a lot of other things he said and did finally make sense. Think of the stories—the parables—he told. Over and over: The kingdom is coming—yes!—but it's not coming like you think. Instead, the kingdom is coming like seed planted in the ground. The kingdom is coming like leaven in a lump of dough. The kingdom is like a man who had two sons. Or when Jesus and the disciples were approaching Jerusalem and they asked this same question: Is the kingdom finally coming now? And Jesus said that the kingdom is like a nobleman coming back to see if his servants have been faithful with their stewardship. Over and over Jesus has been saying, “Yes, the kingdom is coming right now, but you keep missing it because it doesn't look like what you expected. At that last Passover meal Jesus ate with his friends, he told them that he would not drink with them again until the kingdom had arrived. And here they are, these forty days after the resurrection eating and drinking with Jesus as he teaches them. The kingdom has come, Brothers and Sisters. Too many Christians live as if the mission of the church is to prepare for Jesus to become king, when the church's mission is, in fact, really all about announcing and living out the reality that Jesus is the king even if his kingdom isn't quite what a lot of people expected. And then, just to make all of this absolutely clear, Luke says in verse 9: As Jesus said this, he was lifted up while they were watching and a cloud took him out of their sight. We're prone to missing the significance of this image because we're not steeped in the Old Testament the way they were. The disciples, however, understood exactly what was happening: Jesus was acting out the prophecy of Daniel 7. That's the chapter were Daniel has this nightmare full of beasts coming up out of the ocean. It's a vision of the nations and their kings raging against God's people. But then “one like a son of man” is taken up and exalted on the clouds to sit beside the Ancient of Days. He's given a kingdom, power, and authority so that all people, nations, and languages should serve and obey him. It's a vision of the kingdom being restored to Israel. And now, all through Jesus' ministry, we've heard him talking about himself as this son of man, as Israel's representative, and now—in answer to the disciples' question about the coming of the kingdom—Jesus literally acts out Daniel's vision. He fulfils it. In fact, in Matthew's telling of the ascension, Jesus even says—echoing the words of the Ancient of Days in Daniel—“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So you must go and make all the nations into disciples.” The ascension proclaims: Jesus is king and his kingdom is here. One day Jesus will return to finish what he's begun, but never forget that it has begun. As Paul says in Romans 15, “He has to go on ruling until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” So the disciples were thinking that Jesus was going to lead a revolution—like Judas Maccabeus or Simon bar Kochba—except this time it wouldn't fizzle out. This time it would be successful and it would be forever. And Jesus is saying (and acting out) that no, the kingdom has been inaugurated and it's going to take shape and grow—the nations will be put under Jesus' feet—not as the disciples take up arms, but as they go out into the world as witnesses of Jesus: as they go out and proclaim the good news that Jesus crucified and risen, is the world's true Lord and as they live out the reality of his kingdom. Like Jesus did, the disciples would work miracles—miracles that underscored that in the kingdom all the sad thing are beginning to become untrue; and they would live lives transformed by the Spirit's fruit, but maybe more than anything else, they would confront the kings of the present evil age with the reality of Jesus' lordship. And through their witness, the world would begin to change. It's not a linear, always progressing, always upward change. That was the idea of theological liberalism a century ago, but two world wars and nuclear bombs and fascism and Communism blew that idea up. But through the witness of the church, the world is changing. I've mentioned before Tom Holland's remarkable book Dominion and how, in that book, he writes about the profound changes that the gospel brought to Western Civilisation. Each generation lives in its own brief age and so, if we don't know anything about history, we're prone to not even noticing the changes that have happened, but happen they have. Christians began taking in the unwanted girl babies of the Greeks and Romans, left to die of exposure, and we taught the world the value of life. The influence of the gospel put an end to gladiatorial games and slavery. The gospel has taught the world mercy and grace, the value of life, the dignity of each person. And on and on. The church, when we are faithful witnesses of Jesus and living the new creation life the Spirit gives, builds and spreads the kingdom and someday, when the work is done, Jesus will return—not to take us away, but to restore heaven and earth, God and human beings, and to put an end to death and sin once and for all. To consummate his new creation. But there's work to do in the meantime. He created us in the beginning to be his stewards—to cultivate his garden. That's why, when it came time to set us back on that track, God called and created a special people for himself: to be his representative, to be his stewards, to be his living kingdom in the midst of the old. And so Luke says, They were gazing into heaven as he disappeared. Then, lo and behold, two men appeared, dressed in white, standing beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken away from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.” Brothers and Sisters, there's work to do. Like Jesus said, they needed to wait a few days before going out, so that when they did go out, they would go out in the power of the Spirit. The kingdom doesn't happen in our power. But it does happen as we go out to faithfully fulfil the mission we've been given to witness Jesus. Our task is to go out in faith, to till the soil, to steward the garden. It's an overwhelming task. That's why it takes faith to go out and do it. But we go out in faith knowing that God has given us his Spirit who infuses what we do with divine power. We go out in faith knowing that in Jesus—at the cross and in the resurrection—God has already done the impossible part. Now, as Paul wrote, all he has to do is go on ruling until all his enemies have been put under his feet. There's no “if”. It's just “until”. It's a sure thing. And so is the witness of his church. It doesn't always seem that way. Sometimes it seems like we're going backwards and things are getting worse. People won't listen or won't take us seriously. Sometimes we're tempted to give up. Sometimes we act like all Jesus did was come to earth to give us a rousing pep talk, then he went back home to heaven. But read the Gospels and that's not it at all. He hasn't just gone back to heaven and left us alone. He's ascended to his throne, where he rules and reigns over his kingdom, which—remember—is like seed planted in the soil and like leaven in a lump of dough and like a man who had two sons. And one day, through his people—through us—the work of his word and the work of his Spirit will be done. The world will know his death and resurrection, it will know the forgiveness of sins, it will know the end of death, it will know mercy and grace. The knowledge of his glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Because Jesus died and rose again, because the Lord's word does not return void, and because he does not give his Spirit in vain. Let's pray: O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus the Messiah with great triumph to your right hand in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us for the task you have given, and that we might look forward in hope to the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Amen.
Sabbath keeping (Mark 2:27, Exodus 20:8-11)
If Jesus showed up today, would he be welcome in most churches? Perhaps not, and that's what Alan and Ralph unpack in this episode. Christians should be known for being like Jesus and helping others be like him as well. Too often, we let other things get in the way, but this conversation helps us refocus on what's most important.
Reward Sibanda admits he experienced some culture shock when he went from the community-oriented culture of Zimbabwe to the individualism—and temptations—of the United States. But he shares the lessons he learned about personal freedom, sin, and redemption with Nate Dewberry in this week's podcast, along with his thoughts on how fasting elevates our spirits and deepens our connection with God.Segments/chapters0:00 Intro1:54 Reward's views on the relationship between economics, sociology, and theology7:43 Reward talks about his background and spiritual formation14:09 What does redemption mean to you?17:56 Overcoming the isolation that sin and warped concepts of manhood create30:35 Reward explains how fasting strengthens the spirit41:03 Practical advice for overcoming our internal resistance to fasting46:35 New fatherhood and other things that are bringing Reward joy these daysVisit The Redeemed's website for downloadable discussion question sets, show notes, inspirational articles, more resources, or to share your testimony.Join our Exclusive Newsletter: Signup today and be the first to get notified on upcoming podcasts and new resources!The Redeemed is an organization giving men from all backgrounds a supportive, judgment-free environment, grounded in Christian love without demanding participation in any faith tradition, where they can open up about their challenges, worries, and failures—and celebrate their triumphs over those struggles. Have a redemption story? Share your redemption story here. Interested in being a guest on our podcast? Email Nate@theredeemed.com Follow The Redeemed on Social Media: Podcast YouTube Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter
Send us a textToday's conversation with Naeem Fazal, author of "Tomorrow Needs You: Seeing Beauty When You Feel Hopeless," explores finding beauty and hope amid trauma and darkness, offering a powerful message of transformation for anyone feeling hopeless.• Naeem shares his extraordinary testimony of encountering Jesus supernaturally after growing up Muslim in Kuwait.• The concept that "yesterday has forgotten you" challenges us to reconcile rather than rehearse our past trauma.• We can either live conserving the past or creating the future – only the future contains hope.• Beauty serves as the solution to fear when we make something bigger in front of us than the fear inside us (Psalm 16:8).• Perfect love casts out fear, showing that faith alone isn't the answer to overcoming our deepest anxieties (1 John 4).• Creating beauty requires loving what you're creating, whether it's families, art, or relationships.• God loves seeing us grow through all stages of development, even the messy and awkward parts.• Expressing joy represents one of our most vulnerable acts, but is essential for healing.• Like Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before him, we must put joy before us to endure our challenges.Order Naeem Fazal's books: Tomorrow Needs You and Ex-MuslimVisit Naeem's website: Naeem FazalListen to Naeem's TED Talk: The Power of BeautyListen to Naeem's Message: Your Part in the Biggest StorySupport the showBegin Your Heartlifter's Journey: Visit and subscribe to Heartlift Central on Substack. This is our new online coaching center and meeting place for Heartlifters worldwide. Download the "Overcoming Hurtful Words" Study Guide PDF: BECOMING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY Meet me on Instagram: @janellrardon Leave a review and rate the podcast: WRITE A REVIEW Learn more about my books and work: Janell Rardon Make a tax-deductible donation through Heartlift International
#gracecity #psmayrarodriguez #PSMayra . Grace City Church Las Vegas | PASTOR MAYRA RODRIGUEZ | SERVE LIKE JESUS Saved people serve people. MAY 25, 2025 Connect with us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracecitylv/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracecitylv/ http://www.gracecty.com/ Download our app: Grace City Las Vegas Google play - app store. #gracecity #ilovemychurch #lasvegas #irresistiblechurch #PastorMayraR #mayrarodriguez #weareone
Guest Bio: Whitney Lowe is an author who wants to see young women excited about God's work: in the Bible, in history, in the world, and in them. She writes and creates on Instagram, previously known as Scribble Devos, a project born from the realization that young women simply do not interact with the Bible enough to be changed by its truth. Whitney is passionate about disrupting the toxic scroll of social media with hope, peace, and light straight from Scripture. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, who is a pastor, and their two young children. Show Summary: When you read the Bible, what stands out to you most about Jesus? His kindness? His servant heart? His patience? Whitney Lowe has been challenged through different seasons of her life to grow spiritually in different ways to become more like Jesus. Whether it's conviction about an eating disorder or reading the Bible out loud to young kids, she's determined to shine her light to lead others closer to Christ. Join hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins as they learn how Whitney has spiritually grown through different life seasons. This God Hears Her conversation will encourage and inspire you! Notes and Quotes: “If He is calling us into the service of hungry people then God wants us fed too.” —Whitney Lowe “If you are a parent, if you are a mother, that is spiritual formation. That is doing the work of ‘quiet time' and maybe even more so because it is real and is happening in real time. If you allow God into that space, He is doing the transformative work.” —Whitney Lowe “What if we just allowed God to spiritually form us in the struggles that are coming anyway, and we invited Him into those spaces through prayer?” —Whitney Lowe “I am a really big believer that we as a society are overthinking what it looks like to be sacrificial and servant-hearted. We start to think: ‘what organization do I need to start' or ‘where am I supposed to put all my money for the year, who am I supposed to be giving to.'. When in actuality I think so many of us live in places where if we just open our eyes to our neighbors, we would see people who needed help and needed service.” —Whitney Lowe “I might not see the end result of that little act of faithfulness, but I know that God calls me to care about people.” —Whitney Lowe “We have to be okay, as believers, with people knowing that we are deeply flawed. You have to be okay with the reconciliation that might have to come after that sometimes and the fact that you don't have to be strong because God will put people in your life that can be.” —Whitney Lowe Verses: Hosea Parable of the Sower: Matthew 13 Related Episodes: GHH Ep 86 – When We Pray Like Jesus: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/when-we-pray-like-jesus/ GHH Ep 120 – Let's Talk About Spiritual Formation with Shalini Bennett: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/lets-talk-about-spiritual-formation/ Links: Whitney Lowe's Devotional: https://www.amazon.com/Set-Your-Eyes-Higher-Devotional/dp/0310464404 Whitney Lowe's Website: https://www.scribbledevos.com/about Whitney Lowe's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneypiersonlowe/?hl=en God Hears Her website: https://godhearsher.org/ Watch the Video Podcast Here: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM God Hears Her email sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/sign-upsfmc Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast Elisa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisamorganauthor/ Eryn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eryneddy/ Vivian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivmabuni/ Our Daily Bread Ministries website: https://www.odbm.org/
What does it mean to set Christian boundaries rooted in God's love, not just self-protection? In this episode, we explore how biblical boundaries aren't built around our desires or others' demands, but around obedience to God. Discover why healing any relationship starts with aligning your heart with His: and how God's love empowers us to love others well. If you're navigating forgiveness, betrayal, or burnout, this conversation will bring clarity and hope.Scriptures mentioned:Mark 12:30Romans 7James 1:5John 13:351 John 4:9-11Matthew 11Deuteronomy 32:35Romans 12:17-19Matthew 5:23-24Jada's book: A New Way to Love Your NeighborLearn more about Jada: Website │ InstagramJada's Favorites:ESV Bible │YouVersion │Blue Letter Bible │Bible Hub │Logos Bible SoftwareClick here to send us your email for our newsletter OR to send a message to the show! We have no way of responding unless you leave your email.Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy Click here to try a free mini-course!