Podcasts about loving god

Deuteronomy 8:10-11 Moses preached this sermon just before the people of Israel crossed into the promised land. An exciting new life awaited them, but it was going to be different from anything they had ever known. For a generation they had been wandering in the wilderness, and so their new settled life in Canaan would present lots of entirely new challenges. Firstly, it would be easy for them to forget about the Lord. They would be so busy setting up home, establishing their farms and bringing up their families that they would simply neglect the God who had brought them to the promised land. And in forgetting about the Lord, they would then neglect to obey all the loving regulations that he had given them to ensure their happiness, peace and security. It's no different today. It is incredibly easy to forget about the Lord, not through any deliberate intention to do so, but simply because life gets busy. Perhaps we get a new job, move to a different area, have an illness or take up a new hobby and, suddenly, our faith gets sidelined. We need to beware. The second danger which Moses identified was pride. When the people arrived in the promised land, saw their flocks, herds and beautiful homes, they might conclude that they had been responsible for their success. They might totally forget their history and the way in which the Lord had led them to their new life. That is something that can just as easily happen to us as well. When we look at our possessions, it is very tempting to pat ourselves on the back and think that our success is our own work. Like the people of Israel, we need to remember our history. We need to look to the Lord who gave us life and ensure that we are living our lives for him. QUESTION In what ways might your responsibilities and possessions distract you from following
the Lord? PRAYER Loving God, thank you for your generosity to me. Help me always to remember that everything I am and have has come as a gift from you. Amen

This Q&A conversation is based on the sermon titled "All You Need is Love" from 1 Peter 1:22 - 25 preached on September 10th 2023. 

In this episode of the Loving God. Loving People podcast, we engage in a candid conversation about racism, its implications, and the journey towards unity. Joined by special guest Dana, we explore the following key insights:• The significance of diversity and how life mirrors our hearts.• The theological perspectives on racism and humanity's intrinsic value in God's eyes.• The importance of open dialogue to enhance understanding between races and cultures.• Practical steps to foster unity and break barriers in everyday life.Subscribe for weekly episodes discussing faith, love, and real-world issues from a biblical perspective. If you found value in this conversation, give us a thumbs up, share with a friend, and leave a comment below!Website: https://www.sunvalleycc.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunvalleycc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunvalleycc/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunvalleyccTo support Sun Valley and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://www.sunvalleycc.com/givingGod loves you no matter who you are, what you've done, or what's been done to you. This is the vision of Sun Valley Community Church, led by Pastor Chad Moore and based in Gilbert, AZ with multiple locations throughout the Phoenix valley.

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 These words stand right at the heart of the Jewish faith. In Jewish worship, they are repeated in both morning and evening prayers. They are a continual reminder of the fundamental truth that there is only one God, and he deserves total devotion. These words are known as the Shema and the people of Israel were commanded to keep repeating them to their children. They were so fundamental that Moses told them to: “talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). They were also told to write the words on tiny fragments of paper and put them in leather pouches called phylacteries, which were tied around their hands and foreheads. The words were also placed on the doorposts of their homes. They did everything possible to ensure these words were not forgotten. Repetition is often a characteristic of a loving relationship. I regularly tell my wife and children that I love them. I don't do this because I think that they are unsure of my love, but because love is such a fundamental part of the life we share together. The same is true when we worship God. Most of what we pray and sing about is very similar to what we expressed the last time we worshipped! However, we need continually to repeat the truths that form the foundation of our lives. Amid all the rush and busyness of life, they are words which pull us back to the fundamentals of our faith in God. QUESTION To what extent could you claim to be loving God with all your heart, soul and strength? PRAYER Loving God, help me to put you at the centre of my life. Amen

Have you ever found yourself asking “Where is God when it hurts?” When we're walking through a season of life where we feel like our prayers aren't being answered, it can be hard to remember that God is with us. Our guest today, Dr. Michelle Bengtson, shares her vulnerable story about writing her new book “The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms” in the midst of pain.She opens up about processing pain in a way that honors that God is good, how to keep the faith when life is hard, and what we should (and shouldn't do) in a painful situation. Her story is a reminder that God wants us to depend on Him and He is oftentimes doing greater work than what we are focusing on.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:[06:25] Dr. Michelle's experience of writing her latest book during the midst of pain[10:36] How to keep our mind on God while also being present to what we are feeling[13:20] The gift of lament[17:40] What The Book of Job can teach us about our prayers not being answered[23:13] “Flipping the script” on faulty thinking + common lies[27:23] 3 things you shouldn't do when you're in a painful situation[28:58] Dr. Michelle's advice on what to do instead [32:27] Alicia's takeaways and reflectionsRESOURCES:“I Am Loved” Bible Study CourseThe Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain OverwhelmsConnect with Michelle:WebsiteInstagramPodcastOTHER RELATED EPISODES:209: A Doctor's Personal Struggle with Depression with Dr. Michelle BengstonRediscover The Life-Changing Gift of God's Love with The “I Am Loved” Bible Study Course!Are you walking through a difficult season and really need to know that God is with you and that He loves you? Then, friend, I want to invite you to join me for the “I Am Loved” 4-Week Bible Study. The “I Am Loved” Bible Study is designed to help you not only grow closer to God but to learn HOW to hear His loving voice in your heart so that you can get a fresh perspective on your circumstances. This is an ON-DEMAND study, meaning you can start it just when you need it.Join me for this life-changing Bible study so you can...•Experience confident joy as God's love renews your mind•Find peace as God's love helps you release worry and fear•Rediscover hope as God's love offers a new perspective on life's trialsGo to VibrantChristianLiving.com/love right now to get this awesome, on-demand Bible study on God's love.

What is the source of our suffering? And if God is in control, why doesn't He use his power to end suffering? This week, Jeremy Little continued our series Questioning Christianity looking at how a loving God can allow suffering. The very fact that we are outraged at suffering actually points us to the existence of a God who is the standard of morality and the standard of how things “ought to be”. The Bible teaches us that God is not aloof from our suffering, but has written himself into human history as Jesus Christ who suffered on our behalf. Though we experience suffering because our world is broken by sin, in Jesus our suffering finds a home - a Savior who empathizes with us and who has authority to ultimately deliver us. Like Jesus, we can support others who suffer by empathizing with their pain and also pointing them to the goodness of God who will one day end suffering for His people forever. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10; Isaiah 53:3; Romans 8:18You can join our OneLife Sunday morning gatherings via livestream at 9am and 11am CST every Sunday morning. Or if you're local to the Bay Area of Houston, we'd love to have you join us in person Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 9am and 11am!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to join us live on Sunday mornings: https://www.youtube.com/@onelifechurch381Listen to more messages from OneLife Church at https://www.onelifehouston.com/messagesIf you would like to give to OneLife Church, you can do that here: https://www.onelifehouston.com/giveAt OneLife, we want to be and make disciples of Jesus who love God, one another, and our world. We are God's people making much of Jesus in everyday life for the good of the neighborhoods in the Bay Area of Houston and beyond.For more information about us and our gatherings, visit https://www.onelifehouston.comConnect with us over social media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onelifehouston​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelifechurch

"Loving God, Loving People!"

"Loving God, Loving People!"

Deuteronomy 1:30-31 In the opening chapter of Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the people of their history. The journey from the Nile river to the promised land of Canaan took less than two weeks. When they arrived in Kadesh-barnea, just south of the border with Canaan, Moses encouraged them to enter the land that God had promised to give them. But the people were cautious. They suggested spies should be sent in, to find out whether it was safe to proceed. When the 12 spies returned, most focused on the problems. They reported that the inhabitants of the promised land were taller and more powerful than they were, and their towns and walls were enormous. They even said they had seen giants. This was enough to scare the Israelites, who suggested it would be better to head back to slavery in Egypt. The fact that two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, gave a very positive report did nothing to calm their nerves. God responded angrily. The spies' report was based on 40 days in the promised land, and so God punished them with 40 years in the wilderness. They had to wait for a new generation to arise, and only Joshua and Caleb were permitted to enter into Canaan. Even Moses himself was not allowed to enter it. The message of Moses' sermon is that God can be trusted completely. He goes in front of us, preparing the way and, so, there is no need to be anxious. He cares for us in just the same way as a father cares for his children. We don't need to investigate every aspect of the future. We can simply trust ourselves to him. QUESTION As you think of your own future are you convinced that God can be trusted to lead you in the right way? PRAYER Loving God, thank you that you promise to be with me every moment, whatever the future holds. Help me to place my complete confidence in you. Amen

September 17, 2023Preaching: Rev. Justin Kendrick

Deuteronomy 1:12-13 Moses was a great man. He had been appointed by God to lead the people out of Egypt, but there was no way in which he could do this by himself. He needed lots of help, particularly from wise people who could help to resolve all the difficult issues that arose. From all the very honest accounts we have of those 40 wilderness years, we know the people were often in a bad mood. They frequently complained about the harsh conditions and often wished they could turn the clock back and return to slavery in Egypt. But what we read about was probably just the tip of the iceberg. Grumbles were part of daily life, and it simply wasn't possible for one person to handle them all. The appointment of well-respected people from each tribe was a wise way forward. Although it is sad to hear that there were so many problems during those wilderness years, this story should offer us a degree of reassurance. We shouldn't be surprised when we face problems and bickering. It's sad, but it's often a fact of life. We need to ensure we have effective ways of handling these challenges. Every leader needs to be able to share their concerns with others. The load needs to be spread. This is precisely why the New Testament teaches us that the Church is the body of Christ, made of people with very different gifts. If one person thinks that they can run the church all by themself, they are deeply mistaken. We need a wide range of gifts and abilities to do God's work. That's what Moses discovered and it's still true today. QUESTION If you are Christian leader, how do you share the load? If you are not a Christian leader, please pray that your leaders will find effective ways of sharing their responsibilities. PRAYER Loving God, I thank you for the gift of leadership and pray that those whom you call as leaders will work effectively with others. Amen

Deuteronomy 1:12-13 Moses was a great man. He had been appointed by God to lead the people out of Egypt, but there was no way in which he could do this by himself. He needed lots of help, particularly from wise people who could help to resolve all the difficult issues that arose. From all the very honest accounts we have of those 40 wilderness years, we know the people were often in a bad mood. They frequently complained about the harsh conditions and often wished they could turn the clock back and return to slavery in Egypt. But what we read about was probably just the tip of the iceberg. Grumbles were part of daily life, and it simply wasn't possible for one person to handle them all. The appointment of well-respected people from each tribe was a wise way forward. Although it is sad to hear that there were so many problems during those wilderness years, this story should offer us a degree of reassurance. We shouldn't be surprised when we face problems and bickering. It's sad, but it's often a fact of life. We need to ensure we have effective ways of handling these challenges. Every leader needs to be able to share their concerns with others. The load needs to be spread. This is precisely why the New Testament teaches us that the Church is the body of Christ, made of people with very different gifts. If one person thinks that they can run the church all by themself, they are deeply mistaken. We need a wide range of gifts and abilities to do God's work. That's what Moses discovered and it's still true today. QUESTION If you are Christian leader, how do you share the load? If you are not a Christian leader, please pray that your leaders will find effective ways of sharing their responsibilities. PRAYER Loving God, I thank you for the gift of leadership and pray that those whom you call as leaders will work effectively with others. Amen

When God calls you to do something, He will prepare others' hearts and put everything together in His perfect way. This promise has been proven true for Lance Harrington, Executive Pastor of Campuses at Abundant Life, and the future Overland Park campus pastor. As the Executive Pastor of Campuses, he supports, encourages, leads, & guides the campus pastors to maintain the culture at each campus. When asked what the culture of Abundant Life is, Lance answers, “Loving God and loving people.” He also tackles the pushback from the public that Abundant Life is growing too fast and is too overwhelming. While things may seem overwhelming from our point of view, Lance reminds us that God has never been overwhelmed. He is always pursuing people, so we should pursue them and look for opportunities to bring the Gospel to our hurting neighbors.

We are continuing to re-share/re-play our Top 10 episodes from this past year of the Staying at the Table podcast. Enjoy listening (or re-listening)! In Episode 9 of Staying at the Table we talk about Cornerstone Christian Fellowship's journey, looking at tough topics within the religious community such as what is our stance on the LGBTQIA+ topic? Where and how far does Loving God and Loving Others Fearlessly go, and what is the process that we individually and collectively went through in order to come to some resemblance of agreement on how we, as a community, invite ALL to the table?

Psalm 4:8 How are you sleeping at the moment? If you always sleep well, that's wonderful. But for many people, sleep is hard work. In the UK, 33 per cent of people over the age of 55 struggle to fall asleep quickly. For 25 per cent of adults, money worries are a major factor in disturbing their sleep. No one questions the importance of sleep - and the psalmist was well aware of the blessing it brings. In this psalm, David was reflecting on the pressures of life. Despairingly, he asked how long he would have to live with people who were trying to ruin his reputation and speaking lies about him. We may not have faced these particular challenges, but many of us will go through tough or unsettling times. Perhaps we will face pressures at work, strained family relationships or health challenges. Such times can shake us and test what we are made of. David responded to his challenges by concluding that he could “be sure of this. The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him” (v3). Amid the many pressures and disappointments of life, David found the secret of sleeping peacefully: through placing his security in the Lord. However fierce or cruel his enemies, God would never let him down. He could always call out to God and know that he would be heard. Whatever you are facing at the moment, make sure that you are placing your life securely in God's hands. There is no challenge that will defeat him. We can securely come to him in prayer. There is no better preparation for a good night of sleep. QUESTION What are the things that help you sleep well? PRAYER Loving God, thank you that my life is secure in your hands. Help me to trust you throughout each day and to find the blessing of good sleep at night. Amen

God has proven in his word that no matter what we go through in this life he is with us. In his word we see how he saves his people . Faith is so strong in these 3 hebrew boys, we should learn to believe the power of our Loving God and how he will save us no matter how hot the furnace is. These boys show us how powerful our God is and how he will rescue you no matter what you are facing.  Stay strong and trust in the power of God right now in your life. He is there with you right now!  Get in the word of God and strengthen your armor daily , we are in a spiritual battle and need him the full armor of God .Daniel chapter 3 KJVPsalm 91 KJV

This is a wide-ranging, honest, vulnerable conversation with my friend Heston. Heston is exploring podcasting and we agreed to get together for an episode, but it was such a great time that I'm sharing it here with you guys, too.We talk about a ton of things, including how God has been at work in our lives, fatherhood, marriage, the culture at large, a couple conspiracy theories we're fond of.I alternatively laughed and bared my soul.There's no structure to speak of, and you're basically a fly on the wall of me having a deep conversation.Heston is a husband and father, and has been working with us inside of our coaching program, The Brotherhood, for the past 9 months. He's radically transformed his life, and I'm grateful for him.Resources, Links, Show Notes:https://dad.work/podcast/Follow Dad.Work:https://instagram.com/dadwork.curt/https://youtube.com/@dadwork/HOW TO BECOME AN ELITE MAN, HUSBAND, AND FATHER: FREE TRAINING:https://dad.work/training/

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.The grass withers, and the flower falls,but the word of the Lord remains forever.”And this word is the good news that was preached to you.Sermon Questions:1. When has God's family felt loving to you?2. What prevents you from sitting with the reality of God's love for you?3. What limiters do you usually put on loving others?4. When have you experienced an act of unconditional love? What change did it have in your life?5. What are one or two ways you can 'one-another'?

Author Brian Zahnd gives a special sermon about his book "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God"...a book that means a lot to Zootown Church. He proclaimed the extremely good news: God is like Jesus. God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God wasn't like Jesus.

"Loving God, Loving People!"

Psalm 1:1-2 It's interesting that the Book of Psalms begins on a negative note. Here are three things that godly people reject. They don't accept the advice of wicked people. They don't hang around with sinners. And they don't have anything to do with those who mock God. It's almost as if he is talking about preparing a field for cultivation. There is no point in sowing seed until the stones and weeds have been cleared out. God's desire is to bless us and give us his joy, but none of that can happen until the rubbish is gone. When people hear about the invitation to give their life to God, the danger is that they simply try to add this dimension to their present way of life. They want to ‘join the God club' in the same way as one might join a motoring organisation or gym. They simply want to add it to their list of subscriptions and commitments. But this is precisely what God doesn't want. His desire is for us to turn our back on our old way of life, in order to set off with him on a new journey. The biblical word for this is repentance. God loves to forgive us and fill us with his Spirit, but he cannot get to work until we have acknowledged that we've been heading in the wrong direction. Once the stones and weeds have been cleared away, we can get on with living. The psalmist declares that this can only be achieved by putting the Lord's instructions at the centre of our lives. Everything that is good flows from God's word. The psalmist describes the person who bases their life on God's law as being like a tree “planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (v3). But none of that can happen unless we are willing to turn our back on bad advice, bad company and bad attitudes. QUESTION What have you had to reject in order to follow God? PRAYER Loving God, help me to put your word at the centre of my life so that I will flourish whatever the season. Amen

Prayer is about connecting - and staying connected - with God. It's more of a Way of being in the world than a method.

"Loving God, Loving People!"

Thank you for joining us. If you'd like to know more about us or for online giving go to vcfpa.org #vcfpa #refreshing #Victory #palmyrapa #hershey #love #lovehim #loveme #lovingGod #DrFiona

Thank you for joining us. If you'd like to know more about us or for online giving go to vcfpa.org #vcfpa #refreshing #Victory #palmyrapa #hershey #love #lovehim #loveme #lovingGod #DrFiona

James 5:19-20 These verses bring James' letter to an end. They are very different from the ending of many New Testament letters, which are often full of warm greetings and prayers for the recipients. James' letter was utterly practical and, in these final verses, he confronted the fact that, sadly, there are those who wander away from the Christian faith. The verb “to wander” is absolutely correct in my pastoral experience. I have been aware of very few people who depart from the Christian faith because they suddenly decide that it is all wrong. Most of the time, people get busy with other things and simply drift away from the Church. This very often happens when people move to a new area. They visit a few local churches but never really feel at home - and so they stop attending and, eventually, wander away from their faith. James wanted his readers to know the importance of restoring someone who has wandered away. They were effectively saving them from death. Restoration needs to be on the active agenda of every church. Of course, everyone has a right to decide not to attend church, and even to change religion if they wish. But a loving church will surely show concern for those who wander away, and offer the opportunity to return. Nothing can or should be forced, but it would be tragic if anyone were allowed to wander away from a church without some action being taken. The parable of the lost sheep is clearly relevant here. The shepherd could have decided to let the one lost sheep go, knowing that 99 per cent of his flock was secure. But love drove the shepherd out into the wilderness in search of the sheep. And when he found it and brought it home, there were great celebrations (Luke 15:1-7). Everyone matters to Jesus, and we need to ensure that's how we live today. QUESTION What action does your church take when someone wanders away? PRAYER Loving God, thank you that every single person matters to you. Help me to be wise and loving towards those who wander away from your truth. Amen

James 5:16 This is one of many verses in the Bible where I wish the author had written a lot more! In fact, I would have been perfectly happy if James had written a book to explain exactly what he meant when he suggested Christians should confess their sins to each other. I wonder how he expected this to be done, and which sins he had in mind. I assume that he didn't expect services of worship to be the context within which these confessions would take place. But was he thinking about a small group, or a meeting between just two people? We just don't know. In the early days of Methodism, John Wesley devised a number of accountability questions which would help people to grow in holiness. People would meet together in groups of three to five of the same gender (known as bands), and ask each person the following four questions: What known sins have you committed since our last meeting? What temptations have you met with? How were you delivered? What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not? I don't know if any groups meet in this way today, but they seem great questions to ask in a loving and trusting group. Whatever was precisely in James' mind, it is clear he assumed a close relationship between members of the church. There's no way it would be possible to reveal our sins to other Christians if we only met them for a service once a week. The assumption has to be that there was a deep, trusting relationship - and that's probably the main challenge that we need to take away from this verse. How can we grow such strong relationships in our churches, so that it is possible to have open and vulnerable conversations about our sins and failures? This may only be possible in smaller groups, and they would need to be ones in which there is a very high level of love, confidence and trust. This is a great challenge - but the outcome is healing, says James, and surely we all want that. QUESTION In what context could people confess their sins in your church? Is this something that should be encouraged and, if so, how? PRAYER Loving God, thank you that it is always possible to confess my sins to you. Help me to be more open about my sins and failures to my Christian friends. Amen

James 5:13-14 I love these verses. Basically, James is saying that whatever is going on in your life at the moment, it's the right time to pray! Many people seem to see prayer as a religious activity that needs to be confined to particular times or places. Churches are well known as places to pray, and many people set aside a special quiet time each day so that they can bring their prayers to God. This is all splendid, but we still need to hear James' encouragement. It is always the right time to pray - whether you are in church or not, and whether it is your special time to pray to God or not. James is introducing us to the idea that prayer is a way of life in which we share whatever is going on with a God who cares about every aspect of our lives. James' letter contains many indications that the churches he was writing to were going through a hard time. The people were under pressure from the authorities and probably from their neighbours and employers, too. They needed to pray to God about their difficulties continually. They probably didn't need to be reminded of that however, because even people of little faith are inclined to pray when times are hard. But we can be much less inclined to pray when we're happy. James reminds us of the need to turn our eyes to God when everything is going well. Everything we have and are is a gift from God, and so it is only right that we are continually thankful for all he has given us. Praying for the sick should be a crucial part of every church's life if we are to continue the healing which was so integral to Jesus' ministry. James encouraged the elders to be involved in anointing the sick, but the whole church can also pray for those who were unwell. QUESTION How much of your daily life do you pray about? PRAYER Loving God, thank you for the privilege of prayer. Help me share more of my life with you day by day. Amen

How do we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength? Listen in on conversation between Danny, Erika, Toni, & Peter as they discuss what it means to love God with each aspect of our being.

John Bursch, Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom, is sounding the alarm against the LGBT agenda's relentless attacks on marriage and family in his new book, Loving God's Children: The Church and Gender Ideology. Bursch details how the LGBT agenda — especially the transgender movement — threatens the entire Culture of Life. The timeless teachings of the Catholic Church stand unmoved in the battle for the Culture of Life, and Bursch warns faithful Catholics to be committed to family values against the lies and pressure from the left. The time has come to fearlessly uphold Christ's unchanging Truth for marriage and the family, and stand against a destructive LGBT agenda threatening our families, schools, and communities.LOVE LIFESITE? LOVE BEING PRO-LIFE? GET THE FIRST AND ONLY LIMITED EDITION PRO-LIFE SILVER ROUND FROM LIFESITENEWS: https://www.stjosephpartners.com/lifesite-silver-round SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH!https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ HELP US FIGHT THE CENSORSHIP OF BIG TECH: https://give.lifesitenews.com/ Connect with us on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James 5:7-8 After Jesus' ascension, his disciples were assured that he would return. The messengers said: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but some day he will return in the same way you saw him go” (Acts 1:11). In the early Church, there was a widespread belief that it was going to happen in their lifetime. However, Jesus had made it clear that the timings were entirely in his Father's hands. Even Jesus didn't know when he was going to return! We continue to live between the first and second coming of Jesus. So the 21st-century Church has much in common with first-century Christians. We are still waiting, and because the Lord might return at any time we need to be prepared. James used the illustration of the farmer to stress the need for patience. Much of the time, farmers are waiting and hoping. They might be tempted to dig up their seeds every now and again to see how they are getting on, but they know that wouldn't help! They simply prepare the soil, plant and water the seeds and wait for the crop to grow. If you have been to Israel, you will know that their irrigation methods are phenomenal. After driving through arid landscapes, you suddenly see bright green fields of crops. It really is amazing. However, that was not the case in James' day. The farmer lived at the mercy of the rains and, typically, the first rain would happen soon after sowing. Latter rains would occur when the crop was ripening. All they could do in between was wait. No one finds waiting easy. But the waiting we are called to do is not a boring, inactive form of waiting. It is active. We are called to be continually watchful. Just like the bridesmaids in Jesus' parable, we need to ensure we are ready for the moment of his return. We dare not be asleep and be unprepared when that time comes. As Jesus said: “You too must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return” (Matthew 25:13). QUESTION How much does the promise of Jesus' return affect your life? PRAYER Loving God, thank you that history is in your hands. Help me to be patient and always ready for Jesus' return. Amen

Sunday September 3rd, 2023 The final 'word' from our summer series on the Ten Commandments: Keeping It Simple, Loving God and Loving Others, Liturgy and Sermon Notes Christ City Church

Our bodies aren't the only source of our exhaustion. Our brains can be overwhelmed, overworked, and underappreciated. How can we steward our minds – the way we think, know, and understand – towards wholeness in Christ?

"Loving God, Loving People!"

"Loving God, Loving People!"

How do we know if we have authentic faith?  Love is the strongest emotion we all share, and as Christians we are admonished to share it generously! Old Testament: Isaiah 43:2New Testament: John 13:34-35'Love Lifted Me' arranged by Pamela M. RobertsonRev. Raymond G. CoffmanPodcast HostZachary SmithPianist Audio Engineer Clark CoffmanLog Cabin Community ChurchVinings Georgia

The Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. — Genesis 3:23 As I write, the news is filled with stories of hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. In addition to their destructive impacts on nature, disasters like these have long-term effects on the many people whose homes and towns they destroy. If we lose our home, we lose not only a place to live but also a sense of security and belonging. Our first human home was lost because of the fall into sin. The devil tempted Adam and Eve with the false promise that they could decide better for themselves and did not need to listen to God. But that was a lie, and our first parents' fall into sin brought judgment and death for us all. As a result, humanity is now homeless, and we cannot make our own way back to the security of God's presence. We still struggle under the effects of sin today. In this world we are cut off from God, and even our best human efforts fall short of repairing broken relationships or creating the paradise we long for. But God is not finished with us. God graciously provides for us so that we are able to survive away from home. And he asks still, “Where are you?” giving us an opportunity to recognize our homelessness and to follow the path to return home through his Son, Jesus Christ. Loving God, we long for a place of security and belonging with you. Provide for everyone who needs an earthly home, and restore us all to your presence in Christ, we pray. Amen.

Is it enough to love Jesus through words and actions? Is there any need to “study” Him, to “know” Him better? Tune in as Fr. Mattingly explains the dual-dynamic of knowing & loving God, and one practical tip for making sure our relationship with Him is balanced.

James 3:18 There's a big difference between peace loving and peace making. Surely, we all love the idea of peace. But peacemakers are those who are willing to do the tough job of getting involved in situations where there is no peace, in order to make peace. Peacemaking sounds like a quiet and gentle way of life. But it's often the exact opposite. The person who wants to make peace needs to be tough enough to engage with those who are in bitter dispute with one another. Peacemaking is a wonderful way of life but the person who thinks that it's easy has almost certainly not understood what it's about. Jesus said: “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Jesus was the Man of Peace. Through both his life and death he brought peace to humankind, but that certainly didn't mean that he avoided difficulties and dodged disputes. Far from it! His ministry was continually characterised by spending time with and challenging his detractors - and it was all in the name of peace. Every day, we will be given opportunities to be peacemakers. In Romans 12:18, the apostle Paul wrote: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” There will be times when we fail to bring peace, but we must keep trying. Because when we succeed, we will have sown a seed for God. And that seed will grow, says James, and produce a harvest of good things. When we sow peace, we may never know all the wonderful things that grow as a result. Our daily peacemaking will often involve more listening than speaking. Often, tensions are lessened when people feel listened to. We may need to challenge unhelpful actions and words, but we can always encourage, too. The impetus for doing this comes not from a heroic desire to make the world a better place, but from the inspiration that Jesus gives us. As Billy Graham said, if you want to be a peacemaker: “you must know the peace giver”. QUESTION In what ways might you be able to be a peacemaker today? PRAYER Loving God, thank you that you are the source of all true peace. Help me to discover more of your peace for myself, so that I may be able to share it more generously with others. Amen

#catholic #supremecourt #genderidentity #love #books #kids Discord link https://discord.gg/hWXVBVcW Sheen Rosaries link https://www.sheenrosaries.com/?ref=plotlines Where to find John Bursch Loving God's Children The Church and Gender Ideology https://sophiainstitute.com/product/loving-gods-children/ ADF https://adflegal.org/profile/john-bursch#:~:text=John%20Bursch%20is%20senior%20counsel,least%20%241%20billion%20at%20stake.

It's easy to read the Bible and forget the significance of the book we're reading. Sometimes it becomes a chore we grind through or a hobby we squeeze in. The truth is, reading the Bible gives us direct access to the voice and power of God. We get to hear how he feels about us, what he wants for our lives, what he promises, and most importantly, who he really is. To truly love God is to value and listen to his Words, just as we would in any other relationship we care about. Check out this episode of Scripture Playlist to learn about how to truly love God's Word. Show Notes John 1:1-5 NLT Psalm 119:47-48 TLB Deuteronomy 6:5-9 GW Psalm 119:43-44 TLB John 14:23 TPT Psalm 119:12-16 ESV Psalm 1:2-3 Voice Psalm 119:28-32 TLB Matthew 4:4 NLT Psalm 119:66-68 NCV Psalm 119:72 TPT Psalm 119:92-94 CEV 1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIrV Psalm 119:97-98 NLT Psalm 119:102-103 TPT Psalm 119:111-112 NLT Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT Psalm 119:127-128 Voice Psalm 119:140-141 ERV Psalm 40:8 TPT Psalm 119:159-160 NLT Colossians 3:16-17 GW Psalm 119:163-165 NLT Psalm 119:167-168 NLT

James 3:1 Teachers have an incredibly important role in the life of the Church - and that was especially true in the early Church. On a number of occasions, Paul referred to them as having one of the three most prominent ministries, alongside apostles and prophets (see 1 Corinthians 12:28). If the Church was to thrive, it needed effective, faithful teachers. Equally, it needed to be protected from people who simply fancied themselves in an influential role, or who deliberately sought to mislead the Church. There were plenty of false teachers around, and James needed to warn against them. He wanted to do everything he could to dissuade the wrong people. They needed to know that the responsibilities of teaching were great, and they would be answerable for what they taught. The Church still needs good teachers today. The level of understanding of the Christian faith is incredibly low, and reading the Bible is sometimes not seen as a priority by many Christians. In a survey conducted by the Bible Society in 2019 it was found that only 9 per cent of Millennials (people between the age of 18 and 35) read the Bible every day. Another 13 per cent claimed to look at the scriptures “a few times a week” and a shocking 51 per cent claimed to engage with the Bible a few times a year or less. Those figures suggest that there is a huge need for good biblical teaching, which will equip people to live faithfully for God amid all the challenges and opportunities of life. But for that to happen, we need to ensure that we have good teachers. Unlike the time when James was ministering, today, we have the blessing of bible and theological colleges that offer a wide range of training. They play a crucial role in equipping people to be effective teachers in the Church. We need to hold them in our prayers and encourage their strategic ministry. QUESTION In what way could you help to support Christian teachers and their training? PRAYER Loving God, thank you for those who have faithfully taught me about the Christian faith. Help me to support and encourage those who teach your word, and those who train and equip them to do so. Amen

In this series we explore what's behind the Shema prayer ("You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength... and your neighbor as yourself") and why it's so central to our identity that we chose to name our ministry after it.  Support us on Patreon HERE! To find more about our ministry and apprenticeship programs, visit https://shemasd.org  

Mark 12:29-30 (KJV)

How does a church community respond when someone comes through the doors who identifies as transgender, or who is struggling with his or her gender identity? What does a response of love look like?According to author-lawyer John Bursch, the “very first response is accompaniment.” “Just like anybody who is suffering in any situation, whether it be a physical situation, a life situation, a mental health issue, to love is to accompany someone, to walk with them, to support them,” says Bursch, author of the new book “Loving God's Children: The Church and Gender Ideology.” Loving someone “doesn't mean giving them support without giving them the truth," he says, because “true love is not just ignoring the deeper stuff and putting a Band-Aid on the surface.”Bursch, vice president of appellate advocacy and senior counsel at the Christian legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom, joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to explain the practical ways churches can love those who struggle with gender identity, and what theology and science teach us about human sexuality.Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.