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Isaiah 8:18 GNT: Here I am with the children the Lord has given me. The Lord Almighty, whose throne is on Mount Zion, has sent us as living messages to the people of Israel. NIV: Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.

Reflection on Psalm 77 Psalm 77 is a profound and emotive piece of scripture that delves into the depths of human despair, questioning, and ultimately, faith in God. This psalm, attributed to Asaph, captures a journey from anguish to remembrance and hope. It resonates deeply with anyone who has faced times of trouble and sought solace in their faith. Verses 1-3: Crying Out to God The psalm begins with a desperate cry to God: “I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.” (Psalm 77:1-3, NIV) These verses capture the raw emotion of someone in deep distress, seeking God's intervention. The psalmist is relentless in his prayer, stretching out his hands without tiring, yet finding no immediate comfort. This reflects the often painful reality that even in earnest prayer, comfort may not come instantly. Verses 4-9: Questioning and Doubt As the psalm progresses, the psalmist's anguish leads to questioning: “You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: ‘Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?'” (Psalm 77:4-9, NIV) These verses highlight a period of intense doubt and reflection. The psalmist recalls the past, when things were better, and contrasts it with his current state of despair. The questions posed are poignant and raw, reflecting a crisis of faith. Has God abandoned him? Are God's promises no longer valid? Verses 10-15: Turning to Remembrance In the midst of his despair, the psalmist makes a pivotal shift: “Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.'” (Psalm 77:10-12, NIV) Here, the psalmist consciously decides to remember God's past deeds. This act of remembrance becomes a source of strength and hope. By recalling the miracles and mighty deeds of God, the psalmist begins to shift his focus from his immediate troubles to the larger narrative of God's faithfulness. Verses 16-20: Affirmation of God's Power The psalm concludes with a powerful affirmation of God's might and sovereignty: “The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” (Psalm 77:16-20, NIV) These verses vividly describe God's power over nature and history. They recall the Exodus, when God led His people through the Red Sea, displaying His dominion over the elements and His care for His people. This remembrance serves to reaffirm the psalmist's faith in God's continued presence and power. Conclusion Psalm 77 is a powerful testament to the human experience of despair and the journey towards renewed faith. It encourages believers to honestly express their anguish and doubts to God, and to find solace in remembering His past faithfulness. This psalm teaches that in times of trouble, turning to the history of God's deeds can provide hope and reassurance of His unfailing love and compassion.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Simply leading an ordinary life, unnoticed, won't leave a lasting impact on the world. The pages of history are not graced with tales of those who stayed in obscurity. We invite you to break free from the mold of ordinary and master the art of being unordinary. Unordinary Vision (Part 1) It's easy...To be just another face in the crowdTo play it safe.To fly under the RADAR.We are a community where Everyone is Welcome, Nobody is Perfect, and with Jesus Anything is Possible.1. Everyone's Welcome Bottom line: Everyone is welcome because Jesus welcomes us2. Nobody's Perfect Romans 3:23 (NLT) Romans 3:24 (NLT)3. With Jesus Anything's Possible Matthew 19:26 (NIV)Luke 1:37 (AMP)Jeremiah 32:27 (NLT)Philippians 4:13 (NLT) Matthew 17:20 (NIV)Here's your challenge this week. Take one of these... and focus on it.Need Prayer?

https://youtu.be/osjHSwGRcgo Long Story Short 5 – Joseph and the Pit, Prison, and Palace   Redemption Church Plano Tx Welcome back to Redemption Church in Plano ,Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I am glad to share the Word of God with you today. I believe God's Word can make a big difference in your life. Long Story Short Last week talked about Abraham and the cutting of the covenant. The story of Abraham is an important development in the long story of the Bible. The story involved… -Promise-Faith-Personal loss-And a willingness to offer one's own son  God's commitment to us is greater than our ability to follow Him.   There is a common thread that runs throughout your Bible. Do you know it? John 5:39 (NIV) You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, #LONGSTORYSHORT #ALLaboutJESUS   Today we are going to talk about a character named Joseph, but before we do we need to fill in some history.   Abraham Abraham & Isaac Isaac had 2 sons – Esau and Jacob. The promise of God went through Jacob. Abraham & Isaac & Jacob/Israel God himself changed Jacob's name to Israel. Israel means to “contend/struggle with God. Abraham & Isaac & Jacob/Israel & 12 sons Israel has 12 sons and they become the 12 tribes of Israel. One of these 12 sons was named Joseph and he was Israel's favorite son. Genesis 37:3 (NIV) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. This “ornate robe” is often called “the coat of many colors.” 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.Joseph was hated by his brothers. Joseph the Dreamer Joseph had a spiritual gifting from God. He was able to interpret spiritual dreams. Genesis 37:5-8 (NIV) 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Joseph was hated because of his favor with his father, and because of his gifting. Some people may hate you because of your relationship with God.Some people may hate you because of your gifting and calling.   The hatred of his brothers was deadly serious. Genesis 37:19 (NIV) “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams.” “Let's kill him and throw him in a pit (cistern).” Genesis 37 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let's not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. The eldest brother, Reuben spoke up and rescued Jospeh from being killed. Instead Joseph would b thrown into the pit(cistern), and Reaben planned to rescue him later. The Pit The favorite son ended up in a pit. He had done nothing wrong. Life has highs and lows. This was a low place for Joseph. His very own brothers had placed him in a pit. Genesis 37:23 (NIV) So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. What a sad lonely place a pit is. What thoughts must have been going through Joseph's mind. Have you ever been in a pit? Hated and left to die? People will hate you.  -Because of your gifting.

Sermon Notes Luke 8:1 ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ ...and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Jesus turned the concept of leadership on its head. Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭48‬-‭50‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Jesus' promotion of women was radical for his day! "Praised be God that he has not created me a woman." (A common prayer for some Jewish men in the 1st century) "Rather should the word of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman." - Rabbi Eliezer, first-century teacher God used women to reveal key portions of the Bible: • The songs of Miriam (Exodus 15:21) & Deborah (Judges 5:2–31) • Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2:1–10) • Abigail's prophecy (1 Samuel 25:24–31) • The "inspired utterance" of King Lemuel's mother (Proverbs 31, see verse 1) • Elizabeth's blessing (Luke 1:25, 42–45) • Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1: 46–55) Jesus used women in key roles in the New Testament: • Mary (sister of Martha) was the first disciple to listen to and recognize that Jesus would be crucified soon (Luke 10:38-39, then John 12:1-11). • The first person Jesus appeared to after his resurrection was Mary Magdalene (John 20:1-18). • The first people to see and testify to Jesus' empty tomb were Mary and Martha (Mark 16:1-2, John 20:1-10). • Women such as Lydia (Acts 16), Phoebe (Romans 16:1), Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2-3), and Priscilla (2 Timothy 4:19) served as key leaders in the early church. • Over half of the servants Paul greets at the end of his letter to Rome were women (Romans 16). Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." Prophecy is to communicate a word on behalf of the Lord. It can include both foretelling and forth-telling. Acts‬ ‭21‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. We do, however, recognize a difference in the rule when it comes to specific roles. For instance: • In the Old Testament: The Priests & the 12 tribes of Israel • In The New Testament: the 12 Apostles and Elders 1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer (pastor, elder, overseer) desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. In today's church, we see these equivalents as the Lead Pastor and Elder roles in the church. Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭25-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus taught us that leadership is not about power and significance. It is about serving others, love, and care. We want to encourage and train women to do whatever God has gifted and called them to do.

Have you ever been tricked? The people who love practical jokes are those pulling them on others. Most don't want to be the victim of a prank. Even harmless tricks can embarrass us. Remember the wind-up hand buzzer? You placed it in your palm and shook hands with your unsuspecting victim. When their hand made contact, the device buzzed and fluttered in their hand, startling them. Some people get angry when another tricks them. I'm sure you know people like that as well. The villain in the accounts of Jesus' birth, King Herod, was tricked by the Magi. They were supposed to return and report Jesus' location in Bethlehem. But they were warned and didn't return. Matthew 2:16-18 says, ‘Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”' (NIV) Here again, we see the fulfillment of prophecy given over 500 years before the birth of Jesus. Today, praise God who knows all things before they happen. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

How I stumbled Across Groaning in Prayer When I first got saved, I discovered that I would groan in deep prayer or when I was in a deeply spiritual setting. I started to dig into the bible to see if it was biblical. It took me quite some time to even notice that I was groaning in prayer. It would happen when I waded deep into the spirit or when I was with a group of people and the prayer got really deep. So deep that you could sense the manifest presence of God in the room. Prayer & Groaning Prayer is a familiar concept to many of us. Whether we're alone or in a group, it can be used for devotion and as a way to commune with God. But what about groaning? Can this also be part of our prayer life? I believe the answer is yes! Groaning – both in the spiritual sense and in the physical act of uttering sounds – has been used throughout history as an expression of prayer. I m sure you've seen pictures of people on their knees or laying prostrate before an image of Jesus. In the background you see them groaning and sobbing, often while clutching their hands in prayer position. Similarly, Paul says that he “groans within himself” (Romans 8:26) while praying. In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.(Rom 8:26 AMP) What Does the Bible Say? When it comes to the question of groaning prayer, what does the Bible say? Groaning is an emotional expression often used in pleas for help or comfort, but is it an appropriate way to express a prayer to God? Let's take a closer look at what Scripture has to say about this form of communication with the Creator. Various passages throughout Scripture make reference to groaning prayers as a valid method of communicating with God. In Romans 8:26-27, Paul writes that "the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. God intercedes for the saints according to his own will." Here we see that God responds to our prayers based on His own will, and that the Spirit helps us communicate with Him in a way that is beyond our natural ability. Examples of Groaning Prayer in Scripture Groaning prayer, or expressing one's prayers to God in the form of a deep groan or sigh, is a practice that has long been used by believers. It can be found throughout scripture as an expression of hardship and suffering. The Bible contains many examples of groaning prayer that are worth exploring. One example of groaning prayer comes from Paul's letter to the Romans 8:23-24 which states “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons”. Here Paul expresses his longing for redemption and forgiveness through this type of prayer. One example of groaning prayer in Scripture is the aforementioned Romans 8:26-27 when the Apostle Paul says “we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (NIV) Here, we see an example of how believers can cry out to God without necessarily using words to express their needs and desires. Additionally, Psalm 5:1-3 describes a situation where David cries out to God with intense emotion and anguish by using loud cries and tears as part of his form of communication with Him. A Psalm of David. Listen to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning and sighing. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray. In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].(Psa 5:1-3 AMP+) I believe Jesus groaned within Himself in Gethsemane (see Matt. 26:37,38; Mark 14:33-35). We may not know what Jesus groaned about, but the idea is that He was so burdened by His coming ordeal that He had to sigh deeply within Himself in order to pray. Groaning seems appropriate when we cannot find the words, but the spirit knows. Scripture isn't explicit, but it seems like this Scripture is in agreement with others elsewhere. Jesus groaned in the spirit and was troubled when He saw Mary weeping at the tomb of Lazarus (see John 11:33). In this case, groaning was a sign of empathy and sorrow. Challenges to Groaning Prayer Though it may be seen as a form of spiritual expression, groaning prayer has its challenges. Those who practice groaning prayer must be able to discern the difference between true spiritual expressions and something that isn't from God. Additionally, it can also be difficult for some people to know when or how to begin groaning in prayer, as such an activity requires one to have an intimate knowledge of scripture and the nature of God. My personal experience is when I am deeply lost in prayer, groaning just seems to happen. It is not something that I initiated, but the Spirit gave utterance. Groaning in the spirit during prayer is biblical Groaning in the spirit during prayer is absolutely biblical and has been documented throughout Christian history. It's a powerful tool that allows Christians to express their faith and draw closer to God. Many Bible verses reference groaning in prayer, from Paul's description of the Spirit interceding with us when we are unable to find words (Romans 8:26) to Jesus' heartbreaking cries for His Father's will be done (Matthew 26:39). The idea of groaning prayer can be traced back as far as the Old Testament book of Psalms, where David pleads with God using passionate cries and supplications. We also see examples in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Job—all of whom use language reflective of deep feeling within their prayers which would be another way of saying 'groaning'. In Conclusion I didn't set out to groan in prayer. It is something that happened when I got lost deep in prayer. The bible examples seem to tie groaning to desperation. Verses to Pray About Here are some verses to ponder on about groaning in prayer. Pray about these and let me know what revelation you get! Exo 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. Exo 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Psa 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Joh 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, Joh 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 2Co 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven 2Co 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. You may also like - Groaning Intercession - Daniel Nash https://youtu.be/wGsuiMJuPoY

How I stumbled Across Groaning in Prayer When I first got saved, I discovered that I would groan in deep prayer or when I was in a deeply spiritual setting. I started to dig into the bible to see if it was biblical. It took me quite some time to even notice that I was groaning in prayer. It would happen when I waded deep into the spirit or when I was with a group of people and the prayer got really deep. So deep that you could sense the manifest presence of God in the room. Prayer & Groaning Prayer is a familiar concept to many of us. Whether we're alone or in a group, it can be used for devotion and as a way to commune with God. But what about groaning? Can this also be part of our prayer life? I believe the answer is yes! Groaning – both in the spiritual sense and in the physical act of uttering sounds – has been used throughout history as an expression of prayer. I m sure you've seen pictures of people on their knees or laying prostrate before an image of Jesus. In the background you see them groaning and sobbing, often while clutching their hands in prayer position. Similarly, Paul says that he “groans within himself” (Romans 8:26) while praying. In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.(Rom 8:26 AMP) What Does the Bible Say? When it comes to the question of groaning prayer, what does the Bible say? Groaning is an emotional expression often used in pleas for help or comfort, but is it an appropriate way to express a prayer to God? Let's take a closer look at what Scripture has to say about this form of communication with the Creator. Various passages throughout Scripture make reference to groaning prayers as a valid method of communicating with God. In Romans 8:26-27, Paul writes that "the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. God intercedes for the saints according to his own will." Here we see that God responds to our prayers based on His own will, and that the Spirit helps us communicate with Him in a way that is beyond our natural ability. Examples of Groaning Prayer in Scripture Groaning prayer, or expressing one's prayers to God in the form of a deep groan or sigh, is a practice that has long been used by believers. It can be found throughout scripture as an expression of hardship and suffering. The Bible contains many examples of groaning prayer that are worth exploring. One example of groaning prayer comes from Paul's letter to the Romans 8:23-24 which states “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons”. Here Paul expresses his longing for redemption and forgiveness through this type of prayer. One example of groaning prayer in Scripture is the aforementioned Romans 8:26-27 when the Apostle Paul says “we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (NIV) Here, we see an example of how believers can cry out to God without necessarily using words to express their needs and desires. Additionally, Psalm 5:1-3 describes a situation where David cries out to God with intense emotion and anguish by using loud cries and tears as part of his form of communication with Him. A Psalm of David. Listen to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning and sighing. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray. In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].(Psa 5:1-3 AMP+) I believe Jesus groaned within Himself in Gethsemane (see Matt. 26:37,38; Mark 14:33-35). We may not know what Jesus groaned about, but the idea is that He was so burdened by His coming ordeal that He had to sigh deeply within Himself in order to pray. Groaning seems appropriate when we cannot find the words, but the spirit knows. Scripture isn't explicit, but it seems like this Scripture is in agreement with others elsewhere. Jesus groaned in the spirit and was troubled when He saw Mary weeping at the tomb of Lazarus (see John 11:33). In this case, groaning was a sign of empathy and sorrow. Challenges to Groaning Prayer Though it may be seen as a form of spiritual expression, groaning prayer has its challenges. Those who practice groaning prayer must be able to discern the difference between true spiritual expressions and something that isn't from God. Additionally, it can also be difficult for some people to know when or how to begin groaning in prayer, as such an activity requires one to have an intimate knowledge of scripture and the nature of God. My personal experience is when I am deeply lost in prayer, groaning just seems to happen. It is not something that I initiated, but the Spirit gave utterance. Groaning in the spirit during prayer is biblical Groaning in the spirit during prayer is absolutely biblical and has been documented throughout Christian history. It's a powerful tool that allows Christians to express their faith and draw closer to God. Many Bible verses reference groaning in prayer, from Paul's description of the Spirit interceding with us when we are unable to find words (Romans 8:26) to Jesus' heartbreaking cries for His Father's will be done (Matthew 26:39). The idea of groaning prayer can be traced back as far as the Old Testament book of Psalms, where David pleads with God using passionate cries and supplications. We also see examples in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Job—all of whom use language reflective of deep feeling within their prayers which would be another way of saying 'groaning'. In Conclusion I didn't set out to groan in prayer. It is something that happened when I got lost deep in prayer. The bible examples seem to tie groaning to desperation. Verses to Pray About Here are some verses to ponder on about groaning in prayer. Pray about these and let me know what revelation you get! Exo 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. Exo 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Psa 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Joh 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, Joh 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 2Co 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven 2Co 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. You may also like - Groaning Intercession - Daniel Nash https://youtu.be/wGsuiMJuPoY

Picture a beautiful canopy of kindness and joy“Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous. Your favor wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy.“Psalms 5:12 (NIV)Here is my declaration over you:The Lord, blesses you wondrously. His favor wraps around you and covers you under His canopy of kindness and joy.Here is a declaration that you can declare over yourself as often as you like:The Lord, blesses me wondrously. His favor wraps around me and covers me under His canopy of kindness and joy.Connected Blog Posthttps://kingdomhappyhour.com/the-lord-blesses-you-wondrously/Sign up for the Daily Emailhttps://kingdomhappyhour.com

Theme – "Christ is All"Scripture reference - Colossians 3:11 NIV "Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."Intro and Outro Song - "We Give Thanks To Thee" by Marlene Jenkins CooperClosing Song - "Christ Is All " Kenneth MorrisI do not own the rights to the song.Other Scripture - Colossians 6:11 CSV "It doesn't matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us."

Jesus comforting his students:“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”John 14:25-27 (NIV)Here is my declaration over you:Jesus gives you comfort! You receive His peace! He does not give to you as the world gives to you. Your heart is not troubled and you are not afraid.Here is a declaration that you can declare over yourself as often as you like:Jesus gives me comfort! I receive His Peace; He does not give to me as the world gives to me. My heart is not troubled and I am not afraid.Connected Blog Posthttps://kingdomhappyhour.com/turbojoy-untroubled-hearts/Sign up for the Daily Emailhttps://kingdomhappyhour.com

John 5:30-35 ESV 30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. - - - - - 30 “Hindi ako makakagawa ng anuman mula sa aking sarili. Humahatol ako ayon sa aking naririnig, at ang paghatol ko'y matuwid, sapagkat hindi ko hinahanap ang aking sariling kalooban kundi ang kalooban ng nagsugo sa akin. 31 Kung ako'y nagpapatotoo para sa aking sarili, ang patotoo ko ay hindi totoo. 32 Iba ang nagpapatotoo para sa akin at alam ko na ang patotoo niya para sa akin ay totoo. 33 Kayo'y nagpadala ng sugo kay Juan, at siya'y nagpatotoo sa katotohanan. 34 Hindi sa tinatanggap ko ang patotoong mula sa tao, subalit sinasabi ko ang mga bagay na ito upang kayo'y maligtas. 35 Siya ang ilawang nagniningas at lumiliwanag, at ninais ninyong kayo'y magalak sumandali sa kanyang liwanag. 36 Subalit mayroon akong patotoo na lalong dakila kaysa kay Juan. Ang mga gawaing ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama upang ganapin, ang mga gawaing ito na aking ginagawa ay nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin na ako'y sinugo ng Ama. THE HUMAN WITNESS There are unknown things that only Jesus and God know.[Deut 29:29] Jesus said, ““Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.”[John 8:14] But, there are truths known because they are revealed by Jesus. But, for truth to be accepted, it must be substantiated, must it not? Two or three witnesses were needed to consider something reliable (Deut 17:6; Num 35:30). Jesus does not appeal to "blind faith," or naked trust, when He is challenged. On the contrary, He recognizes the need for evidence (John 5:31, 34) so that He provided even examples. The first witness is John the Baptist. Earlier, the Pharisees had sent investigators to him. True to his calling, he had pointed those men away from himself and towards the Promised One, would later make clear was Jesus (John 1:19 –31). Jesus acknowledges that "John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light."[v.35 NIV] Here, Jesus refers him as "a" light, somewhat like a moon which only reflects” The true light is Jesus. That is, John's entire purpose was to point people towards Jesus (John 1:8–9). Today, Jesus has been testified by the countless witnesses. As Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The Spirit has been producing ‘witnesses' , that is martyrs for Christ. That is, people know that Jesus is real by the transformed lives of His people. If people, especially the disciples, did sacrifice their lives for Jesus, He must be true. One won't die for a liar. ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Have you ever ridden a horse? Horses come with different personalities. My wife's father once had a horse named Tony. He used Tony to round up the cattle on the farm. Once, I decided to take Tony for a ride. I climbed on and we headed away from the barn across the pasture. I really had to prod and urge Tony to go. You'd have thought he was a mule! Eventually, I got him well out into the pasture. Then, when we turned toward the barn, he bolted and ran as fast as he could. Tony really liked being in the barn! It was a good thing I hauled back on the reins and stopped him, or I might have gone straight into the barn with him! This reminds me of the what James says in James 3:2-3, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.” (NIV) Here, James refers to our speech as if it were a bit in a horse's mouth. It is small, but affects the entire animal. Likewise, our speech – whether verbal, written or posted online – seems to be a minor thing. But it has tremendous power. So, keep a tight rein on your speech! Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

If you're ready to give up or you're wondering how to find the strength to keep working out and making the right food choices, this is for you! Don't give up, sweet friend, don't quit, choose to believe again! You will find the power you need in the presence of the Lord! He alone can lift you up, push you forward and give you faith to keep going! Give it all to Him, He will never let you down.  Choose Him, He will pull you through! Press play to breakthrough and live from a place of victory, beautiful woman of God! He is with you on your fitness journey. Faith Fuel: "...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"  (Philippians 1:6 NKJV) "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45 NIV) Here's a prayer to encourage you from this episode that dives deep into day 40 of the Strong. Confident. His. Faith & Fitness Devotional. Dear God, Your powerful Word has built me up to a new level. When I see myself now, I see through your eyes. I feel so much Godly confidence to go after life in a whole new and exciting way. You have removed the lies and renewed my strength. The old me is gone. You have put a new song in my heart, and I will shine my light for you. I thank you and praise you. I am blessed to tell people I am ... Strong. Confident. His. In Jesus' name, amen. I hope you know the power you have in Christ in your fitness. So much love to you. God bless, Kim Dolan Leto Sign Up for Free Faith and Fitness Tips Start the Faith Inspired Transformation Workout Series For Free on Pure Flix Links Mentioned in This Episode Get Your Strong. Confident. His. Faith & Fitness Devotional Watch the Strong. Confident. His. Devotional Videos Series Faith Inspired Transformation Book and Workout Series Free Faith Filled Fitness Resources

Acts 3:1-10 ESV Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Isaiah 35:5-6 NIV 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. 2 Timothy 4:20 NIV 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 1 Timothy 5:23 NIV 23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. Philippians 2:27 NIV 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 2 Corinthians 12:7b-9 NIV 7 … Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. James 5:13-16 NIV 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Acts 3:11-16 ESV 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. Hebrews 3:5 NIV 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. Isaiah 42:1 NIV “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. Isaiah 52:13-14 NIV 13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness— Isaiah 53:4-6, 11 NIV 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

"For the time will come when men 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1 (NIV) 1.) Praise until the prison doors open. Worship until the chains fall off. “Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don't harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.” -Acts 16:16 - 40 (NIV) Here is a list of verses you can use for any situation you may be facing - Joy - “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. -Psalm 16:11 (NIV) Power - “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” - Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9 Rest - “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” -Exodus 33:14 (NIV) Peace - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Guidance - “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” -Psalm 5:11 (NIV) “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) Confidence - “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” - Jeremiah 17:7 - Choose worship until you are free!

Pastor Terry A. Smith Devotional Plan for: Week of July 12 - July 16 Monday - Read I Timothy 1:12-14 I Timothy 1:12-14 NIV: "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." Where do we start in our journey with Christ? In our next series at TLCC, we're focusing on how we can follow a path to live the life God dreams for us. All of us aspire to live meaningful, abundant lives, and we believe the only way to live that life is through living out the dreams God has for us. Though all of us are seeking that end goal, how do we get there? If we pictured out the arch of our lives on a graph, we would all wish it to be on a diagonal line moving up and to the right. The reality, as all of us too painfully know, is that our lives look more like looping lines, full of periods where it turns downwards and backwards and up and... all over the place. This causes us to ask: what is a path forward to God's dreams for my life? How do I move up and to the right? This is the question we'll be asking throughout this series. First, we must talk about where we start on our journey, the beginning of the path forward. In our devotional this week, we're looking at Paul as he disciples his mentee Timothy. He starts by talking about his own journey with God, which was infamously tumultuous. Paul, an ardent and zealous follower of the God of Israel, didn't get the whole Jesus thing once he came along. In fact, he was murdering Christians because he thought they were perverting the plan of God. But, eventually, God shows himself to Paul, and he realizes he was wrong: Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah, the climax of the plan of God. Paul, by his own words, was an absolutely wicked man! Murdering God-followers in the name of God. How abhorrent! We must, as our initial reaction naturally leads us, to condemn Paul and those who do things (even today) like him. Christians are still killed all around the world, more than any religious group. We condemn those actions. God is a God of justice, and his righteous anger agitates at such doings. But (and a big but, at that) while we both condemn the absolute evil perpetuated in the world and commit justice against it, we must also realize... we are also broken, evil people. The wickedness (such a yucky word!) of Paul is also in us. It's in me (your author, Christian Smith). We, too, start our journeys rejecting God, and live much of our journeys still yet rejecting God. This unglamorous and nearly unpalatable reality is the start of our "graph" of our path with God. But (and, yet, a bigger but than the previous one!) is that God is offering us grace in our ignorance. Every single one of us has experienced ignorance and unbelief in the great God, but he still is reaching out to us and calling us towards him. What undeserved favor! All of us, whether we accept him or not, are receiving a call from God that our ears must become attuned to, so we can follow his path. No matter where you are, no matter how ignorant or unbelieving or broken you may feel (and, in fact, be), are still being called to the magnificent and loving Creator. We must, however, not forget our humble beginnings, like a person who becomes rich and forgets his old friends. All of us come from a place of brokenness, yet favor lies ahead. Reflection Question(s): What moments in your life reflect your ignorance and unbelief? How has God's grace impacted you and brought you forward in living the life God dreamed for you? - Christian Smith – Director of Pastoral Ministries Tuesday - Read I Timothy 1:15-17 1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus ca

The book of Revelation is a prophecy filled with fantastic descriptions of the return of Christ and the end of time. I've always wanted a top special effects studio to make a film of the entire book.  It would be so exciting to view! Can you imagine the visuals of heaven, the dragon, angels and the lake of fire! In Revelation 19:11, John wrote, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war."(NIV) Here, in the climax of the book, Jesus, the rider on the white horse is called Faithful. Does that seem odd to you? Here is the vision of Christ preparing to wage the final battle. He is described as having eyes of blazing fire, many crowns on his head, a robe dipped in blood and a sharp sword coming from his mouth. How does faithfulness fit in? I think it is awe-inspiring in two ways. First, faithfulness qualifies him to be Lord of Lords. The Bible describes Jesus as a faithful witness, a faithful son and a faithful high priest. Philippians 2 describes the degree of his faithfulness, namely, he was obedient to God to the point of death. Faithfulness qualifies him to ride the white horse. Second, it reminds us that Jesus keeps his promises. We can trust that Jesus will leads us to the ultimate victory! Faithfulness is awesome! Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Brethren, we're living in a time and world where we feel shipwrecked in the sea of uncertainty, submerged and overwhelmed by storms and diseases. We're surrounded by threats and tragedies. People are crying: “Is there any hope?” Our strong answer as a church is: Yes! There is hope, real hope, tangible hope, certain hope! The Bible says that the hope God gives us forms as an anchor for the soul. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Heb. 6:19 NIV) Here we are in our turbulent lives in the sea and the storm and all the uncertainty, and the Bible says, if you wanna maintain your stability in life, make sure your anchor is Jesus Christ. He's the anchor. You can go on in your life. Even while you don't know what's happening, you don't understand it, you can say with the old hymn writer, "My anchor holds". He is our anchor.

Because the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, His example is my example for what I should expect.I can't manage temptation, I have to eliminate it.Colossians 2:6 NIV"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,”What decisions must we make to live in Christ?Key Decisions: 1. Choose what you believe.Colossians 3:1-4 NIV"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”V.3 We died in Christ - surrendered life.V.1 We were raised with Christ - sanctified life.V.3 We are hidden in Christ - secure life.V.4 We live in Christ - significant life.Key Decisions: 2. Choose how you will behave.Colossians 3:5-10 NIV"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."V.5 Get real - recognize the core problem.V.5 Get specific - deal with presenting issues.V.10 Get serious - focus on eternity.Key Decisions: 3. Choose who you will serve.Colossians 3:11 NIV"Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."Temptation twists and distorts causing us to be a servant of our own fleshly desires.Quote by Rick Warren:"Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate."Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ.

Colossians 3:11 (NIV) Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. What does this say about God? What does this say about people? What is your response?   Want to memorize Colossians 3:1-17 with us?  Check out the Remember Me app! A full transcript of this episode can be found at amyburgin.com.

Transcript(the following transcript may contain errors)Episode IntroWhat is the most important question of theology? Surely, it's the question, who is God? Who is the God who has revealed himself in the Bible and in Jesus? Who is he? What is he like? What has he done and what is he doing? Those are the questions of what is often called theology proper. The part of theology that looks at the person of God.Knowing God is the most important thing that we can ever do. Knowing God is not arbitrary or irrelevant. It's not a point of academic interest. We want to know God because he made us and sustains us. We want to know God because God wants us to know him. We want to know God because he loves us. And we want to know God because knowing God helps us to love God, relate to God and enjoy God.In season 1 of Thinking Theology we looked at what theology is and then we looked at the foundation of theology which is the Bible. In season 2 of Thinking Theology we're beginning by going to the very heart of theology which is God himself. In the next few episodes will be examining who God is, what he's like, what he does, and the three persons of the trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.But today we're beginning with the core facts of the God who is.Podcast IntroHi. My name is Karl Deenick. I'm a pastor, theologian, writer, and Bible college lecturer. Welcome to Thinking Theology, a podcast where we think about theology, the Bible and the Christian life, not just for the sake of it, but so we can love God more, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.The God Who IsAs Don Carson points out in his book, The God Who Is There, one of the most assumptions of the Bible is that God simply is.[1] The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God…”. In the beginning, before anything else was made, God simply was.God is what we call, self-existent. Or as Jesus says, God has “life in himself” (John 5:26). He depends on no one else or nothing else to exist. In the beginning, God simply was. He describes himself to Moses as “I am” (Exod 3:14). He just is. He always was and he always will be.But although God just is, everything else that exists has been made and has been made by God. So Paul writes in Colossians of how God the Father created everything that is through God the Son. Paul writes,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. (Colossians 1:15–17 NIV)Everything, whether we can see it or not, was made by God the Father through the Son, Jesus. Although Jesus is described as the firstborn over all creation, that doesn't mean that the Father created Jesus first. Rather it's about inheritance. Everything that is, belongs to Jesus. He has the inheritance rights for everything as God's eternal Son. “Firstborn” is really another way of saying “heir”.We see too in Isaiah 40 that God is the maker of everything and he rules over everything. It says in verse 25,“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. (Isaiah 40:25–26 NIV)God is not just another part of the creation. He is not simply another thing that was made. God simply is. He existed before everything else and he made everything that we see, hear and touch.That counters a common idea that some people have of God. Some people think that didn't make everything but God is in everything, or, in fact, that everything is God. That idea is called “pantheism”. It's a bit like the force in Star Wars. The force is part of everything. In that view, everything is part of the one divine reality. It's the same idea which undergirds Hinduism.In pantheism, everything is a little bit god. The chair would be a little bit god, your cat would be a little bit god. You and I would be a little bit god.But the God we meet in the pages of the Bible is not like that. God says in Isaiah 40, not that he is part of everything, but that he made everything. And he's distinct from everything. No one can compare to him. No one is like him. No one is equal to him. He's separate. He's exalted above the highest heavens. He doesn't need anything in our world or from us. No, instead, people are like grasshoppers to him, like tiny insects. And he brings the great and powerful rulers of the world to nothing.But if one error is to see God as part of everything, another sort of opposite error is to see God as totally distant and disconnected from the world. That view of God is called “deism”. In deism, God made the world but then left the world to get on with its own business.The classic illustration is of a watchmaker and a watch. The God of deism made the world like a watchmaker makes a watch, and then he sort of wound it up and let it go. So in deism, God is the maker of the world, but having made the world, he then has nothing more to do with the world. In deism, God is for all intents and purposes irrelevant to our daily lives.But again, the God we meet in the Bible is not like that. Again in Isaiah 40:27, it says,Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40:27–28 NIV)God says he's not ignorant of what is going on in his world. We might sometimes feel as though God has no idea what's going on in our life.” But God says, “That's not true.” God knows everything and is involved in everything.And not only is God not ignorant of our individual lives and individual circumstances, he is intimately involved in his world and with his people. He gives strength to the weak and comforts the afflicted. So verse 29 of Isaiah 40 continues,He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29–31 NIV)The Bible is full of accounts of God intervening in the world. He hasn't left the world to run its course. He is guiding and shepherding everything to achieve his appointed purpose. The most obvious example of God's intimate love and care for the world in the incarnation—in God coming into our world in the person of Jesus. In Jesus, God entered the daily grind of our world, to rescue people. God did that because he loves and cares for his world.The God of the Bible, the God who is there, is both high and lifted up, far above everything, in control of everything. But he is also intimately and personally involved in everything as well.He Alone is GodBut God is not only a god. He is not one of many competing gods. The Bible shows us that God is the God. He is the only God.Later in 45:18, God says,“I am the Lord, and there is no other.… Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save.… And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. (Isaiah 45:18b–21 NIV)God says that he is God alone, and there is no other God apart from him.That idea lies at the heart of the first of the Ten Commandments, too:“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3 NIV)God says there is no other God besides him. There is no other Saviour, no other rescuer.And there is no one else to whom we owe our allegiance. God says in Isaiah 45:22,“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They  will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.'” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in him. (Isaiah 45:22–25 NIV)Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, eventually, that God is God and there is no other. Everyone will do that either willingly or unwillingly.Because God is God, he will not let his glory or authority be taken by anyone else.Part of the very definition of what it means to be God is that we owe him our allegiance.But the problem is that as human beings we seem to be incurably drawn to putting other things in the place of God.John Calvin famously said that our hearts are idol factories. That is, we constantly invent and seek out things other than God to serve and trust.In Isaiah 45, God talks about people making idols of wood. And people would pray to those bits of timber as if those dead bits of wood could save them. Or people would bow down to those bits of wood and venerate them as gods when they're nothing more than inanimate objects.Of course, we may not be so stupid these days as to pray to and bow down to bits of timber, but we can easily install other things in the place of God. Things we think will save us and so we trust them rather than trust God. Things like money or people. It can also be things that we end up worshipping and giving our lives to. Things like our careers or dreams or aspirations. We worship and serve those rather than God.But no one else deserves our allegiance and nothing else deserves our worship except God alone.God is God, and there is no God but him.He Is God and We Are NotYet perhaps the greatest competitor for the position of God is us. We ourselves are the greatest competitor to God, not in the sense that we give God a run for his money, but in the sense that we are most prone to try and make ourselves god. But that is plainly ridiculous as the Bible points out.We see that in Isaiah 40, in verses 12–14,Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? (Isaiah 40:12–14 NIV)God's point is: who of you can claim to do what I've done? Who can compete with God's power? What human being has measured the water in the sea or the expanse of the universe? Who of us has put the mountains on our kitchen scales to see how much they weighed or counted the grains of sands on the beach, even just on one beach? Or who of us has such insight into the world that we could give God advice on what to do? Who of us has ever helped out God with maths problem or helped him solve a scientific equation? None of us.And yet we so easily put ourselves in the place of God. We trust in our own power rather than God's power. We take our own advice rather than God's advice.We so easily try to assume for ourselves the prerogatives of God; even when we know that it's profoundly stupid to do that. That was the great sin of Adam and Eve which plunged the rest of us into the same misery—they tried to be like God.But God is God and there is no one like him. That, almost by definition, is part of what it means for God to be God.He is Who He is, and Not Who We Want Him to BeThe final thing that we need to understand as we begin to think about God, is that God is who he is, rather than who we want him to be.That might seem like an obvious point, but it's actually crucial to grasp in coming to understand who God is.At the heart of idolatry, often, is not simply putting something in the place of God, but often it can be refashioning God into an image that we like or prefer.We see that in verse 18 of Isaiah 40,With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple. (Isaiah 40:18–20 NIV)Here in these verses the issue is not replacing God, but people looking for some image to which they can compare God. They think that God is like an idol, overlaid with gold. They think that the idol represents and displays what God is like.In the history of God's people, we see that attitude time and again. The most famous example is after God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt. In response, the people gathered up all their gold and turned it into a golden calf. And when they'd done that, the high priest Aaron said to the people “Here is your god who brought you out of Egypt.” He didn't say, “Here is a different god to add to the collection.” But “Here is your god who brought you out of Egypt.” In other words, “Here he is, this is what he looks like.”Aaron wanted the people to think that the golden calf told the people what God was like: who he was, and how they could know him. But it was a complete lie. God isn't an inanimate calf made out of gold. It was a foolish attempt to make God more accessible and maybe even more relatable, but like so often it actually robbed people of the true God who is.And while most people are not be melting down their jewellery to remake God, it's still possible for us to remake god in our minds as how we want him to be rather than as he really is. People re-imagine God as a God who is all love without judgement. Or they imagine God as a God who wants us to have our best like now, rather than the God who calls us to take up our cross and follow Jesus.Others re-imagine God as a god who is happy for us to stay in our sin, rather than being the God who came to rescue us from the grip of sin.People often say, “I could never believe in a God like that.” Which is another way of saying, “God must fit what I think he should be rather than what he actually is.”But the God Who is, isn't a god that we can just make up or refashion according to our latest desire.Of course, the good news is that we don't need to make up who we think God is because he's made himself known to us in the Bible and most especially in the person and work the Son, Jesus, whom we meet in the Bible.So John writes at the beginning of his Gospel: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.… No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:14–18 NIV)God hasn't left us to work out who he is or to invent who he is from our imaginations or from our observations of the world. He has made himself known through the Bible and most especially through Jesus. And he has made himself known so that we can know him and have relationship with him.As Jesus says to his disciples in John 14,“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14:23 NIV)As we think more about who God is over the next few episodes of Thinking Theology, it's important to remember that the aim is not simply to know about God but to know God through Jesus.OutroWho is God? God just is. He's always been and he always will be. He made everything, he rules over everything and he is intimately involved in everything. He alone is God and we are not, and he has made himself known to us through the Bible and especially through the Son, Jesus, so that we can know him.That's it for this episode of Thinking Theology.Join me next time as we think about the nature of God. That is, what is he like?Please join me then.[1] D. A. Carson, The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story (Grand Rapids: Baker,  2010), 18.

Akua Konadu is an Instagram Coach who specialized in helping brands tell their unique story to bring to the world. She shares her journey with God and reminds us that God wants us to always come to Him as we are. Even in our doubts, He is unchanging and will use this to draw us closer to Him and His word. build a close connection with God and walk in their true identity in Christ. The passage of scripture for this episode is Matthew 6: 24-35 NIV - Here is a "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akuakonadu_ Website: https://www.akuakonadu.com JOIN US Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/freeandonfire_ Join the private FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freeandonfire/ ABOUT THE SHOW Our intention is for women to draw nearer to Christ, be freed from shame, and on fire for God. The show offers female Christians an authentic view, and vulnerable discussions on uncommon faith-based topics with everyday women on their walk with Jesus, our Father, and Holy Spirit. Email us: hello@carolinamarie.com To learn more about Carolina, visit www.carolinamarie.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/freeandonfire/support

Pastor Jill Windham   Genesis 37:19-28 (NIV) “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams.” 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let's not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. 28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.   V 20-23 But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.   1. What if this holding pattern is maturing me? Just because you have a dream doesn't mean it's time to live that dream. Dreams, like everything else that live, require a growing period and a birth.  There's power in the process of staying connected to the tree until it's time to be picked.  Luke 5:36-39  He also told them a parable:  “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old one; otherwise he will both tear the new and the piece from the new will not match the old.  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new fermenting wine will expand and burst the skins and it will be spilled out and the skins will be ruined.  But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.”   2. What if it's not safe to land yet? God doesn't want you just moved out of where you are. He also wants your heart to be changed in the meantime. 3. Am I stuck or just impatient? Matthew 24:36 (NLT) “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Don't make a permanent decision in a place of temporary pain! 2 Timothy 2:11-12 (NLT)  11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.   4. What can I do while I'm stuck here? Genesis 40 14 And please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh, so he might let me out of this place. 15 For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I'm here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it.” V 20- 23 Pharaoh's birthday came three days later, and he prepared a banquet for all his officials and staff. He summoned his chief cup-bearer and chief baker to join the other officials. 21 He then restored the chief cup-bearer to his former position, so he could again hand Pharaoh his cup. 22 But Pharaoh impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had predicted when he interpreted his dream. 23 Pharaoh's chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought. Proverbs 18:16 (NLT) Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! Your gift can open your prison door! Romans 11:29 (NLT) For God's gifts and His call can never be withdrawn.  You may feel forgotten by humans. Joseph was also forgotten by them. But God NEVER forgot Joseph. And He hasn't forgotten you.    5. What if you've been positioned for this time? We want to be the Biblical faith giant without the Biblical sized sacrifice they had to make to get there.  V 37-44 37 Joseph's suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. 43 Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.” V 53-57 At last the seven years of bumper crops throughout the land of Egypt came to an end. 54 Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. The famine also struck all the surrounding countries, but throughout Egypt there was plenty of food. 55 Eventually, however, the famine spread throughout the land of Egypt as well. And when the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told them, “Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you.” 56 So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. 57 And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world. 45:1-8  Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh's palace. 3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don't be upset, and don't be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt What if what you're going through isn't a setback, but a set UP? “God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve so many survivors.” You might be waiting. But God isn't waiting. He is moving and He is working.  

Seven Ways to Stop Feeling Stressed   1:16 Stressed Out All the Time? Do This. 13:16 Why Stress Doesn't Have to Control Your Life with Rebekah Lyons 34:54 Here's What the Bible Says About Stress Resources Christy Wright 2021 Goal PlannerGrow as a person, build confidence, manage your schedule, and crush your goals with my brand-new 2021 Goal Planner. Get your copy today! https://bit.ly/3bVTg0G Business Boutique ConferenceHave a side hustle or business? Then don't miss our Business Boutique Conference, where you'll get an actionable plan for your goals and the confidence and inspiration to see them through. Get your ticket to join us in Nashville or via livestream. https://bit.ly/2ZCvl1h   Fear, stress and overwhelm are a part of life-especially this year. But that doesn't mean there aren't ways to deal with them. Today, we're going to talk about practical ways you can calm your nerves and stop feeling so stressed. Then, bestselling author Rebekah Lyons joins us to chat about tangible things we can actually do to ease our anxiety. And finally, we'll close with some journal questions on what the Bible says about stress.   Stressed Out All the Time? Do This. This year, more than ever, we know that we can't control a lot of things that we want to control. But the good news is, even though you can't totally control all the external stressors in your life, you can still calm your nerves. That's why I'm going to give you seven ideas to help you relieve your stress, remove your anxiety, and calm yourself down.   Why Stress Doesn't Have to Control Your Life with Rebekah Lyons Author Rebekah Lyons joins me to talk about her book Rhythms of Renewal and how to trade stress and anxiety for a life of peace and purpose. We talk about: Why you need rhythms in your life How to take inventory of your life Practical ways to combat stress when you feel trapped in a life that's overwhelming   Here's What the Bible Says About Stress "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." - Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV) Here are some journal questions to think about and pray about as you process these verses and apply them in your life: What's stressing you out? Write down a prayer presenting those requests to God. What's true in your life? What's pure, excellent, praiseworthy or admirable?

You Need to Change THIS About Yourself   1:03 How to Stop Thinking in Extremes 9:56 Black Lives Matter, Racism, and Our Culture-Let's Talk About It with Anthony ONeal 37:02 Do You Know Your Blind Spots? Resources Christy Wright 2021 Goal PlannerMy brand-new 2021 Goal Planner is here to help you get results in your life. This planner will help you grow as a person, build confidence, manage your schedule, and crush your goals. This is the tool you need to make this year what you want it to be. Get your copy today! https://bit.ly/2EAg0aj Business Boutique ConferenceIf you've been wanting to earn extra income for your family, the Business Boutique Conference will give you everything you need to start working on your business dreams. And for the first time ever, we're taking our annual three-day conference virtual! Get your livestream ticket today. https://bit.ly/3gAAZ9N   We live in a society where everyone thinks their opinion and perspective on an issue is the right one. In this episode, we're going to talk about Black Lives Matter, racism and our culture. My good friend and fellow Ramsey Personality Anthony ONeal joins me to dig into these hard conversations. Then, I'll give you some questions as you process how to cultivate humility and learn from others who see things differently than you.   How to Stop Thinking in Extremes We live in a culture of extremes where everything is polarizing. You're either for something or against it. You're either pro-this or anti-that. And in these extremes, everyone is shouting how their information, opinion and perspective is right-whether it's about race, politics, social issues or economic issues. At the root of this thinking is pride-regardless of where you stand, what you believe, which political party you're affiliated with, what your race is or where you live. That's why I want to leave you with a challenge that will help you consider the possibility that you might not have all the answers and learn to value people who see things differently than you.   Black Lives Matter, Racism, and Our Culture-Let's Talk About It with Anthony ONeal I sit down with my good friend, fellow Ramsey Personality and bestselling author Anthony ONeal to talk about racism and our culture, along with how to: Cultivate humility Lean into hard conversations Become more aware of your blind spots Appreciate perspectives different from your own Be a voice of unity   Do You Know Your Blind Spots? "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." -Matthew 7:3-5 (NIV) Here are some questions to ask yourself as you process these verses: What comes to mind when you think about the plank in your own eye? What are some questions you can ask to lean into the conversation and learn? What's one practical way you're going to demonstrate humility this week?

SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1:3-11 (NIV) Here we are…EASTER! It's the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. How do we look at Easter? What is your perspective on Jesus, His suffering, His death and His Resurrection? You know, there is nothing in my life that is not affected by your perspective. It all starts with perspective and our actions follow how we view something. This Easter, we need a Resurrection Perspective and from this we can learn to see our life from

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 47:1 (NKJV); Psalm 98:4-8 (NIV) Here we are getting closer to the BIG GAME!  I realize some cannot care about football or any sport at all.  There are still others who call themselves fans; yet, know little about they team at all.  What is a fan?   Short for fanatic, fans of sports team go absolutely wild for those they follow.  What about being a fan of Christ?  This message will look at the characteristics of a fan and

Prayer is powerful! How often do you spend time speaking to our Heavenly Father?   Matthew 6:6 (NIV): “Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”

Teachability= The desire and willingness to learn something new and to relearn what you think you already know  Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. Proverbs 9:9 (NIV)  Message Title: Long-Term Teachability …though I myself have reasons for such confidence.  If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. Philippians 3:4-14 (NIV) But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ… Philippians 3:4-14 (NIV)  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:4-14 (NIV) Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:4-14 (NIV) He refused to see Finish lines, only Mile Markers  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal… Philippians 3:12 (NIV)  He believed there was more in him and for him.  But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12 (NIV) He didn't put much stock in his Past Successes. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind… Philippians 3:13 (NIV) ...though I myself have reasons for such confidence.  If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.  But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:4-7 (NIV) …I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:13-16 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:13-16 (NIV) He let the Hope of the Future Compel him. …straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal… Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NIV)  He kept his eyes on the Prize. …to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 (NIV) What will you do to live a life of Long-Term Teachability?

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV)  Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Proverbs 14:29 (NIV) I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:12-16 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:12-16 (NIV) Patience is not about the wait.  It's about your attitude WHILE you wait. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;  do not fret—it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.  Psalm 37:3-9 (NIV) Trust in the Lord and Do Good.  Take Delight in the Lord. Commit your ways to Him.  Be Still before the Lord. Do Not Fret.  Refrain from Anger.

Definition of Tension: Sense of conflict; a pulling force If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. Psalm 55: 12- 14 (NIV) Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:22-26 (NIV) An offense is an event. Being offended is a choice. Stay off social media. Examine the vision for your life. Examine your expectations of other people. Examine your level of teachability. It's not about you! Examine your pride. Stop looking for it! Email ryan@freedom-church,org Know your rights!  The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.  The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. Proverbs 17:27-28 – 18:4 (NIV) Here are three truths about offenses – (an event) It was wrong what they did to me What they did to me wounded me deeply What they did troubled me deeply Three myths of forgiveness: If I forgive, it means I wasn't really hurt If I forgive, I have to forget If I forgive, I have to act like it didn't happen Three truths about forgiveness: Forgiveness is a choice Forgiveness is a non-negotiable Forgiveness does not justify the event, but it does free you from it The practical steps: Get counseling Humble yourself and realize what you've been forgiven of Look at how Jesus responds to us Mark 11:25 says this: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.”