Podcasts about rejoicing

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It's amazing what a difference two words can make. For example if you're a teenager, your life can change dramatically when you hear just two words, "You're grounded!" Or if you're working, "You're fired." Or those two words that changed my life forever. You know what those two words were? "I do." It's amazing what two words can do. Now, if you're in a down time right now, there are two words that can make all the difference to you. And then there are two words you may not feel like saying at all. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Two Words That Lighten the Load." Our word for today from the Word of God, 1 Thessalonians 5:18. For those of us who are wondering what God's will is right now, here it is. "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Paul says here that the giving of thanks in all circumstances is really tied to our destiny in being in the center of God's will. I think that the suggestion here is that two of the most powerful words we can speak are "Thank you." Or more precisely, "Thank God." We all know that we like to be thanked, and we all know how it feels to do a lot for someone and never get a thank you. Right? Of course God is an expert in that field. But when you say, "Thank God," that's when I think it does more for you than it does for Him, especially if you're in a time in your life when you don't feel like saying thanks, because the specific present circumstances aren't very pleasant. There are a few benefits, I think, that come from saying those two powerful words, "Thank God!" First of all - contentment. Even in the midst of an ugly situation like Paul being in prison, you can find contentment by saying the words, "Thank you." Paul certainly knew about that when he wrote the book of Philippians 4. Remember what he said? "The peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." He had experience to write that. And then he says in verse 6, "In everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Say, "Thank God" and a marvelous sense of contentment will come over you, even in one of life's prisons. The secret of contentment in a crummy situation - a terrible situation - is to focus on the Lord - the good things that He has been doing in the middle of the bad. It means focusing on what you have, not what you don't have. Thank God! The second thing that it does is you don't need to be noticed. See, pride gets stamped out at the gate when you give credit where credit is due and is properly given to God right away. "God, I know this was You. Thank You." When you start to take the glory for what God has done, stop. Send it up to God, "Thank God." Don't let your ego start to inflate. The third benefit of thanking God is confidence. Because, you see, the same God who blessed your life in the past, who brought you through other things in the past, is going to meet you today. Look at His track record. Look at His history. The same God who I just thanked for moving a mountain yesterday, He is going to move mountains again for you. He'll do it all again! He's done it all these years for all His people. He's the same yesterday. He's the same today. He's the same forever. He's going to meet your needs today. Rejoicing is really the habit of looking for God at work and acknowledging it when you see it. Thanking God is sort of like putting sweetener in a bitter drink. Negative thoughts are just going to make the drink that much more bitter. A thankful heart, a joyful heart, a heart that believes that God has said, "I know the plans I have for you. They are for good and not for evil; to give you a future and a hope." In the midst of this small dot in your life, look at the big picture and say, "Thank You, Lord."

Most New Year's resolutions fail by February—not because you're weak, but because they're built on effort without access.In this final episode of the series, we step back and look at the full pattern behind the conditions required to access God's power. Not as a checklist. Not as religious pressure. But as an alignment.This episode wraps Episodes 10–12 and clarifies:Why God's power is conditional—but not transactionalHow trust, meekness, rejoicing, obedience, and learning work togetherThe difference between effort the Lord loves and striving that leads to exhaustionWhy self-reliance quietly shuts access down—even when intentions are goodAnd how alignment restores capacity without burning you outIf you entered the new year already feeling tired, this episode will reframe everything.

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This episode reveals how God uses the fire of His Spirit to purify and perfect His sons. Through trials, sufferings, and divine fire, believers are transformed into His likeness. The conversation unfolds the purpose behind life's fiery experiences—showing that they are not punishment, but God's refining process. The speakers emphasize that holiness, sanctification, and spiritual maturity come only through the fire of God's presence. As the chaff is burned away, what remains is purity, gold, and the image of Christ manifesting through His people. Show Notes The Purpose of Fire: Every suffering and trial is God's design to complete His work in His sons.Chaff and the Old Nature: The “chaff” represents the Adamic nature being burned away through God's refining fire.Submitting to the Process: Transformation is not achieved through human effort, but by surrender to the fire of God.God as a Consuming Fire: To walk with Him means to partake of His purifying nature (Hebrews 12:29).The Fire of Pentecost: The tongues of fire in Acts were the fulfillment of John's prophecy—baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire.Rejoicing in the Fire: Trials are not strange occurrences but evidence of being chosen and sanctified.Faith Tested in the Furnace: Like the three Hebrew children, believers are not destroyed by the fire but transformed in it.Sanctification Through Fire: God uses the fire to purify His people, making them ready to dwell in His holy presence.Obedience and Judgment: Once obedience is complete, the purified sons of God will release His righteous judgment and cleansing on the earth.Transformation and Victory: Through the fire, believers move from victimhood to conquerors, walking in divine authority.End Result: The fire burns only the wood, hay, and stubble—leaving behind refined gold and silver that glorify God. Quotes...

Bro. Andrew Wilson- A sermon preached Wednesday Evening, on January 28, 2026.

Afshin Ziafat opens CROSS CON26 by pressing the gospel into the center—its news so precious that Jesus says it is worth losing your life for, and so powerful that Satan works tirelessly to keep us blind to it. From 1 Thessalonians 1, Ephesians 2, and Romans 3, Afshin shows that we are dead and destined for wrath apart from Christ—but that "But God," in mercy, made a way for God to be just and the justifier through Jesus' finished work. The call is simple and weighty: repent, believe, and turn from idols to serve the living God—no matter the cost. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1; Ephesians 2; Romans 3 Topics: Gospel, justification, repentance, assurance, Christian joy

Exodus 23:10-24:18

Tap here to send us a message!As we approach the close of the first month of 2026 and look ahead to the remainder of the year, it is vital that we keep our focus on the goodness of God. This is not a season to grow complacent or careless in our walk with Him. Rather, it is a time to intentionally surround ourselves with people who will encourage our faith, sharpen our commitment, and help us continue to grow in God01/22/2026 - Thursday Night Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:4-11Psalm 137:1-4Acts 16:13Psalm 137:1-4Jeremiah 29:7, 10-11Proverbs 22:24-25Psalm 46:1-5

Rejoicing now in the future reward

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (NRSV) — Psalm 118:24 Some mornings don't feel worth rejoicing over. The weight of yesterday's worries or the dread of today's challenges can steal our joy before the day even begins. But Psalm 118:24 gently calls us back to a deeper truth: every single day is a gift crafted by God's own hands. When the psalmist says, “This is the day that the LORD has made,” it's not just about sunny skies and good vibes. It's a declaration that no matter what the day holds, it is still God's. It means that God's love, mercy, and faithfulness are already waiting for you in this day. Even when life feels unpredictable, God's love doesn't waver. Rejoicing doesn't mean pretending that everything is fine. It means choosing to trust the One who made the day—and who holds you in it. Each morning brings a new opportunity to rest in God's love, to find joy not in perfection but in God's presence. You don't have to carry yesterday's weight into today. God's love is new each morning—and it will meet you again tomorrow. Jesus, thank you for this day and for your unfailing love in it. Help me to rejoice in your presence and to trust you in all that lies ahead. Amen.

Clinton Baptist Church

Praise Series #20 Rejoice in the Lord Always!Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”Rejoicing in the Lord is one of my favorite things to do. Praise and Worship are so critical in our faith journey. Rejoicing in the Lord is a great way to foster joy. This is something that I love to use to get me out of a funk or a sad place. This works anywhere and everywhere that you are. It is best if you can listen to music because if you are in a sad, angry, or depressed state, you might have trouble worshiping. You might not be in a place where you feel you have anything positive to say to the Lord, or about the Lord. However, when a song that you love comes on the radio, it is hard not to sing along and get into that song. Or, at least, it is not hard for me, as I love music.I love singing along as loudly as I can in my car and in my shower. I listen to Christian music, which, honestly, I didn't even know existed until 5 years ago. Well, I knew we sang Christian songs in church, but I didn't know they had contemporary Christian music, pop songs, rap songs, and rock songs, among various other genres. I am so in love with all of it. I love upbeat songs. It's like my body wants to dance along to the beat, even when I am out walking or running. Even when I am not somewhere where dancing is appropriate.If you don't know what I am talking about right now, I invite you to download the KLOVE app on your phone. It is the radio station I listen to all the time now, and it has so many good songs. You might be hesitant at first, but give it 30 days, and you will know all the words and love all the songs. You can also go onto the Spotify app on your phone, and I have created a playlist called Walk Boldly With Jesus Favorites, and it has all my favorite upbeat songs. Actually, there may be a few slower songs, but they are all good songs!If you are having a really hard day, put on a playlist of upbeat songs that sing of the glory of God. I am telling you, it is really hard to be sad and to think that God has abandoned you when you hear all these singers reminding you of how great God is and how He has been there for them in their hard times. A real-life example of how powerful music can be is the day when I was at the courthouse. I had to go there to do something really hard, and I was really sad. I remembered that I had my earbuds in my purse, so I put them in my ears and put on some worship music. I was sitting there feeling sad, and then one of my new favorite songs came on. The song is called My Promised Land and it is sung by Josiah Queen. Here is the beginning verse and chorus:You had me standing on a mountainWalking through barren landsYou took my hand and You saidYou can have this worldBut I won't go with youOh, I won't go with you [Pre-Chorus]But I ran out of placesAnd feelings I was chasingAll I have is You and You aloneAnd I said [Chorus]Hold on, wait a minuteI don't want what You ain't in, andI don't wanna go unless I'm going there with You It's You there, rain or shiningYou're the sun on my horizonsYou are my everythingMy promised land is You! The music is so upbeat, and I love it! Whenever I hear these songs, they remind me that God is my everything. If He is not in it, then I don't want it. It reminds me that He is there with me, rain or shine. I like to play my playlist on shuffle, and I like to believe the Holy Spirit is choosing the order of my songs. I am sure the Lord knew I needed this song the other day at the courthouse. I honestly considered going outside of the courthouse and dancing my sadness out. However, I didn't want to miss my name when they called it, so I just sang in a whisper voice and imagined myself dancing it out.I can't emphasize enough how critical praise and worship can be in changing your mood and lifting you out of a pit. The enemy gets so confused when we praise the Lord when we are struggling. They don't understand why we would praise God when we are hurting, sad, or angry. Also, the enemy can't stand the name of Jesus. All you have to do is say the name Jesus, and the enemy flees. I heard a speaker once who asked his friend, who is a Catholic priest and exorcist, what the most powerful prayer is when it comes to fighting the evil spirits and demons, and he said the most powerful thing we can say is, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” That is pretty simple and yet powerful.If music is not your thing, that is ok, you can still praise the Lord. When I joined the Charismatic Prayer Group, they taught me to praise the Lord out loud by using various names for the Lord. For instance, you can say, “You are Lord of Lords and King of Kings. You are a miracle worker and a way maker. You are the prince of peace and the lion of Judah.” The prayer group gave everyone a piece of paper filled with praise phrases to help us out until we got comfortable coming up with our own. There is no right or wrong way to praise. You can praise the Lord in any way you choose. You can thank Him for all the things in your life, for all the ways He has saved you, and for the desires of your heart. You can praise Him for all he did for his people in the Bible.You do not have to do or say the right thing. The reason I mentioned the praise sheets is that you might not be able to think of good things when you are struggling. You might be looking at your life and believing that God has abandoned you. Your situation might seem like there's nothing to praise God about. If this is the case, I would like to review the praise sheet and simply read what is on it. It doesn't matter if I feel it or not; I just read it, and it helps lift me out of whatever I am feeling. Give it a try! I will put a link for the praise sheet I use in the show notes in case you want to have a cheat sheet like I do.I really want to encourage you to consider making praise and worship a regular part of your daily life if you're having a hard time finding joy. You can add it to something you're already doing, so it won't take up more time each day. For instance, you can listen to praise music while driving. Or, you can praise the Lord out loud in your car while driving. You can put on 20 minutes of praise music in the morning while getting ready, or while having your morning cup of tea or coffee. I invite you to give this a try this week and let me know what you think. You can reach me at Catherine@findingtruenorthcoaching.com. I would love to hear from you about how much praise and worship are changing your life. I would love to hear about your experience, good or bad. Let me know!Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode. Lord, we want to rejoice with you, and we want to rejoice in you. We want to praise you, Lord, not just when things are going well, but we want to be able to praise you in the struggle as well. Please teach us how, Lord. Please show us how to have joy when we are struggling. We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I am closing the founding members' launch for my mentoring group tomorrow evening. If you have been thinking about joining but have been putting it off, I encourage you to give it a try. If you don't like it, you can cancel. However, if you do like it, you will be able to lock in this one-time-only price of $25 a month. After tomorrow, it will go back up to $30. This means if you lock in at $25, you will be saving $60 a year. CLICK HERE for mentoring info. If you are loving this podcast, mentoring is a way to go a bit deeper and to join a community so we don't feel we are alone on this journey. I look forward to seeing you here again tomorrow. Click Here for the Praise Sheets. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day.Today's Word from the Lord was received in August 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “My children, each one of you is so so precious to me. There is no replacement for any one of you. I love you so much. And I'm so pleased to hear you praising me, loving me, walking with me, and trying to follow me.”  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

What makes you rejoice?  The last 2 weeks have seen a lot of “rejoicing” – especially among children, but David in a Psalm we read today alerted us to the nature of a far better kind of rejoicing – one that is “sweeter also than honey” – and “even much fine gold” – and we know how much value is put on gold these days!We read of this in Psalm 19 v.10, but from verse.7 we read “The Law of the LORD is perfect reviving the soul”  Do you need reviving?  Not physically, no, it means, mentally.     Then we read, “the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” and we thought of those disciples Jesus called to follow him who were simple fishermen (Matt. 4 v.18-22) – becoming “wise” to the ways of God as a result – and then committing their lives to a far greater cause, though the world might still see them as fishermen.  The same happens today! Verse 8 – “the precepts of the LORD are right rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”   We sometimes speak of ‘heart and mind' –  are they different?  Yes, they are.  David invites the LORD to “try me; test my heart and mind” [Psa. 26 v.2]  The way our mind works shows whether our heart has been enlightened to embrace the real meaning of life that the testimony of the LORD (the Bible) makes known to us – only then is there true and lasting “rejoicing (of) the heart” .  Verse 9 “the fear (awe) of the LORD is clean (cleansing?) enduring for ever” – not just for 2021 – or even just for January!   Verse 11 tells us that “Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Those who take notice of the warnings in God's word of the coming judgements of God “in the last days” will still have “rejoicing” in their hearts when the rest of the world is experiencing increasing fear.  Let us memorise the last verse of this Psalm of David.  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”  May we join David in saying that.

Luke 2:10-11

Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeBEHOLD: White Women in America Vs Venezuelans in Venezuela // Nick Fuentes Goes to Harvard? // Where are the Matthew 25:35 Democrats?Episode Links:NEW: White women on TikTok are fuming following the United States attack on Venezuela, while Venezuelans rejoice.Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he spoke to President Donald Trump to register opposition to the abduction of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro.Venezuelan woman cries with joy upon hearing the news of the capture of the dictator of #Venezuela #NicolasMaduroYoung Venezuelans break out into celebration as news filters through of Trump's strikes against Maduro's regime.  Western commie larpers moaning. Those actually living under communism celebrate.Venezuelan journalist Germania Rodriguez Poleo's message to those who are mad that President Trump captured dictator Nicolas Maduro: "Do not for a moment let your hatred and disdain for Donald Trump have you defending the dictator of my country, which was destroyed by [Maduro] and [Hugo] Chavez and their system 20 years ago. We Venezuelans are very, VERY happy that our dictator has been arrested, removed, and will be put through a trial. It's the first time we're seeing justice in 26 years! Now let's hope they get all of those criminals out of Venezuela and then we can return home."40-year Harvard professor pens scathing piece on school's 'exclusion of white males,' anti-Western trends; James Hankins said admissions committee told him accepting White male applicant was 'not happening this year'Whistleblower audio reveals Cherry Creek School District officials labeled “disruptive” and “defiant” conduct from a Black student as “culturally appropriate” — and blamed it on staff's “whiteness.” What does the scripture teach us about caring for the poor, the sick and the afflicted?BREAKING - Over 40 daycare centers in Columbus, Ohio, all opened under the same defunct shell organization, the Somali Education & Resource Center, have been identified as opening and beginning operations on the exact same day, with combined earnings of $14 million in 2024 alone.What Does God's Word Say?Matthew 25:35

We ought to be attentive to the work of sanctification taking place around us, and intentionally affirm, celebrate, and be encouraged by the growth in holiness we see.

We ought to be attentive to the work of sanctification taking place around us, and intentionally affirm, celebrate, and be encouraged by the growth in holiness we see.

How can we not just rejoice despite our suffering, but actually in our suffering?

Sermon Handout Sermon Slides Psalm 104

To weary hearts and watching shepherds, God announced good news of great joy—not judgment, not demand, but grace made flesh. Peace did not come through power, but through a Child laid in a manger.“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”— Luke 2:11 (ESV)This past week, we rejoiced in the saving message:Christ has come.Peace has been offered.Glory belongs to God alone.Join us Sundays at 9:00 & 11:00

Luke 2:15–21 declares a simple and eternal truth: Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. The shepherds hear the word, go to see Christ, and respond with obedience and praise. Pastor Steve Miller points us to the sufficiency of Jesus alone. He is enough to save, enough to rule, and worthy of all rejoicing. When Christ is rightly seen as Lord, worship follows. Join us Sundays at 9:00 & 11:00

December 28th, 2025 | Jason Schmidt | Luke 10:17-20 Prayer of Belief:Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever imagined, but, through you, I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared to hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment, and offering forgiveness. I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior. Amen.If you would like to pray with or have questions for a pastor, please contact us! Call us at 505-292-5444 and leave a message or visit https://hopechurchabq.com/contact-us and a pastor will return your message.https://hopechurchabq.com/https://www.facebook.com/hopeabq/https://www.instagram.com/hopechurchabq/https://hopechurchabq.com/newsletter

Learning how trials that strengthen our faith are something to rejoice in.

Pastor Delbert Denny Jr. preaches a message called "Rejoicing Saints" from Philippians 4:4-5.---Parkview Church exists to glorify God through the whole church forming whole disciples for the good of all people.Website: www.parkviewchurch.orgInstagram/Facebook: @parkviewchurchic

Let us rejoice in the birth of Our Lord. Let us rejoice in this incredible miracle that has freed us from the bondage of sin. He has arrived to overcome the curse of sin. He stands victorious over satan out of His great love for us, His creation. He stands triumphant, renouncing the deeds of the flesh, ushering us into God's kingdom by His miraculous Incarnation.

In this end-of-the-year message, join us for a guided prayer to release your burdens and cares to Jesus, inspired by Matthew 11:28-30. Surrender what weighs you down, receive His rest, and rejoice in God's faithfulness.

In this end-of-the-year message, join us for a guided prayer to release your burdens and cares to Jesus, inspired by Matthew 11:28-30. Surrender what weighs you down, receive His rest, and rejoice in God's faithfulness.

"Is there any hope?" See the moment... Hope Came Into the World v.8-13 Because of God's Hope… 1. The Angels are Rejoicing v.13-14 2. The Shepherds are Responding v.15-20 3. Mary is Reflecting v.19-20 On Christmas, rejoice like the angels, respond like the shepherds, and reflect like Mary!  

Speaker: Justin SpeakReference: Luke 1:45-56Visit our information hubSubscribe to the PodcastFollow us on InstagramVisit our website for info, events, giving, and moreBeachpoint Church - Developing into authentic followers of Jesus Christ who love God, one another, and our world.

God works through seed, time, and trust, not shortcuts or instant results. This message reveals how hope, generosity, and faith are planted in seed form, reminding us that God brings growth as we steward what He places in our hands. Through Scripture, we see that hope is not fragile, faith precedes understanding, and God develops strong, lasting lives when we choose to believe, sow, and walk forward with confidence in His promises.CHAPTERS:00:00:00:00 – Welcome and service introduction00:01:41:12 – Believing God for a miraculous life00:02:03:00 – The oak tree and acorn analogy00:03:16:00 – Seed is meant to be sown, not eaten00:04:24:17 – God withholds no good thing00:05:22:18 – Prosperity leads to generosity00:06:27:17 – Seed produces 30, 60, 100-fold00:07:32:04 – Faith first, understanding later00:08:07:00 – Managing seed and guarding the soil00:08:28:16 – The importance of church and community00:10:49:01 – Sowing seed and watching what happens00:12:09:21 – Faithfulness leads to eating the good of the land00:14:03:01 – Christmas season and the need for hope00:16:28:19 – God sends His Word and brings healing00:18:08:06 – Isaiah: a great light in darkness00:19:49:13 – Hope is God's answer to hopelessness00:21:34:11 – Hope arrived as a baby00:22:18:01 – Jesus came as an acorn, not an oak00:23:26:12 – Faith doesn't follow logic00:29:20:01 – Rejoicing in heaven when one repents00:33:09:13 – Romans 15:13 explained00:35:08:08 – Hope is secure, not fragile00:36:56:20 – Looking forward with confidence00:38:40:21 – Why the kids building matters00:39:29:21 – Happy, healthy, and whole00:40:59:20 – Invitation to salvation00:44:34:13 – Salvation prayer00:45:12:19 – Service closing

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Series: The Weary World Rejoices

There is a tradition that it was the young boy Ignatius whom Christ took upon his knee to explain to His followers that they must become as children to enter the Kingdom. He knew the holy Apostles personally and, with St Polycarp (February 25) was a disciple of St John the Evangelist. He succeeded Evodus as second Bishop of Antioch, the capital of Syria and at that time one of the largest cities in the world. Here, during the persecutions of Domitian, he strengthened the faithful, brought many pagans to Christ, and prayed that he himself would be granted the crown of martyrdom. His flock called him the Godbearer, a title that he did not refuse, for he said that all Christians after their Baptism are truly Bearers of Christ, clothed in the Holy Spirit.   When peace was restored to the Church for awhile, the holy Bishop devoted himself to organizing the young Church on strong foundations at a time when the last of the Apostles had only recently passed away. He established the principle that the Grace imparted to the Apostles at Pentecost was handed down to the bishops appointed by them, and so on through the generations: the Apostolic Succession.   The Emperor Trajan, passing through Syria to make war in Armenia, spent some time in Antioch and initiated a persecution of Christians. Rejoicing that the time of martyrdom had at last arrived, Ignatius presented himself before the Emperor and eloquently declared his faith in Christ.   "So you are a disciple of the one crucified under Pontius Pilate?" asked the Emperor.   "I am the disciple of Him who has nailed my sin to the Cross, and has trodden the Devil and his devices underfoot."   "Why do you call yourself the Godbearer?"   "Because I carry the living Christ within me!"   "Therefore, let the bearer of the Crucified One be taken in chains to Rome, there to be fed to the lions for the amusement of the people."   And so it was. During the long and difficult journey to Rome, cruelly mistreated by his guards, the Saint wrote a series of letters to the young churches which remain one of the treasures of the Church. In Smyrna, he was able to meet with his fellow-disciple Polycarp and entrust to him the care of the churches whose shepherd he had been. As Trajan had ordered, in Rome he was taken to the amphitheater and, as the Synaxarion says, "entered the arena as though approaching the holy altar to serve his last Liturgy in the presence of the faithful, who were crowded among pagans on the steps of the amphitheatre." In a few moments he was completely devoured by the lions, save for a few bones. These were gathered by the faithful and returned to Antioch.   In his Letter to the Romans, the holy Bishop wrote to some who wished to rescue him from his martyrdom: "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."

He lived in Rome during the reign of Diocletian. He was slave to Aglais, the daughter of a Senator, and served as steward of her household and her large fortune. He also lived in fornication with her, and was addicted to drink. Despite these sins, he was kind, hospitable to strangers, and generous toward the needy.   In time, Aglais became troubled in her conscience over her way of life, and began to think of the account that she would have to give to God for her sins. Some Christians told her of the holy Martyrs and, moved by their accounts, she ordered Boniface to travel to Tarsus and bring back relics of these holy ones. Boniface, still deaf and blind to the things of God, said jokingly, "And will you honor me as a Saint if I bring back my own body to you as a relic?"   Boniface traveled to Tarsus with a large escort, well supplied with gold. He went straightaway to the Amphitheater, where he beheld a number of Martyrs being subjected to awful torments for the pleasure of the crowd, but bearing them all with patience and serenity. At the sight, the dissolute steward was touched by grace and felt his heart melt within him. He ran to the Martyrs, fell at their feet and kissed their chains, and loudly declared that he too was a disciple of Christ. So he too was put in chains, subjected to frightful tortures, and finally beheaded, rejoicing and praising God.   Boniface's escort, mystified by his long absence, made inquiries and were astonished to discover that their godless and sinful companion had met a Martyr's death the day before. They paid fifty pounds in gold for his body and brought it back to Rome, thus fulfilling Boniface's own unwitting prophecy.   An angel of the Lord appeared to Aglais and said, "Arise and go to meet him who was once your servant and companion in sin, but has now become our brother. Receive him as your master for, thanks to him, all your sins are to be forgiven." Rejoicing, Aglais received her former lover's holy relics and built a church in his honor, where many miracles were wrought. Aglais gave away her fortune, devoted herself to ascesis and prayer, and was herself granted the grace to work miracles. She reposed in peace thirteen years later, assured that the sins of her past had been effaced through the intercessions of the holy Boniface.

Here is what is interesting, what I have learned since then and before, through other many situations. Doubt is not the opposite of faith. We often believe that doubt is the opposite of faith. But it is a part of faith. Doubt is not the opposite of or the enemy of joy. It is part of it. Doubt is part of the process of faith development. (Read more…)Here is my homily from the Third Sunday of Advent and as Advent continues, I ask you to join me at St. Simon Parish for the final evening of prayer as we explore what it truly means to find joy in this sacred season. I will guide you to notice where joy is already present and where God is inviting more of it into our lives. All are welcome. Joy awaits.If you are in the area, we'll gather again Tuesday, December 16, at 7PM in the Church for 75 minutes of respite, reflection, and renewal. This session will also be livestreamed at St. Simon's Presents. Previous session can also be found there.

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 122:1-2"I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.' And now our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem.”REFLECTION- Sr. KathleenMUSIC- "On Jordan's Bank" from The Hymn Channel- "Gather Us In" by Marty Haugen ADVENT WORD OF THE DAY - Share - Gather stuff from your closet(s) that are never worn and share them with those in need by dropping them off at the Society of SVDP Thrift Shop or Goodwill.NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

In the third hour, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards to break down the team's 31-3 win against the Browns on Sunday at Soldier Field. After that, Mully and Haugh discussed how the Bears are ahead of schedule as they sit at 10-4 in head coach Ben Johnson's first season in Chicago.

Christmas: The Crowns of Heaven, part 2

#2 | "Rejoicing in Love" | John 3:16 | Mark Irving

We continue our Advent sermon series, “Waiting for Jesus,” by turning from the theme of Peacemaking to the theme of Rejoicing. In a season filled with both celebration and struggle, where can we find joy that truly lasts? We will explore the angel's announcement of “good news of great joy” and see how Jesus, our saving King, invites us into a joy that changes our lives. Discover how to receive and sustain real joy in every season. Scripture Referenced: Luke 2:9-12

Read Online“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Matthew 11:4–6Suppose a priest came to your church to put on a parish mission, and during that mission he miraculously healed the blind, crippled, terminally ill, and deaf. What if he even raised the dead to life? How would you respond? Most likely with amazement! You'd contact everyone close to you and tell them about those miracles, encouraging them to attend the next session.Though Jesus' ministry was filled with miracles, they were far from the most important part of His mission. His miracles healed bodies that would eventually die, but His preaching healed souls that would live forever because His preaching ultimately pointed to His greatest work—to suffer and die for the salvation of souls.If you were alive as Jesus walked the earth, performed miracles, preached the Good News, suffered death, and rose again, which of His actions would have had the greatest effect on you? When we consider our Lord's mission, we must consider it all as one unified whole, not missing the most important aspects. From a faith perspective, Jesus' suffering, death, and Resurrection are clearly His greatest acts. By freely embracing suffering and death, He transformed the worst into the best: the consequence of sin—which is death—into the instrument of eternal life. When Jesus said, “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me,” He was identifying those as blessed who discovered the great value of His Cross.If we were to ask Jesus' first followers whether they would prefer to see Jesus perform miracles or suffer and die, most likely they would prefer the miracles. Such a question might have even left them confused. Why would anyone want to see a great prophet suffer and die? Yet, today, from a theological perspective, it is clear that Jesus' suffering, death, and Resurrection are the greatest acts in human history.Imagine being our Blessed Mother who witnessed it all, stood by her Son as He endured His Cross, and rejoiced with Him when He rose. Unquestionably, if we asked our Blessed Mother whether she preferred to see a few miracles from her Son or to witness His perfect sacrifice that brought salvation to the world, her holy and sorrowful heart would choose the latter. Reflect today on these questions within the context of your own life. When you pray, do you primarily ask for favors, blessings, or miracles? Or do you primarily pray for the Cross? Do you see greater value in having God remove some suffering from your life or in transforming your suffering by the power of His Cross? Ask for the grace to die with our Lord, to become a living sacrifice of love, and to have the strength to lay down your life for others. By choosing that which has eternal value, you choose the better part and will rejoice in that better part forever. My sacrificial Lord, You invite me to take no offense at Your suffering and death; to see beyond the pain, blood, and physical death; and to discover the unfathomable riches of Your Sacrifice. Please give me the eyes of faith to see the value of not only accepting Your Cross, but also to see the value of living Your Passion in my own life by laying down my life with You. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Some days feel more like “grit your teeth and get through it” than “rejoice and be glad,” yet Psalm 118:24 anchors us in a deeper truth: God handcrafted this day—yes, even the messy, painful, overwhelming ones. When joy feels out of reach, His sovereignty, His goodness, and His nearness remind us that rejoicing isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about trusting the One who made the day and fills it with quiet blessings we often miss when we’re rushing, worrying, or hurting. Highlights Psalm 118:24 calls us to rejoice because God made the day, not because the day itself is easy. Joy can feel elusive in seasons of pain, fear, or exhaustion—but God sees and understands your struggle. God’s sovereignty means nothing in your day is wasted; everything He allows is woven with purpose. Blessings often sit in small, overlooked moments—noticed only when we slow down and stay present with Him. Rejoicing becomes possible when we remember God’s goodness, even when circumstances don’t feel good. Starting the day with truth (“This is the day the Lord has made…”) reorients your heart toward hope. Joy isn’t the absence of hardship; it’s the presence of God in the middle of it. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Enjoying Moments When You Don’t Feel Joyful By Keri Eichberger Bible Reading:This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) I have a confession. I was once known to secretly roll my eyes at a Bible verse that you probably know well. But you know what makes this easier to admit? The truth is that likely many of you have struggled with this scripture too. Psalm 118:24 proclaims, This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Well, let’s be honest. There are loads of days we don’t feel a lot like rejoicing. There are many moments we don’t seem to have much to be glad about. Personally, I have been dealing with debilitating pain for the entire past year. I feel insufficient to fight through the next few demanding months. And I have lots of fear concerning another major surgery on the horizon. The bottom line is, I’ve been digging deep to find joy each and every day. Is there something going on around or inside of you that is keeping you from feeling joyful on this day or lately? You may not necessarily be in a season where joy is hard to find. Maybe you are feeling full of reasons to be beaming and brimming with high spirits. But I do believe we all struggle from time to time. I get it. I’m also wrestling right now. And listen, God sees you, and he gets it too. But here’s what I understand about this well-known verse. When the psalmist says, This is the day the Lord has made, it serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over all things. That he made the day. He made it all. I also understand that our sovereign God is good and trustworthy. And because he is the master and creator of the day, and he is good, we know everything he puts in it is part of his good plan. Therefore, we have hope. Therefore, we can smile, and we can be thankful. Therefore, we can be glad and rejoice because whatever is surrounding us today is for good. And that is good. Not only that, we know that God places good all around us, beyond what we can even see or perceive. His good blessings overflow all throughout creation and all throughout our lives. We just need to take notice, because many times we miss it. We need to be still in his presence in the present, because many times we move forward too fast or get wrapped up in our fears of the future. We need to take notice of the good he has done. Notice the small and simple moments right before us. There may be something big and scary hovering above or ahead. But right in front of us, right beside every single one of us, is the good Lord and an abundance of his blessings. Intersecting Faith & Life: Believe it or not, I no longer roll my eyes when I hear or recite this verse. Rather, I now have a habit of waking up each morning, whispering these words to my heart. And even if my waking hours don’t feel so joyful, the reminder that our good God has created the day that greets me gives me hope and a reason to rejoice. I understand that often as the day moves on, it’s difficult to enjoy moments when you aren’t feeling so joyful. But joy is possible at any moment, at this very moment, if you can remind your heart that this is indeed the day the Lord has made. That this is the season the Lord has made. This is the life the Lord has made for me and you. And it is all good. For your good, his good, and his great glory. So we can thank him for his power, we can thank him for his presence, and we can rejoice. We can be glad at this very moment. And we can praise him for this very day. This day that he has wonderfully and perfectly planned and made. If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

True Christian love is seen when believers step into the lives of others with willingness and humility. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar reflect on Paul's call to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, explaining that this invitation requires believers to engage rather than sit on the sidelines. Oscar notes that Christian unity is central to the verse's context and that rejoicing with others can be harder than sharing in sorrow, especially when personal struggles make joy feel costly. Yet choosing to celebrate another's blessing reveals spiritual maturity and self-control. Every triumph, setback, and moment of weakness becomes a chance to draw near to the Lord and allow Him to shape emotions that may take time to follow.The guys consider how Jesus held joy and sorrow together, fully aware of human frailty while grieving the consequences of sin. E.Z. feels convicted to fast and focus more intentionally on unbelievers, asking how Christians can enter the world of the lost without compromising truth. They look to Paul's ability to understand cultural longings and failures, using them as bridges for the gospel. Ray explains that remembering his own lostness helps him understand the fear and uncertainty many experience. God has placed eternity in every heart, and recognizing this longing helps believers speak with compassion and awareness.They return to the call to weep with those who weep, affirming that empathy must not replace truth. Caring for someone in pain should include a willingness to point them toward the gospel gently and the reality of sin. Jesus models this balance as He weeps over Jerusalem and over Lazarus, entering real grief even while knowing the outcome. The group notes how often believers bypass lament and rush to quick answers, yet genuine compassion requires presence and patience. Followers of Christ are invited to meet others where they are and resist shallow comfort that avoids accountability.The guys then consider what it means to enter into another person's joy. Rejoicing may require facing inner barriers such as envy or disappointment, yet choosing celebration strengthens unity and encourages growth in others. Christian joy is rooted not in circumstances but in trust that God is working for good. Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents, and believers share in that unity of purpose. Joy and sorrow often coexist in the Christian life, forming a rhythm shaped by hope in Christ's return. Though coldness and criticism come easily, spiritual maturity chooses service, compassion, and unity for the glory of God.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

I am SO EXCITED to talk to Pastor Rich Villodas about Advent and the Christian calendar. Advent officially started yesterday and Rich is helping us better understand why the Christian calendar even matters and what Advent means to our relationship with God. We're going to talk about what it looks like to wait well (which I don't like to do!), and we unpack the reality of living in the middle of both pain and rejoicing. Advent is all of it, right?  If you're looking for a study to go through this Advent, it's not too late to start one. You can grab it today and jump right in. Our Stay Tuned series is available to download now at shopanniefdowns.com AND you're going to love hearing about Rich's Advent devotional, Waiting for Jesus, today. If you're following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, We're on page 127. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons. . . . . .  Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guest If you enjoyed this episode, I think you'd also love: Advent Makes Space for our Grief, but Christmas Makes Space for our Joy with Lanier Ivester- Episode 943 Episode 500: She Reads Truth + Advent . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: My friends get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Our Place: Our Place is having their biggest sale of the year right now! Save up to 35% site-wide through December 2nd. Shop the Our Place Black Friday Sale right now, no code needed at ourplace.com. Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. AG1: If you go to drinkag1.com/soundsfun you'll get the welcome kit, a Morning Person hat, a bottle of Vitamin D3+K2, an AG1 Flavor Sampler, and you'll get to try their new sleep supplement AGZ for free! WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. Capstone Wellness: Learn more at ⁠capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun⁠. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide.  Wonder Project: Start your free trial and make sure to choose the annual subscription at watch.thewonderproject.com/thatsoundsfun. When you pick the annual plan, you save money and directly support their mission to bring more of these stories to the world.  NIV Application Bible: If you're looking for a new Bible or know someone you'd like to gift a Bible to, I highly recommend the ⁠NIV Application Bible⁠! Antique Candle Co: Use code “thatsoundsfun” to get a free Gift Set on any order of $40 or more through Dec 15 at ⁠antiquecandleco.com⁠.  NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices