Podcasts about pray lord

Daily Anglican Prayer - Wednesday Morning - Christmas Eve – 24th December 2025 Readings NRSV: Psalm 130; 131; 133; Isaiah 27.2-13; Luke 1.67-69. Led by Felicity Scott, an Anglican prayer minister in Queensland, Australia. The full prayer transcript is available by going to this episode on the Podcast website. https://dailyprayeranglicanprayerbookforaustralia.podbean.com Welcome to Wednesday Morning prayer celebrating Christmas eve. We proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ: GOD in his infinite mercy, forgives all sins, and through our baptism in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are given a rebirth into new life, free from the burden of all sin. ALLELUIA With faithfulness we respond to the good news: We acknowledge Christ our Saviour and accept with gratitude, that we are forgiven for all wrong doings, past and present. To honour the gift of forgiveness, we release our burden of guilt and rise up to live in the glory of God forever more. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God forever. Let us Pray. 1 Rejoice always pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.      Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:  as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.    2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Grace Blessed are you,  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: For you have blessed us in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  You chose us to be yours in Christ, before the foundation of the world: That we should be holy and blameless before you.  In love you destined us to be your children, through Jesus Christ: according to the purpose of your will,  to the praise of your glorious grace: which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1.3-6   3 The Opening Prayer The night has passed and the day lies open before us;  let us pray with one heart and mind.   Silence may be kept. As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,  so may the light of your presence, O God,  set our hearts on fire with love for you;  now and for ever.  Amen.   4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each.   Psalm reading… Psalm 130; 131; 133;     5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow We consecrate this day to your service, O Lord; may all our thoughts, words, and actions be well-pleasing to you and serve the good of our brothers and sisters; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.   6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed.   1st Reading Isaiah 27.2-13 2 On that day: A pleasant vineyard—sing about it! 3 I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. I guard it night and day so that no one can harm it; 4 I have no wrath. If it gives me thorns and briers, I will march to battle against it. I will burn it up. 5 Or else let it cling to me for protection; let it make peace with me; let it make peace with me. 6 In days to come Jacob shall take root; Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit. 7 Has he struck them down as he struck down those who struck them? Or have they been killed as their killers were killed? 8 By expulsion, by exile you struggled against them; with his fierce blast he removed them in the day of the east wind. 9 Therefore by this the guilt of Jacob will be expiated, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: when he makes all the stones of the altars like chalkstones crushed to pieces; no sacred poles or incense altars will remain standing. 10 For the fortified city is solitary, a habitation deserted and forsaken, like the wilderness; the calves graze there; there they lie down and strip its branches. 11 When its boughs are dry, they are broken; women come and make a fire of them. For this is a people without understanding; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor. 12 On that day the LORD will thresh from the channel of the Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you will be gathered one by one, O people of Israel. 13 And on that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. Hear the word of the LORD. Thanks be to God 2nd Reading Luke 1.67-69. 67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us; in the house of his child David,   Hear the message of Christ. Thanks be to God.     7 The Canticle, We praise you O God: we claim you as Lord. All creation thanks you: The Father everlasting. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven: The cherubim and serafim sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might: Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Father of majesty unbounded: Your true and only son, worthy of all praise, the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal son of the father. When you took our flesh to set us free: You humbly chose the virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death: And opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory: We believe that you will come to be our judge. Come then, God, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood: And bring us with your Saints to glory everlasting.   8 The belief and principle is said I believe in God, creator of heaven and earth, whose love and merciful forgiveness endures everlasting. I believe in Christ the saviour, whose example of love and compassion, taught us a restored way to live, in collaborative unity with all people. I believe in the Holy Spirit, whose divine guidance brings us together to be one with the Holy Trinity. Amen.   9 The Prayers Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.  God have mercy.      10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins  as we forgive those who sin against us.  Save us from the time of trial  and deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours  now and for ever. Amen.      The Prayer of the Week Christmas eve Almighty GOD, You make us glad with the yearly expectation of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ: grant that as we joyfully receive him for our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one GOD, now and forever. Amen.   11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need. Let us pray Traditional Christmas Eve Prayer Lord, On this holy night, we gather to celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ. As we come together with family and friends, may our hearts be filled with joy and gratitude. Thank you for the gift of salvation and the love that you have shown us through Jesus. Bless this time of fellowship and worship. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Family Blessing for Christmas Eve Loving God, As we gather as a family on this Christmas Eve, we thank you for the love that binds us together. Bless each member of our families and fill our homes with warmth and joy. May the spirit of Christmas bring us closer to you and to one another. We ask for your guidance and protection in the coming year. In Jesus' name, we pray. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   A Christmas Eve Prayer to Prepare Your Heart Lord GOD, on this Christmas Eve, we pause to prepare our hearts for a most beautiful celebration: Your birth and coming to earth as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Clear our minds so we can focus on You and the joy You bring to us through Your gift of salvation. May the same thrill and anticipation that filled Mary, the chosen mother of Jesus, consume us and draw us close to You. May our spirits cry out, “Alleluia,” with the host of angels who first delivered the good news of great joy to humble, awe-struck shepherds that night so long ago—the news that would literally one day be heard around the world. Immanuel, God with Us, Prince of Peace, the Son of God, Messiah; may You fill our senses and hearts with awe and wonder on this special Christmas Eve. May this preparation night be a holy night as we once again receive and celebrate Your great gift to us this Christmas. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Ordinary Wednesday prayers Lord, we give you thanks, that through your son Jesus Christ, you have shown us the way to live in your righteousness. You made us in your likeness, you gave your only son Jesus Christ who gave us forgiveness of sin, bring us together as one, different in culture but given new life in Jesus Christ. Reconciled, forgiven, sharing you with others as you have called us to do. We pray for reconciliation with you God and reconciliation with each other and ask for strength to remain in your presence in all we do. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Saviour God, we remember with love all those that have passed this week. We thank you for the faithfully departed and your servants in every age. We ask that our ancestors and all your saints may be brought to the joyful resurrection and the fulfilment of your glorious kingdom. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   God of justice, we ask for your help with ending domestic violence. We ask that you shine your heavenly light to guide people to live in peace with each other and make amends, by freeing their victims of abuse. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Blessed God, we ask your blessing for those listed on the Anglican cycle of prayer: All Prison ministry chaplaincy teams All people joining in this prayer offering. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer     12 The Morning Collect Eternal God and Father,  by whose power we were created  and through whose love we are redeemed:  guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,  that we may give ourselves to your service,  and live this day in love to one another and to you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   13 The Lord be with you. And also with you.  Let us praise the Lord.  Thanks be to God.    May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant us to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus, that we may with one voice gratify our God and Father.  Amen. Romans 15.5-6   Music by Choir of St John's College, Cambridge. A reminder disclaimer to the listener. The readings in the podcast may include ancient and old-fashioned sayings and instructions that we do not in any way condone as in use or to be used in today's modern world. The readings have not been modernised to reflect todays thinking, instead the readings remain from the old version of the NRSV bible. The podcast owners explicitly declare that each listener is responsible for their own actions in response to the bible readings and the podcast owners bare no responsibility in this sense.  

Send Me by Kirk Hunt Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NKJV After standing in the very presence of God, and being purified by Him, Isaiah is in full relationship with his creator. God's man answers God's call for volunteers with simplicity and confidence. It really is as simple as saying, “Send me.” Do not confuse simplicity with ease. Isaiah's message from God was not comforting or reassuring. His message came during some of the most difficult and war-torn years of Israel's history. Traditional sources say that Isaiah, like most of the Old Testament prophets, was murdered by his own countrymen. The important part is that when God called, Isaiah answered. God's man delivered God's word with courage and integrity.  Isaiah kept true to God's calling, regardless of the circumstances or the reception. If you have a full relationship with God, your response is simple. Your confidence is complete, in Him. Inconveniences, like martyrdom by your own nation, will not distract you. Christian man or woman, you have a calling in God. Like Isaiah, start in His presence. Let Him purify you in His love, and your obedience. Then, when He calls, answer in simplicity and confidence. The circumstances may be difficult. Their response may not be positive. It is all about your relationship with Him. If there is any doubt, stand again in His presence. Think: How will I respond when God calls? Pray: “Lord, when you call, please send me.” Copyright © December 2025, Kirk Hunt This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press. The post Send Me appeared first on CadreMen Press Devotionals.

You Are Touched by Kirk Hunt Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” Isaiah 6:6-7 NKJV Finite, imperfect, impure Isaiah stood in the direct presence of infinite, perfect, holy God. God's prophet cried out in dismay and alarm. God calmly caused his man to be made pure. Isaiah understood the gap between where he lived his life and the perfection of God. God did not excuse or accept the lesser state of the man He loved. Instead, God purified him on the spot. God loves you. And He is not afraid to meet you where you are. The question is, are you willing to be touched by God? Scripture points out the coal came live from the altar. Isaiah was pronounced purged, made clean, after he was touched. The Bible is silent about any burns or scorching of the prophet. Isaiah admitted his imperfect state, then held still while the angel and the live coal approached him. Whether or not he might be burned, he was willing to be touched by God. Holy God saw Isaiah's impure state, but loved him too much to let that stand. Isaiah loved God, and His touch, too much to run. As the hot ember approached, I'm sure images ran through Isaiah's mind. The scene that mattered most, rooted him in place. God's loving touch is worth it, regardless of the price. Think: You can be touched and made pure by God. Pray: “Lord, whatever it costs, please touch me with, and in, Your love.” Copyright © December 2025, Kirk Hunt This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press. The post You Are Touched appeared first on CadreMen Press Devotionals.

Sermon Summary Title: Fall on Your Knees Speaker: Nick Lugg Context: A Christmas message exploring the true cost and response required by the coming of Jesus. Overview: In this message, Nick Lugg challenges the congregation to move past the sentimental traditions of Christmas and confront the reality of who Jesus is. Referencing the line "Fall on your knees" from O Holy Night, the sermon asks a central question: "What is Jesus worth to you?" Key Themes: Response is Mandatory: Just like the Shepherds, Wise Men, and King Herod, no one can remain neutral to Jesus. His presence demands a response—either worship or resistance. Worship as Surrender: True worship isn't just singing songs; it is a life posture of "falling on your knees." Nick uses the imagery of the 24 Elders in Revelation casting down their crowns to illustrate surrendering our status, identity, and security to God. Jesus is Central, Not an Add-on: The sermon warns against treating Jesus like an "interior decorator" who just enhances our existing lives. Instead, He often comes as a "wrecking ball," dismantling our wrong priorities to rebuild us on a better foundation. The Call to Re-evaluate: Listeners are urged to identify what "crowns" they are holding onto—career, reputation, comfort, or sin—and to determine if those things are worth more to them than Jesus. Audio Transcript [00:00] Nick Lugg: Good morning. Congregation: Good morning. Nick Lugg: Happy Christmas. Not quite there. We, um... Oh look, it's there. Because it's Christmas we are going to do PowerPoint. Now, this is not my primary skill set, so it's a bit like rubbing your stomach, patting your head, and standing on a beach ball all at the same time. So I'm hoping to remember to press the button at the right time. [00:26] Our prayer and our desire all the time—and always has been every Christmas—is to enjoy the Christmas season, to enjoy the atmosphere, to enjoy all that Christmas is to us. But at the same time, by God's grace, crack it open and get to the reality of what God is wanting to say to us each and every time. We can't be reduced to people that just do traditions. That just do, um, repeat—you know, we just get on rinse and repeat every year. Same thing: bring out the same songs, do the same things, go through the same motions. Because God has always got something fresh to say to us. [01:05] And that's why we've had this mini-series over Christmas where we've, uh... the eagle-eyed amongst you will know that it's been related to the carol O Holy Night. The first one—I think they were slightly in the wrong order, but it doesn't matter because we've got grace—but the first one Johnny spoke was "A weary world rejoices." And then I think Andy, uh, last week was speaking on "The thrill of hope." [01:32] And it's just those... just those lines have so much relevance and so much resonance for us in the world that we live in and the lives that we are leading. A weary world rejoices. But yet, and behind everything that we seek to do as a church, and everything we seek to begin, is to bring that thrill of hope. But as the curtains open, and as heaven is drawn back, and as we begin to see all that is going on behind Christmas, there is also the response, which is: Fall on your knees. [02:07] And the question this morning: What is Jesus worth to you? What is Jesus worth to me? That if we don't come out of Christmas with a greater sense... You know, we've sung these majestic carols—Adore, come let us adore, let's worship Him, and all the other lines that I've forgotten. You know, they—but they are majestic, honestly. But... you know, we adore Him. But if we don't actually adore Him, if we don't actually wrestle with the question: What does, therefore, it mean that He's worth to me? How does His coming—Christmas, the coming of Christ—how does His coming impact my life? How does it change the shape and the way that I think and the way that I act and the way that I live this life that He's given me? [02:54] What is Jesus worth to me? Oh look... [clicks clicker]. So the real story of Christmas, we say it every year, it's not sentimental, is it? But it's one of humility. Anonymity. Struggle. And the telling and the retelling of the story of Mary and Joseph and all that they went through doesn't really ever quite connect and communicate what it must have been like for them to experience what they experienced. [03:22] There was pain. Discomfort. Fear. Anxiety, no doubt. Stress. Uncertainty. Tears. Maybe there were short tempers. There were... there were all sorts of things going on that we would instantly relate to, and yet we don't see on the Christmas cards. But it's into that world, not the Christmas card world, that Jesus came. Jesus came to our world. We might think, "Well, it was all right, you know, Christmas was just so lovely and everything was just so beautiful and there was like shining tinsel and angels and shepherds and it's all so peaceful and everything else on the Christmas cards." But what about us? What about Sheffield? What about Jordanthorpe, Batemoor? What about where I live? What about my background? What about my world? Jesus came into that world. [04:15] And everyone who encountered Jesus had to respond. And the question for us today is the same. As we ask "What is Jesus worth to me?", how do I respond to Him? How do I respond to the fact that He has come? Not just come to the world, not just come to all people—He's come into my life. How do I respond, therefore, to this majestic appearance? [04:42] He's the Son of God. [Struggles with clicker] Is that the one? This is where it all goes wrong, you see. Anyway, it don't matter... [Adjusts slides]. He comes on the margins of society. He's ignored by society. He's unnoticed by society. He's born away from comfort and privilege. The Bible tells us in Philippians that He, though being in very nature God, He didn't consider equality with God something to be grasped, but He came down, took on the very nature of a servant. He took the opposite of what we would think somebody of His power and authority had. [05:22] I was... saw an article or a video report about Air Force One—the President of the United States' plane. You know how when it flies around, all the preparations and all the protection that it has, you know, fighter jet escorts and all of that. None of that for Jesus. But even as a baby, before He ever taught anything, before He said anything—He just cried like babies do—before He healed anyone, before He performed a miracle, He provoked profound responses. [05:54] You know, the first miracle we read about was when He turned water into wine at a wedding. He was an adult. But before all of that, the story of Christmas is about the responses that people made to who He was. Not what He did. Who He is is what makes a difference in our lives and causes us to respond. [06:14] And so we have the Shepherds. Ordinary people. Caught in their routines. But shaken awake by God to say: "Good news of great joy for all the earth, a Savior is born." Pointing the way to Him. And so they got up from their routine, they got up from their humdrum existence, and they left everything to go and see Him, to go and worship Him. [06:37] The Wise Men. Men of influence and education. They were willing to travel hundreds of miles and bring costly gifts because He was worth it. That's not an easy thing to do. It's not easy to travel. You might think it's easy... you know, even traveling these days, going to Zambia or going to Nepal, it's a... it's a consideration. Even just sitting still doing nothing on a plane. Let alone getting on a camel and going hundreds and hundreds of miles. But they considered that they needed to respond to what they had heard and what they had seen. [07:11] There was King Herod. He was a king with wealth and power and influence and all the things that the world could give him. And yet he saw Jesus as a threat and said He's worth eliminating. He wanted... he responded to Jesus. There's no neutrality. One baby, three responses, but everyone responds. There is no neutrality when it comes to Jesus. When He comes into our world, there is no neutrality for us today. When He comes into... we have to respond. We have to ask: What does His coming demand of me? What is He worth to me? What do I do... what do I do about His coming? [07:51] Jesus demands a response. His very presence draws a response from our hearts. Or it should do. Because there is no neutral. No matter how much we want to live in neutral gear. No matter how much we want to be observers and spectators of all of this and just say, "Oh well, you know, we'll see how it goes." Jesus demands a response. And His very presence forces a collision with our priorities. He comes into our hearts. [08:19] I remember that experience. I've given my testimony before, but I remember how I was like a spectator. I was somebody who was beginning to think, when I was 17 years old, and thinking, "Oh yeah, I think I believe in Jesus. I think He's real. I think..." and I went through all of that process for a year. But at that moment that I asked Him to come into my life—BANG—there was that explosion. Things happened. Everything changed shape in my life, in my priorities, in my understanding, in the values. All of that had to be reassessed. [08:50] When Jesus comes into our world, everything has to be reassessed. When He steps into someone's world... when He steps into your world... you cannot carry on as before. I cannot carry on just as before. Everything that we hold dear. Everything that we love. Everything that shapes our identity, that makes us say, "Well this is who I am." Jesus confronts it. He collides with it. Causes it to change shape permanently and forever. [09:20] Not just an emotional moment where we just say, "Oh I think I believe in Jesus now." But actually He physically comes... and He comes into our hearts, He changes the shape of everything from the inside out. Everything that commands our time, our energy, our attention has to be reassessed in the light of Jesus coming. All of it challenged by that one question: Is it worth more to me than Jesus? [09:44] I remember when I was on a mission trip one time in Russia—in the old Soviet Union actually, I can say it now, we had to keep it secret in those days. But, um, we went and there was somebody that was really taken with the Gospel message and they were listening to it all. And they were saying to the person who was sharing with them, they said, "But if I become a Christian though, do I have to... do I have to stop smoking?" And the person was like getting into a bit of a twist, you know, "Oh well, you know, God understands us and God doesn't judge..." and trying to explain it all. [10:14] And then there was this evangelist guy that was with us who was much more to the point. He just came in and said, "Yes. You do." He said, "And if you ask me if I believe in Jesus, do I have to stop wearing blue jeans? I tell you: Yes, you do." He said, "Because it's not about the smoking, it's not about the blue jeans, it's not about the whatever. But the very fact that you're asking that question means that there is a confrontation with what you want. With what you hold dear. Is it worth more to you than Jesus? Give it up! Change it! Change shape!" That's what happened at Christmas. Jesus came into our lives. And so those little questions that come in the light of Jesus... they should become irrelevant. "Can I still do this? Can I still do that?" Why are you asking those questions? Jesus is worth more than all of it. [10:59] And so we have to reassess our priorities. That's what happened at Christmas. So the Shepherds left their livelihood. They left... presumably they left the sheep... couldn't have taken all the sheep to see Jesus, could they? The Wise Men gave their treasure. Herod protected his throne. And we do the same. When Jesus comes, we have to respond. Either we worship, or we resist. There is no neutrality. [11:27] Worship is more than a song. "For a song in itself is not what you have required." And the rest of it. It's not just what happens on a Sunday, is it? We enjoy it. We enjoy the worship. We enjoy our singing. But we call it "worship," we label it "worship," and yet there is so much more to worship. Worship is not an event. Worship is not 30 minutes. Worship is a life posture. It's a life position. It's a life decision that says: "Come what may, Jesus, you are worth it. You are worth my life. You are worth everything I have, everything I can give you." [12:02] I remember a friend of mine who was on mission in India, and he took a team to India. And these sort of young, enthusiastic people that were there, and they encountered a church that was quite different to the type of lively, charismatic church they were involved in. And yet this church was full of people that had been imprisoned for their faith, had been beaten up for their faith, had been through all sorts of struggle. And this bright-eyed young evangelist person said to the guy who was leading the team, he said, "They don't seem to know much about worship, do they?" [12:35] And he said, "Well, it depends what you mean by worship. If you mean music and singing and songs, then maybe they don't know... you know, all of that. But there's an awful lot that they do know about giving their entire life for Jesus and saying: You are worth everything that I can give you." Worship says you are more than anything else in my life. The old carol says: "What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give Him? Give Him my heart." [13:12] So there isn't anything we can give that impresses Jesus. There isn't anything that He says, "Oh, I think I quite like..."—whether it's our blue jeans or our cigarettes or whatever. It's not about what we give up in that sense. But what we give Him. We give Him our trust. We give Him our obedience. We give Him our love. We give Him our hearts. And that is a whole life thing. That's something that brings a change from the start, and it goes through year after year after year. It's where Christianity is not a flash in the pan. It's not something that we do for a season and then we move on to something else. It's that if truly Jesus has come into our hearts, things have changed. Our priorities have changed. Our vision has changed. Our values have changed. Everything changes and it can't change back. [13:58] But our hearts are shaped, aren't they, by our culture. By comfort. By self-protection. And so we're tempted to use Jesus as an add-on. As a "life enhancer." Someone who fits in with our lives. Instead of someone who rearranges our lives. We treat Him a bit like an interior decorator. Comes in and, you know, tells us what color curtains to have and how to enhance the arrangement of our furniture to give us the best energy and all of that sort of thing. And yet, when He turns up with His hard hat on and a crane with a wrecking ball to come and knock the whole thing down, we don't like that. [14:38] His arrival demands more. And so the only response that we can give Him is to fall on our knees. One day in eternity, scripture says, the 24 Elders fall down and worship. They lay their crowns before the throne. They lay their crowns. In many translations, they take their crowns and they cast them. They throw them. They throw them down at the feet of Jesus. Why do they do that? Why the crowns? Because the crown is a symbol. The crown is a symbol of their identity. Their status. Their achievements. Their authority. Whatever gives their life value in the eyes of others. [15:20] We love it, don't we? Medals and gongs and crowns and uniforms and achievements and things that we can say about who we are and what we've done and what we've achieved. All of that constitutes our crown. And yet when they were in the presence of Jesus, they fell down and worshipped and they lay their crowns before the throne. Say: "Everything that I am, Lord God... have it. Whatever I think I am, You take it, Lord. Because it's... YOU are worth more than that." [15:52] Fall down on your knees. Nothing I have. Nothing I achieve. Nothing that defines me comes close to the value of Jesus. And that's what falling on our knees means. So we let Him question what we hold onto. We let Him reorder what we value. Rather than let's have a discussion about it—"Lord, I think, you know, do a trade, do a deal. Maybe I can keep some of this... you can have this, but I'll have that." It's a complete, radical reorganization, reordering of everything that is valuable to us. [16:26] There are things that define our lives wrongly. Things that we would say about ourselves if somebody asked us, "Well this is what I am. This is why I am like I am. This is what has made me to be like I am." And we settle into that because we think, "Well, this is me. This is just how I am made. This is how I am wired." What if Jesus comes in and dismantles the things that wrongly define us? What if He wants to reshape and rebuild and change our outlook and change our vision of ourselves and change our vision of others and change our vision of the world? He can do that. And He does that as He comes into our hearts. [17:03] Let Him replace our plans with His purposes. What is it that You want, Lord, in my life? What is it that You want in our life? What is it that You want for us as a church? Jesus. Because You are worth it. Whatever we think that we might be or we might achieve or we might... what status we might have... we lay it all before Jesus and say we fall on our knees before You, Lord. Have Your way among us. Fill us, God, with Your Spirit. Not only just to give us an experience that blesses us, but an experience that changes us from the inside out. That reshapes us. That demolishes us and rebuilds us. [17:42] Let Him confront our comforts. The things that give us security. The things that we hold onto. All of those things. Like I said, He's not an interior decorator. Someone making suggestions to make life better. But our worship says: "Do whatever You need to do, Lord, because I am Yours." [18:02] And so, as we fall on our knees, we re-evaluate what we treasure. Ask yourself a question: What in my life currently holds a higher value than Jesus? It's a tough question. And it's not coming from the pulpit saying "Ask yourself!"—pointing back at me—ask yourself. There's so much that takes place in our lives, so much that is established in our lives that is... takes the place of Jesus. So re-evaluate what we treasure. Our comfort. Our time. Our reputation. Our resources. A career. Relationship. Control. A painful identity I don't want to let go of. A sin that I cling to. [18:50] All of that can form a crown. That Jesus demands a response. That we know that we are holding onto those things, but when we come into His presence, we know there has to be a response. There is no neutrality. There's no "Oh, well I think I'll take it or leave it" or "I think I'll wait until next month and see how I feel then." No. When we meet Jesus, there has to be that change. There has to be that response. There has to be that worship. [19:14] And so, take one thing today that has become a crown you hold tightly and consciously place it before Jesus. What is it in your life this morning that you know... Ask God to reveal to you, to show you, what is it that you hold that you can actually... that you need to throw before Him? You need to surrender it. And tell Him: "Jesus, You are worth more than this. All my life I've held onto this thing. All my life this has defined me. All my life this has been the one thing that I don't want to let go of. But Jesus, You are worth more than all of that. And I lay it before You today." There's an opportunity today to lay these things before the feet of Jesus. [19:54] Secondly, reorient our priorities around Him. What are our priorities in life? Does our lifestyle reflect the value of Jesus? The one we adore? The one we sing about? What about the application of that worship? Do we adore Him so much so that our decisions honor Him? Our schedule and our priorities reflect His importance? Our giving, our serving, our obedience demonstrate that He is worth it? Not only to Him, but to anybody that looks at our lives, they say, "No, this person values Jesus more than anything." [20:30] Does our worship cost us anything? Or is it just convenient? Those who responded to Jesus right back at the beginning, in the beginning of the Christmas story—their worship cost them. It took something out of them. It tired them. It stressed them. It pained them. But it was worth it because they were coming to Jesus. [20:53] And so think about an area of life where Jesus has been an add-on. Where we've just invited Him and said, "I like the fact that You're in my life, Jesus, and perhaps You can help me. Give me a little bit of power here and there just to help me through a few things, over a few humps. But don't get too much involved. Don't get too nosey into what's going on. Because I think... I think You know Your place, Jesus." Is He an add-on? Or is He central? [21:18] That's the challenge as we go forward. Not about "Can we raise enough money for 146?" or "Can we, you know, what do we do about this or that?" What's the practical things to do with the growth of a church? It's about as we grow as a community, will we actually have Him in the center of everything that we are and everything that we do? Will He be our first and our last thought in every decision that we make? How does this honor Him? How does this reflect His worth? How does this reflect His value? Because then the church will grow with people that will also know that Jesus is the priority. Jesus is the center. Jesus is the focus. [21:55] And thirdly, reopen our heart to encounter Him. Some of these questions can be at the first stage of our faith... you know, "What's Jesus worth?" But in actual fact, you can have that radical encounter with Jesus, you can have that moment where you know that you've given your all to Him... but five years, ten years, fifteen years down the line, things can look different. You can get jaded. You can get settled into "routine Christianity." Familiar. Predictable. Safe. Christmas is familiar, predictable, safe. But Jesus is coming. Jesus comes into our lives and challenges our priorities. [22:38] And so He's calling us to meet Him again. And for those of us that have become dulled and routine and predictable and safe, there is still that call from Jesus to say: Will you actually reorient? Will you actually re-evaluate? Will you actually reopen your heart to encounter me again? Not emotionally or artificially, but deeply. Pray: "Lord, show me Your worth again. Disrupt me if You must. Call me out of my routine and lead me back to worship." [23:09] And so there's a challenge. Will you worship Him now—today, this morning—and will you worship Him forever? Because it's not sentiment, it's transformation. Christmas is sentimental. It pulls at our emotions. It pulls at our nostalgia. If you ever spend any time on Instagram, these videos come up of what it used to be like in the 80s... I know some of you are thinking "What's the 80s?" But they were good. Christmas was good. It was sentimental and it was emotional and you've got all sorts of childhood memories from there. Probably go a little bit back before the 80s as well, but we won't go there. [23:49] But Christmas is sentimental. But Jesus is transformational. The coming of Jesus transforms. He didn't come to give us sentiment. He didn't come to give us emotion. He's not Father Christmas. But He did come to change everything. And so when the Shepherds saw Him, they ran to Him. When the Wise Men saw His worth, they knelt before Him. When the Elders see His worth, they throw their crowns down in front of Him. And when we see Him, what do we do? Fall on our knees. [24:26] And so today the question isn't simply "Do you believe in Jesus?", but "What is He worth to you?" Will you worship Him not just now, but forever? Will you lay your crown before Him? Will you allow His presence to rearrange your life? Reshape you. Not just now, but forever. For the rest of your life. And into eternity. That Jesus will be worth it. What a terrible thing to just touch the surface of what it means to know Jesus and then arrive in eternity and think, "Oh, that's what it was all about." That we would know Jesus now. This Christmas, may we truly see Him. And when we see Him, fall on our knees. Amen. [25:12] Nick Lugg: Jonathan, are you there? Oh, you're there. The worship team can come back, please.

My Eyes See by Kirk Hunt And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:4-5 NKJV The Temple structure shook with the sound of a single voice. 81,000 cubic feet of space filled with smoke, in a moment. With his own human eyes, Isaiah saw the Shekhinah, the physical manifestation of God in the human world. In the presence of Holy God, Isaiah realizes that he, and all of Israel, are tainted. Suddenly, Isaiah understands. He is a finite, imperfect, impure man in the direct presence of infinite, perfect, holy God. That moment in the Shekhinah should be like standing on the surface of The Sun. God's mercy, and love for Isaiah, preserves him. God is infinite, perfect, holy and omnipotent. He is also loving, merciful and eager for contact with all of His sons and daughters. His omnipotence allows him to remain holy and pure, even when He kisses and hugs His impure and tainted children. God wants us to see Him, with our own eyes. He wants us to know Him, personally and deeply. Look past the distractions and obstructions of circumstances. Walk past the opinions and comments of other people. Infinite, perfect, holy and omnipotent God wants to spend time, just with you. Think: When last did you truly see and spend time with God? Pray: “Lord, help me in my direct and personal relationship with You.” Copyright © November 2025, Kirk Hunt This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press. The post My Eyes See appeared first on CadreMen Press Devotionals.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Charles Olaughlin from Shelbina, MO. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 15:1-2 "After some days, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson went to visit his wife with a young goat. And he said, 'I will go in to my wife in the chamber.' But her father would not allow him to go in. And her father said, 'I really thought that you utterly hated her, so I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead.'" — Judges 15:1-2 Picture Samson walking up to his wife's home. He's holding a goat—his version of flowers and chocolates—ready to make things right. Maybe he's nervous. Maybe he's hopeful. But when he arrives, the door slams shut. Her father blocks the way: "She's gone. I gave her to another man. But hey—her younger sister's prettier. Take her instead." That's not just rejection—that's betrayal. That's humiliation. Samson was replaced. You've probably felt it too. Maybe not from a father-in-law who rejected you, but from someone who once promised loyalty, love, or friendship. A spouse who walked away. A friend who ghosted. A parent who didn't show up. A boss who passed you over. Betrayal makes you feel small, discarded, unwanted. Know this: people's betrayal doesn't define your worth, because God's faithfulness never wavers. When rejection strikes, our first instinct is to spiral into anger, bitterness, or even revenge. Samson will go there in the verses ahead. But God offers another way: let betrayal drive you into His arms. He is the Friend who never leaves. The Father who never abandons. The Bridegroom who never breaks covenant. That wound of betrayal may always leave a scar, but it does not decide your story. God's promise does: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" — Hebrews 13:5. So don't let rejection name you. Let God's faithfulness claim you. ASK THIS: Who has betrayed you in a way that still stings today? How has rejection shaped the way you see yourself? Do you believe God's faithfulness is stronger than people's failures? What step can you take today to release bitterness and rest in His promises? DO THIS: Write down the name of someone who betrayed or rejected you. Pray: "Lord, heal what they broke, and help me trust You more than I trust people." Read or say Hebrews 13:5 three times today as a reminder that God never abandons you. Share this truth with someone else who's wrestling with rejection. PRAY THIS: Father, You know the sting of betrayal better than anyone. When others fail me, remind me that You never will. Heal my wounds and anchor my worth in Your faithfulness. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Faithful Now."

He Saw The Lord by Kirk Hunt In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1 NKJV As Isaiah turned a corner, he saw the Temple. The gold overlaid on the doors and walls reflected the bright, midday sun like a mirror. As he drew closer, the intricate and detailed carvings of angels, palm trees and open flowers on the walls and doors became visible. He sighed and trudged on. Isaiah walked past the Bronze Altar and the atoning sacrifices being offered. He could see and hear as the devout brought their gifts and sacrifices to the priests. The sights, sounds and smells of the Court all pointed to man's efforts to reconcile with God. He shrugged his shoulders and shuffled further. The prophet passed between the massive bronze pillars, Jachin (“He will establish”) and Boaz (“In Him strength”) and entered the Holy Sanctuary. The beauty and symbolism of the Temple furniture and architecture were familiar to Isaiah. The prophet had seen it all, many times before. He yawned and took his usual place before the Gold Altar. There, in a familiar place and during a memorized routine, something unique happened. The beauty and magnificence of the Temple building faded before His glory. The sanctity and reverent atmosphere of the Temple gave way to His presence. Suddenly, and without warning, Isaiah came face-to-Shekhinah with God. Isaiah, familiar with Scripture and the worship of God, staggered in awe and astonishment. We do not know how sincere and devout Isaiah was, or was not. Like you, he needed a direct and real relationship with Jehovah. When he truly saw God for himself, his life changed. Think: Do you truly see God? Pray: “Lord, help me to have a direct and true relationship with You.” Copyright © November 2025, Kirk Hunt This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press. The post He Saw The Lord appeared first on CadreMen Press Devotionals.

Daily Anglican prayer - Monday morning – 24th November 2025. Readings NRSV: Psalm 56; 57; 2 Kings 23.4-15; Mark 1.29-39. Led by Felicity Scott, an Anglican prayer minister in Queensland, Australia. The full prayer transcript is available by going to this episode on the Podcast website. https://dailyprayeranglicanprayerbookforaustralia.podbean.com Welcome to Monday Morning prayer. We proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ: GOD in his infinite mercy, forgives all sins, and through our baptism in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are given a rebirth into new life, free from the burden of all sin. ALLELUIA With faithfulness we respond to the good news: We acknowledge Christ our Saviour and accept with gratitude, that we are forgiven for all wrong doings, past and present. To honour the gift of forgiveness, we release our burden of guilt and rise up to live in the glory of God forever more. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God forever. Let us Pray.   1 God's love has been poured into our hearts, through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  Romans 5.5   Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:  as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.    2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Marvellous Acts I will sing a new hymn to my God:  O Lord you are great and marvellous,  you are marvellous in your strength, invincible.  Let the whole creation serve you:  for you spoke and all things came to be;  You sent out your Spirit and it formed them:  no one can resist your voice.  Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths:  rocks melt like wax at your presence;  But to those who revere you:  you still show mercy.  Judith 16.13–15   3 The Opening Prayer The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;  let us pray with one heart and mind.    Silence may be kept. As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,  so may the light of your presence, O God,  set our hearts on fire with love for you;  now and for ever.  Amen.   4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each. Psalm 5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow Creator Spirit, Advocate promised by our Lord Jesus: increase our faith and help us to walk in the light of your presence, to the glory of God the Father; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed.   1st Reading Kings 23. 4-15; 4 The king commanded the high priest Hilkiah, the priests of the second order, and the guardians of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. 5He deposed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places at the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem, those also who made offerings to Baal, to the sun, the moon, the constellations, and all the host of the heavens. 6He brought out the image of Asherah from the house of the Lord, outside Jerusalem, to the Wadi Kidron, burned it at the Wadi Kidron, beat it to dust, and threw the dust of it upon the graves of the common people. 7He broke down the houses of the illicit priests who were in the house of the Lord, where the women did weaving for Asherah. 8He brought all the priests out of the towns of Judah and defiled the high places where the priests had made offerings, from Geba to Beer-sheba; he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on the left at the gate of the city. 9The priests of the high places, however, did not come up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem but ate unleavened bread among their kindred. 10He defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of Ben-hinnom, so that no one would make a son or a daughter pass through fire as an offering to Molech. 11He removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun at the entrance to the house of the Lord, by the chamber of the eunuch Nathan-melech, which was in the precincts; then he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. 12The altars on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz that the kings of Judah had made and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord he pulled down from there and broke in pieces and threw the rubble into the Wadi Kidron. 13The king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Destruction, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Astarte the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 14He broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the sacred poles, and covered the sites with human bones. 15 Moreover, the altar at Bethel, the high place erected by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin—he pulled down that altar along with the high place. He burned the high place, crushing it to dust; he also burned the sacred pole.   Hear the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 2nd Reading Mark 1.29-39 Jesus Heals Many at Simon's House 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed by demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons, and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. A Preaching Tour in Galilee 35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also, for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout all Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.   Hear the message of Christ. Thanks be to God.   7 The Canticle, A Song of Isaiah ‘Behold, God is my salvation:  I will trust and will not be afraid;  ‘For the Lord God is my strength and my song:  and has become my salvation.'  With joy you will draw water:  from the wells of salvation.  On that day you will say:  ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;  ‘Make known his deeds among the nations:  proclaim that his name is exalted.  ‘Sing God's praises, who has triumphed gloriously:  let this be known in all the world.  ‘Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion:  for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.'  Isaiah 12.2–6   8 The belief and principle is said I believe in God, creator of heaven and earth, whose love and merciful forgiveness endures everlasting. I believe in Christ the saviour, whose example of love and compassion, taught us a restored way to live, in collaborative unity with all people. I believe in the Holy Spirit, whose divine guidance brings us together to be one with the Holy Trinity.   9 The Prayers Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.  God have mercy.    10 The Lord's Prayer   Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins  as we forgive those who sin against us.  Save us from the time of trial  and deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours  now and for ever. Amen.    Prayer of the Week following the last Sunday after pentecost Christ the King / The Reign of Christ Stir up,we pray you, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.       11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.   Let us Pray Let us pray for the world and for the church. God, how great your majesty abounds before us. We thank you for all your generosity. May the peace and blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be abundant across all nations and countries forever more. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Holy God divine and merciful, your blessing on the people is loved by all, for which our gratitude knows no end. Grant, we pray, your saving blessing on all those experiencing times of trouble or strife, that they may receive the guidance of wisdom to lead them to a path of safety. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Almighty God, hear our prayer to bring about a change throughout the people, we ask for your grace to relay the wisdom to each man and each woman how to co-exist in peace and the will to do so, to continue to respect one another and teach their offspring to do so also. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Blessed God, we ask your blessing for those listed on the Anglican cycle of prayer: Monday 24 November The Diocese of Riverina – The Anglican Church of Australia The Diocese of The Murray: The Parish of Aspley-Albany Creek: Anglicare SQ Meilene Court Retirement Village (Bundaberg) Anglican Schools Australia Management Committee and Member Schools All Prison and hospital ministry chaplaincy teams All people joining in this prayer offering. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   12 The Morning Collect Eternal God and Father,  by whose power we are created  and by whose love we are redeemed:  guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,  that we may give ourselves to your service,  and live this day in love to one another and to you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   13 The Lord be with you. And also with you.  Let us praise the Lord.  Thanks be to God.    God did not give us a spirit of cowardice  but a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.  May we rekindle the gift of God within us.  Amen. see 2 Timothy 1.6–7   Music by John Keys – Anglican Chant Canticle organ accompaniments. Song name, Sing my soul, His wondrous love by Ned Rorem – Choir of St John's college, Cambridge & Andrew Nethsingha. A reminder disclaimer to the listener. The readings in the podcast may include ancient and old-fashioned sayings and instructions that we do not in any way condone as in use or to be used in today's modern world. The readings have not been modernised to reflect todays thinking, instead the readings remain from the old version of the NRSV bible. The podcast owners explicitly declare that each listener is responsible for their own actions in response to the bible readings and the podcast owners bare no responsibility in this sense.

Daily Anglican Prayer - Sunday Morning – 23rd November 2025 Readings NRSV: Psalm 46; Deuteronomy 17.14-20; Luke 23.33-43. Led by Felicity Scott, an Anglican prayer minister in Queensland, Australia. The full prayer transcript is available by going to this episode on the Podcast website. https://dailyprayeranglicanprayerbookforaustralia.podbean.com Welcome to Sunday Morning prayer. We proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ: GOD in his infinite mercy, forgives all sins, and through our baptism in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are given a rebirth into new life, free from the burden of all sin. ALLELUIA With faithfulness we respond to the good news: We acknowledge Christ our Saviour has already saved us and accept with gratitude, that we are forgiven for all wrong doings, past and present. To honour the gift of forgiveness, we release our burden of guilt and rise up to live in the glory of God forever more. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,  Blessed be God forever. Let us Pray.   1 This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118.24 Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:  as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.   The Sentence of the day Christ the King / The Reign of Christ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9.9   3 The opening Canticle Oh come let us sing out to the Lord. let us shout in triumph to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his face with thanksgiving. And cry out to him joyfully in psalms. For the Lord is a great God. and a great king above all gods. In his hands are the depths of the earth. and the peaks of the mountains are his also. The sea is his and he made it. His hands moulded dryland. Come let us worship and bow down. And kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is the Lord our god. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Today if only you would hear his voice: “Do not harden your hearts as Israel did in the wilderness.” “When your forebears tested me.” “Put me to proof though they had seen my works.” “Forty years long I loathe that generation and said.” “It is a people who err in their hearts.” “For they do not know my ways.” “Of whom I swore in my wrath.” “They shall not enter my rest.”      3 The Opening Prayer The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;  let us pray with one heart and mind.    Silence may be kept. As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,  so may the light of your presence, O God,  set our hearts on fire with love for you;  now and for ever.  Amen.     4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each. Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength: a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved: and though the mountains are shaken in the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters rage and foam: and though the mountains quake at the rising of the sea. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God: the holy dwelling-place of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, therefore she shall not be moved: God will help her, and at break of day. 6 The nations make uproar, and the kingdoms are shaken: but God has lifted his voice, and the earth shall tremble. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold. 8 Come then and see what the Lord has done: what destruction he has brought upon the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease in all the world: he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, and burns the chariots in the fire. 10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted upon the earth.' 11 The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Christ the King / The Reign of Christ The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus, Luke 1.68–79)      Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel:  who has come to his people and set them free.    The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Saviour:  born of the house of his servant David.   Through the holy prophets, God promised of old: to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us,   To show mercy to our forebears:  and to remember his holy covenant.   This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies,   Free to worship him without fear: holy and righteous before him, all the days of our life.   And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,    To give his people knowledge of salvation: by the forgiveness of their sins.   In the tender compassion of our God:  the dawn from on high shall break upon us,    To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death:  and to guide our feet into the way of peace.     5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow Lord God, whose blessed Son rose in triumph and set us free: grant us the fullness of life he promised us, that through the Holy Spirit our hearts may possess him whom our eyes cannot see, the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed.   1st Reading Deuteronomy 17.14-20 14 When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me', 15 you may indeed set over you a king whom the Lord your God will choose. One of your own community you may set as king over you; you are not permitted to put a foreigner over you, who is not of your own community. 16 Even so, he must not acquire many horses for himself, or return the people to Egypt in order to acquire more horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You must never return that way again.' 17 And he must not acquire many wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; also silver and gold he must not acquire in great quantity for himself. 18 When he has taken the throne of his kingdom, he shall have a copy of this law written for him in the presence of the levitical priests. 19 It shall remain with him and he shall read in it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, diligently observing all the words of this law and these statutes, 20 neither exalting himself above other members of the community nor turning aside from the commandment, either to the right or to the left, so that he and his descendants may reign long over his kingdom in Israel. The reading is followed by Hear the word of the LORD Thanks be to GOD 2nd Reading Luke 23. 33-43 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”   The reading is followed by Hear the message of Christ Thanks be to GOD.   7 The Canticle, The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel:  who has come to his people and set them free.  The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Saviour:  born of the house of his servant David.  Through the holy prophets, God promised of old:  to save us from our enemies, from the hands of  all who hate us,  To show mercy to our forebears:  and to remember his holy covenant.  This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  to set us free from the hands of our enemies,  Free to worship him without fear:  holy and righteous before him, all the days of our life.  And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High:  for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,  To give his people knowledge of salvation:  by the forgiveness of their sins.  In the tender compassion of our God:  the dawn from on high shall break upon us,  To shine on those who dwell in darkness  and the shadow of death:  and to guide our feet into the way of peace.  Luke 1.68–79      8 The Apostles creed I believe in God, the Father almighty,       creator of heaven and earth.   I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,       who was conceived by the Holy Spirit       born of the virgin Mary.       suffered under Pontius Pilate,       was crucified, died, and was buried;       he descended to the dead.       On the third day he rose from the dead.       He ascended into heaven       and is seated at the right hand of the Father.       From there he will come to judge  the living and the dead.   I believe in the Holy Spirit,       the holy catholic church,       the communion of saints,       the forgiveness of sins,       the resurrection of the body,       and the life everlasting. Amen.   9 The Prayers Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.  Lord have mercy.     10 The LORDs prayer Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins  as we forgive those who sin against us.  Save us from the time of trial  and deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours  now and for ever. Amen.    10 The Collect of the Day Christ the King / The Reign of Christ Eternal God, you exalted Jesus Christ to rule over all things, and have made us instruments of his kingdom: by your Spirit empower us to love the unloved,  and to minister to all in need, then at the last bring us to your eternal realm where we may be welcomed into your everlasting joy and may worship and adore you for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Prayer of the Week Christ the King / The Reign of Christ Stir up,we pray you, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.   Let us pray   Almighty God, through your Son Jesus Christ you gave many excellent gifts to your apostles. We ask you to bless Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, appointed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. So, to help her listen to your voice, fill her with your truth, and clothe her with your holiness, that her diligent preaching of your word, will bring, glory to your name. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer     God, Your wisdom knows no bounds, grant we pray that we hear your spoken wisdom and bringing the good news of Christ to all who have yet to hear it, so that we may bring forth fruit of good works to honour and praise your name. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Creator God, we pray for peace and prosperity in our cities, and families. We ask for your guidance to build a world of peace and prosperity, so that our future becomes secure and safe. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Almighty God, today we remember African people, we ask for Your peace to reign in Africa. May African nations come together in harmony, setting aside differences and working towards a common good for all African people. Let Your voice bring peace talks and be their guide in their actions and decisions. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Loving God, as we remember all the missing children in the world, we ask that you embrace them with Your love and protection. Guide them safely back to their loved ones. Grant strength and comfort to their family during their time of waiting. May Your divine light illuminate their path, leading them home. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Blessed God, we ask your blessing for those listed on the Anglican cycle of prayer: Sunday 23 November – Christ the King/the reign of Christ The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia The Diocese of Tasmania: The Parish of Annerley: Anglicare SQ The Glebe Retirement Village (Toowoomba) St Francis Theological College, Milton All Prison ministry chaplaincy teams All people joining in this prayer offering. Humbly we Pray – LORD hear our prayer     12 The Morning Collect Eternal God and Father,  by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed.  guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,  that we may give ourselves to your service,  and live this day in love to one another and to you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   13 The Lord be with you. And also with you.  Let us praise the Lord.  Thanks be to God.    The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.    2 Corinthians 13.14 Music by John Keys – Anglican Chant Canticle organ accompaniments. A reminder disclaimer to the listener. The readings in the podcast may include ancient and old-fashioned sayings and instructions that we do not in any way condone as in use or to be used in today's modern world. The readings have not been modernised to reflect todays thinking, instead the readings remain from the old version of the NRSV bible. The podcast owners explicitly declare that each listener is responsible for their own actions in response to the bible readings and the podcast owners bare no responsibility in this sense.

Endure by Kirk Hunt And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Matthew 24:12-13 NKJV Endurance is the hallmark of a champion. Endurance allows you to continue on when others give up in discouragement, or fall in exhaustion. To win, you must first endure. Athletes deliberately develop endurance in order to better excel at their sport. The strategies of coaches, teams and individual competitors always include outlasting opponents. Military leaders may call it “toughness” but that does not change the fundamental character of endurance: Staying on task after others give up or fall down. Endurance is far more than physical stamina. A large portion of enduring is simply deciding that you will not quit. Often, athletes complain about “betrayal” by their own bodies. The mind is willing to continue, but physics or biology cannot always be denied by sheer willpower. Men and women of God have more than willpower to call upon. God grants to those who ask, in His purpose, for endurance. His power can suspend the laws of nature. His grace can give the gift of persistence. His mercy can push back the limiting results of poor decisions or human frailty. You can be a Gospel champion. First, decide you want to endure. Second, ask God for what you need to endure. Everything after that is logging time or miles. Think: Endurance is not optional in the life of a Christian. Pray: “Lord, help me to endure through your power, grace and mercy.” Copyright © November 2025, Kirk Hunt This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press. The post Endure appeared first on CadreMen Press Devotionals.

When life feels mundane or unfulfilling, it’s easy to seek joy and satisfaction in circumstances, possessions, or people. But as our daily prayer and reflection on Psalm 37:4 reminds us, true joy is found not in what we have, but in who we have — the Lord Himself. In this reflective devotional, Emily Rose Massey explores what it really means to “delight” in the Lord. The original Hebrew conveys the idea of being soft, pliable, and dependent — a heart that takes pleasure in God alone and trusts His ways above all else. To delight in the Lord is not a suggestion, but a command — one that calls us to find our ultimate satisfaction in Him. As we do, something beautiful happens: our desires begin to change. The more we enjoy and depend on God, the more our hearts align with His. Our ambitions, affections, and prayers begin to reflect His will instead of our own. When we take joy in God for who He is — not just what He can do for us — He fills our lives with peace, contentment, and purpose. Even in seasons of waiting or monotony, delighting in the Lord draws us into deeper intimacy with Him and reshapes our hearts to desire what truly matters. Today's Bible Reading:“Delight yourself also in the Lord,and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4, NKJV

It’s easy to express gratitude when life feels full and blessings are obvious. But what about when our kindness is rejected or our good intentions are met with anger? In today’s prayer and devotion, Rachael Adams, host of The Love Offering, reminds us that gratitude is not dependent on others’ responses — it’s rooted in our relationship with God. After an act of compassion was met with hostility, Rachael wrestled with disappointment and confusion. Yet this moment mirrors a deeper truth seen in the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers (Luke 17:11–19). Only one returned to thank Him — and though all received healing, only the grateful one experienced the fullness of spiritual restoration. God invites us to live with hearts of thankfulness, not for what we receive in return from others, but because of who He is and all He has done for us. Gratitude aligns our hearts with God’s goodness, reminding us that every act of kindness is ultimately an act of worship. Today's Bible Reading:“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:16–17

Family traditions are powerful threads that connect generations — reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from, and how God has worked in our story. In today’s prayer devotional, Rachael Adams, host of The Love Offering, reflects on her grandmother “Munder” and the beautiful ways her faith and love continue to shape family gatherings even after she’s gone. Through recipes, celebrations, and stories, Rachael’s family keeps alive both her memory and the message of God’s goodness. In Scripture, God Himself established holy days and traditions so His people would continually remember His faithfulness. These rhythms of remembrance weren’t just rituals — they were living testimonies passed from one generation to the next. As we create and continue our own family traditions, we, too, can honor God by making Him the center of our celebrations. May this prayer inspire you to celebrate God’s work in your life, preserve your faith heritage, and intentionally pass it on — so that future generations will know and love the Lord. Today's Bible Reading:“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.” – Exodus 12:14

Adam and Dave are broadcasting from the heart of Assisi, Italy—knee-deep in pilgrimage vibes with St. Francis, St. Clare, and the whole crew. They break down the "establish" pillar of fatherhood (you know, the third leg of protect-provide-establish) and get talk about turning your home into fertile soil where your family's faith thrives. Recorded right after a providential run-in with a fan who spotted Adam's voice in the wild—shoutout to Kel from Illinois!Key Highlights:Pilgrimage Gold: Fresh off praying at St. Francis' tomb and St. Clare's incorrupt body. Plus, stories of Francis dodging death in the Holy Land because even the Saracens couldn't handle his holiness. Spiritual overload = total win.The Father's Job: Establish a Culture: Forget the 30-something basement-dwellers—it's time to till that family soil like a pro vintner. They riff on winery chats: Every plot's different, climates change, so adapt your strategy. Build traditions around high feasts (Christmas Nativity read-aloud before gifts? Yes!), guard your wife's prayer time, and echo that husband-wife holiness down to the kids.Resilience Like the Saints: One bad call ruins your day? No. Channel St. Clare ("No suffering bothers me!") and blind-but-joyful St. Francis. Practice gratitude, God's-will-be-done prayers, and bounce back fast—'cause your mood sets the home tone.Focus or Bust: Saints win by laser-focus on holiness. Ditch the noise (X, YouTube, endless projects). Adam's hack: Stopwatch your day. Shocking how 25 minutes of "deep work" gets hijacked by texts. Apply it home—clock real presence with kids over fence-painting busywork.Adam's Four Pillars to Cultivate Christian Life:Silence – God's language. Train kids to quiet appetites at home so they can apply it at Holy Mass.Reverence – Rebel against irreverence. Yes sir/ma'am, genuflect at churches, dress sharp for Mass—builds love for the Eucharist.Hard Work – Outpace 90% by pushing past "I can't." Sports, chess, prayer, fasting—saints weren't smarter, just tougher.Charity – The supernatural crescendo. Serve without quid pro quo (Catechism 2223). Punch in pure love, St. Nick-style.Grandpa Power: You're the tradition custodian! Give "state of the union" fireplaceside talks like Adam's grandpa—wisdom from the trenches and the hilltop.Soul-Crafting Close: Italian churches are stunning, but one holy soul outshines 'em all. You're the craftsman for your wife's and kids' souls—steward God's talents like your life depends on it (spoiler: it does).Action Steps for Catholic Dads:Tonight: List 3 family traditions to start (feast-focused first).Tomorrow: Stopwatch 1 hour of undistracted kid-time. No phone.This Week: Guard your wife's prayer slot—strictly.Pray: "Lord, till my home soil for saints."

How important is the Ascension of Jesus to your faith?In Acts 1:9–11, we read of Jesus being lifted up, taken into glory, and promised to return in the same way. The Ascension isn't just a footnote in redemptive history—it's a crucial moment that shows us:- Jesus' sacrifice was accepted by the Father.- Jesus is reigning right now as King.- Jesus has poured out His Spirit to empower our mission.- Jesus will return in glory to vindicate His people.✨ Two Things to Think About:How does Jesus' Ascension give you courage in a world that often opposes your faith?Where in your life do you need to rest in the reality that Jesus is reigning right now?

Life today is overflowing with constant noise and endless responsibilities — from work demands to family schedules, to the never-ending stream of emails and notifications. It’s easy to feel stretched too thin, constantly pulled in competing directions. In today's devotional and prayer, Heidi Vegh reminds us that the key to balance isn’t found in managing every detail perfectly, but in surrendering our days to God. Matthew 6:33 calls us to seek first His Kingdom — to make God our priority before anything else. When we start our mornings with Him, we allow His Spirit to order our steps, giving us peace in the middle of chaos. Balance doesn’t mean doing everything; it means doing the right things, with God’s guidance. Sometimes His answer may be to rest instead of striving, to connect with a friend instead of checking one more task off the list. When we make room for holy interruptions, we find the kind of balance our souls truly crave. Today's Bible Reading: “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right attitude and character of God), and all these things will be given to you also.” – Matthew 6:33 (AMP) Key Takeaways Balance begins with priorities — seeking God first each day. Surrendering control allows God to redirect our days according to His will. The Holy Spirit provides gentle nudges and guidance when we feel overwhelmed. True balance comes not from doing it all, but from living aligned with God’s purposes. Let’s Pray Lord, life is busy and overwhelming, and I need balance. I surrender my plans, to-do lists, and ideals into Your hands. Guide me with Your Spirit, reminding me to start each day with You. Show me what to lay down, what to pick up, and how to create space for rest. Thank You for caring about every detail of my life and for promising to order my steps when I seek You first. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Calls to Action Start your morning tomorrow with a Scripture reading and prayer before touching your phone. Ask God throughout the day: “What’s the next right thing?” and trust His nudge. Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement to slow down and seek God first. Resources & Mentions 10 Ways to Find Balance in a Busy Life – Crosswalk.com 5 Tips for Creating Quiet Time with God in a Noisy World – Crosswalk.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Many of us ask for healing and expect a Band-Aid. But God doesn't just patch what's broken—He rebuilds it better. Healing isn't the absence of scars. It's the presence of wholeness. And wholeness is your birthright in Christ.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” — Isaiah 58:12 (ESV)You weren't just meant to survive pain—you were created to thrive beyond it. God's desire is not just to mend the broken places but to restore them with purpose, strength, and legacy.Some of you have carried emotional, spiritual, even physical wounds for years. Maybe the pain has faded, but the identity attached to that wound hasn't. You still think of yourself as the “one who was abused,” or “the one who failed,” or “the one who was left.” But listen—God doesn't call you by your scars. He calls you by your future.You are a repairer. You are a restorer. Your healing isn't just for you—it becomes a path for others to walk. That's the beauty of divine wholeness. Your past doesn't cancel your purpose—it fuels it.This kind of healing doesn't come by ignoring your pain or pretending it didn't happen. It comes by surrendering the pieces to the Master Craftsman—piece by piece—until the story of your life reveals His fingerprints.So walk boldly. Live fully. Love freely. Because when God restores, He restores completely.Question of the Day:What area of your life are you still living wounded in, even though God is offering you wholeness?Mini Call to Action:Take five minutes today and declare out loud: “I am no longer broken. I am healed and whole in Christ.”Let's Pray:Lord, I give You every shattered part of me. Make me whole again—not by erasing my past, but by redeeming it. Let me be a restorer to others. Thank You that healing is my portion. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!You weren't just saved from something—you were restored for something. Walk in the wholeness that reflects the One who made you new.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Guilt is a cruel master. It whispers you're unworthy, reminds you of failures, and demands that you carry shame like a badge. But there's a difference between conviction and condemnation—and one leads to healing, the other to bondage. Jesus didn't die so you could stay buried under guilt. He died to lift you out.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1 (ESV)Let's get this clear: Guilt has a voice—but it's not God's voice. The Holy Spirit convicts, yes—but never to crush. Conviction says, “This needs to change, and I'll help you do it.” Guilt says, “You are the mistake, and you'll never be free.”Maybe you've repented—but you still carry guilt like a shadow. Maybe you think your past disqualifies you from peace, ministry, or joy. But the cross was not a partial payment—it was full and final. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He meant it.You are not what you did. You are not the person you were. You are not the wounds you inflicted or the ones you received. You are in Christ—and in Him, guilt has no claim.But here's the key: you must agree with God. As long as you agree with guilt, you'll stay bound by it. But when you agree with grace, healing flows.There's a freedom waiting for you—not someday, not if you try harder—now. Because Jesus bore your guilt on His back… so you could walk in confidence, forgiveness, and peace.Question of the Day:What guilty memory or mistake are you still letting define you—despite Jesus already forgiving it?Mini Call to Action:Say this aloud: “I am not condemned. I am clean in Christ. Guilt has no authority over me.”Let's Pray:Lord, I give You my guilt. The stuff I keep reliving. The shame I keep feeding. Wash me again in Your truth. I receive Your freedom and reject every lie that says I'm still bound. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Guilt ends where grace begins. Walk in the full forgiveness that Jesus bled to give you.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Bitterness doesn't announce itself. It creeps in quietly—like a shadow in the heart. A memory, a wound, an unresolved offense. You thought you were over it… but every time their name comes up, your chest tightens. That's not healing. That's a prison. And today, we're unlocking the door.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” — Ephesians 4:31 (ESV)Bitterness is slow poison. It doesn't explode—it corrodes. It leaks into our joy, our relationships, even our ability to hear God clearly. And yet, so many believers try to live holy while nursing hurt.Bitterness doesn't mean you're weak—it means you're still wounded. But holding on to it won't protect you. It will infect you. And the enemy loves to use it to keep you stuck.God doesn't just tell us to forgive—He tells us to uproot bitterness completely. Why? Because it grows. Hebrews 12:15 calls it a root—and if left unchecked, it defiles many. That means it spreads, it multiplies, and it damages more than just you.Letting go of bitterness isn't pretending it didn't happen. It's trusting that justice belongs to God—and choosing to walk in mercy, not misery. It's an act of strength, not surrender.You weren't built to carry resentment. You were designed to reflect grace. And grace doesn't coexist with bitterness—it drives it out.So today, get honest. Who are you still angry with? What name still causes a sting? That's your signal—not for revenge, but for release.Question of the Day:What bitter root is God inviting you to pull up today so healing can grow?Mini Call to Action:Write their name on a piece of paper, pray over it, then tear it up. Declare out loud, “Bitterness ends here. I choose peace.”Let's Pray:Lord, I don't want to live bound by bitterness. I release every offense, every hurt, every name I've been holding onto. Heal my heart, uproot the poison, and plant Your peace instead. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Bitterness is a burden you don't have to carry anymore. Drop it. Burn the list. Let grace go to war on your behalf. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Endurance. It's not a flashy word. It doesn't make headlines. But in the Kingdom of God, it's everything. Jesus didn't say, “The one who starts with passion will be saved,” or “The one who knows the most prophecy charts.” He said—the one who endures. Today we're talking about grit. Godly perseverance. The kind of faith that stays standing when the storm doesn't stop.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” — Matthew 24:13 (ESV)The end times aren't a sprint. They're a long, narrowing path of perseverance. And the deeper we get into them, the clearer this becomes—this is about faithfulness, not flashiness.Endurance doesn't always look impressive. Sometimes it looks like worship through tears. Sometimes it's choosing to forgive when bitterness feels easier. Sometimes it's praying the same promise for the hundredth time, even when it still hasn't come to pass.Jesus warned that many would fall away. Why? Because the pressure will intensify. Persecution. Betrayal. Offense. False prophets. Lawlessness. And because of that—Jesus said—the love of many would grow cold.But not yours.Why? Because endurance isn't a personality trait—it's a spiritual weapon. It's fueled by the Spirit of God. It's birthed in prayer, nourished by the Word, and tested in the furnace.God isn't looking for perfect. He's looking for faithful. Not the most talented. The most trusted. Not the most polished. The most persistent.So if you're tired, you're not alone. But don't give up. The finish line is closer than it's ever been. And those who endure—those who keep their lamps lit and hearts anchored—will see the reward no eye has imagined.Question of the Day:What's one area of your life where endurance feels hard—but you know God is asking you to press on?Mini Call to Action:Find one verse today that fuels your perseverance—write it down, memorize it, and speak it out loud every time you feel like giving up.Let's Pray:Lord, give me the strength to endure. When I'm weary, refresh me. When I'm tempted to quit, remind me why I started. And when the fire burns hot, walk with me through it. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Endurance isn't glamorous—but it's eternal. Stay steady. Stay faithful. You're closer to the crown than you think.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Prophecy isn't meant to terrify us. It's meant to anchor us. While the world trembles with uncertainty, we have a future secured in promises that cannot be broken. God has already told us the end of the story—and it ends with Jesus victorious and His people standing in glory.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” — Revelation 19:10b (ESV)Jesus is the center of prophecy. Every end-time vision, every revelation, every warning—it all points to Him. And that's where our hope must be rooted.When you read through prophetic Scripture, don't stop at the beasts or the bowls or the battles. Look deeper. See the Lamb. See the victory. See the promise that those who endure to the end will reign with Him.Hope in prophecy isn't wishful thinking. It's assured expectation. God does not change. What He promised Abraham, what He revealed to Daniel, what John saw in Revelation—it's all unfolding just as He said.The enemy wants you focused on fear. God wants you focused on fulfillment—on the promises that are yes and amen in Christ.And here's the beauty: prophetic hope doesn't just comfort you in the future. It strengthens you in the present. It reminds you that the chaos around you is not the final word. Jesus is.Prophecy doesn't paralyze—it empowers. It lifts your eyes. It readies your heart. And it reminds you that the Kingdom is unshakable… and you belong to it.Question of the Day:Which prophetic promise gives you the most hope in today's uncertain world?Mini Call to Action:Write down one promise from Scripture about Christ's return. Tape it somewhere visible. Let it refocus your eyes today.Let's Pray:Lord, thank You that every prophetic word finds its fulfillment in You. Help me to stand on Your promises, not my fears. Remind me that the future is secure—because You hold it. Amen.Let's Get To Work!This world isn't spiraling—it's fulfilling prophecy. And you weren't made to cower. You were made to hope, to endure, and to point others to the One who's coming soon.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we're diving into a topic that's been on the minds of many believers, especially those who study biblical prophecy: the signs of Jesus' return and their role in today's world. What does the Bible say about these signs? How do current events align with prophetic Scripture?Our springboard for today's discussion is:“So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” — Matthew 24:33 (ESV)Jesus never told us to guess the day of His return. But He did command us to watch. And not just watch—but understand. Just like leaves on a fig tree reveal summer is near, the signs we're seeing today are no coincidence.Earthquakes. Wars. Nations rising against nations. False messiahs. Global unrest. Jesus wasn't giving us headlines—He was giving us a heartbeat. A rhythm. A signal that the end is not random—it's purposeful.You see, prophecy isn't about fear—it's about preparation. God doesn't reveal the end to scare His people but to prepare His bride. We're not called to look away—we're called to stay alert, grounded, and full of faith.If the signs are everywhere—and they are—then the real question is: Are we listening?Some mock. Some yawn. Some scroll past prophecy like it's background noise. But the spiritually awake will recognize the hour. They will tune out the noise of fear and tune in to the whisper of the Spirit.Question of the Day:What signs around you seem to echo Jesus' words in Matthew 24?Mini Call to Action:Today, open your Bible and read all of Matthew 24 aloud. Then ask the Holy Spirit to show you how those words apply to what's happening around you right now.Let's Pray:Lord, help me not to fall asleep in this prophetic hour. Help me to recognize the signs, not with fear, but with holy anticipation. Make me watchful, ready, and full of faith. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!God's not hiding His plan—He's revealing it. The question is, are your eyes open?My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

There's something powerful about light. It exposes, yes—but it also heals. It brings clarity. It brings safety. And when we choose to live our lives in the light of God's truth, we no longer need to hide. In Christ, you don't have to fake it. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be real. That's what today is all about: standing in the light.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” — 1 John 1:7 (ESV)We live in a world of filters—curated images, polished versions of ourselves, and carefully managed impressions. But God invites us into something deeper: authenticity. He's not interested in your mask. He wants your heart.To walk in the light means to walk in truth. It means living a life that's not afraid of exposure, because you're already covered by grace.And here's what happens when you stand in the light:* Shame loses its grip.* Sin gets stripped of secrecy.* Fellowship becomes real, not performative.There is healing in the light. The enemy works in shadows—he thrives in hiddenness. But the moment you step into the light of God's presence, he loses his grip.You don't have to walk alone. You don't have to hide your scars. Jesus already saw them—and He still chose you.This verse reminds us that light leads to cleansing. Not just a clean slate—but a transformed heart.So today, be brave enough to stand fully in the light. God's not waiting with condemnation—He's welcoming you with open arms.Question of the Day:What part of your life needs to step out of the shadows and into God's healing light?Mini Call to Action:Take one step today: confess, open up, or pray honestly about something you've kept hidden. Let the light in.Let's Pray:Lord, help me walk in Your light with boldness and humility. I don't want to hide anymore. Thank You that Your blood cleanses me and Your truth sets me free. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Freedom doesn't come from hiding. It comes from standing in the light—and knowing you're still loved.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Confidence isn't about puffing out your chest or having all the answers. Real confidence flows from knowing whose you are—even when you don't feel strong. Today is about walking with boldness—not arrogance—and standing in the strength that comes from God alone. Because when the Lord is your helper, you've got all you need.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” — Hebrews 13:6 (ESV)Let's be honest—most of us wrestle with self-doubt at some level. We second-guess our decisions. We fear rejection. We wonder if we're equipped for what God's asked us to do.But here's the truth: confidence in the Kingdom isn't self-confidence—it's God-confidence.It's not about what you can do on your own—it's about what He can do through you.When you know the Lord is your helper, you walk differently. You speak with authority. You obey even when it's uncomfortable. Why? Because your strength isn't anchored to your own ability—it's rooted in a God who doesn't fail.Think about David standing before Goliath. He wasn't confident in his sling—he was confident in his God. His faith made him bold. Your identity in Christ is your license to walk with your head high and your feet firm.Confidence comes when you stop looking at yourself and start looking to Jesus.So, when you step into a room, remember—you're not walking in alone. God is with you. His Spirit lives in you. His Word guides you.That's more than enough.Question of the Day:Are you relying on your own strength—or walking in the confidence that comes from God being your helper?Mini Call to Action:Today, take one bold step you've been hesitating on. Speak, move, or act—not in fear, but in faith. The Lord is with you.Let's Pray:Lord, I choose to walk in confidence—not because of who I am, but because of who You are in me. Help me to trust You more deeply and act with courage today. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Stop shrinking back. Your confidence comes from a Helper who's never lost a battle.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

You don't train during the battle—you train before it. You don't sharpen your sword once the enemy shows up—you sharpen it in the quiet place, where no one sees but God. Every soldier knows: preparation is everything. And God, our Commander, is not just with us in the fight—He's training us for it.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” — Psalm 144:1 (ESV)David didn't become a warrior the moment he faced Goliath. He was trained in the wilderness—fighting lions and bears when no one was watching. The battlefield was just where the private training became public.And the same is true for you.God trains you in the secret place. In the early morning prayer. In the Scriptures you memorize. In the worship you offer when no one else hears. Every moment in His presence is sharpening your spirit, strengthening your grip, and preparing your hands for war.You don't wait until the marriage is falling apart to learn how to fight for it. You don't wait until fear floods your heart to discover how to stand. You don't wait for an attack to learn how to pray. Training happens now.Your daily discipline is your daily weapon.And here's what's beautiful—God is the One doing the training. You don't have to figure this all out alone. He's shaping your character, forging your faith, and making sure that when the fight comes—you're not empty-handed.So don't resent the quiet seasons. Don't overlook the little battles. That daily obedience? That consistent time in the Word? That's warrior training.Question of the Day:Are you training for battle—or just reacting when it comes?Mini Call to Action:Commit 15 minutes today to prayer or Scripture—not out of routine, but as training. Ask God to sharpen you for the battles ahead.Let's Pray:Lord, thank You for training me. Forgive me when I've waited for war to prepare. Teach me to take my quiet time seriously, to let You build strength in me today for what may come tomorrow. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Victory starts in private. Show up for training. God is shaping a warrior.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Pressure doesn't mean you're losing—it often means you're getting closer to breakthrough. The enemy doesn't waste his ammo on someone going nowhere. So if you're feeling pressed, stretched, or surrounded, it might just mean you're standing exactly where God wants you. Now the question is—will you stay there?Our springboard for today's discussion is:“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” — 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV)Paul wasn't writing a motivational slogan—he was delivering a command to the weary, the under fire, and the under pressure.Be watchful.Keep your eyes open. The enemy is subtle—he slips in through offense, temptation, busyness, even good things that distract you from God things.Stand firm.This isn't the time to retreat. When the pressure increases, the call isn't to run—it's to plant your feet. Faith doesn't mean you don't feel the weight. It means you don't collapse under it.Act like men.Be courageous. Show up when it's uncomfortable. Speak truth even when it costs you. Fight for your family, your faith, your future.Be strong.But not in your own strength. In the Lord's. In His might. When yours runs out, His keeps going.Here's the truth: pressure exposes where your faith is rooted. If your roots go deep, the storm may bend you—but it won't break you. And when you stand firm under pressure, you don't just survive—you witness. You show others what it looks like to remain when it would be easier to run.Question of the Day:Where are you tempted to give up under pressure—and what truth will you plant your feet on today?Mini Call to Action:Write out 1 Corinthians 16:13. Post it somewhere visible this week. Every time pressure rises, read it aloud and stay grounded.Let's Pray:Lord, strengthen me when pressure mounts. Help me to stand when I feel like sitting down, to believe when it's easier to doubt. I choose to hold the ground You gave me. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Pressure doesn't define your faith—your stance does. Hold the line. God is with you.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Discouragement isn't a feeling—it's a weapon. And the enemy knows how to use it well. If he can't destroy you, he'll try to deflate you. If he can't shut you up, he'll try to wear you out. But God didn't call you to live under a cloud of heaviness. He called you to war for your joy.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.” — Psalm 42:11 (ESV)David knew what it meant to feel discouraged. He wasn't pretending here. He wasn't smiling through the pain or posting something inspirational to mask the hurt. He got honest with his soul—and then he spoke back to it.That's what spiritual warfare looks like on the inside.Discouragement creeps in subtly: a prayer unanswered, a delay you didn't expect, a voice in your head that says, “What's the point?” And before you know it, your strength is gone, your shield is down, and hope feels out of reach.But listen—hope is a weapon, and praise is your war cry.When discouragement hits, don't rehearse it. Don't replay every disappointment. Don't build a shrine to what hasn't happened yet. Instead, talk back. Remind your soul of what God has done, who He is, and what He's still doing behind the scenes.Faith doesn't ignore discouragement. Faith confronts it.There will be days when victory looks like just standing. And that's okay. Just don't sink. Stand, speak, praise, and press in. Joy isn't the absence of pain—it's the presence of God in the middle of it.Question of the Day:Where has discouragement tried to silence your praise—and how will you speak back today?Mini Call to Action:Take five minutes and write down three things God has done for you—then thank Him out loud for each one. Praise is your comeback.Let's Pray:Lord, when discouragement comes, remind me to fight back with hope. Help me speak truth to my soul. Stir up gratitude and joy in the middle of my struggle. I choose to trust You—even in the tension. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Don't let discouragement drain your fire. Hope loud. Praise louder.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Strongholds don't look like battles. They feel like beliefs. Thought patterns. Habits that seem too big to break. But here's the truth: what feels permanent in your mind is often just a well-defended lie. And the Word of God wasn't given to just comfort you—it was given to tear that lie down.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” — 2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV)A stronghold is any area in your life where the enemy has set up camp through deception. It may have started with pain… but it grew because of agreement. You believed something long enough that it built walls around your heart and mind.Maybe it sounds like:* “I'll never change.”* “God must be punishing me.”* “I'm always going to struggle with this.”Those aren't just passing thoughts. Those are spiritual fortresses the enemy hides behind.But here's what God says: You've been given weapons. And they are not weak. They are mighty through God to demolish strongholds—brick by brick, lie by lie.You don't fight strongholds with willpower. You fight them with truth. You confront them with Scripture. You tear down arguments with the authority of Christ.When you identify the lie, you take it captive. You don't entertain it anymore. You don't rehearse it. You replace it.And when you replace it with God's Word, the walls start to fall. Freedom becomes real. That inner war loses its grip.No matter how long the stronghold has stood, it's not stronger than the name of Jesus. Today, you can start pulling it down.Question of the Day:What lie have you been believing that needs to be dismantled with truth today?Mini Call to Action:Write down one stronghold—then find a verse that directly confronts it. Speak that verse every day this week.Let's Pray:Lord, I no longer want to live behind lies. Expose every stronghold and fill those spaces with Your truth. Your Word is my weapon, and I trust You to lead me to freedom. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Every stronghold has a weak spot—and the Word of God is your wrecking ball.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Most of us know how to pray after the attack hits. We beg for rescue. We plead for peace. But there's a deeper calling in warfare prayer—one that doesn't just respond to battle, but initiates it. Offense isn't arrogance. It's spiritual obedience that says, “I'm not waiting for the enemy to hit me. I'm moving in first—with authority.”Our springboard for today's discussion is:“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” — James 5:16 (ESV)Too often we treat prayer like a last resort. But in the kingdom of God, prayer is air support—and it's how we take ground. There's a boldness that rises when you understand that prayer isn't just emotional comfort—it's strategic warfare.Defensive prayer says, “Lord, protect me from what's coming.”Offensive prayer says, “Lord, go before me. Crush the enemy's schemes. Tear down strongholds.”You pray with insight—not just reaction. You call things into alignment before they spiral. You speak promises over your family, clarity over your mind, and truth into the atmosphere.And here's the key: righteousness. Not perfection—but right-standing with God through Jesus. That's what gives your prayers power. Not fancy words. Not emotional highs. Just raw, Spirit-filled faith.When you pray offensively, you stop begging—and start declaring. You remind the enemy of his place. You wield Scripture like a sword. You don't ask for victory—you pray from victory.You were never meant to live on the run. You were born to advance the Kingdom.Question of the Day:What's one area where you've been praying defensively—and how can you shift to praying offensively?Mini Call to Action:Choose one Scripture. Speak it boldly in prayer today—not from fear, but from victory. Don't ask for permission. Take ground.Let's Pray:Lord, ignite a warrior spirit in me. Teach me to pray with power, with clarity, and with confidence in Your promises. Let my prayers move heaven and shake hell. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Stop reacting—start advancing. Victory belongs to those who pray like it.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

You can't fight what you can't identify. One of the enemy's greatest strategies is staying hidden—twisting situations, manipulating thoughts, and making his attacks feel like “just life.” But once you learn to recognize his patterns, you stop reacting in the flesh and start responding in the Spirit.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)Spiritual warfare doesn't always look like Hollywood drama. It often shows up in subtle ways: discouragement that sneaks in unexpectedly, division in relationships, confusion about God's voice, and anxiety that feels like it came from nowhere. That's not coincidence—that's strategy.Satan is a deceiver, not a creator. He can't make anything new—he only distorts what already exists. He'll take God's truth and twist it. He'll take your weakness and exploit it. He'll use fear, shame, and distraction to steal your joy and silence your prayers.That's why Peter tells us to be watchful—not paranoid, but spiritually alert. We must train our minds to recognize when a battle is not just physical or emotional—but spiritual. That moment of hopelessness after a breakthrough? That temptation right after a victory? Those aren't random. They're tactical.But here's the good news: the moment you recognize the enemy, you've already taken the first step toward victory. Because now you can fight with discernment. You can pray with purpose. You can rebuke lies with truth.And most importantly—you don't fight alone.Question of the Day:Where have you seen patterns of attack in your life that might be more spiritual than circumstantial?Mini Call to Action:Take 10 minutes today and ask the Holy Spirit to show you one area where the enemy has been at work undetected. Write it down—and speak truth over it.Let's Pray:Lord, open my eyes to see where the enemy is working in my life. Give me discernment and spiritual clarity. Teach me to stand alert, to pray boldly, and to trust fully in Your victory. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!You're not just surviving life—you're a soldier in a battle. And the first step to winning? Spot the enemy before he strikes.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Spiritual weariness doesn't always announce itself with a crash—it often creeps in like a slow leak. You still go through the motions. You still show up. But deep inside, you're drained. You've prayed, fasted, fought, believed… and now you're just tired. And the temptation to let go feels stronger than ever.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 (ESV)God never denied that weariness would come. In fact, Paul's words here acknowledge the very real weight of doing good in a broken world. But the promise is powerful: if you don't give up… you will reap.That's not hype. That's harvest. God sees what you've planted in prayer. He sees what you've carried in silence. He sees every tear, every late-night intercession, every quiet act of obedience. And He's not ignoring it. He's growing something underneath the surface that you can't yet see.But in seasons of exhaustion, you don't need to “do more”—you need to hold tighter. Not to your own strength. Not to your routines. To Him.Sometimes, clinging to God looks like resting in His Word when you can't feel His presence. Sometimes, it looks like crying out instead of shutting down. Sometimes, it looks like letting others carry you for a while.You're not weak for being weary. You're human. And the Father knows your frame. He's not waiting for you to impress Him—He's asking you to lean on Him.So today, take one more step. Not because you feel strong, but because He is. And because in due season… you will reap.Question of the Day:What part of your life feels the heaviest right now—and how can you cling tighter to God instead of letting go?Mini Call to Action:Take five minutes today to speak Galatians 6:9 over your weary heart. Then text or call someone to pray with you. Don't carry it alone.Let's Pray:Lord, I'm tired. But I'm not giving up. Help me to hold on when everything tells me to let go. Breathe new strength into me. Help me trust the harvest that I can't yet see. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Weariness may come—but so will the harvest, if you don't quit.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Disappointment is a silent thief. It doesn't always show up loudly—but it lingers. It questions your prayers. It clouds your joy. It slowly erodes your confidence in God's goodness. Maybe you didn't get the healing, the breakthrough, the answer you begged God for. And now you're left wondering: Can I really trust Him again?Our springboard for today's discussion is:“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)Jeremiah wrote these words while looking at a destroyed Jerusalem—smoke rising, hope scattered, grief pressing in from every side. And yet, even there, he said: God's mercy is new. His love hasn't stopped. His faithfulness remains.That kind of trust doesn't come from having all the answers—it comes from knowing the heart of God. You may not understand why something happened. But you can choose to believe who God still is.Disappointment invites you to harden your heart. To play it safe. To believe, “If I don't expect much, I won't get hurt again.” But faith doesn't grow behind walls—it grows in surrender. The same hands that held your loss can hold your future. The same God who didn't answer the way you hoped still holds every moment of your life in His care.To trust again doesn't mean forgetting what happened. It means choosing not to let disappointment define your relationship with God. It means choosing to open your heart again to the One who can heal it.It's okay to start small. A whispered prayer. A song sung through tears. A decision to say, “Lord, I still believe—help my unbelief.”Question of the Day:Where in your life has disappointment made it hard to trust God—and what would it look like to give that place back to Him?Mini Call to Action:Write down one area where hope has been hard. Then write this beneath it: “His mercies are new every morning.” Let that be your declaration today.Let's Pray:Lord, I bring You my disappointment—not to hide it, but to heal it. I want to trust You again. Teach me how. Show me Your faithfulness in a fresh way. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Disappointment is real—but it's not your final chapter. God is still writing.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

When hardship strikes, it feels like everything unravels—our plans, our peace, even our confidence in what God promised. But this is exactly when His Word matters most. In times of crisis, we don't cling to what we feel—we cling to what He has said.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (ESV)This verse isn't a cliché—it's a cornerstone. Paul didn't write it from a place of comfort. He wrote it as someone who had been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, betrayed, and misunderstood. And yet, his conviction remained unshaken: God works all things—even suffering—for good.That doesn't mean everything feels good. It doesn't mean every moment is easy. But it means nothing is wasted.Your hardship might feel random, but it's not. Your pain may seem senseless, but in God's hands, it has purpose. He redeems what looks ruined. He transforms what feels hopeless. He rewrites stories with endings we never saw coming.When God makes a promise, He's not speaking from your perspective—He's speaking from eternity. He sees the full picture. He knows how this chapter connects to the next. And even in your deepest sorrow, His Word stands firm.This is why we need His promises hidden in our hearts before the storm hits. Because in the middle of the storm, emotions scream—but truth sustains.If you're in hardship today, don't just survive it. Anchor yourself in what God has said.Question of the Day:What promise from God do you need to hold onto right now—despite what you're feeling?Mini Call to Action:Write down Romans 8:28 on a card or in your phone. Every time discouragement rises, read it aloud. Let God's Word reshape your focus.Let's Pray:Lord, thank You that nothing in my life is wasted. Even in hardship, You are working. Help me to trust Your promises when I can't see the outcome. Remind me that You are faithful. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!When the pain is loud, let the promises of God be louder.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Sickness shakes us. Loss devastates us. When the body begins to fail or when someone we love slips from our arms, our theology gets tested. It's in these moments that faith either crumbles—or deepens. And it all depends on where we anchor our hope.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)Paul doesn't minimize suffering—he reframes it. He reminds us that while the body grows weaker, God is doing something powerful in the unseen places. In the hospital bed. In the quiet hospice room. In the slow fading of strength. God is not absent—He's active, renewing us from the inside out.Illness is never easy. Whether you're the one fighting or the one watching a loved one suffer, the pain is real. The questions are real. The weariness is heavy. But the promise of God is this: you do not have to lose heart.Your value is not measured by physical ability. Your faith is not invalidated by emotional struggle. Your strength is not found in your muscles—it's in your spirit, and God is the One renewing it day by day.Loss may take someone from your life, but it cannot take the promises of eternity. Healing may not come how you prayed—but God's presence will never fail to show up.We walk by faith—not by what we see, not by what we feel, but by the truth that Jesus is still the Healer, the Comforter, and the Resurrection and the Life.Question of the Day:How is God inviting you to trust Him right now—in your weakness, or in your grief?Mini Call to Action:Take a few minutes today to speak 2 Corinthians 4:16 out loud. Declare it over your body, your mind, or someone you love who's suffering.Let's Pray:Lord, I bring my weakness and my pain to You. I choose to trust Your hand when I don't understand Your plan. Renew me from the inside out. Give me strength for today and hope for eternity. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!The body may break, but the Spirit never stops rising.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Grief is sacred. It's not weakness. It's not faithlessness. It's the natural outpouring of love when something or someone is lost. But for those who belong to Christ, grief carries a companion—hope. And that hope changes everything.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“But we do not want you to be uninformed… that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)The Bible doesn't say we shouldn't grieve. It says we don't grieve like the world does—like those without the promise of redemption, resurrection, or reunion. Our grief is real, but it is not final.When death strikes, when relationships are lost, when dreams are buried—we feel it deeply. Jesus did too. He wept. He felt sorrow. He bore it. But He also conquered it.To grieve with hope means we bring our sorrow to the foot of the cross and say, “Even in this… I will trust You.” It means we don't rush the pain, but we also don't drown in it. We feel, we mourn, we cry—but we do so tethered to a truth greater than our tears.Hope whispers that God sees our pain. Hope declares that eternity is real. Hope reminds us that even what's been taken can one day be restored.If you're grieving today, you're not alone. God is close to the brokenhearted. He's near in the pain. He's listening. And He will not waste one ounce of your sorrow.Question of the Day:Where do you need to invite hope back into your grief?Mini Call to Action:Light a candle today. Let it represent the light of hope in your sorrow. As it burns, pray for God's comfort and the promise of restoration to rise in your heart.Let's Pray:Lord, I bring my grief to You. I don't hide it. I don't deny it. But I ask You to fill it with Your presence and anchor it with Your hope. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Grief may visit, but hope refuses to leave.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Healing and Wholeness: The 18-Inch Journey from Head to Heart “The glory of God is man fully alive.” —St. Irenaeus “God does not love some ideal version of you. He loves you—with your particular history, wounds, and desires.” This episode takes you on what may be the most important journey of your life: the 18 inches from the head to the heart. Through the story of Blaise Pascal's mystical night of fire, the gentle wisdom of Harvey's Elwood P. Dowd, and the wisdom of the Church, we explore what it means to become an integrated person—one who lives not in fragmentation, but in communion. We are not just minds or spirits—we are embodied, emotional, historical persons. And while trauma, generational wounds, and spiritual lies may have fractured our inner life, God is drawing us back into wholeness. This is not a journey of perfection, but of integration—of learning to live fully alive. You'll hear about: The role of the family in shaping our early spiritual imagination The wounds that distort identity and the lies we carry into adulthood How emotional maturity, spiritual direction, and community lead us to healing How God re-parents us through His Word, His Church, and His sacraments This episode is an invitation to courageously face the inner story you've believed—and to let God write a new one with you. Reflection & Journaling Questions for Prayer   Where in my life do I live more from my head than from my heart? Where do I hide behind intelligence, control, or performance rather than love, vulnerability, and trust? Have I made the 18-inch journey from being right to being real? What would it mean to let go of needing to prove myself and instead seek communion? What were the spoken or unspoken rules in my family growing up? (“Don't feel,” “Be perfect,” “Never be weak,” etc.) What emotions were welcomed in my childhood? What emotions were avoided or punished? What role did I play in my family system? (Hero, invisible one, peacekeeper, rebel…) How does that still shape me today? What is one lie I have believed about myself? (“I am only loved if…”; “I must always… to be safe.”) Ask: Where did I learn this? What is the truth that God wants to speak there? What pattern have I inherited from my family or past that I want to bring into the light of Christ? Pray: “Lord, show me where You were when I felt unseen.” Which of life's tasks—work, friendship, or love—do I tend to avoid? Ask: Where do I need more courage to live generously and not self-protect? Do I see emotional strength as a way to protect myself or to give myself away? What would it mean to see my strength as a gift for others? What private logic or internal script still shapes how I see myself, God, and others? Bring one of those to prayer. Ask: “Jesus, walk with me through the rooms of my childhood. What do You want to show me?”  

There are moments in life when nothing seems to add up. You've prayed, obeyed, sought the Lord—and still, the outcome doesn't make sense. Doors close that you thought were open. Answers delay. Pain lingers. The roadmap you thought you had suddenly disappears. And it's in those moments that the question rises: Can I still trust God when I don't understand Him?Our springboard for today's discussion is:“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)God never promised that our understanding would always align with His direction. He simply said, “Trust Me.” That means we choose faith over clarity. We walk in obedience even when we can't explain the terrain.When life doesn't make sense, that's not the time to back away—it's the time to press in. Trust is most powerful when it's hardest to give. That's where real surrender begins. Not when the path is easy, but when the path is unclear.Choosing to trust in chaos means we stop trying to control everything. It means we quit writing our own outcomes and start resting in the One who sees the end from the beginning.God doesn't ask you to understand—He asks you to follow. And He promises to direct the path. Not always the shortest. Not always the smoothest. But always the one that leads you closer to Him.When life stops making sense, anchor yourself in what never changes—His character, His promises, His faithfulness.Question of the Day:What part of your life right now feels confusing—and how can you submit that place to God's direction today?Mini Call to Action:Write down Proverbs 3:5–6 and say it out loud every time your mind starts chasing answers God hasn't given yet.Let's Pray:Lord, I choose to trust You. Even when it doesn't make sense. Even when the path feels unclear. Help me release control and follow where You lead. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Clarity may come later—but trust is for right now.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

There are few things more disorienting than feeling like God is silent. The heavens feel closed, your prayers seem unanswered, and your spirit longs for even the faintest whisper. Many of us know what it's like to cry out in pain, only to be met with what feels like divine stillness. But even in silence, God is not absent.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” — Psalm 13:1 (ESV)David, the man after God's own heart, wasn't afraid to express deep frustration and anguish in his relationship with the Lord. He didn't hide his heart—he brought it fully before God. That kind of honesty is part of what faith looks like in times of silence.When God seems quiet, it's tempting to believe the worst—that He has left, that He's uninterested, or that your prayers don't matter. But silence is not the same as absence. Often, God is doing His deepest work in your life in the quiet spaces—strengthening your roots, building trust, refining your heart.The silence stretches us. It tests whether we will lean into His Word even when His voice seems still. When fresh direction doesn't come, go back to the last thing He told you. Stay rooted in Scripture. Remember His faithfulness in past seasons.Trust grows in the quiet. Obedience deepens. Spiritual maturity takes shape not just in what we hear—but in how we respond when we don't.Question of the Day:What does faith look like for you right now when you feel like God is silent?Mini Call to Action:Write down Psalm 13:1. Reflect on David's honesty and courage. Let it give you permission to bring your full heart to God today.Let's Pray:Lord, when I can't hear You, help me trust You. Strengthen my faith in the quiet. Teach me to lean on what is true, not just what I feel. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!God's silence is not His absence—keep walking with Him anyway.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Nobody asks for trials. But if you've been walking with Jesus for any amount of time, you know they come—unexpected, uninvited, and often unrelenting. And yet God tells us to “count it all joy”? Not because the pain feels good—but because something greater is being produced within us.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” — James 1:2–3 (ESV)Trials are God's classroom. Not His punishment. And certainly not His absence. In the fire, your faith is refined—not destroyed. You learn how to stand, how to endure, how to trust when everything around you shakes.But the trial doesn't just reveal what's around you—it reveals what's in you. And more importantly, it reveals the One who is in it with you.You may not understand what's happening. The pieces don't always make sense. But God is not silent in the storm. He is speaking, even now.“My child, I know this hurts. I haven't overlooked it or delayed out of neglect. I'm allowing what will strengthen you, not destroy you. Trust Me. I am forming something in you that comfort never could. Hold on. I'm right here.”God is not asking you to pretend the trial isn't painful. He's asking you to anchor yourself in the truth that He is still good, still faithful, and still present.Faith is not proved in the light—it's proven in the dark. And every step you take in trust is shaping you into someone who reflects Jesus more than ever before.Question of the Day:Where in your life right now do you need to stop asking “why” and start trusting “Who”?Mini Call to Action:Write down one area of trial you're facing. Next to it, write one promise of God. Post it where you'll see it every day this week.Let's Pray:Lord, I don't always understand the pain—but I trust Your purpose. Strengthen my heart. Refine my faith. And teach me to walk through the fire with my eyes fixed on You. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Pain isn't the end of your story. It's the beginning of something stronger.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

There is no greater weapon, no stronger shield, and no more powerful ministry than a parent who prays. When you cover your family in prayer, you're not just speaking words—you're building walls of protection, opening doors of favor, and aligning your home with the will of God. God hears every whisper, every tear, every cry that comes from a parent who stands in the gap.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children." — Isaiah 54:13You don't have to control everything in your child's life. You won't always be there to guard every decision, every friendship, or every circumstance. But you can stand before God every single day on their behalf.Praying for your family means you're calling down heaven into their lives:* Pray protection over their minds, their hearts, and their purity.* Pray purpose over their callings, gifts, and futures.* Pray peace over your home, especially in moments of tension.* Pray wisdom over your parenting decisions, even when clarity feels far away.Start calling out their names before God each morning. Declare His Word over them—because prayer mixed with Scripture is warfare. Lay hands on their doors. Speak life into your spouse. Cover your home in the authority Christ has given you.Prayer isn't a backup plan. It's your first line of defense.And even when you feel weak, tired, or unsure—God sees your prayers as incense before His throne. He is moved by the intercession of a mother, a father, a grandparent who refuses to give up.Question of the Day:What specific area of your family needs prayer covering today?Mini Call to Action:Write a 3-line prayer today—one sentence for your spouse, one for your children, one for yourself. Speak it aloud and repeat it every day this week.Let's Pray:Lord, teach me to cover my family with prayer. Help me to be faithful in intercession, bold in declaring Your promises, and strong in trusting You with those I love most. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Your prayers may be silent to the world—but they roar in heaven.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Sibling relationships have the power to shape a child's character and future in profound ways. These relationships are often the first training ground for learning forgiveness, humility, patience, and selfless love. And God is not silent about how we're to treat one another—even in the smallest corners of the home.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you…" — John 13:34Teaching siblings to love one another doesn't begin with behavior correction—it begins with heart formation. It's not about getting kids to simply “get along.” It's about helping them see each other as image-bearers of God, placed in the same family for a reason.Here are a few ways to disciple your children in sibling love:* Model it – Show grace and respect in your own relationships. Children replicate what they see.* Pray for one another out loud – Let siblings hear each other's needs lifted to God. It softens hearts.* Teach peacemaking, not just peacekeeping – Train them to work through conflict biblically, not just avoid it.* Celebrate one another – Encourage them to cheer each other on rather than compete for attention.* Speak blessing – Teach them to use their words to build, not tear down.Sibling rivalry isn't new—it's been around since Cain and Abel. But in Christ, our homes can be different. God wants to use sibling relationships to build unity, sharpen character, and reflect His love.If your children struggle with tension, don't lose hope. Ask the Holy Spirit to move in their hearts. Begin praying for a spirit of unity and kindness between them—and don't stop. God cares deeply about what's happening between your children.Question of the Day:What's one way you can help your children grow in love and unity toward each other this week?Mini Call to Action:Lead your children in a short time of praying for one another today. Even one sentence each. Watch what begins to shift.Let's Pray:Lord, teach our children to love each other as You have loved them. Help us lead by example. Let our home be filled with grace, patience, and a Spirit of unity. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!The love your children learn to give each other at home will shape how they love the world.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Every family passes something down—values, traditions, even patterns of brokenness. But as believers, we are called to leave more than possessions behind. We are called to pass on a legacy of faith. A spiritual inheritance that will outlast our name, our income, and even our lifetime.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice..." — 2 Timothy 1:5When Paul spoke to Timothy, he didn't mention titles, wealth, or success. He pointed to a lineage of faith. Faith that was lived out. Faith that was taught. Faith that endured across generations.You may not come from a family of faith—but you can be the starting point. You can be the one that breaks curses and begins blessings. You can plant seeds your great-grandchildren will benefit from.Passing down faith isn't about being a perfect parent. It's about being faithful in the small things:* Praying over your children and letting them hear it.* Reading the Word and inviting them into it.* Telling them how God showed up in your life—testimony is one of the most powerful gifts you can leave behind.* Creating a home where grace is tangible, worship is welcome, and repentance is modeled.Legacy isn't formed in one big moment. It's built in ordinary days of consistency, surrender, and obedience. And even if your kids stray, the seeds of faith remain. God knows how to water them at the right time.So live your faith in front of your family. Let them see what it looks like to follow Jesus—not just in church, but in how you treat them, how you persevere, and how you love.Question of the Day:What spiritual inheritance are you actively building for your children and grandchildren?Mini Call to Action:Write down one testimony of God's faithfulness in your life and share it with your child this week—even if they've heard it before.Let's Pray:Lord, help us to live in a way that leaves a lasting legacy of faith. Let our lives be a testimony of Your goodness, Your power, and Your grace. May the generations after us know You because of the seeds we sow today. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!A faith-filled legacy doesn't start someday—it starts now.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Technology isn't evil—but it is powerful. And in today's culture, media shapes minds faster than almost anything else. As parents, we are not just raising children—we're guarding hearts. If we're not actively leading our families through the noise, the noise will lead them away from truth.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure… think about these things." — Philippians 4:8Our kids are growing up with access to everything—entertainment, opinions, ideologies, and temptations—all at the touch of a screen. The question isn't if they'll be influenced, but who will be the loudest voice in that influence.God is calling us to lead with discernment, not fear. To guide our children into tech wisdom—not tech dependence. To train them not just to avoid darkness, but to pursue light.This means setting clear, Spirit-led boundaries:* Limit screen time so hearts have time to rest.* Filter content—not just with apps, but with prayer and conversation.* Model purity and wisdom in your own tech use.* Talk with your kids regularly about what they're watching, reading, and hearing—not in interrogation, but with invitation.We're not called to isolate our kids—we're called to equip them. Teach them to ask:“Does this show reflect God's truth?”“Is this app building me up or tearing me down?”“Do I feel closer to God—or numb—after this?”These are the kinds of questions that shape strong, discerning disciples.God wants to be Lord over the devices in your home, too. And when we place even our screens under His authority, we create space for His voice to rise above the noise.Question of the Day:What digital boundary do you need to set—or reset—in your home this week?Mini Call to Action:Have a conversation with your family tonight. Invite everyone to help choose one new tech boundary you'll all honor together for the next 7 days.Let's Pray:Lord, give us wisdom to lead our homes in truth. Help us guard what enters our hearts and minds. Let our homes be filled with what is pure, what is holy, and what reflects Your voice. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Your home doesn't have to be controlled by culture—let it be led by Christ.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Prayer is not just something we do when we need help—it's how we stay aligned with the One who leads our home. A praying family isn't just a spiritual family—it's a strong one. When we pray together, we make space for God to take His rightful place in the center of our family life.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." — Matthew 18:20Family prayer time doesn't need to be complicated. It doesn't have to sound perfect. But it does need to be prioritized.In a world where schedules compete for our time and devices distract our focus, setting aside time for prayer re-centers everything. It reminds your family that God is not just a Sunday experience—He is the foundation of your daily life.Prayer creates unity. When you pray as a family, walls begin to come down. Hearts soften. Fear loses ground. Children learn what it means to bring real concerns before a real God. Parents model humility. Spouses grow closer. And peace begins to fill the atmosphere.Even just a few minutes can shift the tone of an entire home.Here are a few simple ways to build it into your rhythm:* Start or end each day with a short family prayer.* Pray at the dinner table, not just for the food—but for each other.* Ask each family member to share one thing they're thankful for or one person they want to pray for.* Keep it consistent. Keep it real.When you gather in His name, He shows up. And when He shows up, everything changes.Question of the Day:What's one change you can make this week to prioritize prayer in your home?Mini Call to Action:Choose a daily time—morning, meal, or evening—to pray as a family. Start today. Just a few minutes. Let the Spirit lead it.Let's Pray:Lord, teach us to pray together. Let our home be a house of prayer—a place where Your presence dwells, where unity grows, and where Your voice is welcome. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Prayer is where your family's battles are won before they even begin.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

There is a holy weight to marriage—a covenant made before God, not just a contract signed before people. And yet, in a world that values comfort over commitment, it's easy to forget that covenant isn't based on how we feel… but on what we promised. And more importantly—on what God promised to build through it.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"Did he not make them one… in flesh and spirit? And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth." — Malachi 2:15The truth is, comfort fades. Passion rises and falls. Life gets real—bills pile up, routines take over, health shifts, and the butterflies that once fluttered so freely now sleep in.But covenant doesn't depend on butterflies. It depends on a vow—sealed in the presence of God. And He takes that seriously.When God brought you together, He wasn't creating a fairy tale—He was establishing a sacred union for His glory and your growth. He was forming a partnership that reflects His unwavering faithfulness, not our fluctuating feelings.Covenant love says:“I choose you—when it's easy and when it's exhausting.I remain—when I feel close to you and when I feel far from myself.I stay—because God is in this, and I will not break faith with the one He gave me.”This isn't about staying in harmful situations—God does not call anyone to remain in abuse or danger. But in the weariness, the distance, the ordinary—it's about remembering who wrote your vows. And honoring them not out of duty, but out of love for the One who sustains them.Question of the Day:Are you leaning more on your feelings—or your covenant?Mini Call to Action:Revisit your wedding vows today. Read them aloud. Ask God to help you live them out with fresh grace and deeper resolve.Let's Pray:Lord, restore in us the awe of covenant. Help us to see our marriage as holy ground, and empower us to honor it—not just when it's comfortable, but especially when it's not. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Marriage isn't built on the absence of struggle—it's built on the presence of a promise.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Some days, love feels effortless. Other days, it feels like a choice made one hard breath at a time. There are seasons in marriage when holding on doesn't feel romantic—it feels like obedience. But those moments? That's where real love lives. Not in the easy days, but in the faithful ones.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9Every marriage faces storms—financial struggles, parenting tension, emotional distance, health crises, spiritual dryness. And when you're in the middle of one, the enemy whispers, “This is too much. Maybe it's time to quit.”But God's voice says, “Hold on. I'm not finished.”Love isn't sustained by feelings. It's sustained by covenant. The vow you made wasn't just for the joyful days—it was for the days you feel like roommates instead of lovers… when conversation turns into silence, and when connection feels out of reach.But friend, don't give up. The soil may be dry today, but the roots are still alive. And if you keep sowing—keep choosing kindness, prayer, presence, and forgiveness—you will reap. That's His promise.Perseverance in marriage doesn't mean pretending everything's fine. It means refusing to let go just because everything isn't.It's in the hardest seasons that God often does His deepest work—refining, restoring, re-rooting your relationship in grace.And one day, you'll look back and say, “That season didn't break us—it built us.”Question of the Day:Is there a place in your marriage where God is simply asking you… to keep holding on?Mini Call to Action:Speak these words out loud today: “I'm not giving up.” Then show it with one simple act of grace toward your spouse.Let's Pray:Lord, give us strength to endure, courage to remain, and faith to believe You are working even when we can't see it. Help us love faithfully, just as You love us. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do… is stay.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Marriage has the power to bless deeply—and wound deeply. The closer the relationship, the sharper the sting when things go wrong. Words spoken in anger, seasons of silence, broken trust, or unmet expectations can leave scars that don't fade quickly. But here's the good news: God doesn't ignore those wounds—He heals them.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3If you're hurting in your marriage—emotionally, spiritually, or relationally—know this: God sees. He sees the tearful prayers you haven't told anyone about. He sees the aching silence. And He's not asking you to cover it up. He's asking you to bring it to Him.Healing isn't pretending it didn't hurt. It's choosing to bring your heart into the presence of the One who knows how to bind it gently.And yes—healing takes time. Just like a physical wound, emotional wounds need cleansing, care, and patience. Some might require conversation and counseling. Others might start with confession and forgiveness. But every healing journey begins with surrender.You don't heal by demanding your spouse fix you. You heal by letting God restore what's been torn. That might mean laying down bitterness. That might mean inviting accountability. That might mean trusting God again… even before your spouse changes.And if you're the one who caused the wound—don't harden your heart. Own it. Apologize with humility. Then let God shape you into someone who no longer wounds, but builds.God doesn't waste pain. And He never leaves wounds untreated. When you place your brokenness in His hands, He doesn't just patch it—He makes it stronger than before.Question of the Day:What wound have you been carrying in your marriage that God wants to begin healing today?Mini Call to Action:Take a quiet moment and write down what's been hurting. Invite God into it. If it's time, share it gently with your spouse.Let's Pray:Lord, You are the healer of broken hearts. We bring You every wound, every scar, and every pain. Bind us up with Your love. Teach us how to walk in forgiveness, restoration, and grace. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!God doesn't just heal what's broken—He redeems it for His glory.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Marriage isn't just about sharing a life—it's about sharing a pursuit of God. And one of the most important roles you play in your spouse's life is being their spiritual encourager. Not their critic. Not their personal Holy Spirit. But a voice of grace that fans the flame of faith within them.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." — Hebrews 10:24The truth is, your spouse will go through seasons—some filled with spiritual passion, and some marked by silence, doubt, or exhaustion. And when that happens, they don't need pressure. They need encouragement.They need someone who sees what God is doing in them—even when they can't. Someone who will speak life when their faith feels dry. Someone who says, “I believe in who God is shaping you to be.”Here's what that could look like:* Praying out loud for your spouse's calling, even if they're unsure of it themselves.* Speaking Scripture over their fears or insecurities.* Celebrating their spiritual wins, no matter how small.* Reminding them that God still uses broken vessels.Spiritual encouragement doesn't mean having all the answers. It means showing up with faith when they've run out of it.And sometimes, encouragement means silence. Just sitting beside them in the waiting, listening to God on their behalf, and loving them through the process.You are not your spouse's Savior. But you are called to be their ally in the Spirit.So lift their arms when they're tired. Speak truth when they forget it. And never stop praying them into the fullness of what God created them for.Question of the Day:How can you spiritually encourage your spouse this week—without pushing or pressuring?Mini Call to Action:Ask your spouse, “How can I be praying for you right now?” Then write it down—and pray for it every day this week.Let's Pray:Lord, make me a source of life and encouragement in my spouse's journey. Help me to point them to You, speak Your truth in love, and never stop believing in what You're doing through them. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!You were never meant to run this race alone—and neither was your spouse.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

There's a lot of confusion today about what roles in marriage are supposed to look like. The world either mocks God's design or distorts it. But Scripture is clear—God established order in marriage not for control, but for harmony. When we understand our roles through the lens of Christ, we see that every assignment in marriage is sacred.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." — Ephesians 5:21Let's set the record straight: biblical headship is not about dominance. And biblical submission is not about weakness. These roles are rooted in love, humility, and sacrificial service—modeled after Christ Himself.Husbands are called to lead, yes—but to lead like Jesus: with strength, tenderness, wisdom, and sacrifice. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” That's not passive. That's not controlling. That's Christlike.Wives are called to submit—not in fear, but in trust. And not to a tyrant, but to a man who is submitted to God. This kind of submission reflects Christ's own humility and strength. It says, “I support your leadership because I trust the God you're following.”And don't miss the foundation—mutual submission. Before Paul speaks to husbands and wives, he says: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” That means both husband and wife yield to the Spirit, serve each other, and put one another above themselves.This isn't about competition. It's about completion. Two roles. One mission. One kingdom.Question of the Day:Are you walking in your God-given role with humility, strength, and surrender?Mini Call to Action:Sit down with your spouse and ask: “How can I love and serve you better in the role God's given me?” Then listen—truly listen—and act.Let's Pray:Lord, help us walk in the design You created. Teach us to lead with love, to support with strength, and to serve one another out of reverence for You. May our marriage reflect Your heart. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!When marriage follows heaven's order, earth sees heaven's beauty.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

There's something sacred—powerful—about a husband and wife coming before God together. Prayer isn't just a personal discipline; it's a marital weapon. It guards the heart, anchors the relationship, and invites God into the center of everything.Yet for many couples, praying together is one of the hardest habits to start. It feels awkward, vulnerable, or simply unfamiliar. But just like holding hands or learning to walk in step, it takes time, trust, and intentionality.Our springboard for today's discussion is:"If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." — Matthew 18:19When you pray as one, you align your hearts under God's authority. You learn to intercede, to listen, and to believe together. You bring both your burdens and your blessings to the altar—not as individuals, but as one flesh with one voice.Couples who pray together invite God to be more than a foundation—they welcome Him as a daily partner.Start simple. Hold hands and thank Him for today. Ask Him for wisdom in a decision. Lift up your children, your finances, your intimacy. Let your spouse hear your heart cry out to God. You'll learn things about each other that casual conversations may never reveal.Praying together builds spiritual trust. It heals unseen wounds. It creates unity that can't be shaken by mere disagreement or circumstance.No matter how distant you may feel—God's presence will begin drawing you closer. And over time, you'll find that prayer is no longer awkward. It becomes essential.Question of the Day:What's holding you back from praying with your spouse?Mini Call to Action:Set aside five minutes today—just five—and pray out loud together. One starts, the other finishes. Let God fill the middle.Let's Pray:Lord, teach us how to pray as one. Remove the fear, the pride, the distractions. Let our marriage be rooted in Your presence. Unite us in prayer so we may walk in Your purpose. In Jesus' name, amen.Let's Get To Work!A praying couple isn't just strong—they're unstoppable.Support MyR2B Ministries:MyR2B Ministries is our full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our ministry outreach. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe