Podcasts about scriptures

Click the icon below to listen.

Read OnlineIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. John 1:1; 14The Prologue to John's Gospel, John 1:1-18, is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in Scripture. It is both contemplative and mysterious, inviting us to come to know God in His essence through the depth of contemplative prayer.The opening words, “In the beginning…,” echo the Book of Genesis, revealing the eternal and preexistent nature of the Son of God. Saint John the Evangelist, through a special grace of infused contemplative knowledge, understood that Jesus was the Word, eternally spoken by the Father, and co-existing with Him for all eternity. He recognized that the Word took on human nature, becoming flesh and dwelling among us.Consider the thoughts of Saint John as he wrote these words for the first time. He had spent about three years with the Eternal Word made flesh—walking with Him, listening to His teachings, and witnessing His miracles, His rejection, His suffering, His death, and His Resurrection. He stood with the others as Jesus ascended into Heaven and experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.After Pentecost, John's understanding of Jesus deepened. Through prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist, John discovered his Lord in an even more intimate and transformative way. The Eternal Word, though no longer walking the earth, was now present within him by grace. This abiding presence became more real to him than ever before.Like John, we are called to know the Eternal Word as He continues to dwell among us through the Sacraments, in prayer, in the Scriptures, and within our souls. We are invited to be transformed by His presence so that we may become His living members within the Church.This deep union with Christ is only possible when we allow ourselves to be drawn into the mysteries of the Incarnation and redemption. While our minds can grasp these mysteries to a certain extent, true understanding comes through infused contemplative knowledge, a gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.Reflect today on Saint John the Evangelist as he wrote his Prologue. Consider the gift of contemplative understanding he received, the transformation that occurred within his soul, and the intimacy he shared with God. Each of us is called to this same life of interior union and contemplation. Let this beautiful and mysterious Prologue draw you deeper into prayer and into the mystery of the Word made flesh. My Eternal Word of God, You existed before time began, in perfect union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. During this octave of Christmas, we reflect on Your Incarnation, Your becoming flesh to dwell among us and within us by grace. Please reveal to me this great mystery so that I may believe with the same faith as Saint John, Your beloved disciple. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Milesevac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

What if you could send spies into your future and report back to you what's coming. Would you want to hear it?In this episode of Live the Bible, that's exactly what happens. We get ready for the New Year with a look at how to fearlessly face the fabulous future God has planned for you. Our future will always have giants. But we can face them—in their many forms—as long as we don't look at the size of the giants but at the size of our God! Support the show

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

Click the icon below to listen.

This spiritual activity will shape your 2026 and help you reach your goals! DOWNLOAD: https://www.terri.com/abundance/Send your 2026 goals and join me LIVE on YouTube as I pray over them Dec 30th at noon! https://www.terri.com/2026goals/Are you ready to start 2026 with clarity, confidence, and renewed faith? You don't want to miss this one spiritual step that can completely transform your year—your goals, your mindset, and your God-given dreams.Have you been searching for how to hear from God, get clear about your purpose, set detailed, achievable goals, strengthen your faith for big dreams, and reach your goals in 2026… then this is the podcast you need! If you want to grow, dream bigger, and enter 2026 with fresh expectation, you're in the right place. Terri is here to encourage you, inspire you, and cheer you on as you pursue the life God created you to live.Register FREE for Year of Success! https://www.terri.com/yearofsuccess/GIVE today: https://www.terri.com/single-donation/?form=FUNFNTXHRWPPARTNER with Terri to make a difference: https://www.terri.com/partnership/FOLLOW ME IN FRENCH: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/terri-savelle-foy-podcast-audio-en-fran%C3%A7ais/id1698308606SAY HELLO!Website → https://www.terri.com/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/terrisavellefoy/Tik Tok → https://www.tiktok.com/@terrisavellefoyPinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/terrisavellefoy/ Support the show

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Sit back and enjoy your Christmas chocolates as I answer some of the thoughtful questions that you sent in. I am so grateful for your support this year and am excited to see what 2026 brings!Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content:www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspodhttps://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Qhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on InstagramConversations to Refresh Your Faith.For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

The Feast of the Holy Innocents is a reminder of the church's resolute embracing of life as holy.Monday • 12/29/2025 •Feast of Holy Innocents (transferred), Year 2This morning's Scriptures are: Psalm 2; Psalm 26; Isaiah 49:13–23; Matthew 18:1–14This morning's Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Revelation 5-9 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Hunter guides us through the 363rd day of our journey through the Scriptures, focusing on Revelation chapters 5 through 9. Together, we witness the dramatic scene of the Lamb—Jesus—opening the sealed scroll, a powerful symbol of hope, justice, and redemption in the midst of a broken world. Hunter reflects on the meaning and significance of these passages, reminding us that, even in times of confusion and despair, God's love and victory can transform our weeping into worship. The episode also includes heartfelt prayers for peace, understanding, and unity, as well as an encouraging reminder that each listener is beloved by God. Whether you're new to the Daily Radio Bible or have been with us all year, you'll find hope, comfort, and inspiration in today's time together in the Word and in prayer. TODAY'S DEVOTION: If this scroll isn't opened, then how are we going to make sense of this story? The story of human history demands that this scroll be opened. The story of life demands that justice and righteousness prevail. Some sense must be drawn from all the senseless evil in this world. John falls into despair at ref​lecting on the possibility that there will be no judgment, no true reconciling of all things—a restoration when God is all and in all. He wonders whether perhaps it's all meaningless. He wonders whether there will be a response from God in the end. John cries out at the thought. He cries out for someone to make sense of the wreckage. And in this final moment, when it appears that all is lost, an elder insists that John stop weeping. He insists that there is One who is worthy and able. It is the One sitting on the throne. He can open the scroll because he has stepped into the darkness, the despair, the loss, into death and into the grave. He is the Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world. He has offered himself on the cross, and in that offering, he defeats death by death in order that he might rescue those who are captive to sin, death, and the grave. He's come to rescue the lost—Adam and all of us—and draw us into his saving life. In his body, he accomplished this victory. You might be like John today, weeping because you think there's no way to make sense of what's happened in your life. The elder, John, and I all want to remind you—look to the Lamb. He's worthy. Look at him. See what he has done. He has won a victory for you, for us, for the world that will transform our weeping into absolute worship and adoration. Let's ask the Spirit to help us see the Lamb who opens the scroll. That's a prayer that I have for my own soul. That's a prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 355, “We're Not Graded on a Curve,” Kim discusses the dangers of Christ-followers comparing their walk to others. In today's text, we see the story of someone who did evil, but his evil was not as bad as others. May we get our eyes on Christ, the only example we should be chasing, and get off the comparison wheel.   Our focal passage for this episode is 2 Kings 17:1-4, with 2 as the focal verse:   2 He did what was evil in the Lord's sight, but not to the same extent as the kings of Israel who ruled before him.     WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT FEATURE:   Spend a few prayerful minutes reading Matthew 5-7.   Additional Resources and Scriptures:   48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8) 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:8-10) EMAIL — encouragingothersinlovingjesus@gmail.com Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus X - https://x.com/eoinlovingjesus?s=21&t=YcRjZQUpvP7FrJmm7Pe1hg INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus” YouTube Channel: Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingOthersInLovingJesus   I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.   RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF 1 & 2 Kings PODCASTS: “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume” “Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings” by Tony Merida “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God's Kingdom Agenda” “Life Application Study Bible” “The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary “The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays (Editors) Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament, 2004, by Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger, III. xAI. (2025). Grok [Large language model]. https://x.ai/grok/chat      "Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus" Facebook Group:   Our Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.   This podcast is hosted by Kim Smith, a small town Country Girl who left her comfort zone to follow Jesus in a big City World. Now, she wants to use God's Word and lessons from her faith journey to encourage others in loving Jesus.   In each episode, Kim will share insights regarding a portion of God's Word and challenge listeners to apply the lessons to their daily lives.   If you want to grow in your faith and learn how to encourage others in loving Jesus, subscribe and commit to prayerfully listening each week.   Remember, “It's Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”   If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at EncouragingOthersinLovingJesus@gmail.com.     National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline   988   https://988lifeline.org/   Reference: Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.   Podcast recorded through Cleanfeed and edited through GarageBand. The soundtrack, entitled “Outlaw John McShane” was obtained from Pixabay.     The HIDDEN Episodes:  If you can't access episodes 1-50 on your podcast app (the podcast was then entitled "A Country Girl in a City World - Loving Jesus"), you can get all the content at my Podbean site at https://acountrygirlinacityworldlovingjesus.podbean.com/  

When you give the devil an inch, he becomes ruler in your life." — Elizabeth Davenport Join Pastor Jack King for a special live session featuring Randy and Elizabeth Davenport, the founders of Red Life Ministries. Based out of Kansas City, Missouri, this husband-and-wife team has dedicated their lives to traveling and ministering to those incarcerated in jails and prisons. In this conversation, Elizabeth shares her raw and powerful testimony of how Jesus set her free from a "junkie habit" that began at age twelve. Randy discusses his own journey of returning to the Lord after years of drifting and how he reinvented himself as a singer-songwriter to reach the "captive audience" behind bars. The episode features live studio performances of Randy's original songs, including "Prisoner's Praise" and "Follow You," which combine blues, rock, and country influences to deliver the Gospel message. Main Points of the Discussion: -- The transition from church laypeople to full-time prison ministers and the "boot camp" experience of preaching in noisy cell blocks. -- Elizabeth's miraculous transformation from a life of drug addiction to a powerful voice for Christ. -- Randy's story of backsliding and finding his way back to God's "reset button" in 1981. -- The concept of the "Inside Church" and how Red Life Ministries focuses on both "fishing" for the lost and "feeding" the believers within the prison walls. -- The role of creative arts and music in ministry, specifically using the guitar and harmonica to connect with inmates who share a love for southern rock and blues. Scriptures for Further Study -- John 10:10 (The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; Christ comes to give life). -- Psalm 107:14 (He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces). -- Matthew 4:19 (I will make you fishers of men). -- Matthew 25:36 (I was in prison and you visited me). Find more information about Red Life Ministries with Randy and Elizabeth Davenport here: http://www.redlifeministries.org/ This is episode 1255. ******* This is the radio program with the music removed. By the way, I have written a new book, and you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Have you ever made one too many mistakes? You know, you get to a point where you think, That's it! God must be done with me? Well, Abraham was a man of faith who made plenty of mistakes along the way. Yet God seemed to overlook, even o compensate for them. Why was that?   Life Changing Moments As we travel through life we all kind of experience these moments and often they are seemingly insignificant events that in fact, turn out to change the whole course of our lives. It's amazing when you think about it! We all have a plan for our lives but there are things just around the next corner or just over the next rise that can change everything – good things and bad things, happy things and sad things. Some people think, "Well, it's all a matter of chance." Well, I don't believe in chance. I remember a brochure that changed my life. I was attending a little church – I had not long become a Christian and it was a Sunday service like every other Sunday. At the end of the service I walked to the back of the little church and I saw a brochure for a particular Bible College, Tabor College in Sydney. It wasn't a particularly attractive brochure or a well designed brochure – I picked it up and that was a defining moment – I took it home, I read about this ministry degree, I prayed and I felt this incredibly strong tug in my heart. Now in my mind I am thinking, "There's no way. You know Berni, you have been a Christian for five minutes" but in my heart I knew. So I rang them, I applied, I went to see the Principal, I felt like such a fraud. "They are never going to accept me." They did! And there I learned so much but also, by chance again, I came into contact with my predecessor in this ministry; the former CEO of Christianityworks and one thing led to another. And today I'm doing what I am doing because I picked up that little brochure at the back of the church. Now I had no idea that morning that something would happen that would change the course of my life. This week we are starting a new series on Christianityworks, it's called "Defining Moments". It's really exciting! I want to look at this from a different perspective; from God's perspective. See when we look back on our lives most of us can pick three or four, maybe half a dozen defining moments – those little things that seemed to change the whole course of our lives. Now, sure we can see them from our natural human perspective – after all, we are people; we're human, but if we do that I think we miss the point. I want to look at some defining moments in the lives of four people in the Bible – Abraham, Joseph, David and Josiah over the next four weeks and we are starting today with Abraham. I want to see if we can discover how God reaches into our lives with miracles - great and small to define the very course of our lives because God does have a plan. Psalm 139, verse 16, says: Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In Your book were written all the days that were formed for me when none of them as yet existed. And when we at least expect it, and even despite what you and I do or fail to do, His plan is worked out through His grace for His glory. God brings those defining moments. Let's start with Abraham - the man with whom God's engagement of His chosen people began. He was living comfortably in a place called Ur, east of Israel – of course Israel didn't exist back then. Ur was the land of the Chaldeans, later it was called Babylon – it's just south of modern day Baghdad. And he travelled with his father up to Haran and then God called him to leave his comfort and follow this really crazy, absolutely incredulous promise. Let's pick it up – if you have got a Bible, grab it; open it up at Genesis chapter 12. We are going to look at the story of Abraham – it's too much to look at it all in one programme but we are going to have a look at part of his story. Genesis chapter 12, beginning at verse 1: Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. So Abram when as the Lord had told him and Lot when with him. Abram was seventy five years old when he departed form Haran." Seventy five years old! "He and Sarai his wife and they were childless." You see, you have to remember, in the Old Testament, blessing; God's blessing, you knew you had it when you had lots of land and lots of children. They had neither, so they didn't have God's blessing on their lives. Now the word "Abram" means "exalted father". So even his name was a joke, but still he went, off into the never never, based on what – some intangible, crazy call from God? Remember Abram had no Bible; he had no Scriptures to reveal who God was. He had no church tradition, or Jewish tradition – nothing like that. All the other nations had their gods; idols – they worshipped them, they believed all sorts of weird and wonderful things but Abram put his faith; he put his whole life and all his possessions in this God who came up with this incredulous promise. How did God say this to Abram - through an audible voice, a dream, a vision, a whisper of the Spirit in his heart? We don't know but he just heard the call and he trusted in the promises of God and off he went, into the blue yonder. Now God's plan A, remember, is to bless Abram with land and children – impossible of course! Oozes fantasy, not faith – could never happen. And then begins Abram's comedy of errors – pretty tragic actually. We don't have time to look at them all today but we are going to look at some of them. It's a journey where Abram and Sarai his wife, made plenty of mistakes along the way. Take Lot for instance, his nephew – if you look at Genesis chapter 12 again, did God tell Abram to take Lot with him? Not at all – it was Abram's idea. No doubt, this was plan B for Abram. "Well, if God doesn't come through on this promise of a son, at least I'll have a relative to be my heir" and Lot…..Lot causes him all sorts of grief. Let's have a look – Genesis chapter 13, verse 5: Now Lot who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents so that the land couldn't support both of them living together, for their possessions were so great that they could not live together. And there was strife between the herders of Abram's stock and the herders of Lot's stock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me – between your herders and my herders for we are kindred. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I'll go to the right; of you take the right hand, then I will go to the left." Lot looked about him and saw the plain of the Jordan that was well watered everywhere like this garden of the Lord; like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar - this was before the Lord had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan and Lot eastward thus he separated from Abram. Gee, plan B worked really well for Abram didn't it? Obviously God didn't know what He was promising Abram and needed a back up! And look how it turned out! Strife, separation and then Abram gave away the best half of the Promised Land. And if you read on in chapter 14, Abram risks his life and God's plan because he has to fight a battle to save Lot's life. Lot was not part of plan A and in chapter 19 of Genesis (we won't go there for now for time reasons) but he ends up sleeping with his own daughters and fathers the Moabites and the Ammonites; both nations that became enemies of Israel. Huh – well done Abram! God obviously needed your help!!   Who Can Blame Him? Well, who can blame Abram? He is in his late seventies now on a journey to nowhere and Sarai is no spring chicken either, I have to tell you. And God gives him this utterly incongruous, impossible promise and Abram is aching inside. "God, what are You doing?"  Can you relate to that? I can! Let's have a look at the defining moment in Abram's journey. It begins in Genesis chapter 15, verse 1: After these things the Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram, I am your shield. Your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "Lord God, what will You give me for I continue childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer, son of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." But the Word of the Lord came to him, "This man shall not be your heir. No one but a son coming from your very own body shall be your heir." God brought him outside and said, "Look toward the heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then the Lord said to him, "So shall your descendants be!" And Abram believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. I reckon this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. Is Abram a man of faith? Absolutely! But he is struggling – he has tried everything he can do in his own strength and he can't make this promise from God happen and time is marching on. So through his doubt, he ends up with plan C or D or whatever he is up to. How does God respond – with rebuke, with punishment, with discipline? God brought him outside and said, "Look toward the heaven and count the start, if you are able to count them." Then God said "So will your descendants be! Isn't it beautiful? You know, the Milky Way when you get away from the smog and the lights of the city is just the most awesome thing – there are so many stars out there – it almost looks like clouds. Trillions of stars – this is the love of God! And he believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. Abram's faith meant that God's righteousness became part of who he was. It's a theme the Apostle Paul picks up in Romans chapter 4 and in Galatians chapter 3 in the New Testament, much later. See I struggle with the rose coloured glasses that Paul and others in the New Testament use to look back on Abraham. They paint him as this paragon of virtue; this great man of faith. Hebrews chapter 11, beginning at verse 8: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he didn't know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country, for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age and Sarah herself was barren, was enabled to become a father. That's great but what about all of Abraham blunders? What about his lack of faith? He goes to God and says to God, "What will You give me? What will You show me? I can't see it – I'm losing hope." See, Abraham was human – Abraham had human failures and he made mistakes just like you and me - but the answer is in what we just read in Genesis. How is it that despite all of Abraham's blunders and doubts, God's plan still came to fruition? Because Abraham: "believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness." Abraham believed – he didn't do it perfectly – but he believed and this was counted by God as righteousness. The righteousness of God when we believe, He forgives our sins – He forgets them. "As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us." You see, that's why in the New Testament it doesn't talk about Abraham's mistakes because God has forgiven them and they are not relevant. That's how God deals with Abraham's human failings. This is the defining moment in Abraham's journey: he believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. This night that was like any other; he was in his tent; he was struggling; he was praying; he was saying, 'God, what are you doing?' And God just touches him and brings him outside and says, "Look up at the stars; as many as are there so numerous will be your descendants." It's not about what Abraham did or didn't do. The defining moment is about God's grace! And come and look with me exactly how imperfectly Abraham believed. Come and see with me how human and frail his faith actually is. He is credited with righteousness – God speaks to him and right on the back of that, just two verses later, in Genesis chapter 15, verse 8, begins this: But he said "O Lord, God, how am I to know I shall possess it?" And God said to him, "Bring Me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle dove and a young pigeon." He brought God all those things and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other but he did not cut the birds in two. And when the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abraham drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abraham and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Know this for certain that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs and they shall be slaves there and they shall be oppressed there for four hundred years but I will bring judgement on the nation that they serve and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you yourself, you shall go with your ancestors in peace and you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." When the sun had gone down and it was dark, and a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day (listen to this) On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, "To your descendants I give this land – from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates and the land of the Kenites and the Kenizzites and the Kadmonites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Raphaim and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Girgashites and the Jebusites." See, in the face of further doubt from Abraham, God gives him this vision and he makes an unbreakable promise; a covenant; a promise from God Himself to Abraham.   The Last Laugh Just as well, this covenant from God was an unbreakable promise because what happens next, after the stars thing and the vision and the promise, would have been the final straw for me if I had been God. Have a look at the next Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave girl whose name was Hagar and Sarai said to Abram, "You see the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go into my slave girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her." Abram listened to the voice of his wife Sarai, so after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar the Egyptian; her slave girl and gave her to her husband Abraham as a wife. He went into Hagar and she conceived and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done to me be on you. I gave my slave girl to you to embrace and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me." Ok, men had more than one wife in those days but people haven't changed that much. Wives, how happy would you be with this outcome? Your husband sleeping with a slave girl and then all of a sudden the slave girl is pregnant. Can you see how perverted this is? And the son that Hagar bore was Ishmail and he became the father of the Arab world! Gee, that worked out brilliantly, didn't it? And so Abram, left to his own devices would have lurched from one blunder to the next but now the bit that really gets me about this story, is the ending. Both Abram and Sarai get to the point – I mean this has been going on for years now; decades where they just end up laughing at God's promises. I mean they are so ridiculous; they are so impossible – have a look – Abram first in Genesis chapter 17, verse 15: God said to Abram, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai anymore but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her and she will give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah who is ninety years old bear a child?" And Abraham said to God, "O that Ishmail might live in Your sight." And God said, "No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him." And then Sarah's turn next! God appears to Abraham in the form of three men and those men said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one of them said, "I will surely return to you in due season and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance, behind them. Now Abraham and Sarah, they were old and advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, "After I have grown old and my husband is old, shall I have the pleasure?" See, can you blame Abraham and Sarah for laughing at God? I mean if you don't laugh you will cry. It has been twenty five years – they headed away on this fool's errand into the blue yonder. Abraham is over a hundred – Sarah is over ninety – come on God, what do You think You are doing? But let's see how it ends! Genesis chapter 21: The Lord dealt with Sarah just as He had said and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah had borne. Do you know what the word "Isaac" means? It means "he laughs" – you see God had the last laugh! They both laughed at God's promises and God gives them a son called Isaac and God has the last laugh! It's the laughter of God's grace. And when you look back on this journey, what was the defining moment? See, what you and I want to look at is say: "What do I have to do….what do I have to do? What do I have to do to get God's favour?" Isn't that what we are always thinking? And you look at all of Abraham's blunders and you see all the mistakes he made but in his heart he believed and it was reckoned unto him by God as righteousness. His faith trumped his failures! Let me say that again ... Abraham's faith trumped his failures! People came to Jesus years later and they said, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" And Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God: that you believe in the One whom He has sent." Do you get it? The defining moment for Abraham was God's gracious, loving, powerful, impossible, unbreakable, ridiculous, only God could ever do it, take it forever….promise. And in his heart Abraham believed. That's the bit that God saw and took and used and blessed Abraham through. That's why the New Testament writers can completely ignore the failures of Abraham because God….God had forgotten them a long time ago. God had decided to overlook them a long time ago. Abraham was not a perfect man – Abraham was human just like you and me. You make blunders in your life; I make blunders in my life. What does God look at? He looks at whether we put our trust in Him through Jesus Christ. God not only forgave Abraham and Sarah but He cleaned up their mess along the way so that His plan would be fulfilled and realised for His glory. Look again at the defining moment in Abraham's life…Genesis chapter 15, verses 5 and 6: God brought Abraham outside and said, "Look up toward the heaven. Count the stars if you are able to count them." Then God said to him, "So shall your descendants be. And Abraham believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. What do I have to do to do the works of God? To believe in the One whom He sent; His Son, Jesus Christ!

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1-4 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the December 27th, 2025 episode of the Daily Radio Bible! In today's journey through the Scriptures, Hunter guides us into the Book of Revelation, exploring chapters 1 through 4. Together, we'll encounter powerful images of Christ at the center of all creation—the One who holds the universe and our lives in His hands. Hunter reflects on the messages given to the seven churches, offering encouragement, correction, and hope, while reminding us that Christ's love extends to everyone, everywhere. This episode isn't just a reading, but a heartfelt invitation to see the world—and ourselves—through the lens of God's love as revealed in Jesus. You'll find moments of prayer for personal renewal, comfort, and peace, and meaningful reminders that our story, the story of the world, finds its meaning when Christ is at the center. Whether you are seeking encouragement for your journey, wisdom for your walk, or simply a quiet moment of prayer, this episode is for you. So grab your Bible, settle in, and join Hunter for a time of scripture, reflection, and prayer—rooted in the amazing truth that you are deeply loved by God. TODAY'S DEVOTION: There's someone sitting on the throne. The one on the throne is described as brilliant. The description is far more elaborate than that. But it's clear that it's not me and it's not you sitting there. Here in this last book of the Bible, John pulls back the curtain for us so that we can see the One who has been at work since the very beginning. All the plot lines are converging on him. John wants us to see that the plot and the point of the whole thing is this one who is sitting on the throne. The world is seen in its proper alignment when Christ is at the center and on his throne. This is how the whole story and universe was always intended to be. Romans 11:36 says, Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever and ever. And in Acts 17:28, it says, for in him we live and move and have our very being. It all makes sense when the curtain is pulled back and we realize that he is the center of it all. With him at the center, things are in their proper alignment. Today, we're called to surrender our usurped place at the center of our life and to see him for who he is and to worship Him. He is the one who's made a way for all of us to find a way to life. And he came into this world to offer himself as a sacrifice for us. He came for all of us, whether we recognize it or not. He has come at his Father's bidding in the anointing of the Spirit to gather us into the embrace of love that is shared between the Father and the Son and the Spirit. So today let us see him, the one whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose hair is white like wool, with the gold sash across his chest, his feet like burnished bronze, and whose voice thunders like mighty ocean waves. Let's see him. The one who humbled himself with such contrition that he came to us as a little baby, that we might know him, walk with him, love him, worship him, and know his joy. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul today. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Mary had an accepting heart, one that remained simple and uncomplicated. And she had a trusting heart, because she had obviously been well trained in the Word of God and knew its promises and prophecies. When this incredible message came to her from Gabriel that she would bear this miracle baby, she was prepared to trust because she knew God’s Word. Let’s look further at this story to get a better understanding of the heart of Mary. When the angel left her, she went to the one person with whom she could share the news, the one person she knew would understand, her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was bearing a miracle baby, too—a child given to her in old age, beyond child-bearing years. It’s interesting to note how Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband, reacted when the angel told him that his wife would have a special baby. He said: “How shall I know this for certain?” He focused on the facts as he saw them: his body was old, his wife’s body was old, and they could not have children. He doubted the angel’s message and asked for a further sign. Because of his lack of faith, he became speechless and remained that way until his son was born. I’m afraid Zacharias’ reaction is more like what mine would have been, how about you? He considers the circumstances and loses sight of the power of God to change circumstances, and he does a foolish thing—he fails to trust God. Let’s learn a lesson from Zacharias and set our hearts to trust God no matter what. Don’t look at the circumstances when God gives you a promise. God is never limited by any physical circumstances. Gabriel said it to Mary, very succinctly: For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37). When Mary comes into Elizabeth’s presence, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately recognized Mary’s news even before Mary could tell her. She calls Mary blessed, and Mary answers with one of the most beautiful passages in all of Scripture. It is commonly called The Magnificat, and I encourage you to read it anew this Christmas season, as found in Luke 1:46-55. It is beautiful poetry, but far beyond its literary beauty is its content. Remember, Mary was a young girl, with probably no formal education. But she had obviously been taught the Scriptures, for as she recites her praise to God, she draws from several Old Testament sources. Again, we get a look at the heart of Mary. It is an accepting heart, a trusting heart, and it is a heart of praise. Many women would have focused on the negatives of this situation. Many would have run into Elizabeth and said: “Oh, Elizabeth, what am I going to do? What will I tell people? Will you shelter me? What will Joseph say?  Help me, please Elizabeth.” But Mary had an eternal point of view and a total trust in God, so that she was able to see the real importance of her position and was able to thank and praise God for his eternal purposes, though her life on earth was very difficult. What a wonderful role model this simple lady is for us today. Do you have a heart of praise? That’s what you need to find favor with God, as Mary did. How much time do you spend each day simply praising him for who he is and what he has done for you? Have you ever analyzed your prayer time? How much is just sheer praising the Lord? Notice that Mary used Scripture to recite back to the Lord in praise. That’s a wonderful way to praise God, by reciting Scripture. You could use this wonderful Magnificat for your own personal praise time. I think we also have to take a look at Joseph. I’m sure he was chosen of God for his part in this, as much as Mary was. He could have easily refused to marry Mary. Most men would have done that, under the circumstances. By agreeing to marry her and support her through this birth, he took on a heavy responsibility. Can you picture that trip to Bethlehem? It's almost a hundred miles, so it took days. It must have been a tiring trip for a pregnant woman. We aren't told what manner of transportation they had—perhaps a donkey or a cart or they just walked. But any way you look at it, it's not a trip a very pregnant woman would want to take in those days. But Mary did it and Joseph gently and carefully took care of her. Joseph must have felt great frustration when he realized Mary was going to deliver there, away from home and friends and people to help with Mary and the baby. No doubt God provided for their needs, but it was a very humble birthplace—especially for the one and only one born as a King. But with Mary in hard labor, he finds a place where she can deliver. Of course, life doesn’t get any easier for Joseph. Soon he has to take his wife and this child and flee his country. He has to leave his home and his business and take her to Egypt. Never could he have thought that this would be required of him. But when the angel gives him these instructions, he obeys. Joseph had a very obedient heart and a non-complaining spirit. His love for the Lord and for Mary must have been enormous. And having delivered this little miracle baby, I’m sure he felt a very real sense of responsibility as well as privilege to be able to take care of this God-child for a few years. Mary must have thanked God for Joseph time and again. If you knew, as Mary did, that you were bearing the Son of God, how would you feel when you realized that your delivery room was to be so dismal? After all, Mary knew this child within her was of the Holy Spirit. Everyone else had to take it by faith, but Mary knew that she had never known a man, and yet here she was ready to give birth to a child. How could God allow his Son to be born in such a degrading manner? She must have been puzzled. And then, almost adding insult to injury, while they’re still in this terrible situation, just having given birth, in come these lowly shepherds to find this baby. We don’t know how many there were, but they invade Mary’s delivery room, and come in upon a weary mother and child. Not exactly what you would plan for the reception committee of the King of kings and Lord or lords, right? But Mary allows them in, and we are told she “pondered all these things in her heart.” Instead of questioning or rebelling, instead of being discouraged or disheartened, Mary pondered on everything that had happened, and treasured it up in her heart. In addition to an accepting heart and a praising heart, Mary had a meditative heart. She thought a lot more than she spoke. She remembered what God had said and what he had done, and she stored up the truths and treasures. We need to have hearts that treasure up God’s goodness and God’s promises to us, and hearts that meditate on those things. Then the day came when Jesus left his home and his mother to pursue the ministry God had planned for him, a brief ministry, ending in a crucifixion. He leaves her to become the Savior of the world, and indeed to become her Savior as well, for she was in need of redemption like everyone else. She watched him suffer and die. I can imagine that Mary must have found it difficult to believe at this point that she was “blessed above all women.” Here she is, probably a widow with her beloved Joseph gone, and her precious treasure, her miracle baby, gone as well. Crucified, of all things. If you ever think you’ve got it tough, think about Mary. How could she hold up under this incredible load of suffering and confusion and emotional pressures she endured? She was chosen for this because her heart was right: She had an accepting heart. She kept things very simple and didn’t ask “why’s” and “how’s.” She accepted and she trusted. She had a praising heart, that saw the positive and not the negative. And she praised God from a heart that had been filled with the Word of God. And she had a meditative heart, that treasured up God’s goodness and God’s promises. As we close our thoughts about Mary, the Mother of Jesus, I want to share a chapter from Max Lucado’s book God Came Near. Max does an incredible job of helping us see the incarnation of God becoming Man in new and marvelous ways. This chapter is entitled “Twenty-five Questions for Mary.” Imagine sitting with Mary and asking her: “What was it like watching him pray? How did he respond when he saw other kids giggling during the service at the synagogue? When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood? Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world? When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently? Did you ever see him with a distant look on his face as if he were listening to someone you couldn’t hear? “How did he act at funerals? Did the thought ever occur to you that the God to whom you were praying was asleep under your own roof? Did you ever try to count the stars with him. . . and succeed? Did he ever come home with a black eye? How did he act when he got his first haircut? Did he have any friends by the name of Judas? “Did he do well in school? Did you ever scold him? Did he ever have to ask a question about Scripture? What do you think he thought when he saw a prostitute offering to the highest bidder the body he made? “Did he ever get angry when someone was dishonest with him? Did you ever catch him pensively looking at the flesh on his own arm while holding a clod of dirt? Did he ever wake up afraid? When someone referred to Satan, how did he act? “Who was his best friend? Did you ever accidentally call him Father? What did he and his cousin John talk about as kids? Did his other brothers and sisters understand what was happening? Did you ever think, ‘That’s God eating my soup’?” It is an incredible truth God became flesh and dwelt among us, and for his earthly mother, we can only imagine the joy and the amazement she knew as she watched this miracle baby grow, and the pain she knew because of his sufferings. It will be good in heaven someday to hear her answer some of these questions.

When Anxiety Feels Louder Than God   There are times in the Christian life when anxiety seems to shout louder than the voice of God. The pressures of daily living—the demands of school or work, the pull of peers in the wrong direction, the subtle temptations of the enemy to sin, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring—can create a clamor in the soul that drowns out the quiet assurance of God's presence. Yet the Scriptures speak directly to these very struggles, offering not mere human advice, but divine remedies that bring peace and victory. We will focus our attention on three key passages that address the heart of this matter: Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, and Psalm 34:4. These verses, taken from the Authorized King James Version, provide a clear pathway from anxiety to the peace that only God can give. First, let us read Philippians 4:6-7 in full: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote these words from a Roman prison, where anxiety could easily have overwhelmed him. Chains clanked around his wrists, the future was uncertain, and yet he penned one of the most triumphant letters in the New Testament. His secret? He refused to be "careful"—that is, anxious—about anything. Instead, he turned every concern into a conversation with God. Notice the comprehensive nature of Paul's instruction: "in every thing." No worry is too small or too large to bring before the throne of grace. Whether it is the stress of examinations and deadlines in school, the pressure from classmates to conform to worldly standards, the temptation whispered by Satan to compromise holiness, or the fear of what lies ahead in an unpredictable world—every thing qualifies for prayer. Paul specifies three elements in this prayer: prayer itself (general communion with God), supplication (specific requests), and thanksgiving (gratitude even in the midst of trial). Thanksgiving is the key that keeps prayer from becoming mere complaining. When we thank God for His past faithfulness, we remind ourselves that He is still in control. The result is breathtaking: "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding." This is not the absence of problems, but the presence of God in the midst of them. It is a peace that defies human explanation—a garrison, as the word "keep" suggests, stationed around the heart and mind like a Roman guard around a priceless treasure. Through Christ Jesus, this peace stands sentinel, preventing anxiety from storming the citadel of the soul. Consider the young student facing overwhelming school pressures—exams that seem insurmountable, projects that pile up, grades that determine future opportunities. The enemy whispers, "You can't handle this; you'll fail." Peers add their voices: "Everyone else is cheating—just this once." The future looms dark: "What if you don't get into the right college? What if your plans fall apart?" In such moments, anxiety roars. But when that student obeys Philippians 4:6-7, turning those burdens into thankful prayer, the peace of God descends like a quiet shield. The problems may remain, but they no longer dominate the heart. Now turn with me to 1 Peter 5:7: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Peter, who once sank in the waves because he focused on the storm rather than on Christ, now writes with pastoral tenderness to suffering believers. The word "casting" pictures a deliberate act—throwing the entire weight of our cares onto the Lord, as one might hurl a heavy burden onto a strong beast of burden. "All your care"—not some, not the large ones only, but all. The everyday stresses, the relational tensions from peer pressure, the spiritual battles against Satan's temptations to sin, the nagging fears about tomorrow—all are to be cast upon Him. Why can we do this? Because "he careth for you." This is not indifferent deity, but personal, tender concern. The same God who numbers the hairs of our heads and feeds the sparrows knows every detail of our anxieties. He cares more deeply than the most loving parent. Think of the believer facing peer pressure—the subtle (or not so subtle) invitations to join in activities that dishonor God, the ridicule for standing firm, the loneliness of being different. Satan uses these moments to create anxiety: "If you don't go along, you'll lose your friends; you'll be isolated." But when we cast that care upon the Lord, remembering His personal love, the pressure loses its grip. We realize that pleasing Him is worth far more than temporary acceptance. Or consider the fear of the future—job uncertainty, health concerns, world events that unsettle the heart. The enemy loves to paint bleak pictures: "What if the worst happens? God has forgotten you." Yet Peter's simple command cuts through the noise: Cast it on Him. He cares. The One who guided Peter through denial, restoration, and martyrdom cares for us in our smaller storms. Finally, let us examine Psalm 34:4: I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This psalm comes from David's experience when he fled from Saul and feigned madness before Abimelech (1 Samuel 21). Surrounded by danger, David turned to the Lord in desperate seeking. The result? God heard and delivered him from all his fears. Not some fears, but all. The fear of death at Saul's hand, the fear of humiliation, the fear of failure—all were removed. How? By seeking the Lord—turning the eyes of faith upward instead of inward or outward. In our context, this verse speaks powerfully to every form of anxiety. The student overwhelmed by academic stress seeks the Lord in prayer and Scripture, and fears of failure diminish. The young person battling peer pressure seeks the Lord for strength to stand alone if necessary, and the fear of rejection fades. The believer tempted by Satan seeks the Lord's deliverance, and the fear of falling into sin is replaced by confidence in God's keeping power. The one anxious about the future seeks the Lord who holds tomorrow, and fear gives way to trust. David's testimony is personal: "I sought...he heard me...delivered me." This is not theory but experience. Thousands of believers through the centuries have echoed these words. When anxiety threatens to overwhelm, seeking the Lord brings deliverance. These three passages form a beautiful harmony. Philippians teaches us how to pray about our anxieties; 1 Peter encourages us to cast them upon a caring God; Psalm 34 assures us that seeking Him brings deliverance from fear itself. But Scripture does not leave us with these three verses alone. The Bible is rich with encouragement for the anxious heart. Consider Matthew 6:25-34, where our Lord Jesus repeatedly commands, "Take no thought" for life's necessities. The birds of the air and lilies of the field are cared for—how much more His children? Worry about tomorrow accomplishes nothing but robs today of its strength. Or Psalm 55:22: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Parallel to Peter's words, this promise assures sustaining grace. Isaiah 41:10 offers strength: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Joshua 1:9 reminds us: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." And in the storms of spiritual pressure, remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Satan's temptations to sin often come wrapped in anxiety: "If you don't yield, something terrible will happen." But God always provides a way of escape. When peer pressure intensifies, recall Proverbs 1:10-15—wisdom's warning against enticement by sinners. Standing firm may cost friends, but it gains the smile of God. For school and life stresses, Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." The fear of the future finds its antidote in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." And when anxiety peaks, Psalm 46:1 declares: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." These truths are not distant doctrines but practical helps for daily living. The young person facing exams can pray specifically, cast the burden, and seek the Lord—experiencing peace that guards the mind during study and testing. The one pressured by peers can cast the fear of rejection upon God, remembering He cares, and find deliverance from the fear that drives compromise. In spiritual warfare against temptation, seeking the Lord brings deliverance from the fear of falling. And for future uncertainties—graduation, career, marriage, family—casting cares upon Him who holds the future brings sustaining peace. Anxiety feels loud because it speaks in the voice of circumstances, peers, and the enemy. But God's voice, though often quiet, is infinitely more powerful. When we obey these Scriptures—praying with thanksgiving, casting every care, seeking Him earnestly—anxiety's volume decreases, and God's peace becomes the dominant sound in the soul. The world offers temporary fixes: distraction, medication, denial. But only Christ offers permanent peace—the peace that passes understanding, the care of a loving Father, deliverance from all fears. May we, like Paul in prison, like Peter in persecution, like David in flight, turn anxiety into prayer, burdens into casting, fears into seeking. And may the God of peace Himself garrison our hearts and minds until that day when faith becomes sight, and anxiety is silenced forever in His presence.

Behavior matters! Understand how actions reveal your true identity in Christ, and what it means to be free from legalism through a genuine walk with God.

Reading 1Isaiah 7:10-14The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!But Ahaz answered,"I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"Then Isaiah said:Listen, O house of David!Is it not enough for you to weary people,must you also weary my God?Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,and shall name him Emmanuel.Reading 2Romans 1:1-7Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,but established as Son of God in poweraccording to the Spirit of holinessthrough resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.Through him we have received the grace of apostleship,to bring about the obedience of faith,for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles,among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.Grace to you and peace from God our Fatherand the Lord Jesus Christ.GospelMatthew 1:18-24This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,but before they lived together,she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,yet unwilling to expose her to shame,decided to divorce her quietly.Such was his intention when, behold,the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,"Joseph, son of David,do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.For it is through the Holy Spiritthat this child has been conceived in her.She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins."All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall name him Emmanuel,which means "God is with us."When Joseph awoke,he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded himand took his wife into his home.

2025 tested a lot of people.Not everything survived — and that doesn't mean you failed.In this end-of-year episode, Pastor Joe Moss slows the pace and asks a sacred question most people avoid:What survived the year?This is not a motivational talk.It's a reflective, faith-centered message for anyone who:• carried more than they expected• lost things they didn't plan to lose• wrestled privately with God• stayed when quitting would've been easier• feels changed by the year — but can't fully explain howThrough Scripture and story, this episode walks through:• pressure that refined rather than destroyed• holy loss and what didn't survive on purpose• the wrestle that reshaped identity• the limp that marked dependence on God• the core of faith that remains• and how God carries us forward into what's next

Pastor Josh and Ken speak with J. Warner Wallace from Cold Case Christianity. He is a detective and a follower of Jesus who assembles the facts and evidence to demonstrate the trustworthiness of the Scriptures. This week, Josh and Ken discuss the importance of Biblical Apologetics. Can you defend your faith? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/407/29?v=20251111

Click the icon below to listen.

There are many misunderstandings about Jesus. To know Him as He truly is, we have to search and study all of the Scriptures. In this message from Isaiah 42, Pastor Lutzer introduces three descriptions of Jesus as the Servant. He is the very servant of God, calling us to join Him.  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119; 2 John; 3 John Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Hunter invites us to journey through the Scriptures together on this 26th day of December. As we draw near to the end of the year, Hunter guides us through the timeless wisdom of Psalm 117 and 119, alongside the short but powerful letters of 2 John and 3 John. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on what it means to let God's Word dwell richly in our lives—shaping our hearts, anchoring our souls, and pointing us to the true treasure: the transforming presence and love of Jesus. Join Hunter as he meditates on how the Scriptures can revive, encourage, and sustain us, even in challenging times. Together, we'll pray for God's guidance, experience the peace He offers, and be reminded that, above all, we are deeply loved. Whether you're listening on your own or with family, this episode is an invitation to greet the day with gratitude, hope, and a renewed commitment to walk in God's word. Let's open our hearts and continue this journey—because, as Hunter shares, the treasure truly is here. TODAY'S DEVOTION: The treasure is here. What is this treasure we find in the Word of God? Hunter reflects on Psalm 119 and the remarkable declaration of the beauty and power of God's Word. "I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you." For years, we've gathered here on this podcast—day after day—reciting aloud the wonderful works of God, tucking His Word into our hearts. Why? Because God's Word helps us, not only to resist sin, but to live fully and freely. But the gifts of the Word go far beyond helping us resist sin. Psalm 119 lays out a long litany of the treasures that God's Word brings to our lives: it revives and encourages the heart, keeps us honest, fills us with happiness, rids us of shame, renews with goodness and hope, comforts us in times of trouble, anchors our souls, holds evil at bay, teaches judgment and knowledge, sustains us with joy, brings us true life, and makes us wise. It guides our every step and brings joy even when times are tough. It is, above all, a great treasure. Hunter has found these things to be true. Just as the psalmist says, the Word of God is more desirable than gold—sweeter than honey from the comb. By God's grace, may we continue to hold tightly to this word of truth, whether in storm or calm. When we honor His Word, He honors us; when we seek Him with all our hearts, He blesses us. The treasure, friends, isn't only in the words themselves, but in the One to whom they point. The treasure is Jesus. His Word leads us to Him, reveals Him, and He is the fulfillment of all our longing. So today, let's open our hearts to His Word. Let it do its good work within us, guiding us into His presence, so we may walk by His side and live in His joy. That is the prayer for my soul. That is the prayer for my family—my wife, my daughters, my son. And that, dear brothers and sisters of the DRB nation, is my prayer for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Pastor Josh and Ken speak with J. Warner Wallace from Cold Case Christianity. He is a detective and a follower of Jesus who assembles the facts and evidence to demonstrate the trustworthiness of the Scriptures. This week, Josh and Ken discuss the importance of Biblical Apologetics. Can you defend your faith? Extended version begins at 28:55. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.lightsource.com/donate/1472/29

There are many misunderstandings about Jesus. To know Him as He truly is, we have to search and study all of the Scriptures. In this message from Isaiah 42, Pastor Lutzer introduces three descriptions of Jesus as the Servant. He is the very servant of God, calling us to join Him.  This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337.  Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives.  Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.    SUPPORT:  Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/  Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/    SUBSCRIBE:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia  Daily Devotional and Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/ 

What exactly are the “good works” believers are created for? This teaching shows how the Torah defines and equips good works (2 Tim 3:16–17), why Yeshua upholds the Law (Matt 5:17–19), and how the Spirit empowers obedience (Ezek 36:27; Rom 8:4). Scriptures (4–6): Ephesians 2:8–10; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Matthew 5:16–19; Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:4; Revelation 14:12 Takeaway (1–2 sentences): We're not saved by works—we're saved for works Scripture defines. In Yeshua, by the Spirit, we walk in Torah-shaped love (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3).#goodworks #CreatedForGoodWorks #119Ministries  #TestEverything #Bible

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251226dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 He Has Spoken by His Son When people want to know God’s will, they often search for a voice. Some look for signs in nature, others for whispers in their hearts. Some chase after visions or dramatic experiences. But the writer to the Hebrews reminds us that we don't need to guess where God speaks. We already have his clear Word. Long ago, God spoke through prophets like Moses and Isaiah. Their words were true, and they pointed forward to something greater. All those voices prepared the way for the day when God would speak through his Son. And that day has come. In Jesus, God has spoken once for all. Do you want to know how God feels about you? Look at his Son. See Jesus reaching out to touch the untouchable leper. Hear his voice calming the fearful. Watch him carrying your sins to the cross. Listen as he cries out, “It is finished!” That is God's message to you. No uncertainty. No guesswork. God loves you, forgives you, and calls you his child. Notice also how Jesus is described. He is the heir of all things, the One through whom the universe was made. This is no ordinary messenger. When he speaks, it is not merely advice or suggestion. It is the voice of the eternal Son of God. And that means you can trust his promises with complete confidence. So, when doubts arise, when your heart longs for assurance, you don't need to wait for a special sign from heaven. You already have the greatest sign: God has spoken by his Son. Open the Scriptures. Hear him there. His Word is living and active, still speaking forgiveness and peace into your life today. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the final and full Word of God. When I am tempted to look elsewhere for assurance, turn me back to you. Let me rest in your promises, for in you I hear God's love loud and clear. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

In this episode, Joyce Meyer shares part one of her series, "My Favourite Scriptures." She shares the life-changing verses that have strengthened and guided her throughout the years. Listen to this whole series by watching season 5, episodes 54 to 57 of "Enjoying Everyday Life" on our streaming service. Sign up for a free account in three easy steps. Don't miss Christmas at Miracle Channel! Visit our website at miraclechannel.ca/christmas and learn what's going on this holiday season! Need prayer? Email us at: prayer@miraclechannel.ca. We'd love to stand in faith with you. Sign up for the Miracle Channel eNewsletter for a new ebook and Scripture declarations each month, plus updates on the ministry! Visit our website to discover new resources that will help you grow closer to Jesus every day. Connect with us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

In this special compilation episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, recorded live at IBCD's 2025 Summer Institute, Christine Chappell brings together voices from across the conference to reflect on the meaning and practice of wise counsel according to the Scriptures. Through conversations with Jim Newheiser, Scott Mehl, Joe Keller, Shannon McCoy, Brian Borgman, Don Roy, Lauren Sterling, Paul Tautges, and Tim St. John, this episode explores how biblical wisdom is grounded in the fear of the Lord, shaped by gentleness and patience, and lived out in everyday care and discipleship. From theological foundations to personal growth and encouragement for counselors, these reflections invite listeners to pursue Christ-centered wisdom that honors God and lovingly serves others in the context of the local church. View the full show notes & links for this episode: https://ibcd.org/wise-counsel-2025-speakers The Hope + Help Podcast offers biblical conversations about life's challenging problems. The podcast accomplishes this by offering a mix of interviews with seasoned biblical counseling professionals and ministry leaders on a variety of topics. Hosted by Christine Chappell. To learn more about the show and to access helpful resources, visit ibcd.org/hopeandhelp. Connect with host Christine Chappell at https://christinemchappell.com. IBCD's Hope + Help Podcast is available on most podcast streaming platforms, so please don't keep the show a secret! If you know someone walking through a challenging season of life, please share the Hope + Help Podcast with them.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251226dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 He Has Spoken by His Son When people want to know God’s will, they often search for a voice. Some look for signs in nature, others for whispers in their hearts. Some chase after visions or dramatic experiences. But the writer to the Hebrews reminds us that we don't need to guess where God speaks. We already have his clear Word. Long ago, God spoke through prophets like Moses and Isaiah. Their words were true, and they pointed forward to something greater. All those voices prepared the way for the day when God would speak through his Son. And that day has come. In Jesus, God has spoken once for all. Do you want to know how God feels about you? Look at his Son. See Jesus reaching out to touch the untouchable leper. Hear his voice calming the fearful. Watch him carrying your sins to the cross. Listen as he cries out, “It is finished!” That is God's message to you. No uncertainty. No guesswork. God loves you, forgives you, and calls you his child. Notice also how Jesus is described. He is the heir of all things, the One through whom the universe was made. This is no ordinary messenger. When he speaks, it is not merely advice or suggestion. It is the voice of the eternal Son of God. And that means you can trust his promises with complete confidence. So, when doubts arise, when your heart longs for assurance, you don't need to wait for a special sign from heaven. You already have the greatest sign: God has spoken by his Son. Open the Scriptures. Hear him there. His Word is living and active, still speaking forgiveness and peace into your life today. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the final and full Word of God. When I am tempted to look elsewhere for assurance, turn me back to you. Let me rest in your promises, for in you I hear God's love loud and clear. 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.

Emily has been shaped by a lifelong relationship with Christ, one that moved from inherited faith to deeply personal devotion. While she has been a Christian the majority of her life, it was at age 18 that she intentionally began pursuing her own relationship with the Lord. Anchored in Scriptures like Psalm 139, Emily rests in the truth that God knows her fully and intimately. In the quiet moments—when comfort gives way to obedience—her faith was sparked into something active and alive, marked by a steady resolve to keep pressing in and to ask the Lord, “What do You want me to do?”A central passion in Emily's life is seeing people experience healing through the Lord. For the past 7-8 years, she has served faithfully on the Salem Alliance prayer team, believing deeply in the power of intercession and biblical community. She understands that we are built for community, and that healing often comes through the tangible hands and feet of Jesus—something she has personally experienced through her friends and family. Her life reflects a call to lead by example, embracing hard conversations, facing the music, and being willing to ask, “What was my part?” all while choosing to be the light of Jesus.Emily's journey has not been without profound suffering. At just twenty-nine, she has walked through significant loss, including divorce and the death of her mother. Her mother's diagnosis came at the same time her former husband chose to leave the marriage, a season marked by survival rather than thriving. Yet even in that valley, Emily sensed an undercurrent of the Lord's peace—a quiet but steady assurance that God heard her prayers and was answering them, even if the answers came in unexpected ways. Through grief, she has learned not only how to suffer, but how to embrace healing and trust in God's redeeming faithfulness.Today, Emily is remarried and a stepmom, learning firsthand the complexities and beauty of blended family life. She approaches marriage and family with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to growth, believing that comfort is never the place where true growth happens. Her story is one of obedience—choosing to step forward even when the path is unclear, trusting the Lord's timing, and believing that there is always more beyond survival. “It's time to thrive,” has become both a declaration and a testimony of God's work in her life.Professionally, Emily is licensed and ordained within the Christian and Missionary Alliance and has served at Salem Alliance Church for the past two years. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in counseling, desiring to walk alongside others with wisdom, compassion, and truth. Her life stands as a doxology in motion—praise lived out through faithfulness, service, and trust in God's ability to redeem every circumstance. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow… Her story ultimately points upward, declaring that even in loss, healing, and becoming, the Lord remains faithful.Reach out to Emily to hear more of her story and learn what resilience means. #Jesusfollower #Psalm139 #Heknowsme #conversationwithbuddy _ _ _For more stories like this, go to: https://www.youtube.com/@BuddyJamesPuckettIf you or someone you know want to be on the podcast, please reach out to me on Instagram @conversationswithbuddy or text me at 503-851-8031. _ _ _About Buddy Puckett:Buddy Puckett has been in the mortgage and finance space and mentoring men for over 25 years.  A mentoring opportunity all started when he first began in the mortgage industry in 1998, when he began to mentor a younger guy who happened to be married.  This person was not making great choices and it was sadly affecting his marriage.  We all are 1 decision away from something really dumb, so accountability became something Buddy knew he needed as well.  Buddy's wife, Shawn, suggested he start a podcast in 2022 to share the stories of people who have struggled,failed, overcame by realizing the life of love, joy and peace is only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ! “Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me'.” John 14:6Guild Mortgage Company: Equal Housing Opportunity, NMLS #3274 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Buddy Puckett NMLS #270057, Arizona BK#0018883, AZ LO-1032154; OR ML-176 For more licensing information, please visit www.guildmortgage.com/licensing. The positions, strategies or opinions of the author do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of Guild Mortgage Company or its affiliates.

The return of Christ is imminent, and He is coming for a bride without spot, wrinkle, or blemish. To prepare for this day, the Body of Christ must move past cultural and racial divisions to become one unified body under the lordship of Jesus. In this teaching, Dr. Edith Davis reveals that the key to this unity is the total transformation of our thought lives. By examining the life of Jesus, we see a model of perfect mental and spiritual health that we are called to emulate. Dr. Davis discusses the "guardrails" of the Word of God and the importance of discerning the source of our thoughts. She provides practical insights on how to "jettison" negative thoughts and replace them with the Word, reminding us that we have the authority to command every thought to bow to King Jesus. Main Points of the Teaching: -- The Call to Unity: We are not a collection of segregated churches based on ethnicity; we are one body that must be unified through the renewing of the mind. -- The Strategy of the Enemy: Satan first attacks our sense of authority and our walk of love, using deception and offense to create fear. -- The Four Attributes of a Sound Mind: To walk in victory, we must cultivate a mind that is calm (cool and collected), balanced (focused on Jesus), disciplined (guided by the Word), and self-controlled (ruling over emotions). -- Words vs. Thoughts: A spoken word is more powerful than a silent thought. We can cancel out the enemy's suggestions by speaking the Word of God out loud, just as Jesus did in the wilderness. -- Fruit over Labels: True salvation is evidenced by the fruit we bear. Dr. Davis warns against "religious works" that lack a true heart connection with the Savior. -- The Priesthood of Christ: A look into the lineage of John the Baptist and how the Aaronic priesthood served to baptize Jesus into the Melchizedek priesthood. Scriptures for Further Study -- 2 Timothy 1:7 -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Proverbs 3:5-8 -- Matthew 7:21-23 -- Matthew 8:23-27 -- John 15:1-8 This is episode 386. +++++++ Check out my new website: https://www.enterthegloryzone.org/ MY AUDIO BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE You can Divorce Proof Your Marriage by understanding the Secret Keys of Love. You will come to understand that your Marriage has an enemy. You will come to understand that you are dating your future spouse representative. You will come to understand that your Marriage has the gift of Supernatural Sex. For more information about purchasing this audio book, click here: https://personalbuy.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product8702.html

Click For Today’s Audio Or Read the Passage Here CoffeeTime Video Devotional Check out the CoffeeTime Video Devo on YouTube with Pastor Miles, on YouTube. Helpful Resources Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible Download the Blue Letter Bible App For iOS or Android Additional Daily Devotionals My […]

Click the icon below to listen.

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

Christian has strayed off the path because he listened to Mr Worldly Wiseman. What will happen next? Who will he meet on his journey? Will he get to the Wicket Gate?Scriptures we are looking at today:Job 9:33Job 19:25–27Psalm 2:7Psalm 22:1, 16–18Psalm 72:11, 17Proverbs 8:22–31Proverbs 30:4Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

What will happen with Christian now that he has met Mr Worldly Wiseman? Will he stray off the path to the Wicket Gate?Scriptures we will cover today:Ezra 1:3Ezra 9:9Nehemiah 1:6Nehemiah 2:5Nehemiah 8:10Esther 4:14Esther 8:17Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

The 2 people from the town of Vainglory seem like trouble. Let's see what happens next!Scriptures we are looking at Today:Daniel 2:44Daniel 7:13–14Daniel 9:24–26Hosea 11:1Hosea 2:19–20Hosea 13:14Joel 2:28–32Joel 3:16  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

Christian is on his way! Glad he found the parchment. What will happen next?Scriptures we will be looking at today:Micah 5:2Micah 5:4–5Micah 7:18–19Nahum 1:7Nahum 1:15Habakkuk 2:4Habakkuk 3:17–18  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

What is Vanity Fair? Listen for the description after the scripture reading. There is a lot to unpack there!Scriptures we are reading today:Acts 4:12Acts 13:23Acts 2:29–36Acts 3:18–26Acts 10:36–37Acts 4:33Luke 1:57-67Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

What will happen with Faithful today with his trial? will he be able to get away?Scriptures we are looking at today:Romans 1:1–4Romans 3:23–24Romans 5:8–10Romans 6:23Romans 8:3–4Luke 1 : 68-80 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

Did Christian and Hopeful get themselves into something they cannot get out of? I can't wait to find out.Scriptures we will be looking at today:Galatians 4:4–5Galatians 2:20Ephesians 2:14–16Ephesians 1:7Philippians 2:5–7Philippians 2:9–11Colossians 1:15–16Colossians 1:19–20Luke 2: 1-10Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

Christian and Hopeful are on their way! What will they encounter today?Scriptures we will be reading today:Philemon 1:15–16Philemon 1:18–19Hebrews 2:14–15Hebrews 4:14–16Hebrews 9:12–14James 1:18James 4:7–8James 5:15–16Matthew 2:1-7 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

How will the story conclude today? Let's find out.Scriptures we will be reading today:1 John 4:9–101 John 5:11–122 John 1:3–43 John 1:11 1 John 1:71 John 3:8Matthew 2:16-23Luke 2:40 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

Dr. Sears continues to show how the Old Testament complexity is intentional, how it grows alongside Restoration scripture, and how understanding covenants as relationships helps readers wrestle with the text and liken its stories to their own lives.YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/o76_n5be9e8ALL 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 NEWSLETTER https://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter  SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE00:00 Part 2 - Dr. Josh Sears01:50 We love the scriptures we spend time with05:13 Psalm 88 a poem by an anonymous author08:05 Why should I wrestle with these books?12:39 Heroes with character flaws15:35 Scriptures aren't a handbook or manual18:30 Utilizing all the scripture19:59 Sustaining President Oaks and Sister Oaks21:50 Covenant as relationship26:02 Different titles for broad ideas29:02 Why a family?32:28 We can learn about my covenant relationship34:42 God allows suffering37:02 God always comes to our aid40:51 Gathering is why we are here43:43 A preview of God never forsaking His children47:28 Trusting in Jesus Christ and encouragement to participate in 202654:25 End of Part 2 - Dr. Josh SearsThanks 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

Click the icon below to listen.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: John 19-21 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to a very special Christmas Eve episode of the Daily Radio Bible. Today, Hunter invites us to gather around the Scriptures—not just to read stories, but to let our hearts be drawn to Jesus, the source of life. Although our reading from John chapters 19 through 21 focuses on the death and resurrection of Jesus rather than His birth, Hunter reminds us how profound it is that the same God who arrived as a small child in a Bethlehem manger is also the one who brings salvation through the cross. In this episode, we witness the final moments of Jesus' life, His resurrection, and the hope that continues through His transformation of lives—reminding us that His work is ongoing, even today. Hunter leads us in reflection, prayer, and encouragement as we remember God's unwavering love, His presence in our suffering, and the peace He offers us all. Whether you're feeling joy or carrying heartache this season, you're invited to experience the true meaning of Christmas: love, compassion, and new life in Christ. TODAY'S DEVOTION: He is the God of many other things. As John ends his gospel, he reminds us that if everything Jesus did were written down, even the whole world could not contain the books. The story doesn't end in the past—those "other things" continue on, even today. Jesus is still with us, still transforming lives. He shows up behind locked doors, and locked hearts, bringing hope in places touched by grief and suffering. As Hunter reflects, Christ is present even now, amidst rubble and despair, with those grieving in Gaza, and with those experiencing loss in Israel. Wherever there is heartache, Christ whispers peace: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." He invites us to follow him—not just as spectators, but as participants in his love and compassion. On this Christmas Eve, we are reminded to move beyond our failures, to step into the new life Christ offers. He calls us, as he called Peter, to feed his sheep—to lay down our lives in service and love for others, just as he did for us. His purpose for us is clear: to go into the world and become instruments of peace, channels of hope, bearers of joy. Let the reality of Christ's resurrection—his conquering of death, and the peace won for us—shape how we live, especially today. When we move beyond our limitations and into his path, compassion, love, and purpose become not just possibilities, but our way of life. May we surrender our hearts anew to the abiding, transforming presence of Christ, and let him continue to write new books in the story of our lives. May we go forth in his love and joy, knowing that we are loved, and called to love. That's my prayer for my soul, for my family, and for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click the icon below to listen.

Advent E4 — We're ending our short Advent series with a reflection on love. In the Hebrew Bible, the word “ahavah” involves faithfulness to God and living by his wisdom, but it also means showing practical care to others—especially the vulnerable. Jesus views this love for God and neighbor as the greatest command, and he expands it to be indiscriminate, radical kindness and generosity even toward our enemies. The New Testament authors were so blown away by this kind of love that they adopted an obscure Greek word for love, “agape,” and redefined it to be a self-giving, sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrates in his life, teaching, death, and resurrection. In this episode, Jon and Tim explore the main biblical words for love, showing how the story of Advent characterizes agape as God's own essence and our calling. FULL SHOW NOTESFor chapter-by-chapter notes including summaries, referenced Scriptures, biblical words, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.CHAPTERSThe Hebrew Bible's Understanding of Love (0:00–13:17)Agape and Jesus' Redefinition of Love (13:17–21:25)God Is Love (21:25–31:10)Reflections on Love With JoDee (31:10-36:12)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESThe Affections of Christ Jesus: Love at the Heart of Paul's Theology by Nijay GuptaAhavah / Love: Though not referenced directly in the episode, this 2017 video explores the same biblical word ahavah.Agape / Love: Also not referenced directly in the episode, this 2017 video explores the same biblical word, agape.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“Clouds ft. ahmo” by Lofi Sunday“Warm Hugs” by Lofi Sunday & Cassidy Godwin“Snowflakes” by AvesBibleProject theme song by TENTS SHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Special thanks to our guest JoDee Atherton.Powered and distributed by Simplecast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.