Podcasts about put god

It's not about simply having a place for God in our lives, it's about Him being first in our lives. Join us in part three of Because of You as Pastor Bryan shares with us the principle of firsts. Where have you placed God in your life?Support the show

God's heart is to make His home in us and to fill us with His joy and His peace and His grace and His power, and I believe that with every fibre of my being. In fact, I know it. And the other thing I know is that He wants to do that for you. Today. Right now.   We're All Different It is fantastic to be with you again this week on Christianityworks. You know the process of boy meets girl has always fascinated me. Before I met my wonderful wife Jacqui, somebody encouraged me to go out on a blind date with a woman and the moment I knocked on her door and she opened the door, I took one look at her and in the instant, I knew there would be no relationship there - I just knew! And yet the very first time I laid eyes on Jacqui, I just knew that she would be my wife. How does that work? What is that chemistry all about? How does chemistry and attraction turn into love and commitment and lifelong companionship? I don't know, I really don't know. I guess for one person there are many potential spouses and only a handful of real candidates, and sometimes one or sometimes none that people meet. It's really a mystery, isn't it? how a boy and a girl meet and become husband and wife and share a life together for the whole of their lives. The same is true with friends – you can pick your friends but you can't pick your relatives. And I guess that saying acknowledges this reality, that sometimes there are people with whom we have chemistry and we have relationship and yet other people – they may be similar to us, they may have the same interests – but there is just no potential there for relationship, because somehow you just don't click. You know what I'm talking about. Well it that's true of people – if there is kind of a custom fit between people for having relationships what about our relationship with God? There is one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three persons in one God - an amazing mystery of God in three persons. But what about our compatibility with God? We are all different – some of us know things in our heads; some of us know things more in our hearts; some of us are right-brained people, some of us are left brained people; some people are loud and noisy, other people are quiet and deep. For some people experience is the most important way of knowing something but for others, they just know that they know that they know that they know that they know. Whatever it is – wherever each one of us is in terms of faith – let's just make a couple of assumptions: firstly, that God is God and secondly that it was His idea to make us all so incredibly different. So, if that's the case, how is it that God deals with that reality in establishing and developing a personal relationship with each one of us? That's what we are going to visit today on the programme. We are in the third programme of a four-week series called "The Holy Spirit and Me". The last few weeks we have been looking at the subject of walking in the Spirit. Two weeks ago we began looking at Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised – if you want to read it it's in John chapter 14 – He promised another Counsellor; another Advocate "just like Me". So Jesus did His public ministry for three and a half years and just before He went to the cross He promised His disciples: I won't leave you as orphans. I'll come again. I'll be with you through My Holy Spirit, My Father and I will come and make our homes with you. And then He died on the cross, He rose again, He ascended into Heaven and not long after…and that's what we are going to look at today, in the Book of Acts. If you have a Bible, grab it; open it at Acts because that's where we are going today. Not long after He poured His Holy Spirit out on His disciples – the Holy Spirit of grace; the Holy Spirit of power; the Holy Spirit of God in us with a relationship that we just can't put into words. And last week on the programme we looked at one of the significant implications of having the Holy Spirit present in us, in that the Spirit who is Holy deals with our sin and that means change; that means repenting; that means ditching that rubbish in our lives. It may not be popular but the Holy Spirit gives us the power to change. But how does the Holy Spirit deal with each one of us who are so different? And this week we are going to look at how God strikes up a relationship with us. We are all so different – God is God – God doesn't change, so how does He do it? How does He customise or tailor His approach or is it one size fits all? Is there some kind of standard approach that is the same for each one of us? How do I know I have the Holy Spirit? It's amazing in the church, that the Holy Spirit is a source of great division – people's understanding of the person of the Holy Spirit – one of the three persons in the Godhead, brings a whole bunch of misunderstanding. And we are just going to open the Bible today very simply and very plainly and just read what God says about God, the Holy Spirit. I was sitting having dinner the other night with a really good friend of mine and this man is very well-known in ministry in Australia and around the world – God has used him to do some amazing things. And you would have to say he is a high-profile sort of person – I won't use his name because we were having a private dinner together. But we were talking about how God deals with each one of us and I was saying. "Well, I love getting up in the morning early and spending forty-five minutes or an hour with God because God speaks to me." You know, I find out what God is doing. "God what are You up to today?" And God gives me guidance as I do that – as I read His Word, as I listen to Him, as I pray. God just impresses on me what He wants me to do. And this friend of mine – and people look at him from a distance; they see him on television, they hear him on radio, they read his biography and they look at this man and they say, "WOW, here's this super-spiritual man that God has used powerfully," and he said to me, "It doesn't work like that for me." He said, "You know, I go to God and ask Him, 'What do you want me to do, God?'" And God says to me, "I have already given you a job, go and do it." You think, "Well, it doesn't sound very spiritual", but on the other hand "the proof of the pudding is in the eating". I mean, look at the fruit in this man's life and God has clearly used him amazingly. God knows each one of us. He knows exactly what you are like. He knows exactly how to connect with you, just as He does to connect with me. So over the next twenty minutes or so we are going to spend some time looking at three different examples of how God connected with people, with the aim of getting the sense that God knows how different each one of us are. We will look at that when we come back.   A Personal Relationship What I said earlier, that the person of the Holy Spirit is one of the greatest sources of division in the Christian church right now and it is true. On the one hand it's very clear from the Bible that everyone who believes in Jesus has the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans chapter 8, verse 9: Anyone one who does not have the Spirit of Christ doesn't belong to Him. And again in Ephesians chapter 1 and elsewhere, Paul writes along these lines – he says: In Him, in Jesus also, when you had heard the word of truth; the Good News; the Gospel of your salvation and you believed in Him, you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. This is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God's own people to the praise of His glory. So in other words, any person that has believed in their heart that Jesus is their personal Saviour has received the Holy Spirit; the promised Holy Spirit; the Spirit that Jesus promised in John chapter 14. Another comforter; another one just like Me, is what He said about the Holy Spirit. But, it's also true by observation that this Holy Spirit makes a difference in some people and not in others. Jesus said: You will know a tree by its fruit. Good trees have good fruit and bad trees have bad fruit. I don't know where you are on your journey – I have a bit of a sense where I am on my journey but we are all on a journey. If we are walking with Jesus, if we have accepted Him and said, "Lord, I want You to be my Saviour, I believe that You died for me on the cross" – if we are with Jesus then somewhere in our lives, Jesus is making changes – we are on a journey. And I know that today I make fewer mistakes that I did five years ago and my prayer is that as I grow in God's Word and in my relationship with Him and through the presence of the Spirit in me, I pray in another five years I will be able to look back and say exactly the same thing. But there are some people who say, "I believe in Jesus" and you look at their lives and you think 'I can't see any fruit.' There is that wonderful story in Luke's Gospel of Jesus going to His friend's grave – Lazarus. Lazarus had died; he had been dead for a few days and when Jesus got to his grave, He said" Roll the stone away. And they said: You don't understand he has been dead for a few days, he is going to smell And Jesus said: Roll the stone away. And when they did that He said: Lazarus, come out. And Lazarus got up from the dead and walked out but he was bound up in grave-clothes. Now under those grave-clothes there was red in his cheek – the Master had spoken life into Lazarus's dead body. But Lazarus was still bound up in the grave-clothes. You know, you can't do much for God; you can't serve other people when you are bound up in grave-clothes. And to tell you the truth, I know plenty of Christians that look just like Lazarus when he came out of the tomb. Yes, the Master has spoken life into them – yes, they have eternal life but they are still bound up in the grave-clothes of the past. Jesus said, "I came to set you free," and I believe that the Holy Spirit – in fact the Bible tells us the Holy Spirit has so much to do with setting us free. Some people believe that you become a Christian, you receive the Holy Spirit and that's it! That's one side of the argument. Other people believe, "Well, no, there is a second blessing. You know, sure you receive the seal of the Holy Spirit – you receive the Spirit when you become a Christian but you have got to be baptised in the Spirit." There is a significant experiential event of power, of gifts, of tongues and prophets and all those other things that happen after the event. And I know well-intentioned Christians of both sides of that argument – in both camps – who argue their cases strongly and passionately and believe that the other party is just plain wrong. Why is this important? Because it goes to the question 'How do I know if I'm filled with the Spirit? How do I know if I'm walking in the Spirit? Because I don't know about you, but I'm passionate – I want all that God has for me – all of Him, all of His presence, all of His blessing, all that I can do with God, I want everything that God has for me. How incredibly sad to believe in the cross; to believe in Jesus and then to walk the rest of our lives as though nothing happened? Come on, do you want everything that God has for you? Because I tell you, God has an abundant blessing and over flowing blessing of grace and mercy and joy and peace for each person who puts their faith in Jesus. And to understand how God approaches this, we are going to look at three very distinct; very different approaches in the Bible in the Book of Acts. The first one happens at Pentecost – let's read it very quickly. Acts chapter 1, verses 4 and 5. While staying with them, Jesus (this is after the resurrection and before He ascends), this is what it says: While staying with them Jesus ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. This, He said, is what you have heard from Me for John baptised with water but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. And then in Acts chapter 2, this is what happens: When the day of Pentecost came they were all together in one place and suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind and it filled the entire house where they were sitting and divided tongues as of fire appeared among them and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability. One thing is clear – God poured His Spirit out on these men and women in the most amazing way. And you read on in Acts chapter 2, 3 and 4 – Peter gets up and addresses the crowd and gives the most powerful message – God filled them with His Spirit and His power. What does it show about God? He does special things - things that we don't always understand; things that don't always make sense to us. He did them then, He does them today – He does amazing things. And yet He does different things too. We are going to look at two different instances of how God poured His Spirit out on people next.   