Podcasts about nasb

Send us a textThe United States of America and the Western World in general have been engaged in a spiritual cold war for decades now. But Charlie Kirk's martyrdom is a shot heard around the world. Many people have woken up to the reality of spiritual warfare and finally want to engage. The apostle Paul said, "The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.2 Corinthians 10:4 NASB. It is high time that the Church learns to use the weapons at our disposal. This week, let's explore the weapon of worship.❤️ SHOW YOUR SUPPORT - LINKS BELOW...➡️ Email me: https://www.karlgessler.com/contact➡️ DONATE ➡️  Join our team!https://www.givesendgo.com/karlgesslerfamilybandhttps://www.patreon.com/karlgesslerhttps://cash.app/$KarlgesslerSocial Media➡️Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089357625739➡️Telegram - https://t.me/FaithoftheFathers➡️Truth Social - https://truthsocial.com/@UCLOvq6O4aIXLrkKxwXkq3uA#Bibleteaching #deliveranceministry #demons #Christianity #DiscipleshipSupport the show

Season Seven, October 2025, October 1: Who is the King of Glory? Breathlessly, Richard introduces us to October Surprise 2025, when we ask, "Who is this King of Glory?" And "Who is this Son of Man?” (Worth a listen for the introduction alone!)"Who is the King of glory? The LORD is strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah."Psalm 24:8-10"My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism."James 2:1"With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God."James 3:9"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons."1 Corinthians 12:4The King of Glory is Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, as marvelously and mysteriously as that is. Our So What?We contemplate: Who has the King of Glory revealed himself to be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and:How does that change my conversation with him? Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 136

Richard's intros are always a joy! Three weeks ago, at our Production Meeting, which our wives call our play date, we discussed the introduction, and I didn't receive it from him until September 30. Richard is. Pro!Our goal is to have short, contemplative episodes every day in October, with the end result of broadening and deepening our relationship with our Creator, Savior, and Teacher. Who is the King of glory, and who is the Son of man?One way we find out who the King of Glory is through His names in the BibleToday, Baal-perazim, Lord of the Breakthroughs.David asked, "should I go to war?", God says yes. After the victory, he says:"So David came to Baal-perazim, and defeated them there; and he said, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters." "Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim."2 Samuel 5:20Our God is the God who accomplishes breakthroughs in our lives.Our So What?How has God given you breakthroughs in your walk and relationship with Him?How are His breakthroughs affective and effective in our prayer lives, for worship, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession?Brethren, let's pray for one another. "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen"1 Timothy 1:17"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 137

Weekly Sermon, Sept 28th, 2025 Colossians 3:1-3 (NASB)

Our Daily Portion Podcast is a daily podcast to help us stay in God's Word daily.  We follow the Daily Torah Portion schedule utilizing the NASB translation. The scripture is read, a nugget is shared, and prayer closes us out.  Go to pursuitfortruth.com for more information about WIT Ministries.

Our Daily Portion Podcast is a daily podcast to help us stay in God's Word daily.  We follow the Daily Torah Portion schedule utilizing the NASB translation. The scripture is read, a nugget is shared, and prayer closes us out.  Go to pursuitfortruth.com for more information about WIT Ministries.

Our Daily Portion Podcast is a daily podcast to help us stay in God's Word daily.  We follow the Daily Torah Portion schedule utilizing the NASB translation. The scripture is read, a nugget is shared, and prayer closes us out.  Go to pursuitfortruth.com for more information about WIT Ministries.

James 1:12-16 (NASB) 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 No one is to say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. Theme: To progress in the path to spiritual maturity, Christians must continually overcome temptations of the flesh.  

Our Daily Portion Podcast is a daily podcast to help us stay in God's Word daily.  We follow the Daily Torah Portion schedule utilizing the NASB translation. The scripture is read, a nugget is shared, and prayer closes us out.  Go to pursuitfortruth.com for more information about WIT Ministries.

Matthew Week 111   Genesis 2:18 NASB   18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”       Merriam Webster: one that helps; especially: a relatively unskilled worker who assists a skilled worker usually by manual labor.   Ex. The carpenter measured the wall while one of his helpers brought in the tools.       Psalm 10:14 CSB   But you yourself have seen trouble and grief,   observing it in order to take the matter into your hands.   The helpless one entrusts himself to you;   you are a helper of the fatherless.       Exodus 18:4 ESV   4 and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”)       Deuteronomy 33:29 NASB   “Blessed are you, Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help, And He who is the sword of your majesty! So your enemies will cringe before you, And you will trample on their high places.”       Matthew 19:10-12 ESV   10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

Weekly Sermon, Sept 21st, 2025 Colossians 2:11-23 (NASB)

Jesus meets a woman at a well; this event gets right to the point. Our lives are much more than what we see physically, and the real existential threat is not to our earthly lives, but to our eternal souls. So critical is this truth that Jesus brings up what the woman would not say. "Go, call your husband, and come here." What unfolded next led the woman to the spiritual. "The woman *said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet." Verse 19 of John 4. The point of this conversation:"Jesus *said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. 22 "You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:17-20Our So What?Praying for the physical is part of the call we have, but as we mature in our communion with Almighty God, our concerns will move our focus from the physical to the spiritual."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 075

Psalm 139:12 (NASB) says, " -but even in the darkness I cannot hide from you. To you, the night shines as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you."When we feel alone in our darkest moments, it can be easy to forget that God is with you always, that He made you perfect and special — right down to the very thoughts you think.This week on our "The Word Speaks" series, Jenn Jett is back with Susan to dig into their shared favorite scripture - Psalm 139.

The second tool you need to be God-confident is to know how God sees you. God wants you to be confident in how he has gifted you and how he wants to use you. Let's begin by affirming what God has said about us: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:13-14). I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:28). Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”? Or “I am safe in the hand of Jesus—no one can snatch me out of his hand”? As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love (John 15:9). Have you ever declared: “I am the one Jesus loves”? God-confidence depends on being totally confident of who you are in Christ. But it doesn't come in one swoop—it comes through getting to know God better and better. You have been gifted to do something good for the Kingdom. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 NASB). When you're willing to take the next steps where God is leading you, to do those good works he prepared for you, then you can be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). That is God-confidence!

In this video, after two years of studying the NASB 2020, I have finally changed my mind about this translation of God's Word. There were three major things that happened to me that helped me change my mind about the translation: (1) giving the Bible as a gift, (2) studying the Old Testament, and (3) learning Biblical Greek.#NASB2020 #bibletranslation #biblestudy --------------------------------LINKS---------------------------------Science Faith & Reasoning podcast link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/science-faith-reasoning Coffee with John Calvin Podcast link (An SFR+ Production hosted by Daniel Faucett) https://open.spotify.com/show/5UWb8SavK17HO8ERorHPYN Learning the Fundaments (An SFR+ Production hosted by Shepard Merritt): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/shep304/ ----------------------SPECIAL THANKS------------------------NASB 2020 Translation -----------------------------CONNECT------------------------------https://www.scifr.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning X: https://twitter.com/SFRdaily

804 A Demon Cannon Cause The Blind to See, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:19-21 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation NET 19 Another sharp division took place among the Jewish people because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He is possessed by a demon and has lost his mind! Why do you listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of someone possessed by a demon. A demon cannot cause the blind to see, can it?” NASB 19 Dissension occurred again among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others were saying, “These are not the words of one who is demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of those who are blind, can it?” Reflection on Scripture: When Jesus made audacious claims about his role and about his power, he was accused of being possessed by a demon. This was meant to be an accusation that would make his comments illegitimate. This was an attack on his divinity by accusing him of being part of the opposition. This was among the most extreme inaccuracies in the history of inaccuracies, to accuse God of being possessed by the Devil. This is not just a claim that was meant to be over the top, it was meant to discredit the true works of Jesus Christ. The logical and principled teachings of Jesus were compared to the confused evil theological ramblings of a demon.  Another thing that makes this so impactful is because evil does exist. Each of us must grapple with forces of evil acting in the world. We encounter ideas inspired by evil in public discourse and societal perspectives. It would be unsafe to assume that evil is metaphoric or that the devil doesn't really exist. It is oft repeated that the Devil tries to convince us he does not exist. But he does exist. Just as God inspires our minds with the still small voice of His spirit of peace, the enemy will whisper words of destruction, self hatred, temptation to sin and many other evil whisperings. The chatter of your mind that discourages you does not come from God. With that said it is not necessary we live in fear of that. It is a reality of the world that Satan has existed the whole time, even in moments when we feel the peace of God the devil has existed. When we feel the joys of love of family, or the joy in Grace, the feeling of victory in the Lord, the devil existed then too. When Jesus healed and performed miracles, the devil existed then too. We cannot turn down the level of the darkness, but we can look to the light and the darkness will vanish. The whisperings of the evil one are always a lie, just as they were in this scripture. Jesus is the source of true light and will always win in the long run. If we turn to the light, the darkness must flee and eventually be destroyed. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

James 1:9-11 (NASB) 9 Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out. Theme: Believers, whether rich or poor, should find their true satisfaction in Jesus Christ above all else. 1) The poor Christian's boast (1:9) 2) The rich Christian's boast (1:10-11)  

Call: Psalm 141 Offering: Philippians 4:19 Scripture: Revelation 1:9-16 NASB

Our joy and satisfaction come from talking about prayer. Today, we turn our hearts to focus on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. The context is again, "Success is never final; failure is never fatal, it is courage, born of faith that counts." ( a slight modification of the Churchill quote.)Our implied example, as we pray for revival in Puerto Rico, is the growth of the church. God's work is not done until every tribe and tongue knows the invitation of salvation. Our express example is the Apostle Paul. In Philippi, Paul, far from the travel, persecution, and beatings of his life, could have kicked back and rested, rejoicing in the spread of the gospel. Yet, he exhorts us to follow his example.:"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained." Philippians 3:13-16Our So What? We can know what God has wrought for us and through us, but while we are alive, we press on until we see our Savior face to face. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'CheyneeDonation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 074

Success is never Final.Failure is never Fatal.It is Courage (Faith) that Counts.This phase, attributed to Winston Churchill, is not from the Bible, but it is Biblical and encouraging. “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.” Philippians 1:22“Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8Our So What?Success is never final, failure is never fatal; it is courage (faith) that counts. Take heart in length of days, pursue God, and His will for our lives. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'CheyneeDonation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 075

Plans change; that might be a theme of this podcast, Jesus' conversations with people in the book of John. We want to explore possible applications. Today, being sincere is an import from Jesus and His conversation with the woman at the well in Samaria. When she answered, "I have no husband," she was not honest with Jesus. His answer, "you have well said" in the passage did several things, but for her it was shown, Jesus was the one with the answers, and for us it illustrates, we are not only honest with God. For a prayer life which glorifies God, and satisfies our souls, our sincerity with Him is our…Our So What?As we desire honesty from one another in conversation, God desires truth in our close communion with Him. (Even though we know He knows)True communion is sincere communion."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 073

Weekly Sermon, Sept 14th, 2025 Colossians 2:8-11 (NASB)

James 1:5-8 (NASB) 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Theme: Christians should seek spiritual maturity by asking God for wisdom and praying with a believing heart. Some “How-tos” of gaining wisdom and making petitions to God 1) Acknowledge your need for wisdom (1:5) 2) Ask God for wisdom (1:5) 3) Ask God in faith, for everything (1:6-8)  

Jesus Christ came to confront our perspectives with truth, not through a thundering voice from the heavens but as God in the flesh, living among us. He didn't rely solely on miracles to validate His message; often, He told those He healed to keep silent about it. Why? Because He valued communication through words, inviting people into discourse. As John 1 declares, He is the Word made flesh, stepping into our story to confront us with the truth of Himself. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NASB). Not a way, but the only way to the Father. When we anchor our lives in Him, we find wisdom that confounds, challenging us to either hold fast to what we believe or embrace a new and living way.

We begin today with a prayer for our brothers and sisters in Russia and Ukraine. Most of all, a worldwide revival might even start there, in the midst of turmoil.The conversation in John 4 is as astonishing as our prayers. To the woman, a Jew talking to a Samaritan woman was unthinkable. The holy God of the universe initiating communion with us is just as inconceivable. Yet He does:Moses sees the burning bush; the Hebrews tell us He has spoken in various and sundry ways. At one point, all I knew of the Bible was Romans 6:23, from a billboard.Hebrews also tells us that now He is speaking to us through His son. "in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they." Hebrews 1:2-4And as Jesus is turning the woman from water to eternal life, He tells us in this passage: "…made purification of sins…" Eternity is His message.Our So What?We ask this question: Knowing that the spiritual is so much more critical than the physical. How might that change the content of our prayers? "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 072

Weekly Sermon, Sept 7th, 2025 Colossians 2:1-15 (NASB)

Thank you for listening; today, we detour just a tad, looking at Jesus' chiding, gently. I believe in their focus on the physical, bread, and not the eternal.We also hear Jesus say:"For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31 "But seek for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."Luke 12:30-32The essence of being a baby is crying. If you're a parent, sometimes you go in, and your baby is crying, but they're not wet, and they're not hungry, they're not hurt, and they're not afraid. So we pick them up, hold them close, talk to them a little bit, and hug them, and their crying stops. Why? Because they need us, they need our presence in that moment. I will say it, once more, "God is a much better parent than we are."If your inner man is giving you some trouble, if your inner man is not experiencing the peace you desire, or maybe you've had at other times, my encouragement is to get into your closet and, draw close to your Savior, and talk to him. Our So What?Do we not yet understand that access to the Father is the peace of our walk? Pray, Pray, Pray!Brethren, let's pray for one another."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 071

Biblical Talks  Signs are all around us and they are commands, warnings, directions, or all three. Signs can also be an indicator of the times. In this episode of Biblical Talks SD and Lady V discuss Matthew 24:1-51 English Standard Version. Jesus tells the disciples the signs of the end of the age. Thus, it is important for believers to pay attention to the signs.  With that in mind, here are a couple questions for you. Have you read Matthew 24:1-51. If so -- what are your thoughts? If not, no worries, we've got you covered. In any case, join us with your Bible or Bible app.  Also, go ahead and use the player at the top of this blog post or subscribe and listen via your preferred podcast platform to follow along.  Then get encouraged by joining SD and Lady V in this Biblical Talk — Pay Attention to the Signs.  Scriptures Referenced in Episode Discussion  Matthew 24:1-14 Genesis Chapters 6, 7, & 8 John 3:16-17 Romans 10:9-10 Numbers 6:24-26   Receive your Free Gift of Salvation – The Gospel of Jesus Christ  Explanation  If you are reading this, it is not by chance. This is your time to receive the Gift of Salvation through Christ Jesus.  Now, you may be wondering, "Why do I need that?" Oh, I'm so glad you asked. The Bible says, that because  Adam ate fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil -- he released sin into the world.  And ultimately, Adam's sin brought death and death spread to everyone.  No doubt, you may be thinking, "Of course, everyone is going to die." But, my question to you is "Where will you spend eternity?" Because there is life after death. In fact, when you die you go to one of two places -- heaven or hell.  Also, it is important to understand that Adam's sin also brought an eternity in hell. But for those who choose not to receive the free gift of eternal life. Thus, you must make that choice before you take your last breath.  Romans 5:17 New Living Translation says,  “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”  To sum it all up, Romans 6:23 New Living Translation says,  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  So, if you are reading this, don't let another day go by without receiving this life-changing gift.  Scripture   Romans 10:8-10 New Living Translation says,  “8 …“The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:  9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”  Salvation Prayer  Lord Jesus, I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins. I ask You to forgive me. I want to follow You, Jesus. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith, I ask You to be my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your gift of grace and for eternity with You.  Listen to We R S.H.E.Talks Podcast  Use the web player above this blog post to listen or subscribe and listen via your favorite podcast platform.   Bible Study Resources  Holy Bible [NLT, NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, KJV]  Bible App by YouVersion  NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible  Read the Bible Online – Bible Gateway  Read the Bible and Commentaries Online – Bible Hub  Read Living by the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible by Howard G. Hendricks   Do you have questions about whether or not the Christianity is true? Then checkout the following books:  The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for ...

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12 NASB).Read more here.Support the show

Worship // Week 3 // In Our LivingPastors JF and Ashley WilkersonDiscipleshipMatthew 16:24-25 NIV24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Matthew 28:16-20 NIV16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Discipleship Requires… Devotion Acts 2:42-47 NIV 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.Acts 2:46b-47a NIV46…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people... Acts 2:47b NIV47…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.Devotion is the quiet friction that polishes something from ordinary to sacred. It's not the grand act of giving everything at once, but the daily, gentle rub of attention and care.Discipleship Requires…Devotion…and Devotion Involves…Discipline2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.sōphronismos - sound mind, balance, self-discipline2 Timothy 1:7 NASB 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.2 Timothy 1:7-9a NIV 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9a He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace… Galatians 5:13-17; 22-26 NIV 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want…22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.Galatians 5:22-23a NIV22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.DiscipleshipRequires…Devotion…and Devotion Involves…Discipline1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

This episode is a repeat of our episode on forgiveness. This episode was well received, and as you will hear, praying that 2023 will be a year of Jubilee and Forgiveness, and revisiting just how serious God is about His children forgiving as we have been forgiven seems like a good idea.Thank You, Jesus!The host is weak, faltering, and wholly inadequate for the task, but the word of God is none of those.The call for the children of God to forgive is serious, and the Bible uses:Serious Command as witnessed by:CommandsMatthew 6:14Mark 11:25Allusions:Matthew 5:43-45Philippians 2:3ffExhortations:Ephesians 4:29-32Romans 13Serious Discipline:David was disciplined throughEmbarrassment; 2 Samuel 2:12Physical Pain: Psalm 32&38The regret of others paying for his sins: 2 Samuel 24:17We have only updated the introduction.Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."Robert Murray M'CheyneAssistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossardwww.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007 Episode 070

Our Daily Portion Podcast is a daily podcast to help us stay in God's Word daily.  We follow the Daily Torah Portion schedule utilizing the NASB translation. The scripture is read, a nugget is shared, and prayer closes us out.  Go to pursuitfortruth.com for more information about WIT Ministries.

800 I Know My Own, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:13-15 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation NIV 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. NET 13 Because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep, he runs away. 14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. NASB 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. Reflection on Scripture: God knows you. God knows you as God the father knows the Son. Although you struggle to understand yourself, your God perfectly knows you. Do you know Him? What are signs in your life that you know Him? When you know someone it is often because you spend a lot of time with them. You spend time thinking about them. You spend time sharing interests. You spend time thinking about what they think about. You spend time wondering what they like and prefer. When I first started dating my wife I became very interested in the things that she found interesting. Her personality became a puzzle I tried to unlock. I would spend time just looking at her and wondering what she was thinking. Do we do the same with God? Do we love God as much as we love someone we begin to date?  After two decades of being happily married to my wife she is so much more known to me now, and yet, she still says things that surprise and delight me. We are often thinking similar things and we know each other's likes and dislikes. We finish each other's sentences and we often start singing the same song at the same time, in the same key. Yet with all that said, there is no way our limited human understanding can predict everything. In some ways we will always remain a mystery to each other. But we are not a mystery to the Lord. You are perfectly known by at least one being in the universe. And with all of God's knowledge and wisdom, with all his perfect awareness of your weakness and sin, He in wisdom, chose to love you. He chose to be your shepherd. God does not make errors. His decision to love you is not an error.  His decision to help you is not an error. He does not run when times get tough. When you encounter struggles God is not fearful and does not run away. He remains by your side and as long as you are willing to look to Him, you will find Him because He is your shepherd. I invite you to ponder on the Character of a God who has created such a complex earth, has set down irrefutable law, and yet has chosen to love you. Ponder on God now. Think of Him and get to know him.   Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Today (a preview of our October Surprise Month), we look to delve into the question, Who is this King of Glory? On earth, we may be ruled by a King, or a parliament, or a representative republic, or a despot, or, just as the Akkadians called their early leaders, great men, but we are citizens of our God. In Psalm 98:6, "our King. the Lord."To our joy, no earthly ruler is our final authority. Who is this King of Glory?The God of the earthThe God of all fleshThe God of all comfortThe God of all grace.Of Him Jude reminds us:"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ."Jude 24-25"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 069

We are back in the paddock after an unanticipated break, but we are glad to be back! Thank you for listening. We are back with a confession. Recently, I went into the throne room of God, not with a heart that said, "O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me." Psalm 131:1But with a sinful, angry, fleshly state of mind. And, I went into the presence, His loving presence, in that state, on purpose. Psalm 98:1-2 "O Sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. 2 The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations" jolted me out of the flesh and the rest of Psalm 98 brought me to joy and a light heart trusting in God's goodness. Our So What?Come to the throne room in sincerity! Even in our fleshly moments, we come into the throne room, hear Him say, "Listen to yourself, my son!", stop, and repent from those unworthy thoughts. In His presence, and praise him for his faithfulness because we know he's listening. He corrects us in real time, and he reminds us of his glorious purpose in our lives, which culminates in the worship of Psalm 98."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 068

James 1:2-4 (NASB) 2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Theme: We as Christians can take joy in our trials because we know that God is using them to grow us to spiritual maturity. Three Encouragements to help us deal with life's trials: 1) Put on the Right Attitude in our Trials (1:2) 2) Have Accurate Knowledge about our Trials (1:3) 3) Understand the Intended Outcome of our Trials (1:4)  

Weekly Sermon, Aug 31st, 2025 Colossians 2:1-4 (NASB)

In the final part of the series, Thom and Jess examine four additional translations that remain popular within more specific theological, academic, or expositional contexts: New American Standard Bible (NASB), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), and Legacy Standard Bible (LSB). The post A Comprehensive Examination of Why the Top 10 Bible Translations Are Popular – Part 4: NASB, NRSV, RSV, LSB appeared first on Church Answers.

Matthew 25:31–45 (NASB) 31"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32"And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. 34"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? 38'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39'And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' 41"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me . . . 45"Then He will answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46"And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB) 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB) 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Colossians 3:17 (NASB) 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 1) The Christian's Pattern 2) The Christian's Prescription 3) The Christian's Priority

Today, we'll look at a day being like a thousand years! We'll discuss creation's timeline and we'll address the big question: doubt! Finally, we'll discuss the Garden, the Fall, and also Justice: is it a natural law? Today's Scripture: Gen. 2:1-3, 4-17, NASB

As I was preparing for this sermon, I read something that John Stankey, the CEO of AT&T, said back in 2022 with the acquiring of HBO concerning his goals for HBO that I think was very perceptive. Its not hours a week, and its not hours a month. We need hours a day. You are competing with devices that sit in peoples hands that capture their attention every 15 seconds. I want more hours of engagement. Why are more hours of engagement important? Because you get more data and information about a customer that then allows you to do things like monetize through alternate models of advertising as well as subscriptions. Theres a reason why social media platforms, streaming services, etc. are called attention merchants. They are working hard to capture our attention. Some people also call it adhesiveness. The longer they can get us to stick around, the more money they make.[1] Stankey rebranded HBO to HBO Max, and under his leadership, subscriber growth more than doubled from 36 million to 76 million. Social media platforms rely on sophisticated algorithms to decide which content appears in your feed and in what order. These invisible gatekeepers shape your online experience, curating what you see and when you see it, all with the aim of keeping you engaged for longer periods. What is my point? My point is that there are pressures that you are both aware of and unaware of that seek to influence you. There may not have been the kinds of algorithms that we have today in the day, and age, James wrote his epistle, but they were no doubt there. There is a system that is spiritual that is opposed to God that wants to do all that it can to draw you away from Him, and that system is what the Bible calls the world. We were not made for the world, but for God. It is the tension we face as Christians to be pooled by the world or to draw close to God that he addresses in these verses. Going with the Current of the World is Friendship with the World (vv. 1-5) We gravitate towards the kinds of things James lists in verses 1-5. If comes naturally for us as a species to fight against each other. Remember what James wrote in 3:14; he said, But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart... your jealousy and selfish ambition is, earthly, natural, and demonic (v. 15). Then in 4:1, James informs us that the source of our fighting with one another comes from that part of us the apostle John described: All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world (1 John 2:16). What James means by World is the ethics and principles that are motivated by a desire to dethrone God. The wisdom of the world encourages those who live in it to cater to what you want, give yourself everything your eyes desire and live life your way to get the most of it. This is the wisdom of the world that James warns us of in chapter three, and it is here in chapter four that shows us how it affects everything around us. The Greek word for quarrels can mean battle, fights, strife, or conflicts. What instigates this kind of fighting with one another is what James calls our pleasures. This is another Greek word that you knew without knowing that you had it in your vocabulary (last week it was the Greek word zēlos that the NASB decided to translate jealous); the Greek word of pleasures is hēdonē from which we get the word hedonism. What is hedonism? You may think that it is the pursuit of pleasure, and it certainly is that, but at its core, hedonism is the pursuit of joy. In fact, what we learn from the Bible is that we were made to pursue and experience joy. There are scores of verses in the Bible I can show you, but for now, three should do: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4) You will make known to me the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Ps. 16:11) Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials... (Jas. 1:2) The Word of God encourages us to pursue joy. Blaise Pascale, the famous philosopher, observed: All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.[2] We even acknowledge that we were made for joy in the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. However, what we were not made for is a joy that excludes a relationship with God. The kind of worldly wisdom and joy-seeking that leads to conflicts is a secular wisdom and the Godless pursuit of joy. This is kind of joy seeking is secular hedonism, and it is, earthly, natural, and demonic (3:14). What is the fruit of secular hedonism? James provides us with a list in verses that follow: Fact + result You lust and do not have... so you commit murder. (v. 2a) Fact + result You are envious and cannot obtain... so you fight and quarrel. (v. 2b) Fact + reason You do not have... because you do not ask. (v. 2c) Fact + result You ask and do not receive... (v. 3a) Full reason ...because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. (v. 3b)[3] What kind of joy seeking is James describing? It is one where the pleasure and joy seeking is rooted in a world that is hostile towards God. Secular hedonism is self-centered joy seeking that makes the one pursuing it the center of his/her universe. So James accuses those who pursue such pleasures in verse 4 as adulteresses. Why? Because he is writing to Christians who should know better that the only joy we were created for and the one that is lasting, is a joy that can only be found in God. To seek your pleasure from this world, is to align yourself with the world by becoming its friend. To this, James states emphatically: do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (v. 4). What do we do with verse five? What does James mean? There is much debate over the way this verse should be translated and some of the main versions of the English Bible show that. Theologians are divided over whether the Greek word for Spirit is referring to the immaterial part of us that we also call our soul or if it is the Holy Spirit that every Christian receives at the moment he/she becomes a Christian. Here is what I think James means by the statement: Do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us? I think what he means is what we have seen in verses 1-4, and that is: we were made for a joy that can only be satisfied in God and the reason why He gave us a soul is the same reason He gave us the Holy Spirit, and that is to use our lives and to find our joy in Him. In other words, we were born on this earth to know God, but because we are dead in our sins, God caused us to be born again and has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to live for Him for the purpose of finding our joy in Him (remember that James is writing to Christians). Abiding in the Word is Friendship with God (vv. 6-10) So what is the solution for the kind of problem James lists for us in verses 1-5? He provides us with the answer in verses 6-10. Its really found in verse 6; lets read it slowly and thoughtfully: But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says... What says? from the same Scripture in verse 5 James referred to: God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. God created you; you did not create Him. Of all the gods that people worship, there is only One who is the Creator and we were made for Him just as the apostle Paul testified before a group of idol worshipers at Mars Hill: He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might feel around for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we also are His descendants. (Acts 17:26-28) God created us to know Him, but humans are fallen, sin-cursed, and spiritually dead! What hope is there for a humanity bent on finding their satisfaction and joy in anything or anyone but the One who created mankind in His image? James doesnt need to explain the gospel again to his readers because they have already heard it and received it, all that he needs is one word, and that word is grace. Christian, how is it that you have gone from death to life in Jesus? How is it that you have been called out of darkness into Gods marvelous light? How is it that you have been born again and are now sealed by Gods Holy Spirit and are a child of God? Just one word will do! He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Because you have received a greater grace there is a greater joy available to you. Remember what it was that brought you to the cross of Christ: You came to Jesus because you were poor in spirit, you came to Him because you mourned over your sins, you came to Him because you could not save yourself. There is no coming to Jesus if you are not willing to humble yourself before Him; it is Jesus alone who is able to save and it is only by grace that you are born again today. Because there is a greater grace, there is a greater joy to be experienced through God. James explains where one can experience that joy through a series of imperatives. Lets read the passage and break these imperatives (commands) down so that you can see the point James is making: Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you (vv. 7-10). The word submit comes from a Greek word that also means to attach yourself to the thing or person you are submitting to. To submit to God is not just to bow before Him, but also to attach yourself to Him. There is another word that the Bible uses for that same idea, and that word is abide which comes from a Greek word that also means to remain in. Attach yourself to the One you were made for! In verse 8, we are told to Come close to God... So what happens when we submit to God? We come close to Him. This is how I can resist the devil so that he will flee from me (v. 7). This is also how I can cleanse my hand and purify my heart. Listen, there is no getting closer to God if you are not willing to submit to God. There is no lasting joy if you are not abiding in Him. There will be no victory over sin in your life if you are not humbling yourself before Him (v. 10). What will happen as you submit to God and draw closer to Him? You will see your sin for what it is, but instead of coasting further from Him, you will run to Him because that is where grace is to be found in your time of need! This is the point of verse 9-10, Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. What does it mean for God to exalt those who humble themselves before Him? He will give you the kind of joy you were made for, a joy available only through His Son. You were made for joy, but not the secular and godless kind that our world strives after. You were made for a joy and pleasure that can only be known in God by abiding in His Son. The question I have for you is this: What or who is it that has your attention and your heart? Arent you tired of pursuing lesser joys? There is a greater joy before you, but it can only be experienced by submitting yourself to God by drawing closer to Him. Let me close with something Jesus said that I think will make more sense to you in light of James 4:1-10, I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and remain in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:5-11) What Jesus describes and what James addresses is the kind of faith that abides in Him. [1] Ayad Akhtar, The Singularity Is Here, The Atlantic (11-5-21) [2] John Piper, Desiring God (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Books; 2011), 19. [3] Daniel M. Doriani, James, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2007), 130.

“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?” — Proverbs 20:24 Have you ever felt like you’re wandering aimlessly, unsure if you’re on the right path? In today’s devotional, Lynette Kittle reminds us that even when life feels uncertain or our choices seem unclear, God is still directing our steps. Through Scripture and personal experience, we’re encouraged to trust God’s timing, follow His leading, and rest in His promises — even when the way forward doesn’t make sense. ✨ Highlights Why our steps are ordered by God, even when we don’t see the bigger picture How to recognize God’s quiet guidance when life feels confusing or uncertain A personal story that shows how God’s direction often becomes clear after we act in faith How the enemy uses doubt and discouragement to make us question God’s plan Practical encouragement to lean on Proverbs 3:5-6 and fully trust God’s guidance

Weekly Sermon, Aug 24th, 2025 Colossians 1:21-29 (NASB)

Today, we continue to discuss God's world including the Earth's land and water movement and its plants and animals. We'll also look at different types of evolution, implications of DNA, and Darwinism. We'll also discuss the heavens including Polonium Halos and the birth of our solar system. Today's Scriptures: Gen. 1:9-13, 14-19 NASB. Today's Resources: "Our Solar System: Evidence of Creation" by Spike Psarris; "Feasts of the Lord" by Mark Blitz, www.answersingenesis.org; "Gospel in the Stars" by Joseph A. Seiss.

In Day 3 of our Trek Through Truth, we're talking about our antagonist: Lucifer. We'll discuss his beginning, his character, his fall, and his schemes. This will lead us into our discussion on the Truth standard. We'll look at the Earth's protective firmament and characteristics of its pre-flood environment. Today's Scripture: Job 38; Col. 1:16; Eph. 6:11-12; Eze 28:11-19; Gen. 1:6-7; NASB. Today's Resources: www.answersingenesis.org; www.khouse.org; Inspired Evidence by Julie Von Vett and Bruce Malone; Evolution's Achilles' Heels by Creation Ministries International (DVD).

776 I Am The Door, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:7-9 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  u can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation NET 7 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the solemn truth, I am the door for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. NASB 7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. Reflection on Scripture: From time to time I have seen videos of farm animals being groomed or cared for. They often have the animal secured and bound up with machinery as they do their work because the animal does not understand what is happening and is frightened. Even though the caretakers have only the best intentions and the animal will be far better off for the experience, even if there is some pain involved. The animal does not understand the long term intentions of the people caring for him or her. In that moment, all they want is to be unbound and free to run away from the hoof clipping or whatever else is happening.  They lose all sight of what they truly want in a long term sense. These animals surely have some sort of desire to be reunited with their animal family and to be able to once again enjoy the green grass and sunlight they normally get exposed to. In that moment they would throw that all away if it wasn't for a wise caretaker that allows for their momentary concerns to exist because that caretaker knows what is in their best interest.  So it is with us. In an eternal sense we have no idea what we truely want. We think about the things on earth that we want and we are like a cow caught up being groomed. We want nothing more than to escape what we see as the worst thing possible. What we don't realize is that there are things that are far worse than that. We also dont realize the path necessary to get us to those things that we truly want eternally. In this scripture Jesus declares to us that He is the Way. Jesus is the method whereby we get what we truly want deeply and longingly although we have limited ability to understand it. Jesus knows what we most want, even when we can't see it. He knows how to give it to us. If we come unto Him and trust Him as our shepherd, then we will be able to receive the finest pastures available. He is a good God and will guide us to a beautiful existence we cannot now comprehend. Unfortunately at times it requires that we are in situations we don't want here on earth. So the invitation stands. Trust Him as our shepherd. Trust that God knows what he is doing as he allows the struggles of life to challenge and try you because he knows what you will become, through Him.  Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod  

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37 NASB). Jesus spoke these words on an October...

When You're Afraid to Hope Again Hope can feel dangerous when you've been disappointed before. You want to believe again, but the thought of being let down keeps you guarded. In this episode, we'll talk about the risk of hoping after closed doors, how God meets us in that hesitation, and why courage sometimes looks like trying again. You'll hear a story about gaining momentum in a calling, watching it crumble overnight, and wrestling with God over why He let it happen. Psalm 27:13–14 (NASB) will anchor our conversation as we remember that hope in Him is never wasted. If you've been holding your dreams at a distance to protect yourself, this is your invitation to bring them back to God. Mentioned in this episode: Free guide: Creative Reset: 5 Days to Rebuild Your Rhythm with God — grab it here! Thank you for leaving a review, it helps more people find this podcast!

Why Rest Feels Risky Rest sounds good in theory, but it can feel unsafe when your identity is tied to productivity. For some of us, slowing down forces us to face insecurities we'd rather outrun. In this episode, I share how I filled my life with “work” and “ministry” because those were places I felt confident, while home life exposed the areas where I doubted myself — even with a husband who believed in me completely. We'll look at Matthew 11:28–29 (NASB) to see what it means to accept the rest Jesus offers, even when stillness feels uncomfortable. This is a conversation about trading self-protection for the safety of His presence. If rest has felt more like a threat than a gift, this episode will help you take the first step back toward it. Free guide: Creative Reset: 5 Days to Rebuild Your Rhythm with God — grab it here! Thank you for leaving a review, it helps more people find this podcast!