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Read OnlineAs Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Luke 18:35–39This beautiful story of the healing of this blind man, named Bartimaeus in the Gospel of Luke, sets for us a model of how we must come to Jesus in prayer. Bartimaeus and his encounter with Christ is an icon upon which we must meditate so as to imitate him in his weakness, openness, confidence and perseverance.To begin, this “blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.” We must see this as an ideal image of how to begin our prayer. When we start to pray, we must see our littleness, weakness and extreme poverty in our spiritual life. We come to God with nothing. Unable to see. A beggar. And one who is incapable of meeting our own spiritual needs. This is Bartimaeus, and this must be the way we come to our Lord in prayer. Sometimes we can fall into the illusion that our prayers are so elevated and pious that God must be very impressed. If that's your struggle, then you are more like the Pharisees. This blind man, however, is the ideal to aim for. So when you begin your prayer, come to our Lord as a spiritually poor and needy beggar.In this state of humility, just as it happened in this Gospel story, you can be certain that “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” So as you sit in your humble and needy state, wait and be attentive to Jesus passing by. Wait upon His gentle voice, His quiet inspiration, His calming and unmistakable presence. If you can humble yourself this way and then sense our Lord's divine presence touching you in some way, then further imitate Bartimaeus by calling out interiorly, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The cry from the depths of your heart in prayer must come as a result of Jesus “passing by.” It must be a response to Him coming to you on His own. As Jesus passes by, spiritually speaking, He waits for you to call to Him. He desires that you call to Him. And He desires that you do it with firm confidence and perseverance.Notice that as this blind beggar cried out, there were obstacles put in his way. The people “rebuked him, telling him to be silent.” But even this was a gift, because it enabled Bartimaeus to cry out all the more. So also with us, when obstacles arise in our prayer, such as distractions, temptations, a lack of consolation, or any other challenge to our prayer, we must see these obstacles as hurdles that must be overcome. Doing so will deepen our union with Jesus, turning that apparent obstacle into a source of blessing. Reflect, today, upon these four aspects of a deep prayer life that are presented to us through the witness of this blind beggar. First, ponder your weakness and poverty as you turn to God in prayer. Second, be attentive to the presence of God as He passes by, waiting for you to call to Him. Third, cry out to Him and beg Him to come closer. And fourth, work to overcome every obstacle to prayer and see those obstacles as opportunities to call out to God all the more. My compassionate Lord, I come to You in my weakness and poverty, I come in need of Your divine touch and healing. As You do pass by, I acknowledge Your presence and call to You. Jesus, please do come to me, have pity on me. Help me to overcome every obstacle to Your love and to trust in You always, never wavering from my commitment to You. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Workshop of Fernando Gallego, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
I heard a story about a daughter who wrote her dad about marrying someone she met online: “We met on eHarmony, became friends on Facebook, had long chats on WhatsApp. He proposed on Zoom.” Her dad replied, “I suggest you two get married on X, have fun on Tango, buy your kids on Amazon, and, when you get fed up with this new husband, just sell him on eBay.” There are lots of views today on what marriage is, but the one opinion that should really matter is that of the One who invented marriage—Jesus. Even though Jesus was single and never married, He knew more about marriage than any marriage counselor because marriage was His idea. When the Pharisees asked Him about divorce, Jesus didn't answer their question about how to get out of marriage. Instead, He explained why you should stay in marriage. In one simple but unbelievably strong sentence, Jesus taught that in marriage math, 1 + 1 = 1. In this passage, Jesus outlined the three principles you need to guard what God has established and, in doing so, fulfill His purpose in your life.
Experience the power of Jesus' teachings and miracles at a Pharisaic feast, where divine compassion confronts legalistic traditions.In this episode, we explore the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees during a feast, where Jesus challenges their understanding of the Sabbath and performs a miraculous healing. Witness the unfolding drama as Jesus' acts of compassion and justice clash with the rigid legalism of the religious leaders.Today's Bible verse is Micah 6:8, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Matthew 16:1-4 Both the Pharisees and the Sadducees see Jesus as a THREAT so they devise a plan to TEST Jesus. Matthew 16:5-12 Sometimes we just don't GET it. “The yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees…” There are those who claim to know the SCRIPTURES, yet might lead you astray. There are those who have […]
Lesson 7 - The One Who Is the Good TeacherMark 10:1-45. Baited by Pharisees who wanted to arrest Him, questioned by an eager young man who wanted easy answers, and faced with disciples who wanted to realize their own ambitions — Jesus showed Himself to be an incredible teacher. He fearlessly challenged false assumptions. He revealed the true nature of God's kingdom and set a perfect example for His disciples to follow. But most of all, He told His students the truth. It may have made them uncomfortable — but it also made them what they needed to be.To learn more about Michele or to support this international ministry please visit https://intheword.com
Craig teaches from Matthew 12:22-32 and the question of the unpardonable sin and how we can respond to Jesus in light of how Jesus Himself handled the Pharisees rejection of His deity.
Merlin Miller continues the Gospel of Mark series with this 26th message titled Matters of the Heart and taken from Mark 7:1-13. Jesus is once again opposed by the Pharisees and scribes, this time over the issue of purification. But before Jesus addresses this issue he reveals a far deeper problem: our hearts have problems with authority.
John 10:13 “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.” The hired hand is only concerned about his or her pay and personal safety, not the sheep. He or she cares only about the sheep to the degree that it results in reward, whether money or significance. Just like Jesus is the door and the shepherd, the Pharisees were the thieves and robbers and the hired hands. As we live to love with Jesus, let's continually search our hearts and sanctify ourselves by dying to a desire to get a reward for loving others. As good shepherds, let's lay our lives down willingly and lovingly for the sake of His sheep.
In this episode I am exploring sayings 38 and 39 in the Gospel of Thomas. Both have parallels in the canonical gospels, but not exactly. Once again context – or more exactly lack of context – is an important factor in the interpretation of these sayings of Jesus. I will read the sayings in Thomas for you.Jesus said, "Often you have desired to hear these sayings that I am speaking to you, and you have no one else from whom to hear them. There will be days when you will seek me and you will not find me."Jesus said, "The Pharisees and the scholars have taken the keys of knowledge and have hidden them. They have not entered nor have they allowed those who want to enter to do so. As for you, be as sly as snakes and as simple as doves."View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
Join us as we uncover the deeper rest and ultimate freedom offered by Jesus through the Sabbath, in a story that defies legalism and showcases divine healing.In this episode of our series, we delve into the significance of the Sabbath, exploring its meaning through a powerful story of Jesus healing a woman bound by a demon for eighteen years. Discover how Jesus' teachings and actions on the Sabbath challenge the legalistic views of the Pharisees and emphasize the true rest and freedom found in Him.Today's Bible verse is Deuteronomy 5:12, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus tells another parable of judgment: the Parable of the Wedding Feast. Those first invited refuse to come and eventually even attack and murder the king's servants. The king destroys them and opens the feast to "both bad and good" from the streets. But, curiously, a man without a wedding garment is cast out. Why? Then, the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about taxes, leading to His brilliant reply: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 22:1-22. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
In this episode numbering 25 in the Those We Don't Speak Of series- Pharisees, Oral Law and Talmud Pt. 3 we get deep into the Pharisees and how they and their Rabbinical offspring made up the Oral Torah and wrote the Talmud which is the foundation of modern Judaism. Also in this dive we cver how the mystical occult books like the Zohar, Sefer Yetsira and Bahir are also considered Holy Writ by many rabbis. They created a new faith. One whose holy books can be manipulated into fitting whatever they wish them to be. Come along as we delve deep down the rabbit hole, far beyond the mainstream. Cheers and Blessings.Support My Workhttps://www.patreon.com/theoddmanoutBuy Me A Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/theoddmanoutVenmo Tips - @theoddmanoutCash App Tips - https://cash.app/$theoddmanout T-shirts, Mugs and Stickers The Odd Man Out Merch Store At Bonfire https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-odd-man-out/TeeSpring https://theoddmanout.creator-spring.com/All Links https://linktr.ee/_theoddmanoutOddman Rumble https://rumble.com/user/TheOddManOutSocial Media: _theoddmanout on Twitter, and Instagram Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theoddcastfttheoddmanout
The guys open with the First Lady and Second Lady's support for new legislation, Fostering the Future, helping foster youth gain opportunity and stability — a rare bipartisan bright spot signed by the President today. Then the conversation lifts off with NASA's successful ESCAPADE Mission launch — an inspiring reminder of American ingenuity when it's firing on all cylinders. From there, Dave turns up the heat with a blistering, biblically grounded comparison between the President's rebuke of Democrats before ending the government shutdown and Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees — the infamous "brood of vipers" moment that called out hypocrisy at its core. G.K. shifts gears, asking Dave about the elite skill set of air traffic controllers, comparing it to the precision of brain surgery. Dave explains how the Obama and Biden Administrations dismantled FAA meritocracy — rejecting over 3,000 qualified candidates in favor of DEI quotas — calling it the number one safety issue in aviation today: not equipment, but manpower. The show closes on a high-octane note as G.K. congratulates Cadillac Motors for entering the world of Formula One racing — a symbol of American innovation roaring back onto the global stage. Please be sure to visit www.miningthemedia.com and share with your friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors.
Messianic Apologetics editor John McKee discusses some of the controversies raised by Matthew 23:2-3. What did Yeshua mean by saying that the Pharisees sat in the seat of Moses? Were they to be followed in all theological and religious matters? Or were they to be respected and consulted, but also disregarded when they were in substantial error? This is then followed by a review of important stories and issues from the past day or so, largely witnessed on social media.
In this episode, guest Paul Spangler joins to discuss Matthew 12:38–45 and Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees' hardened hearts. Together they explore how true transformation begins with repentance, humility, and recognizing that Jesus—greater than Jonah or Solomon—is enough.
Our reading begins with a miraculous and undeniable sign: Jesus heals a man who was born blind, and the Pharisees can't believe it. Later, Jesus raises his friend, Lazarus, from the dead in front of large crowd. This is Jesus's seventh messianic sign given before the crucifixion, and this one points forward to his own resurrection and his power over death. As many in people in Bethany had witnessed the corpse of Lazarus first-hand, the miracle caused quite a stir amongst the people, which caused the Jews to hate Jesus even more. It is after this miraculous sign that they resolve to kill both Jesus and Lazarus, in order to snuff out the growing witness of Jesus' power.John 9 - 1:11 . John 10 - 8:34 . John 11 - 14:26 . Psalm 146 - 23:56 . Psalm 147 - 25:25 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Luke 17:20-25 - Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, "The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you." Then He said to His disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there He is,' or 'Look, here He is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day.But first He must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation." Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin Saint Frances, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Terry reads and discusses Bishop Strickland's "In Response to the Remarks of His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre At the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Luke 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, "The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you." Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.” Reflection If you would summarize the work of Jesus you would say, in one sense, he came to establish the kingdom of God. What is it? How do we understand it? Well, it's not something that we can look at as if it's a thing, a place or a particular moment. It is something that's among us, among us. Interesting. It's God's presence with us, that's the kingdom of God. And slowly, methodically, patiently, he reveals more and more of who he is and who we are with him, in him. And it comes in a unique way. It comes in flashes of understanding. We call it moments of a growth in consciousness, an awareness of something that we never saw before. One after another, those flashes of insight continue to move us into the truth of who we are and how God is longing for us to be with him in the kingdom that we will all participate in creating insight after insight. Closing Prayer Father, we ask that you would bless us with the ability not only to know how the Kingdom is working, but to feel our important role in participating in it. It is something we share with all of creation. Bless us with that constant awareness of the movement, the growth, the evolution that we are destined to have as we live on this earth. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,Jesus said in reply,"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."Then he said to his disciples,"The days will come when you will long to seeone of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.There will be those who will say to you,'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.For just as lightning flashesand lights up the sky from one side to the other,so will the Son of Man be in his day.But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."
Who Sits In the Seat of Moses? - Part 1 - Messianic Insider 13 November, 2025 Messianic Apologetics editor John McKee discusses some of the controversies raised by Matthew 23:2-3. What did Yeshua mean by saying that the Pharisees sat in the seat of Moses? Were they to be followed in all theological and religious matters? Or were they to be respected and consulted, but also disregarded when they were in substantial error? This is then followed by a review of important stories and issues from the past day or so, largely witnessed on social media.
Come As You Are Series - The Woman Who Anointed Jesus' FeetLuke 7:47 "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”I usually don't have a scripture verse for these episodes in advance. I usually ask God to give me one right before I write it, or I look in my Encounter Ministry notes, or my prayer group notes. However, yesterday, when I was listening to another podcast, this story from the Bible came to me clear as day. This is not necessarily strange because, as you know, I sometimes get my episode ideas from other podcasts like The Big Life Devotional, Elevation, or Father Mike's podcasts. However, this time the podcast I was listening to was not talking about this story at all. The story just popped into my head, and I felt as if that was definitely the verse I was supposed to use today. I chose Luke 7:47 as the main verse because that was the main point I felt the Holy Spirit emphasized when I got the verse; however, it probably won't make any sense without the context of the whole story. The story is called “Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman,” and it is found in Luke 7:36-50. “When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”Actually, now that I am writing, I see why this came to me while I was listening to the other podcast. The Big Life Devotional Podcast with Pamela Crim was talking about loving other people yesterday. As soon as she said Do we love others, this story came to mind. I think the point the Holy Spirit wanted me to make is about forgiveness. In this verse, Jesus is forgiving this woman of her sins. The reason she was crying and was washing Jesus' feet with her tears and anointing them with perfume is that she knew all of her sins. She didn't come into that house pretending to be anything different. She knew she was full of sin and that she was in the presence of the Lord. She knew she had a lot to repent for, and she knew Jesus could forgive her sins. She wasn't afraid to approach Jesus. She didn't let her sins keep her from coming into the presence of God. She approached him, bowed at his feet, and washed his feet. She humbled herself with the faith that she would be forgiven. Today's verse says, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” The person who owned the house was thinking in his head that Jesus didn't know all of her sins. He was thinking if Jesus were a prophet, he would know her sins, and he would not let her touch Him. What Jesus is saying here is that if she weren't a great sinner, if she didn't really have many sins, she wouldn't have humbled herself, she wouldn't have sat at his feet and washed them with her tears. She loved Jesus so much because she knew how much sin she had and how great a thing it was for Him to forgive it all. She loved Him so much because she had so much sin. What the Holy Spirit was saying to me yesterday was that we should be more loving to others because we have been forgiven so much also. I feel like I am struggling to get you to see what the Holy Spirit was showing me, and yet I am trusting what He wants you to hear; you will hear. What he showed me was that we struggle to forgive others, even when they had done little offenses to us. Sometimes, they haven't done anything to us, and yet we don't love the person because we don't like how they look, how they think, how they believe, or how they talk. We judge others so much, and God is saying, “Why are you judging them when I am not judging you? Why are you acting as if you have done nothing wrong? Why are you judging my creations? I created each person, who are you to judge them? You have been forgiven of so much, I have overlooked so much for you, why can't you do the same? I love you, my children, with an everlasting love and unconditional love, and I am asking you to do the same. I know you don't all look alike, sound alike, dress alike, or believe the same things, and that is ok. I still call you to love one another unconditionally. I know you can't do this on your own, and yet if you only say the word, I can help you. If you strive to love everyone, I will make your efforts fruitful. First, you must make that choice. You must choose to love others, even those you don't agree with. When you wish to judge someone, imagine me up in heaven using those same standards to judge you. Is it worth it? Do you want me to use your standards to judge you? Remember all you have done, remember all your imperfections, and remember that I have forgiven them all, and I ask you to do the same towards others. Spread my love like wildfire. I promise that if you start to lead with love, your whole life will change. You will be friends with people you never expected. You will learn things you never expected. Trust me, my children, and start loving more and judging less.”Well, I did not expect the Holy Spirit to speak directly to us, although I did pray for this episode to be His words, not mine, and I did let Him know I was struggling to get His point across, so thank you, Lord, for your amazing words this morning. I will end with that because He has said it all.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, we can't thank you enough for showing up and speaking to each one of us directly. Help us to ponder your words, Lord. Please help us to see how we can live into those words. Give us the grace to lead with love, let that be our default, Lord!! Help us to stop judging, help us to love first. Lord, we need a lot of help in this area. We ask you to rain down your love, your grace, and your strength on us so we can follow your command to love all. We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to seeing you again soon! Remember, Jesus loves you, and He wants you to share that love with others. I love you all too! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in July 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “As my love is poured out upon each and every one of you, breathe it in, receive it, rest in this moment of love. I am pouring through you so that you can pour it out of you into others.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector—a story that flips expectations upside down. The Pharisee, respected for his devotion and moral life, prays proudly, thanking God that he's not like “that sinner.” Meanwhile, the tax collector, despised by society, humbly stands at a distance and prays, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” And it's the tax collector—not the Pharisee—who goes home right with God. Jesus reminds us that it's not our appearance of righteousness that saves us, but a humble heart that knows its need for mercy. I've learned that lesson myself—thinking I had it all together, only to realize how much I still needed grace. So today, let's stay humble, stop comparing ourselves to others, and keep praying that simple, powerful prayer: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”Shameless plug: here's a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.You can read today's passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A%209-14&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6CYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/
Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier CabriniLuke 17:20-25Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,Jesus said in reply,"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."
Read OnlineAsked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,' or, ‘There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” Luke 17:20–21Why did the Pharisees ask Jesus this question? Why did they want to know when the Kingdom of God would come? To answer this question, we must first look at the full context of the various communications between Jesus and the Pharisees. When we do this and see the many ways that the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus in speech and the times in which our Lord firmly rebuked the Pharisees, it seems clear that the Pharisees did not ask Jesus this question in innocence and openness. Instead, they once again were trying to trap Him. They posed a question by which they gave the appearance of believing Jesus' teachings that the Kingdom of God was coming, but they asked not in faith but in mockery and in an attempt to trip Jesus up in His answer.Jesus' answer is mysterious. It leaves little room for the Pharisees to use Jesus' speech against Him. Perhaps the Pharisees were hoping that Jesus would say that the Kingdom was coming soon, or next month, or within the year. But Jesus' answer leaves them with confusion in the face of this mystery that “the Kingdom of God is among you.”Much of what Jesus says can only be fully understood through faith. He often speaks in veiled language intentionally, because the only way to lift the veil to perceive the meaning of His teachings is to rely upon the inspired gift of faith. Faith is like a key to unlock the secrets of the mysteries of God. Faith becomes a lens through which every parable, every figure of speech, and every mystery taught by our Lord is understood. But without this inspired gift of faith, Jesus' teachings remain mysterious and incomprehensible.When you ponder these words that “the Kingdom of God is among you,” what do you understand? Are you able to use the gift of faith to unlock the meaning of this sacred teaching? Interestingly, reading Jesus' words, spoken in a veiled way, offer us the opportunity to test our own faith. If we read these words and are left in confusion, then this is a clear sign that we need to pray for and be open to the gift of faith. But if we do read Jesus' mysterious teachings and the light of understanding is given to us, then this is a clear reason to rejoice, since this comprehension is only possible through the gift of faith.Reflect, today, upon this sacred teaching of our Lord: “The Kingdom of God is among you.” Meditate on those words and pray for insight and understanding. Jesus' words are true. His Kingdom truly is everywhere, all around us and within us. It is alive and well. Do you see it? Do you perceive it? Do you see your role in building it? Use these questions as a test of your own level of faith and know that God wants to reveal to you these mysteries that are only able to be comprehended by His grace. My mysterious Lord, Your Kingdom is everywhere, all around us and within us. I do believe. Give me the eyes of faith so that I may continually perceive Your hand at work. May I always be attentive to all that You wish to reveal to me and open to the deep meaning of the mysteries You do reveal. Increase my faith, dear Lord, so that I may know You and join in the upbuilding of Your glorious Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You.Jacob Jordaens, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Daily Study Are you living from paycheck to paycheck? No matter how much money you make, is it still not enough? If so, you may be living under the curse: working merely to survive but never having enough. This should not be because Jesus has paid the price to free us from the curse, so that we may live under God's blessing. Genesis 3:17-19 KJV [17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; [18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art , and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 1:28-30 NLT [28] Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground." [29] Then God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. [30] And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground-everything that has life." And that is what happened. Romans 5:12,17-19 NLT [12] When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. [17] For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. [18] Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. [19] Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Matthew 16:6-11 KJV [6] Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. [7] And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. [8] Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? [9] Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? [10] Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? [11] How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Mark 6:7-10 KJV [7] And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; [8] And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: [9] But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. [10] And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. Matthew 6:31-33 NLT [31] "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' [32] These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. [33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Ecclesiastes 10:7 KJV [7] I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. Luke 15:29-31 KJV [29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: [30] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. [31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com
The Pharisees have an agenda which moves them to interrogate Jesus and act with hostility towards Him…am I listening to Jesus or to my own agenda?
In this episode, Jesus will finish the pronouncement of His eight woes upon the scribes and the Pharisees. They have played the hypocrite, and it is time for the world to know. The chapter concludes with the lament of Jesus, over the city of Jerusalem.
Pharisees of the Feed: Tucker Sat at a Table with a Sinner, Oh My! The Professor's Record with David K. Clements 33.6K followers Website- https://rumble.com/v71flck-ep.-13-pharisees-of-the-feed-tucker-sat-at-a-table-with-a-sinner-oh-my.html 1 day ago 6.4K Podcasts In the midst of chaotic news cycle, Professor David Clements cuts through the noise with a weekly video and article sharing his insights. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out our ACU Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/ACUPodcast HELP ACU SPREAD THE WORD! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give ACU a 5 star rating. Apple canceled us and now we are clawing our way back to the top. Don't let the Leftist win. Do it now! Thanks. Also Rate us on any platform you follow us on. It helps a lot. Forward this show to friends. Ways to subscribe to the American Conservative University Podcast Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click here to subscribe via RSS You can also subscribe via Stitcher FM Player Podcast Addict Tune-in Podcasts Pandora Look us up on Amazon Prime …And Many Other Podcast Aggregators and sites ACU on Twitter- https://twitter.com/AmerConU . Warning- Explicit and Violent video content. Please help ACU by submitting your Show ideas. Email us at americanconservativeuniversity@americanconservativeuniversity.com Endorsed Charities -------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Born! Saving babies and Souls. https://preborn.org/ OUR MISSION To glorify Jesus Christ by leading and equipping pregnancy clinics to save more babies and souls. WHAT WE DO Pre-Born! partners with life-affirming pregnancy clinics all across the nation. We are designed to strategically impact the abortion industry through the following initiatives:… -------------------------------------------------------- Help CSI Stamp Out Slavery In Sudan Join us in our effort to free over 350 slaves. Listeners to the Eric Metaxas Show will remember our annual effort to free Christians who have been enslaved for simply acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Savior. As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, join us in giving new life to brothers and sisters in Sudan who have enslaved as a result of their faith. https://csi-usa.org/metaxas https://csi-usa.org/slavery/ Typical Aid for the Enslaved A ration of sorghum, a local nutrient-rich staple food A dairy goat A “Sack of Hope,” a survival kit containing essential items such as tarp for shelter, a cooking pan, a water canister, a mosquito net, a blanket, a handheld sickle, and fishing hooks. Release celebrations include prayer and gathering for a meal, and medical care for those in need. The CSI team provides comfort, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on while they tell their stories and begin their new lives. Thank you for your compassion Giving the Gift of Freedom and Hope to the Enslaved South Sudanese -------------------------------------------------------- Food For the Poor https://foodforthepoor.org/ Help us serve the poorest of the poor Food For The Poor began in 1982 in Jamaica. Today, our interdenominational Christian ministry serves the poor in primarily 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Thanks to our faithful donors, we are able to provide food, housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief, micro-enterprise solutions and much more. We are proud to have fed millions of people and provided more than 15.7 billion dollars in aid. Our faith inspires us to be an organization built on compassion, and motivated by love. Our mission is to bring relief to the poorest of the poor in the countries where we serve. We strive to reflect God's unconditional love. It's a sacrificial love that embraces all people regardless of race or religion. We believe that we can show His love by serving the “least of these” on this earth as Christ challenged us to do in Matthew 25. We pray that by God's grace, and with your support, we can continue to bring relief to the suffering and hope to the hopeless. Report on Food For the Poor by Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/592174510 -------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer from ACU. We try to bring to our students and alumni the World's best Conservative thinkers. All views expressed belong solely to the author and not necessarily to ACU. In all issues and relations, we hope to follow the admonitions of Jesus Christ. While striving to expose, warn and contend with evil, we extend the love of God to all of his children. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In today's episode, Jesus passes through Samaria, a town that most Jews considered to be so loathsome that even setting foot inside the city limits would have been frowned upon. Jesus not only does this, but he breaks custom by asking a Samaritan woman for a drink of water, telling her about the living water that leads to eternal life. Along with his disciples, he stays for two days before continuing onward to Galilee. Later, in Jerusalem, Jesus heals a mand on the Sabbath and refers to God as his Father, and this is where he begins to earn the ire of the Pharisees.John 4 - 1:09 . John 5 - 10:16 . Psalm 145 - 17:56 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Joel 2:23-32 and Psalm 652 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18Luke 18:9-14Phil Aud+Proper 25, Ordinary Timewww.allsoulsknoxville.comAll Souls Substack865-214-6682100 W 5th Ave., KnoxvilleSundays @ 10:30amSupport the show
Your outward appearance doesn’t always reveal your heart’s condition. Today on BOLD STEPS, Mark Jobe unpacks a fascinating encounter between Jesus, a Pharisee, and a prostitute. Grasp the critical difference between religion and relationship, and why Jesus’ presence exposes our real spiritual condition. Find authentic faith on Bold Steps! Bold Step Gift: A JOURNEY TO VICTORIOUS PRAYING: FINDING DISCIPLINE AND DELIGHT IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE by Dr. Bill ThrasherBecome a Bold Partner: https://www.moodyradio.org/donateto/boldstepsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this weekend's broadcast of Words of Grace, Pastor Benjamin Winslett turns to Luke 6 to consider Jesus' encounter with the heavy hand of legalism. In these familiar passages, the Pharisees condemn Christ and His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath and later challenge Him for restoring a man's withered hand on another Sabbath. … Continue reading "Jesus’ Encounter with Legalism"
Hunter presents the Judaizers in a brief return to their conversation about the Pharisees and the importance of right belief informing right practice. --contact@parableministries.comhttps://www.parableministries.comhttps://www.instagram.com/parable_ministries/--Music created by Chad HoffmanArtwork created by Anthony Kuenzi--Jesse Turkington is the executive director of Parable Ministries and has been a Bible teacher since 2014. When Jesse was just finishing high school, he started a little Bible study at his parent's house. Little did he know, this Bible study would change the direction of his life. He fell in love with the richness of the Bible and he wanted to pursue serious study. About 10 years later, Jesse still carries that passion for the Bible and from this passion was born Parable Ministries - a Bible teaching resource.-Hunter grew up in Montana and now serves the Church in Albany Oregon where he works as a youth and young adults pastor. He and his wife Ana stay busy with two kids. Hunter loves studying the Bible and communicating it in a way which encourages further exploration of others. Hunter enjoys listening and making podcasts for others to enjoy.--If you feel led, give to the work of Parable:https://www.parableministries.com/donate
Thank you so much for checking out this week's sermon from The Four56 Church! For service times, community opportunities, sermon video, and more please visit theFour56.org.This week's discussion questions:1. Why do you think the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus in their questions?2. How did Jesus counter the traps of the Pharisees?3. What's the difference between a genuine question and a trap?4. How can we make sure that our questions are gospel centered?
The story of Zacchaeus is an acted out parable, speaking to the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican told one chapter before. Paul White looks at how this parable traps us into "principles" instead of seeing it for what it is. From The Garden Church of the Midlands in Irmo, SC.
Jesus challenges the Pharisees by healing on the Sabbath.Jesus confronts the rigid interpretations of Sabbath laws by healing a man in need, demonstrating that compassion and human need are more important than strict adherence to rules. This episode showcases the revolutionary nature of Jesus' ministry and his call to prioritize love and mercy.Today's Bible verse is Mark 2:27, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." (NIV) 5 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES AND LOVING FATHER CHURCHES 1A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES ARE CONSUMED WITH THEMSELVES Luke 15:29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I'VE been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave ME even a young goat so I could celebrate with MY friends. (NIV) 1B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES ARE CONSUMED WITH WHO’S MISSING 2A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES ARE COUNTING RIGHTS AND WRONGS Luke 15:29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. (NIV) Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ (NIV) 2B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES ARE COUNTING SOULS Luke 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” (NIV) 3A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES FOCUS ON RULES Luke 15:30 But when THIS SON OF YOURS who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ (NIV) 3B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES FOCUS ON RELATONSHIP Luke 15:27 ‘Your BROTHER has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ (NIV) Luke 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother OF YOURS was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” (NIV) Luke 15:24 For this son OF MINE was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (NIV) 4A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES RESENT GRACE Luke 15:28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. (NIV) 4B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES REJOICE IN GRACE Luke 15:32 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” (NIV) Ephesians 2:8–9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV) 5A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES STAND OUTSIDE THE PARTY Luke 15:28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. (NIV) 5B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES PLEAD WITH OLDER BROTHERS TO JOIN THE PARTY Luke 15:28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and PLEADED with him. (NIV)
River of Life is an inter-denominational, interracial, Spirit-filled church located in the heart of Wakulla County, Florida. We share the sermons from our services in the hopes they'll reach others determined to worship God in spirit and truth.
River of Life is an inter-denominational, interracial, Spirit-filled church located in the heart of Wakulla County, Florida. We share the sermons from our services in the hopes they'll reach others determined to worship God in spirit and truth.
A Walk in The Word : A Journey through the Sunday Mass Readings with Hector Molina
Join Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina as he explores the Mass Readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C).Mass Readings:Sirach 35;12-14, 16-18Psalm 34Luke 18;9-14"A Walk in The Word" podcast is a weekly bible study and reflection on the Sunday Mass readings led by International Catholic evangelist and bible teacher, Hector Molina.PODCAST HOMEPAGE: https://awalkintheword.buzzsprout.comYOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/c/hectormolinacatholicevangelistSupport: Are you enjoying these videos? Become a Patron and partner with me in spreading the Good News! www.patreon.com/hectormolina/You can also show your support for the podcast by visiting: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hectormolina#thirtieththsundayinordinarytime #30thsundayinordinarytime #parableofthephariseeandthetaxcollector #thephariseeandthepublican #pharisee #publican #sundaymassreadings #catholiclectionary #catholic #sundaygospel #sundaygospelreflection #catholicbiblestudy #awalkintheword#catholicpodcast #bibleinayear #wordonfire #sundayhomily #hectormolina
In this eye-opening message from the Red Flags series, pastor Roscoe tackles a struggle that hits closer to home than most of us like to admit—arrogance. Using the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18, he shows how pride doesn't always look like bragging or showing off. Sometimes it hides in subtle ways—feeling entitled, relying on ourselves instead of God, or thinking our “good deeds” make us better than others.This sermon reminds us that following Jesus isn't about perfection—it's about humility. God lifts up the humble and brings down the proud, and there's freedom waiting when we let go of trying to earn His approval. Whether you've been in church for years or are just figuring out faith, this message will challenge and encourage you to trade pride for grace and discover the peace that comes from trusting Jesus completely.
Jesus calls his followers to a higher standard of righteousness that exceeds even the Pharisees, but this isn't about trying harder or following more rules. When Jesus said he came to fulfill the law, he meant he completed everything it pointed toward through his life, death, and resurrection. Our righteousness doesn't come from keeping rules but from Christ himself as a gift received through faith. This higher standard focuses on heart transformation rather than external performance. The key to living this way isn't human effort but walking in the Spirit, who produces godly character from within. True discipleship means wholehearted commitment to Jesus rather than seeking the bare minimum while trying to get as close to sin as possible.
Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Luke 16:9-15 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.” Reflection When you continue to listen to Jesus' conversation with the Pharisees, you get a really clear idea of what is the poison of a thing called hypocrisy. To give yourself an image that allows you to believe the image, when other people respond to it positively, is the great addiction of those who were caught in this illusion of who they really are. So, father, we ask that you would please open our hearts to who we really are. Help us to see our motives. Pay attention to the little things we do, because that will be a good indication you're teaching us, so that we will look at the bigger picture, how we are handling you and your message in our life. Closing Prayer Father, help us to pay attention to who we are, how we're dealing with ourselves and others. We don't often see the things that are somehow part of the routine, the way we deal with things. And we may be making terrible mistakes when it comes to the bigger issues. Bless us with that awareness. It's a gift to be conscious and to know and to see and to be able to change. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Crawford Loritts provides another one of Jesus Christ’s illustrations to His followers indicating how the Scribes and Pharisees portray a false righteousness through their use of oaths and how they wrongly use God’s name. In Part 1 of “Is Your Word Enough?”, Crawford reminds us that our word should be true and trustworthy.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/livingalegacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus said to his disciples:“I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.The person who is trustworthy in very small mattersis also trustworthy in great ones;and the person who is dishonest in very small mattersis also dishonest in great ones.If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,who will trust you with true wealth?If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,who will give you what is yours?No servant can serve two masters.He will either hate one and love the other,or be devoted to one and despise the other.You cannot serve God and mammon.”The Pharisees, who loved money,heard all these things and sneered at him.And he said to them,“You justify yourselves in the sight of others,but God knows your hearts;for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Send us a textA coin in the coffer, a soul released—Tetzel's famous pitch turned grace into a marketplace. We go straight to the fault line it exposed and still exposes: are we justified by faith plus works, or by faith that works? Walking from the medieval penance and indulgence economy to Wittenberg's doors, we set the historical stage for a sharper reading of Scripture and then open Romans 3 and James 2 side by side.We make a crucial distinction that unlocks the tension. Paul speaks to the courtroom of God: justification by faith apart from works silences pride and rests in Christ's imputed righteousness. James speaks to the watching world: a claim of faith that never feeds the hungry or alters a life is dead on arrival. Before God, faith alone saves. Before people, works alone show that faith is real. Think of it like a newborn's cry—it doesn't create life; it proves life exists. That's how visible obedience functions in authentic Christianity.Along the way, we revisit Luther's conversion in Romans, the 95 Theses amplified by the printing press, and the abuses of selling indulgences and venerating relics. Then we hold a steady course through Scripture: the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18, Paul's “where then is boasting?” and James's blunt “what use is it?” The goal is clarity without compromise: defend the gospel with Paul against faith plus works, and demonstrate the gospel with James against faith that doesn't work. You'll come away with a richer grasp of justification, sanctification, and how to make your faith visible in ordinary acts of love and courage.If this helped sharpen your understanding, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves church history and Scripture, and leave a review telling us where you see living faith at work today.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback
Angel Studios https://Angel.com/HermanJoin the Angel Guild today and know you are not just watching, you're helping make bold, faith driven stories like Disciples in the Moonlight possible. That's Angel.com/HermanBizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE. Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comRegister now for the free Review/Preview Webinar November 20th 3:30pm Pacific, schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio Review, and subscribe to Zach's Daily Market Recap at (SLOW) Know Your Risk Podcast dot com. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here! Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeWhich Master will America Serve? // Mamdani: The Leader of the Democrat Party. // A Presbyterian “Pastor” Commits the Only Unforgivable Sin Episode Links:Former Antifa Member Speaks Out: “It's a White Boy Jihad”. Ty, a former Antifa member from Portland, says he spent two years inside what he calls “an organization 100,000%.”Shame on @cspan for broadcasting such ‘hateful-racist' language! - If a white person would have said the words he used against black people, that would have been all over the legacy media 24/7 and the white person would have been brought up on charges of ‘hate speech'!Voto Latino Prez: "When they see Barack Obama, people remember a time in America where there was unity." - These people are beyond parody.Zohran: "This movement was made by Yemeni bodega owners, Mexica Abuelas, Senegalese taxi drivers, Uzbek nurses, Trinidadian line cooks, and Ethiopian aunties." NEW: Joe Manchin STUNS Jon Stewart on Why West Virginia Democrats Keep Voting for Trump. “They believe that the Democrat Party in Washington basically spends more resources, effort and time on able bodied people that don't work, or won't work, than those who do.”Christian Drag Clowns' explain why the Easter story is paralleled to queer folk coming outJesus is not my God...I don't believe Jesus is God" - Presbyterian impastor (PCUSA) explicitly denies the deity of Christ. This is is the same reverend who denies the virgin birth. - Presbyterian Chuch of the Covenant, North CarolinaWhat Does God's Word Say?Matthew 12:22-32 Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.