Podcasts about Savior

In this Advent kickoff episode, Anna and Matt take us back to the very beginning of the Bible to remember why we needed a Savior and why Christmas is such good news. As they retell the story of Adam and Eve, kids learn how sin first entered the world — and how God made a big promise to send a Rescuer. Advent means “coming,” and this season helps us remember that God kept His promise by sending Jesus… and we get to celebrate that together! What You'll Learn

Send Us Your Prayer Requests --------This Christmas, you can shine the light of Christ into places of darkness and pain with a purchase from the Joni and Friends Christmas catalog. You are sending hope and practical care to people with disabilities, all in the name of Jesus! 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.

Dave Lomas teaches on Christ's invitation to meet our fears honestly, making room for renewed trust and hope. Slides available at https://bit.ly/4rKn8no 

The Spirit World is Already Here by Autumn Dickson We have the opportunity to read two revelations this week. Despite the different times in which they were given, the two revelations were placed together in the Doctrine and Covenants, and they hold more power in that manner. The first recorded vision was received by Joseph Smith, and the second recorded vision was given to Joseph F. Smith. I want to share a couple of verses from the section given to Joseph F. Smith regarding the spirit world. Doctrine and Covenants 138:22-24 22 Where these (the wicked, unrepentant, rebellious) were, darkness reigned, but among the righteous there was peace; 23 And the saints rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell. 24 Their countenances shone, and the radiance from the presence of the Lord rested upon them, and they sang praises unto his holy name. These verses talk about the spirit world on the other side of the veil. It gives us a glimpse into what life holds depending on how you chose to live your life and how those choices affected who you became. Taking the time to imagine what it will be like is powerful, especially when you've lost someone you love. But rather than read it from the perspective of the spirit world, I want you to read it again as if it's speaking about where we dwell now. Despite its insight into the spirit world, it can also be a very accurate description of the mortal life we're living in. In the fallen mortality where we dwell, there are people who want nothing to do with the Savior and His gospel. There are many who want the exact opposite of what He stands for and believe the Savior to be oppressive. In those specific places and hearts, darkness reigns. God doesn't necessarily send darkness or make their world terrible; it's what they've invited into their lives. Important tangent here. This gets slightly tricky because I don't believe all non-Christians are dark people. Rather, I believe that at any given moment, we are inviting or shunning darkness. There are a lot of people who accept so much of Christ's gospel even if they do not yet accept Him personally. They have invited portions of light into their lives by living their lives in a Christlike manner. So not immediately accepting Christ doesn't mean you live in utter darkness and allow it to reign over you. I do believe they're missing out on light, but that doesn't mean I assume they are voluntarily inviting darkness to rule their lives. Let's keep going on with reading the description of the spirit world and mortality.. So there are people who don't want Christ and voluntarily shun Him. They want the darkness. They like it. They don't see any reason to change. In other places, sometimes very nearby, there are Saints who are living in the same space but find themselves rejoicing in their redemption. They love the Savior and trust Him. They acknowledge Him and worship Him. Then, of course, there is a whole spectrum between these groups of people. Even on that spectrum, we're finding ourselves moving back and forth depending on what we're inviting and focusing on. Despite the fact that we can find people all along that spectrum, I want to bring your attention to one other grouping: there are Saints who are trying to live the gospel but still have not found the reason to rejoice. They don't always feel hope or peace. They don't feel the radiance of the Lord shining down on them. We believe in Christ and the gospel, but have we found salvation? We read this in Alma. Alma 34:31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. Immediately. Not just in the spirit world. Immediately. If you truly find Christ, the plan of redemption is brought immediately. Today can be the day of your salvation if you repent and don't harden your heart. Immediately, you can find yourself in the same state as those dwelling in spirit paradise. You can rejoice in the Redeemer who freed you from hell and any aspects of it that you may still be clinging to. The radiance of the presence of the Lord can shine upon you. If you do not yet feel these aspects of salvation, I have a small warning for you. Dying and going to the other side does not immediately bring about those feelings. Dying has very little to do with it. Experiencing spiritual paradise stems from your relationship with Christ. Dying happens somewhere along the way for good reason, but experiencing salvation doesn't necessarily wait for death. It's just waiting for you. When was the last time you let yourself rejoice in Christ? When was the last time you chose to trust Him so deeply that it swallowed up your pain and carried it for a while? When was the last time you chose gratitude for His promises even if you couldn't choose gratitude for what was directly going on in your life? Spiritual paradise is a choice, not just a destination on the other side. What happens there is just a continuation of what happens here. You don't change on the other side unless you go through the same process of changing that you have to experience on this side. I love the verse from Alma 34 because it doesn't say, “Follow the Law of Moses perfectly and then you will experience salvation immediately.” It says, “Repent and soften your heart and then you will experience salvation immediately.” Change! Soften! Trust! He loves you and is mighty to save. When you find it within yourself to say, “I'm going to try putting weight on these promises,” you'll find solid ground. Even if everything comes to disaster in mortality, there is solid ground in Christ. I testify that trusting Christ and taking Him at His word was one of the most joyful decisions I ever made. Though I obviously fluctuate in that trust as I move about life, continually spending time with Him every day has made that trust more consistent. Spending time with Him every day has forced me to remember His promises. As I've moved about my daily life and run into new challenges and all of the pitfalls of mortality, I have found rejoicing alongside my pain. It didn't come from living the gospel more perfectly; it came from trusting Him more perfectly. I testify that spirit paradise or allowing darkness to reign are choices we make on a daily basis; they're not just destinations in the spirit world. I testify that the day of your salvation, the day you find rejoicing in Christ, can be today, and you don't even have to die in order to find it. You just have to trust. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 137–138 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Tory and TJ kick off the Advent season by starting at the very beginning of God's big story—the creation of the world! With the moon-and-stars ornament in hand, they explore Genesis 1 and discover how everything God made points us to Jesus — the true Light of the world and the very Word of God. Jesus was present at Creation and would one day step into His own creation to rescue us.All season long, we're walking through the Jesse Tree—25 days of tracing the big story of the Bible from Creation to the birth of Jesus. Each day, we'll look at a new “Christ type” in Scripture, hang a new ornament, and see how every part of God's Word points us to Jesus. Join us daily this Advent as we celebrate the arrival of our Savior and prepare our hearts for Christmas!Follow Us:Instagram | Website | Newsletter Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hope for Right Now Podcast – Trust in the Impossible: An Advent Series, Zechariah While Walking with Purpose founder Lisa takes time to write our next women's Bible study, Laura is keeping the Hope for Right Now podcast going strong with a four-week series: Trust in the Impossible: An Advent Series. Advent is meant to be a time of interior reflection—the weeks we prepare our hearts and homes to receive the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But with the secular world's demands and distractions, keeping our eyes on what matters can be challenging, and the season of quiet we dream about feels impossible. What if this Advent, we said no to the overwhelm of the secular world and yes to the overshadowing of the Spirit? Each week, Laura introduces a Biblical figure from the gospel of Luke, whose story reveals the secret to a simple, peace-filled Advent—one where we yield to God's will, respond in faith, and trust in the impossible.   Today's Biblical figure: Zechariah. Discover how Jesus is so close to us, and that even when we give up on our impossible prayers, we can be assured that God never does.  Open your Heart to our key Scripture. Luke 1:5–20 Open your Bible to other Scriptures referenced in this episode. Luke 1:35: And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” Matthew 17:5: He was still speaking, when behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Exodus 40:34–35: Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of the meeting, because the cloud abode upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Exodus 25:20: The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. Daniel 8:16–9:21 Romans 8:24–25: Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we have hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (ESV) Invite Him in with this episode's questions for reflection. What circumstance overwhelms you this time of year? Bring it to God in prayer, especially in the moments after you receive Him in the Eucharist. Do not rush out of Mass. If possible, stay for fifteen minutes in the quiet, thanking God and praying for the impossible. Show mentions. Our presenting sponsor is CB Jewelry. Faith is beautiful—and it's your best accessory. CB Jewelry's stunning and stylish pieces are not your grandma's jewelry. These pieces are modern, beautiful, and the perfect way to share your faith. Whether you're looking for a meaningful Christmas gift or a new way to express your faith, CB Jewelry has you covered. Use the code Hopefornow, (all one word at checkout) for free shipping and a portion of your purchase will go to Walking with Purpose. Offer ends December 25, 2025! Shop CB Jewelry today at cbjewelryfaith.com. Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity Catechism of the Catholic Church 1377 Elizabeth Scalia, The Word on Fire Bible  Let's stay connected. Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform.  Want to keep the conversation going? Join our private Facebook community. Stay in the know. Connect with us today.  We are committed to creating content that is free and easily accessible to every woman—especially the one looking for answers but unsure of where to go. If you've enjoyed this podcast, prayerfully consider making a donation to support it and other WWP outreach programs that bring women closer to Christ. Learn more about WWP on our website. Our shop. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Do you know anyone who's deconstructing? Anyone who has de-churched? Author Courtney Reissig deals with the hurt and pain of hearing the silence of God. When your faith is shaken because of church hurt or a leader falls, what do you do? Courtney has been there and believes it's in these moments of doubt that God can show up in your life. Hear her stories of hope on Chris Fabry Live. Featured resource:Someone to Believe In: Embracing the Savior Who Stays the Same when Everything Else Changes by Courtney Reissig December thank you gift:Hosanna in Excelsis: Hymns and Devotions for the Christmas Season by David & Barbara Leeman Chris Fabry Live is listener-supported. To support the program, click here.Become a Back Fence Partner: https://moodyradio.org/donateto/chrisfabrylive/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Year after year people everywhere expect to experience the joy and wonder of Christmas through the gifts, gatherings, traditions and twinkling lights. But what if this Christmas meant something more? According to John's Gospel, the birth of Jesus was a historical event of cosmic proportions. That's because Jesus was no ordinary child. He is Immanuel – the eternal God with us - the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, and the true Light for all mankind. From the very beginning, he was, is, and will always be our only Savior. So how would this Christmas be different if - instead of presents and parties - we chose to be wrapped up in the awe and wonder of almighty God coming to Earth so you can be reborn, fully forgiven, and truly loved by our heavenly Father? Join us this December at The Story, as we begin our journey through the Gospel of John and encounter the true meaning of Christmas: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son… full of grace and truth. - John 1:14

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251201dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 3:17 Watch and Warn We have all experienced those moments when we see danger approaching and feel an urgent need to warn others, “Watch out!” we shout. Perhaps a car backed up too quickly, or a child reached for something hot on the stove. In such situations, remaining silent would not just be wrong, but also unkind. This is the image God gave to the prophet Ezekiel. He was chosen to be a “watchman”—someone who remains vigilant and alerts people when trouble is near. However, the warning Ezekiel was to give was far more serious than damaged bumpers or burnt fingers. It concerned sin and its consequences. God called Ezekiel to deliver both hard truths and healing words. Although we are not prophets like Ezekiel, we share the same responsibility: to warn others and to bear witness. This calling can feel intimidating. Sometimes we keep silent because we are afraid of offending or uncertain about what to say. Thankfully, Jesus never chose silence. He spoke the hard truth to those who were proud and offered gentle words to those who were hurting. He warned about the reality of sin and called people to turn back to God. Even when people didn’t listen, Jesus did not walk away. He went to the cross. Jesus bore the punishment for sin so that we would not have to. He rose again to give us new life. Today, by his Word, the Spirit works in us to be loving and courageous watchmen for those around us. You do not need a loudspeaker or a pulpit to be a watchman. You just need the gospel—the good news of a Savior who came for sinners like us. This Advent, listen for the coming footsteps of Jesus and lovingly let others know that he is on his way. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for speaking the truth in love and for taking my sin to the cross. Make me bold and gentle to speak your truth to those around me. 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.

I always look forward to it as one of the season's great Christmas moments - the lighting of that towering Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. And it's happening this week! I remember one year that it was just a tad more exciting, for me anyway, because I had sort of a second-hand personal connection. The tree came from the farm owned by our good friends' daughter and son-in-law. They were chauffeured to ringside (actually rink-side) seats for the big show. So, not only did I get to watch the tree and the performers. Hey, I had, like, friends on the front row! I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "A Rockefeller Center Christmas - Ringside Seats at the Tree." Apparently, the NBC "tree scouts" look for evergreen candidates year-round. And one of them spotted this one, driving down Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania. It was readily visible from the highway and he liked what he saw. In the months leading up to the tree being cut down, the "treeologists" (I don't know if that's a word) would come with a large tractor trailer full of nutrients for Mr. Spruce. They wanted to be sure he was in good health for his moment of glory! Rachel, our friends' daughter, describes herself as a "big Christmas elf." She said the giant tree was the only thing at her home she didn't decorate for Christmas. And now it was going to be decorated big time for all the world to see! You could say she was slightly excited. I suppose our friends have viewed the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree as we always have - a nice Christmas event. But not last year. No, it went from being just an event to an unforgettable personal experience! And thinking about that just rang a bell suddenly in my heart, because the whole Christmas thing can be much the same - a warm, cuddly event, inspired by the familiar story of that baby born in the Bethlehem manger. But it's a lot more than that for me. The event became a life-changing personal experience. When I realized the ultimate meaning of the events that night in Bethlehem, I saw that it was all about the tree. In a sense, the shadow of that tree looms over the starlight in the manger. This child is here on a mission - a rescue mission. And that mission will take Him, 33 years later, to the tree. A Roman cross on a skull-shaped hill. In our Word for today from the Word of God we learn in 1 Peter 2:24. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree." Christmas was for a cross - the place where the baby of Bethlehem would become the Savior of the world by taking on Himself the death penalty for every human sin. "He bore...on the tree" every hurting thing, every dirty thing, every selfish thing, every angry thing, every wrong thing of every person who ever lived. For a time, the horrific death of Jesus Christ on a cross was just an event to me. Remembered on Good Friday. A belief to be believed. A religious symbol. But one day it became so much more. It went from an event to the most profound personal experience of my life. When it hit me, "What's happening on that cross is...well, for me. For the sinning I've done. For the punishment I deserve." And that's the day I was given a ringside seat at the tree, when my heart melted at the love this Jesus has for me - enough to die for me. I enthroned Him that day, not as just the Savior, but as my Savior. And that changed everything. As it has, and as it will, for anyone who makes what happened on that tree "for me." I wonder if you've ever done that? Have you ever taken this man who loved you enough to die for you, who is your only hope of heaven. Have you ever taken what He died for? He's the only one who can forgive the sin that will keep people out of heaven. Have you ever said, "Jesus, I want to make what You did on that cross personal for me, and take the event and make it my personal experience"? Would you tell Him today, "Jesus, I'm Yours." We can give you more information about being sure you belong to Him. Just go to our website - ANewStory.com. Christmas begins at a stable. Life begins at a tree.

Jesus spent His time with the hurting and those society pushed aside. He said, “the blind receive their sight… the poor have good news preached to them,” revealing exactly who He came to save.

Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is. Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself.Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Empire controlled the area. Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, Jesus was 30 before He gained a reputation as a great teacher. But He was much more than that. The Bible tells us that He was sent into the world by God the Father, to stand in our place and take the penalty for our sin.According to Genesis, man defied God's template for living and because He is holy, God requires that someone is accountable for sin. Had Jesus not entered the world, we'd be left without a way to reconcile with God. Long story short, Jesus Christ is much more than just a wise teacher. He's also the Son of God.The Bible also tells us Jesus is one with the Father. Remember, when Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he asked God how to identify Him to the people. And God replied, “I am who I am.”And that was in the Old Testament. In John 8:58, in the New Testament, Jesus tells the people, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus Christ is a divine being. John 1:29 says, “The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.'” This description of Him is not embraced by most people around the world. The Bible tells us that man's heart is wicked. It isn't like billions are rushing to churches so that they can have their sins forgiven. The human mind and heart don't want to focus on the messier side of the gospel. We're imperfect. We sin. And our sin is an offense to God. Who wants to hear that? We don't want to be told that we're not good. We want to be told we're good, and worthy of God's love.And the Good News, the gospel in the person of Jesus Christ, is that we have the pathway to be like Him. Romans Chapter Eight tells us that it is God's desire that we become like Jesus, and that's a goal worth reaching for. Let's pray.Father, thank You for providing us with Your word, that tells us exactly who Jesus is and what His life means to us. You could have abandoned us to sin, but You didn't. The praise and the glory belong to You alone. In Jesus' name, amen.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

In this message, Andrew teaches that Christian hope is a confident expectation grounded in God's character and promises, not a curated emotional “vibe,” and he uses the story of Zechariah in Luke 1 to show how true hope is formed, tested, and fulfilled. People naturally live within layered and competing stories—God's story of redemption alongside cultural narratives of self-rescue, consumption, image, and control—and that these rival hopes subtly shape where we place our trust. Zechariah becomes a model of faithful endurance in disappointment, holding to God's promises even when his own long-held longing for a child remained unmet, yet his reaction to Gabriel reveals how deferred hope can make the heart resistant to receiving concrete answers. Advent announces God's interruption of every blended story by stepping into the world through the incarnation, replacing self-help stories with the saving presence of a real Savior whose coming brings a hope that does not disappoint. The way forward is to identify rival hopes, detach from the daily habits that reinforce them, and re-aim your trust toward Jesus through practices that retrain the heart to live in one story, under one King.

Savior, you are deeper than any trouble that comes against me.Psalm 42:7 (NIV)Keywords: Deep; depths of God's character, love, power; deeper still; need. Today's Prayer Starter episode is a “best of.” All new episodes coming January, 2024.

As we come to the end of our lives, we can ask the question, "Is this the end or just the beginning?" And that answer differs based off the one choice you make in your life, to accept Jesus or to reject Him. In Malachi 4:1-2, we receive a glimpse into what the decision can look like for eternity, "the arrogant will be burned up like straw" and "but for those who fear my name...you will go leaping like calves let out to pasture." Learn more about the worst things of hell and yet the best things of heaven.▶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.#joshteissermon #bibleteaching #southernhillschurch #churchsouthwestlasvegas #bible #prayer #christian

We celebrate Christmas because God sent His son into the world. But, who is Jesus, and what did He come to do?During Advent, we'll explore how Jesus fulfills four key roles: Prophet, Priest, King, and Savior. Each week reveals a new dimension of who He is and how we're called to live as people sent in His name.This week, Pastor John Crawford out of Hebrews 1:1-2WEBSITETo learn more about Redemption Tempe, find ways to get involved,  or opportunities to serve, visit our website: https://tempe.redemptionaz.com.OUR APPDownload our app redtem.in/tempeappOR text "tempe app" to 77977STAY CONNECTEDFacebook:    / redemptiontempe.  .Twitter:    / redemptiontem  Instagram:    / redemptiontempe..  .GIVINGEverything we have is a gift from the Lord because He owns it all. Therefore giving should be a priority for us who have received all we have. Giving cheerfully, sacrificially, and consistently is a part of our worship.Give Online: https://pushpay.com/g/redemptiontempe

Luke wrote about the hope of a Savior because of his love for a friend. This announcement comes with… 1. The Person God Chose v.26-28       Luke tells us about Mary... Her Credentials Her Condition 2. The Plan God Used v.29-33      - God's plan had not changed 3. The Power God Showed v.34-38    - God showed His power through… 1. An Impossible Conception v.34-35 2. An Improbable Conception v.36-37 3. An Implicit Courage v.38 Look again this Christmas at the people, the plan, and the power God used to redeem us.    

Welcome to the Be Encouraged Podcast! You are listening to Season 3 - The Receive Series, Episode 6 called, “Receive Blessings,” which closes out both our Receive series and the year 2025! I'll be taking a short break before we dive into the final series, “Achieve.”During this holiday season, we'll receive all kinds of gifts. Some will be returned, regifted, forgotten, or used until they can't be used anymore. But there is one gift that never fades, never runs out, and continually satisfies the soul.You can't return it. You don't have to earn it. It's given freely — and nothing compares to the blessings that flow from the gift of salvation in Christ.As you move through this season, I encourage you to hold that truth close. Even after many years of walking with Christ, I still can't fully grasp the depths of this gift. Day by day, year by year, I'm learning and growing. I hope this episode encourages you to step into the next level of your faith journey — and if you're new to faith, that it helps you understand just how precious this gift truly is.Be encouraged to receive all the blessings God has in store for you: grace, mercy, love, belonging, provision, and peace that surpasses understanding. Nothing compares to the gift of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.Be encouraged!JackieFollow on Instagram: @be_encouraged_podcast DM me and tell me what stuck with you! OR write a raving review on Apple Podcast so that more people can be encouraged just like you! --- THANK YOU! Verses to mentioned and to study: Psalm 62:1 Ephesians 1:9-23Colossians 1: 9-11 (keep going if you'd like --- it's all so GOOD!)

Text Me Here!!!Another Monday...Another Conference Talk...and I'm not mad about it at all!And also Day 1 of 12 Days of Munch & Mingle!Today we go through Elder Johnson's conference address and I say it every week, this might be my new favorite talk! Elder Johnson used to be a forensic accountant and so it would make sense why the word 'reconcile' would stick out to him.But his talk goes so much deeper about our relationship with the Savior than I expected and yet I walked away with so much more emotion and motivation to guard my connection with the Savior and Heavenly Father and do all I can to strengthen it.He also uses an analogy with a cherry shaker, have y'all seen one of those things before? I've got a link for you below!Also, I linked another talk of Elder Johnson's, a BYU speech from 2022, it is a MUST READ! It will change how you are viewing your priorities!Let me know your thoughts or any other inspirations that came to you while you were studying this talk.***Links:Elder Johnson's Conference Talk:https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/17johnson?lang=engElder Johnson's BYU Speech: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/kelly-r-johnson/conquering-lifes-daily-distractions/Cherry Shaker Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDVY053vTeA&t=53s E-mail: munchandminglepodcast@gmail.com Insta: @munchandminglepodcast

November 30, 2025The advent of Jesus has brought eternal hope to the world. Hope has been born in all those who trust in Christ as their Savior and Lord through the Holy Spirit. Hope is born in us today, Church! From Romans 15:1-13, we will see that our hope in Christ is directly linked to how we treat one another as His people and representatives in the world. Romans 15:1-13

Living In The Middle | November 30, 2025Pastor Wes Morris II Corinthians 6:3-10 (NLT) We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.√  We don't know how to make room for both joy and grief.Psalm 30:5 (NIV) Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.√  We feel pressure to hide the hurt.Matthew 26:38 (NIV) My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.√  We believe joy has to wait until the pain is gone.II Corinthians 6:10 (NLT) Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.Psalm 42:4-5 (NLT) My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!LIVING IN THE MIDDLEI. BE HONEST WITH GOD ABOUT WHAT HURTS.I Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.God doesn't heal what we hide - He heals what we give Him.Luke 7:48, 50 (NIV) Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven....Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”II. ANCHOR YOUR HOPE IN WHO GOD IS, NOT WHAT YOU FEEL.Lamentations 3:21–23 (NIV) Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.III. MEET GOD IN THE MIDDLE.Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.Psalm 34:18 (NIV) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONSWhat emotion have I been avoiding or suppressing that God is asking me to acknowledge?What am I grieving right now that I haven't fully named?What promise of Scripture do I need to preach to my own heart daily?What does “joy in the middle” mean for my situation?

Every December, you hear the voices singing, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King!” And the melody, I wish I could sing better, it's cheerful, believe me. The words are full of hope. But they are rooted in something real! It's the Bible, God's book of truth. And it tells us that when Jesus was born, the angels visited the local shepherds, saying, “Don't be afraid!… We bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” The Good News was that God's promised Savior had arrived—Jesus, born as a baby, but sent to rescue humanity from sin and death. He grew up, He taught us God's ways, He healed the broken, and ultimately He gave His life on the cross so that we could be forgiven. The song rings true—there is joy for the world, everyone who chooses to follow Jesus. Always remember, there is hope with God. Scripture Reference: Luke 2:10 radio.hopewithgod.com

Years in Joni's wheelchair has taught her to find breathtaking joy in the smallest, most ordinary moments. -------- 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.

Advent begins here with a reminder of what joy actually is. This message invites us to consider what happens when the true King arrives and how His coming reshapes both the world around us and the places in our lives we keep trying to manage alone. “Joy to the World” isn't merely a Christmas playlist song. It's a proclamation of a reigning Savior, a broken curse, and a rescue that genuinely changes everything.Isaac Watts' 1719 hymn is a bold announcement of a Savior who confronts sin, quiets sorrows, pushes back the thorns of Genesis 3, and rules with truth and grace. It's theologically deep, anchoring our hope in the One whose arrival continues to transform hearts, creation, and the story we're living in.What you will discover:· The history of “Joy to the World” and why it was originally written.· How singing and spiritual warfare go hand in hand (and why that matters for you).· The surprising scope of salvation (hint: it's bigger than you think).· What hidden assumptions in your daily frustrations reveal about your heart and how the gospel confronts them.· How the cross turns the birth of Jesus from an inspiring story into a world-shaking announcement.Support our mission and learn more atwww.alloflife.churchGive to the work of the gospel herewww.alloflife.churchcenter.com/giving

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251201dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 3:17 Watch and Warn We have all experienced those moments when we see danger approaching and feel an urgent need to warn others, “Watch out!” we shout. Perhaps a car backed up too quickly, or a child reached for something hot on the stove. In such situations, remaining silent would not just be wrong, but also unkind. This is the image God gave to the prophet Ezekiel. He was chosen to be a “watchman”—someone who remains vigilant and alerts people when trouble is near. However, the warning Ezekiel was to give was far more serious than damaged bumpers or burnt fingers. It concerned sin and its consequences. God called Ezekiel to deliver both hard truths and healing words. Although we are not prophets like Ezekiel, we share the same responsibility: to warn others and to bear witness. This calling can feel intimidating. Sometimes we keep silent because we are afraid of offending or uncertain about what to say. Thankfully, Jesus never chose silence. He spoke the hard truth to those who were proud and offered gentle words to those who were hurting. He warned about the reality of sin and called people to turn back to God. Even when people didn’t listen, Jesus did not walk away. He went to the cross. Jesus bore the punishment for sin so that we would not have to. He rose again to give us new life. Today, by his Word, the Spirit works in us to be loving and courageous watchmen for those around us. You do not need a loudspeaker or a pulpit to be a watchman. You just need the gospel—the good news of a Savior who came for sinners like us. This Advent, listen for the coming footsteps of Jesus and lovingly let others know that he is on his way. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for speaking the truth in love and for taking my sin to the cross. Make me bold and gentle to speak your truth to those around me. 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.

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's easy to get caught up in the imagery of the baby Jesus, the humble beginnings of our Savior. However, as in today's Elevate The Day podcast episode, we want to remind you that it is crucial to remember that Jesus did not remain a baby; He grew up to fulfill a divine purpose. Key Takeaways: Jesus grew from a baby into a Savior with a purpose, reminding us of the importance of growth in our own lives. Limiting our understanding of Jesus restricts our faith and the blessings He has for us. Keeping our focus on Jesus helps us navigate life's challenges and strengthens our faith. Daily engagement with Scripture and prayer is essential for spiritual growth. As we celebrate this holiday season, let us remember to keepour eyes on Jesus, reflect on our blessings, and continue to nurture our faith each day. 

A message of peace delivered by Pastor Stan Tharp, reflecting on time spent in Greece and Athens. Study how God executes the long game of redemption, fulfilling ancient prophecy by utilizing figures like Caesar Augustus as pawns to guide the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Learn why God is still in control of history, changing times and seasons, and discover how peace is found through unshakeable hope in the midst of troubled times. A powerful holiday message from CLC.   Pastor: Stan Tharp Series: The Gift Of Peace (1) Title: A Message of Peace from Greece Date: 2025.11.29+30 YouTube: Sermon Series Playlist   LINKS:

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son. . . . — Galatians 4:4 Christmas can seem like a magical time for children. In our family we have several traditions that our children look forward to at this time of year. Especially when they were younger, it seemed to them like an awfully long time to wait for Christmas after putting up decorations in early December—particularly when presents under the tree caught their attention!For many long years, God's people waited in hope for a Savior to come. God had given the people his law, filled with rules and guidelines about how to live as his people. But the law was not enough to bring the people closer to the Lord, and they longed for a deeper relationship. God also promised that he would raise up a leader from his people who would “do what is just and right” (see Jeremiah 23:5-6). And they learned that God would fill their hearts and minds with his will so that they could live more closely with him (see Jeremiah 31:33).It must have seemed like forever to wait for God to keep those promises. But the Bible tells us that this happened at just the right time. God sent his own Son, Jesus, into the world to fulfill the law so that all who would believe could be saved from sin and freed by his Spirit to live with him, sharing his love and grace with others.This Christmas, look for ways in which God's Spirit is changing you because of Jesus' birth. Holy God, sometimes it seems hard to wait for you. But your timing is always right, and your promises are always rich! Help us wait faithfully for you, and make us your people in Christ. Amen.

In this Advent message, we see why God gave the law and how it points us to Jesus. The law reveals our sin, shows our need for a Savior, and serves as a guardian until Christ came. Because salvation is by faith, not by our obedience, we are free to love God's law as our guide to joy and true freedom in Christ. #LibertiHarrisburg #Advent #Galatians3 #LawAndGospel

Have you ever experienced the pain of longing, praying, and hoping for something, only to have it slip through your fingers? In this message, Pastor Caleb unpacks Luke 1:5-25, exploring the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple who were righteous and faithful, yet suffered decades of silent longing and unanswered prayers. Discover the powerful truth that God hears your prayers even when He seems silent, and how His loving discipline is an invitation back to belief. In this sermon, you'll learn: - The Nature of True Faith: Zechariah and Elizabeth were described as blameless and righteous before God. This meant they had inward integrity and were the same person in private as they were in public. - The Tension of the Christian Life: You can be Godly and disappointed, righteous and barren, or blameless and brokenhearted. Faithfulness does not exempt you from heartache. - Two Temptations in the Waiting Room: When you're trying to live faithfully but suffering silently, be careful not to fall into feeling defeated (thinking your pain is payback for sin) or entitled (treating God like a transactional rewards program). - God's Silence is Not His Absence: Even when we feel like He doesn't, God hears our prayers. God broke the personal silence for Zechariah and Elizabeth and the prophetical silence for His people. - The Danger of Unbelief and Discipline as Grace: Zechariah's doubt (unbelief) prompted a loving discipline: nine months of silence. For a genuine follower of Jesus, discipline is not punishment (which was finished on the cross) but a form of grace—an invitation to step back into love and obedience. - The Ultimate Joy of Christmas: The greatest joy Zechariah and Elizabeth found was not in having a child, but in God remembering His people and finally sending His Savior, Jesus Christ. Key Topics Covered: - The Messengers Series: Kicking off the Christmas series by looking at the first messengers of Christmas, specifically the angel Gabriel. - A Personal Story of Loss and Hope: Pastor Caleb's story of naming his stillborn son Gabriel, "God's Messenger of Hope," after the angel. - The Spiritually Dry Season: Zechariah and Elizabeth lived during a 400-year gap where God did not send a prophet or a fresh word. - The Parallel with Elijah: Gabriel's message announced that Zechariah's son, John, would come in the spirit and power of Elijah, paving the way for the long-awaited Savior. - The Consequences of Doubt: Zechariah's questioning, "HOW shall I know this?", revealed a heart full of cynicism, in contrast to Mary's heart of faith. - Discipline and Discipleship: God uses discipline (like a job loss or a hard marriage season) to form us into the image of His Son, teaching us humility and perseverance. - If you are currently feeling stuck in a "waiting room" of life, struggling with doubt, or experiencing a season of discipline, this message will encourage you to trust God's loving heart and respond to the message of hope in Jesus. - Would you like me to share one of the specific application points from the sermon on how to respond to God's voice in a season of discipline or unbelief?

Fortune cookies, Christ's birth as Savior, and Santa Claus rolling through a Christmas parade.   First Sunday in Advent: Jer. 23:5–8, Rom. 13:(8–10) 11–14, Matt. 21:1–9

The Christmas story is filled with wonder, but it is also filled with real people who struggled to believe what God was doing around them. In Luke 1 we meet Zechariah and Elizabeth, a faithful couple who had no idea how their long season of waiting would become part of God's plan to bring the Savior into the world. Zechariah wrestled with doubt when an angel announced that their prayers would be answered and that their child would prepare the way for Jesus. His silence became a sacred space where God taught him what he could not learn in the noise. Their waiting showed that God is always working on more than we can see, even when the timing feels confusing. Their story reminds us that doubt does not disqualify us and that nothing is impossible with God. Mary believed because of the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and you can too. You can believe for it today. (11/30/2025)

Luke 19:1-10 NIVJesus' actions reveal his authority- He does what He wants to, where He wants to, how He wants to, for whomever He wants to do it.Jesus' actions reveal his kindness- why he does it, when he does it, even though he doesn't have to do it. Jesus personally invites the most unlikely and undeserving people into His presence and He uses the church to extend that same life-changing invitation today. Invitations tell us we are specialNotice that Jesus adds Zacchaeus to his agenda by naturally seeing him along his way. Yes he supernaturally may have known his name but it was a natural sight of a man in an odd position-that grabbed our Lord's attention. Who might possibly be in the odd positions in our spaces?  Zacchaeus did not deserve Jesus but Jesus responded not to what Zacchaeus deserved but what he desired. What are some signs people display that show curiosity or openness? Jesus' ability to make this man feel special is the power of an invitation and invitations have weight depending on who is giving it and to where they are inviting you. (If Shawn invites me a charger game—hard pass)Your invitation matters because you have the impact power to make people feel special, you are the salt and light of the earth. You have the flavor, you got that juice, you carry the Spirit of God!This is why we do invites to an event, to a bible study, to a growth group or to a Sunday Service. We know in these spaces God moves and on Sundays we know the powerful life changing message of Jesus Christ will be preached!Remember your transformation, how did God transform your life and how does he continue to transform your life, is it not through invitations where divine opportunity awaits. Let's Go!Invitations lead to knowing God's truthWe invite others to hear and know the truth of God and the truth about themselves. Colossians 4:2-6 NIVWe pray for others, we are watchful for an open door, and we say the truth with grace and flavor. 1.  God's Design
: “God created us to know Him, to love Him, and to rule over creation under His authority. We were supposed to be under God but over everything else. We were supposed to rule over creation under the guidance and authority of God's Word. And God gave Adam a command and promised him life if he kept it and death if he didn't.2.  Our Rebellion
: But Adam rebelled, and every one of us has followed for everyone born from that man inherited that man's sin nature. This is why our world is broken for we all have sin in our genes, we all fall short of God's holy standard. We're guilty, spiritually dead, separated from God, and under His just judgment. No amount of good works can fix it—the penalty is death, and we owe it.3.  God's Rescue: 
Here's the good news: God loved us so much that He sent His perfect Son, Jesus—fully God, fully man, born of a virgin, so he's sinless not connected to sin like the rest of us. He lived the life we should have lived-righteously fulfilling God's commands and died the death we deserved. On the cross, He took God's wrath and paid for our sins with His blood. Then He rose from the dead, proving everything He said is true and that the debt is fully paid.4.  The Only Way
: Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' There is no other Savior, no other path. It's Jesus or nothing. More than a belief that he existed it is a firm conviction to trust and follow him. 5.  Your Response: So what must you do? Repent and believe. Repent means to turn away from ruling your own life.  Believe meaning put your full trust in Jesus alone as your Savior (who died for you) and your King (who deserves to lead you).
When you do that, God forgives every sin, makes you His child, and gives you eternal life—starting right now.”As John 1:12 states to all who received him and believed in his name he gave the right to become children of God. 

The only thing better than historical Christian fiction is possibly... historical Christian fiction at Christmas? One full of faith and possibility?  Listen in as Heidi Gray McGill talk about her Discerning God's Best series and her new release, A Place to Belong.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Don't miss tomorrow's release Before We Belong--the PREQUEL to the whole series FREE from Heidi's WEBSITE. A Place to Belong by Heidi Gray McGill Some fresh starts begin in silence… others begin with a baby's cry. Josephine Blake has run out of places to hide. Pregnant and burdened by secrets, she flees the whispers of Philadelphia, clinging to the hope that her former boardinghouse roommate in Shumard Oak Bend will take her in. When a weathered but kind-hearted miner offers her a ride west, she dares to believe she might finally outrun her shame. But hope comes at a price… and Josephine isn't sure she can afford it. Jeremiah Remington lost everything in the war—his family, his home, even one arm. Now a quiet fixture in the growing town, he avoids entanglements, content to live on the edges of community. But when Josephine arrives with wary eyes, an iron will, and a child on the way, Jeremiah is drawn to something he thought he'd given up for good—a second chance at family. As Christmas nears and the town orphanage opens its doors, Josephine is offered a new beginning—not just for herself, but for her daughter. But when the past threatens to unravel it all, she must decide: keep running… or stay and fight for the place—and the man—God may have prepared for her. A marriage of convenience. A scandalous past. A baby who changes everything. And the kind of love only a Savior can give. If your heart longs for stories of quiet redemption, fierce hope, and homes built one act of grace at a time, A Place to Belong will welcome you in. Fans of Misty M. Beller, Liz Tolsma, Karen Witemeyer, and Jody Hedlund will feel right at home in this heartfelt Christmas novella. A Place to Belong is a standalone Christmas companion novella in the Discerning God's Best series, following Healing of the Heart (Book 5).  Learn more about Heidi on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Don't miss Heidi's YOUTUBE Channel where you can listen to some of her books FREE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Steve Swartz, Luke 1:46-47. From the "Mary's Christmas" series.More sermons available online at www.gbcob.org.

Relationships in HD — Letters to Our Children (Father's Day) Description: On Father's Day, Eric zooms in on one of our most sacred callings: being living letters of Jesus to our kids and the next generation. Before we ever talk parenting strategy, he goes straight to the foundation—reconciliation with God through Jesus. From 2 Corinthians 5, we see what it really means to be “in Christ”: rescued from sin and hell, made new, adopted, and kept forever by a God who cannot lie. From there, Eric reminds us that our families are our first mission field. We're not called to sacrifice our kids on the altar of ministry—or to worship them as little gods—but to model a faith that is real, humble, and dependent on grace. Our children (and the kids in our church) “read” us long before they understand a sermon; we are living epistles, showing them what Jesus is like in how we love, repent, forgive, correct, and prioritize. With stories about Peter sinking and being rescued, kids coming to Christ, “Happy Birthday Jesus” gifts, Santa vs. grace, and the dangers of child-centered homes, this message calls moms, dads, grandparents, and spiritual parents to embrace their ministry of reconciliation—starting at home—and to help little hearts meet a big Savior. Key Scriptures (NKJV): John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:1–3; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:8; Matthew 14:28–31; Titus 1:2; Genesis 22:1–18; Mark 10:13–16. Highlights: What it really means to be “saved”: rescued from sin, hell, and death, and made a new creation in Christ. God as Father: not everyone is automatically a child of God—adoption comes through Jesus. You are a “living letter”: your kids (and church kids) are learning what Jesus is like by watching you. Family as first ministry: don't sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry—and don't worship your children either. Using the tools God gives: church, kids' ministry, pastors, and mentors as allies in bringing children to Jesus. Teaching grace at home: gifts as a picture of the gospel and why “Santa theology” (earn it) is the opposite of grace (receive it). Hope for imperfect parents: when you fail, repentance and honesty become a powerful testimony of God's mercy. Next Steps: Ask God to show you one child (yours or in your church) you can intentionally point to Jesus this week. Pray 2 Corinthians 5:20 over yourself as an “ambassador,” then choose one concrete way to model grace at home—an apology you need to make, a conversation about the gospel, or a simple act of undeserved kindness that reflects your Father's heart.

The Christmas season often leaves us feeling scattered and stretched thin. But what if the best preparation isn't about doing more, but about coming home? John the Baptist's birth was announced as part of God's plan to turn people's hearts back to him. This Advent begins with God inviting us home—to forgiveness, peace, and a fresh start.Support the show~ Changing lives with Jesus! Facebook | YouTubeInstagram @dscsienna

Act 1: The Problem | A Christmas Story Week 1November 30, 2025Message by Pat Hood [Lead Pastor]Scripture References & Sermon PointsGenesis 3:1–19The Works of the DevilThe Wounds of Sin

What do you do when nothing in your life seems to change? When the mess stays messy and the weight doesn't lift, where do you find real hope? In "How to Have Hope When Nothing Changes," Pastor James shows us that God steps straight into ordinary, difficult, overlooked places. You'll see how the birth of Jesus brings hope that isn't based on progress, plans, or perfect circumstances. It's grounded in a Savior who meets you where you are and brings peace you can trust. Everyone helping someone take steps to follow Christ. This is the vision of Journey Church, led by Pastor James Hilton, with multiple locations throughout Central Florida. https://journeyconnect.org Website: https://journeyconnect.org Facebook: http://facebook.com/journeyconnect Instagram: https://instagram.com/journeyconnect/ To support Journey Church's mission and help us transform lives both locally and globally, visit: https://journeyconnect.org/giving

Safety In Your Savior by High Street Church

Don't let bitterness take root—trust God daily and let His promises grow true peace in your heart. -------- 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.

Let's dig deeper into today's question by exploring five additional questions about Christ's upcoming return.     1.    Will Christ actually return in the flesh? Yes, Jesus will actually return in the flesh. Here's some words from the angels. Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."  Coming back the same way He left. At the Mt of Olives, visibly, physically to reign.     2.    How will every eye see Him? We live in a unique age where we can witness things around the world in real time. Revelation 1:7 "Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen." (See also - Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10) What seems impossible will be a reality, we all will see Him.     3.    Why so many different interpretations of Christ's return will be like? There are basically 4 views of Christians of the Book of Revelation:     ⁃    PRETERIST - everything in the book of Revelation was fulfilled for those 1st century believers.      ⁃    HISTORICIST - What the book of Revelation does is it tracks Christian history until the very end of time when Christ returns.     ⁃    FUTURIST - say what the book of Revelation portrays is the events that are yet to come and will happen in the last days of our planet's history.     ⁃    IDEALIST - maintain that what the book of Revelation does is it gives us timeless truths and principles that have always been true and will be until Jesus returns.     4.    Why all the different views. Who is right? Pastor posses a "what if": What if they are all right? What if God intentionally gave this so that people of every age would see what needs to be seen to stay close to Him.     ⁃    PRETERIST -  what if the book of Revelation really did have remarkable application to the 1st century believers     ⁃    HISTORIST - What if the book of Revelation does track the Christian history til Christ returns     ⁃    FUTURIST - What if the book of Revelation will be fulfilled in some future ways.     ⁃    IDEALIST - What if the book of Revelation applies in every age because what it says is timeless and true. God is brilliant - He can and does brilliant things! Differing interpretations doesn't make the Bible unclear - it means that God is amazing!  Common Beliefs of each differing view:     ⁃    Missionary Age - great commission     ⁃    Great tribulation      ⁃    Rapture     ⁃    Millennium     ⁃    Physical return of Christ     ⁃    Resurrection of the dead     ⁃    New heavens and New Earth Early believers put together basic statements of the fundamentals of the Bible. Examples Nicene Creed says, "I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come." and the Apostle's Creed says, "I believe in… the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting." They chose short summations of basic agreed on biblical beliefs and leaving out the details, acknowledging the wide diversity of interpretation around what Jesus' return will look like and because we will find out the details when He returns. The first advent Jesus came as a humble servant and laid down His life for us all. For His second advent Jesus comes in glory!     5.    What are the sign of the times that indicate the eminent Second Coming of Jesus?  Signs of the times:     ⁃    Gospel to the entire world Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."       ⁃    Persecution, apostasy & deception Matthew 24:9-11 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many."     ⁃    Warfare, earthquakes & famine - Mark 13:8 "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." What we have observed since Jesus' first advent, these signs are closer together.     ⁃    Israel's return  Luke 21:24 "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." About 40 years after Jesus spoke these words in 70AD they happened and now in 1967, after nearly 1900 years, the Jewish people have returned.  In Matthew 24:42 we are told by Jesus, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." How do we stay awake?  We keep our eyes on Jesus! The Savior of the world. God is for us! He's coming back and the day is fast approaching! May we trust the Lord Jesus with all our hearts and rejoice in the salvation He won for us at the cross as a gift by faith. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The legitimacy of Christ's Kingship forces all people to decide on who their allegiance will be to: self or the Savior.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251130dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isaiah 2:3-5 Peace That Comes from God In the United Nations Plaza in New York City, today’s Bible passage is quoted: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares . . .” All people desire peace, don’t they? Isn’t that why the United Nations was established in the first place? But it hasn’t worked so well, has it? Are Isaiah’s words just a fantasy? If you’re looking for a truly peaceful “United Nations,” you’re not going to find it in this sinful world. But that’s not what Isaiah was describing. Isaiah was describing peace that the world can’t give, find, or produce. Isaiah described peace that only comes from God. God brought peace to the hearts of people when he kept his promise to send his Son, Jesus, the Christ. Jesus came to bring peace to the earth by living and suffering and dying for a world full of sin and sinners, sinners like you and me. Because of Jesus’ perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection, we have peace. We have the peace of knowing that there’s nothing we can do to save ourselves because Jesus has done everything. We have the peace of knowing that we don’t need to satisfy God’s wrath against our sins because Jesus has washed them away. We have peace because Jesus has set us free. That peace is yours and mine in Jesus! That peace is what moves us to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn his ways. That peace is what moves us to walk in the light of the Lord. Prayer: May the peace of God, which the world cannot give, which surpasses our understanding, guard and keep your heart and mind through faith in Christ Jesus! 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.

Pastor Jim Entwistle begins our Advent series "Rejoice: Songs of the Savior's Arrival" with an inspiring message from Luke 1:39-45, exploring Elizabeth's prophetic encounter with Mary.In this powerful opening to our Advent series, Pastor Jim shows us how Elizabeth becomes the first person to recognize Jesus as Lord - before He's even born! Through her story, we discover how waiting becomes the fertile soil where explosive joy grows, and how our small stories are woven into God's grand narrative of redemption.

Brandon Fisher | Nov 30 2025 In a time when everything felt dark and uncertain—when war loomed, morality was crumbling, and hope seemed lost—God offered a promise that still speaks to us today. The people of Judah, led by King Ahaz, were placing their trust in the wrong things, hoping that Assyria could save them. But through Isaiah, God pointed them to the true source of hope: a coming Messiah. Jesus would be the light to break through the darkness, the joy that lifts sorrow, and the Savior who breaks the chains of bondage. He would come not just to rescue, but to reign—restoring us to God, making all things right, and establishing a kingdom of peace that will never end. In our own times of darkness or uncertainty, this same Jesus is our unshakable hope as we trust in him and wait for his return.

Isaiah 53 gives us one of the clearest pictures of Jesus as the suffering Savior. Jesus carried our griefs, bore our sorrows, and took the punishment that brought us peace. Jesus is the only one who suffered perfectly, silently, and willingly. He is the innocent one who died so the guilty could go free. Because of His sacrifice, we can draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, knowing He understands our pain and has overcome it. Our response is active gratitude: loving Him, obeying Him, and telling others about the One who gave everything to save us.How will you respond to the One who rescued you? Join us at cefc.church.#Isaiah53 #RejectedRescuer #SufferingServant #JesusSaves #Gospel #SubstitutionaryAtonement #WithHisWoundsWeAreHealed #BibleTeaching 

Sunday, November 30, 2025 - Luke 1:5-25 | The first week of Advent centers on hope. In this message we will see how hope manifests itself in the birth of the one who would proclaim the coming of our Savior. 

Do you claim Christ as Savior by His Grace but continue in the sin and selfish desires of your old life? Or are you walking in Christ by true grace in His Spirit and Word, living out the New Life He died to freely give you? Share. Make it a great day in the Love & Lordship of Christ (Mark 12:29-31)!

As Advent begins, we recognize our deep need for rescue and the longing in our hearts for a Savior. In Psalm 40, David cries out to God and rejoices in the One who lifts him from the pit, setting his feet on solid ground. In this message, Pastor Wesley Welch shows how this psalm points us to Christ, the faithful Redeemer who hears our cries, comes to our rescue, and fills Advent with hope.