Podcasts about only god

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23 NLT) Years ago, I was a guest on a morning television show. The host and I were having a nice chat when, near the end of the program, he dropped a bombshell. He said, “Greg, I have a question for you. You believe that most of the world is non-Christian and that because of that, they are going to burn in Hell for all eternity. What kind of loving God would ever create such a scenario? Is that like a petty boss that some people have created, not understanding God?” I had about two minutes to respond to that question. But after the show ended and the cameras stopped rolling, our conversation continued. He went on to ask me about good people and how a God of love could allow them to face judgment. I pointed out that we must define what “good” is. As humans, we have a sliding scale of good. Everyone seems to believe that they are good. They are always the moral center of their universe. They immediately give themselves a free pass and believe that other people aren’t as good as they are. The problem is that we have conflicting views regarding what is good. So, how do we determine what good is? We all have the answer, and it’s found in the Bible. God says, “No one is righteous—not even one” (Romans 3:10 NLT). This doesn’t mean there aren’t good people in a broad sense; it means no one is good enough to get to Heaven on their own merit. In the end, it’s not our standards of goodness that matter; it’s God’s. And, as the apostle Paul makes clear a few verses later in Romans 3, God’s threshold for goodness is much higher than ours. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (verse 23 NLT). Our efforts to be “good enough” on our own don’t impress God. Isaiah 64:6 says, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (NLT). Our good deeds can’t help us escape the judgment we deserve for our sin. Only God’s forgiveness can do that. From an eternal perspective, being good isn’t about being the nicest person or the kindest person. It’s about being a forgiven person. That’s who will be in Heaven: forgiven people. If you’ve always put your faith in your own goodness, now is the time to reevaluate. Consider the warnings of Scripture carefully. Admit that your best isn’t good enough. Confess your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness. Trust in the righteousness of Christ for your salvation. If you’ve already done that, embark on your own personal mission to take the gospel message to the people around you. Help them understand why good isn’t good enough. Reflection question: How would you respond to someone who believes that they’ll go to Heaven when they die because they’re a good person? Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available. — 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.

Summary Dr. Michael Easley continues his study through Ephesians by examining Paul's command to "walk away" from the old life. While believers are called to walk worthy of their calling in Christ, they are also called to leave behind the mindset and lifestyle that once defined them. Paul reminds the Ephesian believers—and every Christian—that life apart from Christ is marked by darkened understanding, spiritual ignorance, hardened hearts, and an increasing callousness toward sin. Rather than simply modifying behavior, the Christian life requires a transformed mind through the power of the Holy Spirit. No amount of willpower can produce lasting spiritual change. Only God's Spirit, working through His Word, can renew believers from the inside out. Easley explains that sin is always deceptive, promising satisfaction while leaving people trapped in an endless cycle of craving more. Whether through lust, greed, addiction, or selfish ambition, sin never delivers what it promises. The good news is that believers are no longer defined by who they once were. Because of Christ, they have learned a new way of living. Paul urges Christians to lay aside the old self, renew the spirit of their minds, and put on the new self created in God's righteousness and holiness. Remembering where we've come from should never produce shame, but gratitude that Christ has completely transformed our identity. Christians are called not only to walk worthy of Christ but also to walk away from the sinful life they once lived. Spiritual transformation begins with a renewed mindset, not merely improved behavior. A hardened and calloused heart slowly loses sensitivity to God's truth and conviction. Sin always promises satisfaction but creates an insatiable appetite that only leads to deeper bondage. The Holy Spirit—not human determination—is the source of lasting spiritual change. Because believers have put off the old self and put on the new, they can live in righteousness, holiness, and freedom through Christ. To read Ephesians, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons. Takeaways

Proverbs 15:11-13, 1 Kings 8:23-61, Acts 14:8-27. Your heart lies ‘open before the Lord' (Proverbs 15:11) Only God sees and knows the heart of every human being (1 Kings 8:39)

Proverbs 15:11-13, 1 Kings 8:23-61, Acts 14:8-27. Your heart lies ‘open before the Lord' (Proverbs 15:11) Only God sees and knows the heart of every human being (1 Kings 8:39)

You have everything you need. A good job, a house, the car that you want. Individual freedom to follow your dreams, be who you want to be, do what you want to do, go where you want, when you want, dress in the latest fashion—the god of freedom, an idol. Your desires define your path. That is your identity. And each day you strive to build on this identity because it isn't fixed. It evolves based on what you feel and think. There is no rest in this identity. It is an endless pursuit of self. The idol of self isn't like other things we can point to because the finish line is ever moving. We always want to be something or someone more than we are. How much are you thinking about these things? But when did this thinking of self begin? Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:1-5). Eve. She desired to be something she wasn't, having knowledge of good and evil like God. It wasn't because there wasn't perfectly good fruit in the rest of the garden. Eve fell to the idol of self. Satan got her to overthink about all she could have but didn't. From that moment on, humanity began the race with itself, to run continually seeking to be something we are not. Overthinking about ourselves and forgetting to think about God. God created us in his image but not to be gods. Our present cultural norm of self-sufficiency says we don't need anyone or anything to be successful. God? Why would you need God in your everyday decisions and thinking? What we forget is this deception in thought started in the Garden of Eden. The basic definition of self-sufficient is problematic in and of itself. “Needing no help in satisfying one's basic needs, like food.” Last I checked, we are very dependent on not only others, but also on things wildly outside of our human control when it comes to food. Last I checked, we don't control the rain or sunshine required to grow crops. While we have created technologies to help supply water when there isn't any for crops or livestock during a drought, we control less than we believe. The secondary definition of self-sufficient is emotionally and intellectually independent. Eve was seeking intellectual independence when she ate the forbidden fruit. She wanted self-sufficiency. When I think about the Garden of Eden and the beauty, provision and abundance described, my mind drifts off to a place where there was peace and a oneness with the Lord. Yet Eve was tempted. In perfect communion with the Lord, she wanted intellectual independence from God! Thanks to Eve, we don't live in Eden, and ever since the fall, the volume of temptation to self-sufficiency has been dialed up to a fevered pitch with everything in our midst competing against our thoughts of God! Peace and oneness with him seem elusive, even for those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Our days are filled with temptation to lean into idols that make us overthink about ourselves and think less about Jesus! Let's call these the idols of self. Basically, anything that prioritizes thinking of “self” above everything and everyone else, most importantly, thinking about yourself more than God. That fevered noise in our culture about how we can overthink ourselves is anything but peaceful. Appearance. How much are you thinking each day about your appearance? Has this become an idol of self? This can manifest in so many ways so let's just consider a few. Wanting to dress professionally and look nice for work is one thing, but has this become something that takes up a lot of your thinking? Do you worry about what other people are wearing? Do you comment on other people when they are dressed differently? What about your hair and makeup? Are you skipping devotional time with the Lord to make sure you look the best? Are you watching fashion reels on social media or shopping online instead of reading your Bible? Do you seek attention by what you are wearing and get an extra charge when someone compliments the way you look? On average, women spend between $1,500-$2,000 on clothing and $1,000-$3,700 on beauty products and services annually. Again, this is average, and most studies will tell you the more you make at work, the more you will spend on average. Other costs to consider are gym memberships and other cosmetic services many women are using to stay looking their best! None of this is truly “bad” but when you overthink it and it becomes an idol, anything good can quickly become a slippery slope leading you away from your identity in God and closer to what our noisy culture is demanding of you. Remember the Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). If you overthink your appearance, what does this indicate about your heart? Sovereignty. Are you someone that always thinks you are right? Is the sovereignty of self an idol for you? Even believers of Jesus can get caught in this overthinking that lives to expect others to function by their own moral compass. Even if your compass is Jesus, are you lording over people with your views and pushing them away from the true gospel with your rules instead of being loving. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers (Titus 1:10). The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth (1 Timothy 4:1-3). God's Word says these people must be rebuked! You cannot add “your rules” to God's truth! Lately, we have seen people's thoughts on full display through social media. Somehow, we have mixed culture and politics with a message about Jesus that truly does not add up. Judgements when others don't believe what we do or how we do are quick. When you spend time overthinking how other people aren't like you or doing what you want them to do instead of focusing on how God would want you to show up to those that are different from you, sovereignty of self may be an idol. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor (James 4:12)? We are not supposed to be the judge of others. This doesn't mean we should shy away from providing good feedback to others in a non-judgmental way, but we need to avoid thinking we are the end all be all! The only truth is in the Word of God! Only God can truly change things and the more we overthink about our way being the right way, the less we remember God's way! Self-Promotion/Pride. Unfortunately, many who are overthinking about their way being the right way have a significant platform for self-promotion. Even if you don't suffer with thoughts of self-sovereignty, are you thinking a lot about your next social media post or how many views, likes and follows you have? Is the idol of self-promotion taking ahold of your time? If you post something that you feel good about, are you overly disappointed if it doesn't perform well? Maybe you only receive one “like”. How does this shift your mood? Are you angry or discouraged? On the other end of the spectrum, let's say you have a following on social media—many likes and many follows. Are you spending more time thinking about these followers than you are about God? Beyond social media, how are you promoting yourself up at work? Do you think about the next meeting and how you will comment or get noticed? Do you worry when you don't get the last word or when another colleague receives accolades? If you lead a team, how do you balance taking credit or giving it? Are you an I or a we colleague? I did this or we worked together… The Bible consistently warns about self-promotion and pride and not thinking of others. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:12). Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (2 Corinthians 10:17-18) Remembering pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are; there is no God (Psalm 10:4). Bottom line, if you are thinking about exalting yourself and how it makes you feel, good or bad, more than you are thinking about what God tells you to do in his Word, you are overthinking about yourself! Covetousness. Do you spend a lot of time thinking about things you want or don't have? Even covetousness, a fancy word for jealousy, can be another way of overthinking about yourself. Described as a harmful spirit in 1 Samuel, jealousy can “rush upon us” when we least expect it. In 1 Samuel we learn how Saul is truly jealous of the attention David is receiving retuning from war. He is jealous of how people follow David, so much so that he seeks to harm David both directly and by sending him off to more conflict. Jealousy can create so many thoughts. I wish I had clothes like her. If only, I had the opportunities so and so had. I really like that car that he drives. How can I get these things, or how can I take the good attention away from someone else and get this spotlight on me?! Are you like Saul? Jealous and overthinking about how you wish someone wasn't as prosperous as you? Are you plotting ways to tear them down? Has a harmful spirit rushed upon your thinking? James 3:16 tells us where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there will be disorder and every vile practice. And this is not God's will for us! Remember, our God will supply every need of ours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). God also chooses who he will exalt and when. We are just called to follow him! Overthinking about ourselves is isolating. Whether we are overconsumed thinking about our appearance, thinking we are always right, deciding how we can promote ourselves, or coveting what someone else has, we are simply overthinking about ourselves! All these ways of overthinking don't draw us closer to God or others. These patterns of overthinking can lead to isolation and even depression. We were created for unity with God and community with other believers. Now, how can we shift this overthinking? Releasing ourselves from the culture driven notions that self is the central most important part of our life is first. People and things can never provide for our central happiness! Seeking praise from others will always disappoint us! The gospel is the direct antithesis of the culture of self-idolatry. Jesus invites us to a beautiful life of thinking about him! Start with abiding. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15: 4-5). Abide in my love (John 15:9). In Jesus, you will bear much fruit! Without him, you will do nothing. Remember why you exist. It isn't to think about yourself. You were made for God. Life itself is amazing—a gift from God each day. Turning your overthinking about yourself to thinking about God will bring joy and fulfillment beyond what you can fathom!

