Invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with a deity
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Eze 45:13-46:24, 1 Pet 1:13-2:10, Ps 119:33-48, Pr 28:11
Eze 45:13-46:24, 1 Pet 1:13-2:10, Ps 119:33-48, Pr 28:11
Eze 44:1-45:12, 1 Pet 1:1-12, Ps 119:17-32, Pr 28:8-10
Community Prayer and Encouragement
Community Prayer and Encouragement
Since Jesus has secured our adoption, Christians can approach God as His children and address Him as Father. Today, R.C. Sproul investigates what Christ's model prayer teaches us about our relationship with God. With your donation of an amount, request The Valley of Vision, a book of Puritan prayers to help enrich your own prayer life. You'll also get digital access to R.C. Sproul's video teaching series Prayer and the accompanying study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4406/donate Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Meet Today's Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
Many Americans do not fully know the faith-filled story behind the nation’s origins. In today's prayer and devotional, Lynette Kittle shares how long before the United States existed, a small group of Christian separatists—the Pilgrims—risked everything to worship Jesus freely and to practice their faith without fear. Their journey, grounded in prayer, Scripture, and dependence on God, laid a foundation that ultimately influenced the birth of a nation built on biblical principles. Seeking to follow Christ according to their convictions, the Pilgrims left England due to persecution and later departed Holland when secular influences threatened their children’s faith. Their bold voyage across the Atlantic in 1620 was not a pursuit of comfort but a pursuit of the freedom to worship God in truth and sincerity. America’s early identity was shaped through this legacy of faith, humility, and thanksgiving. Even before our nation was formed, colonial leaders called for days of prayer, fasting, and gratitude to God. Later, Presidents Washington, Adams, and Madison continued this practice, acknowledging that national blessings flow from the hand of Almighty God. Eventually, Thanksgiving became a national holiday through the persistence of Sarah Josepha Hale, who believed a national day of gratitude was a “pledge of Christian faith in God.” Today, the same call remains: remember what God has done, give Him thanks, and pray for America to remain anchored in His truth. Today's Bible Reading:“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.” – Psalm 105:1 Takeaway Truths America’s earliest foundations were shaped by believers seeking freedom to worship God. Thanksgiving has deep Christian roots tied to prayer, humility, and national gratitude. God calls His people to remember His works and proclaim His faithfulness to the nations. We can pray for America to return to biblical truth and godly leadership. Let’s Pray Dear Father,We lift our voices to praise and thank You for America. We acknowledge that it was Your hand that guided the Pilgrims to a new land where they could worship Christ freely. Thank You for establishing this nation on godly principles and granting us the blessing of religious liberty. Remind us this Thanksgiving of the believers who trusted You enough to leave everything behind for the sake of Your glory. Strengthen and restore America’s spiritual foundation. Lead our nation’s leaders to return to Your Word, Your truth, and Your righteousness. Above all, thank You for the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ—undeserved, unearned, and freely given. May our hearts remain humble and full of gratitude for all You have done. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Additional Scriptures James 4:10 Psalm 33:12 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 Psalm 105:1–5 Related Resources 7 Epic Things You Didn't Know about Pilgrims - Crosswalk.com The Christian Roots of Thanksgiving – Christianity.com More encouraging devotionals available at LifeAudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of Pray the Word on 1 Thessalonians 3:8, David Platt calls us to help others stand firm in the Lord.Explore more content from Radical.
1 Peter 4:15–16 - But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. [16] Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (ESV) Donate to the dental fund of Aaron Green by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/dentalhelp
Become a Spiritual Mentor!Today's transcript. We depend on donations from exceptional listeners like you. To donate, click here.The Daily Rosary Meditations is now an app! Click here for more info.To find out more about The Movement and enroll: https://www.schooloffaith.com/membershipPrayer requests | Subscribe by email | Download our app | Donate
Become a Spiritual Mentor!Today's transcript. We depend on donations from exceptional listeners like you. To donate, click here.The Daily Rosary Meditations is now an app! Click here for more info.To find out more about The Movement and enroll: https://www.schooloffaith.com/membershipPrayer requests | Subscribe by email | Download our app | Donate
Daily Rosary with SPOKEN FEMALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS ROSARY 2 United in Prayer. Enjoy this week's collection of beautiful music to help inspire your prayerful intentions alongside this daily rosary. The spoken portion of this rosary features a female voice and is a little over 20 minutes long, with extended music for additional meditation. This rosary contains the joyful mysteries, recited on Mondays and Saturdays. These mysteries focus on the Incarnation and Jesus' early life, with fruits including humility and love of neighbor. Join in the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com **NEW** 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - JOYFUL SATURDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/8NCv89Qk4Zw SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: 17 Minute Rosary - Saturday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/vv8l7xMAOmM MOST VIEWED SATURDAY ROSARY: Calm Music https://youtu.be/ryTdYnt1eUI MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Have you joined our Membership? For only $1.99 a month, you can directly help this channel grow: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLXCEpdy0etQAdEHB1z-oTg/join Or consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection. This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes. Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous. Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. #Rosary #SorrowfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #FridayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish
Wisdom Is Yours—Ask and Receive (TRUST GOD'S GUIDANCE) | Blessed Morning Prayer To Start Your DaySUBSCRIBE to catch all the latest prayers uploaded to the Daily Effective Prayer Podcast!For more powerful daily prayers and to connect with the ministry visit:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org© Copyright DailyEffectivePrayer.com SUPPORT THE MINISTRY: (We are listener-supported)https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/donate/ DO YOU NEED PRAYER? Send us a prayer request right now:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/prayer-request-online/ CONNECT WITH US:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/connectYouTube (1M+ SUBSCRIBERS)X / TwitterInstagram ThreadsInstagramFacebook Daily Effective Prayer™
Join us every day at https://BruceDownes.org/Rosary where you can request prayer from us as well as find all of the prayers and mysteries for you to pray along with us. Get your free Rosary Prayer Guide at https://BruceDownes.org/PrayTheRosaryConnect With Bruce At:► Website: https://BruceDownes.org ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCatholicGuyBruceDownes ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatholicguy ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatholicguy ► Online Store: https://brucedownes.org/store Listen to Bruce Downes' Daily Devotional on these popular podcast services:► Apple Pod Casts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bruce-downes-daily-devotional/id1606668155► Spotify Pod Casts - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gh58yAkcGJhm9EgIs160H?si=102cb235a289433bConsider Becoming a Faith Builders Partner:Everyone who donates to Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries is what we call a Faith Builder. The team are working to build the faith of every person we connect with whether they are powerful or weak, rich or poor, young or old, in whatever city, town, village and country they are in. ►https://brucedownes.org/giving/ ★ Support this podcast ★
Psalm 91 Revelation 22:4-5 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com
Psalm 118 Colossians 1:16b-18 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com
It is a phone call I will never forget...
Fr. Mike highlights the boldness of Peter and John in our reading from Acts as they stand before the council of church leaders and defend the name of Jesus. He also addresses Paul's writings on God's grace given to us in our sinfulness and the war between good and evil present within ourselves. Today's readings are Acts 4, Romans 6-7, and Proverbs 27:4-6. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Eze 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Ps 119:1-16, Pr 28:6-7
There are seasons in life when we feel full—full of gratitude, strength, purpose, and blessing—and seasons when we feel painfully empty. In our daily prayer and devotional, Keri Eichberger reflects honestly on times when life seemed to drain every ounce of energy, joy, and margin she had. In moments like these, even thinking about blessing others can feel impossible. Yet God’s Word calls us to a beautiful truth: sharing is not about abundance—it’s about obedience.Scripture reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness is precious in God’s sight. Luke 21:1–4 records Jesus watching a poor widow give two tiny coins in the temple treasury. Though her gift was the smallest, Jesus declared it the greatest because she gave out of her need, trusting God with everything she had. This story reminds us that we never give “too little” when we offer what we have to God. Even if all we feel we can give is a gentle smile, a kind word, a short prayer, or a helping hand, God can take small offerings and multiply them into abundance. And as we share—even from places of weakness—we often find unexpected strength returning to our souls. When we bless others, God restores us.When we pour out, He fills us again.When we give a little, He turns it into more than enough. Whether you feel full or empty today, God invites you to share His blessings—especially the simple ones. Every act of generosity reflects His heart and brings Him great pleasure. Today's Bible Reading:“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16 Takeaway Truths God desires that we share His blessings—even when we feel we have little. The smallest acts of kindness can be the greatest offerings in God’s eyes. Giving refreshes the giver; God pours back what we pour out. True generosity flows not from abundance, but from trust. Let’s Pray Lord God, You are the one from whom all blessings flow. I confess that at times I can’t see all Your goodness under the shadow of life’s heaviness, and I struggle to share from what little I feel I have. But just as You delight in blessing me, You also desire that I bless others, even in small ways. Help me to become more aware of Your blessings. Give me courage to share what You’ve given—whether much or little. Thank You for the way You multiply every offering and for the fullness You return to my heart when I obey You. Turn my little into a lot, for Your glory and for the good of others. In Your praiseworthy name, Amen. Additional Scriptures Luke 21:1–4 Proverbs 11:25 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 Acts 20:35 Related Resources What Jesus Teaches Us About Generosity – Crosswalk.com Scriptures on Serving and Giving – BibleStudyTools.com Listen to more devotionals on LifeAudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of Pray the Word on 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20, David Platt invites us to live in a way that helps others draw closer to Jesus.Explore more content from Radical.
1 Peter 4:14 - If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (ESV) Donate to the dental fund of Aaron Green by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/dentalhelp
Become a Spiritual Mentor!Today's transcript. We depend on donations from exceptional listeners like you. To donate, click here.The Daily Rosary Meditations is now an app! Click here for more info.To find out more about The Movement and enroll: https://www.schooloffaith.com/membershipPrayer requests | Subscribe by email | Download our app | Donate
Daily Rosary with SPOKEN FEMALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS ROSARY 2 United in Prayer. Enjoy this week's collection of beautiful music to help inspire your prayerful intentions alongside this daily rosary. The spoken portion of this rosary features a female voice and is a little over 20 minutes long, with extended music for additional meditation. This rosary contains the sorrowful mysteries, recited on Tuesdays and Fridays These mysteries focus on Christ's Passion and death, with fruits like sorrow for sin and patience. Be a part of the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com **NEW** 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - SORROWFUL FRIDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/fZE1UwFbRE0 SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: 17 Minute Rosary - Friday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/KyCey-qH-lA MOST VIEWED FRIDAY ROSARY: Calm Music https://youtu.be/tcryvk5IlmY MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Have you joined our Membership? For only $1.99 a month, you can directly help this channel grow: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLXCEpdy0etQAdEHB1z-oTg/join Or consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection. This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes. Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous. Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #SorrowfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #FridayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish
We would love to pray for you! Please send us your requests here. --------This Christmas, you can shine the light of Christ into places of darkness and pain with a purchase from the Joni and Friends Christmas catalog. You are sending hope and practical care to people with disabilities, all in the name of Jesus! Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
GG Hawkins speaks with directors Jessica Dimmock and Zackary Canepari about their haunting and thought-provoking HBO documentary Thoughts & Prayers. The film offers a chillingly observational look at the normalization of school shootings in America—not by focusing on the tragedies themselves, but by examining the surreal, billion-dollar industry of “school safety” that's risen in their aftermath. Through restrained cinematography and a surprisingly dark sense of humor, Dimmock and Canepari capture how everyday life continues against the backdrop of unimaginable trauma, and how children are often more articulate than adults about the realities they face. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss... How the project evolved from a photo series to a full-length documentary The cultural and industrial normalization of school shootings in America Why the film avoids graphic depictions of violence and instead focuses on the systems around it The use of stillness, humor, and wide shots as storytelling tools Casting nontraditional “characters” in a documentary format The emotional challenges of working with children on such a sensitive topic Co-directing as creative collaborators and partners The gear and post-production tools that made the film possible Why the title Thoughts & Prayers was chosen and how satire plays into it Memorable Quotes: "In the middle of learning your ABCs, you pause to practice for mass death, and then you go back to learning... that's the chilling part." "Cut this more like a scene in a Christopher Guest film than in an important documentary.” "None of the adults ever say anything about guns... it's always the kids." "We're not going to practice our way out of this." Guests: Jessica Dimmock Zackary Canepari Resources: Thoughts & Prayers on HBO Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram
Pastor Dru Rodriguez reflects on Psalm 16, highlighting David's confidence that God counsels him, even at night, shaping discernment in the deepest places of the heart. He encourages praying for God to instruct our innermost being and to quiet competing voices.
Psalm 4 Psalm 134 Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com
Psalm 119:33-40 Psalm 34 Jeremiah 17:9-10 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com
In this episode of The Modern Man Podcast, host Ted Phaeton speaks with Matt Potter, co-founder of Pray.com, a leading faith-based audio platform. They discuss Matt's journey from dropping out of college to pursue a career in app development, his personal story of adoption, and how his faith has shaped his entrepreneurial endeavors. The conversation delves into the mission of Pray.com to support mental health through prayer and community, the challenges of building a successful app, and the innovative use of AI to enhance user experience. Matt shares insights on the importance of data-driven decisions in content creation and the impact of prayer on mental well-being. Takeaways Men often feel isolated in their pursuit of success. Pray.com has grown to 25 million downloads. Matt dropped out of college to pursue app development. Faith has played a crucial role in Matt's journey. The vision for Pray.com was inspired by a need for a Christian digital platform. Prayer can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. Building an app requires hard work and persistence. Data-driven decisions are essential for content creation. AI can enhance user experience in faith-based applications. Community and support are vital for mental health. Chapters01:04 – Introduction to The Modern Man Podcast02:16 – Meet Matt Potter: Co-Founder of Pray.com03:53 – The Journey to Entrepreneurship10:44 – Faith and Adoption: A Personal Story12:37 – The Vision Behind Pray.com18:45 – Creating a Digital Destination for Christians20:07 – The Impact of Prayer on Mental Health24:02 – The Road to 25 Million Downloads29:48 – Data-Driven Content Creation34:48 – Innovating with AI: The Counselor Tool36:50 – Connecting with Matt Potter Free eBook Here: Mastering Self-Development: Strategies of the New Masculine: https://rebrand.ly/m2ebook ⚔️JOIN THE NOBLE KNIGHTS MASTERMIND⚔️ https://themodernmanpodcast.com/thenobleknights
Prayer is the most basic of religious practices, Pastor Jack Graham teaches in his message “How to Pray the Jesus Way.” Pastor Graham looks to Matthew 6 to share how Jesus taught us to pray through sincere prayers, simple prayers, short prayers, secret prayers and scriptural prayers. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/395/29?v=20251111
It is the darkest period of World War II...
My new website that links to everything: SARCASTICRECOVERY.COMFollow me on Instagram.New, beautiful meditation channel on YouTube, 11TH STEP CHANNEL.
Contentment is one of the hardest lessons to learn—whether you’re a child circling toys in a catalog or an adult eyeing upgrades and “just one more thing” that promises satisfaction. Philippians 4:12 pulls us back to center, reminding us that peace doesn’t rise and fall with our circumstances. Paul learned to be steady in seasons of plenty and seasons of lack because his confidence was rooted in Christ, not conditions. When we anchor our joy in the unchanging character of God, we discover the quiet strength that carries us through both abundance and need. Highlights Contentment and happiness aren’t the same—one depends on circumstances, the other doesn’t. Paul learned contentment through every season: need, abundance, hunger, and fullness. Lasting peace is found in Christ, not in possessions, upgrades, or life improvements. Our hearts easily drift toward “more,” making contentment a daily, intentional choice. Philippians 4:13 reveals the true secret: Christ’s strength empowers us to be faithful in any situation. Even Paul, writing from captivity and suffering, modeled unwavering trust in God. Want and plenty both test our faith—but both can draw us closer to God when we rely on Him. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Faithful in Plenty, Faithful in Want By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” - Philippians 4:12 NIV “Give me! It’s my turn to look!” my youngest daughter screamed as she ripped the latest Christmas catalog out of my middle daughter’s hands. We’d received four toy books this week, the glossy pages filled with the latest gadgets, and my daughters were eager to circle the items they’d had their eyes on all year and add a few more things to their lists.“I think I will hold onto this,” I said as I tucked the book underneath my arm. “You girls already have so much, how could you possibly find anything else you want?” My daughters turned to each other in an unspoken agreement that their mother was, in fact, crazy. They could never have “enough,” there was always something more to bring them greater joy. It is my responsibility as a parent to teach my girls about contentment, gratitude for what they have, and the dangers of placing our happiness in things. Don’t worry, I did address the heart issue with my littles. However, at thirty years their senior, I still struggle with the same things. No, it’s not the lure of a new doll that promises to boost my morale; instead, it’s looking forward to a raise, taking a trip, or upgrading the kitchen appliances. How often do I struggle to be faithful in plenty and faithful in want? Sadly, it is still a struggle. Paul, in his letter to the Christians at Philippi, encourages them to be content and faithful to what God has called them to, in all circumstances. Notice that Paul, in our key verse, uses the word content and not happy. Often, we use those words interchangeably, and while they are similar, they have slightly different meanings. Happiness, a state of euphoria, is dependent on circumstances, while contentment is a state of peace or satisfaction independent of circumstances. Paul desired that his ancient readers and today’s believers understand that peace and joy aren’t rooted in our circumstances but in our relationship with Christ. Therefore, contentment and choosing to be faithful to God’s purpose are daily choices. Often, my feelings dictate my soul's contentment. Paul understood this struggle. The verse following Paul’s “secret,” to contentment, tells us how he was able to, even in the worst of circumstances, he can stay faithful ( remember, Paul is writing this letter from house arrest, and was beaten, flogged, and severely injured for the gospel). Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul kept his faith even in the most dire of circumstances because God was with him, strengthened him, and gave him peace and joy through the work of the Holy Spirit in Paul’s life. The key to lasting happiness and peace isn’t found in a temporary world but in an everlasting God. Paul understood how easily we get discouraged, allowing the disappointments of this world to overcome us, rob us of our peace, steal our joy, and undermine our faith. But in our weakest moments, we must cry out to God, asking Him to give us the strength to “count it all joy” (James 1:2-4). Once my girls had settled down, I brought out the magazine and shared with them that I, too, can get sidetracked and distracted by all the shiny things this world offers. It’s not wrong to want a new pair of shoes, or a new game, or even to have a toy chest overflowing with playthings. However, we must guard our hearts against the proclivity to find contentment in our circumstances, cash flow, or STUFF. The “not-so secret” to be faithful in plenty and little, is to place our trust in the One Who is the Provider of it all. Intersecting Faith & Life: Next time you are tempted to measure your happiness by the temporary, take a minute to meditate on our key verse. Commit the verse to memory, or write it down on a sticky note as a reminder that we can find contentment in Christ, not our circumstances.Further Reading:James 1:2-8 A Prayer to Enjoy Each Season Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Mark 11:20-33 (NKJV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the condition for God to forgive our sins through prayer.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here. Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org. Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here. Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=23461The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/
There are moments when the Evergetinos confronts us with a vision so stark and so luminous that it seems almost uninhabitable. It is not a juridical vision of justice. It is not a measured discourse about the protection of innocents. It does not weigh competing moral claims or concerns about equity or rights. What it reveals is something else entirely. It opens before us the divine ethos, the mode of being that belongs to those who have been seized by God, transformed by grace, and re-shaped through hesychia into a likeness of Christ that defies all earthly logic. It is the unvarnished gospel in its rawest form. When the philosophers insult the monk from the Libyan desert, and he rushes toward them with eagerness, offering his cheek to their hands, it is not a lesson in social ethics. It is not a prescription for how a parent is to protect a child or how a citizen must respond to injustice. It is a revelation of the interior world of a man who watches over his mind and hopes only in the grace of God. The philosophers fast. The philosophers keep vigil. They practice disciplines that appear nearly identical. What they cannot do—what they admit they cannot do—is guard the mind in purity and allow insults to pass through the heart without stirring anger. In this they recognize the divine in the monk. They bow to him because a man who can endure injustice without disturbance is living from a realm they cannot inhabit. The Evergetinos offers no apologies for this. It does not soften its witness. When the elder watches his garden destroyed and asks only to keep a single root so he might cook for the one who has wrecked the rest, he is not giving us a moral theory. He is revealing what the human heart becomes when it rests in the Spirit. The elder who lights a lamp for thieves and joyfully hands them his last coins is not attempting to reform criminal behavior, nor is he calculating social consequences. His joy is not naivete. It is the fire of Christ's own meekness living in him. And yet we must be honest. These stories do not address the complexities of the world in which most people live. They do not speak directly to the father protecting his family, the mother guarding her children, the priest shepherding a wounded community, or the layperson navigating systems of injustice. The Evergetinos does not pause to balance competing goods. It does not acknowledge the dangers that arise when evil is left unchecked. It is not a handbook for civil society. It is something far more dangerous. It presents us with the highest vision of a human heart purified by grace, a life transfigured to such a degree that it can absorb wrongs as Christ absorbed them. The gospel is not diluted. In fact, it becomes unbearable in its purity. The elder who prays for the grace to respond to thieves with joy receives exactly what he asks for. God answers him not with consolation but with thieves at his door. He lights a lamp, welcomes them, opens his coffers, and blesses them as they leave with everything he owns. He asks for nothing in return, not even their repentance. When asked whether they came back like the thieves in the story, he laughs and says he preferred that they did not. He was not following a legal principle. He was walking the path he had begged God to let him walk. The suffering he endured was not a loss. It was the fruit of a longing for likeness with Christ. And then there are the stories of divine recompense, e.g., St. John the Merciful and the miraculous jars of honey that turn to gold, the injustices endured by monks which become occasions for God to act as avenger. These are not examples of magical thinking. They are testimonies that God sees everything, that the meek are not abandoned, that those who refuse to avenge themselves have placed their trust in the only One capable of true judgment. The elders are not naïve about injustice. They simply refuse to litigate their own wounds. They trust that God Himself will set things right in a manner beyond human calculation. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:01:57 Sam: Hi Fr Charbel. Greetings from Australia :-) 00:04:05 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Welcome Sam. Good to have you here! 00:10:47 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 306 # 10 00:13:13 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/post/non-resistance-justice-and-the-peace-of-christ 00:20:08 Janine: Oh poor Bob…i will pray for you! 00:21:45 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/post/non-resistance-justice-and-the-peace-of-christ 00:21:59 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 306 # 10 00:25:46 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/post/non-resistance-justice-and-the-peace-of-christ 00:34:04 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 307 # 11 00:46:14 Joan Chakonas: these stories create mental standards and illustrate aspirational rewards for me, a grateful listener (with very little patience)- if I try to be better God will give me these rewards someday. I live these stories 00:46:36 Joan Chakonas: Love these stories 00:57:13 Vanessa: My property was broken into twice the last 6 months. It made me paranoid and feeling unsafe for a long time. Checking and double-checking windows and doors. I totally get the coffee scenario! 00:57:59 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "My property was brok..." with
A Prayer to Rest in God's Promises Join this conversation with Nicolet Bell & Erin Warren as they talk about the character of God, and what it means to cultivate genuine, enduring faith. This month, we’re focusing on Everyday Prayers for Faith, written by Erin, and today’s conversation centers on God’s promises, His unchanging faithfulness, and how understanding His character strengthens our faith—especially in seasons of suffering, disappointment, or uncertainty. Erin shares how biblical faithfulness is tied directly to God’s promises. We can only recognize God’s faithfulness when we truly know what He has promised—rather than assuming promises He never made. Misunderstanding God’s promises often leads to confusion or disappointment, especially during painful seasons like infertility, illness, or unmet expectations. Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:20 Prayer: Father, we are so grateful for your promises. We are thankful that every single one of them found its "yes and amen" in Christ. You did this to show that you are who you say you are. You sent your son into our world to show us yourself. So we cling to your promises. Build faith in us so that we can model that to our children. May they see that we genuinely love you and that while we are not perfect, we are trying. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. LINKS: How to Pray God's Word For Your Children Guide Follow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at LifeAudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at LifeAudio.com/contact-us Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.