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God has always had a clear plan and strategy in everything He does. From creation to salvation, nothing has happened in heaven or earth without the foreknowledge of God. An important part of the strategy which God has for today is that He wants to show that His power is not just in heaven, but also demonstrated very powerfully on earth.  We know that in His personal relationship with you, He loves, He heals, He forgives – you, personally. But there is something God wants more than your healing, more even than your salvation – what God wants right now is to see Jesus so powerfully exalted, so powerfully glorified, so that when He returns at His Second Coming – every knee shall bow and the whole world will worship at the name of Jesus – which is going to happen in the near future. Therefore, this is a major spiritual issue now!  God wants to use you to bring glory to the name of Jesus! This means that there must come a time when we stop asking God for what He can do for us, and begin to ask what we can do for Him! Our Christian lives need to change from the passive to the active. God wants to put power into YOUR life. In the West many want to receive healing, finances – something for themselves. The Bible is full of promises that He will heal us – but why? Why did God heal my throat cancer? So that I would give my life for Russia and the glory of Christ! 

We must never forget: freedom is not free; it cost many their lives. Our Christian freedom was not free either; it cost Jesus everything. Let's live THANKFUL.

Jeff Anderson introduces Victory Life Church and Pastors Alan & Anna Patterson. 'Victory Life is a dynamic, life-giving church. Our Christian beliefs are based on timeless Biblical Truths and are centered on Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our mission is simple: to lead people to the life-changing relationship with God that glorifies and honors Jesus Christ. We are not about building complicated religious programs. Instead, we are focused on helping people of all backgrounds to discover the victory and the joy that comes from a life of knowing and following Jesus. https://victorylifecos.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Christian maturity—that is, our growth in Christlikeness—is cultivated as we come to know the heart of Christ, and it is revealed in the way we relate to others, especially in how we view and respond to their sins, failures, and offenses. This sermon unfolds how Christ deals with us in our weakness and failure, and how, in turn, we are called to deal with one another in love, patience, mercy, and truth.

Our Christian spiritual realities are absolutely wonderful and mind-blowing. But while all sorts of amazing stuff happens to us spiritually the moment we become Christians, we still must learn how to become spiritual people and spiritually mature. In this message I cover all of this and show you how to start rapidly advancing your spiritual life.

Delivered by Enge Kristina from the Parish of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 5: 34-42; Rs psalm 27: 1.4.13-14; John 6: 1-15.BECOME THE INSTRUMENT OF GOD Our meditation today has the theme: Become theInstrument of God. Our Christian life as expected to be in the spirit of Easteris not only a true practice during this Easter season but also during our lifetime on earth. The resurrection of Jesus Christ indeed animates all our life.The period after resurrection is a period when Jesus Christ is not physicallypresent with all His followers, unlike when He was still living and walkingwith His disciples and people of His time. After resurrection, He went up toheaven to be with the heavenly Father. But as He had promised, He is foreverwith us at all times, because His Spirit lives with us in the Church and in thesociety as well. What must we do to ensure that our faith aligned withthe spirit of Easter? The inspiration from our readings today can give us theanswer, and it is true to say that we need to become the instruments of God. Theministry of Jesus Christ carried out by the Holy Church as a community of thePeople of God continues to occur to this day, with her main mission is to servethe humanity and the world. Who are those human beings to be ministered by theChurch? It maybe each one of us, our brothers or sisters and friends. It maybepeople we don't know who they are or where they are from. It maybe persons Godhas entrusted to us to be educated and cared for. Becoming the instrument God for us is a basicChristian vocation, as the Psalmist says: Here I am Lord, to do Your will (Ps.40). The goal of this vocation is to make the Lord truly present in a real anda personal way through the ministry of Jesus Christ Himself, who saves, heals,teaches, speaks of truth, comforts, and forgives. This vocation is given toevery one of us who chooses the way of life as priest, religious and lay person.To carry out well this vocation means each of us acts in the name of the LordJesus Christ and makes His works realized.  We are given an example of the apostles who bravelydefended the truth of the Gospel preached, even though they were tried andimprisoned by the Jewish Religious Court. A famous Jewish priest, Gamaliel,also spoke in the name of truth and at the same time defended what the apostlesfearlessly did. Both the apostles and Gamaliel had proved to be the realinstruments of God in preaching and teaching the true faith. Then anotheroccasion also shows us the practice of this truth. The apostles became the instrumentsfor the feeding of thousands of people who were hungry after a full dayfollowing and listening to Jesus away from the city. A child who provided asmall portion of bread and fish also proved to be the instrument of God for themiracle of multiplication of bread and fish. They were the instruments of God'smercy for the urgent needs of people at that moment. We can be the instruments of God in any givencondition in our lives today, especially the conditions that really needsurgent solution or treatment. It all depends on our willingness and commitmentto do. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O generous and merciful Lord, strengthen usin every step and work that we take, so that we can be your true and usefulinstruments, especially for the benefit of our needy brothers and sisters. HailMary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...

Repentance is a word that we as Christian's should always remember. Our Christian life is a life of repenting for our sins, and turning towards and serving the Lord. 1. A Comfortable Season because of Mercy2. A Crushing Misery because of Sin3. A Superficial Cry that God Rejects4. A Genuine Turning that God Receives 

When Everything Depends on One QuestionChristianity rises or falls on a single claim.Not a teaching, Not a value system, Not a moral philosophy… BUT ONE EVENT.If Jesus rose from the dead — everything changes; If He didn't — none of this matters.Easter is not about springtime optimism… Easter is about a HISTORICAL INTERRUPTION that rewrote reality.John doesn't begin his recollection of Easter morning with celebration… He begins with grief.THE SCENE: Hope BuriedJohn 20 tells us Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb while it is still dark.She's not expecting resurrection… She's expecting to grieve.The stone is rolled away — and her first conclusion isn't hope… It's loss.She runs to tell the disciples: “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb…”Even the closest followers of Jesus were not expecting Resurrection.Resurrection was not even wishful thinking — BUT it was a shocking reality.THE EMPTY TOMB: Evidence Before ExplanationPeter and John run to the tomb. They don't find chaos… They find order.The face cloth, which had been on Jesus head, folded up in a place by itself. The tomb is empty. And Death undone.John wants us to know, beyond the shadow of a doubt: “He saw and believed.”Not because he understood everything — but because the evidence demanded a response.Our Christian faith is not blind belief… Our Christ-centered faith is BELIEF THAT IS ROOTED IN REALITY.THE ENCOUNTER: Jesus Calls Her NameMary stays behind, weeping. She sees Jesus — and doesn't recognize Him.Grief has a way of blurring our vision.Then Jesus says one word: “Mary.” …And everything changes.The risen Jesus is not a distant idea — He is a personal Savior.[RESURRECTION IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE…] because throughout this series, we've seen Jesus:turn water into wine; heal a dying child; restore a paralyzed man; multiply bread; walk on water; give sight to the blind and call Lazarus from the grave… But Easter is different.Every other miracle we have looked at delays death, But this miracle DEFEATS DEATH.The resurrection is not just something Jesus did. The resurrection is WHO JESUS IS.RESURRECTION CHANGES…1. HOW WE SEE DEATHDeath is no longer the end — it's a defeated enemy.Jesus didn't escape death — JESUS CONQUERED DEATH.2. HOW WE SEE SUFFERINGPain is no longer pointless.The cross looked like failure — until Resurrection Sunday came.God does His greatest work in places that look the most hopeless.3. HOW WE LIVE TODAYThe resurrection is not just future hope — The RESURRECTION IS PRESENT POWER.THE SAME POWER that raised Jesus now lives in those who trust Him.HOW THE RESURRECTION STRENGTHENS OUR DAILY FAITH1. WE ARE NEVER TOO FAR GONEThe tomb was sealed… The stone was heavy… The situation looked final.And God still moved!There is no sin, failure, or loss this beyond the reach of resurrection power.2. GOD IS STILL WORKING IN THE DARKMary arrived while it was still dark — but the miracle had already happened.Just because you can't see it yet doesn't mean God isn't at work.3. RESURRECTION POWER IS MEANT TO BE SHAREDThe first command of the risen Jesus is simple: “Go and tell.”Resurrection doesn't end in amazement — it is launch of a life-changing mission.CONNECTING THE ENTIRE SERIESEvery miracle in John pointed to this truth, the man Jesus is exactly who He says He is… Jesus is the Son of God!The miracle of Water into wine → Jesus brings New lifeThe miracles of Healing → Jesus brings RestorationThe miracle of Provision → Jesus is MORE THAN ENOUGHThe miracle of Lazarus being raised of the dead → It is the Preview of the Life Giving, Death Defeating work that Jesus will do in the lives of people who He loves greatlyEaster / Resurrection Sunday is the miracle that explains them all.CONCLUSION: Resurrection Changes Everything… Because Jesus is risen:FORGIVENESS IS REALHOPE IS ALIVEDEATH IS DEFEATEDYOUR STORY IS NOT OVERThe tomb is empty. Jesus is alive. And because He lives — everything changes.

What if Jesus didn't really conquer the grave would you still be a Christian? If archaeologists in Jerusalem discovered the body of Jesus of Nazareth, would you remain a follower of Christ? Would you keep living for Jesus because of His compassionate example, His inspirational teaching, His noble moral standards? Or would you abandon any pretence of following in His footsteps? If Jesus had not risen from the dead, I would not be a Christian because that would make Jesus a false prophet. Paul explained the dire consequences of such a scenario and the effect it would have on every believer. Our Christian faith would be worthless. There would be no pardon for sin. We would have no hope after death. But, we can rejoice that Christ has been raised and our faith is valid, the Bible is true, our sins are forgiven, and our hope of resurrection is secure.Preacher: Jim De Witte Passage: Matthew 28:1-15 Support the show

Our Christian walk won't always feel like a super close relationship with Jesus, but why? When we don't feel guided, served or fed, what is God trying to do?

In 1 Timothy 4:11-16, the Apostle Paul closes chapter 4 by explaining to Timothy that godly ministry is patterned by godly character -- via five areas in particular. Paul also instructs his protege to wholeheartedly progress as a believer & minister of the Gospel by reading, teaching, and exhorting Gods Word. If we are to progress in OUR Christian walk (and truly live out our faith), we must prove it by persistently watching ourselves and our doctrine closely. The post Prove It: Progressing in Godliness appeared first on Caz Church.

This weekend enter the Lenten season. The Sundays in Lent are not actually a part of Lent, but are mini celebrations of the resurrection of Jesus DURING Lent. One of the main Biblical themes which we will consider this weekend in our worship is the theme of Grace.   That theme is beautifully described by Philip Doddridge in "Grace Has a Thrilling Sound" (TLH 374; WS 778). This hymn is based on Paul's words to the believers in Ephesus:  "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:4-10). God's grace has accomplished our salvation, from beginning to end. Our election is by His grace. Our faith is by His grace. Our Christian lives are lived by His grace. Our entrance into Heaven is by His grace. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith!  Grace is indeed a thrilling sound in the ear of a believer! When we know our sin and what we deserve because of it, we can't help but be joyful when we hear God's message of grace in Christ! Rejoice in that grace! Praise Him, this weekend and always!

Our Christian walk is a journey. Ahead are roadblocks, detours, winding roads and exit ramps. How do we best navigate our walk with God on a daily basis?

Our Christian walk is a journey. Ahead are roadblocks, detours, winding roads and exit ramps. How do we best navigate our walk with God on a daily basis?

Our Christian ministry participates in Christ's ongoing ministry.

What if real strength isn't found in winning arguments—but in knowing when to lay down your rights?In this New Year's Eve episode of Two Pastors and a Mic, Cory and Channock close out 2025 by unpacking one of Jesus' most misunderstood teachings: meekness. Drawing from Cory's final eBook, How to Sheath Your Sword in a Violent Loving Culture, they explore why meekness is not weakness, but strength under control—and why it may be the posture Christians need most in a polarized world.You'll hear:⚔️ Why “Blessed are the meek” was a radical, counter-cultural statement

Light in Darkness: Christmas Declares the End of Shadows in Christ.The whole world was lying in darkness—even Israel, with the Law and the Prophets, could not change it. The light they had only created shadows. They had the shadows, but we have the substance in Jesus Christ.  They were waiting, watching, longing for the Messiah.Then the angels declared what all the prophets had looked for: "The light has come!" (Luke 2:10-11).In Luke 24:44-45, Jesus opened the disciples' understanding, showing them that all of the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms were pointing to Him—and were fulfilled in Him.Don't be confused. Don't let anyone steal your celebration of Christ's birth.The birth of Jesus is the declaration of light shining in darkness (John 1:5). There is no longer any excuse for ignorance, because Jesus Christ has finished His work and sent the Holy Spirit to live inside every believer.The Spirit is here NOW to lead and guide us into all truth (John 16:13). If someone remains in ignorance, it's because they're rejecting the leadership of the Holy Spirit.Do not allow anyone to take you back into the dark shadows.The light of Jesus Christ is so brilliant that it casts no shadows—not of feast days, not of Sabbaths, not of Old Covenant requirements (Colossians 2:16-17). We have all of that fulfilled in Jesus Christ.The shadows were real, pointing to the Reality. Now that Reality has come.Here's what you need to understand: If Christmas were somehow non-Christian or pagan, the leftist progressives wouldn't be trying so hard to cancel it. Our Christian spiritual ancestors—who changed the world for Christ—celebrated the birth of Christ because they knew what they were doing. They understood the power of declaring light in the darkness.The Messiah is here.The work is finished.The authority is delegated.The time is now.This is not a time to retreat into confusion about celebrations or to apologize for proclaiming His birth. This is the time to stand in the blazing light of fulfilled prophecy and declare: Jesus Christ has come, and everything has changed.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1-4 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Hunter welcomes listeners to the fifth day of December and guides us through a heartfelt reading of Ephesians chapters 1 through 4—a slight detour to make things right after a mix-up with the daily scripture readings. As your faithful Bible reading coach, Hunter invites you to journey together through these transformative passages, emphasizing the profound truth of our new identity in Christ. Blending the wisdom of scripture with relatable reflections—think "wax on, wax off" from The Karate Kid—Hunter reminds us that the Christian life is about putting on who we truly are in Christ and letting go of what no longer defines us. The episode flows into a time of prayer, encouragement, and practical updates, including a shoutout about the new Daily Radio Bible app designed to make sharing the podcast even easier. Join Hunter as we dig deep into God's word, pray for one another, and remember that, no matter what, you are loved—no doubt about it. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Wax on, Wax off. Do you remember those words from Mr. Miyagi to Danielson in the movie Karate Kid? This passage in Ephesians today has a way of bringing that idea to mind. Our Christian life starts by putting on what we are, much like the "wax on" of the film, learning who we are in Christ—putting it on, letting it shape us. Paul spends the better part of these chapters in Ephesians reminding us who we are, encouraging us to put it on. We are in Christ. God has made us new in Christ. He took those of us who were not his people and made us his own. He took those who were not citizens and made us citizens. He adopted us as his very children. All by means of his death on the cross. This is what he's done for us. He forgave our sins, made us new by his grace. And that, my friend, is what you are: you are his, you are in him. So put that on. God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. That is who you are. Put that on. The Christian life begins and ends, and includes everything in between, by putting on Christ, living out who you already are. That's the invitation—wax on. But then comes wax off. We need to take off what we no longer are. You are not your old self. You are not the sum of all your old failures, your old feelings, lusts, desires, regrets, and shames from the past. No, take it off. That's not who you are. Put on who he says you are in him. It's by living out who you truly are that you'll have the power to put away what you're not. It doesn't go the other way around. It doesn't start with us trying to get rid of all the old stuff in order to finally live who we are. No, it begins with understanding and living in your true identity in Christ. Then you'll have the power, perspective, and presence of God within you to enable you to live that life, to take off what needs to be taken off. You can't muster this up by trying really hard. There's no physical, spiritual, emotional, or psychological regime that can equip you well en TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

(Psalm 148:1-14) Are you making your home a place filled with Hallelujahs? While studying Psalm 148, we see that God intended us to apply this Scripture to our lives. Our Christian homes should be a reflection of God's heart and should be filled with His praises. (09289251201) Keep Studying  Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. 

We have a mission! A peaceful, compassionate, healing, restorative mission. That mission is to call our nation back to the Living God and the glory of His Son, Jesus! This is our mandate from Heaven. Our Christian ancestors came here “for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith…”(Mayflower Compact 1620). We are far from finished in this mission. The recent assassination and martyrdom of Charlie Kirk has shaken us and awakened us to our mission from Heaven to disciple our nation for Christ. Join us as we set our hearts to fulfill this great mission!

Are you intentional about your influence? You are influencing others. The question is what kind of influence do you have on others and how does it impact their life? What are you modeling for others? Today let's dive into... What is influence? Why do I need influence? Do I have influence? And a couple bonuses... How do I become intentional with my influence? What can God do with my obedience? This is a great episode to keep on repeat. You have to remember that this is what is important. This is what matters. Let's stop wasting our time on so many things that simply do not matter, so we can focus on what does. 1. Our relationship with Jesus matters. 2. Our Christian influence matters because we may be the only Jesus someone ever sees. Rise up. Lead like Jesus. Follow Him. Lead others to Him. Influence them for the Kingdom and make impact in their lives. And all God's people said, AMEN! Resources & Links: Want to take the Leadership Quiz? Click here. Join the Private Group for more Encouragement: [link] L.E.A.D. booklet [link] Truth Journal [link] 1:1 Coaching Session ($97) [link] Learn more about Pam at pampegram.com  

Are you losing your faith? Our Christian walk is not an easy one but often entails a serious spiritual battle. We strive each day on Equipped to help you be prepared to "fight the good fight of the faith," as 1 Timothy 6:12 says. As you endeavor to follow Christ, we want to give you warning signs to look for that could derail you. Be encouraged to keep walking and serving the Lord when you join us for Equipped. Featured resource:Article: 5 Signs of Losing Your Faith October thank you gift:Dangerous Virtues by John Koessler Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support. To donate now, click here.

Title: Our IdentitySpeaker: Jesse KaehneDate: 2nd April 2025Location: Adelaide, Australia This episode explores the meaning of Jehovah Nissi—“the Lord is my banner”—and what it means to find true identity in Christ. Drawing from Israel’s journey in Exodus, the message contrasts the doubts of the Israelites with the assurance that God was not only present but their banner of victory and strength. The focus shifts to how identity shapes our lives today. Instead of building identity on shifting values, culture, or people, we are called to root ourselves in Christ. Through scriptures in Colossians, Galatians, and Corinthians, the message highlights the need to put off the old life, live by the Spirit, and show Christ’s character in every setting. Our Christian identity is not something to hide or wear situationally but something consistent, visible, and fruitful. 3 Key Points • True identity is found in Christ, not in worldly definitions or temporary affiliations. • Our lives should reflect the fruit of the Spirit, showing consistency and sincerity in every environment. • Being Christ-like means building an identity of service and sacrifice, which strengthens both personal faith and fellowship. Listen to the entire Podcast Revival library by visiting https://podcastrevival.com The Revival Fellowship is a Bible-directed, Spirit-filled Church and we welcome visitors to our meetings at any of our locations worldwide. To find your nearest venue visit https://therevivalfellowship.com © 2025 The Revival Fellowship. All Rights Reserved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textWhat happens when the world's wisest, wealthiest man concludes that everything is meaningless? In this profound exploration of Ecclesiastes chapter 4, we journey through Solomon's devastating despair to discover the surprising solution he stumbles upon.Solomon—gifted with extraordinary intelligence by God—reached the pinnacle of success yet found himself utterly alone amidst his achievements. His words echo with disappointment and desperation as he declares "meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless." But within this bleak assessment lies a powerful revelation about human connection and spiritual purpose.The sermon unpacks Solomon's startling observation that "the dead who had already died are happier than the living who are still alive," revealing the existence of "walking dead"—those physically alive but spiritually asleep, going through life's motions without making ripples in the waters around them. Yet amidst this darkness, Solomon discovers a profound truth: "Two are better than one... and a cord of three strands is not easily broken."This timeless wisdom applies directly to our modern struggles. When we lose sight of Christ's promised return, we risk falling into the same despair that plagued Solomon. Our Christian community serves as both support system and motivation—helping us up when we fall and inspiring us to live authentically for Christ every day, not just Sunday mornings.The sermon culminates with a challenging question: What legacy are you writing on the pages of your life? Will future generations read stories of devoted service to Jesus, or of someone who merely chased worldly gain? Unlike Solomon in his darkest moments, we don't have to face life alone—we have both the Holy Spirit within us and a community of believers around us.What will your final words be? Share this message with someone who needs to hear that their life has profound meaning when connected to Christ and His people.

8-24-25 | Our Christian faith is not built on blind hopes and fleeting experiences. Our faith is built on Solid Ground, on the Firm Foundation that is Jesus Christ. In today's message, we are looking at the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

8-17-25 | Our Christian faith is not built on blind hopes and fleeting experiences. Our faith is built on Solid Ground, on the Firm Foundation that is Jesus Christ. In today's message, we are looking at the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

We begin this Lord's Day considering Paul's declaration of freedom to the Churches of Galatia. The letter to the Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. It was one of the stones used by the Reformers in their sling to bring down the mighty Goliath of Rome during the Protestant Reformation as it enlightened the minds of sinners to the wonders of God's free grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul sets forth by inspiration of the Holy Spirit our liberty in Christ from the guilt/condemnation of sin, from the dominion/power of sin, from the fear of death, and from the ceremonies of the Old Testament. And it sets forth not only what we are set free from, but what we are set free unto. In Christ, we are set free to trust, love, and obey our gracious God. True freedom is not doing whatever we want to do (that is worldly bondage) but is doing what God calls/commands us to do. Our Christian liberty in Christ is not my will (and pleases me) but is thy will be done (and what pleases Thee). Anyone can do his/her own will, but only those who have been set free by Christ can do (and love to do) God's will.

The book of Acts reports rapid growth in the early church, but this leads to growing pains. In Acts 6, a complaint arises that the Hellenistic Jewish widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. This may be a legitimate concern or reflect a deeper pattern of Israel's history of grumbling. We wonder, what will the apostles do? Are they too busy in the midst of church planting? Do they realize that preaching and prayer are not really the solution?Despite facing persecution and being deeply engaged in preaching, praying, and mission work, the apostles do not dismiss the complaint. Instead, they respond with wisdom and compassion. They recognize the importance of caring for the physical needs of the church and appoint seven men, servants, or what we call deacons from the Greek word servant. Their job is to oversee this ministry. These men are chosen not only for their availability but for their character: they are to be known, Spirit-filled, wise, and of good reputation. We note that the assumption here is that these men are part of the church. They are well-known.This moment in Acts teaches us that church membership matters. The community knew these seven men well enough to nominate them, not merely by name but by their lives. This underscores the importance of belonging to and being known within the body of Christ. Our Christian conversion is not a one-time one-and-done event.Acts 6 also provides a balanced vision of the church's mission. The church is not called to choose between spiritual ministry and physical care. The apostles prioritize both concerns. They continue in their Gospel preaching and prayer while ensuring the congregation's practical needs are met. Gospel preaching is not a one-time event but an ongoing means of grace that strengthens the saints throughout their lives and the Lord's ordained means intended to be administered throughout the ages.Finally, the church must embody the compassion of the gospel. The ordaining of deacons reflects God's heart for the vulnerable, and the church's mission continues as it proclaims the gospel and lives it out in acts of love and mercy.

It's Thursday, June 5th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Christian groups in India to speak out against persecution June 9 Christian groups across India are organizing a protest against persecution of Christians on Monday, June 9. The National Christian Front noted, “Our Christian brothers and sisters are enduring brutal attacks and growing intolerance from anti-social elements. This is not merely a Christian issue — it is a grave concern for humanity, for peace, and for the values enshrined in our Constitution.” Christians suffered over 600 incidents of violence and discrimination in India last year. The country is ranked 11th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of most difficult places to be a Christian. U.K. Christian groups calling for prayer on June 11 In the United the Kingdom, Christian groups are calling for a day of prayer on Wednesday, June 11 for protecting human life. This comes as lawmakers are considering bills to legalize assisted suicide.  Listen to comments from Ciarán Kelly, director of The Christian Institute.  KELLY: “This is a crucial time for our country. So, it's vital that Christians are asking the God, Who made Heaven and Earth, that He would overrule in all these things, to protect vulnerable people from this careless and callous bill.” In 1 Timothy 1:1-2, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Trump overturns pro-abortion Biden rule In the United States, the Trump administration rescinded a pro-abortion rule on Tuesday that came from the Biden administration.  The rule tried to force hospital emergency rooms to offer abortions even if the state restricted them.  Matt Bowman, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, said, “Doctors—especially in emergency rooms—are tasked with preserving life. The Trump administration has rolled back a harmful Biden-era mandate that compelled doctors to end unborn lives, in violation of their deeply held beliefs.” Trump raises tariffs on steel imports President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday to raise tariffs on steel imports. The order doubles tariffs on steel and aluminum coming into the country from 25% to 50%. The levy will affect steel exporters in Canada, Mexico, and many countries in Europe. However, the tariff on steel from the United Kingdom remains at 25% as the U.S. and U.K. work out a trade deal.  Dust from Africa's Saharan Desert hits America Over the weekend, a massive plume of dust made its way to Florida all the way from the Saharan Desert in Africa.  Such dust plumes are known as the Saharan Air Layer and typically cross the Atlantic each year. The current plume is the biggest one to reach the U.S. so far this season. It measures nearly 2,000 miles wide and 750 miles from north to south.  The dust can diminish air quality but also creates spectacular sunrises and sunsets.  Only 1 in 100 Evangelical pastors leave ministry annually A report from Lifeway Research found that only 1 out of 100 Evangelical pastors leave the ministry each year.  This low rate has remained steady for the last 10 years despite many pastors acknowledging their work is very demanding and even overwhelming.  Scott McConnell with Lifeway Research said, “The rate of pastors departing the pastorate is steady and quite low given the demands of the role. Many of those leaving the pastorate feel they are moving at God's direction to another role of ministry.” In 2 Timothy 4:2, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” The American Miracle movie shows God's intervention in U.S. The Left insists that there's nothing special about America. But a new docudrama contends that God inspired its founding.  The American Miracle – Our Nation is No Accident hits the silver screen in 1,000 theaters nationwide for 3 days only -- Monday, June 9th through Wednesday, June 11th. Inspired by Michael Medved's bestseller, this exciting, entertaining, and edifying motion picture experience was created in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  ‘ Medved appeared on The 700 Club. MEDVED: “America is no accident. All of our most important leaders, from Washington to Lincoln to Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt -- all of our leaders have understood that America has a divine purpose.” Consider God's protection of George Washington – the Father of our Country -- in a ferocious battle in 1755 during the French and Indian War. During the Battle of Monongahela, 69 of 70 officers were either killed or wounded. Washington was the only officer who was not shot off his horse.  In fact, two horses were shot from underneath him. Yet he lived. Even a Native American chief later said they couldn't touch Washington. Shockingly, after the battle, he found numerous bullet holes in his jacket and bullet fragments in his hair, but he was miraculously unscathed. No wonder they called him “Bulletproof.”  Visit the website https://americanmiraclemovie.com/, watch the trailer, click on Tickets, and type in your zipcode to get tickets for next week at a theater near you. Watch the trailer. Worldview listener in Florida speaks up On Wednesday, I was delighted to receive 23 emails at Adam@TheWorldview.com about what listeners enjoy about this newscast. Amy Cool from St. Cloud, Florida wrote, “I like that I can trust The Worldview newscast to report the truth from a Biblical perspective. I like the Scriptures referenced as they pertain to a particular story because it shows the relevance of the Bible to our life today. That's often hard for people to see when they haven't grown up in a home where the Bible was read or explained.” 14 Worldview listeners gave $1,420 to fund our $123,500 annual budget Toward this week's $30,875 goal to fund one-fourth of The Worldview newscast's annual budget by this Friday, June 6th, 14 listeners stepped up to the plate on Wednesday by 7:15pm Central last night.  Our thanks to Grace in Duncanville, Texas, Greg in Rochester, New Hampshire, Andy in Santa Barbara, California, and George in Carrollton, Missouri – each of whom gave $25. We also appreciate Jalynn in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Jon in Granger, Indiana, and Steven in Jacksonville, Florida – each of whom gave $50. We're grateful to God for Nancy in Peabody, Massachusetts, Kevin in North Bend, Oregon, and Robert in Plano, Texas – each of whom gave $100. And we appreciate the generosity of Paula in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana who pledged $10/month for 12 months for a gift of $120, Dawn in Troy, Montana who gave $150, Amy in Seminole, Texas who gave $300, and Dawn in Smithville, Texas who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300. Those 14 listeners gave a total of $1,420. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please.  (Drum roll sound effect) $6,352 (People clapping sound effect)  We missed our goal of 20 donors by just 6 donors. That means by this Friday, we still need to raise $24,523.    Whether it's Thanksgiving or Christmas, we churn out a weekday broadcast 52 weeks per year. It's a commitment we're glad to make, but we need help to cover the cost. Would you prayerfully consider investing $100 per month for 12 months into this ministry, helping to pay for the work of the six-member Worldview team?  If 20 of you made that pledge we would hit our Friday, June 6th goal one day early. Just go to TheWorldview.com and click on Give on the top right.   And click on the button that indicates a recurring donation if you want to give monthly. Thanks for investing your resources into this media ministry that champions the truth.  Our plumbline is Jesus Christ Himself. Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, June 5th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

What do you do when trusting God is all you have?In this episode of Live the Bible, we look at a king we don't often hear much about. Asa had faith, but he struggled to put that faith into his life. Our Christian life requires we walk by faith and not by sight. This podcast will show us how. Support the show

Hope doesn't come after pain—it rises within our pain. As we continue our journey through Luke's gospel in week two of our "Hope Rising" series, we encounter Jesus preparing his followers for difficult times ahead. While they admired the magnificent temple in Jerusalem—its stunning white limestone and gold accents symbolizing permanence and divine presence—Jesus delivers a shocking prophecy: "Not one stone will be left on top of another."Unlike leaders who offer shallow platitudes, Jesus doesn't sugarcoat reality. He warns of persecution, betrayal, global conflict, natural disasters, and cosmic upheaval. Yet within this sobering forecast, he plants seeds of profound hope: "This will be your opportunity to tell them about me." The very moments of greatest challenge become platforms for powerful testimony.Most striking is Jesus's paradoxical promise: "Not a hair on your head will perish." Given that many disciples would face martyrdom, this wasn't about physical safety. Rather, Jesus reveals a deeper truth—what truly matters cannot be destroyed by worldly powers. Our essential being remains secure in Christ even when everything around us crumbles.The passage culminates with Jesus's instruction that when chaos reaches its peak, his followers should "stand and look up, for your salvation is near." This invitation challenges us to examine where we've anchored our hope. Have we built our security on temples that can fall—career achievements, financial stability, perfect health, ideal relationships? When these foundations tremble, we discover what truly sustains us.As Dr. Henry Cloud wisely distinguishes, "A wish is hope without evidence, but hope, real hope, is based on evidence." Our Christian hope isn't groundless optimism but is anchored in the historical reality of Jesus's resurrection. The empty tomb remains the ultimate evidence that suffering doesn't have the final word. This is why, even in our darkest moments, hope can still rise.What does it look like for hope to rise anew in your life today? Join us as we explore how to build faith-filled endurance that doesn't shake when the world does.Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to Madison Church on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback means the world to us, so please take a moment to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends and family.For inquiries, suggestions, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us at help@madisonchurch.com. For the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube New episodes are released every Monday, so mark your calendars and join us weekly! If you'd like to support the show, you can make a donation here. Your generosity helps us continue to bring you meaningful content. This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Madison Church. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. For detailed information regarding our terms of use and privacy policy, please visit our website.Thank you for being part of the Madison Church community! We appreciate your support.

The second law of thermodynamics says things tend toward disorder. As time goes on, things fall apart. When it comes to our homes, a clean room never stays that way for long. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out there’s a spiritual parallel. Our Christian lives can get messy and out of sorts. But we’ll learn Jesus can come and sort it out . . . if we let Him. Pastor Greg urges us to open the door and let Jesus have access to every room of our spiritual house. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second law of thermodynamics says things tend toward disorder. As time goes on, things fall apart. When it comes to our homes, a clean room never stays that way for long. And today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out there’s a spiritual parallel. Our Christian lives can get messy and out of sorts. But we’ll learn Jesus can come and sort it out . . . if we let Him. Pastor Greg urges us to open the door and let Jesus have access to every room of our spiritual house. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Today’s message continues our study of 1 John and is titled “Light Reveals Love.” The Apostle John, known as the Apostle of Love, had a different disposition in his younger years. He and his brother James were nicknamed the “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus due to their hot-tempered and impulsive nature. However, after years of reflecting on Jesus' teachings and experiencing both physical and spiritual maturity, he recognizes that Love is the better way to navigate life. Love is the central theme of today’s message. How we love others is a significant indicator of whether we are genuine followers of Jesus. We live in a world of spiritual darkness; John tells us that we know we are true followers of Christ if we walk in the light and love our fellow brothers and sisters as Christ does. A clear sign of our love is how far we are willing to limit our spiritual liberties to avoid becoming a stumbling block or, in other words, a negative influence in someone else’s life. Scripture warns strongly against those who would cause a weaker or younger believer to stumble and fall away from God's grace. Our Christian liberties come with serious responsibilities and consequences if we live carelessly. Worship and study with us as we are encouraged and challenged in our exploration.

Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Today’s message continues our study of 1 John and is titled “Light Reveals Love.” The Apostle John, known as the Apostle of Love, had a different disposition in his younger years. He and his brother James were nicknamed the “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus due to their hot-tempered and impulsive nature. However, after years of reflecting on Jesus' teachings and experiencing both physical and spiritual maturity, he recognizes that Love is the better way to navigate life. Love is the central theme of today’s message. How we love others is a significant indicator of whether we are genuine followers of Jesus. We live in a world of spiritual darkness; John tells us that we know we are true followers of Christ if we walk in the light and love our fellow brothers and sisters as Christ does. A clear sign of our love is how far we are willing to limit our spiritual liberties to avoid becoming a stumbling block or, in other words, a negative influence in someone else’s life. Scripture warns strongly against those who would cause a weaker or younger believer to stumble and fall away from God's grace. Our Christian liberties come with serious responsibilities and consequences if we live carelessly. Worship and study with us as we are encouraged and challenged in our exploration.

Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Today’s message continues our study of 1 John and is titled “Light Reveals Love.” The Apostle John, known as the Apostle of Love, had a different disposition in his younger years. He and his brother James were nicknamed the “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus due to their hot-tempered and impulsive nature. However, after years of reflecting on Jesus' teachings and experiencing both physical and spiritual maturity, he recognizes that Love is the better way to navigate life. Love is the central theme of today’s message. How we love others is a significant indicator of whether we are genuine followers of Jesus. We live in a world of spiritual darkness; John tells us that we know we are true followers of Christ if we walk in the light and love our fellow brothers and sisters as Christ does. A clear sign of our love is how far we are willing to limit our spiritual liberties to avoid becoming a stumbling block or, in other words, a negative influence in someone else’s life. Scripture warns strongly against those who would cause a weaker or younger believer to stumble and fall away from God's grace. Our Christian liberties come with serious responsibilities and consequences if we live carelessly. Worship and study with us as we are encouraged and challenged in our exploration.

What if we, as Catholics, have been looking at our faith from the wrong perspective? What if our desire to fit into modern culture has led us away from truly living like Jesus? In today's Gospel (Luke 6:22), Jesus tells us: “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.” Yet, as American Catholics, do we avoid persecution by blending in? Have we forgotten who Jesus truly is?  

The coming of Jesus means "good news of great joy for all people!" (Luke 2:10) Our Christian worldview provides a unique vantage point as we navigate the many challenges of life this side of eternity. In our podcast today, we'll provide what Doug Wilson calls, "Six Stone-Cold Reasons for Confidence and Upbeat Optimism" as we approach this Christmas celebration!  Find out more at https://ron-johnson-discipleship-podca.pinecast.co

One of the best ways to create lasting memories is to adopt family Christmas traditions. Holiday traditions are special and strengthen the bond of family. When family Christmas traditions are adopted and implemented, you can alleviate stress. Instead of being like Mary, become more like Martha and enjoy the time with family. Holiday traditions make shopping easier and create memory-making opportunities for generations to come. “We reveal to ourselves and others what is important to us by the way we celebrate.” ― Noël Piper, Treasuring God in Our Traditions Holiday traditions are lovely, timeless treasures.  Scripture provides many examples of Biblical and familial traditions. Many are in the Old Testament, and our friends in the Jewish community still celebrate them today, for example, Passover.  Our Christian traditions honor Christ: waving palm branches on Palm Sunday, fasting during Lent, lighting the Advent wreath, displaying a nativity, and many more.  Several years ago, I read Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noël Piper. It was a beautiful reminder of incorporating traditions into our daily lives while raising our children. Treasuring God in Our Traditions inspired me to implant traditions more deeply in my children's hearts. We have always had family traditions. It was a priority for me to establish them as our children grew. I wanted specific expressions of love foundational for our children and, someday, their children. I dreamt of hearing them request certain traditions or share their memories with new additions to the family. Some of our traditions have become non-negotiable; they are must-haves, especially during the holiday season, special days, and birthdays.  Our family traditions include meals, special foods, gifts, and attending church services. There is no greater tradition than honoring, praising, and worshiping the Lord with family and friends. What if, especially at, but not limited to, the holiday season, we create new traditions that honor the Lord and set aside time to show our gratitude for him and the blessings He has generously bestowed upon us throughout the year? Not all traditions, however,  must be rooted in faith, but when we are faithful, our traditions will reflect love and our relationship with Christ.  The goal of family Christmas traditions or holiday traditions, in general, is not to create more anxiety and stress. In Luke 10:38-42, we learn the story of Martha, who, alongside her sister Mary, welcomed Jesus into her home. Mary immediately sat at Jesus' feet and listened to him teach. Martha, stricken with anxiety over her to-do list, quickly became upset that Mary was not helping her. When she asked Jesus if he cared that Mary had left her to do all the work, Jesus said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." Read the full show notes for the list of family Christmas traditions.    Sign up to receive the Monthly Bible Verse Intention Email.   Schedule a discovery call with Robyn.    Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noël Piper

Luke 1:39-56; “Elizabeth's Story”  The story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth is often a forgotten story. But what it shows us should not be ignored. It is life-changing, powerful, dynamic and has impact on the way we understand the Bible, the way we perceive and understand God and how he moves in our lives today.  Earlier in the chapter we learned Elizabeth was now about 6 months pregnant with John the Baptist and Mary is just newly pregnant with Jesus. When Mary arrives and greets Elizabeth, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, In this first chapter of Luke the Holy Spirit is mentioned three times. Why is this significant? When we look at the Old Testament - which contains 23,145 verses, the Holy Spirit is only mentioned a total of 3 times. But now in the New Testament in this first chapter of Luke in the first 41 verses, the Holy Spirit is mentioned three times! What this indicates is a profound truth: with the coming of Jesus, EVERYTHING CHANGES! It ushers in the age of the Spirit that will continue until Jesus' return. The three Holy Spirit incidents:         Mary's told by the angel announcing her to be Jesus' mother, that the Holy Spirit will come upon her.          Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit as Mary arrives at her home and greets her.         John in Elizabeth's womb leaps in the power of the Holy Spirit. In points one and two we see they are women receiving the Spirit, this prompts us to look to see if a woman being filled with the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Old Testament and there is not a mention of that.  So let's look at Joel 2:28-29 “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” Here we read God will pour out His Spirit on both men AND women!  In Luke 1 - we see this prophetic word coming true. God is pouring out His Spirit on young (Mary) and old (Elizabeth) and both men and women. God's Spirit in fullness to all! At this point everything changes because God is now dealing with His people in a dynamic NEW WAY by pouring out his Spirit in abundance. Why? Because the Messiah has come - within the womb of Mary! it is in Him that the Spirit comes and we are freed to live in this power. Additionally, we hear in our story that as Mary greets Elizabeth and Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit, the baby (John) inside her womb leaped and was filled with the Spirit. Elizabeth immediately responds: “Blessed are you among women, Mary, blessed is the child (Jesus) you will bear. But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your voice reached my ears, my womb leaped for joy!” The angel foretold this about Elizabeth's baby (John the Baptist) when he announced to Zechariah (Elizabeth's husband) he would have a son: “for he (John) will be great in the sight of God…and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born!"  Luke 1:15 All these pieces coming together! What happens next? Looking  at Joel 2:28-29 we see everything prophesied happening EXCEPT for this line: “your sons and daughters will prophesy” but in the very next verse of our story what happens? Mary prophesies in a beautiful song, The Magnificat. (Luke 1:46-56) In this song of praise to God verses 51-55 are also prophetic. Pastor Dodge, using Hebrew context, goes on to explain and describe how these verses are prophecy. (Our hope is that you will listen to this most interesting and revelatory insight on Mary's song).  Jesus ushered in the age of the Spirit when He came to earth and even while still in Mary's womb this is still true. Just like Mary, Elizabeth and John, we too are told we are filled with the Holy Spirit. It's through the Spirit that we can say, “Jesus is Lord!” (1 Corinthians 12:3 “Therefore I want you to know that… no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”) In this story we see the evidence of God keeping His word. Every promise of God's will be fulfilled. We read Mary stayed three months with Elizabeth and oh the conversations they must have had! Our Christian faith is personal and communal: shared with families, friends, and others. When God's people talk together about faith and what God is doing, we are encouraging each other in our faith and exalting God's Name together! Just as Mary and Elizabeth did 2,000 years ago! Our website –  https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01 St. Luke's Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus' life. This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:Ephesians. 1-4 Click HERE to give! TODAY'S EPISODE: Dear Daily Radio Bible Family, Good day to you all, dear ones! As we gather on this 5th day of December, it marks day 341 in our incredible journey through the Bible. Thank you for joining us again today, or if you're new, welcome to our loving community!

12-1-24 | Our Christian faith is not built on blind hopes and fleeting experiences but on the Solid Ground of Jesus Christ. The next two weeks, we are looking at one of those Christ doctrines that help us keep our firm foundation; the atonement. Today, Pastor Becky Fithen will answer the question, who needs to hear the gospel in your life?

11-24-24 | Our Christian faith is not built on blind hopes and fleeting experiences. Our faith is built on Solid Ground, on the Firm Foundation that is Jesus Christ. We are dedicated to creating strong, faithful servants of God here at Friendship Church.

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Friends of the Rosary, Our Christian community — our family in Christ — extends across time and space. It embraces the departed alongside the living. It's important to highlight that no one is saved alone. We are saved in and through others. For the faithful, physical death is not a barrier or wall of separation, and that's why we look for companionship to the living and those who have completed their earthly course. This month is dedicated to the holy souls in purgatory, our loved ones, and millions of unknown souls preparing to ascend to the glory of heaven to join the Communion of Saints. This week, we add prayers to our elected officials so they will rise to meet their responsibilities. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You! Come, Holy Spirit, come! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • November 8, 2024, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Pastor Joe & Kirsten receive some sad news in today's podcast, and it spurs a discussion about what really matters in life. Then, they talk about the busy weekend at NewLife, and Pastor Joe remarks that God has been bringing one particular people group to his attention a lot lately. Our Christian brothers and sisters in India are being subjected to major persecution, and he calls us to pray for them. In the "It's Getting Strange Out There" segment, Pastor Joe stuns with another Progressive Christian preacher's sermon. Let's pop the hood! Email: underthehood@newlifenwa.com Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

Our Christian walk should not be lived in the past exclusively. However, Scripture is clear that we must remember the works of our God from generation to generation. We must also deliberately instill these realities into future generations. Be prepared to be greatly encouraged as you listen to this week's Maintain the Flame podcast where I share an important message entitled, "The Wonders of the Lord- Pt. 2."

Our Christian walk should not be lived in the past exclusively. However, Scripture is clear that we must remember the works of our God from generation to generation. We must also deliberately instill these realities into future generations. Be prepared to be greatly encouraged as you listen to this week's Maintain the Flame podcast where I share an important message entitled, "The Wonders of the Lord- Pt. 1."

In this episode of Candid, Jonathan welcomes Tyler Van Halteren, a man with a deep-rooted commitment to enriching the lives of children and youth through the power of Christian faith and storytelling. Tyler, a Master's Divinity graduate from the Master's Seminary, has dedicated most of his life to sharing Christ's teachings and the Bible's wisdom through storytelling.From serving as an Associate Pastor at Gorrie Bible Fellowship in his home country of Canada to teaching at Phnom Penh Bible School in Cambodia, Tyler's journey has been one of service and exploration. But the profound impact of 20-minute bedtime stories on his son sparked an innovative idea in him - why not blend the charm of bedtime stories with enduring lessons from the Bible?Taking up this challenge, Tyler founded Lithos Kids in 2020. His venture was no less than a mission to transform the world through biblically faithful and beautifully illustrated children's books. The launch of his first book, Little Pilgrim's Big Journey, on Kickstarter was a resounding success, exceeding its funding goal by 500%. It quickly became a treasured children's book, and Little Pilgrim's Big Journey, Volume 2, and Volume 3 was released shortly after.Now, as a father and an author, he continues his mission from southern Ontario, Canada, where he resides with his growing family. Join us as we dive into this inspiring journey with Tyler, discussing the importance of spiritual mentorship, the creative process behind his illustrated books, and his vision for instilling Christian values in young minds.This is an episode you don't want to miss, especially if you're a parent, an educator, or anyone interested in spiritual growth and innovative approaches to faith-based education. Be sure to tune in!Books by Tyler Van Halteren:Little Pilgrim's Big Journey Volume 1Little Pilgrim's Big Journey, Volume 2Little Pilgrim's Big Journey, Volume 3Kingdom of God Storybook BibleTo ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/CandidFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpodTwitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpodTRANSCRIPT:This transcript recounts Candid Conversations with Jonathan Youssef Episode 252: How 20 Minutes Can Impact Your Child's Spirituality: Tyler Van Halteren (Reprise)JONATHAN: Tyler, thank you so much for taking the time to be on Candid Conversations.[02:28] TYLER: Yeah, thanks, Jonathan. It's a joy to be here.[02:31] JONATHAN: Well, tell us a little bit about your background, upbringing, and then we'll transition into how you got into writing and producing kids' literature. [02:43] TYLER: By God's grace, I came from a Christian home. But one of the most significant moments, and I guess most relevant moments to this interview, was when I was beginning to explore the faith more seriously, not just walking in my parents' shoes but actually considering the weight of eternity, heaven, hell, my own faith, my own walk with God, and in that time I found an old 1975 version of Pilgrim's Progress, paperback, 95 cents, that was given to my dad when he was about that age, about 15, and it just sat on the shelf. So I picked it up, read it, and that's the first memory that I have of understanding the Christian life and wanting to follow Christ. That's the first book I remember reading in that season.So that led, by God's grace, to a hunger for His Word, for sharing His Word, and then through various camps I had a great experience in high school. Our Christian high school was connected to a children's camp. And so I was able to teach there and saw a measure of gifting, a desire to teach, and then went on to Master's Seminary and then to youth pastor Cambodia. In the midst of all that, had some kids along the way and then started brewing some of these book ideas.[04:07] JONATHAN: Tell me ... You just sort of lobbed Cambodia into that history. Tell us a little bit about that. [04:18] TYLER: Yeah, for about 10 years before that, my goal and desire and prayer was to go into missions. And so we set the course for that through seminary, and then even as I joined my church there was a sense of telling them we're going to be here five years and then we want to be sent out to the mission field. So we went. The goal was to teach the Bible at a Bible school there to college students. Had some other cool opportunities, like with some friends had started children's programs, so I'd go to villages and there would be 30 kids that would just show up, 30 or 40 Buddhist kids would just come. And they listened to some English teaching, some Bible teaching, and just really neat.But in the midst of all that, COVID happened and that shut a lot of missions down. But thankfully I was able to finish the Little Pilgrims book during that time. And then also during that time, I started having some significant health issues and that sort of ended up—a variety of numbness and extreme fatigue that kind of landed us back in Canada, but trusting God's providence in all that and encouraged now to see there are some of our books being translated into already in Spanish, but some being considered for the Cambodian language, Khmer language. So there is French, Vietnamese, so encouraged to see how God's continuing that missionary desire through these books.[05:44] JONATHAN: Unbelievable. Okay, so you've shared with us that it was Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress that set you on a particular path. I'm assuming that's the connection to wanting to retell it through a child's perspective. Tell us a little bit about how those pieces came together.[06:08] TYLER: Yeah, it was a neat few things that came together. So I've always had an entrepreneurial bent, always a desire for that. Buying and selling, doing different things. Little businesses on the side. And that gave a skill set that when my son was about three or four I started looking for, oh, is there a good children's version of Pilgrim's Progress? And at the time when I looked around, the only version was a 1985 one, Dangerous Journey. I bought that, opened it, and it was the first time I've opened a book and my son has sort of screamed and cried in terror at the illustrations. The illustrations were so—[06:53] JONATHAN: I have been there. Especially for a three- and four-year-old.[07:00] TYLER: Yes, absolutely terrifying. [07:01] JONATHAN: Here's the Christian faith, my child.[07:05] TYLER: Yeah, I saw that, and I thought, Okay, there's got to be a way to do a better version, especially for younger kids.[07:13] JONATHAN: I will say, I have seen one of the—I think it's more for teenage readers, maybe, and it is very graphic. Apollyon the dragon is very scary and menacing. And you're right, there's a lot—I mean, that's the way Bunyan wrote it, right? I mean, it is dramatic, very. But when you're thinking about little ones, you've got to tone some of that down so they're not actually terrified but wrestling with the core issues. And I feel like your book does that so well.[07:46] TYLER: Yeah, that was a real delight and surprise. I was writing with my son, three or four years old, in mind. And we read it 20, 30 times together in the process of writing it, and that was all super fun as we got new illustrations and as we pieced things together to see his excitement and to see things, Gospel truths click for him in that journey. But I'm coming into this somewhat naïve in a sense. I had no real understanding of the publishing industry and just had this goal. Write this as well as I can, with really great illustrations, for my four-year-old son. And then for whatever reason, the Lord's taken that, and it seems to have hit that target with a lot of families who say similar things, that these truths are connecting in a special way.[08:40] JONATHAN: Well, and let's talk about that. So as a parent, it is hard to find really good—and I know it's out there and I've got a lot of them. But there's not a lot of really great Christian children's books. It's either for an age up, as we just talked about, or it's kind of delves into more of a moralistic, you know, do this, behave this way, obedience—which are true things, but there are so many better, deeper truths that we need to expose our kids to. I think there's a longing of parents—I mean, I hear it from moms all the time, “Hey, if you can think of a kids' book and write it, like go for it.” Because there's a real need for that, especially at those young, really vulnerable ages, age category.[09:44] TYLER: Yeah, and we've seen a growing hunger in people, and through our social media and connecting with different people that there is this real longing for those kind of resources, and that's been an exciting part, too, seeing how much this has resonated with parents, this kind of idea. And there's other publishers that are doing some really great, like probably in the last five years really there's been almost a resurgence of good, solid books, Gospel-centered books. But before that it was pretty dismal, and that was about the time I started writing was when I was looking around and saying, “Okay, how do we get really good Gospel-centered books that hit the core of these issues for kids?”And the fun part of that has been the allegory idea of Bunyan's allegory and seeing how much that's resonated with people.[10:30] JONATHAN: So let's talk about just the impact I mean, it's obviously a tradition within ... it's been around forever, right? Either storytelling with your children before bed, or at a particular time, and just the impact that that has of, one, reading, just reading comprehension, storytelling, kids' abilities to have an imagination and picture things. Have you done any kind of research into that I mean, even in your own life and seeing the way that it relates with your own children?[11:09] TYLER: Yeah, that's one of the cool things, I think, for a lot of families, the question of family discipleship, family devotions, those kind of things come up, and it's challenging in our day and age. Generally, we're pretty busy people and probably more busy than we need to be, so it's hard to set aside a time. And sometimes it's hard to get kids that aren't wiggling during that time, or moving around, or asking, “Okay, when is it over? When is it over?”[11:36] JONATHAN: You need to draw them in, right?[11:38] TYLER: Yeah. So for my personal life it was bedtime. They kids knew, okay, we can read. It became part of the routine. And they are also glad because that time they're winding down and they know they're not going to bed yet, so they're getting a little extension. And so that just became a very simple, practical tool for me. Hey, maybe I can't do X, Y and Z with my kids, but 15 minutes before bed, that's a pretty easy thing to do. And I'm seeing how that impacted my son was a real treat and a joy.I'm thinking of our book, seeing Christian by the cross, his burden falling off, and him saying to  me, “Yeah, God ...” Or “Dad, that's what God does. He removes our burden of sin.” I remember reading David Helms' Big Picture Bible, and him seeing Jesus on the cross and saying, “I want to follow Jesus. I want to be saved from my sin. I want to know Jesus.” [12:42] JONATHAN: That's an iconic scene, isn't it? Bunyan's ... I mean, even people who haven't read the book are at least somewhat familiar with the scene of his burden falling off his back as he stands at the cross. It's such a picturesque scene. You have talked about how he's recognizing some of these things. What are the other things that are coming through the eye of the child as parents and grandparents are probably listening to this and thinking about we're trying to help formulate in our children and what they're getting from those 15 minutes before bed.[13:23] TYLER: Yeah, I think a big one I've seen, and I've heard from a lot of families, is the reality of death and eternity. And I can't think of many kids' books that hit that on the nose.[13:38] JONATHAN: Yeah, it's not coming up with regularity, that's for sure.[13:40] TYLER: Yeah, yeah. So that's not been dodged or snuck in. But reality is ... Yeah, people die. Kids are wrestling with some of these hard truths. They have some of these hard questions and they want answers to them. And so having this, again, the beauty of allegory are these spiritual truths told through images. The River of Death, the idea of someone crossing the River of Death, the sorrow of that and yet the joy of that for believers who enter the king's city, the celestial city.I've heard some very, very sweet stories from people and gotten emails that have brought me to tears where someone's reading this with their child. Their child is going through cancer and facing death, and that River of Death bringing such a comfort both to the child, the parents, siblings. And for us, when we were in Cambodia, my son would bring that up often. Because we'd left family behind and now we're going on this journey, in a sense, and that's all done in light of eternity. So these metaphors of the celestial city and living for the king's kingdom and things like that were all very helpful.And then one other story from Cambodia, which was seeing the surprise in Cambodian parents, and especially dads, that I would read to my kids for 15 minutes before bed. To me, it seemed like an obvious things. To them, it was very foreign, in literally true sense. But they were surprised. “You do that with your kids?”And I said, “Oh, you don't?”[15:20] JONATHAN: Culture shock there.[15:21] TYLER: Yeah, and they said, “No, no. They go to bed when they go to bed, and we're not too involved with that.”I said, “Oh, you should try it.” And some of them... one of the pastors could speak English, and I gave him some copies of the book. And he read it and I remember since we've left he messaged me saying, “We still do that every night. We still read to our daughter before bed. And we've gone through these books these many times and thank you for this.”I just thought that was a neat way the Lord used that.[15:53] JONATHAN: So you started with a Kickstarter fundraiser and you blew through your numbers on that. Tell us a little bit about that.[16:02] TYLER: Yeah, so again this was all kind of a leap of faith and partly the way God's wired me, willing to take a risk in that sense. So let people know this book was coming out and just kind of asked friends and family to share as widely as they could on social media and kind of leading towards this Kickstarter. So we launched, and then I was just absolutely shocked as it was within the first hour we far surpassed our initial goal. And just watching the numbers just sort of fly in was a shock and delight.[16:43] JONATHAN: It looks like you got about 500 percent of your funding. So if you were wondering if that was a need for people, that certainly made its case.[16:56] TYLER: Yes, it was awesome to see. Okay, we put all this work in and got it ready, and then, oh yes, this does resonate with other people. Other people are hungry for this kind of thing. And we've seen that tenfold since then.[17:08] JONATHAN: You've talked about how Bunyan's use of allegory helps bring forth great truths through imagery and picture. Parents are always trying to communicate the Gospel in a way for children at different ages and stages to understand. But sometimes we parents can sometimes if they don't have theological degrees like you and I, they can be overwhelmed—though having a theological degree doesn't necessarily help you in this category. It's not like how to teach children is one of the classes we get.But how do you take complex truths and break them down for children? This is one of the primary ways of doing that. But just for you as a dad of young ones, what are some of the other methodologies that you use for breaking that down for kids, big concepts that come, whether it's through Scripture or spiritual conversation or whatever it is. What other methodology do you use in an effective way?[18:21] TYLER: Yeah, yeah. A lot of at least homeschoolers talk about living books, like this idea of living books being an engaging way to teach ideas. And that's for anything—science, et cetera—to children. And allegories present this idea of a living book, which means truth is coming through in a very natural sort of conversational way. And again, I feel like Bunyan is just the master of that. So what a privilege to follow in his footsteps and to—[18:50] JONATHAN: And a good thing he was in prison, right?[18:53] TYLER: He had a very vivid imagination, and the results of just certain scenes ... And he had such a deep theology and understanding of God's Word. So I love in Part 2, which is less known (his original Part 2) there's a scene where they're walking by the cross with Great-heart, and it just goes into four or five pages on pretty technical like substitutionary atonement. But he does it in a way that's so helpful and clear, and so I loved when I was going through Part 2 to take a piece of that and just simplify it. They just go at the cross and it's a very clear explanation of what it means that the King's Son died in our place. He took our sin. He gave us his righteousness. And then that, combined with different images of Christian's filthy clothes are removed, his burden is removed. So things like that I found super helpful. And then another big piece is that kids, especially in this generation, are visual, becoming increasingly more visual learners, so that's our big slogan, Biblically Faithful, Beautifully Crafted. And the idea is to have these really vivid, beautiful illustrations that draw kids in.[20:19] JONATHAN: But they aren't too graphic.[20:20] TYLER: Yes, yes. That are age appropriate. And then also to have text that's sort of clear, deep but simple and not overwhelming, and to pair that up well. We visited a friend's house, and they had their range of kids from two to seven, and they had all the books out. They said, “We swear we're not just...”[20:44] JONATHAN: Not for you.[20:45] TYLER: “... because you're here.”[20:48] JONATHAN: It's normally like this. Well, you'd find that at our house, too. We've got both book 1 and 2 wide open on some page.[20:55] TYLER: That's awesome. And I will see them, just the kids were flipping through the pictures. Like they couldn't read yet, but—[21:03] JONATHAN: But they can remember the story associated with the picture, yeah.[21:08] TYLER: And they just loved flipping through it and looking. And they stare at all the details. And so I think that's another aspect that I found very helpful is just these vivid images in books.[21:18] JONATHAN: Apart from story time with your kids, are there rhythms or patterns or activities that you try and work in to family time that you've found successful at your home?[21:34] TYLER: Yeah, I wish I could have more to say. The story book has sort of been my big main one. The other was—[21:42] JONATHAN: And your big emphasis for sure.[21:44] TYLER: But the other has been sort of the Deuteronomy type of while you are going, while you are walking by the way to instruct your kids in these things. So where he's just saying, “Write it on your doorstops. Write it on ...” Like everywhere you're going, just have these moments. So where kids are inquisitive, kids ask. It's a crazy amount of questions per day, I think when you actually ... when you've done studies of that, I'm sure.But if you're feeding them these biblical things, then they're going to have questions about biblical things that come up naturally. Which was another little piece. I mean, like maybe my dad [unintelligible] or something. We'd always have at nighttime, it would be like, “Oh, you can watch a show, but it's going to be a Bible show.”I know different families have different rhythms and some don't like shows and some like shows. But first it was an easy switch to just say, “You want to watch Paw Patrol. Instead, let's watch something else.” And a lot of those ended up being moralistic, as we kind of said. But at least it's touching on biblical things.[22:51] JONATHAN: Well, and you're able to elaborate from that and helpfully redirect them towards a cross-centric faith instead of a duty sort of centrism.[23:07] TYLER: Yeah, definitely. And so those have led to a neat where they're just thinking about things and things are resonating. And so my grandma had died last year, and my son said, “Can we call her?” Like after she died. “Can we video call her because I want to see God? Because she's with God.” And so I was like, oh, that's such an interesting ...[23:33] JONATHAN: He's got a deep truth with some confusion.[23:38] TYLER: “She's in the presence of God, why wouldn't she have her cell phone? We used to call her. Now can't we call her now?” So then you just have these neat opportunities when you're just there. There's the input, intentional biblical input, and then they're going to be inquisitive, asking questions through the day as we experience ... “Why does this family do that? Why does my friend have a mom but no dad around?” Or “Why does this cousin not believe in Jesus?” and things like that.[24:12] JONATHAN: Yeah. Having kids keeps you on your toes. And if you're a believing family, then there's a lot of questions that I think even the greatest of us could stumble over and so you really need to be filling your own mind with helpful resources. You need to be in the Word and seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge and faith and bearing that fruit of the Spirit. There's, you know, as we kind of laughed about, I mean, kids ask a ridiculous amount of questions. And there's times where I think sometimes I'm like, “I'm done. Done answering your questions. I don't want to do this anymore.”And that's typical selfish mentality of this is about me and not you. But you know, you kind of flip the script a little bit and start thinking, Okay, this could be a really great opportunity for them. And in all their questions there's usually something underlying all of that. Fear, doubt, whatever it is. Or sometimes it is just curiosity. So it's important, I think, for parents to be as available as humanly possible, and really thinking through those things.And I think sometimes people are afraid. What if I don't know the answer? Then I'm going to fail my child, or whatever it is. And it's like, you know, kids don't think in that category necessarily. I think it's actually quite biblical to say, “You know what? You're asking really good questions. Why don't we look at this together? Why don't we kind of use this as an opportunity to show that mom and dad don't know everything, and they're seeking to grow just like you are?” So tell us a little bit about the Kingdom of God story books. This is another project that you've done. I don't know if it was before or after Little Pilgrim, Big Journey, but tell us a little bit about that.[26:12] TYLER: That was after the Pilgrim book, so that was six or seven months ago those landed. And that was a big project, and an exciting—[26:22] JONATHAN: Yeah, taking Old and New Testament, that's a big undertaking.[26:28] TYLER: That was the most challenging book I've written, obviously, because you want to do honor to God's Word and to be faithful. And initially it was going to be bird's eye overview. So I thought 70 pages and we'll touch on seven different kind of key moments that highlight the kingdom through the Bible. And then as I got into it, I said, Oh, it's still missing ... like there's something ... [26:53] JONATHAN: It's always something.[26:54] TYLER: ... in between these. And so that grew to 140, and then 280, and then all of a sudden it's—[27:01] JONATHAN: It's summer reading.[27:03] TYLER: Yeah, suddenly it's a 600-page fully illustrated 45-chapter thing. And the two big goals were one was to incorporate biblical theology, which was to have these themes that are tied through, woven through from Genesis to Revelation, and so the kingdom is one of those big themes. And there's many others. So that was an exciting challenge. And then seeing prophecies of the King to come in the Old Testament. There's so many of those. So to highlight those in a very vivid and helpful way was an exciting piece of that. And then just to give a clear understanding of God's kingdom. As Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is now in your midst.” He said, “I have come for this purpose: to proclaim the Kingdom of God.” So if that's His understanding, He's saying, “For me to come and fulfill what God has promised is to display myself as the King of God's kingdom,” which He saw as clearly foreshadowed and set up in the Old Testament. So doing that in a kind of full way that knits. The goal was to sort of be seamless between each chapter and between each kind of scene or book. And the summary of it was God's presence, God's people, in God's place, through God's promise. And each chapter kind of has a summary in that way to connect those things.[28:28] JONATHAN: Ah, that's great. Books on the horizon. I think you have a third Pilgrim's Progress book coming out. Little Pilgrim, Big Journey, I should call it. I keep calling it Pilgrim's Progress. [28:38] TYLER: That's okay. Yeah, Part 3, which I'm excited about, it's about the two brothers, Christian's brothers. They saw their sister cross the River of Death and the king said it was not time for them to come yet. And I thought that was kind of a neat way to extend the allegory. Because some kids have viewed it, okay, we're going across this journey and then we get to death and then it's done. And there's this bigger picture of mission and evangelism and service. So kind of a follow-up to that. This idea is the king, instead of calling them to cross the River of Death, calls them to go back to their hometown, back to the cities, to proclaim the Gospel and to proclaim that the kingdom is coming. And so these brothers go and they experience the ideas of the Great Commission, missions, evangelism.[29:29] JONATHAN: Yeah, they've taken the mantle from Evangelist.[29:34] TYLER: Yeah. Yeah, so it's kind of an exciting. As even Evangelist and Great-heart pass, they say, over the River of Death, they say, “You take my sword. You go on.” And so I think that's a neat challenge and call for kids that have professed faith in Christ now to go back to serve, to spread the Gospel to their friends. And so I'm excited about that book.And then there's also. Our tribute to Bunyan was a legacy edition of the Pilgrim's Progress, so just a full, unabridged version more geared towards adults or older kids, teens. And has kind of 150 of the vintage illustrations and it's just a real treat to read.[30:17] JONATHAN: Well, my son will be excited for the third. Because he did ask why are Christiana's brothers stuck on the other side of the river. And so I can give him good news that the third one is coming. This is great. What a helpful conversation. We're going to put links for your website and all your books in our show notes. So those of you who are listening, I do recommend these. These are just fantastic. The illustrations are beautiful, they are age appropriate. The story brings through great truths and you'll have great questions. You do have questions that you ask. My son loves asking questions, and he loves answering questions as well. And so the fact that each chapter has questions that are asked—and they're not just recalling information, but there is some application in there as well, which really kind of speaks ... You know, because kids want to have understanding and then kind of relay that back to you. So I think that's been a great tool that you guys have put together on that.[31:24] TYLER: Yeah, that's been exciting. Initially, again, God has been gracious in this whole process. Because the first book, I was getting ready to print it, and then I just kind of asked on social media, “Would anyone find questions helpful?” And there was just a ton of response, “Yes, yes, please, please.” So I put them in.[31:40] JONATHAN: 500 percent again.[31:41] TYLER: Yeah, yeah. And a lot of parents have told us, yeah, these questions at the end of every chapter is such a help in our discipleship.[31:48] JONATHAN: It's so good. So helpful. Tyler Van Halteren, I am so grateful to have met you now that I've read through your books. And I hope that they continue to be a blessing for generations, just as John Bunyan has been for many centuries. And again, thank you so much for taking the time to come and chat with us on Candid Conversations. [32:09] TYLER: Yeah, thank you. 

People who are emotionally mature believe in themselves. Although as believers we have learned to have faith in God, our belief in ourselves is based on what God says about us. Someone with emotional maturity is not deluded, and does not have a false sense of self; however, they do have optimism in their God-given abilities. This distinction is important because this mindset equips us to deal with whatever life throws at us. We can only succeed by relying on God; the difference between success or failure is therefore determined by whether we trust in Jesus or in our own self-effort. Our Christian lives can be compared to a journey; although we will encounter obstacles and detours from the path, our destination remains unchanged. We can be confident that we have been equipped with everything we need to successfully finish the journey. To support the ministry financially, text "CDMPodcast" to 74483 or visit www.worldchangers.org.