Podcasts about main points

Trust today that your steps are being established by the Lord. When it's time to take the next step, God will it clear. As you wait, believe that even though the waiting may not make sense, God's will is being performed in your life. His will, His plan, and His timing is perfect.Main Points:1. God is never early, never late, but he's always on time. Our timing isn't God's timing. For us, God's timing often feels like a long, desperate delay.2. I'm struck with how many verses there are in the Bible that talk about waiting on God. One Bible scholar has found that the word “wait” is in the Bible 154 times. That is a lot of waiting. I don't know about you, but I don't particularly enjoy waiting. Yet, if God makes us wait, there is a reason. There is something to be learned in the waiting and I don't want to miss the lesson.3. The Holy Spirit is alive and active in the life of the believer. One of his purposes is to bring guidance and direction to our lives. He is faithful to lead us to God's plan, but He can also be trusted to guide us to God's timing.Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 31:15 -  "My times are in Your hands ..."Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time.”Proverbs 16:9  - “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” 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

I've found that often times worry has to do with the fear of what could possibly happen. They haven't happened. We don't know if they will happen, but we fear it could happen. This internal stress causes anxiety, fear, and apprehension. Not only can it make us emotionally and mentally unwell, but it can also cause physical illness too.  Is there a cure?Main Points:1. The dictionary defines worry as giving way to anxiety or unease: to allow one's mind to dwell on difficulties or trouble, whether actual or potential.2. So, is there an answer? Is there a cure for worry? Is Jesus' command to not worry about our lives possible? What can we do? 3. I believe the answer is found in worship. In fact, it's very hard to worry and worship at the same time. Worship reorients our focus. A shift is made. A transition happens in our thoughts and in our spirit. As we worship our savior, we focus on his greatness, his goodness, and his faithfulness. We begin to remember that he is in control and there is nothing he cannot do. Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 6:25 - “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life."Matthew 6:25-26 - ““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”Matthew 6:27 - “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 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

If you read the Bible from cover to cover, you will come away with the knowledge that God is great. There is no limit to His power. There is no end to His creativity. He is a miracle-working God.Main Points:1. As much as we would like to, we cannot fully understand the greatness of God. We are finite, but He is infinite. 2. Over the centuries, Bible scholars have done their best to describe and articulate the greatness of God, but when it comes to God words will always fail us. The language of humans is incapable of accurately describing the greatness of God. 3. He is the one true God. He has no beginning and no end. He created all things and all things exist by his divine power. He has no peers. No one gives God advice. No one can fully understand him.  God is perfectly holy. He is pure and righteous in every way. Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 145:3-7 - “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;     his greatness no one can fathom.One generation commends your works to another;     they tell of your mighty acts.They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—     and I will meditate on your wonderful works.They tell of the power of your awesome works—     and I will proclaim your great deeds.They celebrate your abundant goodness     and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”Job 23:13 - “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases”Isaiah 55:9 - “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 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

Where do we find absolute truth? We find truth in the Bible.  What God says is true, and it is true absolutely.  There is no wavering in God's truth.  Truth does not change according to polling data or by decisions handed down by Congress or the Supreme Court.  Why?  It is God's truth.  Truth is what God says.Main Points:1. We don't usually think of a belt as a piece of armor, but the belt was important because the breastplate was tied into it.  The belt even held the sword and the helmet when they were not in use.  It was the first piece of armor that was installed.2. The Apostle Paul gives us this image:  we should tie up all the loose things in our lives with the belt of God's truth.  If we are going to stand when attacked we must have a firm grip on spiritual truth.3. Studies conducted by the Barna organization showed that only 22% of Americans believe in absolute truth.  It is no wonder so many people lose more spiritual battles than they win.  It's no wonder they get tripped up in Satan's schemes.Today's Scripture Verses:Ephesians 6:14 - “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”John 18:37b-38 - "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”  “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. John 8:32 - “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”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

We live in a very loud culture. The sound of our day is filled with the voices of media, news, politics, music, movies, sports, social media, friends, teachers, spouses, and much more. We hear it all, but have we heard the voice of God? God doesn't have a speaking problem. We have a listening problem. He is speaking and it's critical to hear what He is saying.Main Points:1. I believe God is a speaking God. In fact, I know He is a speaking God. On many occasions, I have heard the voice of God. No, not in an audible voice, but in the quiet of my spirit. God has confirmed his voice many times. You can't convince me that God does not speak today.2. The struggle is not God speaking, I believe He is always speaking. The challenge is in listening. We struggle to get quiet before the Lord. We don't always make time for Him and sometimes we haven't been in the practice of listening for his voice.3. When someone speaks in a whisper, you have to get very close to hear. In fact, you have to put your ear near the person's mouth. We lean toward a whisper, and that's what God wants. The goal of hearing your heavenly Father's voice isn't just hearing his voice; it's intimacy with Him.Today's Scripture Verses:Revelation 2:7 - “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says…”John 10:27 - “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”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

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Main Points 1. In His justice, God must deal with sin. 2. In His mercy, God invites us to return to Him. This sermon explores the tension between divine justice and mercy as depicted in Hosea 11, shifting the metaphor of God's relationship with Israel from a husband to a father. The text highlights God's tender care in teaching and leading His people, contrasted with their persistent rebellion and refusal to repent. While God must address sin through judgment due to His justice, His heart is stirred with compassion, asking how He can destroy those He loves. The passage reveals that God's discipline is an expression of love, and His ultimate desire is for His children to return to Him. The sermon concludes with an invitation for both unbelievers and wandering believers to respond to God's gracious call for repentance and restoration.

Main Points 1. In His justice, God must deal with sin. 2. In His mercy, God invites us to return to Him. This sermon explores the tension between divine justice and mercy as depicted in Hosea 11, shifting the metaphor of God's relationship with Israel from a husband to a father. The text highlights God's tender care in teaching and leading His people, contrasted with their persistent rebellion and refusal to repent. While God must address sin through judgment due to His justice, His heart is stirred with compassion, asking how He can destroy those He loves. The passage reveals that God's discipline is an expression of love, and His ultimate desire is for His children to return to Him. The sermon concludes with an invitation for both unbelievers and wandering believers to respond to God's gracious call for repentance and restoration.

Main Points 1. In His justice, God must deal with sin. 2. In His mercy, God invites us to return to Him. This sermon explores the tension between divine justice and mercy as depicted in Hosea 11, shifting the metaphor of God's relationship with Israel from a husband to a father. The text highlights God's tender care in teaching and leading His people, contrasted with their persistent rebellion and refusal to repent. While God must address sin through judgment due to His justice, His heart is stirred with compassion, asking how He can destroy those He loves. The passage reveals that God's discipline is an expression of love, and His ultimate desire is for His children to return to Him. The sermon concludes with an invitation for both unbelievers and wandering believers to respond to God's gracious call for repentance and restoration.

