Podcasts about niv as

What do you do when your world feels like it’s caving in? Jennifer Slattery brings us face-to-face with a powerful moment in David’s life where everything was falling apart—and yet, he found strength not in strategy, but in God. In today’s devotional, we explore what it means to “strengthen ourselves in the Lord,” and how to follow David’s example in our own moments of fear, anxiety, and deep distress.

~ This is the audio from the May 25, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Learning To CARE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ. Text: Matthew 18   “I will strengthen them in the LORD and in his name they will walk,” declares the LORD.”Zechariah 10:12 (NIV) As one called by Jesus to […]

Finding Jesus in Unexpected Places // The Human Womb Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)“Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (God with us)” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Colossians 2:9 (NIV)“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” Colossians 1:15-22 (NIV)“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Isaiah 40:12,15 (NLT)“Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? … For all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand.” John 1:1-4 (NLT)“In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”     Luke 1:30-39 (NIV)“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacobʼs descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.' ‘How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.' ‘I am the Lordʼs servant,” Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.” Luke 1:41-42 (NIV)“When Elizabeth heard Maryʼs greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!'” Luke 1:44-45 (NIV)“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God's gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”  John 1:14 (NIV)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.” John 1:14 (MSG)“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son.” John 1:9-11 (NIV)“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” 

~ This is the audio from the May 11, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: The Right TRACK!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ. Text: Matthew 16   “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”Proverbs 4:18 (NIV) As […]

By Rev Trevor Adams | Isaiah 53: 1-7 & Matthew 27: 11-66Isaiah 53: 1-7 & Matthew 27: 11-66 (NIV)As part of the court case against Jesus, he was brought to the Roman governor who asked Him the pertinent question, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

Principle: Faith without works is dead.Scripture: James 2:26 (NIV) - As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.Message: Today, we move from Faith to Action. Let's bring our best and believe God for the increase.Support the show

Immeasurably More: The Book of Ephesians: Unified in love Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Seven essentials to hold true to keep unity:-       One Body-       One Spirit-       One Hope-       One Lord-       One Faith-       One Baptism-       One God and Father The Wesleyan ConfessionIn the essentials unity. In the non-essentials liberty. But in all things, charity/love. Philippians 2:1-8 (NIV)“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 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. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! The desire of Jesus is that we would walk in love and unity and be his witnesses and his ambassadors can even begin to imagine!

~ This is the audio from the March 14, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) As we continue our Lifestyle of […]

~ This is the audio from the March 13, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) As we continue our Lifestyle of […]

~ This is the audio from the March 12, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) As we continue our Lifestyle of […]

~ This is the audio from the March 11, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) As we continue our Lifestyle of […]

~ This is the audio from the March 10, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) As we continue our Lifestyle of […]

Stay in LoveMatt 24:12 NIV  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,2 Tim 3:1-4 NIV But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—John 13:34-35 NIV “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”John 15:9 NIV “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.1 John 4:19 NIV We love because he first loved us.God's Love is…AbidingAgelessAlmightyAvailable1 Cor 13:13 NIV And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.4 Ways To Live Out Love1. Say it2. Write it3. Give it4. Mean it

Immeasurably More // Experience More of God's Grace ·      Where did you come from?·      Where are you now?·      Where are you going? Ephesians 2:1-7 (ESV)“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” 1.     Where did you come from? You were dead.            Ephesians 2:1 (NIV)“As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sin…” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV)"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”John 3:36 (NIV)“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.” You belonged to the devil. Ephesians 2:1-2 (ESV)“You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— “ 2.     Where are you now? Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV)“God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” You are alive together with Christ. John 16:11 (ESV)“The ruler of this world is judged.”Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV)“You, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.”Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”You are resurrected with Christ. Ephesians 2:6 (NIV)“And God raised us up with Christ.” You are seated with Christ in heavenly places.  Ephesians 2:6 (ESV)“Seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”  3. Where are you going? Ephesians 2:7 (ESV)“So that in the coming ages, He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” You are going to experience more of God's Grace.

Faith involves *consistency. By Pastor George Lehman   Consistency:  It's the jewel worth wearing; it's the anchor worth securing; it's the thread worth weaving; it's a battle worth winning.”   - Charles Swindoll *consistency = stability, to change you go forward not backwards, steadfast to the same principles Inconsistency – when your words and actions don't align. James 1:18-25 (NIV) – 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.  19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for human anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  22 Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. *Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. *Do what it says = Like Putting a password in your computer but never pressing enter, it will never open the programs. True faith is characterized by Knowing Christ. Sowing consistency   True faith starts with knowing Christ as our Saviour. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) – 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Our best offer was… Ephesians 2:1-2 (NIV) – As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. You are not born a Christian - you must be born again. Then our true faith involves sowing consistency in our lives. This consistency manifests itself in our talk and our walk – our conversations and our conduct. This is when consistency begins to become a reality. If we are going to be a credible witness of Christ to the world… …we must not only genuinely know Him; we must also be consistent in living in a way that honours Him. Consistent in our talk. The mark of genuine Christianity is having one's conversations consistent with biblical standards and Christian beliefs. James encouraged the church to listen more than we speak. Let your life do the talking.   Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) – When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Jesus gave us this warning: Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV) – 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Genuine Christian living demands that we be cautious in our conversations and that our words are consistent with God's word and character.   James admonishes us: James 1:21 (NIV) – Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Although God chooses us and calls us to Himself, there is something for us to do. We are to take off our old coats of sin and strip away all filth. You can't keep playing in the mud when God has taken you out of it. James was writing to believers like you and me who already know Christ. Knowing and representing Jesus, we need to be consistent in our conversations as well as our conduct. James never held back to make his point. That if we are going to show the world a credible Christ then… …we must know Christ and sow consistency in our lives. Consistent in our walk. This is some of James' most famous and most repeated words. “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.”   Then comes a promise: James 1:25b -“He who is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does”. My desire is that I would rather see people “DO” one sermon than hear a hundred of them. Consistency is in the DOING not just in the HEARING. Like: How did you learn to ride a bike ? By reading a manual Watching others ride Listening to instructions about keeping your balance No! You'll never learn to ride a bike until you get on it and do it over and over. James likened the one who only hears God's word, but does not do it to… “A man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of a man he was.” His message is all too clear.  A mirror doesn't lie – it tells the truth. The Bible is like a mirror, when we look into it, we see ourselves as we really are in God's eyes. Not what we say we are or who others might think we are. Have you been looking in the mirror of the Bible lately?  Not just a passing glance. See yourself in: Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) - 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  24 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. James spoke of one who every day opens the Word and looks intently into it… The result is a “Blessed life in what he does”. E.g. We are not blessed in our stewardship and tithing by studying what the bible teaches us, but in doing it. He challenged us to: James 1:21 – Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James must have had Jesus' word in mind. Luke 11:28 (NLT) – Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” When we humbly receive God's word in our hearts, it has a supernatural way of leading us to… “Be doers of the word and not hearers only”. True faith involves not just knowing Christ but also sowing consistency between what we read and hear and our conversations and our conduct Close: 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (Amp) – And as for you, brethren, do not become weary or lose heart in doing right [but continue in well doing without weakening].  

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the beautiful promise that God's goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives. In a world often filled with challenges and trials, it’s easy to overlook the relentless pursuit of God’s grace. We’ll discuss how recognizing His goodness in our daily lives can transform our perspective and strengthen our faith. Through inspiring biblical narratives and heartfelt personal stories, we’ll explore practical ways to acknowledge and embrace the love that God extends to us, no matter where we find ourselves. Join us as we remind one another that His goodness is not just a fleeting moment, but a constant companion on our journey. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! In what ways have you experienced God's goodness and love following you in your life? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has recognizing His presence changed your perspective during difficult times?

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

~ This is the audio from the January 19, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Called To COME!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ. Text: Matthew 4:12-25 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”   Matthew 4:19 (NIV) As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, […]

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV | As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

Welcome to the podcast! In this episode, I discuss the vital importance of forgiveness in achieving true freedom and liberation. Forgiving others not only heals our hearts but also releases us from the burdens of anger and resentment, allowing us to reclaim our peace and strength.  It frees us from the enemy and allows to so grow closer to God for his Plan and Provision to be received. Join Me as I explore how embracing forgiveness can lead to profound personal transformation, helping us break free from the chains that hold us back. My hope today is that this helps you release the strongholds that might be upon you so that you may enter a space of freedom through God's works.

Have you ever experienced a season when God felt distant, while your heart was aching to hear from him? Friends, you are not alone. Today, Stasi Eldredge is joined by Karen Christakis and Amber Sales – from the Wild at Heart Women's Team – for an honest and encouraging conversation about what his silence might mean, why it happens, and how it might actually be a sign of His good and deeper work in you. Join us as we share from the scriptures and our own experiences of what we've learned living through silent seasons about our own hearts and the heart of our faithful God.…..SHOW NOTES:…..REGISTER for Ablaze: Setting Hearts on Fire for Jesus – wildatheart.org/ablazeAblaze is an exclusive six-week online journey, beginning Tuesday, January 14, 2025For more information and to register, visit wildatheart.org/ablazeVERSES: Psalm 27:14 (NIV) — Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.Job 30:20 (NIV) — I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.Psalm 28:1 (NIV) — To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.Psalm 83:1 (NIV) — O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God.Psalm 22:1–2 (NIV) — My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.Psalm 42:1–2 (NIV) — As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?Exodus 20:3 (NIV) — You shall have no other gods before me.Genesis 1:1–2 (NIV) — In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.Psalm 19:1 (NIV) — The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.Romans 1:20 (NIV) — For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.Ephesians 1:18 (NIV) — I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,Isaiah 49:15 (NIV) — Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!…..RESOURCES:Big Idea Inspiration from Mark Comer Teachings: The Dark Night of the Soul – Naming Your Stage of Apprenticeship E6  https://wahe.art/4eE4WE1Pause App:  https://www.pauseapp.com/Quote: from A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis – “God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn't.”  …..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode – Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOipApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3M81kxLAmazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ

Giving Thanks by Faith2 Corinthians 6:8-10 (NIV)“through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”Ephesians 5:19b-20 (NIV)“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”1. Thank God for what He has done in the past.James 1:17 (NIV)“Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” 2. Thank God for what He is doing in your present troubles.2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)“For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”Romans 8:28 (NIV) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”Ephesians 5:20 (NIV)“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”3. Thank God for His faithfulness in future challenges.2 Chronicles 20:21 (NIV)“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:                ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.'”2 Chronicles 20:22 (NIV)“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.”

Against The Grain // Living By Faith Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” John 3:8 (NIV)“The wind [Spirit] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going.” Galatians 5:25 (ESV) “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Romans 4:17-22 (NIV)“As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.' He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.' Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”  Stages of living by faith:  1.     A word from God.  Genesis 12:2 (NIV)“I will make you into a great nation…”  2.     A decision to align your actions to what God has said. Genesis 12:4 (NIV)“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him”  3.     Waiting period.  Genesis 16:1 (NIV)“Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children…”  4.     Circumstances start to affirm your doubts about what God said. Genesis 17:17-18 (NIV)“Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, ‘Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?' And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”  5.     God will ask you to surrender the promise you now hold. Genesis 22:2 (NIV)"Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac— and…Sacrifice him"  6.     God will prove himself as the provider and protector of his promise. Genesis 22:11-18 (NIV)“But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!' ‘Here I am,' he replied.  ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.'  Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”  The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.'” Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” 

Message for 10/06/2024 "Jesus Raises the Temperature" by Justin McTeer. *All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted* John 14:6 - Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 4:13-14 - Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Matthew 20:20-21 - Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor.21 “What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” Matthew 20:29-34 - As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him. Luke 18:35 NIV - As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. Matthew 21:1-11 NIV - As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” Matthew 21:6-11 NIV The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:12-16 NIV - Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,”he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,” but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.'” John 2:18-22 - But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.” 19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” 21 But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said. Matthew 21:14 -17 - The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. 16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight. Matthew 21:18-22 - In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Hosea 9:10 - The Lord says, “O Israel, when I first found you, it was like finding fresh grapes in the desert. When I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the first ripe figs of the season. But then they deserted me for Baal-peor, giving themselves to that shameful idol. Soon they became vile, as vile as the god they worshiped. Matthew 7:15-19 - “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 - Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. Psalm 139:1-6 - O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

1 Peter 2:4-7 NIV - As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"

1 Peter 2:4-7 NIV - As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"

1 Peter 2:4-7 NIV - As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"

1 Peter 2:4-7 NIV - As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"

1 Peter 2:4-7 NIV - As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"

1 Peter 2:4-7 NIV - As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"

Ephesians 4:1 (NIV): As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.   Why we carry the name? Romans 5:7-8 (TPT) Now, would anyone dare to die for the sake of a wicked person? We can all understand if someone was willing to die for a truly noble person. But Christ proved God's passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly! How do we carry the name?   Romans 12:9–13 (NIV): Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.   Love has 2 sides 2 Timothy 4:3–5 (NIV): For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry [calling]. 1 Peter 2:9 (TPT) But you are God's chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God's devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:12 (NIV): Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Live people centric   Romans 12:13 (NIV): Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Ps 133:1-3 (NLT) How wonderful and pleasant it is when people live together in unity! For unity is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. And there the Lord has commanded his blessing, even life everlasting.

Take a moment to analyze your life. Are there any areas you realize are out of control? Are there areas that you indulge in that have become idols in your life? It is easy to have these idols creep into our lives. With God, we always hope to push those idols aside and allow ourselves not to be mastered by anything.  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: “Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV As a writer, I need specific technology and equipment, including my computer. One ordinary day, I was writing several article assignments, and suddenly, the computer screen went blank. Curiously clicking keys and starting and restarting the computer, I found it would only start up to shut down and restart repeatedly. The screen went blank at that moment, and I froze in fear. I had many thoughts: what if I couldn't get my files off my computer? What if I've lost everything? What if I can't get my laptop to work? I started feeling fearful, but that fear began to overtake me. Racing thoughts and overthinking situations sometimes get the best of me.  I talked it over with my husband, and he tried to reassure me that everything would be OK. He took the computer to the store, hoping to restore the files off my laptop. I had an extraordinary amount of peace. I had peace because even though I felt fear over what I had lost, I didn't want the fear to overtake me.  This feeling of peace was not usual for me. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I had every reason to be fearful. I was in the middle of a project when the computer screen went black. I wondered if my computer had backed up all my files. Without it, I would have lost two years' worth of articles, book proposals, and other important documents that I could never recover.  I prepared myself for the worst, thinking I had lost them all. But the computer store was able to get the computer started again, and when I checked my computer, all the files were there! I was so grateful. But I was still surprised at my unexplainable feeling of peace.  In this life, we will always encounter fear. Anxiety and fear are a natural part of life. But it's our reaction to it is what God honors. Even when I feel anxious, I don't have to give in to that fear. I can do what I can to face my fears and experience life despite my fears.   When I run to God rather than run to my fear, God is glorified. In the above verse, we must understand that we have freedom in this life. We can do what we want because of Jesus' death on the cross. However, we don't want anything to overtake us in life so much that we cannot worship God. Anything that takes over our thoughts, feelings, and actions more than it should become an idol in our lives.  This verse refers to gluttony and sexual immorality. We don't want to indulge in any sinful behavior that may overtake us in the end. For example, we can certainly eat and enjoy our food. In the same way, within the proper context, sex is made to be enjoyed. However, when it is distorted, with practices such as pornography, lust, or other behaviors, or if we find ourselves lusting over dessert, our flesh has taken over. We don't have God in the proper place.  When God is worshipped above all else, food and sex become behaviors that we can enjoy but don't overtake us. In this life, we hope that we cannot be mastered by anything. We can choose to do whatever we please. But when those things overtake our lives, they must be put in the proper perspective.  Take a moment to analyze your life. Are there any areas you realize are out of control? Are there areas that you indulge in that have become idols in your life? It is easy to have these idols creep into our lives. With God, we always hope to push those idols aside and allow ourselves not to be mastered by anything.  Father, help us not let simple behaviors overtake our thoughts, behaviors, or actions. Please help us know that you are to be first in every area of our lives. We always hope that even if everything seems out of control, you are a God who can heal and deliver us from sinful behaviors. Amen. Intersecting Faith and Life Do you struggle with fear? What steps can you take to trust God? What can you do to rid yourself of idols in your life? Further reading 2 Timothy 1:7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Det är tio år sedan jag drog i gång podden Lundh och i sommar kör jag de tio mest lyssnade avsnitten under vinjetten Re:Lundh. På andra plats kommer intervjun med Erik Niva från maj 2016.Då var han reporter och krönikör på Aftonbladet och expert på Viasat samt Sveriges mest prisade och populäraste sportjournalist. Nu har han växlat ner lite på Aftonbladet för sin egen succépodd When We Were Kings, men annars stämmer det mesta fortfarande. I podden förklarade Erik Niva varför han fastnade för internationell fotboll, hur han försökte lära sig att hålla på Hammarby och Sundsvall, vilken syn han har på allsvenskan, fansens kraft och bengaler på läktarna. Han talade även om relationen till Tottenham, hatkärleken till den allt rikare Premier League, ambivalensen inför Champions League och att Leicesters ligatriumf gav hopp för fotbollen. Dessutom gick han in på sin kärlek till det svenska U21-landslaget, om A-landslaget efter Zlatan Ibrahimovic och hur Erik Hamrén och Lars Lagerbäck såg på Nivas sågning av Oscar Wendt. Naturligtvis var det även en del om Nivas karriärväg, om att skriva krönikör på slutsignal och om den nya boken. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body, refocus your mind, and to re-imagine and re-narrate your life to a truer reality. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  Our summer schedule has begun. Look for new once-per-week episodes each Tuesday during the summer. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Often anxiety and tension rise in our life when our focus gets fragmented and our priorities get conflicted and we feel like our lives are getting chaotic and important things are being threatened in some way. In our last couple of episodes we looked at what Moses tells the people of Israel. And I think it's a great passage to meditate on because I think it helps us defragment our priorities and helps us put our focus in the right place. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)  “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life….” These verbs in this verse — love, listen, hold fast — describe Jesus's relationship with God as his father. And the reason they describe Jesus's relationship with God as his father is because he was confident in the father's love for him. That was the foundation of his entire life. The idea of loving God and listening to his voice seems undesirable if our view of God is that he is distant and hard to please and easy to disappoint. When Moses uses the phrase, the LORD your God, that's the language of intimate relationship that God has for his covenant people. He has committed himself to forever be your God. In fact God‘s name, Yahweh, was a name he only gave to his covenant people. If you don't see the biblical view of God – his love for you and his taking the initiative to have a relationship with you — your image of God is going to be sterile and unattractive. But Jesus says in… John 15:9-11 (NIV) “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body, refocus your mind, and to re-imagine and re-narrate your life to a truer reality. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  Our summer schedule has begun. Look for new once-per-week episodes each Tuesday during the summer. If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Often anxiety and tension rise in our life when our focus gets fragmented and our priorities get conflicted and we feel like our lives are getting chaotic and important things are being threatened in some way. In our last couple of episodes we looked at what Moses tells the people of Israel. And I think it's a great passage to meditate on because I think it helps us defragment our priorities and helps us put our focus in the right place. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)  “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life….” These verbs in this verse — love, listen, hold fast — describe Jesus's relationship with God as his father. And the reason they describe Jesus's relationship with God as his father is because he was confident in the father's love for him. That was the foundation of his entire life. The idea of loving God and listening to his voice seems undesirable if our view of God is that he is distant and hard to please and easy to disappoint. When Moses uses the phrase, the LORD your God, that's the language of intimate relationship that God has for his covenant people. He has committed himself to forever be your God. In fact God‘s name, Yahweh, was a name he only gave to his covenant people. If you don't see the biblical view of God – his love for you and his taking the initiative to have a relationship with you — your image of God is going to be sterile and unattractive. But Jesus says in… John 15:9-11 (NIV) “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

God's supportive strength isn't reserved only for Olympians. God makes it available to each of us, as well. Just as athletes face different outcomes at the Olympics, we also encounter a spectrum of experiences in our own lives.  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: God Will Strengthen You in All Situations By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer  “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13, NIV  As we watch the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, we see athletes from all around the world competing with impressive strength. The Olympic Games highlights some of the strongest people on our planet – athletes who have spent years working hard in training, to develop top skills in their sports. They've focused on strengthening themselves both physically and mentally to prepare for the pressure of intense competitions.  For some of these Olympic athletes, the Paris Games will lead to victory as they achieve their dreams of winning medals. They will celebrate moments of success, and so will their coaches, families, friends, and nations. Stories of their triumphs will be shared widely, inspiring people around the world.  For other athletes, these Olympics will lead to defeat as they lose competitions or even have to pull out of competing due to illness or injury. Athletes who don't meet their goals – or who even suffer heartbreaking losses – may be profoundly disappointed from falling short after years of preparation. They may question their future in their sports, or even their own self-worth.  In Olympic moments of both victory and defeat, one truth remains constant: God's love for each athlete is complete and unconditional. God's love is not contingent on success or failure. It doesn't require any medals won or records broken to earn. It can't be lost like a sports competition can be. Instead, God loves all the athletes – both those who win, and those who lose – simply because of who they are. God sees beyond the outcomes of the competitions to the souls of each individual he has lovingly created. God cherishes them, supports them, and is ready to empower them with his unlimited strength to handle any situation well. Just like Phillipians 4:13 says, the athletes can do all things through God, who strengthens them. They can be strong in any type of circumstances – either good or bad – if they rely on God as their source of strength. For athletes who are victorious, God is there to bring them joy and to remind them that their worth is based on his love for them, not on their achievements. For athletes who face disappointment, God is there to offer encouragement and to remind them that their value is not diminished by a loss.  God's supportive strength isn't reserved only for Olympians. God makes it available to each of us, as well. Just as athletes face different outcomes at the Olympics, we also encounter a spectrum of experiences in our own lives. We sometimes win by achieving our goals and sometimes lose by missing out on what we want. Regardless of our circumstances, God's promise remains true:  He is always there to strengthen us.  Phillipians 4:13 directs our attention to the limitless strength that God provides. Whether we are seeing our dreams come true or suffering through challenging situations, we can rely on God's strength to see us through. The strength God gives us encompasses everything we need strength for – physical endurance, emotional resilience, mental fortitude, and spiritual sustenance. We can “do all things” – which means that we can handle any situation we encounter well – when we rely on God's strength to help us do so. The more we connect with God's presence with us in all circumstances, and the more we pray for God to help us when we need strength, the stronger we can become.  So, let Olympic athletes inspire you to seek strength from the ultimate source of strength: God himself. God's strength will be there for you when your life is going well and you achieve your goals. It will also be there for you when you feel overwhelmed by stress or discouraged by disappointing situations. No matter what happens as you run the race of faith, God will empower you to handle it well.  Intersecting Faith and Life  As you consider how you can rely on God's strength to help you in all situations, reflect on these questions:  What are some situations in your life where you need God's strength the most? How have you experienced God's strength in the past? Are there any areas in your life where you are trying to rely on your own strength rather than seeking God's help? If so, how can you trust God more in those areas? How can you remind yourself to turn to God for strength during both the good times and the difficult times you encounter? What habits can you develop to stay connected to God's strength on a daily basis?  Further Reading Isaiah 40:31 2 Corinthians 12:9 Psalm 46:1 Ephesians 6:10 Joshua 1:9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you've ever doubted your own significance or felt inadequate, this sermon encourages you to embrace your ordinariness as a vessel for God's extraordinary work. Tune in as we explore how Jesus transforms lives through ordinary people who are willing to be instruments of His grace and power.   Sermon Notes:  ”Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.“ Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭43‬-‭47‬ ‭GNT‬‬ ”When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.“ ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ As a result of the apostles' work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.“ ‭‭Acts ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT

Logan Holloman | NextGen Pastor | April 21, 2024 What comes to mind when you hear the title Lord? Luke 6:46 (NIV)“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Why don’t I do what he says? 1 John 5:1-3 (NIV)Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, Obedience is not perfection “In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshiping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And the compelling reason for maybe choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship [...] is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, then you will never have enough, never feel you have enough…Worship your body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly. And when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you…Worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. But the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they’re evil or sinful, it’s that they’re unconscious. They are default settings. They’re the kind of worship you just gradually slip into, day after day.” — David Foster Wallace, commencement ‘05 Luke 6:47-49 (NIV)As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Digging:ApprenticeshipWorship = practiced obedienceTaking the plank out of your own eye (Luke 6:41-42)Tested, sturdy, weather storms well“No accidental saints” Building on the sand:Hear ⧣ DoHaphazardly, hurried, rushed”Microwave, sprinkle Jesus”Fingers crossedFragile, delicate James 1:22-25 (NIV)Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Is he Lord of your life?Do you do what he says?Does obedience feel like a burden or worship? Next Steps: Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcardWant to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/giveDownload our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Join our Facebook Group to stay connected

It's Time to Dream Again Romans 8:11 (NLT)“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” Revelation 1:18 (NKJV) “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” John 10:10 (ESV)“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”Proverbs 29:18 (ESV)“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint” What does God's dream look like for you? Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” How to live out God's dream for my life.  1.     Surrender your whole life to God.  Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 2.     Get alone with God. Isaiah 55:3 (ESV)“Incline your ear, and come to me;        hear, that your soul may live;” 3.     Get around Godly Dreamers. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)“As iron sharpens iron,                    so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 22:24-25 (NLT)“Don't befriend angry people       or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them       and endanger your soul.” 4.     Take steps towards God's dream for your life.  Psalms 37:23 (NLT)“The LORD directs the steps of the godly.” 

Book of Romans: Good News About Bad News | March 3, 2024Jim Keena | Guest Speaker The Charge: Romans 3:9 (NIV)What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. The Evidence: Romans 3:10-18 (NIV)As it is written:“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands;there is no one who seeks God. (Ecclesiastes 7:20)All have turned away,they have together become worthless;there is no one who does good,not even one.” (Psalms 14:1-3 & 53:1-3)“Their throats are open graves;their tongues practice deceit.” (Psalm 5:9)“The poison of vipers is on their lips.” (Psalm 140:3) “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Psalm 10:7)“Their feet are swift to shed blood; (Proverbs 1:16) ruin and misery mark their ways,and the way of peace they do not know.” (Isaiah 59:7-8)“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Psalm 36:1) The Verdict: Romans 3:19-20 (NIV)Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. “The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices himself for man and puts himself where only man deserves to be. Man claims prerogatives that belong to God alone; God accepts penalties that belong to man alone.” — John Stott, Romans: Good News for the World Reflection Questions: 1. What was something that captured your attention from the sermon? 2. According to Romans 2:1 & 3:1, it appears the Jewish Christians at times felt superior to the Gentiles. What does Paul identify in 3:9 that they have in common with them? How does this shape your perspective of others and yourself? 3. In Romans 3:10-18, Paul strings several Old Testament verses like a pearl necklace. How do these verses describe humanity’s mindset, direction, words, and actions? What is the main point that Paul is making in these verses? 4. If the letter to the Romans closed at verse 20, how would you feel about yourself and God Has there been a time when you truly sensed your sin and need for God? 5. Augustine wrote, “So anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them but cannot by his understanding build up this double love of God and neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding them.” How is Romans 3:9-20 designed to increase your love for God and others? 6. Romans 6:13, in the New Living Translation, reads, “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So, use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” How could you use your “whole body” to bring God glory this week? Next Steps: Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/giveDownload our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Join our Facebook