Podcasts about Savior

What do you do when your sins feel too heavy to carry, when your closest friends turn against you, or when you look at the world and wonder why the wicked seem to prosper while the faithful suffer? In Psalms 49–101, the psalmists give voice to our rawest cries, leading us from the depths of personal brokenness straight into the healing sanctuary of God. Summary: In this moving exploration of Psalms 49–101, we walk through the second major collection of the Hebrew Psalter. Moving between searing prayers of confession and breathtaking anthems of praise, these chapters provide an emotional and spiritual compass for every trial of mortality. The Agony of Confession: We dissect Psalm 51, David's brokenhearted plea after Nathan confronted him regarding Bathsheba. We examine what it means to offer a "broken and a contrite heart," asking God not just for a pardon, but to "create in me a clean heart". The Sting of Betrayal: In Psalm 55, we explore David's lament over being betrayed not by an open enemy, but by an equal and trusted companion—a passage that powerfully foreshadows Judas's betrayal of Jesus Christ. Envy and the Sanctuary Perspective: We study Asaph's crisis of faith in Psalm 73, where his feet almost slipped while envying the ease of the worldly—until he entered the sanctuary of God and understood their end. Tears in a Bottle & God's Memory: We dive into Psalm 56, discovering the tender truth that God numbers our wanderings, stores our tears in His bottle, and never leaves us to face mortality alone. Divine Potential and Council: We analyze Psalm 82, exploring the divine council and the Savior's quotation of verse 6 ("Ye are gods") to understand the balance between human humility and divine heritage. Entering His Gates with Praise: We conclude with the exuberant joy of Psalm 100, examining the seven invitations to worship and the remarkable story of how the Spirit prompted B. H. Roberts to read this exact psalm in a moment of public trial. Call-to-Action: When your heart feels overwhelmed, David pleads: "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2). What verse or phrase from Psalms 49–101 has served as your anchor during seasons of spiritual disorientation? Share your favorite psalm and personal insights in the comments below. To keep your gospel foundation anchored and "Unshaken," please like, subscribe, and share this video! Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 5:09 Worldly Wealth (49) 12:41 Covenant Renewal (50) 26:12 A Plea for Forgiveness (51) 48:58 Wickedness, Doubt, & Disloyalty (52-55) 1:05:41 Pleas for Help, Mercy, & Vengeance (56-58) 1:14:16 Innocent Suffering, and a Call to Arms (59-60) 1:22:33 Rocks, Wings, Walls, Water, & Weapons (61-64) 1:37:20 Thanksgiving, Finding Family, & the House of the Lord (65-68) 2:01:25 Messianic Psalms & Deep Waters (69-72) 2:18:38 Envying the Wicked, Apostasy, & the Bitter Cup (73-76) 2:29:43 Dealing with Depression (77) 2:40:28 Learning from the Past (78) 2:52:25 Planting & Renewing (79-81) 3:00:07 Gods in Embryo (82) 3:07:24 Redemptive Turbulence & the Temple (83-84) 3:15:40 Mercy & Truth's Kiss (85-87) 3:26:00 Work for the Dead & Wayward Children (88-89) 3:40:20 Long Life, Safety, & Sanctuaries in Time & Space (90-94) 3:57:05 Enthronement Hymns & Psalms of Celebration (95-99) 4:10:51 The Thanksgiving Psalm (100) 4:16:16 Conclusion

John Zmirak, Eric Metaxas. Movie About Christian Resistance to the French Revolution, J.J. Carrell- Immigration Stats,  Destructive Darwinism, The Growing Case for Intelligent Design.   John Zmirak The Eric Metaxas Show John ZmirakThe Eric Metaxas  Aug 19 2026  Today On The Eric Metaxas Show, John Zmirak joins Eric to challenge the standard Darwinian account of human origins and discuss the growing case for intelligent design. They examine whether Christians can truly reconcile evolution with Genesis, why Zmirak believes Darwinism undermines the biblical understanding of humanity, Francis Collins and theistic evolution, and the cultural consequences of teaching that human life arose through unguided processes.  John Zmirak Joins0:26 Intelligent Design Vs. Darwinism3:29 Creation Or Evolution?5:11 Were Humans Really Descended From Apes?6:29 Can Christians Reconcile Genesis And Evolution?9:16 Why Darwinism “Multiplies Faith By Zero”11:40 Eric's Encounter With Francis Collins17:14 Deism, Providence, And The American Founders23:05    ----------------------------------------------------------- jjcarrellpolitics• Follow https://www.instagram.com/reels/Dblbbn-SMTw/   --------------------------------------------------------------------- Streaming movie recommended by John Zmirak- https://victoryordeathmovie.com/   When everything you value is on the line, when all you love and believe in is at stake, there's no other choice but to fight for it. Victory or Death Fight for Faith. Fight for Family. Fight for Freedom. --------------------------------------------------------------- Article by John Zmirak- New Book by Chaberek, Greene Probes Evolution as a “Catholic Dilemma” John Zmirak August 5, 2026 Evolution, Faith & Science I recently returned from a two-week wildlife safari through Zimbabwe and South Africa. I visited Victoria Falls, which dwarfs Niagara, the extraordinary Table Mountain, and several wildlife reserves including Kruger National Park. The jeep rides through the brush yielded close encounters with female lions shepherding their cubs, male lions sleeping off meals, a leopard in a tree crunching the skull of an impala, herds of piously maternal elephants — only one of which came close to charging us — and a dozen other species of predator or prey. The high point, I'll confess, was one wildlife encounter in particular: when a troop of baboons charged the outdoor diners at The Black Marlin in Cape Town, driving them to flee, so the apes could stuff their faces with pilfered pasta. Sadly, I was sitting inside, so all I could do was cheer the hairy creatures on from through the window. Privacy Note: On play, Google may track viewers. YouTube's Privacy Policy. The Book of Nature I hope that I'm sufficiently grateful for this encounter with the baroque, sublime abundance of biology that our planet is privileged to host — alone, so far as we know, among the billions of planets. Gratitude should be aimed at a giver, and it was reading the works of Discovery Institute authors that made this easier for me. I could wonder at the tiny penguins that somehow survive in the Mediterranean climate near the Cape of Good Hope, or the birds that live symbiotically with wildebeests by feeding on bloodsucking insects, without the deflating idea lurking in the back of my mind, “This all the result of blind chance and iron necessity, with no crafting intelligence behind it.” Instead, I saw works of art, and found myself thanking the Artist. I was reading the Book of Nature, and seeing in it glimmers of divine action, intention, and generosity — as “natural philosophers” did from Kepler and Newton to Pasteur and Mendel. Back when I unreflectively adhered to the theistic (really deistic) evolution that's preached in most Christian pulpits, I accepted the notion that God was somehow behind every aspect of the cosmos. If pressed, I would have said that God had “guided” or “instigated” the emergence of extraordinary creatures like the zebras that stared at our jeep, the elegant kudus that capered past us through the veldt, the wild dogs that seemed at once so alien and so familiar that it was tempting to hop out and try petting them. (“Do not attempt this,” I was informed by our solemn African guide.) But all of life was at best a convoluted Rube Goldberg contraption, which Someone had set in motion then stepped away to observe. God even had humans in mind — deciding, for some reason, to slowly evolve His earthly image through a long chain of predecessor species, until at some point He chose to implant both rationality and immortal souls in creatures who'd mutated in and then emerged from the womb of an animal. I used to speculate about how that allegedly worked, and how I could reconcile it in some fashion with the Genesis account of God making man directly from the dust of the earth, and woman from his side. I remember thinking, lamely, “Maybe they were identical twins … and He switched Eve's sex before the ape gave birth to them?” Then I stopped bothering, encouraged by modern priests who treat not just Genesis but most of the Old Testament as mostly wholesome mythology, akin to that found in Bulfinch or Edith Hamilton. Christianizing Darwinists Obeying the dictum of 19th-century “Higher Criticism,” Christianizing Darwinists aim to explain away every claim of miraculous action — from the direct creation of man to the parting of the Red Sea, from Jesus' virgin birth to even his Resurrection. I was taught in high school that the last, most crucial Christian miracle, amounted merely to the “ongoing presence” of Jesus in his apostles' hearts and minds. Big whoop. In that sense, Adolf Hitler is still sadly with us. (If you want an account of how and why biblical critics crafted such blinders, read Scott Hahn and Benjamin Wiker's magisterial Politicizing the Bible, which I edited for publication.) Priests, theologians, bishops and even (recently) popes have responded to the popular triumph of Darwinism by dismissing most of the events recounted in Genesis as purely allegorical and moral. Keen to avoid being tarred as “fundamentalists,” and encouraged by some cautious leeway granted to evolutionary thinking by popes such as Pius XII and John Paul II, most Catholics have eagerly accepted that Darwin's theories fully explain the emergence of every living species, even man. Otherwise-orthodox believers have made this intellectual concession, convinced that “the science” is irrefutable, so the theology must make room for it. But what if, in fact, the science is very shaky, and the implications for a Christian worldview profoundly toxic? Those are the questions asked and convincingly answered in a new book, Creation or Evolution? A Catholic Dilemma. It's written in an extremely engaging format — a series of questions posed by science journalist Steve Greene and answered by theologian Rev. Michael Chabarek, O.P. It was Chaberek's previous book, Aquinas and Evolution, that convinced me to take intelligent design seriously, and embark on the journey through the works of Stephen Meyer, Michael Behe, Douglas Axe, and many others — to my profound intellectual and spiritual enrichment. This new book is every bit the equal of Chaberek's earlier work. He lays out the serious evidential weaknesses in the Darwinist claim to have explained the appearance of human beings by incremental mutations from previous apelike species. (For much more detail than this book offers, see Science and Human Origins, from Discovery Institute Press, which Chaberek cites.) He explains how circular logic and wishful thinking pervade the claims of paleontologists to have discovered non-human ancestors for our species, with periodic claims to have found a “missing link” based on tiny bone fragments of indeterminate origin. False First Principles But Chaberek's main focus is not on empirical flaws or gaps in the Darwinist account. Instead, he focuses on the false first principles that motivate, even compel Darwinists to invent their “just so” stories in the first place. Here's a sample of the straightforward, plain-speaking way that the authors convey key philosophical issues: If man did not come from the ape, then how did he come into existence? First, let us consider whether sciences such as paleontology and genetics are actually capable of providing an answer to this question. If man came into existence naturally, then, yes, because science explains the workings of nature. But if man came into existence supernaturally, that is, by the action of divine power exceeding the power of nature, then science cannot explain the beginning of man. Therefore, whether science can provide an answer to this question does not depend on scientific research, but on the previously adopted religious or philosophical assumptions. Chabarek argues convincingly that secularist and materialist assumptions precede and determine the scientific work of Darwinists, essentially forcing them to deny evidence of design, and to make impossible claims for the creative power of mutations — despite the overwhelming odds against blind chance happening upon even a single useful new protein in the entire history of life on earth (as Douglas Axe showed in exhaustive experimental detail in his book, Undeniable). When such bias-inducing reductionist assumptions migrate from the research papers of laboratory scientists into the works of Christian leaders, the consequences are even more baleful, Chabarek warns. If such a central question as the origin of the only rational species, the “image of God,” is to be surgically excised from the domain of religious authority and turned over to materialist scientists, what is to stop that same debunking impulse from undermining every mystery of faith? Should we leave Sarah's miraculous conception of Isaac to the gynecologists, the parting of the Red Sea to the oceanographers, and the resurrection of Jesus to the biologists? That's the inexorable logic of Christians who cling to Darwinist explanations of the “descent of man” from ancestral apes. Far better, Chabarek advises, for Christians who accept a long series of miracles and mysteries as entailed in the redemption of humanity to also make room for the Bible's literal account of the miracle of his creation — from the dust of the earth, by the hand of God. John Zmirak John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism. His newest book is No Second Amendment, No First. To read articles from John Zmirak visit- https://chroniclesmagazine.org/author/johnzmirak/   Endorsed Charities -------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Born! Saving babies and Souls. https://preborn.org/ OUR MISSION To glorify Jesus Christ by leading and equipping pregnancy clinics to save more babies and souls. WHAT WE DO Pre-Born! partners with life-affirming pregnancy clinics all across the nation. We are designed to strategically impact the abortion industry through the following initiatives:… -------------------------------------------------------- Help CSI Stamp Out Slavery In Sudan Join us in our effort to free over 350 slaves. Listeners to the Eric Metaxas Show will remember our annual effort to free Christians who have been enslaved for simply acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Savior. As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, join us in giving new life to brothers and sisters in Sudan who have enslaved as a result of their faith. https://csi-usa.org/metaxas   https://csi-usa.org/slavery/   Typical Aid for the Enslaved A ration of sorghum, a local nutrient-rich staple food A dairy goat A “Sack of Hope,” a survival kit containing essential items such as tarp for shelter, a cooking pan, a water canister, a mosquito net, a blanket, a handheld sickle, and fishing hooks. Release celebrations include prayer and gathering for a meal, and medical care for those in need. The CSI team provides comfort, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on while they tell their stories and begin their new lives. Thank you for your compassion  Giving the Gift of Freedom and Hope to the Enslaved South Sudanese -------------------------------------------------------- Food For the Poor https://foodforthepoor.org/ Help us serve the poorest of the poor Food For The Poor began in 1982 in Jamaica. Today, our interdenominational Christian ministry serves the poor in primarily 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Thanks to our faithful donors, we are able to provide food, housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief, micro-enterprise solutions and much more. We are proud to have fed millions of people and provided more than 15.7 billion dollars in aid. Our faith inspires us to be an organization built on compassion, and motivated by love. Our mission is to bring relief to the poorest of the poor in the countries where we serve. We strive to reflect God's unconditional love. It's a sacrificial love that embraces all people regardless of race or religion. We believe that we can show His love by serving the “least of these” on this earth as Christ challenged us to do in Matthew 25. We pray that by God's grace, and with your support, we can continue to bring relief to the suffering and hope to the hopeless.   Report on Food For the Poor by Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/592174510   -------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer from ACU. We try to bring to our students and alumni the World's best Conservative thinkers. All views expressed belong solely to the author and not necessarily to ACU. In all issues and relations, we hope to follow the admonitions of Jesus Christ. While striving to expose, warn and contend with evil, we extend the love of God to all of his children. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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The Antichrist. Armageddon. The Beast. 666. For centuries, the book of Revelation has fascinated, frightened, and confused Christians, but what if we've been so focused on decoding its mysteries that we've missed its main message? The Revelation is a 3-month journey through the Bible's final book, exploring its controversial prophecies, warnings to the Church, and breathtaking vision of the future. Along the way, we'll separate Scripture from speculation and discover that Revelation wasn't written just to make us afraid of what's coming. It was written to reveal Jesus Christ - the King who reigns over all other powers, the Lamb who conquers evil, and the Savior who promises that pain, death, and darkness won't have the last word. The future belongs to Jesus, and that should change how we live right now.

The stories you tell yourself can shape the direction of your life.In Take Back Your Story, we look at how to focus on what's good, give people grace, recognize the progress God has already made in you, and stop letting every thought control the story.But what do you do when the voice in your head just won't stop?Watch to find out.▶SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernHillsLV▶Do you know Jesus as your Savior? https://www.southernhillslv.com/the-gospel▶ DONATE: https://pushpay.com/g/southernhills?src=hpp&r=monthly▶ Visit Southern Hills: https://www.southernhillslv.com/▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernhillslv▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernhillslv/Pastor Josh Teis is the founder and senior pastor of Southern Hills Church in Las Vegas. He has a Masters Degree in Bible Exposition from Pensacola Theological Seminary, and he is a Master of Divinity with Liberty University. He coaches pastors in practical leadership and time management and is a nationally sought-after speaker.

What does it take to raise kids who stay connected to God and build a faith that lasts? In this message from the Connected series, Pastor Trey Hildebrant explores Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and God's vision for parenting in a world filled with competing influences. Through the practical framework of modeling, moments, and milestones, discover how everyday conversations, intentional teaching, and meaningful celebrations can help shape the hearts of the next generation. Whether you're raising young children, investing in adult kids, or preparing for parenthood, this encouraging message offers practical steps to help your family stay rooted in what matters most and lead your children to love their Savior and their neighbor with a faith that becomes their own. Based on Deuteronomy 6:1-9, this sermon reminds us that small, consistent choices today can have an eternal impact on the future of our families. For additional resources go to: https://www.firstorlando.com/parent/ (08/23/2026)

* Big Time Fossils: Dr. Woetzel explains de-evolving entropy since the flood and why animals and plants might have been quite a bit larger before the flood. * Dinosaurs & Dragons in the Bible: What's the deal with the Bible talking about dragons instead of calling them dinosaurs? And what happened to the Dinosaurs anyway? * August is Telethon Month! Go to our store, buy some biblically oriented science material and sponsor a show to help RSR stay on the radio in Denver advocating the Biblical truths of creation and salvation on Youtube! * Not So: Pick up a copy or two of RSR's 2nd in our series of Real Science Radio Teaching Books: "The List of Not So Old Things.," with all the "not so old things" Bob Enyart compiled over the years! * In The Beginning: Order your 9th edition of Walt Brown's amazing, enlightening, biblically sound book explaining why Earth (and the solar system) look the way they do! * Sun Puzzles: Check out another one of Ellen McHenry's intriguing and enlightening books: Sun Puzzles - on all the curious facts about the Sun that point to an electric, (and not a nuclear) sun. * Jesus Light & Design: Get the first in our series of Real Science Radio Teaching Books, all about how light and design point to Jesus Christ as the Creator and Savior of the world.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes (00:00) The historical background and purpose of the Psalms.(02:14) Many scholars assert that several of the Psalms were used in Israel's temple worship, especially during the first temple period. They can be divided into hymns of praise, pleas for help or laments, and thanksgiving songs.(08:44) Some LDS scholars see the setting of the Psalms directly connected to the temple.(15:13) In Psalm 1 the Tree of Life is seen, similar to Nephi's dream in 1 Nephi 8-11.(17:14) Psalm 2 is an enthronement Psalm. The king is set on a holy hill in Zion and is adopted as a Son of God.(20:36) By making a covenant with God, the king is given the promise of invulnerability. This is both literal and symbolic.(23:35) Psalm 8 depicts God's glorious creations. We are central in his creations.(26:21) “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels”. The original Hebrew text states that man is “a little lower than the Elohim.”(29:28) Psalm 19 emphasizes the laws of the Lord, portraying the law as “sweeter than honeycomb.”(31:37) Psalm 20 is a plea for help. We receive increased divine attention when we go to the temple.(33:02) Psalm 21 portrays the king receiving the requested blessing, as he comes before the Lord and receives a crown in his presence.(36:29) Psalm 22 describes the Messiah's battle with evil. We are given a glimpse into the Savior's struggle in Gethsemane and Golgotha as he cries out during the day and the night. Justin, in his dialogue with Trypho, connects the sufferer's cry in Psalm 22 with Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane.(42:28) Jesus, though mocked while on the cross, did not revile against those who ridiculed him.(45:31) The Bulls of Bashan compass the Messiah. His bones are out of joint, he is poured out like water, and his hands and feet are pierced.(51:36) The Savior's post-mortal ministry in the spirit world.(56:50) Psalm 23 shows the plan of salvation in the pattern of a three-act play. The rod or staff is an extension of God.(1:01:22) Changing the tenses of the verbs in Psalm 23 can provide additional application.(1:05:03) Psalm 24, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?” As we demonstrate our trust in Jesus and are cleansed, we are promised we will one day come into the Father's presence.(1:07:45) Psalm 24 as a depiction of the ascent of the king coming into the hill of the Lord, with the priests and the Ark of the Covenant.(1:08:58) Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm. Psalm 29 portrays God's victory over chaos as his “voice is upon the waters.”(1:12:00) Psalm 40 describes how the king's feet are established on the rock, a symbol of sacred kingship. The king prays for the tender mercies and the lovingkindness of the Lord.(1:15:48) The song of redeeming love.(1:20:14) Psalm 46, “Be still and know that I am God.” → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 385 | Psalms 1-46, Come Follow Me 2026 (August 17-23) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

Go to https://joniandfriends.org/volunteer/ to see how you can serve today! --------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.

It's Friday, August 21st, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian policed arrested 22-year-old for converting to Christianity Nigerian police arrested a 22-year-old woman for converting to Christianity from Islam, reports International Christian Concern. Though the Federal High Court ruled in her favor, the Christian family that helped her is facing false charges of kidnapping. In 2025, “Sarah” fled from her home in Kano State after her elder siblings tried forcing her into an arranged marriage with a Muslim. While she was on the run, a Christian family took her in and shared the Gospel with her. Through the Abaras family's witness, she gave her life to Jesus Christ.  When her siblings learned of her conversion, they began working with the local Hisbah, the Islamic police force, to track her down and arrest her.  Police discovered her and detained her for four days, during which they beat her and pressured her to return home and accept the Muslim-arranged marriage. When she was released, the Abaras family helped her escape to a neighboring state with less Muslim influence. Please pray for Sarah's safety and that her Christian faith would grow stronger. According to Open Doors, Nigeria, Africa is the seventh most dangerous country worldwide for Christians. Ex-Fauci adviser pleads guilty to concealing COVID-19 origins On August 18th, Dr. Anthony Fauci's former senior adviser pleaded guilty to plotting to conceal federal records related to research on the origins of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, reports the Associated Press. Dr. David Morens is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12 by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. Morens pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, a felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years. Morens is accused of using his private email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while employed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The Justice Department alleges that he concealed or destroyed records of discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including an effort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant. The indictment follows a probe by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic that scrutinized Morens' email communications and accused him of intentionally concealing records. In congressional testimony, Morens denied attempting to evade federal transparency laws by using his personal email. Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.” Senator Darline Graham performed poorly in Senatorial run-off debate On August 19th, NewsMaxTV hosted the South Carolina GOP Senatorial run-off debate between Senator Darline Graham, who was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster in the wake of the death of her brother Lindsey Graham, and Congressman Ralph Norman. When Greta Van Susteren asked a foreign policy question, it was clear that Senator Darline was out of her depth. Listen. VAN SUSTEREN: “Senator [Graham], are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States? If so, why?” GRAHAM: “Um. I'm sorry. Could you repeat the question?” VAN SUSTEREN: “Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States. And if so, why or how?” GRAHAM: “I'm just going to be honest here. I'm not on national security. I'm not that informed on national security. (audience boos and laughs) So, but I do support the military. My brother was in the Air Force for 33 years, so I will do everything I can to support the military. My dad was in the Army. “I'm not a polished politician up here. I'm … National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise. But I do support the military.” By contrast, Congressman Ralph Norman, her opponent in the South Carolina GOP Senatorial run-off, said this. NORMAN: “Taiwan's a definite ally. We have a trading relationship with them that is beneficial to the United States – [computer] chips being one of them, and others. “So, what the, what the president is doing right is he's enabling Taiwan to defend themselves against China. But it's peace through strength that he's showing with Iran that China, Russia, others are looking at it. They don't want to deal with America, and that's why they haven't attacked Taiwan. “If they had some weak Democrat in office, like Biden or another Obama, yeah, they'd take it over. But we can't let that happen. Peace through strength is working.” J.D. Vance believes Christian lifestyle suffices over verbal evangelism And finally, in a July 15th appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Vice President J.D. Vance, who converted to Catholicism from Protestantism, explained that he does not evangelize by word. VANCE: “You know, I don't preach to people. I don't, like, walk into the White House, tell my employees, ‘You know, you need to be, you need to follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior.' I just try to live my life in a way that hopefully makes people a little curious about what, you know, what motivates me and what inspires me.” Todd Friel, a reformed pastor in Atlanta, is the host of the Wretched Network which produces radio shows, TV shows, and books. He says the notion of wretched is at the very core of the Gospel because God saves wretches like us. Friel had this response to Vice President Vance. FRIEL:  “According to 1 Peter 3, that is true: We should live in such a way that it causes unbelievers, who are persecuting us, to ask about the reason for the hope that lies within us. That is most certainly true. “However, that is not the end of our responsibility. We are also called to make the most of every opportunity, to go and make disciples. It is our lifestyle that undergirds our confession, testimony, and evangelism. But a lifestyle is not evangelism itself.” Joe Rogan agreed with Vice President Vance. ROGAN: “I think living by example is probably the best promotion of any good way to live your life …” VANCE: “I agree.” ROGAN: “… whether it's Christianity or any other religion. I think that's definitely the way to do it.” Friel replied with this analysis. FRIEL: “It is a part of it. It does undergird our testimony, but how will they hear unless somebody preaches to them? In other words, evangelism requires words! Nobody can actually find a credible source of Saint Francis of Assisi, who said, ‘Share the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.' Well, it is necessary! Otherwise, you're just being a nice person.” Indeed, in Romans 10:14-15, the Apostle Paul asks, “How then will they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, August 21st, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Dr. John White continues the study of the Psalms, showing how scripture invites us to bring God our real, unfiltered emotions and revealing what it means that we have a Savior that weeps alongside us.YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/icCVU2CI4kAALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTESfollowHIM website: https://www.followHIM.coFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook WEEKLY NEWSLETTERhttps://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE:0:00  Part 2 - Dr. John White1:30 Baylor Choir3:08 Belonging before believing5:57 The Fixed Morning Psalm7:43 The body and soul9:27 The temple and the sanctuary11:12 Augustine and rightly-ordered love13:56 The body being shaped in worship16:38 Body and spirit are connected18:33 Deification and the divine nature20:33 Ritual and body25:25 Dr. John White's conversion at the Sacred Grove26:23 Elder Kim B Clark's counsel27:50 John's university backstory28:38 Telling his friends30:09 Opposition from his best friend32:02 Psalm 85: Mercy and truth kiss34:03 Zion and social justice35:29 “How Great the Wisdom and the Love”37:24 Zion as a place and a cause39:55 Psalm 86: Unite my heart41:57 Doubt and unbelief43:31 Consecration is the only surrender44:45 The full circle of deliverance and mercy47:20 A God who weeps51:48 End of Part 2 – Dr. John WhiteThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

Scripture reveals not only the power and authority of our Lord Jesus but also His heart as our compassionate Savior. Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the refining influence of reflecting on Christ's affections for His people. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/christ-a-man-of-feeling/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In the dimly lit restaurant, our waitress quietly took our orders with a solemn expression. But then a customer kindly gave her a writing pen that had a little flashlight built into it. He told her it was so she could “see in the dark.” Her face lit up and her demeanor changed to reflect joy. It was evident that she as delighted by the gift—clicking the light off and on. When she left our tables, the man smiled as he whispered to me: “I think she brightened up when I gave her the pen. It made her day!” The God-given gift of light certainly brightens our days. Jesus is the ultimate gift of light—“Light . . . come into the world” to save the world (John 3:16-19). God provided this Gift because He loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. When we receive Christ as our Savior, our sins are forgiven, and we experience fellowship with Him. Jesus brightens our lives for all eternity. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As believers in Jesus, we’re also to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). When we receive the gift God gave us through Christ, we walk in His light and “shine [our] light before others” (v. 16). As He helps us, let’s shine for Him today!

Visit www.joniradio.org for more inspiration and encouragement! --------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.

As he continues studying the life of Jesus, Pastor Jack Graham brings a powerful message today that serves as an encouragement to us all. God, in Christ, stepped into this world to show us His humanity. He literally got in the dirt to wash dirty feet, to speak to a woman accused of committing adultery. This Son of God, the Savior of the world, God in flesh, gets on the ground for us every day. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/395/29?v=20251111

Research suggests that you might want to be careful about what you say around babies. As every parent knows, young children are sponges that easily absorb knowledge from their surroundings. Now, there is research that indicates that by seven months of age, infants have already absorbed the basic rules of language.In this study, seven -month- old infants listened to a sequence of syllables in which the third syllable was the same as the first. One that was used was "ga to ga." After listening to different versions of the same pattern, the infants were given a new sequence in which the last two syllables were the same, such as "wo fe fe." Researchers found that babies looked in the direction producing new sequences much longer, showing curiosity and surprise at them. Further study of the infants' responses showed that they were responding to new sounds and not just changes in the pattern of syllables. This study supports the idea that we are born with brain circuits that are pre-wired to learn and use grammar, say researchers.The question for those who believe that we are the product of chance evolution is: How did we get pre-wired for learning and using grammar if we are the result of chance forces? The answer is, of course, that when God created us, He not only gave us the gift of language, but He gave us brains that are eager to learn language from infancy. Then he gave us His Word of salvation in Jesus Christ so that He would not lose us.Acts 2:6"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.”Prayer: I thank You for the gift of language, dear Father, and the ability to learn it so that I could learn of my Savior. Amen.Ref: B.B. “Follow the rules, baby,” Science News. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

Do the teenage years fill you with anxiety? Melissa Kruger says they don't have to. Your teen doesn't need fancy theology. They don't need you to be their Savior. They simply need you to follow Jesus and teach them the basics of life in Christ.As our thanks for your gift of any amount this month:Finding Beauty in Every Season."Finding Beauty in Every System: 30 Reflections to Start Your Day" invites women to begin each morning with quiet encouragement, biblical truth, and reminders of God's faithfulness through every season of life.Give today

In this episode of Richard Reacts, Richard Henry responds to viral claims about Israel, America, vengeance, and the role of Western nations in the Middle East.But instead of allowing geopolitics to determine how Christians think about Israel and the Jewish people, Richard goes back to Scripture. What exactly did God promise to Abraham? Who inherits those promises? And how should Christians understand the relationship between Israel, the nations, and Jesus Christ?Looking at passages including Genesis 12, Romans 15, Galatians 3, and Matthew 24, Richard challenges popular assumptions about Israel and biblical prophecy and argues that the ultimate hope of both Jew and Gentile is found not in ethnic superiority, national vengeance, or geopolitical power—but in Jesus Christ, the promised seed of Abraham and Savior of the nations.

Matthew 21: 28-32 But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. Which of the two obeyed his father? They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins. ———- So, Jesus tells this story and he asks us a question – “What do YOU think about this?” Really, what do you think about this? Are others who are doing far worse things than you ultimately better than you from a Heavenly perspective? In this culture, the fastest and surest way to refer to someone you would look down on is to associate them with two categories of people: Tax collectors or prositutes. Tax collectors were notoriously crooked and corrupt. They would steal from anyone for their own benefit. And prostitutes were considered the lowest of women, who made their living off other’s sins. So for Jesus to say both of these looked down on categories of people would get into the Kingdom of Heaven before them, it brought everyone who heard it down off their holy pedestal. Those listening thought they were righteous. Those listening thought they were better than others because they knew what to say and said it well. But Jesus essentially says, “It’s not what you say with your mouth – it’s what you refuse to do because of your twisted heart.” You say you will, but you don’t – Jesus is not impressed and he’s not pleased. Jesus is not saying sin doesn’t matter. He’s saying repentance matters more than reputation. The tax collectors and prostitutes Jesus is referring to had heard the Good News, they had believed it and they had changed. The religions people Jesus is talking to now had heard the same thing, watched it all happen, and refused to repent for themselves. The danger is when we don’t think we need a Savior. WE DESPERATELY NEED A SAVIOR. And when we know we need a savior, we surrender our lives and change our direction. The greatest barrier between you and Jesus may not be your sin. It may be your belief that you don’t have any. What you say you will do has no impact on God’s eternal work. Your words do absolutely nothing for you, for him, or for anyone else. It’s your changed heart that He is looking for. It’s your surrendered will that moves your feet even when your first response was to not go. Here’s the great news – God is more interested in your direction than your first reaction. The first son said no. He didn’t give the right answer. He didn’t sound spiritual. He didn’t politely say, “Absolutely, Dad!” He actually said, “No.” But then something happened. He changed his mind. (Girl, maybe you got it wrong at first, but God has given you time to change your mind!) Your first response doesn’t have to be your final response. You can say, “I’m scared. I don’t want to. I’m not ready. God, I don’t think I can.” AND GOD CAN STILL WORK WITH YOU!!!!! You don’t have to get the first response right. You just have to be willing to change your response. You know what that is? That’s grace. God isn’t looking for a perfect first response. He’s looking for a surrendered final response. I don’t know, maybe you’ve said no for 10 years. Maybe you’ve been running for a long time. Maybe you’ve resisted far more than you’ve surrendered. Maybe you’ve made some epically wrong choices. The Father is still standing in the vineyard saying, “Come work with me.” Jesus doesn’t praise the first son because he said no. He praises him because he eventually went. That’s repentance. Repentance isn’t simply: “I’m sorry I did that.” Repentance is: “I’m going somewhere different now.” You can cry and never change. You can apologize and never change. You can feel convicted and never change. You can know Scripture and never change. Repentance puts feet on conviction. Repentance is when your feet finally agree with what your heart has realized. Repentance is moving forward in obedience with what you’ve been delaying for so long. Did you know you can say “yes” to God with your mouth while saying “no” with your life. We can get all religious, and be radically wrong. The second son sounds perfect. “Yes, sir. I’ll go.” Beautiful answer. But then he doesn’t go. And Jesus is essentially saying: Don’t confuse agreement with obedience. We can become very good at Christian language. “I trust God. I surrender. God is good. I’m praying about it. I’m waiting on His timing.” But eventually, the vineyard requires you to go to work. There is a point where faith has to leave your mouth and enter your calendar. Enter your relationships. Enter your finances. Enter your habits. Enter your decisions. Enter your obedience. God isn’t impressed by the “yes” you say if your life keeps living “no.” Now, notice this about the story Jesus tells – These were both SONS of the Father. They weren’t hired workers. They were sons. They were close. And they were asked to work in the family business. The Father doesn’t say: “Go build your own vineyard.” He says: “Go work in MY vineyard.” That’s different. God has a work already happening. People need Jesus. Families need healing. The lonely need friendship. The hurting need someone to sit beside them. The lost need someone to point them home. The discouraged need encouragement. The next generation needs somebody willing to mentor them. And God says: “Come work with Me.” You aren’t trying to build God’s kingdom from scratch. You’re being invited into something God is already doing. Have you ever met someone who stepped into a successful family business? My son moved from Hawaii to Southern California last week. During his first morning on the beach, he ran into someone he knew from middle school. Our family lived in Carlsbad, California for exactly 1 year when the kids were growing up. For 1 year my son went surfing every day, my girls rode their bikes along the coast, and we thoroughly enjoyed the SoCal life. We couldn’t afford to stay, so we quickly moved away – but everyone remembers that one year with delight. So here my son is, back where he always wanted to be, now beginning a new life with his wife – and he runs into this old friend of his from middle school. He’s driving a $200,000 porche, still living on the beach, and working in the family business. His Dad started a technology institute and it grew wildly successful. So here’s this 27 year old young man who stepped right into riches. And then there’s my son. We have a pretty successful podcast that operates completely for FREE, refuses to sell advertisements, and intentionally dropped off all social media platforms. Here’s our family business which does NOT include a porche. Not all family businesses are the same. But have you ever stopped to realize that YOU have been invited into a family business that changed the entire world? A family business that saves lives. A family business that holds unseen treasure. A family business guaranteed to last forever, through the end of time?!!! There are family businesses where the inheritance looks like money. But our family business with the Father has an inheritance that can’t be measured in dollars. We get to participate in something eternal. How wild is that?!!!!!! And remember this – you’re not trying to earn your way into the family through your performance. YOU ALREADY BELONG TO THE FAMILY! The sons were already sons before the father sent them to work. We don’t work for God to become His children. We work with God because we are His children. We don’t work in the vineyard to earn the family name. We work in the vineyard because we carry the family name. You and I have been invited into a family business that cannot fail. Our Father is in the business of rescuing people. Healing people. Restoring people. Redeeming people. Bringing people home. And He doesn’t need us. He invites us. That’s the miracle. The God of the universe looks at you and says, ‘Come work with Me.’” Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

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.

God has given us His Spirit once we make Jesus our Lord and Savior to guide us in our everyday decisions. We need to walk with the Spirit continuously so that we are always in tune to hearing His direction and following His leading.

Move beyond a faith that claims Jesus as "Savior" but doesn't embrace Him as Lord.Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/generalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do your feelings get a vote when God has already spoken? From rejecting hell to claiming personal encounters with Jesus, Todd looks at why even sincere experiences can lead us away from truth—and why Scripture has to remain the final authority. Segment 1 • Why Todd believes leaving mentally ill and addicted people on the streets isn't compassion. • What his trip to Chattanooga revealed about homelessness and human dignity. • Why personal autonomy isn't always the most loving answer. Segment 2 • Jen Hatmaker says abandoning her belief in a literal hell was “the best thing” that ever happened to her. • Should Christians use the fear of hell when sharing the gospel—especially with children? • Why the gospel requires both the reality of judgment and the kindness of God in providing a Savior. Segment 3 • Kathie Lee Gifford says she's experienced Jesus speaking to her and encounters with the demonic. • Why Todd says Christians don't need personal experiences to confirm what Jesus has already revealed in Scripture. • Are Christians treating baptism with the same urgency we see in the book of Acts? Segment 4 • Why older Christian men cannot afford to coast spiritually or assume they're beyond serious sexual sin. • Massachusetts expands access to late-term abortion—and an abortion doctor says he'd perform one simply because a woman changed her mind. • A proposed law would require pornography websites to verify that users are adults. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

When life hits you with grief, disorientation, or feeling utterly forsaken by God, prose often falls short. The Book of Psalms gives us a sacred language to pour out our hearts—whether we are crying out "Help!", singing "Thanks!", or standing in awe of "Wow!" Summary: In this inspiring study of Psalms 1–48, we step out of historical analysis and into the sanctuary of the heart. Often called the "Preface of Jesus Christ," the Psalter offers a timeless collection of prayers, hymns, and prophecies that directly mirror the Savior's life, death, and resurrection. Music as a Lowest and Highest Gear: We explore how David's music soothed Saul's troubled soul and why singing the "song of the heart" is recognized by the Lord as a form of pure prayer. Tree Planted by the Waters vs. Chaff: We analyze Psalm 1, contrasting the deep-rooted disciple who meditates on God's law day and night with the wind-blown "chaff" of ungrounded philosophies. Psalms of Disorientation: We look at David's raw, unfiltered prayers during his lowest moments—such as fleeing from his son Absalom in Psalm 3—and discover how to hold onto hope when family relationships fracture. The Crucifixion Blueprint: We step into the agonizing Messianic prophecies of Psalms 21 and 22, discovering why Jesus uttered the opening line of Psalm 22 ("My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?") while hanging on the cross. The Good Shepherd & The Temple Gate: We savor the poetic imagery of Psalm 23 and the temple entrance requirements of Psalm 24 ("clean hands and a pure heart"). Be Still and Know: We conclude with the quiet sanctuary of Psalms 46–48, learning how to slow down, disconnect from constant distractions, and find Zion in our daily lives. Call-to-Action: The monk John Cassian counseled his brothers to recite the Psalms not as the words of David, but as "your very own prayer." Which verse in Psalms 1–48 felt like it was written specifically for your heart today? Let's share our favorite lines in the comments below. To keep your spiritual foundation deep and "Unshaken," please like, subscribe, and share this video! Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction to the Psalms 15:46 Instructional Psalm (1) 22:38 History & Prophecy, David & Absalom (2-3) 33:47 Pondering, Prayer, Penitence, & Precaution (4-7) 45:38 Psalms of Praise (8-9) 53:00 Trouble & Trust (10-14) 1:11:27 Worthiness, Loyalty, Sincerity, & Thanksgiving (15-18) 1:31:05 Creation, Law, & Victory (19-20) 1:35:47 Messianic Psalms, Gethsemane & Calvary (21-22) 1:56:31 The Lord Is My Shepherd (23) 2:05:44 The House of the Lord & Humble Petitions (24-25) 2:14:53 Temple Worthiness & Readiness (26-27) 2:32:42 Plea, Praise, & Prayer (28-30) 2:37:41 Deliverance for Christ & through Christ (31) 2:44:32 Confession, Hiding, & Hope (32-34) 2:55:53 False Witnesses & Wickedness (35-37) 3:04:30 Forgiveness, Relief, & Thanksgiving (38-40) 3:16:40 Breaking Bread & Thirsting after Water (41-45) 3:30:59 Songs of Zion (46-48) 3:38:42 Conclusion

He sat in the place of honor. He preached the gospel. He cast out demons. And Judas Iscariot still walked straight into the darkest corner of hell — without ever seeing it coming.In this episode, we dig into John 13 and Matthew 26–27 to answer a question every believer should wrestle with: what actually went wrong with Judas? It wasn't a single dramatic moment of rebellion — it was a slow, quiet hardening that looked a lot like normal Christian life right up until it didn't.We walk through four warning signs from Judas's life that show up in ours too:Loving money — how a small compromise (pilfering the money box) became a 30-piece-of-silver betrayalA seared conscience — why sin that once kept you up at night can eventually let you sleep like a babyRejecting the Savior's love — Jesus washed his feet and fed him bread, and Judas still walked out into the nightRemorse without repentance — the crucial, often-missed difference between feeling guilty and actually turning to Christ (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)We also contrast Judas's despair with Peter's repentance — two disciples, two failures, two radically different endings — and talk honestly about what it looks like to examine your own heart instead of pointing at someone else's.

Visit www.joniradio.org for more inspiration and encouragement! --------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.

Carol Kent joins Stephanie again to explore the themes of delight, lament, and defiance as we walk with God during life's hardest seasons. Drawing from personal tragedy and grief, Carol models a Christian posture of joy and hope rooted in God's character and presence rather than in circumstances. Holding on to God's presence in both sorrow and joy allows lament, defiant delight, and community to become pathways to deeper intimacy with Him—trusting always that “He is close to the brokenhearted.”Carol Kent begins by recounting profound personal loss: her son's incarceration for life after a tragic shooting, her sister's recent passing from cancer, and the death of a beloved mother-in-law. As Carol says, “If I were the author of my own life, I would not have written all of these chapters into it.” Deep sorrow, grief, and questions are inevitable in this life and unavoidable for the Christian as well. But delight in God can still exist, and even thrive, in the midst of this.Psalm 37:4 promises, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." It's the foundation for Stephanie's book, Awaken Delight, which Carol generously endorsed.  Carol clarifies that delight, unlike happiness, is not circumstantial or fleeting. Instead, it is the ongoing choice to “be at home” in God's presence, trusting that He is still good even when life falls apart. The Hebrew root of “delight” includes ideas of softness and pliability “being shaped by something”. This allows the believer to rest in God's love, even wordlessly, when strength or words run out.Lament is communal as well as personal. She describes the beauty of grieving with her siblings—sharing scripture, encouragement, and family memories during her sister Paula's dying days. Lament is rarely a single event, but a process that comes in waves. Honest lament involves asking hard questions of God and laying out our pain before Him, just as the Psalmists do.Stephanie, in her book and through this conversation, speaks of defiant delight: a courageous, deliberate act of standing in God's love and goodness even while fully acknowledging pain. It does not deny reality but declares that God's love, His delight in us, and His purposes are the final word.Practices for Cultivating DelightDaily Immersion in God's Word: Carol emphasizes reading Scripture before anything else. Breathing in God's truth enables us to breathe out hope to others.Community in Grief and Joy: Reaching out to others, sharing both joys and sorrows, strengthens communal faith.Hands-on Ministry: Serving others, especially “the least of these”—as when Carol brings hope to women inmates—multiplies joy, even in places of loss or pain.Prayer and Intercession: Praying for and with others, and inviting others to partner in God's work, turns both lament and delight into a shared experience.Delight and lament are communal, just as worship in heaven will be—our delight in God amplified through the delight of others. We experience this now, in part, as we partner together in prayer, service, and celebration, looking forward to perfect joy in God's presence.Application:Delighting in God is a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment discipline.It means allowing God's presence—not our circumstances—to define our identity and our peace.Defiant delight is chosen daily, sometimes breath by breath.It is strengthened by God's Word, community, and serving others.DISCOVER “AWAKEN DELIGHT” BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLEWhat you will (re)discover as you journey with God through Awaken Delight:Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him.Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.Delight in God is the missing engine behind resilience. It's the antidote to burnout. It's even the foundation for sustainable ministry.God's delight in you is secure, not performance-dependent. God's delight in you frees you from striving! That's the beginning of delight.Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.You can build a delight-centered spiritual life. Awaken Delight invites you to follow Scriptural truths and spiritual practices that cultivate daily joy in God.Purchase here: https://a.co/d/04Nyzr93 Discover more about the book at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight MORE ABOUT “HE HOLDS MY HAND” BY CAROL KENTHe Holds My Hand is a page-per-day 365-day devotional. Based on Scripture, this devotional is written as if God the Father is speaking His words of comfort and protection directly over you, based on the Scripture for the day..When Carol Kent's son was sentenced to life in prison without parole, Carol was consumed with grief, sadness, and despair. She was distraught wondering why God permitted this to happen. She had prayed for her son since he was a small child. He had been raised with biblical principles and daily prayer. As Carol tried to make sense of everything, she couldn't help asking, Where's God when it hurts so much?In the middle of her sorrow, Carol turned to the place where she had always gone for comfort―the Bible. She was desperate to hear God's voice. She soon discovered that the best way for her to “listen” to His voice was to meditate on Scripture and then write out what she believed He was saying. She wrote it as if it was His prayer over her life, and it comforted her. It was as if He took her by the hand, as a father would guide a child, and He gently led her in the direction of unconditional love, renewed hope, and fresh faith.Know without a doubt that God is with you and stands ready to protect and guide you. He holds your hand, and He won't let go. Listen to God's voice and put your hand in His. He is your Comforter, your Healer, your Teacher, and your Joy. Remember He holds your hand, and He won't let go.More at https://carolkent.org/books-by-carol-kent/ DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable.Delighting in God isn't sentimental optimism. It's deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus.It's the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JKind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God's delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you'll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie's joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie's love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

The most foundational doctrine of Christianity is that Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the son of God and the son of man. He was virgin born, conceived by the Holy Spirit. This does not mean God came down and was sexually intimate with Mary. It means it is a miraculous conception.Main Points:1. The virgin birth reveals the deity of Jesus. If Jesus is not God, then he could not save us. And if Jesus did not save you, you are still lost in your sins.2. Jesus was born as a man because he had to be a man to be our true representative on the cross. He had to be God because He is the only one capable of saving us.3. Do not let anyone tell you the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ is not an essential belief. It is absolutely essential. The virgin birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy and promise of God and it reveals the deity of our Savior.Today's Scripture Verses:John 1:14 - “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Isaiah 7:14 - “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Move beyond a faith that claims Jesus as "Savior" but doesn't embrace Him as Lord.Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/generalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Move beyond a faith that claims Jesus as "Savior" but doesn't embrace Him as Lord.Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/generalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

You can't count on your own faithfulness, because you'll fail, because you're human. But you can count on your Savior. Broadcast #7150To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

The Antichrist. Armageddon. The Beast. 666. For centuries, the book of Revelation has fascinated, frightened, and confused Christians, but what if we've been so focused on decoding its mysteries that we've missed its main message? The Revelation is a 3-month journey through the Bible's final book, exploring its controversial prophecies, warnings to the Church, and breathtaking vision of the future. Along the way, we'll separate Scripture from speculation and discover that Revelation wasn't written just to make us afraid of what's coming. It was written to reveal Jesus Christ - the King who reigns over all other powers, the Lamb who conquers evil, and the Savior who promises that pain, death, and darkness won't have the last word. The future belongs to Jesus, and that should change how we live right now.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260817dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The Sovereign LORD declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.” Isaiah 56:8 More Than Expected Have you ever thought of God as a gatherer? Isaiah 56 paints a surprising picture. The Lord is not content merely to bring back the exiles of Israel. He promises, “I will gather still others.” The gathering will be bigger than anyone expected. For centuries, God’s people might have assumed that the blessings of salvation belonged only to a certain nation and a certain family line. Yet God had larger plans. He intended to gather people from every tribe, language, nation, and people. He would gather outsiders, foreigners, and those who seemed far away from his promises. Through the coming Savior, God’s kingdom would expand far beyond the borders of ancient Israel. That promise includes us. Most of us are not descendants of ancient Israel. We were not standing at Mount Sinai when the covenant was given. Yet here we are, gathered among God’s people. We hear his Word. We receive his promises. We call upon Jesus as our Savior. How did that happen? Not because we found God. Not because we were wiser, better, or more spiritual than others. The Lord gathered us. Like lost sheep, we had wandered away. By nature, we were separated from God and hostile to him. Yet the Good Shepherd came looking for us. Through the gospel message, the Holy Spirit created faith in our hearts. Through baptism, God claimed us as his own. Through his Word, he continues to gather and keep us in the one true faith. What makes this gathering so remarkable is that it is completely unexpected. If anyone had predicted our spiritual future before God called us, they would have been wrong. Left to ourselves, we would never have chosen Christ. Yet God chose us. He sought us. He gathered us. So, when you wonder whether you belong among God’s people, remember who did the gathering. The Sovereign Lord himself brought you near through Jesus. The God who gathered Israel has gathered you, too. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for seeking me when I was lost and gathering me into your family of believers. 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.

For two thousand years, we've known Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, Lord and Savior. But somewhere along the way, another Jesus largely disappeared from view: Jesus the Teacher. In this message from a Sunday Gathering sermon, we explore what happened to that Jesus and why recovering him matters now. Drawing on Robert's forthcoming book, The Teacher: Reclaiming the Original Message of Jesus of Nazareth, we'll return to the Gospels and encounter a Jesus who taught an astonishing vision of how to be in this world and why it matters now. ___________________________ Since 1993, our purpose has been to help with both the theory and practical application of A Course in Miracles. We are the publisher of the Complete and Annotated Edition of the Course (known as the "CE"), which is available as a revised hardcover*, ebook*, and via Audible. Our work grows out of our commitment to be as faithful as possible to what A Course in Miracles says, years of dedication to walking this path ourselves, and a desire to see the Course's purpose realized in the lives of students and in the world. You are invited to download the free ACIM CE App to read, search, or listen to the Course wherever you are in the world, by following the instructions at https://acimce.app/ Whether you are new to ACIM or you've been a student for many years, you are welcome to join our online community and learning platform to access a vast collection of resources designed to help you understand and apply Course teachings in everyday life: https://community.circleofa.org/ To submit a question or suggest a topic for a future podcast episode, please email info@circleofa.org. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider subscribing and leaving a review, as this will help us reach other listeners. You are also welcome to make a donation to help support our work at circleofa.org/donate. *Amazon affiliate links

We all experience both good days and difficult ones. In this episode, we talk about how even our hardest moments can shape us into the people our Father in Heaven knows we can become. As we turn to our Savior, Jesus Christ, He can transform our stumbling blocks into stepping stones, helping us grow, heal, and become more like Him. No matter where you are on your journey, there is hope. As Emily Belle Freeman beautifully said, “Because of Jesus Christ, your best days are ahead.”

We have ALL at some point in life adapted and believed in the stories that we tell ourselves and almost none of them are true. We have been the victim and had our past define us, we have tried to become the hero when we were not meant to carry that type of weight, we've turned people into villains when they are not; it is just constant lies that we tell ourselves day in and day out. However, there is real freedom to be found in Christ.▶SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernHillsLV▶Do you know Jesus as your Savior? https://www.southernhillslv.com/the-gospel▶ DONATE: https://pushpay.com/g/southernhills?src=hpp&r=monthly▶ Visit Southern Hills: https://www.southernhillslv.com/▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernhillslv▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernhillslv/

Sometimes the loudest voices in our lives is the one inside our own mind... but should we always trust what it says? We'll look at how to recognize the unreliable narrator within us and learn to let God's truth, rather than our own thoughts and emotions, guide the course of our lives. ▶SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernHillsLV ▶Do you know Jesus as your Savior? https://www.southernhillslv.com/the-gospel ▶ DONATE: https://pushpay.com/g/southernhills?src=hpp&r=monthly ▶ Visit Southern Hills: https://www.southernhillslv.com/ ▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernhillslv ▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernhillslv/

In this message from our series The Gospels, we journey through the Book of Luke and discover a Savior whose heart is full of compassion, grace, and hope. Luke gives us some of the most beautiful pictures of Jesus in Scripture—a Savior who welcomes the outsider, seeks the lost, heals the broken, forgives the sinner, and brings good news to those who desperately need it. From the Good Samaritan to the Prodigal Son, Luke reminds us that no one is too far away to experience the love and grace of God. Wherever you find yourself today, Jesus sees you, Jesus welcomes you, and Jesus is still calling you closer. The Gospels See Jesus. Know Jesus. Follow Jesus.

Next summer, think about serving on a Joni and Friends Family Retreat! Find out how to sign up at www.joniandfriends.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.

Oh, to know the Savior, “…the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…” Let’s begin a study on obedience by seeing what is not true obedience.

This devotional message explores the vision of the redeemed multitude in heaven found in Revelation 7, emphasizing their unity across all nations and tribes. It highlights the theological significance of white robes as a symbol of purity achieved not by human effort but by being washed in the blood of the Lamb. The central message asserts that salvation comes through acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, whose sacrificial death pays the price for sin. This perspective shifts the focus from counting the saved to understanding the mechanism of their cleansing and justification. The tone is instructional and comforting, aiming to clarify the biblical basis for the believer's standing before God.

886 We Have Heard For Ourselves, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 4:37-42 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable doing so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation John 4 NIV 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." RSV 39 Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything I have done." 40 When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 Many more began to believe in him because of his word, 42 and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world." Reflection on Scripture: The Samaritan woman at the well shared her simple faith in Jesus. That was enough to peak the interest of the whole location where she lived. Yet it was not this testimony that saved. It was Jesus. His presence. His spirit. His words. When the people had heard Jesus themselves, then they came to understand and have faith. Then they heard it for themselves. This is what we all need. As you spend time in scripture, in prayer, in worship, in meditation, you turn your attention from just hearing other people's experience with God and you begin to have your own, or you deepen your own experience. No matter who you are and what spiritual connection you have had with God, to get lax in this area. When this happens we miss out on the beauty and peace that come from proximity to the influence of God's word in our life.  Why on earth would we not graciously drink from the cool water of life that God offers. God offers you His love? How often do you drink of it? How often do you let it flow by without savoring it? Do you constantly feed your faith in God with deep and meaningful personal experience with God's spirit and His words? Go to the source of truth, the source of peace, the source of power and strength.  Take this mediation as a recommittal to spend time with God. Don't outsource your faith. Don't defer what you hold to be true to someone who had their own spiritual experience. Go to God. Go to His word. Go to God in prayer. By all means learn from the wise and learned people, but your faith must grow from within you. The fact that someone else has profound knowledge that has fed their own faith will not be enough for you until you put your focus to grow the roots of your own faith deeper inside of yourself. THen as that faith grows you can constantly nourish it with more knowledge from wise sources.  Many times we see  Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

The Third "Feast of the Savior" in August While the Lord was preaching in Palestine, his fame reached a king Avgar of Edessa, who suffered from leprosy. Avgar sent a messenger named Ananias to ask whether the Lord could heal his illness. The king also charged Ananias, if he was unable to bring back Jesus Himself, to bring back a likeness of Him. When Ananias found Jesus, the Lord told him that he could not come to Edessa since the time of His passion was at hand. But he took a cloth and washed His face, miraculously leaving a perfect image of His face on the cloth. Ananias brought the holy image back to the king, who reverently kissed it. Immediately his leprosy was healed, save for a small lesion that remained on his forehead. Later the Apostle Thaddeus came to Edessa, preaching the gospel, and Avgar and his household were baptized, at which time his remaining leprosy vanished. The king had the holy likeness mounted on wood and displayed above the city gate for all to revere. But Avgar's grandson returned to idolatry, and the Bishop of Edessa had the image hidden in the city wall to prevent it from being defiled. Many years later, when the Persian king Chosroes besieged Edessa, the Bishop Eulabius was told in a vision to find the sealed chamber, whose location had been forgotten. The holy icon was found, completely incorrupt, and by its power the Persian army was driven off. In the year 944 the image was brought to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Theotokos called the Pharos. This is the event commemorated today.

Weekend Scripture: 2 Timothy 2 Discipline is consistent training that produces a desired result. This week, Scott kicked off a new series on Discipline, focusing on Paul's imagery of a soldier in 2 Timothy 2. Living in hostile territory requires us to be strengthened by the grace found in Christ rather than relying on self-help. Enlisting in team Jesus means facing spiritual warfare, sharing in suffering together, and fighting against the distractions that derail our mission. Jesus is the only One who can hold up under the pressure of being your all, being your Savior, and being your Lord. Jesus enlisted you. By His grace, He saved you. Through the Holy Spirit, He sustains you.

If it were possible to control another person telepathically or psychokinetically, could you force them to convert to Christianity—and would that conversion even be valid? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Jimmy Akin tackles unusual questions at the intersection of Catholic theology, science, history, and pop culture. He examines whether baptisms performed by the character Mr. Eko on Lost would be valid, whether Jesus received DNA from Mary, and how Catholics should respond to ancient-alien theories that reinterpret God, angels, and biblical events as extraterrestrial encounters. Jimmy also discusses the credibility of controversial claims made by Malachi Martin and breaks down the differences between Newtonian physics, special relativity, and general relativity. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:34 – Let’s suppose for a moment here that it is possible to either telepathically or psychokinetically link up to another person to the point of being able affect their bodily motions or in other words, let’s suppose that possessing other humans can be done. Let’s suppose the host is a non-Christian and the possessor a Christian. If the possessor, while  inside of the host’s body, pilots them into going to confession and declares Christ as Lord and Savior, is this a conversion and additionally would this be permitted? Why or why not?  17:10 – On the show LOST: are the baptisms performed on the island by “Father Eko” valid? The usual “desert island scenario” does not quite cover it. Eko is not a priest but is only impersonating one. And neither of the baptized was in imminent danger of death (although Charlie thought so on the basis of a dream) but survived at least into Season 5.  21:01 – I know this will be speculation, but do we have any proof one or the other whether the Holy Spirit used one of Mary’s eggs so there would be a DNA connection between them? Or is the general understanding that the Holy Spirit implanted an embryo in her, independent of her DNA?  28:42 – I saw an interview with Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, the ancient alien theorist on National Georgraphy YouTube… He claimed dozens of alien species have been with humanity for millions of years… Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed not by the Wrath of God but by a UFO. Tsukalos and other co-working theorists hold to the idea that we were visited by aliens during the pyramid era. For example, Tsukalos says that the Aztecs have carvings saying they saw huge giant snakes flying thousands of years ago (flying planes)… or floating turtles hovering over them (flying UFO discs) he claims it simply came down to misinterpreted technology from aliens for their lack of better words and explanations of what they saw… and therefore calling them Gods. This makes a lot of sense to me. Is it blasphemous to think or call God (the father) and his angels… aliens? What do you think about this misinterpreted technology?  44:34 – Malachi Martin made some weird complaints about things allegedly happening in the Vatican. How credible was he?  49:11 – What does the theory of relativity add or detract from the galelei-Newton system of coordinates? Was it just factoring in light speed? I'm reading through the theory now and I don't even get the difference between general and special (specific?) relativity. 

Sign up for our e-newsletter today! --------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.

Read OnlineA Promise and Sign of Hope“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.” Luke 1:46–49Today we celebrate one of the great solemnities on the Church's liturgical calendar: the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Belief in her bodily assumption first took root in the early Church among those who witnessed this glorious event. Though we do not have written firsthand accounts of the Assumption, a variety of traditions have stood the test of time.According to a tradition handed down by Saint John Damascene in the fifth century, all of the Apostles except Thomas were miraculously gathered in Jerusalem at the time of Mary's Dormition, or falling asleep. After reverently placing her body in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane, they later opened it at Thomas's request, who had arrived late and wished to venerate her body. To their astonishment, the tomb was empty. This led the Apostles to conclude, through divine revelation, that the Blessed Virgin had been assumed body and soul into Heaven. That empty tomb is still honored today in the cave near Gethsemane and remains a popular place of pilgrimage.This early tradition laid the foundation for the Church's growing conviction through the centuries that Mary's Assumption was not merely a pious belief but a divinely revealed truth. In 1950, this truth was solemnly defined as dogma by Pope Pius XII in Munificentissimus Deus.Why was the Blessed Virgin Mary taken body and soul into Heaven at the completion of her earthly life? Because, by a singular grace, when she was conceived in the womb of her mother—traditionally known as Saint Anne—her conception was the Immaculate Conception. That is, she was conceived without the stain of Original Sin. This grace, called a prevenient or preceding grace, was given to her through the foreseen merits of her Son's future death on the Cross. That grace transcended time and preserved her from sin in advance, making her Son also her Savior, as she proclaimed in the Magnificat: “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”Though the Blessed Virgin Mary was not saved by her own merit, having been given the fullness of grace at the moment of her Immaculate Conception, she perfectly cooperated with that grace throughout her life. She remained free not only from Original Sin but also from all personal sin. Since “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and since the Blessed Mother was entirely without sin, her body and soul were never separated in death, which leads to bodily corruption. Instead, having completed the course of her earthly life, the Blessed Virgin Mary “was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” (Munificentissimus Deus, 44).Why is this important for us today? Because the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only a singular privilege granted to her, it is also a sign of hope and a promise of what awaits all who remain faithful to Christ. Mary is the first and greatest disciple; where she has gone, we hope to follow. Her bodily glorification reveals that our salvation is more than spiritual, it also includes the redemption of the body. In a world wounded by sin, suffering, and death, the Assumption shines as a beacon of the final victory of grace. It reminds us that Heaven is our true home, that holiness is possible, and that those who entrust themselves to God alongside our Blessed Mother will share in Christ's Resurrection. As our loving Mother, now enthroned in glory, Mary intercedes for us and draws us ever closer to her Son, encouraging us to live each day with faith, purity, and joyful hope.Reflect today on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a sign of hope and a promise of what is to come for you and your loved ones. Though we will die and our bodies will be laid to rest, one day our bodies and souls will rise and share in the resurrected glory of Jesus and Mary. This will be our eternity. Turn your eyes to that day, profess your faith in it, rejoice in God your Savior, and proclaim His greatness alongside His most glorious Mother.Most glorious Mother of God, you were singularly privileged to be preserved from the stain of Original Sin at your Immaculate Conception, and you fully cooperated with the fullness of grace throughout your earthly life, thereby meriting the gift of your bodily Assumption when your time on earth was completed. Pray for me, that I may be filled with hope and persevere in grace, so that I, too, may one day share in the glory of the Resurrection. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Assumption of the Virgin Mary, by Guido ReniSource: 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.