Podcasts about pure in heart

This Is the Hour of His Power • Sunday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org To give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give This is not the hour of defeat. This is not the hour of weakness. This is not the hour for the Church of Jesus Christ to hide. No—this is the hour of His power! God has reserved the greatest outpouring of His Spirit for the end-time Church. But to step into it, we must be sincere, authentic, and willing to let God deal with our hearts. This is the moment to shake off compromise, hypocrisy, and double-mindedness and step boldly into the fullness of His anointing. 1. We Must Take a Real Inventory of Our Hearts Psalm 139:23–24 (NKJV): “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” 2. We Must Be Clear About Our Motives and Objectives James 4:3 (NKJV): “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” 3. We Must Have the Right Heart Posture Isaiah 66:2 (NKJV): “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.” 4. We Must Be Real With Ourselves Revelation 3:15–16 (NKJV): “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” 5. We Must Recognize This Is the Greatest Hour for the Church Habakkuk 2:14 (NKJV): “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.” 6. We Must Walk in Sincerity and Authenticity Matthew 5:8 (NKJV): “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” God is not looking for performers—He is looking for pure hearts. Authentic Christianity will carry weight in this hour. People are tired of plastic religion. They are hungry for the real thing. If we are sincere and genuine, the power of God will confirm the truth through us. 7. We Must Step into Expectation Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV): “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Church, this is the hour of His power. The world may be in chaos, but the kingdom of God is advancing. The devil may roar, but his time is short. God is raising up a purified, Spirit-filled, miracle-working Church for such a time as this. But we must be real. We must check our hearts, clarify our motives, and posture ourselves in humility. We must step into this hour with faith, sincerity, and expectation. Romans 8:19 (NKJV): “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” This is our moment. This is our hour. This is the hour of His power—let's rise up and walk in it! CCLI: 21943673

Send me a Text Message!Perhaps the first step to purity is seeking God. As we seek God, we come near to Him, and discover how much He loves us and our hearts  begin to burn for Him. In fact to be pure in heart Soren Kierkegaard said is to want one thing, to be undivided.  Or we have said it this way, "To be pure in heart is to have an unrestrained affection for God.  So let me ask you what is restraining your affection for God? When God comes close, He begins to burn away the junk that is restraining our affection for Him. But don't expect the burning to be entirely comfortable. He is a refiner's fire. It has to happen to prepare the way, prepare our hearts. It's not optional so, so we have to decide, when God comes close, will I let the fire burn?

Matthew 5:3-10 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

On Sunday, we continued in our new message series through the Sermon on the Mount. We got to hear a message from Pastor Clint, out of Matthew 5:5-9. From meek, merciful, hungering & thirsting for righteousness, pure in heart, to peacemakers - Jesus is clear on the qualities of his followers. Be challenged!

Send me a Text Message!Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. I want to see God. I believe that our world today desperately needs people who seek and see God.  Jesus said that the pure in heart will see God. The purity of heart that He is seeking is both a quality of heart and a quantity of heart. In this episode, we will dive a bit into the idea of a quantity of heart. In the Greek the word for purity in Matthew 5:8 is the Greek word Katharsos. It literally means "unmixed." For example 100% pure gold is unmixed gold. A pure heart is not only sinless. It is also single; it desires one thing.Pure hearts are 100% all-in for Christ. It is not just obedience, it is passion. At the end of episode, I'll ask you to fill in the blank of the sentence, "I am devoted to God and _________. What goes in the blank for you? How much of your heart's passion is preoccupied with the blank?

Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comHear directly from Zach Abraham as he shares insights in this FREE “Back To Basics” Webinar, THURSDAY, October 2nd at 3:30 Pacific.  Register now at Know Your Risk Podcast dot com. Bizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE.  Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeBarack Obama IS Black Fatigue's Steroid // The Disciples of Nancy Pelosi have a new sacrament  // “The PRIDE Generation's Tragedy of Riches.”Episode Links:Mark Kelly claims that "we currently have a president that at every opportunity seems to look for ways to further divide us as a nation." - "We've never had a president that has spent his time thinking about how he's going to use the DOJ..."Obama: "When I was President, in the aftermath of tragedies... my response was not... to go after my political opponents." FATIGUE: 22 years ago, Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder explained black fatigue perfectly…Pregnant woman takes Tylenol to fight Trump"Now we got Jesus, whose NOT a very 'family values' guy in the scripture, telling us to hate our parents." Also the last minute is wild, as this Lutheran impastor DOESN'T want people to "pick up their cross and follow Jesus" because "I hate these scriptures."What Does God's Word Say?Luke 16:13-1413 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight.4 Blessed are those who mourn,    for they will be comforted.In Matthew 5:4, "John MacArthur's Study Bible explains that "Blessed are those who mourn" refers to two kinds of sorrow: sorrow over the tragedy of life and, more importantly, deep sorrow over one's own sin. This spiritual mourning, distinct from worldly grief, leads to true comfort from God, a comfort that brings lasting happiness and satisfaction in the kingdom of God.5 Blessed are the meek,    for they will inherit the earth."Blessed are the meek" refers to a state of spiritual humility and gentleness where one is strong but under God's control, not ruled by self-will or pride, and will inherit the earth. Meekness involves admitting one's need for others and God, receiving correction, and being willing to put others' needs first, leading to a deep and blessed walk with God. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,    for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,    for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart,    for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers,    for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Beatitudes in this section are ones that display themselves in everyday life. The believer shows these characteristics in their dealing with others. Each one, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemaker, require divine help.

Why do the high standards of Christian character, like the Beatitudes, often feel so unattainable? Many believers strive to be meek, merciful, and pure in heart, only to find their own spiritual resources completely depleted. Examining the first Beatitude, Pastor Daniel argues that this feeling of inadequacy is not a failure, but the essential starting point for a vibrant faith. He illuminates what it means to be "poor in spirit"—a continuous realization of our own spiritual insufficiency and complete dependence on God. This posture of humility is presented not as a weakness, but as the foundational prerequisite for receiving God's strength and grace. Listeners are challenged to cultivate this spiritual poverty through a more sincere and fervent prayer life.Eastland is a Place to BelongEastland Baptist Church is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We are a welcoming and close-knit family community that loves to care for each other through the Church. We strongly believe in loving and supporting each other and our neighbors. Our members don't just attend our Church; they feel a strong sense of belonging.Join Us Find service times and our location at https://www.eastlandbaptist.org/join. Connect with UsWebsite: https://www.eastlandbaptist.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastlandbaptisttulsaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastlandbaptistTo support the ministry of Eastland Baptist Church, tap here: https://www.eastlandbaptist.org/give.

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Join us as Pastor Chad Benson continues in our series Bless this Mess as he dives into Bless this Mess: Pure in Heart

Kyle preaches from Matthew 5. Find out more at clcscranton.org

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sonsa of God.

Our pilgrim has come to an impasse: the flames of lust. There's no way forward except to step into them. He must finally feel the sufferings that he has witnessed over the course of COMEDY to this point.This suffering comes after a discussion of the craft of poetry, after a unifying vision of the world, and after Dante's own memories of both seeing people be burned alive as capital punishment and being sentenced to the same fate if he returns from exile.Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we begin the first lines of the most important canto in PURGATORIO.Consider supporting this podcast by offering a one-time donation or a small monthly stipend using this PayPal link.Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:[01:53] My English translation of PURGATORIO, Canto XXVII, lines 1 - 18. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please find this episode on my website, markscarbrough.com.[03:52] The unifying, globalizing view to begin this transitional canto.[08:36] The global, totalizing perspective v. the confusion of personal references in the passage.[11:52] The difficulties of handling multiple perspectives in narratives.[16:29] The global perspective v. Dante's personal memories and experience.[24:00] The beatitude in the passage: "Blessed are the pure in heart."[25:42] The beatitudes in all of PURGATORIO . . . and the missing one of the seven from the Gospel of Matthew.[28:26] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XXVII, lines 1 - 18.

They say two heads are better than one—but Dr. Tony Evans warns about the dangers of being double-minded and shows why having a single focus on God is so essential.

They say two heads are better than one—but Dr. Tony Evans warns about the dangers of being double-minded and shows why having a single focus on God is so essential.

They say two heads are better than one—but Dr. Tony Evans warns about the dangers of being double-minded and shows why having a single focus on God is so essential.

They say two heads are better than one—but Dr. Tony Evans warns about the dangers of being double-minded and shows why having a single focus on God is so essential.

9.14.25 Sermon by Dr. Brad Clayton, based on Psalms 51.

Jesus didn't come to bless the powerful, the wealthy, or the comfortable. He came to flip our understanding of blessing upside down. The poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, those hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted ... these are the ones Jesus calls blessed. Why? Because they're ready for a new kingdom - one that doesn't operate by the world's rules.

A Sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity St. Luke 10:23-37 & Hosea 6:1-11 by William Klock “A lawyer got up and put Jesus on the spot,” writes St. Luke in today's Gospel.  If you're following along, this is Luke 10:25.  “A lawyer got up and put Jesus on the spot.”  An expert on torah.  If you had a question about whether or not to do such-and-such or how you were to do this or not do that and it wasn't spelled out in black and white in the Bible, this was the guy you asked.  He knew how to parse it and extrapolate it all out.  And he's angry.  He's been hanging out on the edge of the crowd as Jesus addressed his disciples, but enough is enough.  He pushes forward.  He's going to put Jesus on the spot and expose him for the fraud he is.  And so he calls out, “Teacher,” and he gets Jesus' attention.  And then he asks, “What should I do to inherit the life of the age to come.”  I can imagine him leaning back on his heels, arms crossed.  Jesus is going to hang himself with his answer and everyone's going to walk away and never listen to Jesus again. But we before we get to Jesus' answer, we need to ask what the lawyer was actually asking.  “What must I do to inherit…zoen aionion?”  Zoe aionios to say it in Greek.  Zoe means “life” and we've traditionally translated aionios as “eternal”.  That's not wrong, but “eternal” doesn't fully capture the significance of aionios as it was used by Judeans of Jesus' day.  In English “eternal” just means “eternal”…“forever”.  And we think the lawyer is asking, “What must I do to live forever?”  For a lot of people that translates into “What must I do to go to heaven when I die?”  But it's really a lot deeper than that.  At the root of this word aionios is the word—and it might sound a little familiar—aion.  It's where we get our word “aeon” and it's basic meaning is “age” and it became shorthand for “the age to come”—meaning the messianic age everyone was hoping and longing for. And the lawyer asks this question about the age to come, because he's been listening to Jesus address his disciples as they returned from the mission he'd sent them on.  He sent out seventy to proclaim the good news—to gospel the gospel in the cities and towns of Israel and they came back excited because of the things they'd seen.  At the name of Jesus, even demons obeyed them.  And Jesus said to them: This is what the prophets foretold.  Isaiah and Ezekiel told of their visions of the satan falling like lightening and you're seeing it happen.  God's kingdom is breaking in.  God's light is driving away the darkness and toppling the rulers of the present evil age—and you're part of it.  And this is where he says to them, “Don't rejoice that spirits are subject to you, but rejoice [about what it means:] that your names are written in heaven.” God's got a book—metaphorically speaking—and in it he records the names of everyone who belongs to him, of everyone whom he will one day resurrect from death and lead into the age to come.  The Jews knew their names were written in that book.  God had chosen them and so long as they didn't wilfully reject him—which is what the tax collectors and sinners did—their names were written in that book and, when the Messiah came, he would set the world to rights and lead them into the age to come. But what's got this lawyer worked up is that Jesus is implying that they may not all have their names written in the book after all.  The lawyer—like pretty much everyone in Israel—knew his name was written in the book because God had made a covenant with them and because they kept their end of the covenant—the torah.  Circumcision, sabbath, diet, all these things marked them out and demonstrated their commitment and love for God.  But Jesus has just said to his disciples, “A blessing on the eyes which see what you see!  Let me tell you, many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and they didn't see it; and to hear what you hear, and they didn't hear it!”  In other words, the renewal of Israel that God had promised through the prophets had come—in Jesus—and being written in God's book is about more than just being born a Jew or even the outward observance of torah.  And it's that last bit that Jesus is getting at in his answer.  Look at verse 26.  Jesus responds to the lawyer's question and asks, “Well, what is written in the law?  What's your interpretation of it?” And the lawyer gives the answer that every kid in Judaea could have given: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your understanding; and your neighbour as yourself.” And Jesus replied—I'm sure to the frustration of the lawyer—“Well said!  Do that and you will live.”  Picture the lawyer gritting his teeth.  No, no, no.  If that's true, then we're all on the same page!  But he knew they weren't, because if Jesus' disciples were “in”, then everyone else was, by implication, “out”.  So, Luke writes, “to justify himself” the lawyer asks Jesus, “But who is my neighbour?”  It's his second attempt at a gotcha question.  And Jesus responds with a story, a parable: “Once upon a time,” he said, “a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and was set upon by robbers.  They stripped him and beat him and ran off leaving him half-dead.” Everybody knew that road.  Very soon Jesus would be travelling it himself, going the other direction, up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover—and to become the new Passover himself.  That road was steep and windy and notorious for the robbers hiding in wait for unwary travellers.  The wise travelled in groups or well-armed.  Travelling it alone, like this man did, was foolish.  This lawyer, listening to Jesus, would be shaking his head and thinking to himself that anyone dumb enough to travel that road alone was a candidate for a Darwin Award. But Jesus goes on.  “A priest happened to be going down that road, and when he saw him he went past on the opposite side.'”  Now, you and I shake our heads and think, “What a horrible priest!  How could he not stop to help the man.”  But we only think that way because we've been shaped by the gospel and by Jesus and the Spirit.  The cross of Jesus has taught us mercy.  That God would not only humble himself, but would shed his blood on behalf of his rebellious children has taught us mercy in a way never understood before the gospel.  But that lawyer—and the crowd and maybe even Jesus' disciples—they lived in the dark world on the other side of the good news of the cross.  They saw nothing wrong with this priest passing by the man.  The priests kept themselves ritually pure.  They had to in order to enter the temple.  Even though this priest is going in the opposite direction—probably on his way home from serving his rotation in the temple—he still kept himself pure.  He couldn't tell if the man was dead or alive and if went over, rolled him over, and found him dead, well, then he'd be impure.  That was okay for normal people, but not for a priest.  And everyone knew this.  And, again, no one had a problem with it.  And, of course, this is the very problem with Israel that Jesus wants to highlight for the lawyer. “Then,” said Jesus, “a Levite came by the place.  He saw him too and went past on the opposite side.”  He might not be a priest, but being a Levite, he too served in the temple.  Again, he's going the opposite way—like the priest, he's probably on his way home from serving in the temple.  But, still, being a Levite, he can't chance becoming impure.  And, again, this was all normal and good and right as far as most people were concerned. “But then,” said Jesus, “a travelling Samaritan came to where he was.”  Everyone frowned at this.  Samaritans were filth.  They were descendants of the Jews who intermarried with the native Canaanite peoples when the people of Judah were in exile.  They worshiped at their own illicit temple at Shechem and they compromised torah with pagan practises and pagan philosophy.  They were traitors of the worst kind.  Just being on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho meant he was fouling the promised land with his impure Samaritan feet.  And yet, Jesus said, “He came over to the man and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.  Then he put him on his own beast, took him to an inn, and looked after him.  The next morning, as he was going on his way, he gave the inn-keeper two dinars. ‘Take care of him,' he said, ‘and on my way back I'll pay you whatever else you need to spend on him.'” “Where's Jesus going with this?”  Everyone was thinking.  “What's his point?”  There's no way this would happen in real life.  But that's kind of the point.  Jesus looks the lawyer in the eye and asks, “Which of these three do you think turned out to be the neighbour of the man who was set upon by the brigands?”  Jesus is going make the lawyer come out and say it.  And the lawyer does, because there's no escape for him.  “The one who showed mercy on him,” he said. “Well,” Jesus said to him, “you go and do the same.” I fully expect that as the lawyer answered the question and said, “The one who showed him…mercy.”  The lights suddenly went on for him for everyone else.  That word “mercy” is the key.  Jesus had just turned Hosea 6:1-11 into a parable.  Here's what the Lord had said through the Prophet Hosea some eight centuries before: Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud,          like the dew that goes early away. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,          the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. But like Adam they transgressed the covenant;          there they dealt faithlessly with me. Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with blood. As robbers lie in wait for a man,          so the priests band together; they murder on the way to Shechem;          they commit villainy. In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's whoredom is there; Israel is defiled. For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, When I restore the fortunes of my people. This the Lord's rebuke of the northern kingdom of Israel—also known as “Samaria”.  Hint, hint.  There's a reason Jesus puts a Samaritan at the centre of the story.  The people of Israel went through the motions of obedience, but the Lord accused them.  Their love for him was “like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.”  Their nation was a nation of evil-doers with blood on their hands.  They offered their sacrifices, but there was no love in their hearts.  The priests were lying in wait for their people like robbers. Again, this was a rebuke of Israel eight hundred years before, but now Jesus brings the same rebuke to Judah.  And yet, there's still the promise.  The long-awaited age to come is breaking in.  As the Lord promised through Hosea, he will come to heal his people, to bind up their wounds, to revive them after two days, and to raise them up on the third day.  But whom will he heal and revive and raise up?  The lawyer gave the answer “The one who showed his neighbour mercy.” There was no mercy in the heart of the priest and no mercy in the heart of the Levite—and there was no mercy in the hearts of the people of Judah who saw nothing wrong with the priest and the Levite leaving the man to die.  For that matter there was no mercy in the hearts of people who saw the Samaritans as unredeemable, reprobate scum.  And that was the heart of the problem.  And this heart problem was precisely what Jesus came to fix.  Because the only people who will have a share in the age to come—in the kingdom of God—are the people who have the heart of God.  The people who are poor in spirit, who mourn the state of the world, the meek, the people who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the pure in heart, the peacemakers—and the merciful. This is why I think it's so important to pay attention to how we translate those words in the lawyer's question—zoe aionios.  Because it's not just “eternal life” Jesus offers; it's eternal life in the age to come—in God's world set to rights and eternal life in his presence.  Brothers and Sisters, “salvation” isn't just fire insurance.  It's not just rescue from death so that we can live forever, so that we can see our loved ones again, so that we can experience bliss forever and ever.  That's all a very self-centred, a very worldly, a very therapeutic understanding of salvation.  What Jesus offers us is the life we were meant for, the life we see Adam and Eve living in the garden at the very beginning of the story, a life of perfect fellowship with God, a life serving as the priests of his temple, a life stewarding his heart for the sake of the world. And ever since he called Abraham, but especially since he rescued Israel and made them his people, God's purpose for his people has been to reveal himself to the nations through them so that the world might know his goodness, his faithfulness, his love, his mercy, his grace—and on and on.  God's purpose for his people has always been to make his heart known to the nations.  Our lives and our collective life together is meant to lift the veil on God's future, on his new creation.  It's not about us or about our glory; it's about God and it's about God's glory. When he delivered Israel from Egypt, God came down and dwelt in their midst.  He fellowshipped with them.  It wasn't the perfect fellowship of the garden that Adam and Even had known, but it was a fellowship that made know his desire for humanity and a fellowship that pointed forward to the day when, through Jesus, he delivered us from sin—and even further to that day when sin (and death) are gone forever.  He gave Israel a law that set her apart and that taught her his heart so that they would know justice and mercy, love and grace, and put his heart on display for the world.  Theirs was to be a little microcosm of his new creation—however imperfectly—where reconciling love was on full display. Israel failed.  They kept the law outwardly, but they lost the heart of God.  They offered sacrifices, but their was no mercy in their hearts.  But in Jesus and the Spirit the renewal that the Lord had promised has come.  In forgiving our sins, Jesus has taught us the true depth of God's lovingkindess, of his grace and his faithfulness.  And in the Spirit he's turned our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.  He's written his law of love on them so that we really can love him with all of our being and so that we really can love our neighbours as ourselves. But I don't think we reflect often enough on why God's done that—in part because we too often think of salvation in selfish, or at least self-centred, terms.  Our salvation is not an end in itself.  God has called and created a people to witness his heart to the world.  Brothers and Sisters, in us God is leading a redeemed people—a people he's already beginning to set right through the work of his indwelling Spirit—he's leading us to bring hope and good news to the nations.  He's using us to carry the good news about Jesus, crucified, risen, and Lord, to every part of the world and with it the kingdom, with it the message of new creation, with it the hope of a world set to rights, in which Jesus has finished once and for all the work he began when he died and rose again.  In the witness of Jesus and the power of the Spirit he's given us his heart.  And that's what it's all about: bearing witness to his heart.  And the people who do that, they're the ones who will one day know him eternally in the age to come. I like to think of it like a symphony.  Jesus and the Spirit have made us the players.  We each have our instrument and we look forward to the day when we all come together in the great concert hall to play our parts in harmony and to finally hear that glorious and beautiful piece of music under the hand of the divine conductor.  It's not about us.  It's about the music and the one who leads us in it.  But in the meantime, he's given us the sheet music for our parts and he's sent us home to practise.  And we have the privilege of being able to meet in our little sections to practise some of those parts together.  And in our practising we get a foretaste of the great symphony to come.  But, Brothers and Sisters, do we actually practise?  Are we investing our practise time in the fruit of the Spirit?  Are we practising the reconciling love of God that we've known in Jesus?  Are we practising the justice and mercy we've met in God?  And along the way, are we drawing in the nations as they hear the beauty that's present even in our little bits and pieces of the symphony?  Or are we wasting the time God has given us on sin?  Instead of practising the gospel life, are we investing in the fear and wrath and scrambling and grasping of the present evil age? Like Gilead, the world around us is filled with evil and tracked with blood.  It's always been that way, but it seems we see it getting closer and closer to home.  We've seen worsening in the last months and weeks and days in the US and there's no reason to think we're somehow safe in Canada.  Because this is what happens to a people without the gospel—and to a people who have lost the gospel.  And Brothers and Sisters, the worse it gets, the more the world needs the heart of God that Jesus and the Spirit have given us.  The more the world needs God's promise to heal and to bind up our wounds.  The world needs Jesus and the gospel and you and I are the stewards of that good news.  Don't be tempted to jump into the violent fray.  Don't throw gas on the fire.  Instead, be the wine and the oil that God has made us to anoint the world's wounds.  Show the world what godly justice and godly mercy are and minister the healing power of the gospel—of the good news that Jesus the Messiah has died for us, that he has risen for us, and that he is creation's true Lord. Let's pray: Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift alone your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  

Have you ever felt wronged and wanted justice? Do you struggle to balance family and Church callings? And what is the real reason for suffering in our lives? D&C 98-101 offers profound and often surprising answers to these questions, giving us a blueprint for peace in a world of contention. Summary: In this episode, we tackle four remarkable revelations. We start with D&C 98 and the "Lord's Law of War," learning when to patiently endure and when to stand. We'll explore the difference between being justified and being sanctified and discover why the Lord commands us to "renounce war and proclaim peace." Next, D&C 100 provides a powerful message for every parent and leader: "your families are well; they are in mine hands." This revelation gives us comfort and direction on balancing our most important responsibilities. We then dive into D&C 101, which reveals why the Saints suffered such intense persecution in Missouri—as a consequence of their own sins, including "jarrings, and contentions, and envyings". The Lord, however, promises to remember mercy in the day of wrath. We'll discuss the parable of the nobleman and the servants who asked, "what need hath my lord of this tower?" This serves as a powerful warning against second-guessing God's counsel. Amidst the chaos, D&C 101 offers incredible hope, redefining Zion as "the pure in heart," and promising that Zion "shall not be moved". Finally, we'll examine the Lord's "strange act" and His role in establishing the Constitution. Call-to-Action: What insights did you gain from the Lord's law of war and peace? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to the channel, and hit the notification bell to stay "Unshaken" in your faith. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 3:46 Proclaim Peace 20:08 Your Family Is In My Hands 31:31 Second-Guessing the Savior 50:37 Zion Shall Not Be Moved 1:09:03 The Millennium 1:24:03 The Constitution 1:41:18 Whining Until You Win 1:53:59 One-Liners

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:9Is it possible for us to see God move? How could we possibly keep ourselves pure? Pure does not mean perfection; it is what we become when we live by Jesus' promises. What is holding you back from living in His perfect promises instead of your flawed goodness? Join us as we look to God's Word to seek Him and His restoration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to River of Life Church's podcast! We are a body of believers who gather together to worship God & grow in His grace. We are a church of His presence, His promises and we are for all people. More info can be found at www.rol-ag.com.

Matthew 5:1-12 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the king-dom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Imagining the ChurchMatthew 5:1-16 (ESV)1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Sermon OutlineThe church is called to be light for the world (v14).1. Which Light?v16 “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”2. What Do We Uphold And What Do We Hide?v15 “Nor do people… put it under a basket, but on a stand…”3. Why Are We Left In The World?v14 “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”Prayer of ConfessionOur glorious God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of life. We are a people who walk in darkness. Forgive us for wanting to take your place. Forgive us for presuming darkness could be used for our own advantage. Forgive us for all the things we have thought and done that we fear could be found out. Forgive us for ways we have made the world a darker place through our sinful actions. We look to Jesus, the true light, and through faith ask that you dispel the darkness in our lives. Thank you for how you have blessed us; grant us the grace to live in the world as those who generously bring your blessing and light to the world around us. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhy does the church exist?How should we understand that Jesus tells us not to do good works in order to be seen (Matthew 6), yet tells us to do good works so that people may see them (Matthew 5)? What distinction is Jesus making? Where do you look for “light”? What do you see in the world that promises life?Why does the Bible insist that we look to God? What happens if we try to become like God (take God's place)? What happens if we devote ourselves to people, things, ideals, with the devotion and hope that should be in God alone?When Jesus claimed to be the light of the world, what did he reveal in his character, teachings and actions that demonstrate this? Where can we see the glory of God? When the Holy Spirit open eyes to discern God's reality, what kinds of things does the Spirit show you?How does the pattern of the church – gathering every week, on the first day of the week since Jesus was raised to worship God – sustain us with spiritual health? What are some ways that church becomes lifeless and draining instead of life giving?How do churches become a “city on a hill”? What characterizes faithful disciples who go into the world to bring God's light into it?What habits will help you remain in the paradigm of receiving blessing and light from God, and stewarding it by seeking to bless and bring light to your family, friends, coworkers, NYC?

Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Imagining the ChurchMatthew 5:1-16 (ESV)1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Sermon OutlineThe church is called to be light for the world (v14).1. Which Light?v16 “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”2. What Do We Uphold And What Do We Hide?v15 “Nor do people… put it under a basket, but on a stand…”3. Why Are We Left In The World?v14 “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”Prayer of ConfessionOur glorious God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of life. We are a people who walk in darkness. Forgive us for wanting to take your place. Forgive us for presuming darkness could be used for our own advantage. Forgive us for all the things we have thought and done that we fear could be found out. Forgive us for ways we have made the world a darker place through our sinful actions. We look to Jesus, the true light, and through faith ask that you dispel the darkness in our lives. Thank you for how you have blessed us; grant us the grace to live in the world as those who generously bring your blessing and light to the world around us. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhy does the church exist?How should we understand that Jesus tells us not to do good works in order to be seen (Matthew 6), yet tells us to do good works so that people may see them (Matthew 5)? What distinction is Jesus making? Where do you look for “light”? What do you see in the world that promises life?Why does the Bible insist that we look to God? What happens if we try to become like God (take God's place)? What happens if we devote ourselves to people, things, ideals, with the devotion and hope that should be in God alone?When Jesus claimed to be the light of the world, what did he reveal in his character, teachings and actions that demonstrate this? Where can we see the glory of God? When the Holy Spirit open eyes to discern God's reality, what kinds of things does the Spirit show you?How does the pattern of the church – gathering every week, on the first day of the week since Jesus was raised to worship God – sustain us with spiritual health? What are some ways that church becomes lifeless and draining instead of life giving?How do churches become a “city on a hill”? What characterizes faithful disciples who go into the world to bring God's light into it?What habits will help you remain in the paradigm of receiving blessing and light from God, and stewarding it by seeking to bless and bring light to your family, friends, coworkers, NYC?

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hank brings up a question that he addresses in his book Afterlife: What You Need to Know about Heaven, the Hereafter and Near-Death Experiences, the question being, “Will everyone ultimately wind up in heaven?”Hank also answers the following questions:How do Mormons explain the origin of the universe? Victor - Midland, TX (5:41)Can a Christian join the Masonic Lodge? Dave - Brunswick, GA (15:11)Can you explain the “pure in heart” according to Matthew 5:8? Uriah - Calgary, AB (17:24)Why aren't there modern-day miraculous healings? Josh - Lexington, KY (22:35)

Chris Sallade kicks off our fall sermon series on the Beatitudes with the question, "what is the good life?" He shows how Jesus's teachings present a surprising, counterintuitive, but trustworthy answer to this deeply significant question. Matthew 5:1-12Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

MESSAGE | Tom McClendon (Minister of Congregational Care) Pure Hearts See God! Matthew 5:8 1 | How Does the Bible "Heart" ? Center of Our Life & Perdonality Seat of all Our Troubles Center of Divine Influence 2 | What Does Our Lord Mean by "Pure in Heart"? Cleansed by the Blood Purified by the Word of God Filled with Clean Thoughts Purged of Deceptive Motives Free from a Divided Heart 3 | What Does it Mean that :We Shall See God"? Creation Circumstances Others Future 4 | What Does it Look Like When Our Hearts Become Pure?

In this episode covering Doctrine and Covenants 94–97, I talk about how the Lord gives us patterns—whether in building temples or in building our lives—and how following His plan brings blessings we can't find in the world's way of doing things. I share a listener's touching review about the power of the Book of Mormon, insights on the Lord being in the details, and lessons from Joseph Smith's insistence on building the Lord's house His way. We discuss chastening as a sign of God's love, Hyrum Smith's eagerness to begin the Lord's work, and how temples and Zion invite us to become pure in heart. Most of all, this episode reminds us that the Lord wants to refine, bless, and multiply us when we humbly follow Him.   See Saints, 1:169–70; “A House for Our God,” Revelations in Context, 165–73. Below is the talk I referenced, The Lord's Strange Act by Rex C Reeve. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/rex-c-reeve-sr/lords-strange-act/

Who are you, truly? What does your heart crave, deep down? In the sixth beatitude, Jesus declares that the pure in heart are blessed—because they will see God. But what does purity of heart look like? And how do those of us painfully aware of the sin in our lives cultivate pure hearts?Tune into this episode to dig deeper into this beatitude.To explore the themes in this episode even further, here are a few reflection questions and passages to consider.Where in your life do you notice double-mindedness or hypocrisy? Seek the Lord and ask for His Spirit's help in purifying your heart. What action steps might you take to be more single-minded in this area? Read Hebrews 12:15. How does this passage relate to the sixth beatitude? What similarities in thought do you notice? How does this passage encourage and challenge you?Read Revelation 21:22-27. How does this vision of eternity stir your heart for the Lord? How does it encourage you to pursue the Lord here and now?

Is Zion a geographical location or a state of being? Can you be "walking in darkness at noon-day"? And what does it mean to be chastened by a loving God? D&C 94-97 answers these questions and more, offering powerful lessons on building God's kingdom—and ourselves—according to His patterns. Summary: In this episode, we explore four short but impactful sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. We begin with D&C 94, focusing on the Lord's emphasis on following His "pattern" for our lives and the building of His kingdom. Next, we confront the "tough love" of D&C 95, where the Saints are chastened for their "very grievous sin" of neglecting the Kirtland Temple. We'll unpack the concept of "walking in darkness at noon-day" and how we can avoid sins of omission. We'll also discuss the promise of an endowment of "power from on high" and the need to remove the "incumbrances" or obstacles to God's work, as revealed in D&C 96. Finally, we turn to D&C 97, which addresses the Saints in Zion as they faced intense persecution. We'll learn about obedience that requires sacrifice and the powerful truth that "this is Zion—the pure in heart." We'll see that building Zion is about becoming a people worthy of the place, and that opposition often precedes God's greatest blessings. Call-to-Action: What "incumbrances" are in your way of doing God's work? Share your thoughts in the comments below! If you found this discussion insightful, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay "Unshaken" in your faith.  Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 3:09 Patterns to Follow 13:49 Tough Love 24:25 Neglecting the Temple 40:45 Removing Roadblocks 50:59 Obedience at a Cost 1:00:58 The Bells of Hell 1:14:26 Zion Place of Zion People 1:27:41 One-Liners

Welcome to the Jesus Church in Watertown, South Dakota!Join us for service at: 500 14th Ave NW, Watertown, SD 57201 https://goo.gl/maps/WgUmDc1iH7jB8za98Our Service Times: Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 am CDT Sunday Main Service at 11:00 am CDT Wednesday Service at 7:00 pm CDTYou can find us online at: Website: https://jesuschurchsd.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JesusChurchSD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesuschurchsd/

Revelation Dates: August – December, 1833 Revelation Places: Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York Section 98 – Aug 6, 1833 - Historical Background: Persecution was increasing in Missouri and Joseph was concerned for the saints, seeking help from the Lord. Joseph was 800 miles away in Kirtland and had not yet heard of the extreme violence and destruction of property, including the printing press. But the Lord knew what was happening, and revealed to the Prophet this revelation containing principles of peace, comfort and forgiveness.   Recap: The Lord has heard the prayers of his people and they will be granted. Have patience. Trust in the Lord. Obey the laws of the land. Their rights are inalienable, yet when the wicked rule, the people mourn. Forsake evil and cleave to good. Renounce war and proclaim peace. The saints in Kirtland must repent. The principles of persecution and retaliation are outlined. Section 99 - Historical Background: This revelation is out of sequence and was actually given in August 1832, not 1833. The revelation was on behalf of John Murdock, one of Joseph's most faithful servants. John's wife died giving birth to twins, who were adopted by Joseph and Emma. Recap: John Murdock is called on a mission to the eastern states. He is promised power. Those who accept John accept the Lord, and those who reject John also reject the Lord. John is encouraged to continue preaching the gospel for his entire life. Section 100 – Oct 12, 1833 - Historical Background: After organizing the Kirtland Stake and getting the Kirtland temple construction organized, Joseph and Sidney went on a mission to Upper Canada. They were accompanied by a new convert named Freeman Nickerson from Perrysburg, New York, who was returning home and invited Joseph and Sidney to ride with him as they journeyed north. After arriving in Perrysburg, Joseph became deeply anxious about his family back in Kirtland and inquired of the Lord.   Recap: Joseph and Sidney's families are well and are in the care of the Savior while they are on their mission. As to this mission, they are promised great success. They are told to fear not, for God will fill their mouths and they cannot be confounded. Be meek and the Holy Ghost will bear record of the truth. Sidney is called to be a spokesman for Joseph, who is to be the revelator. Meanwhile, back in Missouri, the Lord says Zion will be chastened for a season. In due time, God will raise up a people pure in heart to redeem Zion. Section 101 – Dec 16, 1833 - Historical Background: In Section 97, the Lord declares that if Zion obeyed God's commandments (including building a temple) they would prosper, otherwise they will face affliction, sword, vengeance and fire. The saints transgressed and failed by their lackluster efforts to build a temple. In July, 1833, a large Missouri mob demanded the saints cease from all religious labors in Jackson County. Three days later they destroyed the church printing press, burned the building and tarred and feathered 2 church leaders. In October and November, the mob raided branches of the church demolishing homes, and in one branch “amid the shrieks and screams of women and children, whipped and beat in a savage and brutal manner, several of the men.” A church member and two mob members were killed. The 2,500 saints in Zion were fleeing for their lives. In December, Joseph received the awful news and reached out to the Lord asking why He would allow this persecution and when He would redeem Zion.      Recap: The saints were driven out of Zion because of their transgressions, and must now endure their chastening. But God will be merciful. “Be still, and know that I am God.” The righteous and pure in heart will return to redeem Zion and build the New Jerusalem. A time frame was not given. Meanwhile, gather together in stakes and live the gospel principles. Christ will appear to all and the wicked will be consumed. The millennial period will begin and Zion will be built, Satan will be bound, and all history will be revealed. Those saints driven from Zion are transgressors and need to be chastened. The Lord gives a parable of a vineyard, whose servants refused to build a tower (temple), and therefore the enemy came undetected and destroyed the vineyard. The House of Israel must continue to be gathered and the Saints must gather in stakes to be strengthened. Lands must be purchased in Zion. Those who were scattered must seek redress by the law to uphold their inalienable rights. This was the purpose of establishing the Constitution, by the hands of wise men raised up by God. If government leaders do not give heed to these laws, God will be displeased and in His fierce anger, will vex them along with the nation. The day will come that the Lord's people will hold claim to Zion and will return, build and prosper there.

Our Mothers Knew It with Maria EckersleyA Creative Study of Come, Follow MeD&C [D&C 94-97]“For the Salvation of Zion”September 1 – September 7, 2025WEEK 36 SUMMARY=================In June–August 1833, the Saints in Kirtland and Missouri received revelations addressing both sacred building and spiritual preparation. Section 94 directed the construction of two key structures in Kirtland—a printing house and a church building—emphasizing order, planning, and consecrated labor as essential to Zion's growth. Section 95, a rebuke and encouragement, reminded the Saints that their delay in building the Kirtland Temple was disobedience; yet God, in mercy, promised His presence, endowment of power, and angelic visitations if they acted faithfully. Section 96 provided direction regarding the French farm in Kirtland, appointing stewardship over the land for the welfare of the Church, reflecting the law of consecration in practice. Finally, Section 97, sent to Missouri during increasing persecution, counseled the Saints on building the Lord's house in Zion (Independence), teaching that Zion is defined by the pure in heart, that chastisement is an expression of God's love, and that righteousness and temple-centered worship bring both divine protection and peace. Together, these revelations show how early temple building, consecration, and spiritual purity were central to the unfolding vision of Zion in both Kirtland and Missouri.SPARK 1: BAGS AND BEACHES ================OBJECT LESSON: “Ye Shall Have Power to Build It”: Split Straw AnalogySPARK 2: A TALE OF TWO TREES===================================OBJECT LESSON: “To Bring Forth as a Very Fruitful Tree” : Transforming TreesSPARK 3: LIGHT ON A HILL=============================OBJECT LESSON: “If Zion Do These Things She Shall Prosper”: Soda Diffusing TrickCHAPTERS=========00:00:14 INTRO00:05:13 QUICK GLANCE00:09:45 SPARK 1 INSIGHTS00:18:52 SPARK 1 OBJECT LESSON00:23:56 SPARK 1 QUESTIONS00:26:11 SPARK 2 INSIGHTS00:35:22 SPARK 2 OBJECT LESSON00:38:53 SPARK 2 QUESTIONS00:41:43 SPARK 3 INSIGHTS00:49:21 SPARK 3 OBJECT LESSON00:52:07 SPARK 3 QUESTIONS00:54:02 WRAP UPLINKS=====WEB: https://www.gather.meckmom.comETSY: https://www.etsy.com/shop/meckmomINSTAGRAM: Instagram @meckmomlifePODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST DISCLAIMER=================================This podcast represents my own thoughts and opinions. It is not made, approved, or endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or creative interpretations, implied or included are solely those of Maria Eckersley ("MeckMom LLC"), and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Great care has been made to ensure this podcast is in harmony with the overall mission of the Church. Click here to visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

$97 Lifetime Deal – Nevillize Your Life with the "Unlock God Mode" Course: unlockgodmode.org  ✣ Join this 30-day life-changing program today.✣ Free Neville Goddard PDF: manifestwithneville.com----------------------Neville Goddard: The Pure in Heart (1963) ***Download the free Neville Goddard PDF Guide at manifestwithneville.com - Discover the transformative power of Neville Goddard's wisdom with this FREE 60-page guide on his 12 timeless principles of manifestation and reality creation.★ Follow the podcast for daily lectures from the mystic Neville Goddard ★FREE RESOURCES:• Join the FREE Neville Goddard newsletter• Join the FREE Telegram Channel• Feeling is the Secret • Full Audiobook* * *The James Xander Trip Podcast:• Listen on Spotify• Listen on Apple Podcasts• Listen on YouTubeDIVE DEEPER:• The Unlock God Mode Course• The Infinite Wealth Guided Meditation* * *ABOUT NEVILLE GODDARD:Neville Goddard (1905-1972), was an English writer, speaker and mystic. He grew up in Barbados and moved to the United States of America as a young adult. Neville Goddard was perhaps the last century's most intellectually substantive and charismatic purveyor of the philosophy generally called New Thought. He wrote more than ten books under the solitary pen name Neville, and was a popular speaker on metaphysical themes from the late 1930s until his death in 1972.Possessed of a self-educated and uncommonly sharp intellect, Neville espoused a spiritual vision that was bold and total: Everything you see and experience, including other people, is the result of your own thoughts and emotional states. Each of us dreams into existence an infinitude of realities and outcomes. When you realize this, Neville taught, you will discover yourself to be a slumbering branch of the Creator clothed in human form, and at the helm of limitless possibilities.Neville's thought system influenced a wide range of spiritual thinkers and writers, from bestselling author Dr. Joseph Murphy to Rhonda Byrne and Wayne Dyer.He has inspired and continues to inspire millions of readers around the world.* * *SOCIALS:• Neville Goddard Newsletter• Neville Goddard Telegram• Neville Goddard Instagram• Neville Goddard Threads• Neville Goddard Twitter• Neville Goddard YouTube* * *ABOUT THE COURSEUnlock God Mode is a transformative 30-day course designed to accelerate your journey towards greater wealth, love, and success through a deeper understanding and manipulation of your reality.  Comprising of 30 audio lessons, this course unfolds as a self-paced, introspective expedition into reality creation, aiding you in elevating your consciousness to what's referred to as the God Mode. Throughout this journey, practical tools will be provided daily to help enrich your life with more love, money, and success by altering your mental models and perceptions. This course combines theory and hands-on experience to create a unique deep dive into manifestation, consciousness, and reality creation. Join me on an extraordinary, 30-day adventure (1 lesson per day) and watch your reality transform. Begin the Unlock God Mode experience today »* * *Follow Neville Goddard on Telegram, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and YouTube.★ Join the FREE Neville Goddard newsletter ★» For the Neville Goddard listener: Access the 30-Day Unlock God Mode Program « 

Alan teaches on the Beatitudes from Yeshua's Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5:3-10.Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.Blessed are those who mourn,for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the Earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called the Sons of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/NRyGS0lm9vwSend us a text

In a world where boycotts trend by the hour and social media justice can render someone “canceled” overnight, Christian parents are left wondering—how should we respond? In this insightful and deeply relevant episode, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose step into the emotionally charged topic of Cancel Culture with clarity, nuance, and a Biblical lens.  Rather than being driven by reactionary outrage, Christians are called to be rooted in grace, truth, and discernment. The conversation explores the dangers of modern Cancel Culture—doxing, boycotting, and outrage cycles—and contrasts them with the radical love and reconciliation found in Christ. Rachael and Natalie ask: What does it look like to live out a Grace Culture in a canceling world? And how do we teach our daughters to pursue peace, seek justice, and reflect the heart of Jesus in the face of public pressure?  Listeners will appreciate the honesty of personal stories, Biblical insights, and encouragements to step away from knee-jerk reactions and instead stand firmly on their identity in Christ. With wisdom from the Raising Godly Girls Minute by American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay, this episode reminds us that we are uncanceled by God—and that truth has massive implications for how we love others.  Scripture References:  Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Ephesians 2:4–5 – “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ…”  Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”  Micah 6:8 – “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”  Whether you're trying to navigate social media, lead your family in integrity, or disciple your daughter through cultural confusion, this episode offers an anchored, grace-filled vision for Christian living in divisive times.    Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org. 

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On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (08/25/25), Hank discusses his book Afterlife: What You Need to Know about Heaven, the Hereafter and Near-Death Experiences, detailing the three phases of life: life in the present, life after life—the separation of the physical and nonphysical aspects of our humanity, and life after life-after-life—the time in the future where our humanity will be reunited with our perfected physical body in the new heaven and new earth.Hank also answers the following questions:Is there biblical support for the closing of the canon of Scripture? Matthew - Turlock, CA (4:33)According to Luke 18:15-17, what is the age of accountability? Sean - Fresno, CA (6:39)Can a Christian join the Masonic Lodge? Dave - Brunswick, GA (15:11)Can you explain the “pure in heart” according to Matthew 5:8? Uriah - Calgary, AB (17:24)Why aren't there modern-day miraculous healings? Josh - Lexington, KY (22:35)

Preached 11-24-24 Rev. Elbert McGowan, Jr. Matthew 5:8

Matthew 5:1-12We would love to see you during our Sunday morning service.  Click here for the time and location.https://ubcellsworth.org/#schedDo you have a prayer request? https://ubcellsworth.org/#prayerIf you are seeking biblical counseling....click here https://ubcellsworth.org/

Revelation Dates: May – August, 1833 Revelation Places: Kirtland, Ohio Section 94 - Historical Background: Ever since January, 1833, Joseph Smith had been warning the church leaders in Jackson County, Missouri to stop disputing and quarrelling among themselves. Their sinful behavior was putting the whole cause of Zion at risk. As they did not repent, the threats of mobs increased. If the saints in Missouri were not worthy to build a temple on the dedicated lot in Zion, the Lord would build an interim temple in Kirtland. There were keys to be restored and endowments to be performed. Time was of the essence. Therefore, on May 6, 1833, Joseph received this revelation.   Recap: The Kirtland saints are to begin laying out plans for the building of a temple. 3 lots are to be purchased for the project to build the temple, a printing house, and a residence for Hyrum Smith. The dimensions of the temple and printing shop are given. But they are commanded to not begin construction until the Lord gives approval. The Lord promises to come personally to the finished, dedicated temple as long as it remains clean and sacred. Section 95 - Historical Background: In December, 1832, the Lord had given divine directions for the building of houses of worship and for the school of the prophets. For over 6 months now, the Kirtland saints had not complied with this commandment. The Lord reprimands the saints for their lackluster effort in this matter. Recap: The Lord loves those whom He chastens. The saints have sinned by neglecting the building of the house of the Lord. Consequently, those who have been called and qualified to preach the gospel, go out unprepared and walk in the darkness at noon day. The Lord promises the saints that if they keep His commandments, He will give them power to build the temple, and He provides the temple dimensions and purposes. Section 96 - Historical Background: The day following the receipt of Section 95, a council of high priests discussed the purchasing of the lots commanded by the Lord. A property owned by Pete French, referred to as the French farm, was to be purchased. However, they couldn't decide how it should then be managed. Joseph, along with this council of High Priests, appeal to the Lord for help. Recap: The French farm will be administered by Bishop Newell K. Whitney. The farm is to be divided into lots, a portion for the temple, the printing house and various consecrated inheritances. The Lord then commanded John Johnson be admitted to the United Order and be provided a place of residence. Section 97 - Historical Background: By the summer of 1833, Jackson County was becoming a stage of crisis.  Meanwhile, the work in Kirtland was progressing and the temple cornerstone had been laid. Joseph was very concerned for the saints in Missouri and inquired of the Lord for their sakes. By this time, due to severe persecution, the saints in Zion had been forced to sign an agreement to vacate Jackson County under a predetermined timeline (which was ultimately violated by the mobs). Recap: Threatening circumstances have caused the leaders of the church in Zion to become humble and meek. This state of humility allows the Lord to show mercy towards them. The Lord wants to bless His people but needs them to be honest, with broken hearts and contrite spirits. The saints are commanded to quickly build a modest temple, similar in design to what is being built in Kirtland, through the tithing of the saints. The Lord promises to visit this temple in glory, to be seen by all the pure in heart, as long as it is undefiled and worthy. But the Lord forewarns the people that if they do not do what they have been commanded, they will be visited with sore afflictions, plagues, and with sword and vengeance. [Note: All this could have been avoided had the saints repented quickly and had the zeal to build the temple as commanded.]

Our scripture passage is about two types of wisdom, so I thought it would be fun to share with you some advice I found on the internet that I will get you into trouble if you do follow it: Carry a fork with you. If someone tries to rob you, pull it out of your pocket and say, thank you Lord for this meal Im about to have and charge at them with the fork. Always say what you're thinking out loud. "Don't breathe, 100% of people who breathe die at some point." "Dont go to the doctors office if you only have one problem. Wait until you have four or five; thats how you get the most bang for your buck." If life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a water gun and shoot other people in the eyes. "When confronted by a bear, give it a hug and tell him it'll be alright." We laugh at these bits of wisdom I found on the internet because they are so foolish they are comical. In James 3:13-18, we are reminded of two sources of wisdom, and of the two, we as a species gravitate to one over the other. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. According to James 3:13-18, not all wisdom is good. The Source of Worldly Wisdom What is worldly wisdom? James says that it is, earthly, natural, and demonic (v. 15). Well that sounds a bit harsh does it not? Lets dive a bit deeper into what James means here before we judge whether or not he said too much. The kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic is the kind that is motivated and driven by, bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14). So what is bitter jealousy and what does it look like? The Greek word for jealousy is... are you ready for it? The Greek word is zēlos. Do you think there may a better way to translate this word? Of course you do, a better translation for this word is our English word zeal! Zeal can be positive or negative. The prophet Elijah was zealous for God is a good way, and that zeal was demonstrated on multiple occasions by standing against evil and speaking on behalf of God, even when it was not safe for him to do so; when his life was threatened by Queen Jezebel, Elijah prayed: I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life (1 Kin. 19:10). Zeal can also become a bad thing. Zeal can turn into bitterness, rivalry, and even pride. In the case of James 3:14, it is a harsh zeal that places the individual at the center of his universe at whatever cost may come to those around him. The kind of bitter Jealousy (harsh zeal) James is talking about is self-centered. The person with this kind of mindset is one whose glory and mission in this world is his own. The other source for worldly wisdom is selfish ambition. There is not much I need to say to make sure you understand what selfish ambition is. It is the kind of thing we see every four years in America: How do I make sure I get what I want. There is only one Greek word that is used here for selfish ambition, and it is eritheia. In ancient Greek it means strife, contentiousness, and selfishness. It is a word that was also used by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle to describe a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.[1] It is used in the New Testament to describe the jealous or angry leader who, forms a group which emotionally or physically withdraws from the rest of the church.[2]These are the kinds of people Paul described in Philippians 1:15-17, Some... proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. There are varying degrees that bitter jealousy and selfish ambition can come into the life of a person, but none of it is from God. Even the best of us can cave to the kinds of vices that lead to worldly wisdom. Consider some of the people from the Bible such as Abraham, David, and Solomon. God told Abraham that he would father a child with Sarah, but because pregnancy seemed impossible to the couple, Sarah came up with another plan that was culturally acceptable. Sarah said to her husband: See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai (Gen. 16:2). So, the slave woman got pregnant and had a son and what Abraham got in return was one big giant mess that we are still dealing with today. David wrote much of the Psalms that are in our Bible, and he knew his Bible pretty well! He understood what Gods word said of Israels kings in Deuteronomy and most likely had memorized it. He knew that as king, he was not to acquire the kinds of properties the kings of the other nations collected to measure their glory and strength such as many horses or many wives, nor was he to hoard silver and gold (see Deut. 17:16-20). We know David knew this because he even wrote a song about it that included the verse: Some praise their chariots and some their horses, but we will praise the name of the Lord, our God (Ps. 20:7). Yet at the height of his reign as king, he conducted a census to measure the strength of his nation instead of trusting the God who told Him that his power did not come from numbers but from God alone. Can you see what Abraham and Davids stories all have in common? They followed after the wisdom of the world instead of trusting the word of God as their source of wisdom. Abraham wanted a son so badly and for his legacy to go on, so he took matters into his own hands and got his female slave pregnant. David conducted a census just like the other kings did because he needed to know how he and his nation compared to other nations. If you listen closely to the pages of scripture you can hear the serpents question with these men: Has God really said...? The wisdom of the world would lead you to an easier and wider road rather than a narrow and more difficult one. The wisdom of the world would have you erect a house on sand instead of spending the time necessary to lay a good foundation. Heavenly Wisdom Unlike worldly wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to the thriving life God created us to know and enjoy does not come from within, or from this world, or beneath; it comes from above where God is seated. The wisdom from above is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy, and full of good fruits (v. 17). From where does heavenly wisdom come from? It comes from God! Where can I gain this kind of wisdom? From the counsel God has already given, which is His word. We already saw in the first chapter that those of us who lack wisdom, are to ask God for it without doubting (1:5-6); the source of the kind of wisdom we need comes from the word of God. We gain wisdom from above when we first listen to what God has said through His word and then become a doer of it by putting what we read into practice (see 1:21-25). But here is the thing... there is no wisdom from above if you do not have the kind of faith that moves you to really trust the truth of Gods word. It is one thing to say you believe the Bible to be true and another to act upon that belief. Think for a moment about what we say we believe at Meadowbrooke; this is what we state on our webpage about the Bible: We believe the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is the divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, thus rendering them trustworthy and solely authoritative in faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Scriptures reveal the mind of God concerning the need and the method of human redemption, the character and destiny of mankind, and are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (Jn. 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The more important question is not if we are okay with that statement, but do we really believe it? The Bible testifies of itself: All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In the book of Hebrews, we are told, For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12). But do you really believe it to be what it claims? If you believe the Bible to be the word of God and that it is beneficial for teaching, for correcting, and training in righteousness, then how is it shaping your choices in life, what kind of influence is it having on your relationships, how does it affect how you behave and function at work? Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God even if what it tells you to do with your life makes no sense to those around you and the rest of the world? Think about some of the things that God told His people to do. God told Abraham to leave his home in Ur and promised him a child, even though he and his wife Sarah were quickly advancing in age to the point that fathering a child would be highly improbable. The conventional wisdom of Abrahams day suggested that he father a child through one of his servants, but that was not the promise God made to Abraham. God promised a son that would be both his and Sarahs, and in their old age God provided an heir. God used men who acted upon the word of God when others thought they were nuts. Men like Moses who God commissioned to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Men like Joshua who God told to march around Jericho a bunch of times while blowing seven trumpets and then on the seventh day after the seventh time around the city to shout to bring down the walls of the city. Men like Gideon who God ordered to cut his army of 32,000 soldiers down to 300 to face an army of at least 135,000; each of Gideons soldiers were to carrying a torch, a clay pot, and a trumpet that they would blow after breaking the clay pot at night while surround the 135,000 Midianite army and then shout: A sword for the Lord and for Gideon! and this would be the way they would defeat an army that outnumbered them by 440 to 1 (see Judges 7:1-8:10). God raised a shepherd boy whose own father and brothers did not think much of to be a king over Israel, and it would be through his descendants a savior would be born who would rule the nations. God spoke through unlikely prophets of old, and choose an unassuming and impoverished virgin girl and her fianc to raise up the promised Messiah that she alone would be the biological parent of, and the child would grow up and live the life we could never live in a little country about the size of New Jersey for the purpose of suffering on a cross and dying under the wrath of God a death we all deserved. This is why the apostle Paul wrote, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18). Gods wisdom is different! Not only is the wisdom of God different, but it is in a whole different category than the wisdom of the world. In what way is it different? We are told in verse 17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Gods words and His ways rub against the grain of the worlds conventional wisdom and is the reason the prophet Isaiah wrote of God, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord (55:8). The question for you, dear brothers and sisters, is what are you doing with it, or maybe a better question for some of you is, What will you do with His word? Conclusion What wisdom is guiding you? What wisdom is shaping your decisions? What wisdom are you applying to your marriage, your children, and your friendships? James is not offering us an option here, for what the Holy Spirit is showing us in James is that if you belong to Jesus, then you have no business with the kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic. Why, because we are kingdom people! I told you that I believe what James is doing is simply applying Jesus sermon on the mount to everyday life. I have shared with you repeatedly that the way you come to Jesus is as one who is poor in spirit, one who mourns over sin, and one who is meek enough to lay you pride before the cross of Christ. These are the first three of Jesus beatitudes and are what theologians call, the beatitudes of need. The fourth beatitude is the fruit of the first three: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). How can I be satisfied? By finding my satisfaction in the One who is infinitely righteous and from whom true wisdom is found. What does a hunger and thirst for righteousness produce when that hunger and thirst is satisfied in Jesus? It produces what theologians call the beatitudes of action. I will pick up on this next Sunday, but for now I think it is enough for you to see what James is doing with wisdom and our Lords beatitudes. What kind of fruit does wisdom from above produce? It is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Pure: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:8). Peace-loving: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). Gentle (meek): Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Reasonable (compliant): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). Full of mercy: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:7). Impartial / free of hypocrisy: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matt. 4). Full of good fruit: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). My question for you is what are you doing with the wisdom that comes from above? It is the wisdom from above that calls those who follow Jesus through the narrow gate instead of the broad gate (Matt. 7:13-14). The wisdom from above calls the Christian to build upon the rock instead of sand (Matt. 7:24-29). The wisdom from above calls us to action in such a way that we do not only call Jesus Lord but live in subjection to His lordship (Matt. 7:22-21). The wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic will lead to death. The wisdom from above will lead to the kind of living where you can truly thrive as a child of God. Some of you may need to turn from whatever wisdom that has been guiding you, by humbling yourself before God Almighty. I will leave you with James 4:3-4 and you can do with it what seems best in light of what we have considered today: You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [1] Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), 151. [2] Ibid.

Our scripture passage is about two types of wisdom, so I thought it would be fun to share with you some advice I found on the internet that I will get you into trouble if you do follow it: Carry a fork with you. If someone tries to rob you, pull it out of your pocket and say, thank you Lord for this meal Im about to have and charge at them with the fork. Always say what you're thinking out loud. "Don't breathe, 100% of people who breathe die at some point." "Dont go to the doctors office if you only have one problem. Wait until you have four or five; thats how you get the most bang for your buck." If life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a water gun and shoot other people in the eyes. "When confronted by a bear, give it a hug and tell him it'll be alright." We laugh at these bits of wisdom I found on the internet because they are so foolish they are comical. In James 3:13-18, we are reminded of two sources of wisdom, and of the two, we as a species gravitate to one over the other. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. According to James 3:13-18, not all wisdom is good. The Source of Worldly Wisdom What is worldly wisdom? James says that it is, earthly, natural, and demonic (v. 15). Well that sounds a bit harsh does it not? Lets dive a bit deeper into what James means here before we judge whether or not he said too much. The kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic is the kind that is motivated and driven by, bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14). So what is bitter jealousy and what does it look like? The Greek word for jealousy is... are you ready for it? The Greek word is zēlos. Do you think there may a better way to translate this word? Of course you do, a better translation for this word is our English word zeal! Zeal can be positive or negative. The prophet Elijah was zealous for God is a good way, and that zeal was demonstrated on multiple occasions by standing against evil and speaking on behalf of God, even when it was not safe for him to do so; when his life was threatened by Queen Jezebel, Elijah prayed: I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life (1 Kin. 19:10). Zeal can also become a bad thing. Zeal can turn into bitterness, rivalry, and even pride. In the case of James 3:14, it is a harsh zeal that places the individual at the center of his universe at whatever cost may come to those around him. The kind of bitter Jealousy (harsh zeal) James is talking about is self-centered. The person with this kind of mindset is one whose glory and mission in this world is his own. The other source for worldly wisdom is selfish ambition. There is not much I need to say to make sure you understand what selfish ambition is. It is the kind of thing we see every four years in America: How do I make sure I get what I want. There is only one Greek word that is used here for selfish ambition, and it is eritheia. In ancient Greek it means strife, contentiousness, and selfishness. It is a word that was also used by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle to describe a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.[1] It is used in the New Testament to describe the jealous or angry leader who, forms a group which emotionally or physically withdraws from the rest of the church.[2]These are the kinds of people Paul described in Philippians 1:15-17, Some... proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. There are varying degrees that bitter jealousy and selfish ambition can come into the life of a person, but none of it is from God. Even the best of us can cave to the kinds of vices that lead to worldly wisdom. Consider some of the people from the Bible such as Abraham, David, and Solomon. God told Abraham that he would father a child with Sarah, but because pregnancy seemed impossible to the couple, Sarah came up with another plan that was culturally acceptable. Sarah said to her husband: See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai (Gen. 16:2). So, the slave woman got pregnant and had a son and what Abraham got in return was one big giant mess that we are still dealing with today. David wrote much of the Psalms that are in our Bible, and he knew his Bible pretty well! He understood what Gods word said of Israels kings in Deuteronomy and most likely had memorized it. He knew that as king, he was not to acquire the kinds of properties the kings of the other nations collected to measure their glory and strength such as many horses or many wives, nor was he to hoard silver and gold (see Deut. 17:16-20). We know David knew this because he even wrote a song about it that included the verse: Some praise their chariots and some their horses, but we will praise the name of the Lord, our God (Ps. 20:7). Yet at the height of his reign as king, he conducted a census to measure the strength of his nation instead of trusting the God who told Him that his power did not come from numbers but from God alone. Can you see what Abraham and Davids stories all have in common? They followed after the wisdom of the world instead of trusting the word of God as their source of wisdom. Abraham wanted a son so badly and for his legacy to go on, so he took matters into his own hands and got his female slave pregnant. David conducted a census just like the other kings did because he needed to know how he and his nation compared to other nations. If you listen closely to the pages of scripture you can hear the serpents question with these men: Has God really said...? The wisdom of the world would lead you to an easier and wider road rather than a narrow and more difficult one. The wisdom of the world would have you erect a house on sand instead of spending the time necessary to lay a good foundation. Heavenly Wisdom Unlike worldly wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to the thriving life God created us to know and enjoy does not come from within, or from this world, or beneath; it comes from above where God is seated. The wisdom from above is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy, and full of good fruits (v. 17). From where does heavenly wisdom come from? It comes from God! Where can I gain this kind of wisdom? From the counsel God has already given, which is His word. We already saw in the first chapter that those of us who lack wisdom, are to ask God for it without doubting (1:5-6); the source of the kind of wisdom we need comes from the word of God. We gain wisdom from above when we first listen to what God has said through His word and then become a doer of it by putting what we read into practice (see 1:21-25). But here is the thing... there is no wisdom from above if you do not have the kind of faith that moves you to really trust the truth of Gods word. It is one thing to say you believe the Bible to be true and another to act upon that belief. Think for a moment about what we say we believe at Meadowbrooke; this is what we state on our webpage about the Bible: We believe the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is the divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, thus rendering them trustworthy and solely authoritative in faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Scriptures reveal the mind of God concerning the need and the method of human redemption, the character and destiny of mankind, and are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (Jn. 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The more important question is not if we are okay with that statement, but do we really believe it? The Bible testifies of itself: All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In the book of Hebrews, we are told, For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12). But do you really believe it to be what it claims? If you believe the Bible to be the word of God and that it is beneficial for teaching, for correcting, and training in righteousness, then how is it shaping your choices in life, what kind of influence is it having on your relationships, how does it affect how you behave and function at work? Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God even if what it tells you to do with your life makes no sense to those around you and the rest of the world? Think about some of the things that God told His people to do. God told Abraham to leave his home in Ur and promised him a child, even though he and his wife Sarah were quickly advancing in age to the point that fathering a child would be highly improbable. The conventional wisdom of Abrahams day suggested that he father a child through one of his servants, but that was not the promise God made to Abraham. God promised a son that would be both his and Sarahs, and in their old age God provided an heir. God used men who acted upon the word of God when others thought they were nuts. Men like Moses who God commissioned to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Men like Joshua who God told to march around Jericho a bunch of times while blowing seven trumpets and then on the seventh day after the seventh time around the city to shout to bring down the walls of the city. Men like Gideon who God ordered to cut his army of 32,000 soldiers down to 300 to face an army of at least 135,000; each of Gideons soldiers were to carrying a torch, a clay pot, and a trumpet that they would blow after breaking the clay pot at night while surround the 135,000 Midianite army and then shout: A sword for the Lord and for Gideon! and this would be the way they would defeat an army that outnumbered them by 440 to 1 (see Judges 7:1-8:10). God raised a shepherd boy whose own father and brothers did not think much of to be a king over Israel, and it would be through his descendants a savior would be born who would rule the nations. God spoke through unlikely prophets of old, and choose an unassuming and impoverished virgin girl and her fianc to raise up the promised Messiah that she alone would be the biological parent of, and the child would grow up and live the life we could never live in a little country about the size of New Jersey for the purpose of suffering on a cross and dying under the wrath of God a death we all deserved. This is why the apostle Paul wrote, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18). Gods wisdom is different! Not only is the wisdom of God different, but it is in a whole different category than the wisdom of the world. In what way is it different? We are told in verse 17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Gods words and His ways rub against the grain of the worlds conventional wisdom and is the reason the prophet Isaiah wrote of God, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord (55:8). The question for you, dear brothers and sisters, is what are you doing with it, or maybe a better question for some of you is, What will you do with His word? Conclusion What wisdom is guiding you? What wisdom is shaping your decisions? What wisdom are you applying to your marriage, your children, and your friendships? James is not offering us an option here, for what the Holy Spirit is showing us in James is that if you belong to Jesus, then you have no business with the kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic. Why, because we are kingdom people! I told you that I believe what James is doing is simply applying Jesus sermon on the mount to everyday life. I have shared with you repeatedly that the way you come to Jesus is as one who is poor in spirit, one who mourns over sin, and one who is meek enough to lay you pride before the cross of Christ. These are the first three of Jesus beatitudes and are what theologians call, the beatitudes of need. The fourth beatitude is the fruit of the first three: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). How can I be satisfied? By finding my satisfaction in the One who is infinitely righteous and from whom true wisdom is found. What does a hunger and thirst for righteousness produce when that hunger and thirst is satisfied in Jesus? It produces what theologians call the beatitudes of action. I will pick up on this next Sunday, but for now I think it is enough for you to see what James is doing with wisdom and our Lords beatitudes. What kind of fruit does wisdom from above produce? It is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Pure: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:8). Peace-loving: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). Gentle (meek): Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Reasonable (compliant): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). Full of mercy: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:7). Impartial / free of hypocrisy: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matt. 4). Full of good fruit: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). My question for you is what are you doing with the wisdom that comes from above? It is the wisdom from above that calls those who follow Jesus through the narrow gate instead of the broad gate (Matt. 7:13-14). The wisdom from above calls the Christian to build upon the rock instead of sand (Matt. 7:24-29). The wisdom from above calls us to action in such a way that we do not only call Jesus Lord but live in subjection to His lordship (Matt. 7:22-21). The wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic will lead to death. The wisdom from above will lead to the kind of living where you can truly thrive as a child of God. Some of you may need to turn from whatever wisdom that has been guiding you, by humbling yourself before God Almighty. I will leave you with James 4:3-4 and you can do with it what seems best in light of what we have considered today: You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [1] Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), 151. [2] Ibid.

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.Stabant autem juxta crucem Jesu mater ejus, et soror matris ejus, Maria Cleophae, et Maria Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son.Cum vidisset ergo Jesus matrem, et discipulum stantem, quem diligebat, dicit matri suae : Mulier, ecce filius tuus. 27 After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.Deinde dicit discipulo : Ecce mater tua. Et ex illa hora accepit eam discipulus in sua.Mary began her journey along the road to perfection at a height to which other saints arrived only at the end of a long life of saintliness. In all other children of Adam original sin prevented the divine generosity from having a free course. But Mary was created immaculate, and therefore the grace of God streamed into her soul without check or hindrance. Her sinlessness, her heavenly purity, directed every action, every moment to God. Her Heart was the pattern and model of all virtues, of all purity! "Blessed are the pure in heart!"

Alex Hotz