Your spiritual gifts determine how God wants to use your life.  Are you willing to allow God to use your life for His glory and to build the kingdom of God?  Are you willing to say “yes” to God?Main Points:1. The Bible has a lot to say about spiritual gifts.  There are at least 20 of them listed in the Bible.  We don't have time to define them all today, but you can read about them in these passages of Scripture:  Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.  2. Peter contends that each of us has received at least one spiritual gift when he states, “As each one has received a gift.” These gifts of grace are to be distinguished from natural talents, skills, and abilities.3. What this tells us is that God wants to use our lives in a unique way. He has gifted and enabled us to serve Him and others. God intends for your life to be a blessing to others. You have a particular role in the work of God, and by the Holy Spirit, God has given you a gift to make this happen.Today's Scripture Verses:1 Peter 4:10-11 - “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”Romans 12:6 – “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”1 Corinthians 7:7 – “But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.”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

Every believer needs a secret place. Where is your quiet place? Where can you regularly get alone with God in prayer? I believe the impact of our public testimony and ministry is a direct result of the time spent with God in secret.Main Points:1. If all we see is the public ministry of Jesus, we miss something very important. It's not talked about much, but Jesus had a private, personal relationship with His Father. There was a vital connection between his private times of prayer and his public ministry.2. It's in the secret place that we can be alone with God. We remove ourselves from the distractions of daily life. There are no interruptions from family, work, school, smartphones, or social media. It's in the quiet we draw closer to God and a new intimacy is gained. It's here that we quiet the noise around us and within us. We open our spiritual ears to hear the voice of our Heavenly Father. 3. May you and I see the value of finding a secret place to spend time with God in prayer. In our busy, noisy world, we need this quiet place with God.Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 6:1 - “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”Matthew 6:5-6 - “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”Psalm 46:10 - “Be still and know that I am God.”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

Out of all the prayers we pray, there is one prayer that is more difficult than all the others. It is the prayer of surrender. The prayer of submission to God is harder than all other prayers. It requires great trust in God. It demands a letting go of our control. It's releasing the situation into God's hands and trusting Him to meet the need as He sees best.Main Points:1. The reason this prayer is more difficult is that we like control, or at least the illusion of control. If I sincerely pray for God's will to be done, I have to allow for God's will to be done. 2. While the prayer of surrender is often the hardest prayer we pray, it is the most rewarding. God rewards those who submit to his will.3. Let us pray along with our Savior, “Father, not my will, but your will be done.” Let's be willing to pray this most difficult prayer of surrender, acknowledging that God knows what is best for us.Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 6:10 - “…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”Matthew 26:39 - “not my will but your will be done.”Hebrews 5:7 - “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”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

Here's the good news. Jesus is our righteousness. By placing our faith in Jesus, and believing he is the perfect, sinless son of God who died and rose again as payment for our sins, we receive His righteousness.Main Points:1. No matter how many good things we do, no matter how consistent our moral behavior, we all come up short of God's righteous standard. It's important to see that our good works will never enable us to be righteous, as God defines it.2. When Jesus died on the cross he carried all the sins of humanity. He became sin for us. As a result, everyone who believes in Him is made righteous with God. 3. Now, having become righteous in God's eyes by placing our faith in Jesus, we pursue righteous living. This righteous lifestyle is not an attempt to earn salvation. It is the result of our salvation. Today's Scripture Verses:Romans 3:23 - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”Isaiah 64:6 - “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…”Philippians 3:9 - “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”2 Corinthians 5:21 - “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”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

Where is our confidence? It is not in ourselves, and it is not in our prayers. Our confidence is in God. This is where we place our faith. Our faith is not in ourselves, in our prayers, or even in our faith. Our faith and confidence is in God. Main Points:1. I want to encourage you today to pray with boldness. Not a brash boldness that orders God around. After all, we must remember that prayer is asking; it's not telling God what to do.2. The Scriptures teach us to pray with confidence and believe that God will not only hear our prayers but also answer them.3. As we study God's Word, as we grow in our faith, we begin to discover the will of God for our lives. The more we pray in alignment with His will, the more we can pray with confidence.Today's Scripture Verses:1 John 5:14-15 - “And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”Hebrews 4:16 - “Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”Hebrews 10:35 - “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!”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

Main Points 1. God desires and demands truth, righteousness, and mercy from His people. 2. God judges the fruit of wickedness. This sermon examines Hosea 10, highlighting the tension between God's demand for truth, righteousness, and mercy and His judgment on Israel's divided hearts and idolatry. The message explains that Israel's prosperity led to spiritual corruption as they trusted in their own strength and false gods rather than the Lord. Central to the exposition is the invitation in verse 12 to break up fallow ground and seek the Lord, which represents the necessary humility and repentance required to receive God's righteousness. The preacher emphasizes that human effort is insufficient for producing spiritual fruit, pointing instead to the necessity of abiding in Christ as described in John 15. The sermon concludes with a pastoral call for believers to humble themselves and for non-believers to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus.

Main Points 1. God desires and demands truth, righteousness, and mercy from His people. 2. God judges the fruit of wickedness. This sermon examines Hosea 10, highlighting the tension between God's demand for truth, righteousness, and mercy and His judgment on Israel's divided hearts and idolatry. The message explains that Israel's prosperity led to spiritual corruption as they trusted in their own strength and false gods rather than the Lord. Central to the exposition is the invitation in verse 12 to break up fallow ground and seek the Lord, which represents the necessary humility and repentance required to receive God's righteousness. The preacher emphasizes that human effort is insufficient for producing spiritual fruit, pointing instead to the necessity of abiding in Christ as described in John 15. The sermon concludes with a pastoral call for believers to humble themselves and for non-believers to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus.

Apart from a heart of gratitude, we begin to be self-focused, self-centered, and self-pleasing. But when you and I, as Christ-followers, decide to live with a daily heart of thankfulness, it changes us. A peaceful heart is the result.Main Points:1. Gratitude causes us to focus our hearts on God as the source of every blessing. Being thankful is a part of a lifestyle of worship. Gratitude keeps us humble.2. Do you ever forget to be grateful? It's so easy to do, isn't it? We can easily take everyday blessings for granted. We can enjoy the blessings of God without considering how blessed we truly are.3. Usually we express gratitude when something good happens, but in every situation, there is something for which we can thank the Lord. Even in the inconveniences, the cancellations, the restrictions, the interruptions, the disappointments, there is still a reason to give our thanks to God.Today's Scripture Verses:Romans 1:21 - “ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”Colossians 3:15-17 - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”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

Maybe you have wondered why some do not respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have often thought, “If they could only see how wonderful Jesus is. If they could only see how amazing it is to know the Lord and to be forgiven of our sins.” But that's just it; they cannot see. They are spiritually blind.Main Points:1. The God who spoke at creation and brought light into the darkness is the same God who can make his light shine in our hearts so that we can see Jesus.2. When we receive word that there is a cure for our spiritual blindness, we too must act. We must step out in faith and trust Jesus Christ to be our savior and our Lord. I am convinced the work of the Holy Spirit is to deal with our hearts so that we can have our spiritual blindness cured. The Spirit reveals Christ to us.3. If you don't know Jesus Christ as your savior, I want you to know the joy that awaits you. You don't have to live in the darkness of sin and this world. I pray you'll experience Jesus, who is the light of the world.Today's Scripture Verses:2 Corinthians 4:4 - “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”John 3:19 - “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”2 Corinthians 4:6 - “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.”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

Our efforts at personal goodness, no matter how consistent they may be, will never save us. In fact, good behavior is incapable of bringing us into a right relationship with God. We must be born again.Main Points:1. Everyone of us, no matter how kind, decent, and respectful we may be, are still sinners. We have sinned. We have violated God's laws. 2. A newborn baby will need a second birth. It had a physical birth, but to be in right relationship with God, it will need a spiritual birth. It must be born again.3. Have you been born again? Recognize that good behavior is incapable of saving us from our sins. We must have a new birth by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 51:5 - “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”Romans 5:12 - “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned”Romans 3:23 - “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.”1 Peter 1:3 - “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”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

This episode explores the ancient instruction to “know thyself” as the foundation of a philosophical life. Julian, Pigliucci, and Epictetus show that self-knowledge helps us decide what kind of person we want to be—and what must be protected when circumstances become difficult. And Socrates offers the clearest example: his preparation for adversity was simply a lifetime spent safeguarding what was truly up to him.If you'd like to continue the practice, this Micro Morning Meditation will be helpful:☀️ Micro Morning Meditation: This is The Main Point of Philosophyhttps://whatisstoicism.substack.com/p/micro-morning-meditation-this-is-6fe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We must see that, with God's help, we have the power to flee and to run away from temptation. If we are hesitant, if we wait and entertain the temptation, we lose power against it. God's Word teaches us to flee.Main Points:1. Temptation is something every one of us will face. No one is immune. To be tempted is not sin – it's what you do with the temptation that's important.  Even Jesus was tempted.2. So, how do we flee temptation? We can always pray. We can cry out to God for strength against whatever temptation we are facing. Sometimes it may be necessary to physically flee your environment. You may need to call a friend or family member for support.3. What is essential is that you choose a course of action before you face the temptation. If you wait until you are tempted, it's too late. Decide today how you will flee temptation.Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 6:13 - “Lead us not into temptation.”2 Timothy 2:22 - “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”1 Corinthians 6:18 - “Flee sexual immorality.”  1 Corinthians 10:14 - “Flee from idolatry.”1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”Psalm 141:4 - “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers…”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

Think about this truth. God didn't have to love us. He didn't have to offer us grace and mercy. Nothing forced God to show us forgiveness. Nothing compelled Him to give us the precious gift of eternal life, but God chose to. He chose to love us. He chose to call us His own. He chose to make us children of God. Main Points:1. If you've ever been tempted to doubt the love of God, recognize this wonderful blessing: God chose to love you. Despite all of your sins, your failures, and your mistakes, God still chose to love you and wants to spend eternity with you. 2. But there's more: not only has God chosen to love us, He has chosen to use us. You have an assignment, a task, and a role to play in the kingdom of God. For many of us, we feel as if we aren't capable or qualified, so we expect God will use others instead, but that is not what the Scriptures teach us.3. God takes great joy and delight in using our lives for his glory. As He empowers us with His Holy Spirit, and we take steps of faith and obedience, great things are accomplished through our lives. All of this takes place because He chooses to make it happen.Today's Scripture Verses:1 Peter 2:9 - “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”1 Peter 2:4 - “…rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him.”1 Corinthians 1:26-29 - “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”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

Main Point: 1 Peter 4:10-11 describes four commitments that mark a person who is faithful to serve others, strengthen the church, and glorify God. 

Wisdom is something we all need, but we might underestimate just how much we need it. You and I need wisdom in our thinking, our words, our actions, and our future. We need wisdom in our work, our ministries, and in our leadership. Is there an area of your life in which you do not need God's wisdom? I don't think so.Main Points:1. To receive God's wisdom, we first have to recognize that we need it. We sometimes live self-sufficient lives and act as if we do not need God's wisdom. This is a critical mistake. 2. God wants to be right in the middle of our choices and decisions. He wants to lead, guide, and direct our steps. He has given us His Word, the Bible, to be a daily resource that provides His wisdom.3. Let's see the value of Godly wisdom. The world, our culture, and our society offer their version of wisdom that most often conflicts with God's wisdom. Let's begin to seek God's wisdom. Let's begin to value God's point of view over our own.Today's Scripture Verses:James 1:5 - “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.”Proverbs 8:11 – “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”Proverbs 2:1-6 – “If you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom.” 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

We are all aware of the spiritual battle that rages. We do have an adversary. We do have opposition. We are in a fight, but find encouragement in these verses. Christ Jesus will place us on a firm foundation. He is our firm foundation. He is the rock we have built our lives upon, and He cannot be moved.Main Points:1. No matter how fierce the fight, no matter how difficult the battle, our firm foundation is not shaken. Yes, we have to stand firm. Yes, we must be strong in the faith. But all the while, we remember that our suffering is not forever. The promise from these verses is that we will share in God's eternal glory. 2. In this life, we are constantly reminded of the spiritual battle that rages around us. Like a prowling lion, our adversary seeks to devour us, to tear down our faith, and to rob us of our hope. Yet, in the midst of this struggle, we find reassurance and strength in the unshakeable foundation of Christ.3. Peter's words speak to us today, urging us to be alert and sober-minded. We cannot afford to be complacent or unaware of the dangers that surround us. The enemy's attacks may come in various forms – doubts, temptations, trials, and tribulations – but we are called to stand firm in the faith.Today's Scripture Verses:1 Peter 5:8-11 - “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.  In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.”Isaiah 33:6 - “In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.”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

How many people are there, who once burned hot for God, but now no longer serve Him? How many who were on fire for God, but now have no spiritual passion at all? The sober reality is that this could happen to any of us.Main Points:1. Why did God repeatedly tell the Israelites not to let the fire burn out? Why did the instruction need to be repeated? The answer is because there was a real possibility that keeping the fire burning hot could lose its importance to the people. 2. It is critical that you and I tend to our spiritual fire. We must keep our fire for God burning. We cannot let this fire go out. We cannot let our spiritual passion diminish. We must daily do what is necessary to keep our hearts and minds focused on a growing relationship with Christ.3. Today, you must put another log on the fire. Reignite the flame. Reignite your spiritual passion for Jesus. How do we do this? We reignite the flame by giving attention to it. A fire left untended burns out. Turn your attention once again to Christ. Rediscover the spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, scripture reading, and church attendance. Join a life group at your church. Begin to serve and use your gifts. Today's Scripture Verses:Leviticus 6:13 - “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”Matthew 3:11 - “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.Acts 2:3 - “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”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

Welcome to Day 2944 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2944– “Clean From The Inside Out” – Luke 11:37-54 Putnam Church Message – 08/30/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Clean From The Inside Out”   Last week, our message was “Grave Warnings for the “IN” Crowd,” and we learned that those who walk in His light will never walk in darkness. Today, we continue with our thirty-sixth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Clean From The Inside Out.” Our core passage today is Luke 11:37-54, starting on page 1615 of your pew Bibles. Woes on the Pharisees and the Experts in the Law 37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. 42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. 43 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. 44 “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.” 45 One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” 46 Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. 47 “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. 48 So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. 49 Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.' 50 Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all. 52 “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” 53 When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54 waiting to catch him in something he might say. Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today asking for honesty. Not image. Not appearance. Not religious performance. Honesty. Lord Jesus, shine Your light into the places we would rather keep hidden. Show us where we have confused looking righteous with becoming righteous. Expose pride, hypocrisy, self-justification, resentment, and every attempt to impress others while neglecting the condition of our hearts. Holy Spirit, cleanse us from the inside out. Give us hearts that love justice, mercy, truth, and You above all else. In Jesus' name, amen. Introduction: When Clean on the Outside Isn't Enough Max Lucado once described legalism as the search for innocence rather than forgiveness. Legalism works hard to defend self, explain self, justify self, and make self look good. That is why legalism can be so deceptive. / It can look holy. / It can sound biblical. / It can use religious language. / It can quote Scripture. / It can build traditions. / It can create standards. / And yet, underneath everything, the real focus can still be self. Last week, in “Grave Warnings for the ‘IN' Crowd,” Jesus warned people who were standing close to the Light but refusing to let that Light penetrate their hearts. He said the problem was not that God had hidden the light. The problem was that people had closed their eyes. Today Jesus goes even deeper. He enters the home of a Pharisee. / He sits at the table. / And He exposes what happens when people become more concerned with looking clean than actually being clean. The Pharisees had become masters of externals. / They knew how to look disciplined. / They knew the proper prayers. / They knew the rules. They knew what foods to avoid, what rituals to perform, how much to tithe, where to sit, what traditions to observe, and how righteous people were supposed to behave. But Jesus looked beneath all of that. / And what He saw was corruption. That makes this passage uncomfortable, because Pharisees are easy to condemn from two thousand years away. / The harder question is: Where is the Pharisee in me? Where am I tempted to clean the outside - while neglecting the inside?  / Where do I care more about what people think - than what God sees? / Where do I use religious activity - to cover spiritual emptiness? Today's message is called: “Clean From The Inside Out.” / And the central truth is simple: Jesus does not merely want improved behavior. He wants transformed hearts that produce transformed lives. Let's explore four truths today to help us understand this passage as found in your bulletin insert. Main Point 1: Jesus Is More Concerned With the Heart Than the Appearance The scene begins innocently enough. / A Pharisee invites Jesus to lunch. / Jesus accepts. / That alone is worth noticing. / Jesus did not avoid people simply because they disagreed with Him. He ate with tax collectors. / He ate with sinners. / He ate with Pharisees. Jesus was willing to enter the homes of people whose hearts He knew were complicated. Perhaps this Pharisee was curious. / Perhaps he was testing Jesus. / Perhaps he genuinely wanted to understand Him. / Luke does not tell us. But the conflict begins when Jesus reclines at the table without performing the expected ritual washing. / This was not primarily about hygiene. / The issue was ceremonial purity. Ancient Context: How Tradition Grew After Jerusalem fell to Babylon in 586 BC, Jewish life changed dramatically. The temple had been destroyed. / Many people lived far from the land. / Faithful Jews wanted to know: “How do we remain God's people here?” That was a good question. / Teachers and scribes studied the Law and tried to apply it carefully. Over generations, however, explanations became traditions. / Traditions became expectations. / Expectations became rules. / And eventually many people could scarcely distinguish between God's command and human interpretation. Mark 7 gives us another scene where Pharisees criticized Jesus' disciples because they ate without performing ceremonial washing. Jesus replied by quoting Isaiah: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from...

I'm convinced that, as long as we trust in our own resources, we'll see very little of God's power in our lives. Why would God intervene if we leave Him out? Why would God do miraculous things if we act as if we don't need Him?Main Points:1. Victory does not depend on the size of our resources, but on the power and sovereignty of God.2. In our lives, we often face challenges that seem insurmountable. We may feel inadequate, outnumbered, or overwhelmed. Yet, the story of Gideon reminds us that God specializes in using small numbers to accomplish His purposes. He delights in taking the weak and the insignificant and using them to display His power and glory.3. Whatever battles you are facing today, remember that victory is not contingent upon your own strength or resources. Place your trust in the God who can do great things with small numbers. Allow Him to work through you, and watch as He accomplishes the extraordinary.Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 20:7 - “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”Judges 7:2 - "The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.'”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

Let me ask you a question. Do you love God with your whole heart? It's a powerful question, isn't it? Perhaps you feel a bit convicted by this question.  Our hearts are so easily divided between a lot of things we love and desire. We can be tempted to love God, but can do so without giving Him our whole heart. Main Points:1. As I think about our lives, I recognize that one of the primary obstacles to wholehearted devotion to God is simply distraction. In a world filled with noise and busyness, it's easy to allow our attention to be diverted from God. We become preoccupied with the cares of life, the pursuit of success, or the allure of entertainment. 2. Our hearts, meant to be wholly His, are divided among competing interests. As a result, our love for God can become diluted.  Our love for God is downgraded to a corner of our lives, rather than occupying the central throne it deserves.3. We also know that sin entangles us and obstructs our path to following God wholeheartedly. Whether it be overt sins or even subtle compromises, sin separates us from God and disrupts the intimacy of our relationship with Him. Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 22:37-38 - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”Numbers 13:30 - “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”Numbers 14:24 - "The Lord said, “Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” Joshua 14:14 -  “because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.”Hebrews 12:2  - “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”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

Main Point: Church discipline seeks to restore straying believers.1: Church discipline is for Christians2: Church discipline confronts sin 3: Church discipline pursues restoration 4: Church discipline may involve witnesses 5: Church discipline calls the congregation to judge6: Church discipline marks boundaries 7: Church discipline reflects Christ's authority 

The giants we struggle with the most are not sickness, finances, pain, loss, or grief.  Our biggest giants are internal.  The battles that take us out are personal.  Struggles like lust, greed, selfishness, anger, bitterness, and fear can become giants that destroy our faith, our relationships, and our future.  We must guard our hearts and develop a close relationship with Jesus to defeat these giants within. Main Points:1. David's internal giant was lust.    You may not battle this one, but perhaps you are fighting another internal giant, one with a different name. Maybe you are fighting the giant of discouragement, despair, fear, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, or unforgiveness.2. Thankfully, King David was repentant, and his relationship with God was restored. It's a tragic story that didn't have to happen, if only David would have guarded his heart. For us, the story is a cautionary tale and a reminder to run to God for help when we are fighting internal giants.3. Bring your giants to God. With His help, every giant can be defeated.Today's Scripture Verses:2 Samuel 5:13 - “David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem…”Proverbs 4:23 - “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”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 Bible reveals one of the characteristics that is most damaging to our relationship with God and others is pride. Yet, most of us don't readily confess pride as a struggle. Perhaps it's because pride is subtle, and it's difficult to see in ourselves.Main Points:1. Pride is often described as the silent enemy of the soul, lurking in the shadows and hindering our relationship with God. It can be challenging to recognize pride within ourselves, because it doesn't always reveal itself in overt ways.2. Pride blinds us to our faults and weaknesses. When pride lurks within us, we become defensive and resistant to feedback or correction. Instead of humbly acknowledging our shortcomings, we may find ourselves justifying our actions or blaming others. Pride convinces us that we are always right.3. So how do we combat pride and cultivate humility in our lives? The answer lies in following the example of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and became obedient to the will of God.Today's Scripture Verses:Proverbs 12:15 - "The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”Psalm 139:23 - “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?”Philippians 2:3-4 -  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."    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

How are you using your influence? Now, you might think you are not very influential because you define influence as position, fame, prominence, or name recognition. But listen to this definition of influence. Influence is the effect of something on a person. It's the power that somebody has to affect other people's lives, beliefs, thinking, and actions.Main Points:1. Everyone listening to this podcast episode has influence. You have people who like you and look up to you. There are people who come to you for your opinion, advice, or wisdom. You have acquaintances, friends, and colleagues who respect you. There are people watching your life and being influenced by it, without you even knowing it. Everyone has a circle of influence.2. Our influence is not to be egotistical.  It is not for our benefit.  It is for Christ's sake.  The reason you let your light shine, the reason you are the salt of the earth, is for the purposes of God.  We are an influence so we can bring more people to Jesus.  3. Let's use the influence God has given us for God's glory and to point others to the Savior.Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”   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

Welcome to Day 2939 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2939– “Grave Warnings for the IN Crowd” – Luke 11:29-36 Putnam Church Message – 08/23/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Grave Warnings for the “IN” Crowd”   Last week, our message was “The Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness,” and we learned that Jesus Christ was sent to reclaim the nations and finalize God's kingdom. Today, we continue with our thirty-fifth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Grave Warnings for the “IN” Crowd.” Our core passage today is Luke 11:29-36, starting on page 1615 of your pew Bibles. The Sign of Jonah 29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here. The Lamp of the Body 33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy,[b] your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” Opening Prayer   Father, we come before You today asking for more than information. We ask for illumination. Shine the light of Your Word into every corner of our hearts. Lord Jesus, protect us from becoming people who stand close to You outwardly / while resisting You inwardly. / Keep us from demanding more evidence when You have already given us more than enough. Expose our pride, our hidden motives, our fears, and our excuses. Holy Spirit, give us clear eyes, humble hearts, and willing spirits. Help us not merely to admire the Light, but to walk in it. In Jesus' name, amen.       Introduction: Being “In” Does Not Mean Being Right By this point in Luke's Gospel, Jesus was no longer an unknown teacher from Galilee. His name was everywhere. John the Baptizer had drawn huge crowds and pointed people toward Him. Jesus had healed the sick, cleansed lepers, cast out demons, fed thousands, commanded storms, raised the dead, forgiven sinners, confronted hypocrisy, and commissioned His followers to carry His message throughout the land. People were talking about Him. / Some loved Him. / Some hated Him. / Some were afraid of Him. / And many were simply watching to see which way things would go. That is human nature, isn't it? / When something becomes popular, people begin asking, “Is this going to succeed?” / When an election approaches, some people wait to see who appears most likely to win. / When a business reorganizes, employees may quietly watch to see which executive is gaining influence. / When a controversy divides a community, some people hesitate to take a position until they know which side will cost them the least. And apparently, many people surrounding Jesus were doing something similar. / They were interested. / They were impressed. / They were curious. / But they were not committed. / They wanted Jesus to prove that following Him would be a safe investment. / Give us another sign. / Give us one more miracle. / Give us enough assurance that we can join Your side without risking too much.  / But Jesus refused to play that game. Last week, in “The Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness,” we saw Jesus draw a sharp line. There is no neutral ground. The Stronger Man has entered the strong man's territory. The Kingdom of God has come near, and everyone must decide where their allegiance lies. Now Jesus takes that truth one step further. / He turns from the obvious darkness around them to the hidden darkness within them. / And that is where this message becomes uncomfortable. Because Jesus' strongest warning is not directed toward people who know nothing about God. / It is directed toward the people standing closest to the revelation. / The “IN” crowd. / The religiously informed. / The culturally familiar. / The people who have seen much, heard much, and know much. And Jesus says, in effect: The greater the light you receive, / the more responsible you are for what you do with it. Let's look at four truths that will help us to understand this passage, which are on your bulletin insert. Main Point 1: Demanding More Proof Can Become an Excuse for Not Believing Luke tells us that as the crowd pressed in around Jesus, He said: “This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah.” That sounds almost shocking. / Hadn't Jesus already given signs? / How many signs did they need? He had healed the blind. / He had cleansed lepers. / He had restored crippled bodies. / He had raised the dead. / He had fed thousands. / He had cast out demons. Immediately before this passage, He had delivered a man who could not speak because of demonic oppression. / And some still said, “Show us a sign.” At some point, the problem is no longer a lack of evidence. / The problem is unwillingness to respond to the evidence already given. The Sign of Jonah Jesus says Jonah will be the sign. / Jonah carried two powerful meanings. First, Jonah was a prophet sent by God with a message. / He went to Nineveh and said, essentially, “Judgment is coming. Repent.” / There were no fireworks. / No extended miracle campaign. /No entertainment. Just the Word of God. / And Nineveh responded. Second, as Matthew 12 makes clearer, Jonah's experience in the great fish also points forward to Jesus' death and resurrection. Jonah disappeared into the depths and emerged alive. / Jesus would descend into death and emerge victorious on the third day. The ultimate sign would not be another temporary miracle. / It would be the empty tomb.   Ancient Context: Nineveh Nineveh was not a pleasant little Gentile village. / It was associated with Assyria, one of the most brutal imperial powers of the ancient world. / Assyrian warfare was infamous for cruelty. They terrorized conquered...

