Podcasts about o lord

Imagine the impact on your life if you began to make this verse your daily prayer. What if we began every morning by letting God know our desire is that the words of our mouth and the thoughts in our minds be pleasing to Him?Main Points:1. Our choices, decisions, actions, and ultimately our lifestyle are determined by our thoughts and our words. This makes self-control so vital for us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we must control our words and thoughts. 2. All of us have said, “I shouldn't have thought that, and I wish I hadn't said that.” I believe with this prayer, David is telling us that our thoughts and words don't have to be impetuous. You and I are not without control. The Holy Spirit resides within us to give us power for daily living.3. As we learn to pay attention to our thoughts, we ask the question, “Does this thought please God? Does it honor the Lord? As we ask this all-important question, we can immediately take action. We can entertain the thought if it does please God, but if it doesn't, we can cast it out. We can reject the thought. We can refuse to think about things that don't please the Lord.Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 19:14 - “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”2 Corinthians 10:5 - “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” James 3:8 - “…no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”James 1:19 - “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Even the greatest prophet had a moment of uncertainty. But rather than condemn John, Jesus gave a response that may surprise some of us. Notes: Luke 7 John, in a moment of doubt, sent a message to Jesus,“Are You the One, or should we look for another?” Doubt is a sign that someone is thinking. A French proverb says, “He who knows nothing doubts nothing.” “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.” #1 Moses was ready to quit. Numbers 11:14–15"I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me now." #2 Elijah was ready to quit.(1 Kings 19:4) #3 Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith. #4 Paul the Apostle was deeply discouraged.(2 Corinthians 1:8) #5 David wrote half the Psalms while angry, confused, or feeling abandoned by God. #6 John the Baptist was discouraged and entertained doubts. Read Luke 7:18–28 John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. John was in prison because of his bold preaching to King Herod. In John’s mind, Jesus the Messiah would organize a revolt. John was expecting political deliverance.Jesus was bringing spiritual deliverance. Sometimes we misunderstand God and His word. Jesus understood John’s questions and his doubt. Jesus answered John’s doubt with evidence and clarification, not condemnation. Galatians 5:15But if you are always biting and devouring one another,watch out! Beware of destroying one another. It is easier to critique than create.It is easier to tear down instead of build up. Jesus loves you and understands your questions, too. Psalm 10:1Why, O LORD, do you stand far away?Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:16 (a)The LORD is king forever and ever. Jesus defended John publicly,when John criticized Jesus privately.(Luke 7:24) You have immeasurable value because you are God’s creation.(1 Peter 2:9) Ephesians 2:10For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross so you could have a relationship with Him. Doubt is a matter of the mind. Unbelief is a matter of the will. John was doubting, but he still believed. Jesus refocused John’s priorities. John’s doubts were answered by Scripture.(Luke 7:22) Stay the course when you don’t see the plan.(Luke 7:23) Luke 7:28I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is! John was a part of the Old Testament economy.You are a New Testament believer. John was a friend of the Bridegroom.You are the bride of the Bridegroom. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we look in the mirror and ask ourselves the question of whether we love the glory that comes from man or the glory that comes from God more.Scriptures referenced:John 12:36-43Matthew 6:1-18Matthew 23:5-7Matthew 5:14-16Acts 4:23-31; 13:1-3Psalm 127:1Matthew 23:11-12John 15:5James 4:6Luke 14:7-11Matthew 28:18-20Luke 6:26John 15:18-20Psalm 115:1Mark 10:42-45Psalm 51:1-2, 7, 10Galatians 1:10**CORRECTIONS**When quoting John 12:38, I accidentally added the word "has" where it wasn't. It didn't affect the meaning, but here is the verse verbatim: "so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 'Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?'"When quoting Psalm 115:1 I accidentally omitted the word "your" once. It doesn't change the meaning, but here is the verse correctly: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!"Feel free to email the podcast at ijustwanttotalkabout@gmail.com, and we will respond as soon as we are able!I WANT TO BE DISCIPLEDI am on staff with another ministry called Mentoring Men for the Master (M3). M3 is a discipleship ministry; so, if you are interested in being discipled and having someone come alongside you to invest in you and your walk with Jesus, or if you would like to do this in someone else's life, feel free to email us at info@mentoringmen.net. You can also check out M3's website by clicking "I want to be discipled". Also note that despite the ministry's name, M3 disciples both men and women; so, the offer is open to all!I WANT TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTERIf you would like to sign up to receive newsletter updates, simply click "I want to sign up for the newsletter" and fill out the form. Also, feel free to check out our most recent newsletter.I WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCASTIf you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking "I want to support the podcast". I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!...

Even the greatest prophet had a moment of uncertainty. But rather than condemn John, Jesus gave a response that may surprise some of us. Notes: Luke 7 John, in a moment of doubt, sent a message to Jesus,“Are You the One, or should we look for another?” Doubt is a sign that someone is thinking. A French proverb says, “He who knows nothing doubts nothing.” “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.” #1 Moses was ready to quit. Numbers 11:14–15"I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me now." #2 Elijah was ready to quit.(1 Kings 19:4) #3 Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith. #4 Paul the Apostle was deeply discouraged.(2 Corinthians 1:8) #5 David wrote half the Psalms while angry, confused, or feeling abandoned by God. #6 John the Baptist was discouraged and entertained doubts. Read Luke 7:18–28 John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. John was in prison because of his bold preaching to King Herod. In John’s mind, Jesus the Messiah would organize a revolt. John was expecting political deliverance.Jesus was bringing spiritual deliverance. Sometimes we misunderstand God and His word. Jesus understood John’s questions and his doubt. Jesus answered John’s doubt with evidence and clarification, not condemnation. Galatians 5:15But if you are always biting and devouring one another,watch out! Beware of destroying one another. It is easier to critique than create.It is easier to tear down instead of build up. Jesus loves you and understands your questions, too. Psalm 10:1Why, O LORD, do you stand far away?Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:16 (a)The LORD is king forever and ever. Jesus defended John publicly,when John criticized Jesus privately.(Luke 7:24) You have immeasurable value because you are God’s creation.(1 Peter 2:9) Ephesians 2:10For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross so you could have a relationship with Him. Doubt is a matter of the mind. Unbelief is a matter of the will. John was doubting, but he still believed. Jesus refocused John’s priorities. John’s doubts were answered by Scripture.(Luke 7:22) Stay the course when you don’t see the plan.(Luke 7:23) Luke 7:28I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is! John was a part of the Old Testament economy.You are a New Testament believer. John was a friend of the Bridegroom.You are the bride of the Bridegroom. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Day 2807 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2807 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 116:15-19 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2807 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2807 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. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Costly Departure – A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving Today, we are bringing our deeply personal journey through Psalm One Hundred Sixteen to a glorious, triumphant conclusion. We will be trekking through the final stanza of this profound song, covering verses fifteen through nineteen, in the New Living Translation. Before we take our next step, we must look back over our shoulder at the trail we just traveled. In our previous trek, covering the first fourteen verses of this psalm, we stood beside a man who had stared into the terrifying abyss of the underworld. We heard his raw, trembling testimony. He told us how the ropes of death had wrapped around his neck, and how the terrors of the grave had overtaken him. In his absolute helplessness, he cried out a simple prayer: "Please, Lord, save me!" And Yahweh, the Most High God, bent down from the heavens to listen. He severed the cords of death, dried the psalmist's tears, and stabilized his stumbling feet. In overwhelming gratitude, the psalmist lifted the "Cup of Salvation," promising to praise the Lord in the land of the living. We also remembered that this is part of the Egyptian Hallel, the collection of psalms sung during the Passover. Jesus Himself sang these very words in the Upper Room, just hours before He faced the ultimate terror of the cross. Now, as we enter the final five verses, the psalmist transitions from the private terror of his near-death experience, to the public courts of the temple. He begins with a stunning revelation about how God views the death of His people, and ends with a communal feast of thanksgiving. It is a transition from the darkness of the grave, to the bright, joyful center of cosmic geography: Jerusalem. Let us walk into the temple courts, and listen to the conclusion of this magnificent testimony. The first segment is: The Weight of the Faithful: A Costly Departure. Psalm One Hundred Sixteen: verse fifteen. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. This single verse is one of the most famous, and frequently quoted, comforts in the entire Bible, especially during times of grief. But to truly understand its depth, we must peel back the layers of the original Hebrew language, and view it through the lens of the Ancient Israelite worldview. The word translated as "precious" is yaqar. In English, when we hear the word "precious," we often think of something sweet, sentimental, or cute. But that is not what yaqar means. In biblical Hebrew, yaqar means heavy, rare, costly, or of immense value. It is the word used to describe rare jewels, or the heavy, expensive stones used to lay the foundation of the temple. Therefore, the psalmist is not saying that God finds our death sweet or pleasant. Death is the enemy. Death, in the ancient mindset, was the ultimate expression of the chaotic realm of Sheol. Instead, the psalmist is making a profound statement about our value: "Heavy, costly, and of immense consequence in the sight of Yahweh, is the death of His faithful ones." God does not view the passing of His people casually. He does not treat us as expendable pawns on a cosmic chessboard. When the forces of chaos and disease try to drag a believer down into the grave, the Lord takes it personally. It costs Him something. He values His human imagers so highly, that their departure from this earth is an event of cosmic gravity. The term "faithful servants" is the Hebrew word chasidim, which is rooted in Hesed—God's unfailing, loyal, covenant love. The chasidim are the loyal ones, the ones bound to God by covenant. Because He is fiercely loyal to them, He does not surrender them to the grave without a fight. In the case of this psalmist, God looked at the high cost of his death, stepped into the fray, and said, "Not today." He severed the ropes of Sheol, because the life of His servant was simply too valuable to lose to the darkness. When Jesus sang this verse on the night of His betrayal, He was acknowledging the profound weight of what He was about to do. His death would be the ultimate, costly departure. Yet, because it was so precious in the sight of the Father, it would become the very mechanism that defeated death forever. The second segment is: The Joyful Captive: Freedom Through Submission. Psalm One Hundred Sixteen: verse sixteen. O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains. Having reflected on how much God values his life, the psalmist responds with an absolute surrender of his identity. He repeats his title twice for emphasis: "O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant." The word for "servant" here is ebed, which can also be translated as slave or bondservant. But this is not a forced, oppressive slavery; this is a willing, joyful submission to a benevolent King. The psalmist adds a beautiful, intimate detail: "born into your household." Literally, the text says, "the son of your maidservant." In the ancient Near East, a slave who was purchased from a foreign land had a very different status than a slave who was born within the master's own house. A servant born into the household was practically considered family. They grew up under the master's roof, ate the master's food, and enjoyed the master's protection. By calling himself the son of a maidservant, the psalmist is claiming a deep, lifelong, family connection to Yahweh. He is saying, "Lord, I belong to You. I have always belonged to You. I am a child of Your estate." And here is the beautiful paradox of the biblical worldview: true freedom is found only in becoming a servant of the Most High God. Notice the next phrase: "you have freed me from my chains." Just a few verses earlier, the psalmist was wrapped in the ropes of death. Those were the chains of chaos, destruction, and fear. By submitting himself entirely to Yahweh as a servant, those chains of oppression were shattered. In the Divine Council worldview, humans will always serve a master. We will either be enslaved by the dark, rebellious principalities of this world—forces that seek to bind us in addiction, fear, and ultimately the grave—or we will bind ourselves to the Creator, whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light. The psalmist declares that because God broke the chains of death, he is now happily, permanently bound to the Lord. He is a free man, precisely because he is God's servant. The third segment is: The Public Feast: Testifying in the Sacred Courts. Psalm One Hundred Sixteen: verses seventeen through nineteen. I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people— in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! Now, the psalmist takes his private, internal gratitude, and makes it undeniably public. He transitions from the prayer closet, to the temple courts. He promises: "I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving." This is a very specific reference to the Levitical law. In the Book of Leviticus, Chapter Seven, the Todah—or Thanksgiving Sacrifice—was a type of peace offering. When an Israelite was rescued from a life-threatening illness, a dangerous journey, or a deadly enemy, they were instructed to bring an animal sacrifice, along with unleavened bread, to the tabernacle. But this sacrifice was unique. It was not burned up entirely on the altar. The priest took a portion, but the vast majority of the meat and bread was given back to the worshiper. The worshiper was then required to host a massive, joyful feast, inviting their family, friends, and even the poor, to eat the meal with them on that very same day. Think about the profound psychology of this ritual. You could not eat an entire animal by yourself. You had to invite a crowd. And as you passed the meat and the bread, people would naturally ask, "What are we celebrating?" That was your moment to testify. That was the moment to say, "I was standing at the edge of the grave. The ropes of death had me. But I called on the name of the Lord, and He saved me!" This is exactly what the psalmist intends to do: "and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence...

Today's post is a little different.I had something else planned, but I felt led to share from my personal Bible study this morning.I was reading Psalm 40, and it hit me in a fresh way — because in one Psalm, you see David move through multiple “modes” that many of us recognize:despairbreakthroughworshipboldnessand then… trouble againSo here's what we're going to do:I'm going to read Psalm 40 (NLT)Then I'll walk through the key sections and pull out the lessonsWe'll end with a prayerIf you want to grab your Bible and read alongside me, you can.Psalm 40 (NLT)“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord…” (Psalm 40:1–3)“Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, You have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal…” (Psalm 40:4–5)“You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that You have made me listen, I finally understand— You don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart.'” (Psalm 40:6–8)“I've told all Your people about Your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as You, O Lord, well know… I have talked about Your faithfulness and saving power… I have told everyone in the great assembly of Your unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 40:9–10)“Lord, don't hold back Your tender mercies from me. Let Your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For trouble surrounds me—too many to count… They outnumber the hairs of my head. I have lost all courage.” (Psalm 40:11–12)“Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me…” (Psalm 40:13)“But may all who search for You be filled with joy and gladness in You. May those who love Your salvation repeatedly shout, ‘The Lord is great!'” (Psalm 40:16)“As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in His thoughts. You are my Helper and my Savior. O my God, do not delay.” (Psalm 40:17)What Psalm 40 Shows UsPsalm 40 gives us a picture of David experiencing multiple seasons in one Psalm.And honestly… that's what life feels like.There are moments we're strong.Moments we're grateful. Moments we're worshiping. And moments we're pleading again.Let's break it down.Read the rest at: https://open.substack.com/pub/litwithprayer/p/my-help-and-my-deliverer

Evening lessons: Psalms 143, 142; Lamentations 3; Romans 11.  Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my supplications; hearken to me, for your truth and righteousness' sake.

Morning lessons: Psalms 140; Exodus 6; Matthew 12:1-21.  Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers, and preserve me from the violent.

21 And Jesus went from thence, and retired into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.Et egressus inde Jesus secessit in partes Tyri et Sidonis. 22 And behold a woman of Canaan who came out of those coasts, crying out, said to him: Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is grieviously troubled by the devil.Et ecce mulier chananaea a finibus illis egressa clamavit, dicens ei : Miserere mei, Domine fili David : filia mea male a daemonio vexatur. 23 Who answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying: Send her away, for she crieth after us:Qui non respondit ei verbum. Et accedentes discipuli ejus rogabant eum dicentes : Dimitte eam : quia clamat post nos. 24 And he answering, said: I was not sent but to the sheep that are lost of the house of Israel.Ipse autem respondens ait : Non sum missus nisi ad oves, quae perierunt domus Israel. 25 But she came and adored him, saying: Lord, help me.At illa venit, et adoravit eum, dicens : Domine, adjuva me. 26 Who answering, said: It is not good to take the bread of the children, and to cast it to the dogs.Qui respondens ait : Non est bonum sumere panem filiorum, et mittere canibus. 27 But she said: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.At illa dixit : Etiam Domine : nam et catelli edunt de micis quae cadunt de mensa dominorum suorum. 28 Then Jesus answering, said to her: O woman, great is thy faith: be it done to thee as thou wilt: and her daughter was cured from that hour.Tunc respondens Jesus, ait illi : O mulier, magna est fides tua : fiat tibi sicut vis. Et sanata est filia ejus ex illa hora.

He was a nobleman born in Constantinople, and distinguished himself in a secular career, rising in the year 780 to the rank of protasecretis, Principal Secretary of State to the Emperor Constantine VI and his mother the Empress Irene, who was serving as regent.   His life took a sudden turn when, in 784, Patriarch Paul IV resigned, recommending Tarasios as the only man capable of restoring the Patriarchate, ravaged by the iconoclast heresy, to true Faith and full communion with the other Patriarchates. Tarasios, though unwilling, was virtually forced to accept the Patriarchate by the rulers and the Senate: he agreed at last on condition that an Ecumenical Council be summoned immediately to put an end to the iconoclast heresy. In a few days he was raised from a layman through all the degrees of the clergy and on December 25 784, was consecrated Archbishop of Constantinople.   At Saint Tarasios' insistence, the Imperial rulers summoned a Church Council, whch met at Constantinople in 786. Before its sessions had even begun, iconoclasts burst into the church and drove out the Fathers, who were forced to reconvene in Nicaea, where the first session opened. Patriarch Tarasios presided, and the Council concluded with a condemnation of the iconoclast heresy and the restoration of veneration of the holy images.   As Archbishop, the Saint was a model of humility, compassion, and firmness in the Faith. He refused to have any servants and dressed simply, a living rebuke to the luxury that had corrupted the clergy at that time. His works of charity were so great that he became known to the people as 'the new Joseph': he founded hospices and shelters, distributed the Church's wealth freely to the poor, and often invited the poor to his own table to share his simple fare. He insisted on exercising all gentleness and mercy in restoring repentant heretics to the Church, a policy that met with opposition from the more severe leaders of the Studion monastery. At the same time he was unbending in the defense of the Faith: when the Emperor Constantine came of age he repudiated his wife Mary in order to marry Theodota, one of her servants. The Patriarch refused to bless the adulterous union and threatened the Emperor with excommunication if he persisted in sin. The Emperor had Tarasios imprisoned, forced his licit wife to enter a monastery, and found a priest, Joseph, to bless his second marriage. The following year Constantine was blinded and dethroned, and Tarasios regained his freedom.   The holy Patriarch continued to serve his Church faithfully, occupying the episcopal throne for a total of twenty-six years. In his last years, despite a long and painful illness, he continued to serve the Divine Liturgy daily, supporting himself with his staff. In the year 806, serving at the altar, he began to chant from Psalm 85, Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and hear me, and gave up his soul to God.   "In 820, the Emperor Leo the Armenian, who for seven years had supported the iconoclasts and had fiercely persecuted the Orthodox, had a disturbing dream. He saw a stern-looking Saint Tarasius ordering a man by the name of Michael to run Leo himself through with a sword. Six days later, Leo was in fact assasinated by Michael the Stammerer, who seized power... In physical appearance, Saint Tarasius is said to have closely resembled Saint Gregory the Theologian." (Synaxarion)

Morning lessons: Psalms 139; Exodus 5; Matthew 11.  O Lord, you have searched me out and know me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thoughts from afar.

Faith For Our Covenant Rights (1) (audio) David Eells 2/25/26 I want to talk to you today about some possible misconceptions some of God's people may have regarding receiving God's blessings and why some people don't receive them when they are prayed for.   Satan Reads Minds & Inserts Thoughts I was asked this question: Can you substantiate in Scripture where it is written that Satan can put thoughts into our minds? My answer was: In order for Satan to put thoughts into our minds, he would also have to be able to read our minds. I will try to explain this in a moment, but first, you might want to entertain another question: Can anyone substantiate with Scripture that Satan cannot put thoughts into our minds or read our minds? Since we can't do this, then we shouldn't believe it because it is not Scriptural. It says in (1Ch.28:9) ... The Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts... In the spirit realm, thoughts are audible to the mind of God and demons. God and demons can, in turn, impart the gift to read minds. I have read the thoughts of men by the power of the Holy Spirit. A man once asked me if I knew what he was thinking. At that moment the Holy Spirit gave it to me, and for several minutes the man was awed at the power of God. Also, when I first went to a full gospel Church I witnessed Christians attempting to exorcise a demon-possessed man who thought he was a woman. He also demonstrated the ability to read minds when the unbelieving Christians asked for a demonstration. He did say that it was easier to read the mind of one person there and pointed to the only person there who was not filled with the Spirit, even though he did not personally know anyone there. Familiar spirits or spirits of divination in magicians, wizards, mediums, etc., have demonstrated the power to read minds in front of audiences of people. We wrestle with principalities and powers in the mind. The Bible says in Eph.6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].... 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We see here that with the renewed mind of the Word, our thoughts are guarded as with a helmet because we won't accept foreign thoughts. We learn to discern the illegal thoughts of the enemy. Then we are able to take back our thoughts (by repenting and agreeing with the Word) and we cast the enemy's thoughts down. 2Co.10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), (The principalities and powers hold the strongholds in the thoughts of the mind.) 5 casting down imaginations (thoughts and images), and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. We win the battle by rejecting the enemy's thoughts and replacing them with God's thoughts. We are at peace with God when we are full of His thoughts, and our minds are guarded from the demonic attacks that, if heeded, cause outward actions of sin. We are told in Php.4:6-7 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Satan is able to insert thoughts within our thoughts. Act.5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? and also 1Ch.21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. Now, here we can use a little Holy Spirit reasoning. How could Satan insert his thoughts in the midst of our thoughts unless he knows the context of our thoughts? If you went into your computer to edit a paragraph, how could you do this if you couldn't read the original? How could you insert the right text unless you could read the context of the original thoughts? If you just inserted words anywhere without knowing the context, you would make a nonsensical statement, and anyone would know that someone inserted something that was out of place. So it is with us. If Satan or demons inserted something that didn't fit the context of our thoughts, then everyone would know that they are at work. They do their best work undercover, and they know it; they're crafty and work to deceive us. How would Satan be able to tempt us if he were so dysfunctional? We would know it was him immediately. How then would it be a temptation? Now, here is the really important thing. Our battle does not depend on whether the enemy can read our minds or not. It depends on what he can do about what we know. When we read the Book of Job, we can clearly see that God put restrictions on Satan's ambitions for Job. Satan has to obey God's rules of engagement even when he knows what we think. Satan admits he did not have the power to get at Job because of God's hedge around him, and the same is true of us. Job.1:9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? 10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. It is not important for our thoughts to be hidden from the enemy when he can do nothing about them. And he can do nothing about our thoughts unless by them we give him permission, for we have authority over him. Luk.10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. 20 Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. It doesn't matter what the demons know that we know, for as sons of God we are their lords just as it was with Jesus. Joh.20:21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Mat.18:18 Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind (forbid) on earth shall be bound (forbidden) in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose (permit) on earth shall be loosed (permitted) in heaven. Our faith permits the sovereignty of God to be manifest through the Body of Christ and forbids Satan, no matter what he knows of our thoughts. Jesus' condition for receiving His benefits is plain: “As thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee” and “According to your faith be it done unto you” and “Thy faith hath made thee whole”. As we believe, God's benefits will be given. Unbelieving thoughts and actions forbid God's benefits to us because He has made a condition, and He cannot lie. Unbelief permits Satan to continue administering the curse. Mar.6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. So we see that even Jesus was forbidden to do mighty works for those who would not believe. Whether we know it or not, we are constantly forbidding or permitting Satan, demons, and God's angels by our thoughts, words, and actions. Since all authority in heaven and earth was given to Jesus and He, in turn delegated it to His disciples, where does Satan get his authority? He gets it from our unbelief, words, and disobedience. If the devil can convince you to listen and accept his thoughts of doubt, worry, fear, anger, etc., you won't be able to stand against him with faith. When we add to or take away from God's Word in thought and deed, this permits the curse by Satan and forbids God's blessings for us or through us. This is by God's design to motivate us to come into agreement with Him. It clearly says in Rev.22:18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book (19) and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. So, in coming into agreement with God, we forbid Satan to administer the curse to us. In order to win this battle, we have to cast down the thoughts of Satan that he sends our way, which would otherwise give him permission to destroy us. So again, 2Co.10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), 5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Here's another misconception. Many think that the reason God gives the gift of tongues is so that Satan cannot understand what we say to God, and his purposes will be thwarted. This is false. Satan and his fallen angels are much smarter than Christians give them credit for. They certainly know the “tongues of men and of angels,” or they couldn't communicate with one another and put their thoughts in our heads. 1Co.13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. When prophecy is uttered in one's own known language, the mind, doctrine, and desires are permitted to be involved in what is said, and the Word is polluted as it says in 1Cor.13:9 “for we know in part, and we prophesy in part”. In other words, the Prophecy can be part God and part man. However, the reason we speak with tongues is so that WE will not know what we are saying and will have no carnal reason to change it or add to it. In this way, it will be a pure Word given of the Spirit. The Bible says in Rom.8:26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity (We have problems sometimes and we don't see the things we need to see. We don't know ourselves as well as we may think we do.): for we know not how to pray as we ought; (It is so true! God gives us the gift of speaking in tongues because we don't know what we should pray, but the Spirit does know what to pray. The apostle Paul really appreciated this gift, and he said, 1Co.14:18 I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all.); Continuing in Rom.8:26 but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered (that is by man); 27 and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. So once again, we gain wisdom concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in us in how to defeat the enemy.   Faith in Balance Another misconception some people may have is how they use faith for things that they don't understand are wrong; things that are not good for us or others. Mar.16:17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe... 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Should we always eat what we want, drink what we want, and breathe what we want because we are not under the curse, according to Galatians 3:13? Possibly the key words here are “what we want,” not “what we need”. God said He would supply our every need. Some think that because we are not under the curse, we shouldn't tell people that certain things are poisonous to their bodies. Where is the balance here? No one should tempt God by taking poison on purpose when there is a choice. That is like the snake handlers who often die tempting God to prove who they are. Permit me to paraphrase the devil when he tempted Jesus: “Throw yourself off this temple, Jesus, because God said the angels would catch you”. His answer was, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God”. Like the angels' promise, God also said you are not under the curse. Does that mean you should put poison in your mouth on purpose when you have a choice not to? That would be tempting God in the exact same way. Notice the devil tempted Jesus to use His promise of protection and His deliverance from the curse to jump off the temple. He tempts you to use your promise of protection and eat known poisons for no purpose, or eat after your own lusts. There is no difference, unless that is all you have to eat, like the man who said to Elisha, “There is death in the pot,” because, in their foraging for food, poisonous gourds had been thrown in the pot. Since that is what they had to eat, he blessed it, and they ate it. When I lived in Pensacola, I drank the water there, I've driven my motorcycle through the chemtrails, and I ate whatever food was put before me because I needed to and was blessed. I knew an otherwise strong Christian who believed with all his heart that he could eat anything he wanted because he was not under the curse. I agreed with the principle, but not the way he was using it to justify his lustful eating habits. He was using the doctrine to eat in an unhealthy manner, and he was overweight and under-exercised. To make a long story short, he died with his arteries clogged and dying because of a lack of circulation. And he confessed constantly that it was all good and he wasn't under the curse. The Lord said we ask and don't receive because we want to consume it upon our lusts. The demons jumped on the seven sons of Sceva, who thought they had protection, but their own lives were not right with God, and so they were under the curse. The promise that ‘if you drink any deadly thing it will not harm you' is for those who have to drink the water they have and eat the food available to them, like when Moses blessed the bitter waters in the barren wilderness. When we are given poison secretly to kill us, as ‘the powers that be' are doing now, we are protected. When we know about it and have a choice between poison and pure, we should choose that which is pure. Of course, if you have something to prove, like the devil was tempting Jesus by saying, “If you are the Son of God,” prove who you are. Jesus had no such lust, and He proved it. There was another way down from that temple roof. Some religious people today would say to someone like him, “You don't have any faith”. But Who is the teacher here? The man who said there was death in the pot was not wrong. Now they had a choice to make: believe God if you need to eat or opt out if you don't believe. Many Christians don't truly believe that God will protect them from poison. Should we just let them die because they do not believe in God's promise? Is it all right to say to them, there is death in the pot? They would die and never have a chance to grow up and learn that they are not under the curse. The Lord said in Hosea 4:6 that His people would die for lack of understanding. Let us have mercy on them and tell them with grace and wisdom that fluoride, chemtrails, chemotherapy, and many drugs they take, etc., are poison. “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man.” But should they be forced to take them or deceived into taking them, they should believe they are not under the curse. Now we know serpents are also demons, but Paul did not take up that serpent on purpose. It bit him, but when it happened, he shook it off by faith and was none the worse in Acts 28:3. I knew a couple who believed they were not under the curse, but they were under a law of their own making, instead of grace through faith; they were under pride, Jezebel and worshiped a false Jesus. God didn't care what their doctrine was; He refused to answer and protect them. In short, walk in holiness and under the protection of God, but don't try to prove who you are in pride, don't put yourself under a law, and don't be competitive with others, for God will humble you. We are not looking to make or find the line in this balance for others; we just share Biblical principles to help them find balance. Let everyone find their own line in their conscience and according to the measure of their faith. We don't want to be caught making laws for others here. Those who truly trust in the Lord are covenant people.   Covenant People Have Rights through Faith Some time ago, I received an email from a brother who was following a man who taught his followers that we should heal everyone like Jesus did. I responded to him with the following: First of all, I am glad for all the people who get healed. By the grace of God, what this brother teaches is right. I have taught for over 55 years with multitudes saved, healed, delivered from demons, and provided for by many kinds of miracles, even physical creations, resurrections, etc.; many were by phone or online, etc. I have searched the scriptures diligently for over 50 years, and there are many that this brother does not consider and put into his puzzle. In his video, he says, “There are no verses that say a person's unbelief will stop them from getting healed.” He has not believed his Bible, throwing out all verses that do not agree with his theory, just like the people he criticizes. According to Jesus, both the minister should have faith AND the one being ministered to. Here are just a few scriptures that come to me quickly: Rom.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Mar.9:22 And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. 24 Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead. But Jesus showed them not so. Mar.6:4 And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching. Luk.8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher. 50 But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole. 51 And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him (none who disbelieve), save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother. Mat.8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour. Mat.9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to YOUR faith be it done unto you. Real faith puts us in covenant rights. Mat.21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. We cannot add to or take from God's Word under penalty of a curse (Revelation 22:18,19). So I told this brother who had been captured by a deceiving spirit, “You would do better to study where ALL the scripture is respected.” When Jesus went from town to town, He healed the people who came to Him. They came because they heard and believed He healed, or they would not have come. For this reason, Jesus rarely went to anyone to heal them. When He went to the pool of Siloam, He went to just one man and healed him because Father gave Him a word of knowledge. He healed no one else there. If Jesus wanted to heal everyone, why didn't He do it for all the rest lying around the pool, who were waiting for the waters to be troubled by the angel? Jesus can heal without faith in someone, but He doesn't have to because of the command for them to believe. This is the exception and not the rule. He requires faith, especially for those who know better. Babies get milk when they cry. Adults are expected to get it for themselves. So if you want to guarantee they have a right to healing, deliverance, and provision, preach the Gospel and see if they believe. This preacher did not do this and he mostly prayed to take pain away. He would ask specifically, “Does anyone have pain?” This may remove a symptom, which by nature, points people to the real disease that he is not dealing with.     Also, Jesus taught that if you don't forgive, you will not be forgiven. Addressing this man, I said, Your friend proved that in the video. When people forgave, they got their healing. He came to the wrong conclusion because he was not accepting all of the scriptures. I have seen the same thing for many years when people repent of willful disobedience, which always brings judgment; they get healed. Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. Jesus taught that when a person is forgiven, they can be delivered from the tormentors, which are demons that bring spirits of infirmity.   He demonstrated this in Mat.9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, and take up thy bed, and go up unto thy house. And Luk.5:24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house. The clear proof that they were forgiven was that they got healed, as Jesus said. Jesus showed that you can give healing or deliverance to even a child of God, but he will not keep it if he doesn't become a disciple and fill his heart with the Word. Mat.12:43-45 But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. Jesus said those who received these benefits from Him also lost them, and it's still true today. Your friend said that every time he prays, he will get healing, which is not true. As he was speaking, the Lord had me test him. He looked square into the camera, saying a person did not need faith; all they needed was his faith. He told the people to put their hands on their infirmity, and he would pray, so I did too. I put my hand on a small thing on myself that had not yet manifested. I was not believing when he prayed because he said it wasn't necessary. When he prayed, nothing happened to me, just like most of the people who watched that video. By the grace of God only, I have been praying for the sick, casting out demons and performing miracles of all kinds for about 55 years, and far less than 1% send me a testimony of their benefit, and most that are sent to us are not on our site. Here you can see that I have taught others to heal and see miracles of all kinds, and they, in turn, are teaching others. But we have to speak as Jesus did and the main condition is faith. I have also taught the real Gospel and the disciples have seen many saved. All the people your friend sends out to witness and heal have the same experience as you. Some are healed, and some are not, and they don't know why. They feel condemned because they haven't got enough faith. You say you believe this man is a Man-child. The Man-child will speak all of the Word and have all kinds of miracles like Jesus, not just the removal of pain, which he specializes in. Also, the Man-child will go to the covenant people and send disciples to the covenant people, just like Jesus the Man-child. History must repeat, or the Bible is wrong. When you speak the gospel FIRST to a person, and they believe it, they are a covenant believer, and they are entitled to healing, deliverance, and miracles. Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). They were the only ones who had the Covenant. The reason Jesus was healing all, which your group is not doing, is because He went to the people who had covenant rights of healing. Exo.15:26 and he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am Jehovah that healeth thee. Today, we offer healing, and if anyone believes the simple Gospel, they will receive. The Syrophoenician woman wanted healing for her daughter, but Jesus said, “It's not right to cast the children's bread to the dogs” (or unbelievers). She said, “But even the dogs get the crumbs that fall from the master's table”. Jesus said, “For this saying (of faith) go thy way; thy daughter is healed”. Jesus was bringing a New Covenant for all those who believe. They have a right to healing and deliverance. Also, notice the daughter had rights through the parents' faith. The centurion's servant had rights through his faith, as with Jairus' daughter. If they believe that they can heal everyone, why do they not go to the hospitals where the really sick people are and empty them? Taking pain away is one of the easiest things. Keep on preaching the Gospel, brother, but include all of the scriptures for more success. Read the free book on our site called The Real Good News. You will find many more scriptures there AND the real Gospel. Now, another area people may have a misunderstanding about is…   Repenting for Others and the Sins of the Parents I received this question from a sister and put my comments in red. She writes: I'm forwarding this to you as it is in line with your ministry. Personally, I have mixed emotions about it. On one hand, God said in the Old Testament that He no longer holds the sins of the Father against the children. My Reply: This is because for those who believe, Jesus broke the genetic curse of Adamic sin, which is passed on through the blood of parents. We had a woman in our assembly who adopted three babies from birth but didn't know the biological parents. As each child entered puberty, they started manifesting fornication, lying and stealing, and the mother was confused because she had raised them all to be Christians. She wanted to find out who the biological parents were and was able to because an HRS worker turned her back while she looked at their files. She went to see the mother and found out that she was just like the children with the same sins. Even though the parents did not raise these children, their sins were passed on through their blood. As we prayed for these children, God saved them and the genetic curse was broken. Now they do not suffer for the sins of their parents. Many Christians still suffer for the sins of their parents and need to believe the Gospel to be delivered. She continues: Eze.18:1 The word of Jehovah came unto me again, saying, 2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? 3 As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, ye shall not have [occasion] any more to use this proverb in Israel. My Reply: Those in true spiritual Israel are delivered from the sins of the parents by the blood of the Lamb. Jesus became a curse for us (Gal.3:13,14). She continues: Eze.18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. My Reply: “For each man shall bear his own burden” (Gal.6:5). She continues: That being so, then this admonition to repent of the sins of the Fathers before us, or we will be punished, seems contrary, although every generation has those who are prejudiced and mistreat others, for which they as individuals should repent. Is every generation of America going to have to repent for what their forefathers did? When does it end? My Reply: We can repent for the sins of our parents, which are genetically in us, but we cannot repent of their sins for them, as some say. Everyone has to repent for themselves. :o) A sister we know of thought this would work for the City of New Orleans, but God quickly told her that it would not. She continues: “We stopped over in New Orleans on July 2nd. We repented and interceded for that city. Afterwards as we turned to leave, the Lord spoke clearly to two of us. What He said to me was startling. He said, “I will destroy this city in a day!” Obviously, repenting for someone else doesn't work; two months later, the city was gone. (Hurricane Katrina)” My Reply: Some believe verses like this prove that to be a false doctrine. Neh.9:2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. This is for Christians who are separated from their nations. Our sins, which ARE the iniquities of our fathers in us, can be confessed and forsaken. She continues: Secondly, as one scripture verse points out, Psalm 130:3 If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? The idea that Nashville, Las Vegas, or New Orleans are more sinful than other places is possible, but if God wants to, He could pick any big city and would be able to find enough reasons to punish the people therein. However, from the Old Testament, I get the impression that, in spite of men's sinfulness, God is looking for reasons to spare people, such as for the sake of any righteous persons therein. When messages calling for repentance come through, I take them seriously because I don't want to take a chance of destruction coming. My Reply: “The wicked is a ransom for the righteous” Pro.21:18. When God judges the wicked, the righteous get the fear of God and repent like when God judged Egypt, and Israel came out from among them. God is gathering sinners into cities to give a demonstration for the righteous, who, like Lot, will come out from among them. The judging of the wicked is a ransom, which is the price God is willing to pay for the righteous to be free from bondage. Ten judgments fell on Egypt, and Israel tempted God 10 times in the wilderness.

Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Deacon Nathan Biersdorfer to continue our series on Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. Other guests include Karlo Broussard from Catholic Answers on relics and superstition, and canon lawyer Fr. Philip Michael Tangorra on the latest regarding the intent of the SSPX to consecrate bishops without permission from the Holy See. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** St. Thomas More’s Prayer for Good Humor Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is goodand that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments,nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke, to discover in life a bit of joy,and to be able to share it with others. Amen. ***** Cincinnati Right to Life is online at cincinnatirighttolife.org. Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy upon Jerusalem?… And the Lord answered the angel… with good words and comfortable words.” — Zechariah 1:12,13 What a sweet answer to an anxious enquiry! This night let us rejoice in it. O Zion, there are good things in store for thee; thy time […]

Both archaeology and the Bible suggest that the world was once quite different from the world we know today. Each agrees that the earth's climate was once much more uniform than it is today.At one time the tropics may have extended into what are today polar regions. However, the Bible and evolutionary geology don't agree on how long ago that was. Bible-believing geologists, on the other hand, are reporting evidence to support the Bible's story of history.In the past years, scientists have been surprised to discover dinosaur fossils in Alaska. Dinosaurs need warm temperatures—warmer than Alaska was thought to have been. In 1986, on Canada's Axel Heiberg Island, only 600 miles from the North Pole, scientists found a huge, dense forest. Some of the trees were well over 125 feet tall. They have been snapped off at the stump and are neither fossilized nor petrified, but remain as fresh wood. Even some of the leaves are still intact. The area was filled with spruce, hickory, dawn redwood and cypress trees and was evidently a swamp, since tropical turtle and alligator remains have also been found. Tree rings show that the area was warmer in the recent past, while the size of the rings tell us that there were short, hot summers during which rapid growth occurred, followed by long, dark winters as there are today.The most interesting conclusion reached by the scientific team is that the entire region must have been subjected to a huge flood! This discovery tells us that all of geology must be restructured to present a history that agrees with the Bible's story of the earth's past.Psalm 119:89“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.”Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I thank You that Your Word is true and trustworthy. Let my faith be more than a faith of words or simply comfort in bad times. Instruct me through the Bible so that my faith is a way of life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.REF: Search for a Tropical Arctic (Television documentary). Federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources (Canada). Image: Strathcona Fiord Fossil Forest and fossil vertebrate site, Jaelyn J. Eberle, Wighart von Koenigswald snd David A. Eberth, CC BY 4.0. Wikipedia Commons, Changes made. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਚਉਪਦੇ    ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਸੰਤ ਭਗਤ ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਸਭਿ ਪਾਪ ਨਿਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਮ ਊਪਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਿਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਖੁ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਤੁਮ ਜੁ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਉ ਬਨਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਮ ਪਾਪੀ ਪਾਥਰ ਨੀਰਿ ਡੁਬਤ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪਾਖਣ ਹਮ ਤਾਰੀ ॥ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਬਿਖੁ ਮੋਰਚਾ ਲਗਿ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਾਧ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਬੈਸੰਤਰਿ ਤਾਇਓ ਮਲੁ ਕਾਟੀ ਕਟਿਤ ਉਤਾਰੀ ॥੨॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿਜਪਨੁ ਜਪਉ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥੩॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅਗਮਅਗਾਧਿ ਬੋਧਿ ਅਪਰੰਪਰ ਪੁਰਖ ਅਪਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੈਜ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥੪॥੧॥ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਹਰੀ! ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁਣ ਬਿਆਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ। ਅਸੀ ਜੀਵ ਪਾਪੀ ਹਾਂ, ਪਾਪਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਡੁੱਬੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਾਂ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਪੱਥਰ ਪਾਣੀ ਵਿਚ ਡੁੱਬੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇਹਨ। ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ, ਸਾਨੂੰ ਪੱਥਰਾਂ (ਪੱਥਰ-ਦਿਲਾਂ) ਨੂੰ ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੋਂ ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘਾ ਲੈ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਤੇਰੇ ਜੇਹੜੇ ਸੰਤ ਜੇਹੜੇ ਭਗਤ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤੂੰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ (ਪਿਛਲੇ ਕੀਤੇ) ਸਾਰੇ ਪਾਪ ਦੂਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ। ਹੇ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਸਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭੀਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ, (ਸਾਨੂੰ ਉਸ) ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਰੱਖ ਜੇਹੜੀ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਲੱਗਦੀ ਹੈ।੧।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਵੇਂ ਸੋਨਾ ਅੱਗ ਵਿਚ ਤਪਾਇਆਂ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਮੈਲ ਕੱਟੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਲਾਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਜਨਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਚੰਬੜੇ ਹੋਏ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਦਾਜ਼ਹਰ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੰਗਾਲ ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪੈ ਕੇ ਸੋਧਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।(ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਤਾਂਹੀਏਂ) ਮੈਂ (ਭੀ) ਦਿਨ ਰਾਤ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਜਾਪ ਜਪਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਨਾਮ ਜਪ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਵਸਾਈ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਜਗਤ ਵਿਚ ਐਸੀ ਦਵਾਈ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਆਪਣਾ ਅਸਰ ਕਰਨੋਂ ਕਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਖੁੰਝਦੀ। ਇਹ ਨਾਮ ਜਪ ਕੇ (ਅੰਦਰੋਂ) ਹਉਮੈ ਮੁਕਾ ਸਕੀਦੀ ਹੈ।੩।ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-) ਹੇ ਅਪਹੁੰਚ! ਹੇ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਮਝ ਤੋਂ ਪਰੇ! ਹੇ ਪਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਪਰੇ! ਹੇ ਸਰਬ-ਵਿਆਪਕ! ਹੇ ਬੇਅੰਤ! ਹੇ ਜਗਤ ਦੇ ਜੀਵਨ! ਆਪਣੇ ਦਾਸਾਂ ਉਤੇ ਮੇਹਰਕਰ, ਤੇ, (ਇਸ ਵਿਕਾਰ-ਭਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵਿਚੋਂ) ਦਾਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਲਾਜ ਰੱਖ ਲੈ।੪।੧।DHANAASAREE, FOURTH MEHL, FIRST HOUSE, CHAU-PADAS:ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:Those Saints and devotees who serve the Lord have all their sins washed away. Have Mercy on me, O Lord and Master, and keep me in the Sangat, the Congregation that You love. || 1 || I cannot even speak the Praises of the Lord, the Gardener of the world. We are sinners, sinking like stones in water; grant Your Grace, and carry us stones across. || Pause || The rust of poison and corruption from countless incarnations sticks to us; joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, it is cleaned away. It is just like gold, which is heated in the fire, to remove the impurities from it. || 2 || I chant the chant of the Name of the Lord, day and night; I chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, and enshrine it within my heart. The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, is the most perfect medicine in this world; chanting the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, I have conquered my ego. || 3 || The Lord, Har, Har, is unapproachable, of unfathomable wisdom, unlimited, all-powerful and infinite. Show Mercy to Your humble servant, O Life of the world, and save the honor of servant Nanak. || 4 || 1 ||

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.4 But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they called out to the LORD, “O LORD, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.17 And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Ever feel like you're drowning—underwater, overwhelmed, and out of options? Psalm 130 reminds us that crying out from the depths isn't weakness—it's exactly where breakthrough begins. When we finally stop trying to fix everything ourselves and call out to God, that's when real transformation starts.The Psalmist knew what we often forget: God doesn't keep a record of our failures. He runs toward us at our worst, not away from us. And in those dark seasons of waiting—when you're like a watchman desperately longing for morning—God is preparing something in you that productivity could never produce.If you're in a tough season and don't know how to pray, Psalm 130 can pray for you. Let these ancient words shape your heart this week: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord...in your word I put my hope." Because with the Lord is unfailing love, and with Him is full redemption.

Lamentations February 22, 2026 Teacher: Pastor Daniel Bunn LAMENTATIONS 1:1-7 Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem (587 B.C.) Tisha B'Av Lamentations is meant to be felt. "How?" Lamentations names the pain and looks it in the face. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long (Psalm 32:3) What is hidden cannot be healed. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1) Lamentations invites us to name our pain before God. Truthfulness is not the absence of faith. Truthfulness requires deep faith. Where are you pretending everything is fine? What would it look like to be a little more honest? REVELATION 21:1-4

How do we bring our “hard things” to the LORD?

Daily Morning Prayer (2/23/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 110-113; Deuteronomy 3; Luke 6; Metrical Psalm 38:1-14, and a brief reading from the Books of Homilies1 Thy chast'ning wrath, O Lord, restrain, though I deserve it all; Nor let at once on me the storm of thy displeasure fall. 2 In ev'ry wretched part of me thy arrows deep remain; Thy heavy hand's afflicting weight I can no more sustain. 3 My flesh is one continued wound, thy wrath so fiercely glows, Betwixt my punishment and guilt my bones have no repose. 4 My sins, that to a deluge swell, my sinking head o'erflow, And for my feeble strength to bear too vast a burden grow.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

In this episode of The Choral Director's Toolbox, host Dr. William Baker advocated to "Rehearse with the End in Mind," adapting Stephen Covey's timeless principle to the art of rehearsal planning. With practical wisdom drawn from decades on the podium, Dr. Baker discusses time management, strategic pacing, and the discipline required to prepare an entire program within limited rehearsal hours without creating unnecessary stress for singers. This week's listener question comes from Dale in San Diego, who asks how to respond when a performance does not go well. Drawing inspiration from Olympic figure skating and the joyful artistry of gold medalist Alysa Liu, Dr. Baker reflects on humility, resilience, and the professional grace required in both triumph and disappointment. To submit your question to The Choral Director's Toolbox, write to us at Toolbox@FestivalSingers.org. Today's inspiration is Thomas Tallis' "O Lord, in Thee Is All My Trust," performed by The Tallis Scholars under the direction of Peter Phillips, a luminous and fitting selection for the Lenten season. Join us for an episode on preparation, perspective, and the enduring pursuit of excellence in choral art.

Daily Morning Prayer (2/23/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 110-113; Deuteronomy 3; Luke 6; Metrical Psalm 38:1-14, and a brief reading from the Books of Homilies1 Thy chast'ning wrath, O Lord, restrain, though I deserve it all; Nor let at once on me the storm of thy displeasure fall. 2 In ev'ry wretched part of me thy arrows deep remain; Thy heavy hand's afflicting weight I can no more sustain. 3 My flesh is one continued wound, thy wrath so fiercely glows, Betwixt my punishment and guilt my bones have no repose. 4 My sins, that to a deluge swell, my sinking head o'erflow, And for my feeble strength to bear too vast a burden grow.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Introit: Invocabit me ("Simple English Propers") Kyrie: Mass of Remembrance Psalm 51: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (Mayernik) Presentation: #484 Hosea Closing: #481 The Glory of These Forty Days All music reproduced and streamed with permission from ONE LICENSE, license #A-723939. Organist: Bill Brinzer Celebrants: Father Joe Keenan and Deacon Frank Szemanski Today's readings (via USCCB): bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading For more information, visit our parish website at MaryQueenofPeacePGH.org.

Revelation 15 ESV The Seven Angels with Seven Plagues15 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,“Great and amazing are your deeds,    O Lord God the Almighty!Just and true are your ways,    O King of the nations!4 Who will not fear, O Lord,    and glorify your name?For you alone are holy.    All nations will come    and worship you,for your righteous acts have been revealed.”5 After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, 6 and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. 7 And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, 8 and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

On the Sunday of the Last Judgment, the Gospel reveals that judgment takes place not in a courtroom, but in the throne room of God—a reality the Church enters every Sunday in the Divine Liturgy. This homily explores how worship forms repentance, trains us in mercy, and sends us into the world with lives shaped by the pattern of Christ's self-giving love. --- The Throne Room Now: Judgment, Mercy, and the Work of the Liturgy A Homily on the Sunday of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31–46) When we hear the Gospel of the Last Judgment, our attention is usually drawn—rightly—to the command to do good: to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned. And the danger every year is that we hear this Gospel as if Christ were saying something like this: "Be good people during the week (ie take care of people)—and then come to church on Sunday." But that is not what the Lord is saying. In fact, the Gospel appointed for today does something far more unsettling—and far more hopeful. It places the Judgment not in a courtroom, but in the throne room of God. Christ says, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory." That is not legal language. It is liturgical language. The people who first heard this would have known exactly what that meant. They would have filled in the details instinctively from the Scriptures and from worship: the throne surrounded by cherubim and seraphim; the unceasing hymn of praise; even the River of Fire—not as punishment, but as the light and heat of God's own glory. And here is the first thing we must understand: We are not only told about that throne room. We are brought into it. Every Sunday, the Church does not merely remember something that will happen someday. We are brought into that reality now - as much as we can bear it. The Kingdom is revealed to us here and now, sacramentally, liturgically, truthfully. And that changes how we hear today's Gospel. First: There is a connection between doing good and coming to church Sunday is not an interruption of the Christian life. It is its measure. In a real sense, every Sunday is a little judgment—not a condemnation, but a revelation. We come into the light, and the truth about us is allowed to appear. And notice how this begins in the Divine Liturgy. It begins not with confidence, not with self-congratulation, but with repentance. The priest, standing before God as the leader and voice of the people, pleads at the very beginning: "O Lord, Lord, open unto me the door of Thy mercy." That is not theatrical humility. That is the truth. We are asking to be let in—not because we deserve it, but because without mercy we cannot even stand. And then, before the Trisagion, the priest names what God already knows about all of us: that He "despisest not the sinner but hast appointed repentance unto salvation." And so he begs Him directly: "Pardon us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary." This is what Sunday is. It is the people of God standing before the glory of His altar and asking to be healed. Asking to see clearly. Asking to be made capable of love. But repentance in the Liturgy does not remain on the lips of the clergy alone. Before Communion, the entire Church takes up the same posture and says together words that are almost shocking in their honesty: "I stand before the doors of Thy temple, and yet I refrain not from my terrible thoughts." We do not pretend that standing in church has magically fixed us. We confess that we are still conflicted, still distracted, still broken. And then, with no room left for comparison or self-justification, we each say: "Who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first." And finally, we make the plea that fits today's Gospel with frightening precision: "Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of Thy holy mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body." The Church is honest with us here. The same fire that heals can also burn, depending on whether we approach it with repentance or with presumption. This is not a threat meant to drive us away, but truth meant to help us approach rightly. That is why Sunday is a little judgment—not because God is eager to condemn, but because His throne room is opened to us now in mercy, so that we may be healed, corrected, and trained to recognize Christ when He comes to us in the least of His brethren. Second: Sunday worship is where we actually do the work Christ commands And once we see that, we can begin to understand what the Church is actually doing here -  and why worship cannot be separated from judgment. Before we ever offer bread and wine, the Church first intercedes for the world. We pray for peace from above and the salvation of our souls; for the peace of the whole world and the good estate of the holy Churches; for this city and every city and countryside; for travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick, the suffering, and the captive; for deliverance from tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity. We even pray for civil authorities—not to bless power for its own sake, but that peace and order might make room for mercy and justice. In other words, before we do anything else, we place the needs of others before God. And in addition to interceding for all of this, here—at the heart of the Divine Liturgy—the Church actually performs the works of mercy Christ names in today's Gospel. Not in theory.  Not symbolically.  But truly. Here: Strangers are welcomed and given a home. Prisoners are freed from the shackles of sin and the sentence of death. The naked are clothed with baptismal garments. The thirsty are given living water. The hungry are given the Bread of Life. This is not allegory. This is reality at its deepest level. God Himself tells us to care even more for the soul than for the body. During the week, we sacrifice ourselves to meet bodily needs—and we must grow in that work. But on Sunday, we are commanded to do the most important work of mercy: to restore people to life in Christ. That is why worship is not optional. It is not private devotion. It is the Church doing what the Church exists to do.  And because that work is real, it carries with it genuine hope. Third: Sunday gives us a foretaste of the reward The Gospel of the Last Judgment is not only a warning. It is also a promise. Those who learn to serve Christ in the least of His brethren are not merely rewarded—they are invited to rest in God, to share in His life, to participate in His rule. Saint Paul says something astonishing: "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? … Do you not know that we shall judge angels?" (1 Corinthians 6:2–3) This does not mean we become harsh or self-righteous. It means we are being trained—here and now—for a future of responsibility, faithfulness, and love. What we do here is forming who we are becoming. Conclusion What happens in this Divine Liturgy is the automatic response of the Church—that is, of a people devoted to sacrificial love—to God's command to care for others as we care for ourselves. This is not a dead ritual. It is a powerful tool for doing essential work. It is the throne room of God revealed to us now. But it is not meant to remain here. The expectation of the Church is that the pattern of the Liturgy becomes the pattern of our life. That the repentance we practice here becomes the repentance that shapes our weeks. That the mercy we receive here becomes the mercy we extend beyond these walls. That the intercessions we make here train us to notice, remember, and bear the burdens of others when we leave. That is why the Liturgy does not end with applause or reflection, but with a command: "Let us go forth in peace." We are sent out not having finished our work, but having been formed for it. And when the Son of Man comes in His glory, He will recognize those whose lives have taken on the shape of His worship— those who learned, here, how to repent, how to intercede, and how to love.

What an electrifying message! Pastor Dave delivered a powerful sermon on the transformative power of praise and worship. In this dynamic teaching, he illuminated how praise isn't just about singing songs—it's a spiritual weapon that breaks chains and ushers in God's presence. Drawing from Psalms 150 and other scriptures, Pastor Dave emphasized that worship isn't optional for those who have breath; it's our divine purpose and calling. He passionately shared how God is "enthroned in the praises of His people," explaining that when we worship, Jesus literally takes His seat among us, bringing freedom, healing, and breakthrough. Through personal stories and biblical examples, he challenged the congregation to move beyond comfort zones and offer sacrifices of praise regardless of circumstances. The message culminated in a stirring altar call where lives were changed as people responded to God's invitation to "come out of darkness into His marvelous light." This series continues to revolutionize our understanding of authentic worship and its power to transform lives.Psalms 150 Praise the Lord!Praise God in His sanctuary;Praise Him in His mighty [b]firmament!2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!3 Praise Him with the sound of the [c]trumpet;Praise Him with the lute and harp!4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;Praise Him with clashing cymbals6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.Praise the Lord!Psalms 107:22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,And declare His works with rejoicing.Psalm 116:17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,And will call upon the name of the Lord.Psalms 54:6 I will freely sacrifice to You;I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good.Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.Revelation 4:11“You are worthy, O Lord,To receive glory and honor and power;For You created all things,And by Your will they exist and were created.”Psalms 18:3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;So shall I be saved from my enemies.Psalms 22:3 But You are holy,Enthroned in the praises of Israel.Psalms 150:2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Matthew Week 126   Matthew 22:34-35 ESV   34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.       Matthew 22:36-38 ESV   36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.       Deuteronomy 6:4-5 ESV   4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.       Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ESV   12 "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?       Psalm 18:1-2 ESV   I love you, O Lord, my strength.   2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,   my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,   my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.       Matthew 22:39-40 ESV   39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."       Leviticus 19:18 ESV   18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.       Luke 10:36-37 ESV   36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."       Romans 7:4-6 ESV   4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.       Romans 7:7 ESV   7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."       Mark 12:32 ESV   32 And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.       Matthew 22:41-45 ESV   41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,   44 "'The Lord said to my Lord,   "Sit at my right hand,   until I put your enemies under your feet"'?   45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?"       Matthew 22:46 ESV   46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Sunday morning, the 22nd of February, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in that very well-known Psalm 46:10. It says: “Be still, and know that I am God;…” Then we go to the Book of Acts 16:25-26: “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.”I remember many, many years ago, being invited to the maximum-security prison in Pretoria, and we had a wonderful meeting with those men. Those men sang their hearts out for the Lord, and as I was leaving the prison, walking through those dark corridors, one of the men who invited me said, ”You see down that passage?” I said, “Yes”. He said, “That is where the convicted criminals in the old days used to walk to the gallows where they were hung for their crimes.” And he said to me, “And Angus, they were singing hymns, every single one of them, so we trust that they repented.”What about you today? Where are you today? Are you sick in your body today? Are you so stressed out because you don't have a job? Is your business collapsing? Is it drought? Is it the Foot and Mouth disease? What is it that is pulling you down? I have just come from a men's prayer meeting where we have been singing and it lifted that chapel's roof. I want to sing with you today, but I want you to sing with me please. I am going to sing as best I can and you do the same, and let those shackles fall off you today. We are going to sing that beautiful hymn, “Be still and know that I am God.” It goes like this: Be still and know that I am God,be still and know that I am God,be still and know that I am God.I am the Lord that healeth thee.I am the Lord that healeth thee.I am the Lord that healeth thee.In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,in Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,in Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.God bless you and goodbye.

Today's Psalm (92) tells us “It is good … to declare your steadfast love in the morning” [v.1,2]  It is important to begin each day with taking at least a little time to focus our thoughts upon God, to declare to him in prayer our “steadfast love.”  We read on, “For you O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”[v.4]   The wonders of creation are all around us, it is so easy to take them for granted. It is the greatest foolishness of human thinking to imagine that everything, sort of “created” itself.  God's handiwork surrounds us on every side, men have discovered so much more about the wonders of their own bodies and the incredible intricacies of nature, yet so few acknowledge and are in awe of the unlimited creative “mind” that brought it all into being.The Psalmist says “It should make us “glad” and “sing for joy.  How great are your works O LORD!  Your thoughts are very deep.” [v.4,5]  That last brief statement seems inadequate.  Can we begin to imagine the thought processes of God!  No – we cannot.  Through Isaiah God said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [55 v.8,9]Last month in Psalm 40 we read “You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” [v.5]   Tomorrow in Psalm 94 we will read the contrast, “the Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath” [v.11] But having said that the Psalm is positive and we read on, “Blessed is the man whom you discipline O LORD, and whom you teach out of your Law” [v.12]. May you and I feel blessed.So we learn, especially in the Psalms, that God's eyes and thoughts are toward those who fear and love Him.  We have been learning in Exodus of how close to God Moses became; we read yesterday of how he was able to speak to God “face to face, as a man speaks to a friend”[33 v.11]  This does not mean physically face to face, but rather, mind to mind.  The limits to physical contact are described in v.20 when God said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”  There is a sense in which the Bible shows us the “face” of God, but only when we prayerfully read it with our heart ‘open' to receive and meditate on its meaning.  How precious it should be to us.  How they longed to read it hundreds of years ago when copies were precious and very expensive because they all had to be hand written and paper was very expensive..  Today the situation is the very opposite and the attitude has become the opposite. Let us not be affected by this, let us “declare (y)our steadfast love” every morning – and throughout every day. 

We begin a new series in the book of Habakkuk called “How Long, O Lord?” Habakkuk faced some of the darkest days in Israel's history. In such wearisome times, he wrestled with questions you and I have likely asked as well. Why does God allow evil to endure? How long will God be distant or silent? Does God care or know my pain? Habakkuk is a story of a great exchange. Worry is transformed into worship. Fear turns to faith. Terror becomes trust. Anguish melts into adoration. Join us as Pastor Michael guides us in exploring what led Habakkuk to glorify God, even with hope, despite his circumstances remaining unchanged. Our prayer is that Habakkuk's experience can bring hope and purpose to the suffering you may be going through today.

On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on Him to hear the word of God, [Jesus] … sat down and taught the people from [Simon Peter's] boat. And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. … But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” … And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. (Luke 5:1a, 3b-6, 8, 10b-11)

“There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.” (1 Samuel 9:1–2 NLT) David was in many ways the opposite of King Saul. Saul came from a family that loved him; David came from a family that neglected him. Saul was the most handsome man in all Israel; David was a handsome enough guy, but relatively ordinary. Saul was attractive on the outside, but on the inside, he was vain, shallow, and devoid of true integrity. In contrast, David had a deep spiritual life and an intense devotion to God. If you want to know about David’s spirituality profile, just read some of the psalms he wrote. They are like windows into his soul. For example, in Psalm 23:1–3, he says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name” (NLT). David was perfectly content in his relationship with the Lord. And in Psalm 139 he says, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. . . . Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” (verses 1, 6 nlt). David was in awe of God’s limitless wisdom and knowledge. He felt blessed to be known by the Almighty. And when he sinned against the Lord, David experienced deep guilt and shame. Look at his words in Psalm 51:2–3: “Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night” (NLT). Saul’s problem was that he was full of himself. So, the Lord rejected him. David was full of the Lord. So, God accepted him. As we saw in an earlier devotion this week, the Lord seems to go out of His way to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. That way, people are more likely to recognize the Lord’s hand at work and give credit to Him rather than to human beings. Just as surely as God plucked David from obscurity, He is looking for men and women whom He can use in these critical days in which we are living. God is looking for people to touch this generation. He is looking for people to change this world. Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war” (NLT). What kind of person does He look for? Someone strong? No. He looks for someone He can show His strength through—someone whose heart is turned toward Him. Does that describe you? Is your heart totally turned toward God? If so, He can and will accomplish great things through you. Reflection question: How can you help people see God’s strength in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Day 2802 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2802 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 115:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2802 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2802 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. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: Our God is Supreme Today, we are continuing our journey through the "Egyptian Hallel," the magnificent collection of praise songs sung by the Jewish people during the Passover festival. We are stepping into the first half of Psalm One Hundred Fifteen, covering verses one through eight, in the New Living Translation. To set the stage, let us remember where we stood in our previous trek. In Psalm One Hundred Fourteen, we witnessed the sheer, terrifying power of the Theophany. We saw the earth tremble, the Red Sea flee, and the Jordan River turn back at the very presence of the God of Jacob. It was a psalm of action, movement, and cosmic disruption. Yahweh stepped into history, and the chaotic forces of nature panicked. But as we turn the page to Psalm One Hundred Fifteen, the tone shifts from the dramatic trembling of the earth to a profound, theological reflection. According to Jewish tradition, while Psalms One Hundred Thirteen and One Hundred Fourteen were sung before the Passover meal, Psalm One Hundred Fifteen was the first hymn sung after the meal was finished. Imagine the scene. Jesus and His disciples have just finished the Last Supper. The bread has been broken; the cup of the new covenant has been poured. And before they walk out into the dark night toward the Garden of Gethsemane, they lift their voices to sing these exact words. They sing about the glory of God, the foolishness of the world's idols, and the absolute sovereignty of the King of Heaven. This psalm is a brilliant polemic—a theological argument—against the gods of the surrounding nations. It contrasts the living, unrestrained God of Israel with the dead, handcrafted statues of the pagan world. It challenges us to ask: Where does the glory belong, and what are we truly placing our trust in? Let us dive into the text. Psalm One Hundred Fifteen: verse one. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. The psalm opens with one of the most profound statements of humility in the entire Bible. The psalmist repeats the phrase for emphasis: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us." This is the ultimate deflection of human pride. When Israel looked back at the Exodus—when they remembered the sea parting and the enemies drowning—it was incredibly tempting to pat themselves on the back. It is human nature to assume that if God blesses us, saves us, or uses us, it must be because we are somehow special, worthy, or superior. But the psalmist violently rejects that idea. He says, "Lord, do not give us the credit. We did not part the sea. We did not defeat the Egyptian empire. The glory belongs entirely, exclusively, and completely to Your Name." And why does the glory go to His Name? Because of two foundational attributes: His "unfailing love" and His

How might believers get back to offering the gifts of suffering-faith, perseverance, empathy, and hope-to those living in a literal world of hurt?People used to seek support from the Church when life got hard. But instead of providing a place for people to suffer well together, many churches today focus more on big growth, how-to programs, and positive news. If we come to value comfort over depth, chasing after more safe, predictable lives, we risk diminishing our light and His hope.In Holy Disturbance, author Karen Sjoblom aims to reacquaint people of faith with the gifts of suffering by weaving historical and current-day narratives around Reverend Addison Groff's timeless prayer, "Disturb Us, O Lord." Focused on equipping and encouraging pastors, leaders, volunteers, and congregants, Sjoblom invites the Church and Her people to move toward deeper faith and community-especially within our storms.Study how and why we've drifted from being suffering servantsRead dozens of stories from congregants, leaders, and pastors about grief, recovery, hurt, and growth within the ChurchSoak in reflection questions, meaningful practices, and leadership wisdom to map a new course for your church and community-and a renewed thirst for GodSuffering engenders messier lives but richer, deeper connections...and this is what the Church was built for. Holy Disturbance is part love letter and part wake-up call to the Church and Her people-to recognize the gifts that come from our seasons of struggle, and to share our hard-won lessons and His hope with a hurting world.About Karen:An award-winning author, freelance writer, and editor, Karen Sjoblom has had a 40-year career in healthcare, science, education, high tech, and nonprofit communications, as well as decades in faith-based nonfiction. She also co founded and ran for nine years Eve‟s Daughters, a nonprofit for single moms and their kids outside of Portland, Oregon. In addition to Holy Disturbance, she‟s published Gone for Good: Lessons from a Midlife Exodus; One: Single Mothering, Full Circle from her time with Eve‟s Daughters; two parenting books with New Leaf Press as part of the Mom2Mom series; plus a patient and family handbook on living with Lou Gehrig‟s disease. She‟s also edited several books by multiple authors. She‟s passionate about matters of faith, resilience, and re-creation: studying our stories and scars, witnessing His mercy, and stepping into our missions. She lives in the Midwest, writing, teaching, and encouraging others to know, value, and share the wisdom gained from their life-journeys with a hurting world. Follow Karen:Website: KarenSjoblom.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.sjoblomLinkedIn: https:/www.linkedin.com/in/karensjoblom/

"And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, 'Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered.'" Two silver trumpets are fashioned to summon the congregation and signal the march. Then, after nearly a year at Sinai, the cloud lifts, and Israel begins its journey toward the Promised Land. In this chapter, we witness the people of God finally on the move, led by the LORD Himself. The journey begins with hope and order, though trials lie ahead.  The Rev. Matthew Kusch, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Numbers 10.  To learn more about King of Glory, visit kogelgin.org. The Book of Numbers is far more than an ancient census report. It is the story of a people learning to trust God in the wilderness, and failing, and finding grace anyway.  In this series, host Pastor Phil Booe and guest pastors walk through the Old Testament book of Numbers chapter by chapter. We follow Israel from Sinai toward the Promised Land, through grumbling and rebellion, fiery serpents and a talking donkey, faithless spies and faithful priests. The journey is hard, the failures are many, and God remains faithful to a faithless people.  These ancient accounts point us to Christ. The bronze serpent lifted on a pole points to the cross. The rock struck for water points to the one struck for us. The high priest whose death frees the manslayer points to the Great High Priest whose death sets us free forever. Join us as we discover that the wilderness has more to teach us than we ever expected.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Psalm: 51: Be Merciful, O Lord, for we have Sinned (Mayernik) Distribution of the Ashes: Inside back cover of the hymnal Turn our Hearts Around (Trevor Thomson) Presentation: #644 There is a wideness in God's Mercy Closing: #48 The Glory of these Forty Days All music reproduced and streamed with permission from ONE LICENSE, license #A-723939. Organist: Bill Brinzer Celebrant: Father Joe Kennan and Deacon Bob McMullen Today's readings (via USCCB): bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading For more information, visit our parish website at MaryQueenofPeacePGH.org.

In this sermon, guest speaker Mike Yuhasz encourages listeners to seek the Lord to revive our hearts.

God Has Not Forgotten Your Affliction! Psalm 44:22-26 “Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?  For we sink down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up, come to our help. Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.” The original verse I started with this morning was verse 24. “Why do you forget our affliction and oppression. Yet, when I looked up the verse, all these verses were together, and it reminded me of so many people. There are so many of you who listen to this podcast who have reached out and said this same thing. Maybe not in these exact words, but these are the thoughts going through your head. You are wondering where the Lord is in all of this. You are wondering why He is not answering your questions when you know He can. You are wondering why? Why the broken dreams? Why has He not healed you? Why has he not brought the provisions? Why does it seem He has not kept His promise to provide for you and to protect you? Why are your loved ones still hurting? Why has your protigal son or daughter not come home? Why again, why now? Why? What is your why that you are wrestling with right now? What the Lord put on my heart is that He wants us to know that if we are asking why we are not alone. Many times, we can think we aren't supposed to ask why. We might hear things at church or from other people who say that if you are struggling, you just don't have enough faith. You might hear that you can't be mad at God, you just need to work through it on your own. If you are mad at God, you are bad or doing something wrong. You just don't trust enough. You might hear a bunch of different things. Most of them are not true. God wants you to know that it is ok to ask why. It is okay not to understand His plan. It is ok to cry out to Him in anger and frustration. I feel He gave me this scripture today to show you that you are not alone. The psalmists cried out to the Lord. They asked Him questions. They expressed their frustration with His timing and with feeling abandoned. Many of the Psalms were written by David. He was blessed beyond measure by God. He knew God, and He knew how much God loved Him. He was never afraid to take His sins back to God and ask for forgiveness. He had a very intimate relationship with God. David also did not have an easy life. He went from being loved by the king to being hunted by the king, from being king to being pursued by his son, who wanted him dead. If we don't know David's whole story, we may think he killed Goliath with a stone and then became a mighty king. There is so much more to David's story. He had some great years, some awful years, and everything in between. I tell you all of this to show you that you can be beloved and blessed by God and yet still have lots of trouble in your life. Having trouble and suffering do not mean that God doesn't love you or that He has turned His back on you. Many of you have been praying some pretty big prayers for a long time, and you feel angry that God is not listening. He wants you to know that He hears every one of your prayers. He is acting even if you can't see how. Sometimes he is arranging things that you won't see enter your life for years. Sometimes, He is changing people's hearts, and that takes time. Sometimes our children have to learn their own lessons, and that takes time. Yes, God could heal you in a minute. Yes, God could change your heart in a minute. God can do all things. Yet that is not always how he chooses to do things, and it is our job to cooperate with God's plan. I promise you, God knows what He is doing. He is not placing amazing dreams and desires in your heart to tease you. He is not cruel. He is not showing you amazing things just to take them away from you. Only good comes from God. If He is placing amazing dreams in your heart, it is because He wants you to believe it can happen. He wants you to reach for it. He wants you to see what your future could be. He wants you to know you won't always have these same limitations. I know it hurts to believe sometimes because we are tired of being disappointed. But hope in the Lord does not disappoint. (Romans 5:5) What if you could take away your timeline and just fully believe that all your prayers will be answered? How would your life be different if, instead of focusing on the when, you just celebrated that it would definitely happen someday? What if you pictured what you would do the day your prayers were answered? What if every time you started to ask why, you changed it and started thanking the Lord for answering your prayers in the most beautiful way? I think the Lord is talking to me personally for that last part. I am constantly asking Him why he hasn't restored Bruce's eyesight yet. Why are my friends Suzanne, Rosa & Danielle still struggling? Why so many I know have not been healed yet. However, when I asked those questions above, my heart felt so full. I am not going to ask the Lord when anymore. I am going to put my full trust in the fact that those healings are coming, and I am going to plan what I will do when they do come. How will I celebrate with the individual people? How will I give the glory to God? How can I lift up and support those I know who are suffering while they are waiting for their miracle? How can I give them strength? How can I accompany them so they are not alone? I am going to change my questions! If you can change your questions, I think it will make the wait more bearable. If you can go all in on believing your miracle is on the way, then it might make the wait a bit easier. However, even if you can't shift your mindset. Even if you are still angry with God, that is okay. Just make sure to talk with Him about it. Don't shut Him out. Don't be afraid to be honest with Him. He already knows your feelings, probably before you even do. If you still need to ask why, that's ok. You are in good company, as many of those in the Bible asked why. Many questioned, doubted, and struggled with God's plan, yet God did not withdraw His favor from them. He did not take away His good plan or their good future. He will not take away yours either. Your miracle will still come, even if you question, even if you get frustrated and angry. Just don't shut God out. He is there with you in all of this. He hears your prayers, and He is working all things for your good! Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, you are amazing. You are so good, and I am sorry when we get frustrated and angry because you are not doing things in our timing. Lord, we want to trust you, we want to believe our miracle is coming, and yet it feels so hard at times. Our life feels so far from our dreams at times. Help us to persevere. Give us the strength we need to keep on hoping and believing. We love you, Lord, and we ask all this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. If you love this podcast and you have not left a review of it, can I ask you to do that today? Reviews help the podcast be seen by more people. They help people find the podcast more easily. Thanks so much for your help! I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I. God is on your side, and we are both rooting for you! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in September 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “The ox knows his master. The donkey, its owner. But my people do not know me, says the Lord.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Pr. Will Weedon, Host of “The Word of the Lord Endures Forever” We Praise You, O God The Word of the Lord Endures Forever Celebrating the Saints Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey See My Savior’s HandsThe post The Lenten Hymn, “O Lord Throughout These Forty Days” – Pr. Will Weedon, 2/18/26 (0493) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Psalm 51 clearly states our need for God's mercy, inviting us to open our hearts through the classic spiritual disciplines of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. (Lectionary #219) February 18, 2026 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

It's Wednesday, February 18th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Iranian authorities killed 19 Christians Article 18 reports Iran's security forces have killed at least 19 Christians during recent anti-government protests. The Islamic Republic's security forces brutally cracked down on demonstrators, including Christians.  Believers already face persecution for participating in activities like prayer gatherings, baptisms, and Bible distribution. In December, five Christians received prison sentences totaling 50 years for such activities. Iran is ranked 10th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most oppressive countries to be a Christian.  Nuclear deal between America and Iran Speaking of Iran, the country sent representatives to meet with U.S. officials in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday. The two countries agreed to “guiding principles” for a potential nuclear deal. At the same time, the U.S. is conducting a military build-up in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that striking a deal with Iran is difficult because of its commitment to radical Islam.  Secretary Rubio urged Europe to embrace Christian heritage Secretary Rubio addressed the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday.  He criticized Europe for embracing globalism, open borders, massive welfare states, and climate activism. Rubio said, “We in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West's managed decline.” Instead, he called for European countries to partner with the United States on the basis of their common heritage—Christianity. Listen. RUBIO: “America was founded 250 years ago, but the roots began here on this continent, long before the men who settled and built the nation of my birth arrived on our shores, carrying the memories and the traditions and the Christian faith of their ancestors as a sacred inheritance, an unbreakable link between the old world and the new. “We are part of one civilization, Western civilization. We are bound to one another by the deepest bonds that nations could share, forged by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry and the sacrifices our forefathers made together for the common civilization to which we have fallen heir.” Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.” Border Czar: We arrested 4,000 illegals & recovered 3,000 kids in MN In the United States, White House Border Czar Tom Homan announced the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota last week. Immigration enforcement officers are in the process of leaving the state after having made over 4,000 arrests since December. Homan noted that officers also recovered over 3,000 missing children. HOMAN: “I.C.E. is a legitimate federal law enforcement agency. We're not out scouring the streets to disappear people or deny people their civil rights or due process. In addition to taking public safety threats off the street, I.C.E., here in this state, have located 3,364 missing, unaccompanied alien children -- children the last administration lost and weren't even looking for.” Planned Parenthood closes Florida abortion mill Planned Parenthood announced Monday it will close one of its abortion mills in Florida.  The Lakeland, Florida killing center will fully close next month. This ends 50 years of the abortion giant's presence in the area.  Planned Parenthood locations have fallen from 567 in 2021 to 488 last month. However, Katherine Van Dyke with American Life League warned, “By shedding this ‘dead weight,' they're not retreating. They're regrouping to push the abortion pill regimen through virtual channels, streamlining abortion on demand.” 348th anniversary of Pilgrim's Progress And finally, this week is the 348th anniversary of the publication of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. His first volume of the book was announced on February 18, 1678. Bunyan began the work from prison. He was sentenced for holding unsanctioned religious services. Despite suffering for his faith, he produced a Christian classic that would influence the church for centuries.  The 19th century English preacher Charles Spurgeon, who read Pilgrim's Progress 100 times, said of Bunyan, “Read anything of his, and you will see that it is almost like reading the Bible itself. He had read it till his very soul was saturated with Scripture; and though his writings are charmingly full of poetry, yet he cannot give us his Pilgrim's Progress—that sweetest of all prose poems—without continually making us feel and say, ‘Why, this man is a living Bible!'” Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, February 18th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

ENTRANCE HYMN #135 Songs of Thankfulness and PraiseSEQUENCE HYMN #542 Christ Is the World's True LightOFFERTORY ANTHEM Christ, Upon the Mountain Stands (Lehman)COMMUNION ANTHEM Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)POST-COMMUNION HYMN #137 O Wondrous Type! O Vision FairTHE COLLECT OF THE DAYO God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.FIRST READING Exodus 24:12-18Reader A reading from the Book of Exodus.The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM Psalm 99 Dominus regnavit1 The Lord is King;let the people tremble; *he is enthroned upon the cherubim;let the earth shake.2 The Lord is great in Zion; *he is high above all peoples.3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *he is the Holy One.4 "O mighty King, lover of justice,you have established equity; *you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our Godand fall down before his footstool; *he is the Holy One.6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *you were a God who forgave them,yet punished them for their evil deeds.9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our Godand worship him upon his holy hill; *for the Lord our God is the Holy One.SECOND READING 2 Peter 1:16-21Reader A Reading from the second letter of Peter.We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Morning lessons: Psalms 119:89-104; Genesis 49; Matthew 7.  O Lord, your word endures forever; it stands fast in heaven.

First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026 - Year AListen carefully to the readings and join Dina Marie for this reflection on FAITH MOMENTS WITH DINA MARIE.The readings for the First Sunday of Lent - Year A, February 22, 2026First Reading: Genesis2:7-9; 3:1-7Responsorial Psalm 51: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11For the daily liturgical readings visit: www.usccb.orgThe podcast of this program is at www.materdeiradio.com.

Order of Service: - Prelude - The Confession of Sin (p. 120) - Hymn 287 - Jesus, I Will Ponder Now: vv. 1, 2, 5 - The Versicles (pp. 120-121) - The Gloria Patri (p. 121) - Psalm 130 (setting by Fernand de la Tombelle): From out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord. Listen to my pleading, O Lord, And hear my voice. If You should, O Lord, mark our sins, Lord, who could stand before Your judgment? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared and honored. My soul waits for the Lord, I wait and in His Word I place my hope. O Israel, hope in the Lord, for He is gracious. With Him is abundant redemption. He shall redeem us. He shall redeem us. He shall redeem us. Amen. - Passion History Reading - Matthew 11:20-24 - Homily - Hymn 292 - O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken: vv. 1, 5, 11, 12, 15 - The Kyrie (p. 124) - The Lord's Prayer (p. 125) - Hymn 584 - Grant Peace, We Pray, in Mercy, Lord - The Collect (pp. 125-127) - The Benedicamus (p. 127) - The Benediction (p. 127) - Hymn 593 - On My Heart Imprint Thine Image - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Glenn Obenberger (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Organist), Chaplain Don Moldstad (Liturgist), Simon Kovaciny (Soloist)

Welcome to Day 2799 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2799 – The Day the Pupil Stumped the Professors – Luke 3:1-38 Putnam Church Message – 01/11/2026 Luke's Account of the Good News - “The Day the Pupil Stumped the Professors.”    Last week was the first week of 2026. We explored the third and final story of Jesus's childhood. We will explore “The Day the Pupil Stumped the Professors.”  Today, we will investigate a prophet who was unmatched in all history, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, in a message titled “The Greatest Mortal Who Ever Died.” Our Core verses for this week are Luke 3:1-38, found on page 1593 of your Pew Bibles. Since this is a long passage and there is a lot to cover, I will include many of the verses during the message.  Opening Prayer Gracious and holy God, we come before You today not to be entertained, not to be affirmed by the world, but to be shaped by Your truth. You are the God who speaks in the wilderness, who calls Your servants when the times are dark, and who prepares hearts for the coming of Christ. As we open Your Word, strip away our need for approval, our fear of standing apart, and our temptation to measure faithfulness by success. Give us ears to hear, hearts willing to repent, and courage to live differently for Your glory. Prepare us, O Lord, as John prepared the way— that Christ may be clearly seen among us today. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God and Savior of the world. Amen. Introduction: When God's Best Doesn't Look Like Success We live in a culture that worships success. Success is measured in numbers—attendance, followers, influence, platforms, budgets, and visibility. We admire what is polished, efficient, impressive, and scalable. If something grows quickly and looks professional, we assume God must be blessing it. And if it struggles, suffers, or fails—well, we quietly wonder what went wrong. That mindset has seeped into the church. We speak of ministries being relevant, which often means marketable. We talk about impact in terms of reach. We measure faithfulness by results. And we subtly assume that if God is truly at work, it will look powerful, admired, and upwardly mobile. Then Luke introduces us to John the Baptizer. John doesn't fit any of our categories. He doesn't go where the people are; he goes where they aren't. He doesn't dress to attract; he dresses to repel. He doesn't soften his message; he sharpens it. He doesn't protect his influence; he surrenders it. And he doesn't end his life honored—he ends it executed. And yet Jesus will later say of him: “I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.” (Luke 7:28, NLT) That's a shocking statement. Not Moses. / Not David. / Not Elijah. / Not Isaiah. The greatest mortal who ever lived—and ever died—was a wilderness prophet who never performed a miracle, never held office, never wrote a book, never founded a movement, and never lived to see the results of his ministry. Luke chapter 3 forces us to confront a hard truth: God defines greatness very differently from the way we do. Main...

Key Verse: Psalm 119:151 - But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.

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