Podcasts about Lord

Venezuela makes a once-unimaginable turn toward American oil investment, privacy advocates propose “collective bargaining” for personal data, and Trump's FDA nominee inherits a long-stalled review of the abortion pill. Plus: Where religion becomes rule, Cal Thomas on the test that caught his cancer, a Vermont woman growing a dress so slowly the fashion trend may come back around, and the Tuesday morning news.Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Cedarville University—a Christ-centered, academically rigorous university located in southwest Ohio, equipping students for Gospel impact across every career and calling. Cedarville integrates a biblical worldview into every course in the more than 175 undergraduate and graduate programs students choose from. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible and affordable education grounded in a strong Christian community that fosters both faith and learning. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.From World Watch. A 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today's news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast. Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at get.worldwatch.news/free-episode. And from Boyce College—which offers a Christ-centered education built on the truth of God's Word. Every student—no matter their major—takes 30 hours of Bible and theology, learning how to think biblically, live faithfully, and lead with conviction.Formed from the 160-year legacy of Southern Seminary, Boyce College prepares students for maximum faithfulness in the world, the workplace, the church, and the family.Learn more at boycecollege.com

Matthew 9:35-38 shows Jesus going throughout cities and villages, not staying in one place, moved by compassion for people who were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The harvest is plentiful, He said, but the laborers are few. That call to labor is not limited to what happens within church walls. A kitchen can be a prayer room. A living room can be a sanctuary. A park, a library, and a splash pad can be holy ground. Raising children to know God, cultivating seeds of faith in young souls, teaching little hands to do kind things and change the world for God's glory — this is sacred and significant work. It may look nothing like serving on a worship team or greeting guests on a Sunday morning, but it is kingdom labor of the highest order. And the deepest truth in all of it is this: the labor is not what changes the world. His is. We are simply the vessels, emptied of ourselves and filled with nothing but His mercy and grace, offered faithfully in whatever ordinary and extraordinary places He has placed us. Today's Bible Verse "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."— Matthew 9:37-38, ESV Ponder Today Kingdom labor happens everywhere, not just inside a church building. Jesus went throughout cities and villages, moved by compassion wherever He found people in need. Our calling to labor for His kingdom follows the same expansive, boundary-crossing pattern. The ordinary places we inhabit are holy ground. A kitchen, a living room, a neighborhood park — wherever we bring God's love, hope, and truth, that place becomes a site of kingdom work. Location does not limit calling. Our labor is not what changes the world — His is. The most freeing realization in any season of service is that we are vessels, not the source. Being emptied of ourselves and filled with His mercy and grace is the whole job description. A Prayer for You Today Lord, I cannot thank You enough for the honor of laboring for Your kingdom. Thank You that I get to witness Your goodness and teach it to hearts outside the church walls. Your love, hope, and joy are ours to access no matter where we are, and it is our calling to share such gifts wherever we go. Let us remember this in the routine places we inhabit and the extraordinary places that big adventures take us. Let us follow You with boldness and enthusiasm and labor with humility and intentionality. We love and praise You, Lord. In Your holy name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

(John 15:9-13) The Lord Jesus taught us, by explanation and example, that joy grows out of love. Learn to love and you will discover joy. Let's study what Christ taught about this truth and its place in our homes. (10209260901) Join Scott Pauley's study through Scripture this year. Find resources for every book of the Bible by Dr. Pauley and Enjoying the Journey at enjoyingthejourney.org/journey-through-scripture/. Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. Explore now at EnjoyingTheJourney.org. Extend the Work Enjoying the Journey provides every resource for free worldwide. If you would like to help extend this Bible teaching, you may give at enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

TEACHBACK TUESDAY: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KATHY ASHLEY When Kathy Ashley heart about "AI," those letters brought two different words to her mind. Not "artificial intelligence," but Arrogance and Ignorance. This is the kind of AI that leads to an artificial inflation of self, and it's hazardous to our spiritual health. Arrogance is pride on steroids. When you mix arrogance with ignorance, this creates a puffed up conceit that is deceptive. We can become our own worst enemies when we're infected with the dynamic duo of arrogance and ignorance. The antidote to this infection is God's Word. He has the prescription for healing and recovery. "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." (Proverbs 8:13) Visit the shop links below at Keep the Heart to find Kathy Ashley's excellent studies: Vitamins for the Soul, Minerals for the Mind, Herbs for the Heart, and Call Upon Him. Vitamins for the Soul by Kathy Ashley Minerals for the Mind by Kathy Ashley Herbs for the Heart by Kathy Ashley Call Upon Him by Kathy Ashley Apply: Living What We Learn-A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor Peace Beyond Panic: A Heavenly Perspective on Anxiety and Depression by Dr. John W. Vaprezsan Bible Studies at Keep the Heart Gorgeous Bibles and Framed Shell Art Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Ask Joni a question here! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Now that the work of rebuilding the temple and rebuilding the walls surrounding Jerusalem is complete, the exiles from Israel gather together to hear Ezra read from the book of the Law. The Levites explain the law to the people as it is being read, and when the congregation understands the extent to which they have broken the Law, they mourn over their actions. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites encourage them to rejoice, for the people have not only returned to their land, but they have returned to their God. At the end of our reading, the Levites recite a confession they had written based on Israel's rebellious history, concluding with a documented vow to serve the Lord. Nehemiah 8 - 1:16 . Nehemiah 9 - 6:33 . Nehemiah 10 - 17:13 . Isaiah 20 - 22:41 :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Praise the Lord, what does that look like?

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 15–16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this first day of September, Hunter guides us through Ezekiel 15–16, Psalm 70, and Revelation 6. Ezekiel gives us a painful and deeply personal picture of God's relationship with his people. The prophet reaches for the language of family, marriage, abandonment, betrayal, and heartbreak to describe Israel's wandering. These are difficult images, but they reveal that God is not cold or detached. He is the God whose heart is moved by the suffering, rebellion, and loss of his children. Yet betrayal is not the end of the story. God promises to remember his covenant and restore the relationship that has been shattered. Psalm 70 gives voice to the urgent cry of those who need rescue: "O God, come quickly to help me." Revelation 6 then confronts us with the violence, fear, injustice, and devastation present within the world. Through all these passages, we are invited to see the persistent love of God. In Jesus, God enters our brokenness and bears its full weight in order to bring us home. The final word is not abandonment, revenge, or destruction. The final word is restoration. TODAY'S DEVOTION: The weight of betrayal and the depths of God's love. Ezekiel reaches for image after image to describe the heartbreak of God. One metaphor is not enough. He speaks of a parent who finds an abandoned child, cares for her, raises her, and gives her life. He speaks of a spouse whose love is rejected and betrayed. The language is harsh and unsettling because betrayal is harsh and unsettling. But Ezekiel does not want us to imagine a distant God who is unmoved by what happens in the world. He wants us to see the broken heart of God. God is not indifferent to our wandering. He is not cold in the face of human suffering. He is not untouched by violence, exploitation, selfishness, or the ways we wound one another. God loves. And because God loves, God grieves. The story Ezekiel tells is the story of a people who have received everything and then turned away from the One who gave it. They have forgotten their beginning. They have forgotten their rescue. They have forgotten the love that found them when they had nothing. Yet even here, God remembers. God remembers the covenant. God remains determined to restore what has been broken. That is the astonishing turn in the story. The end is not bitterness. The end is not endless vengeance. The end is restoration. It is a relationship made new. It is a covenant remembered. It is the wayward brought home. The prophet strains to describe this love, but ultimately we must look to Jesus. Jesus is God's love in flesh and blood. He is the clearest picture of the heart of God. In Jesus, God enters the full depth of our betrayal, rejection, violence, and shame. He does not remain at a safe distance. He comes near. He bears our wounds. He absorbs our hostility. He enters our death. And from within it all, he brings resurrection. This is the love that restores us. It is not sentimental love. It is not shallow approval. It is the fierce, suffering, forgiving love of God that refuses to abandon his creation. Revelation 6 gives us images of a world unraveling under the weight of conquest, violence, scarcity, death, and fear. It can feel frightening because it reflects so much of what we see around us. But the Lamb is still at the center of the story. The One who opened the seals is the One who was slain. The Judge of the world is the Lamb who gave himself for the world. That changes how we understand everything. God's purpose is not to discard his creation but to heal it. God's intention is not to surrender the world to death but to make all things new. So when Psalm 70 cries, "O God, come quickly to help me," we can pray it with confidence. God has come. God is coming. God is present even now, working within the ruins to restore what has been lost. May we awaken today to the depth of this love. May we see that we are not abandoned. May we trust that our failures do not have the final word. The final word belongs to the God who remembers, restores, and makes all things new. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

In this exhilarating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the dynamic Zach Clinton and available on Pray.com, we delve into the intense world of spiritual competition—a subject that deeply resonates within our Christian community. On our spiritual journey, there are pivotal moments when the pursuit of our goals and the fierce contest to attain them become our driving force. These moments not only bolster our faith but also foster a sense of camaraderie, propelling us closer to our individual dreams. The unwavering truth remains: with the Lord as our constant guide, we possess the innate capacity to turn these aspirations into reality, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our voyage. Drawing profound inspiration from sacred scriptures, we set forth on a quest to understand this transformative human endeavor.For those seeking guidance in the competitive realm of spiritual achievement within their faith journey, we extend a warm invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By a simple download today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply grounded in the steadfast presence of the Divine. Let us collectively embrace the incredible potential for competition within us, finding endless inspiration and resilience during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of competing for our spiritual aspirations and discovering the extraordinary sense of competition that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, you and I will say a lot of words. We have more ways to communicate than any previous generation. We speak, write, text, email, and social media, all of which require a choice of words. Let's slow down, think before speaking, allow the Lord to give us wisdom, and choose our words carefully.Main Points:1. We might be tempted to think our words don't matter, but according to God, they really do.  Jesus spoke about how our words reveal what is in our hearts.2. Our words are like a bucket of water dipped into a well.  If there is fresh water down deep, that's what comes out.  If what is below is stagnant, polluted, and diseased, that is what will come out.  In other words, “If the heart is clean, the words are clean.”  If the heart is contaminated, our words will expose it.3. Because our words have such impact on others, we must ask God to give us wisdom in our daily interactions. Through our words we have the potential to bless, encourage, and inspire. We also have the potential to injure, discourage, and inflict emotional pain.Today's Scripture Verses:Ephesians 4:29  - “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”Luke 6:45 – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”Ecclesiastes 10:12 - “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.”Proverbs 15:7 - “The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

The meaning of "seeing good days" includes the joy of the Lord and knowing each day is an adventure.The secret of a blessed life is seeking peace and living in the presence of the Lord. Broadcast #7164To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram

Fear about the future can make us question whether God will provide what we need. Financial uncertainty, unanswered prayers, changing circumstances, and long seasons of waiting can make fear louder than faith. But 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that God’s divine power has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. That doesn't mean we will always know how our needs will be met or when the answer will come. It means we can trust the God who knows what we need before we do. Jesus points us to the birds of the air as a reminder of God's care and provision. When we focus on fear, we can lose sight of the ways God has already been faithful. But when we intentionally remember His goodness, practice gratitude, and focus our minds on what is true, our perspective begins to change. God may provide through unexpected circumstances, generous people, simple acts of kindness, or opportunities to become an answer to someone else's prayer. Whatever today holds, we can trust that God has equipped us for what He has called us to face. Highlights What 2 Peter 1:3 means when it says God has given us everything we need for “life and godliness” How fear about finances and the future can become louder than our faith Why remembering God's past faithfulness can help quiet anxiety What Jesus teaches about God's provision through the birds of the air How gratitude and focusing on God's truth can change our perspective The unexpected ways God may provide for our practical and spiritual needs How simple acts of obedience and kindness can become part of God's provision for someone else Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Equipped for Today: What "Life and Godliness" Really Means By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 ESV). It’s so easy to fall into the trap of fear, isn’t it? To focus on the limited knowledge we can see rather than the truth of what God says. I often find myself guilty of this. There are times when faith is louder than fear, yes, but there are other times when fear gets louder than my faith. What are you afraid of? Finances, or lack thereof, or the future? The list could go on and on. I’ve been thinking a lot about God’s provision recently, inspired by a much-needed conversation with a good friend. As someone who works in the creative industry, income can ebb and flow and sometimes be inconsistent, and it’s easy to let the fear of the financial future get louder than my faith. And that fear hits even closer to home right now as I watch my family navigate a similar season. You see, my dad was laid off from his job late last year, and no matter how many doors he’s knocked on, as I write this, nothing yet has come through. We know God will provide and that He’s never failed us, but as the days continue with seemingly no answers in sight, sometimes, we wrestle with fear. Dwelling on fear, as easy as it can be to fall into that trap sometimes, is quite unhealthy. Whatever we dwell on and choose to think about will naturally affect what we believe and how we live. This means if we choose to fix our eyes on things above, then that will naturally affect what we believe about God, ourselves, and the circumstances we find ourselves in. I had a moment recently where fear threatened to consume me. I’m talking about anxiety physically gripping my heart, even though at church the previous day we’d talked about the importance of believing God’s truth over the lies in our heads. Yes, the timing was quite “convenient.” There’s a reason Scripture reminds us to focus on: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV). Instead of worrying God won’t provide, why not reflect on what He has done in our lives already? It’s good to remember and recount what the Lord has done. When I chose gratitude and to remember His goodness instead of fear, my anxiety began to ease. The truth is, God always provides for everything we need. Often it comes at what we call “the last minute,” but it is certainly never too late. I love what Peter reminds us of in this passage here. God has granted us everything we need for life and godliness. In addition to caring for our spiritual needs, God cares about our material needs as well. When it comes to the practical side, what do we need for life? In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about what they will eat, wear, or drink. And in verse 26 (ESV), he says: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Let that soak in. If God cares for the birds of the air and provides everything they need, how much more will He provide for His children? Intersecting Faith & Life: Look around you. Do you have food to eat? Clothes on your back? Maybe you don’t know how you’ll pay the bills this month, but maybe you’re not supposed to know right now. I heard a story once about a man who needed money for his little son’s birthday party, but he and his wife didn’t even have that. They didn’t know what to do, but they wanted to bless him. While out on a walk, the Lord led him to the exact amount of money he needed to bless his little boy. When you need it, God will provide it. Sometimes, He’ll provide through a family that gives eggs from their farm to yours all summer. Or who invites you over and offers to pray over you. Or maybe God will use the kindness of a friend who introduced my dad to leadership at the company he works for, in hopes it may open a door for a job. Or what about my friend who took 2 hours out of his day to point me to the Lord and be a listening ear when I didn’t even realize how much I needed it? Sometimes, it’s simple things. Sometimes, we get to be that person for someone else, not realizing how a simple act of obedience can truly bless someone’s day and be what we didn’t even realize they needed. Other times, the Lord allows us to be on the receiving end of His goodness through His children. Pray with me: Dear Father God, please help me to trust that You will give me everything I need for life and godliness. You care about the sparrows and lilies of the field, so how much more do you care for me and provide for me? Thank You for Your provision in my life. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It's not my habit usually to go home for lunch but sometime ago my travels had me at the right place at the right time. I had an early breakfast that morning, and I usually do get up that early. Finally, I got around to lunch, I was really hungry. I came in ready for a major lunch. I grilled a hot dog in the toaster oven. That was a good start, and then my wife went to cook some more things on the stove for me. Would you believe that the stove decided not to work at that point? And she said, “Wait a minute! Nothing's heating up.” I said, “Well, that's okay. I know there are some chips here. I'll just load up on potato chips.” So, I went to get the chips out of the cabinet. What chips? My son had fed them to his friends. So, I enjoyed my lonesome hot dog very slowly. I ate everything I was served. I was still hungry. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Why We're Restless.” I've spoken in different congregations over the years and I've often told them, "I'm a restless Christian. I keep feeling like there's got to be something more than I've experienced.” You should see the reaction. I don't think I've been in a place where there haven't been a number of people who have come up and said, “You too? Well, restless, that's what I am.” I'm still discovering believers all across this country who are feeling as I did after my little lunch. They're eating everything they're being served spiritually. They go to the meetings, they're going to the activities, they're serving in their places that they need to serve, but they're still not satisfied. Are you like that? You say, “I've eaten everything I've been given and I'm not satisfied.” Good! That kind of unsatisfied appetite sets the stage for a banquet that God wants to feed His people, and He calls it revival. It's time for our word for today from the Word of God, 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” Now you know, for centuries, restless people have been drawn to this verse; it's the appetizer for the banquet called revival. It calls God's people to create the conditions in which God can spawn revival. Revival isn't some special series of meetings that we hold. Charles Finley, the great revival preacher, said, “It is the renewal of the first love of Christians, resulting in the awakening and conversion of sinners to God.” Revival is the supernatural arrival and presence of the Holy Spirit in a way we've never seen Him - a unique power. Christians open up everything to the Lord; whole churches are changed. People begin to deal with all the darkness in their lives. Christians run to reconcile with each other. The lost are swept into the church even without evangelistic crusades. Aren't you hungry for something like that? Oh, it's happened. But it happens when you are restless enough to pay the price for it. Why don't you begin to band together with some other restless Christians and beseech God to do a reviving work where you are? That prayer movement is growing around the world. Let it start with you. Humble yourself in a desperate prayer to God, “Lord, I give up on trying to make things happen myself.” Forget the programs and the schedules, and all the old ways and the boxes we've kept God in. And then this verse says, “Pray.” Seek His face; look for intimacy with Him. Root out those sinful strongholds. You'll begin to know Christ as you've never known Him before. If all your work, and all your meetings, and your study, and your experience, and your theology still have you hungry, go for the banquet. Join the growing ranks of believers all over the world who are saying, “Lord, I'm radically Yours. Whatever it takes, satisfy our hungry hearts with a revival from heaven. We will pay the price. Jesus, please give us all of You.”

Fr. Mike highlights verse 11 from Jeremiah 29: "I know the plans I have for you...plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Since we know God is a good Father, we too can count on this promise and know that God has a plan for each of us. The reading are Jeremiah 28-29, Daniel 10-11, and Proverbs 16:13-16. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Legal Docket previews a Supreme Court clash over whether Colorado can require Catholic preschools to set aside religious standards for public funding even as secular providers tailor enrollment. New Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh on a quieter central bank on MoneyBeat. And Yazidi families are still searching for more than 2,000 missing since the ISIS genocide. Legal Docket, Moneybeat, WORLD History Book—and the morning news on this last Monday of August.Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Boyce College—which offers a Christ-centered education built on the truth of God's Word. Every student—no matter their major—takes 30 hours of Bible and theology, learning how to think biblically, live faithfully, and lead with conviction. Formed from the 160-year legacy of Southern Seminary, Boyce College prepares students for maximum faithfulness in the world, the workplace, the church, and the family. Learn more at boycecollege.comFrom World Watch. A 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today's news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast. Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at get.worldwatch.news/free-episode.And from Cedarville University—a Christ-centered, academically rigorous university located in southwest Ohio, equipping students for Gospel impact across every career and calling. Cedarville integrates a biblical worldview into every course in the more than 175 undergraduate and graduate programs students choose from. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible and affordable education grounded in a strong Christian community that fosters both faith and learning. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!emersonk78@me.comExcel Still More Journal - AmazonNew GENESIS Daily Bible Devotional!Daily Bible Devotional Series - AmazonSponsor: Jon Cunningham, Cunningham FinancialEmail: jon@cunninghamfinancialgroup.comPhone: 205-913-1720Sponsor: Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer Email: Tcain@embracehomeloans.comPhone: 813-380-8487Key Passages: Psalm 148; Exodus 15; Matthew 6Of course we should thank God. Scripture is filled with thanksgiving, and gratitude ought to be a constant part of the Christian heart. We should thank Him for His blessings, His grace, His provision, His forgiveness, and the countless ways He works in our lives.But before I thank God for what He has done, I want to remember who God is.There is something powerful about approaching God without beginning with ourselves. Before I get to what He has given me, what I need from Him, or what I hope He will do, I simply praise Him. He is holy. He is righteous. He is eternal. He is Creator. He is King. He is worthy.Praise says, “God, You deserve my worship whether You give me anything else or not.” It glorifies Him not first for His gifts, but for His Deity and identity. “Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised” (Psalm 145:3).So yes, thank God. Thank Him often. Bring your requests to Him. Tell Him what you need. But maybe before any of that, spend some time simply telling God how great He is.Praise His name. Honor His glory. Worship Him from the heart. Thank Him—but praise Him first.

“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word” by Kirk Meyer The post 243. The Book of Proverbs, Part 72 (Proverbs 21:21-31) – Pr. Will Weedon, 8/31/26 appeared first on The Word of the Lord Endures Forever.

This is the final of the trilogy of stories Jesus tells to explain the worth of a single soul to God. We had the Parable of the Lost Sheep where the shepherd leaves the 99 to find the 1 who has been lost. We had the Parable of the Lost Coin of the woman who has 10 coins, but when she loses 1 she looks relentlessly until it’s found. Notice the numbers – 1 out of 99 – 1 out of 10 – and now Jesus takes it down to even a more personal and direct number – 1 out of 2 with the Parable of the Lost Son. This is the story we often refer to as the Prodigal son, depending on the translation you’re reading. This story told by Jesus has so many layers and so many life changing truths, we will divide this one into 2 devotionals. Today will be part 1, only covering the first half of the story. Let’s read it together in Luke 15: 11-24: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.' So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began. This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible, and really for many reasons. I’ve been rather open about the 7 year journey with our own prodigal daughter. She walked out of our house at 17 and just never came back. Many times we had no idea where she was or if she was even alive. She made horrible, dangerous choices, and just kept running further and further. The Lord showed me how to wait in hope and faith. He showed me how not to chase her and make things worse. He showed me his faithfulness in the wait. I learned my job was to pray relentlessly for her and always be ready with the welcome home party when she returned. And when our girl finally did return to her family this year, he showed me how he had been allowing my daughter to step into her own testimony of his faithfulness. And yes, we had a party – a wedding party! My prodigal had come home and our relationship continues to grow and flourish every day. It’s truly one of my greatest joys. But this story is also one of my favorites because I realize it’s my own story as well. I am the prodigal. No, I never ran away from my family. No, I’ve never had a wild lifestyle or racked up a bunch of regrets. But gosh have I ever missed out on God’s best by chasing after something else. I am the prodigal. I am the lost one. The Father waited for me to come home and return to his best. Can you see how that’s you too? That’s all of us. The youngest son in Jesus’ story had made a mistake. His mistake was in LOCATION. The provision of his father was in location. He left his father’s house and he struggled fiercely. He ends up living with the pigs, just wishing he could eat the pigs food. But you know what that hunger did – that hunger brought him back home. God lovingly allows us to struggle and suffer when we have chosen to be away from him. He allows hunger because hunger brings us back. Desperation makes us hit our knees. Rock bottom becomes a solid foundation for a turn around. But wow, have you ever noticed that some of us have basements to our rock bottoms? We can go further and further down – further and further away – run harder and harder – make even worse choices with harder consequences … but let me tell you something, THE FATHER IS STILL WAITING FOR OUR RETURN. He’s still waiting for our surrender. He’s still waiting for us to stop running, stop resisting, stop making this worse. The timing of this particular parable is so perfect because just last night I went to a really special service at our church here in Carlsbad, California. Surfers and beach babes basically went to a rodeo at our church. It was the strangest mix of beach people trying to be country. In our church parking lot was a corral surrounded by hay bails and bleachers. In the middle of the corral was a wild horse. Then a legit cowboy enters the corral. Have you heard of this guy? His name is Todd Pierce with Riding High Ministries. In front of a live audience, he trains and rides a wild horse for the first time, all while giving us the most powerful visual of God’s loving patience with us. If you ever get a chance to go see Todd in action, I highly recommend it. I cried through the entire experience. It was one of the most spiritual things I’ve ever witnessed. This horse was 2 years old and up until that week, he had never been touched by a human hand. He had been roped and trailered into California from a ranch in Idaho … and he was NOT happy about it. Todd enters the corral and this horse runs. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with this cowboy. Todd every so slowly works his way closer and closer to the horse as it’s running in circles. He introduces the touch of his rope, then the touch of his hand. Little by little, the horse comes to trust him. But then, the horse would get scared and it would run wild again. Todd explained that this is so often us with God. God begins His work in our lives. He gets closer. He reaches for us. We begin to trust Him. And then something scares us. So we run. But God doesn’t give up. He waits. He tries again. He gets a little closer. And when the horse would refuse his touch, Todd would do something that absolutely broke my heart. He would get down on his knees. He would lower himself beneath the horse and show him tenderness and care. He wasn’t chasing him. He wasn’t forcing him. He was allowing the horse to see that he wasn’t there to hurt him. The horse still had the power to run. And Todd was willing to let him. But as that horse watched this cowboy kneel before him, something began to change. Little by little, he came closer. And closer. And closer. I’m sitting there crying and crying because suddenly I recognized myself. I’m the wild horse. I’m the one resisting. I’m the one who gets scared. I’m the one who doesn’t want to surrender. I’m the one who sometimes runs when God gets too close. And yet…. God waits. God doesn’t stop loving me because I run. He doesn’t abandon me because I resist. He doesn’t force me into surrender. He patiently pursues me. He keeps reaching. He keeps waiting. He keeps inviting me closer. But there was another part of this demonstration that really got me. Todd explained that every horse is different. Some surrender quickly. Some take much longer. Some fight hard. Some even try to hurt him. But ultimately, if a horse refuses to be trained, it loses. Not because the cowboy doesn’t love it. But because the horse cannot become what it was created to be while it remains wild. Think about that. A horse can spend its entire life running wherever it wants, doing whatever it wants, refusing every bit of restraint. That may look like freedom. But it isn’t freedom if it keeps the horse from becoming what it was created to be. A trained horse can do incredible things. It can carry someone into battle. It can help a rancher. It can serve a purpose far greater than simply running wild. But a horse that refuses to surrender to its trainer will never experience that purpose. And I couldn’t stop thinking about how often I do the same thing with God. I want His blessing, but I resist His training. I want His purpose, but I don’t want His process. I want Him to lead me, but I still want to choose the direction. I want the life He has for me, but I don’t always want to surrender the life I have chosen for myself. And maybe that’s the question this parable is asking us: Am I willing to be trained? Because surrender to God isn’t losing my freedom. It’s finally becoming free to be who He created me to be. The wild horse thinks the cowboy is taking something away. But the cowboy knows what the horse doesn’t yet understand: Surrender isn’t the end of the horse’s life. It’s the beginning of its purpose. And maybe that’s what God is saying to you today. You don’t have to run anymore. You don’t have to fight Him. You don’t have to be afraid of what happens when you finally let Him get close. The One asking you to surrender isn’t trying to diminish you. He’s trying to develop you. He’s not trying to take away your purpose. He’s trying to lead you into it. So maybe today isn’t about trying harder. Maybe it’s about stopping. Turning around. And letting the Cowboy come close. Stop running. Stop resisting. Stop fighting the hands that are trying to heal you. Let Him train you. Let Him lead you. Let Him transform you. Because the greatest version of your life isn’t found in running wild. It’s found in surrender. Whether you’re the prodigal running from the Father or the wild horse running from the Cowboy, the invitation is the same—come home. Stop running. Stop resisting. Stop believing that your freedom is found somewhere outside of God’s will. The Father isn’t standing at the end of the road waiting to punish you. He’s watching for you. He’s running toward you. He’s ready to throw His arms around you, put a robe on your shoulders, and celebrate your return. And the Cowboy isn’t trying to break you to ruin you; He’s trying to teach you how to live. He knows what you were created for, even when you don’t. So today, maybe it’s time to stop running and let yourself be found. Stop fighting and let yourself be trained. Stop trying to build your own life and let the One who created you lead you into His. Because surrender isn’t losing the life you wanted. Surrender is finally coming home to the life God created you for. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

(John 2:1-11) Have you ever considered how many of Jesus' miracles took place in the context of home and family? In fact, every one of them touched some family in a profound way. Christ still works miracles where He is welcomed and believed. Today we discover three principles from His first miracle at home... (10208260831) Join Scott Pauley's study through Scripture this year. Find resources for every book of the Bible by Dr. Pauley and Enjoying the Journey at enjoyingthejourney.org/journey-through-scripture/. Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. Explore now at EnjoyingTheJourney.org. Extend the Work Enjoying the Journey provides every resource for free worldwide. If you would like to help extend this Bible teaching, you may give at enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

What does it look like to truly make your faith your own? Some of us may have grown up as a pastor's kid or in a devoted churchgoing family, while others pursued God on their own without the support of family or friends. No matter what your background looks like, everyone has their own path toward making the decision to have their own personal relationship with Jesus. At six years old, Lisa Whittle made that decision. Ever since then, she's been living out her faith by putting Jesus first every single morning. Join hosts Eryn Eddy Adkins and Vivian Mabuni for this inspiring God Hears Her conversations as they gain insight from Lisa about how to keep Jesus above everything else.  Guest Bio: Lisa Whittle is the bestselling author of multiple books and Bible studies, including Jesus Over Everything and her latest, Body & Soul. She is a sought-out Bible teacher for her wit and bold, pragmatic approach. She is the founder of several online communities, a seasoned book and ministry coach, and host of the popular Jesus Over Everything podcast. She's a wife, mom, lover of laughter, good food, and the Bible, and she is a self-professed feisty work in progress.  Notes and Quotes:  “That's been the question my entire life: Who do I love more, me or Jesus?” —Lisa Whittle  “I've had to make many moments of decisions to choose God over and over again.” —Lisa Whittle  “It's a daily complacency and not choosing God that leads us down a different path.” —Lisa Whittle  “Anything that I have felt compelled to give up is because there has been a blessing on the other end. There's nothing that we could give up on this earth that is better than knowing Christ.” —Lisa Whittle  “We either believe that the prize is heaven or not.” —Lisa Whittle  “The reality is that busyness kills relationships more than anything else, and this applies to our relationship with Christ. Margin is what we need the most to be able to hear the voice of God.” —Lisa Whittle  “God really did a work in me to show me how my spiritual formation had been through the hurts and the healing through the body of Christ.” —Lisa Whittle  “I don't need to know where God is because He knows exactly where I am.” —Lisa Whittle  Verses:  Job 23  Related Episodes:  GHH Ep 13 – Enjoying and Exploring Scripture with Meghan Larissa Good: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/enjoying-and-exploring-scripture/ GHH Ep 131 - Jesus, Be My Peace with Sharon Hodde Miller: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/jesus-be-my-peace/ GHH Ep 134 – Dwelling with the Lord with Sandra Byrd: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/dwelling-with-the-lord/  Links:  God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/sign-up-ghh  Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM Connect with Lisa Whittle: https://www.lisawhittle.com/ He's Still Good by Katie Dietz: https://godhearsher.org/shop/hes-still-good/  

Have you ever wondered if God desires to know you just as deeply as you long to know Him? On this episode of Believer's Voice of Victory, Pastor George Pearsons and Aubrey Mitchell share the remarkable revelation he received during a sabbatical, when the Lord instructed him to focus entirely on "our relationship." Discover how recognizing God's longing for fellowship will ignite your own passion to know Him more intimately. Watch this episode and begin discovering the joy of responding to a divine invitation to a deeper relationship with God today.Mentioned in this episode:BVOV Podcast Link HubBVOV Podcast Link HubBVOV Podcast Link HubBVOV Podcast Link Hub

The Lord isn’t looking for perfect words—He simply wants your honest prayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailGet your free Episode Guide! Request the one-page guide—complete with Bible Interaction Tool Exercises to walk you through Acts 16 on your own—at michellenezat.com/543download. Already a subscriber? Check your inbox; it's already there.What does surrender actually look like when life falls apart?This week we let Katy Nichole's "Have Your Way" lead us into Acts 16, where two very different people end up praying the same prayer: "Lord, have Your way in me." From Lydia—a successful businesswoman whose heart the Lord opened—to a jailer at the edge of despair, we watch God move first and hearts respond.In this episode, you'll:Read Acts 16 in context (Acts 15–17) and follow Luke's timelineStep into the world of first-century Philippi—a Roman colony with a riverside place of prayerSee worship become a witness as Paul and Silas sing hymns with untended woundsLearn to turn your observations into prayer over the people you loveWhether your story looks like Lydia's or the jailer's, the same gospel saves—and the Lord is still opening hearts.

We would love to pray for you! Please send us your requests here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

What does it look like to stay full of the Holy Spirit and live from a place of overflow? In this episode, Caroline sits down with Josie to talk about staying connected to Jesus, recognizing when you are carrying things God never asked you to carry, and learning to stay in your lane without comparison. Josie shares practical wisdom for stewarding your spirit, soul, and body, navigating different seasons with grace, teaching your children about the Holy Spirit, and building rhythms of Scripture, prayer, Sabbath, and community. This conversation will encourage you to reconnect with the Lord and live from intimacy instead of exhaustion. Josie Carignan is a speaker, pastor, and author with two great passions in life: Jesus and her family. She and her husband, Brad, co-pastor Uncommon Church in Euless, TX. With over 25 years in ministry, Josie's journey has taken her around the world—preaching, leading mission trips, fighting human trafficking, and navigating three international moves, along with many other adventures. Visit Our Website for Show Notes: ACupFullofHopePodcast.com Follow A Cup Full of Hope on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook Follow Caroline on Facebook and Instagram: Instagram • Facebook

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 12–14; Revelation 5 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this August 31st episode, Heather guides us through Ezekiel 12–14 and Revelation 5. In Ezekiel, we encounter a people who have become resistant to God's voice. The prophet acts out the coming exile, carrying his belongings through a hole in the wall as a sign of what is to come. False prophets continue offering comforting illusions, while hidden idols have taken root within the hearts of the people. Yet God continues to speak. Even amid rebellion and judgment, he calls his people to turn away from their idols and return to him. Then, in Revelation 5, John sees a scroll sealed with seven seals. No one in heaven or on earth appears worthy to open it, and John begins to weep. But an elder tells him to look again. When John looks, he sees the Lamb. Jesus steps forward on behalf of a broken and rebellious world. Through his self-giving and forgiving love, he opens the way toward healing, restoration, and new creation. The sorrow of John's first look becomes the worship and new song of a countless multitude. Today's devotion encourages us to keep looking. When our first look brings only grief, confusion, shame, or despair, we are invited to look again and see the Lamb who has stepped forward for us. TODAY'S DEVOTION: At first look, you might weep. But you need to look again. We look for answers to the judgment that life is sure to bring, the rebellion that is present in every human heart, and the destruction that comes from our own selfish ways. When we take that first look, we may weep because we cannot see an answer. John could not see an answer either. He wept because he recognized that he had no answer within himself. No one had been found worthy to open the scroll. No one had stepped forward on behalf of this broken and rebellious world. John wept for himself. He wept for his people. He wept for the world. But an elder stopped him and told him to look again. In this second look, John would see the answer. And the answer was not what he expected. The answer was the Lamb. The elder said, "Stop weeping. Look." The Lamb steps forward to take the scroll that represents the judgment this broken and rebellious world has brought upon itself. He is not forced forward. He is not pushed or compelled. He steps forward willingly because of the love he has for his broken world and for broken people like you and me. The Lamb is the only one who can answer the judgment we have brought into this life. The scroll was nailed with him to the cross. There, he answered the accusations written against humanity. He did not answer violence with greater violence. He answered it with self-giving, radically forgiving, co-suffering love. That is what we are invited to look at again. Then John is told to take a third look. In this third look, he sees all that the Lamb has accomplished by stepping forward. He sees people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. Countless millions surround the throne, worshiping and adoring the Lamb. So keep looking. When you cannot see an answer through your tears, keep looking. When your first look reveals only rebellion, judgment, suffering, and loss, look again. You will see the Lamb. He alone is the answer you are looking for. He is the answer to your despair and shame. He is the answer to your broken heart and your regrets. He has stepped forward for you, out of love, to do what he alone can do. And then look a third time. You will see that the Lamb has stepped forward for countless millions of others, broken and rebellious people just like us. He is making them new. He is restoring their hearts. He is drying their tears. He is giving them a new song. Worthy is the Lamb. May God enable us to sing this new song today. May he give us eyes to look, and look, and look again. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family and for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

God Sits With You in the Dark by Autumn Dickson Psalm 102 is a chapter that reminds me a bit of one of the chapters we already discussed in psalms. The psalmist feels weary and broken, but despite the hardship the psalmist still praises the Lord. When we discussed the similar psalm last time, we spoke about the faith-building activity of praising the Lord after pouring our hearts out to Him. I want to approach it from a different angle this time. We know that the psalmist has a testimony of the Lord from verses like this. Psalms 102:24-27 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. Despite all that the psalmist is feeling, he recognizes that the Lord's power endures beyond it all. He is strong and unending, omniscient, omnipotent. The psalmist also has a testimony that the Lord listens to those who are weak. Psalms 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. This psalmist has some very important testimonies. He knows the power of God, and He knows that God is on his side. What more could you ask for in this mortal life? Surely the Lord allows difficulty in mortality for a reason, but when everything boils down, you have already won everything because of the merits of the Savior. We have every reason to rejoice. We have every reason to see the happy ending on the horizon. We have every reason to be at peace because the Lord is our God, and He has promised to make everything right. And yet, despite this testimony of God's omnipotence and willingness to uphold His children, this psalmist also spends half the psalm crying out to God over his pain. It's easy to think of the psalmist as complaining in the beginning. It would be easy to assume he simply doesn't have enough faith and grows into that faith by the end of the psalm. He had to grow through a process in which his faith was building enough to comfort him. And in some ways, this viewpoint is accurate. I'm sure he did grow when he praised the Lord in pain. I've watched it occur many times in my own life. There have been many times where the Lord has helped me walk through faith-building activities. I've started at a low point only to end in a place where I sincerely feel like rejoicing because He has given me glimpses of how my story ends. And yet, as I read this psalm this morning, the Lord gave me a different viewpoint. Yes, I'm sure the psalmist grew in faith as he wrote about his testimony. However, the psalmist didn't start from a point of faithlessness. It takes faith to praise the Lord in a time of need, but it also takes faith to be vulnerable and turn to the Lord in a time of need. I have a testimony of the Lord. I know Him. I know His character, and I often feel reason to rejoice. When things are hard, I don't often have to force myself into gratitude. I know that He will carry me. He has proved it time and again. And yet despite the many testimonies that He has given me of Him and despite the many times that He has proved Himself, mortal life still feels heavy sometimes. So, so heavy. Faith can be a remedy to some of that heaviness, but it is not accurate to say that heaviness comes because of a lack of faith. It takes faith to find comfort when surrounded by the heaviness of mortal life. But it also takes faith to keep holding on when the Lord is silent. It takes faith to remember Him enough to wait it out when you don't feel like rejoicing. It takes faith to turn to Him in despair even when it doesn't feel as though He is responding much. Heaviness and difficulty in mortal life aren't signs that your faith is weak; heaviness and difficulty are simply facts of mortal life. And sometimes sitting in that heaviness is what you need. Sometimes you don't need to find the bright light yet. Sometimes you just need Someone to sit with you in the heaviness for a while before it's time to find the lightness again. I remember being in a dark place on my mission. Everything felt heavy and hopeless. I didn't want to love anyone anymore because I was so tired of all the pain that came with loving people. Maybe I didn't actually feel that way long-term, but at that moment, I was too tired to keep loving all of these people. It had weight, especially when people didn't choose the things that could bring hope or even when people were simply going through their own heaviness. I was just tired. As my companion took a shower, I went out to our living area and prayed in that darkness. He came. He didn't directly comfort me. He didn't whisper a happy ending or try to lift my sights. I actually distinctly remember feeling like He was just sitting with me in that heaviness and darkness. It was precisely what I needed. Faith can take on many forms. It can look like rejoicing, and I am so grateful to have found that powerful aspect of faith. But I also know that sitting in darkness is not an indication of a lack of faith. I testify that mortal life is supposed to be heavy and dark sometimes. It was part of His divine plan. It was supposed to happen. We were supposed to be taken to our limits so that we could expand our limits. I testify that faith often comforts and uplifts and rejoices in the midst of difficulty, but I also that sometimes faith manifests in a slightly more subtle feeling. It's the feeling that you want to keep holding on even when the rejoicing is absent. It's a feeling that you can be open and vulnerable with Him, and He will not scorn you for it. I testify that He will hear the prayer of the destitute and not despise them for it. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

The Lord returns to Nazareth and the people - trapped in the childhood past of Jesus - are unable to recognize the God at work in their midst. (Lectionary #431) August 31, 2026 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

“Let Every Thing That Hath Breath Praise the Lord”The traditional Jewish name for the book of Psalms is Tehillim, a Hebrew word that means “praises.” It's related to the exclamation hallelujah (meaning “praise Jehovah” or “praise the Lord”). If you had to choose one word to sum up the main message of the Psalms, praise would be a good choice. Some psalms contain the direct invitation to “praise ye the Lord” (see especially Psalms 146–50), and all of them can inspire worship and praise. The Psalms invite us to acknowledge the Lord's power, His mercy, and the great things He has done. We can never repay Him for any of this, but we can praise Him. That praise might take different forms for different people—it might involve singing, praying, or bearing testimony. It often leads to a deeper commitment to the Lord and to following His teachings. Whatever “praise ye the Lord” means in your life, you can find inspiration to do it as you read and ponder the Psalms.Are you looking for a scripture study church podcast? You are listening to Come Follow Me Kids! A Come Follow Me Podcast For Kids. This is specifically a Primary Podcast or Primary Scripture Study Poscast that studies Come Follow Me. Welcome to Come Follow Me Kids! We are a scripture study podcast that accompanies the Come Follow Me Manual by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We play games, sing songs, and tell stories to go along with the scriptures. This year we are specifically studying the Old Testament. We sometimes use audio clips from the Friend Magazine and other church sources, however we are not officially sponsored by the church in any way. If your children would like a free baptism shout out or to be guests on this podcast, email us at comefollowmekidspodcast@gmail.com. If you like this podcast, please leave us a review. Thank you!

I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)

Today’s Topics: Father Thomas Koller, OCD, joins Terry 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel – Luke 4:16-30 – Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had grown up, and went according to His custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, He handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at Him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His Mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the Son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,' and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.'” And He said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl Him down headlong. But He passed through the midst of them and went away. Saints in Heaven, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day

Welcome to Day 2938 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2938 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 3:21-28 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2938 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2938 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: Unshakeable Sleep, Divine Security, and the Urgency of Doing Good On our previous podcast, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Seven, we explored Proverbs chapter three, verses nine through twenty. We marveled at how honoring Yahweh with our firstfruits opens the doors of true abundance, how His fatherly discipline refines our character, and how wisdom acts as a priceless Tree of Life—the very blueprint by which God founded the earth and established the heavens! Today, as we step onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Eight of our ongoing trek, we advance directly into Proverbs chapter three, verses twenty-one through twenty-eight. In these eight practical verses, Solomon takes us from the grand cosmic scales of creation down into the quiet sanctuary of our bedrooms at night, and out onto the front porch of our neighbor's house during the day. Having spent over fifty years focusing on and studying Biblical wisdom, and having accumulated seventy years of life experiences—walking through peaceful seasons, unexpected storms, and daily human interactions—I can tell you that true wisdom is not proven in abstract academic debates. It is proven when you lay your head on the pillow at night in complete peace, and when you eagerly open your hands to help someone in need today. Let us open our minds and hearts to the first logical section of this teaching, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the connected thoughts found in Proverbs chapter three, verse twenty-one, verse twenty-two, verse twenty-three, and verse twenty-four. My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like a jewel on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. Look at the urgent command that opens verse twenty-one: "don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them!" In the original Hebrew text, common sense translates as tushiyyah—that sound, effective, battle-tested wisdom we examined back in chapter two—while discernment is mezimmah, the practical ability to plan wisely and foresee moral outcomes. Solomon tells us never to let these virtues slip out of our mental field of vision. Notice the exquisite imagery in verse twenty-two: "they will refresh your soul. They are like a jewel on a necklace." This connects us directly back to what we studied in Proverbs chapter three, verse three, where Solomon commanded us to tie covenant loyalty and truth around our necks! Divine wisdom and discernment are never heavy, legalistic burdens; they are beautiful adornments that bring vibrant, inner refreshment—chayyim—to your soul! And look at the practical result in verses twenty-three and twenty-four! As you walk along life's trail, discernment keeps your feet from stumbling over hidden obstacles. Then, when the sun goes down, "you can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly!" In the Ancient Israelite worldview, the nighttime was frequently associated with danger, vulnerability, and dark spiritual chaos. In earlier episodes, such as Proverbs chapter one, we saw wicked men hiding in dark alleys to plot violent ambushes. But here, Solomon promises that when your life is aligned with Yahweh's order, the night holds no terror for you! You do not lie awake staring at the ceiling, paralyzed by anxiety, guilt, or fear of exposure. Your sleep is tranquil, deep, and sweet, because your soul is anchored securely in the presence of the Creator. The narrative now transitions from nighttime peace to daytime confidence, linking together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter three, verse twenty-five, and verse twenty-six. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Solomon addresses one of the greatest tormentors of the human heart: the dread of sudden calamity! He reassures us that we need not fear sudden disaster, or the ruin that inevitably sweeps over the wicked. In this earthly life, unexpected crises do occur—economic shifts, sudden health trials, or social upheaval. Those who build their lives on self-reliance, deceit, or ill-gotten gain are completely destroyed by these storms, because their foundation is built on shifting sand. Look at the unshakeable foundation offered to the wise trekker in verse twenty-six: "for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap!" In the Hebrew text, "the Lord is your security" literally reads Yahweh yihyeh be-kislaka—Yahweh Himself will be your confidence, your hope, and your strong fortress! This highlights the divine-council worldview we have tracked throughout our journey. While neighboring pagan cultures lived in constant terror of erratic, territorial idols, the person who fears Yahweh knows that the supreme Master of the heavenly hosts stands as their personal guardian! Remember back in Proverbs chapter one, where greedy men set hidden traps for the innocent, only to ambush themselves? Here, Solomon promises that when you walk in divine truth, Yahweh personally watches over your footsteps, keeping you from being ensnared by the hidden traps of the adversary. In my seventy years on this earth, I have navigated many unexpected storms, and I can testify with full assurance that Yahweh has always proven to be an unshakeable security. The instruction now takes a sharp, highly practical turn, moving from internal confidence directly to our public responsibility toward others, as recorded in Proverbs chapter three, verse twenty-seven, and verse twenty-eight. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you.” Look at the ethical mandate Solomon presents here! He moves from private peace directly into active, neighborly love, commanding: "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them." In the original Hebrew, the phrase "those who deserve it" literally reads ba'alav—the rightful owners of that good! In biblical ethics, if God has placed resources, influence, or ability in your hands, and your neighbor has a legitimate need, meeting that need is not an optional act of patronizing charity; it is a debt of righteousness that you owe to a fellow human image-bearer! Then, in verse twenty-eight, Solomon delivers a direct blow to the subtle sin of procrastination: "If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, 'Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you.'" Procrastination in doing good is often just selfishness hiding behind polite excuses! Divine wisdom demands urgency in generosity. This connects beautifully with what we studied in Proverbs chapter three, verses nine and ten, where we were commanded to give Yahweh our firstfruits without delay. Generosity is not merely a ritual performed in a sacred building; it is a lifestyle practiced immediately at our neighbor's front door! In the divine court, Yahweh evaluates the sincerity of our faith by how promptly and generously we treat those around us. One of our core commitments on Wisdom-Trek is to "Lend to others Generously." Over my fifty years of studying Scripture, I have learned that delayed generosity is often denied generosity. When God gives you the opportunity and the power to bless someone today, do not hesitate—act immediately! As we bring today's trek through Proverbs chapter three, verses twenty-one through twenty-eight to a close, consider the complete, harmonious life Solomon sets before us. When you hang onto common sense and discernment, you experience deep inner refreshment, enjoy sweet and sound sleep, walk free from the fear of sudden disaster, and become an immediate conduit of God's blessing to your neighbors. Align your heart with Yahweh's wisdom today, rest in His divine protection, and do not hesitate to do good to those around you. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of, ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' As we take this Trek of life together, let...

There is no greater calling than to be known as a faithful servant of the Lord.► Gather with us live online and in person every Sunday at 9:30a and 11:00a: https://live.fbcw.org/► Watch/listen to our services: https://fbcw.org/worship-with-us/► Give to help our mission: https://fbcw.org/give/

I am team planning. I am team house systems. We teach it in the membership and it is the very first thing we tackle in the Catholic Mom Reset, because looking at your next 90 days and making a plan is genuinely a gift to your future self. But if you took all of it away tomorrow, dropped me in a different house in a different town with no idea what the next 90 days held, I would be okay. I could walk around and have peace. That is the part I want for you. A lot of women tell me they are type A planners. There is a healthy version of that. There is also a version that gets built in a childhood full of chaos you could not control, or in a home where performing well was how you got love and attention. Both of those grow up into a woman who plans beautifully, and one of them is holding on with an iron grip. This episode is how to tell which one you are running on, the five minute healing work that sets the grip down, and the sentence I said to a mom on a coaching call that changed her whole face.   WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: Why the plan is not what makes you feel calm (you make a plan, then you think "I have a plan," and the thought is what creates safety in your body) The two childhoods that produce a hyper-planner: chaos you had no control over, and love you had to earn by performing The difference between planning that feels light and playful and planning you believe you cannot survive without Abraham walking up the mountain and the Israelites who never got the itinerary, and what peace looked like for both Tolerating uncertainty is a capacity you can grow, the same way a kid grows from 37 seconds to a minute and a half underwater The five minute memory work I use, sitting in the theater with the Lord while He tells you the truth about what really happened What I told the mom who was afraid that moving every two years would rob her kids of roots and stability EPISODE TIMELINE: [00:00] – Why I wanted to do this episode, and why I am solidly team planning and team systems [05:00] – All brains hate uncertainty, the AI conversation nobody can predict, and the skill we can actually grow [10:00] – Your body feels your thinking, not your plan. The Israelites, and Abraham on the mountain [15:00] – The car breaks down. The husband's job might move you. How to answer your own brain [20:00] – Chaos versus performance, the grounded healthy version of you, and asking the Lord what we are doing today [25:00] – Bob Schuchts, inner child work, and revisiting a memory with Jesus in five minutes [30:00] – "You are their mom. You bring roots and stability everywhere you go." Protocols, and week one of the Reset LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Catholic Mom Reset (starts Sunday, September 6th, first live call Thursday, September 10th) Bob Schuchts books Brya Hannan book on inner child healing (do one chapter a month, it is deep work) Restore the Glory podcast with Bob Schuchts and Jake Khym Calm Catholic Kids: https://calmcatholickids.com CONNECT WITH STERLING JAQUITH: Website: https://catholicmomcalm.com Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholicmomcalm

In this compelling episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the vigilant Zach Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of maintaining our spiritual vigilance—an endeavor that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when staying vigilant and watchful becomes a paramount necessity. These moments not only fortify our faith but also strengthen our connections, propelling us forward in pursuit of our individual dreams. The comforting truth remains steadfast: with the Lord as our unwavering guide, we possess the innate ability to remain vigilant and steadfast in our aspirations, discovering renewed hope and purpose on our path. Drawing profound inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those who seek guidance in remaining vigilant in their spiritual aspirations along their faith journey, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can commence a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the constant presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for vigilance within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of maintaining our spiritual vigilance and discovering the extraordinary sense of purpose that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How should biblical counselors engage secular psychology and the many other voices seeking to understand human desires and motivations? In this final episode of our seven-part series on CCEF's distinctives, Gunner Gundersen is joined by Jonathan Holmes, Dr. Mike Emlet, and Dr. Todd Stryd to explore CCEF's seventh distinctive: "Biblical counseling engages with the voices around us." They discuss how biblical counselors can neither simply embrace nor dismiss other perspectives, but instead engage them charitably and critically. The conversation explores what it means to reframe, translate, and be provoked by observations from secular psychology and other sources, always interpreting and refining them through the question, "Who is the Lord, and what does he say?" The group considers practical examples from OCD treatment and trauma, as well as how this approach shapes pastoral care in the local church. Throughout, they emphasize that Christians don't need to be fearful of other voices or diagnoses. Instead, we can listen with curiosity, bring the richness of Scripture to people's experiences, and minister as fellow saints, sufferers, and sinners. Mentioned in this episode: - Explore or purchase our new course: Theology and Secular Psychology at ccef.org/school - Learn more about our beliefs and distinctives at ccef.org/about- Cure of Souls and the Modern Psychotherapies | Article by Dr. David Powlison - Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners: Loving Others as God Loves Us | Book by Dr. Mike Emlet

What happens when God shows you something about yourself you don't want to see?Our instinct is often to defend.Explain.Distract ourselves.Push it away.But what if the uncomfortable truth is actually an invitation to transformation?In this reflection on Psalm 32, John Ortberg explores the relationship between pain, honesty, forgiveness, and genuine change.John begins personally, describing a conversation in which a longtime friend helped him recognize uncomfortable patterns of comparison, envy, and competition in himself.Instead of defending himself, John is learning to say:“Yep. That's me. God, I need Your help.”Psalm 32 describes the blessed person as someone “in whose spirit is no deceit.”Then John tells the extraordinary story of Tom Tarrants, a violent white supremacist and KKK terrorist who was imprisoned in Mississippi.In prison, Tarrants encountered the words of Jesus:“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”His life began to change.The man who once participated in racist terrorism eventually devoted himself to forgiveness, racial reconciliation, and serving the very people he once hated.How far can somebody fall and still be changed by God?Maybe much further than we imagine.So when your conscience shows you something today, don't immediately run.Don't defend.Don't hide.Ask:God, help me see the truth about myself.And then:Would You change me?In this episode:- Psalm 32 and honest confession- What happens when we become defensive- Dallas Willard on pain and reality- Why hiding the truth fragments us internally- David, Psalm 51, and forgiveness- The story of Tom Tarrants- Radical transformation from hatred to reconciliation- What it means to have “no deceit” in your spirit- How to respond to conviction- Why God's grace can change anyoneScriptures: Psalm 32 • Psalm 51 • Psalm 1 • Matthew 16:26 • 2 Samuel 11–12#Psalm32 #JohnOrtberg #Forgiveness #Psalms #Transformation #SpiritualFormation #Confession #ChristianFaith #Grace #BibleStudy

#10MinuteswithJesus ** Put yourself in the presence of God. Try talking to Him. ** 10 minutes are 10 minutes. Even if you can get distracted, reach the end. ** Be constant. The Holy Spirit acts "on low heat" and requires perseverance. 10-Minute audio to help you pray. Daily sparks to ignite prayer: a passage from the gospel, an idea, an anecdote and a priest who speaks with you and the Lord, inviting you to share your intimacy with God. Find your moment, consider you are in His presence and click play.

Peace and Joy: Special Patreon Release with Kay Wyma   “So, as God's own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭AMP‬‬   *Transcription Below*   Questions We Discuss: Will you elaborate on this concept of a Soul30? What were your favorite stories from this adventure? How has this peace project changed the way you will live life from this point forward?   Kay Wyma is a mom, blogger, podcaster, and author of four books in which she has tackled, with candor and humor, some of the troubling societal issues that impact us all. Kay's writings have led her to appearances on TODAY, CNN, Hallmark's Home & Family, and more. Before staying at home with her kids, she held positions at the White House and Bank of America. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and five kids. Connect with Kay at kaywyma.com or on Instagram @kaywyma.   At The Savvy Sauce, we will only recommend resources we believe in! We also want you to be aware: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   The Peace Project   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Chick-fil-A East Peoria and The Savvy Sauce Charities (and donate online here)   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”   Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “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.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:09 - 2:47) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   I want to say a huge thank you to today's sponsors for this episode, Chick-fil-A East Peoria, and Savvy Sauce Charities.   If this is your first time here, welcome! You may be wondering what it means to have a special Patreon release, so here's the scoop. Patreon was a platform we used to generate financial support for The Savvy Sauce, and we expressed our thanks to those paying patrons by giving them a bonus episode every month.   But in 2024, we transitioned away from Patreon when we became a non-profit called the Savvy Sauce Charities. The podcast is part of this non-profit, which exists to resource loved ones to inspire growth and intimacy with God and others. So, people used to pay to support us through Patreon, but now they can just donate directly to our non-profit.   We spend thousands of dollars each year to record and produce these episodes, and we do pray that they're beneficial and that God sees fit to use them to be transformational in your life. If that is the case, if you have ever benefited from an episode of The Savvy Sauce, would you consider showing your gratitude through your financial generosity? Any amount is greatly appreciated.   In fact, if every listener gave only $1 per month, it would completely offset our costs. We have all the details on our website, thesavvysauce.com, but feel free to also reach out to our team anytime if you want to partner together. Our email address is info@thesavvysauce.com.   And now I'm pleased to share this episode with you that used to only be available to paying patrons. Kay Wyma is my returning guest today. She is vibrant, and her curiosity sometimes leads to experiments in her life. Her most recent experiment turned into a book, and now she's going to let us in on three areas of focus that added peace and joy to her life. This process is based on Scripture and validated in science. Here's our chat.   Welcome back to The Savvy Sauce, Kay.   Kay Wyma: (2:48 - 2:52) Thank you so much for having me. You're really sweet to put up with me again.   Laura Dugger: (2:53 - 3:07) Well, it was a delight last time, and I'm excited for today as well. And I'm so fascinated by your history of different careers and roles you've had. So, will you tell us a little bit more about all that you've experienced professionally?   Kay Wyma: (3:08 - 5:44) Oh my gosh, it's so funny, Laura, because people will read the bio as they could for any of us that are in our mid-50s, and I'm sitting there going, I'm exhausted listening to that. But the deal is that they didn't happen all at the same time, but I just had a really great opportunity to do some interesting stuff. And one of them, especially in my 20s, I got to work in the George Herbert Walker Bush, so 41 White House, and I was a lead advance for the vice president.   And so, I pretty much got to travel all over the country and a lot of very interesting places in the world during that period. And it was a blast. I got to set up the trips as they would go traveling to these places with the Secret Service and White House Communications. And it just was an amazing way, an opportunity to get to see the world. And then I went on to graduate school and got an MBA and ended up somehow in an international investment banking role, which is laughable because I cannot even help my children with fifth grade math. So, I don't know who that person was that did that.   But I used to be able to do things that way. I can't anymore. And then I had kids, which was such a blessing. I'd met my husband at graduate school when we got married after I'd finished my stint in the White House and had kids right off the bat. And during that time, I really did try to piggyback. That was back in the day when women were allowed to job share, and I just couldn't do it. The more kids that came, the harder it was. And so I stayed at home with my kids, started a couple of businesses here and there, and then found myself in the world of writing. And I didn't plan on it. I kind of say I was an accidental writer, but I don't think anything is really an accident. It's not something that I was educated to do. However, I loved it.   And I look back now and look at the great education that I had gotten and honestly how much I loved writing even as a child. I just didn't know that was something that you could do because back in that day there were, and I'm not that old, but there really were careers that were careers that you sort of went to that made sense from a sensible banking father. It's like, here are your choices for a degree plan. And so, I love how just even gravitating towards what you're gifting a purpose is, which we talked about before, it's just those things are in you, and it's fun to see how they will come out and how fun that it can even come out in a way where it's your vocation. And so here I sit as a writer, crazy.   Laura Dugger: (5:44 - 6:00) Which is so great to hear the journey because you would think the math and the different skills required for international banking and then to become a successful author, that's so interesting. And this is so random and I could be wrong. Were your parents ever on Focus on the Family?   Kay Wyma: (6:01 - 6:54) Well, they could have been. I have the greatest parents. I really do. They're so kind and they're just really terrific people. And so, they became friends, like they're friends with Dr. Dobson. And so, I don't know if they were. That's another really gift they gave us. You just do it in front of you and you don't really make a big deal about anything. And I love that. Everybody puts their pants on the same way, which is one thing I loved even about working at the White House because some of the stuff can look so glamorous and go. But the truth is, we're all just people. And the Lord has put in certain people's paths, things to do that could look really amazing and spectacular. But the amazing and spectacular is around you every single day, even if it might not have something. And for my kids would be like that have a million followers or that has gone viral. But they are there. I'm very blessed, Laura, with very nice parents.   Laura Dugger: (6:55 - 7:03) Well, you've mentioned before that you battled an eating disorder growing up. Do you feel comfortable sharing a little bit more about that journey?   Kay Wyma: (7:04 - 8:39) Absolutely. So, I definitely battled that. And again, I have a wonderful family that I grew up in, a home that I grew up in. But I also grew up in an environment where performance was a big deal, which it is today, too. So many kids are struggling with that. Oh, my gosh, so terribly. And whatever you're struggling with, because it could be for me, it was performance. And the way that I learned, the way that I coped with it was through eating and not eating. And a lot of just getting rid of the food that I had eaten.   And there just came a day when I was in college that thankfully the Lord, the Lord just showed me one night that this is not a good thing. So, I actually left that semester of college to get help. And it changed my life. I was telling one of the girls yesterday, my girls, how grateful I am for that because I had never really understood or even contemplated the concept of grace. I just didn't know that was something I'd heard it, but I didn't know what it was. And I didn't know a whole lot about my worth having been declared by God and my identity having been determined by him. And I will say at 55, I know a lot more about it than I did even then at 19 or 20, but it was going through that journey, asking for help, stopping what was hurting me and reaching for truth that put me on a road to actually learn a lot of just what it means when he says it is for freedom that I have set you free.   Laura Dugger: (8:40 - 9:00) And the reason that I bring up the eating disorder is from a previous podcast. I can't remember which one, but elsewhere I'd heard you say that you stay away from the whole 30 diet, but you were intrigued one day to instead try a soul 30. So, will you share that story with us too?   Kay Wyma: (9:01 - 14:47) I will. And I do, I have to tell you, I, since, since I was 20, I've steered clear of scales and I really do steer clear of diets for me because they don't do good things in my head. And so, one thing that I learned through all of that was that you, you can't change an environment. Often you can't change the environment that you're in, but you can change the way you operate within the environment. Biggest lesson that I learned through all of that, like, please hear that. It was so life altering as I stood going, I can't change this environment, but I can change how I interact with it.   Okay. And so, the whole 30, I do find intriguing, you know, because people, if you're going to do something physically, like to make your diet better, a lot of people do that. And so, for 30 days, they, they exit a ton out of their diet. I don't know everything about it because I am a big chicken. And I think they, if, if I was going to do it, the thing that would be the killer for me is not being able to have cream in your coffee. You know, it's like, that's a deal breaker for me right there.   But the soul 30 it all started one morning. Again, I think I told you on the last one that like, even the experiment with the putting the stuff, like helping the kids with independence started with my rotten attitude. Well, this started with the rotten attitude too. And we aren't always doing experiments in our house, but I just had this bad attitude one morning as I'd come home from carpool. I had women coming over to my house. I leave a Bible study that meets on Tuesdays. And I was just going to the refrigerator to get milk out to be able to serve coffee. And there were two jugs of milk in our fridge. I pull the first one out and it's empty. And I'm like, what? And the second one, I pull it out. It's empty too. Like maybe a drop in it. And quite frankly, I could have put it back going, well, there's a drop of milk in it, but I don't know why people do that. Like in our house, it could be the same with a cereal box. Like you pull the box out, there's nothing in it. And I'm like, just throw it away. Like, please.   And so I was frustrated. I get out into my car to go to the grocery store. And as I drive back out into the street, this big black pickup truck, literally like road routes its way into my face. And I was sort of like, really? And, and I didn't have a choice, but to back down because he was not going to let me go. And so as I started to back up, I looked up and I got to see this beautiful sun like peeking through this cloudy sky. And, and it was so beautiful. I was like, what am I doing? Like why am I in a crabby mood or frustrated by this? I'm in an air-conditioned car on my way to a grocery store where there are refrigerated items and there are people, somebody actually might say hello. Okay. Cause I go in there all the time and I was sort of like; everything is not bad.   And I started to breathe. And I didn't realize in that moment that I was, I was being thankful. Like I just, it just happened. And, and in that I really was breathing. And I like felt better inside of me. I back up and let the guy go legitimately, which again, I did not realize it in the moment, but it was an act of kindness. And I felt even better. And when he drove by, I looked in his window and I was sitting there going, I have, it was a human being first of all. And I recognize that. And just for a moment, I was like, I have no idea what's going on in his day. He could be raced into the hospital. He could be late for work. He could just, you know, be a jerky person and, and life as long as a jerky person. And, and I just was, I wasn't over spiritualizing or anything, but I prayed for him. I was like, please let whatever's going on in his day be okay. Because if he's that intense, something is not great.   And I drove to the grocery store, and I physically felt so good. It was like, like I had been given a joke Cola or something like I, Or some vitamin that was just a blast of energy. And it lasted. By the time ladies got over, I was like, you're gonna believe what happened this morning. It was so weird. And I told them about it the next week they came back and one of the ladies said, can you tell me again? What that story? And I was like, what story? And the lady next to her goes, Oh, I've been doing it. And I was like, doing what? And she goes, your thing. I was like, what is my thing? And she said, Oh, the thankfulness, kindness, and compassion. And as we talked about it again, I was sitting there going, is that something because it had deeply impacted this person that was trying it even for a week.   And I really sat there going, okay, we would do a whole 30 for a physical diet. Something in these practices is impacting the soul. And I was like, what if we tried a soul 30 and for 30 days, proactively practiced thankfulness, kindness, and mercy, because that's what compassion is a part of mercy. What would happen? And so it was sort of like, let's do it. And these very sweet friends were willing to try as were my kids. And so instead of like pulling something away, which is what a fast is that goes with a whole 30, we sort of switched it to this unbelievable soul feast that came with doing these things. It was unbelievable. The joy that came into everyone's life when they started doing this stuff. I mean, it was amazing. And so as I tracked it, I really did track it because I like to know why it was sort of like, why is this happening? What's going on? What is in these things that actually can impact your life at such a deep, deep level to where joy is invited in and peace.   Laura Dugger: (14:49 - 15:00) And so, like you said, you focus on thankfulness, kindness, and mercy in this most recent book, The Peace Project, but will you define and give examples of each of those?   Kay Wyma: (15:01 - 19:08) Yes. And I think that is such a great way to start because it's like, okay, what, what is it even on the soul 30? I was like, here's what you do. Okay. Here is what thankfulness says, because I went to look like, if I'm going to ask, please do these things, here's what they are. So, thankfulness is calling out things for which to be grateful. And for our family, for my kids, I was like, please let it not be the same thing every day. Although now a year and a half out, what difference does it make? It could be the same thing every day. But for them, I was like, don't let it be the same thing. And it can be more than one thing, because the thing with thankfulness, when you start it, it's like, it may take a little effort to go, what do I have to be thankful for? Especially in a situation that's unsettling, which is kind of like when that car drove up on me, that was an unsettling moment.   I was being forced down. And there's so much going on in that conversation that isn't spoken, which I think is important to call out in these things. So even as he's barreling up on me, it makes me feel unseen. It makes me feel like there's no, even though it's not spoken, that action brings with it. What thankfulness does is it instantly, it's like a wake up, like it's a focus shift. And so, and it tends to be looking up in some way, and it gets your eyes off of whatever the situation is. And it allows for truth to come in, which is where thankfulness goes, especially in the unsettling. Cause you can say, as I didn't mean to, but I did even in that moment, I am in an air-conditioned car. It is Texas in the summer, for goodness sake, that is a gift. And it's worth calling out. And there's always something for which to be grateful. So that's what thankfulness is.   Kindness is seeing and loving others. And let me tell you something, loving yourself too, because I've learned through this. We are harder on ourselves than we are on anybody else. So seeing and loving others and yourself in deed or action, this component is so significant because you're taking it. Thankfulness is in your thoughts. So you're walking through in your thoughts and you're doing these things. And kindness is where you're going that extra step. And you're actually putting action on it so that even in your mind, because I learned a lot about neural pathways and how our minds can be transformed by this, which is sort of where we started. If your physical health can be impacted by a diet, can my thought health be impacted by doing things that are good for it? And so kindness takes it from the thought to the action. And so even in that, you know, letting that car go, that is so small. And so kindness doesn't have to be moving a mountain. It can be tiny little things.   I've watched my neighbor one morning picking up newspapers and putting them on everybody's porch. And no one was seeing her do that. I accidentally did. And she even told me that day, you know, it's the small things because it is because when that person opens the door, the neighbor opens their door, they know that someone thought of them that day. Like it gives them, whether it's spoken or not, they get a sense of worth by going, I must matter. Somebody cared enough to put my newspaper on my front porch. Tiny, tiny things, as well as big things can be an act of kindness.   And then mercy, that's the showstopper. And it is a challenge and it is beautiful. And the definition of mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. And again, including ourselves. And so as I started to peel back the layers on mercy, there's more and there's more and there's more. And another one of my favorite definitions of it was from a Jesuit priest whose name is James Keenan. And he called mercy the willingness to enter into someone else's chaos, which I actually found to be the most powerful because willingness plays a central role in this whole process because it actually is centered on our significance having been settled by the Lord.   Laura Dugger: (19:09 - 19:17) What surprising discoveries did you make as you deliberately practiced each of these attitudes? And like you said, you partnered them with action steps.   Kay Wyma: (19:18 - 21:54) Yeah, so I think for everybody, we just did a book club just finished last week, even here. And one of the gals said that she has been struggling terribly with anxiety and worry that stemmed a lot. They moved to Florida before the pandemic. And so, she was living in a new place, basically holed up in her house for a year and a half. And those things of worry and anxiety and fear had crept in and had become, you know, on repeat in her mind. And so just because she had signed up for the book club, came with a friend and she didn't really buy any of it because it doesn't matter whether you buy it or not because these things are not for me. Like that's the number one thing. They aren't mine. These really are woven within the greatest commandment. You know, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind is thankfulness. Your eyes are not on yourself. And love others as you love yourself. And he's not talking about a narcissistic love. He's like genuine caring for others and yourself. There's so much power in that, which includes kindness and mercy.   And so, she simply started doing the thankfulness. She was like, I don't know what the others are, but I know I can track being thankful. I can find a way to be thankful. And she came back after the first week and couldn't believe what it had done to her. Just in practicing thankfulness, which we know through science that there are benefits that occur in your brain just by doing that simple act. And it's clearly proven. You can just Google even the amount of thankfulness journals because it's so good for us. And if you write it down and look at it and see, you're using all these senses. And when you add the kindness and the mercy to it, it's so deeply impactful.   And so, I think the thing that probably surprised me the most is how consistent the piece is and how your neural pathways actually can change. You can actually have your superhighway and your thought process, because we have those ruts in our brain that are highly traveled paths that our thoughts go to. And they tend actually to be along the lines of anxiety or fear or worry, because that's been a part of your life since you were a little kid. And to be able to somehow transition those highest traveled pathways to something that involves kindness and mercy and thankfulness is so significant because your instant reaction is going to a place of peace instead of a place of anxiety. It's like where science meets scripture.   Laura Dugger: (21:54 - 27:25) It's so beautiful. And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Did you know you can go to college tuition-free just by being a team member at Chick-fil-A East Peoria? Yes, you heard that right. Free college education. All Chick-fil-A East Peoria team members in good standing are immediately eligible for a free college education through Point University. Point University is a fully accredited private Christian college located in West Point, Georgia. This online self-paced program includes 13 associates degrees, 17 bachelor's degrees, and two master's programs, including an MBA. 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Were there any other passages that especially seemed to come to life during this project?   Kay Wyma: (27:26 - 29:11) Oh, yes, and they continue to, Laura, as is always the case with scripture. You know, it really is like, wow. But I love the take your thoughts captive and make them obedient to me, which can sound like it's something that I do, you know, that I'm going to have to make my thoughts obedient to him, but it's really the Lord's power that does that. And it's like these things, you know, I think we talked before about, he isn't doing something to us by saying do these things, it's for us. And it's because when you do these things, naturally it is going to set you free. And so, I love that.   I love in Isaiah where it says, “He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast in him.” And so when you feel that unsettledness, in that unsettledness, we can go to the places of worry or fear or anxiety, but what if in the unsettledness you can go to the one who says, I see you, who says you are known, who says you are a masterpiece, who says you belong because I chose you, who says, “I see you, you are mine.” And then go to those beautiful verses, even in Isaiah where he says, “you'll go through the water and they will not rise up over you and you will go through the fire, yet you will not be burned.” That's the truth because the one who says it is the one who protects us through all those things. And in the willingness aspect of this, it goes to this place where you're trusting what you can't see. And that is the one who has said these things over us to the point where I'm acting on it in places that can feel very scary. And leaning into his safety actually proves his safety over and over and over and over. And I think that's why the piece comes in.   Laura Dugger: (29:12 - 29:17) Kay, you're such a great storyteller. So, do you have any favorite stories from this adventure?   Kay Wyma: (29:18 - 33:55) There's a couple. So, it's like these practices rehumanize what so much around us has been dehumanizing because people aren't objects. People really matter. We like to compartmentalize everybody based on so many things, our race, our religion, the color of our hair, our vocation. I mean, you name it. And so, it kind of dehumanizes in that. And now we have this cancel culture, which is so weird. Like you could cancel a human being. And so, the rehumanizing comes in all of these practices. And it's so powerful.   So, we were even on our way to the grocery store. There was a person that needed to get over a couple of lanes. And so, I'm with one of my daughters and I was like, let's let that person over. And so, as we did, she crossed over in front of us and made it all the way over three more lanes to go right. I mean, she really was in the wrong place. And my daughter looks at me and said, I'm so glad we did that. And I was like, why? And she said, because if someone had done that for me, it would have made me feel like I was seen and that I had worth. And so, I've never, like that sticks in my head constantly. To be seen and to have worth is what we all need. And the tiniest little things can do that for us.   And so at that grocery store where we were going, a lady honked at me in the parking lot. Like I was walking and she just like blared on her horn, scared the living daylights out of me. And I was like, oh my gosh. But again, in that moment, I was like, wait a second. I can either have that, I'm either gonna fire up and be mad or I'm gonna be like, oh, I really am not seen. Either way, I'm going in a bad path or I can choose willingly to go, no. She's probably stressed out because she's not used to driving or maybe I scared her. She didn't see me. I don't know. And just reacts that way. And so, in that moment, I'm like letting it go, seeing her as a human being going in the grocery store.   And so, I go in, do my shopping. It's super packed in there. I go to the deli line, get my number, stand and wait and stand and wait. And as I'm waiting, who shows up next to me but the lady that honked at me, which if I hadn't let it go in the parking lot, I would have been like, oh, there's that lady in my head. But I wasn't. I was like, oh my gosh, there she is. And the guy calls my number and I feel her next to me and hear her sigh like, oh my gosh. And I look at her and she had forgotten to get her number. And the line was so long. And I was sitting there going, you know what? I've got margin in my day. And I took my number and handed it to her so happily. And she did what we all do. She refused it because kindness is risky. You may be rejected, okay? But again, if you're going into it willingly in the willingness that's based on your settled significance, that kind of rejection doesn't hurt because you're not rejected by the one who has called you by name. Not to over-spiritualize it.   But in that moment, I'm like, okay, no worries. But the deli guy is watching the whole thing. And so, I go to hand him the number and he looks at me and he serves her. And it was, I just can't even tell you how beautiful it was because she accepted it from him. I left because I was like, I don't want her feeling weird. I'm out of here and came back later. And it was so tiny and so beautiful. And it was like the greatest things of humanity were right there at the deli line in the grocery store. And I could tell you others, like even at the checkout, not on this occasion, but another one. Like what the checkers did to give grace to a woman who was so mean to them. And for them, like these two people to look at each other and go, man, she must be having a hard day and err on that. I mean, people are amazing. And it's like, dare we walk alongside each other? Dare we reach for the good? Dare we like just sink into the beauty of all that comes with things like your significance being eternally determined so that we can actually live in the freedom that surrounds you. All these opportunities that are around you every single day to be able to see the people and to treat the people next to you like human beings. It's really freeing and it's so beautiful. And it's a path paved with shalom peace. And it's amazing.   Laura Dugger: (33:56 - 34:22) Okay, that story is so touching. And I think it's because it's so apparent that that was the Holy Spirit and Jesus in you being Jesus to someone else. Because in scripture, we do see that it's God's kindness that leads us to repentance. And I just wonder what the other side of the story is. Your act of willing obedience and kindness. I wonder how that impacted her in a positive way.   Kay Wyma: (34:23 - 35:31) I don't know, but Laura, the coolest part is that I don't need to know. Like this is, again, through these things, that whole part exits. Like it doesn't matter at all. It's like that so much of the unseen is none of, I'll sit there and go, I can't believe he gave me something in that. Because the thing about any of these, when you give them out, it doesn't work like the world's economy where giving is actually a depletion. In God's economy, when you give, you're actually being filled. And so, it's like with a full tank, you walk away going, why did you allow me to be a part of that? Like, why would you have let me do that? Because I can't believe what you gave me through all of that. It's so amazing. Gosh, it just increases your capacity to trust exponentially. And so you have these little things like thankfulness that primes the pump. It's like, well, I'm going to get it going. And then the kindness. And then to be able to go to these places of mercy that involve very, very deep concepts like compassion, like forgiveness, like grace, like letting go of bitterness. These are aspects of God. They are not from us. It's like an invitation to experience God.   Laura Dugger: (35:31 - 35:38) What are some other ways that this peace project has changed the way that you live your life from this point forward?   Kay Wyma: (35:39 - 37:30) You know, almost with a spirit of expectancy and wonder and being able to see so many things that you haven't seen before. It's like it goes from black and white to technicolor. When I was in college, I actually had the opportunity to travel into West Berlin. This was a long time ago before the wall came down because there was the wall between East Berlin and West Berlin. But in order to get to West Berlin, you had to travel through East Germany. And it was so strange because literally on the train and everyone says this that did that back in those days, it was like you would go from colors to black and white. Like it was gray. They're literally the landscaped was gray. And then you would go from that gray into West Berlin that was like all colors and crazy and vibrant.   And that's what I feel like this does. It takes the gray and it makes it, the colors just come out spectacularly. And I think it is because you're choosing to not just believe, but you're acting on the belief which changes something which because you can't do that on your own strength. And so you're getting to experience this very mysterious aspect of God where he says, come to me, I will give you peace. I will give you joy. And I'm going to add that during this period, we probably lived through some of the hardest stuff that we have ever lived through in our life, just with very old past hurt that came and revisited in an extreme way. And it's amazing to me how full our days were on some of the hardest days we've ever experienced simply because these practices allowed us to look beyond and to live in peace and joy that paved even the hardest path.   Laura Dugger: (37:31 - 37:52) Well, I think that points to our good God, even in his timing that he invited you into this and you were willing to step in. And like you've said, it wasn't just something he did to you, but he offered this for you. And even through a hard time, that was such a gift.   Kay Wyma: (37:53 - 39:32) Yeah, which I could never have known that we would even be living that hard time when we started doing this. And it was definitely something that was given to us because I wasn't looking for it. Again, like I said, I had a rotten attitude when all this started and yet he met me there. Somebody said to me, how brilliant that you did this. Like, you know, you did thankfulness, then kindness, then mercy. And I was like, I did not do this. Like, I didn't make this up. This is what literally happened that morning. And for whatever reason, our curiosity was piqued and it was piqued enough to go, hey, you want to try? And what would happen?   And this, the book is the story of us trying and it really is a 30-day experiment where I go through the 30 days of like us doing it as a group and even include the group with these alongside call outs to where even the ladies that were doing it with us. And it was ladies just because it's a ladies Bible study. It doesn't mean that it's a woman thing or a guy, you know, not a guy thing. The consistency of, I can't believe how this has set me free. I didn't know I was entering into these places like this. I can't believe how healthy my mind is. You know, and again, people, if you have any issues with depression or that are deep that you need to get help, get help, please. You know, there is help out there. There are people that are gifted to be able to walk alongside us through very, very challenging situations which we were getting help along the way too. These practices will invite peace into your day on any day. I mean, just try it. Of course, I would love for people to get the book, but more than anything, just try it. I mean, these things are for you as much as they are for me.   Laura Dugger: (39:33 - 39:39) And if someone is willing to give it a try, what suggestions do you have for them?   Kay Wyma: (39:39 - 41:53) Yeah, it's so funny because I think when we hear like, oh, I have to do something for 30 days. I don't know about you, but I'm like, I can't add one more thing to my plate. And then I'm like 30 days. So, the first thing is just do it. Like just try it. And this is not something that you are going to have to give up anything or that it's going to be some burden or that you're gonna be trudging through just a hard journey. It will instantly be a gift to you. That's it. I still struggle with my rotten attitude going, no, it's really stubbornness that I'll go, oh, I'm not doing it. And then I'll think, what is wrong with you? You really know how great this is.   When the Lord was asked, what would you say is the greatest commandment? He instantly said, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love others as yourself for these sum up all the law and the prophets. That's a pretty big deal. And so why? Because it's so good for you because it gets our eyes off ourselves because it puts into action our effort to believe that what he says is true. The belief, I love you. I see you. I know you. You're safe. I'm provided for you. It's so powerful. I know that to be true.   One of the gals that was in our book club has an eight-year-old daughter that hilariously picked this book up because her mother was reading it. And she called it Kay's Peace Project. She does not know me. She was going into a soccer camp, you know, and it's hot. A little girl that's her friend was being mean to her every day. And so by the last day she was getting out of the car. And that week, you know, she didn't want to get out because she didn't want to deal with this friend of hers that was being mean to her. As she was getting out on Friday, she turned to her mom as she got out of the car and she said, you know, I picked up Kay's Peace Project last night. She had landed on a day about mercy. And she said, I read about mysterious mercy. And she said, it made me realize that something may be going on in her friend's life that she doesn't know. And so, she said, I've decided that that's probably why she's being mean to me. And so, I really want to be nice to her today because I don't know what it is that's going on in her life. Eight years old.   Laura Dugger: (41:54 - 42:07) Wow. And that is so powerful. How it has the power to work in all of us. And so, if somebody wants to grab their own copy of The Peace Project or if they want to find you online, Kay, where would you direct them?   Kay Wyma: (42:08 - 42:49) Well, to KayWyma.com or I do love Instagram, but I'm just telling you, it's set your expectations low, people. Because it is, anything I've got is for whoever would like to participate in it or alongside because I do love living life together. And I would love for anybody to join along in that on those platforms or even through the books. And it's just such a privilege. And I just can't thank you enough for having me on and for your listeners even giving me a few moments to even hear whatever is the Lord has put on my heart today. And please share what's on your hearts with the people that are next to you, too. It's worth it.   Laura Dugger: (42:50 - 43:04) Well, it's been a joy to host you. And you probably remember from last time, we are called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Kay, what is your savvy sauce?   Kay Wyma: (43:05 - 43:57) Okay. So, for this project is settled significance. And it is the idea to live in your settled significance. You don't have to get significance from anything around you even though the world would tell you that we need to like in whatever capacity is is like ask the question, where am I thinking I have to do this in order to be okay? Because that's this if then equation of the world. If you do this, then blah, blah, blah, blah. Settled significant operates off God's economy that says, because then, because I have declared you righteous, you are seen, you are known, you are whole, you are loved, you are enough, you belong. And to be able to live in those things, we fight for that right now. We really do. And we try to call out those things that are telling us otherwise.   Laura Dugger: (43:58 - 44:15) Well, Kay, thank you for fighting the good fight of faith and for sharing these practical ways to live out these biblical themes that really have eternal value of thankfulness and kindness and mercy. It has been a joy to host you as my guest.   Kay Wyma: (44:15 - 44:23) Oh, my gosh. You're so nice to host me. Thank you so much. And thank you for what you do. You're a huge encouragement to people every day. So, thank you.   Laura Dugger: (44:23 - 47:39) Thanks, Kay. One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

Have you ever wondered if God desires to know you just as deeply as you long to know Him? On this episode of Believer's Voice of Victory, Pastor George Pearsons and Aubrey Mitchell share the remarkable revelation he received during a sabbatical, when the Lord instructed him to focus entirely on "our relationship." Discover how recognizing God's longing for fellowship will ignite your own passion to know Him more intimately. Watch this episode and begin discovering the joy of responding to a divine invitation to a deeper relationship with God today.

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” (Mark 1:35) One of the best ways to meet the Lord is to rise up earl... More...

This episode is going to challenge you in the best way. Kate and Rebecca sit down with Abbie Halberstadt — bestselling author, fitness instructor, homeschooling mama to ten kids including two sets of identical twins, and a Bible-believing Christian who desires to know God and make Him known. Abbie lives by a motto that has become a movement: hard is not the same thing as bad. And in this conversation she brings that message straight into the everyday wilderness of motherhood. From birth stories to biblical truth, from complaining to community, this episode is packed with the kind of honest, scripture-grounded wisdom that moms in every season need to hear. About Abbie: Abbie Halberstadt is a writer, fitness instructor, and homeschooling mother of ten children, including two sets of identical twins. She lives by the motto that “hard is not the same thing as bad” and loves encouraging women to dig deep in the everyday trials of motherhood for the treasures of joy and growth that are there in abundance. She, her husband Shaun, and their children live in the Piney Woods of East Texas. In This Episode: What it actually looks like to be open to however many kids the Lord has for you — and how Abbie ended up with ten Birth stories from a mom who has done it eight times including two sets of twins The trend on social media that prompted Abbie to write her first book M Is for Mama — a rebellion against mediocre motherhood Why hard is not the same thing as bad — and the scripture that backs it up The real difference between venting and complaining — and how to know which one you are doing Go to the throne before the phone — a phrase that will stick with you Why your children’s outcome is not your resume — and what the Bible actually promises about parenting What to do when you have a prodigal child and feel like God failed you Why your family is your first community — and how to stop stepping over it looking for something else The one thing that saved Abbie in motherhood — and why it might not be what you expect Abbie’s Books: M Is for Mama — A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad You Bet Your Stretch Marks Find Abbie at misformama.net and @abbiehallberstadt on Instagram Connect With Us: gathermoms.com | @gathermoms | Join our Patreon at gathermoms.com Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

“She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:40–42 NLT) In our busy culture, where communication devices, social media, and countless other distractions constantly demand our attention, one of the hardest things to do is to be still. To silence the noise and sit in quiet contemplation. To engage one-on-One with God, to speak and listen to Him with no interruptions. Yet, if Scripture teaches us anything, it’s that being still yields amazing results. In this week’s devotions, we will focus on what it means to be still before God. Let’s set the scene for one of the best-known examples of being still in all of Scripture. When the Lord walked this earth, He had no place to call home. Jesus Himself said, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20 NLT). He traveled almost constantly. In His travels, though, He found something He liked about a home in Bethany where a man named Lazarus lived with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. Maybe Martha was a great cook. Maybe they were wonderful hosts. What we do know is that Mary and Martha were quite different from each other. Mary was more the quiet, contemplative type. Martha was more the grab-the-bull-by-the-horns, assertive type. One day, Jesus came to their home. Martha thought it would be a good idea to make Him a meal. She went into the kitchen and started working. Meanwhile, Mary thought it would be a great opportunity to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear what He had to say. As Mary was sitting, taking it all in, Martha was working frantically in the kitchen, growing more frustrated because Mary wasn’t helping her. Finally, Martha couldn’t contain herself any longer. She came out of the kitchen, looked down at Mary and Jesus, and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me” (Luke 10:40 NLT). Jesus responded with these words: “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (verses 41–42 NLT). Our culture wants us to believe that busier is better. But Jesus’ response to Martha makes it clear this isn’t always the case. If we get consumed by the desire to “accomplish things,” we run the risk of offering activity instead of adoration, work instead of worship, and perspiration instead of inspiration. There’s a time to sit and a time to move. Reflection question: How do you know when it’s time to sit, as Mary did? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The LORD Taketh Pleasure In Them That Fear Him: Psalm 145-147 & Proverbs 5 by Shawn Ozbun

Do you ever pause and reflect on how God is working in your life?  Maybe you sit down and write the lessons you learned from Him? Or maybe you remember the ways He has answered your prayers? It is so important to pause, reflect, and remember what the Lord is doing in our lives. I am excited this week to have my mentor, Kathe Wunnenberg, back on the podcast. She was visiting, so we recorded in person in my new office! Excited to share about our ministry years. My ministry year goes from August to August, so we are going to recap any updates. But more importantly, we are going to talk about pausing, sometimes pivoting, and praising the Lord! You do not want to miss the wisdom that Kathe shares. It is exciting to be celebrating the 7th year anniversary of the podcast as well as the 4th birthday of the book. I have some previous special episodes to share as well as the first two interviews with Kathe on the podcast- see below.  Important Links: Depth Podcast Episode 53: I want to share a link to my first conversation with Kathe on the Depth Podcast back in 2020. We talk about her book: *Hopelifter and * *Grieving the Child I Never Knew. Depth Podcast Episode145: This is Kathe's second time on the Podcast where we share about how God connected us. I just love His perfect timing as well as his fingerprints all over how our relationship began. I cannot wait for you to hear the wisdom from my mentor and hear how God's connections are powerful. Depth Podcast Episode 203: Embrace Your Roles. I recorded this episode back in 2024 when life was changing, and I was embracing a new role. My mentor, Kathe said to me, "Sometimes you need to step back in one role, so you can step up in another." I share more about this on this episode.   Other fun episodes celebrating milestones in my ministry Episode 1 (Welcome and Introduction to the podcast– 2019) Episode 47 (1 year Podcast Anniversary– Special Behind the Scenes Episode– 2020) Episode 100 and 101 (Celebrating 100 episodes Part 1 & Part 2 with clips from my most favorite moments- 2021) Episode 146 (Behind the Scenes of the book & 3 year anniversary of the podcast- 2022) Episode 147 (Reading Chapter 1 of the Depth Book) Episode 148 (Going in Depth About Depth) Episode 192 (Happy 1st birthday of the book, Depth) Episode 200  (A special episode about God's Faithfulness in my life– Meet David- 2023) Episode 216 (How to Respond to the Pauses of Life) Episode 240 (Special Interview with My Husband About My Updated and Revised Version of my Book, Depth Book Recommendations: *Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby *Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker (Check out Depth Podcast Episode 215 to hear more about this book.) Kathe Wunnenberg is the founder and president of Hopelifters Unlimited. She is a speaker, writer, leader, and connector known for her ability to offer creative solutions for real life problems.  The author of *Hopelifter, *Grieving the Loss of a Loved One, and *Grieving the Child I Never Knew, Kathe lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her family. *Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

It's Monday, August 31st, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Burmese military killed pastor and another believer The Burma Research Institute has confirmed that Rev. William, who used no last name, and another Chin Christian, Nam Ceu, were extrajudicially murdered on June 4th by the Burmese military dictatorship in Myanmar, reports International Christian Concern.  Rev. William had pastored the Chungcung Baptist Church in Chin State for more than 25 years. He was arrested with Ceu in May and had been detained by the military since then. Sources told the Burma Research Institute that Rev. William and Nam Ceu were killed for allegedly supporting the Hakha Chinland Defense Force, which is fighting against the Burmese military dictatorship. Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Zo Tum Hmung, President of the Burma Research Institute, said, “We call the Trump administration to protect the persecuted Christians in Burma.” Send a polite, 4-sentence note to Kyaw Moe Tun, the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations.  Address it to the Myanmar Delegation, 10 East 77th Street, New York, NY 10075. Democrat James Talarico: Muslims and Christians worship same God James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator in Texas who is running against Republican Ken Paxton, the current Texas Attorney General, falsely claimed that Muslims worship the same God as Jews and Christians. Listen. TALARICO: “Christians and Muslims and Jews all worship the same God. Muslims love Jesus. They love Moses and Abraham. We are all branches on the same tree as the Abrahamic faiths.  “So. it's heartbreaking to watch extremists, whether they are Christian nationalists or whether they're the Taliban or al-Qaeda, perverting these beautiful traditions, that have so much in common, to attack others and consolidate their own power.” There are three primary differences between Christianity and Islam. First, regarding the nature of God, Christians teach that God is the Trinity—one God existing in three co-equal, co-eternal persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19) By contrast, Islam completely rejects the Trinity. Second, Christians believe that Jesus is the divine Son of God and God incarnate who physically died on the cross for the atonement of the sins of the elect and rose from the dead. (John 1:1,14) By contrast, while Islam reveres Jesus as a major, virgin-born prophet and messenger of God, it explicitly denies His divinity, crucifixion, and resurrection. And third, Christianity teaches that salvation is a free gift of grace received through personal faith in the finished sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, rather than by human effort. (Ephesians 2:8-9) By contrast, Islam teaches that salvation depends on total submission to Allah's will, adherence to the Five Pillars of Islam, and the final judgment of one's deeds. Therefore, Muslims and Christians clearly do not worship the same God. Georgia Democrat distanced himself from antisemitic leftist Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff has offered sharp criticism of President Donald Trump which generated buzz about Ossoff potentially running for president in 2028.   That, in turn, has attracted some left-wing figures who have lauded his messaging like left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in April that he was “intrigued” by Ossoff. There are two developments of note.  First, Ossoff, whose father is Jewish, is facing criticism from some of Georgia's local Jewish community over his votes to block certain arms sales to Israel. Second, Senator Ossoff has distanced himself from Hasan Piker over recent comments that many interpreted as justifying threats to American Jews,  reports the Jewish Telegraph Agency.   Speaking on a Twitch livestream on August 20th, Piker said this. PIKER: “If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone's going to come around and take action. Not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews.” Last Thursday, according to Fox News, an Ossoff spokesman said that the senator “unreservedly rejects reckless and dangerous rhetoric suggesting that policy advocacy invites violence against the Jewish community or any community.” In Genesis 12:3, God said, “I will make [Israel] into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on Earth will be blessed through you.” Undercover video exposes GOP Sen. Murkowski on SAVE Act And finally, liberal Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska stood on the Senate floor and painted a grim picture of the supposed damage the SAVE America Act, or the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, would do in her home state.  This is the bill that would ensure that American citizens — and only American citizens — should decide American elections. It would simply require: A valid ID before registering to vote in a federal election. Proof of citizenship. No Mail-in Ballots (except for illness, disability, military, or travel). Listen to Senator Murkowski's claim. MURKOWSKI: “What we're talking about right now is just the registration to vote. So, you're in Unalaska -- say you're a fisherman or a teacher -- the flight to Anchorage, because this is where you're going to have to go -- you're going to have to go into Anchorage: 800 air miles, $1,100 per seat, if you can maybe get on a charter.” James O'Keefe, an undercover journalist with the O'Keefe Media Group and the Justice League, flew to Unalaska to find out firsthand if Senator Murkowski's claim was true. Listen to his analysis. O'KEEFE: “I'm James O'Keefe, and I'm in the middle of absolutely nowhere, about 800 miles off the coast of Alaska, on a remote island in the Aleutian Islands. “Now, Senator Lisa Murkowski says that one of the reasons she's not going to pass the SAVE Act is because of people that live here on this island of Unalaska.  “Senator Murkowski saying if the SAVE Act passes, online registration goes away, and the residents here, the few thousand people that live here, are going to have to fly 800 miles and spend thousands of dollars to go to Anchorage to take care of their business.  “But all the people we spoke with here, they all said that that's wrong, including the post office, the library, the city clerk, the DMV. We didn't know there was a DMV here. Everyone we spoke to here said they're able to register to vote here. They're able to prove citizenship by going to the library.  “So, Senator Murkowski says, ‘If you're a fisherman in Unalaska, the closest election office is 800 miles away; it would cost $1,500. You would also need a hotel, cabs, and food while in Anchorage. But the librarian just told us differently.” Here is the portion of the undercover investigation with a female undercover agent, who accompanied O'Keefe, to the library in Unalaska. UNDERCOVER FEMALE AGENT: “Just wanted to learn a little bit more about the process to get an ID. “ LIBRARIAN: “We do passports here.” UNDERCOVER AGENT: “Oh, you do passports here.” UNDERCOVER O'KEEFE: “Mmm.” UNDERCOVER FEMALE AGENT:  “That's good to know, though, that if somebody wants to confirm their citizenship, they can do it here.” UNDERCOVER O'KEEFE: “To get the Alaska ID, do you get it here or back in Anchorage?” LIBRARIAN: “Oh no, here. The DMV should be the near the police station.” UNDERCOVER O'KEEFE: “So, we don't have to go to Anchorage to get it.”  LIBRARIAN: “No, no, no. As long as you have all the paperwork you need.”  UNDERCOVER O'KEEFE: “But I read in the newspaper that the senator [Lisa Murkowski], said, ‘Oh, they're going to pass this SAVE Act, and everyone's got to go to Anchorage to get it.'” LIBRARIAN: “I don't think so.” UNDERCOVER O'KEEFE: “Oh no. Okay.” Proverbs 12:19 says, “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” Call liberal Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski's office in DC, 24 hours a day/7 days a week, and ask the live operator to connect you to her voicemail, urging her to support the SAVE America Act. Her number is (202) 224-6665. Tell her that you reject her false claim that people in the Aleutian Islands have to travel 800 miles by air to register to vote in Anchorage. Plus, call your two Senators at 202-224-3121 and ask them to vote for the SAVE America Act as well. Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, August 31st, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ

This week on PowerPoint, Pastor Jack Graham winds down the series “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” – first exploring various conversations Jesus had and now looking at some of the confrontations he experienced. Today, Pastor Graham brings the message “Lord of Life,” the theme we find in chapter 10 of the Gospel of John. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/395/29?v=20251111

Original Postdate: September 2, 2024 === Gospel Luke 4:16-30 Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,' and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.'” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away. Reflection One of the most fascinating things about Jesus as a messiah, someone who came to change the entire world and free us from an excessive power of evil over us. He was so ordinary. He was of the house of David, but basically the fundamental thing was he was seen as an ordinary guy, from a little not so great town, that had a shady past because many thought maybe he was illegitimate. But you look at that and he is the voice of God. This ordinary human being on the surface. But what is it about him that's so powerful? Not him or his physical life on this planet, but the God that dwelled in him and did such extraordinary healing work. Closing Prayer Father, the gift of spirit to each and every one of us is beyond measure. Yet we often look for other qualities about us that we would be more like things that were honored by our culture, that were beautiful, that were wealthy, that we have a great education. None of that is really necessary for a human being to be effective in the world, if they allow God to work through them. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the final series of Sin Battles, does not mean it will be the last forever. Today we will be diving into what it means to ask God to restore us into the Lord. We have to understand that we will either Hide or seek Restoration. God is asking us to come to Him not run or that we need to earn His forgiveness. Let's talk!Bible Verse(s): Psalm 51:7-12; Proverbs 28:13-14; 1 John 1:5-10Topic Words: Sin, temptations, Love God First, forgiveness, restoration-------------------------------Top 100 list at Feedspot: https://podcast.feedspot.com/christian_men_podcasts/E: warriorwithin.christianmanhood@gmail.comDiscord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/4xsBcaJFFv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store: https://wwcm-podcast.printify.me/productsPayPal DONATIONS: ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KC3DTP8HM7DAE⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/WarWithinPod⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WarriorWithinMinistriesStudios-----------------------------------------------------Affiliated with Talitha Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://talitha.com/pastordido⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----------------------------------------------------Track: Jim Yosef - Samurai [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.Watch:Free Download / Stream:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://NCS.io/Samurai

When life feels heavy, it’s easy to remember the hurt and forget the help. Painful words, disappointments, and moments of betrayal can stay with us for years, while answered prayers, unexpected blessings, and reminders of God’s faithfulness can fade from memory. Scripture repeatedly calls us to remember what God has done—not because He needs reminding, but because we do. Remembering God’s goodness can steady your heart when circumstances make you question His presence. As you intentionally look back at His faithfulness, you’re reminded that God has been patient, kind, faithful, and present through every season. Taking time to remember His deeds can shift your focus from what has gone wrong to the God who has never stopped working in your life. Highlights Discover why remembering God’s faithfulness is an important part of maintaining a strong faith. Learn how forgetting God’s goodness can affect your heart and spiritual direction. Reflect on seven things remembering God’s deeds reminds us of, including His patience, kindness, faithfulness, and sacrifice. See how remembering God’s past work can bring perspective during difficult seasons. Consider practical ways to intentionally remember God’s goodness throughout the year. Be encouraged to look back at answered prayers, blessings, and moments when God has been faithful. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Remembering the Lord’s Deeds By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” - Psalm 77:11 It seems that, as people, we so easily forget the good things in life much more quickly than the bad, like the cruel words someone spoke to us as a child or the way someone betrayed us. Whereas traumas, tragedies, heartaches, and disappointments sometimes seem impossible to forget, some even lingering for a lifetime, joyful and wonderful events and experiences are often easily forgotten. Maybe it’s why God calls us to purposefully remember His goodness and faithfulness in our lives, knowing the enemy can keep us focused and stuck in the sorrows and losses of life, forgetting all the ways God has been present and active in our lives. Often, we hear of individuals who, in life-and-death situations, say it seemed as if their life events flashed before them, reminding them of things they had forgotten. Like them, the prophet Jonah had a similar experience, where it took death’s threats to remind him of God’s goodness. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple” (Jonah 2:7). But it doesn’t have to take us being at death’s door to remember God’s good deeds in our lives, especially since He calls us to remember them, knowing better than we do how forgetting them can lead our hearts astray. Remembering helps us stay on God’s pathway in our lives. Jeremiah 2:32 describes how easily people forget: “Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet My people have forgotten Me, days without number.” Forgetting has serious consequences as described in Deuteronomy 8:14: “Then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” In addition, Deuteronomy 8:19 points out: “If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.” What Remembering God’s Deeds Reminds Us Of The following are seven reasons why remembering is so important to us, and what we are reminded of when we remember: Remembering reminds us of God’s patience. 2 Peter 3:15 urges us to remember, “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.” Remembering reminds us of God’s kindness. Romans 2:4 encourages us, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Remembering reminds us of how He has humbled and tested us. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.” Remembering reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Psalm 119:90 proclaims, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.” Remembering reminds us that He is our source. Deuteronomy 8:18 points out, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” Remembering reminds us of God’s gifts. As Romans 11:29 reminds us, we want to take time to remember, “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” Remembering reminds us of God’s sacrifices. 1 John 2:2 clarifies His sacrifice for us: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” As well, Ephesians 5:2 encourages, “And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Make time today, this week, and every coming week to remember the Lord’s deeds and remind yourself of why it’s good to remember. Commit to making time throughout the coming year to remember the good of the past. Further Reading: A Prayer to Remember Life Is But a Breath Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.