Podcasts about Savior

We would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260102dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:6-7 Christmas is About Family It’s almost a cliché these days, but it’s true: society has been removing Christ from Christmas for a long time. Ask most people what the holiday is about, and you’ll probably hear “time with family” more often than the birth of the Savior. And while Christians may lament that family has eclipsed Christ, our Bible reading today reminds us that Christmas is about family. Did you catch the good news in today’s Bible passage? Because of Christmas, God has made you part of his family. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He rightly belongs in God's family. We do not. By nature, we are slaves to sin and estranged from God. But in his mercy, God sent his Son to redeem us and sent his Spirit into our hearts. And with the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, you can confidently call God, “Father.” That is pure grace—the grace of a God who not only forgives but adopts. And what comfort that adoption brings! All of us crave acceptance, belonging, and a sense of home. We often look for it in our earthly families and closest friendships. They are wonderful gifts, yet they can disappoint you, because like you, they are sinful. But the belonging your heart longs for is found fully in your place as a child of God. Because of Christmas, you can call Jesus your brother, and he gladly calls you his brother or sister. And you are part of a remarkable family: believers across the world and across the ages who trust in Christ. One day, you will experience the joy of a family reunion beyond imagining—a gathering that will include loved ones in Christ who died before you. So when your final day comes, you can rest in confidence. You are no longer a slave but God’s child, and since you are his child, you are also his heir. A place in your Father’s house is already prepared, and nothing can take it from you. Prayer: Father, thank you for adopting me as your child through Christ and giving me a place in your family forever. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

My husband Jarred and I were walking into a funeral one day this fall, and he said, "I feel like this is the fourth inning."  "What do you mean?" I asked. He said, "I feel like it's the middle of a baseball game and there's a lot of game left and you just want to know if it's going to be OK. If we are going to win?" I have thought about this often. We are all playing a metaphorical baseball game of life, and we are in the middle of the fourth inning, wondering what the outcome will be. This year, as I reflected on our family life, the ups and downs. The joys and disappointments. The mundane and the exciting, I am reminded how we're all in the middle of our fourth inning. Will we win? Will be ahead? What will go on between the fourth and the ninth? Listen to today's podcast where I give a little year-end summary of our family, and we talk about how we can be sure that we will win! We will all be OK thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Check out Elisabeth Elliot's poem here! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Audio taken from the live recording of "Do These 5 Things in 2026 and Your Life Will Change Forever!' - https://youtu.be/lQj3Nr6--5oAs we enter into a new year, many people are looking to make resolutions that can improve their lives. These resolutions, and if kept, will certainly improve the quality of your life, however they all share one common flaw: That flaw is, they all are dependent upon the strength and discipline of our human nature, which the Scripture reveals is weak. (Matthew 26:41)This inherent human weakness is why the majority of us fail to consistently keep our lofty resolutions, though we initially mean well.These 5 resolutions I am going to share with you today ensure you are not dependent upon your strength alone, because all 5 are undergirded by the promise of God's strength and supernatural intervention.1 - Read your Bible daily!2 - Pray Daily!3 - Faithfully honor God's house!4 - Become a generous steward.5 - Make Jesus Christ Your Lord and Savior!Key Scriptures used in today's teaching: Acts 2:42-47Other Scriptures referenced: Matthew 26:41; Philippians 4:13; Romans 12:2; Psalm 1:2-3; Proverbs 3:5-6; Luke 5:16; Hebrews 10:25; Genesis 1:27; John 3:16; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Psalm 112:9; John 10:10; Romans 3:23; Acts 16:3Unless otherwise noted, most Scripture will be read from the New Living Translation (NLT) Bible.If you prayed with Tiff, click here https://lostlamb.org/ and let him know!  Be sure to check out the playlist “New Beginnings” - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsX8E19Azl58_FjxELPxjnsL8CAtmama4Thank you for listening, and subscribe for new content each week. 
Connect with Tiff Shuttlesworth:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LostLambAssociation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffshuttlesworth/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiffshuttleswor Learn more about my ministry: https://lostlamb.org/ Learn more about my ministry in Canada: https://www.lostlamb.ca

Gospel Luke 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,   and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this,   they made known the message   that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed   by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things,   reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned,   glorifying and praising God   for all they had heard and seen,   just as it had been told to them.   When eight days were completed for his circumcision,   he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel   before he was conceived in the womb. Reflection When you think about these stories they have such an interesting twist to them. The unexpected. The one you wouldn't expect to come forward and say something like these shepherds said, had an experience with an angel that told them that they would encounter this. And you think about who shepherds were those days. They were sort of bikers, you know, just out there in the world. But what a beautiful image of the ones who come to recognize Jesus for who he is, and the people who worked in the way that Jesus symbolically longed to work. The shepherds were told by an angel that a new shepherd was coming, one beyond their imagining, one beyond their abilities, and they were delighted to share this message. And you wonder how the people around these stories, how they must have pondered them and wondered about them. We are asked to do the same thing. What a wonderful affirmation to the role of Jesus as our Shepherd in this apparition of an angel to these men. Closing Prayer Father, story after story around your coming into the world as a human being as our Savior. Keep us open to ways in which you continue to show us the mystery of who you are, and how are you working in our life. Give us time to reflect, to know you, and to expect signs and wonders. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260101dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5 The Greatest Christmas Gift Many people assume Christmas is just a single day, December 25th, or perhaps two if you count Christmas Eve. But it is, in fact, a season of twelve days. Today is the eighth day of Christmas, and God has another present for you to unwrap: the greatest gift of all. This gift arrives “when the set time had fully come.” Not a moment too late or too soon, the gift came at a specific, perfect moment in history, precisely when it was most needed. The gift came from God, because “God sent.” He did all the work; all you do is receive it. What did he send? “His Son, born of a woman.” The eternal God took on human flesh and blood. He who had no beginning suddenly had a birthday, an age, a hometown, and a body confined to time and space. The One who fills heaven and earth humbled himself to dwell among us. This humbling involved being “born under law.” That means he placed himself beneath the very commandments he authored and lived a life of perfect obedience. Jesus wasn’t your Savior only for the six hours he spent on the cross; he spent thirty-three years before that fulfilling the law in your place, as your Substitute. Every commandment you break, he kept flawlessly for you. Why this perfect obedience? “To redeem those under the law.” That’s all of humanity, including you. We are all under God’s law and guilty of breaking it. So, Jesus kept that law for us and bore its punishment on the cross, buying our freedom from our slavery to sin. The glorious result? “That we might receive adoption to sonship.” That’s amazing! In his Son, God the Father has given you the greatest Christmas gift of all: He made you a member of his family. No longer a slave, you are now an heir of forgiveness, peace, comfort, hope, and the everlasting riches of heaven. Prayer: Son of God, thank you for being born under the law to redeem me and make me an heir of heaven. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Friends of the Rosary,Happy New Year!Today, January 1st, a holy day of obligation in the U.S., we begin the year 2026 by celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, our Lady's greatest title.The Virgin Mary was born to be the Divine Mother and give birth to the Savior. Through her, we receive adoption and enjoy a new life of grace.In adoring the Son of God made flesh in the Child of Bethlehem, we recognize that Mary is the Mother of God.The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 721, states:"Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense, the Church's Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the "Seat of Wisdom."Also, on the first day of the year, we gain a plenary indulgence by reciting or singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus. This hymn calling on the Holy Spirit is traditionally sung for the beginnings of new endeavors.Today is also the World Day of Peace.Ave MariaCome, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠January 1, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Send us a textTravis of The Holy Rebellion joins us in remembering Jeffrey R. Holland and the impact he had in so many lives.  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was a beloved apostle and senior leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known for his powerful testimony of Jesus Christ, his teaching ability, and his lifelong commitment to strengthening the faith of Latter-day Saints. He was born December 3, 1940, in St. George, Utah, and early in life served a full-time mission in Great Britain, an experience that shaped his devotion to missionary work and discipleship. Before full-time Church service, Elder Holland was deeply involved in Church education. He earned degrees in English and religious education from Brigham Young University and a master's and Ph.D. from Yale University. He served as Dean of Religious Education, Church Commissioner of Education, and as the ninth president of BYU, where he emphasized gospel learning and helped expand educational opportunities. In April 1989, he was called as a General Authority Seventy. A few years later, on June 23, 1994, he was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of the highest governing bodies of the Church, charged with being a special witness of Jesus Christ to the world. As an apostle, Elder Holland's ministry touched many globally. He frequently spoke at General Conference, sharing heartfelt sermons on Christ's love, the power of the Atonement, and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. In 2025, he spoke about the evidence of God's works and testified of the Book of Mormon's impact as a spiritual guide. newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.orgElder Holland was set apart as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 14, 2025, a role in LDS Church governance that places him next in line to lead the Church under its established order of succession when the Church president passes. Throughout his service, members remembered him for his steadfast testimony of the Savior, his ability to lift the weary with compassionate words, and his unwavering devotion to gospel principles. His life and teachings have been a source of encouragement and dedication for countless Latter-day Saints around the world. Support the Show!www.patreon.com/SaintsintheSouth(The thoughts, ideas, and beliefs we express on this channel do not officially represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  For additional information or official statements, please visit the website below.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng)#biblestudy #oldtestament #religion #churchofJesusChrist #ldspodcast #christianpodcast #missionary #lds #biblestories #christ #faith #faithinchrist #scriptures #bookofmormon #doctrineandcovenants #pearlofgreatprice #temples #houseofthelord #mormon #mormonbeliefs #christiansandmormons #god #endure #ironrod #faithineveryfootstep #generalconference #prophets #followtheprophet #commandments #love #service #charity #keepstriving #keeponstriving #gospelgrowthandgoodtimes #become #newtestamentSupport the showThanks for listening! Keep on Strivin'! Support the Show & become a "Patron Saint"!

Welcome to the Mothers Who Know Podcast, hosted by Karen Broadhead—a faith-based community for moms who want to remember their divine identity, strengthen their spiritual power, and support their children with hope, courage, and wisdom.Important note: This podcast and its programs are not officially affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are created by people who strive to live its teachings and apply gospel-centered principles to real-life family challenges.In this powerful Mom Power training episode, Karen teaches how mothers can become a “secret weapon of light” by staying connected to who they really are: beloved daughters of Heavenly Parents, anchored in Jesus Christ, and capable of standing steady in spiritual battle.Key themes include:Recognizing spiritual warfare and refusing discouragement (“This will never get better.”)Learning to stay by the tree and “hold your field” instead of getting pulled into the enemy's battle spaceThe difference between “me + more” (Satan's lie) vs. “me + Christ = more” (the Savior's truth)Finding peace and power through scripture, prayer, and daily “Mom Power” practicesA real-life story of a mother navigating a painful moment with an adult child—and stopping the spiral with three simple questions:Did I do something wrong?Did they use agency, and did I use mine?Was I following the Spirit?This episode is for moms who feel worn down, discouraged, or afraid—and need a reminder that with Christ, you can stand firm, love well, and keep hope alive even when outcomes aren't immediate.For support and meeting details, visit motherswhoknow.org.

✨ Show Notes — “Flourishing in 2026: Citizens of the Kingdom Dawn” ✨Happy New Year!

The good news is, when you're suffering under the hand of God, His eye is all the more bent on you. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260101dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5 The Greatest Christmas Gift Many people assume Christmas is just a single day, December 25th, or perhaps two if you count Christmas Eve. But it is, in fact, a season of twelve days. Today is the eighth day of Christmas, and God has another present for you to unwrap: the greatest gift of all. This gift arrives “when the set time had fully come.” Not a moment too late or too soon, the gift came at a specific, perfect moment in history, precisely when it was most needed. The gift came from God, because “God sent.” He did all the work; all you do is receive it. What did he send? “His Son, born of a woman.” The eternal God took on human flesh and blood. He who had no beginning suddenly had a birthday, an age, a hometown, and a body confined to time and space. The One who fills heaven and earth humbled himself to dwell among us. This humbling involved being “born under law.” That means he placed himself beneath the very commandments he authored and lived a life of perfect obedience. Jesus wasn’t your Savior only for the six hours he spent on the cross; he spent thirty-three years before that fulfilling the law in your place, as your Substitute. Every commandment you break, he kept flawlessly for you. Why this perfect obedience? “To redeem those under the law.” That’s all of humanity, including you. We are all under God’s law and guilty of breaking it. So, Jesus kept that law for us and bore its punishment on the cross, buying our freedom from our slavery to sin. The glorious result? “That we might receive adoption to sonship.” That’s amazing! In his Son, God the Father has given you the greatest Christmas gift of all: He made you a member of his family. No longer a slave, you are now an heir of forgiveness, peace, comfort, hope, and the everlasting riches of heaven. Prayer: Son of God, thank you for being born under the law to redeem me and make me an heir of heaven. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us a textWe've been told to “do the work,” “fix our mindset,” “heal our trauma,” and then we'll be whole. But what if all that self-help work is actually keeping you stuck?In this episode, I challenge the lie that your marriage, identity, or future depends on you fixing yourself first. I share how the self-help movement sneaks into Christian women's lives, convincing us we're just one more breakthrough away from freedom — while subtly keeping us from the true gospel of surrender.If you've been spinning your wheels, exhausted by coaching, journaling, and striving to be a “better” version of yourself — this episode is your wake-up call. You were never meant to carry this burden. God's way is surrender, rest, and trust — and from that place, obedience and transformation flow.It's time to break the loop of self-focus and step into the freedom that comes from letting Jesus be the Savior... not you. Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."Grab my free training here: https://chelsey.coach/highlevelwife-blueprint 2x certified Coach (John Maxwell Leadership, Kristen Boss SSLS)10+ years coaching experienceNASM-certified in Personal Training and NutritionMom of 5, Army wife 16 yearsSupport the show!The Chelsey Holm Podcast (The Chelsey Holm Podcast) It's hard to give your best when you don't feel your best- replenish your health with Ready Set Wellness: https://us.shaklee.com/site/chelseynoel/Nutrition/Ready-Set-Wellness/Ready-Set-Wellness-Bundle/p/89599

