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The stone builders reject becomes the cornerstone. God is building a temple — and you're not just a wall. You're a priest in it. Click here to read the sermon “A Spiritual House” 1 Peter 2:4–10 As we begin this morning, I want to thank you for hanging out with me for the past few Sundays. It has been a great time here at Yates. It is always a blessing to be with this corner of God's kingdom. A little heads-up on where we are headed in the next few weeks: I will not be here next week — Marty Childers from the Tri-West Association will be preaching that day — and then I will be back for two Sundays after that. I am excited to come back and spend a couple more weeks with you. Some of you already know — I am kind of like a bad penny. I keep coming back. So as we come to this morning, I want to continue a conversation that I have been having with you for the past few weeks. A couple of weeks ago, the point of the sermon was this: if you are a Christian, you are a saint. Sainthood is not a category reserved for an extraordinary group of Christians. Instead, it is a status bestowed by grace, and it is a calling that we pursue. To be a saint is to be a holy one of God. It means that you have been claimed by God and set aside by God for his purposes. So: you are a saint. Last week we continued that conversation to say this — and that is a good thing. Sainthood is not about being a goody two-shoes who never has fun. It is not about hypocrisy. It is not about being holier-than-thou. No — sainthood is about following Jesus into a vision of humanity. It is following Jesus into the people that God intends and calls us to be. You are a saint, and that is a good thing. Today we are going to move to this: we are saints together. If you are called to be a saint, that is not a lone wolf calling. Instead, you were called into a people. You were called into a community. And that communal piece is central to who we are. To talk about this communal dimension of sainthood this morning, I want to open the Bible with you to 1 Peter chapter two, verses four through ten. Let me give you a little backstory on what is going on in 1 Peter. Peter is writing to groups of people in places called Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. These are groups of Christians who are falling on hard times because of their devotion to Jesus. The surrounding communities are not being kind to them; they are suffering for the name of Jesus. Peter writes into this setting. Through much of chapter one, he reminds them who they are and what they are called to. He uses different language, but he hits some of the same beats we have been hitting in the past couple of Sundays. In chapter one, verse fifteen, he says: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" (1 Pet 1:15, NIV). Peter is reminding these people that they have been called to holiness. They are to follow God into that calling — to reflect God to the communities around them. Then you come to chapter two. Peter gives them a few ways this is supposed to happen. In verse one he writes: "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" (1 Pet 2:1, NIV). If you are going to be holy, there are certain ways of being that you need to put away — ways of living that do not match the kind of life God is calling you to. And notice: Peter is already intimating the communal character. He says rid yourselves of malice, of deceit, of hypocrisy, of envy, of slander. These are all ways of being that destroy community. Put them away. And instead, Peter writes: "like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good" (1 Pet 2:2–3, NIV). Put away the ways of life that are not what God intends for you, and realize that your life of faith is not static. You are meant to grow up in your salvation. You are meant to be nourished by Christ. Which brings us to chapter two, verse four: As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message — which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Pet 2:4–10, NIV) It is a well-known and beautiful passage of Scripture. This morning I want to approach it not in order, but by taking up the middle first and then jumping back to the beginning to see how these pieces fit together. The middle — verses six through eight — is all about who Jesus is. To understand what is going on here, you need to understand that Christianity emerged in those first decades as an incredible surprise. Jesus came and fulfilled the role of Messiah, but he did it in a way that was unexpected. Come Good Friday, when Jesus dies on the cross, his followers believe the game is up. We had placed our hope in him, and yet he has died at the hands of the authorities. We must have misplaced our hope — until Resurrection Sunday, when we learn that even the grave could not keep Jesus down. He begins to appear to his followers. It turns out that Jesus really was the Messiah. The resurrection proves that. But he fulfilled that role in an unexpected way, which means we have to go back and reconsider everything that came before. It is kind of like one of those movies where a key piece of information is withheld until the very end. And then once that revelation is finally made, the light bulb goes off. You realize that everything has been leading to that point, and you have to go back and reconsider what came before. It is often such a gut punch that you have to watch the movie again, and as you watch it, you begin seeing clues all the way through. You wonder how you did not see it before. Imagine the disciples. Jesus has been raised from the dead. He really is the Messiah. But that means we have to go back and reconsider all of our preconceptions. As they return to the Scriptures, they start seeing those clues. They start saying: we can read this in light of Christ — in light of who he was, in light of who he is. In fact, Jesus himself had applied the Psalm that mentions a cornerstone to himself (cf. Matt 21:42, NIV). And so the disciples say: Jesus applied that to himself. There are other passages that have stones in them. Those seem to apply to Jesus too. What Peter does in this passage is stack all of these passages about stones and apply them to Christ. It goes like this. In verse six: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame" (cf. Isa 28:16, NIV). Then in verse seven: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (cf. Ps 118:22, NIV). And: "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall" (cf. Isa 8:14, NIV). You can see how these come to be applied to Jesus. Here we have the Messiah who was rejected by the authorities, rejected by the world — and yet it turns out that he was indeed the chosen one of God. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Notice the imagery Peter is drawing on. You have people building a building. They find a cut stone and say: that stone is not appropriate for our building; we will discard it. But it turns out that God has chosen that very stone to be not just any stone in the building, not just an appropriate stone, but the cornerstone. The cornerstone is the first stone that is laid in a building. It has to be cut perfectly, because it determines which way the building faces. It determines the angle of the walls. It is the first stone that gives shape to everything else. The stone the builders rejected has become the most important stone in the building. That certainly sounds like Christ. And there is also the promise that the one who trusts in this cornerstone God has laid will never be put to shame. That is us. We put our faith in this cornerstone. We will not be put to shame. But then there is also a stone that causes people to stumble — and we keep seeing people in our communities tripping over this message about Jesus. It is a message about rejection that is actually a message about acceptance and chosenness. The world may be rejecting Christ, but in God's eyes, Christ is the cornerstone: rejected, but actually precious and chosen by God. Remember, these are people experiencing rejection as they are true to Christ in the world. The same thing is true of them. Peter will go on to say: you are a chosen nation. This passage is in part about those who feel rejected actually being those who were chosen. Here is what I want you to see this morning. Peter goes a step further. He really plays on this idea of Christ as the cornerstone. The cornerstone is the first stone in the building. And when you zoom out, you start to see that the cornerstone is part of a larger structure. Go back to verse four: "As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 2:4–5, NIV). Notice this. Jesus is the cornerstone, the first stone God has laid. And now each and every Christian also becomes a living stone that is built into what is called a spiritual house. That is temple language. The temple is God's special dwelling place on the earth. It does not mean that God is confined to the temple, but this is God's special dwelling. Peter seems to be saying that you have Jesus as this cornerstone, and around Jesus, on Jesus, in tune with Jesus, God is building a temple where he will dwell. You are the people of God. You are God's special dwelling place. Together, you are the spiritual house that God inhabits. You make up the walls of God's temple. And God dwells among you by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the cornerstone. You are a living stone who, with other living stones, is being built into a spiritual house. But you do not just make up the structure. You are not just part of the walls of the temple. You also make up the ministry group within the temple. Peter goes on to say that God is building you up to be a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Not only do you together make up the special dwelling place of God — you are also the priests in God's house. And it is your vocation, both individually and together, to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are pleasing to God through Christ. Spiritual sacrifices has to do with what we do here on Sunday morning. It has to do with proclaiming the deeds of our great God. It also has to do with who we are throughout the week — who we are together, how we pursue this calling of sainthood together. You are part of God's house. You are a minister in God's house. You offer spiritual sacrifices to God. You are a priest. And this is where I want to camp out this morning — this idea of being priests before God. Now this is a place that Baptists love to camp out. How many of you have heard of the priesthood of the believer? We like to hammer home that we do not need a mediator between us and God, because Jesus alone is the mediator between humanity and God. And therefore, as Hebrews says, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and to find grace (cf. Heb 4:16). So in one sense, we are priests before God. We are able in Christ to approach God without mediation, and we are able to offer sacrifices to God — those spiritual sacrifices we talked about just a moment ago. Priesthood is relationship to God. But here is where I really want to camp out this morning as well. It is not just about our relationship to God. It can also be about our relationship to one another — or maybe we could say it is about our relationship to God with one another. Here, maybe we could talk about sports. Anybody here play golf? Golf is an interesting game because it may be more fun in community — you can go out with other people — but ultimately you do not need anybody else to play golf. Sometimes we think about Christianity like that: it is really just me and God, and maybe sometimes it is more fun when there are other people around, but really I can do this on my own. But what if Christianity is less like golf and more like baseball or soccer? With those kinds of sports, you cannot play by yourself. You can toss the ball up and down, but you really need other people if you are going to play baseball. You can juggle the ball, but you need other people if you are going to play soccer. Christianity — church — is like that. It is a team sport in which we are brought together as the people of God. We approach God together. We serve God together. We pursue God together. It is a communal calling, this priesthood piece. We see this. We come together and we raise our voices together in praise. We seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our community together. And yes, we do that individually, but there is something special about when the people of God come together as priests who approach God and who, on God's behalf, approach the world. We are priests before God individually. And we are priests with one another. Do you remember last week, how we talked about how the Holy Spirit is bringing about fruit in our lives? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (cf. Gal 5:22–23). We said: these are good things that we want. This is part of the life that God has for us; this is what God is bringing about. What is interesting about those qualities is that so many of them are communal. Yes, they have an individual aspect, but if you are going to love, you are going to love one another. Joy can be individual, but it is so much sweeter when we are joyful together. Peace — because we need peace among one another. Patience — have you met Baptists? Goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is as if God is making us able to be community. God is fitting us to be a certain kind of people. We are priests with one another, which means it matters how we are with one another. There is one more piece of this priesthood that I want you to see. This is something that Baptists sometimes overlook, but it is really important. We are also priests to one another. Now that is not because we need a mediator between us and God. It is because God often chooses to work through people. How many of you have ever experienced a moment where a fellow Christian came alongside you and said the right word at the right time? It was almost like God had sent them to you. It was almost like they said the words that you knew you needed to hear from God. Priesthood can also work like that — where on God's behalf, we do the work, we say the words, we hold one another up. It reminds me of a story in Exodus. When the Israelites were attacked by the Amalekites, Moses sent Joshua and the fighting men down to battle. And it says that as long as Moses stood over that battle and held up his staff, they did well. But when Moses began to lower his arms, they began to lose — which becomes pretty problematic, because you can hold your arms up for a while, but eventually you are going to get tired. The way the story goes is that there were two people with Moses: Aaron and Hur. They realized they needed to help him. They pulled up a stone behind Moses so he could sit down, because even just standing had become too much. And then they stood on either side of him and held up his arms (cf. Exod 17:8–13). The Israelites won the battle that day because Moses held up his hands with that staff — and Moses held up his hands because Aaron and Hur gathered around him and helped him with the task. Sometimes church is like that. Have you ever felt like you have got this thing you have to hold up, but you are just so tired? And sometimes God chooses to work through people — to send them around us, to pull up a chair, to hold up our arms. The sainthood thing is not about being a lone wolf. It is about being called into a people. It is about being called together. Together we become the walls of God's temple. And notice how each stone offers support to the stones around it. Not only are you a member of God's dwelling — you are a priest in that dwelling. You are a priest before God. You are a priest with others. And you have the privilege, at times, of being a priest to one another. Yes, we are called to follow Christ and to become who we are called individually to be. And we are also given the privilege of being called into a people. Works Cited The Holy Bible, New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids: Biblica. © 2026 Michael Smith. All rights reserved.

Send us your feedback — we're listeningMorning Prayer — Jesus, I Say of You: You Are My Refuge and Fortress, and I Step Into This Day Confident and Unafraid Psalm 91:2 — I Will Say of the Lord, “He Is My Refuge and My Fortress, My God, in Whom I Trust” Live from London, England São Paulo • New York • Nairobi • Manila • Madrid morning prayer for confidence • Psalm 91:2 prayer • God is my refuge prayer • Christian protection prayer • trust God today Primary Scripture — Psalm 91:2 (NIV): “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” Psalm 18:32 (NIV): “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Jesus, I speak this truth at the start of this day—you are my refuge and my fortress, and I place my trust fully in You. I do not enter this day silently. I choose to declare who You are before anything else begins to shape my thinking or influence my direction. You are my strength. Not distant, not uncertain, but present and active in every moment I will step into today. You steady me in ways I cannot produce on my own. So I move forward with confidence. Not forced, not exaggerated, but grounded in the assurance that I am held within Your care and strengthened by Your presence. You secure my path. Even when the way ahead is not fully clear, You establish my steps. You guide with precision and sustain with faithfulness. Jesus, keep my focus anchored. Let what I have declared remain firm within me. Let me not drift into doubt or hesitation. Let me walk with quiet confidence, knowing that I am held by You. I go forward with assurance. Jesús, declaro que Tú eres mi refugio y camino con confianza hoy Jesus Cristo, declaro que Tu és o meu refúgio e caminho com confiança hoje. From São Paulo to New York, from Nairobi to Madrid, across every place stepping into a new day, You are present. You are strengthening. You are establishing Your people So I declare. I trust. I walk forward in You. In Your name, Jesus, I am confident, steady, and secure today. Amen. morning prayer, Psalm 91:2, confidence prayer, God is my refuge, Christian declaration prayer, trust God prayer, protection prayer, daily prayer morning prayer for confidence and protection, Psalm 91:2 meaning prayer, Christian prayer for trust and strength, God is my refuge prayer, Jesus help me trust you today prayer, Bible verses about strength and securitySupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 185 countries and 3,012 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network.This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month?Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it.You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.comTogether, we can keep prayer moving across the world.To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.ukBuy me a Coffee 

Feeling prompted to reconnect with an old friend but held back by fear or awkwardness? 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God gives us power, love, and self-discipline—not fear—especially when it comes to relationships He may be stirring in our hearts. When someone from your past keeps coming to mind, it might not be random—it could be God gently nudging you toward restoration, encouragement, or even closure. Reaching out doesn’t require a perfect plan or flawless words. God simply asks for your willingness to take the first step. Whether the outcome is a renewed friendship or just a moment of peace, God is present in the process. As you trust Him with both the courage to act and the results that follow, you’ll find freedom from fear and confidence in knowing He’s working through every connection in your life. Highlights God prompts connection—people coming to mind may not be случайно Fear often holds us back, but it doesn’t come from God God equips you with power, love, and self-discipline to take action You don’t need the perfect words—just a simple, honest reach-out Reconnection may bring healing, restoration, or closure You’re responsible for obedience, not the outcome God works through relationships in meaningful ways Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: God Will Help You Reconnect with an Old FriendBy: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV It had been years since I’d seen my friend Pam when I started to think of her again. She kept coming to mind, but I kept hesitating to reach out to her, because I thought it might be awkward to try to catch up after all the time that had passed since I got married, she stayed single, and we drifted apart. One day, I prayed about it, and the Holy Spirit seemed to be encouraging me to contact her. I called the number I had for Pam, only to find that it was no longer valid. But that Sunday when I went up to the altar for Communion at church, there in the Communion line with me was Pam! She had recently moved back to my area and joined my church, without even knowing that was where I currently worshipped. But God’s Spirit had made a way for us to meet and reconnect! Have you ever had an old friend suddenly come to mind? You might not know why that person you’ve lost touch with has popped into your thoughts, but the memory lingers. You may have mixed feelings about it – excitement to try to reconnect, but fear that too much time has gone by to really be friends again. Fear can take over and stop you from reaching out to your old friend. You may have a whole bunch of fear-based excuses for not trying to reconnect, like it’s been too long, or it’ll be too awkward, or that your former friend probably doesn’t want to hear from you. But 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds you that God didn’t give you a spirit of fear. So, the hesitation you feel doesn’t come from God. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, God gives you power, love, and self-discipline. When fear tells you to stay silent, God offers you courage to move forward despite feeling afraid. If you’re thinking a lot about an old friend, it may not be random. Sometimes the Holy Spirit gently but persistently encourages you to reconnect. Relationships are important to God. He often works through connections between people. Reaching out might be an important part of God’s work in both of your lives! You’ll still likely feel afraid because of the uncertainty of what will happen when you do reach out. But God will give you the courage you need to act even when you feel unsure. You don’t have to plan the perfect message or know how the conversation will go. You don’t have to fix the past or explain everything that went wrong. You can start by just sending a simple text or email that says something like: “Hi, you’ve been on my mind lately. I hope you’re doing well.” That’s it. God can work with that. You may be worried about rejection or silence. That’s understandable. But remember, God never asks you to control how someone responds. He only invites you to trust him with the process. When you step out in faith, you’re placing the results in God’s hands. No matter how your old friend responds, God is still at work in both of your lives. Reconnecting with an old friend can also stir up past pain. You may remember misunderstandings or conflicts that caused the friendship to end. If that’s the case, ask God to guide you before you reach out. God can help you approach the situation with honesty and humility, and God can also help you forgive and ask for forgiveness. Just like God gives you grace and mercy, you can give your old friend grace and mercy so you both can move forward well. It’s also possible that reconnecting won’t lead to a restored friendship, and that’s okay. Sometimes the purpose is just peace and closure for both of you. Trust that God knows what this connection is meant to be, and just follow where God leads you. As you think about reaching out, pray and ask God to fight anxiety for you. Ask God’s Spirit to prepare both you and your old friend, and to give you the right words to reach out. Then contact your old friend, and rely on the courage God will give you. God will handle all the rest. Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider why it’s important to ask God for help, like courage to reconnect with old friends, reflect on these questions: Who is an old friend who has been on your mind lately? What’s currently keeping you from reaching out to him or her? Which gift from God – power, love, or self-discipline – do you need the most to reach out to your old friend? Are you willing to leave the results of reconnecting in God’s hands? Further Reading:1 John 4:18Hebrews 10:24Romans 12:18Philippians 4:6-7Proverbs 3:5-6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Send us your feedback — we're listeningMorning Prayer — Jesus, You Strengthen Me: I Rise Without Fear and Step Forward Held by Your Power Today Isaiah 41:10 — Do Not Fear, for I Am with You; I Will Strengthen You and Help You Live from London, England São Paulo • New York • Nairobi • Manila • Berlin morning prayer for strength • do not fear prayer • Isaiah 41:10 prayer • overcoming anxiety prayer • strength in God today  Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): “So do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Psalm 18:32 (NIV): “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Jesus, You strengthen me, and I rise today without fear, held firmly in Your power. I do not begin this day alone. You are with me. Your presence surrounds me, steadies me, and holds me secure as I step into what lies ahead. Where fear tries to rise, I do not give it space, because You are greater than anything I face. So I stand firm. Not in my own ability, but in the strength You provide. You uphold me, You support me, and You guide me forward with confidence and stability. You are my strength. When I feel uncertain, You steady me. When I feel weak, You lift me. When I feel unsure, You make my path secure and clear before me. So I move forward. Not hesitating, not shrinking back, but walking with assurance that You are leading me step by step. I am held, I am strengthened, and I am sustained by You. Jesus, fill me with Your strength. Let courage rise within me. Let fear fall away. Let this day be marked by confidence, stability, and trust in You. I rise without fear. Jesús, me levanto sin temor porque Tú me das fuerza hoy. Jesus Cristo, levanto-me sem medo porque Tu me fortaleces hoje. From São Paulo to New York, from Nairobi to Berlin, across every place rising into this day, You are present. You are strengthening. You are holding Your people. So I rise. I stand. I move forward in strength. In Your name, Jesus, I am strong, steady, and unafraid today. Amen. morning prayer, Isaiah 41:10, prayer for strength, do not fear prayer, anxiety prayer Christian, strength in God, courage prayer, daily prayer morning prayer for strength and courage, Isaiah 41:10 meaning prayer, Christian prayer to overcome fear and anxiety, God give me strength today prayer, Jesus help me not be afraid, Bible verses about strength and protectionSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 185 countries and 3,012 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network.This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month?Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it.You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.comTogether, we can keep prayer moving across the world.To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.ukBuy me a Coffee 

Send us your feedback — we're listeningMorning Prayer — Jesus, Renew My Strength So I Rise, Run, and Walk Without Growing Weary Today Isaiah 40:31 — Jesus, As I Hope in You, You Renew My Strength and Lift Me Up Live from London, England São Paulo • Chicago • Nairobi • Manila • Rome morning prayer for strength • Isaiah 40:31 prayer • do not grow weary prayer • Christian endurance prayer • strength in Jesus today  Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;mthey will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Psalm 18:32 (NIV): “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Jesus, You renew my strength, so I rise and move forward with power today. I do not rely on my own energy. I do not depend on my own ability. I place my hope in You, knowing that You are the source of my strength You lift me. Where I feel weak, You strengthen me. Where I feel tired, You sustain me. Where I feel uncertain, You steady my steps and secure my path. So I will not grow weary. I will not slow down in fear. I will not hesitate in doubt. I move forward in the strength You provide, knowing that You are with me in every step I take. Jesus, let my spirit remain strong. Let my focus remain clear. Let my steps be steady as I walk this day with endurance, confidence, and peace. I move forward in You. Jesús, renueva mis fuerzas hoy para avanzar con confianza y sin cansancio. Jesus Cristo, renova as minhas forças hoje para avançar com confiança e sem cansaço. From São Paulo to Chicago, from Nairobi to Rome, across every place stepping into this day, You are present. You are strengthening. You are lifting Your people. So I rise. I run. I walk forward in You. In Your name, Jesus, I am strengthened and sustained. Amen. morning prayer, strength prayer, Isaiah 40:31, Christian endurance prayer, God renew my strength, daily prayer, walking with Jesus, do not grow weary morning prayer for strength and endurance, Isaiah 40:31 meaning prayer, Christian prayer for energy and motivation, Bible verses about strength in God, Jesus renew my strength today prayer, how to keep going with God prayerSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 185 countries and 3,012 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network.This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month?Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it.You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.comTogether, we can keep prayer moving across the world.To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.ukBuy me a Coffee 

Send us your feedback — we're listeningLate Morning Prayer — Jesus, You Have Set Me Free, and I Walk Fully in That Freedom Today John 8:36 — Jesus, If You Set Me Free, I Am Free Indeed Live from London, England São Paulo • Atlanta • Nairobi • Manila • Paris freedom in Christ prayer • break free from past • spiritual freedom prayer • walking in freedom • Christian identity freedom John 8:36 (NIV): “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Galatians 5:1 (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.” Jesus, because You have set me free, I walk in that freedom today. I do not return to what You have already broken off my life. I am not bound by what was. I am not held by what used to define me. I do not carry old weight, old patterns, or old limitations. I am free in You. So I stand firm. I do not step back into what You have already released me from. I move forward with clarity, knowing that the freedom You have given is real, complete, and unshaken. You have done this. Jesus, establish this freedom within me. Let my life reflect it. Let my choices align with it. Let my steps remain steady in the truth that I am no longer bound. I walk forward in freedom. Jesús, en Ti soy libre y camino en esa libertad hoy. Cristo, em Ti sou livre e caminho nessa liberdade hoje. From São Paulo to Atlanta, from Nairobi to Paris, across every place stepping forward into this day, You are present. You are freeing. You are establishing Your people in truth and liberty. So I stand firm. I walk freely. I remain in You. In Your name, Jesus, I walk in freedom. Amen. freedom in Christ, John 8:36 prayer, Galatians 5:1 prayer, spiritual freedom prayer, break free prayer, Christian identity, walking in freedom, Jesus sets free, daily prayer, morning prayer Christian prayer for freedom in Christ, John 8:36 meaning prayer, Bible verses about being set free by Jesus, prayer to break free from past, Jesus set me free prayer, how to walk in freedom in ChristSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 185 countries and 3,012 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network.This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month?Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it.You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.comTogether, we can keep prayer moving across the world.To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.ukBuy me a Coffee 

Send us your feedback — we're listeningPrayer for Strength — Walking Forward in Freedom and Not Turning Back Galatians 5:1 — Jesus, Help Me Walk Fully in the Freedom You Have Given Me Live from London, England São Paulo • Atlanta • Nairobi • Manila • Lisbon freedom prayer • break strongholds • keep going prayer • spiritual strength • not going back Galatians 5:1 (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.”  Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): “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.” Jesus, I am no longer held by what once controlled me—I walk forward in freedom. I do not stand where I used to be—I stand in what You have done. You have set me free. So I do not return to what You have already broken. I do not step back into what You have already released me from. Jesus, establish me in this freedom. Where pressure tries to pull me back, strengthen me. Where old patterns try to return, steady me. Where weakness tries to rise, renew me. I stand firm. You are renewing my strength. You are lifting my steps. You are enabling me to continue without losing heart. So I move forward—not in struggle, but in strength. Jesús, me has hecho libre—ayúdame a caminar firmemente sin volver atrás. Jesus, Tu libertaste-me—ajuda-me a caminhar firmemente sem voltar atrás. From São Paulo to Nairobi, from Atlanta to Lisbon, across every place continuing through this day, You are present. You are strengthening. You are leading Your people forward. So I walk steadily. I do not turn back. I remain in freedom. In Your name, Jesus, I am free and established. Amen. freedom prayer, Galatians 5:1 prayer, strength prayer, break strongholds prayer, Christian daily prayer, endurance prayer, not going back prayer, spiritual freedom, God strengthen me, walk in freedom Galatians 5:1 meaning prayer, Christian prayer for freedom from bondage, Bible verses about strength and endurance, Jesus set me free prayer, how to break strongholds prayer, prayer to keep going and not give upSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 185 countries and 3,012 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network.This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month?Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it.You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.comTogether, we can keep prayer moving across the world.To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.ukBuy me a Coffee 

Send us your feedback — we're listeningGalatians 5:1 — Jesus, You Have Set Me Free—Help Me Walk Fully in That Freedom Today Live from London, England São Paulo • Atlanta • Nairobi • Manila • Lisbon freedom prayer • break strongholds • endurance prayer • spiritual freedom • not going back  Galatians 5:1 (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.” Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV): “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Jesus, I am no longer held by what once controlled me. I do not stand where I used to be—I stand in the freedom You have given me. You have brought me out. So I do not return to what You have already broken. I do not step back into what You have already released me from. Jesus, establish me in this freedom. Where pressure tries to pull me back, strengthen me. Where old patterns try to return, steady me. Where weakness tries to speak, silence it. I stand firm. You have not only brought me out—you are leading me forward. You are strengthening my steps. You are lifting me above what once held me down. So I continue, not in struggle—but in strength. Jesús, me has hecho libre—ayúdame a caminar plenamente en esa libertad hoy. Jesus, Tu libertaste-me—ajuda-me a caminhar plenamente nessa liberdade hoje. From São Paulo to Nairobi, from Atlanta to Lisbon, across every place pressing through this part of the day, You are present. You are strengthening. You are leading Your people into freedom. So I move forward steady. I do not turn back. I walk in freedom. In Your name, Jesus, I am free and established. Amen. freedom prayer, Galatians 5:1 prayer, break strongholds prayer, endurance prayer, Christian evening prayer, spiritual freedom prayer, not going back prayer, strength in God prayer, deliverance prayer, walking in freedom Galatians 5:1 meaning prayer, Christian prayer for freedom from bondage, Bible verses about spiritual freedom and strength, Jesus set me free prayer, how to break strongholds prayer, evening prayer for strength and enduranceSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 185 countries and 3,012 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network.This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month?Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it.You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.comTogether, we can keep prayer moving across the world.To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.ukBuy me a Coffee 

I Corinthians 15-18-22 NIV It means we are alive to God It means eternal life It means no condemnation It means that nothing can separate us from the love of God

God doesn't just want to fix your habits, he wants to heal your heart. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn't persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.” ‭‭Acts ‭7‬:‭51‬-‭52‬ ‭NLT‬‬

ADVENT WEEK TWO: PEACEDecember 12 Rev. Mike MillerAdvent RestPsalm 4In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwellin safety. Psalm 4:8 (NIV)It seems as if true peace is rare since our world is filled with constant noise,pressure, uncertainty, and hatred. It can be hard to feel peace as we movethrough our days because we tend to pick up what others are sending outinto the world, whether it be positivity or negativity.Often, it is in the darkness in our bedrooms that we begin to process the day.It is in the silence of the night when we realize what we have been carryingwith us throughout the day. We can hyperfocus on all of the pressures andproblems that we feel and have encountered. And for many of us, this leads toa feeling opposite that of peace.But this psalm reminds me that God's peace is not found when problems areabsent but God's peace is found when we rest in the presence of God. And inthose moments when we rest with God, we are granted a glimpse of a life thatis full of God's peace.Advent invites us to reclaim that peace, the kind of peace that allows us torest, not because everything is perfectly calm, but because we know God isin control. During Advent when we are busy with preparations for the season,we too often forget to rest in the presence of God.This Advent, may we find stillness in our hearts, even when the world aroundus is loud and frantic. We can rest in the peace that God brings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wondering about the power of God’s Word and your own calling? Megan J. Conner reflects on John 1:1-5, showing how God’s Word has been present since the beginning, creating life and shining light into the darkness. This devotional reminds us that we carry God’s light within us and are called to bear it in the world. Highlights God’s Word existed from the beginning and created all life (John 1:1-3). The light of God penetrates darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:4-5). Believers carry God’s light within them, called to be ambassadors of His mission (Matt. 5:14). God’s Word guides, transforms, and shapes our lives, even fulfilling dreams He places in our hearts. Personal stories illustrate how God fulfills His promises in unexpected and meaningful ways. Join the Conversation What dreams or callings has God placed in your heart? How are you letting His light shine through your life today? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust God’s Word. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #LightInTheDarkness #GodsWord #CalledToShine to join the conversation.

By Rev Charlie Lacey | Philippians 1: 12-30Philippians 1: 12-30 (NIV)It's not so much that Jesus is our ultimate priority – it's that Jesus is our whole life – and all our priorities should emanate from a life led in obedience to Him.

Send us a textWaiting Quietly for the LordLamentations 3:26 Daily Prayer – Waiting Quietly, Salvation of the Lord, Patience, Peace, Faith & Enduring Hope @215 Daily Devotional PodcastLamentations 3:26 (NIV) – “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”SHOW NOTES Are you searching for daily prayer for patience and peace? Do you struggle with waiting for God's timing and salvation? This is the Daily Christian Devotional Podcast with Reverend Ben Cooper, recorded live in London, England, and reaching the world on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio.In Lamentations 3:26, Jeremiah declares that it is good to wait quietly for God's salvation. Reverend Ben Cooper prays for patience in waiting, peace in uncertainty, and faith in God's perfect timing.This devotion calls believers to trust God's plan even when it feels delayed. Quietness is not weakness—it is faith in action. Salvation belongs to the Lord, and those who wait on Him will never be disappointed.10 PRAYER POINTS – WAITING ON GODPrayer for patience in waiting.Prayer for peace in uncertainty.Prayer for trust in God's timing.Prayer for endurance in trials.Prayer for strength in silence.Prayer for faith while waiting.Prayer for hope in God's promises.Prayer for courage in delay.Prayer for confidence in salvation.Prayer for renewal while waiting.LIFE APPLICATION When frustration rises, pause and breathe Lamentations 3:26: “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Practice stillness daily.CALL TO ACTION If this devotion encouraged you, subscribe and share the Daily Christian Devotional Podcast. Join thousands worldwide, live from London, England. Support the mission at RB Christian Radio. Daily Christian Devotional Podcast, Daily Prayer Devotion, Reverend Ben Cooper, Lamentations 3:26 Waiting Quietly, Prayer for Patience in God's Timing, Bible Verses about God's Salvation, Daily Christian Devotional London England, Prayer for Peace While Waiting, Prayer for Endurance and Faith, Spotify Christian Devotional Podcast, Apple Christian Prayer Podcast, Global Christian DevotionSupport the showThank you for listening! For more inspiring content, visit our main site at RBChristianRadio.net. Explore our ministry services and celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net. If you'd like to support our work, you can now Buy Me a Coffee and help us keep spreading the word. Every bit makes a difference! God bless and see you in the next episode.

Megan J. Conner reminds us of the incredible truth that the Creator of the universe calls us His own. Through Scripture like 1 John 3:1 and Romans 8:17, we’re invited to embrace our identity as beloved sons and daughters of God. This devotional explores God’s intentional design for relationship, His relentless pursuit to reconcile us through Christ, and His promise of an eternal inheritance. Whether you’ve struggled with feelings of unworthiness or wrestled with viewing God as a loving Father, this message will help you rest in His unconditional, everlasting love. ✨ Highlights The biblical foundation for belonging in God’s family (1 John 3:1, Gen. 2:18) How God’s love restores intimacy broken by sin through Jesus’ sacrifice Our inheritance as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) Encouragement for those whose earthly relationships make trusting God difficult Key verses affirming God’s faithfulness and unconditional love (Jer. 31:3, Rom. 5:8, 1 John 4:16, John 3:16)

Finding Jesus in Unexpected Places // At the Disciple's Feet Matthew 20:28 (NIV)“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.” John 13:1-17 (NIV)“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' ‘No,' said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.' ‘Then, Lord,' Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!' Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.' For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher' and ‘Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.'” Mark 9:34-35 (NIV)“But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”     Luke 22:21-27 (NIV)“But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”  They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.'” Mark 4:9 (NIV), Matt 11:15 (NIV)Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Some Keys to Servanthood: 1.     Serving like Jesus means we move in humility, take action on behalf of others.Phil 2:8 (NIV)“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.” 2.     Serving like Jesus means we engage compassionately.Matthew 9:36 (NIV)“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” 3.     Serving like Jesus means we must serve graciously.Luke 6:35 (NIV)“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”             Galatians 5:13 (NIV)“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” 4.     Serving like Jesus, we must take time for people.1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” Let your doing be done for the sake of the doing, not to be seen!

WEEK 5 | Distracted Series FinaleDistraction isn't always about being busy — sometimes it's about being unwilling.When we don't say “of course” to God's call, we slowly drift off course.This Sunday's message is “OFfCOURSE,” rooted in Jonah 4, where we find Jonah angry, distant, and disconnected — not because he failed to obey externally, but because his heart resisted God's mercy and mission.And then, God ends the chapter — and the entire book — with a question:“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh…?” — Jonah 4:11 (NIV)It's a question that exposed Jonah's misaligned heart.And it's a question that still confronts us today:Do we care about what God cares about?Or have we gone off course?This week, as we close our “Distracted” series, we'll wrestle with this question and respond to God's gentle call to realign with His heart.#Distracted #OFfCOURSE #Jonah4 #HeartCheck #SayYesToJesus#aHeartthatbeatsforJesusbeatsforOthers#itisaONEBEATFamdayFundaySonday! (Credits to the original artists and owners of the media used. No copyright infringement or any illegal means intended.)

WEEK 3 | Distracted SeriesGod's Word is powerful and alive — but what happens when it gets planted in a distracted heart?This Sunday's message is entitled “Choked Out”, rooted in Mark 4:18–19, where Jesus explains the part of the Parable of the Sower that many of us quietly live out:“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” — Mark 4:18–19 (NIV)It's not that we are too busy for God, it's that He is no longer first. So often, it's not that we reject God's Word — it's that we allow other things to grow beside it. Worries. Deceitfulness of wealth. Desire for other things. These thorns don't always show up loud, but they slowly suffocate our spiritual growth.This Sunday, we'll learn about how to recognize what's been choking out the Word in our lives — and how to clear space for God's voice to take root and bear fruit.#Distracted#ChokedOut#StayRooted#ClearUpSpaceInYourHeart#aHeartthatbeatsforJesusbeatsforOthers#itisaONEBEATFamdayFundaySonday! (Credits to the original artists and owners of the media used. No copyright infringement or any illegal means intended.) 

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed;” Proverbs 31:27-28 NIV “It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it.” —Dorothy on The Golden Girls. Mother's Day. It's a day where mothers receive 1/365th of the attention they deserve each year. Mothers are the most revered and adored group in the world. They deserve so much but receive so little. What makes being a mother so special? Maybe, it's the same thing that makes it so difficult. On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad welcome a panel of moms (Marcie Hughes, Marci Edlin, and Gina Russell) to talk about the challenges, the rewards, and the God-ordained task of being a Mom. From the help that Mom needs from her husband, to the lies that a woman is tempted to believe, to the truths that God says about Moms, this weeks show is a tribute to the Moms who deserve so much love and admiration. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

Are you thriving in the life God designed for you?Join Susie and me as we take a deep dive into Luke 13:19b, exploring the profound connection between spiritual nourishment and personal growth.Luke 13:19b (NIV)“It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”https://livesteadyon.com/To connect with Susie:https://susiecrosby.com/Facebook: @‌susiecrosbyauthorInstagram: @‌susiecrosbySusie's devotionals, “Lighthearted” and “Just One Word: 90 Devotions to Invite Jesus In” are available on Amazon.https://www.logos.com/https://enduringword.com/https://www.wordhippo.com/https://www.biblegateway.com/https://www.blueletterbible.org/Friedrich Büchsel, “Γίνομαι, Γένεσις, Γένος, Γένημα, Ἀπογίνομαι, Παλιγγενεσία,” ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 686.John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 240–241.I. Howard Marshall, “Luke,”.+~These+two+parables+a "‌") in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1003.A. Boyd Luter, “Luke,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1635.Theme music:Glimmer by Andy Ellison

Are you thriving in the life God designed for you?Join Susie and me as we take a deep dive into Luke 13:19b, exploring the profound connection between spiritual nourishment and personal growth.Luke 13:19b (NIV)“It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”https://livesteadyon.com/To connect with Susie:https://susiecrosby.com/Facebook: @‌susiecrosbyauthorInstagram: @‌susiecrosbySusie's devotionals, “Lighthearted” and “Just One Word: 90 Devotions to Invite Jesus In” are available on Amazon.https://www.logos.com/https://enduringword.com/https://www.wordhippo.com/https://www.biblegateway.com/https://www.blueletterbible.org/Friedrich Büchsel, “Γίνομαι, Γένεσις, Γένος, Γένημα, Ἀπογίνομαι, Παλιγγενεσία,” ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 686.John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 240–241.I. Howard Marshall, “Luke,”.+~These+two+parables+a "‌") in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1003.A. Boyd Luter, “Luke,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1635.Theme music:Glimmer by Andy Ellison

Welcome to Day 2576 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Treason & Translation – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2576 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2576 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today is the 45th lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God's redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it's also a book that seems strange to us. While God's Word was written for us, it wasn't written to us. Today's lesson is: “Treason & Translation.” *A famous Italian proverb declares atraduttore, traditore,” which means, “translator, traitor.” Those who assume this is true are unaware of how difficult it is to produce a translation. Every translator invariably discards the original text's meaning at some point. A committee of scholars assembled to produce a translation typically adopts an overarching philosophy of translation. In simplest terms, there are two. The first is called “formal equivalence,” which seeks to account for virtually every word in the original text by producing its English counterpart in translation. This is a “word-for-word” or “literal” translation. The second is called “dynamic equivalence.” This approach seeks to capture the thought of the original verse in context, and then re-create that thought using whatever English words are most precise. This is a “thought-for-thought” translation. However, adopting this approach does not mean all translators will apply it equally. There is also a matter of interpretation. When the biblical text allows more than one translation due to ambiguity in the context, grammar, or word usage, a translator needs to make their own decision—which can lead to controversy. First Corinthians 7:1 is illustrative of the potential hazard. ESV "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." NASB "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." NIV "It is good for a man not to marry." NLT "It is good to live a celibate life.” The most “word-for-word” of these translations is that of the NASB, which captures the literal reading of the Greek words in the verse, particularly the verb "touch" (TTOLO, haptomai). Other translations move away from the ambiguous "touch" to "have sexual relations with" (ESV). The most controversial renderings are the NIV ("It is good for a man not to marry") and the NLT ("It is good to live a...

The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little.                                 -Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬    It's the small things that create the conditions for big growth. 

Message for 01/26/2025 "Freedom, Trees & Hats" by Justin McTeer. *All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted* Romans 12:2 - Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV - And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Galatians 5:1 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 (NLT) - So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. Genesis 12:3b - All the families on earth will be blessed through you. Acts 10:9-16 - The next day as Cornelius's messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, 10 and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. 12 In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” 14 “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” 15 But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” 16 The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven. Acts 10:28-29 - Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.” Acts 15:4-21 - When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. 5 But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.” 6 So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. 7 At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. 8 God knows people's hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. 10 So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? 11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” 12 Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. 15 And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written: 16 ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David, I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles— all those I have called to be min 3. The Lord has spoken. 18 he who made these things known so long ago.' 19 “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. 21 For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.” Galatians 2:11-16 - But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13 As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? 15 “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners' like the Gentiles. 16 Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” Galatians 4:9-12 - So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? 10 You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. 11 I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing. 12 Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws. Galatians 5:1-4 - So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. Galatians 5:12 NASB - I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves. Genesis 2:15-17 - The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Judges 17:6 - In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Galatians 5:13 - For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Absolutes Interpretations Convictions Customs Preferences 1 Corinthians 11:7a - A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is made in God's image and reflects God's glory 1 Corinthians 11:13-14 - Judge for yourselves. Is it right for a woman to pray to God in public without covering her head? 14 Isn't it obvious that it's disgraceful for a man to have long hair? 1 Corinthians 11:16 - But if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this, and neither do God's other churches. Galatians 5:1 - So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

 Wisdom, Pt. 6 | October 6, 2024Pastor Wes Morris Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.Proverbs 19:11 (MSG) Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.Matthew 5:11-12 (NLT) God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. ✓ A Hard HeartProverbs 18:19 (TLB) It is harder to win back the friendship of an offended brother than to capture a fortified city. His anger shuts you out like iron bars.Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT) The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.✓ Selective Memory✓ A Victim MentalityHELP, I'M OFFENDED I. CHOOSE TO OVERLOOK THE OFFENSE.Proverbs 10:12 (CEV) Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do.Love looks past the behavior and has compassion for the pain in their life.  II. KEEP MY HEART FREE FROM UNFORGIVENESS.Colossians 3:13 (NLT) You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Romans 12:17-20 (NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. III. CHOOSE TO LOVE, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS.John 13:1 (NIV) It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.I Corinthians 13:7-8 (ESV) Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 

Faith is not built on __________________ alone, but on God's __________________. [Mark 15:42-46 NIV] It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, [43] Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. [44] Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. [45] When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. [46] So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. The __________________ scientists in the world can't explain how the __________________ was made. [Mark 15:15-20] So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. [16] The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor's headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. [17] They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. [18] Then they saluted him and taunted, "Hail! King of the Jews!" [19] And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. [20] When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. Crucifixion was designed to be the most ________________ way to die. [John 19:32-34] So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. [33] But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn't break his legs. [34] One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. It is a __________________ how a dead man could live again. [John 20:3-7] Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. [4] They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn't go in. [6] Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, [7] while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. The ______________________ is the ultimate evidence of God's victory over __________________.

God uses missional disciples to disrupt a local community, to share the love of Christ with conviction. Then, through the testimony of changed lives, he will expand his kingdom and we can bring glory to him. This call should lead us to be believers who are bold and full of conviction walking in the power of the authority he has given us so we can use it to point others back to our source. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.”Acts 4:13-14 (NIV)“It seems clear that the aim of Roman authorities was not particularly to execute Christians, but to turn them from what the authorities (and large numbers of the public at large) saw as their perverse and dangerous allegiance. That is, the object was not death but conformity to the demands of the imperial authority.”Larry W. Hurtado - Why on earth did anyone become a Christian in the first three Centuries

“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV)   It is not of question of IF your ministry will touch someone who is struggling with anxiety. It's a question of when, how often, and what will you do to help.   Anxiety is a huge problem in our culture today. And when you are concerned that someone may be struggling with anxiety, you don't need to wait for a diagnosis or shuffle them off to a professional.   As a pastor or other ministry leader, you can help. You are called to help!    And in today's podcast episode, we'll help you identify some practical things you can do that will help. When someone is struggling with anxiety, these action steps and conversations will go a long way in offering encouragement, hope, healing, and care.   Let's dive in for some practical ways that Christian leaders can help people who struggle with anxiety.   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    ABOUT YOUR HOST    This podcast is offered as a ministry from iHope Christian Care and Counseling, Inc. We are a nonprofit counseling center in the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. Our primary host is our Director: Jessica Hayes, LPC, LMFT, LPCS-C. You can learn more about The iHope Center at www.ihopeflorence.com.   We hope you will subscribe to our channel and share about the podcast with the other pastors and leaders in your life. There is a video, audio, and blog version of this podcast: LISTEN on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any common podcast app WATCH on the iHope YouTube channel READ on the iHope blog     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   REFERRALS AND DONATIONS   Our counselors are licensed in the state of South Carolina. If you are local to our state, we hope you will consider The iHope Center as a referral source for professional counseling or life coaching. We offer a 10% discount on services to full-time pastors. Virtual services are available as well.   The iHope Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we are registered in the state of South Carolina as a charitable organization. If you are local to our state, we welcome your donations and gifts to support our counseling ministry. Donations allow us to keep clients' fees at 50% below the local average cost for services.     Find out more at www.ihopeflorence.com.    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    DISCLAIMER   This podcast, as well as other resources offered by The iHope Center, should be taken as informational and educational content only. Utilizing our resources does not create a professional relationship. This podcast is not therapy. Always use your own judgment in making decisions and in making recommendations for others.    In the case of a medical or mental health emergency for yourself or someone else, please contact your local emergency department. In the USA, you can call “988” which is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Counseling Tips For Pastors And Ministry Leaders!   What's next? ✓ Subscribe and follow the show ✓ Leave a written review and let us know what topics we should cover ✓ Click on the 3 dots above to copy the link for this episode and share with a friend or colleague   If you're local to South Carolina, we hope you will consider us for referrals and donations to support this ministry.    Learn more about iHope Christian Care and Counseling at www.ihopeflorence.com. 

Fresh Start // Living in Freedom  Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,       because he has anointed me       to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners       and recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free,       to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” John 8:32 (NIV)“you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Galatians 5:1 (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.”  Jesus wants you to live in freedom.  1.      Freedom from guilt Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV)“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding”  2.     Freedom from the expectations of others 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)“…Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”     3.     Freedom from being a slave to your desires Romans 6:6-7 (NIV)“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” Galatians 5:16 (NLT)“…let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.”  4.     Freedom from the fear of death Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV)“[Jesus] shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” 1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)“Where, O death, is your victory?                   Where, O death, is your sting?”

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed;” Proverbs 31:27-28 NIV “It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it.” —Dorothy on The Golden Girls. Mother's Day. It's a day where mothers receive 1/365th of the attention they deserve each year. Mothers are the most revered and adored group in the world. They deserve so much but receive so little. What makes being a mother so special? Maybe, it's the same thing that makes it so difficult. On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad welcome a panel of moms (Marcie Hughes, Marci Edlin, and Gina Russell) to talk about the challenges, the rewards, and the God-ordained task of being a Mom. From the help that Mom needs from her husband, to the lies that a woman is tempted to believe, to the truths that God says about Moms, this weeks show is a tribute to the Moms who deserve so much love and admiration. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

Seven Days Pt. 5 | March 24th, 2024Pastor Wes Morris Hebrews 12:2-4 (MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! ✓  BETRAYEDJohn 18:1-3 (NIV) When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees.✓  RIDICULEDMatthew 26:63-65 (NIV) The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” ...Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. ✓  REJECTEDJohn 18:25-27 (NIV) Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren't one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn't I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.✓  ABUSEDMatthew 27:27-32 (NIV) Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.Hebrews 2:18 (TLB) For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us.Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV) Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. THE FINAL WORDI. BE QUICK TO FORGIVE.Luke 23:32-34 (NIV) Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” II. SURRENDER YOUR LIFE AND YOUR SITUATION TO GOD. Luke 23:44-46 (NIV) It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Learn more about Bay Chapel at baychapel.com

In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV - - It's His church, not ours. - No good without Him! The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 ESVWhen we exclude Jesus we set ourselves up for drama, disappointment, and ultimately disaster.  Faith is neither dependent on, nor devoid of, empirical evidence. You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me. John 20:29 NLTThe decline of the New Atheists' particular brand of hyperbolic anti-religious fervor does not necessarily signify a rise in religious faith or belief in God. - Alister McGrath (The Dawkins Delusion) We're called to lean in and lead the way to Jesus.  Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 ESVIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3 ESVAnd the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ESVThe presence of problems can never overpower the presence of Jesus.  #SeeTheEmptyTombBlessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESVFor we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESVYou see your regular failure, Jesus see's your road to redemption. You see your consistent struggle, Jesus sees your willingness to fight and never give up!  You see yourself as a chump challenged by brokenness you think you may never overcome. Jesus sees you as champion who wins not only for you but for others! See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 ESVBut God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 ESVThe steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESVJesus pursues us to love us.The love of Jesus is the most obvious and consistent reality I've witnessed in this world. Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.  Psalm 36:5 NLT Through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see, such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:16-17 ESV Jesus holds everything in the universe and beyond together, including me and you. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLTWhere shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10 ESVThe truth about Jesus, who He is and how He loves, is the most important truth that any human can ever know. POEMJesusWith us and for usHe finds us and binds us He holds us together with His loveHe sees us and frees usNever does He leave usHe heals us with power from aboveNo hope we have without HimNever should we doubt HimHis fingerprints are everywhere we lookAnd even when wouldn't trust HimIn fact our choices surely hurt HimStill He gave His life, because that's what it tookTo forgive and to restoreTo a place that's better than beforeNow graced to come into the presence of the KingNothing we did to earn such graceIt was His choice, He made the spaceEven when He knew we had no gift to bringSo now we give ourselves for othersJust like the Jesus our big brother Praying they will see Him in the love we show. May our journeys give Him gloryAs He redeems our broken storiesSo those who see will trust the Savior we now know

In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV - - It's His church, not ours. - No good without Him! The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 ESVWhen we exclude Jesus we set ourselves up for drama, disappointment, and ultimately disaster.  Faith is neither dependent on, nor devoid of, empirical evidence. You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me. John 20:29 NLTThe decline of the New Atheists' particular brand of hyperbolic anti-religious fervor does not necessarily signify a rise in religious faith or belief in God. - Alister McGrath (The Dawkins Delusion) We're called to lean in and lead the way to Jesus.  Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 ESVIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3 ESVAnd the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ESVThe presence of problems can never overpower the presence of Jesus.  #SeeTheEmptyTombBlessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESVFor we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESVYou see your regular failure, Jesus see's your road to redemption. You see your consistent struggle, Jesus sees your willingness to fight and never give up!  You see yourself as a chump challenged by brokenness you think you may never overcome. Jesus sees you as champion who wins not only for you but for others! See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 ESVBut God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 ESVThe steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESVJesus pursues us to love us.The love of Jesus is the most obvious and consistent reality I've witnessed in this world. Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.  Psalm 36:5 NLT Through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see, such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:16-17 ESV Jesus holds everything in the universe and beyond together, including me and you. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLTWhere shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10 ESVThe truth about Jesus, who He is and how He loves, is the most important truth that any human can ever know. POEMJesusWith us and for usHe finds us and binds us He holds us together with His loveHe sees us and frees usNever does He leave usHe heals us with power from aboveNo hope we have without HimNever should we doubt HimHis fingerprints are everywhere we lookAnd even when wouldn't trust HimIn fact our choices surely hurt HimStill He gave His life, because that's what it tookTo forgive and to restoreTo a place that's better than beforeNow graced to come into the presence of the KingNothing we did to earn such graceIt was His choice, He made the spaceEven when He knew we had no gift to bringSo now we give ourselves for othersJust like the Jesus our big brother Praying they will see Him in the love we show. May our journeys give Him gloryAs He redeems our broken storiesSo those who see will trust the Savior we now know

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Numbers 6:22-27 NIV The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:  “The LORD bless you and keep you;  the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”'  So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Psalm 44:3 NIV “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” Psalm 17:8 NIV “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 31:16 NIV “Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” Psalm 80:3 NIV “Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can stop, break through all the distractions, and bodily experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Numbers 6:22-27 NIV The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:  “The LORD bless you and keep you;  the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”'  So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Psalm 44:3 NIV “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” Psalm 17:8 NIV “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 31:16 NIV “Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” Psalm 80:3 NIV “Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located. 

Join Stasi as she unpacks the book of Ruth, highlighting Naomi as well as the treasured characteristic of God's hesed. Stories like Naomi's help us be honest with God about our own lament. Even in our deepest suffering, we are always seen, loved, and held, and our faithful God promises that He will never turn His face away. In fact, we can trust that even when we don't see or understand, our God is always working on our behalf. He invites us to trust Him and to rest in His loyal love for us no matter how our story seems to be unfolding. Jesus is the great Hero of every story, including our own, and we can trust that our story has a very good ending.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: Ruth 1:13 (NIV) — “…It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has turned against me!”Ruth 1:8 (NIV) — Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. Ruth 1:16 (NIV) — But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) — …because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”Romans 8:28 (NIV) — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.…..OTHER RESOURCES:Finding God in the Margins: The Book of Ruth by Carolyn Custis James  https://amzn.to/44JKKf5…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode – Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOipApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3M81kxLAmazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ

Matthew 5:31-32 NIV “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” 

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed;” Proverbs 31:27-28 NIV “It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it.” —Dorothy on The Golden Girls. Mother's Day. It's a day where mothers receive 1/365th of the attention they deserve each year. Mothers are the most revered and adored group in the world. They deserve so much but receive so little. What makes being a mother so special? Maybe, it's the same thing that makes it so difficult. On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad welcome a panel of moms (Marcie Hughes, Marci Edlin, and Gina Russell) to talk about the challenges, the rewards, and the God-ordained task of being a Mom. From the help that Mom needs from her husband, to the lies that a woman is tempted to believe, to the truths that God says about Moms, this weeks show is a tribute to the Moms who deserve so much love and admiration. (This episode is a repeat from May 2019 - enjoy!)

The Holy Spirit and One AnotherOne Another • May 7, 2023Teacher: John Wenrich--https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hhs.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fsurgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf&psig=AOvVaw3jh0XkxRUVQKjzhSfjcROv&ust=1683302109824000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCOCM_5iD3P4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAIDr. Vivek H. MurthyIn recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems, exacerbating loneliness and isolation.Loneliness and isolation represent profound threats to our health and well-being. But we have the power to respond. A culture of connection rests on core values of kindness, respect, service, and commitment to one another. Everyone contributes to the collective culture of social connection by regularly practicing these values.Behaviors are both learned from and reinforced by the groups we participate in and the communities we are a part of. Thus, the more we observe others practicing these values, the more they will be reinforced in us. 1. The Holy Spirit is a person.John 14:26 NIVBut the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said.” 2. The Holy Spirit is God.Clark Pinnock“Modern Christians are largely content to be trinitarian in belief, but binitarian in practice.”Gordan Fee“God lives in eternal relationship with himself as a Triune God. The relational implications of this for us, both toward God and toward one another, should become a primary part of our paradigm of life in the Spirit as we live together. The Spirit is foundational to (our) entire experience and understanding of (our) present life in Christ.” 3. The Holy Spirit empowers us for mission.Acts 1:4, 8 NIVDo not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 4. The Holy Spirit is the key to compelling Christian community.2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”Galatians 5:22-23 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.Acts 15:28 NIV“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…”Hebrews 10:25 NIV“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” 1. The Holy Spirit is a person.2. The Holy Spirit is God.3. The Holy Spirit empowers us for mission.4. The Holy Spirit is the key to compelling Christian community.

Welcome to Passionate Life Church! Pastor Mike Wiencek joins us to bring us the Word today. A little bit of Kingdom investment can make a huge impact! Welcome Home! ----------------------------------------------------- Luke 24:32 (NIV) Jesus left us with a Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20. (NIV) It takes a commitment to prioritize the time. Keep Discipleship simple Make moments to Point their Heart to Jesus Deut.6:5. (NIV) 20-30 mins of sleep won't affect our day, but 20-30 mins with Jesus will! What's my Response? ----------------------------------------------------- Thanks for listening! If you were positively impacted by this message, please leave us a comment! Be sure to like and subscribe to our channel to stay connected to this house. Join us every Sunday at 9:00am or 10:30am Spotify: http://bit.ly/passionatelifechurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/passionatelifechurch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionate.life.church/ 10393 W Alamo Pl Littleton, CO 80127 Need Prayer? Contact us at passionatelifechurch@gmail.com — ► Subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL88... — Passionate People. Multicultural Environment. Atmosphere to Experience God. You will feel Loved, Refreshed, & Empowered Loved: We have an atmosphere of acceptance and an environment that creates a “come as you are” message. Everyone will feel loved! Refreshed: We serve a God of the Fresh Start! No matter where you've been or what you've done, God wants to refresh you today and every day. Empowered: God wants to grow you into everything He's called you to be and do. We want to give you all of the tools you will need in order to empower you to live a life fully devoted to Jesus Christ. We are non-denominational & believe that the Bible is truth and fully written by God through man. Need Prayer? Contact us at passionatelifechurch@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/passionatelifechurch/message

The Life of Humble Service  Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” John 13:1-17 (NIV)It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher' and ‘Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. Values of God's Kingdom 1.      In my kingdom no one is above serving.Luke 22:14-16, 22-24 (NIV)“When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.2.       In my Kingdom no one is below being served. 

Song of Solomon 8:6 (NLT): Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. Song of Solomon 8:6 (NIV): It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Song of Solomon 8:7 (NLT): Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. Philippians 4:8 (NLT): Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Preacher: Andy Bauer Date: 2/12/23 Series: Prayer Key Scriptures: Acts 12:1-18 (NIV) It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You're out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

Proverbs 25:2 (NIV)It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.https://livesteadyon.com/Email Angie at: steadyonpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: @livesteadyonInstagram: @angiebaughman421Grab freebies and subscribe to the weekly Steady On newsletter at: https://livesteadyon.com/live-steady-on-newsletter/You can download a blank study sheet here:https://www.canva.com/design/DAFEdnkIUlw/iOiBwQqR15-DUJ0kGo2SsQ/view?utm_content=DAFEdnkIUlw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebuttonInterested in the Step By Step Bible study method? Download the FREE masterclass here: https://livesteadyon.com/live-steady-on-stepbystepmasterclass/Resources used in this episode:Logos Softwarehttps://www.logos.com/Enduring Word Commentaryhttps://enduringword.com/James Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009)Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament by R Laird Harris, Gleason L Archer Jr., Bruce K. Waltke Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 905.Crawford Howell Toy, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Proverbs, International Critical Commentary (New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1899), 457.John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 960.David Atkinson, The Message of Proverbs: Wisdom for Life, ed. J. A. Motyer, John Stott, and Derek Tidball, The Bible Speaks Today (England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996), 152.Steady On Internship mentioned in the midroll:https://livesteadyon.com/internship/Midroll music:Ready to Go written by Lincoln DavisPerformed and produced by AllexTheme musicHeartwarming by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3864-heartwarmingLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Romans 7:5 (NIV)“For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death.”James 2:10 (ESV)“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” Romans 9:1 (NIV)“I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel.”Has God's word failed?  God's Plan of Salvation for the World  Chapter 9: It's been the same from the beginning.   Romans 9:6 (NIV)“It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.”Romans 9:8 (NIV)“it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.Galatians 3:16 (NIV)“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,' meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,' meaning one person, who is Christ.”Romans 9:17-18 (NIV)“For Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.'”  Chapter 10: God's plan has succeeded.   Romans 10:4 (ESV)“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”Galatians 4:4-5 (NASB)“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.” Chapter 11: God's plan will continue to succeed. Romans 11:9-10 (ESV)“Let their table become a snare and a trap,                   a stumbling block and a retribution for them;let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,                   and bend their backs forever.” Romans 11:11 (ESV)So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.”Romans 11:13 (ESV)“I magnify my ministry in order to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them.”Romans 11:25 (ESV)“a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved”Romans 9:6 (ESV)“For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” 

It's helpful to know we are not alone in not fitting in. Today's guest is Nancy Carmichael, creator of IsleofMisfits.com. She loves to encourage others in their “weird,” and today she shares her three core values: owning your awkward, loving your fellow misfits, and seeking beauty and truth. Believing that God doesn't just love us but actually likes the way he made us can help us own who we are and step into the glory and purpose he intended.SHOW NOTES:Verses: John 6:67-68 (NIV) — “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.Luke 8:26-39 (NIV) — Story of Legion being set free — (verse 36-37) Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.Galatians 5:1 (NIV) — It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. …John Keats Quote: “Beauty is truth — truth beauty — that is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know.”NANCY CARMICHAELWebsite: https://isleofmisfits.com/Podcast: https://isleofmisfits.com/podcasts/Blog: https://isleofmisfits.com/blog/Nancy Carmichael Bio:Nancy Carmichael is the Proprietor and Chief Misfit of the IsleofMisfits.com, a blogging and podcasting Oasis for self-proclaimed square pegs, far and wide. Through it, she hopes to build a community of people who own their awkward, love their fellow misfit and embrace beauty and truth in the weirdness of life. Aside from this, one of her main claims to fame is being merely 1 degree separated from Kevin Bacon, thanks to a friend who once played a stand-in for his leading lady in the 80's classic “She's Having a Baby”. As if it could get any better, Nancy is married to a man so good it took EHarmony to help her find him, and a daughter she will obnoxiously brag about if given even half a chance. She has spent her life communicating good news wherever in the world the door opens, through writing, singing, speaking, coaching, counseling and advocating for those whom society often overlooks.

Acts 15:1 ESV But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Acts 15:2-4 ESV 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. Acts 15:5 ESV 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” Matthew 20:16 NIV 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” John 3:14-15 NIV 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” Genesis 15:6 NIV 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Romans 2:28-29a NIV 28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Jeremiah 9:25-26 NIV 25 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the wilderness in distant places. For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.” Galatians 5:6 NIV 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Acts 15:6-7 ESV 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. Acts 10:15-16 ESV 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. Acts 10:43-44 ESV 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. Acts 15:8-9 ESV 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Acts 15:10-11 ESV 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” Galatians 5:1 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. Acts 15:12-17 ESV 12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, again, this isn't new! 16 “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.'  

THE HEART OF THE FATHER Luke 5:12 12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. LUKE 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him 1) THE EMBRACE OF THE FATHER SPEAKS VALUE Matthew 6:26 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? VALUE: the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): 10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. APPLICATION: CHOOSE TODAY TO RECEIVE FULL VALUE THROUGH THE EMBRACE OF THE FATHER! 2) THE HEART OF THE FATHER BRINGS CORRECTION Hebrews 12:4–13 (NIV): It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Proverbs 3:11-12 (The Passion Translation) 11My child, when the Lord God speaks to you, never take his words lightly, and never be upset when he corrects you. 12 For the Father's discipline comes only from his passionate love and pleasure for you. Even when it seems like his correction is harsh, it's still better than any father on earth gives to his child. Job 5:17 “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. DO YOU WANT TO BE BLESSED TODAY? THEN RECEIVE GOD'S CORRECTION APPLICATION: Where is God correcting you today? 3) THE EMBRACE OF THE FATHER BRINGS RECONCILIATION Luke 5:12 12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. TOUCH: take hold of, hold; cling to ACTS 3:19 (NIV) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord CLOSING ONE LINE CHALLENGE: CHOOSE TODAY TO RECEIVE THE EMBRACE OF THE FATHER FULLY IN YOUR LIFE! APPLICATION WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU? ARE THERE AREAS IN YOUR LIFE THAT LACK THE FATHERS VALUE? ANY PLACE CORRECTION IS NEEDED? CHOOSE DAILY THIS WEEK TO RECEIVE THE EMBRACE OF THE FATHER IN YOUR LIFE!

Sermon Notes How many years do you want to be married? What does love require of me? John 13:34 NIV "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." When you’re not sure what to say or do you love people like Jesus loved you. John 13:35 NIV "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." (Better translated, "I’m a nobody.") 1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV "If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." 1 Corinthians 13:5-8a NIV "It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1John 4:20-21 MSG "If anyone boasts, 'I love God,' and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both." What does love require of me? 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE."

I'm New • https://hopecitypdx.com/sunday/join-us-in-person/im-new • Find opportunities to engage and grow! Share Your Story • https://hopecitypdx.com/grow#story • How is God working in and through your life? If you want to share your story, fill out a short form to let us know! Worship • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJiXY9vBKd-n2kH_vqUbneg • Check out Willamette Music's YouTube channel to find the songs we most often sing together on Sundays. Find Care • https://hopecitypdx.com/care • Hope City strives to address unique life circumstances in multiple ways, through care and support. Daniel Knutson - May 22, 2022 How We Are Shaped Water Baptism Identifies us with Jesus Led by the Holy Spirit Called to live generously Called to those close and distant Following Jesus together Mark 2:17 (NIV)…“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Acts 9:1- (NIV)1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. We use what we've been given, to give to others 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. You are never too far, and it is never too late, to encounter the love of Jesus 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Those who have encountered Jesus, share Jesus. 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized… You're never too far, and it's never too late Give to others Share Jesus