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

What is envy? A feeling of discontentment or resentment over the opportunities, possessions, or blessings of another. I once heard envy described as the combination of a desire for something, with the resentment that another is enjoying it and you are not.Main Points:1. It's been my experience that envy is not a sin we readily confess. There is a deception that accompanies envy. We can be envious and not realize it. We can feel envy towards someone and not identify the feelings as sin.2. Envy invites comparison of relationships, success, status, or image.  Envy is consuming, and it doesn't take long before you lose yourself in the constant and relentless comparisons, all while cultivating bitterness and hatred toward people in your life, sometimes the very people you once loved and appreciated.3. So, how can we protect our hearts from this sin? First and foremost, we must cultivate gratitude. When we focus on the blessings in our own lives rather than fixating on what others have, we develop a spirit of thankfulness.Today's Scripture Verses:Proverbs 4:23 - “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”Galatians 5:26 - “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."Proverbs 14:30 - “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”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

God's heart beats with compassion for the lost, and He passionately seeks them out. As followers of Christ, we are invited into this search. We become part of the process by sharing the message of the Gospel with those around us. What is important to God, must be important to us.Main Points:1. Jesus' very purpose in coming to earth and dying for our sins was to seek and save the lost. Nothing matters more to God. 2. Let me remind you of this truth: The Gospel message is urgent. Every day people are dying and going into eternity lost in their sins. The only way of salvation is through faith in Jesus, yet many have never heard a clear and simple message of salvation.3. We have a message far more valuable than a cure for cancer, it is a cure for our sins. Only through Jesus there is salvation and forgiveness of our sins, which not only impacts our lives here and now, but also for eternity.Today's Scripture Verses:Luke 15:8-10 — “what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”Luke 19:10 - “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”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

Unequivocally, I can say that God is looking for us to say “yes” to Him. Have you given God your yes? Have you surrendered your will and your life to God? Have you said “God, I'm yours. Take my life and use it for your glory?” Have you said, “God, I'll say what you want me to say, go where you want me to go, and do what you want me to do?”Main Points:1. Some of our greatest internal battles are with God. There is an internal wrestling over whether we will say yes to God or not. Will we obey His Word? Will we submit to God's authority? Will we let the Bible guide and direct our lives?2. This simple response, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," is a profound declaration of openness and obedience to God's will. We see Samuel's readiness to hear and obey whatever God may command. And it is through this willingness to say yes to God that Samuel's life is forever changed.3. Without hesitation, let's be quick and ready to give God our yes.Today's Scripture Verses:1 Samuel 3:4 - ““Then the Lord called Samuel.  Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”1 Samuel 3:10 - "The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”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 Holy Spirit is speaking to every believer in Jesus and He's asking the question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” God wants to send every one of us into His Kingdom work. When we say “Here am I, Send me,” God will use our lives for His glory.Main Points:1. I've noticed over the years, that the thing that keeps many Christians from stepping out in faith and allowing God to use their lives is that they disqualify themselves. Some feel unusable because of their past, their failures, and their mistakes. Others think God is looking for people who are more spiritual or more gifted.2. Notice in the verse with Isaiah, there are no qualifications listed. God was looking for one thing: availability. The old saying is still true: God is not looking for ability. He is looking for availability. 3. God is still searching for men and women who will say yes. He's looking for individuals who are willing to be sent and to be used by the Holy Spirit.Today's Scripture Verses:Isaiah 6:8 - “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”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

Why do we suffer? You and I have lived long enough to see and experience suffering. It comes to us all. Suffering is no respecter of persons.  There is coming a day when all suffering will cease. When we are in the eternal presence of our God. He will wipe away all tears. But for now, suffering is a part of our human existence. Main Points:1. Suffering exists for several reasons. The first of which is that we live in a fallen world that is corrupted by sin. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, sin entered the world and that started all of the pollution, chaos, and downgrading that's been taking place ever since.2. Sometimes suffering is caused by our own sins and mistakes.  Occasionally, suffering is the work of Satan. Other times, though we don't like to admit it, suffering occurs because of the will of God.3. We must understand that God knew the trials were coming into our lives. He allowed them for His purpose. He is using them to teach us. He is drawing us close. He is deepening our faith and character. He is preparing us for something eternal.Today's Scripture Verses:1 Peter 5:10 - “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived.  God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.”1 Peter 5:8 "Be self controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him.  Stand firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.”1 Peter 4:19 - “So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”2 Corinthians 4:18 - “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”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

Pray and ask God to search your heart. As the Lord reveals things that are hindering your spiritual growth, be willing to throw them off so that nothing slows you down.Main Points:1. I must ask the Lord to show me if there is anything in my life that is hindering my relationship with Christ. Is there anything that is hindering me? Is there anything slowing me down and impeding my spiritual growth.2. What burdens are you carrying today? Is there anything slowing you down? I think of doubts, fears, worries, sins, and distractions that hinder our progress. These hinderances could be people in our lives that not influencing us towards godliness. It could be good things like work, hobbies, or things we enjoy that are not sinful, yet they have become distractions that keep us from growing in Christ.3. Paul said that we are to put off the old self and put on the new self. We are letting go of old sins, attitude, habits, sinful patterns of living. In Christ we are putting on the new self that exemplifies righteousness and holiness. As we pursue godliness, this is a work of the Spirit and a process that will continue in our lives until we meet Jesus face to face.Today's Scripture Verses:Hebrews 12:1-2 - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Psalm 139:23-24 - “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”Ephesians 4:22-25 - “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”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

Greatness in the kingdom of God, is rooted in humility and sacrificial service. So, we see that greatness is achievable for all of us. It's not dependent on your title, position, location, influence, or anything else. Greatness is achieved when we serve others. All of us can do this today.Main Points:1. Our culture sees greatness as record-breaking achievements, success, influence, power, position, fame, and notoriety. But God sees it differently.2. Consider this: Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Kings, chose to serve rather than be served. In a culture that revered positions of authority, Jesus shattered expectations by washing the disciples' feet and living a life marked by humility and selflessness.3. Whether in the workplace, our families, or communities, let us remember the example set by the ultimate servant-leader, Jesus Christ. May our lives reflect His humility, compassion, and commitment to serving others.Today's Scripture Verses:Mark 10:35-37 - “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Mark 10:42-25 - “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”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 good news is that God specializes in restoring and rebuilding lives. Millions of people have experienced His grace and power. They have seen God pick them up out of the ruins and turn their lives around.Main Points:1. Today there are many whose lives are falling apart. Their marriages have been destroyed. There is conflict and difficulty within the family relationships.  Many have experienced collapse due to sin and rebellion against God. They have left behind a trail of mistakes, failures, and poor decisions. Others battle addictions and brokenness. Where there was once health and vitality, there is now rubble and debris.2. Maybe you need God's restoration power in your life and you wonder where to start? How do you begin to pick up the pieces of a life that has been broken apart? The answer is to follow the example of Ezra. Rebuild the altar. 3. With humility, rebuild the altar in your life. No, not a physical altar or a piece of furniture where you would kneel to pray. Building an altar means you are turning to God for help. You are establishing a relationship with God. You are reaching out in prayer to a God of grace. He's a God who wants to restore.Today's Scripture Verses:2 Kings 25:1,9 - “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. The whole Babylonian army under the commander of the imperial guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem.”Ezra 3:3 - “Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.”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

Welcome to Day 2929 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2929– “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” – Luke 11:1-13 Putnam Church Message – 08/09/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Lord, Teach Us To Pray.”   Last week, our message was “Exchanging What's Good for What's Best,” and we learned that when good things begin to crowd out the best thing, have the courage to exchange what is good for what is best. Today, we continue with our thirty-third message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Lord, Teach Us To Pray.” Our core passage today is Luke 11:1-13, on page 1614 of your pew Bibles. Jesus' Teaching on Prayer 1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father,[a] hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.[b] 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[c] And lead us not into temptation.[d]'” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today as children who need to learn. We confess that we often pray last instead of first. We try to assemble life by our own wisdom, strength, and effort, and only when we have made a mess do we turn to You. Lord Jesus, teach us to pray. Teach us not only the words of prayer, but the heart of prayer. Teach us to come to the Father with reverence, trust, humility, boldness, and surrender. Holy Spirit, open our hearts to receive Your Word, and make prayer not a last resort, but the daily breath of our souls. In Jesus' name, amen. Introduction: When All Else Fails, Read the Instructions There is an old saying many of us know well: “When all else fails, read the instructions.” Some of us live by that saying a little too confidently. We look at a box marked “Some Assembly Required,” and instead of beginning with the instruction sheet, we dump the parts on the floor, glance at the picture on the box, and say, “I can figure this out.” And sometimes we can. / But every now and then, we get humbled. Imagine Christmas Eve. The children are asleep. A hidden box is dragged from the closet. The parts are laid out with great confidence. Screws, bolts, panels, wheels, rods, brackets — all carefully arranged. The project begins smoothly. But somewhere around midnight, the finished product starts looking less like the picture on the box and more like an abstract sculpture. Finally, with dawn approaching, the builder digs the instructions out of the trash. At the top of the page, in small print, some sarcastic soul has written, “Now that you have made a mess of things, please start over and follow these instructions.” That is funny because it is true. And it is often how we approach prayer. We say, “When all else fails, pray.” But Jesus did not live that way. Jesus did not pray only when He was desperate. / He prayed before major decisions. / He prayed after ministry. / He prayed in solitude. / He prayed with others. / He prayed when crowds pressed in. / He prayed in joy. / He prayed in anguish. / He prayed before the cross. Luke has emphasized this repeatedly. / Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray. / He prayed before choosing the Twelve. / He prayed on the mountain before the Transfiguration. / He prayed as His mission moved toward Jerusalem. / Prayer was not a spare tire in Jesus' life. / Prayer was the steering wheel. Last week, in “Exchanging What's Good for What's Best,” we saw Mary sitting at Jesus' feet while Martha was worried and upset about many things. Mary chose the one necessary thing — listening to Jesus. Now, in Luke 11, the disciples watch Jesus pray, and they realize they need instruction. They do not say, “Lord, teach us to preach.” They do not say, “Lord, teach us to heal.” They do not say, “Lord, teach us to cast out demons.” They say, “Lord, teach us to pray.” That request is still one of the most important requests any disciple can make. Let's explore four truths that will help us to understand why this one question is so important. These are found on your bulletin insert on the side that is titled: Lord, Teach us to Pray. Main Point 1: Prayer Begins With Relationship and Reverence Jesus begins the model prayer with one word: “Father.” / That is astonishing. Jesus does not begin with “Distant Creator,” though God is Creator. He does not begin with “Almighty King,” though God is King. He does not begin with “Sovereign Master,” though God is Lord. He teaches His disciples to begin with “Father.” In Greek, the word is pater. In Aramaic, Jesus used the intimate word Abba, which we see in Mark 14 when He prays in Gethsemane. Paul later says in Romans 8 and Galatians 4 that by the Spirit, believers cry, “Abba, Father.” This means prayer begins not with technique, but with relationship. We do not come to God as strangers trying to get the attention of a reluctant deity. We come as children to a Father who already knows us, loves us, and welcomes us. But Jesus also teaches reverence. “May your name be kept holy.” (Hallowed be your name.) God is Father, but He is not casual. / He is near, but not common. / He is loving, but

The most foundational doctrine of Christianity is that Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the son of God and the son of man. He was virgin born, conceived by the Holy Spirit. This does not mean God came down and was sexually intimate with Mary. It means it is a miraculous conception.Main Points:1. The virgin birth reveals the deity of Jesus. If Jesus is not God, then he could not save us. And if Jesus did not save you, you are still lost in your sins.2. Jesus was born as a man because he had to be a man to be our true representative on the cross. He had to be God because He is the only one capable of saving us.3. Do not let anyone tell you the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ is not an essential belief. It is absolutely essential. The virgin birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy and promise of God and it reveals the deity of our Savior.Today's Scripture Verses:John 1:14 - “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Isaiah 7:14 - “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”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

I'm convinced that one of Satan's strategies is to cause us to get stuck in the “why” question. As humans, we want to understand. We want everything to be logical and rational. When life is hard we don't want to lean on faith, we want to stand on reason.Main Points:1. The Christian life is a journey of faith. Our knowledge is limited. I can't see and know everything about God and His ways. This present life won't always make sense to me. Neither will God and His plans. But I get to choose whether I will trust Him or not. 2. But there is a better question than “why”. Instead of asking why, we must move on to the question of “what now?” I like asking, “God, what do you want me to learn from this experience? What do I need to do to experience a greater measure of your peace and comfort? How can my faith be stronger? In which ways can I grow in my faith? How can I use this experience to help others? 3. When you are going through a difficult season, it's easy to experience a bit of spiritual amnesia. As we focus on the present difficulty, it's common to forget all the things God has already done for us.  But I'm confident that if you begin to reflect on your life, you'll see evidence of the goodness of God. Make a list and write down the many ways God has blessed your life.Today's Scripture Verses:Genesis 3:5 - “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”Psalm 145:9  - “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”Psalm 31:19 - “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”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

Today, you and I live in the river of a rapidly moving culture.  It's a culture that is rapidly moving away from truth, righteousness, and morality. It's a culture that, as the Bible defines it, “does what is right in its own eyes.” As a Christian who has been called by God and identified by God, you have to swim. With the power of the Holy Spirit, you can swim against this culture. You don't have to get swept away.Main Points:1. The New Testament teaches us that while we are in the world, we are not of the world. We live in this present world, but we do not embrace the values of a world that is rapidly moving away from biblical values. What do we do? We swim. We swim against this fast-moving current. 2. So, how do we swim? First, we swim by ensuring that our hearts and minds are filled with the Word of God. This is essential. Without knowing the truth, we won't know which values to embrace and which ones to reject. Knowing truth is vital. Let's make sure that every single day we are spending time in God's Word. Read it, memorize it, meditate on it, and obey it.3. Next, develop strong biblical convictions. In other words, know what you believe. Where do you stand? What strongly held beliefs have you developed based on what the Bible has to say? Biblical convictions help us know where the lines are that we will not cross. These convictions are not simply an opinion, idea, or viewpoint. They are deeply held beliefs that impact our lifestyle.Today's Scripture Verses:Romans 12:2 - “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”1 John 2:15 - “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”1 Peter 3:15-16 - “if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way…”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

You and I know a powerful truth very well. Words have power. Our words have the power to bless, encourage, inspire, uplift, and bring hope. Our words also have the power to wound, critique, discourage, and cause pain. Every day we get a choice of which kind of words we will use.Main Points:1.  What are “reckless words?” How do we know if we are using them? There are many types of speech that can be considered reckless and potentially hurtful. I think of unnecessary criticism, sarcasm, insensitive comments, blame-shifting, offensive jokes, public humiliation, and personal attacks.2. Given that our words are so important, how do we guard our hearts against reckless words? How can we make sure our words bless others and bring healing? We begin by recognizing the importance of our words and by asking God to give us wisdom in what we say.3. When we slow down and truly listen to others, we are less likely to speak reckless words. Why? Because genuine listening requires that we care about others. What they say matters. It means something to us. It's a demonstration of love. Today's Scripture Verses:Proverbs 12:18 - “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”Proverbs 15:4 - “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”Matthew 12:36 - “…every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”James 1:19 - “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…”Psalm 141:3 - “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”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

Jesus doesn't offer us a philosophy to cure our weariness. He doesn't provide a path to enlightenment or ten steps to lessen our stress. No, He offers something incredibly better. Jesus offers himself. Main Points:1.  We all experience weariness in different ways and for different reasons. Our pace of life seems so fast that we can't keep up. Being busy is our badge of honor. 2. In the busyness of life that creates this weariness, there must be a break in the schedule to simply be with Jesus. It's our daily time with God that provides the strength to do everything that is before us. Sometimes we are exhausted because we have neglected to go to our source of strength.3. Spending time with Jesus is not a duty. It's not a tradition or an empty religious ritual. It's not a rule to passively follow. No, being with Jesus is an invitation. Jesus himself invites us to be with Him, to spend time with Him, to learn from Him, and to be refreshed by Him.Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 11:28-29 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”1 Peter 5:7 - “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”Psalm 16:11 - “In Your presence is fullness of joy…”John 15:5 - “...apart from me, you can do nothing.”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

Welcome to Day 2924 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2924– “Exchanging What's Good for What's Best.” – Luke 10:38-42 Putnam Church Message – 08/02/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Exchanging What's Good for What's Best.”   Last week, our message was “What About My Neighbor's Neighbor?” and we learned that we need to become the neighbor and get back to the basics: Love God, Love Neighbor, Show Mercy. Today, we continue with our thirtieth-second message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Exchanging What's Good for What's Best.” Our core passage today is Luke 10:38-42, on page 1613 of your pew Bibles. At the Home of Martha and Mary 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today with grateful hearts, but also with honest hearts. We confess that we are often busy, distracted, worried, and upset about many things. We serve, but sometimes we serve with anxious hearts. We work, but sometimes our work pulls us away from the One we are working for. Lord Jesus, invite us again to sit at Your feet. Teach us that good things must never replace the best thing. Help us learn the difference between faithful service and frantic busyness, between loving hospitality and anxious striving, between doing for You and being with You. Holy Spirit, quiet our minds, soften our hearts, and help us hear the voice of Christ today. Amen. Introduction: Real People in Real Homes One of the endearing qualities of the Bible is its down-to-earth approach to life. The people in Scripture are not presented as plaster saints, polished statues, or untouchable heroes who never lose patience, never misunderstand, never get tired, and never say the wrong thing. They are real people. They have real homes, real families, real personalities, real frustrations, and real disagreements. Abraham gets afraid. Moses gets overwhelmed. David falls terribly. Elijah gets discouraged. Peter speaks too quickly. Thomas doubts. James and John want to call down fire. And Martha gets irritated with her sister in the kitchen. That is one reason the Bible speaks so deeply to us. It does not pretend life is neater than it is. I sometimes wonder if the people in the Bible knew their family moments would be preserved for centuries of readers around the world. If Martha and Mary had known that one brief household squabble would become one of the most famous family scenes in Christian history, they might have said, “Luke, could you please leave that part out?” But the Holy Spirit preserved this moment not to embarrass Martha or elevate Mary as though one sister is good, and the other is bad. This story is much wiser and much more gracious than that. Luke places this scene immediately after the parable of the Good Samaritan. Last week, in “What About My Neighbor's Neighbor?” we heard Jesus say, “Go and do the same.” We were reminded that mercy crosses the road. / Love sees need. / Mercy moves. / Grace sends. / That is important because we might now think, “Then Christianity is all about doing, serving, helping, feeding, bandaging, paying, visiting, giving, and going.” And yes, those things matter. / But now Luke gives us a balancing scene. /After showing us mercy in motion, Luke shows us worshipful attention. / After showing us the Samaritan crossing the road, Luke shows us Mary sitting at Jesus' feet. / After showing us love in action, Luke reminds us that action must flow from relationship. / The point of this passage is not that serving is bad and listening is good. The point is that even good service becomes disordered when it pulls us away from Jesus. Today's message title is: “Exchanging What's Good for What's Best.” And the central truth is this: Jesus does not call us away from service; He calls us to serve from the strength of being with Him. Our passage is Luke 10:38–42 in the New Living Translation. Jesus and His disciples enter a village, and Martha welcomes Him into her home. Her sister Mary sits at the Lord's feet, listening to what He teaches. Martha becomes distracted by the preparations and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus answers with compassion, saying, “My Dear Martha,” and then tells her that she is worried and upset over many things, but only one thing is truly necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken from her. We have four truths in our bulletin insert today to illustrate this lesson. Main Point 1: Martha Welcomed Jesus, But Busyness Pulled Her Away From Him Luke tells us that as Jesus and the disciples continued on their way, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. John's Gospel tells us that Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus lived in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Bethany was close enough for Jesus to travel into Jerusalem, yet far enough away to provide rest from the pressure of the city. This little home appears to have become a place of refuge for Jesus. In Luke 9, He set His face toward Jerusalem. He is moving toward the cross. Opposition is increasing. The road is heavy. And here, in Bethany, He is welcomed into a home. Do not miss the beauty of Martha's action. / Martha welcomed Jesus. / That was not a small thing. In the ancient Near East, hospitality was sacred. Travelers depended on the kindness of households. There were no modern hotels on every corner, no drive-through restaurants, no refrigerators full of leftovers, no grocery delivery service. To welcome guests meant real labor. Water had to be brought. Bread had to be prepared. Food had to be gathered, cooked, and served. Space had to be made. Hospitality was not merely social courtesy. It was a moral responsibility. / And Martha does it. She opens her home. She takes responsibility. She sees what needs to be done. Many of us should be thankful for Marthas. Every church needs people who notice what needs doing. Every family needs people who remember the details. Every ministry needs people who prepare, plan, cook, clean, organize, schedule, unlock doors, make coffee, set tables, print bulletins, and quietly keep things moving. Without Martha-like people, many good things would collapse. So, Martha's problem is not that she served. Her problem is that her service became a distraction. Luke says she was “distracted” by all the preparations. The word carries the idea of being pulled away, dragged in different directions. Martha is not simply busy. She is divided. Her attention is stretched thin. She is working for Jesus, but she is being pulled away from Jesus. / That can happen to us too. We can serve the Lord and slowly lose sight of the Lord. / We can work in the church and become irritated with the people in the church. / We can prepare meals, teach lessons, lead committees, visit the sick, give generously, and still grow resentful because the work has become disconnected from worship. Object Lesson: The Full Tray Imagine carrying a tray filled with cups of water. At first,...