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

January 01 2026 Thursday Who Jesus Made You To Be / Week 07 All The Good Things We Have In Christ Jesus #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. My Prayers For The World Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT  'Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.'  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT 'When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.' Matthew 11:28  Find Rest In Jesus Christ Your Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return…  Psalm 37:4  God will give you the desires of your heart… The Galations, having launched their Christian experience by faith, seem content to leave their voyage of faith and chart a new course based on works—a course Paul finds disturbing.  His letter to the Galations is a vigorous attack against the gospel of works and a defense of the gospel of faith.   Paul begins by setting forth his credentials as an apostle with a message from God:  blessing comes from God on the basis of faith, not law.  The law declares men guilty and imprisons them; faith sets men free to enjoy liberty in Christ.  But liberty is not license.  Freedom in Christ means freedom to produce the fruits of righteousness through a Spirit-led lifesty Philemon 1:6 Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… 1 John 1:9  Confess your sins God Will Cleanse You… Romans 13:8  Live in God's Love… Romans 8:16-17  Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Revelation 1:6  We are kings and priest in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Romans 10:13  Call On The Name Of Jesus And Make Him Lord today… The Biblical Definition Of Grace Is God's Unmerited Favor… Matthew 18:19-20  I will agree with you about your prayer request… Acts 10:34  God is not a respecter of persons. He loves and cares for us all the same… Romans 12:3  God has given us His Faith… Biblical Hope Is A Confident Expectation… Romans 5:5  God has given us His Love… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are the Righteousness of God in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… God's Word Is True Above All Opinions…  Romans 12:2  Renew your mind to what God's Word says… Believe God's Word Above All Opinion… Philippians 4:13  We can do all things through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Philippians 4:19  God will provide all your needs… Romans 10:17  Faith In God comes from hearing God's Word… Isaiah 54:17 No weapon will prosper against me… 1 John 4:4  Greater is He In All Of Us… 1 John 1:9  Confess your sins God Will Cleanse You…  John 3:3  You Must Be Born Again… Luke 15:10  Heaven Rejoices Over One Person That Repents And Is Born Again… John 3:16  Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ Your Lord And Savior… 1 Peter 2:24  Healing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Luke 6:38  Give and it will be given unto you… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media Website https://the-prodigalson.com What God's Word Can Do In Your Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJWTZG_x2vE&t=3s Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com YouVersion Bible App  https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

January 1, 2026Today's Reading: Luke 2:21Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 1:57-80“And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.There is something remarkable and yet so subtle in the Christmas story: the Holy Child of Bethlehem is not called Jesus until the eighth day when He is circumcised. Before verse 21, He is referred to as the baby, the child, Christ, and Lord, all glorious titles, but the personal, saving name of Jesus is bestowed upon Him in the covenant of circumcision. This is not merely a name His parents have placed upon Him from their own whims. It is the Name given by the Father in Heaven. “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus means “YHWH saves.” This is God's covenant Name for His Son. And Jesus lived by it to completion. He is what His Name declares: YHWH saves. From His circumcision to His crucifixion, from that first cut of blood to the New Creation of His resurrection, Jesus fulfills the meaning of His Name for you and me. And now, you who are baptized, you are in His Name. You have been baptized into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). You are clothed in Christ. His Name is on you even as you now dwell in His Name. When the Lord sees you, He does not remember your sin or your shame, but sees the beloved child now dwelling safely in the shelter of the Name of Jesus, “YHWH Saves!” So call upon His Name. Live under His Name. And rejoice that, as Acts 4:12 says, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The Name was given, the flesh was cut, the covenant fulfilled. Your name was given, the Water and the Word applied, and now the salvation declared in the Holy Name of Jesus is yours.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord God, You made Your beloved Son, our Savior, subject to the Law and caused Him to shed His blood on our behalf. Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit that our hearts may be made pure from all sins; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Author: Rev. Matthew Synnott, associate pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260101dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5 The Greatest Christmas Gift Many people assume Christmas is just a single day, December 25th, or perhaps two if you count Christmas Eve. But it is, in fact, a season of twelve days. Today is the eighth day of Christmas, and God has another present for you to unwrap: the greatest gift of all. This gift arrives “when the set time had fully come.” Not a moment too late or too soon, the gift came at a specific, perfect moment in history, precisely when it was most needed. The gift came from God, because “God sent.” He did all the work; all you do is receive it. What did he send? “His Son, born of a woman.” The eternal God took on human flesh and blood. He who had no beginning suddenly had a birthday, an age, a hometown, and a body confined to time and space. The One who fills heaven and earth humbled himself to dwell among us. This humbling involved being “born under law.” That means he placed himself beneath the very commandments he authored and lived a life of perfect obedience. Jesus wasn’t your Savior only for the six hours he spent on the cross; he spent thirty-three years before that fulfilling the law in your place, as your Substitute. Every commandment you break, he kept flawlessly for you. Why this perfect obedience? “To redeem those under the law.” That’s all of humanity, including you. We are all under God’s law and guilty of breaking it. So, Jesus kept that law for us and bore its punishment on the cross, buying our freedom from our slavery to sin. The glorious result? “That we might receive adoption to sonship.” That’s amazing! In his Son, God the Father has given you the greatest Christmas gift of all: He made you a member of his family. No longer a slave, you are now an heir of forgiveness, peace, comfort, hope, and the everlasting riches of heaven. Prayer: Son of God, thank you for being born under the law to redeem me and make me an heir of heaven. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Traditions can be meaningful—unless they replace the message they were meant to honor. Dr. Tony Evans explains how the true heart of Christmas centers on our need for a Savior and how embracing that truth can transform everything.

Traditions can be meaningful—unless they replace the message they were meant to honor. Dr. Tony Evans explains how the true heart of Christmas centers on our need for a Savior and how embracing that truth can transform everything.

The Sun of Righteousness in the Old Testament is also the Bright and Morning Star of the New Testament. Of course, that Star is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the focus and the “star” of the entire Word of God. This concluding study of Malachi examines God's final words to Israel before a period of silence lasting 400 years.

We would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

I think it would be an admirable assignment for all of us to take on – to get serious about living out and obeying the truth, T-R-U-T-H, as found in what God says in His Word. The ultimate truth is found in the voice of the Savior. Broadcast #6966To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

Traditions can be meaningful—unless they replace the message they were meant to honor. Dr. Tony Evans explains how the true heart of Christmas centers on our need for a Savior and how embracing that truth can transform everything.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251231dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Matthew 2:16 The Comfort of Christmas Herod, furious that the Magi left without telling him where Jesus was, went scorched earth and ordered every boy in the vicinity two years old and younger to be killed. Historians estimate that twenty to thirty children were murdered in his desperate attempt to eliminate the Christ child. It is uncomfortable to read this so soon after Christmas. Wouldn’t it be better to skip this part? Why remember such horror during Christmastime? Because it shows what happens when light enters a world of darkness. When the light arrives, the darkness does not politely step aside. It tries to snuff the light out. This is why Jesus came: to battle the darkness that rejected him from his very first days. This same battle between light and darkness continues in your own heart. When Christ’s light shines within you, your sinful nature fights against it. Yet God remains on your side—God rescued his Son from Herod’s sword so that his Son could rescue you from eternal darkness. Jesus’ death and resurrection became the ultimate light that conquers the darkness. And here lies one of the Bible’s hardest truths: though God possesses all power and hates evil, he still permits suffering. So here is the comfort of Christmas: God may save us from evil, or he may save us through evil. The boys of Bethlehem died tragically, but Christ the Savior was born not to save them from Herod, but from hell, and that is what he did. With God, wherever there is weeping, comfort follows. The grieving mothers of Bethlehem would see their sons again because their King came to save them through tragedy into heaven’s triumph. This is the comfort of Christmas. That even though the darkness could take the boys of Bethlehem away from their parents, it could not take them away from Christ. It cannot take you away from him either. Prayer: Merciful Father, thank you for the comfort of knowing that no darkness can separate me from the light of your Son. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Starting the New Year with Jesus reshapes our priorities, renews our focus, and grounds our lives in lasting hope rather than fleeting resolutions. Rooted in Matthew 22:37, this devotional invites believers to begin the year by loving God fully—heart, soul, and mind—choosing spiritual devotion over worldly pursuits and discovering the abundant life Jesus promises. Highlights The most meaningful New Year’s resolution is deepening your relationship with Jesus. Centering your life on Christ brings greater joy, clarity, and spiritual stability. Material success and worldly goals cannot satisfy the soul like Christ can. Starting the year with Jesus means trusting Him with struggles, grief, and uncertainty. Following Jesus leads to protection, comfort, and a fuller life rooted in His love. Loving God above all else realigns our hearts and reveals where our true allegiance lies. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Starting the New Year with Jesus By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37). As the New Year approaches, many of us consider the New Year's resolutions we want to make. Various resolutions can draw our attention, such as weight loss, getting organized, or switching careers. While all of these are common New Year's resolutions, the greatest resolution we can make is to start the year with Jesus, cultivate our relationship with Him, and faithfully follow Him. Developing a stronger relationship with Jesus throughout the year will prove beneficial not only for the present year but also for all years to come. While we will not be completely immune from problems, our lives will become better and more focused on the Lord. The more our lives are centered around Jesus, the more joyful we will be. Soon, we will see that materialism and the things of the world do not fulfill us. They are but empty promises that lead us away from the Lord. We don’t need to chase after these things or follow them. Since we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we should strive to nurture our relationship with Him. This New Year could be the perfect start. Consider what you are struggling with and the help that Jesus can offer. Maybe you are battling a chronic illness or facing the death of a loved one. Give these matters over to Him and trust Him with the New Year. It can be easy to think that this year will be just as terrible as the year prior, but we need to remember that we are making a change. The change from living in accordance with Jesus rather than with the world will prove to be glorious. Protection, safety, and comfort will always surround us. Jesus does not want us to start another year without Him. He wants us to walk with Him and to trust Him. By making this decision, we can truly start living the most whole life that Jesus died for us to have (John 10:10). Intersecting Faith & Life: When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). By doing this, we will be able to live this New Year with our hearts focused on the Lord. Rather than loving the things of this world, we need to change the narrative and choose to love Him. Challenge yourself and see if the Lord is truly your top priority. Is He the one you want to please, or is it yourself? As we enter the upcoming year, we need to examine our hearts and ask ourselves these challenging questions. By answering these questions honestly, we will be able to see where our allegiance lies. If a person has discovered they have not truly placed faith in the Lord yet, they can choose to trust in Him today. This can be done by believing that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-11). If you believe this, you will have eternal life, forgiveness, and salvation. With this upcoming year, take the opportunity to start the year with Jesus. Choose to faithfully follow Him and love Him throughout every storm of life. Some days will be harder than others, yet the love the Lord has for us knows no bounds (Romans 8:37-39). Since the Lord loves us in this way, we need to love Him too and focus on serving Him. What are your New Year's resolutions? Are any of them centered around Jesus? What would it look like to follow Jesus rather than the world this upcoming year? Dear Lord, please forgive me for focusing on the world rather than You in previous years. I’m choosing to start this year with You and to keep my eyes focused on You. During this upcoming year, help me to fully love You with all my heart, soul, and mind. You are completely worthy of all my love, and I’m sorry I have been far from You for so long. In Your Name, I pray, Amen. Further Reading: Luke 9:23-24 John 8:12 John 14:15-31 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40The Greatest Story SHOW NOTES: For encouragement on your spiritual journey, we invite you to visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, where you can access additional resources to enrich your Walk with God. The central message of Christmas, found in Luke 2:11, is "Christ the Savior is born." Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the promised Messiah, brings hope and peace to the world. This phrase symbolizes Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy, His divine identity as God's Son, and His mission as Redeemer. This is God's story—His master plan. Scene 1: Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:13-25)Scene 2: The angel, Gabriel, visits Mary in Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38) Scene 3: Joseph's Dream (Matthew 1:18-25) Scene 4: Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)Scene 5: Jesus' birth in Bethlehem is witnessed by angels and shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)In Scene 6, Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple for purification as required by the law of Moses. Two trustworthy witnesses, Simeon and Anna, who had faithfully walked with God for many years and waited for this child—God's gift—were present. Anna shares the good news of Jesus, and Simeon proclaims, “My eyes have seen Your salvation.” “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”Luke 2:29-32 Song: He Came Down - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEPUvf9IhQk&list=RDIEPUvf9IhQk&start_radio=1

Through God's discipline, even hardships and setbacks can cultivate Christlike character and spiritual growth. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251231dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Matthew 2:16 The Comfort of Christmas Herod, furious that the Magi left without telling him where Jesus was, went scorched earth and ordered every boy in the vicinity two years old and younger to be killed. Historians estimate that twenty to thirty children were murdered in his desperate attempt to eliminate the Christ child. It is uncomfortable to read this so soon after Christmas. Wouldn’t it be better to skip this part? Why remember such horror during Christmastime? Because it shows what happens when light enters a world of darkness. When the light arrives, the darkness does not politely step aside. It tries to snuff the light out. This is why Jesus came: to battle the darkness that rejected him from his very first days. This same battle between light and darkness continues in your own heart. When Christ’s light shines within you, your sinful nature fights against it. Yet God remains on your side—God rescued his Son from Herod’s sword so that his Son could rescue you from eternal darkness. Jesus’ death and resurrection became the ultimate light that conquers the darkness. And here lies one of the Bible’s hardest truths: though God possesses all power and hates evil, he still permits suffering. So here is the comfort of Christmas: God may save us from evil, or he may save us through evil. The boys of Bethlehem died tragically, but Christ the Savior was born not to save them from Herod, but from hell, and that is what he did. With God, wherever there is weeping, comfort follows. The grieving mothers of Bethlehem would see their sons again because their King came to save them through tragedy into heaven’s triumph. This is the comfort of Christmas. That even though the darkness could take the boys of Bethlehem away from their parents, it could not take them away from Christ. It cannot take you away from him either. Prayer: Merciful Father, thank you for the comfort of knowing that no darkness can separate me from the light of your Son. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

We proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. — 1 John 1:2 After coming through the Christmas season, we stand today on the verge of a new year. In many homes Christmas decorations are coming down, and Christmas parties are over. Perhaps, like me, you are thinking of the year ahead, imagining and dreaming what God may have in store for you. As we look ahead to the new year and new seasons ahead, we also do well to look back at what God has done for us. Many years after Jesus had brought salvation by dying to pay for our sin and rising to new life for our sake, the apostle John wrote about his own experience as a follower of Christ. We can picture John looking back on what had happened to him when he first encountered Jesus. “The life appeared,” says John, and his words express the wonder and amazement he experienced when the Word of life came to him one day and changed his life (see Luke 5:1-11).Though we have not encountered Jesus in the same way his first disciples, like John, did, we still have an amazing story to tell. We have fellowship with the Father because Jesus, God's Son, has come to make him known. Through faith in Jesus, we experience forgiveness of sin and new life, restoring our relationship with God.Christmas brings us joy for what God has done and offers hope for what lies ahead. May your life, today and in the coming year, be filled with the joy of knowing Christ the Savior. Lord Jesus, as you became one of us so many years ago, stay close now and in the years ahead. Deepen our joy in knowing you. Amen.

What we know with certainty about the future changes everything about how we face the present. Dr. John Neufeld continues in Matthew 24, examining Jesus' warnings about false messiahs who will arise in the last days, performing signs to deceive many. Jesus assures His followers the true Savior will not appear in secret locations, but visibly across the heavens like lightning, returning in power and glory to gather His elect.The Best Is Ahead: Looking ahead, some of us are fearful. But for the believers who have put their confidence fully in Christ, we know with certainty that our best days are not behind us and certainly our best days are not the ones we are living now. Our best days lie in the future, when Christ will return to gather his elect. Join Dr. Neufeld for this 5 message series in the study of Matthew 24. 

Our Election in Christ (1) (audio) David Eells 12/31/25 I'm going to talk to you today about our election in Christ. There is much false teaching and many misconceptions in Christianity about the doctrine of predestination, which includes calling and election, yet it's actually been a general power in my life to understand it. It's given me more faith in the Lord and more fear of the Lord. Much of the church, especially in America, rejects and even fights against it. Predestination is opposed by the Armenian doctrine or the “freewillers,” as they are called, but when you look around, you don't see the free will that people say that they have because everybody is serving something. Jesus said in (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. So you are either serving Him or you are serving the devil. (Psa.51:5 KJV) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Someone who is bound in sin is not free to make a godly choice; the ability to do that comes from God Himself and it's a gift. (Joh.15:16) Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Although experientially it does seem to us that we chose Him, that just lets you know how easy it is for God to put His will in you. (Joh.15:19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. You see, not only did He choose us, but in effect, He didn't choose someone else. Out of the whole world, He chose us. Several years ago, I heard something that has really stayed with me. I was listening to a lady talking to her adopted son, and she was trying to explain this to him. She said, “Most moms and dads don't have much of a choice. They just have to settle for what they get. But we chose you; out of all that we knew, we chose you.” That's the way it is between God and us. He didn't just settle for what came along. God knows how this universe goes on the way it does, and He foreknows the end of it. He's the God (Rom.4:17) … who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. And He tells us, (Isa.46:9) … for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; (10) declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. He chose us and He put His will in us. He chose us for what we will be; He chose us for what we will become by the grace of God. It was not the will of man that caused us to come to Jesus, it was the will of God. Paul writes (Php.2:13) … it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. And He's been doing that since before our Christian beginning. (Joh.1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he the right (The Greek word there is exousia and it means “authority.”) to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name. You need to have authority to become a child of God, and only God gives authority to everyone who believes on His name because faith is a gift of God. (Joh.1:13) Who were born, not of blood (Our new birth is not like the Israelites, who had to be born into a family who made them a part of the Covenant.), nor of the will of the flesh.... Now, nothing in our flesh causes us to come to God. (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. Our flesh is the enemy of God, and you would never choose to come to God, especially when you were totally bound in sin. The only One who could set you free is Jesus. (Joh.8:36) If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Back to (Joh.1:13) Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. This choice to come to God was no part of man; it came from God. God put a holy choice in an unholy person. If we had gone on doing our own will, our will would have always led to sin and to never serving anyone else but ourselves. It was God who reached in from the outside and put a will in us to come to Him. Romans 9 is one of the most avoided chapters in the Bible because of all the false teaching coming from the pulpits. People read Romans 9 with their preconceived ideas from their religion, so they can't understand it. If you drop all that and just read what it says, you will be able to understand it. (Rom.9:6) But [it is] not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel (The same thing can be said about the Church.): (7) neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8) That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. (Rom.9:9) For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. (10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac– (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Before any of their works Jacob was chosen. The doctrine of Arminianism says that God foreknows the future, and He predestines according to what He foreknows is going to happen or what we will do in the future. This is ridiculous when you think about it. If it was foreknown to happen anyway, why would He have to predestine it? “Predestine” or “foreordain” are two translations of the same Greek word proorizo, which means “to decide the destiny before it comes; to ordain the destiny before it comes to pass.” It doesn't mean that God looked ahead and saw what was going to happen and who would do good. Salvation would have been by works. Truly, God already knows what's going to happen because He does not dwell in time. Jacob didn't always do good but God chose him for what He would make out of him. Remember, God speaks the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). (Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained (or “predestined”) [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. That means those whom He knew before the creation, He ordained at that point, so it's not because of their works. It's not based on whether they had done anything good or bad as we just saw. I did a diligent search when I first discovered this in the Scriptures. I decided I was going to be open-minded, and I was going to see what the Bible really had to say about the subject. I wanted to see why God chose me. So I searched and I searched for the reason why God chose me above someone else and I found out, (Eph.2:3) Among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. You see, there is no reason, physically speaking, why God would choose one person over another. I discovered that one “dirt” is just as good as the next “dirt.” It's not the dirt that counts; it's what you are sowing in it. God is interested in creating the spiritual man, which has nothing to do with your old life. The new life is born-again from above and that's the spiritual man. The spiritual man, who is created in the likeness of Christ, is born of the Word. He's born from above and has nothing to do with the old nature. I was looking for a reason why God would choose me above someone else and found there is no reason. (Rom.9:21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? God claims the right to make whatever vessel He wants out of this same lump of clay. That means there was no difference in our natural life that caused God to choose us above anybody else. (Rom.9:14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. After we are born again, I think God spends a lot of time teaching us that it's not by our willpower. We try to save ourselves by our willpower and it doesn't work. We eventually learn that we are to walk by faith, or we won't receive what we're looking for. Some people think grace starts after you choose God, but it starts before you choose God. Otherwise, you wouldn't choose God. (Eph.2:8) For by grace (This is the Greek word charis and it means “unmerited [or unearned] favor.”) have ye been saved.... It's not that you are saved but that you have been saved. The ancient manuscripts and the Numeric text both say this, but the KJV says, “are saved.” No, you were saved, and it was by grace. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God. So, since we were saved by grace and it's a gift of God, that doesn't give us a reason to look down on anyone else, does it? And it doesn't give us a reason to condemn anyone in the world. It's strictly a gift from God and this gift is given to us (Eph.2:5) Even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.... When Christ was resurrected is when He “made us alive together with Christ.” (5) … (by grace have ye been saved), (6) and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places,] in Christ Jesus: (7) that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (And now, we are the benefactors of this grace that was given in Christ 2,000 years ago. The people who were saved, were saved 2,000 years ago. People who are manifesting salvation now were saved then.): (8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. Nobody will be able to brag about this salvation. We are depending upon God now as much as we were then. We have to cry out to God to give us grace to be obedient and to serve Him. He says in (Joh.15:4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. God prepared the works of His Chosen. God wrote your name in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world (Psalm 69:28; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:12). Manifestly, it's being written in the Book of Life when you come to God, but your name was written from before the foundation of the world, just as God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose (This is the Greek verb eklego of the noun eklektos and it means “I pick out for myself, choose, elect, select.”) us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love. God chose us in Him and that means He didn't choose all. Some of you are probably asking, “But what about the ‘calling'?” I was told that God's call goes out to the whole earth to bring people to Christ. Well, that's just not true. I looked up every verse in the New Testament about “calling,” and that word is not used that way at all. (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal. Notice it says here, “who saved us, and called us.” According to the doctrines of most religions, we are called and then saved; however, this invitation is to Christians only. The Greek word for “called” here is kaleo and it means “invitation.” We see in the parables of Jesus that only His people are kaleo, or “invited,” to partake of the Marriage Feast (Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:9). Every place in the Bible where the word kaleo is used, everyone who was called came to Christ. They were already a Christian. When we go out and call (or invite) people through the Gospel to come to Christ, some accept and some don't, and we're finding out that those who accept are those who have His calling and the others do not. (Eph.1:18) Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. So He saved us, then He called us and we're going to see that all the called are not necessarily going to be chosen, but all the elect will be chosen. (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen. The word “chosen” there is the same Greek word used above; it's the word eklektos, and it means “elect.” The difference between the called and the elect is that all of the elect are called, but not all of the called are the elect. Those who are saved have an invitation to partake of all of Jesus. As Christians, we are called to partake of His body and blood, which is His nature, His character and His power. The world cannot partake of that invitation; it's not even extended to them because this invitation is a Covenant offering. (Rom.10:20) And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. That shows the power of God because we did not seek Him. That shows we were not seeking Him when we found Him. It was Jesus Who came for His lost sheep. (Luk.19:10) For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. We were the lost sheep. Think about the conversion of Apostle Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-30), You say, “God can save anybody!” God went to extremes in order to make Paul His child and His emissary to the world. Truly, God can save anybody He wants to, and He will. We didn't seek Him and the Gentiles didn't seek Him. (1Co.4:6) Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not [to go] beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other. (7) For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? Why should we be puffed up about our salvation? What do we have that we didn't receive? Nothing. We think that we chose Christ. Some people look upon the lost and wonder why they cannot understand what's being said. They're thinking, “Why won't the lost be reasonable?” In a way, they're condemning the lost because they don't realize that only by the grace and mercy of God did they receive what they have. When you understand that you can't convert anybody by your works, you know to first go to God. By your works, you can fill up churches, but you can't convert anybody that way. Salvation is a gift from God. (Rom.11:35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? Everything comes from Him. There is nothing that God is ever going to owe anybody. (36) For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him [be] the glory for ever. Amen. Everything came from Him and everything is going back to Him. It didn't come from us and this takes away all room for pride. The first choice we made for God, the first desire we had for God, didn't come from us. It came from Him, and He can put that in anyone. This takes away all reason for pride because it's totally, 100% by God's grace. A good example is (Psa.65:4) Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee,] That he may dwell in thy courts.... The choice comes from God first. He causes us to approach unto Him and dwell in His courts. Salvation from the curse in every form has already been given to us by faith. We need to pray to God to give us the grace to be what we need to be. (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring (Notice that Jesus is talking about doing this in the future. These sheep weren't saved yet because He said, “I must bring.”), and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. In the days ahead, we are going to see that one flock and one shepherd, but when we study Ezekiel 34, we find that the Lord talks about how His flock was spoiled by shepherds who were doing their own will. (Eze.34:2) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel (a type of the Church), prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord God: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep? (3) Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. (4) The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them. The Lord says that He is going to take all those fruitless shepherds away, and He, Himself, has promised to personally be the Shepherd of His flock. (Eze.34:11) For thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. (12) As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (13) And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country. (14) I will feed them with good pasture; and upon the mountains of the height of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie down in a good fold; and on fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. (15) I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. (16) I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice. So, the Lord is going to have physical shepherds to do this. They will be men who are vessels through whom the Spirit of the Lord is going to flow, and they will not be doing their own will. In that way, God is going to have one flock and one shepherd. But the point I want you to see here is that when Jesus says, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold,” these are people in the future who are going to come because they were given to Him back then; you belonged to Jesus back then. (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal. Some people think, “Okay, I'm predestined and there's nothing I have to worry about. I can just sit back and take it easy.” They are justifying their doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” They don't understand that God has methods to predestine. He uses those methods to predestine, and if you ignore His methods, you will not be predestined. Calvin and Luther, the people who made predestination famous, were accused of believing “once saved, always saved,” but that's not what they believed. They taught God's methods of predestination and here's one of them: Jesus said, (Joh.10:26) But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. The people who didn't believe Jesus were not His sheep. (27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.... Jesus' sheep have ears to hear. They hear and they follow, and the rest do not. If you teach only what Jesus taught, you will be able to recognize those who are His sheep and those who are not. Those who do not hear are the self-willed. They're going to be like the son of perdition who sits in the temple of God. (2Th.2:3) Let no man beguile you in any wise: for [it will not be,] except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, (4) he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God. He is his own God for he does his own will. We've seen that here with the Unleavened Bread Bible Studies. Some people have their own ideas and as long as we adhered to the Scriptures, they just left, which needed to happen. If it wasn't that way, a little leaven would leaven the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9). Jesus said, (Luk.12:51) Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division. And the way He came to bring division was to use the Word like a sword. (Eph.6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And so He says, (Joh.10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. You probably recognize that verse the “once saved, always saved” crowd uses to justify their doctrine, but Jesus is talking about His sheep. “No one shall snatch them out of my hand” and no one can snatch them out of His hand. These are the elect; they are the chosen of God. It's not possible for them to be snatched out His hand because they hear and they follow. (Jas.1:18) Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. By His will, not our will, He brought us forth by the Word of truth. His method is to give you the gift of ears to hear the Word of truth (Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 13:15; Romans 11:8; etc.) In the latter days of Israel, having ears to hear is what separated those Israelites who were going into the New Testament from those who would not. And in these latter days of the Gentile Church, having ears to hear is once again separating between those who are going to go on with God and those who do not belong to God. Those who are not part of the elect are going to be drawn aside. (Joh.8:31) Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him ... (43) Why do ye not understand my speech? It's amazing to me how sometimes people just can't understand you when you are saying something very simple, but if they have ears to hear, they understand, and if they don't have ears to hear, they can't understand. Now, sometimes, because of someone's age in the Lord, their understanding may not be very deep; however, anyone who knows God should be able to understand the basic principles. (Joh.8:43) Why do ye not understand my speech? [Even] because ye cannot hear my word. They didn't have the gift of ears to hear. (44) Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do.... I've learned that most people have a blockage for why they don't hear. I know because it's happened to me when I was young and had a false doctrine. To the extent that someone clings to a pet doctrine, to that extent they won't hear and they won't believe anything that challenges their doctrine. Then also there can be a bigger blockage. (47) He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear [them] not, because ye are not of God. That's how God divides between the sheep. People who don't hear the Word of God, people who don't put the Word of God before their own thinking and their own religion, they are not of God. That's how Jesus discovered who was of God, and it's still the same today. Jesus says in (Joh.13:17) If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them. (18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen (This is again the Greek eklego, which is the verb of the noun eklektos, and it means “I pick out for myself; choose, elect.”): but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me. Jesus knew whom He had chosen, and He knew Judas was going to fall away. Judas was “called,” kaleo, but he was not “elect,” eklektos. (Joh.6:70) Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? (71) Now he spake of Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, [being] one of the twelve. Jesus understood that Judas was a son of the devil, yet He chose him to walk among the 12. (Joh.13:18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen.... He went on to explain that He was not speaking of Judas, who never had ears to hear. (Joh.6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. (65) And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father. Let me point out to you that it's not who receives the call and starts out with you who is chosen; it's who is still with you at the end. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world.... John is talking about leaving Christianity. (1Jn.2:18) Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. “They” here is referring to antichrists. The Beast is antichrist in the world, but antichrist in the Church is this son of perdition. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (8) Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward. (9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. So it's not “he who began with you” who is chosen; it's “he that abideth in the teaching.” Some people say they love the Word and seem very eager to study the Word, but there comes a point where they decide not to go any deeper, usually because it comes against their flesh. You know, lost people like knowledge. They like knowing things that other people don't know because it gives them a reason to be puffed up. The son of perdition likes knowledge, but when it comes to knowledge that demands a change in their life, that's where those people start filtering out, as the Bible says: (1Jn.2:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. (2Jn.9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. “He that abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God.” This is saying you have to be obedient to have the Father and the Son. Antichrist are those who go out from among you and are denying the Father and the Son because they are not obedient to the Word. Remember that Jesus said, (Joh.14:15) If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. That's not a promise to those who are disobedient or to those who start out and don't finish the course. That's a promise to those who endure until the end. (Mat.24:13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (1Co.1:23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; (24) but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. People who are called understand the wisdom of the Gospel, but to the rest, it's foolishness and a stumblingblock. You may preach the Gospel to somebody today, and they won't come, but they might come later on because the right foundation was finally laid and the right timing has finally come. Just because someone doesn't accept the Gospel today doesn't mean that they're forever lost but only the called are going to come. Only the called have salvation. A good example of that is, (26) For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called:].... It's not many who are called to begin with. The calling is not to all. The calling is internal; the calling is a gift from God to those who are saved. The Bible never says all are called. Everything in this world was created for the purpose of manifesting sons of God and everything that Paul did was toward that purpose. He said in (2Ti.2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. God called His Son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), but then He tried Him in the wilderness to find out who was going to go on to the Promised Land. Those who went on into the Promised Land were God's elect. His whole purpose was for the elect, not for those who fell away in the wilderness. You see, God's grace has been given to all those who are called, but it's the elect among the called who are going to take advantage of it and that's the difference. Paul dealt with many, but everything he did was for the few, the elect. God used Paul to fulfill His purpose. (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. You will know those who the Father gave to Jesus because they shall come to Jesus. This is very interesting because the phrase “come to me” is used many places in Scripture. Jesus told the Jews in (Joh.5:39) Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; (40) and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life. That was obvious about most of the Jews then, who totally rejected everything that Jesus said. And it's obvious about those people today who reject everything that Jesus said, but did you know that some of those people who walked with Jesus, even as disciples, wouldn't come to Him? (Joh.6:66) Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Notice: 666. Only Father can cause a person to come to Jesus: (Joh.6:39) And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. (40) For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It's not possible for anyone to come unto Jesus, except the Father draws them. It is possible for them to come to church and to believe many doctrines. They can go to an altar and accept Jesus as their Savior, even though we don't see anything in the Scriptures about that. But people will not come unto Jesus unless they are drawn by God.

What do you do when obeying God feels risky? In today's Words From The Word devotion, Pastor Roderick Webster walks through Matthew 2:13–16 and shows how God protected the young child Jesus through Joseph's quick obedience.After the wise men departed, an angel warned Joseph in a dream: “Arise… flee into Egypt”—because Herod sought to destroy the child. Joseph didn't argue, delay, or negotiate. He moved by night, trusting God's plan even when the journey was long and costly. And in God's perfect timing, provision was already there—gold from the wise men would help sustain the trip and the stay.This episode also exposes Herod's rage and reminds us: God's purposes stand, prophecy is fulfilled, and the Savior was preserved—so that, in the fullness of time, Jesus would give His life for sinners.If you're asking:“How do I obey when I'm afraid?”“Will God provide if I do what He says?”“What's my real purpose in life?”this devotion is for you.✅ Like, comment, and share to bless someone who needs courage to obey God today.▶️ Watch the full Words From The Word Christmas series and grow daily in God's Word.#WordsFromTheWord #ChristmasDevotion #TrustGod #Obedience0:00 Christmas hymn + opening0:46 Warning in a dream (Matthew 2:13)1:55 God's command: flee to Egypt2:28 Obedience without delay3:12 The cost of obedience (long journey)3:41 God's provision (gold from wise men)4:48 Fulfilled prophecy (Out of Egypt)6:19 Herod's wrath revealed9:01 Why you're here (gain world/lose soul)10:36 How to receive Christ11:04 New Year prayer + closing charge

Join us for a continued discussion on the hope and freedom we have in Jesus.We will also have a roundtable discussion on the Bible, world events that may pertain to bible prophecy and the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah.And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.-1 Thessalonians 1:10UpTime Community is a webcast that covers teachings and unique perspectives on end time events.Sign-up for updates and extra content that won't be posted on this channel: https://forms.gle/vQTPMs3kCt5X5Za88Unsure about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Go HERE: https://www.gotquestions.org/eternal-life.html

December 31 2025 Wednesday Who Jesus Made You To Be / Week 07 Wisdom In Christ Jesus #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. My Prayers For The World Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT  'Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.'  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT 'When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.' Matthew 11:28  Find Rest In Jesus Christ Your Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return…  Psalm 37:4  God will give you the desires of your heart… The Galations, having launched their Christian experience by faith, seem content to leave their voyage of faith and chart a new course based on works—a course Paul finds disturbing.  His letter to the Galations is a vigorous attack against the gospel of works and a defense of the gospel of faith.   Paul begins by setting forth his credentials as an apostle with a message from God:  blessing comes from God on the basis of faith, not law.  The law declares men guilty and imprisons them; faith sets men free to enjoy liberty in Christ.  But liberty is not license.  Freedom in Christ means freedom to produce the fruits of righteousness through a Spirit-led lifesty 2 Timothy 3:15 Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… 1 John 1:9  Confess your sins God Will Cleanse You… Romans 13:8  Live in God's Love… Romans 8:16-17  Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Revelation 1:6  We are kings and priest in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Romans 10:13  Call On The Name Of Jesus And Make Him Lord today… The Biblical Definition Of Grace Is God's Unmerited Favor… Matthew 18:19-20  I will agree with you about your prayer request… Acts 10:34  God is not a respecter of persons. He loves and cares for us all the same… Romans 12:3  God has given us His Faith… Biblical Hope Is A Confident Expectation… Romans 5:5  God has given us His Love… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are the Righteousness of God in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… God's Word Is True Above All Opinions…  Romans 12:2  Renew your mind to what God's Word says… Believe God's Word Above All Opinion… Philippians 4:13  We can do all things through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Philippians 4:19  God will provide all your needs… Romans 10:17  Faith In God comes from hearing God's Word… Isaiah 54:17 No weapon will prosper against me… 1 John 4:4  Greater is He In All Of Us… 1 John 1:9  Confess your sins God Will Cleanse You…  John 3:3  You Must Be Born Again… Luke 15:10  Heaven Rejoices Over One Person That Repents And Is Born Again… John 3:16  Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ Your Lord And Savior… 1 Peter 2:24  Healing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Luke 6:38  Give and it will be given unto you… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media Website https://the-prodigalson.com What God's Word Can Do In Your Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJWTZG_x2vE&t=3s Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com YouVersion Bible App  https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

Are you ready for a fresh start in 2026? As we kick off the New Year, Student Pastor Tim Yeager opens our "40 Days of Faith" series by looking at what it means to have a faith that doesn't shrink back. Using the book of Hebrews, Tim explores the "need for endurance" in our spiritual lives. We often start the year with big resolutions—gym memberships, healthy eating, or new habits—but research shows that 80% of people fall off by mid-March. The problem isn't starting; it's staying. In this sermon, you will discover: The Reality of Resistance: Why pursuing your calling often leads to more spiritual "pushback." Why We Shrink Back: How the enemy uses distraction, comfort, and deception to make us drift from our destiny. The Definition of True Faith: Moving beyond "wishful thinking" to a confident obedience to God's Word, regardless of circumstances. The Object of Our Faith: Why even a "weak faith" in the right Savior saves you completely. Stop basing your confidence on your spiritual performance and start building it on the finished work of Jesus. It's time to run your race with endurance, knowing that all of heaven is cheering you on!

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251231dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Matthew 2:16 The Comfort of Christmas Herod, furious that the Magi left without telling him where Jesus was, went scorched earth and ordered every boy in the vicinity two years old and younger to be killed. Historians estimate that twenty to thirty children were murdered in his desperate attempt to eliminate the Christ child. It is uncomfortable to read this so soon after Christmas. Wouldn’t it be better to skip this part? Why remember such horror during Christmastime? Because it shows what happens when light enters a world of darkness. When the light arrives, the darkness does not politely step aside. It tries to snuff the light out. This is why Jesus came: to battle the darkness that rejected him from his very first days. This same battle between light and darkness continues in your own heart. When Christ’s light shines within you, your sinful nature fights against it. Yet God remains on your side—God rescued his Son from Herod’s sword so that his Son could rescue you from eternal darkness. Jesus’ death and resurrection became the ultimate light that conquers the darkness. And here lies one of the Bible’s hardest truths: though God possesses all power and hates evil, he still permits suffering. So here is the comfort of Christmas: God may save us from evil, or he may save us through evil. The boys of Bethlehem died tragically, but Christ the Savior was born not to save them from Herod, but from hell, and that is what he did. With God, wherever there is weeping, comfort follows. The grieving mothers of Bethlehem would see their sons again because their King came to save them through tragedy into heaven’s triumph. This is the comfort of Christmas. That even though the darkness could take the boys of Bethlehem away from their parents, it could not take them away from Christ. It cannot take you away from him either. Prayer: Merciful Father, thank you for the comfort of knowing that no darkness can separate me from the light of your Son. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

This Sunday we will explore how joy enters ordinary and unexpected places through the stories of shepherds and Joseph. The shepherds experience sudden, loud joy when angels announce Christ's birth in their fields, demonstrating that joy doesn't wait for perfect conditions or qualified people. Joseph's experience reveals a different kind of joy: slow, quiet, emerging through confusion and obedience. Both journeys lead to the same Savior. The gathered church hears the good news of great joy, then scatters to carry that joy into workplaces, homes, and neighborhoods. Joy finds us in ordinary places because Christ meets us where we are.

Living Free & Maintaining VictoryScripture: Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”What some believers don't realize: Freedom is not just an event; it's a lifestyle. Living Free & Maintaining Victory Deliverance can happen in a moment… But walking in victory takes intentionality. Accept Jesus Today: https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!"****Congratulations! You are now a child of the most high. John 1:12 says, But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.” I would love to connect with you and chat with you about all the amazing things God is doing in your life.Click here for FREE eBook Download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love, support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cashapp: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles: https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/BooksofMalachiJoin Our Support Club: https://tinyurl.com/Support-ClubInvesting Opportunity: https://coinholders.hnocoin.com/signup/?refer=Malachi2uFREE Ways to Support Me:

Ask Joni a question here! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Today’s Topics: 1) Gospel – Lk 1:46-56 – Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked upon His lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name. He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation. He has shown the strength of His Arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has come to the help of His servant Israel for He remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2) In a moving homily delivered on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke insisted that the answer to the challenges presented to the Catholic Church by a growing secular culture is not to betray doctrine, but to follow the person and teachings of Jesus https://catholicvote.org/cardinal-burke-answer-to-cultural-challenges-is-not-changing-doctrine-but-following-christ/ 3) God's Blessings and Magisterial Teaching https://www.thecatholicthing.org/author/tweinandy/ 4) Six short bible quotes if you are lonely at Christmastime https://aleteia.org/2023/12/07/6-short-bible-quotes-if-youre-lonely-at-christmas/

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251230dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:14-15 Out of Egypt The words in our Bible reading today show that even as a baby, Jesus was already fulfilling prophecy and establishing his credentials as the promised Savior. When King Herod sought to murder the Christ child, God sent the holy family fleeing to Egypt. Seven hundred years earlier, Hosea had foretold that God’s Son would go there and return—and now Jesus, cradled in his mother’s arms, was living out that prophecy. To understand this fulfillment, though, we must recall Israel’s story. Over three thousand years ago, God adopted a nation of slaves and called them his son. He brought Israel out of Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and gave them a new home in Canaan. But Israel did not always return their Father’s love. The people he rescued turned to false gods and sacrificed to idols. Through prophets like Hosea, God warned his disobedient children what would happen if they refused to repent. They deserved punishment for their idolatry. Yet God could not stop loving his son. That is the backdrop for Matthew’s quotation. Jesus is the perfectly obedient Son of God—so fully identifying with God’s people that his life mirrors theirs. As Israel once went down to Egypt, so he went down to Egypt. As Israel was called out, so he was called out. Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded; where Israel rebelled, Jesus obeyed. And he obeyed for you! When the time had fully come, God sent his beloved Son to be born in Bethlehem, to live as the obedient child you were meant to be, to die on the cross, and to rise again so you could be brought into God’s family. He loved you so much that he poured out his Spirit into your heart so you can cry, “Father!” and know that the Almighty delights to hear you, protect you, bless you, and save you. Even though you have been a rebellious child, God’s grace is greater than your guilt. His love at the manger and the cross is more than enough to bring peace on earth and good will to men. Prayer: Father, thank you for fulfilling your Word by calling your Son out of Egypt, so that I am your own dear child. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Do you realize that as a Christian you are never alone? That's right. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God comes to live on the inside of you.  When we look at the life and ministry of Jesus, we find out that this was one of the primary reasons for His success: He knew He was never alone. In this episode of The Supernatural Life Podcast, Chad Gonzales shares truths regarding one of the greatest yet most foundational truths of the Christian life: that you are the house of God.    Do you enjoy The Supernatural Life Podcast? If so, please leave us a review and share with your friends. For more great and inspiring content, please go to our YouTube channel and make sure and subscribe!

Some gifts lose their shine the moment the wrapping hits the floor, but the gift God delivered on the first Christmas becomes more meaningful with time. Dr. Tony Evans unpacks what it truly means that “a Savior is born.”

Some gifts lose their shine the moment the wrapping hits the floor, but the gift God delivered on the first Christmas becomes more meaningful with time. Dr. Tony Evans unpacks what it truly means that “a Savior is born.”

Most believers are waiting for the Lamb of God—but what if I told you the world is about to meet Jesus the Judge? The church is soft-pedaling the truth, but the Bible is clear—Jesus is coming back not just as the Savior, but as the righteous Judge of nations. And here's the real kicker: whether you encounter Him as the Lamb or the Judge depends on where you stand right now. This is the revelation most churches aren't preaching, and I'm going to break it all down.   Podcast Episode 1981: Will the World Encounter Jesus the Judge or Jesus the Lamb? The Answer may Surprise You! | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast