Podcasts about Paraclete

At the heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the epiclesis, when the priest begs the Holy Spirit to come and transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. The Catechism explains this mysterious reality, and Fr. Mike reiterates that the Mass is not a repetition of Christ's once-and-for-all sacrifice, but a re-presentation and celebration of his eternal sacrifice on the Cross. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1104-1112. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: .IntroductionContrast between the hand-cranked H. L. Hunley and modern nuclear submarinesChristians were never meant to follow Jesus in their own strengthJesus promises “another Paraclete” — another helper like himselfThe Holy Spirit continues the presence, power, comfort, and guidance of JesusMain idea: discipleship is empowered by the Holy SpiritI. Relationship — The Spirit Connects Us to JesusThe Spirit “dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17)The Holy Spirit is the breath of Christian discipleshipJesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18)We experience the presence of Jesus through the Holy SpiritDiscipleship is a living relationship, not mere religionII. Revelation — The Spirit Teaches and RemindsThe Spirit is the “Spirit of Truth”The Holy Spirit:teachesremindsrevealsSpecial role for the apostles:inspiration of the New Testament ScripturesOngoing role for believers today:illumination of Scriptureconviction and guidancediscernment and prophetic encouragementAll revelation must be tested by ScriptureIII. Response — The Spirit Empowers Obedience“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15)Obedience is difficult in human strengthFulfillment of Book of Ezekiel 36:new heartnew spiritempowered obedienceThe Spirit transforms disciples from the inside outChristian obedience flows from Spirit-filled heartsConclusionAre you following Jesus in your own strength?Burnout often reveals self-powered discipleshipChrist offers:nourishment at the Lord's Tableempowerment through the Holy SpiritDiscussion QuestionsHow does the Holy Spirit cultivate a relationship between Jesus and his disciples? Give specific examples.Explain the difference between how the Holy Spirit provided revelation for the Apostles vs. how he does so for disciples today?Give an example of the Holy Spirit teaching, reminding, or revealing in your own life.Do human effort, intentionality, and discipline still have a role in Spirit-empowered discipleship? How do we keep from falling into man-made religion or doing it in our own power?Questions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Randy Forrester ().

23 Jesus answered, and said to him: If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him.Respondit Jesus, et dixit ei : Si quis diligit me, sermonem meum servabit, et Pater meus diliget eum, et ad eum veniemus, et mansionem apud eum faciemus; 24 He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father's who sent me.qui non diligit me, sermones meos non servat. Et sermonem, quem audistis, non est meus : sed ejus qui misit me, Patris. 25 These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you.Haec locutus sum vobis apud vos manens. 26 But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you.Paraclitus autem Spiritus Sanctus, quem mittet Pater in nomine meo, ille vos docebit omnia, et suggeret vobis omnia quaecumque dixero vobis. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.Pacem relinquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis : non quomodo mundus dat, ego do vobis. Non turbetur cor vestrum, neque formidet. 28 You have heard that I said to you: I go away, and I come unto you. If you loved me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I.Audistis quia ego dixi vobis : Vado, et venio ad vos. Si diligeretis me, gauderetis utique, quia vado ad Patrem : quia Pater major me est. 29 And now I have told you before it comes to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe.Et nunc dixi vobis priusquam fiat : ut cum factum fuerit, credatis. 30 I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world cometh, and in me he hath not any thing.Jam non multa loquar vobiscum : venit enim princeps mundi hujus, et in me non habet quidquam. 31 But that the world may know, that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given me commandment, so do I: Arise, let us go hence.Sed ut cognoscat mundus quia diligo Patrem, et sicut mandatum dedit mihi Pater, sic facio. Surgite, eamus hinc.[26] "Teach you all things": Here the Holy Ghost is promised to the apostles and their successors, particularly, in order to teach them all truth, and to preserve them from error.[28] "For the Father is greater than I": It is evident, that Christ our Lord speaks here of himself as he is made man: for as God he is equal to the Father. (See Phil. 2.) Any difficulty of understanding the meaning of these words will vanish, when the relative circumstances of the text here are considered: for Christ being at this time shortly to suffer death, signified to his apostles his human nature by these very words: for as God he could not die. And therefore as he was both God and man, it must follow that according to his humanity he was to die, which the apostles were soon to see and believe, as he expresses, ver. 29. And now I have told you before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe.

 15 If you love me, keep my commandments.Si diligitis me, mandata mea servate : 16 And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever.et ego rogabo Patrem, et alium Paraclitum dabit vobis, ut maneat vobiscum in aeternum, 17 The spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nor knoweth him: but you shall know him; because he shall abide with you, and shall be in you.Spiritum veritatis, quem mundus non potest accipere, quia non videt eum, nec scit eum : vos autem cognoscetis eum, quia apud vos manebit, et in vobis erit. 18 I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.Non relinquam vos orphanos : veniam ad vos. 19 Yet a little while: and the world seeth me no more. But you see me: because I live, and you shall live.Adhuc modicum, et mundus me jam non videt. Vos autem videtis me : quia ego vivo, et vos vivetis. 20 In that day you shall know, that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.In illo die vos cognoscetis quia ego sum in Patre meo, et vos in me, et ego in vobis. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them; he it is that loveth me. And he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father: and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.Qui habet mandata mea, et servat ea : ille est qui diligit me. Qui autem diligit me, diligetur a Patre meo : et ego diligam eum, et manifestabo ei meipsum.[16] "Paraclete": That is, a comforter: or also an advocate; inasmuch as by inspiring prayer, he prays, as it were, in us, and pleads for us.[16] "For ever": Hence it is evident that this Spirit of Truth was not only promised to the persons of the apostles, but also to their successors through all generations.

Inspired by a simple poem seen on a subway door — "I am the wind, you are the chimes" — this meditation explores how the Holy Spirit works in each of us. By choosing a path of docility, prayer, and sacrifice, we allow the Paraclete to turn our individual urban lives into a symphony of divine music. A meditation by Father Philip Moss.

Pulled from the final meditation from In Conversation with God, Volume 2, this reading shares the history of the feast of Pentecost, how the Paraclete continues to sanctify the Church and how to better correspond to His promptings.

Jesus tells the apostles that another Paraclete is coming.

 26 But when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me.Cum autem venerit Paraclitus, quem ego mittam vobis a Patre, Spiritum veritatis, qui a Patre procedit, ille testimonium perhibebit de me; 27 And you shall give testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.et vos testimonium perhibebitis, quia ab initio mecum estis.1 These things have I spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized.Haec locutus sum vobis, ut non scandalizemini. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God.Absque synagogis facient vos : sed venit hora, ut omnis qui interficit vos arbitretur obsequium se praestare Deo. 3 And these things will they do to you; because they have not known the Father, nor me.Et haec facient vobis, quia non noverunt Patrem, neque me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the hour shall come, you may remember that I told you of them.Sed haec locutus sum vobis, ut cum venerit hora eorum, reminiscamini quia ego dixi vobis.[26] "Whom I will send": This proves, against the modern Greeks, that the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Son, as well as from the Father: otherwise he could not be sent by the Son.

Who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He actually do in the life of a believer? In this message, Pastor Darren explores Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit as our “Advocate” or “Paraclete” — the One who guides, comforts, strengthens, convicts, teaches, and walks with us daily. From understanding the Holy Spirit as fully God and deeply personal, to learning what it means to surrender and walk in step with Him, this message calls us beyond simply knowing about God to truly living with Him.

We need to recognize that the Holy Spirit is a gift, and like all gifts, it has to be received. It has to be opened. It has to be unleashed. As Catholics, we have some work to do with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are maybe a tad shy in accepting the Holy Spirit as one of the persons of the Holy Trinity.Read MoreA Blessing for All Who Are MothersBy Fr. Brendan McGuireTo you who have carried life in your body or in your prayers, who have nursed the wounded knee and the wounded heart, may the God who whispers,I will not leave you orphans,whisper it now to you. For you have been His echo on earth, the steady gaze across the room, the patient love that waited to be remembered.To mothers and grandmothers, to godmothers and stepmothers, to those still hoping to hold a child, to those who have buried one, to every woman who has mothered a friend, a stranger, a soul not her own,may the Paraclete walk beside you, called alongside as you have been called alongside us. May you be tenderly held by the One who never leaves, and never has.Amen.© 2026 Fr. Brendan McGuire

According to Gallup, only 21% of workers worldwide are fully engaged — meaning 8 in 10 people are either going through the motions or completely checked out. Quiet quitting isn't just a workplace trend. It's a way of life for a lot of us. And if we're honest, it can creep into our faith too.In this episode of Faith Lift, we explore John 14:15-21 and the remarkable promise Jesus makes to his disciples — and to us: I will not leave you as orphans. The one Jesus sends is the Paraclete — the Spirit who stays, advocates, comforts, and never checks out.This episode asks the question we all need to sit with: where have you been quietly quitting on God? And what would it look like to re-engage — not in your own strength, but connected to the One who never quits on you?Truth. New life. Love. The Spirit who stays has all three — and he's offering them to you today.Christ United Methodist Church — Mountain Top, Pennsylvania Available on Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Holy Spirit is the Advocate, the Paraclete but there are other false Paracletes.

This message by Terry Timm reflects on our deep human longing not to be abandoned, using the Still Face Experiment and the image of spiritual "orphanhood" to name our fears of being alone. Teaching from John 14, Terry shows how Jesus answers that fear by sending the Holy Spirit—the Paraclete, or "true friend"—who comes alongside us, lives in us, and unites us with God in love. Listeners are invited to notice where they live with an orphan spirit, receive the Spirit's presence, and embody that same coming-alongside love for others who feel isolated or afraid.

Short sermon on John 14:15-21

The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer. He guides us, teaches us and empowers us to continue the mission of Christ. Let us seek for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, that we may overflow with God's power, boldness and fruitfulness.

5 But I told you not these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: Whither goest thou?Haec autem vobis ab initio non dixi, quia vobiscum eram. Et nunc vado ad eum qui misit me; et nemo ex vobis interrogat me : Quo vadis? 6 But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart.sed quia haec locutus sum vobis, tristitia implevit cor vestrum. 7 But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go: for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.Sed ego veritatem dico vobis : expedit vobis ut ego vadam : si enim non abiero, Paraclitus non veniet ad vos; si autem abiero, mittam eum ad vos. 8 And when he is come, he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment.Et cum venerit ille, arguet mundum de peccato, et de justitia, et de judicio. 9 Of sin: because they believed not in me.De peccato quidem, quia non crediderunt in me. 10 And of justice: because I go to the Father; and you shall see me no longer.De justitia vero, quia ad Patrem vado, et jam non videbitis me. 11 And of judgment: because the prince of this world is already judged.De judicio autem, quia princeps hujus mundi jam judicatus est. 12 I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now.Adhuc multa habeo vobis dicere, sed non potestis portare modo. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you.Cum autem venerit ille Spiritus veritatis, docebit vos omnem veritatem : non enim loquetur a semetipso, sed quaecumque audiet loquetur, et quae ventura sunt annuntiabit vobis. 14 He shall glorify me; because he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it to you.Ille me clarificabit, quia de meo accipiet, et annuntiabit vobis.[8] "He will convict the world of sin": The Holy Ghost, by his coming brought over many thousands, first, to a sense of their sin in not believing in Christ. Secondly, to a conviction of the justice of Christ, now sitting at the right hand of his Father. And thirdly, to a right apprehension of the judgment prepared for them that choose to follow Satan, who is already judged and condemned.[13] "Teach you all things": Here the Holy Ghost is promised to the apostles and their successors, particularly, in order to teach them all truth, and to preserve them from error.

Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn, and Kate Olivera as they look ahead to the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter— including Philip's evangelization in Samaria, and Jesus' words about the Paraclete in the Gospel of John.This episode is sponsored by the Institute for Liturgical Formation at Christendom College Graduate School of Theology. This summer, consider spending four weeks immersed in reverent liturgy and rigorous academics at the Institute for Liturgical Formation.Learn more at christendom.edu/liturgyAlready read the readings? Skip ahead to 6:10.Reading 1 - Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17Psalm 66: 1-7, 16, 20Reading 2 - 1 Peter 3:15-18Gospel - John 14:15-21 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

In this message, Samuel Goulet unpacks the biblical meaning of “Paraclete” (Paraklētos)—the Holy Spirit as the One who comes alongside as helper, teacher, comforter, and advocate—and shows how Jesus models this role for us. Walking through key passages in John 14–16 and 1 John 2, he invites listeners to trust the Spirit's guidance, correction, and encouragement in everyday life, from overcoming insecurity to receiving conviction without condemnation. The sermon closes with a practical challenge: don't let God's grace “pool up,” but let it flow outward as we comfort, strengthen, restore, and bear burdens for one another in real community.

5 But I told you not these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: Whither goest thou?Haec autem vobis ab initio non dixi, quia vobiscum eram. Et nunc vado ad eum qui misit me; et nemo ex vobis interrogat me : Quo vadis? 6 But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart.sed quia haec locutus sum vobis, tristitia implevit cor vestrum. 7 But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go: for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.Sed ego veritatem dico vobis : expedit vobis ut ego vadam : si enim non abiero, Paraclitus non veniet ad vos; si autem abiero, mittam eum ad vos. 8 And when he is come, he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment.Et cum venerit ille, arguet mundum de peccato, et de justitia, et de judicio. 9 Of sin: because they believed not in me.De peccato quidem, quia non crediderunt in me. 10 And of justice: because I go to the Father; and you shall see me no longer.De justitia vero, quia ad Patrem vado, et jam non videbitis me. 11 And of judgment: because the prince of this world is already judged.De judicio autem, quia princeps hujus mundi jam judicatus est. 12 I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now.Adhuc multa habeo vobis dicere, sed non potestis portare modo. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you.Cum autem venerit ille Spiritus veritatis, docebit vos omnem veritatem : non enim loquetur a semetipso, sed quaecumque audiet loquetur, et quae ventura sunt annuntiabit vobis. 14 He shall glorify me; because he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it to you.Ille me clarificabit, quia de meo accipiet, et annuntiabit vobis.[8] "He will convict the world of sin": The Holy Ghost, by his coming brought over many thousands, first, to a sense of their sin in not believing in Christ. Secondly, to a conviction of the justice of Christ, now sitting at the right hand of his Father. And thirdly, to a right apprehension of the judgment prepared for them that choose to follow Satan, who is already judged and condemned.[13] "Teach you all things": Here the Holy Ghost is promised to the apostles and their successors, particularly, in order to teach them all truth, and to preserve them from error.Our Lord will send from heaven to His Church the Spirit of truth. The Holy Ghost will unite all hearts, will teach them all truth.

“What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ, which is the Church.” The Catechism uncovers how the Holy Spirit truly builds up the whole Church in the name of Jesus. Fr. Mike dives into the incredibly diverse gifts that the Holy Spirit gives up for the building up of the Kingdom—the charisms. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 797-810. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

What does it mean to abide in love when Jesus is leaving? On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Cody Sanders explore the farewell discourse in John 14:15-21, where Jesus promises the Advocate — the Paraclete — and calls his disciples into an active, world-directed form of love. The hosts trace what "keeping the commandments" really means in John's Gospel, connect the Paraclete to Ascension and Pentecost, and consider how the Spirit keeps equipping the church to love.They also dig into Paul's speech at the Areopagus in Acts 17, examining his surprising respect for his audience's spiritual curiosity and what that might mean for preachers today. Plus: the household codes in 1 Peter, a spacious-place connection between Psalm 66 and Psalm 23, and a mention of Mother's Day for preachers navigating that Sunday dynamic.Mentioned in this episode:Support Working PreacherMay 2026 WP Campaign

Here’s a truth most people resist… until life proves it: You need help. On this episode of Like It Matters Radio, Mr. Black reframes what it means to be a helper—and why needing help is not weakness… it’s design. From the story of creation to modern-day life, the message is consistent: God never intended for people to operate alone. He created “ezer kenegdo”—a helper of strength, a corresponding partner—not as an assistant, but as a force that brings what is missing. This episode unpacks the deeper meaning of “helper”: Not subordinate… but essential strength Not optional… but mission-critical Not passive… but active, present, and powerful Mr. Black connects this truth across Scripture and real life: God as our helper—provider, protector, and sustainer The Holy Spirit as Paraclete—guide, counselor, and advocate Relationships as reinforcement—not replacement, but completion From a simple app where strangers help the blind navigate everyday life… to leadership, marriage, community, and faith—this episode makes one thing clear: We all need helpers. Because isolation is not strength. Independence is not the goal. And no one succeeds alone. This is also a challenge: Are you willing to receive help? Are you willing to be help? Are you showing up as someone who strengthens others—or someone who isolates? Like It Matters isn’t just a radio show—it’s a system of support: training, coaching, community, and connection. Because transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in relationship. You were never meant to carry it all. You were built to walk it out—with others. Inspiration. Education. Application. When you live your life like it matters… it does.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr. Mike continues to examine the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit's mission. We explore the joint mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit. When the Son and the Spirit act, they act together. Fr. Mike emphasizes that though the Son and the Spirit are two distinct persons, they are inseparable. We also examine the proper name of the Holy Spirit and the different titles we use for the Holy Spirit. Today's readings from the Catechism are paragraphs 689-693. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Jesus' promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit, referred to as the Comforter or Paraclete, and its significance for believers. He traces the progression of God's relationship with humanity from the fall, through the sending of prophets, to Christ's incarnation, and finally to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Matthias explains how the Holy Spirit enables a deeper, spiritual connection with God beyond physical presence, guiding believers in truth and empowering them to bear spiritual fruit. The teaching further unpacks Jesus' metaphor of the true vine and the role of the Father as the vine dresser, emphasizing the necessity of abiding in Christ for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of obedience to God's commandments as evidence of love and spiritual communion, and the spiritual preparation necessary for understanding and receiving divine truth. This study also addresses the nature of faith, the reality of spiritual warfare, and how Christ's death and resurrection open the way to eternal life and union with God. The message calls believers to trust God's plan, embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and live by the truth amid a world full of deception. #HolySpirit #TrueVine #JesusTeaching #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Americas leadership crisis is deeper than politics. Allen aka the Paraclete breaks down integrity, spiritual evolution, and how real societal change actually happens.

This episode of the Sunday Extra podcast features Pastor Jeremy, Pastor Brian Crop, and Pastor Matt Sturdivant discussing Brian's recent sermon, "The Final Hours Part One," which examines Jesus's final hours of ministry. Brian's central message was that God-honoring love is a verb - something we do rather than just feel. He explored the Greek concept of agape love, which is selfless, willful, and sacrificial, and emphasized how Jesus redefined love as a decision rather than merely an emotion. The discussion delved deeply into the doctrine of the Trinity, with Pastor Matt sharing insights from his seminary paper on the subject. They explained how the Trinity is involved in salvation across past, present, and future - with the Father as the source and planner, the Son as the means and achiever, and the Holy Spirit as the applier of salvation. The Holy Spirit serves as our helper (Paraclete), guiding believers into truth and empowering them for Christian living through His multifaceted ministry, including conviction, regeneration, indwelling, and gifting. A significant portion addressed the relationship between obedience and love for God, drawing from John 14. The pastors clarified the crucial distinction between the means of salvation (grace through faith alone) and the evidence of salvation (visible life change and obedience). They stressed that while we're not saved by works, genuine salvation will produce fruit in the form of good works and transformed behavior, emphasizing that "faith that saves is never alone."

Get the notes!Stop Living a Lie: A Deep Dive into 1 John 2:1-6Are you tired of “surface-level” Christianity that emphasizes spiritual feelings but ignores moral character? In this essential teaching from the Let's Talk Scripture series, we explore the Apostle John's direct challenge to the early church—and to us today.John's message is clear: If you claim to know Jesus Christ but live a lifestyle of habitual, unrepentant sin, you are living a lie.The Heart of the Message: Practical HolinessThis study tackles the dangerous “Gnostic” idea that our spiritual life has nothing to do with our physical actions. John corrects this by providing the ultimate litmus test of salvation:Our Advocate and Propitiation: We learn that when we stumble, we have a “Paraclete”—an Advocate—in Jesus Christ. He is our hilasmós, the one who satisfied and exhausted the righteous wrath of God against sin on our behalf.The Evidence of Knowing Him: Knowing God isn't about secret intellectual knowledge; it is evidenced by keeping His commandments. Obedience is the “strong identification” that you have truly been saved.Walking as He Walked: To “abide” in Christ means our daily walk must reflect His righteousness. Our private lives must match our public worship.Introducing the “Stop Living a Lie!” Study PackageTo help pastors, teachers, and biblical students master this profound passage, we have developed a Complete Publication-Style Study Bundle. This package is meticulously formatted for easy use in Microsoft Word and is designed for a Christian audience seeking deep, theological growth.What's Included in the Digital Bundle:Comprehensive Teacher's Guide (): Detailed pedagogical objectives, Greek word studies (Paraclete, Hilasmós, Teleioō), and instructional strategies.Student Study Guide (): Structured notes, scriptural analysis, and personal application questions to drive the lesson home.Publication-Style Outline: A professional, lettered/numbered outline featuring hyperlinked time markers to the video teaching for quick reference.Formal 10-Question Quiz (): A non-interactive assessment to verify comprehension of key theological concepts.Answer & Explanation Sheet (): A deep-dive answer key that explains the “why” behind every answer using the original Greek context.Master the Word of God TodayWhether you are leading a small group or deepening your personal study, this package provides the tools to move from theory to practical holiness. Ensure your profession of faith matches your daily walk.[Download the Complete 1 John 2:1-6 Study Package Here]

Bob Strader. John's Gospel sermon series. Feb. 22, 2026. Christ Community Church: https://www.cccfamily.org. Watch online: https://www.youtube.com/user/CCCFamilyArlingtonTX

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today! How do you defend yourself when the people you trusted most become the very ones seeking your downfall? Where do you turn when you need more than just a temporary helper, but a true advocate to stand beside you in the courtroom of life? In this devotional on Psalm 54, we walk through David's desperate prayer for defense—a Maskil written after being completely sold out by his own kindred, the Ziphites. We shift our focus from the sting of betrayal to the profound, ancient legal language of God as the "sustainer of our souls." We explore what it means for the Almighty to step into the role of our legal Defender, uncovering the beautiful thread that connects David's protector to Jesus's promise of the Holy Spirit. We move past surface-level comforts to the deeper truth: that God didn't just send an angel to assist you; He sent the Paraclete—another of the exact same kind—to live within you and plead your case before the Father. Join host Jaime Hampton on the Praying Christian Women podcast for a session of spiritual recalibration. If you are feeling accused, overwhelmed by opposition, or simply need a reminder of who is standing at your right hand, this episode offers a powerful shift in perspective. Come ready to embrace your Intercessor, wield the secret weapon of praise, and declare the unshakeable victory of your Advocate before the battle is even over. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

John 14:15-31,15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.Twenty-two years ago I stumbled into the habit of private worship every morning. I would get up early, make some coffee, and spend time reading God's word and praying. It's been the most transformative habit of my life — I've never stopped doing it. But about six years ago, I added a new part to it. The first thing I do now, right before I read the Bible, is I seek the mercy of God and give him thanks. I confess my need to God for his mercy and then I thank God for a specific way he has shown me mercy. And it can be all kinds of things … Sometimes it's Father, thank you for coffee. This is a good cup of coffee! Sometimes it's Father, thank you that I slept okay last night. … Thank you for that meeting yesterday … for that conversation … for that thing I learned in that book … and on and on.If we spend time thinking about it, we have so much to thank God for. But the one thing I have probably mentioned the most, over the last five years, and especially over the last three weeks, is actually a person — it's Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit!I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life.He proceeds from the Father and the Son, And with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. And in our passage today, in John 14, Jesus introduces us to the Holy Spirit. For the sermon I just want to tell you three things that Jesus tells us about him. 1. The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son. We're at verse 15, but recall the context here. It is still Thursday night — the longest Thursday ever — and Jesus is in the middle of his Farewell Discourse. Back at the end of Chapter 13, for the first time, Jesus told his disciples that he's leaving. He is preparing them for a new location within redemptive history — his disciples are about to live in a world where he is physically absent. And this is troubling to them — they are in a troubled-heart situation, and Jesus wants to encourage them. We saw that in Chapter 14. Jesus tells them not to let their hearts be troubled; because his going away is for their good; and he's going to come back for them. Jesus is their way to God; he's God's way to them — and he still has greater works that he's gonna do through them.And that's where we ended last week, in verses 12–14. Jesus introduced two stunning realities about life for believers after his death, resurrection, and ascension. Two Stunning RealitiesThe first of those stunning realities is that those who believe in him — us — will do greater works than he did in his earthly ministry. And we clarified last week that this work is not work that we do ourselves. It's not work in our own strength or isolated from Jesus, but it's work that Jesus is doing through us. The second stunning reality is that Jesus says whatever we ask in his name, he will do it. These are two big claims, and they raise some important questions. Questions like: How exactly will we do greater works?How do we know if we are praying in Jesus's name?Well, the answer to these questions is the Holy Spirit. I couldn't help but talk about the Spirit a little bit last week — Jesus is going to talk a lot about him over the next two chapters — but the first thing we need to know is that the Spirit is sent by Jesus and the Father. The Father and the Son are both ‘in on' the Spirit's coming. Listen to the ways Jesus tells us this …In verse 16, Jesus says the Father will give the Spirit, but it is because the Son asks the Father. In verse 23, speaking of the Spirit's presence in a believer, Jesus says that we, he and the Father, will make our home with him. In verse 26, Jesus says the Father will send the Spirit — but Jesus says it is “in my name.” Later, in 15:16, Jesus says that he will send the Spirit from the Father. So, who sends the Spirit? Where's he from? ‘The Father or the Son?' The answer is Yes.The Holy Spirit has always been active within the Trinity, and at work in creation, but after Jesus's ascension, the Father and Son act together in sending the Spirit on a new mission.Now, why is it important for us to know this? Why does it matter that the Father and Son are together in this?The most obvious reason is that Jesus emphasizes it. Jesus wants us to know this, and I think it's because we need to understand that the Spirit is not some ‘Plan B' in redemptive history. We should not think Jesus introducing the Holy Spirit in this section is some kind of backup option. It's not like things went sideways with the mission of Jesus and now the Spirit is a reinforcement. Not at all. Instead, the sending of the Spirit is according to God's eternal playbook from before the foundation of the world. This is the next step in the Triune God's resolve to bring salvation and magnify his glory. The Spirit is from the Father and the Son.Here's the second thing Jesus tells us about the Spirit.2. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus in our lives. The keyword we need to see here is that word “Helper” in verse 16:“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” The Greek work for “Helper” is the word Paraclete — and it's a title for the Spirit that we only find in John — four times in this Gospel (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). And it's a glorious word, but it doesn't have a direct translation into English. A couple of translations, the English Standard Version (the one I use) translates it as “Helper.” But the King James translates it “Comforter.” Another translation says “Counselor.” Several translations say “Advocate” (NRSV; NEB; NIV). And really, the meaning is a combination of all those words, but the one idea that's clear in all those translations is the idea of presence. The Paraclete comes alongside.Jesus says in verse 16: the Paraclete, the Spirit, will be “with you forever.”He “dwells in you and will be in you” — verse 17.In the same way Jesus was with his disciples, the Spirit will be with his disciples — as the Spirit of Jesus. And Jesus is going to show us this in a powerful way, but first I want to zoom out for a minute and take the whole New Testament into account.New Testament SurveyThe New Testament talks a lot about the Holy Spirit, and two key ways he's referred to…One way is that he's called the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Galatians 3:14). This speaks to the fact that the Spirit is according to God's plan. He's the fulfillment of a promise we see in the Old Testament. The other way to talk about the Spirit is to call him the Spirit of Jesus. In Acts 16:7, Luke says “the Spirit of Jesus” guided their missionary travel. In Romans 8:9, Paul says the “Spirit of Christ” shows that we belong to Christ — the Spirit of Christ is Christ in you. Galatians 4:6 — “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.” Philippians 1:19 — Paul says he is helped by “the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”So, biblically, theologically, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is so closely identified with Jesus himself that it is right to call him the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus himself tells us this first. The Wonderful AnotherLook back at that word “Helper” in verse 16 and notice the word right before it: another. The Father and Son are sending another Helper. So the Spirit is a new helper, but he's of the same kind as a Helper who came before him. So who is that first Helper? It's Jesus. Jesus was one Paraclete, and now the Spirit is another Paraclete.This means the Spirit is not a replacement for Jesus, but he is the continuation of Jesus's work in a new way. But the Son and Spirit are not just united in their mission, they are united in their essence as God. Both are fulfilling the mission of the triune God to be with his people — the Son is God with us; the Spirit is God in us.This is why Jesus can say to his disciples, verse 18: “I will not leave you as orphans” — Jesus says I'm not really leaving you! He's actually magnifying his presence among them. Get this:The Paraclete is first Jesus himself with his people in person, confined to flesh and blood and dirt; and then the Paraclete is the Holy Spirit in his people — he is the promise of the Father, the Spirit of Jesus, who indwells everyone who trusts in Jesus … he speaks, consoles, guides, teaches — just like Jesus did. Ministering RealnessOne way to say it that connects with language we use is to say that the Holy Spirit ministers the realness of Jesus in our lives.That's the way we should understand Paul's experience toward the end of his life. We know that's where Paul was when he wrote his final letter to Timothy. Paul says in Chapter 4 (of 2 Timothy) that the “time of his departure” has come: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (4:7). And then Paul recounts for Timothy the relational brokenness that laid behind him, and he's honest about how lonely he felt when he awaited trial in Rome; he says “no one came to stand by me” (4:16). But then in verse 17 he says: “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.”And he's talking about Jesus there. Jesus stood by Paul and strengthened him. And I've long imagined what that was like. Did Jesus step through the wall of Paul's room and wrap his arm around his shoulder? Sometimes I wish Jesus would do that for me — Just be physically in the room and help me like you did Paul! But is that what he did for Paul?I don't think so. What happened for Paul is that the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of Jesus — was so present and so powerful for him that Paul can say it was like Jesus himself standing by him. The Spirit of Jesus manifested the realness of Jesus for Paul — and I want you to know: we should settle for nothing less in the Christian life. That's the aim of our discipleship. The mission of Cities Church is to make joyful disciples of Jesus who remember his realness in all of life. And when we say that, we're talking about the ministry of the Holy Spirit! Because Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit is his presence in our lives.Third thing Jesus tells us …3. The Holy Spirit empowers our love for Jesus in his world. For this third and final point, we need to come to grips with a repeated theme in this passage. Four different times Jesus tells us there is a connection between loving him and keeping his commandments. It's easy to track, first in verse 15, right away:Verse 15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”Verse 21: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.”Verse 23: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.”Verse 24: “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”And then verse 31 — what Jesus says about our love for him also applies to his love for the Father. Jesus says, verse 31:“I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”This theme is the clearest thing Jesus says. It's straightforward; no way around it. If you love Jesus, you do what he says. Well what does he say? What are his commandments?What Are His Commandments?The answer here, in short, is the whole Bible. It would be a mistake to truncate what Jesus says as being only the red-letter parts of the Gospels. It's much more than that. Instead, the commandments of Jesus, his word, is the whole revelation of who Jesus is, which blooms into the apostolic testimony, also called the New Testament, which is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.What Jesus says is the whole Bible. Which means: to really love Jesus means your life is shaped and guided by Scripture. The single word for this is obedience. Trust and obey, for there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obeyWe used to sing that song when I was kid growing up in church. It's not rocket-science. We all understand that any kind of real love involves more than only sentiment. It can't be just a feeling. And proof that we know this was yesterday — Valentine's Day.Valentines is an old American holiday. It took off in the late 1800s because a woman named Esther Howland had this idea to mass-produce romantic greeting cards. It became a custom that men would send the ladies they were courting a card. Now 150 years later, fellas, if you did it right: you got a card, and chocolates, and flowers, and a dinner reservation — or some combination of that. But we all know that what you cannot do on Valentine's Day is only say “I love you.” Some activity is expected. Love requires demonstration.Love is not less than affection — affections matter — but there's more. There's activity — and the activity that verifies our love for Jesus is obedience to him in this world. Getting Obedience RightAnd listen: the order of that sentence is really important. We are called to obedience to Jesus in this world. It's not obedience to the world for Jesus. Because get this: the world has its own commandments. There's all kinds of commandments the world says people must keep if they're really about love — like I think we're supposed to acknowledge that we're on ‘stolen land' right now and we're supposed to specify our pronouns, and make certain kinds of statements, and check certain boxes. The world has its own commandments — Recently, someone who hates Jesus told me they wanted to talk to me about our optics for Jesus. … And I said, “No thank you.”Jesus does not need us to try to make him look good by doing what the world tells us to do. Jesus calls us to do what he says in a world that will hate us … a world that will revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely (see Matthew 5:11). We're not called to manage that. We're called to obey Jesus, come what may in this world.And obedience like that is hard, with the pressures around us. How do we do it? How do we obey Jesus here?The answer is: The empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.The Spirit Empowers UsThe love we have for Jesus — and our obedience that demonstrates that love — does not come from our own strength, but it comes through the gift of the Spirit in our lives. I think that's part of what Paul is saying in Romans 5:5. You've heard these verses before: … we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.And the question is what does Paul mean when he says “God's love” — is this the love of God for us OR our love for God. Well, I think it's first God's love for us, but it also includes our love for God, which must always come next. Our love for God is essential to our character — that's why we ultimately will not be put to shame — Because our love for God is actually a gift from God himself. Our love for God is from his Spirit who seals us and keeps us. Theologically, we understand the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between the Father and Son. This is mysterious, and we wrestle with what Scripture says here; we'll see what Jesus says in Chapter 17. But the Holy Spirit, who is the personal love that flows between the Father and Son, is poured into our hearts as the love that unites us to Jesus.Our love for Jesus, demonstrated by our obedience, is empowered by the Spirit. Peace Even HereThe good news we should hear is that our love for Jesus, which he commands, is love his Spirit creates. When Jesus tells us to obey him, he is not pointing us to an impossible ladder — but he's ensuring the divine supply we need for all things that pertain to life and godliness. Jesus doesn't tell us ‘make me bricks without straw' — but he says: We are making our home in you … I'm with you forever … even in this world … even in troubled-heart situations. This is the only way we can have peace. Jesus says, verse 27:“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”That is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to us …Sent by the Father and the Son.Serving the realness of Jesus in our lives.Empowering our love for Jesus in this world. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit. Aren't you? Thank you, Jesus, for the Holy Spirit. I want more of him! That's what brings us to the Table. The TableJohn shows us, in this Gospel, and in his letters, that love is demonstrated. Our love for Jesus is demonstrated in obedience, but that always follows God's love for us first. John says that we love because God first loved us, and we see that love definitively at the cross. Paul says that in Romans 5 … “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (NASB).That's the best news in the world. If you're here this morning and you're not a Christian, you become a Christian by believing that. Jesus Christ died to save you, a sinner. Believe him. For those of us who do believe, at this Table we rejoice in Jesus and his gospel. If you trust in Jesus, we invite you to eat and drink with us, and give him thanks.

Grace Community Church at Deerfoot

Grace Community Church at Deerfoot

Some people break every “health rule” and still live long lives—while others do everything “right” and struggle. This episode digs into that uncomfortable gap and what it may reveal about meaning, motivation, and the inner life. If you're tired of surface-level wellness advice, Allen (aka “the Paraclete”) offers a purpose-first lens: joy, curiosity, community, and a compelling reason to wake up can shape how we endure, adapt, and keep moving forward—personally and collectively. About the Guest: Allen, also known as the Paraclete, joins from Miami, Florida. He's the author of The Modern Citizen, inspired by Carl Jung's reflections on the “modern man” and humanity's future. Episode Chapters: 00:06:50 — The core question: why health outcomes feel unfair 00:08:31 — Family patterns of longevity vs. illness 00:09:05 — Purpose as a hidden longevity factor 00:10:00 — The “free soul” uncle: joy, friends, and living untamed 00:13:07 — The teacher aunt: service, creativity, and staying engaged 00:15:16 — Society as an individual: mindset scales up 00:27:02 — Final message: build inner strength when life gets dark Key Takeaways: Identify one “reason to be alive” you'll act on daily (service, art, learning, community). Audit your inner world weekly: pessimism, resentment, meaning, hope—then adjust. Replace rigid “rules” with sustainable joy anchors: humor, friends, curiosity, play. Share what you're learning before it turns into isolation or rumination. Build unity skills: listen, collaborate, and focus on solutions over division. How to Connect With the Guest: Book: The Modern Citizen (Amazon KDP) Email: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6000+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.

What does it mean to be a citizen in today's America? What does it mean to participate in society? In this episode we get into these heavy questions with The Paraclete who has written a book called The Modern Citizen. He's advocating for a new kind of citizenship that is more personal, less dependent, and, at least in his view, more prosperous. I will say that I agree with very little of what he says but it is good for us all to hear different sides.

By Mary Lindow  I am by far not an expert on the subject of plumblines and righteousness, so take what I say in the light of one who at time gropes like a child in the dark, ever reaching for the hand of the ONE to lead me into a safe place filled with His Hope, His Mercy, His Light and Life. WE LIVE IN A CORRUPT WORLD and therefore, have the “effects and affects” of that corruption ever influencing, ever tainting and ever wooing the flesh.  Plumbline: a tool that consists of a small, heavy object attached to a string or rope and that is used especially to see if something (such as a wall) is perfectly vertical or in alignment)   A plumbline is a simple but accurate tool used for determining whether or not something is perfectly vertical or upright. The Lord also used, and uses, a "plumbline," His Word, to determine how upright His people truly are in His sight. How upright they think they are, or how upright they proclaim themselves to be, means nothing to God. "Behold, I WILL set a plumbline in the midst of My people".  -Amos 7:7  A PLUMBLINE SET OUT BY THE HAND OF GOD IS ONE THAT WE CAN ANCHOR OUR HEARTS TO. It will always, always, ALWAYS, direct us to the truth in a matter; even if it requires pain, loss, persecution and perhaps death in areas we feel we may well have rights to.  It will also be a shield, a balm, a comfort and a teacher to those who will yield to the directive positioning of the Master.  “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumbline.” -Isaiah 28:17  LIFE – DISTRESS - AND PERSECUTION  I have found that in my life, distress and persecution do not feel like God's care being poured out on me. My heart is not immediately drawn to thanksgiving and gratefulness for the faithfulness of God on display as I cling to the battered pieces that look like potential “rafts” of hope, only to find out that many of them have gaping holes or slow leaks in them.  Rather, it feels like yet another hurt is being permanently woven into my tattered and war-torn soul. It seems as if another mound of questions are piling up and just waiting for an answer and a true solid REAL anchor of hope.  I CAN REALLY CONNECT TO THE WRITER OF PSALM 42  He said “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” It's at those very times that the words of the Savior are so important. When we are down and in turmoil.  But, how do we connect the dots between what we know is true about God's faithfulness and what our hearts feel? When flipped and flung around by the waves, weary from crying and when no answer seems at hand, what is the answer?  When my circumstances show many foes and tyrants rising up against me and my heart is prone to wander and fear, what hope is there of peace?  When my feelings start controlling my thoughts, how can I rest in God's promises?  AT THIS POINT… I HEAR THE “GASPS” …  …And perhaps shocked comments of a few who are amazed that someone who appears to walk so fervently and intimately with the Lord would have such difficulties!  Well! Guess what? I do struggle, I do hurt, and yes I do doubt when I have been side swiped or “rammed” by skilled cons and those who, although may have the appearance of godliness and offered friendship or fellowship, end up having private and evil agendas behind their well placed and planned schemes. And boy oh boy! Those skilled players know the wicked art of wounding the heart and causing people to reel in pain!  BUT, THERE IS ONE WHO FULLY SEES IT ALL  The main skill in the issue of dealing with life as a spiritual person, is to know how to handle yourself when things not only crush and grind your heart, but what to do with the anguish and toll of their aftermath.  We have to get ourselves into a place where we hear clearly again.  We need have to address ourselves, preach to ourselves, and ask questions about ourselves.  We must say to our soul: "Why are you cast down –Why are you so anxious and lacking in peace?"  We must urge ourselves, and say ‘Hope in God'–instead of remaining in this paralyzed, aching state!”  AND THEN WE MUST TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER We must go on to remind ourselves just “Who “God is, and what God is and what God has done, and what God has promised that he Himself said that He would do.  Having done that we can stand up and sing out strongly, defying the torment of the soul, and resist other people's wicked tongues and arrogance, and refuse to go along with the devil and the whole world, and say: ‘Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”  The hope and promise of the fairness of God's justice when dealing with the hurtful things and presumptions of others gives me the confidence to know that God will never turn away from me in my need. No matter how they seem to prosper in the short term, wicked men and women will ultimately pay for their sins, in this life or the next. Jesus died to meet my greatest hardships and sorrows for me, and I need to preach this to myself every day. His power is greater than my weariness and suffering.  The comforting and instruction that comes from simply running to feed upon His word instead of the toxic poison of the replaying of trauma reminds me that what Jesus has done is strong enough for my soul to rejoice in and to be set into a place where it can rest and regroup, gaining a healthy perspective about what to give out to others and what is simply… …. To be enjoyed by the Lord Himself.  THE NATURAL IMPULSES OF MANKIND ARE SINFUL AND DECEITFUL!  Human willpower alone will never be able to change this.  We need God's help to truly change our hearts.  REMEMBER. You cannot change the heart of anyone else either.  If you try to, you will feel the bite of stinging venom or be laughed out of a room. Only the power of the conviction of the Holy Spirit can permeate and get around the jam-packed hardhearted egos of the self sufficient and bitter.  Jeremiah 17:9 says that the human heart is deceitful in all things and is even beyond cure! We must be cautious and wise in reproving and warning such types of people about their bad behaviors and wicked actions where there seems to be no appearance or hope of change and where there is danger of experiencing great and heart wrecking retaliation and slander.  These types trample the warnings and urging for repentance and humbling of the heart under their feet, and turn again and slash at you, despising the warnings that are “tearfully and fearfully” given, and often hurt the persons who give them, either by words or deeds.  "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy.  Don't throw your pearls to pigs!  They will trample the pearls,  then turn and attack you.”  -Matthew 7:6    "GIVE ME THE FACTS MA'AM JUST THE FACTS”  I remember that phrase from a TV show called “Dragnet”. The detective would not allow the details of the case to be skewed by any assumptions or pontificating from those he interviewed. He stoically and firmly demanded only the facts.  And so, here are the “facts” about the heart of a good man or woman. 1.) The good man or woman: Brings good things out of the good stored up in his/her heart. And the facts about an evil man or woman.  2.) The evil man/woman brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his/her heart. For out of the overflow of his or her heart his or her mouth speaks. Luke 6:45    THE FRAILTY, BRIEFNESS, AND INSECURITY OF LIFE  The frailty, briefness, and insecurity of life should hold down the vanity and presumptuous confidence of all of our projects and boasting about future greatness and bragging rights! We are always to depend on the will and leading of God.  OUR TIMES ARE NOT IN OUR OWN HANDS, BUT ARE INSTEAD IN THE TIMING OF GOD. Our heads may be filled with cares and plans for ourselves, or our families, or our friends; but Divine intervention often throws our plans into bewilderment. All we have in mind, and all we do, should be with a humble and deep dependence on God. It is foolish, and it is hurtful, to boast of trendy “latest happening” things and prospective projects, and it will bring great disappointment and will prove destructive to relationships and meaningful help to others in the end.  “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”  -1 John 2:16 LISTEN KINDLY - BEFORE SPEAKING YOUR THOUGHTS  People don't need a lecture on the meaning of suffering or to have a barrage of scriptures “machine-gunned” at them as a reprimand for sharing their moment of grief or struggle! (Especially when their hearts are breaking, weary of the battle and if they are fatigued.) Job could have done without some of the self-righteous answers that came from his “well-meaning” friends. All of the answers could have even been true, but Job didn't need to hear any of them.  He needed their love, not their value judgments.  In fact, it appears as if God judged THEM for trying to offer simple solutions to things that were beyond their comprehension. They had never walked in the loss he was in anguish over.  WHEN WE SUFFER UNJUSTLY WE HAVE A MAJOR CHOICE TO MAKE How will we respond? We can feel sorry for ourselves (and understandably so, for a while), become bitter and cynical, get drawn into a war of words, or even become mixed up in a major conflict. On the other hand, we can take our suffering to the cross and allow our pain to draw us into a deeper place of understanding of what Jesus went though in his sufferings. This does not remove the pain, but does help us to know what to do with our hurt.  This is the 'fellowship of his sufferings' (Philippians 3:10), one of the gateways to closeness with God and the release of his power in our lives. The weight of heartbreak shared with a loving friend cuts it in half. When the burden is shared with many friends, we can cope with almost anything. We never feel more revitalized than when a friend loves us enough to walk with us in our pain. Not lecture us.  The apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Corinth:  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God". -1 Corinthians 1.3-4  SOMETIMES GOD GETS INVOLVED WITH DIRECT MIRACLES, Giving supernatural strength to those in need. But for the most part, he depends on us, his people, to do his work in the world. We love each other, work for healing, and suffer with those who suffer.  The next time you see a friend who is suffering, Jesus may just invite you to be the warm embrace! We comfort each other with the comfort we have received in Christ. And when we do, we become the Body of Christ and he receives the glory!  THE BIBLE IS CLEAR!  We are to bear one another's burdens.  We are to comfort others as Christ has given comfort to us.  Your hard time becomes my hard time.  We join hands in the journey.  When you succeed, I succeed.  When you suffer, I suffer. But we do it together. We share it together.  And we do it, not so much in our wisdom or our words, but in our availability, our understanding, and through our presence.  THAT'S WHAT FELLOWSHIP IS ALL ABOUT!  But not “bland” fellowship. It is CHRISTIAN fellowship. It is the business of burden bearing. Authentic CHRISTIAN fellowship says that when you need me . . . I'll be there. Support in suffering is at the core of what it means to share life together in Christ. The word for "comfort” is the same root word as the name Jesus used to describe one of the functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Paraclete). “I will be a comforter, one who comes alongside to give help.” And so as God comes alongside you, now you are able to come alongside another. As the Comforter is at work within you, so you also can be of comfort to those around you.  WE ARE CALLED TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS.  To mourn with those who mourn. To be a follower of Jesus means to come alongside people who are hurting and find ways to help them walk even through the valley of the shadow of death. We are called to do this, as the word of God and care of God is shared with the intention of stirring, plowing up hardened hearts, creating a place for repentance and challenging saints to hope again, I know and believe that as we learn again as believers, to care, to truly listen and to hope fully again, that the sweet and heavy weight of HIS Glory will be made known and will manifest in unfettered and uncontrolled waves of worship and spontaneous adoration of the King of Heaven.  HE REALLY DOES KNOW WHAT HE WANTS Let's focus on bowing low and seeking His heart and plans in what matters to Him. Indeed, HE is the Plumbline.  Prayer  God, I ask in Jesus' name, that you comfort, strengthen and encourage all who are hurting deeply right now and are going through so much pain and heartache.  Don't allow them to give up in the heat of the battle.  Let them feel your arms wrapping around them and your love overflowing and filling them up. Lord, I will pray often and I know that you will hear my voice, even when I speak to You in my silent thoughts.  To You, I am crying out and my prayers are now before You.  Father, I give to You my problems, I do not want them.  Father, please restore them to You. I know that you have compassion for your children. Father, show them your ways and teach them your paths. Lead them in your truth and teach them you are the God of our salvation and on you we will wait.  Protect them from the evils of this life and guide them through all of their days. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer Father and for considering and for having compassion on all who hear and read these words, and all who hurt, in this troubled world we live in.  Keep them in the center of Your love.  In Jesus' Name ~ Amen  Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided that complete article, podcast link and website information for Mary Lindow is included.  Thank You Copyright © 2026 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com https://marylindow.podbean.com Your Gracious Support and Donations Are So Very Helpful And Assist Mary In Publishing Her Teaching Podcasts and Audio Messages. THANK YOU! Please go to PAYPAL to donate  or support this blog:  Donate to the tax-deductible ministry name of:  paypal.me/mlindow    (His Beloved Ministries Inc.)  Or  You Can Mail a Check or Cashiers Check to:  His Beloved Ministries INC  PO Box 1253  Eastlake CO 80614  United States    

The Catechism introduces us to the Holy Spirit and describes how the Spirit reveals the Father and the Son to us. It also gives us some background and context regarding the way we describe the Holy Spirit in the Roman Catholic Church compared to the way that the Eastern Orthodox Church describes the Holy Spirit. Fr. Mike breaks it down for us and gives us some hope for a future reconciliation between Eastern and Western Churches. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 243-248. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Why is the Holy Spirit called the "Paraclete?" Today, R.C. Sproul speaks on the Spirit's ministry of bringing strength and encouragement to God's people in their every trial. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ultimately-with-rc-sproul/the-paraclete/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Why is the Holy Spirit called the "Paraclete?" Today, R.C. Sproul speaks on the Spirit's ministry of bringing strength and encouragement to God's people in their every trial. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ultimately-with-rc-sproul/the-paraclete/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Series: Familiar Stranger Title: The Promise of the Paraclete Speaker: Pastor Ken Primeau Date: January 11, 2026 We talk often about God the Father and Jesus the Son, but the Holy Spirit can feel unfamiliar, misunderstood, or even overlooked. He is not an "it," a force, or a feeling. In this six-week series, we will slow down and open Scripture to understand better who the Holy Spirit is, not just what He does. We will explore His presence, His voice, and His work in shaping our lives as followers of Jesus. Together, we will discover how the Spirit leads us with wisdom, strengthens us with courage, and forms us in obedience and love. STAY CONNECTED Website: https://mrne.info/church Mercy Kids: https://mrne.info/kids Mercy Students: https://mrne.info/students Mercy Road Northeast Facebook: https://mrne.info/facebook Mercy Road Northeast Instagram: https://mrne.info/instagram HELPFUL LINKS Connect Card: https://mrne.info/getconnected Prayer: https://mrne.info/prayer Give Online: https://mrne.info/giving Outposts: https://mrne.info/outpost Subscribe to MERCY ROAD CHURCH - NORTHEAST YouTube channel to watch this message again later this week! https://www.youtube.com/@mercyroadnortheast

The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, bringing gifts meant to build, strengthen, and edify the body of Christ.It's so important not to be ignorant of these gifts and miss out on these powerful expressions of God at work.Listen and learn about the gifts of the Spirit.

We talk at length about potential communist gun grab details, and possible ways to combat this. And, is the .270 Winchester really "obsolete"? Or... would the panty-waists just want you to think such fool things? :D  All this and more, we hope you'll tune in. :)

Daily Dose of Hope November 4, 2025   Scripture - John 14:15-31   Prayer: Holy God, We come before you today rejoicing in your powerful name.  Thank you for who you are and all you do.  Thank you for loving us.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts, help us set aside distractions, and truly focus on you right now.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, we want to hear your voice...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, a devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive of the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we finish John 14.   We have just read about how Jesus has washed his disciples' feet, shared a Passover meal with them, and even predicted their denial.  Now, he has moved into this long extended time of teaching.  He wants them to understand what is coming.  Jesus is saying, there are confusing, hard days ahead. In fact, over the next few chapters, he warns them of this several times–things are going to get really tough. Jesus knows that in a few short hours, he will be arrested in the garden, his trial will soon begin, and cross is looming large. He is preparing them for what's to come...He won't be with you them body anymore—but will send the Holy Spirit (he calls the Spirit the Advocate, which comes from the Greek word Paraclete meaning the helper, the one who comes alongside).   Jesus basically says this is what I promise that Spirit will do in your life: The Spirit will constantly be with you and constantly be guiding you, leading you, teaching you, reminding you of all the truths I have taught you. In fact, you can think of the Holy Spirit as a gift.  You can think of the Spirit as my presence with you always.  And if my presence is with you always, then even in the midst of confusion and trouble, you can have peace. It's the Holy Spirit that will allow you to experience a special kind of peace that is only possible connected to Jesus; it's a peace the world absolutely does not offer.  How incredible.    Jesus then tells them he has to go away.  Remember, they really don't understand any of this.  It's going to take time, reflection, and perspective, and the Holy Spirit, for this all to really come together for them.    But it's worth mentioning that 50 days later, in Jerusalem, in another room, the believers are gathered together, hiding and waiting, not really sure what's going to happen...when the Holy Spirit shows up and fills the believers.  This changes absolutely everything.    While we will talk more about Pentecost when we cover Acts 2, I do want to talk a bit about the Holy Spirit today.  What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives?   Assures believers that they belong to God. I can't tell you how many I've counseled that worry that they haven't really been accepted by God. They have asked for forgiveness and said yes to Jesus Christ, been born again, but there is something within themselves that still makes them think they aren't deserving or that God doesn't want them or love them. The Holy Spirit, working within us, has the power to assure each of us that yes, God has accepted us and adopted us as his own.   Romans 8:14-16, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children.   Galatians 4:6, "And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father."   Helps us become more Christ-like, more holy. It is the Holy Spirit's job to produce Christ-like character in you. When we talk about the Holy Spirit changing us from the inside out, this is what we are talking about. This process of changing us to be more like Jesus is called sanctification. You can't reproduce the character of Jesus on your own or by your own strength. New Year's resolutions, willpower, and best intentions are not enough. They will only get us so far. It is the Holy Spirit that has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives.   Philippians 2:13, God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.   When we hear the phrase, "the power of the Holy Spirit," many people think of miracles and intense emotions. But most of the time, the Holy Spirit's power is released in our lives in quiet, unassuming ways that you aren't even aware of or feel. The Holy Spirit convicts us when we have done something wrong, The Holy Spirit often nudges us, sometimes with "a gentle whisper" and other times with a not so gentle whack to the head.   Strengthens Our Faith.  It is through the power of the Holy Spirit within us that our faith grows stronger and stronger, even in the midst of hard circumstances.   Ephesians 3:16-18, I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.   I love this imagery of roots going down deep into God's love to keep us strong. How deep are your roots? Are they shallow?   When we are weak, when we don't know the words to say, the Holy Spirit prays for us on our behalf, kind of holds us up if you will.   Romans 8:26-28, And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.   Do you need deeper roots? Is your faith wavering? Spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to help.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Week 4 | The Sermon on the Mount (1995)In this sermon, Darrell's focus is on this Beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” This beatitude suggests that mourning is a mark of the gospelized. Meeting Jesus forces us to face our sin, reveals the brokenness of the world, and connects us to the heart of God, who also grieves over the pain and suffering. Darrell emphasizes that though this mourning may be painful, it leads to comfort and strength from the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of God's forgiveness, the ultimate triumph of the kingdom, and the joy that is to come.__We also wanted to let you know that we are excited to celebrate a new book release from Darrell. "Awaken Wonder" is a 4-week journey through the Advent season and is born of Darrell's desire to help you encounter Jesus afresh in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.⁠Purchase Awaken Wonder.⁠We also wanted to let you know that we are launching a giveaway of 3 personally signed copies of the book. To enter, all you need to do is be subscribed to our mailing list.Sign up now.__⁠⁠⁠The Bible Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Darrell's Books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give to the Ministry of Darrell Johnson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Darrell's Mailing List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠darrelljohnson.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/darrelljohnson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

At the heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the epiclesis, when the priest begs the Holy Spirit to come and transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. The Catechism explains this mysterious reality, and Fr. Mike reiterates that the Mass is not a repetition of Christ's once-and-for-all sacrifice, but a re-presentation and celebration of his eternal sacrifice on the Cross. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1104-1112. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

“What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ, which is the Church.” The Catechism uncovers how the Holy Spirit truly builds up the whole Church in the name of Jesus. Fr. Mike dives into the incredibly diverse gifts that the Holy Spirit gives up for the building up of the Kingdom—the charisms. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 797-810. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Fr. Mike continues to examine the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit's mission. We explore the joint mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit. When the Son and the Spirit act, they act together. Fr. Mike emphasizes that though the Son and the Spirit are two distinct persons, they are inseparable. We also examine the proper name of the Holy Spirit and the different titles we use for the Holy Spirit. Today's readings from the Catechism are paragraphs 689-693. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.