POPULARITY
Categories
Rejoice, America! Could we enjoy the playoffs, this year?
God turns the light on so we can see and understand. His wisdom is yours for the asking. Let there be light! http://www.prayerdrive.com/
God turns the light on so we can see and understand. His wisdom is yours for the asking. Let there be light! http://www.prayerdrive.com/
QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“The church…is not meant to call men and women out of the world into a safe religious enclave but to call them out in order to send them back as agents of God's kingship.”~Lesslie Newbigin (1909-1998), British theologian and missionary “The people who heard Jesus' disciples proclaiming the Good News were as impressed by what they saw as by what they heard. They saw lives that had been transformed…. A new quality, Christian love, was born. Conventional love is evoked by lovable qualities in the beloved, but the love people encountered from Christ embraced sinners and outcasts, Samaritans and enemies. It gave…because giving was its nature.”~Huston Smith (1919-2016), religious scholar and chair of the Philosophy Department at MIT “Why do we not observe how the charity of Christians to strangers…has done the most to advance their cause? For it is disgraceful…the impious Galileans support our poor in addition to their own, while everyone is able to see that our coreligionists lack aid from us!”~The Pagan Roman Emperor Julian (332-363), Letter to Arsacius, 360 AD “Why among all of the varieties of Judaism in the first century did only two survive….? One, the religion of the Rabbis – the other, the religion of Christianity. [This] rather improbable message that the Son of God has come to earth and been crucified, in human form, and risen from the dead ... appealed to a lot of perfectly ordinary people…in such a way that they were willing…to become initiated into a group which brought them only hostility, estrangement from their families and neighbors, and the possibility of persecution to the point of death.”~Wayne A. Meeks (1932-2023), Religious Studies Professor at Yale University “I believe that it was the religion's particular doctrines that permitted Christianity to be among the most sweeping and successful revitalization movements in history. And it was the way these doctrines took on actual flesh, the way they directed organizational actions and individual behavior, that led to the rise of Christianity.”~Sociologist Rodney Stark (1934-2022) in The Rise of Christianity “Assist…one another in good faith, and by deed and with a hearty will; nor let anyone remove his hand from the help of a brother, since ‘by this' saith the Lord, ‘shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.'”~Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome from A.D. 199 to 217 on John 13:35 “The person characterized by humility, gentleness, mercy and righteousness does not build a fence around good deeds. Rather, that one ensures that these good fountains overflow for the benefit of others. One who is pure in heart and a peacemaker, even when persecuted for the sake of truth, orders his way of life for the common good.”~John Chrysostom (347-407) revered early church leader in homily on Matthew 5SERMON PASSAGE selected passages (ESV)Genesis 12 1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Psalm 671 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Isaiah 22 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,3 and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Matthew 5 – Jesus's Teaching to His Disciples 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.” Matthew 1 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 28 – Jesus's Commission to the Church 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” John 13 – Jesus's Commandment to the Church 34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 17 – Jesus's Prayer for the Church 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
Join us for the second week of our November series REJoice!
Rejoice! The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) Daniel Nealon November 16, 2025 by Deer Creek Church
Have you ever wondered what it means to truly live in peace while standing firm in your faith? Pastor Dave delivers a powerful message on the transformative power of being a peacemaker and persevering through persecution. Drawing from the Beatitudes, he reveals how pursuing peace isn't passive—it requires actively choosing reconciliation even when relationships are strained. Through vivid examples and Scripture, Pastor Dave shows that persecution often comes when we take bold stands for righteousness, but this shouldn't discourage us. Instead, we're called to "rejoice and be exceedingly glad," knowing our eternal reward far outweighs temporary struggles. Whether you're facing relational conflicts or feeling attacked for your faith, this timely message offers practical wisdom for walking as a peacemaker while remaining unshakeable in your convictions. Don't miss this inspiring conclusion to the Beatitudes series!Matthew 5:1-12 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then 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 [a]earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,For they shall obtain 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 they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:Romans 12:18 As much as you can, live in peace with all men. KJV as much as it lies with you2 Corinthians 4:9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
Matthew Week 118 2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. Matthew 20:29-34 ESV 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?" 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. Mark 10:46-52 ESV 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means "son of Timaeus"), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Luke 18:35-43 ESV 35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant.37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me recover my sight."42 And Jesus said to him, "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well." 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Matthew 8:28 ESV 28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. Philippians 4:4-7 NIV 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Luke 4:17-19 ESV 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Hebrews 12:1 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, John 21:20a; 21-22 ESV 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them... 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"
If by faith you will reckon with the realities of this ruined world, remembering your Creator, you will taste the sweetness of life and will learn to rejoice in it all.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Transcript: Hey everyone, unfortunately the next book I'm working on is Ezekiel. It's one of the longest books in the Bible. I don't have it done yet and for that I'm very sorry.I'm trying to finish a new teaching course that will be releasing in December called "Rejoice, O Beloved" … and between that and Ezekiel, I have fallen behind a little bit. I'm sorry for this delay. I encourage you to check out one of our other episodes in the meantime and I will do my best to get Ezekiel out as soon as I can. I expect it to be a January release. Thank you for your time.--contact@parableministries.comhttps://www.parableministries.comhttps://www.instagram.com/parable_ministries/--Music created by Chad HoffmanArtwork created by Anthony Kuenzi
Today's Promise: Romans 5:2 This promise is a reminder of the incredible gifts of grace and hope that shape every believer's life. Through faith in Christ, you have direct access to the overflowing grace of God. His divine favor, power, and love poured out on you each day. Every time you bow your head in prayer, you step into that grace and draw strength from His presence. Hope, too, is more than a passing feeling or wishful thought. It is the deep confidence that God is in control, guiding every step and weaving every circumstance for your good. This hope is anchored not in the uncertainty of this world, but in the unshakable promise of God's Kingdom and the eternal life we will share with Christ. In this episode, discover how grace sustains your journey and how hope gives you courage to keep moving forward in faith.
Episode 2.56Before the world began, the Father had already decided to make us His own.In this week's episode, Zach and Michael trace the doctrine of adoption back to its eternal source—God's loving plan “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:3–6). Adoption is not a divine backup plan but the very heartbeat of redemption.The discussion unpacks how the Father chose, predestined, and purposed our adoption in love through Christ—joyfully, not reluctantly. His design was always to create a family of sons and daughters who reflect His holiness and live “to the praise of His glorious grace.”Listeners are invited to:– Rest in the Father's plan — chosen before creation.– Rejoice in His love — wanted, not pitied.– Rely on His faithfulness — secure in His will.– Respond in worship — praising the grace that made us His.The episode closes by contrasting earthly adoption—beautiful but uncertain—with divine adoption—undeserved yet guaranteed. “The fix is in,” the hosts say: before time began, the Father had already written the ending. Through Christ, we are not merely accepted—we are wanted, chosen, and eternally loved.Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/v0_82mCwC8cMerch here: https://take-2-podcast.printify.me/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stoneLicense code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8Find more Take 2 Theology content at http://www.take2theology.com
Part 2 of our series ALWAYS where we are diving into 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
UFC 322 is a genuinely great card. With two title fights, six ranked fights and thirteen ranked fighters, the paper stats look phenomenal. But the real treat is that the matchmaking is also good with truly compelling bouts to sink your teeth into. It's an event worth getting excited for, and those are a rarity. Rejoice! Now, let's take a look at all the fights from the main card and the rest of the alternative stats.UFC 322 Main Card* Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev 170 lbs* Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang 125 lbs* Sean Brady vs. M. Morales 170 lbs* Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates 170 lbs* Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis 155 lbsUFC 322 Alternative Facts* Ranked Fights: 6* Ranked Fighters: 13* Fighters coming off losses: 7* Contender Series Alumni: 10* TUF Alumni: 1* Road to UFC Alumni: 0* Debut: 0No bonus section this week. Make sure to tune in immediately after this Saturday's fights for breakdowns and analysis on our 6th Round Post-Fight Show. Thank you for reading this article and listening to the podcast. Please consider subscribing to The MMA Vivisection & 6th Round Post-fight Show podcast Substack to enjoy our premium content. Your paid subscriptions are keeping hope alive that we can continue on with our shows. If you haven't already, please pledge with a paid subscription today. If you have, please share this post far and wide.Thanks for reading MMA Vivisection & 6th Round! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themmadrawpodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Which physical posture of prayer is the right one for you? I would say, none of them! Rather than the external posture, the Bible emphasizes the posture of the heart. Whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down, the important thing is that your heart is bowed in submission to the lordship of Christ. Main Points:1. True prayer is characterized by the posture of the heart, not the physical posture of the person praying.2. So, what is the right posture of our hearts as we come to God in prayer. I believe it must include three things: reverence, humility, and gratitude.3. As you pray today, it may be that you'll sense God leading you to a particular posture of prayer. Maybe you'll kneel, stand, or even lift your hands. Whichever posture of prayer you choose, don't forget about the posture of your heart.Today's Scripture Verses:Ephesians 3:14 - “For this reason, I kneel before the Father.” Psalm 95:6 - “Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”Hebrews 12:28 - “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.”John 14:13 - “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group
THE MAVS FIRED NICO! Mavs fans everywhere today are stoked, so we break down all the angles and look at why Nico Harrison got the boot. PLUS the rest of today's BEST & WORST NBA STUFF covers an AWESOME Sixers-Celtics game, a classic Jokic outing and a JAZZ AVALANCHE! Who was good? Who was a spud!? It's today's NBA Straya Awards for BEST #nbahighlights OF THE DAY! We've got: That's Not A Knife for the NBA Straya Approved Performance of the Day Spud of the Night Old Mate No Mates Pantings of the Night Better Than Lonzo Ball, Ben Simmons & Bronny James PLUS the Aussie Player Watch! What did ALL the NBA Aussies get up to today? It's all there in NBA Straya's DAILY NBA AWARDS SHOW! Plenty to cover & talk about, strap in, lean back & enjoy! … and remember to rate, review & subscribe! Cheers legends, and thanks for tuning in to the best NBA podcast in the world!! Onyas... Love ya guts ledges!!
Put good things in your life because God cares about you! http://www.prayerdrive.com/
Put good things in your life because God cares about you! http://www.prayerdrive.com/
Join Pastor Mike Burchfield as he continues his series, Discourses of the King of Heaven. This Sunday he will be discussing: Christ's Key to a Happy Life. Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes He said: 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 filled. 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 children 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.
The New York Giants finally pulled the plug on head coach Brian Daboll, and Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch has thoughts. In this fiery episode, we break down why the Daboll firing was long overdue, the Chicago Bears debacle that sealed his fate, and how the Giants' dysfunction runs deeper than coaching. Neal goes scorched-earth on former starting quarterback Russell Wilson, General Manager Joe Schoen, and anyone defending that 19-yard field goal. Plus, a preview of the Week 11 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and why it could be a turning point for the G-Men (or another crash and burn).Rants. Stats. Sadness. Hope? It's a Giant Mess.00:00:00 - Intro00:00:25 - Reacting to Giants Firing Brian Daboll01:02:00 - NFL Trade Deadline Review01:17:55 - Joe Schoen Burner Account on X?01:27:54 - Giants vs Bears Week 10 Recap02:18:28 - Giants vs Packers Week 11 Preview02:26:26 - Giants Remaining Schedule PredictionsNew York Giants Fan Rants & Analysis - https://bit.ly/NYGiantsYTPlaylist NY Mets Fan Rants & Analysis - https://bit.ly/MetsYTPlaylist Movie Reviews - https://bit.ly/GiantMessMovieReviews TV Show Reactions - https://bit.ly/GiantMessTV Funny Stories - https://bit.ly/GiantMessFunnyStoriesABOUT NEAL LYNCH:Neal Lynch is the creator and host of Giant Mess, a podcast blending sports commentary, pop culture analysis, and storytelling. Former 4th string quarterback and middle relief pitcher at a Division III school. Degrees in Film & Media Studies and Communications. Helped multiple major media and entertainment publishers develop, produce, optimize, distribute, and promote videos across web, video, and social media platforms. Single dad who loves to blog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze. ABOUT "GIANT MESS":"Giant Mess" is a weird sports and entertainment comedy podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal covers New York Giants football, NY Mets baseball, movies, and TV shows, mixing in funny stories along the way. Episodes focus on movie reviews, tv show recaps, post-game analysis, predictions, breakdowns, reactions, and funny stories.Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT Follow me on:* Link Tree - https://linktr.ee/neallynch * My Official Blog - http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG * Facebook Page - http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB * Twitter - http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW * Personal Instagram - http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG * Podcast Instagram - https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts - http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple * Subscribe on Spotify - http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify
Evening lessons: Psalms 33; Isaiah 24; Mark 16. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous; it is fitting for the just to be thankful.
Part 1 of our series ALWAYS where we are diving into 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Pr. Will Weedon, Host of The Word of the Lord Endures Forever The Word of the Lord Endures Forever Celebrating the Saints Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey See My Savior's Hands We Praise You O God The post The Hymn “Rejoice, My Heart, Give Thanks and Sing” – Pr. Will Weedon, 11/10/25 (3141) first appeared on Issues, Etc..
This conversation explores the transformative power of prayer and gratitude in alleviating anxiety and enhancing emotional well-being. It emphasizes the importance of petitioning God and presenting requests with thanksgiving, highlighting how these practices can lead to a more peaceful and fulfilling life. The author encourages not to be anxious about anything. Prayer, petition, and thanksgiving are essential in every situation. Speaking to God can provide comfort and guidance. Gratitude practice is vital for emotional health. Presenting requests to God can alleviate anxiety. Thanksgiving enhances the effectiveness of prayer. Petitioning God is a way to seek peace. Emotional well-being is supported by spiritual practices. Prayer can cover a wide range of emotions. Engaging in gratitude can shift one's mindset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rejoice, for God will never stop doing good things for you! http://www.prayerdrive.com/
Rejoice, for God will never stop doing good things for you! http://www.prayerdrive.com/
We live in a world obsessed with signs—looking for confirmation, direction, and meaning. But what if we're reading them all wrong?In this episode, Pastor David Buchs explores how Scripture teaches us to interpret the signs God gives—not through superstition or self-confirmation, but through faith in the one true sign that matters: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Drawing from the story of the wise men and the Gospel of John's “seven signs,” Pastor Buchs contrasts those who seek miracles for their own sake with those who follow them to their true destination—Christ Himself.You'll hear:Why signs are meant to point us forward, not keep us stuck.How even the disciples missed what the temple and miracles were really about.Why Jesus' resurrection is the only sign you'll ever need.What it means to become a sign—reflecting Christ's light in your daily life.
Rejoice in the hand of God holding you safely and securely through life's ups and downs, just as Psalm 75 reminds us.No matter what kind of day you've had, rest in hope and peace tonight as you draw near to the heart of God. This short, uplifting meditation from His Word will create a space at the end of the day for you to refocus on the goodness and nearness of the Lord, entrust your burdens to Him and fill your mind with His promises and faithfulness towards you. Tonight's meditation is read by Lucy. Meet the team at odb.org/meet-the-team.Send us a text message to let us know how we can make the Evening Meditations an even better experience for you!Support the showYou can now share the Evening Meditations through the updated Our Daily Bread app! If you've not done so already, download it for free from your app store.We hope that you have enjoyed this Evening Meditation from Our Daily Bread Ministries! You can find more exciting content from Our Daily Bread Ministries by following us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. You can even sign up to receive Our Daily Bread Bible reading notes sent straight to your door for free: ourdailybread.org/meditation. All our funding comes from our listeners, like you, who value what we do and want to help us reach more people. You can make a donation towards our mission at eveningmeditations.org.
1 John 2:12-14 - - Dec 13, 2015
Rejoice in God's providence in every season.
Rejoice in God's providence in every season.
William Taylor - John chapter 3 overflows with the love of God. This makes the concluding statement that God's wrath remains on those who reject Jesus a jarring conclusion. Why would the wrath of God be an appropriate response to those who will not obey the Christ?
William Taylor - John chapter 3 overflows with the love of God. This makes the concluding statement that God's wrath remains on those who reject Jesus a jarring conclusion. Why would the wrath of God be an appropriate response to those who will not obey the Christ?
Join us for the first week of our new November series REJoice with Bishop Jamie Englehart!
Matthew Delaughter // 11.09.2025 // Ecclesiastes 11
Matthew 5:1-12 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then 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 [a]earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,For they shall obtain 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 they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then 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 [a]earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,For they shall obtain 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 they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Romans 15:1-13 1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Welcome the weak Welcome the outsider Welcome the Savior
Send us a textOn this trip, we're looking at the conventional candidate for the first modern novel in English. Defoe's story of a resourceful man shipwrecked on a desert island is so much more than a ripping yarn: it speaks to the rise of a literary vernacular language, the values of an increasing bourgeois and expansionist society, and of spiritual awakening. Come aboard!Text: https://ia600207.us.archive.org/26/items/cu31924011498676/cu31924011498676.pdfAdditional Music:"Theme from Emergency!" by Nelson Riddle. https://archive.org/details/tvtunes_206"The Ballad of Gilligan's Island" by Sherwood Schwartz. https://archive.org/details/tvtunes_275Support the showPlease like, subscribe, and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you listen. Thank you!Email: classicenglishliterature@gmail.comFollow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting it with a small donation. Click the "Support the Show" button. So grateful!Podcast Theme Music: "Rejoice" by G.F. Handel, perf. The Advent Chamber OrchestraSubcast Theme Music: "Sons of the Brave" by Thomas Bidgood, perf. The Band of the Irish GuardsSound effects and incidental music: Freesounds.orgMy thanks and appreciation to all the generous providers!
In Our Suffering, Economic Uncertainty, and Health Crises, You Can Still Rejoice as a Jesus Follower Because Jesus has Made You His Own MESSAGE SUMMARY: By accepting Jesus, you can be born of the Holy Spirit and have your sins forgiven by His sacrificial death on the cross, through God's Grace. Paul explains, in Philippians 3:9b-12, that Jesus “has made me His own”: ‘but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Straining Toward the Goal. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own'.”. Amidst suffering and loss; economic uncertainty; and family crises, you can still celebrate and rejoice because you know that God has given your life and life eternal. We know that God is with us, and He will never leave us. TODAY'S PRAYER: Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my defense, and He is my savior. Therefore, you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day, you shall say, “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that His Name is exalted.”. Amen. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I will seek to know Him, and He will make my pathways straight. From Proverbs 3:5f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 3:7-12; John 5:24; Matthew 28:19-20; Psalms 78f:61-72. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Interior Life – Maintenance of the Inner Man -- Part 8: The Body; Giving Life to the Spirit Soul” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Luke 15:1-10 - The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus addressed this parable to them. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. "Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Bishop Sheen quote of the day
Read Online“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'” Luke 15:4–6Some of the great saints point out that the number one hundred represents perfection. One hundred refers to the perfection of the Kingdom of God, which represents not only all of the saints in Heaven but also the angels. The one lost sheep represents all of humanity as we make our way through this life. Jesus, of course, is the Shepherd Whose attention turns to fallen humanity on a diligent search for us so as to carry us home.First, notice that the Shepherd does not search for the one stray sheep out of anger but out of concern and love. Understanding this is essential if we are to have a correct understanding of how our Lord sees us when we stray. We must see His deep concern, His diligence in searching, and His unwavering commitment to find us in our straying condition. This is not a God Who sits back in judgment and anger but a God Who came to us, took on our fallen human nature, and endured all suffering so as to find us and bring us home.Notice also that in this parable, the Shepherd places the lost sheep on His shoulders and carries the sheep home. Oftentimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that we must make our way back to God by our own effort. But the truth is that God is always there, waiting to pick us up and carry us home. Our duty is to surrender to His merciful hands and to stop running. This is done by turning to Him and allowing Him to come to us and minister to us. The primary effort is on the part of our Lord once we surrender ourselves into His gentle Hands.Finally, notice that the rejoicing mentioned in this parable is on the part of the Shepherd. Of course we also will rejoice at being picked up and carried home to the perfection of God's Kingdom, but our rejoicing is done in response to the joy of our Lord. It is His joy we are invited to share in. It is His heart that is filled with gratitude as we allow Him to tenderly carry us home. “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep,” He says. Reflect, today, upon this holy image of the Good Shepherd. As you ponder this parable and imagery, be attentive to the various thoughts, memories, emotions and fears that are evoked within you. Each one of us is different, and our Lord deeply desires to come to each one of us right where we are, in the midst of our sins. Pondering the compassion of this Good Shepherd will open the door for our Lord to speak to you and to invite you personally to come to Him, turning away from the ways that you personally have strayed. Do not run away. Remain in confidence as He comes to you. Listen to His voice and say “Yes” to Him as He lifts you up to carry you home. My gentle Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd. You love me and search for me with diligence and fidelity. May I trust You enough to stop running from You and hiding from Your gentle voice. Please come to me, pick me up, place me on Your shoulders and carry me home. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via PixabaySource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Fr. Mike concludes the book of Sirach today and encourages us to continue the pursuit of wisdom. In our reading of 2 Maccabees, we see again the pillage of the Temple and we are re- introduced to Judas Maccabeus. Lastly, in Proverbs Fr. Mike encourages us to resist the temptation to rejoice when our enemies fall. Today's readings are 2 Maccabees 5, Sirach 50-51, and Proverbs 24:17-20. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.