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God's people are like sheep, and the Lord Jesus Christ is our Shepherd. The familiarity of those words can obstruct us from the comfort of those words. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explores the intimate bond between a loving Savior and His weary sheep. Learn why these famous words hold the secret to our soul's peace. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111
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The Savior suffered all so that He would know how to help in our darkest moments.
Keep the focus on Christ this Easter by engaging kids in this podcast that teaches them the true meaning of Easter. Through fun game play, beautiful music, children will come away knowing:Jesus Christ was resurrected for me.Jesus Christ suffered and died for me.The week of Easter is a good time to teach your children about what the Savior did for us in Gethsemane and on the cross. “He Will Swallow Up Death in Victory”EasterThe life of Jesus Christ “is central to all human history” (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Gospel Library). What does that mean? In part, it means that the Savior's life influences the eternal destiny of everyone who has ever lived or ever will live. You might also say that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, on that first Easter Sunday, connects all of God's people throughout history: those who were born before His Resurrection looked forward to it with faith (see Jacob 4:4), and those born after look back on it with faith.
God's people are like sheep, and the Lord Jesus Christ is our Shepherd. The familiarity of those words can obstruct us from the comfort of those words. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explores the intimate bond between a loving Savior and His weary sheep. Learn why these famous words hold the secret to our soul's peace. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/ SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Daily Devotional and Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/
Why is Palm Sunday such an important beginning for our faith?In this episode, we'll journey together through the events of Holy Week, starting with the powerful story of Jesus' humble entrance into Jerusalem. We'll uncover how prophecy was fulfilled, what it meant for Jesus to come as a spiritual savior, and why his gentle, humble arrival on a donkey still speaks to our hearts today. Together, we'll reflect on how this day invites us to worship with genuine gratitude, knowing the full story of the cross and resurrection.Step into Holy Week with us as a community. Let's pray, reflect, and praise together, celebrating the love of our Savior and drawing closer in devotion.Tap HERE to send us a text! BECOME A FOUNDING "MY MORNING DEVOTIONAL" MEMBERIf you enjoy your 5 minute daily dose of heaven, we would appreciate your support, and we have a fun way for you to partner with the MMD community! We've launched our "Buy Me a Coffee" membership where you can buy us a latte, OR become a founding member and get monthly bonus video episodes! To donate, go to mymorningdevo.co/join! Support the showNEW VIDEO EPISODES! You can watch our new video episodes on YouTube! Watch Our Video DevotionalsNEW TO MY MORNING DEVOTIONAL? We're so glad you're here! We're the Alessis, a ministry family working together in a church in Miami, FL, and we're so blessed to partner with the My Morning Devotional community and continue the great work done by the show's creator and our friend, Alison Delamota.We pray our personal reflections and devotions will empower you to grow your faith in God, and that you'll join us every morning in prayer! HELP US GROW THE MMD COMMUNITYSubscribe to the show on this appShare this with a friendJoin our newsletter Follow Us on Instagram and FacebookLeave a reviewSupport Our Friends and FamilyConnect with the original host of MMD Alison DelamotaFollow our family's podcast The Family Business with The Alessis
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260330dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9 Shout Out to Your King! When do you shout? It might be when you are frustrated—like when the neighbor’s dog is digging in your yard—again! It might be when you prefer to shout, “Time to eat!” rather than actually tracking down every hungry person. It might be when your favorite player just won a victory for your favorite team. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, there was shouting. These were not shouts of anger, but ones of praise. “Hosanna” and “Blessed is he” were the spontaneous choruses that erupted from those who saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem that day. When is the last time you shouted out to Jesus? Was it your weekly worship? Your daily prayers? Or have you been less than excited even when you do worship and pray? Or has it been a very long time since you have felt the need to say much to Jesus at all? Perhaps you feel there are good reasons for that. It’s hard to be excited about praising Jesus when things in life are not feeling so praise-worthy. You may feel a whole lot more like shouting in frustration at God than bringing praise to God. But remember this: Jesus shouts for you. When your conscience crushes you with the weight of your sin, Jesus shouts out, “My blood has atoned for each and every sin!” When the devil leads you to the brink of despair, Jesus assures: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you! In a few days, the shouts of Palm Sunday would be replaced by the more sinister cry of “Crucify him!” But that was the price your loving Savior was willing to pay. That is worthy of our thanks, our praise, and even a shout of “Thank you, Jesus!” Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are truly worthy of all praise. Please accept my praise and comfort me when I struggle to find joy to shout about. 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 week, we will be studying Mark 11:1-11 under the theme “Unexpected Messiah.” The annual message of Palm Sunday is a reminder that our life, redeemed by a Savior who loves us enough to endure the cross, is ruled by a Humble King who operates in unexpected, powerful, beautiful ways.Series Summary: Fast-paced, urgent, and relentlessly focused on Jesus, the Gospel of Mark shows us not just what Jesus said, but what he did. Written for a Roman world hungry for power, Mark introduces a surprising King - one who comes to serve, to suffer, and to give his life for many. Over the coming weeks, we'll walk this road with Jesus, from the wilderness to the cross, discovering how the Servant-King's actions reveal the true good news - and what it means to follow him as disciples who take up our own cross and trust him with our lives.Add St. Marcus as your church on the Church Center App!Fill out our online connection cardHow can we pray for you? If you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.
Share a commentYour plans for the future probably include savings, insurance, and retirement. None of that answers the hardest question: what is your way out when life ends? We follow Paul's logic in Titus and land on a bold claim that changes everything, Jesus Christ is not merely a teacher or helper, he is our great God and Savior, the visible manifestation of the invisible God, and the One Scripture points to when it talks about God “appearing.” From there, we get uncomfortably practical. Grace is not passive permission; we talk about grace as training, a daily curriculum that teaches us to say no to ungodliness while saying yes to a new life at the same time. That means you never outgrow the need for repentance, self-control, and clear choices, and you also never outgrow the need for fresh obedience. We dig into what it means to live sensibly, live righteously by a real external standard, and live godly in the present age without being shaped by the present age. We also take on the modern obsession with “values” and ask what happens when values are subjective and virtue disappears. A vivid story from the Titanic exposes how quickly “priceless” can become worthless under pressure, and it sets up the deeper question: what will stand when we face God's standard of rightness? Finally, we lift our eyes to the blessed hope, the promised appearing of Christ, and the gospel heart of it all: Jesus gave himself to redeem us from every lawless deed, purify us, and make us zealous for good works, right now, while we wait. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show
This weekend, Tyler continued our series, “The Gospel According to Mark,” by looking at a powerful moment in Jesus' final days—when one unexpected person truly understood who He was. While religious leaders plotted against Jesus and even His own disciples missed the point, an unnamed woman recognized that Jesus was not just a king, but a Savior who had come to die. In an act of bold and costly worship, she anointed Him, honoring the sacrifice He was about to make. Her response reveals the heart of the gospel: Jesus willingly gave His life to pay the penalty for our sin and break the power of it, offering freedom and new life to all who trust Him. The challenge for us is the same: Will we truly understand who Jesus is—and respond with surrender, trust, and wholehearted devotion? Because when we grasp what He's done, the only right response is to give Him everything.
It is often said that preparation shapes celebration.That's why, this Sunday, we prepare our hearts for what's to come.As we ready ourselves to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we pause to reflect on what was sacrificed on our behalf—the blood shed by our Savior. As we conclude our Crimson Thread series, we turn to the book of Exodus and the Passover, where we see a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice. On the night when applied blood meant life given, we witness the beginning of what would ultimately lead to our salvation—the death of Jesus, and His blood poured out so that we might have life.Today, we will sit in reverent remembrance of the Passover—what it established for God's people and its lasting impact on all who come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.Listen to this special, full-length service episode.--WebsiteFacebookInstagramSunday SetlistSunnybrook App (ios)Sunnybrook App (Google)Connect with us!How can we pray for you? Let us know.Giving
Savior, thank you for your power and being the Source of my peace.Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7 NIVKeywords: Fear; power; love; sound mind; peace;
Text Me Here!!!Where in the world has McKenna been? Home, she's been home :DI've missed the podcast, but I promise there's a good reason I've been so silent, I'm wondering if any of you have guessed why? :DWith this new arrangement, I've had to come to some hard truths, that might make my year a little bit different than I had planned... But yet, it also feels like it's perfectly planned, and I wonder if you're feeling the same way too. Maybe instead of the full blown, information loaded life that we've been having, there's a calling to simplify it and get back to the Essential Basics as I'm now calling it!Also, big week this week, Easter, General Conference + Solemn Assembly!!! It's gonna be a great week! I hope you find something to do this week to direct to the Savior and this incredible week before us! If you need an idea, I found a great devotional from Heidi Lee Anderson that she put together for this week!You can find that devotional (and kids versions as well) here: https://heidileeandersonministries.com/adult-passion-week-devotional/p/adultWe read alongside it on the Podcast 3 years ago, and it is still one of my most favorite things we did on the Pod, go back to the 2023 episodes on Munch + Mingle and find the episodes listed on April 2nd - April 9th.Love you all so much! Thank you for being here! E-mail: munchandminglepodcast@gmail.comInsta: @munchandminglepodcast
Christians believe that God doesn't just care about human suffering, but that in Jesus, God actually enters into human suffering. In today's sermon, we'll meditate on that powerful truth and the difference it makes for our lives and our world. Scripture Reading: Psalm 22:1, 16-18 Share: Know someone who needs this message right now? Send them the link! Connect: https://rb.gy/0gguyc Give: https://pushpay.com/g/kindredumc Prayer: https://rb.gy/xwmuok Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/kindrednc.church/kindreds-latest-3-29-2026
In the conclusion to our series on stewardship, Roger Morris teaches that giving is an investment into your future, not something that "leaves" you, and challenges the "old sinner saved by grace" identity by emphasizing believers are the righteousness of God in Christ. He warns that a spirit of mammon keeps Christians from trusting God's Word, pointing to Luke 6:38 and the principle that you set the measure of return in your sowing. Using Mark 10's rich young ruler, Roger explains the issue isn't having riches but trusting in them, and highlights Jesus' promise of a hundredfold return for those who leave and give for the gospel. He shares a personal testimony of giving $500 toward an ORU dorm project and later seeing God provide college scholarships for his sons. He notes research that many Christians cut giving during the 2008 recession, calls that a mistake, connects Philippians 4:19 to being a giver, then leads you in a prayer to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Offering as Investment 00:35 Identity in Christ 02:23 Kingdom Law of Giving 05:09 Rich Young Ruler 10:44 Trusting Riches vs God 12:14 Hundredfold Return 14:26 Scholarship Seed Story 22:58 Recession and Giving 25:03 Breaking Mammon by Giving 26:16 Salvation Invitation Connect with Bill & Roger Ministries: www.billandroger.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064668460680
“How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior…” beautiful words from an old, blessed hymn. The Apostle Paul walked in the steps of Christ and this broadcast, we “walk” with Paul in Philippi as we join Jeff in the journey.
What if the path Jesus walked to the cross was something you could actually walk today — and what would it teach you about Him?On this week's special Easter episode, we bring back Dr. Trina Boyce to share more about the Via Dolorosa — an ancient 2,000-foot path winding through the Old City of Jerusalem that traces the final hours of Christ's life, from His condemnation by Pontius Pilate to His burial in the tomb. Christians around the world have been making this sacred pilgrimage for centuries, yet most Latter-day Saints have never heard of it.Trina walks us through all 14 stations of this powerful journey, uncovering stunning parallels between the sacrifice of Isaac and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and diving into the rich symbolism hidden inside the Jewish Passover Seder. She also shares what it was actually like to be there — walking ancient stones, hearing hymns sung in dozens of languages, and feeling the Spirit in one of the most spiritually charged places on earth.Whether or not you ever make it to Jerusalem, this episode will bring the Savior's final hours to life in a way that's both deeply moving and surprisingly accessible — a perfect listen for the Easter season.*** Please SHARE Trina's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/6c6zl-uDKr8-----To LEARN MORE about Trina, visit: https://www.TrinaBoice.comTo LEARN MORE about Trina's author coaching services, visit: https://www.frombook2business.com/To READ Trina's book, "Via Dolorosa," visit: https://www.cedarfort.com/products/via-dolorosa-christs-path-to-the-cross?srsltid=AfmBOoriQlGGDu7ngEuLrfu0GN38cg1FUe-z7ovPv7bYXO6i-NCc9pD6To READ Trina's book, "The Language of Heaven," visit: https://a.co/d/4j5b4kXTo LISTEN to Dr. Trina's podcast, "Daily Inspirational Quote," visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/17RPUlzByZQVu4zmqktoZ0?si=86c6033495a048f1-----To READ Scott's new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/-----Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylightsAlso, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.#LDSPodcast #ChristianStories #LatterDayLights
Let me ask you a question, how long has the Holy Spirit of God stood outside the door of your heart, knocking, asking that you let Him in? You can just imagine His thoughts while He waits on you to respond, “I know he is in there, I know he has needs, if he would just open the door I could answer all of his prayers, but he has to open the door first.” The Holy Spirit will never overpower us, even though He easily could. The Holy Spirit will patiently wait for our response. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God's desire is that you will accept His offer of forgiveness of your sins and eternal life. He is patient as He waits for you to choose to open the door of your heart to allow the Holy Spirit of God to become the president of your life. Yet, God also tells us in His Word, that those who refuse to answer the knock of the Holy Spirit, those who reject the light that is Jesus Christ, will face an eternity in the fires of hell, separated from God, and all that is Holy. The only unforgivable sin is rejecting Jesus Christ as your Savior. But, the Holy Spirit not only stands outside the heart of the lost person knocking, He also knocks within the hearts of believers. The Holy Spirit is always present within the heart of the believer, and when He wants to fill another area of the life of the believer, or when He has some task for the believer to fulfill. It is then that the Holy Spirit knocks and the believer must choose whether to respond or not. Let me ask, is the Holy Spirit knocking on your heart, either from the outside for the unbeliever, or from the inside of the heart of a believer? If so, respond, open the door and let the blessings of a gracious God fill your life. Click on the link below to hear a message on how the Holy Spirit knocks on your heart. This is a live recording of The Master's Class Bible Study at LifeChange Church Wichita, KS. Amen.
Read OnlineSix days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. John 12:1–3On Saturday evening, the day before Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples enjoyed a meal at the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in Bethany, located about two miles from Jerusalem. Lazarus—who had recently been raised from the dead after being in the tomb for four days—was present at the meal. Martha fulfilled her important role of loving service, while Mary once again took center stage with her profound act of devotion, honoring Jesus by anointing Him with a liter of costly perfume made from pure nard, worth nearly a year's wages.The nard (spikenard) Mary used was an aromatic oil derived from the roots of a plant native to the Himalayan regions of modern-day Nepal and northern India. Due to the challenges of harvesting and transporting it over a distance of 3,000 to 4,000 miles, nard was a luxury item in Israel, reserved for the wealthy or used in sacred rituals. Its fragrance, prized for its therapeutic properties, was often used in perfumes, incense, and anointing oils. The lavish use of this rare oil emphasizes the depth of Mary's devotion.Practically speaking, it might be easy to sympathize with Judas' strong objection: “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?” (John 12:5). Imagine how many people could have been helped by that money! Yet Jesus' affirmation of Mary's action is absolute: “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me” (John 12:7–8). Jesus' words are not dismissive of the poor; rather, they point to the highest duty we must fulfill: the worship of God.Mary's act of love demonstrates that wholehearted worship is the foundation of all other good works. Recall Jesus' twofold commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). Only when the first and greatest commandment is fulfilled—love of God—can the second be fully realized—love of neighbor. Charity that does not flow directly out of our love for and worship of God becomes mere philanthropy. When charity is rooted in worship of God, it becomes an expression of and participation in divine love.Mary got it right. She might not have fully understood what she was doing, but her heart told her to honor Jesus as God, sparing nothing in her effort. The symbolism cannot be missed. Her anointing not only prophesied Jesus' impending death and the customary anointing of a body for burial but also pointed to His identity as the Messiah—God's anointed King and High Priest. The quality and quantity of the oil symbolize our duty to generously offer God our very best—everything we have and are—placing nothing earthly above divine worship. Anointing His feet emphasizes Mary's humility, prefiguring the service that Jesus Himself would show by washing His disciples' feet. The fragrance filling the house shows how authentic acts of devotion leave a lasting witness. It lingers, symbolizing how acts of true devotion not only honor God but also inspire others, spreading the “aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15) wherever they are offered. In this, Mary teaches us that love for God surpasses what the natural mind perceives as practical, reminding us that the wisdom of wholehearted worship is understood only through the gift of grace.Reflect today on your sacred duty to imitate Mary's loving act of devotion. How do you express your deep love for God? Sometimes we take God for granted, treating our relationship with Him as one-sided, always asking for favors. Imitate Mary of Bethany by choosing to honor and worship God for the single reason that He is God and is worthy of all our love. If you can get worship right, as Mary did, all else will flow from that interior disposition of wholehearted devotion, enabling you to fulfill every other duty God has entrusted to you.My Lord and God, You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the World. I love and adore You with all my soul. Draw me into deep worship of You, making it my first and greatest priority, so that from that act of charity, all good things will flow. Jesus, I trust in You. Image - Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsGFreihalter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
Come along with us as we continue tracing Jesus' final steps in Scripture toward the crucifixion. Remember what He did for you by exploring where He stopped to speak with women and criminals, where He cared for His mother, died on the cross, and was buried. Follow our Savior's journey to save us—and embrace how this can impact our lives today.Receive Christians once retraced Jesus' final steps, pausing at “stations” to remember His sacrifice. In “Cross Stations,” we follow that path through Scripture. In part two, linger at the cross and the tomb as we reflect on the moment Jesus' body is taken down and laid in the darkness, and consider what His death means for your faith today. Reflect Have you ever practiced the “Stations of the Cross”? If so, what was your experience? How do you respond now to this concept? The first cross station we identify is Jesus praying alone in the garden. Read Luke 22:39–46. Notice the setting and Jesus' experience, and then think about how His prayer struggle has impacted the intimacy you now possess with God. Read Matthew 26:57–75 and 27:11–26. Where is Jesus in this cross station? What does He experience? How does His endurance affect you today? Consider the torture Jesus endured as you read Matthew 27:27–31. Can you stand with Him at this cross station and receive what He has done for you? Jesus carried His own cross until Simon of Cyrene was enlisted to help Him in John 19:17, Matthew 27:32–33, and Luke 23:26. How would you have responded if you were asked to help Jesus? Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear Lord, You have shown us through Scripture that even small faith can be used for Your glory. Reveal to me where my faith is lacking and help me to surrender my disbelief to Your perfect plan. In Jesus' name, amen.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Listen: It Is Finished - https://go.odb.org/it-is-finished-dtw Life After Easter - https://go.odb.org/life-after-easter-dtw Forgiveness, the Story of Easter - https://go.odb.org/forgiveness-the-story-of-easter-dtw Read: The Perfect Savior - https://go.odb.org/the-perfect-savior-dtw A Rumor of Hope | The Good News of Easter - https://go.odb.org/a-rumor-of-hope-the-good-news-of-easter 40 Days. 40 Words. - https://go.odb.org/40-days-40-words-dtw Messiah's Last Words Reading Plan - https://go.odb.org/messiahs-last-words-easter-reflections-dtw Watch: Walk in Jesus' footsteps with The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories (Season 4) - https://go.odb.org/the-good-land-dtw
It can be easy to miss the moment when we're distracted. This Palm Sunday, Pastor Aaron brings a powerful word on preparing our hearts, pursuing the lost, and praising our Savior. The gospel is too good to keep to ourselves, and we need to share it, so we can lead others into an encounter with Jesus. Thank you for enjoying this full service with worship and a life changing message from Radiant Church. We pray this moves you closer to Christ and encourages you. For more life changing resources, visit us at www.weareradiant.com. Subscribe to our channel: https://youtube.com/weareradiantchurch To give online: https://weareradiant.com/give/ View the sermon notes for this message here: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=ryPyIXIiZl Spanish translation messages are available on our Radiant Church Español YouTube channel. Visit https://weareradiant.com/espanol to watch and subscribe. Moving people towards Christ, Community and Calling. This is the vision of Radiant Church, led by Pastor Aaron Burke and based in Tampa Bay, FL. —— Stay Connected Website: https://weareradiant.com Radiant Church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareradiant/ Radiant Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/weareradiant/
Topics: The Full Gospel Series for You to You Through You, Five Primary Things Jesus Did for You, Jesus Took Your Place on the Cross, Walking in Grace Instead of Self-effort (Colossians 2:6), The Distinction Between Sinful Actions and the Force of Sin, Admitting the Need for a Savior (1 John 1:8), The Problem with the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Christ as Our Satisfying Propitiation (Romans 3:25), Why God Made His Home in You, The Public Execution of Jesus for Transgressions (Isaiah 53:5), While We Were Still Sinners Christ Died (Romans 5:8), Forgiveness of All Past Present and Future Sins, How Jesus Put Away Sin Once for All (Hebrews 9:26), Why Forgiveness Requires the Shedding of Blood (Hebrews 9:22), The Blasphemy of Total Forgiveness to the Religious, Jesus Proving His Authority to Forgive (Matthew 9:6), Atonement as Covering Versus Propitiation as Satisfaction, Strengthening the Heart by Grace (Hebrews 13:9), The Ministry of Reconciliation Between God and Man (2 Corinthians 5:18), How Unbelief Severed the Relationship in Eden, The Promise to Crush the Head of the Serpent (Genesis 3:15), Crossing Over from Death to Life (John 5:24), Why Jesus Came to Give Abundant Life (John 10:10), How Jesus Defeated the Power of Death, Everyone Who Believes in Me Will Never Die (John 11:26), Breaking the Power of Him Who Holds Death (Hebrews 2:14), Death Swallowed up in Victory (1 Corinthians 15:54), Jesus Holding the Keys to Death and Hades (Revelation 1:18), Canceling the Certificate of Debt at the Cross (Colossians 2:14), Expressing Kindness to Us Through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:7)Support the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter
Palm Sunday is often seen as a celebration—but underneath it, there's tension. The same crowd praising Jesus would turn on Him just days later. Why?Because they were looking for the wrong kind of Savior.In this message, we unpack how expectations shape what we see, how God often works differently than we want, and why following Jesus is less about control—and more about trust.
Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.Discipline = PeacePsalm 119:165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.Steward your bodyProverbs 4:23 NIV Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.2. Train your mindPsalm 42:5, 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.Peace isn't found in what enters your mind, it's found in what you allow to stay.A simple habit to create is to ask:“What am I thinking right now?”“Is this thought helpful or true?”“Do I want to keep thinking this?”Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Peace is not just something you pray for, it's something you practice.Romans 8:6 NIV For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.3. Cultivate your soulGalatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Proverbs 4:23 NIV Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NIV Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Palm Sunday reminds us that it's possible to be close to Jesus and still miss Him. As He entered Jerusalem, the crowds shouted praise, declaring Him King, while the Pharisees resisted and the city itself remained blind. In Luke 19, Jesus doesn't just receive worship. He weeps. Because while people were celebrating what He had done, they failed to recognize who He truly was. They wanted a Savior on their terms, not a King who would bring peace through surrender. The tragedy wasn't His arrival; it was their inability to see it. “You missed your day of visitation.” This message calls us to examine our own hearts. Are we responding to Jesus for what He can do for us, or are we surrendering to who He is? From the prophecy of Zechariah to the cry of creation itself, everything points to a King who is worthy of more than surface-level praise. He is worthy of our full attention, our full devotion, and our full surrender. Because in His presence is fullness of joy, and the greatest loss is not rejection, it's indifference.
As Jesus enters Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna,” the crowd expects a political liberator, but He comes as a humble Savior riding on a donkey, bringing a kingdom not of this world. Will we still worship Him when He doesn't fit our plans? Discover how Jesus fulfills prophecy, defeats sin through the cross, and invites us to receive Him as our true Savior King—and consider who in your life needs to hear this good news today. Title: Hosanna Series: For the One Text: John 12:12-19 Speaker: Josh Branham
The crowds wanted a conqueror. Jesus gave them a cross. He rides in—not on a warhorse, but on a donkey. Not with a sword, but with tears for the city. Jesus unplugs everything we think we know about victory. He enters not to take power but to give His life. Are you ready for a King who undoes your categories? Because He didn't come to meet your expectations—He came to save your soul.Support the show~ Changing lives with Jesus! Facebook | YouTubeInstagram @dscsienna
Deaconess Dehlia and Olivia Connors partake in conversation with members from the band Ordinary Time. Primarily, they discuss one of Ordinary Time's songs that St. John will sing on Easter Sunday. The latter part of the conversation also shifts into thought about leading worship, music style, and more. We hope this conversation serves as a helpful teaser to get ready to sing of our bodily resurrection grounded in the hope of our risen Savior. Email | podcast@stjohndublin.orgChurch Website: stjohndublin.orgChurch Center: stjohndublin.churchcenter.com‘Around the Sermon' episodes are off-topic episodes where we do not review a sermon within our conversation but explore various other topics and sit down with other guests for interview. Thank you for listening to the Post-Sermon Podcast.Text Your Questions & Comments Here!
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260329dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:4-9 The Heavenly King Took Our Place It is a sad reality that you and I sin against our God every day. Because we sin, we don’t deserve to be in heaven in the presence of God for all eternity. And the alternative is not pretty. But God loves us, his creation, and took action to change what we deserved because of our disobedience. God, the ruler of all things, sent his Son, Jesus, into the world to be among us for a purpose. Instead of being an earthly king, Jesus lived a humble life and kept all of God’s laws for us. Then, even though innocent, he suffered and died for us. After three days, Jesus rose from the grave to show his power over death and the devil for us. Now you and I, by faith, can look forward to spending eternity in heaven because of our perfect substitute, Jesus. Because of what our King Jesus has done for us, we can shout with the crowd on the first Palm Sunday, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” In our excitement, we exclaim, “Blessed is he who came in the name of the Lord!” Prayer: Jesus, may your Spirit work in me the joyfulness to praise you for being my substitute and assuring me of heaven with you 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.
Taste and See that the Lord is Good UOL Retreat in Philadelphia PA on 3/28/2026 In this episode, we look at how the Church's pre- and post-Communion prayers prepare us not just to receive the Eucharist, but to be changed by it. They help us see our need, turn us toward God, and then teach us how to carry His presence into daily life. Communion becomes not just something we receive, but something we learn to live. --- PRE-COMMUNION PRAYERS (UOC-USA PRAYER BOOK) Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Glory to You, our God, glory to You. Prayer to the Holy Spirit О Heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things. Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every impurity and save our souls, O Good One. Thrice-Holy Hymn Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times) Small Doxology Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Prayer to the Holy Trinity All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (3 times) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. The Lord's Prayer Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our Daily Bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (3 times) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Invocation to Jesus Christ Come, let us worship God, our King. Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King and our God. Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. Psalm 22 The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He settles me in a place of green grass; beside restful water He leads me. He restores my soul; He guides me on the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. For even if I walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because You are with me. Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil and my cup overflows. Behold, Your mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord for the length of my days. Psalm 23 The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, the world and all who live in it. For He has founded it above the seas and prepared it above the waters. Who will ascend into the mountain of the Lord and who will stand in His holy place? One whose hands are harmless and whose heart is pure, who has not received his soul in vain and has not sworn deceitfully to his neighbor. He will receive blessing from the Lord and mercy from God his Savior. This is the kind who seek the Lord, who seek the Face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, you rulers and be lifted up, you eternal doors and the King of Glory will come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. Psalm 115 I kept my Faith even when I said I am greatly afflicted. I said in my amazement: "Every person is a liar!" What shall I give to the Lord for all that He has given me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord, in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Lord, I am Your servant – and the child of Your handmaiden. You have burst my bonds apart. I will offer to You the sacrifice of praise and I will call upon the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, Jerusalem. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluiа, alleluia, glory to You, our God. (3 times) Tropar, Tone 8 Lord, born of a Virgin, overlook my faults, purify my heart and make it a temple for Your Spotless Body and Blood. Cast me not from Your presence for You have infinitely great mercy. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;How can I who am unworthy, dare to come to the Communion of Your Holy Things? For even if I should dare to approach You with those who are worthy, my garment betrays me, for it is not a festal robe and I shall bring about the condemnation of my sinful soul. Lord, Lover of mankind, cleanse the pollution from my soul and save me. Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.Great is the multitude of my sins, Birth-Giver of God. To you, Pure One, I flee and implore salvation. Visit my sick and feeble soul and intercede with Your Son and our God, that He may grant me remission of my sins, for You alone are blessed. First Prayer – Saint Basil the Great Lord and Master, Jesus Christ our God, Wellspring of Life and Immortality, Maker of every visible and invisible thing, Co-eternal and Co-everlasting Son of the Everlasting Father: in the abundance of Your Goodness, You were incarnate in these latter times, and crucified and buried for us ungrateful and graceless people. Through Your own Blood You have renewed our nature corrupted by sin. Immortal King, though I am a sinner, accept my repentance, incline Your Ear to me and hearken to my words. I have sinned before heaven and before Your Countenance and I am not worthy to gaze upon the immensity of Your Glory. For I have provoked Your Goodness, I have transgressed Your commandments and I have not obeyed Your ordinances. But, Lord, since You do not remember evil, but are long suffering and have great mercy, You have not given me over to destruction for my lawlessness, but have continually awaited my conversion. For You, Lover of Mankind have said through Your prophet, "I desire not the death of sinners, but that they may turn from their evil ways and live." Because You do not wish, Master, that the work of Your Hands should perish, neither, do You take pleasure in the destruction of humanity. Rather, You desire that all people should be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth. Therefore, even I, though I am unworthy of heaven, earth and of this transitory life, having given myself completely to sin becoming a slave to pleasure and defiling Your Image – yet being Your creation – I despair not of my salvation in my wretchedness. But, emboldened by Your infinite Compassion, I draw near. Therefore, Loving Christ, receive me also as You received the harlot, the thief, the publican and the prodigal. Take away the heavy burden of my sins, You Who take away the sins of the world, Who heal all human infirmity, Who call to Yourself those who are weary and heavy-laden, granting them rest. You came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Cleanse me from every stain of flesh and spirit and teach me to achieve perfect holiness in fear of You, that receiving my share of Your sacred things, I may be united to Your Holy Body and Blood and may have You dwell and abide in me with the Father and Your Holy Spirit. Yes, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, may the partaking of Your Most Pure and Life-Giving Mysteries bring me not to condemnation, nor may I partake unworthily of them. Grant that I, even to my final breath, may receive my share of Your sacred things without condemnation and thereby receive communion with the Holy Spirit as a provision for the journey to eternal life and an acceptable defense before Your Dread Judgment Seat. Lord, grant that I, together with all Your elect, may also be a partaker of immaculate good things which You have prepared for those who love You, with whom You abide and are glorified to the ages. Amen. Second Prayer — Saint John Chrysostom Lord my God, I know that I am not sufficiently worthy that You should come under the roof of the house of my soul, for it is entirely desolate and fallen in ruin and You cannot find in me a worthy place for Your head. But, as You humbled Yourself from on high for our sake, humble Yourself not to the measure of my lowliness. As You took it upon Yourself in the cave to lie in the manger for dumb animals, so take it upon Yourself now to enter into the manger of my ignorant soul and into my defiled body. Since You did not disdain to enter and eat with sinners in the house of Simon the Leper, so take it upon Yourself to likewise enter also into the house of my humble, leprous and sinful soul. As You did not cast out the harlot, a sinner much like me, who came and touched You, so have compassion on me, a sinner, coming to touch You. Since You did not detest the kiss of her sin-stained and unclean mouth, detest not my mouth, which is stained even worse and more unclean than hers as well as my sordid, unclean and shameless lips, nor my even more unclean tongue. Let the fiery coal of Your Most Pure Body and of Your Precious Blood bring me the sanctification, enlightenment and strengthening of my humble soul and body, a relief from the burden of my many transgressions, protection against every operation of the Devil, an aversion and hindrance of my base and evil habits, a mortification of my passions, an accomplishment of your Commandments, an increase in Your divine Grace and an entrance into Your Kingdom. For I do not come to You, Christ my God, in presumption, but having been given full confidence by Your Ineffable Goodness, I approach, lest I stray far from Your communion and become the prey of the wolf of souls. Therefore, I pray, Master Who alone are Holy; sanctify both my soul and body, my mind and heart and my emotions and affections. Renew me entirely, implant Your Fear in my members and make Your sanctification indelible within me. Be my helper and foundation, govern my life in peace and make me worthy to stand at your right hand with Your saints. Through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother, the pure and immaterial Powers that always serve You and of all the saints who have been well pleasing to You from the ages. Amen. Third Prayer – Saint Simeon the Translator Only Pure and Spotless Lord, Jesus Christ, Wisdom of God, Peace and Power: moved by Your ineffable mercy and love for all mankind, You took up our whole nature from the chaste and virginal blood of the one who wondrously conceived You through the coming of the Holy Spirit and by the favor of Your Eternal Father. In that nature you took it upon Yourself to undergo Your life-giving and saving Passion – the cross, the nails, the spear and death itself. Mortify in me the soul-destroying passions of the body. As you despoiled the dominion of Hades in the tomb, bury in me the spirit of evil. You raised fallen Adam through Your life-bearing Resurrection - so raise me for I am immersed in sin and counsel me in the ways of repentance. You made divine the flesh You assumed and honored it on Your Throne at the Right Hand of the Father in Your Glorious Ascension. By the communion of Your Holy Mysteries make me worthy of a place at Your Right Hand with the saved. You made Your sacred disciples precious vessels by the coming of the Comforter, the Spirit – confirm me also to be a receptacle of His Coming. You promised to come again to judge the world in righteousness – grant that I shall go to meet You in the clouds with all Your saints. For You have made and formed me that I may unceasingly praise and chant hymns to You with Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Fourth Prayer – Saint Simeon the Translator Christ my God, as though standing before Your Dread Judgment Seat which does not regard personalities awaiting judgment and rendering an account of the evils I have committed: so today before the day of my condemnation appears, I stand before Your Holy Altar in Your Sight and in the Sight of Your awesome and holy angels. Bowed low by my own conscience, I offer my wicked and lawless actions, triumphing over them by declaring them. Lord, I know my iniquities have increased beyond the number of hairs on my head. The multitude of Your loving kindness is immeasurable and the mercy of Your Goodness and Forbearance beyond description and there is no sin which overcomes Your love for all mankind. Therefore, all marvelous King and merciful Lord, cause Your wondrous mercy to touch even me, a sinner. Receive me, a sinner, as I return to You, as You received the prodigal, the thief and the harlot. As You received those who came at the eleventh hour unworthily, so receive me also, a sinner. I know that You will set these sins I have committed before me and require an accounting of the sins which I have knowingly and unpardonably committed, but neither convict me with fitting judgment, nor chastise me in Your Anger. Lord have mercy on me for though I am weak, I am also the work of Your Hands. You have granted me to revere You, Lord, but I have done evil in Your Sight. Against You only have I sinned, but I beg You, Lord, judge not Your servant for if You will severely mark iniquity, who will survive it? For I am in a sea of sin and am neither worthy nor sufficient to behold and gaze upon the height of heaven for the multitude of my innumerable sins. Who will raise me up? Who has fallen into such evils and transgressions? Lord God, in You have I hoped. Have mercy on me, God, according to Your great mercy and do not reward me, as my deeds deserve. Rather convert, uphold and deliver my soul from the evils implanted in it and from fearsome designs. I will praise and glorify You all the days of my life. For You are the God of those who repent and we glorify You with Your Father without beginning and Your All Holy, Good and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Fifth Prayer – Saint John of Damascus Lord and Master Jesus Christ our God, You alone have the power to absolve sin. Because You are Good and love all mankind, forgive all my iniquities committed in knowledge or in ignorance. Make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Your divine, glorious, pure and life creating Mysteries, that I may incur neither punishment nor an increase in my sins, but receive cleansing, sanctification, a pledge of the Life and the Kingdom to come, protection, an aid, a turning aside of my adversaries and the blotting out of my many transgressions. For You are a God of Mercy, Loving Kindness and Love for all mankind and we glorify You Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Sixth Prayer – Saint Basil the Great Lord, I know that I partake unworthily of Your Pure Body and Your Precious Blood, my Christ and my God. Yet emboldened by Your Loving Kindness I come to You for You have said, "Those who eat My Flesh and drink My Blood abide in Me and I in them." Therefore, be merciful, Lord and do not rebuke me, a sinner, but deal with me according to Your mercy. And let these Holy Things afford me healing, cleansing, enlightenment, protection, sanctification of soul and body, the averting of every fantasy, evil practice and operation of the devil which works within me. Let them give me confidence and love for You, amendment of life and perseverance, an increase in perfection and virtue, the fulfillment of Your Commandments, communion of the Holy Spirit and a provision for the journey to eternal life and an acceptable answer at Your Dread Judgment Seat, but neither for judgment nor condemnation. Amen. Seventh Prayer - Saint Symeon the New Theologian From lips besmirched and heart impure, from unclean tongue and sin stained soul, receive my pleas, my Christ. Neither overlook my words, my way of speech, nor my annoyingly persistent cry. Grant me the boldness to express all the things for which I long, my Christ, and teach me all that it is fitting for me to do and say. More than the harlot have I sinned. When she learned where You were visiting she brought myrrh, boldly came there and anointed Your Feet. As You, Divine Word, did not cast her out when she came in eagerness of heart, detest me not. Rather give me Your Feet, I pray, for my embrace and my kiss. With the torrent of my tears, as with an ointment of great price, let me dare to anoint them. Purify me, O Word, in my own tears and cleanse me with them. Forgive my errors; grant pardon, for You know the multitude of my sins. You also know the wounds I bear. You see the bruises of my soul. Yet You know my faith, You see my eager heart and hear my sighs. From You, my God, Creator and Redeemer, not one tear is hidden, nor even part of one. Your Eyes know my imperfection, for in Your Book are found those things which are yet unfashioned. Behold my lowliness; behold how great is my weariness. Then God of the entire world, grant me release from all my sins, that with a clean heart and conscience filled with holy fear and a contrite soul, I may partake of Your most pure and spotless Mysteries. The one who eats and drinks with a pure heart has life and divinity. For You have said, my Master, that "those who eat of My Flesh and drink of My Blood do indeed abide in Me and I am likewise found in them." My Master and my God, this saying of Christ is completely true. For one who shares in these Divine and Deifying Graces is not alone, but is with You, Christ, the Triple Radiant Light Who enlightens the whole world. You see that for this I have drawn near to You with tears and contrite soul. Thus, I dare to hope in Your good deeds for us, I partake – both rejoicing and trembling – for I am but grass in fire and behold, a strange wonder! I am refreshed with dew, beyond all words, just as in ancient times the bush burning with fire was not consumed. Therefore, thankful in mind and heart, thankful with all my body and all my soul I worship You, magnify and glorify You, my God for You are blessed both now and to all the ages. Amen. Eighth Prayer - Saint John Chrysostom Lord Jesus Christ, my God, absolve, remit, forgive and pardon me, of all the errors, transgressions and trespasses which I have committed before You – whether in knowledge or in ignorance, in words, deeds, thoughts or intentions. Through the intercession of Your All-Pure Mother, Your heavenly hosts and all the saints, who through the ages have been faithful to You, count me worthy to partake without condemnation of Your Holy and Precious Body and Blood for the healing of both soul and body and for the elimination and the cleansing of my evil thoughts. For Yours is the Kingdom, the Power, the Glory, the Honor and the Worship of the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Ninth Prayer – Saint John of Damascus I stand before the doors of Your temple and I refrain not from evil thoughts. But You, Christ my God, justified the tax collector: You showed mercy to the woman of Canaan and opened the Gates of Paradise to the Thief. Open to me the depths of Your love for all mankind and receive me as I draw near and touch You, even as You did the harlot and the woman with the issue of blood. The latter merely touched the hem of Your garment and immediately received healing and the former, clinging to Your Pure Feet, obtained the release from her sins. But, I in my pitiful state, dare to receive Your Whole Body. May I not be consumed, but receive me even as You received those others and enlighten the feelings of my soul, cleansing my sins; through the prayers of the one who gave You birth without seed and of the heavenly powers, for You are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen. POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS (UOC-USA PRAYER BOOK) Glory to You, O God! (3 times) Lord my God, I thank You that You have not rejected me, a sinner, but have allowed me to be a partaker of Your Holy Things. I thank You that You have permitted me, though unworthy, to have a share in Your Most Pure and Heavenly Gifts. Master and Lover of Mankind, Who for our sake died and rose again and gave us these Awe-inspiring and Life-giving Mysteries for the benefit and sanctification of our souls and bodies: let these Gifts be for the healing of my own soul and body, for the averting of every adversary, the illumination of the eyes of my heart, the peace of my spiritual powers, an unashamed faith, an unfeigned love, the realizing of wisdom, the observance of Your Commandments, the receiving of Your Divine Grace and the inheritance of Your Kingdom. Preserved by them in Your holiness, may I always be mindful of Your Grace, no longer living for myself, but for You, our Master and Benefactor. May I then pass from this life in the hope of Eternal Life and attain to the Everlasting Rest where the voice of those who feast is unceasing and the unending delight of those who behold the beauty of Your Face is inexpressible. For You, Christ our God, are truly the ineffable joy and desire of all those who love You and all creation sings Your praise to the ages of ages. Amen. Second Prayer following Communion By Saint Basil the Great I thank You, Christ, Master and God, King of the Ages and Maker of All Things, for all the Good Gifts You have given me and especially for the participation in Your Most Pure and Life-creating Mysteries. Therefore, I pray, Gracious Lord, Who loves all mankind, that You preserve me under Your protection and beneath the shadow of Your Wings. Grant that even to my final breath, I may partake worthily and with a pure conscience of Your Holy Things for the remission of my sins and for Eternal Life. For You are the Bread of Life, the Wellspring of Holiness, the Giver of all Good and we glorify You, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Third Prayer following Communion By Saint Simeon the Translator You Who willingly give Your Flesh to me as Food, Who are a Fire burning the unworthy; let me not be consumed, my Creator. Rather, enter into all my members – my joints, my inner being and my heart. Burn the thorns of my iniquities. Purify my soul and sanctify my reasoning. Strengthen my joints and bones. Enlighten my five senses. Bind me completely with reverence for You. Always shelter, guard and keep me from every soul-corrupting word and deed. Cleanse, purify and harmonize my being. Beautify me, grant me understanding and enlighten me. Show me to be the Habitation of Your One Holy Spirit and no longer the abode of sin, that having become Your Dwelling Place because of the Communion of Your Holy Mysteries, every evil deed and passion may flee from me as from fire. As intercessors, I bring all the Saints: the leaders of the Bodiless Hosts, Your Forerunner, the Most Wise Apostles and with them, Your undefiled, Most-pure Mother. Accept their prayers Christ, my Merciful One and make me a Child of Light. For You, Good One, are the only Sanctification and Enlightenment of our souls and to You, as God and Master, we worthily render glory day by day. Amen. Fourth Prayer following Communion May Your Holy Body, Lord Jesus Christ our God, be for me Life Eternal and Your Precious Blood for the remission of my sins. May this Eucharist grant me joy, health and gladness. At Your Dread Second Coming make me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the Right Hand of Your Glory, through the intercessions of Your All-pure Mother and of all Your saints. Fifth Prayer following Communion To the Birth-Giver of God All Holy Lady, Birth-Giver of God, light of my darkened soul – my hope, my shelter and refuge, my consolation and joy; I thank you for accepting me, the unworthy one, as a communicant of the Most-pure Body and Precious Blood of your Son. In that you gave birth to the True Light, enlighten the intellectual eyes of my heart. As the one who carried the Fountain of Immortality in your womb, enliven me, slain by sin. Merciful Mother of the Most-merciful God, full of loving kindness, have mercy on me, grant me contrition and compunction of heart, humility in my thoughts, and the ability to recall my reasoning from its captivity. Make me worthy, until my final breath, to receive the sanctification of the Most Pure Mysteries without condemnation, for healing of soul and body. Grant me tears of repentance and confession, that I may chant hymns and glorify You all the days of my life, for blessed and glorified are You to the ages. Amen. Master, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (3 times) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our Daily Bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Depending upon which Liturgy was celebrated, one of the following Tropars and Kondaks are said.Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom Tropar, Tone 8 Grace shining forth from your mouth like a beacon has enlightened the universe, disclosing to the world treasures of generosity and showing us the heights of humility. Since you instruct us by your words, Father John Chrysostom, intercede with Christ God, the Word Himself, to save our souls. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Kondak, Tone 6 From heaven you received divine grace and by your lips you teach all to worship the one God in Trinity, All-blessed and Venerable John Chrysostom. Worthily do we extol you, for you are an instructor who reveals things divine. Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Liturgy of Saint Basil the GreatTropar, Tone 1 Your voice has gone out to all the earth and it has received your word. By it you taught divine doctrine making the nature of things, which exist, clear and giving good order to human behavior. Venerable Father and Royal Priest Basil, intercede with Christ our God, that He may save our souls. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Kondak, Tone 4 You appeared as an unshakable foundation of the Church passing down an inviolate dominion to all mortals, sealing it with your teachings, Venerable Basil, revealer of Heaven. Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.Bohorodychnyi, Tone 6 Protection of Christians not put to shame, unwavering Mediation before the Creator; despise not the prayer of sinners, but because you are good, quickly come to help us who call on you in faith. Be swift to intercede and make haste to supplicate, Birth-Giver of God, who always protects those who honor you. Lord, have mercy. (12 times) More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim. You, Who without defilement did bare God the Word, true Birth-Giver of God, we magnify You. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen Lord, have mercy. (3 times) Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Spring Lake Church – DowntownSermon: The Courageous ChristTeacher: Jack GuerraPassages: John 18:1-27“The Courageous Christ” with Pastor Jack Guerra explores John 18:1-27. In the face of betrayal and arrest, Jesus shows courage as Lord who freely gives Himself, Savior who faithfully speaks the truth, and patient Redeemer when others fail. This message points us to Christ's strength, faithfulness, and grace even in suffering. We're glad you're here—come grow with us.springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer
Spring Lake Church – BellevueSermon: The Courageous ChristTeacher: Bill Van KirkPassages: John 18:1-27“The Courageous Christ” with Pastor Bill Van Kirk explores John 18:1-27. In the face of betrayal and arrest, Jesus shows courage as Lord who freely gives Himself, Savior who faithfully speaks the truth, and patient Redeemer when others fail. This message points us to Christ's strength, faithfulness, and grace even in suffering. We're glad you're here—come grow with us.springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer
This took place to fulfill what was spoken . . . “‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a . . . colt, the foal of a donkey.'” — Matthew 21:4-5 God reveals his faithfulness over time. We might not see it right away, for the Lord's ways are not our ways, and God works according to his own time table. Years before Jesus came riding into Jerusalem as King, God gave Zechariah the prophet an impression of that scene, and Zechariah proclaimed it and wrote it down (see Zechariah 9:9-11).In this world, kings and rulers come in splendor and power, not on a donkey and with no army. From the beginning of history, though, God worked to prepare his people to understand that he wanted a relationship with them. And although they strayed and wandered in sin—again and again— God kept pursuing his people.Our text today focuses on what has become known as Palm Sunday, the beginning of the week in which Jesus made himself known as the world's Savior and King. But he didn't look like the king the people expected to see, and he was soon rejected, crucified, dead, and buried. But then he rose again the next Sunday morning, conquering death for our sake! Once again, the faithful one, God, did more than anyone could think or imagine.Even the people closest to Jesus did not see what was unfolding. The key to this puzzle was that Jesus would not be deterred from his mission to save us. He took on the curse of death for all in order to bring life to all who believe. God, thank you for preparing through the years for Jesus to come. Remind us this week of the wonder of your unchanging faithfulness. Amen.
Stop trying to pay off a debt that Jesus already nailed to the cross. In this message, "The Receipt In His Hands," we confront the uncomfortable reality that our attempt to be a "good person" is spiritual bankruptcy when measured against God's perfect holiness. While we focus on fighting minor battles, Jesus didn't just take a stand—He took a cross, providing permanent, physical evidence of what our freedom truly cost. We explore Colossians 2 to understand how He canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, taking our handwritten I.O.U. and nailing it to Calvary. The scars in His hands are the ultimate "Paid in Full" receipt, proving the transaction is finished. It's time to stop living on a Spiritual Payment Plan of Guilt and embrace the absolute, undeniable freedom that comes from a Savior who has already paid your bill.
“Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Luke 9:23-24 NLT If you glorify God on Friday, God will glorify you on Sunday. If you lift your pain higher than your Savior, your pain will define you. But if you lift Jesus higher than your pain, Jesus will redefine your pain
Send us Fan MailNot one drop of Christ's blood is wasted and if you really believe that, it changes how you breathe. We lean into a doctrine many Christians crave but rarely hear stated without apology: assurance of salvation is not a personality trait, it's the logical outcome of an effectual Savior who actually saves his people and keeps them.We talk about why certainty matters, what it would mean if Christ's blood were shed for someone who ends up in hell, and why fear-filled Christianity quietly trains us to doubt God's power. Then we pivot to urgency: hell, repentance, and the uncomfortable love of warning people who are drifting toward judgment. We challenge the “don't talk about religion” rule and push back on the idea that proclaiming the gospel belongs only to pastors or men. If we're Christians, we open our mouths.Along the way we walk through Job, Satan's wager, and God's protective hedge, then test the question head-on: can a true believer curse God? We bring Scripture into it, including 1 John 5:13, Romans 10:17, and Hebrews 1:3, and we frame salvation as an irrevocable gift that cannot be returned, revoked, or overwritten. If this conversation sharpened you, subscribe, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tell us what gives you the strongest assurance of eternal security?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!
Read OnlineAnd when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:10–11The commemoration of our Lord's Passion has begun. Today, Mass begins with the reading of Matthew's account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Riding on a donkey, Jesus is greeted by a very large crowd who “spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road” (Matthew 21:8). The people welcomed Him with shouts of: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9).The word “Hosanna” in Hebrew means, “Save us, we pray!” Though it was originally a plea for deliverance, it became an expression of praise and joy, especially as it came to be associated with the Messiah's arrival. The phrase “Hosanna in the highest” calls for God, enthroned in Heaven, to bring His saving power to earth. The crowds' acclamation reveals both a hope for salvation and a recognition of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.During Passover week, Jerusalem's population increased several times over with pilgrims from across Israel. The atmosphere was vibrant with religious fervor and communal celebration. Merchants sold sacrificial animals, food, and provisions to the crowds. Central to the festivities was the Temple where sacrifices were offered and the Passover lambs were prepared for the sacred meal. Roman authorities increased security, wary of potential unrest, as the commemoration of Israel's liberation from Egypt stirred hopes of national deliverance. The Jewish authorities were also on high alert, concerned that any disturbance might provoke harsh reprisals from the Romans.Imagine the excitement, concern, and surprise that many of the religious and Roman leaders felt as large crowds professed their belief in Jesus as the Messiah. Was Israel's deliverance at hand? This public acclaim highlighted why some saw Jesus as a threat. The Pharisees, in particular, feared that His messianic identity might undermine the religious authority to which they clung. Most of them dismissed the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah they awaited.Jesus, however, had a very different understanding of the Passover that year. He knew it was the time for His hour of suffering and death, leading to His glorification. He had no interest in political maneuvering. His sole desire was to fulfill His mission as the Messiah by becoming the one perfect Lamb of Sacrifice whose blood would atone for the sins of many. Jesus was determined and confident as He rode into Jerusalem. Though He knew the suffering that awaited Him, His gaze was fixed on His mission of saving souls. In His sacred humanity, He overcame every temptation to fear or anxiety, allowing peace, strength, and joy to fill His heart.Not only is Jesus our Savior and the one Mediator between God and us, His human life perfectly models how we are to live. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem especially models for us how we are to face every difficult situation that tempts us to fear and anxiety. His courage must become our courage, and His determination our determination.Reflect today on Jesus' interior disposition during His triumphal entry. He invites us to share in His sacrificial love, laying down our lives selflessly for others. This is only possible if we allow His virtues to take root in us every time we are called to imitate His love. As we embrace our own mission, we must not allow fear or anxiety to hinder us. Pray that the courage, peace, and steadfast love that Jesus embodied during that first Holy Week may flourish in your heart. Let go of fear, worry, and selfishness, and allow Jesus' love and strength to fill you, so that His mission may continue through you and, with our Lord, you may lay down your life for others.Sacrificial Lamb of God, You entered Jerusalem as the new and perfect Lamb of Sacrifice, whose blood would be shed for the salvation of all who turn to You. Please open my heart, dear Lord, to receive all You wish to bestow upon me. Fill me with the virtues You possessed, so that my life will be united to Yours and Your Sacrifice will become alive in me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Jesus on Palm Sunday Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT) A Christian father who was terminally ill called his three sons to his bedside. To his two sons who were believers, he said, “Goodbye, my sons. I will see you in the morning.” Turning to his third son, he simply and sadly said, “Goodbye, my son.” The young man was deeply disturbed. He said, “Father, why is it you said to my brothers, ‘I will see you in the morning,’ and you only said to me, ‘Goodbye, my son’? Why didn’t you say you would see me in the morning, too?” His father replied, “Son, you have never asked Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Savior and Lord. And that is what breaks my heart the most. I will never see you again.” That son began to ask his father how he could be saved, how he could see his father again. His father told him how. The son prayed and received Christ into his life. Then his father said, “Now our family will be together in eternity.” That can happen for everyone who has put their faith in Christ. It will be a great reunion one day in the future. But what does the unbeliever have to look forward to? Judgment after death and a miserable, empty life on earth. There might be some fun in sin—for a while. But payday comes. The hard truth about eternal life is found in the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death” (NLT). That’s why believers are called to share the gospel far and wide, as the Christian father in the story did with his son. In what’s known as the Great Commission, Jesus gave His followers these instructions: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT). Eternal life is the hope believers cling to when the things of this life start to overwhelm us. There’s a reason that John 3:16 is perhaps the best-known passage in all of Scripture. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus still resonate powerfully today: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (NLT). If you do not commit your life to Christ, ultimately you will look back on your life and realize that you wasted it. But don’t wait until the end of your life to figure that out. Figure it out now. Reflection question: Who in your life needs to hear the hard truth about eternity? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It can feel like death made a decision for you… like a line was drawn and someone you love is now on the other side of it. When your child is no longer walking beside you, it doesn't just feel painful—it feels final. Like no one stopped it. Like death had the last word. But what if that's not the full story? In this episode, we step into what Jesus actually did when He faced death—and why that changes everything about how you see your child's story. If you've been trying to reconcile what you believe about God with what you've experienced, this conversation will meet you right in that tension and gently begin to shift it. In this episode, you'll discover… What it really means that Jesus chose death—and why that matters for you Why death feels like it has the final say… and what Scripture reveals instead How "it is finished" changes the way you understand your child's story The truth about separation, eternity, and what has already been settled If you've been struggling to make sense of the silence and the separation, I invite you to lean in today. You don't have to carry the weight of these questions alone, and you don't have to settle for easy answers. There is a hope that is stronger than the grave, and a Savior who has already settled the debt once and for all.
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260328dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:15-17 Living by the Spirit There is probably nothing more important to a child’s well-being than having loving and caring parents. When children feel safe, cared for, and nurtured, they tend to be more obedient, perform better in school, and learn how to build relationships with others. However, when children live in constant fear of a parent, just the opposite often happens. They suffer in school, have low self-esteem, and find it difficult to trust others. God gave us life by his Spirit when he led us to trust in his Son, Jesus. This gift of his Spirit changed our relationship with our heavenly Father. The apostle Paul says it this way: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship.” Without God’s Spirit in our hearts, we would fear God and have nothing to look forward to except his judgment on our sin. But the Spirit leads us to see Jesus—the one who became our sin, so that we could be God’s forgiven children. Right now, we can be confident that God loves and cares for us as we await the glorious inheritance, he has waiting for us. This wonderful truth not only changes our future, but it changes our present. Instead of living as slaves to our sinful nature with nothing but death as our future, we can live as God’s grateful children, making the most of every opportunity to thank our Father. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help me to always remember that through Jesus, I am your dear child and you are my dear Father. 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.
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Seeing Through Anguish of Spirit by Autumn Dickson In our last post, we talked about how Moses turned to the Lord in despair. He had done what the Lord asked and told Pharaoh to free the Israelites. In response, Pharaoh gave them more work. Moses blamed himself and asked the Lord why He had been so cruel to His own people. In chapter 6, we get to read the Lord's response to Moses. He comforts Moses with assurances. He tells Moses that it's not over; Pharaoh will relent, and the Israelites will yet be free. The Lord then tells Moses to go and share this with the Israelites. Moses does so, and this is how the Israelites respond. Exodus 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. The Israelites were suffering so much that they had a difficult time believing that Moses would deliver them. There is a lot of depth here. Let's cover the first beautiful principle: The Lord saved them anyway. The Lord still kept sending Moses back. He kept sending miracles. He kept reaching out to those in bondage. He kept shining a light on them. Despite their lack of belief (which disbelief continues on even after the miracle of parting the Red Sea), the Lord kept reaching. He kept moving forward in saving them. There are two parallels here. Parallel one: The Savior suffered for all of us, not just the people He knew would accept His atonement. He didn't look at each of us ahead of time and decide to only suffer for the people who were going to accept the saving. He suffered for everyone. Even those who did not or would not believe. Parallel two: The Lord doesn't wash His hands of us. Even when we wash our hands of Him (which is rather ironic), He doesn't throw us over. When He steps back, it's not due to annoyance or giving up. Stepping back is also one of the ways He reaches for us and tries to get us to see the truth of things. The Israelites get a pretty bad rap throughout the Old Testament. They turn from the Lord frequently. They get distracted. They get the doctrine wrong and miss the mark. They were also slaves. Their “cruel bondage” led to “anguish of spirit.” I'm not sure I would have fared much better had I been placed in their shoes. I think that's partially why the Lord didn't throw them off with the golden calf incident after showing them an incredible miracle with the Red Sea. The Lord knew what they were facing and what they were truly capable of. As a society, the Israelites didn't know who they were anymore. They didn't know the Lord or His goodness. Because of what they had been through, they didn't have any sense that there was an all-powerful Being who might care for them and care about where they ended up. They had a long way to go, and it started right here. They couldn't find it within themselves to hope for deliverance through Moses, and so it started with the Lord sending miracles anyway. Here is the second beautiful principle. Their salvation was standing right in front of them even if they couldn't see it. They were so broken that they couldn't see their salvation. No judgment. I'm sure I would have been in a similar place had I been a slave. And yet, there is an implication for us here. At what point have we reached “salvation?” When do we get to say, “I'm here. I've arrived. I'm saved.”? I'm not sure there is a definitive level where you get to state that you're saved. I think there are varying levels of salvation. Let's talk about some of those different points of salvation. Salvation 1: The Savior promised He was coming. The people don't know it. This is where we're at in the Old Testament. Moses, their deliverer, is standing in front of them. He has been foreordained to save them, but they don't know it. They're too lost to feel it. Interestingly enough, despite the fact that Moses technically hasn't saved them yet, it's as good as done when it comes to the Lord. If He has promised it, it's as good as if it's done, and so yes, this is a type of salvation. The Israelites are saved! Moses is here! Even if they don't see it, they're saved. Salvation 2: The Savior promised He was coming, and there are people who do know it. This is the next level, and we see this in The Book of Mormon. The Savior promised He was coming and would save; there are people who believed that so thoroughly that they acted as though He had already come. They believed so thoroughly in His ability to fulfill His promises, that it was as good as done, and they rejoiced. Salvation 3: The Savior came and did His work, but the people don't know it yet. We see this all the time. This is as if Moses had opened the gates of Egypt, and there were people too busy slaving away for masters who no longer stood over them that they missed it. The Savior has come, but there are many who don't know it. This happens in the church and out of it. Even when we've been baptized and follow the commandments, sometimes we still don't understand that we've been saved. Salvation 4: The Savior came and did His work, and the people know it. This one is self-explanatory. The Lord won, and we know it. This is the ultimate form of salvation. I bring this up because there are two sides to the coin of salvation. There is the portion with Christ. There was a period of time before He came where His salvation was still a promise. That promise was as good as though it had already been done. When it comes to this side of the coin, we were always saved. But then there is the other side of the coin. Is salvation really salvation if we can't enjoy it? Have we truly been saved if we're still miserable because we don't trust Him or because or our actions? It takes a long time for the Israelites to truly be saved. They make it out of Egypt, but they have not yet reached joy. They don't know that the Lord is going to take care of them and lead them to that promised land. In that sense, salvation is a spectrum. And let's bring that full circle. The Israelites didn't yet believe. They were in so much despair that they couldn't bring themselves to believe. The Savior was going to keep sending miracles until they could see it. He paid for the salvation, and then He continues to reach out on top of it. He reaches and reaches until we finally see that the gates have been unlocked. Where are you on the spectrum of salvation? The Savior has saved you. Do you see it? Do you see Him ready to lead you out of Egypt? Let Him heal the brokeness from the slavery. Let Him provide for you in the wilderness. Believe in His salvation so much that it's as if you're already in the promised land. I testify that the Savior's promises are solid. They are coming. We don't have to live in despair even now because we have been taught what comes next. Even in our darkest moments (because dark moments aren't evil), there is hope to temper it. We can rejoice. And if we're still getting run over by life and can't seem to lift up our heads and believe it, then hang tight. The Lord is sending miracles anyway until we do see it. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Exodus 1–6 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.
In this monologue episode, LDF host Dan Wotherspoon shares some of his recent thinking about the ways Western Christianity has misinterpreted (or ignored) his actual teachings in such a way that we have the rise of Christian Nationalism, increased Patriarchy, name calling, scapegoating, devastating harm to individuals and families, and the notion that Christians have the right to pass judgment on everything! Dan approaches these issues by first asking if Christianity is right about its views that the primary problem in the world is sin (particularly individual sin), which therefore requires a "Savior" to overcome the effects of it and allow us to be "saved." Dan takes us through a fast survey of other religious traditions that don't see "sin" as the primary problem. Eastern traditions don't talk about it in any depth, naming instead things like people being out of harmony with the Tao, out of balance with one's surroundings, suffering because crave things to go the way we want them to but never will, etc. These traditions produce many adherents who are transformed, who see clearly, act harmoniously, are compassionate, eschew violence, and so forth. We Christians might say they are "Christlike," yet we know they became so without any thought of "sin" and "Saviors." So how do we see Jesus and his work differently? As we read scripture, we see that he proposed the two great commandments as forms of "Love." Wholehearted, fully conscious, love. He teaches of the virgins who were able to enter into his presence and why they were allowed. His responses to the temptations in the wilderness reveal much about him and what he is about, while also suggesting for us that we meet the challenges in our lives and fearfulness in the same way. He talks about the Kingdom of God being "within" us--not "out there" or a place to go to. And much more. Listen in! See if he makes a compelling argument that Christianity's ability to transform us in Godlike ways requires us to see Jesus and his actual messages in new ways.
What would make someone sweep the whole house, light a lamp, and search relentlessly for a single missing coin? In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explores Jesus' parable in Luke 15:8–10 and reveals a detail many miss: in Jesus' day, a woman's ten-coin headdress (a semdi) signified her engagement—so losing one coin wasn't minor inconvenience, but a public heartbreak and deep shame. That intensity, Jesus says, pictures how precious you are to God and how far He will go to seek the lost. But there's a sobering twist: unlike the lost sheep, the lost coin is missing at home. Dr. Youssef warns that church attendance, Bible studies, and religious familiarity cannot save anyone. Without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a person can be just as lost sitting in a pew as someone far from church. Jesus ends with joy: heaven celebrates one sinner who repents. If you've assumed proximity to Christian things equals salvation, this devotional invites you to respond to Christ personally—and be part of the celebration. Prayer: Father, thank You for Your sacrifice to save me. May I not lose sight of You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. Today's MY Devotional has been provided by Leading The Way. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.
Some people talk to their plants. But what do you say to a bacterium? Evidently, the soybean plant knows just what to say to make bacteria its close friend and helper.Symbiosis means a relationship between two different creatures in which they both help each other. Plants need nitrogen for healthy growth. However, while there is more than enough nitrogen in the air, plants normally can't make use of that nitrogen. Legumes, like soybeans, link up with bacteria that are able to take nitrogen from the air and turn it into a form of nitrogen that plants, including the soybean, can use. In return, the plant creates a nice home for the bacteria in nodes in its roots and provides the bacteria with food.The bacteria need a great deal of oxygen and energy to fix nitrogen into the soil. The oxygen is supplied by heme. If that name reminds you of the hemoglobin that carries oxygen in blood, you're on the right track. That's why the heme in the nodules turns them reddish. Who makes the heme, the soybean, or the bacteria? When alone, neither creature has any heme. Researchers have learned that the plant performs the first part of the chemistry needed to make heme and the bacterium finishes the job. The plant and the bacterium actually communicate chemically with each other so that production goes smoothly!Communication between such different creatures, allowing them to perform sophisticated chemistry to improve both of their lives, shows how inadequate evolution is to explain life. This arrangement surely glorifies the Creator!Ephesians 2:8-9“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”Prayer: Dear Father, without Your communication to me in Your Word, my life would be without the cleansing benefits of my Lord and Savior's blood. I thank You that my salvation is without my effort, which could never be enough. Amen.REF: Pennisi, E. Intimate chemistry of a symbiotic odd couple. Science News. Image: Root Nodule (Electron microscope image of a cross section through a soybean. Bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum symbiosis), Louisa Howard, Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility, PD, Wikimedia Commons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111
Easter is just around the corner, and this week I'm getting thoughtful about how we experience and understand Holy Week. Why are so many of us in the Church increasingly focused on Easter as a season, not just a one-day celebration? I share some personal reflections on what Easter means to me, and why this time of year draws my heart back to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of forgiveness.But here's the twist: Have we misunderstood how repentance and forgiveness work? I unpack the common belief that repentance is the "price" we pay for forgiveness—and why I think that's totally missing the point. Inspired by insights from teaching BYU-Idaho Pathways students and reading Elder Andersen's The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, I explore the idea that forgiveness isn't something we earn. Instead, repentance becomes the way we turn our hearts toward God, not just a checklist to wipe the slate clean.As you head into Holy Week, I invite you to rethink what it means to atone and be forgiven. It's not about groveling or hoop-jumping—it's about daily change, sincere turning, and becoming someone who loves the Savior more deeply.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/Check out my new podcast: The Unstuck Career podcast athttps://kenwilliamscoaching.com/listen
https://square.link/u/UHRU92rp - Donate HereLuke 23:26–56 brings us to the cross, where even in His final moments, Jesus is still praying.In this episode, we see a Savior who doesn't just suffer—He intercedes. From “Father, forgive them” to His final surrender into the Father's hands, Jesus shows us that prayer is not reserved for peaceful moments, but is most powerful in the place of pain. Along the way, we witness compassion for others, salvation offered to a dying criminal, and complete trust in the Father's plan.This passage reveals a Savior who stays connected to the Father all the way through suffering—and invites us to do the same.When life presses in, don't pull back. Pray like Jesus.
Even when you feel lifeless, remember that in Christ your spirit can revive and grow, just like a tree that sprouts again from its stump. -------- 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.
Often referred to as the gospel prophet, Isaiah's description of the suffering and death of Jesus is powerful and moving. Isaiah 53 tells the story of Christ's passion and is the subject of this episode of John Bradshaw's ongoing series, “Great Chapters of the Bible.” Isaiah 53 still speaks of a gracious Savior. Don't miss “Great Chapters of the Bible: Isaiah 53.”
Share this program with a friend or family member at www.joniradio.org! --------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.