Podcasts about our scripture

Daily Dose of Hope June 16, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 12:38-50   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Mighty God, Holy One...We come to you this morning with humility and gratefulness.  Thank you that your mercies are new every morning.  Thank you that you continue to love and guide us, even though we mess up again and again.  Thank you for your patience and your never-ending care.  Lord, we are so very grateful.  Help us, on this Monday, to start our week with the right attitude.  We belong to you and we are under your authority.  Help us see others the way you see them.  Help us produce fruit in our lives.  Oh, Lord, how we need your help.  Please, Jesus, may we hear your voice today.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and the book of Acts.  Happy Monday!   Our Scripture reading for today is the last half of Matthew 12.  We start with the discussion about the sign of Jonah.  The Pharisees have asked Jesus for a sign to demonstrate that he is the Messiah.  Apparently, all the miracles he has done thus far aren't enough for these guys.  Remember, the Pharisees were even attributing some of his miracles to Satan.  Understandably, this request doesn't go over too well with Jesus.    On the surface, there isn't anything wrong with their request.  There are times in the Old Testament in which people asked God for a sign.  But Jesus can see right through their request.  Nothing he does will make these guys believe in him.  In fact, they are looking for more ammunition to use against Jesus.  There is nothing sincere about the request.  Matthew Henry writes in his commentary, "Christ is always ready to hear and answer holy desires and prayers, yet he will not gratify corrupt lusts and humors."   Jesus does promise the sign of Jonah.  The Jews believed that the Ninevites repented when Jonah preached because they knew it was the God of all who spoke through him.  And they knew this because God kept him from dying in the belly of the big fish.  In the same way, Jesus' resurrection will signify God's vindication of him and affirm the truth of what he says and his divinity.  But Jesus knows that even the resurrection won't be enough to make most of these Jewish leaders believe.  Their hearts are hard.    Now, let's take a look at the text about Jesus' mother and brothers.  I'll be honest, growing up I used to really struggle with this passage. It seemed so harsh! But deeper reflection yields a different perspective.   Can you imagine what it must have been like for Jesus' immediate family? We know that Mary knew that Jesus was special but did she really understand the significance of his life at this point? What must his siblings have thought?   We see in this text that his mother and brothers are wanting to talk to him, interrupting a teaching session. Are they chatting about Sunday dinner or do they want him to stop making such a ruckus around town? Again, we don't have details but it's clear they don't really know him as the Son of God (yet).   Jesus' reaction is a bit off-putting. As a mom, I might have gotten my feelings hurt more than a little bit. But he is making a point. Jesus' family has become much wider than Mary, Joseph, and the boys. There are no bounds to who may be part of it. Anyone who does the will of my Father is my brother and sister and mother.  Jesus is redefining family for those who profess faith in him.  Yes, biological family relationships are important but spiritual family relationships (and this might be hard to hear) are even more important.    Given the strong emphasis on family ties in first century Palestine, Jesus' words here would have been shocking.  But what he is saying is that believers should consider themselves family and care for one another like they are family members.  In the words of Sister Sledge, we are family.   The apostle Paul in his New Testament letters expanded on this idea of believers being a family of faith:  In Galatians 6:10, Paul speaks of our need to care for those in the household of God, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  Family was a big deal at the time.  People lived with extended family.  Who you were related to mattered.  You were under social and moral obligation to care for your extended family.  And Paul is saying who you are related to in Christ is also a big deal.  Those people in your church family, those other believers that worship with you, those other people who profess faith in Jesus --- these are your brothers and sisters as well.  These people are family. In Ephesians 2:19, Paul writes, Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household…  We are members of God's household.  We are members of God's family.  If you have said yes to Jesus as Lord and Savior, then God is your father.  You are a child of God.  And you have many siblings.  We are brothers and sisters.  We are family.  We are no longer strangers.  Think about those people at church, at New Hope.  Some you know and some you don't know.  Some you like and others you might not like.  But we are family and we will spend eternity together. And the early church clearly behaved in the way biological families behaved.  They ate together, they spent time together, they sacrificed and worked together.  Acts 2:44-47, All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.   They behaved like a family.  They loved each other like a family.  They sacrificed together like a family.  There was nothing fakey about this.  Notice it doesn't say they came together on Sunday morning, shook hands, and then went their own way.  No, they did life together.  It was real.  It was genuine.  And guess what?  God added to their numbers. Because people see that and they want that. It's no different today.  We have an epidemic of loneliness.  People are disconnected.  People are struggling.  Even those who aren't struggling are always looking for sincere, genuine places of love and acceptance.  The family of faith is intended to be a place in which you are loved, accepted, cared for, held accountable, belong, where you know people have your back, where you can learn and grow…. It's far from perfect because it involves human beings.  Over the years, the church has too often been exclusive, cliquey, fake, and judgmental.  Sometimes, we have been more dysfunctional family than healthy family.  We have done harm.  I think we need to repent of that.  If we at New Hope have ever been part of putting walls up, then we need to repent of that.  If I have ever been part of mistreating my brother or sister, if you have been part of excluding or hurting your brother and sister, then you need to repent of that.  Period. We are a family.  And families are funny.  Families are not polished and pulled together.  Families love each other, they are loyal to one another, but they sometimes get annoyed with one another.  They sometimes hurt one another (I am thinking of my own three kids – they love each other fiercely and yet, they can really push each other's buttons).  It's no difference with our siblings in Christ.  Family is a place where we do a lot of forgiving, a lot of extending grace, but it's also a place where we know that we belong no matter what.  Strong families are places where when you come together, you can just take a deep breath and say, “I'm home.”  It isn't the building but it's the people.  This is the thing.  When a church family loves like Jesus, people get a glimpse of Jesus.  When we care for one another sacrificially, people see Jesus.  When the family of faith sacrifices for one another, then people get to see Jesus in action.  Lives are transformed.  Hearts are changed.  Our faith grows stronger.  Jesus Christ is glorified. And the Lord added to their numbers those who were being saved.  Think about the relationships you have made within the faith family. Are they strong? Why or why not? What holds you back from creating strong, meaningful connections to your brothers and sisters in Christ?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

This Sunday, we are going to continue our series called Summer of Love. One of the great encouragements in the call to love one another as God has loved us is that the source of our love is the eternal and immutable Triune God. Agape love is extremely challenging. Loving others as Christ has loved us is not something that we can merely “will” into existence. Loving those who have wronged us or neglected us can seem impossible. It is impossible if it's left to us. Here's the good news: Agape love is actually the overflow of our relationship to God. It is Christ in us who loves through us. The impulse in our hearts to love one another is something that flows out of an eternal impulse with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The early church father, Augustine famously said these words: “Wherever there is Love, there is a Trinity. A Lover (God the Father), a Beloved (God the Son) and a Fountain of Love (the Holy Spirit).” We are going to dive into the depths of Triune love this Sunday and discover how and why God's love compels us to love others just as He loved us! Our message is called How The Trinity Fuels Our Love. Our Scripture will be John 17:20-26. Looking forward to worshipping with you. Connect with us online at www.waterbrooke.church

Our Scripture today is Colossians 3:12-16 … Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. (NLT) In several places throughout Scripture, God used the concept of putting on His qualities just like we choose to put on clothing. The practical side of this is, one, we choose to put on what we wear, and two, that is the majority of what people see on us, our clothing. The same can be true of His qualities.What we may choose to quote-unquote wear from our past can still show in the present. People can literally see our hurts, pain, victimization, bitterness, and so on. There comes a point when we have to choose a new wardrobe and let people see the person Christ has forgiven and changed. The past is no longer our present and the future is no longer determined by anything, except the present.Listen to this passage in The Message Bible … So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.  Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives.What have you been wearing that you need to take off and throw away? It's worn out and old and you know it. What once may have been a security blanket is now a funeral shroud.What of Christ's qualities listed in today's passage, do you need to put on and keep on?If you choose peace in your heart, it will surely show in your life.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, today, I choose to put on love, humility, compassion, kindness, strength, and peace. As above, so below.”

“Listening to all words--the silent words of nature, the words of friends and enemies, and the words of scripture--can become an exercise in human yearning and divine response, flowing in and out of one's life like a river current.” ― Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith I returned from sabbatical and jumped right back into worship leadership and preaching with Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Our liturgical focus was closely tied to those powerful Gospel stories. So I haven't had the opportunity to share much from the pulpit about my sabbatical. Our Scripture reading this week is from Galatians. Paul is reflecting on how he came to be a believer in Christ. And he writes about what our faith calls us toward. Sometimes the Apostle Paul's writings can seem like a stark binary of in/out, belief/doubt, etc. More often, life is experienced in between, amidst the reflection and uncertainty. This Sunday, I hope to share with you a few reflections from my experiences on sabbatical. From the Sonoran desert in Arizona, to the cliffside overlooking the ocean in Big Sur, and many other places in between, I experienced God's faithfulness during my sabbatical. I look forward to sharing some of those God moments with you this week!

God isn't looking for flashy…he's looking for faithful. Let's be real for a second—if Jesus walked into Refuel tonight like He walked into Jerusalem in Mark 11, what would He find? Would He find faithful followers or just Wednesday night fans?Would He see someone who posts Bible verses on Sunday but ghosted Him by Friday night? This isn't just history. This is a mirror. Jesus is still walking into temples—but now, the temple is you. He's still flipping tables of fake religion. He's still calling out the proud. But He's also still noticing the nobodies. Still rewarding faithfulness. Still saving lives. Let's dive into Mark 11 and 12 and find out what Jesus is looking for—and how we can be faithful, not flashy, real, not religious, and committed, not just convenient.Our Scripture comes from Mark chapters 11 and 12.For the message notes, click here.

What makes someone “great” today? Most people would say it's about racking up followers, making bank, or getting your name out there. The bigger the platform, the better, right? But Jesus flips that whole idea upside down. As he walks with his disciples toward Jerusalem—toward the cross—he drops one final lesson: True greatness isn't about status. It's about serving. Think of it like when you stare at something bright for too long, and suddenly, you see its outline everywhere. That's what Jesus was doing with his disciples—burning the image of the cross into their minds. And the more we fix our eyes on it, the more we start seeing it everywhere… especially in how we serve God and others. Our Scripture comes from Mark 9:30-10:45.For the message notes, click here.

This week, Jesus enters “dragon” territory and deals with a young man who was possessed by a demon. What we'll learn from this true story is that prayer is often the deciding factor in slaying the dragons we encounter in our own lives.Our Scripture comes from Mark 9:14-29.For the message notes, click here.

This week, Jesus pushes back against the hype machine. The crowds followed Him, the Pharisees debated Him, and even the disciples struggled to see beyond the hype to who He really was. But Jesus isn't just another passing trend. He's not about the hype—He's about truth, transformation, and a relationship with you. And in Mark 8:11-30, He challenges us to move past the surface-level excitement and truly see Him for who He is.Our Scripture comes from Mark 8:11-30.Click here for the message notes.

This week at Refuel, we will look at a group of Jesus followers who were tired, overwhelmed, doubtful, and ended up facing the biggest storm of their lives. Sandwiched in between this story is one of the most incredible miracles ever recorded in the Bible. Throughout this true story, remember this one thing: When storms come, look to Jesus!Our Scripture comes from Mark 6:30-52.For the message notes, click here.

Join us for Refuel tonight as we talk about how Jesus saves us to serve right where we are! Our Scripture comes from Mark 5:1-20.For the message notes, click here.

There's a dominant worldview that says you have to look out for yourself. Numero uno. I did it my way. But the “foolish” way of Christ reveals a different way to live. When we look out for others, we can also trust that others will look out for us. Generosity creates community. Pastor Sarah brings us this message. Our Scripture comes from First Corinthians, verses 18, 26-31. The video referred to is highly worth watching here:

The family that serves together stays together! Although Jesus was rejected by religious leaders...and even his own family...he created a new family that still exists today, and YOU can be a part of it!Our Scripture comes from Mark 3:20-35. Click here for the message notes.

This Sunday we'll talk about where generosity stems from and how we can grow in becoming more generous. Our Scripture this weekend will focus on 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.

This week at Refuel, we'll see that Jesus gets hated on for serving. And, what do we do with haters? We shake ‘em off! As Jesus shook of this first round of haters, he reveals a truth that we all need to take to heart.Our Scripture comes from Mark 2:13-3:6 and Mark 7:1-23. Click here for the message notes.

We celebrate Black History by honoring Nelson Mandella, we thank God for the strides of Black People. Our Scripture is Micah Chapter 4 1-5. Prayer given by Pastor Yolanda Walker. Please visit our show on the Daily Gospel Network Plus on Sundays, the Yolanda and Cornelius Show 6p.m. EST and The Church Doctor Show at 10 EST on Fridays.

Join us for Refuel! Our "Serve" series continues as we hear a true story from the Word of God about friends bringing friends to Jesus.Our Scripture comes from Mark 2:1-12

Join us for the first Refuel of 2025! We're kicking off our new "Serve" series by learning what it means to serve like Jesus.Our Scripture comes from Mark chapter 1.Click here for the message notes.

Pastor Yolanda Walker shares a facebook post, six uncomfortable lessons we all need to learn. Your life will be defined by your ability to handle uncertainty. Our Scripture reading is Micah Chapter 3: 5-8.

With all the crises happening in our time, I believe it is becoming more and more apparent to many in the secular world that a godless worldview is progressively revealing itself as bankrupt. What I mean by that is, I think individuals all over the globe are seeing signs of the world self-destructing all around them, but the world offers no concrete solutions other than the march toward chaos. I think many across the globe are beginning to see that when their hope is built on something here and now, their foundation is shifting sand.So, what does any of this have to do with the Scriptures? Simple: There is no progress without God.Our Scripture focus will be Genesis 11:1-9.

We'll continue in our Advent series this Sunday as we focus on HOPE. Because of Christmas, we have an eternal hope in Christ for our future. Our Scripture reading will focus on Isaiah 11:1-10 this weekend.

Today on Karl and Crew, we continued our theme, "Untangled." We discussed getting untangled from the pain of past hurts. Our Scripture reference was Colossians 3:1-4. Our guest was Lina Abujamra. She is a Bible teacher, podcaster, conference speaker, and author. Her latest book is called Still Standing: Following Jesus Even When It Hurts. Finally, it's national collection week for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child. We talked with Dioany Yosuino, who was a recipient of one of OCC's shoeboxes when she was a young girl. Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 12 million children. If you want to pack a shoebox or help with the collection process, check out samaritanspurse.org/occ. Listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Podcast. Support Karl and Crew: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily Dose of Hope November 18, 2024 Day 2 of Week 34   Scripture:  Isaiah 11-13; Psalm 118; Matthew 27 Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.  Happy Monday!  My prayer for you today is that you know and experience the presence of God in your life, wherever you happen to be. Our Scripture for today begins in the book of Isaiah.  Isaiah 11 begins with the assertion that new life will come forth from an injured stump: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”  It's hard to say what historical reference the “stump” is referring to.  It would make sense that the stump is referring to the exile, during which it seemed like the promise to David about his monarchy might not come to fruition.  There are really a number of times in Judah's history in which it appeared that what was promised had become but a stump.  Whatever the case may be, the Scripture brings up this idea of a new beginning for Judah's monarchy. In this hopeful future, God's spirit will fall upon the ruler, resulting in justice for the poor and a fundamental reordering of creation's priorities. Life emerges from death. Afterall, isn't this the way of our God?  Of course, most of us can't read this Scripture without thinking of Jesus.  We know that he is the one to come who will reorder all priorities and turn everything upside down. He is the one who will fulfill God's promise to David.  Jesus is the one who brings a lasting peace and justice.    Let's briefly touch on Psalm 118.  In its Jewish context, Psalm 118 was probably an entrance liturgy to the Temple, used at the festival of Passover. It proclaimed God's deliverance from Egypt and then from the Exile.  We often read this psalm on Easter.  It's a beautiful picture of God's deliverance for all people.  We can see Jesus foreshadowed in this psalm.    Our New Testament passage is Matthew 27.  We are now into Holy Week.  Today's narrative about Judas' suicide is found only in Matthew. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. I'm not sure what Judas thought would happen when he accepted the bribe. Maybe Jewish independence? Maybe some extra favors? Maybe some sense of satisfaction? But when Judas actually sees that Jesus is arrested and condemned, a man he knew was totally innocent, Judas is filled with remorse. He sees the consequences of his decision.   In his anguish, Judas brings the silver back to the religious leaders. Maybe he was looking for some kind of reassurance or guidance but they gave him none. They were, after all, simply using him to get what they wanted. When Judas realizes this, he appears to be consumed by both remorse and anger and hurls the silver into the temple. It's then that he kills himself. It seems that Judas was overcome with remorse.   If you think about it, remorse produces extreme sorrow and grief. The goal is that remorse will lead to repentance and life change. This happened for Peter. He denied Jesus three times, a very significant betrayal. He must have felt incredible sorrow after what he did but he didn't stay there. He allowed God to move him to repentance.   But Judas, for whatever reason, could not get past the grief. Maybe he was overcome with fear about what his life would be like when people discovered it was him. Maybe he didn't think he would be forgiven or he thought he would lose social position. Whatever it was, he couldn't get past it.   Friends, I don't know what you are dealing with right now, but there is ALWAYS hope. Things can be really, really bad. Life can feel totally dark. But God is light. With God, there is always hope for a better day. For some reason, Judas didn't think so but he was wrong. Jesus would have forgiven him and loved him, just as he did Peter.    Jesus loves you. Jesus will always forgive you. Your life is valuable. If you ever get to the point where the darkness feels all-consuming, reach out immediately. Reach out to me or to a friend. And God is always there, just waiting, ready to listen and comfort. You are never alone.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope November 17, 2024 Day 1 of Week 34   Scripture:  Isaiah 7-10; Psalm 22; Matthew 26 Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.  Our Scripture for today starts in Isaiah.  In chapter 7, we find God protecting Israel, despite their king.  We can tell how the nations around them are trying once again to conquer God's people and God will not allow it.  God so badly wants the king to stand firm in his faith.  God is giving him an opportunity to redeem himself but he does not take it.  And of course, we know how this will end – Israel will cease to be a country in just 65 years.  As the chapters progress, we see that God's patience is wearing thin with his people.  He allowed the people to be saved because he had a bigger plan in place. Our New Testament passage is Matthew 26.  This chapter is the beginning of the passion narrative. These are longer chapters but they are certainly worth reading carefully. In today's chapter, we find Jesus being anointed for burial but certainly not in the typical way. It would have been fairly normal, in first century Jewish society, to anoint a guest with oil when they came to your home for a meal or gathering. It was an act of respect. The host would typically use an inexpensive oil but in this narrative, we find the woman (other Gospels name her as Mary) uses a highly valued perfume. She obviously saw Jesus as a very, very special guest worthy of only the best. Remember, the word messiah means “anointed one” so there is symbolism going on here too. The woman's act of devotion is lost on the disciples. They are rude and indignant. “Why this waste?” they ask. Giving the disciples the benefit of the doubt, we have to remember that they were very poor men. It also gave them a chance to sound pious, “This should have been given to the poor!” But Jesus knew all about the poor; he had been caring for the poorest of the poor throughout his ministry. The disciples weren't telling him anything he didn't already know. But there is something going on here that goes much deeper than the disciples can even fathom. Jesus rebukes the men and says that what she did for him was beautiful; she was preparing him for burial. Of course, this is lost on them too. While it's possible that Mary had some insight into the danger that lie ahead for Jesus, it's clear that the disciples still do not understand what is to come. Mary's act was one of honor and devotion. Rather than being practical, she was extravagant toward her Lord and Savior. How often do we act extravagantly toward Jesus OR are we more likely to simply be practical? Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our theme, "Positioned for Power." Brokenness is the ultimate positioning for God's power. Our Scripture references this morning were John 12:24-25 and Psalm 51:6. We heard some honest stories from listeners about times when God had them take a good hard look at themselves. We hope today's discussion encourages you to ask God to search your heart, teaching you wisdom "in that secret place." Finally, today is the last day to register for the Summit on Opposing Antisemitism on Saturday, November 9. Use promo code SUMMIT20 for an exclusive discount! You can check out all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our theme, "Positioned for Power." Our Scripture reference was 2 Corinthians 5:7. We discussed the fine line between walking by faith and living recklessly, and Karl took us to Alaska to illustrate how taking risks can force us to cling to God with renewed vigor. We also heard stories from listeners about the risk God called them to take and how they saw God working in that. Finally, don't miss the upcoming Summit on Opposing Antisemitism on November 9 at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. For more information and to register for this event, click here. Use promo code SUMMIT20 for an exclusive discount! Listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we discussed how we are ambassadors for Christ. We live in a world that needs to hear some good news, and we want to encourage you to live on mission, walking in humility and dependence on God today as you share the hope of the Gospel. Our Scripture reference was 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. Through Jesus, we have been reconciled to God. Through Jesus, we are new creations! Talk about GOOD NEWS! You can listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we welcomed Pastor, speaker, and evangelist Dr. Crawford Loritts. He and the crew discussed the dangers of being drawn away from our first love and the importance of humility and gratitude in keeping us spiritually accountable. You can watch Dr. Loritts deliver a message on this topic tonight at MBI Founder's Week, the nation's largest and longest-running free Bible conference. Next, we talked about redeeming our time with a resource from Karl's book, The Seven Resolutions. Our Scripture references were Psalm 90:12 and Ephesians 5:15-16. You can catch up on all the highlights from today's show by tuning in to the Karl and Crew Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we asked listeners to answer a question: what is one small change that would position you to have a great year in 2025? Our Scripture reference was 2 Peter 3:17-18. We got a lot of thoughtful responses, and we took some time to pray for the Boom Crew and their goals for this season. Our guest this morning was Author and Radio Host Dr. Charlie Dyer. His program, The Land and the Book, is on over 350 radio stations across the United States. He and the team delved into the complex issues fueling the conflict in the Middle East. For a deeper understanding, we encourage you to explore the insights offered in Dr. Dyer's book, Who Owns the Land? An In-depth Look at the Truth Behind the Middle East Conflict. You can listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Podcast.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we kicked off the week by talking with our guest, Dr. Samuel Naaman, President and co-founder of the South Asian Friendship Center. He is also the vice president of Call of Hope, a ministry reaching Muslims for Christ. Dr. Naaman gave us an update on the recent Lausanne Conference in Korea. Then, we went to your spiritual questions in our "Ask Pastor Karl" segment. A member of the Boom Crew asked, "Can I lose my salvation?" Our Scripture references were 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and 1 John 1:8-10. Click here for a resource that will help you see where you stand with God, and He stands with you. You can check out the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we celebrated Freedom Friday with a discussion on the relief and refreshment that comes with repenting and turning to Jesus. Our Scripture reference was Acts 3:19. Do you remember what it felt like when you began following Jesus? We were blown away by the creative responses we got from listeners. That's why we call you the BOOM CREW! Our guest was Chris Martin, Director of Content for Moody Global Media and Editor of Bible to Life. Bible to Life is a ministry of Moody Publishers that seeks to help people better understand, engage, and love God’s Word when they’re googling for answers. Check out this excellent resource and listen to the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our discussion on spiritual visibility. How can we maintain our focus when we face trial and opposition? Our Scripture references were 2 Corinthians 4:17 and Ephesians 6:10-11. Here, we are reminded to keep our eyes on eternity. Having the Word stored in our hearts will help us remain strong and radiant in our post-Christian culture. We talked with our guest, Jon Gauger, about the importance of Scripture memorization, and he shared some of his favorite Bible memorization tips. Jon has been with Moody Radio for over 30 years. He hosts several nationally syndicated programs and has narrated more than 50 audiobooks. Get Jon's top 5 tips and all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are some Christians more apt to walk with God than others? Today, on Karl and Crew, we discussed spiritual clouds, things that cause us to drift from close proximity to Christ. Our Scripture references were Ephesians 1:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 4:7-16. Consistently immersing yourself in God's Word can help to dispel the spiritual fog and bring clarity and understanding to your life. We dove into a fascinating study from the Center for Bible Engagement about the power of consistent Bible reading. We also featured a great resource with Bible reading plans. Check out all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Freedom Friday on Karl and Crew! Today, we concluded our theme, "Experiencing God." It's incredible how the narratives we create around our pain hold so much weight. We had the pleasure of talking with Susie Larson, a best-selling author, speaker, and the host of Susie Larson Live. She openly shared her current challenges and how she's finding solace in God, embracing His presence even amid her pain. Our Scripture reference was John 12:24-25. May this passage remind us that in times of suffering, we are often strategically positioned for God to do mighty works. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's sermon we further describe our understanding of leadership as a result of God's gracious activity in Christ.  The story of Jacob and Esau's reconciliation is the launching pad for wondering what leadership defined by humble courage might look like. This message is presented by Pastor Jason. Our Scripture comes from the book of Genesis, 32:22 - 33:4

Who wins? Is it faith, hope, or love? Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued discussing how to love like crazy. Our Scripture reference was 1 Corinthians 13:13. Love overrides and never ends. The verse says, "the greatest of these is love". We also talked with special guest, Ron Hutchcraft, who is the founder and chairman of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries and On Eagles Wings. He is also a speaker, author, and radio host. Ron shared his story of love and hope through the unexpected death of his wife, Karen. We shared his book, "Hope When Your Heart is Breaking". Listen to the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the marks of maturity? Today on Karl and Crew, we continued discussing how to love like crazy. Our Scripture reference was 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. One mark of a mature Christ follower is their ability to show love in the face of hostility. Rather than having to always have the last word, sometimes we just have to get out of God's way and let Him work. This morning's guest was award-winning singer, songwriter, TV host, and author Babbie Mason. Her latest book is called, Each One Reach One: Everyday Ways You Can Shine God's Light. Listen to the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we kicked off a new theme for the week called "Love Like Crazy." Our Scripture reference was 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. No matter what our spiritual gifts are, the absence of love renders them utterly meaningless. We discussed the four types of love mentioned in the Bible, and we heard stories from the team and the Boom Crew about times when someone loved them in a way that was genuine and God-exalting. Tune in all week to hear more about how to love like crazy, and hear all the highlights on the Karl and Crew Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you a performance Christian? Today on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, "Shout Freedom." Our Scripture references were Galatians 6:14-16 and John 15. True freedom is found by staying connected to the vine, focusing on Christ and his finished work on the cross. It's not what we do--it's what He did. And on this 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we featured a beautiful reading from the late Mike Kellogg called, "Meet Me in the Stairwell," based on the original poem by Stacey Randall. You can listen to that poem along with all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we continued our topic, "Shout Freedom." Our Scripture reference was Galatians 6:11-15. Religion tries to hide in works, but true freedom is costly. We talked about the ways in which we can keep ourselves free from religious baggage and aligned with the truth of our identity in Christ. We featured a resource to help you with this, which you can find here. Finally, we were prompted to spend some time in prayer for our Boom Crew's wayward kids. Check out all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, we continued this week's theme, "Spread the Word," with a discussion on the use of the internet to further the Gospel and share the love of Jesus. Our Scripture reference was 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. This passage encourages us to preach the Gospel with sincerity and authenticity. Our guest this morning was R. York Moore, President, CEO, and National Evangelist of the Coalition for Christian Outreach. CCO has been equipping the church to reach college students since 1971. York's unique TikTok ministry can be found at york.moore. Listen to the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Karl and Crew as we continue the week with a new theme called "Spread the Word." Today we discussed having natural conversations about the Gospel. Our Scripture reference was Acts 17. Here, Paul gives us a great example of how to evangelize to people in a persuasive, respectful way. Our special guest was Dr. Andy Bannister. He is the Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity and is a highly in-demand speaker, writer, and broadcaster. His latest book is called, How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot. Listen to the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Freedom Friday on Karl and Crew Mornings! Today, we wrapped up our "Back to Basics" week with a discussion on the word salvation. To get a complete picture of salvation, we need to know the true impact that sin has in our lives. Our Scripture reference was Ephesians 2:1-8. This passage does a good job of showing just how much we need salvation. We also talked about salvation with our guest, Dr. David Finkbeiner, Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute and co-author of the book, 50 Most Important Theological Terms. Listen to the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Karl and Crew, we've been getting back to basics! Today we talked all about sanctification, the process of being set apart or made holy. Our Scripture references were Romans 6:20-23 and Galatians 5:22. How does God sanctify us? One thing's for sure: it's a growing process! We asked the Boom Crew to share about the areas in which they have been growing recently. Then we talked with special guest Dr. Winfred Neely, Vice President and Academic Dean of Moody Theological Seminary. Listen to the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Morning Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, we continued our theme, "Back to Basics," and we talked about justification. Our Scripture references were Romans 3:23-24 and Luke 16:15. We learn in these passages how and to whom we are justified. Spoiler alert: we cannot justify ourselves! Our guest this morning was Dr. Ryan Cook, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at MBI. Ryan is also a key writer for Today in the Word, MBI's free devotional. Check out this awesome interview and all the other highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, we continued our discussion on angels and demons, specifically focusing on true repentance as a means to overcome demonic influence. We featured a great resource from the Gospel Coalition called "8 Signs of True Repentance." Our Scripture references were Mark 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, and our guest this morning was Steve Dabbs, a retired senior military chaplain with over 35 years of expertise in pastoral care and leadership. His book is called When Demons Surface: True Stories of Spiritual Warfare and What the Bible Says About Confronting the Darkness. Listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcase. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, we kicked off our theme for the week: "Angels and Demons." What role do demons play in our lives today? And what authority do we have as Christ followers over demonic forces? Our Scripture reference was Ephesians 6:10-12. Paul calls us to put on the armor of God so that we can withstand the enemy's attacks. Our guest was Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church, author, and teacing host of Running to Win. One way to ward of demonic attack is to "Deal swiftly and strongly with sin." We read a passage from 2 Chronicles that illustrates this perfectly. Listen for that passage along with all the hightlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, we celebrated the freedom we have in Christ to let go of self-condemnation. Our Scripture reference was Romans 8:1-4. When we're born again, we can stop running from guilt and shame and rest in the peace that comes with living according to the Spirit. What a burden to be lifted! Today is your last chance to register for Move Chicago, a fun family event hosted by 180 Chicago Church and Moody Radio. Get your tickets here, and listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders in the Church face victories and struggles when trying to equip the saints for the work of ministry. Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, we talked about some of those victories and struggles. Our Scripture reference was Ephesians 4:11-14. Karl gave some heartfelt encouragement to all the pastors listening. Then we talked with Speaker and Author Ronnie Floyd. He is the host of a weekly podcast called "For Leaders." He also has a new devotional book, Day by Day and Night by Night. Finally, this is the last week to register for Move Chicago, a fun family event hosted by 180 Chicago Church and Moody Radio. Get your tickets here, and listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, we kicked off a new week with a discussion on growth. How can we grow individually and collectively in unity, knowledge, and maturity? Our Scripture references were Ephesians 4:11-13 and Psalm 125. Our guest this morning was Mitch Glaser, Jewish believer and the President of Chosen People Ministries. There's a special conference coming in November called Summit on Opposing Antisemitism at MBI. Finally, this is the last week to register for Move Chicago, a fun family event hosted by 180 Chicago Church and Moody Radio, featuring American Ninja Warrior Season 12 Champion, Daniel Gil. Get your tickets here, and listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, we talked about how introspective effort helps us individually and communally. Our Scripture reference was Haggai 2:13-19. The rebuilding of the temple required the people to work together, but first they had to look inward. It's easy to look at what everyone else is doing, but we will be only as strong collectively as we are holy individually. We had a great talk with special guest Dr. Winfred Neely, Vice President and Academic Dean of Moody Theological Seminary, about what God has been doing in his life latelhy. His book, How to Overcome Worry: Experiencing the Peace of God in Every Situation, presents a biblical and practical strategy for anxious thoughts. Listen to all the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.