Send us Fan Mail“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11-12The fivefold ministry remains alive and well in the modern Church. However, much confusion persists regarding the precise role of the prophet in the New Testament body. God established this office as an enduring function; nowhere in Scripture do we see it removed. Therefore, it is vital for believers to understand the prophet's unique operation, especially regarding how the prophet collaborates with the Pastor—the God-assigned leader of the local congregation.While the spiritual head of a prophetic ministry is an Apostle (appointed by God, not man), the prophet serves as God's chosen messenger and mouthpiece. It is only when a church embraces the full fivefold ministry that the saints are truly perfected, the work of the ministry flourishes, and the body of Christ is fully edified.The Foundation of Prophetic Character: LoveProphets have been used throughout history to relay divine messages, yet the ministry often receives a “bad rap” due to individuals operating out of order. To understand how a prophet should function, we must look to the specific guidelines of 1 Corinthians 13.13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Scripture explicitly states that though a person may possess the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, if they lack charity (love), they are nothing. Love is the non-negotiable foundation of the office. Furthermore, while charity never fails, 1 Corinthians 8-12 reminds us that spiritual gifts are temporary. At the return of Christ, when we experience complete, face-to-face knowledge of God in eternity, the need for prophetic guidance will pass.Until that day, true prophets do not rejoice when their fellow travelers on the “Highway of Holiness” stumble; rather, they find their joy exclusively in the triumph of truth.Because we currently see through a dim glass, prophets must strictly discard any childish inclinations toward self-importance or self-exaltation. For instance, a prophet must not react like an undisciplined child when a delivered word is met with skepticism or is rejected.   A prophetic word is often entirely new to the recipient, who retains the right to either receive or reject it. Time ultimately proves all revelation. Since a true prophet does not seek personal glory, the unbelief of others is irrelevant. The prophet's sole mandate is obedience to God's command to speak. As Romans 3:3 asks:“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”The Weight and Cost of the MantleThere is no room for vanity in this office. A prophet must maintain a close relationship to God, constantly evaluating their own life against divine standards. The trials assigned to a prophet are often deeply painful.Consider Hosea, who was commanded to marry a woman of the streets as a living symbol of God's relationship with an unfaithful Israel. He endured public humiliation and was required to personally buy his wife back from brokenness. Even his children bore the prophetic weight, given names meaning “God Scatters,” “No Mercy,” and “Not My People.” Similarly, the book of Jeremiah reveals the immense hostility a prophet may face, detailing narrow escapes from multiple assassination plots. Often, a prophet is instructed to say and do things that run counter to popular opinion. Yet, when God commands it, the prophet must speak—confident that the eternal reward will far outweigh the earthly cost.Discerning the Office from the GiftIt is crucial to distinguish between those who possess prophetic expressions and those who occupy the office of a prophet. Individuals may carry titles such as prophesier, seer, psalmist, or dreamer; while they may be operating prophetically, they do not necessarily bear the prophet's mantle.The Prophesier: 1 Corinthians 14 encourages all saints to desire to prophesy for edification, exhortation, and comfort. However, exercising this gift does not make a believer a prophet.The Seer: The seer perceives things hidden from the natural eye. While this is an ancient term associated with the prophetic, not all prophets operate primarily as seers.The Psalmist: A psalmist—such as King David (who Acts 2:30 explicitly identifies as a prophet)—utilizes rhyme, song, and music to release revelation. Yet not every musical psalmist holds the office of a prophet.The Dreamer: The dreamer receives spiritual insight through dreams. However, dreams can be heavily influenced by personal emotions and psychology, making them the least reliable among subjective indicators.What these distinct operations often lack is the enforcement power and spiritual authority inherent in the prophet's mantle. The office of a prophet is far more than delivering an individual word, speaking in a congregation, or addressing nations. Once fully prepared by God, a prophet is granted significant authority in the spiritual realm, backed by angelic assistance to confirm the spoken word. Like every branch of the fivefold ministry, it is a strictly God-ordained position.Demeanor, Timing, and Divine OrderA prophet's lifestyle requires total dedication to God through fasting, studying Scripture, and maintaining constant communication with Him. This demands complete obedience to God's will, even when it is not fully understood. Furthermore, a true prophet receives supernatural backing to confirm their words. This role cannot be achieved through personal desire or effort; it is an innate calling. Ultimately, a prophet's very life often foreshadows the future. They are not merely messengers, but trailblazers who lead, challenge, and transform the history of God's people.Prophets receive information and directions from God through dreams, visions, and a distinct spiritual “knowing.” They must know His voice intimately, distinguishing it not only from counter-spirits but from their own internal thoughts.Unlike moments when God gives a believer a spontaneous word to prophesy—such as during a church service—He often reveals messages to His prophets well in advance. A prophet may hold onto that word for a season, understanding that obedience requires not only speaking what God commands, but speaking it exactly when He ordains.Ultimately, prophets, like all believers, must be diligent to make their calling and election sure. Only God can call, anoint, and establish a prophet in the divine position assigned to them before birth. A true prophet ensures they are genuinely sent by God, rather than someone who merely “went” out of misguided zeal; the eternal implications are simply too great. As 2 Peter 1:10 (KJV) admonishes:“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

Presented by Lauren Stibgen From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers these things ought to not be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water (James 3:10-12). These verses in James 3 can apply to all the words we speak. Have you excused your words about politics and think they don't matter? Have you shared something on social media that is less than pleasant or something that incites a heated discussion? What about name calling and labeling of people? Your words can be an indication that politics have become an idol. While you may not be doing this at work, your personal life is far less hidden than it was in the past with the pervasive online presence most people have. In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus calls us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. This includes candidates and members of an opposing political view. With fellow believers the conversations become even more divisive as we start to judge someone's level of justification and commitment to their faith based on who they voted for. You have heard this before. So and so cannot be saved if they voted for X. Only God can judge the intentions of someone. We cannot and should not. And God's Word reminds us not to judge, or we will be judged in return (Matthew 7:1-2). How can you self-examine first? How can you remove the log in your own eye before you look at the speck in your brother's (Matthew 7:3-5)? Believer or not, those that are on the opposing side of your views are also made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Jesus calls us to love our enemies. This includes candidates and members of an opposing political view. Think about those around you at work who are believers in Jesus. Would your words reflect your calling as an ambassador of Christ? Remember, our ultimate goal is to make disciples—not of candidates but of Christ! What can we do instead? Remembering sometimes the most peaceful thing we can do is be silent and let God fight our battles. We can pray for those who persecute us. We can choose to see the best in others.

Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. — Isaiah 40:17 As he continues describing God in his majesty and superiority, Isaiah says that all the nations, in comparison, are “as nothing”—even “less than nothing.” This means there is no room for pride or any sense of self-accomplishment in the sight of God. When Isaiah wrote this passage, Babylon was the superpower in that part of the world. It conquered many nations and had dominion over them.Looking back, we see that the empires of the past fell. The great realm of Egypt lay covered with the dust of centuries. Assyria lost its far-reaching empire. Babylon, greater than Assyria, would soon fall into the hands of the Medo-Persians, and later Persia would fall to the Greeks. That is how it goes: nations rise and fall. Strong today, weak tomorrow. A nation may be rich and powerful for a time, but then it will crumble, fall, and eventually be forgotten— less than nothing.Only God is never removed from his throne. Only the glory of God never fades. Only the power of God is never confronted by a greater power. Proud nations drink the cup of failure, but the Lord God will never face defeat. Sovereign Lord, nations are as nothing before you, and yet you care for them and all people. Help us to trust in your unshakable rule. Root us in your eternal glory, unfailing power, and eternal reign that can never be challenged. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The wisdom and understanding that the people of God were warned about then is the same that we should give heed to Today. That is don't think that just because God has allowed for much prosperity in life the prosperous believer is still required to conduct their lives in humility, compliance to scripture, and reverence for God. God hates even a proud look. Therefore, we should not be as non-believers, praising God in our worship services and live contrary otherwise. Only God knows the heart of man. Let's be real and honest; we can never fool God. Look at the world, the USA, the states, the counties, the cities, the towns, the communities, the neighborhoods, our homes and see God at work; because of disrespect and disobedience.

Only God's truth can heal a nation headed toward destruction.America's greatest need is not political reform, but spiritual renewal through God's Word. In this episode of The FLOT Line, Rick Hughes explains why national healing begins with humility, Biblical truth and believers growing to spiritual maturity. Using passages from Hosea, Jeremiah, Romans and 2 Chronicles, Rick reveals the spiritual principles that determine whether a nation recovers or collapses.Key Takeaways:• Why trusting God matters more than trusting political leaders • How rejection of Biblical truth leads to national decline • The difference between revival and spiritual renewal • Why humility is essential for national healing • How believers can recover fellowship with God through rebound⬇Download Transcript: https://rhem.pub/1086-transcript

When my wife and I would drive somewhere, we didn't lose any time when she drove. In fact, we set some records. Once we were on a trip and I was preparing for the meetings we were going to, she was driving down this four-lane, divided highway. I was looking down. All of a sudden, I looked up and I saw orange plastic cones on the middle line that divides the two lanes on our side. And as I looked, every vehicle but one was moving into the left lane, to the left of the cones. You notice I said everyone but one. Yeah, that was us. My wife continued in the right lane, and I said, “Honey, what are you doing? Looks like this lane is closing.” She said, “Just watch.” Well, we passed a line of cars on our left, with a big truck at the head of it. See, that truck had moved into the left lane, and all the other cars said, “Oh, that must be the lane to be in.” The problem was that the truck that they were following was taking equipment to a big tar truck parked in the left lane, so we waved as we zipped by all those cars as they were heading for an unpleasant surprise. I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about “Wrong About God.” Now, our word for today from the Word of God. We're in Proverbs 14:12. It's short, but it's hard-hitting. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.” The Bible's pretty clear here. A lot of people are on a road that looks good, but it's going nowhere. Jesus talked about that in Matthew 7:13-14, when He said, “Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it; but small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” See, a lot of people are wrong about the one thing you can't afford to be wrong about—God, and how to get to Him. If you're wrong about God, it's fatal forever. Maybe you're someone who might be on a sincere road that seems very right, but that ends far away from God forever instead of with Him forever. Only God can tell us how to get to Him, and He does in John 14:6. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.” In 1 John 5:11-12 it says, “There is life in God's Son, and he that has the Son has life. He that does not have the Son of God does not have life.” So, question: Do you have the Son of God in your heart? This bothers a lot of people that Jesus is the only way. You say, “Well, I believe in tolerance. As long as we're sincere.” Well, if you're trapped in a burning building, and a firefighter risks his life to bring you out, I don't think you say, “Hey, wait, there's only one way out of here? Are you kidding?” No, you grab that rescuer and you say, “Thank God there's a way.” Well, thank God there is one way. There wasn't any way until one Savior came and paid the price for our sin. Sin has a death penalty. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death.” Someone's got to die for my sin to be paid for. No good works, no matter what faith they're from, can pay that death penalty. Romans 5:8 says, “God proved His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If you haven't pinned all your hopes on Jesus to be your Rescuer, you're still on the road that leads to death. That's why everything, now and forever, depends on what you do with God's Son, Jesus. This could be the day when you make this Jesus your Rescuer from your sin if you would just tell Him, “Jesus, I get it. You died on that cross for me. I'm Yours.” Would you please go to our website and just find there the information you need to get this relationship with Jesus going? It's ANewStory.com. Only one lane gets you to God. Only one lane gets you to heaven. It's the road that goes by the cross where Jesus died to pay for your sin.

When You Don't Understand What God Is Doing Isaiah 40:31 “They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles' wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” This is a message that I have been receiving a lot lately.  The part where it says they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.  I feel that God wants us to know that he is here for us.  He knows what we are going through, and if we hope in Him, He will renew our strength.  It seems like a lot of people that I know are going through some really difficult things right now, and they are definitely feeling weary.  God wants us to know that he is with us in our struggle.  When we feel weary, we can renew our strength by leaning into Him rather than pulling away.   What do I mean by pulling away?  When we are going through a hard time, sometimes we get mad at God.  We don't understand what is going on.  We know He could fix the situation, and we don't understand why He is not doing anything.  There is never a time when God is “not doing anything.”  However, if we can't see or understand what he is doing, it may seem like he is doing nothing.  This can cause us to pull away.  This can make it hard for us to pray.  Our hope can sometimes diminish because we can't see a way out of the situation.  We can't see a way for God to use the situation for our good. This is normal.  If you are in this situation right now, please know you are not alone.  You are in good company.  There were even some Saints who found that they could not find the words to pray sometimes.  God understands this.  God is not looking for us to have all the answers.  He is not looking for us to know exactly what to say to Him, or what to do in each circumstance.  He is just looking for us.  Yes, that means you, too.  He just wants you to be with Him in whatever way you can.   He wants you to hope in him even if you don't know what to hope for.  I know that may not make sense. How can you hope if you don't know what to hope for?  I think that just means that you hope in the fact that God has a plan.  That even though you have no idea what the plan is, you know He has one.  You hope in the promise that God uses all things for your good.  That even though you don't know how it will turn out, it will ultimately be good for you.  I know this is not easy, but it is possible. I was in a situation that I didn't really understand.  A very good friend of mine was in a lot of pain in the hospital.  She had cancer.  I know she was close to the Lord, and if it was her time to go, she would go to Heaven.  I also knew that she wanted to get better.  I knew God could heal her.  It seems to me that if I ask God to heal her and trust that He will, then He will, in fact, heal her.   I have read many Bible passages, and they all seem to support this theory.  Ask, and you will receive.  Have faith and trust with all your heart, and it will be granted.  (ok, that last one was a paraphrase)  You get what I mean, though, right?  However, I think this is a trap that the enemy has set up for us to fall into. This is something I struggle with, so I am letting the Holy Spirit lead my fingers as I type this, and I want to acknowledge that I have not figured this out yet.  I am not an expert on this; I am on a journey of discovery and understanding, just like you.  I have prayed for understanding on this a lot.  I know I have talked about this before when discussing losing a close friend and my dog.  What I am talking about now is my understanding from my time of prayer. The reason I say this is a trap the enemy sets up for us to fall into is because there is so much potential for anger and doubt.  If we ask God to heal her, and she dies, we will most likely get angry with God and not understand what is going on.  We may stay angry for a long time.   We may also start to doubt that there is a God, or that He actually hears our prayers.  We may start to doubt ourselves if we read verses like Mark 11:22-23, “Jesus said to them in reply, ‘Have faith in God. ' "  Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.”  It says “does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.”  So if it was not done for you, then you may start to question if you could have done something differently.  Would things have turned out differently if you had just believed more?   Do you see how all of those things are things that the enemy wants us to feel?  He would do anything to try to destroy our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  The enemy is the father of lies.  I talked about him before and how he sometimes uses scripture against us.  It is usually not a blatant lie. Do you see how he is not even changing anything about the scripture?  He is just using it to try to show you that God doesn't keep his promises and can't be trusted.  This is anything but true, and yet the enemy takes advantage of our weakened, vulnerable states and plays with our emotions.   So, if it's not true that God let us down, what is the truth?  This is what I was asking God this morning.  What came to my mind was that we don't know the whole story.  Only God does.  First, if we ask Him to cure or heal someone, and they end up dying, He still cured them, as there is no sickness in Heaven.  They are no longer in pain and are restored to perfect health.  He did still answer our prayer, just not the way we wanted Him to.  Second, we don't know what is really in a person's heart.  Only God does.  For instance, my friend stated that she wanted to go to rehab.  This implies that she wanted to get better and go home, which is the purpose of rehab.  She did not just want to go to hospice and just be comfortable.  To you and me, this would seem like she was not ready to die or that she felt like she wanted more time here.  Therefore, when I pray, I pray that she is healed here on earth and that she gets to keep on living. However, only God knows what is truly in her heart.  Only He knows why she wanted to go to rehab.  Did she choose that because she is scared to die? Did she choose that because she is afraid her children aren't ready for her to go?  Did she choose that because she wanted more time with them?  We don't know what is in her heart, but God knows.  We don't know what His plan is and how He is going to use the outcome of this for everyone's good.  All we know is that right now she is in pain.  We know what we want.  We know what we think is best.  He knows what is really best.  He has seen the ending of her story.  He wrote the ending of her story.  If God chooses this to be the ending of my friend's story, it will not be because I did not believe or trust enough. That is a lie the enemy is telling me.  If she dies, it is because God has decided it was for her good.   If you are struggling and find yourself in a difficult situation right now, know that God is answering your prayers.  The answers may not be what you thought they would be, but they are the best answers.  God is not just trying to make you feel better in the moment.  He knows the ending of your story, and he is working all things for your good.  You may not understand what He is doing, but if you can hope in the Lord anyway, he will renew your strength, and you will “soar on eagle's wings.” Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless all those listening to this episode today.  We ask that you help us to lean into you when times are tough.  We ask that you help us to see all you are doing in our situation. We ask that you strengthen us and help us to fly on eagle's wings, especially when we feel we can't go on any longer.  Lord, help us not to grow weary.  We ask that you help us to understand when we feel like we don't have any understanding.  Lord, we ask that you comfort us and help remind us that you will use all things for our good.  We love you, Lord, and we know that you do so much for us. We are so grateful that you always keep your promises. You are so amazing!  We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. If you've been feeling distant from God lately, but you're not sure why, I created a free quiz called "What's Quietly Blocking Your Connection With God?" In just a few minutes, you'll discover one of four common obstacles that may be affecting your relationship with God. At the end, you'll receive a personalized result, a short podcast episode, and a mentoring replay chosen specifically for your result. CLICK HERE to take the quiz. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord is, “Rejoice in our love and our relationship. I am the rock upon which you lean.” 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

You are very important. What takes place inside of you is sacred. You are God's sanctuary. Only God is trustworthy enough to dwell inside of you. Only His thoughts are pure enough to abide in your mind and heart. 

This powerful exploration of worship challenges us to move beyond our limited understanding of what it means to honor God. Drawing from Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4, we're confronted with a transformative truth: worship isn't just about Sunday morning songs or religious gatherings—it's about valuing God above everything else and ordering our entire lives around that value. The message exposes how easily we can stand in the middle of something historic and weighty, yet miss its significance because our minds are on lesser things. We're invited to examine what truly occupies the highest place in our hearts—is it our careers, our families, our appearance, or our comfort? These aren't bad things, but when they become God-sized things, they distort our lives because they were never designed to carry the weight of our worship. Only God is worthy of that weight. The call to worship 'in spirit and in truth' means we must ground ourselves in the unchanging Word of God while allowing the Holy Spirit to transform information in our heads into affection in our hearts and obedience in our lives. This isn't about religious performance; it's about authentic relationship with the One who created us, redeemed us, and is actively seeking worshipers who will love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/compassion-is-love-in-motion/We were blessed to have a team of 7 teen girls and 1 teen boy with Pastor Matt Hennig from Living Word Lutheran Church in Montrose, Colorado join us this week as a mission team. We kept them busy. In the morning, the team ran our soccer camp at Mike Seder Park. We had 25 campers, ages 5-13 for 3 days.The campers learned about passing, dribbling, shooting, and teamwork on the soccer pitch. In the devotion time, they learned about Zaccheus. Though he was a tax collector, Jesus had compassion on Zaccheus by calling him down from the sycamore tree and eating dinner at this house. They learned about Nicodemus, who visited Jesus at night because he was afraid of his fellow Pharisees. Jesus had compassion on Nicodemus by teaching him that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son ... who was sitting and talking with Nicodemus that night. They also learned about Elijah. Though Elijah had a great victory over Baal's prophets on Mt. Carmel, Queen Jezebel issued death threats to Eli that terrified him. God showed compassion on his fearful prophet by whispering his word into his ears and heart through the wind.The kids loved camp! They didn't care about the cold. They didn't complain about the wind. We received lots of positive feedback from parents that their kids wouldn't stop talking about camp on the way home. One of the parents told me that her son played his first soccer game on Wednesday night and scored a goal. She said she could tell he got better during just those first two days at camp.Except for the snack and devotion time, the campers were always in motion. They played soccer, but they also played games like wheelbarrow races, three-legged races, shepherds/sheep/and wolves, and "Ouch!". "Ouch" is where the campers try to kick the ball and hit the coach to make her yell, "Ouch!" They also enjoyed the oversized soccer ball and the pool noodles.Jesus was a man in motion. He healed a paralytic, a sick woman, and two blind men. He raised another man's daughter from the dead. He called 12 men to be his disciples. He answered the questions posed by searchers and skeptics. All that in Matthew chapter nine! Matthew then writes, "Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness" (Matthew 9:35). Whew! Jesus was humanly busy! He was also divinely talented.Why all this activity? Why all this urgency? Because the people were harassed by false prophets. They were harassed by forces of evil in this dark world. They were harassed by the guilt of their own sin and the fear of eternal death. By themselves, they were helpless to do anything about it. Matthew explains, "When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were troubled and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).We kept our missionary team of teens busy. Last week, we placed flyers on 750 homes in neighborhoods around Casper College, telling them that we would be coming by Tuesday through Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. Our team was going to the door to collect food for the Casper College students' food pantry. The team received mostly positive responses at the door. However, there were a handful of negative reactions. One young woman opened the door, saw our team of young ladies, dropped the F-bomb on them, and closed the door. There were a few who refused to open the door and were just hiding in the kitchen. There were some who slammed the door in their faces. And there was one man on Thursday night, when he saw their Lord of Lords t-shirts, not so politely said, "No, thank you".When we talked Thursday night about their highs and lows, the team shared these stories. I reminded them that the people who responded like this are like sheep without a shepherd. I assured them that these people most likely do not have a church home or a pastor and possibly do not believe in Jesus as their Savior. Otherwise, they wouldn't act like that. So, their reactions are normal for an unbeliever. These are the lost people that Jesus specifically targets for us to find. That's hard to do! But Jesus did it. Why? He had compassion on them.Jesus was a man in motion. But he took the time to stop and spend time with people -- the people he had come to save. With divine compassion, Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf. But Jesus also sat and listened. He stood and taught. He certainly must have held hands, gave hugs, cried together, laughed together, and prayed with and for those who were hurting.He did all this because of his compassion. Compassion can be defined as "love in motion". That's why Jesus was a man on the move. He had compassion for the lost, troubled, and downcast like us. His love moved him into motion.To have compassion for someone does not mean wallowing with them in their misery. Rather, it's listening to them. Spending time with them. Helping them. Those are all action verbs. Love in motion. It's helping them by pointing them to something greater than themselves, their sins, and their problems. It's sharing Jesus with them. He is the cure for their ailments, the forgiveness for their sins, and the mercy for their mistakes.Jesus told his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers into his harvest" (Luke 9:37-38). Jesus sends us out to put love in motion.On the last day of camp, I was talking to a grandmother of one of the campers. She really loved the camp. I was telling her I was new to Casper. She said, "I'll pray for you. And I'll pray for Lord of Lords." She was putting Jesus' words into action: "Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers into his harvest." So, we pray for the teens from Living Word. And we pray for the teens and adults from Lord of Lords who helped with soccer camp, canvassing, meals, hosting, giving monetary donations to feed the teens on the drive home, and more. You are all workers in this harvest. We've already set it up with Pastor Hennig for him to come back next year with his teens. Lord willing, camp will be even bigger and better.In the abstract, we feel compassion for lost sinners. In the concrete, however, compassion comes with much greater difficulty. We may help with prayers or groceries. We may lend a hand or offer some assistance. But we're busy people. We lead daily lives to meet our personal needs, earn a living, and keep our family together. Having true compassion takes time, effort, and investment that we don't really want to be part of. Oh, we may respond to a mission sermon or a plea for help. But normally, we don't think about the lost. It's not that we don't care. It's more that we don't think about taking the time to care.How different is the single-minded compassion of Jesus for lost sheep? His immaculate conception and perfect life to replace humanity's sinful natures and imperfect lives. His baptism in the dirty Jordan River to take away the grime of humanity's sins. His temptations in the desert to defeat the power of the Devil. His redemption on the cross to pay for humanity's crimes against a holy God. His resurrection that gives the promise of eternal life to all who believe in him. His ascension puts him at God's right hand to rule all things for the good of his people's salvation. That is Jesus' divine compassion for the lost.Jesus' compassion for us moves us to have compassion for others. So often pastors and people get stuck in mainly doing "come" strategies. Just getting people to come to the church for worship, events or activities. Notice what Jesus does with his brand-new 1st century disciples. Matthew, who is among the twelve, writes, "Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, 'Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans. Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near!' Heal the sick. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give'" (Matthew 10:5-8).Jesus sends us as his 21st century disciples to go into the community. Flyers on doors, social media reels and stories, a soccer camp in the park, canvassing for food, and more. When I did the training with the outreach team on Tuesday afternoon, we talked about not only collecting the food and moving on but asking what our church could do to reach out into the community. And if possible, ask for prayer requests and even pray with them at the door. That last one took a lot of courage. But these teenagers were great at it!Despite the handful of negative reactions, the team had a lot of positive experiences. They were able to summarize their Lutheran Christianity in their conversations. They talked about what they liked about the church. One team helped an older lady get her Corgi back inside the house. One lady who works at Casper College talked about how parents will come during midterms to give hugs to all the students. She suggested we do something like that. We discussed doing something similar and encouraging ... but without the hugs. That would be a little weird.When the team asked what our church can be doing in the community, most answered,"This! Keep doing things like this." Though they didn't use the words, they were really talking about doing compassion ministry. Most said that what we were doing for Casper College students was important. One gentleman added that this would create goodwill in his neighborhood toward our church. One person even suggested, "Can you entice politicians to be nice?" ... Probably not. But you know me, I'll try.Like Jesus, our team prayed for and with people on the front porch. One lady asked for a prayer for health for herself and a prayer for safe-keeping for her family that's dealing with substance abuse. They prayed with a lady for a toddler who was having surgery soon. They prayed with a woman who was having a rough night because her boyfriend is in the hospital. And they prayed with a man whose best friend had just lost his grandson.Compassion for the lost. Only God can fill us with it. Jesus sought us out as sheep needing a shepherd. He gave his life for us on the cross. He personally binds up our wounds and forgives us. But he also constantly places before us people who need his love and forgiveness. He moves us into action to look for and have compassion for lost sheep. He wants to use us to teach, feed, and heal them. He wants us to witness through compassion.That's what Jesus' ministry of compassion is all about. God's compassion cuts through our loneliness to join us to community within the Church. God's compassion in the words of absolution that forgives your past and gives you power for sanctified Christian living. God's compassion is the water of Baptism that gives us new life found in the flock of sheep who also bear the scars and healed-over wounds of life. God's compassion is the bread and wine of life that's served at the Shepherd's table for hungry sheep.There is immediacy and urgency in Christ's mission: "Preach 'The kingdom of heaven is near!' Heal the sick. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Help people right where they are. Give them the healing balm of Christ's forgiveness for their wounds caused by hurt and anger. Give them hope of the resurrection in Jesus Christ as they face death. Give them the assurance of an eternal home through faith in Christ as they see their homes destroyed by divorce or violence. We are workers in the ripe harvest fields of Casper.Compassion is love in motion. Jesus is calling you and pointing you toward the world -- toward the world he loves, the world he redeemed, and the world that is our mission field. It's time for us to get moving! Amen.

Acts 17:22-34 This morning, we are going to look at a moment in history when Paul the Apostle walks into the free thinker and cultural capital of the ancient world: Athens. It was the intellectual 'cat's meow' boasting the legacies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. They had 'canvases' for everything—philosophy, art, democracy, and science—but the center of it all was empty. And as he walked the streets of Athens, he doesn't just see beautiful architecture; he sees a city gripped by emptiness. He observes hundreds (if not thousands) of idols and altars in the Areopagus including one marked 'To an Unknown God.' Paul recognizes it for what it is: the physical evidence of a longing to be filled. Please turn with me in your Bibles to Acts chapter 17, starting in verse 22. Let's look together at how Paul addresses the emptiness of the human soul, and how he make a connection with a people searching for the One and Only God who can fill the emptiness.

Small But Mighty, Part 1: "Gideon and the 300"Judges 7:2-7 Have you ever noticed that God rarely works the way we expect Him to? This Sunday, we'll kick off a brand-new series: Small but Mighty. We'll look at one of the most surprising military victories in the entire Bible: Gideon and the 300. When God called Gideon, he was hiding in a winepress, convinced he was the least qualified person around. Yet God chose him anyway. And when Gideon finally rallied an army of 32,000 men to face an enemy of 135,000 — God said,  You have too many.  Too many? Only God would say that.  Join us this Sunday as we dig into Judges 6 & 7 and discover why God is far less interested in the size of your group than the condition of your heart. He doesn't need a crowd. He wants committed people — fully surrendered, nothing held back, ready to be used for something only He can get the credit for.  This message will challenge you to ask a simple but powerful question: Am I dry wood or wet wood? Am I on fire for God or am I a lukewarm follower of Jesus? 

Word for Today:Matthew 6:24 (NLT)No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.ReflectionMoney is a useful tool, but it's purpose is not to be your source, your identity, or your master. Only God can fill that role. Let God alone be your Master, and keep money in its rightful place as your servant.

When the storms of life hit, as they do, right, what we do is that instinctively we grab a life vest, we look for a lifeline here on earth, a worldly solution if you will … instead of turning to the One who can calm the storm. So, you have to ask yourself then, who exactly is the Lord of our lives?   Just Like the Rest Over these last few weeks we have been looking at what it means to get our feet back on solid ground in life. You know, when we are going through storms we are bobbing around like a tiny little boat floundering on an angry sea and sometimes we don't know which way to head – which way is up, which way is down. All we want to do is put our feet back on solid ground. And it turns out that you don't always find that solid ground exactly where you expect to find it. And we have been exploring this whole idea of getting our feet on solid ground through the story of a humble woman called Hannah who honoured God and turned to Him in the midst of her storm - and at completely the other end of the scale, a priest called Eli and his sons Hophni and Phinehas. They were evil guys and they got their just rewards and the nation of Israel who struggled with their God. If you've got a Bible, grab it and open it up. Over these last three weeks we have been looking at the first seven chapters of the Book of First Samuel. Now First Samuel appears about a third of the way through the Old Testament. We are going to finish off that series today with the crux of what this is all about. We are going to have a look at the decision that ultimately determines whether our feet are on solid ground or not. It's a decision between the obvious and the not so obvious. What is it that you and I can decide to do that will absolutely ensure that no matter what comes our way, our feet are on solid ground? Now the pivot of this whole story – the contrast of Hannah on the one hand and Hophni and Phinehas and their dad, Eli, on the other – happens, if you remember the verse – if you have been with us over these last few weeks – in First Samuel chapter 2, verse 30, where God says: Those who honour Me, I will honour but those who despise Me will be treated with contempt. We are going to pick up that story today. The priests are dead, they've got their just rewards, Hannah's son – she couldn't have a son remember, but she now has a son, he is grown up – Samuel is the judge and the prophet and the leader over all Israel. Now that's a really important concept – they didn't have a King. All the other nations had a King but Israel did not because Israel's system of government was a theocracy – that meant that God was their King. And God appointed judges and prophets to declare His Word over the people of Israel. So He administered justice – this was Samuel – he was a prophet who declared the will of God and God was the King to the people. Now that was unique among the nations and as we saw over the last few weeks, when they honoured God; when they obeyed Him, that nations' feet were on solid ground. Now the story takes an interesting twist. We are going to pick it up in chapter 8 of the Book of First Samuel. Here's how it goes: When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his first born son was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah and they were judges in Beer-sheba. Yet his sons didn't follow in his ways but turned aside after gain – they took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel came together and they came to Samuel at Ramah and they said to Samuel "You are old and your sons don't follow in your ways, appoint for us then, a King to govern over us like the other nations." But this displeased Samuel when they said "Give us a King to govern us. So Samuel prayed to the Lord and the Lord said to Samuel "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them. Just as they have done to Me from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking Me, serving other gods so also they are doing to you. Now then, listen to their voice – only you shall solemnly warn them and show the ways of the King who shall reign over them." So Samuel reported all the words of God to the people who were asking him for a King. He said these will be the ways of the King who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horse men and to run before his chariots and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and some will plough his ground and reap his harvest and to make his implements of war and to make his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his courtiers. He will take one tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give them to his officers and his courtiers. He will take your male and female slaves and the best of your cattle and donkeys and put them to his work. He will take one tenth of your flocks and you shall be his slaves and in that day you will cry out because of your King whom you have chosen for yourselves but the Lord will not answer you in that day. But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel. They said "No, we are determined to have a King over us so that we may also be like the other nations and that our King may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles." Isn't that interesting? All this time you go right back to the slavery, when Israel was in slavery in Egypt and God released them through some major miracles and through the parting of the Red Sea and then into the Promised Land and they captured the Land, battle after battle. All this time it was a simple, simple principle that God honours those who honour Him. And God did and God won the battles for them and God delivered them. And now they reject their King, their God who is able and willing to bless them and to protect them. Why? Well, actually, first they blame Samuel's sons and no doubt there is something in that, but actually you find out the reason towards the end of that verse. Look again at the passage we have just read: verses 19 and 20 of chapter 8: But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel. They said "No, we are determined to have a King over us so that we also may be like other nations and that our King may govern us and go to battle and fight our battles for us." They wanted to be like all the other nations. Now, let's think about that. Israel is unique – God is their King, He promised them the Promised Land, He has the power to make it happen. Whenever they honour Him He does make it happen and yet they want to reject Him – why? So that they can be like all the other nations! Is that stupid or what? None of the other nations have an invincible god as their king so why do they want to be like the other nations? Because in the heat of the battle they want a king they can see – a king of flesh and blood! Their enemies have a king at the head of their army so they want one too and they are prepared to give up the perfect power of the King of Kings for a poor substitute so that they can have a king that they can see! How often do we do that? How often do we put our faith in things that we can see – in our investment portfolio to provide wealth is fine until the economy goes belly up, in our career, which is fine until our health fails, in other people, which is fine until they desert us or fail us? See when we hit a storm you know what we want to do? We want to reach out and put a life preserver on instead of go to the One who can stop the storm. We want something we can see and touch and feel, instead of putting our faith in the One whom we can't see. A favourite Scripture you hear people quote is Second Corinthians chapter 5, verse 7 that says "We walk by faith and not by sight" and that's great until the storm hits, when we will definitely go for something that we can see and touch and feel, ahead of someone we can only see by faith – we'll pick that anytime. And that's the point – when we step off solid ground onto a stormy ocean.   What's the Problem? Yea, just like Israel, we want to be just like everyone else some days; just normal, everyday people who put our faith in things that we can touch and feel. It is something the Apostle Paul rejected – have a listen – Second Corinthians chapter 5, beginning at verse 1. He says: We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, if indeed, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing, is God, who has given us His Spirit as a guarantee so we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. See, here Paul is talking about the struggle between the temporal and the eternal – between what we can see and what we can't see. And Paul is saying "Look, I have got a body; I've got a tent but one day that is going to pass away and my faith isn't in the "here and now" – my faith is in God – I walk by faith not by sight." It's about where he puts his confidence. Now, let me tell you how easy it is to appoint an earthly King, like what Israel was trying to do and to reject the King of Kings – even when we are out and about doing God's work. This ministry that I am involved in, Christianityworks, it has been going for fifty years out of Australia and yet when I took over four years ago, there were hardly any people supporting the ministry. It had almost no income, it was going broke, there were no programmes going to air. And four years ago – it's still pretty fresh – I remember the panic attacks over finances – you see the money dwindling away and wondering when we are going to go broke – not if but when. You see, what I was doing: I wanted a big bank balance – something that would provide security that I could see and I had to turn away from that. I had to put my trust in God alone and these days, sometimes, let me tell you, things are still very, very tight. And whilst I do my part in all of that, as a good steward of the money that supporters entrust to the ministry, over and over and over and over again, let me tell you, as we have done our best just to simply honour God in all that we do here in the ministry of Christianityworks, He has honoured us. It's as simple as that! Now, let's get back to the story and find out where the real problem was here with Israel and the Kingship of God. Well, Israel got its very first King like all the other nations and God, through the prophet Samuel, appointed Saul. Let's have a look at it in the first couple of verses of chapter 9 of the Book of First Samuel: There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish son Abiel son of Zeror son Becorath son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. He had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he – he stood head and shoulders above everyone else. So the prophet hears from God and God says "Saul is the King. If they want a King they are going to get Saul". And initially at least, after he is anointed, Saul has success because even though God was rejected by His people in favour of Saul, God is a God of grace and He continued to honour them and bless them even though He warned them of how the King would turn out. We saw that earlier. See, sometimes when we reject the Kingship of God in our lives and choose something else – career or wealth or whatever it is – initially we have some success but as we will see later, Saul ended up in abject failure. In fact, Saul (if you want to read it in First Samuel chapter 31) committed suicide in the middle of battle. It's easy for you and me to say "Well, what's the problem here? It's probably not a bad thing that they had a King to lead the nation. What's the problem? I do have to invest and plan for my retirement, sure, but do we do it under the Kingship of God?" When God is calling us to give a substantial amount of our money to let's say the poor, do we do that? Or do we sock it away for our retirement? Who or what do we put our trust in, who or what do we submit to? Listen again to what Samuel said to Israel – First Samuel chapter 10, beginning at verse 17: Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah and he said to them "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, "I brought you up out of Egypt – I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you. But today, you have rejected your God, the God who saves you from all your calamities and all your distresses and you have said "No! but set a King over us." That's the problem – they rejected their God; they rejected the great Unseen for a King who was far inferior to God but whom they could see. See, despite all that they knew – they knew that God had brought them out of Egypt; they knew that He had rescued them from the Egyptians; they knew that He had rescued them from all their oppressors. God said "I did all that. Couldn't you see that I was your King? Couldn't you see that I am worthy of your trust? Couldn't you see that with Me you have your feet on solid ground? Couldn't you see that?" No, they couldn't see and no, some days we can't see it either. We are blinded by the dazzle of what this world has to offer. It never ceases to amaze me, you know, in times of economic prosperity, people behave as though there is no tomorrow. They put their faith in the money they are earning, their stock portfolio that is growing and the house that's mortgaged up to the hilt and the new car and all that stuff. But then, when the economy eventually takes a dive - as mind you, it always does – they cry out and scream at the price of petrol and the high interest rates and the risk of losing their home. Can I tell you something? You can't live a life of peace if you are putting your trust in an inferior king. You can't have security when you put your faith in those things that will fail. You can't! I can't! It just doesn't work.   Choose your King I want to take us right back now to the beginning of this series – to the first chapter of First Samuel. It's the story of a simple woman called Hannah - she was one of Elkanah's two wives. The other wife Peninnah had children, Hannah had none. And if you have ever been in that situation where you can't have kids or you know someone in that situation, you know how incredibly painful that is and to make it worse the other wife Peninnah, would give Hannah a hard time over this. Pretty tough! There is a real storm that was going on year after year after year – this pain of being childless. Now Hannah had a lot of choices in that space. She could have been angry, she could have lashed out or she could have withdrawn. Her husband didn't help her much so what does Hannah do? First Samuel chapter 1, verse 9: Once they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's temple. In the bitterness of her soul, Hannah wept and prayed to the Lord and she made a vow. She said "Lord God Almighty, if You will only look upon Your servant's misery and remember me and do not forget Your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life and no razor will ever be used on his head. And as she kept praying to the Lord, Eli the priest, looked at her mouth – Hannah was praying in her heart – her lips were moving but her voice couldn't be heard. Now, Eli thought she was drunk and said to her "How long will you keep on getting drunk. Get rid of your wine." She said "Not so, my lord, I'm a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. (Isn't that beautiful?) Don't take your servant for a wicked woman. I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." And Eli answered "Well, go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked for." She said "May your servant find favour in your eyes." Then she went away and she ate something and her face was no longer downcast. Now it turns out – see, Hannah was a "nobody", not like the priest – she wasn't a man in the social structure – she wasn't a priest, she was a "nobody". She just goes and pours out her heart to God amidst the bitterness of her soul. Turns out God honours those who honour Him, as she does have a son, she calls him Samuel. She gives him back to Eli; she gives him over to God as soon as he is weaned and he comes and serves as a priest in the temple, under Eli, whom she discovers later, is a bad dude. This priest is supposed to be a go-between between God and His people, yet he and his sons have no respect for God and His people at all, so Samuel is put there by faith by her. Now we have heard the story: Samuel grows up, he becomes a mighty man of God. Do you know why that happened? Because Hannah honoured God! And God says "I will honour those who honour Me but those who despise Me, will be treated with contempt". And that's what Eli and his sons Hophni and Phinehas found out when they died because they did not honour God. And then we saw how, because of them, Israel ends up rejecting God. And you know how that ends up? In defeat! Saul ends up committing suicide – you can look at it in chapter 31, the last chapter of the Book of First Samuel. Israel rejected God as its King and God said "Well ok, I am going to warn you – you're rejecting Me. I am going to give you a King but this is not going to go well for you." And because they wanted a King that they could see, they rejected God anyway, they chose Saul and it ended up not well for them. The Philistines defeated them, Saul died. The one who is honoured by God is the one who honoured Him! How did she do that? In her misery and her pain; in the bitterness of her soul – she didn't act up, she didn't complain, she didn't grumble – she put her trust simply in God. She poured her soul out to Him, God honoured her. Eli didn't, his sons didn't! At the end of the day, Saul didn't, Israel certainly didn't – the one who did was Hannah and God honoured her because she honoured Him. I want to lay a challenge before each one of us today through this story. We all go through times, you know, when we would like to have our feet on solid ground and yet we are all over the place and things don't seem to be working out and everyone is coming up against us. I want to lay a challenge before each one of us today – you and me – we have to choose our King – it's either God or it is something else we trust in. You can't have both – you can't serve two kings, you can't serve two masters. It's either going to be God, the great unseen reality; the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords or its going to be something we see – a life preserver that we can grab onto. Problem is, life preservers might stop us from sinking for a while but they can't stop the storm. Only God can stop the storm! There are people listening today and your life seems to be one endless storm. Maybe you are absolutely sick to death of being tossed around by angry waves; maybe you are in that boat today. Well, it is time to put your feet back on solid ground. It is time to say "You know something? I may be a nobody like Hannah, it may be that I am not an Eli, I'm not a Samuel, I'm not a David, I'm not some big person – I'm some little unknown person like Hannah, that may will be the case. And yet in this whole story she is the only one who received God's blessing because she is the only one who honoured God. She received her son Samuel who had such a mighty influence over the history of her nation." And Hannah was onto something! Maybe today is time to say "I choose my King". Either we are going to choose God or we are going to reject Him and choose something that we can feel or touch. I can choose a "Saul" in my life – you can choose a 'Saul' in your life and it may give us a sense of security for a little while. You know, when that boat is bobbing round the ocean, you grab for the life preserver – that's a pretty good thing. Probably a pretty good feeling but the life preserver doesn't get us out of the storm. It just keeps us floating there for a bit longer. Only One – the only One – that can get us out of the storm; the only One that can put our feet back on solid ground is our King, God. You want your feet on solid ground? This whole story that we have been looking at over the last four weeks in the first nine or ten chapters of First Samuel – this story is about the Kingship of God. And the story tells us very clearly – you want to put your feet on solid ground? Go honour God – go choose Him as your King – go submit to Him as your King! Let me ask you something – which one is going to work, the King of Kings or Saul? Which one is going to put your feet back on solid ground? Which King will you choose in your life?

In hearing that the Israelites wished to break from their labors in order to worship their God, Pharaoh was incensed. Rarther than granting them freedom, he turned up the heat even more. Not only would they need to keep fulfilling their quota of work, going forward they would also have to gather their own supplies. He wouldn't let them go; instead, he commanded them to "Work harder!" The desperate plight of the Israelites has only worsened. Under the tyranical hand of Pharaoh, their suffering is intensifying. And they are powerless, utterly powerless, to save themsleves. There is nothing they can do. They are dependant upon God. He is the only One who can set them free. Only God's liberating hand can overpower Pharaoh's enslaving hand. As we move from chapter 5 into chapters 6 and 7, God repeatedly reassures Moses that He will indeed, by His saving hand, set His people free. Israel may be no match for Pharaoh, but Pharaoh is no match for God. He will set His people free. He will not be stopped.

Proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for. . . . — Isaiah 40:2 God's people had ignored his law and had closed their ears to the words of his prophets. As a consequence, the people were taken into captivity and exile. Because they would not listen to the voice of grace, they heard the crack of the whip of discipline.But the same God who disciplines his people restores them by his mercy. God called Isaiah to speak tenderly and with assurance to his exiled people, proclaiming that their time of captivity was over and that their sins were forgiven. What a comforting message!Because God loves his people, he disciplines them. And along with disciplining his people, God also forgives them. God forgives his people, and he also restores them.There is no remedy for guilt except in God's forgiveness. No medicine can calm a heart tormented by guilt. No therapy can stifle the desperate cries of a conscience plagued with remorse for wrongdoing. Only God's forgiveness can lift the heavy burden that crushes us.Have you been forgiven by God? Do you enjoy the peace that “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7)?Now is the time of grace. If your heart weighs heavy with sin, now is the opportune time to turn to God in repentance and seek his forgiveness. Lord God, speak to our hearts with your restoring mercy. Lift the weight of our guilt, forgive us, and lead us from discipline to renewal, bringing the peace that only you can give. In Jesus, Amen.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. — Isaiah 40:1 The book of Isaiah is sometimes called “the gospel of the Old Testament” because it announces the good news (gospel) of the coming of God's servant, the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. In chapters 1-39, Isaiah writes about history. And in the rest of the book he delivers a message of comfort, restoration, and hope.Comfort has its source in God. Only the Lord can bring peace to the human soul. Only God can forgive sins, and only in God do we find redemption.True comfort does not come from earthly things. It does not come from people. Comfort comes from God.We cannot find full comfort in various therapies or in self-help psychology. True comfort cannot be found on a couch or in a gym. We do not find our greatest comfort by enjoying the most splendid vacations or the most appetizing pleasures. Comfort cannot be acquired with money or inherited from parents. Real comfort is the work of God. God is both the source and the giver of this gift.Isaiah the prophet is ordered to comfort the people of God. But how? Not with flattering words or deceptive praise. True comfort can only be experienced when we turn to God, the inexhaustible source of grace. God alone can cancel our debt and forgive our sins. True comfort can only be found in God. God of all comfort, only you can fill our deepest needs. Throughout this month, help us to find our only comfort in you by hearing from and living into your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Big Idea: God doesn't change problems; he changes people.Esther 9:1-17 I. God moves at the perfect momentEsther 9:1-5The king's command and law went into effect on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar. On the day when the Jews' enemies had hoped to overpower them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them. In each of King Ahasuerus's provinces the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who intended to harm them. Not a single person could withstand them; fear of them fell on every nationality. All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the royal civil administrators aided the Jews because they feared Mordecai. For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful. The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them. They did what they pleased to those who hated them. II. Only God can turn the tidesEsther 9:6-10In the fortress of Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha. They killed these ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. However, they did not seize any plunder.III. God is the only warrior that mattersEsther 9:11-17On that day the number of people killed in the fortress of Susa was reported to the king. The king said to Queen Esther, “In the fortress of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men, including Haman's ten sons. What have they done in the rest of the royal provinces? Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek will also be done.” Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, may the Jews who are in Susa also have tomorrow to carry out today's law, and may the bodies of Haman's ten sons be hung on the gallows.” The king gave the orders for this to be done, so a law was announced in Susa, and they hung the bodies of Haman's ten sons. The Jews in Susa assembled again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men in Susa, but they did not seize any plunder. The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces assembled, defended themselves, and gained relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them, but they did not seize any plunder. They fought on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar and rested on the fourteenth, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing.Next Steps: Believe: I need God to change me today.Become: I will serve someone in need this week.Be Sent: I want to see God change my city, one person at a time.Discussion Questions: When was the last time you faced opposition for doing the right thing?Who in your life does God most need to change?Has there been a situation you thought was too far gone for even God to change it?If God is the only factor that matters in our problems, why do we worry about our circumstances?Describe a time when you persevered, even though you wanted to give up.  How did it turn out?How does it affect your faith when God doesn't respond when you want him to?Pray for the Holy Spirit to make you an agent of change in your city.

This Sunday, we are blessed to observe both the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper at the beginning of the 11:00 A.M. service. We are also beginning our study of the book of 1 John. This short book was written to give believers the God-ordained grounds of assurance. John's first readers were being confused by false teachers who had separated from the church (1 John 2:19) and claimed to have the true knowledge of God and salvation (2:20-21). This led gospel believers to question their standing with God through Jesus. Throughout the book, John will provide tests by which the reader can "know they have eternal life" (5:13), which is the purpose of the book. Assurance is a wonderful blessing and a necessity for following Christ joyfully and faithfully, but assurance not based on God's own word is presumption rather than real assurance. Only God's word gives us the grounds of assurance to examine and know that we have eternal life. But before John launches into any tests of assurance, he immediately proclaims the identity of Jesus. Only the true Jesus, whom the apostles proclaimed, is able to save. If we are wrong about Jesus, it doesn't matter what we are right about. If we are wrong about Jesus, it doesn't matter how morally we live or what spiritual knowledge we have. Everything rests on this foundation: The Christ whom the apostles proclaim is fully God and fully man, and He is the only Word of Life and the only fellowship with God. I. Only the True Jesus Is The Word of Life (v. 1-2) II. Only the True Jesus Gives Fellowship with God (v. 3-4)

The eagerly anticipated time has come for a showdown with Pharaoh. In Exodus 5, Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh to request permission to go into the wilderness for a feast unto their God. He immediately denies their request. He does not know their God and He will not allow his work force to be depleted for the Israelite people to have a holiday. Not a chance! He won't allow them to rest; they must work! In fact, he assumes that their request is simply an excuse to be lazy, to cease their efforts, and to threaten his kingdom and his plans. So, not only will Pharaoh not let them go, he will also increase the demands on them. He will make the work harder. Adding insult to injury, going forward the Israelites will be required to gather the supplies for their building work in addition to doing the building work. Pharaoh is an actual historical figure, and he is also a type of Satan himself, and a type of the voice within each of us which says, "You must work for life!" While in the natural realm, it is true that we must work to accomplish anything in this world and to live, in the spiritual realm, such work is suicide. It is a deceptive denial of the living and loving God who gives life as a gift of grace, not as a wage earned. Sadly, we are all work-aholics who believe the lie that if we just work hard enough, we can please ourselves, prove ourselves, and protect ourselves. There are secular ways of going about it; and, there are religious ways of going about it. And, it is all deadly. It is heavy, burdensome, and enslaving. It sabotages any chance at real joy, or real peace, or real love for God and others. Just as the ancient Israelites were no match for Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, we are no match for the Pharaoh within. We cannot save ourselves. Only God can do that, and He already has through the person and work of Jesus. Jesus is our ticket out of slavery. He is the Way. Jesus is our provision of freedom. He is the Truth. Jesus gives us what we need for the survival of our souls. He is the Life (John 14:6). Jesus is the only hope for silencing the voice of Pharaoh in our heads which barks out commands at us all day, every day: "You must get to work! You are lazy!" On the contrary, He says, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). That is the Gospel that sets us free.

Professor Lori Newbold draws on her background in theology and mental health to illuminate Hannah's extraordinary faith, her meekness under provocation, her wordless prayers of grief, and the surprising truth that being a mother, like being a disciple, is not a destination we wait for but an identity we live now.YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Oc09qEPPBcsFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook WEEKLY NEWSLETTERhttps://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE0:00 - Part 2 - Professor Lori Newbold1:51 Feeling misunderstood2:51 Personal testimonies on being misunderstood3:54 How to respond when people say the wrong thing4:57 Hannah's prayer6:41 Only God truly knows us8:23 Hannah as type of Jesus Christ9:38 Hannah's vow and prayer12:57 Eli's response and Eli's faith14:10 The Lord remembered Hannah17:01 President Oaks on motherhood and identity19:28 Jacob 1:1124:20 Hannah keeps her promise28:14 Eli's parenting failure30:35 Hannah and Mary–Mary's Magnificat35:40 Motherhood identity and the Adversary39:40 Recording the hand of the Lord42:25 Remember the Lord in reply49:50 I still love you52:39 Don't be afraid to apologize57:12 Samuel hears the Lord1:03:18 Sister Beck and living in revelation1:06:19 Samuel and the monarchy1:07:51 Closing testimony of Jesus Christ1:11:30 End of Part 2 - Professor Lori NewboldThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

In Scripture we see that he glory of God is not an aesthetic beauty or a material beauty, but the beauty that emanates from His character, from all that He is. His glory is the combined manifestation of His attributes. He is glorious because no one can compare.Main Points:1. In the Old Testament, the glory of God was sometimes seen manifested in visible ways such as, fire, thick clouds smoke, lightening, and even an earthquake. But in the New Testament, the glory of God is revealed in His son, Jesus Christ.2. The glory of God was visibly seen in the character of Jesus, his teaching, preaching, and miraculous power. Imagine walking and talking with God himself.3. The glory of God is hard to define isn't it? But as we study the Bible we discover the glory of God revealed in the pages of Scripture. We learn of his holiness, his majesty, his goodness, his power, and his love. Only God is glorious.  Today's Scripture Verses:1 Chronicles 29:11 - “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor.”Exodus 33:18-19 - Now show me your glory.  And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence.”John 1:14 - “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Hebrews 1:3 - “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”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

Can demons hear your thoughts? A lot of Christians assume the answer is yes—but what if that assumption actually confuses what belongs to God alone? In this episode, we dive into Thomas Aquinas' fascinating argument that angels and demons cannot directly read the human mind or will. They can observe, infer, tempt, and influence—but they do not have direct access to your inner thoughts. Only God does. We explore why this matters for spiritual warfare, human freedom, temptation, prayer, and the uniqueness of God himself. Along the way, Aquinas dismantles some common Christian assumptions and offers a surprisingly comforting vision of the human person: your mind is not an open spiritual battlefield. Support the Podcast Support us on Patreon Website: thatllpreach.io IG: thatllpreachpodcast YouTube Channel

Tuesday, 19 May 2026   A summary of Matthew Chapter 19.   Chapter 17 revealed that there is a future for Israel in God's redemptive plans. Chapter 18, above all, showed that childlike faith is required to enter into the kingdom. The final parable, that of the wicked servant, was a clear indicator that the law is set aside but that Israel rejected Christ's fulfillment of it and, instead, went to reimpose the law that Christ had fulfilled.   The parable ended with the thought that Israel would be delivered to the torturers (symbolized by the wicked servant being delivered up) until he should pay all that was due. Until Israel enters the New Covenant, they fulfill the typology of that wicked servant.   Chapter 19 takes the reader through various topics to reveal what God prioritizes. One can see the contrasts between law and faith as the verses progress.   Verse 1, using the word after-lifted, indicated a transition in Jesus' ministry was taking place. The same is true with the narrative that is to be revealed. Jesus departed from the Galilee and “He came unto the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.”   The east side of the Jordan typologically indicates a time prior to Israel's acceptance of Jesus, the Descender, symbolized by the Jordan. The Pharisees came to Him, asking about divorce. Could a man dismiss his wife for every cause? Jesus' answer took them back to the creation.   At the creation, God made the two one. Therefore, man was not to separate what God had conjoined. As this was the only instruction on the matter until the time of Moses, it was the ideal from the dispensation of innocence, even until the time of the law. Being the ideal, however, does not mean this is what man practiced. As such, Jesus explained that the accommodation, which came during the dispensation of the law, was because of the hardness of their hearts. This is why Moses gave the allowance for divorce, but it was not that way from the beginning.   The covenant of marriage was to be considered binding. So much was this the case that Jesus noted that divorcing and marrying another was to be considered an act of adultery.   The intent of conveying this is to show that the law could not change the heart of man. Rather, it only highlights sin in man, something explained by Paul in Romans 7. Having heard Jesus' words, the disciples exclaimed that if this was the case of a man with a wife, it would be better not to marry.   Jesus' response showed that, despite the baggage of marriage, it is God's intent. Only those who have been eunuchized in one of various ways were to be considered the exception to God's original mandate to be married and to remain faithfully married. God's original ideal, despite the law, was to be upheld.   With that thought complete, it was noted that children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and to pray. The disciples admonished them concerning this, but Jesus told them not to do so, but rather to allow them to come in this manner because, as He said, “for such, it is, the kingdom of the heavens.”   The intent of His words is that those of childlike faith, not those who are obedient to law, are granted entrance into the kingdom. Immediately after that, the thought of law observance was again brought to the forefront with the introduction of the young ruler, relying on an unstated precept of the law (Leviticus 18:5), to gain him perpetual life.   He wanted to know what good he should do to obtain that state. Jesus cited commandments and precepts specifically relating to one's relationship with his neighbor, assuring him that if he did such things, he would enter “the life.”   After claiming he had done those things, Jesus reset his thinking by telling him that one thing was lacking. He was to sell all he had, give it to the poor, and then he would have treasure in heaven. With that, he went away sorrowful.   He had failed to see that he could not meet the law's standard, a law that pointed to Christ. Jesus was essentially telling him exactly that. “The law points to Me. If you want to be perfect under the law, sell what you have and come, follow Me.” That is how you will merit favor under the law.   With his departure, Jesus told His disciples about how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of the heavens. With the disciples' incredulity at Jesus' words, He told them that with men, it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.   It again points to trust and salvation by grace. The wealthy ruler wanted to merit his eternal life. Jesus showed him it could not be done. Only God can provide it, and it must come through faith. Something revealed in the dispensation of grace.   The final paragraph began with the thought introduced by Peter's question concerning what would be there for him and the other disciples. They had given up all to follow Jesus. Jesus assured them that they would sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.   That will occur during the dispensation of the millennium. As such, the words of Chapter 19 span all the dispensations of time. With that having been assured to the disciples, Jesus then assured all who sacrifice of themselves for His name will receive their just reward. The chapter finished up with His words that the many who are first will be last and who are last will be first.   That sets the tone for Chapter 20, where Jesus will give a parable and summarize it with that same thought.   Life application: The flow of Chapter 19 is one that repeatedly returns to the thought of the insufficiency of the law to bring about a right state before God. Rather, the law highlights sin in man, but it can do nothing to correct man's fallen state. The supremacy of Jesus is thus on prominent display in this chapter.   Coming on the heels of Chapter 18, it stands as an admonition for Israel to give up on trying to earn God's favor through personal merit and to come to Christ for renewal. In that, they will receive all of the promised blessings given to them throughout the prophets.   As Jesus promised the disciples that they would sit and judge Israel, it is a clear indication that these millennial blessings can only come to the nation when they acknowledge Jesus, the recognized Messiah by these disciples and the One they will serve. They have entered the New Covenant. When Israel does, it is these men who will judge them under that New Covenant.   Lord God, thank You that salvation comes through what Jesus has done. We don't need to fret over what we must do. He has done it all! Thank You for the hope of eternal life because of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.  

David Arthur Mary welcomes in studio David Arthur with a testimony about which we can only say, “Only God!”. At a very young age, David sought his identity through a deep desire for love and affirmation, having grown up with no father in the home and sexual abuse beginning at 6 years old. His story is both extremely heartbreaking and profoundly hopeful; a raw and unfiltered warning from someone who walked the full length of the road that so many youth are being encouraged to take today, one of gender dysphoria and identity confusion. For over 30 years, he was deeply immersed in what he calls the “LGBTQ+ transqueer cult” and living as a transgender woman for 20 years of that time. His is a testimony of living life inside out – until God turned his life inside out via a remarkable transformation via the planting of a seed from a corrections officer. When he finally came to the end of himself via a death sentence of full blown AIDS in his 30s, God did amazing things. The darker things get, the brighter the shining hope through Jesus Christ.     Stand Up For The Truth Videos: https://rumble.com/user/CTRNOnline & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQQSvKiMcglId7oGc5c46A

Watch the Devotion Based on Ephesians 1:15-23 Who's in charge here? I don’t know how many movies and TV shows that I’ve watched where there was some military situation and someone bursts through the door or storms onto a battlefield and demands, “Who’s in charge here?!” It’s almost laughable because all that individual would need to do is to look at the rank on the uniform of the war fighters that are standing right in front of them and they would know that this guy or this gal is in charge. But that’s Hollywood.   We ask this question in our own lives, don’t we? Deployed war fighters have reached out to me and asked, “Chaplain Horn, could you please pray for peace, wisdom for our leaders to make good decisions, for an end to this conflict, and strength for us because we’re awfully tired. We’ve been going nonstop since we got out here.” They’re not complaining. They’re just saying, “Here’s where we’re at and really… who is in charge here because there doesn’t seem to be an end to this.”   You don’t have to be deployed to ask that question. We look at rising gas prices, the economic struggle that many of us face, the uncertainty with all of the things going on in our life and we even ask God this question, too, “Like who’s in charge here?”   This past Thursday the Christian Church celebrated the Festival of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ's ascension answers our question, “Who’s in charge here?”   The apostle Paul talks about this in his letter to the Ephesians. In chapter one he offers this prayer on behalf of the Christians in Ephesus and says that he wants the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened so that they see the power of God for us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19). And then he explains that power, “That power is the same as the mighty strength he asserted when he raised Christ from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19-20). No one else has that kind of power – not President Trump, not Putin, no one in this world has that kind of power to raise someone from the dead. Only God does. Paul says, “I want you to know that power.”   And not only did he raise Christ from the dead but then he goes on to say this: “and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:20). God raised Christ from the dead. Forty days later he ascends into heaven – not to be distant from us. Not to abandon us. Not to make us wonder, “Who’s in charge here?” But to answer that question. Paul says, “He is there far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:21-22). Jesus ascended into heaven to rule and reign over all things. Even when it looks like he’s not reigning, even when we wonder, “Who is in charge here?” Jesus ascended into heaven to prove to us that he has all rule and power and authority, yes even over death and the grave, over your sin, over war, over all things – and to rule for your benefit because you are his church.   Praise God that Jesus is ascended into heaven. Praise God that he is ruling and reigning for your benefit. Believe it. Trust it. Let’s pray about it.  Prayer: Lord Jesus, King of glory, you ascended far above the heavens, and at God's right hand you rule the nations. Leave us not alone, we pray, but grant us the Spirit of truth that, at your command and by your power, we may be your witnesses in all the world. Be present with our nation's war fighters who are deployed. Remind them of your almighty power at work for their eternal benefit so they may be at peace no matter what their circumstances. In your name I pray. Amen.   Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

What makes your eyes light up with glee, or stirs you to an unforced smile? Is it the 4-year old who stomps through puddles—without boots? Is it the lily blooming on some sun-drenched bank, so hidden no one else can find it? Is it the ballad from your youth that fills your thoughts with gentle love?  So grace delights us when we learn that it is God's first way of seeing us—that He is glad to see us dancing in the rain, and loving every growing thing, and finding hope in much-loved songs. It is His joy to know our joy: He made us for receiving love and sharing it with others.  And when we chide the gleeful child, or calculate the price of flowers, or brush away the tenderness we knew, we turn our backs on His warm grace to find cold comfort in self-righteousness. Only God is always right, and only God is always gracious. Jesus said of His Father, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45).  Receive His gift. Enjoy His grace. And stay in it. -Bill Knott

Only God can resurrect what is dead. There is no need for despair! God meets us where our fait is maxed out! Look to Jesus for dead things to come alive! The post The Resurrection and the Life appeared first on Christian Ministries Church.

Chad and Daniel wrap Isaiah in this episode. Only God chooses to save, but it is man who chooses to reject that salvation. Heaven requires you to become a child again. And in the end, God's victory is absolute. Have a listen. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: 1517 Youtube: How God Still Speaks Today Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Translated by Dr. Derek Cooper More from the hosts: Daniel Emery Price Chad Bird

The rich young ruler didn't just have wealth—he trusted it (Matthew 19:16–30). His money gave him a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, convincing him he was in control. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef shows why Scripture repeatedly warns against that trap and calls believers to live differently. Paul's instruction to Timothy is direct: don't be arrogant, and don't put your hope in wealth “which is so uncertain,” but in God who provides richly (1 Timothy 6:17). Jesus goes even further, urging us to stop stockpiling temporary treasures and instead invest in eternity—because what you treasure reveals what you truly worship (Matthew 6:19–21). Dr. Youssef also exposes the deeper misconception behind the ruler's mindset: thinking salvation can be earned, purchased, or donated into existence. No amount of rule-keeping, good deeds, or financial generosity can reconcile a sinner to God. Jesus makes the point unmistakably: what is impossible with man is possible with God (Matthew 19:26). Only God can change a sinful heart, and only the blood of Jesus can secure forgiveness and eternal life. If you've been tempted to rely on resources, status, or self-effort for security, this devotional will redirect your hope to the only sure foundation: Christ alone. Prayer: God, thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for me. Help me to remember to put my hope in You every day, not in my finances. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Encountering Christ, Arms Wide Open: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

What does it really mean to crucify the flesh and follow Jesus daily? Romans 8:13 reminds believers that true spiritual life comes through surrendering sinful desires and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this devotional, Hannah Benson explores the biblical meaning of “taking up your cross,” showing how God leads us into deeper peace, freedom, and abundant life through daily surrender. Highlights Romans 8:13 teaches that living by the Spirit requires putting sinful desires to death. Jesus modeled surrender in Gethsemane by choosing the Father’s will over His own. Carrying your cross means daily surrendering control, pride, and self-centered desires. Honest prayer and dependence on God are essential in seasons of struggle. Abundant life is found in God’s presence, not in comfortable circumstances. God often asks us to release things we tightly cling to so He can fill us with peace. The Holy Spirit gives believers strength to walk in obedience and freedom. Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: What Does Crucifying the Flesh Really Mean? By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13 ESV). What a way to start a devotional. Aren’t devotionals supposed to be uplifting and encouraging? Yes. Aren’t they also supposed to be challenging? Yes. What does this verse mean? Jesus tells us in the Gospels to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23), but what does that actually mean? Most of us don’t have a physical cross we’re called to bear. Jesus’s cross was by no means easy for Him to carry, even though He is the Son of God. He had to humble Himself, even to the point of death. Death by a cross was not only humiliating but the most excruciating death imaginable in those days. Matthew 26:39 (ESV) says: “And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” Yes, Jesus wanted to save humanity and was willing to endure death on a cross if it was the only way. But Gethsemane shows us that as a man, if there had been any other way to accomplish the mission without the agony of the cross, He would have taken it. He chose the nails because there was no other way to save us. Matthew writes that His “soul was very sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38b). Luke 22:43, 44 (ESV) includes that as He prayed, “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Have you ever known anyone who has been so stressed or in such great agony that they sweat blood? We can’t even begin to imagine how much Jesus loves us to not only die for us, but to endure the most unimaginable death possible. If He bore the cross for us, can we not bear ours if He asks us? But that doesn’t mean we are called to carry a literal cross. So, what does it mean to “carry our cross” each day and to “put to death the deeds of the body”? It starts with honesty, with ourselves and with God. Like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, it’s okay to admit we wish there was another way. Like David in many of the Psalms (Psalm 13 is a great example of this), it’s okay to tell God we’re struggling with anger towards Him. Second, we need to be willing to surrender. As Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39b). Job is another example. He had to surrender everything he didn’t understand, his desire for answers, and recognize that God was in complete control (Job 42:2-3). What about Paul? He begged God to remove the thorn from his flesh, but God responded: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Just as the angel came to strengthen Jesus, we must rely on God’s strength to help us. We cannot rely on our own strength to carry us through. We may want to be angry, and maybe we even think we have a good reason for it. Our flesh will tell us we have a right to hold grudges, that we deserve what we want, and that we need to be the ones in control. Sound familiar? News flash. We were never meant to write the stories of our lives. We may think we want to hold the pen, but that is no way to live. Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Abundant life comes through death and surrender. He tells us in Matthew 16:25 (ESV): “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Jesus wasn’t just talking about physical death here. As believers, we need to die daily to our wants, desires, and even the things that may be good. Anything we desire more than God needs to be put in its proper place in our lives. Intersecting Faith & Life: Sometimes, dying to ourselves might mean sacrificing the very thing we hold dear, what we clench in our fists and refuse to yield. You know what I’m talking about? There have been seasons in my life where the Lord allows something I’d considered good to be removed from my life. Sometimes it’s shocking, and it hurts. Okay, let me rephrase that. Usually, it always hurts. We were never meant to hold the pen or be the director of our story. Only God can do that. In Psalm 81:10 (ESV), God tells the Israelites: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” If we want to experience the abundant life Jesus has for us, then we need to “open our mouths.” If we cling to the past and what we think we want, then we don’t have hearts open to what the Lord has planned. Don’t mistake the word “abundant” for “easy” or a life filled with material goods. The abundance Jesus promises isn’t found in our circumstances. If it were, Paul wouldn’t be able to write about overflowing joy while sitting in prison. While sometimes God does bless us circumstantially, the abundant life He promises us is found in His presence as we draw near to Him.When God gently pries our fingers open, it’s not to leave us empty-handed. It’s to make room for His peace, which is our portion, and His presence, which fills us to overflowing. We need to die to ourselves each and every day. Romans 8:13 tells us that if we put these things to death, we will live. Not merely survive, but truly live. Today, if you’re clenching your fists around something that God is asking you to yield, be honest. Tell Him you don’t want to let go. Tell Him it hurts. And then, by His strength, let it go. Whatever He asks you to surrender will pale in comparison to the abundant life He desires to give you. Pray with me: Dear Father, I’ll be honest. I’m tired of trying to hold the pen. I admit that I’ve been clenching my fists around my plans, my timing, and my “good” things, afraid to let go. Thank You for the unimaginable way You love me and for Your death on the cross so I may live. Please give me the strength I don’t have on my own to put my self-will to death today. I open my hands and my heart to You. Fill the empty spaces with Your peace and help me to trust Your presence is my greatest good. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The heart of man is desperately wicked and who can save it? Only God can. When God gives us a new heart everything about us should change. Our behavior, our speech, our attitudes, the list is endless. Why does everything change? Because out of our heart flows the issues of life. If we want to lead a life that is successful and pleasing to God then we must deal with the issues of our heart. When we do that we begin to walk in the peace, hope, and love that He said we could.

The heart of man is desperately wicked and who can save it? Only God can. When God gives us a new heart everything about us should change. Our behavior, our speech, our attitudes, the list is endless. Why does everything change? Because out of our heart flows the issues of life. If we want to lead a life that is successful and pleasing to God then we must deal with the issues of our heart. When we do that we begin to walk in the peace, hope, and love that He said we could.

"When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all." -1 Corinthians 15:28    Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE!    Podcasts by Series  Level One Book Study  Level Two Book Study    Ann Garrido joins us on the podcast again and today she speaks about the life and theology of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the French Jesuit priest whose writings and theology Sofia mentions in the chapter My Readings from Way of Holy Joy which is a book of selected writings of Sofia Cavalletti. Ann tells us about this unique theologian, helps us explore the similarities in his work and those of Maria Montessori and Sofia Cavalletti as well as where we can see his influence in the work of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.     Ann Garrido has been a catechist of the Good Shepherd since 1996.  She has served as a catechist and formation leader at all three levels.  Ann is an Associate Professor and Director of the Aquinas Children's Worship Partnership at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri.  She is the author of multiple works, including her newest book Redeeming Power about the healthy and holy exercise of leadership.  Ann Garrido's website HERE      “Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet, it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability- and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you, your ideas mature gradually- let them grow, let them shape themselves without undue haste. Don't try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give our Lord the benefit of believing that God's hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.” - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, The Making of a Mind, from a letter written July 4, 1915    “The Son of God became man so that man might become God” - St Althanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, On the Incarnation    Website on the Aquinas Children's Worship Partnership     CGS Heritage     A good biography of Teilhard       Podcasts about CGS Heritage/Influencers:  109: Father Dalmazio Mongillo  92: Who was Adele Costa Gnocchi  78: A Glimpse of Gianna Gobbi  76: Romano Guardini  71: A Glimpse at Sofia  68: Eugenio Zolli  60: Pioneers of CGS with Betty Hissong  57: Celebrating the Life of Tina Lillig    Podcasts Episodes with Ann Garrido:  Episode 19 – Typology with Ann Garrido   Episode 53 – The Birth and Infancy of Jesus with Ann Garrido   Episode 59 – Preaching with Children with Ann Garrido   Episode 68 – The CGS Heritage – Eugenio Zolli with Ann Garrido   Episode 111. About Justice, A Meditation by Fr Mongillo with Ann Garrido  127: Redeeming Administration      Books by Ann Garrido   ANN'S NEW BOOK – REDEEMING POWER     Redeeming Administration   Redeeming Conflict   A Year with Sofia Cavalletti by Ann Garrido    Preaching with Children      Books you might be interested in:  Way of Holy Joy  The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Year Olds  History of the Kingdom of God Part 1: Creation to Parouisa  History of the Kingdom of God Part 2: Liturgy and the Building of the Kingdom  Life in the Vine: The Joyful Journey Continues      BECOME A CGSUSA MEMBER    CGS 7 Minute Video      CGS Atrium Locator - Please check if your church atrium in in our atrium locator.  If not, please send this link to the COORDINATOR of your CGS program to add your atrium to the locator. THANK YOU! If you have any questions please email contact@cgsusa.org    Find out more about CGS:       Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd     Follow us on Social Media-  Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”  Instagram-  cgsusa  Twitter- @cgsusa  Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA  YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

This week, we kick off our month of celebrating moms with a new series: “Mothers of the Bible.” Today we're looking at the life of Jochebed, a woman who faced unimaginable fear and made an unthinkable choice to save her son. Through her story, Karen and Emily unpack what it looks like to do our best for our kids and trust God with the rest. If you've ever struggled to let go, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Episode Recap:We're kicking off a new series by looking at the lives of some mothers in the Bible (0:49)Jochebed was Moses' mom (2:00)She did everything in her power to keep Moses alive (4:10)God enabled Jochebed to nurse Moses after his adoption by Pharoah's daughter (8:00)Jochebed did everything she could and left the rest up to God (9:50)Jochebed was not Moses' savior (10:20)Only God can reach our children's hearts (10:55)Let go of your need to be a perfect parent (11:35) Children are a blessing - try not to hoard the blessing (15:05)Scripture: Psalm 56:3 (NIV) “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”Discussion Questions: Where in your parenting are you trying to “be the savior” instead of trusting God?What does it look like practically to “open your hands” and give your children back to God each day?How can you balance doing your part as a parent while still surrendering outcomes to the Lord?In what ways might striving for “perfect parenting” be keeping you from trusting God more deeply?Resources:Register for the SOAR Conference today. Become a WT+ Insider today! boaw.mom/insiderPick up Karen's Prayer Journal in the BOAW StoreWant More of This Conversation?In Wire Talk+, Karen and Emily go deeper into real-life parenting moments, sharing honest stories about when letting go has been hardest for them and how they navigated situations they couldn't fix for their kids.Head HERE and join us for the full conversation.

Understanding what it means to be human requires looking beyond scientific materialism and popular culture to God's Word. Scripture reveals three essential aspects of our condition: we are created in God's image as His representatives on earth, fallen through sin that affects every part of our being, and gloriously redeemed through Christ's amazing grace. This truth means all people have equal dignity and worth, regardless of their circumstances. While sin has corrupted our nature and separated us from God, we cannot save ourselves through good works or by minimizing our failures. Only God's grace through Christ can transform our condition and give us true hope.https://www.ankenyfree.church

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” (Job 23:10 NLT) “Why?” is a very popular question among God’s people. King David asked why his son rebelled against him and why the people of Israel stopped supporting him. Elijah asked why he was the only remaining prophet to stand for God. Jeremiah asked why he was suffering so much for doing what God had called him to do. Jesus Himself asked why God had forsaken Him. But no one is more closely associated with the question “Why?” than Job. And for good reason. Job was a righteous man who savored God’s blessings in his life. Those blessings included a loving family and great wealth. Then, in quick succession, thieves plundered his livestock. Fire destroyed his servants and his possessions, leaving him with nothing. A house collapse killed his children. Boils broke out all over his body, leaving him in constant, excruciating pain. His friends told him that he was to blame for his suffering, that he was facing divine retribution for sin. His wife told him to curse God and die. Job sincerely believed that his suffering had nothing to do with divine retribution. He wasn’t being punished for anything. But that belief raised some serious questions. Questions that a lot of God’s people ask when they’re faced with trials and suffering. Questions that start with “Why?” Job put it this way: “If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me” (Job 23:3–5 NLT). The answer that Job received may or may not have satisfied him. And that brings us to a hard truth of the Christian faith: God doesn’t work His will for our ultimate comfort, security, or benefit. He works His will for His glory. He wants His people to recognize who He is and what He’s done—and then to worship and give thanks accordingly. That’s what we were created to do. That’s what puts us in perfect alignment with Him. That’s what gives us a soul-deep sense of fulfillment and joy. To accomplish that, God occasionally puts us in situations from which only He can deliver us. He allows circumstances to test us so that we will draw closer to Him and rely on His resources alone to “survive and thrive.” That way, we can’t “thank our lucky stars” or compliment ourselves on our own cleverness or resourcefulness. Rather, we must say, “Only God could have done this.” God clearly says in Scripture that He will not give His glory to another (see Isaiah 42:8). Job honestly admitted his struggles and his need for answers. Then he added what would become a classic statement of faith: “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:10 NLT). Job was saying, “I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know why God has allowed these things to happen. But I know this: When I am tested, my faith will become purer and more precious.” That was God’s objective for Job. And it’s His objective for us, too. Reflection question: How can you “come out pure as gold” from a struggle you’re facing right now? 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.

Culture often says, “Don't judge me” or “Only God can judge me,” but what does the Bible actually teach? In this episode of Truth for Today, Terry Fant begins a new series examining common cultural phrases and comparing them with the absolute truth of God's Word. Learn how biblical judgment protects the church, strengthens relationships, and helps believers pursue holiness, while keeping God as the only rightful judge of condemnation.

Only God can soften a heart and open a mind—let's pray and watch Him work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God's desire is that we love Him above all else. We are to love Him with all of our hearts, all of our souls, all of our minds, and all of our strength. Only God can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. Everything else we would turn to is an idol, something we run to instead of God. Yet, every time the idol leaves us empty. It produces regret, shame, and even fear.Main Points:1. We seek God first in our lives because He alone is worthy. We love Him above all things because He is Lord of all, and because He has loved us with an incomparable love. We refuse to have idols in our lives because none of them compares to God and what He can do for us.2. An idol can be a person or a relationship. An idol can be our work, our talents, or our career goals. An idol can be food or other substances we consume. An idol can be something we use to fill our time such as: tv, movies, and social media. As we see, idolatry really could be anything we turn to instead of God. 3. Idols are fake imitations of God. Let's search our hearts, ask for God's forgiveness, and relinquish any idols we may have worshipped. Let's give our allegiance to the one true God and remove modern-day idols.Today's Scripture Verses:Exodus 20:3 - “You shall have no other gods before me.”Proverbs 4:23 - “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”Ezekiel 14:3 - “These men have set up idols in their hearts”Ezekiel 14:6 - “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!”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

Read Online“Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” John 6:26–27The crowd desired one thing, but Jesus desired another. This reality is common to us all. Earlier in this chapter from John's Gospel, Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men—not counting the women and children—with five barley loaves and two fish.The crowd was so ecstatic that they wanted to carry Jesus off and crown Him king. Jesus, however, had no desire to be an earthly king, so He withdrew to a mountain to be alone.The next morning, when the crowd discovered Jesus had left, they searched for Him and found Him in Capernaum with the Twelve. When they found Him, they asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus' response revealed their true motivation: “You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.” In other words, they desired another meal. Their interest in Jesus was superficial.In John's Gospel, Jesus' miracles are referred to as “signs.” These signs point to His divine Sonship and salvific mission, revealing Him as the source of eternal life. Jesus recognized that the people sought Him not because they sought spiritual understanding or insight into His divine nature, but solely for material satisfaction—another meal. The crowd desired physical food, but Jesus desired to give them spiritual nourishment to strengthen their faith so that they would believe and receive the eternal and superabundant treasures He came to bestow. Jesus then exhorted them to work for “food that endures for eternal life.” That “food” is their belief in Him, whom the Father sent to bring eternal life.We often find ourselves desiring the passing things of this world more than we desire God. It is natural, not sinful, to experience physical hunger and desire food. But if such desires become the driving force in our lives, then they become disordered.In addition to natural desires, our spiritual desires can also become misguided. For example, if we seek Jesus in prayer solely because we have a favor to ask of Him, then we are acting much like the crowd in today's Gospel, and Jesus' words to them would apply to us: “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”Our pursuit of Jesus must not be centered on our own ideas of what is best for us. Only God knows what is best. We must understand this and allow Him to redirect our desires to seek what is eternal. We must not only seek but also desire God's work in our lives. His greatest work is that we “believe in the one he sent.” We must desire faith in Jesus and His eternal plan, abandoning every superficial or misguided pursuit.Reflect today on what you desire most from your relationship with our Lord. If your ambitions are earthly and fleeting, look higher. Seek the eternal realities God wishes to bestow, and work to realign your desires toward those alone. God is aware of our natural needs and will provide for them according to His will when we prioritize understanding Him, His divine Sonship, and His mission. Learn from the crowd in today's Gospel and heed Jesus' gentle rebuke. Believe in the One the Father sent—Jesus, the Son of God—and all good and eternal things will be lavished upon you according to His will. My heavenly King, You desire to be the King of my life, directing my every action and controlling my every desire. I give all control to You, dear Lord, and ask that you redirect my every ambition and desire in accord with Your perfect will. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The Sermon on the Mount. by Guillaume FouaceSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Feeling unseen, overlooked, or forgotten? Genesis 16:13 reveals a powerful truth—God is El Roi, “the God who sees me”—reminding us that our deepest need to be known and valued is fully met in Him. In a world that constantly pushes us to chase recognition, validation, and visibility, Scripture redirects our focus to a God who already sees every detail of our lives. Hagar’s story shows us that even in moments of isolation, pain, and injustice, God is present and attentive. He sees what others miss. He cares when others overlook. Instead of striving to be noticed by people who cannot truly fulfill us, we’re invited to rest in the steady, personal, and unchanging attention of our Creator. When we anchor our identity in being seen by God, we find lasting security, purpose, and peace. Highlights The desire to be seen and valued is part of being human God reveals Himself as El Roi—the God who sees you personally Hagar’s story shows God’s care in moments of isolation and pain You don’t have to chase validation—God already sees and values you God knows every detail of your life, down to the smallest things True identity is found in being known by God, not others Resting in God’s attention brings peace and security Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Seen by God By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” —Genesis 16:13 NLT Recently, I read a news story headline that said 100 people gathered to be in a music video. They wanted to be seen. Especially here in the USA, there is a fascination with being an extra in a movie or becoming a professional actor and famous movie star. People often say they do this because they want to make an impact, be seen, be heard, be noticed, and be remembered. This made me think. Why do we rush to be seen by people on television, in music videos, at big events, and on social media? Perhaps it is because, deep inside, every human has a need to be seen. We want to know that we matter. We want to be acknowledged, recognized, and celebrated. This is a totally normal part of our human experience, but is it healthy if we’re chasing after fame more than seeking God? While there may not be anything wrong with wanting to be seen and remembered by the people in our world, I would like to encourage you with this timeless truth: You are seen by God. He is the Creator of the universe and all the galaxies. There is a popular inspirational quote that says: “How cool is it that the same God who created mountains, oceans, and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too.” God loves you. He knows you. He sees you. In a world where we are challenged to prove that we matter, we need to remember our Creator loves us endlessly. We matter to Him. The Bible says God knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5). It also says God knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). This means God sees us as no one else can. He created humankind with deep care and attention to detail. The Bible says all the hairs on our head are numbered (Luke 12:7). If you have a lot of hair on your head, then you may see the significance of this statement on a deeper level. God sees everything you go through during your life here on Earth, and He will intervene where needed, as He did for Hagar. She was the servant of Abraham and Sarah. They feared God but were childless well into what we would call their golden years. When God promised them that they would have a son, they didn’t believe Him because of their old age and the fact that Sarah was past her childbearing years. Therefore, after waiting on God for a while, Sarah became impatient and decided with her husband to take the matter into their own hands by making Hagar pregnant by Abraham. After Hagar knew she was with child, Sarah became jealous and mistreated Hagar. Hagar took her baby and ran into the wilderness to escape all the abuse. It was there while she wept alone in deep despair that God showed up and comforted Hagar. At the end of this divine encounter, Hagar called God “El Roi,” which means “The God Who Sees.” The God who saw Hagar in her distress and despair sees us, too. Nothing we go through is unnoticed by Him. When we feel like we have no one else to turn to, we can turn to our Savior (Jesus Christ). The Bible says He will be with us unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20) because He loves us. Why clamor to shake hands with our favorite actors, celebrities, politicians, royalty, wealthy people, and influencers who cannot save us…when we have the full attention of the One who believes we are worth dying for (John 3:16)? The Bible says in Psalm 146:3-4 (NIV), “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.” Only God can save us. And He will never die. In closing, I would like to encourage you to seek God first if you have not already. Know that your value is priceless to Him. We don’t have to clamor to be close to Him, heard by Him, and seen by Him. He is already near us and sees us clearly. When God looks at us, He doesn’t see an overwhelming crowd of 8.3 billion people alive here on Earth. He sees each one of us as if we are the only person on this planet, and He gives us personalized attention with great care and compassion. He pays attention to detail. And as our Master Teacher, He differentiates instruction to meet each of our needs uniquely. While there may not be anything wrong with wanting to be seen for the right reasons and make an impact on this world, I encourage you to always remember that you are already seen, cherished, and treasured by the Eternal King. And that truth is forever. Listen to these two songs of reflection listed below to remind you how God sees you and loves you. Song of Reflection #1: “The God Who Sees” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “Every Single Tear” by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it HERE. Intersecting Faith & Life: How does it feel to know that the Creator of the Universe knows your name and sees your heart? Further Reading:Isaiah 43:1Psalm 34:15Psalm 139:1-3Proverbs 15:31 Samuel 16:7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life is complex, and only God has all the answers. But Touré Roberts reveals something we often neglect: The health of our soul determines the shape of our entire life. Drawing from 3 John 1:2 and Mark 3:7-9, this message confronts the critical truth that our souls are impressionable, delicate, and deeply affected by the chaos we've normalized. As your soul prospers, so does everything else in your life. It's time to get intentional about what our soul receives. The intake we're consuming is shaping us in ways we don't realize. Only God can restore the soul. Our job? Abide. Stay rooted like a tree by the river and the fruit comes automatically. Practically, the soul needs agape love, intentional devotion, and worship that opens us to receive from God. When you are loved, you lack nothing because God's love makes you perfect. Declare: I am rich in love. Message: “How To Take Care of Your Soul” Scripture: 3 John 1:2, Mark 3:7-9 (NKJV) Speaker: Touré Roberts Date: March 29, 2026 ✨ Welcome to Your Moment of Transformation You don't have to walk this journey alone. Let Jesus guide your steps and fill your life with purpose and peace.

In Sadie's first live-audience episode, she sits down with country star Thomas Rhett Akins and his wife, Lauren Akins, to talk about it all: how they met, how they've handled fame, when their faith became the main thing, and how they've learned to say “yes” and “no” with intention and peace. Lauren admits she was dragged —kicking and screaming — into the public side of their life, but now calls it a beautiful adventure, saying she's living every dream she had as a little girl. Thomas Rhett opens up about work-life balance, the tough calls he's had to make, and why it's all been worth it. He also gets real about learning to love his wife and kids well — and why he can't be the source of their happiness. Only God can. This Episode of WHOA That's Good is Sponsored by: https://loveoneinternational.org/whoa — Join the Love Club today. For just $20 a month you'll provide life-saving support to a child in need and as a thank you, you'll receive exclusive Love Club merch! https://gominno.com — Get your first month FREE when you use code WHOA at sign up and don't miss the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special! https://go.goodranchers.com/WHOA — Get $25 off your first order with our code WHOA at checkout! - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices