Podcasts about like peter

Wesee the gifts of the Spirit are given so that the whole body of Christ mightprofit as we read in 1 Corinthians 12:7. Now we notice that Paul is keying inon four specific offices that are vitally necessary for the leading, theoversight, and the feeding of the church. He mentions those here in verse 11.He gave some Apostles. Those were the initial twelve men that Jesus Himselfcalled. Then alongside these Apostles, with the next gift and office were the prophets.Together these two callings, gifting and offices, laid the foundation of the church(Ephesians 2:20).  Thenwe notice the next office and gifting was, “some evangelists”. Of course, theseare the ones who spread the word of God with a special gifting as they traveledand as they ministered in different locations. They most likely were the churchplanters. Like Peter, when they would preach people would respond to the gospelunder conviction of sin and come to know Christ as their Savior. This officeand gifting is especially exercised for the growth and expansion of the church. ThenPaul gives the last office, and He uses two names that indicates two specificgiftings. “Some pastors and teachers”. The fact that the word"some" is not repeated indicates that we have here one office withtwo ministries. The word pastor means shepherd. A shepherd is someone who caresfor the sheep. Two other words are used for the same office in the NewTestament, which are elder and bishop. We see them in 1 Timothy 3 and also in 1Peter 5.  In1 Peter 5:1-4, Peter had a specific message for the elders as leaders in thechurch.  “The elders who are among youI exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock ofGod which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted toyou, but being examples to the flock; Notice he toldthem to fulfill the role of shepherds as pastors.  Ibelieve one of the special callings that God revealed to me as a young believer,along with a special gift that goes along with, was to be a pastor shepherd to theflock of God, and to care for His sheep. To be a shepherd means you love thesheep. Remember Psalm 23 where David writes, “The Lord is my shepherd, Ishall not want”. What example do we have from the Lord Jesus Christ? Hecared for the sheep. He leads the sheep. He leads them by example and He gaveHis life for the sheep.  No doubt Peter isthinking of this in 1 Peter 5. Again the “good shepherd, cares for the sheep, feedsthe sheep the Word of God, leads the sheep, and protects the sheep from falseteachers and doctrines (Acts 20:28-30). That'swhy the companion gift of teaching has to be in the life of a pastor. When Paulgave the instructions for the elders in the early church, they had to be ableto teach God's word, understand God's word, have the knowledge of what God's Wordrepresented, stood for, and how it should be proclaimed. This is all verycrucial for the church, the flock of God, to be healthy and productive. So,pastors and teachers, these are gifted people who help care for the flock,protect the flock, lead the flock, and they take time to visit the orphans andthe widows, as we read in James 1:27. “Pure religion and undefiled beforeGod and the father is this. To visit the fatherless, the orphans and the widowsin their affliction and to keep themselves unspotted from the world”.  Apastor does this by example as he cares, protects, teaches, feeds, and leadsthe flock of God. Pray for your pastor today as he fulfills this wonderfulministry to the church! And pastors, we would do well to take heed to Paul'sparting words to young pastor Timothy, “But you be watchful in all things,endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2Timothy 4:5). Godbless!

When I think of a very self-confident person, I think of the Apostle Peter. He was confident in himself. He was the only disciple who was confident he could walk on water. He was confident in his fishing abilities and knowledge. He was confident Jesus was wrong to say he was going to die and rebuked him for it. He was totally confident that he, Peter, would never deny Jesus, even if everyone else did. Even when Jesus predicted otherwise, Peter was super-confident he would never disown Jesus even if he had to die with him. Peter did not lack self-confidence. However, all that self-confidence failed him at the critical moments of his life. He began to walk on water but very soon started sinking. Self-confidence didn’t keep him up. Self-confidence didn’t fill his empty nets with fish after a long night of fishing and catching nothing. Only when he followed Jesus’ instructions was he able to catch fish. Though he was very confident in rebuking Jesus, Jesus not only did not take his counsel, but he also considered it to be satanically inspired. And within hours of his most confident assertion, he would never deny Jesus, he did so three times with cursing. Peter’s example tends to give self-confidence a black eye. We’ve been led to believe self-confidence is the key to success, the one essential you must have to get ahead, to be assertive, to be a leader. But Peter’s experiences could cause one to lose confidence in self-confidence. It didn’t seem to help Peter much when he needed it. But thank God, that’s not the end of Peter’s story. We see a transformed Peter in the book of Acts. He was still extremely confident, still assertive, still a leader, but the results were very different. You remember the story of Peter and John encountering a lame beggar at the temple. Peter looked at the lame man and said in his most confident manner, “ In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). And guess what—the man went into the temple walking, leaping, and praising God. When questioned by the religious leaders as to how he had done this, Peter gave a most confident response: …then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed (Acts 4:10). Peter, who had failed miserably at every turn when he relied on self-confidence and who had cowardly denied Jesus three times, now stood tall among people who were seeking to harm him and proclaimed to them the gospel of Jesus Christ. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say (Acts 4:13-14). Peter’s confidence amazed them but notice it was not self-confidence. They knew Peter was not able to heal this man or speak as he did because of his own education or training. Peter was no longer operating on self-confidence. That had been totally shattered. But his confidence and trust in Jesus Christ the Nazarene gave him a boldness and power he had never known before. The lame man was healed, he was able to persuade thousands of converts, and he led the early church as they changed the course of history. What happened to the Apostle Peter in the few intervening days between the sad scene at Jesus’ trial and this victorious display of confidence and success? In the first instance, though totally self-confident, he had failed miserably. In the second, he displayed a confident approach, yet the results were quite different. What happened was Peter lost all his self-confidence and gained in its place God-confidence. After he healed the lame man, he said to the amazed people who were watching, Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus…And on the basis of faith in his name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know (Acts 3:12-13, 16). When Peter spoke now, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. No more shooting off his mouth as before when he operated out of self-confidence. With the Holy Spirit controlling him, Peter spoke with great power and was successful in his service for Jesus. Notice, however, the loss of self-confidence didn’t turn Peter into a sniveling, cowardly wimp. He didn’t walk around with his head hanging down, quite the opposite. He was bolder than ever before because God controlled him, and his confidence was in someone much more capable and powerful than he was. My dear friends, self-confidence is a deceptive allurement fostered by this world. Like Peter, many Christians go from one sad experience to another, as their self-confidence fails them. And even when self-confidence brings some temporary achievements, it is so fragile and so easily intimidated it falls apart at the first adverse wind that comes along. I know because I’ve been there. I spent ten years building my life on self-confidence and my own achievements. I could list the successes I had in the business world during those ten years, and you might think I had done pretty well. I had self-confidence, but it kept falling apart on me all the time. I could put on a good face, but underneath, in those quiet moments of aloneness, I was anything but confident, and I knew I wasn’t doing very well on my own. I thank God my self-confidence was shattered many years ago because then I finally turned to my Savior and said, “I just can’t do it anymore. I’m a failure. I can’t cope. I’m an emotional yo-yo. I’m just a mess.” Despite the success I had stacked up in the business world, I was at the end of my self-confident rope. Once that self-confidence was shattered, I turned back to God. And that's when the God-confidence began, and each day is another opportunity to grow in my trust of God and to operate now in his power instead of my own. But it began when my own self-confidence was destroyed. Paul wrote to the Philippians: We are, remember, truly circumcised when we worship God by the Spirit, when we find our joy in Jesus Christ and put no confidence in what we are in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). He was reminding his Jewish brothers and sisters that outward rituals and signs are not the evidence of our relationship to God, but we are truly rightly related to God when we are Spirit-controlled, when we find our joy in Jesus Christ, and when we have no confidence in our flesh, in ourselves. Have you been on a misguided search for self-confidence? It could be even though you know God through Jesus Christ, you've been running your life by the world’s principles, as I did for so long. Paul wrote to the Galatians: Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again (Galatians 4:8-9)? Why would we want to run on self-confidence when God-confidence is available to us? Can we doubt God-confidence has much more to offer? Can we deny self-confidence fails us frequently? Then why do we run back to the world’s weak and miserable principles? May I suggest it is because the philosophy of self-confidence looks good, and it appears to work for some people. We swallow the bait and are deceived again by the master-liar, the father of lies—Satan. What’s the answer? There’s only one: The shattering of our self-confidence and a decision on our part to replace it with God-confidence. If you’re still running on self-confidence, you can either make a choice to abandon it, or you can keep on until it runs out of gas on its own, which it will do eventually. It is self-destructive and will, sooner or later, collapse. Maybe that’s happened to you already, and you’re now wallowing in the shambles of that failed self-confidence. Either way, if you choose God-confidence, it can be yours. To have God-confidence, you must first have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which requires repentance and a turning away from your sins. If you don’t have that assurance, it is the essential first step. Then, you must pursue knowing God as your highest priority. You must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to control your life, and that is your choice. Remember Peter gained God-confidence as he was filled with God’s Holy Spirit. That is available to every Christian. When you are born from above, you receive the Holy Spirit, but it is your choice whether you will allow the Spirit to control your life or not. If you do, changes will take place in your everyday routine. Priorities will undoubtedly shift. Some good things you’ve been doing may have to go to make room for the time you need with God. That will not happen by accident; it will happen as you purpose in your heart to know God. I can assure you of this, the more you know him, the more confidence you have in him. The more his Word is the central focus of your existence, the more confident you will be. God-confidence may look the same as self-confidence in some respects, but the big difference is it is humble confidence. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13). Humility that comes from wisdom—in other words, it is wise to be humble because you recognize your own weaknesses. And this wise humility will give you a confidence much stronger, much less dependent on you and your performance, and totally confident on God in you—the Holy Spirit. God-confidence is there even when you fail; even when you are fearful of failing. God-confidence does not rely on your abilities but relies on the truth of God's Word. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). You can be totally confident of this—God has begun a good work in you, and he will not let you go; he will not fail you; he will never leave you or forsake you. That, my friend, is God-confidence.

Manifesting First Fruits (1) (audio) David Eells 11/19/25 Jesus Is Coming in His First-Fruits Teddy Lishan Desta - 06/22/2005 You shall rise up in My Name, you shall stand in My very Glory. In the majesty of the Name of your God, you shall shepherd My flock (Micah 5:4-5). For the sake of My Name, which I have bestowed on you, and for the Divine strength I have put in you, the obedience of the nations shall be yours, and all the nations of the earth shall bring their homage to you. All the nations shall be blessed through you (Genesis 49:10; Psalm 72:11). For your God has anointed and glorified you, you shall be made princes and leaders to the nations; and a people who knew not you, shall follow you (Isaiah 55:4; 32:1). You have eaten from the hidden manna; you have received the white stone. You have passed through the deep waters of afflictions, and you have overcome your trials. Therefore, I have given you access to My presence; I have made you My cherished heritage. You have been made a royal vessel, a chosen seed to carry My Name. Arise now and display the white stone and manifest the Name written on it (Revelation 2:17). Arise and proclaim the hidden manna, I have fed you all these years. What you have heard in secret, now you should proclaim in the public; what you have been told in the ears, now you have to shout it from the rooftops (Matthew 10:27). I have made you the express image of My Son, and the manifestation of His invisible power (Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 3:12). You shall soon leave My hiding place, and you will carry His Name before the nations. And those who do not bow down to this Name, they shall fall and never rise again (Psalm 45: 5-7). This is the day your Lord has chosen to magnify His Holy Name above all names. I have shaped you all these years in the furnace of affliction. You have languished under a heavy burden and endured the rod of My chastisement. I have intended you to be a caring leader, so I have chosen you by fire (Isaiah 49:11). But look, I shall come to you to open your grave and to release you from your dungeon. I shall come to you to shake off your dust and to change your humble state. When I exert My resurrection power on your behalf and raise you from the dead and sit you on a throne in the highest place of this world, then you shall be like one who dreams. I shall place you above all dominion, principalities and powers, and all those who will see this will acknowledge that I have exerted the exceeding power of My strength on your behalf. I have anointed you for My grand purpose. You are the chosen instrument to bring to an end the groaning and sighing of creation (Romans 8:19). You shall gather the little ones in your nurturing arms, and they will thrive under your protective care. The poor and the needy shall get solace under your guidance, and you shall destroy their destroyer and make their Earth to rest in peace. You shall be the spring shower on the dry land. The lives that have been blighted by sin shall be healed and restored. The weak and the oppressed shall have their lives revived under your sight. You shall raise the dead and restore the deceased. You will be made the dew of light, which shall make the earth to sprout her dead back to life. The rubbles of generations you shall rebuild. But you shall burn also like a fire (Malachi 3:1-2). Your blaze shall sweep the world; it shall devour all that causes offense. You shall serve Me as the gatekeepers of My Kingdom lest the uncircumcised of heart enter My Kingdom and defile My Sanctuary. Your all-seeing eyes shall keep out the wicked, the arrogant, and the pervert from My holy city. To understand all these, look what I did in the life of Moses when I took him from the vocation of a shepherd to make him a leader of My people; study what I did for Joseph when I led him out of the recesses of the dark dungeon to sit him next to the king, and discern My mighty deeds how I glorified Mordecai lifting him up from his humble state to make him a viceroy of the Persian Empire. My people, all these are types of your end-time destiny; it shall be so with you in these last days. I have promised that the overcomer shall inherit My Name and sit with Me on My Divine Throne. He shall be My son and I shall be his Father; and He shall rule the nations with the rod of iron (Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21-22). Get ready, your day of visitation hastens to its fulfillment.   Jesus Will Soon Bring Us to the Father  Amos Scaggs vision - 03/01/2006 I was on the side of a mountain with another person who I knew to be one of the sons of the prophets. I was tending a solid white lamb that had an ever-smooth, slick coat of wool. I was holding a white rope that was attached to the lamb's neck while it was grazing. All of a sudden, the lamb started to move around the side of the mountain and then went straight up towards the top. The son of the prophets did not go with me. As I gave the lamb more rope, it started running full speed higher and higher. I was so amazed that I could keep up with the lamb running like that. I never let go of the white rope that was around the lamb's neck. When the lamb broke into a full gallop, it sensed its owner and master. At the top of the mountain was an old white-haired man with a white beard who was slowly descending the mountain to meet the lamb. But it seemed that the old man had not moved more than 5ft from the top of the mountain until the lamb had reached him. The old man caressed the lamb, and I was still holding on to the white rope that was around the lamb's neck. Jesus, the Lamb, through the Holy Spirit, the rope, will very quickly cause us to ascend the mountain of the Kingdom to our Father. I believe this will soon happen. The sons of the prophets failed to receive the anointing that I did. In 2 Kings 2:15-18 the sons of the prophets didn't believe that Elijah had been taken into the presence of God but thought he was still on earth and so were not included in the gathering. They represented those who were trained by the school of the prophets and, as such the Church System.   First-Fruits Rise as World Falls The Trumpet Bill Burns -- 12/26/2005 You shall be astonished as you walk forward from this day. I tell you that I am going to build My house. It is a house that no man can build, and I will build on the mountain tops, and I will build in the places that people will flow into. I will build a house of power, for indeed this is the season of the horse (of power) when the sons of My right hand shall arise to their positions. I shall dispel the lies that I no longer move in power. I shall break through the darkness, for I Am the Light of this Day. I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Truth is going to be revealed in an unprecedented way as I come forth in power and build My house. It will be a house that I can dwell in, a place of healing and resurrection life, a place of revelation knowledge. You, My people, will see that house. Arise and rejoice, for I come, says the Lord!   Small Straws in a Soft Wind Marsha Burns - 12/26/2005 There is a rumbling; it is My power in the earth. It is resurrection power. I have been touched with the feeling of your infirmities. I have been touched by your grief and sorrow. Come forth. Rise up and come forth. You have been bound in grave clothes, but I call to you to come forth! I will bring you up and loose you from your bondages. I will cause you to overcome and to be victorious even over the death in the things you have experienced, says the Lord.   Glorified in His Saints Aaron Lim - 10/02/2006 I received this vision as I was listening to a talk by David Eells. In the vision, the whole land was dark, and nothing could be seen in the background. I saw the Lord Jesus Christ with a light around Him on the cross on top of a hill in the middle of the land. All around, at the bottom of the hill, I saw people who looked exactly like Jesus, like they were clones of Him. They were all wearing the exact same garments as each other and had the same light around them as Christ did, and they were all looking up towards Him on the cross. Praise His name! 2 Cor.3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. 2 Cor.4:11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Gal.2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 2 Thes.1:10 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. 11 To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and [every] work of faith, with power; 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. After the vision, I knelt down to pray and closed my eyes, and I pictured Jesus Christ on top of the hill, as if through the eyes of one of the saints, and I said to Him a prayer from King David: “With all my heart have I sought you, don't let me wander from your commandments.” He looked at me and said, “Ask the Father, because anything you ask of Him will be done by the Father”. So I looked up to the sky and asked our Father, and tears started flowing from my eyes. To Him be the kingdom and the glory forever and ever. My brothers and sisters, seek diligently and keep your eyes on the Son because everything else is darkness, and in Him there's hope. Ask the Father to lead you by the hand to our Lord because we can't find Him on our own. I have faith in His power to perfect all of us in Jesus Christ.   Greater Works Coming  Rex Veron - 10/04/2006 Last night, around 1:30 or 2:00 AM, I dreamed; actually, it was like I was translated to this place. I was among many people of all walks of life and backgrounds. All of them were between 16 - 20 years old, except me. We were working as a team, casting out demons, praying, and exalting Jesus. We would speak and it would come to pass; healings, prophesying, deliverances, growing and replacing of limbs, it was awesome. It replayed several times, and I remember thinking I'm actually here with these people doing this. The feeling of presence was overwhelming. The people were non-descript, nothing distinguished one from another, and all had in common the love, reverence, and fear of the Lord. I have a strong sense this morning that this has something to do with the birth of the man-child and how the corporate body will function.   A Bird of Prey Teddy Lishan Desta (David's notes in red) What I have purposed from eternity that I will perform in its appointed time. My eternal counsel shall stand, and what I have purposed will be done. I am not a man to lie, not a son of man to change My mind. I will do what I counsel to do; I cannot deny Myself. Many have written about My plan for the last days. But did they truly learn from Me, or did they hear from My eternal counsels? Did they partake of the secrets of their God; did they visit the inner recesses of My word? Were the mysteries of the Holy One of Israel disclosed to them? Had they known My counsel, they would have declared My mind. Had they truly heard from Me, there would have been no error among My people. But what they spoke was of man; what they wrote was out of the learning of man. Neither the wise of this world could know about My doing, as it is discerned by My Spirit. None of their learned men could predict about My plan, as this was My much-kept secret. Jer.23:16 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah. 17 They say continually unto them that despise me, Jehovah hath said, Ye shall have peace; and unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come upon you. 18 For who hath stood in the council of Jehovah, that he should perceive and hear his word? Who hath marked my word, and heard it? 19 Behold, the tempest of Jehovah, [even his] wrath, is gone forth, yea, a whirling tempest: it shall burst upon the head of the wicked. 20 The anger of Jehovah shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall understand it perfectly. 21 I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I spake not unto them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. My people, listen to Me as I speak My heart to you; and carefully weigh My words which are from My heart. My secrets I disclose to you, and that which has not been known to past generations I reveal to you. You have not heard it before; only now I lift the shroud and reveal that which has been hid from the ages. You are My chosen generation, so I reveal My truths to you. This I do so that you shall build My Kingdom on earth and bring Me the glory (Isa 48; Eph.1:17-20; Rom.16:26-27). This is My will, My eternal counsel. Your God will stir a bird of prey, His instrument of judgment from its abode. God has readied His bird for these days. God shall use it to bring His eternal plan to pass on earth, and God's hand shall guide it into action. God will call it from the valleys of the Jordan, and make it to emerge from the lowest parts of the earth. As the phoenix rises from its ashes, so shall My bird rise from the furnaces. It will come forth from the smoldering fires, so it will gleam like burnished steel. It will ascend to the heights and strike across the skies like lightning. The world will be taken by surprise; its appearing shall strike fear among many. I have fully equipped the bird to fulfill all that I have called it to do. (This phoenix is the first fruits sons of God, in whom Jesus is resurrected from the death of the Jordan to do His works of old when He was the first fruits. They will bring truths hidden from the foundation of the world and authority to bring judgment on the beast and harlot.) Its eyes are like those of the eagle, penetrating and discerning from afar. Its wings are large and strong; it will not weary or tire. Its talons and beak are sharp and strong; none of its prey can escape its grips. My bird shall strike fear in the hearts of the kings of the earth, and the girdles of their loins will untie. Those who eat My people as one who eats bread, they shall be judged by My hand. Those who say they reside in their strong towers, them it shall attack and humble for their pride. Many will cry out to God for His mercy and forgiveness; many may find the door of repentance closed. But to you, My sons and daughters of the Faith, the bird shall come to you as a comforter, carrying healing in its wings. To you, it shall bring good tidings, the news of eternal joy and rest. You shall get protection under its wings and deliverance from your mortal enemies. With your eyes, you shall see the destruction of the wicked, and none of the pestilences coming to your gates. Mal.4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall. 3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make, saith Jehovah of hosts. You shall see My salvation coming to the earth; you shall see as the captives go free. You shall see your corporate prayers answered and your righteous petitions granted. I will wipe away your tears from your faces, and your mouth shall be filled with mirth. You will see the righteousness of God filling the world, as the Word of God is honored by all. Hos.6:2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. 3 And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. Mal.5:2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth: then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 4 And he shall stand, and shall feed [his flock] in the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God: and they shall abide; for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. Therefore, My people, wait upon your God expectantly as I AM to begin to fulfill My eternal plans. But many others will attempt to fight My will, but they shall fail. Many will try to shoot down My bird of prey, but no weapon fashioned against it can prosper. I AM your God Who does His eternal counsels faithfully in its appointed time. I do that which is truth, and I owe no one an apology, says the Lord. Word From the east, I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill My purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do (Isa.46:11). I am calling a man to come from the east; he will swoop down like a hawk and accomplish what I have planned. I have spoken, and it will be done (Isa.46:11). For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man (Mat.24:27, NIV).   Man-child and Tribulation Approach He Shall Come to Be Glorified in His Saints Word given to Debra Klein - 02/08/2004 You cry out to me, My love, in heavy labor, groping for the touch of My hand ... the comfort of My Words in thy ears! You are drunk and delirious with the birth pangs to deliver my Son from thy womb! The tears of your pain have clouded thy sight and discernment as to where you are! You are here ... in the labor room ... in the holding pattern, laboring to bring forth My Son! I am with you, though you cannot see Me through your suffering and labor. Do you not hear the tender words of comfort I whisper in thy ears? Am I not so close that you do not feel my heart beating with yours as the labor increases? For in just a little while, He shall come forth from thy womb and we will rejoice in Him! My Child in you is stirring and restless, and also labors to come forth from you. The two of you labor together through the writhing pain, and I labor with you also. The Child is still now as He comes through the birth canal ... still and waiting for the last powerful thrust and push to come forth from thy womb to be delivered onto the earth and manifest My Glory! Fear not My Beloved. I am with you! Lean on me heavily as the labor grows hard! For I hold you completely in My Arms and wipe the sweat of your brow through these last excruciating pains before the final thrust! Listen, My love ... do you hear His heart beat within you? His heartbeat is increasing as He rises up within you! Any moment now My Beloved, He will come forth! Let Me wipe the tears from your eyes so that you can focus on Me as the labor grows. Focus on My Face and do not turn your eye from Me during these last pains. Hold tight to Mine Arm and the work of Mine Hand will deliver thee! Just a little while, My Beloved! Hold tight to Me! And the world will know that I, the Father, have brought forth My Son through you! Fear not My Love, the dragon lies cunning in anticipation of His birth, but I am here and will protect Him and you from the evil one who desires in his heart to devour Him. He has no victory over My Hand that delivers My Son onto the earth! Rest My Love, between the pangs of labor, for you will need to be strengthened to endure the final moments of the labor. Lay back in My Arms and rest heavy upon Me, for soon, very soon My Son will come forth and I will deliver you into My Glory!   Tribulation Translations to Safety Javier Keefe - 03/01/2012 (David's notes in red) In the dream I had this morning, there was a nuclear missile that was heading to Earth. There were three types of people whom I saw when it was known that this missile would be crashing to Earth. The first group just gave up and started partying and drinking, reasoning, Well, we're all going to die, so we'd might as well enjoy our last moments. The second type of people thought, everyone for themselves, and a hoarding spirit prevailed in them. (Even though this missile could be a natural sign of what will come to many places on Earth, this missile is a symbol of coming catastrophe. Many people know that the end is near and lean upon whatever they trust in or gives some comfort to them.) The third type of people knew that when this missile hit the Earth, the yoke of this world system will be broken off of them supernaturally and that an anointing of protection with every need provided by the hand of their Father would be speedily met. They knew that the Lord's power and great grace, like could only be imagined by the heart, would become reality. (These saints knew that the end of hope in the world system brings the freedom of a new beginning. People can stop worrying about going to college and getting ahead and seek to know God and be in the “Secret place of the Most High”, Jesus Christ. The renewed imagination of faith in the promises of God's Word will supply every need, including protection.) This third group of people found they were able to fly and be translated to help the first two types of people. (See my dream below of translations to come.) The third group of people had so much faith in the good news of the latter rain anointing that they were a great help to many, and they were able to bring some to a safe house. (Those who believe the Gospel of Jesus bearing the curse for us can be delivered from it -- Galatians 3:13.) Even though some people were told about the safe house, some non-believers complained, “Nothing can help us from this coming tragedy”, and they refused to enter the safe house. (The safe house represents abiding in the Word, the Ark of Jesus Christ, and also physical places protected by the angels for people who are in the Ark of Jesus.) The missile was seen in the air like a large, bright star falling to Earth, but everyone knew it was a nuclear missile that would change the world forever once it hit. (America has been seen as a falling star. In the natural, one nuclear missile could bring America down to third-world nation status if exploded miles in the air to “hit Earth” with an EMP to destroy all electronics. Iran has tested their missiles for a high air burst. Javier never saw the missile hit Earth. Many have seen in dreams electronics come to a standstill in America.) The third group of people were at times, like Peter walking on the water; although they could fly at times, the awe of this phenomenon troubled them and kept them from continuing to fly. (Like Peter, when we pay attention to the wind and the waves, it drags our mind down into the natural and causes us to lose faith and sink.) As these people battled with their flying trouble, they got their eyes more on themselves. They thought they were failing to lift off the ground because they were not taking off fast enough, so they started to run and tried catching speed to lift off. Then, when that wouldn't work, they thought they had to be up off the ground and jump off something to catch air. (Salvation in all forms is by faith and not by self-works.) They finally realized they just had to stop confessing they “couldn't fly” and when they simply professed “they could fly,” they could fly again. (We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Once this confusion of works versus grace through faith is past, there will be consistency to walk in the steps of Jesus under the latter rain anointing. Although in the spiritual we fly, or overcome the world, by faith, real translations were common in the New Testament, early rain and will be more so in the latter rain.) Overall, there was a great peace within the third type of people and it was spreading to some others and the scriptures of God's promises were being quoted non-stop, and the Word was the most important thing in the world that was held onto. Mar.11:23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. According to this verse, if you were caught in a place of apparent danger, since you are not under the curse, you could believe God to translate you somewhere else.)   David Eells - 08/18/2010 I was translated from Louisiana many years ago to preach in tongues in some Eastern European church. It was clear they were expecting me to appear in the pulpit, but were very excited when it happened. More recently, I asked the Lord for this gift and have expected it after the Man-child latter rain ministry begins, since it was also common in the early rain. Jesus “disappeared” in the numeric -- John 5:13; Luke 4:28-30; Acts 8:39; John 10:39? In type -- Ezekiel 3:14; 1 Kings 18:12. The boat translated in John 6:16-21. I believe in answer to this prayer, I received a dream in which I saw large, beautiful, tasty strawberries. (Which I believe represent the first fruits Man-child ministry, since strawberries are a spring fruit.) As I examined them, they were inside a dead fish with all kinds of nasty mud and trash around it. (I believe this represents the Man-child being born out of an apostate religious system represented by the fish and the mud and trash represent all the garbage doctrine and living associated with this system.) Also, I saw a war in which the enemy had large plastic tanks with metal straps around them (the kind used in the chemical industry where poisons and corrosives would destroy metal tanks.) We sought to destroy these tanks. (This poison represents strong demonic delusions sent in lying words and doctrines to destroy God's people. We are seeing some of this now.) Then I saw that I had been given a gift to translate from place to place and also to move people out of harm's way by this method. A group would stand beside me and be translated with me to a safe place. (The Man-child took the Woman into the wilderness refuge. Rev.12:5 And she was delivered of a son, a man-child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days ...) When we translated, I said to the translated ones, “And we didn't even have [natural] wings”. (In Javier's dream, flying was translation. 14 And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. These next two verses could refer to the poison in the plastic tanks of strong delusions, which we sought to destroy. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth.)

The Spirit of God empowers you — not for comfort, but for calling. Like Peter and John, you've been filled to witness, not to hide. Let your life be seen, be felt, be heard, be joined, and be strong—a living testimony of Jesus' power For more sermons and worship music each week, be sure to subscribe to our channel so you can stay in the know. Feel free to share on social media, and don't forget to comment below to let us know where you're watching today! Invest in the mission and vision of Westside: https://westsidebaptist.org/give FOLLOW Westside Baptist Church:  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/westsidegainesville  ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/westsidegainesville  ► Website | https://www.westsidebaptist.org  

What if God is launching a spring in your soul? In John 21, the disciples return to what's familiar after failure, only to encounter Jesus on the shore with a new invitation. In this message, Pastor Jon shares how renewal begins when we release what's familiar, trust God's voice over fear, and rest in His grace. Like Peter, we discover that Jesus doesn't erase our past—He redeems it. The Spring of the Soul begins when we stop striving, start listening, and step forward into the new work God is forming within us.

November 1, 2025Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine the disciples and the huge crowd gathered around Jesus for the Sermon on the Mount. They nod to each of the Beatitudes, maybe with a little less boldness as Jesus continues. Perhaps they even look around to see how the other 11 are reacting. “Maybe I'm not perfect, but I've been pretty good at this one or that.” “I think I'm good enough; I don't talk without thinking. Like Peter.” “I think I'm good enough; at least I haven't cheated people in the past, like Matthew.” But Jesus isn't talking about being good enough in other people's eyes, He is speaking of holiness before God – pure in heart – a holiness in the heart.The thing is, there is nothing pure in your heart. The Lord declares, “Out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” (Mark 7:21-22)  There is One who is pure in heart. Jesus Christ, our Holy God in the flesh – He alone is truly pure in heart. At your Baptism, in the Blessed Exchange, the Lord cleansed you entirely, taking all of the filth and wretchedness from your heart and trading it for all the righteousness, holiness, and purity of Jesus' heart!That Baptism was “not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's word.” (Small Catechism, Baptism, 1). So with God's Word, that water delivered Jesus and His forgiveness, rescue, and salvation. You were made blessed and holy by the Holy Spirit. There is daily war against the new creature – the saint that God made at your Baptism. You face horrible hardships all of the time; some of them known only to you in the recesses of your emotional health. Non-Christians harass the Church and her baptized saints. We are weak when facing temptations. We all have our great afflictions. Before Christ returns, the afflictions will increase.You are not good enough. But Christ is perfect and pure. And He gifts you with being pure in heart, holy, and blessed. You belong to Him as His baptized saint. You sing with those saints now in the Church Militant, and one day, Christ will resurrect you and gather you with all His saints to stand before Him, arrayed in white, washed in the Blood of Jesus, and singing His praises forever.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Behold a host, arrayed in white, Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright! With palms they stand; Who is this band Before the throne of light? These are the saints of glorious fame, Who from the great affliction came And in the flood Of Jesus' blood Are cleansed from guilt and shame. They now serve God both day and night; They sing their songs in endless light. Their anthems ring As they all sing With angels shining bright. (LSB 676:1)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Many believers today are hiding in the shadows rather than stepping into God's light to make an impact. Like Peter in Acts 5, whose shadow healed people as he walked by, we're called to cast shadows that bring healing and hope to others. The enemy uses shame and fear to keep us trapped in darkness, whispering lies about our unworthiness. However, God calls us to step into His light despite our imperfections, knowing that He can use anyone willing to say yes to His calling. We can't cast a shadow for God's glory if we're hiding from His purpose. It's time for the church to rise up and shine brightly in these dark times, speaking hope to a hopeless generation.

In this message, Mike shares about being An Extraordinary Witness, drawing from Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses.” He reminds us that when we're filled with the Spirit, we become witnesses - not by effort, but by transformation.Mike challenges the church to be bold in sharing Jesus in a world that's shaking and searching for truth. Using examples from Acts 3, 4, and 9, he shows how early believers lived as witnesses through miracles, prayer, obedience, and courage. Like Peter, Stephen, Philip, and Paul, we're called to demonstrate and declare Christ with power and compassion. Our everyday lives, our words, and even how we face hardship can all testify to Jesus. The invitation is clear: to be Spirit-filled, prayerful, and unashamed witnesses; people through whom God's extraordinary power and love are made known.

Join us as Pastor Tommy shares a message about trusting in God. Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance of our decision. But it's better to find out than miss out.References: Luke 5:1-11To get connected visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.midtownvineyardchurch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...To Donate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://midtownvineyard.churchcenter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.... Download the church center app to stay in the loop ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://churchcenter.com/setup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discover more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.midtownvineyardchurch.com...⁠⁠⁠ us on Instagram: / midtownvineyard Find us on Facebook: / midtownvineyardmbSermon Notes: Rightnowmedia.com

Sometimes God calls us to step into the fog... to obey even when it doesn't make sense. In this message, Pastor Justin shows how unclear obedience often unlocks unseen blessings. Like Peter, we may not understand until later, but when we trust God's word above our understanding, miracles are already waiting in the water. Don't wait to understand, but instead, step out in obedience!

As the US steps back from NATO, which country is best suited to take the seat at the head of the table?Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/what-does-a-post-us-nato-look-like

Your Daily Prayer

Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy times seven. I loathe physical therapy. Thanks to having the back of someone 3x my age, I have been quite a few times in the last ten years. Everytime I go, I am paired with a guy about my same age but who is in impeccable physical condition, which already makes me feel worse. Then they put me through a circuit of ridiculous exercises, things with bands, an impossible balancing board, and stretches that make me feel like something could snap at any moment. Exasperated, after throwing a ball against the wall while balancing on one leg, I asked, ‘What in the world does this have to do with making my back feel better?!' My therapist said, ‘Your low back is weak. We can strengthen it some, but not much. Instead, if we focus on everything else around your low back, your hips, your core, your flexibility, then the pain will start to go away, but not entirely. You'll be able to function, just not fully; your discs are too damaged. So focusing solely on your low back will never bring the healing you want. You have to focus on everything else around it.”Now talking about my woes with physical therapy may seem like a non sequitur to the final question in our series: How do we hold on to our shared humanity in a divided world? But I promise it will come back around. So stay with me. One thing among many I have loved about this series, Asking for a Friend, is that all of the questions have been timely; relevant not just to our life together, but to much that is happening in the world around us. Today's question is one we all want an answer to. The questioner had more context: they said, “as we get more and more divided, it seems like faith communities are pushing further and further to the extremes. In doing so, we lose the ability to see our shared humanity. What do we do? How do we move forward”? Division and conflict have become a staple of American life. And that's not just an anecdote, though I am sure you have your own story. According to Pew Research Center, compared to similar nations,we Americans hold much deeper divisions within nearly every facet of society: politics, race, and even agreement on basic facts. Ironically enough, polarization is now a defining feature of these United States.Faith communities are no different, especially along partisan lines. These days it's more likely that the way someone votes determines what church they attend than their theological views. Which means, more churches are becoming homogenous in their political beliefs, more people are leaving churches from political partisanship, and there are fewer and fewer purple congregations. For the most part, churches are not sorting themselves, they are already sorted. And in just the past two weeks, headlines have piled up calling this moment an inflection point—a crisis. It sure feels like it. Unity? Seeing our shared humanity? It seems nearly impossible—for churches, for the nation, let alone the warring parts of the world. So what do we do? I think we, as a church, go about unity like physical therapy.It may sound counterintuitive, but if unity is the goal, don't focus on it. If we insist on “being united”, if we tell ourselves and others, “we are a united congregation,” we won't be—and everyone will end up disappointed, or worse.Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “He who is in love with his vision of community will destroy community. But he who loves the people around him will create community wherever he goes.” The same is true of unity. If we love the idea of unity more than the people in front of us, we'll never achieve it. This is exactly what allows a group like Zeitouna to exist. Zeitouna is a group of six Jewish and six Palestinian women who, despite deep divisions, have learned to see each other's shared humanity. For over twenty years, they have gathered in each others' homes every other week, sharing dinner, and engaging in intentional Dialogue. They listen not to formulate a response, but to understand the other's point of view. Their goal is not to come to an agreement. How could they? Instead, they work on creating shared understanding—by listening, speaking from their own experience, slowing down, and pausing more. They focused on so many other things, not just the issues. And only then were they able to see one another for what they truly are, human. Irene, a Jewish member, said, “My heart has been opened to those who scare me.” Wadad, a Palestinian member, said, “Through Zeitouna I've learned to hear the voice of the ‘other'—her pain and her joy—realizing it mirrors my own.” They never chased unity itself. They focused on other things, and unity formed along the way.Instead of chasing unity, let's focus on our shared humanity, on forgiveness, and on grace.Now, in the church we love to say that every person is made in the image of God. And that is true. But if we stop there, we can fool ourselves into thinking that image means we are inherently good, virtuous, capable. Scripture, and our experience, say otherwise. Paul reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The image of God in us is real, but like funhouse mirrors, it is fractured and distorted. So what do we share, really? We share our limits. We share our failures. We share our tendency to mess things up and let each other down. Our weakness, not our strength, is our common ground. And friends, that might sound like bad news, but it is actually quite the opposite. Because when you stop expecting other people to be more virtuous, more stable, or more capable than you are—you find yourself a little less disappointed. A little more patient. A little more compassionate. It frees us to meet one another not with unrealistic expectations but with grace. But that also means we will need to forgive, and to do so often. Like Peter, we ask “how often”? More than we want to, more than what seems right, honestly more than we think we can. Because it's not so much that someone will wrong you 490 times, but that it might take 490 attempts at forgiving one offense before we've really done it. All of that is hard. Which means, if we are going to see our shared humanity, forgive one another, and live as a functioning community, it will only be out of gratitude for the grace of Jesus, who has already done all of that for you and always will. When we dwell on the grace poured into our lives, it spills over—flowing from our hearts out into the world, giving others the mercy and love Jesus has already given us.Just like physical therapy, if unity is the goal, focusing on it will only lead to more pain, disappointment, and ultimately division. Because we will, and likely already have, let each other down. But I am asking you to stay. Stay even when there's disagreement, stay when feelings are hurt, stay when it feels easier to walk away. Because if we leave every time, we miss what Jesus is capable of through forgiveness and grace. So let's focus on those things now: on shared humanity, on forgiveness, on the grace already given to us. And then by the mercy of God and the work of the Spirit, unity will begin to take shape. It may not be perfect. The pain may not entirely go away. But we will be able to function. We will be able to live together as God's people. And we will have hope for the unity that is to come to all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

During the message this week Pastor Kevin Simmons reminds us that even a little faith in Jesus can change everything. Like Peter stepping out on the water, our trust often wavers when we focus on fear instead of Christ. But when we shift our trust away from money, people, or our own understanding, and fully place it in God, we find that He is faithful and able to do the impossible.

We are all called to courageously point people to Jesus. Like Peter at Pentecost, we must lovingly confront misconceptions, take people to Scripture, highlight the mighty works of Christ, and give clear next steps of faith. In this message from Acts 2:14–41, discover how the same Spirit that empowered Peter empowers us today to boldly share the good news of Jesus.

Your Daily Prayer

Today's Political and Religious Climates Harden Hearts of Many “Believers” Who Turn Away from God - Jesus Followers Are to and Can Help Those with Hardening Hearts MESSAGE SUMMARY: No matter the hardness of a person's heart, who has walked away from God, they will respond to your initiatives that are based on your love and trust. However, so many of us Christians are so focused on doing their religious or spiritual things and keeping to their “busy” schedules that they do not have time to love and care for the needs of other – physical and/or spiritual. Is there anything you can do for someone with a calloused heart or who has walked away from God because they were not discipled? Yes, you must start by praying for them – asking God to move in their lives; asking God to intervene in their life situations; asking God to break up the hardness of their heart. Also, you must build a better personal relationship, with this person, through your trust and caring love. In Mathew 18:12-13, Jesus presents God's perspective regarding the pursuit of even one person that has walked away: “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."   TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, to you I acknowledge that I don't want to go the way of powerlessness and humility. Like Peter, I want to know what you are doing with those around me. I love you. Help me to trust you with this day, with tomorrow, and with my whole life. In Jesus' name, amen.        Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 92). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Compulsions. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Patience. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Acts 1:8; Romans 2:15-16; Psalms 47:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Go! Make Disciples!”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. — Galatians 2:11 After his formative, life-changing encounter with Cornelius the centurion, Peter and others led the early church in understanding God's grace for all people (see Acts 10-11, 15). Later, however, Peter tended to favor Jesus' Jewish followers, while Paul continued working for the Lord as a missionary to Gentiles (Acts 9, 13-14, 16-28). Though Peter believed that Jesus' love was for all people, he sometimes slipped back into ethnic prejudices, avoiding eating with Gentiles for fear of offending Jewish believers. In Antioch, Paul confronted Peter (Cephas) as a hypocrite for separating himself from Gentiles. Though Paul's response may have been excessive, we can thank God that Paul did not go along with twisting Jesus' gospel of love and unity. And, sadly, again we see Peter, “a pillar” of the early church, showing weakness in the face of peer pressure from Jewish hardliners. Yet Peter didn't completely collapse here. From his later teaching we can tell that he accepted Paul's reprimand and moved on without holding a grudge. In a letter to Christians in Galatia and other parts of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Peter describes Paul as “our dear brother,” who had also written to them “with the wisdom that God gave him” (2 Peter 3:15). Like Peter, we can expect to fail at times. As we grow in becoming disciples, though, we can also, like Peter, humbly accept correction and continue to follow Jesus. Lord, by your grace, may we continue to follow and serve you. Amen.

Finding freedom from guilt requires understanding that self-forgiveness is not our responsibility—it's God's. Like Peter, who denied Jesus three times yet was restored, we must learn to distinguish between conviction (what I did was bad) and shame (I am bad). Shame leads to despair while conviction leads to repentance. Jesus doesn't dwell on our failures but gives us a mission for the future. The devil brings up our past to derail our future, but God has already forgiven us. Our identity isn't defined by our mistakes but by who God says we are.

Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” — Luke 22:8 At our house, busyness swirls as we prepare for big meals at Thanksgiving and Christmastime. Wrestling a big meal onto the table requires lots of planning. That was undoubtedly true for Jewish families looking forward to Passover as well. In our story today Jesus sends his trusted disciples Peter and John to make arrangements for the Passover meal they would share together. Many details had to be arranged in preparing this meal: securing a large room in Jerusalem; clearing all of the yeast out of that room; and buying wine, cakes of unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, among other things. Most important, they also needed a lamb that had been sacrificed at the temple. How could they do all that in so little time? Amazingly, Jesus had already foreseen every detail. Just as Jesus had said, Peter and John met a man carrying a jar of water in Jerusalem, and he led them to a house where they could take care of all their Passover preparations. The miraculous logistics of this story emphasize Jesus' divinity and power, as well as his attention to detail. Like Peter and John, we can be confident when Jesus gives us an assignment. No matter how difficult or complicated it may seem, he has already been working ahead of us, preparing the way and graciously providing an opportunity for us to be involved in his work of salvation. In your invitation to trust and follow you, Jesus, you provide all that we need for serving you in the world. Amen.

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” — Matthew 19:27 Often in life we are taught that we will be rewarded for certain behaviors and actions—especially if we try hard and work at something with all our heart. In our reading for today, Peter speaks for the others around him and asserts that they've given up everything to follow Jesus. Can they expect a reward? In his teaching here, Jesus indicates that there is a cost in following him. When a rich young man asks how he can “get eternal life,” Jesus speaks of keeping God's commandments, and he calls on the young man to give up his wealth to the poor and to follow him. Unable to do that, the rich young man turns away disappointed. Jesus explains to his disciples how hard it can be for a rich person to be saved. In fact, he says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” than for a rich person to enter God's kingdom. Gaining salvation for ourselves is impossible, but, thankfully, God has provided a way for us. If we turn to Jesus, he will save us and give us new life. Like Peter and the other disciples, we should turn to Jesus, recognizing that all that we have has been given by God. And we should seek to honor God first by serving him and others. Though our rewards in this life may not include wealth or status, the Lord will bless us with all we need and with the assurance that we will have eternal life with him “at the renewal of all things.” Help us, Lord, to follow where you lead, serving you and others as we await full life in your presence. Amen.

Even when we can't see it, God is always at work — in our lives, our struggles, and our future. In this powerful message rooted in John 5:17, we're reminded that just as the Father is working, so is Jesus. And so should we. Key Takeaways: Remember the Past, But Don't Dwell There (Philippians 3:13–14) – Let go of what's behind and press forward toward your calling in Christ. God Is Always Moving (Isaiah 43:19) – He's doing a new thing. Will you recognize it? Create Trail Markers, Not Monuments (Exodus 12:14) – Memorials help us remember God's faithfulness without getting stuck in the past. Step Out in Faith (Matthew 14:29) – Like Peter, when Jesus says “Come,” we step forward, trusting Him. This sermon will encourage you to stay in step with a God who is always moving — inviting us to follow Him forward in faith, not backward in regret.

Jason focuses today on financial wisdom and the real estate market. He emphasizes the importance of taking action over endless information gathering for personal growth and financial success. Jason then shifts to housing appreciation rates over the past decade, highlighting how income property is a robust, tax-advantaged asset class focused on yield, not just price. He further explores the challenges faced by renters due to high rental costs and the scarcity of affordable housing, while also clarifying the investor's role in contributing to housing supply. Finally, he addresses the complexities of measuring housing inventory and promotes upcoming events and investment opportunities. Go to JasonHartman.com/Properties and start your investing journey! Reach out to your investment counselors today at 1-800-HARTMAN ext. 2. Jason then welcomes Adam Bergman, founder of IRA Financial, talks about the history and current state of self-directed IRAs, highlighting their potential for significant investment returns and explaining the differences between traditional and Roth IRAs. He covered the benefits and tax implications of using a self-directed IRA for investments, including strategies to avoid unrelated business income tax and the importance of diversification in Congress's perspective. The discussion concluded with Adam explaining the setup process for an LLC through IRA Financial, emphasizing the benefits of checkbook control and limited liability protection for real estate investments.   Key Takeaways: Jason's editorial 1:49 Clip of the Day: The Most "Conformist" Woman in the World 3:29 Get your dopamine from action 5:22 Home Price Appreciation 2014-2024 8:06 Hourly wage needed to afford rent 9:43 Number of minimum wage jobs needed to afford a 2 BR rent 13:19 Housing inventory: NAR vs. HousingWire 15:31 Join our FREE Masterclass every second Wednesday of each month! JasonHartman.com/Wednesday Adam Bergman interview 16:21 A brief history of SDIRA's 19:55 Sponsor: https://www.monetary-metals.com/Hartman/ 21:57 2 Benefits of why using an IRA is so important 23:04 Taxes in the IRA environment 28:32 Most important things to know 30:51 Next steps and what IRA Financial can do for you https://www.IRAFinancial.com     Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class:  Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com    

Have you ever found yourself in a place you didn't want to be — or worse, a place you didn't deserve to be? In this message, we look at the story of Peter, locked in a prison cell simply for preaching Jesus. He hadn't harmed anyone or broken any laws, yet his obedience led him straight into a place of confinement. Life can feel like that sometimes. You can do everything right — raise your kids well, work hard, stay faithful — and still find yourself in a painful or confusing season. Like Peter, you might wonder what God is doing or if He's doing anything at all. But even in those moments, God is not silent. He has a plan, and in time, He will reveal His purpose, His direction, and His faithfulness — even from the middle of a prison cell. Don't miss this powerful reminder that God is still working, even when life takes an unexpected detour.

God's power is already available to us, but we need to activate our faith to access it. Like Peter walking on water, we must step out of our comfort zones when Jesus calls us. Many of us know about God's power but get distracted by worldly substitutes like wealth, status, or social validation. Our connection to God's power works like electricity—always present but requiring us to flip the switch. When we activate our faith, we not only transform our own lives but inspire others to connect to God's power as well.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit In this powerful message from Luke 9:27–36, Josh Brown, our minister to students, families, and young adults, takes us to the mountain of transfiguration and challenges us to see Jesus for who He truly is—not merely a teacher, a helper, or a comforter, but the radiant, glorious Son of God. Preaching with urgency, passion, and deep conviction, Josh reminds us that this moment in Scripture isn't just a dramatic scene from Jesus's life—it's a theological earthquake meant to realign our understanding of Christ's identity and our response to Him. The transfiguration reveals that Jesus doesn't borrow glory like Moses, He is the glory. His face shines like lightning, His clothes become dazzling white, and He stands in conversation with Moses and Elijah, the very embodiment of the Law and the Prophets, not as an equal, but as the fulfillment of everything they pointed toward. In this moment, the Father speaks clearly: “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him.” That command still echoes today. Josh challenges us to reflect: when is the last time we were silenced by the glory of God? Have we gotten so used to the noise, distractions, and debates of our world that we've lost our sense of awe? The disciples themselves, even after witnessing miracles, struggled to fully grasp who Jesus was. But on the mountain, in a moment of intimacy through prayer, Jesus's eternal identity is revealed. Josh reminds us that this glimpse of glory wasn't meant to impress—it was meant to prepare. The disciples would soon watch their Messiah suffer and die. And when they did, they would need to hold fast to what they saw that day: the King of glory, unveiled. Josh presses us to consider whether the Jesus we follow is too small, too safe, too familiar. A Jesus who only affirms us but never confronts us can never truly save us. If your faith feels dim, perhaps the problem isn't that Jesus is distant, but that your focus is. This message also presses into the uncomfortable but vital truth that Jesus does not come to coexist among your priorities—He comes to reign. Like Peter on the mountain, we too can fumble the moment by placing Jesus alongside the other “voices” in our life. But the Father's rebuke is unmistakable: don't just admire Him—listen to Him. Obedience is the only right response to revealed glory. The transfiguration also anchors Jesus in the full story of Scripture. Moses and Elijah don't appear to share wisdom; they appear to confirm the identity of the Son. All Scripture points to Him. And Jesus, even in glory, speaks of His departure—His coming death on the cross. The cross remains central. Glory doesn't bypass suffering; it leads into it. For us, that means we don't just stay on the mountaintop admiring the moment—we follow Jesus down into the valley, onto the mission, into the world. Josh's call to action is clear and convicting. Don't walk out of church the same way you came in. If you've truly seen the King, your life should be transformed. Share the gospel. Live differently. Stop admiring Jesus from a distance and start submitting to Him in the details of your everyday life. You're not called to simply consume encouragement—you're called to carry a cross. This sermon isn't just a reminder of who Jesus is—it's an invitation to respond. If you've ever reduced Jesus to a mascot, a motivator, or a metaphor, this message will challenge you to see Him again with fresh eyes. To behold the Son in His glory is to be undone—and to be undone is the beginning of true worship, bold obedience, and gospel transformation. Watch the full message now to encounter the Jesus of the Scriptures—radiant, ruling, risen—and be moved to worship and mission.

It is easy to be swayed by fear or pressure, whether we admit it or not. Like Peter, we may falter in tough moments, but Jesus' example teaches us the strength that comes from unwavering faith. This Sunday, we're reminded to be courageous in living out our faith, even when it's difficult, knowing that Jesus never wavers in His love for us.

There are moments in our walk with God when the light seems to fade. We stumble, not because the presence of God has left us, but because something has come between us and the Light.In this week's Monday Meditations, we explore the quiet eclipse — the subtle ways fear, shame, and failure drift between our hearts and the face of Christ. Like Peter in the courtyard or David on the rooftop, we sometimes forget the light we've seen in times when shadows fall.But the light has not gone out. It is only hidden for a moment — and even there, God is praying, restoring, and calling us back.If you've felt distant, overwhelmed, or unworthy — this episode is for you. Let's rediscover the true Light that never stops shining, even in the valley of shadow.We hope that you enjoy this episode. God bless you and Go Rise Up!Shop PROCLAIM's latest drop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.proclaim365.com/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join BIBLEin365 and read the entire Bible with us in a year: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.proclaim365.com/biblein365⁠⁠⁠

Today, Pastor Dustin kicks off our SummerFest series with a deep dive into the story of Peter stepping out in faith to walk on water. Like Peter, we're called to reflect honestly, reclaim our God-given purpose, and respond boldly by taking our next step toward Jesus, even in the face of life's storms. Website: https://journeychristian.com New Here? https://journeychristian.com/new Need Prayer? https://journeychristian.com/prayer  Next Steps: https://journeychristian.com/nextsteps  Instagram: https://instagram.com/fljourneychurch Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fljourneychurch

Following Jesus often means surrendering our expectations, especially when God's plan includes hardship or pain. Like Peter, we may resist what doesn't make sense to us—but sincere intentions aren't the same as spiritual insight. True faith chooses obedience even when the path includes a cross, trusting that God's will always leads to greater fruitfulness.

This Sunday, Pastor Suzy Silk continued our sermon series through the Book of Acts, The Fifth Act, with a teaching on how Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, healed a lame man and faced the persecution from religious leaders by continuing to boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus as Lord. Like Peter and John, we are called us to prioritize being with Jesus, and from this place, boldly proclaim the Gospel wherever we go—not because of our qualifications, but because of God's power.

This one is so worth 7 ¾ minutes of your time.The Lord is in the restoration business.If Peter is not beyond saving from this situation, none of us are. But, this could have been the last time we heard from Peter. It was not.Like Peter, DON'T let your betrayal be the last time we hear from you. Good plug to subscribe for more tomorrow.https://youtu.be/Dp_ey7vQ6lk

John 6:1-15,After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. One morning last week it occurred to me, in a fresh way, that God's mercy to me has always been deliberate. Whatever good God has ever given to me, he meant it. He meant to give it to me. It was on purpose. And that's true for all of us.The only kind of kindness we ever receive from God is purposeful kindness. This means there's not a single blessing in our lives that is arbitrary or whimsical — and that goes for everything big and small — from a cup of coffee to a roof over our heads, from a good parking spot in a crowded lot to a dinner table crowded with children. Every good thing in our lives is from the hand of God on purpose. Purposeful kindness. And when we get this truth in our heads, we start to see it everywhere. It's all over the place in John Chapter 6 in this story of Jesus feeding the five thousand — which, by the way, this miracle is unique because it's the only miracle of Jesus that is recorded in all four Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each tell this story because it was monumental for the early church. Through this miracle Jesus is shining brightly as the fulfillment of Old Testament hope, and in the Gospel of John especially, the main message that John wants us to get is that Jesus is greater than Moses. Jesus has already said in Chapter 5, verse 46 that Moses wrote about him, and now we're going to see how he surpasses Moses. That's the narrative strategy going on here, but I don't want us to be too fixed on the narrative strategy that we miss the wonder of Jesus's heart in this story — his purposeful kindness is on display. And that's our focus. I want to show you the purposeful kindness of Jesus in three ways. Here's the first:1. Jesus is a patient provider. Let's start in verse 1 and notice that it opens with a new setting (and it's all important information) … Jesus is back in Galilee (where he's from) and there's a “large crowd” of people following him. That phrase “large crowd” is used twice, and we learn later that it's large as in likely over ten thousand people. Now why was this large crowd following Jesus? Verse 2 says it's because they've seen his signs. We already know from Chapter 4 that the Galileans really loved the signs, and so here they are again coming to see more. Important InfoThen verse 3 says that Jesus went up on the mountain — John doesn't tell us what mountain because it doesn't really matter — we just need to know that Jesus was on a mountain. And this is important because it's an allusion to Moses. It's what we could call a ‘Moses-wink.' (John gives us several little clues in this story to remind us of Moses; you could call them Moses breadcrumbs, but we're gonna call them “Moses-winks.”)The most famous mountain in the Hebrew Bible is Mount Sinai where Moses received God's Law — we know a big part of Moses's ministry was on a mountain, and then the other big part of Moses's ministry was, of course, leading the Exodus — which by the way, verse 4 tells us it's Passover. Passover is the annual feast in Jewish life that remembers Moses leading the exodus (so verses 3 and 4 have back-to-back Moses-winks).Jesus is on a mountain, during Passover — and there's a large number of people following him — and look what Jesus does in verse 5. The text says he lifted up his eyes.This could just be the basic information of what he did, except that earlier in Chapter 4, verse 35 Jesus commanded his disciples, “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” Jesus was telling them: Recognize the work of God in the world and join in! And that's exactly what Jesus is doing here! He's about to work the work of God! So there's a drumroll. We're on the the edge of our seats.But then he asks one of his disciples a question.Humorous IronyHe has twelve disciples, but this time he's talking to Philip, who was from that area, and he asks him, verse 5:“Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”And I think there's meant to be humor in this question. Because the question, at face-value, is crazy. There are thousands of people here, Jesus, what do you mean buy bread? In fact, everybody look at verse 6 for a minute. This is one I really need you to see, verse 6. Everybody, verse 6. This is John the narrator talking — Verse 6:“[Jesus] said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.”So this means the question in verse 5 seems so absurd that in verse 6 John as the narrator has to chime in and explain to us that Jesus is up to something. John is saying: Hang on and watch this. And at this point, I think the main thing that separates this story from a modern-day sitcom is a laugh track. Now we're gonna try something we've never tried before. Do y'all think we could make our own laugh track? …Now I'm gonna read this dialogue and when I point at y'all, laugh together. We're gonna make a live laugh track. Because there's humorous irony going on in this story and it'll make sense to you. You're gonna see it. Here we go:Jesus, looking at thousands of people, says: “Hey Philip, where are we gonna buy bread so that these people can eat?” [laugh track]Philip: “16,000 dollars worth of bread would not be enough for each person to get a bite!” [laugh track]Andrew: “I gotta kid here whose got five loaves and two fish.” [laugh track]See, this is a sitcom! It's a situation-comedy.And then Jesus says, “Have the people sit down” — which instantly takes this scene from comedy to He's gonna really do it. He's gonna feed these people. And we'll get there in a minute, but the first thing that stands out here is that Jesus is even taking the time to have this dialogue with his disciples.He Takes Care of ItVerse 6 tells us that he knew what he was going to do; so he could have just done it, but instead he chooses to involve his disciples. He chooses to slow the whole thing down to double his giving — because not only is he gonna give food to this crowd, but now he's gonna give a lesson to his disciples. And this takes amazing patience. And every parent in this room gets this. …I'm at home and I've got to fix a broken cabinet door, so I've got my wood-glue and some screws and a clamp and my drill — I'm ready to go — and then one of my dear children walks in and says, “Hey, Dad, can I help?” And in that moment I've got to decide: Do I wanna make this go twice as long and be twice as stressful?You bakers in the room know what I'm talking about. Sometimes you just wanna make a batch of cookies … and then sometimes you want your five-year-old to help. It all depends on your patience level.Look at how patient Jesus is here! I'm guessing Philip failed this test. A better response would have been to answer Jesus's question with another question. Philip should've said: “Jesus, you can do all things, would you feed them?”See Andrew gets a little closer (maybe he remembers Jesus turning the water to wine), but neither of these disciples get it exactly right. And notice that Jesus doesn't rebuke them. He doesn't shake his head in frustration. He just takes care of it.One day we're gonna find out how many times Jesus has done this for us — how many times we've not had it right but Jesus was our patient provider.There's a prayer of thanksgiving I pray often that goes:Jesus, thank you for the blessings in my life I was neither capable of achieving nor wise enough to ask for but which you sent anyway. Thank you for the particular mercies you've bestowed on me and for all the ways you've been patient with me — for the ways you've helped me change and break bad habits and patterns of thought, heart attitude, and practice; and for the ways you've protected me from the fuller consequences of my own blindness.He's so patient with us. He just takes care of it. One way the purposeful kindness of Jesus is on display is that he is the patient provider.2. Jesus is a generous host. In verse 10, Jesus tells the disciples to have all the people sit down, and there are five thousand men. Now if you add the women and children it would at least double the number (that's where the 10,000 number comes from; some scholars estimate 20,000 total) — either way, this is a lot more people than one paper-bag lunch can serve. That is the most obvious thing going on here. Again, it's comically obvious.But Jesus took that little lunch, he gave thanks to his Father, and in verse 11 “he distributed [the lunch] to those who were seated.” And he didn't ration out the food, but he gave everyone as much bread and fish as they wanted, verse 12, and they all got full.And then he told his disciples to gather up all the leftovers, which ended up being twelve baskets — so they ended with more food than they had when they started; and each of the twelve disciples had his own basket to carry. Which means each disciple would've had a tangible reminder of what Jesus does with basically nothing but a willing heart. (By the way, that's our only hope in ministry — our hope is that Jesus does it this way, and that he's the one who gives us a willing heart.)Putting on a FeastNow I want to draw special attention to two details Jesus does here. The first is that Jesus distributed the bread. Now I don't think this means he himself gave a slice of bread to each person individually — the disciples helped him spread it — but the point is that Jesus was hands-on in this experience and none of it was required.There was a crowd and they were hungry, and all he had to do was just say something. He could've just said “Hunger, be gone.” Jesus has the power to just speak and instantly make the empty stomachs not feel empty. He could have just said the word, but he didn't do it that way.Also, he could have just limited everyone to a slice of bread — just tear off a piece — but instead it's Take all you want! Which means Jesus is putting on a feast here — this whole thing is about more than solving hunger. That's not the point. The point is that Jesus is showing himself to be a generous host. (So he's kinda like Moses with the manna, except that he's greater!)He makes this wide open space his dining room. The ground these people are standing on, which John tells us was lush with grass, becomes banquette seating.Last week, our younger kids, at their school, did a production of Beauty and the Beast. And my favorite scene of the play, by far, is when Belle is in the castle and the staff invite her to dinner, and the kids altogether sang maybe the greatest Disney song of all time, Be Our Guest. It starts:Be our guest, be our guestPut our service to the testTie your napkin ‘round your neck, chérieAnd we provide the restLook, that's what is happening here, except the “we” is an “I.” Jesus is hosting all of these people as his guests. And it's to everyone's surprise.The disciples apparently didn't even think about Jesus doing this. Nobody in this crowd expected this — they were looking for signs, yes, but they couldn't have guessed this. And that's what makes it even more amazing! This is the part that puts Jesus over the top as a generous host. It's that none of these people deserved this. Jesus knows they're not really seeking him. He will say later in verse 26 that the only reason these people are sticking with him is for the free food. And look, he knows all of that now! He knows that on the frontside and yet still, look what he does!He not only gives to those who can't repay him; he gives to those who don't even want to repay him.I feel like if I were there, I'd say: Jesus, your strategy here is all wrong (and I know because I'm a church planter). See, what you win them with, you win them to. Jesus, you're making shallow followers here. You're just meeting their felt-needs and creating a positive experience — at least make the parking bad.Jesus knows all of the pitfalls here, and he does it anyway. Why? … Because he's generous. Because he loves people. Because he wants somebody in that crowd to know he's generous and loves people — because he wants us to know. What if the purposeful kindness of Jesus on display in John 6 is actually for us who are reading this story two thousand years later?Let us marvel at how Jesus is a generous host. And let's learn from him.3. Jesus is loyal to his Father's will. The conclusion to this miracle is the response of the crowd in verses 14–15, which was not humble worship, but ignorant zeal. They recognize, first, because of this miracle, that Jesus is the prophet promised in Deuteronomy 18:15. That's when Moses himself said,The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.This is not a Moses-wink, this is a straight up Moses-spotlight. Jesus is that ‘prophet like Moses.' Moses wrote of him, and he's greater than Moses. The crowd is 100% correct in their assessment of Jesus in verse 14. But it goes sideways in verse 15 because they wanted to take Jesus by force and make him king. This means that these 5,000 men are a mob-in-the-making, but they're not against Jesus, they want to ‘promote' him. And that's exactly why Jesus gets out of there. But why?! They wanna make him king, Jesus is a king, why doesn't he go along with this?Jesus walks away from thousands of ‘loyalists' because he is loyal to his Father's will, and the path to the throne prepared by his Father requires a cross. That's the reason why. Jesus is the Prophet. Jesus is the King. And Jesus is also the Lamb, and soon enough the will of his Father is gonna lead him to Jerusalem, as one theologian puts it, “not to wield the spear and bring the judgment, but to receive the spear thrust and bear the judgment.” See, Jesus's ascendancy to glory won't come through popularity and prestige, but through suffering and sacrifice. Which he endured for us.Do you see, his loyalty to his Father's will is our salvation? That's what he's after. That's why the Father has sent him.He will be crucified in our place, slain for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved. Jesus will die and be raised to live forever so that we can too.Jesus says, verse 40:“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”Church, it is good news that Jesus is loyal to the will of his Father. It's good news that he does not buckle to the demands of our ignorant desires.Because if we were there, we would have wanted to make him king too. Like Peter, we would have deterred him from the cross. But he went there anyway even as we stood in his way, because he follows his Father's will, not ours, on purpose. This is grace unmeasured, love untold! This is the purposeful kindness of Jesus to us!Jesus is a patient provider. Jesus is a generous host.Jesus is loyal to his Father's will.And that's what brings us to the table. The TableWhat can we do but just thank him? This morning let's marvel at the glory of Jesus. That's my invitation to you now.

In this moving homily on one of his favourite Gospel passages, Fr. Michael reflects on Peter's journey from control to surrender. Through the Risen Christ's tender questions—“Do you love me?”—Peter is restored and made ready for the Cross he once feared. Fr. Michael draws us into Peter's humanity and invites us to follow Christ not according to our plans, but with open hands, even when love takes us where we do not want to go.

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comJohn 13 Jesus gathers with His twelve Apostles for a Passover meal just hours before He is arrested. He begins by washing the feet of each of the men. Peter is reluctant to allow this, but Jesus insists. Jesus teaches them that the service of others is at the center of His kingdom. Jesus then tells them that one of His own will betray Him. No one knows that He is referring to Judas Iscariot. Satan fills Judas' heart, and he flees. Jesus then explains that His time of departure and glorification has come. He tells them the most important thing they can do is to love each other. Peter insists on going with Jesus, but he is told that He is not ready and that he will deny Jesus that very night.  This is the night in which Jesus would be betrayed and arrested, and yet His focus is on teaching His disciples to care for one another. By washing their feet and later teaching them about the crucial need for love, He is demonstrating what makes His kingdom strong in the face of any trial. In our shared walk, there will be betrayers who give in to this world. There will be ignorance, like the Apostles who had no idea who would betray Jesus. There will be disappointment, like Peter's predicted denial of Jesus. God's people can remain united and strong if we sacrificially serve, deeply love, and tirelessly support one another. That is the kingdom of believers Jesus died to establish.   Great Father, we praise Your glorified Son, and we lament that He was subjected to betrayal, suffering, and death on our behalf. We know He now rules in glory because of His incredible sacrifice. It endears us to Him to see Him washing feet and teaching love in the moments before His arrest. Help us to have a spirit like His. Teach us how to serve one another so that the world may know us by our love. Like Peter, we often fall short due to a lack of understanding and pride. Forgive us and help us to grow together.    Thought Questions: -       Jesus said disciples “ought to wash one another's feet.” What should that look like in your life and relationship with Christians?  -       Judas was so crafty that no one, except Jesus, knew of his sins.  If only Jesus knows of your sins, is that enough reason to repent? -       Peter wanted to die with Jesus, but he was not yet ready. How are you developing the kind of faith that would give your life for Jesus?    

Episode SummaryIn this very special episode, Bobby Bosler shares an exciting announcement and a deeply personal journey of faith. Speaking from Matthew 14, he draws parallels between Peter's step out of the boat and the major life change God has led him and his family into — accepting the call to pastor Fellowship Baptist Church in Fairmont, West Virginia. Bobby testifies to God's guidance through uncertainty, showing how surrender and obedience open the door for God's miraculous provision and peace.Topics DiscussedStepping out in faith when God's leading feels impossibleThe story behind the call to pastor Fellowship Baptist ChurchHow God uses closed doors and lack of peace to redirect our stepsWrestling with calling, gifting, and identity in ministryEncouragement to follow God's call even when it requires major life changesKey TakeawaysGod's leading often requires taking a step into the impossible. Like Peter walking on water, faith demands stepping out based on God's command, not on visible certainty.Closed doors are part of God's guidance. The lack of peace about repairing or replacing the trailer was God's way of preparing the Bosler family for a completely new direction.Gifting doesn't limit God's calling. Even as an evangelist, Bobby discovered that God could use him to pastor and shepherd a local church, showing that God's calling often stretches us beyond our assumptions.Obedience leads to peace. When Bobby and his wife yielded to the possibility of pastoring, God flooded their hearts with undeniable peace and clarity.A big step of faith inspires others. Just like Peter's step inspired worship in the boat, your obedience can ripple out to encourage others to trust and follow Christ. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

Today's Political and Religious Climates Harden Hearts of Many “Believers” Who Turn Away from God - Jesus Followers Are to and Can Help Those with Hardening Hearts MESSAGE SUMMARY: No matter the hardness of a person's heart, who has walked away from God, they will respond to your initiatives that are based on your love and trust. However, so many of us Christians are so focused on doing their religious or spiritual things and keeping to their “busy” schedules that they do not have time to love and care for the needs of other – physical and/or spiritual. Is there anything you can do for someone with a calloused heart or who has walked away from God because they were not discipled? Yes, you must start by praying for them – asking God to move in their lives; asking God to intervene in their life situations; asking God to break up the hardness of their heart. Also, you must build a better personal relationship, with this person, through your trust and caring love. In Mathew 18:12-13, Jesus presents God's perspective regarding the pursuit of even one person that has walked away: “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."   TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, to you I acknowledge that I don't want to go the way of powerlessness and humility. Like Peter, I want to know what you are doing with those around me. I love you. Help me to trust you with this day, with tomorrow, and with my whole life. In Jesus' name, amen.        Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 92). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Compulsions. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Patience. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Acts 1:8; Romans 2:15-16; Psalms 47:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “He Is Risen: From Good Friday To Easter”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Brothers Whit and Gabe George grew up in church, but their journeys to truly following Jesus took different paths—both marked by pride, just in different forms. Both had to face the unsettling reality that pride, whether loud or quiet, keeps us from God. Like Peter, they had to be confronted with what was really inside of them—not to be condemned, but to be changed. Real transformation began when they stopped pointing outward and dared to ask, “Lord, is it me?” Only then did they begin to understand that faith isn't built on perfection—it's built on dependency. In this episode, Whit and Gabe share stories from their childhood, explore Peter's actions in Mark 14, and reflect on the painful and beautiful journey of discovering who you really are in light of Christ.   Show Notes: Listen to the Message:  What Storms Reveal About Your Foundation - https://youtu.be/1LapLZlhMys

Be sure to take the PRE-SERIES SURVEY here: https://bit.ly/UntroubledHeartBeforeJoin the conversation in our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/Jesus' words in John 14—“Do not let your heart be troubled”—remind us that even in a broken world, peace is possible. The heart, described as our life's control center, can be weighed down by anxiety, fear, failure, and uncertainty, but Jesus offers a path to live above our circumstances. His strategy? Go to God, go to people, and go to action. This isn't about escaping reality in a cocoon; it's about facing life head-on with faith. Like Peter, we may stumble in hard places, but Jesus meets us there. The journey to an untroubled heart begins by stepping into trouble—with courage, honesty, and trust.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.John's new book STEPS is out! Check it out here: https://becomenew.com/steps/Want to work the steps with a friend or small group? Visit: DoTheSteps.com

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Who is the most loyal person you've ever known? A parent? Spouse? Friend?Truthfully, we all crave loyalty. It gives us a sense of safety. We feel that if there is some loyalty in our world, it's like a warm blanket on a cold night. Life seems less scary.As we discuss the role of Jesus in our personal stories, it is good to remind ourselves often of ultimate loyalty. In turn, it encourages us to be loyal to that One person we can always count on. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”Jesus gives us loyalty that cannot be broken. Are we willing to stay true to Him, as well? In other words, if life's road gets rough, do we stay on the path He has set for us? Like Peter, we tend to think nothing could pry us from Jesus, but our choices can do that. Then we regret being disloyal to Christ. Resolve to never let that happen to you. Keep His sacrifice for you in your mind and heart. That will help you stay true to Him when life isn't so great.He promised to never leave you. Tell Jesus that you love Him for that, and keep your eyes looking ahead to the eternity He has made for you.Let's pray. Lord, make us strong in our loyalty to our Savior. Then let that light shine for those who see us. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

By Scott G Thouvenin - Could I be like Peter? Could you? Sometimes we just want to blend in – to not stand out. Peter tried to blend into the crowds when being singled out as follower of Jesus, to which he vehemently denied. In this instance, he did not want to be different. We are called out to be different. Would we

The Bible tells us to let God's Word dwell richly in our hearts (Col. 3:16), focus on what is true (Phil. 4:8), and keep our eyes set on eternity (2 Cor. 4:18).   Today's storyteller is going to beautifully remind you of the benefits that come from living out these verses.   Emily Holman, from our Tupelo, Mississippi community, shares her journey of strengthening her faith in God and trust in His Word as she walked through two of her life's most challenging and heartbreaking seasons. This powerful story will encourage you to develop deep roots in your faith and learn the importance of, in Emily's words, putting “oil in your lamp.”   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: - When you find yourself in darkness and pain, you must speak God‘s truth - Like Peter walking on the water, you can do the impossible as long as you keep your eyes focused on Jesus. - With the help of God, suffering can turn to beauty.    Links:   Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the 10 Virgins   Listen to a similar story: Amy Grote- Ep. 20: “Healing Through Heartache- The Loss of A Child;   Kara Potts- Ep. 173: Suffering in Hope- A Mother's Story.   Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Emily and past storytellers.   Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including Amy's discussion with past storyteller Jessica Roberts (Jessica Roberts- Ep. 42: “Longing to Be Known”) on meaningful ways they honor and celebrate memories of their loved ones. Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series, including the newly released Discovering God in Stories of Faith!   Register for the local workshop being offered on April 9th in Birmingham: Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story   Our 4th Annual Stories of Hope Luncheon is on March 12th!