We Can't Put God in a Box We are looking on the programme today how God touches people differently with His Holy Spirit. We have just looked at the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on to the disciples with rushing wind and flames of fire – really unusual and amazing and maybe you and I wouldn't have done it that way, but God did. Have a look at this one though; this is another really interesting one. We are going to Acts chapter 19 – if you have a Bible, go there because God does things differently. Have a listen, this is in Ephesus: While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul the Apostle, passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" and they replied "No, we don't even know that there is a Holy Spirit." Then he said "Into what were you baptised?" and they answered "Into John's baptism." And Paul said "John baptised with a baptism of repentance, telling people to believe in the One who was coming after him, that is in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of Jesus and then Paul laid hands on them and the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues and they prophesied and all together there were about twelve of them. See, some people argue so strongly, "Well, you receive the Holy Spirit; it is a one-off thing when you become a believer", as we saw before in the Book of Romans chapter 8 – when you become a believer you receive the Holy Spirit and that's it! That may be how God works with some people but it's not how He worked in Ephesus. In Ephesus, I'm sure that when these people believed in Jesus, they put their hearts into Him, they received the Holy Spirit but they had to be taught about the Holy Spirit. They didn't know that the Holy Spirit existed and when Paul told them about it; when Paul laid his hands on them, they received the Spirit in power and they prophesied and they prayed in tongues. There was a second experience for them. Don't you love how God does things differently? And the third one that I would like to look at is Cornelius and his family. Let's go to Acts chapter 10 if you have a Bible because Cornelius received the Holy Spirit in a different way. In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian cohort as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household and he gave generously to the poor and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon about three o'clock, he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel coming and said to him "Cornelius!" He stared at the angel in terror "What is it Lord?" "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God." And so the angel told Cornelius to send some men to Peter to get Peter the Apostle to come and tell them about Jesus, which happened. And while Peter was still talking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the Word. So the example we looked at before, in Ephesus, those people had believed – we don't know for how long – but they received the Holy Spirit after they believed. Here Cornelius and his family were still listening to the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit fell upon them there. See, how silly it is to have these arguments about "Well, you know, you only receive the Holy Spirit when you first believe," or "You have to receive the Holy Spirit as a second blessing." There are two examples where God did it differently and the one at Pentecost before, these people had walked with Jesus – they had spent three and a half years with Him, some of them, in the best Bible school you will ever come across – the Bible school of Jesus Christ. And God dealt with each of them differently. I remember, I received the Holy Spirit the way Cornelius did. I remember when I gave my life to Jesus Christ that day, I know that I know that I know that I know that I know that I was filled with the Holy Spirit and it's never changed for me. That joy and that peace has never left me; the courage to keep going has never left me, even through the dark times; even through the painful times; even when I felt like I was walking alone, I knew in my spirit and my heart that my God was carrying me. And that comes from the Holy Spirit. What about you? Have you been filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit - God's presence in you? You know that joy, that peace, that thing that happens when you all of a sudden get a revelation in your spirit and in your soul, that Jesus Christ is Lord. Do you walk around every day in that knowledge that you are filled with the Holy Spirit? That the Holy Spirit is just overflowing out of you? Someone is listening there going "I have never experienced that, I have never tasted that, I want that," well I am going to pray for you right now. Father, I pray for each person who is listening right now. We are together in Your Spirit in Your Kingdom. I pray for each soul who is hungering for Your presence. I pray each person who is aching to receive Your Holy Spirit and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that You would pour Your Spirit out on them, right here and right now. That You would fill them with the Holy Spirit, not just today but tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next, every day between now and when each one of us stands before You in glory. I pray that You would pour Your Spirit out on us in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Well, I know that if you prayed that prayer with me, I know that if your soul is dry and thirsty and hungry and poor and empty and just yearning to be filled with God, I know that God will honour that prayer and when we accept God for who He is, to let Him do just what He wants in our lives, just how He wants to do it in our lives, that is the most awesome and wonderful and amazing thing. Whether we are a Cornelius and we received the Spirit and were filled to overflowing when we first heard the message or whether we are someone who has been walking for twenty or thirty years and never been filled with the Holy Spirit – it doesn't matter – God shows up for each one of us because if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, His heart is to make His home in us and to fill us with His joy and His peace and His grace and His power and I believe that with every fibre of my being I have seen it in other people's lives – I have seen it in my life and I am believing for your life too. God is no man's debtor – God has no favourites – God wants to pour His glory out in your life, in my life, in everybody's life, who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. Let's come back to the question – does God have a standard way or does He customise His approach? Look at Pentecost – look at Ephesus – look at Cornelius, look at my life – look at your life. God will meet you in your place, in your life, in your need, just the way you are. I believe that and I am praying for that, for you, in Jesus Christ's name.

Your spirit life will grow if you will practice these 4 things:   1. Meditate in the Word of God 2. Practice the Word 3. Put God's Word 1st place in your Life 4. Instantly obey your conscience   Little by little, you will become intuitive and live from the inside out!   You will not be perfect at this until you get to heaven. But work on it every day! Resources: Stay connected with the new Victory Church app Discover more on our website: victorychurchraleigh.com Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast!

15 lessons from these stories of abundance are:·         Abundance flows from covenant identity—know who God calls you (Gen 17:5; Heb 7:22) and live from it, not toward it.·         Speak the language of abundance: declare God's word before you see results (Gen 22:5,8 → vv.13–19).·         Obedience positions you for provision—God's supply is often “there,” at the place He sends you (1 Kgs 17:3–4,9).·         God's channels may be unexpected (ravens, a ram, a boy's lunch, a coin in a fish)—don't limit the how (Gen 22; 1 Kgs 17; Jn 6; Mt 17).·         Put God first with what you have; generosity unlocks flow (the widow gives first and lack is broken—1 Kgs 17:13–16).·         Follow specific instructions precisely; details matter in miracles (sit the crowd, cast the hook, gather leftovers—Jn 6:10–13; Mt 17:27).·         Faith acts under pressure—move despite fear; trust turns tests into testimonies (Gen 22:1–12; 1 Kgs 17:13).·         Steward the surplus—God multiplies, and we must not waste the increase (Jn 6:12–13).·         Miraculous provision serves God's purposes and witness, not mere convenience (Jn 6:14; Mt 17:27).·         Create an atmosphere of abundance daily—align your words and worship with God's promises and walk them out.·         There is no situation so hopeless for God to intervene·         God's blessings do come from uncommon sources·         Changing perspective and blessing what we have activates abundance in a place of lack·         God often use our mouth as instruments to bless us·         Don't carry a sense of a limited or known income level. Don't operate from a set limit·         Obedience is key to enjoy what God has prepared for us.

This is Dr. Pete Norris from The Beauty of Grace Podcast. We would love to hear from you. Support the show

This is Dr. Pete Norris from The Beauty of Grace Podcast. We would love to hear from you. Support the show

#TrialAndTribulations 2.0 Out Now

A powerful message from Pastor Bill on aggressive faith—the posture of spiritual confidence that refuses passivity, protects families, and builds for the next generation. From the grand opening of our new kids building to a church-wide call to stand, this service is a rally to declare God's Word, act in obedience, and resist without retreat.You'll learn: • Why we're building “beginning-of-life care” for kids and families • What aggressive faith looks like (declare → act → resist) • How to guard your home, marriage, and mind with the shield of faith • Why thankfulness, confession, and obedience change the atmosphere • How to pray for healing and business breakthroughs with expectationChapters below. Share this with someone who needs courage today.Chapters / Timestamps • 00:00 Opening feature: Kids building grand opening (vision for families) • 00:26 “A generation at stake”—legacy beyond our lifetime • 00:57 Beginning-of-life care vs. end-of-life culture • 01:18 Make church irresistible for kids • 02:05 Building dedication prayer and blessing • 03:11 “I don't want just my generation—I want the next” • 03:44 Church-wide confession (identity declarations) • 05:04 “Don't eat your seed”—seed vs. bread teaching • 05:24 Message intro: Aggressive Faith • 06:10 Grit metaphor → why faith must be aggressive • 07:31 When the enemy targets your family—bring the force • 08:20 The war is won—now populate heaven • 09:12 “My heart is buried here”—being all-in • 10:38 Faith atmosphere: word, order, peace, acceptance • 12:01 Definition: Aggressive faith (posture against passivity) • 12:31 Put God in remembrance—pray the Word • 13:36 Facts change; God's truth doesn't • 16:01 Framework (1) Declare the Word • 17:52 Confession → obedience → atmosphere • 19:04 “My God is a God of more than enough” • 19:37 Framework (2) Follow up with action • 23:22 Peter walks on water—obey amid the storm • 25:01 Framework (3) Resist without retreat • 26:03 Stand up—call to lead and advance • 28:31 Corporate blessing and armor of God charge • 31:03 Prayer for healing & business deals (breakthrough) • 33:30 Personal altar moment—meet with God • 34:15 Declarations over marriages, kids, and church • 35:27 Fields are white—your next step is great news • 35:52 Outro / digital invitation (how to share & plug in)

So these are 15 lessons from these stories of abundance are:·        Abundance flows from covenant identity—know whoGod calls you (Gen 17:5; Heb 7:22) and live from it, not toward it.·        Speak the language of abundance: declare God'sword before you see results (Gen 22:5,8 → vv.13–19).·        Obedience positions you for provision—God'ssupply is often “there,” at the place He sends you (1 Kgs 17:3–4,9).·        God's channels may be unexpected (ravens, a ram,a boy's lunch, a coin in a fish)—don't limit the how (Gen 22; 1 Kgs 17; Jn 6;Mt 17).·        Put God first with what you have; generosityunlocks flow (the widow gives first and lack is broken—1 Kgs 17:13–16).·        Follow specific instructions precisely; detailsmatter in miracles (sit the crowd, cast the hook, gather leftovers—Jn 6:10–13;Mt 17:27).·        Faith acts under pressure—move despite fear;trust turns tests into testimonies (Gen 22:1–12; 1 Kgs 17:13).·        Steward the surplus—God multiplies, and we mustnot waste the increase (Jn 6:12–13).·        Miraculous provision serves God's purposes andwitness, not mere convenience (Jn 6:14; Mt 17:27).·        Create an atmosphere of abundance daily—alignyour words and worship with God's promises and walk them out.·        There is no situation so hopeless for God tointervene·        God's blessings do come from uncommon sources·        Changing perspective and blessing what we haveactivates abundance in a place of lack·        God often use our mouth as instruments to blessus·        Don't carry a sense of a limited or known incomelevel. Don't operate from a set limit·        Obedience is key to enjoy what God has preparedfor us.

Dr. Lester Ray Miller III talks about his pet peeves and his frustration when people confine themselves to a box.

On this Episode Podcast #12, Matthew, Ambassador of Hope, Richerzhagen, shares 5 shifts you can make today even if it seems there all hope is lost. What you do really does make a difference. You will be inspired and encouraged with his heart for your marriage. Cracking the Code on Making a Passionate Marriage Paradise. Transcript“Hey my dearly beloved, today we're talking about transforming your marriage with simple acts of love and service.I know when you're in the fire, it can feel overwhelming—like all you can see is what's wrong.But hear me: you are always only one shift away from a breakthrough.”[00:40] Relatable Story“I remember when my wife and I were stuck in the crazy cycle.I kept focusing on how she was treating me, until I realized—no matter what she does, I'm in charge of me.Think about it: if someone flips you off in traffic, you don't have to flip them off back. You can wave.Never let where your spouse isn't determine where you are.”[01:30] Shift #1 – Take Your Marriage Off the Throne“Marriage is the most important human relationship, but it's not meant to be your god.Put God first. Matthew 6:33 says: Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”[02:10] Shift #2 – Be Your Best Self“Stop magnifying your spouse's flaws. Quit keeping score.Focus on being the best you—and let God handle the rest.”[02:45] Shift #3 – Pray Blessing Over Your Spouse“When you pray for them, gratitude and empathy shift your heart.The number one key to transforming a marriage is goodwill—truly liking and seeking to bless your spouse.”[03:30] Shift #4 – Do Good Before You Feel Like It“Feelings come and go.If you only act on feelings, your marriage will suffer.Instead, show love and serve even when the tingles aren't there.”[04:15] Shift #5 – Listen With Your Heart“Ask: ‘What could I do to love you better this week?'And when they share—even if it stings—just respond, ‘Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I'll work on it.'”[05:00] Closing / Vision“At the root of every conflict is hurt feelings. Proverbs 13:10 says: Only by pride comes contention.But humility, prayer, goodwill, and action can flip your marriage around.So if you're ready, start with these five shifts today.And don't forget to subscribe, comment, and share—because my dream is to see marriages transformed so that every man feels respected and every woman feels loved.I'm Matthew, Ambassador of Hope—and together, we can do this for Him.”

This week we are continuing through "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices" by Thomas Brooks, looking at Satan's 5th "Device" and its "Remedies" (pp. 36-43). This season is a sort of a sequel series, following up from our first season of "top ten sins men and women struggle with" with "fighting sin and temptation." Joining us for this season is our special guest Bruce Stallings, the executive director of First Presbyterian Church. For our First Pres followers, "Precious Remedies" is available in our Bridge Bookstore and other book-selling locations around campus, while supplies last. We will also be doing giveaways for the book and other merch as the weeks continue, so keep an eye out on our Instagram, @oneanotherpodcast. For those not local, look for "Precious Remedies" at your favorite online or physical bookstore, or find a free PDF online! Be sure to come back every Tuesday for new episodes and Thursday for bonus content, and find us on the following platforms as well: Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneanotherpodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@oneanotherpodcast?si=7-JJ9raR9Fr0cQ9b Find us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RGIMhed26LZsl9TI56yPN?si=2924a1be839549b9 Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/one-another/id1797190030

What happens when humans try to control God? The Philistines learned the hard way when they captured the Ark of the Covenant and their idol Dagon ended up decapitated before it! This ancient story from 1 Samuel 5 reveals a timeless truth: God cannot be contained in our boxes or manipulated to fit our expectations. Are you trying to make God conform to your preferences instead of worshiping Him as He truly is? Discover the freedom that comes when we stop trying to control the uncontrollable.

Hello Friend! Here are a few of my thoughts about living boldly for Christ based on Charlie  Kirk's life.  We need to rise up and create a world movement as the time is getting closer to Jesus Christs return. See you next week! Monica

Sermon preached Sunday evening on September 7th for the St. Thomas Aquinas Episcopal Campus Ministry at West Virginia UniversityFocus texts — Luke 14:25-33 and PhilemonJesus isn't really telling us to hate people, is he? I've got good news and bad news (that's still actually good news). The word in the original text (μισέω) translates better into English as something along the lines of love less or prefer less. What Jesus is getting at is a sort of emotional detachment from relationships and things that may cause us to deprioritize God. Our relationship with Jesus comes first. Discipleship comes first. And we must never forget the cost of discipleship and never settle for cheap grace (Bonhoeffer). While we shouldn't go out looking for crosses, we must be ready to accept and shoulder the burden of the crosses that do come our way. As disciples of Jesus, one of these burdens is the need to detach from that which prevents or inhibits us from putting God first.We learn something, though. Do you want to be a better child to your parents? Put God first. Do you want to be a better parent to your children? Put God first. Do you want to be a better friend or student? Put God first. Do you want to be the best you can be in your career? Put God first. When we put God first, we find that God has a way of transforming us in to the best versions of ourselves, beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.

“Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬Save with all your health.

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at motivating you to apply God's word while strengthening your heart and nurturing your soul. Today's Bible reading is Malachi 3:6–12. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. ESV Bible narration read by Kristyn Getty. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

The house of God is designed to demonstrate His will, His day, His way and His work. The people of Nehemiah's day made a pledge of commitment to His House and yet even they fell away after time. This is a call to us today at Faith Center to renew and keep our commitments to the House of our God, putting Him first through our service and giving.  We are enabled by God to keep our commitments when we abide in His Word, and when we do, He will never forsake us. VF-2008 Nehemiah 10:39 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2025 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D., All Rights Reserved

You can't avoide trouble in life.  To face trouble you must also face and connect with God.  He is the wisdom for how to overcome any issue.   Your walk is a daily walk with God, plain and simple.

In Second Corinthians Chapter 4, human beings are referred to as jars of clay.  "God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness' made his light shine in our hearts... we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

Put God's will first and choose the Lord's way whenever you're faced with a decision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Put God's will first and choose the Lord's way whenever you're faced with a decision.

Put God's will first and choose the Lord's way whenever you're faced with a decision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Put God's will first and choose the Lord's way whenever you're faced with a decision.

Put God's will first and choose the Lord's way whenever you're faced with a decision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Put God's will first and choose the Lord's way whenever you're faced with a decision.

When trials, anxieties, and tough decisions loom large, sometimes it’s best to hear from a voice of experience. In this Sunday podcast, Pastor Greg Laurie directs a special word of encouragement to young people: God has a plan for your life. Notes Whatever you’re going through, it’s going to be OK. What you go through isn’t meant to destroy you but to develop you. “We comfort with the same comfort we are comforted with.” —2 Corinthians 1:4 You are loved and wanted by more people than you could ever imagine. God’s plan and purpose for you is good! Put God first in your life. Read the Bible every day. “Study to show yourself approved unto God.” —2 Timothy 2:15 Success or failure in the Christian life is determined by how much of the Bible you get into your life on a daily basis and how obedient you are to it. Stop worrying and start praying. Worry can ruin your day, your week, and even your life if you let it. Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. Give your worries to Jesus Christ. God is in control of your life. Have an attitude of gratitude. Job thanked God, despite his difficulties. Live with honesty and integrity. Character over charisma. “If I take care of my character, God will take care of my reputation.” —D. L. Moody Marry the right person. Find someone Godlier than you. Wedlock should be a padlock. Eight words you should say to your spouse every day: “I’m sorry,” “please forgive me,” and “I love you.” Tell those you love that you love them. Keep short accounts and forgive. Forgiveness is not about absolving the perpetrator; it’s about healing the victim. “Forgiveness isn’t giving in to another person; it’s getting free of that person.” —Frederic Luskin, Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project Be a nice person. Be an encourager, not a discourager; lift people up, don’t beat them down! Have fun. Be a generous person. Three things we can give to God: Time, talent, and treasure. Take care of your health. Make the right choices. You make your choices, and then your choices make you. Tell others about Jesus, and then disciple them. Spend time with older Godly people. Finish your race well. “Hold the course!” —Pastor Chuck Smith Come to or come back to Jesus right now. Scripture Referenced Jeremiah 29:11 Matthew 6:33 Philippians 4:6–7 1 Peter 5:7 Psalm 101:2 Ephesians 4:32 Ephesians 4:31 1 Timothy 4:8 2 Timothy 2:2 --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When trials, anxieties, and tough decisions loom large, sometimes it’s best to hear from a voice of experience. In this Sunday podcast, Pastor Greg Laurie directs a special word of encouragement to young people: God has a plan for your life. Notes Whatever you’re going through, it’s going to be OK. What you go through isn’t meant to destroy you but to develop you. “We comfort with the same comfort we are comforted with.” —2 Corinthians 1:4 You are loved and wanted by more people than you could ever imagine. God’s plan and purpose for you is good! Put God first in your life. Read the Bible every day. “Study to show yourself approved unto God.” —2 Timothy 2:15 Success or failure in the Christian life is determined by how much of the Bible you get into your life on a daily basis and how obedient you are to it. Stop worrying and start praying. Worry can ruin your day, your week, and even your life if you let it. Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. Give your worries to Jesus Christ. God is in control of your life. Have an attitude of gratitude. Job thanked God, despite his difficulties. Live with honesty and integrity. Character over charisma. “If I take care of my character, God will take care of my reputation.” —D. L. Moody Marry the right person. Find someone Godlier than you. Wedlock should be a padlock. Eight words you should say to your spouse every day: “I’m sorry,” “please forgive me,” and “I love you.” Tell those you love that you love them. Keep short accounts and forgive. Forgiveness is not about absolving the perpetrator; it’s about healing the victim. “Forgiveness isn’t giving in to another person; it’s getting free of that person.” —Frederic Luskin, Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project Be a nice person. Be an encourager, not a discourager; lift people up, don’t beat them down! Have fun. Be a generous person. Three things we can give to God: Time, talent, and treasure. Take care of your health. Make the right choices. You make your choices, and then your choices make you. Tell others about Jesus, and then disciple them. Spend time with older Godly people. Finish your race well. “Hold the course!” —Pastor Chuck Smith Come to or come back to Jesus right now. Scripture Referenced Jeremiah 29:11 Matthew 6:33 Philippians 4:6–7 1 Peter 5:7 Psalm 101:2 Ephesians 4:32 Ephesians 4:31 1 Timothy 4:8 2 Timothy 2:2 --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Message from Rev. Jason Palacio on July 20, 2025

Do Not Say - Jeremiah 1 Don't short-circuit the will of God in your life. Speak truth. Speak what the Lord says over your life. If God has called you to it you are prepared, equipped and ready! Put God's word upon your lips and speak it! Your calling will be met with opposition, but it also has the breakthrough anointing to arise and overcome any opposition! Rise up and stand on the word of God! If He's called you to it, He has also equipped you for victory in it! www.cathycoppola.org www.houseofglorychurch.org #callingofGod #Victoryisyours #Bibletruths #speaktruth #jesussaves #equipped

Do Not Say - Jeremiah 1 Don't short-circuit the will of God in your life. Speak truth. Speak what the Lord says over your life. If God has called you to it you are prepared, equipped and ready! Put God's word upon your lips and speak it! Your calling will be met with opposition, but it also has the breakthrough anointing to arise and overcome any opposition! Rise up and stand on the word of God! If He's called you to it, He has also equipped you for victory in it! www.cathycoppola.org www.houseofglorychurch.org #callingofGod #Victoryisyours #Bibletruths #speaktruth #jesussaves #equipped

Tuesday, 24 June 2025   And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:6   “And blessed, he is, who if not he should stumble in Me” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus provided John's disciples with a list of things the Messiah was prophesied or anticipated to do, expecting them to hear and see if what He was doing matched what was anticipated. Next, he says, “And blessed, he is.”   It is the same word, makarios, that Jesus used nine times between Matthew 5:3 and Matthew 5:11 while proclaiming the beatitudes. As such, it doesn't appear this is a direct appeal to John's heart nor a subtle but tender rebuke to him. Rather, it appears to be a general statement intended for anyone who heard the words that discernment concerning Him and His role was needed.   Those things stated in the Beatitudes stand as much as a warning as they do a promise of hope. To say, for example, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy,” implies that those who are not merciful will not obtain mercy. If Jesus' words here follow that tone, the next words stand as an opportunity for blessing or judgment. Those words are, “who if not he should stumble in Me.”   Again, He returns to a word used twice during the Sermon on the Mount, skandalizó. It signifies to entrap, and thus to trip up. Jesus is saying that a person who is not tripped up because of Him and how He conducts His ministry will be blessed. The one who is tripped up will then, by default, not be blessed.   John was in the process of getting tripped up because he heard of what Jesus was doing for the people while he languished in prison. He assumed that the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Messiah meant all of the prophecies for all of the people.   However, it is apparent after the fact that this was not the case. For example, Acts 3 refers to a man who was lame and who was left at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. It says he was carried there daily, implying this was an ongoing thing for an extended period. Jesus surely would have walked by him, and yet, he wasn't healed.   That man's healing after Jesus' ascension served its own purpose, though. John was myopically looking at the events around him and comparing them to his own situation, and his mind was not rightly processing how Jesus was conducting His messiahship.   Life application: A similar statement could be made today concerning those in the church in relation to Jesus' words in this verse. The Bible is written. It has various truths in it which we are to consider immutable. It holds the instruction for numerous doctrines we are to consider inviolate. It presents various theologies we are to understand and consider as infrangible.   For example, the Bible presents the understood theology that Jesus is God incarnate. To accept that would be worthy of blessing. To reject it, then, would not be acceptable. The Bible instructs us concerning the doctrine of end-time events.   If Israel of the tribulation period is the Israel who has returned to the land today, to reject that would mean there is no blessing for holding to such a doctrine.   Likewise, the Bible presents the truth that man is created in God's image and that all men stem from one man, Adam. This reveals a further truth that Adam was... anyone? Yes, Adam was created. As such, to believe that one race is superior to others or that evolution is true will carry with it no blessing. These things are incompatible with what the Bible presents.   Despite there being a mentally exhausting number of truths, doctrines, and theologies in Scripture, do we want to ignore them and remain uneducated in our Christian lives? Do we want to be inaccurate in what we believe because we trusted a pastor or preacher, or a denomination's teachings, without checking?   How important is it to you to want to know God more intimately and fellowship with Him more closely? Are you happy to stand in a church spewing out gibberish and claiming it is speaking in tongues? Does that satisfy your deepest desires to impress God and others?   Think! We have the word of God written and ready to be studied. Is it more important to watch a second movie in the evening, or will one suffice so that you make time for the word? Where are your priorities? Put God first by learning about Him and His wonderful message of love and life guidance for you.   Lord God Almighty, surely Your word is big, complicated, and will require a lot of our time and mental exertion to grasp. But China built a great wall, the Egyptians built humongous pyramids, and we have sent men to the moon. Can't we expend our efforts on searching out Your word? What value is human endeavor if You are not included in it? Help us in our pursuit of You through the study of Your word. Amen.

Are you letting God take the wheel, or are you trying to navigate life's chaos on your own? In this powerful kickoff to our Family Mechanics series, we explore how prayer, God's Word, and active faith can keep your family on the right road—even when life throws you curves.

Money isn't just a financial issue it's a heart issue. In this message, we explore why many of us struggle to steward money biblically: because no one taught us, because it's how we cope with stress, and because money has become an idol. Scripture gives us a better way: Put God first, keep the Kingdom 2nd , prioritize your needs 3rd, meet the needs of others 4th , plan for the future 5th, and address your wants last. As Matthew 6:21 reminds us, where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. This is a battle Satan loves but your heart is worth fighting for.

Sunday AM Service

Does fear hold you back from the gifts of the Spirit? Do you care more about what people think of you or what God thinks? Rabbi Schneider shares that the same gifts that Jesus used are still ours today. The same annointing that was on Jesus is on us also. Believe God for more and break out of having a passive spirit that worries about what people think rather than what God thinks. God will open greater revelation, but we have to be bold in our faith. Speak faith to doubt. Ask God to help you to have more faith. Put God first. TITLE: What are the Gifts of the Spirit (Overcoming the Passive Spirit)   Visit our website at DiscoveringTheJewishJesus.com  

Pascal said there is a God-shaped hole within us. If we try to fill it with anything else. That's at the heart of the first two commandments. Put God first, yes. But there's also a not-so-common application to do with spiritual war -- mostly because we misunderstand the word "gods." This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) unpacks Exodus 20:1-6.

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Website: https://www.myntcc.org/brooklynny Subscribe to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDIODdPJs5twuBkDaEBGCWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ntccbrooklyn Online Giving: https://www.myntcc.org/brooklynny-giving Text "Give" to: (347) 229-9933

How to put God as a partner in distress

Want to submit an episode topic request? Text 'em here!Have you ever felt like you're chasing the calling God placed on your life more than you're chasing Him? Yeah, me too. In this episode of the God Empowered Entrepreneur Podcast, I'm getting real about a personal struggle that's been on my heart since the start of the year. As ambitious Christian entrepreneurs, we have big dreams...but if we're not careful, our drive can slowly shift our focus away from the One who called us in the first place.I'm breaking down what happens when our ambition starts taking center stage and sharing practical ways to recenter God in our daily lives WITHOUT guilt or overwhelm. Because the truth is...success means nothing if our relationship with God is suffering. Let's talk about how to keep Him first, even while building a thriving business. What you'll learn in this episode:The subtle ways we start prioritizing goals over GodThe consequences of letting ambition take the leadSimple, practical shifts to keep God first in life and businessWhy obedience will always outshine hustleIf this resonates with you, hit play and let's work through this together. You are not alone, ever!Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: When ambition overshadows obedience01:13 – How to recognize when God is no longer first06:36 – The spiritual and business consequences of misalignment11:29 – Practical ways to keep God at the center daily13:42 – Looking back: When you felt closest to God16:24 – Pursuing God without pressure or perfection19:23 – Final encouragement: Your success starts with surrender Listen now and get the motivation you need today, my friend. Liked the episode? We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify! Apple Review HereSpotify Review HereWant to tune into the video version? Get that here: https://youtu.be/TDwHgM-vYQA

Learn more about Give Him Fifteen here: https://www.givehim15.comSupport the show

Storm ProofPst Laju began by teaching that in marriage, storms, and trials will come and that is why it is important to prepare ahead of time. She noted that our preparation must come from a place of victory and not fear.She emphasized the importance of choosing right because as much as marriage is meant for us, we must also be Kingdom-minded in our choosing ( Malachi 2 vs 13-15).

Pastor Matt Fox and wife Terry share a teaching from Ephesians 5.

Pastor Matt Fox and wife Terry share a teaching from Ephesians 5.

Habits are powerful things. They can produce unbelievable pain or lasting blessings. So, how do we develop great habits that cultivate the very best that God wants for us?Main Points Introduction: The Power of Habits Great Christians develop great habits! The grace of God is both the desire and the ability to be righteous; to follow Him and do what is right. Six great habits that cultivate grace: The principle of priority: Put God first! --Matthew 6:33 The principle of transformation:Take out the trash! --Romans 12:2 The principle of responsibility: Do your own dishes! --Luke 16:10 The principle of clarity: writeit down! --Proverbs 20:5 The principle of inertia: Do it now! --Proverbs 24:30-34 The principle of restoration: Turn it off! --Hebrews 4:9-11 Broadcast Resource Good to Great in God's Eyes Resources Message Notes About Chip Ingram Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways. About Living on the Edge Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus. Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003