Podcast appearances and mentions of Oswald Chambers

A Sermon on Forgiveness Dr. Eric J. Gilchrest, Pastor | September 6, 2026 Download Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript A Sermon on ForgivenessDr. Eric J. Gilchrest, PastorGood morning everybody. A couple of things before we get started. I know Clint already said it, but I am personally so pleased to have Erin Ovenshire as our new admin. She has been wonderful to work with already, and I look forward to good things there. I just wanted to make sure everybody knew and to welcome her in this role. Second, though, so one of my new favorite things these last few weeks has been the number of children in our worship service. I don't know if you feel this way too, but I definitely do. And I also want those parents to feel very comfortable having their children in the worship service. This is something that at South Run Baptist Church, we prize. We hold this as very important. I don't say this enough, so this is part of what I'm doing right now, which is we have intentionality behind having the kids in here. There are many churches you could attend where you ship the kids off and they're gonna be somewhere else for the whole time that you're here. And by kids, I mean like even up through like junior high or something. We've learned, but studies say Having your kids in here, like seeing what the adults do, watching your parents worship, this is very, very important for their spiritual development. And so this is why we want the children in here. With that said, we also want you to feel comfortable taking your kid out if you need to. And so if at any point you need to, we have a room downstairs. I think it's the Birch room, whatever the middle room is down there. where the TV's on with me on it, and you can participate in the service down there if that's what you need at any point. So feel free to utilize that. All right, let's get started here. Please bow your heads in prayer. God, our Father in heaven, your name is holy, and we seek your holy name this morning. God, I ask that you speak your words through your humble servant this morning, that those who are in attendance and those who are listening, whether online or at some future point, will hear you. They will hear you speaking to them loud and clear. Lord, this morning you know what we're talking about. We are talking about forgiveness. And Lord, we are the recipients of your boundless forgiveness. And so we begin with thanks, but we also now open our ears to what you wish to say to us. In Christ's name we pray, amen. We're talking about forgiveness, but we're also kind of the macro level. We're talking about the two ways. There's the narrow way and there's the wide way, and the wide way leads to destruction. And Jesus is trying to get us to walk down that narrow Rd. right? Which is to say it's a harder Rd. to walk and it requires some intention behind it. And it means that we have to pay attention to what we are doing and should not be. And some of those things we're not doing, but we should be. And so this morning, we have a wonderful test case in forgiveness. Forgiveness. This is certainly something that we've all been on both sides of the coin for. We've needed to forgive somebody, but we've also needed to be forgiven by somebody. But I wanna begin with a question that I asked our deacon ordinands on this last Wednesday. We had a deacon ordination meeting, council, where we brought in the two gentlemen who were being tried and tested, and it was grueling, and we really put it to them. They did pass, so next week we will be voting on our deacons, which will now include Brian Sands and Dan Ovanshire. We're very happy to have them on that slate, and you'll get to vote on them along with two others next week. But the question I asked was, what is the gospel, right? What is the gospel? Somewhat simple question. And I would hope that each of you, if you've been around the church for a while and if you confess Christ as Lord, you would have some kind of answer to this. What is the gospel? So I want to offer to you kind of a version in brief of how I think about this. It starts at the beginning of the creation, which is to say that in the beginning, God created all things good. In fact, he finishes it all and says, this is very good. But we know it doesn't stay there for too long. And there's the fall, Genesis 3 happens, and Genesis 4, they're kicked out of the garden. And then we're living in this world. And if you look around, you see what? You would currently see three hurricanes are sitting in the Pacific Ocean. Something is broken with the world itself, literally. There's a flood in Nepal that led to over 1000 deaths. There's all kinds of illnesses that are just waiting to infect each and every one of us. But it doesn't stop with the brokenness in the world, does it? then kind of seeps into us, you and me, or maybe there's other people, right? the sin sickness that covers humanity. And we are all people who do things that we shouldn't do and we don't do the things that we should do. And then when we're really honest, we look inside and we realize that it's sitting in here. And if you think back through your past, you realize, you know what, there are things that I regret There are things that I need forgiveness for, and I'm reaching out to a God that I need forgiveness from. And so then the gospel is God looking down and saying, I'm going to do something about the state of the world. And to do something, well, he sends Jesus, the Son of God, into the world, And Jesus dies on a cross, as we say, every single second Sunday of the month when we take communion, for the forgiveness of your sins, to make things right again. And then he is raised on the third day, defeating death and offering eternal hope into the future. This is what's happening. And so then the macro story says that what God is doing is he's taking the very good thing that had been broken and he's putting it back to rights again. This is good news. And it's the hope that we all hold on to. At the very center of all of it is a God who loves us so much that he keeps coming after us offering forgiveness when we don't deserve it. Offering forgiveness when we don't deserve it. Which then gets to what Paul says to us about forgiveness at large. He says, for example, actually, sorry, slide one, I had this on here. So what is the gospel? It's the good news that God has chosen forgiveness and mercy instead of punishment. He has chosen reconciliation instead of walking away, and he has chosen restoration instead of pushing us out. And here's what Paul, the move Paul makes in Ephesians 4.32. He says, forgive one another as God in Christ forgave you. And so this morning, as we're talking about the need to forgive one another, we should be reminded that the gospel story is the frame to it all. And as Paul says, God forgave you. And how did he do this? In Christ, in the story that I just told you, on the cross, through his death and through his resurrection, you have been forgiven. And so we too are to what? We're to take that same model and we are to apply it, everybody around us. forgive one another as God in Christ forgave you. Now the goal of forgiveness with both God and man is restoration. If the story of scripture from front to back is a story of restoration, well then that's what we're doing in our relationships when we forgive as well. We're seeking to restore. to make all things new. Now I should say very clearly that this does not mean consequences don't matter. They matter deeply. And so if you are seeking forgiveness from somebody, you must be ready to acknowledge that there is going to be a fallout to whatever it is that you have done in this life. And so consequences matter. There's a famous theologian from the mid-1900s named Bonhoeffer, and he had this famous book in which he talks about cheap grace, cheap grace. And I would offer you, there's something that is kind of a corollary to this, which is cheap forgiveness. Cheap forgiveness wants the benefits of forgiveness without the cost. Costly forgiveness is the willingness to do what it takes by the person who needs forgiveness to be reconciled. And so if you have harmed somebody and you are seeking their forgiveness and you are seeking to be made right again with them, you must recognize that there are consequences and there are costs to whatever it is that you've done. And we'll talk more about that momentarily. I've put a few things at the bottom of your bulletin. Some bullet points that I'm hoping you walk away with after the sermon, if you don't walk away with anything else. And here's one. Forgiveness restores you and reconciliation restores the relationship. Forgiveness restores actually the one who is doing the forgiving. It's the one, when you forgive, like you have been made whole, there's kind of a weird logic to this. And then reconciliation is when the relationship has been made whole again. Now I confess, I've kind of teased two things apart that may not be obvious just from the kind of a flat reading of scripture, but I do think this is really important for you to know that there are two sides to this. And sometimes forgiveness is all that's possible because whatever that other party they're doing, they may not want reconciliation. But in the ideal world, both parties are involved, and that's when reconciliation actually happens. But for the time being, I kind of want you to piece these out and keep them separated one from the other. Forgiveness or restoration and reconciliation are two different things, and it's important for you to hold them apart from one another. But in the best case scenario, both happen. With that then, let's turn to our scripture for today, which is Matthew chapter 18, verses 21 and 22. Matthew 18, 21 and 22 goes like this. Then Peter came up and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him as many as seven times? And Jesus said, I do not say to you 7, but 77 times. Now the observant among you will immediately say, wait, I thought it was 70 times 7. We could dig into the Greek here and we could look at precisely what's there. And even if we did that, here's what you would find, that we actually don't know what the answer is. It might be 70 times 7, which would be what, 490? Or it might be 77. But the truth is, neither matter, because that's not what Jesus is saying, is he? He's not asking you to count up how many times you forgive, and then once you reach 77, done. No, he's saying forgiveness should be ever ready. This is something that as followers of Christ, that narrow way, like at any moment when somebody calls on us to be forgiven, like really be forgiven, we are willing and ready to offer that to them. The passage today is followed by a parable, which we won't read together, but I'll just simply tell you what's in it. It applies directly to the gospel story that I gave you up front and it goes like this. There's a master and he has a servant and the servant owes him the equivalent of $4 billion, a billion with a B. This is like the math works out this way. And the servant comes and is pleading with the master. He says, please just let me go. He was about to sell, the master was going to sell the servant into to slavery. And he said, please, I can't. And the master had mercy on him and said, you know what? I'm actually, I'm going to forgive the debt, $4 billion, and I'm going to let you go. As the servant left, he found somebody else who actually owed him some money to the tune of about $6,000, which, That's A lot. Like $6,000. Somebody owes me $6,000. You better believe I'm going to want that money back. But if I've just been forgiven $4 billion, you know, I think I might be generous. I would hope. But this servant was not. This servant instead, he went after the guy who owed him $6,000. And then when he couldn't pay, what did he do? Well, he sold him into debtors prison. Well, when the master found out, he said, how could you do this? You are wicked. Do you not know how merciful, how forgiving I have been to you? And then you turn around and with this debt, sure, it's some money, but it's nothing what you've been forgiven already, right? Hopefully you can see the comparison to the gospel itself. God has offered each and every one of us forgiveness in abundance. And so when he calls on us to forgive others, to forgive our neighbors, to forgive those who have done something wrong to us, our friends, our spouses, our kids, or whoever, we should be ready at any moment to say yes. But there are some parameters. And this is worth our time because oftentimes forgiveness turns into that cheap forgiveness. And I don't want it to do that this morning, and I don't want to leave you with the wrong impression about how forgiveness works. And so if you're in the Matthew 18, I just encourage you to back up just ever so slightly because the forgiveness stuff doesn't start there. It actually starts in 1815. And here's what Jesus says here. He says, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. And if he listens to you, have gained your brother. The scenario is a simple one. Somebody has done something wrong to you and you go to them and you say, you've done this wrong thing to me. And you're coming with open arms and you're saying, I would like to forgive you. I just need you to own what you've done. And if they say yes, well, then you've got your brother back. Reconciliation has happened, right? Luke actually. gets a little more pointed here. There's a version of this same saying that happens in Luke's gospel. If you return there at some future point, if you want to, it'd be in chapter 17, verses 3 to 4, go like this. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in the day and turns to you seven times, I say, repent. Or saying, I repent, you must forgive him. Here's what I want you to know about this passage. Some of us are really good at rebuking others. Others of us are really good at forgiving others. But in my experience, very few are good at both. I want us all to be people who are good at both. rebuking or bringing to someone else, here's what you've done wrong to me. None of this passive aggressive stuff. Just be honest and straightforward and say, you've hurt me. I need you to apologize. Here's what's wrong. And then when that person actually does, and when they own the problem that sits between you and that person, then you forgive them and you make things right. This is the ideal, right? That you're doing both the rebuking and then the forgiving when it happens. Which is another way of saying that in every scenario where forgiveness is involved, there's always two parties. If you were to come to me in pastoral counseling or something and you would say, Eric, I need to talk to you about forgiveness, my immediate question, well, which one are you? the one who needs forgiveness or are you the one forgiving somebody else? Because the conversation is going to look a little different depending on what side of the ledger you're sitting on. So we'll start with the one who's in need of forgiveness. Maybe this is you this morning. The first thing I would say to you in that counseling session would be to own your sin, no matter how big or small it is. Own whatever it is you've done wrong. And maybe you don't even want to call it sin. Maybe it's like, you're thinking it's this thing. But I need you to own it and to say, you know what, I really did that. And then you need to recognize the consequences that happen and flow out of whatever that thing is that you've done. And depending on the severity of the thing you've done, you might expect that some trust has been lost and must be restored with that person. And that again, depending on the severity of it all, it might take a while. It might take years or even decades to restore some of the trust that is lost. Once you're ready for it, I would then encourage you to apologize to the other person. But in my household, we have a way of apologizing that isn't just merely saying, I'm sorry, and then you move on. I would call that cheap forgiveness, and that's what we're trying to avoid this morning. Instead, we have a fourfold model of what apologies look like. includes, I am sorry. It was wrong because in the future I will. And then will you forgive me? Now, parents, you can take this and use it for your kids. That'd be great. But parents, I would encourage you to use it for one another as well. And it goes like this. I am sorry for. And this is when you actually name the thing that you did and you own it. and you say it out loud so that the other person knows what you've done wrong, and they know that it was wrong. And then you say it was wrong because, and here's where you get to explain to the person that you now understand why it was wrong. And you've put yourself into their shoes, and you show them or explain to them what it must have been like for them to be on that side of it all. And then in the future I will. And here is what you should have done instead. It's more than just next time I won't do X, Y, or Z. Next time I just won't get angry with you. It's in this moment that you get to demonstrate that you understand why you did the thing that you did. And so maybe you came home from work and you were just in a rage because somebody at work had offended you, and then you come home and you take it out on your spouse. when you apologize, you say, in the future, if I know I'm in this mood, I'm just going to tell you right up front, and then I'm going to encourage you to maybe avoid me for a short time, and I'm going to go cool off, and then I'm going to make sure that I'm a good man or a good woman so that you have the spouse that you deserve in that moment. And then finally, once you've really explored what went wrong, then you're in a place to say, will you forgive me? Let us make things right. And hopefully, prayerfully, you're with a spouse or maybe it's a friend or maybe it's, again, your kids or whoever it is. This works with anybody. Hopefully they will say, yes, I forgive you. Now the flip side of the coin is the party that needs to forgive. Jesus tells us 70 times 7. If someone seeks your forgiveness, you need to be ready to forgive. This is the way to life. Life abundant is living with a heart ready to forgive at any moment. Again, remember Ephesians 4, forgive one another as God in Christ forgave you. Remember, There was the billion dollars and there's the thousands of dollars and the ledgers are very, very different. And I would also encourage you to remember that forgiveness, it restores you. First and foremost, to withhold forgiveness is an affront to the way God operates in this world. And therefore, It is an affront to our truest nature as children of God. If we were made in God's image, and I believe with all my heart that we were, and God is a God who forgives again and again and again, then if we want to live into our truest nature, we must be people who forgive. But if you want a more selfish reason for why you should forgive, it goes like this. It's good for you. To forgive somebody else, it feels good to just let it go. In fact, there's a famous saying that holding on to anger is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. It's not going to happen. And so you must stop drinking the poison and you must forgive the other person and let it go. Now there is a deep struggle that happens if you've been hurt. And the struggle is, do I trust this person again? There are the memories that I have of when they wronged me. There's the fear that they're going to do it again. And so again, depending on the severity of what has happened between the two parties, I just want to affirm that sometimes is going to happen. And that's okay. And it doesn't mean that there's something wrong with you and your ability to forgive someone. It is a reminder that trust It's not a guarantee in a relationship, and it must be earned and it must be kept. But the question left then is when do you choose reconciliation and when is it okay not to? I've said that these are two different things, forgiveness and reconciliation. And the goal is reconciliation. Two parties coming back together. This is what God does with us. God is, we are rather, estranged from God, but God seeks us out because God wants to be with us. This is the truest form of forgiveness. But there are times in life where reconciliation may not be possible, because it does depend on both parties participating. But there's also this. There is the example of abuse in a relationship. And so if you've ever been a part of an abusive relationship, whether physical abuse, emotional abuse, or otherwise, you know that there is a gap that sits between forgiveness and reconciliation better than anybody else knows this, or at least you should. And so I would want to talk to you and to say, forgive. but not too quickly. To return to Luke, if your brother sins, rebuke him. And if he repents, forgive him. You must first learn to rebuke. It is possible that if this abusive relationship you've been in has gone on for too long, you're probably pretty good at the forgiveness side but maybe need to learn some things about rebuking, holding someone accountable for their actions, to build boundaries and to tell someone that they can no longer do this to you. And if they do, there are clear consequences for it. But the other thing that needs to happen is that the abuser must learn to repent. Repentance is actually a big word. It's more than just, baby, I'm never gonna do that again. It's actually walking the walk. It is not cheap forgiveness, like Bonhoeffer warns of cheap grace. True repentance in relationship is the same as it is with God. When we truly repent, it means we turn around and we start walking in a different direction, not just by words, but in our actions. We no longer do what we used to do. We take necessary steps, radical steps, to stop doing the old and to start doing the new. So if the abuser is showing no signs that they are taking steps in the opposite direction, well they aren't getting help from a counselor, or they haven't changed their behavior in some fashion, then repentance has not really begun. Repentance hasn't really begun and reconciliation should be off the table until they are ready to truly repent. If you keep reconciling with someone who refuses true repentance, you are not righteously walking as Jesus teaches us to. You are simply putting yourself in harm's way. And if I were in the room with you, giving you counsel, I would say you need to walk away until true repentance is part of what is happening in that reconciliation. So how to seek reconciliation, how to offer forgiveness, a very quick word to our married couples in the room, but everybody else can listen in because I think this applies to everyone. Empathy is mission critical. Empathy. It's the ability to see the world as somebody else sees the world, to put yourself into their shoes. If you're going to apologize to someone, you need to understand what it is that they're experiencing and feeling in the world. And as they walk through the world, they see it a certain way. And you need to be able to say it and to name it. Because if they're going to understand that you get it, or they're gonna need to know that indeed, you see it and you're able to say it and you're able to speak it out loud. I came across this wonderful quote this week by a guy named Oswald Chambers. He wrote the devotional that, I don't know, everybody in my generation seemed to grow up on. And he says this, spiritual maturity is going from being thin-skinned and hard-hearted to thick-skinned and tender-hearted. I loved this. There's so much wisdom in this. Too many of us Christians who have been in the church for way too long are too thin-skinned and way too hard-hearted. And when it comes to our relationships, we're too thin-skinned and we're too hard-hearted. We're too quick to judge and not quick enough to forgive. But the maturest ones among us are what? They are the thick-skinned ones, and they can see why someone might behave the way they do. And they don't take it personally always. Sometimes they do if they should, but they don't always take it personally because they have this thick skin needed to be a mature person. But more than that, they are tender-hearted, looking out for all the opportunities to make things right in the world, to breathe life into the world, into other people, and to reconcile at every possible opportunity. We are to be people who are thick-skinned and tenderhearted. Back to the gospel. The world was created very good, but we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to atone for the sins of the world and to make all the wrong things right. He forgave you and me 70 times 7 times. The billions of dollars that you and I, oh God, have all been wiped away. So let us heed Paul's advice together. Forgive because in Christ Jesus, God has forgiven you. Let us pray. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in this place right now, are a group of your children. We're a messy bunch, often harming others and being harmed by others, sinning and having sins committed against us. And so Lord, we need a few things about forgiveness. And so Jesus, we look to you. We look to you to offer us the billions of dollars of wiped debt that we've needed. But we also look to you to show us the way to life, the way that you have already paved for us. You've made abundantly clear on the cross, Lord, the kind of God you are, a God who forgives. And Jesus, you even say, forgive them, and they don't even know what they're doing. Jesus this morning, teach us to be more and more like you, our king, the one who rules on high right now, the one we say that we serve, the one we say that we love, the rabbi that we say that we follow, God make us more like you. We pray all of this in Christ's holy name, amen.

Charles Spurgeon was once asked, what was more important – praying or reading the Bible? The response was brilliant: He asked, "What's more important – breathing in or breathing out?"You can't do one without the other. Oswald Chambers said this about prayer: “Prayer is the vital breath of the Christian; not the thing that makes him alive, but the evidence that he is alive.”Simply stated, we are commanded to pray.  Jesus modelled the kind of prayer life we should strive to emulate. He made it clear that certain Jewish religious leaders were abusing the act and intent of prayer to the Lord, labelling them hypocrites. This morning we will examine the difference between private and public prayer, and how what Jesus taught His disciples still applies to all believers today.A Message by Janet Dougherty

As we look to God's Word, one brief quote comes to mind from Oswald Chambers today. He said that “eyes that look are common and eyes that see are rare.” Something for us to ponder as we look together in God's Word. If you want to follow with your pew Bible, it's on page 878, but you can also look from your bulletin as we read from Luke 19. He entered Jericho and was passing through, and behold, there was

What books does a Christian business coach actually keep on her shelf — and why? That's the question I'm often asked by listeners, clients, and in networking groups, and this Summer Shorts episode answers it with five go-to books that have shaped how faith, leadership, and money intersect in business for me. These aren't just good reads. They are books that consistently point readers back to Jesus, and the Word, and I find that Holy Spirit illuminates something new every time I read them!  In this episode, you'll explore: Why these five books have earned a permanent spot on my shelf My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers — the timeless daily devotional that transcends generations I Want God: Forever Changed by the Revival of Your Soul by Lisa Whittle — six hard-hitting chapters that realign your wants to what matters most The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell — a classic leadership framework that illuminates something new every time God and Money by John Cortines and Gregory Ballmer — how two Harvard MBAs discovered what the Bible really says about generosity and wealth Liberating Ministry From the Success Syndrome by Kent and Barbara Hughes — a convicting reframe of what success actually looks like in the kingdom How each of these books connects to the assignments, money stories, and leadership topics that we've been covering here on the podcast Books referenced: My Utmost for His Highest — Oswald Chambers I Want God: Forever Changed by the Revival of Your Soul — Lisa Whittle The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership — John Maxwell God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School — John Cortines and Gregory Ballmer Liberating Ministry From the Success Syndrome — Kent and Barbara Hughes Key Takeaway The books that last are the ones rooted in God's truth — because His truth never goes out of style! Whether it's a devotional from 1927, a leadership framework, or a Harvard MBA's journey to generosity, every book on this list keeps pointing back to the same thing: Jesus and the Word. Reflection Question Which of these five books is the Lord nudging you to pick up — and what might he want to illuminate in you through it? Message me on social or email me at erin@erinharrigan.com and tell me about a book that's got a permanent spot on your shelf! LET'S WORK TOGETHERAccountability, focus, a sounding board, and strategic insight are the key reasons my clients work with me, and I'd love to bring these to your business too! Whether through private coaching or the Navigating Success with Jesus Masterclass, let's explore together…schedule your call now at https://erinharrigan.com/discoverycall GOT BOOKS?Learn about my books and get your copies at https://erinharrigan.com/booksFor signed copies, please contact support@erinharrigan.com If you have the book, help us reach more readers by leaving a review on Amazon! LET'S BE FRIENDS ON SOCIALLinkedIn: @erinharrigan IG: @erindharrigan SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNELhttps://youtube.com/@erinharrigan If this show brings you value, please give it a follow on  Apple Podcasts and leave a review! If you listen to Spotify, be sure to click the follow button and the notification bell so you don't miss an episode.

Instead of just training physically, train to live a godly, righteous, and thoughtful life – that's a lot more important. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

**Make sure and subscribe to A Minute to Midnite: https://www.youtube.com/@aminutetomidnite2406**Thank you for supporting this ministry, we lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/JoanStahl**Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl**Contact Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com**Subscribe to us on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/JoanieStahlsFieldNotesWe recently joined Tony Koretz on the A Minute to Midnite podcast to discuss the rapidly fast-tracking events pointing toward a dystopian near future. While the signs of the times and the book of Revelation are unfolding exactly as written, our primary focus must remain on God. ​Now more than ever, there is a direct need for personal spiritual independence—individually following Him and acting as solid, active members of the body of Jesus Christ. God has not brought us to this specific point in prophetic history for nothing.Let us place our complete trust, faith, and hope in Him, standing mighty in word, deed, and action, deeply rooted in selfless, pure love. Keeping ourselves completely concentrated on God.“The life of faith is not a life of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting.” ― Oswald Chambers

Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series created to encourage and support leaders in Christian higher education. Every other week, we'll revisit some of the most popular conversations from past seasons, with practical insights and meaningful reminders about the importance of Christ-centered education.This episode originally aired October 2025___Oswald Chambers' classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest has shaped countless lives for more than a century. With support from the Oswald Chambers Publications Association, a modernized edition is now helping a new generation engage with Chambers' timeless insights.Macy Halford, the editor behind the rewrite, spent years studying Chambers' original sermons and notes, which were carefully recorded by his wife, Biddy. In this conversation, Macy shares how the updated edition was developed, the challenges of honoring Chambers' voice while making the content accessible, and what this enduring devotional can offer readers today.___ Tune In to Discover▫️ The legacy of Oswald and Biddy Chambers▫️ Why My Utmost for His Highest still resonates today▫️ The process and philosophy behind the modern rewrite▫️ Making a Victorian devotional accessible without losing its power▫️Biddy Chambers' incredible work as a writer, editor, and steward▫️ The spiritual vision that underpins My Utmost and its impact across biblical higher ed___

Dr. Bill Thrasher joins Wayne Shepherd in conversation remembering those who have given their lives in the service of their country and thanking God for the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. (click for more...)Website:  www.VictoriousPraying.orgThis week's First Person is a Memorial Day weekend episode featuring host Wayne Shepherd in conversation with Dr. Bill Thrasher, a longtime professor at Moody Bible Institute. The discussion weaves together two themes: honoring military sacrifice on Memorial Day and reflecting on the sacrifice of Christ. Thrasher shares his personal faith journey — from a "cultural Christian" upbringing to his conversion at a 1965 Billy Graham crusade and deeper spiritual growth through a Campus Crusade-connected fraternity brother in college — and expresses gratitude for mentors who shaped him, including pastor Ben Haden, theologian Charles Ryrie, and radio preacher Stephen Olford. The theological heart of the conversation centers on Paul's charge to Timothy to "remember Jesus Christ," with Thrasher drawing on Oswald Chambers to caution against burying faith under busyness, and exploring the doctrines of propitiation and redemption as reasons for gratitude. The episode closes with Thrasher leading a prayer of thanksgiving for religious freedom, spiritual mentors, and the liberating work of Christ on the cross.               NEXT WEEK:  Ben Olsen of the Global Center for CoachingSend your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:FEBC National Processing Center Far East Broadcasting CompanyP.O. Box 6020 Albert Lea, MN 56007Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!

In Oswald Chambers we see a life of unconditional surrender—saved under Spurgeon's preaching, yielded beyond his own plans, and shaped by long, hidden hours with God that fueled his public usefulness. Whether giving freely, fasting against the body's demands, or crawling into a lifeboat on a crowded wartime ship just to pray uninterrupted, he practiced the quiet disciplines that Christ rewards. Serving soldiers in Egypt, he spent himself for others even to the end, and through “Biddy's” faithful recording of his words, God has continued to call generations to “my utmost for His highest”—a reminder that the depth of our private communion with Jesus shapes the breadth of our witness in the world.

How do you know when God is giving you a vision—and what are you supposed to do with it? In this episode of Youth Worker on Fire, Doug Edwards shares a powerful and personal message on vision, obedience, and showing up where God calls you, drawing from real-life ministry experience and timeless wisdom from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. This episode is for anyone who feels called to something more—but isn't sure what the next step is.

How can we live "strong in grace.”? The answer is quite plain and simple: We grow strong in grace when we understand God's unconditional forgiveness of us, then learn to unconditionally forgive others. God calls us to grow strong in giving grace to others — growing in Christlikeness Giving grace to another person is simply to forgive them, unconditionally, just as God forgave us through Christ SO, WHAT IS FORGIVENESS? Forgiveness = Deliberate release of anger, resentment, and other negative feelings toward someone who has wronged you GRUDGE (Merriam-Webster) A persistent, long-lasting feeling of deep-seated resentment, bitterness, or ill will toward someone, often stemming from a past insult, injury, or perceived wrongdoing. It involves holding onto anger rather than letting it go, sometimes leading to a desire for retaliation or a continued refusal to forgive.   Not all negative emotions are the same.   Healthy anger motivates action, sets boundaries, and seeks solutions.   Grudges, however, act as long-lasting emotional weights with negative outcomes.  It negatively impacts your relationship with God. It negatively impacts your other relationships. It affects your health. — mentally and physically It affects your soul Hebrews 12:14-15 (tells us what happens when we fall short of grace): Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.  Ephesians 4:30-32 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN? Oswald Chambers. We trample the blood of the Son of God if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The only explanation for the forgiveness of God and for the unfathomable depth of His forgetting is the death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the outcome of our personal realization of the atonement which He has worked out for us. It does not matter who or what we are; there is absolute reinstatement into God by the death of Jesus Christ and by no other way, not because Jesus Christ pleads, but because He died. It is not earned, but accepted. All the pleading which deliberately refuses to recognize the Cross is of no avail; it is battering at a door other than the one that Jesus has opened. Our Lord does not pretend we are all right when we are all wrong. The atonement is a propitiation whereby God, through the death of Jesus, makes an unholy man holy. "The purpose of the cross," someone observed, "is to repair the irreparable.” “If someone says, ‘I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother who he has seen, how can he love God who he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20-21 NKJV).  If our relationship with God is so intricately connected with how we relate to others, it won't be surprising then for us to read what Jesus said  Matthew 6:14-15 (directly after teaching them how to pray ‘Lord's Prayer')  14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.   Matthew 6:12   And forgive us our debts,      as we also have forgiven our debtors.  Imagine that, before we get this warning from Jesus (14-15), Jesus told us to ask God for grace (forgiveness) but only at the same level and frequency as the forgiveness we extend to others.   Whether we admit it or not, we often think we have the right to “punish” others because they have hurt us or offended us. We believe we are justified in withholding forgiveness from them.  Unforgiveness is inherently contradictory to godliness “Often it is the case that we judge others by their worst actions, and we judge ourselves by our best intentions.” Just as we don't deserve God's forgiveness, someone you know may not deserve yours. It doesn't matter  We are still commanded to forgive them because we have been forgiven so much first.  “The devil doesn't care if you go to church or read your Bible as long as you don't apply it to your life.” THE LITMUS TEST FOR GRACE Have you extended the grace of God, the grace of forgiveness, towards the person(s) who has hurt you the most and least deserves it? Forgiveness is an action you must choose, rather than a feeling you must create THE CHOICE IS CLEAR AND IT'S YOURS TODAY Repent of unforgiveness & Release it so you no longer carry that anger/resentment/grudge no matter how justified you feel in doing so.

In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards challenges youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and parents to examine the difference between serving God out of duty and serving Him out of obedience. Drawing from Matthew 7, the teachings of Oswald Chambers, and reflections from decades of ministry leadership, Doug explores how faithfulness in small acts of obedience can create ripple effects that influence generations. This episode also reflects on the legacy of ministry leaders who invest quietly in others and how their impact multiplies far beyond what they ever see. You'll discover: • Why obedience to God is different from ministry driven by obligation • How "duty" can weigh down leaders while obedience brings spiritual energy • The powerful ripple effect of investing in students and relationships • Why faithful ministry often impacts thousands long after we are gone • The importance of prayer, stillness, and seeking God's direction • How small acts of faithfulness can lead to world-changing influence Doug also shares a prayer challenge inspired by the early church and reminds leaders that God often builds the future through people who are simply faithful in what seems small today. Whether you serve as a youth pastor, volunteer leader, educator, or parent discipling the next generation, this episode will encourage you to keep serving — not from pressure or expectation — but from obedience to the voice of God. ✨ The seeds you plant today may become the faith foundations of generations you will never meet. _________________________________________________________________________________

Youth ministry is one of the most rewarding callings — and one of the most exhausting. In this devotional episode of Youth Worker on Fire, Doug Edwards speaks directly to youth pastors, volunteers, educators, and parents who feel spiritually drained from constantly pouring into others. Drawing from Isaiah 40:28, the writings of Oswald Chambers, and the life of Olympic runner and missionary Eric Liddell, this episode explores the difference between burnout and faithful service — and how God becomes the source of strength when our own energy is gone. You'll discover: • Why spiritual exhaustion often comes from serving, not failing • How ministry leaders unintentionally run on empty • The danger of trying to serve students from your own strength • What it means that God never grows weary • Why joy — not just endurance — is part of faithful service • How daily time with God restores emotional and spiritual energy • Encouragement for leaders who feel like quitting Whether you lead students every week, volunteer occasionally, teach, parent teenagers, or simply care deeply for the next generation, this episode is a reminder: God didn't call you to survive ministry — He called you to draw from Him while doing it. ✨ Your strength may run out, but His never does. _________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome to a reflective journey on the Call to Act podcast, hosted by Donovan Jones. As we celebrate four incredible years of sharing faith, stories, and the pursuit of truth, Donovan opens up about his personal experiences, challenges, and the powerful impact of scripture in his life. Join us as we explore the essence of knowing Jesus and the transformative power of faith.Main Content: 1. The Journey Begins: Donovan recalls the inception of the Call to Act podcast, sharing how he felt called to step out of his comfort zone to glorify God and encourage others. He emphasizes the importance of his mission: to uplift, build faith, and point people towards Jesus. This commitment has been unwavering as he continues to share inspiring stories and teachings.2. A New Passion for Scripture: Recently, Donovan has developed a deeper love for scripture and aims to ignite the same passion in others. He teaches youth at his church on Wednesday nights, striving to instill a boldness in their faith that sets them apart from their peers. His goal is to create an environment where young people are eager to learn and grow in their relationship with Christ.3. Life's Peaks and Valleys: Reflecting on his journey, Donovan draws parallels to the life of King David, who faced numerous highs and lows but always found assurance in God's presence. He shares insights from Psalms, illustrating how David's experiences resonate with his own struggles and triumphs. This connection serves as a reminder that God's hand guides us through every season of life.4. Embracing Change in 2026: As Donovan enters a new year, he discusses the significant changes in his life, including a new job with more balanced hours and the transition of his children from homeschooling to traditional school. He expresses gratitude for these opportunities, highlighting how they have allowed him to share his faith with others in new ways. Donovan's interaction with his new colleague, Caleb, who has begun exploring the Bible, exemplifies the impact of living out one's faith in everyday life.5. Overcoming Doubts and Focusing on God: In a candid moment, Donovan reflects on a period of doubt and discouragement he faced at the end of 2025. He shares how external pressures and comparisons led him to lose focus on his true calling. However, a transformative quote from Oswald Chambers reminded him to concentrate on God rather than external validation. This shift in perspective reignited his passion for the podcast and his mission.Conclusion: As we celebrate four years of the Call to Act podcast, Donovan emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's calling and the significance of scripture in fostering a deeper relationship with God. This journey is not just about numbers or recognition but about genuine connections and faithfulness to God's purpose. Key Takeaways: - Embrace your calling and step out of your comfort zone to inspire others. - Cultivate a genuine love for scripture and share it with those around you. - Recognize that life's journey includes both highs and lows, but God's presence remains constant. - Focus on God rather than external pressures to find true fulfillment in your mission. - Celebrate the small victories and remain open to new opportunities for growth.

Share a commentWhat if prayer isn't about prying blessings from a reluctant heaven, but receiving the Giver himself? We follow Oswald Chambers from a teenage surrender on a country path to a wartime awakening in Cairo, then turn to Luke 11 to rethink how Jesus taught us to approach the Father. Along the way, we meet Biddy—his brilliant stenographer wife—whose shorthand preserved sermons that would outlive them both and disciple millions.We open with the unsettling simplicity of Jesus' promise: ask, seek, knock. Not to wear God down, but because the door is already open. The midnight neighbor is a contrast, not a comparison; the Father isn't irritated, he's eager. That's why Chambers hung a banner over his chapel hut: How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. In a camp full of soldiers who feared they would not see home, the message landed like water in a desert. Prayer became less about extracting outcomes and more about receiving presence, wisdom, and courage for the next step.Chambers' life throws the teaching into sharp relief. He abandoned art school, endured a dark night, and embraced a Spirit-led obedience shaped by mentors like Spurgeon and Alexander Whyte. He ran a Bible college on faith and famously refused a full endowment, trusting provision to fit God's will. During World War I he canceled YMCA entertainments, taught Scripture, and watched a quiet awakening spread. His death at 43 might have closed the story, but Biddy's notebooks turned a hidden ministry into a global voice. His counsel still steadies us: never make a principle out of your own experience; trust God and do the next thing.If this conversation reframed your view of prayer and faith, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so others can find it. What's your next step of trust today?Stephen's latest book, Legacies of Light, Volume 2, is our gift for your special donation to our ministry. Follow this link for information or to donate:https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/legaciesSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentWhat if prayer isn't about prying blessings from a reluctant heaven, but receiving the Giver himself? We follow Oswald Chambers from a teenage surrender on a country path to a wartime awakening in Cairo, then turn to Luke 11 to rethink how Jesus taught us to approach the Father. Along the way, we meet Biddy—his brilliant stenographer wife—whose shorthand preserved sermons that would outlive them both and disciple millions.We open with the unsettling simplicity of Jesus' promise: ask, seek, knock. Not to wear God down, but because the door is already open. The midnight neighbor is a contrast, not a comparison; the Father isn't irritated, he's eager. That's why Chambers hung a banner over his chapel hut: How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. In a camp full of soldiers who feared they would not see home, the message landed like water in a desert. Prayer became less about extracting outcomes and more about receiving presence, wisdom, and courage for the next step.Chambers' life throws the teaching into sharp relief. He abandoned art school, endured a dark night, and embraced a Spirit-led obedience shaped by mentors like Spurgeon and Alexander Whyte. He ran a Bible college on faith and famously refused a full endowment, trusting provision to fit God's will. During World War I he canceled YMCA entertainments, taught Scripture, and watched a quiet awakening spread. His death at 43 might have closed the story, but Biddy's notebooks turned a hidden ministry into a global voice. His counsel still steadies us: never make a principle out of your own experience; trust God and do the next thing.If this conversation reframed your view of prayer and faith, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so others can find it. What's your next step of trust today?Stephen's latest book, Legacies of Light, Volume 2, is our gift for your special donation to our ministry. Follow this link for information or to donate:https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/legaciesSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Many Christians say Jesus is the center of their lives, but what if He's not actually at the center of the center? In this episode, we examine what it truly means for Christ to be all and have first place in everything according to Colossians 1:18 and Colossians 3:4-11, and why so many believers unknowingly substitute legalism, religious duty, or fear for genuine Christ-centered living. Drawing from Oswald Chambers' challenge about what we're truly obsessed with, this episode will help you honestly evaluate whether Jesus is your life or merely a part of it—and what to do if you've been turning Him on and off without realizing it. If you're serious about authentic Christian discipleship and want to move beyond surface-level faith to making Jesus truly preeminent, this teaching will challenge you to examine what's really at the core of your spiritual life.Watch this episode as a video on YouTubeCheck out the study notes for this episodeVideo mentioned at the end:Four Ways to Know if Jesus is Your True Obsession and Passion-----------------» Join the Deeper Christian community and receive the Deeper Digest each Saturday, which includes all the quotes, articles, podcasts, and resources from Nathan and Deeper Christian from the week to help you grow spiritually.-----------------Deeper Christian Podcast • Episode 371View the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperChristian.com/371

**Thank you for supporting this ministry, we lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/JoanStahl **Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl **Contact Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com **Subscribe to us on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-53418Are you exhausted from trying to look like you have it all together? In this message, we are smashing the "perfect illusions" of modern Christianity. So many believers feel like they are constantly on God's chopping block, living in fear that their struggles are a sign of failure rather than what they truly are: the refining fire of God.​We often treat our faith like "high-performance spiritual athletics," racing toward a finish line of perfection that doesn't exist on this side of heaven. In doing so, we miss the joy of the journey and the beauty of the Holy Spirit's slow, deliberate work within us. Now is the time to start moving away from "spiritual performance" toward the authentic, refining fire of God. This is a shift many believers are desperate for. Essentially moving from a veneer of perfection to a vessel of glory. So much wisdom and deep things of God are being tragically missed in lieu of religous burn-out methods that have only served to exhast everyone.​If you feel broken, weary, or like you're constantly failing the "perfection test," this word is for you. God isn't looking for a polished facade; He is looking for a heart willing to walk through the fire to become like pure gold.​"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."— Job 23:10. “We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life - those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength.”― Oswald Chambers

Send us a textThe time to grow a healthy, thriving youth ministry is NOW...let's work together! Make sure to check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com ***Are you looking for books that will actually move the needle in your youth ministry and your leadership as a youth pastor? In this episode, we are presenting nine books that don't just inspire, but they reshape how you lead, preach, and disciple within your student ministry. This is a great time to compile your reading list and this conversation aims straight at the places youth pastors feel stuck and offers practical ways forward.=======

How do we please God?   That question was asked during our Christmas Eve service—and Scripture gives us a clear answer. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. But what does real, biblical faith actually look like in everyday life?   In this message from December 28, 2025, we begin our study in Hebrews 11:1–2, discovering how faith is demonstrated—not just believed.   Faith is not blind optimism or wishful thinking. It is a confident trust in the character of God that shapes how we pray, worship, serve, and obey. Scripture shows us that genuine faith always produces visible fruit.   In this sermon, we explore three ways faith is demonstrated:   1️⃣ By our assurance and conviction about things unseen Faith believes God hears our prayers, receives our worship, and is present even when we cannot see Him.   2️⃣ By how we live The people of old were commended because their faith caused them to live differently. True faith changes our priorities, actions, and daily decisions.   3️⃣ By our obedience to God's Word God's Word is our roadmap and our mirror. Biblical faith responds with obedience—being doers of the Word, not hearers only (James 1:22–25).   As Warren Wiersbe said, “True biblical faith is confident obedience to God's Word, regardless of circumstances or consequences.” And as Oswald Chambers reminds us, faith is trusting God's character even when His ways are not fully understood.   As we reflect on the year behind us, we end with an important question: How have you demonstrated your faith in 2025?  

 Thatis what we have been emphasizing over the past few days: the importance ofliving this kind of life and the necessity of having a daily quiettime—spending time with God. It is God who works in you both to will and to doof His good pleasure as you make yourself available to Him. You put yourself inthe pathway of grace by practicing certain spiritual disciplines, such asreading your Bible and spending time in prayer. Thereis another discipline I began early as a brand-new believer, now some 54 yearsago—and that is memorizing Scripture. Take at least one verse a week. Memorizethat verse throughout the week. That's 52 verses a year. I did much more thanthat over the years, but I want to tell you something: if there is one regret Ihave, it is that I did not memorize even more Scripture. Youcan never memorize too much of God's Word. You may say, “I can't remember thoseverses later.” That doesn't matter. They are inside of you. The Holy Spiritwill bring to your remembrance what you have hidden in your heart. It's there,even if you don't consciously recall it at the moment. God will use it. Anotherdiscipline I have practiced over many years is reading good devotional books.At the top of my list, of course, is Oswald Chambers, ‘My Utmost for HisHighest'. He has several other excellent devotionals, such as ‘Daily Thoughtsfor Disciples'. Over the years, I have probably read 20 or 30 different devotionalbooks, by different authors, sometimes reading several each day for months at atime, simply to ensure that I was walking with wise men. Scripturetells us, “He that walks with wise men shall be wise, but a companion offools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). I thought to myself, who can Iwalk with that is wise? Many of those people don't have time for mepersonally—but I can walk with them through their writings. They left theirlife and wisdom in their books.  Thereare wise men and women such as Oswald Chambers, A. W. Tozer, E. M. Bounds,Andrew Murray, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and Mrs. Charles Cowman, whose book, “Streamsin the Desert' has been a great blessing. I can spend a few minutes with eachof these authors—people who knew God, walked with God, and had God-given wisdomconcerning spiritual life and the world around us. Iwant to make special mention of Henry Blackaby's ‘Experiencing God Day by Day'.I post that devotional on my website, (https://www.pmiministries.org/), and onFacebook every day. Another one I post daily is Dr. Elmer Towns, ‘365 Ways toKnow God'. I strongly encourage you to read it. I wish I had started reading ityears ago. Dr. Towns was my theology professor for four years at LibertyUniversity, back when it was Lynchburg Baptist College. I can tell you, youwill learn about God and come to know Him in a more intimate way. Then you canpractice what you are learning about God. Dr. Towns used to say, “Theology thatdoesn't teach you how to daily live for God is not good theology.” I have neverforgotten that. Ialso recommend Andrew Murray's ‘God's Best Secrets', a book God has usedgreatly in my life, along with works associated with Watchman Nee, such as ‘TheJoyful Heart' and ‘Table in the Wilderness'. E. M. Bounds also has a one-minutedevotional, ‘The Power of Prayer', that is excellent for daily reading—I stilluse it today. Inaddition, I take time to read Robert J. Morgan's ‘On This Day'. It highlightssomething that happened on that particular day in history—often involving agiant of the faith, someone God used mightily, or someone who even gave theirlife as a martyr for Christ. Reading their stories encourages me andstrengthens my faith. Myfriend, we need all the help we can get in a world that is constantlybombarding us with lies. We need the truth. We need time with wise men andwomen—and we can do that through the books they have left behind. They havepoured their lives, their faith, and their thoughts into those pages for us.

On this last episode for 2025, I want to share my overall thoughts on the year and pair it with a pertinent devotional from Oswald Chambers.

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

Aswe turn to this passage of Scripture in 1 Timothy chapter 4, we arereminded—especially as we enter a new year—that we have tremendousresponsibilities as believers. We are called to be a light in the world, tolive a godly life, a life that is different. We have been talking about this inEphesians chapter 4. As we close out one year and begin another, I want toencourage you, as best I can, to discipline yourself for the purpose ofgodliness. Hereis what Paul told Timothy: “But have nothing to do with worldly fables fitonly for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose ofgodliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness isprofitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and alsofor the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.”(1 Timothy 4:7–9) Paulsays, in effect, This is trustworthy. This is something you need to do. And bythe grace of God, it is something you can do as you humble yourself andsurrender yourself to the will of God. This is more than just a commitment—itis a surrender. I remind you, as I have said so often, quoting Oswald Chambers,“The only right you have is the right to give up the right to yourself.” Thatis something you do daily. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.”Yes, we die to the flesh, and we live to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 says, “Thereis therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do notwalk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” And then Paulgoes on to say, “that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has setme free from the law of sin and death”. You and I have been set free inChrist Jesus—something we have been talking about extensively in Ephesianschapter 4. Thismatter of discipline is very important. The word discipline comes from theworld of athletics and training. It speaks of intentional, consistenteffort—not occasional inspiration. I remember when I was in high school, I wasasked to play on a summer baseball team, and I did quite well. As a result, Iwas invited to play on the high school baseball team at Princeton High Schoolin North Cincinnati. We had a really good team, and it looked like we weregoing to win a state championship. I worked my way up to being the leadoffbatter. I'lltell you, I started thinking I might play Major League Baseball. Because ofthat, I made some decisions. I determined that I was not going to eat things Ishouldn't eat. I wasn't going to drink alcohol, party, or put drugs into mybody. I disciplined my body for the sake of becoming the best baseball player Icould be, with the goal of playing in the major leagues. I also have a grandsonwho is training with the goal of becoming a Navy SEAL. Just the other day, Ilearned that he ran 50 miles on the beach—20 miles in the soft sand and 30miles in the hard sand. All the time, I see him training, running, and exercising.Why? So that he can fulfill his goal of becoming a SEAL one day. And I believehe is going to make it, based on his discipline. That'swhat an athlete does. That's what a soldier does. Paul told Timothy to “be agood soldier of Jesus Christ.” (Read 2 Timothy 2:3-5).  Over the next few days, I want to encourageyou with some spiritual disciplines—things we will talk about together—that youcan practice. These are disciplines I learned as a young believer so that Icould grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ and be all that God wanted meto be. Godbless you as we prepare for a new year. We are living in a time of crisis inthis world, and God knows we must do all we can and be all we can be for Hisglory. By His grace we can make a difference in this world before Jesus comesagain. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

Thefirst of the five sins Paul tells us to put off is lying. We must always beaware of the danger of lying. Lying is rooted in the deceitful nature of Satanhimself. He uses lies to lead us astray, to make us believe that the wrong pathis the right path. Jesus warned us that “broad is the way that leads todestruction, and many go in by it.” My friend, the devil is a liar. Jesussaid in John 8:44 that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He also said inJohn 10 that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy—and the primary way thedevil does this is through lies. He lies by placing deceptive thoughts into ourminds. I am convinced that the fiery darts of the devil mentioned in Ephesians6 are his lies. That is why we are told to take up the shield of faith, whichof course, is the Word of God that we have in our hearts and can quote back to thedevil's lies like Jesus did in Matthew 4 when He was tempted. Inthe end times, 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12, tells us that the Antichrist will comewith lying wonders, deceiving those who reject the truth because they takepleasure in unrighteousness. They will believe the lie. My friend, we arealready seeing how lies work all around us—how they deceive people and leadthem into destructive paths. As Jesus said in John 10:10, “the thief (thedevil) has come to steal, to kill and to destroy”. That is why we see suchviolence, chaos, and brokenness in our world today. People are believing thelie when what they desperately need is the truth. Thisis it is so important to Speak the Truth! It is no accident that Paul lists lying first. Lyingdestroys. Truth builds up. If we want to live a life that honors God, we mustlearn how to build truth into our lives. Weonly have a few days left before we begin a new year. This is often the timewhen people make New Year's resolutions. But instead of resolutions, I want toencourage you to make a commitment—a complete surrender to the will of God tobe the person He wants you to be. How do you do that? We all desperately dailyneed God's grace to do what we ought to do. The best way I know receive God'sgrace is to put yourself in the path of God's grace by getting into God's Word andHis Truth that sets us free on a daily basis. The truth is Jesus. The Truth isfound in His Word. Living in the Truth means abiding in Christ (John 15). Thelie of the devil is that you don't have time for God's Word—that you are toobusy, that other things are more urgent. My friend, that is the tyranny of theurgent, where immediate demands crowd out the most important thing: time alonewith the Lord in His Word and prayer. And we must discipline ourselves spirituallyto do that! Years ago, by the grace of God, I made a determination todiscipline myself for godliness, as Paul instructed Timothy (1 Timothy 4:7-9).The only way to do that is to commit to a daily quiet time with the Lord. Thedevil will whisper his lies into your ears and mind: “You don't need to pray. Youdon't need to read through the Bible. You don't need every Word of God.” Theseare his lies! That is why I do everything I can through this Pastor's Chat andthrough my website to encourage believers to stay in the Word. I post dailydevotionals such as Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest, ExperiencingGod by Henry Blackaby, and Dr. Elmer Towns' 365 Ways to Know God. I personally alsoread other devotionals by Andrew Murray and others. These help me focus eachday on God's truth instead of Satan's lies. Forover 50 years now I have read five Psalms a day, and I post them on my websiteso you can read or listen along if you wish. We also provide Bible readingschedules—two different plans—to help you stay disciplined in God's Word. Todaywill you make the decision by God's grace to say: “I am not going to try. I amgoing to do this.” My friend, if you will do this, you will find that next yearwill be a completely different year.

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

Ministério PermanecerInstituto Jesus Cristo

The giftsand offices to the early church in order that the people of the church, thebelievers, would grow to spiritual maturity and display to the world what itreally means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Acts11:26 tells us that the believers, the disciples, were “first calledChristians at Antioch” of Syria. Remember that this was a church made up believersfrom various nationalities and backgrounds. There were Gentile believers. Therewere Jewish believers. And no doubt, some were there from other nationalities. Itwas a mixed group of believers but we find that these people worked together insuch a way they were called Christians, which means they were Christlike. Thespiritual life is not a destination that we finally arrive at, and we are now spirituallymature. No, my friend, the real spiritual mature believer's life is a journey,it is a daily walk in the right direction. Yesterday we talked about the wascalled “a perfect man” in these verses. What it means to be “perfect”.Christ tells us that we should be perfect even as our Father in heaven isperfect. That means we are like Christ. Which means that we are in a placewhere we are being obedient to the Lord and the Holy Spirit's leading and doingand living out the will of God moment by moment in our daily lives.  Ilike what Oswald Chambers says about this. When we really have grown to a placeof spiritual maturity, on our journey, “we are walking by faith, not by sight”.He said, that it is not a matter of trying to figure out and doing the will ofGod, but “we are the will of God”.  Wesee that in these verses. We're not like children any longer, walking accordingto the lust of the flesh, walking according to the desires of our heart, doingwhat we want to do. No, we're living in the Holy Spirit, walking by faith, inthe Word of God. Again notice, that the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastorsand teachers were given for the equipping of the saints for the work of theministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ. Paul,as awesome as he was as an Apostle and disciple and follower of Christ andchurch planter, he said, "I've not yet arrived. I still reach forth."(Philippians 3:12-14).  We're alwaysreaching forth. We are still every day coming to the knowledge that I have somuch more to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. It's a growthevery day. It is a daily going in the right direction!The“work of the ministry” also includes the edifying of the body of Christ. Thisproduces unity in the church. That's why they were called Christians first atAntioch. There was that unity of believers despite their background, despitetheir culture, despite where they came from, rich and poor, etc. They worktogether in love displaying the characteristics of Christlikeness in theiractions and attitudes. Paulgoes on to say that we have come to the “unity of the faith”. Which is based onthat body of truth concerning the person of Jesus. What do you believe aboutJesus. That's why he goes on to say and of the knowledge of the Son of God. Whois Jesus? If someone doesn't believe that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, Godin the flesh, He is deity, and that He is divine, the apostle John and otherwriters of the New Testament make it very clear, they are antichrist. They are nota true follower of Christ. (Read 1 and 2 John). TheChristian life is a walk of faith. “We walk by faith not by sight” (2 Corinthians5:7). And “We are no longer children tossed to and fro” (v. 14).Children are selfish. Children live on their emotions. They feel good and theyshow in their attitude and actions that they feel good. But then when they feelbad, in their actions and attitude they act bad and they treat others wrong. Theylive by their feelings. There are too many people in the church like that. Godwants us to always be growing spiritually where we're displaying thecharacteristics of Jesus Christ in our attitude and in everything we say and do. 

Before I get into these verses, let me just mention that I'll be going toIndia from January the 15th through the 25th 2026, with a team fromGlobal Partners in Peace and Development. First, I'm asking for your prayersfor our team and myself as we go on this trip to India. We're going to be ableto do so many different things such as meet and speak to pastors, participatein dedicating a number of freshwater wells, and distribute gifts given through theGPPD gift catalog to the widows and Indian children. Also we'll be providinganimals for different folks to help provide food for them. We will be able toimpact and bless many precious Indian people and influence them for Christ. So pleasepray, pray, for safety and strength for this trip.  Alsosecondly, if you would like to financially help me cover the expenses for thetrip and with taking some gifts and money to give to pastors, simply donate itto “Mission Travel Support” through the PayPal donate button on our website: https://www.pmiministries.org/  Or you can send a gift to the address listed onour website where I have my office. Thank you in advance for your prayers andsupport. We're so blessed to have friends like you who've supported us over theyears and have helped us continue to do this wonderful ministry. Now,back to Ephesians 4:11-16. I want to share something that I noticed yesterdayin my devotional time, that I believe will speak to your heart, too.  Remember the Apostle Paul in this chapter has alreadytalked about the grace of unity, the ground of unity, and the gifts of unity, inverses 1-11. Now he's talking about the growth of unity (vv. 11-16).  When we have true spiritual growth in ourpersonal and individual lives, we will also experience growth in our churches. Paultells us that the offices and gifts of the apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors,and the teachers are given to the church for the perfecting of the saint forthe saint to grow to spiritual maturity. He describes this as, “To a perfectman”, (or “woman”). Yesterdayin my devotion time, while reading a devotion by Oswald Chambers, he spoke ofwhat it means to “be perfect”.  Thinkingabout it, I remembered back in Matthew 5:48, Jesus had said in His Sermon onthe Mount, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father inheaven is perfect." Then in Matthew 19, a rich young ruler came toJesus asking, "What can I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answeredand told him, "If you would be perfect…." Now, what does itmean to be perfect?  OswaldChambers tells us, "Beware of mental quibbling over the word ‘perfect'. Perfectiondoes not mean the full maturity and consummation of a man's power. But perfectfitness for doing the will of God (Philippians 3:12-15). Supposing Jesus Christcan perfectly adjust me to God, to put me so perfectly right that I shall be onthe footing where I can do the will of God, do I really want Him to do it? Do Iwant God at all cost to make me perfect?” (From his book, “It Thou Wilt bePerfect”, page 116) Thequestion for you and me today is, do I really want to be the person that'sspiritually mature to the place where I will be willing to yield my life sofully to God so that I'm always “about my Father's business”. Am I doingthe will of God right now? The first characteristic of spiritual maturity is “Christlikeness”. Godbless!

KISS means "Keep It Simple Stupid!" This adage has been known to be good advice forever. So why are so many Christians in what Oswald Chambers calls "A Spiritual Muddle?"

In this week's episode, I interview J.D. Walt, Sower-in-Chief at Seedbed and pastor of Gillette Methodist Church in Gillett, Arkansas. We do a deep dive into his latest book Romans: From Sin Management to Love Unleashed. We also talk about his long standing exegetical/devotional series Wakeup Call, holiness of heart and life, and how serving in a local church has affected how he writes. Buy a copy of Romans: From Sin Management to Love Unleashed https://amzn.to/46Qlok1   Sign up for JD's daily wake up call emails: www.seedbed.com/wakeupcall   Books Recommend by JD: E.B. White, Charlotte's Web https://amzn.to/4n6yz5k   J. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest https://amzn.to/4q4ocBv   Thomas Kelly, Testament of Devotion https://amzn.to/3KI3APz    Chuck Colson, The Body: Being Light in Darkness https://amzn.to/3KNlrVb   Brian's Books Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ    Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/4q8Z2BT   (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9    Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/    Work with Brian: Brian is available for personal coaching in the areas of spiritual growth, missional leadership and biblical/theological training. Brian is also available for virtual or in person speaking/teaching. He offers workshops and stand alone talks on contemplative spirituality as well as on a variety of books and topics relating to engaging Scripture for a life of mission, community and holiness. Email me: brian@brianrussellphd.com or www.brianrussellphd.com  Amazon links are affiliate links. Without affecting the cost on your end, Amazon shares a small percentage of the profit with me if you purchase any product after following these links to Amazon. In other words, if you shop regularly on Amazon, you can support my work by clicking on any of the books I linked and then searching for whatever you want to purchase. Thanks for your support.

Oswald Chambers, a renowned Christian leader and theologian, once said, "Beware of harking back to what you once were when God wants you to be something you have never been." The journey of Christian maturity involves an intentional life that is ordered, and a collaborative effort with God. In this series, we will look at the four steps of spiritual formation that will launch you into the life God has destined for you. •NEXT STEPS- Have you made a decision to follow Jesus? You may be wondering what's next on your journey. We want to help! Let us guide you to your next steps in your walk with Christ: https://atmosphere.church/new-to-faith•JOIN A LIFE GROUP- Find the community you've been looking for. Discover the prayer warriors waiting to stand with you. If you're interested in joining or starting a Life Group, visit https://atmosphere.church/life-groups•ABOUT ATMOSPHERE.CHURCH- Wherever you are in life, you have a purpose. Atmosphere.Church wants to help you find your next step. Our hope is that your journey will include joining us in-person at our location in Thousand Oaks, California or globally online at https://atmosphere.church/watch•For the best experience connecting with us, download the Atmosphere.Church app at https://qrco.de/atmosphere-ca

During the Blitz on London on December 29, 1940, a bomb destroyed a warehouse near St. Paul’s Cathedral and the resulting fire raged for two days. When Biddy Chambers received the news that all 40,000 copies of Oswald Chambers’ books stored there were lost—which she had compiled and edited but not insured—she set down her tea cup and remarked to her daughter, “Well, God has used the books for His glory, but now that is over. We’ll wait and see what God will do now.” Perhaps Biddy was remembering what Oswald had written at the start of the First World War before his death. He noted how Jesus spoke to His disciples about “the inevitability of peril” so that when horrible things happened, they would “not be scared” because He was with them. Indeed, Jesus told His friends of the trials they would face: “In this world you will have trouble. But,” He continued, “take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He wanted them to remain strong in their faith in His Father so they could withstand the trials and challenges they would endure. Biddy’s quiet confidence in God carried her through, and eventually the books were reprinted and became classics for generations. We too can find encouragement and hope in Jesus’ promises that He has overcome the world. We know that He won’t leave us (14:18) and will give us peace (v. 27), no matter what we face.

Oswald Chambers' classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest has shaped countless lives for more than a century. With support from the Oswald Chambers Publications Association, a modernized edition is now helping a new generation engage with Chambers' timeless insights.Macy Halford, the editor behind the rewrite, spent years studying Chambers' original sermons and notes, which were carefully recorded by his wife, Biddy. In this conversation, Macy shares how the updated edition was developed, the challenges of honoring Chambers' voice while making the content accessible, and what this enduring devotional can offer readers today.

Oswald Chambers, a renowned Christian leader and theologian, once said, "Beware of harking back to what you once were when God wants you to be something you have never been." The journey of Christian maturity involves an intentional life that is ordered, and a collaborative effort with God. In this series, we will look at the four steps of spiritual formation that will launch you into the life God has destined for you. •NEXT STEPS- Have you made a decision to follow Jesus? You may be wondering what's next on your journey. We want to help! Let us guide you to your next steps in your walk with Christ: https://atmosphere.church/new-to-faith•JOIN A LIFE GROUP- Find the community you've been looking for. Discover the prayer warriors waiting to stand with you. If you're interested in joining or starting a Life Group, visit https://atmosphere.church/life-groups•ABOUT ATMOSPHERE.CHURCH- Wherever you are in life, you have a purpose. Atmosphere.Church wants to help you find your next step. Our hope is that your journey will include joining us in-person at our location in Thousand Oaks, California or globally online at https://atmosphere.church/watch•For the best experience connecting with us, download the Atmosphere.Church app at https://qrco.de/atmosphere-ca

Presented by Julie Busteed I used to think there were seasons of waiting on God, but now I think there is always something I am waiting on from him. Maybe it's waiting for some direction in one area of my work or waiting for something to come to an end or waiting for the next big thing. But aren't we always waiting to hear from him? And since we are always in this “waiting room” of God's timing for some kind or another, then what is the purpose? What is the benefit? Yet the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him (Isaiah 30:18). We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you (Psalm 33:20-22). There's a blessing in the waiting room. There is hope. It's not always my favorite place to be, but I'm not as anxious there as I used to be. I've grown in my trust of God, that he has what's best in store for me, even if it seems difficult. I know I can trust him no matter what. And my goals and focus are ever more on my hope in him. Yes, you and I are living in the now and it's a fallen world. But if you are a Christ-follower, there is hope of eternal life with God. The more I get to know him, study his Word, read his Word, pray, and meet and talk with other Christ-followers, the more I can rest in his timing. Not that it's never frustrating or scary, but I know he will never leave me or forsake me. Do you have confidence in your relationship with him? If not, please, take some time right now to pray and ask for his help to get into his Word. He alone is our hope and salvation. He is trustworthy and loving. He waits to be gracious to you. If you are struggling with waiting on God and having patience to endure in a situation, then think about this. God's silence doesn't mean that he doesn't care. He hears you and knows you. But maybe he has something better in mind for you. Or maybe the answer is no or not right now. But you are building your faith muscle as you wait and trust in him. I think Oswald Chambers says it beautifully: Some prayers are followed by silence (from God) because they are wrong, others because they are bigger than one can understand. It will be a wonderful moment for some of us when we stand before God and find that the prayers we clamored for in early days and imagined were never answered, have been answered in the most amazing way, and that God's silence has been the sign of the answer.[1] --- [1]  Chambers, Oswald, Oswald Chambers Daily Thoughts for Disciples, Christian Literature Crusade, 1976, p. 75.

Oswald Chambers, a renowned Christian leader and theologian, once said, "Beware of harking back to what you once were when God wants you to be something you have never been." The journey of Christian maturity involves an intentional life that is ordered, and a collaborative effort with God. In this series, we will look at the four steps of spiritual formation that will launch you into the life God has destined for you. •NEXT STEPS- Have you made a decision to follow Jesus? You may be wondering what's next on your journey. We want to help! Let us guide you to your next steps in your walk with Christ: https://atmosphere.church/new-to-faith•JOIN A LIFE GROUP- Find the community you've been looking for. Discover the prayer warriors waiting to stand with you. If you're interested in joining or starting a Life Group, visit https://atmosphere.church/life-groups•ABOUT ATMOSPHERE.CHURCH- Wherever you are in life, you have a purpose. Atmosphere.Church wants to help you find your next step. Our hope is that your journey will include joining us in-person at our location in Thousand Oaks, California or globally online at https://atmosphere.church/watch•For the best experience connecting with us, download the Atmosphere.Church app at https://qrco.de/atmosphere-ca

Oswald Chambers, a renowned Christian leader and theologian, once said, "Beware of harking back to what you once were when God wants you to be something you have never been." The journey of Christian maturity involves an intentional life that is ordered, and a collaborative effort with God. In this series, we will look at the four steps of spiritual formation that will launch you into the life God has destined for you. •NEXT STEPS- Have you made a decision to follow Jesus? You may be wondering what's next on your journey. We want to help! Let us guide you to your next steps in your walk with Christ: https://atmosphere.church/new-to-faith•JOIN A LIFE GROUP- Find the community you've been looking for. Discover the prayer warriors waiting to stand with you. If you're interested in joining or starting a Life Group, visit https://atmosphere.church/life-groups•ABOUT ATMOSPHERE.CHURCH- Wherever you are in life, you have a purpose. Atmosphere.Church wants to help you find your next step. Our hope is that your journey will include joining us in-person at our location in Thousand Oaks, California or globally online at https://atmosphere.church/watch•For the best experience connecting with us, download the Atmosphere.Church app at https://qrco.de/atmosphere-ca

Have you read My Utmost for His Highest? And did you know it was published 10 years after its author died? Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of Oswald Chambers and his wife Biddy, whose copious notes from Oswald's sermons turned into more than 50 books. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/oswald-chambers/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Most often, when people hear “calling” they think of vocational calling, God calling someone to become a pastor or a missionary. However, if you broaden your view of what biblical calling is, you will see that God has called everybody to salvation, sanctification, and service. In this episode Pastors Andy and Eric look at different callings we all have and what next steps you can take today towards what God is calling you to.“God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” - Oswald Chambers

Most often, when people hear “calling” they think of vocational calling, God calling someone to become a pastor or a missionary. However, if you broaden your view of what biblical calling is, you will see that God has called everybody to salvation, sanctification, and service. In this episode Pastors Andy and Eric look at different callings we all have and what next steps you can take today towards what God is calling you to.“God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” - Oswald Chambers

Whether you are new in the faith or further down the road, you will encounter people and situations that confront and challenge your beliefs. On In The Market with Janet Parshall this week we spoke to a teacher who explained how to deal with criticism from others, the suffering that comes with standing up for your faith and why discovering what God’s love is must be one of the most important things we do in our faith walks. Perhaps it is the climate of our times or the rabid resistance to the things of God that seem to permeate our culture, but believers today are more reluctant, and in some cases even afraid to witness to others. Our guest cut through those fears and reticence to share how we can conquer our apprehensions and have honest, eternally important conversations with those we meet. Talking about the events of Revelation have more often than not been viewed as a reason to fear and be terrified at what is to come. But we shared the heart and insights of a well-respected pastor and teacher who encouraged God’s people to re-examine those events not in terms of what will happen but WHO is coming back and the great and glorious promises that will be filled when these prophecies are fulfilled. He explained how this change in perspective can deepen our relationship with the Lord while we wait anxiously for His return. Our guest took us into the life of Oswald Chambers, a man whose faith walk has inspired many, to give us new insights into his own journey with the Lord and to encourage us in ours. Join us for another deep dive into the headlines of the week as we scrutinize what we hear in the marketplace against what God’s word says.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The beloved devotional My Utmost for His Highest has challenged, encouraged, and moved people to think more deeply about their relationship with the Lord. David McCasland will join us to stretch our understanding of God and how He works as we ponder the timeless wisdom of Oswald Chambers paired with modern-day stories of inspiration. Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.