Podcasts about lord ephesians

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:10-11). For many of us, when we think of Christ's work of salvation, we think of individual souls being saved. We think of personal conversion stories. But when Paul writes about the mystery of the gospel, he expounds on the church. The result of the preaching of Christ's unsearchable riches and mystery is the birth and growth of the church. Gentiles and Jews embraced the gospel, were converted, and found themselves joint members of the family of God and the body of Christ. The church is central to the redemption project of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was happening as Paul wrote. The mystery that God revealed to him was taking concrete shape before people's eyes. And in this new community, this new multi-racial humanity, the wisdom of God was being displayed. People could see it with their eyes. Indeed, the coming into existence of the church as a community of saved and reconciled people is a public demonstration of God's power, grace, and wisdom. God's mighty resurrection power, his immeasurable grace and kindness, and his manifold wisdom were on display as people once separated by language, custom, politics and religion were forged into a new community through the anvil of the cross. The word for manifold means many-coloured, and was used to describe flowers, crowns, embroidered clothe and woven carpets. The church as a multi-racial, multi-cultural community is like a beautiful tapestry. Its members come from a wide range of colourful backgrounds. No other human community resembles it. Its diversity and harmony are unique. It is God's new society. And the many-coloured fellowship of the church reflects the many-coloured wisdom of God. So then, as the gospel spreads throughout the world, this new and variegated Christian community blossoms. It is as if a great drama is being enacted. History is the theatre, the world is the stage, and the church members in every land are the actors. God himself has written the play and he directs and produces it. Act by act, scene by scene the story continues to unfold. But where is the audience? The audience are the cosmic intelligences, the principalities, and powers in the heavenly places. We are to think of them as spectators of the drama of salvation. Thus, the history of the Christian church becomes a graduate school for these spiritual beings. Beyond this we cannot say much about what these spiritual beings are. We just don't know. As the creation reveals God's glory to humans, the church reveals God's glory to these beings. We cannot see them, but they can see us. They watch fascinated as they see Gentiles and Jews being incorporated in the new society as equals. Indeed, they learn from the composition of the church not only the manifold wisdom of God but also his eternal purposes. This purpose he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in the arena of history, through his death and resurrection, the gift of His Spirit, the preaching of the gospel and the emergence of the church. Who these beings are is not important. What is important is that we understand what God is doing. We must recon with the truth that the church is central to God's grand design for history. God has a purpose for the church, she is the showpiece through which he reveals his power, grace, and wisdom. And all who believe in Jesus Christ become part of this great intergalactic drama. It may not always appear that there is much power, grace, or wisdom in the church. But know this, God has no other plan. And he will work until all those rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms have bent the knee before the Son and declared him, Lord. Then this doxology will be complete: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:17-21).

At the close of Ephesians chapter 2, the Apostle Paul talks about the transforming work of the gospel and how it has broken down any barriers between those who are in Christ. In today's sermon, we see how this is best reflected in the identity and work of the local church.

The beginning of Ephesians 2 is one of the clearest expositions of the gospel in the New Testament. In today's sermon, we consider the work and character of God who in his mercy and lovingkindness offers salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ to any who would believe.

The Apostle Paul begins Ephesians chapter 2 reminding the church at Ephesus who they were before Christ. In today's sermon, we consider the reality of our need for the gospel to save us from the rightful consequence of our sinfulness.

As Paul brings the first chapter of Ephesians to a close, he offers a prayer for the church at Ephesus. In today's sermon we learn how Paul's response to the truth of the gospel should and can inform our own response.

Throughout the first chapter of Ephesians the Apostle Paul returns to the work of the Triune God in redemption. In today's sermon, we explore the role of the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance and the assurance of our salvation.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. – Ephesians 6:1

The Apostle Paul aims to refresh and inspire the hearts of the church at Ephesus in writing to them about the blessings of God offered to them in Christ. In today's sermon, we see how God's plan to unite all things to himself is carried out by the work of redemption in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

A new year is a time to gratefully reflect on the experiences of the past and to look forward with anticipation to the future. In today's sermon, we begin the first of a four week series in Ephesians 1, where we will consider the past, present, and future work of God in Christ.

December 29, 2024 - Rev. Jonas A. Brock

Please forgive the audio on this episode. Colossians 3:13 "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive".    Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”   For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life   Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matt 1:23   Luke 1:31-35 Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. / He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” ...     James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights"  Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"  Ephesians 2:8: The gift of God is a gift that we can't earn or deserve  John 3:5–8; 6:63; Romans 8:10; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 3:6: The gift of God is a new life that comes from the Holy Spirit  Romans 5:15; 6:23; Revelation 22:17: The gift of God is free  2 Corinthians 9:14–15: The apostle Paul says that the gift of God is too wonderful for words    Luke 23:34 "And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”".  Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord".  Luke 6:36-37 "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven".  • Matthew 18:21-22 Jesus says that there ought to be no limit on the number of times that one should forgive another so long as the offender repents and asks for forgiveness. 

Question: Though I've read your excellent discussions on eternal security, I still need understanding of the following Scriptures—Romans 11:21-22: “...if thou continue in His goodness” sounds conditional; Colossians 1:22-23, “If ye continue in the faith…” ditto; Hebrews 3:6, 14 have the same idea; 2 Peter 2:20-22 speaks of those who have “escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord…and who were washed…being entangled again and overcome.” If these apparent contradictions could be covered in a future “Q&A,” it would be greatly appreciated.Response: The New Testament contains frequent exhortations to godly living, to “continue in the faith” and to “hold fast the confidence firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6, 14) and to “walk worthy of the Lord” (Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10), and warns of being “cut off” (Romans 11:22).The exhortation is to two classes of people: (1) Those who are false professors, in order to show them that their lives demonstrate that they do not truly know the Lord; and (2) Christians who are living in disobedience, to warn them that if they continue to dishonor their Lord, He will severely discipline them. The latter could be “cut off” from fellowship with other believers, or from this life....

Hear Stephen Wood preach from Ephesians 5:1-21. Stephen gave this sermon at Liberti River Wards on October 27, 2024.

Main Idea: “If Jesus is your Master, serve Him well by submitting to earthly authority.”

https://storage.googleapis.com/enduring-word-media/devotional/Devotional10272024.mp3 The post Strong in the Lord – Ephesians 6:10 – October 27, 2024 appeared first on Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/strong-in-the-lord-ephesians-610-october-27-2024/feed/ 0 https://storage.googleapis.com/enduring-word-media/devotional/D

Sermon for the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity Sunday, 20 October A+D 2024 Rev. Matthew D. Ruesch

Sermon: “You are Light in the Lord” Ephesians 5:6-21

Pastor Chris Waldvogel  ~  13th Sunday after Pentecost   Old Testament:  Proverbs 9:1-10 Epistle:  Ephesians 5:6-21 Gospel:  John 6:51-69 The post August 18, 2024 ~ “Now You are Light in the Lord” ~ Ephesians 5:6-21 appeared first on Beautiful Savior Fargo.

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an expository sermon on Ephesians 6:5-9 preached by Pastor Jordan Atkinson on June 23, 2024

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. — Psalm 127:3 If you have been blessed with children, do you see them as God sees them? In your struggles and challenges in raising children, do you look for encouragement in the Word of God so as not to give up in the task? Psalm 127 declares that children are “a heritage from the Lord,” and happy is the one “whose quiver is full of them.” Children are a gift from God. And we do not generate children for ourselves; God gives them to us so that we may raise them to know him. Our children need to know that, like us, they are called to live for God and to serve him. God gives our children life and many good gifts so that they can grow to know and learn what their calling in life will be. Their calling might be different from ours, and it might be very different from what we expect. But we can trust that God will guide our children so that their lives will glorify him. After all, God is their Creator, and they are his. They belong to him, body and soul, just as we do. Our children are a blessing, not a problem or an obstacle in our lives. And as a part of God's family, they may help us when we are in need, just as other family and community members do. We are called to love our children and raise them “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). As God's gifts, they bring happiness and joy. Father, help us to find happiness in the children you have given us. May we raise them to know and serve you faithfully. In Christ, Amen.

This week we want to work through the issue of gossip. We will be using Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue by Matthew Mitchell as a guide.▪ Resisting Gossip – Part 2: Resisting Gossip (chapters 4-6)Sinful gossip includes the sin of judging others▪ See James 4:11-12 [slander means to speak against someone, to talk them down, to speak ill of them, to disdain someone or to run somebody down verbally; intent is to belittle another, to pour out contempt, to mock, to hurt, to harm, to destroy]▪ What are the issues in passing judgment?~ Rush to judgment- which involves: listening to only one side; not considering the source; assuming and assigning motives; and we assume the worst about someone~ Prideful judgment – it is not our place, calling, or responsibility; we don't judge how we would want to be judged; we aren't willing to humble ourselves~ Unloving judgment – critical judgment (lacks charity)Practicing Ephesians 4:29 – Applying the put off/put on principle to our use of our mouths1. Say nothing at all (Proverbs 10:19; 17:27-28)2. Commend the Commendable – say something good (“helpful for building others up”)3. Talk to people, not about them (Matthew 5:24) – this can mean loving confrontation4. Offer words of mercy – words should “minister grace to our hearers” (e.g., Proverbs 10:21)5. Talk to and about the Lord (Ephesians 5:19-20)Listening▪ Evil listening~ Proverbs 17:4~ Live as children of the light1. Pray and weigh (Use wisdom to ask discerning questions to know how to engage with the one gossiping)2. Avoid – Proverbs 20:193. Cover and defend– Proverbs 17:9; 10:12)4. Go to the one being talked about++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 8:00am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on 94.1 The Voice in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. There is only one rule: Be Kind! Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://941thevoice.com/podcasts/gospel-for-life/

The “Foolishness” of the Gospel.Here are key points to note:

Scott, Craig & Kyle continue the podcast series through the letter of Ephesians. Paul's letter to the Jesus followers in the city of Ephesus proclaims the gospel of Jesus and therefore how we should live. The Find & Follow podcast is all about helping you find and follow Jesus in everyday life! Following Jesus means to: Connect personally with Jesus every day Grow intentionally with others Serve in your Sweet Spot Show Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mission Church Messages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Mission Church: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Website

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19

Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi) Sunday, 3 March A+D 2024 Rev. Matthew D. Ruesch

Today and every day we must remember Holiness and those God has drawn unto him must walk in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. We as Believers must remember God is Holy and we are in him and he in us therefore, daily walking in his holy ways.

Guests: Johnny Farr and Nick Bellamy   As we look to equip you as parents for meaningful and intentional spiritual training, pointing you to good resources and books is a practical way to prepare you to better train your children “in the fear and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We will also look to address other media avenues, such as movies, to help equip you, the parents, for those quality conversations around the dinner table or on your drive to and from school.   Our first resource that we are reviewing and strongly recommending is Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp.   From the book Parenting: Introduction Good parents don't always produce good kids, and parents should constantly be asking themselves where they get the set of values that tell them whether they have “good” kids or not.   Chapter 1 Calling Principle: Nothing is more important in your life than being one of God's tools to form a human soul.   Chapter 2 Grace Here's the humbling conclusion that God, in grace, led me to: I am more like my children than unlike them - and so are you!   Chapter 4 Inability Parenting is not about exercising power for change in your children. Parenting is about your humble faithfulness in being willing to participate in God's work of change for the sake of your children.   Chapter 5 Identity Principle: If you are not resting as a parent in your identity in Christ, you will look for identity in your children. How do you know if you're putting your identity on the shoulders of your children? Too much focus on success. Too much concern about reputation. Too great a desire for control. Too much emphasis on doing rather than being. Too much temptation to make it personal.   Chapter 6 Process Principle: You must be committed as a parent to long-view parenting because change is a process and not an event.   Chapter 8 Authority Do you humbly own the rebellion of your own heart as you deal with the rebellion of your children in a way that causes you to exercise authority with patience and grace?   Chapter 9 Foolishness Principle: The foolishness inside your children is more dangerous to them than the temptation outside of them. Only God's grace has the power to rescue fools.   Chapter 12 Control Principle: The goal of parenting is not control of behavior, but rather heart and life change.   Chapter 14 Mercy Principle: No parent gives mercy better than one who is convinced that he desperately needs it himself. Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

As we wrap up our series on A Lasting Legacy, listen and learn four practical tips on bringing up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).  Cody King | A Lasting Legacy Visit our website! http://stonepointchurch.com

(presented by Lauren Stibgen) Bold. Hungry. Looking for the next promotion. Achievement. How does the Lord call us to work? Is the title so important? Today we will explore how humility in prayer can help us shape ourselves into a humble worker for the Lord. Angry. Confused. The new woman that was hired was occupying the office and promotion she deserved. She resigned over a title and was determined to achieve this at another company until God wove humility into her heart as a result of prayer. Comparison robs us of humility, and often our drive for achievement places comparison smack in our face. Consider God's word in Luke 18 about the two men who go up to the temple to pray. One, a Pharisee, “stood by himself” and compared himself to “other people” and spoke of his deeds to the Lord. The tax collector, on the other hand, “stood at a distance” with a lowly posture and asked God for mercy”. We learn that “all those that exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Humility itself is a foundation for prayer. It opens our heart to be clear of our position of reverence with the Almighty God. Your humble posture is opening your heart to allow God to change you. The beautiful part about being humble, is the expectation that we can have that God promises to exalt us and give us riches and honor of life. The promise is consistent throughout God's word. In addition to the verses above in Luke, James 4:10 states, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” Proverbs, 22:4 “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor of life.” The exaltation may not be the title you expect, or the promotion you want, but we know He is working for our good. Remember, God can do far more abundantly than all we ask or think in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord (Ephesians 4:29). How can you humble yourself in prayer with the Lord? Is your posture keeping you from the beautiful expectation of exaltation, riches and honor?

Anticipating the Day of the Lord | Ephesians 2 | Engrafting of Gentiles

Today's message, “Carefully Determine What Pleases The Lord (Ephesians 5)" is brought to us by Pastor Clayton Bell. We hope you enjoy today's sermon. Get connected with us through our app or on our website at www.engagetallahassee.com/connect.If you'd like to give to Engage Church, please click this link: www.engagetallahassee.com/give. Follow along with us throughout the week on IG & FB at @engagetlh

Stand Firm in the LordEphesians 6:10-24 For the bulletin in PDF form, click here. For sermon slides, click here.For sermon resources, click here. Battle Objective: Stand Firm in the Spiritual Battle (10-12) Battle Wardrobe: Armor of God (13-17) Battle Necessity: Prayer (18-20) Battle Partners (21-24) Christians stand firm in the battle when clad in the armor of God, living a life marked by prayer and community.Next Steps • I will commit to praying for the Czech Team while they are in the battle overseas. • I will show my dependence on the Lord by praying consistently this week.This Week's Growth GuideGod's Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.•. Monday - Matthew 4:1-11; Ecclesiastes 1-2•. Tuesday - 1 John 1:1-10; Ecclesiastes 3-4•. Wednesday - Romans 8:31-39; Ecclesiastes 5-6•. Thursday - 1 Peter 5:6-11; Ecclesiastes 7-8•. Friday - Ecclesiastes 9-12Fellowship Women's Taco TuesdayLadies, join us for a fun night of fun, fellowship, and festive food: July 11, 6:00 p.m. at 625 Fieldstone (home of Tracy Williams). Register at fellowshipconway.org/register, and we'll save a place for you. Free child care by RSVP to Shanna at 501-336-0332.New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you joined the Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. CommunityThe Christian faith was designed to be lived out in community. Spiritual growth happens as believers come together to read Scripture, pray, and serve alongside one another. Fellowship desires everyone to find that community, and the primary way this is achieved is through our small group ministry called Home Church. A Home Church is comprised of 12-16 people who gather weekly and discuss how to apply the word of God to their lives. Plan now to prioritize one evening a week (typically Sunday or Wednesday evening) to join others in community to encourage, sharpen, and spur one another on in faith. You will be glad you did! Sign-ups begin the first of August. Automate the ImportantSummer travel is here, and routines will be changed. Plan now to ensure your giving continues throughout the summer, even when you are away. Would you consider setting up recurring giving for the next few months to enable Fellowship to continue to have the resources needed to carry out its mission? Go to fellowshipconway.org/give and click on “Automate the Important” to get started. Nine Months That Will Change Your Life - DownlineApply now for next year's Downline class that starts on August 29th. The program equips individuals to know God's Word and make disciples where God has strategically placed you around the city. Space and time are limited, so visit DownlineConway.com for more information and to submit your application. Questions? Contact Chris Kear at chris@downlineconway.com.PrayerFellowship places a high value on prayer. After the message, members of our prayer team will be under “Hope” and “Love” for anyone who would like to be prayed for this morning. A team member will walk into the hall with you to pray with you. Thank you for letting us engage the Lord together in prayer. Stay connectedFellowship sends a weekly email on Thursdays with upcoming events, information, the Sunday songlist, and more. If you are not receiving this email, but want to stay connected, fill out a connection card and drop it in the offering baskets by the doors. FinancesWeekly Budget 31,390Giving For 06/11 23,529Giving For 06/18 19,668 YTD Budget 1,600,876 GIVING 1,587,339Over/(Under) (26,537)

In this episode you will hear 3 Common Power Tools that parents fall into when they are trying to "control" their children: Fear, Reward/Bribery, Guilt/Shame. I'm focusing the most on fear based parenting. WHAT I'M NOT SAYING: We should ignore the sin in our children. We shouldn't have a healthy fear of the Lord (reverence for who He is and His power). We shouldn't discipline our children. We shouldn't correct them. WHAT I AM SAYING: HOW are we dealing with sin in our children? Is our discipline, or our want for control, fueled by anger, fear, screaming/yelling, bribery/rewards, threats, shame or guilt? Are you physically, emotionally, or spiritually being too harsh with your children? HOW are you teaching them to obey, respect, honor God and you? I encourage you to teach them in the Word. I encourage you to use self control and surrender. I encourage you to step back and take a deep look at your parenting. WHY do you want them to obey? Because they physically fear you, because you have made them feel so guilty and full of shame, because you have bribed them with rewards? Because you want constant control over them and their hearts? I pray that all of us mamas desire our children to obey us and more importantly God because they LOVE us and TRUST us (both us and God). Fathers, don't exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord - Ephesians 6:4. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. Ephesians 6:9. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 2 John 1:6. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. References: Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp. Thecourage.com. godlyparent.com. notconsumed.com The Word of God. Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katielruga/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katie.potter.169/ Email: renewingyourmotherhood@gmail.com

It was one of those years when my New York Giants decided they didn't want to show up for the playoffs that year. Oh, the Super Bowl was always in their stadium, but sadly no blue and white on the field. The odds makers had been predicting that Denver was going to win by one point. They lost 43-8. Denver Broncos defensive end Shaun Phillips managed to emerge from that blowout a winner still, where it really counts. See, Shaun texted his son Jaylen and said, "Sorry I let you down." His son's answer changed everything. "It's OK Daddy. You are still my hero." Wow! That's perspective. Playing in the Super Bowl - big accomplishment. Being a super dad - that's the biggest victory a man can win. And suddenly, Shaun was reminded of where putting points on the board matters most. He told his son, "Well, at least we get to hang out now." That little exchange on Super Bowl Sunday was a message for every one of us that someone calls "Dad." I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Hero on the Field, But Hero At Home?" You can be a hero "on the field" - whatever your field is - and be a zero at home. But if you're a hero at home, you can weather the blowouts in all the other parts of your life. My son tells me, "Dad, it doesn't matter how crazy my workday has been, I'll walk in the door of my house and five minutes with my kids reminds me of what really matters." It's true! I smiled when he said that. He and his siblings did that for me more times than I can count. Of course, some dads come home to just another battlefield. But the man of the house has more effect on the climate of that house than anybody else. Beginning in the Garden of Eden, God has held the man ultimately responsible for what happens in his family. It's a classic case of "a man reaps what he sows." That's our word for today from the Word of God, Galatians 6:7, "A man reaps what he sows." So, if you sow unselfishness, you'll start to reap unselfishness. If you sow "I come first," you'll reap a family of people who are all about themselves. So much of that depends on the seed sown by dad. That's why the Bible warns fathers to "not embitter your children or they will become discouraged" (Colossians 3:21). And it says, "fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). I came to realize that I was the thermostat in my family, setting the temperature; my wife was the thermometer, reflecting the temperature I set; and my children were the seismograph, registering every disturbance. Clearly, the central arena of a man's best efforts is to be in his home. And the weight of that life-shaping assignment - with so much potential for being life-scarring instead - has driven me to seek outside help from the God who told us to call Him "our Father." It was being a husband and being a dad that showed me that I am not enough. My family had needs I couldn't meet because I hadn't figured out how to meet those needs in me. That the things that troubled me in my kids mirrored my own weaknesses. My own baggage. My own sin. That's when the word "Savior" becomes intensely personal. I need a Rescuer from the dark side of me that God calls sin. A dark side that becomes a spreading infection when you have a wife and children. So I reached out to Jesus. I grabbed Him like a drowning man would grab a rescuer, because, as the Bible says, "the Lord Jesus Christ...gave Himself for our sins to rescue us" (Galatians 1:3). And there I found that this self-centered sinner of a dad could become what the Bible calls "a new creation in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:17). With God's power, anyone can win the game that matters more than any other - winning the hearts of the children that He gave you. If you've never begun your relationship with this life-changing Savior, for your sake, for your family's sake would you open your heart to Him today? Go to our website. I think I can help you get started in that relationship. Go to ANewStory.com. It could be the beginning of a new story for you and for those you love.

POWER FOR TODAY is intended to equip the believers with the supernatural dimension of God, through the teaching of the unadulterated word of God. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nicky-agyepong/message

This study was held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Murdock, NE (28 May 2023).

Have you ever wondered where corruption comes from? Well, Psalm 53 gives us a pretty good idea where to look for its source. But first we need to get a little background for the writing of this Psalm. The title seems to attribute it to David. “It is called “a Maschil or a contemplation of David.” Maschil means that it is to be used to instruct or to be a lesson. Also it was given to the leader of the choir or the “chief musician”. This meant it would have been intended to be sung or put to music. We know that we remember the words of a song a whole lot better when we sing them to some tune. Somehow the tune brings back the words to our mind. That is why the Psalms became the “hymn book” of Israel and also the early church.  Paul told the church at Colossae: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). To the church at Ephesus he wrote: “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Psalm 53 was also to be “Set to Mahalath”.  Mahalath has to do with sickness and sorrow, and it corresponds to the mournful condition of Israel when they forget God and go into captivity as punishment for their idolatry and for their sins. Prophetically, this Psalm could also be looking forward to the time of the Antichrist who will proclaim “there is no God” and will persecute Israel and God's people in the Tribulation period.  One of the most interesting things about Psalm 53 is that it is almost a verbatim repeat of Psalm 14. It is thought that the writer was possibly a musician who simply copied Psalm 14 and set it to new music with the exception of a few words. Many believe that David wanted to make sure the message in Psalm 14 was remembered so he wrote it again. In any case, when God repeats something in the Bible we should take “double” heed to it! The major difference between Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 lies in the way the name of God is used. In Psalm 14 the name Jehovah is used four times and the name Elohim is used three times. Psalm 53 uses the name Elohim seven times. That is significant. Elohim is God's name as Creator. Now notice at what point atheism breaks through. It is relative to creation. The Bible, which is God's revelation, is denied and is no longer considered trustworthy, infallible, and inerrant. The first chapters of Genesis are branded as folklore and myth, even by some men who claim to be believers. Evolution is adopted as the explanation for the origin of all things. If there is no God, you must somehow explain how we all got here. Interesting, this Psalm doesn't say the fool says out loud there is no God. He says it in his heart. He says it because of the corruption and sin in his heart that he wants to continue in. If he can convince himself there is no God to give an account to, he can do what he wants and not worry about it! Read Romans 1:18 where it says that sinful, wicked people who “suppress the truth by their wickedness”. Why do people profess to be atheist? It is because they are corrupt, they do evil rather than good, they do not seek God, they are workers of iniquity, and they can't stand people who love and live for the Lord! (vv. 1-4). You don't hear to many politicians proclaiming, “there is no God”.  But their policies, lives and lies, obviously display the corruption of their heart. The sad thing is, far too many of us, as professing Christians, are practical atheist!  Most of the time we are living our lives as if there was no God! May the Lord forgive and help us today! God bless!