Podcasts about see matthew

Read OnlineOne of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14–16The desire for money can become a powerful incentive to betray our Lord. In this Gospel passage, it seems clear that Judas' betrayal was based on his desire for money. He most likely had some level of faith in our Lord, or he wouldn't have become His disciple. But even if Judas did have some level of faith, his desire for money appeared to overshadow the faith he may have had.One of the central lessons we can learn from Judas is that the desire for money is a powerful incentive for the decisions we make. So many of the great saints have taught us that the path to holiness consists, first, in a purification of all our disordered affections. And since one of the most powerful attachments that many struggle with is an attachment to money, this is an important desire to purify in all of our lives.It's true that material possessions are not evil when they are used for the fulfillment of God's will. But the desire for more, for an excess, will always cloud our ability to see clearly the will of God and live for His glory alone.Once Judas had betrayed our Lord and Jesus was arrested, recall that Judas “deeply regretted what he had done.” And during Jesus' trial, Judas went back to the chief priests and said “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood” in an apparent attempt to stop the trial. But Jesus' death was set in motion and could not be stopped. As a result, Judas returned the money and sadly went off to hang himself (See Matthew 27:3–5).The desire Judas had for money clouded his thinking. And his sin did to him what sin always does. As soon as his sin of betrayal was done, Judas saw the consequences of that choice. And the consequences grieved him deeply. He learned that choosing sin ends with an empty promise. He realized that thirty pieces of silver was not worth the value of his soul. But of course, even then Judas could have repented and received the mercy of God. But he didn't. He simply ended his life in ultimate despair. Reflect, today, upon the witness of Judas. Use him as a source of meditation and self-examination this Holy Week. What is it in your life that you desire more than our Lord? What temptation clouds your thinking and leads you to choices that you know will end in emptiness? Strive to eradicate every disordered desire within you this day and choose wisely the will of God instead. Do not let yourself continue to believe the lies that keep you from making Jesus and His holy will the one and only focus of your life. My divine Lord, You and You alone must become the focus of my life. You and You alone are of the greatest value in life. Help me to shed all earthly desires in life so that I will not fall into the temptations that lead to empty promises and so that I will embrace the true and fulfilling promises that come from You. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Giotto, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Series: Matthew: On Earth As In HeavenDate: 4-6-25Message Title: Eyes to SeeSpeaker: Pierce GibsonScripture: Matthew 20To learn more about New Story Church, you can do that by visiting NewStory.Church or find us on Instagram and Facebook at @NewStoryKC.

Matthew 20 Matthew 20:1-16 – Laborers in the vineyard Matthew 20:1 – See Matthew 12:24-26. Satan also has a kingdom. God (Jesus) is the…

Matthew 13 Matthew 13:10-17 – See Matthew 3:12. Through Jesus' words, he is separating the wheat from the chaff. Matthew 13:34-35 – Compare…

Bible Study Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: . Sermon Outline Kneel before the King who (i) masters us more gracious, (ii) rivals us more masterfully, and (iii) wounds us more transformingly, than we could dare to imagine. Sermon Questions Who is the other figure in Matthew's Gospel who demands that someone fall down and worship him? (See Matthew 4:9.) Why is this scene significant for the story Matthew tells? The magi's gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh have long been understood to refer, theologically, to almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. How are you doing in offering Christ these gifts? St Augustine said, "Change of way means change of life." As you leave this study, you also go out — like the magi — "by another way." In what immediate ways will your life need to change? Resources Consulted Augustine of Hippo, Sermons on the Epiphany Juan de Maldonado, Commentary on the Holy Gospels (1595) John Boys, Workes (1629), on the Feast of the Epiphany (pp.630–35) Mark Allan Powell, “The Magi as Wise-Men: Re-examining a Basic Supposition,” New Testament Studies 46 (2000), 1–20. University of Notre Dame, "Royal Beauty Bright: Notre Dame Astrophysicist Researches the Christian Star"; George van Kooten et al (eds.), The Star of Bethlehem and the Magi: Interdisciplinary Perspectives from Experts on the Ancient Near East, the Greco-Roman World, and Modern Astronomy (Leiden: Brill, 2015), esp. chs. 2, 4, and 20. T.S. Eliot, "Journey of the Magi" and "East Coker" from Four Quartets Questions? Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Sam Fornecker ( ).

Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14 | Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a | Matthew 2:1-12 | Psalm 84. Preached for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day (2025-01-05).

See Matthew ch. 2. Their number is sometimes put at fourteen thousand.   In our own day, the icon of "Rachel weeping for her children" (Matthew 2:18) has come to commemorate also the tens of millions of children who have died through abortion.

See Matthew ch. 2. Though St Matthew's account may leave the impression that the flight into Egypt was almost immediate, it would have been at least forty days after Christ's birth, following His Presentation in the Temple (Luke ch. 2). Christ, his holy Mother and his adoptive father St Joseph probably remained in Egypt for several years, until the death of Herod the Great.   St Nikolai Velimirovic (in the Prologue) relates the following tale: the holy family, fleeing into Egypt, were accosted by robbers, one of whom, seeing the Christ Child, was amazed at his supernatural beauty and said 'If God were to take human flesh Himself, He would not be more beautiful than this child!'. The robber told his companions to take nothing from the family. In gratitude the Mother of God told him 'This Child will reward you richly for having spared Him today.' Thirty years later it was this robber who was crucified at Christ's right hand, and was granted to hear the words 'Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.'

As Jesus and His disciples begin the final leg of their journey toward Jerusalem, they come through Jericho among a great crowd of fellow travelers. As they leave the city, they come across a couple of blind men, desperate to get Jesus' attention. Listen as Pastor Caleb contrasts the desperate need of the blind men against the seeming cold-hearted indifference of the crowd. Be reminded of the importance of the title “Son of David.” Consider the only natural response to seeing Jesus and believing in Him. A sermon preached at Legacy Reformed Baptist Church on 12-8-24. legacyrbc.org

Speaker: Pastor Matthew Walker Scripture: Matthew 5:8

As a Christian, it's important to remember that being kind, compassionate, and showing love; does not mean allowing others to walk all over you at their convenience! For that reason, your identity as a follower of Christ should not be based on always saying, "yes" to others. You're not a doormat! First and foremost, it is crucial to pray for discernment and follow God's direction in all situations. By seeking guidance from the Lord, you can make wise decisions about when to say, "no" and when to stand up for yourself or walk away. Scriptures should not be taken out of context; turning the other cheek does not mean allowing others to mistreat you. (See Matthew 5:38-40). Setting healthy boundaries is essential in maintaining your well-being and standing firm in your faith.    Check out my new audiobook: FEAR NOT: A No-Nonsense Guide to Healing Trauma "God's Way" Warfare-Healing-Deliverance for Wounded Souls. (This book is included in Melia's "Heal my Soul Wounds" Trauma Program)

CD 1669 How to Turn a Enemy into a Friend or a Friend into an EnemyThe Bible is full of principles or laws for living that can make our lives so much fuller and enjoyable. For instance God says if we give it shall be given back to us ( See Luke 6:38). If we forgive we shall be forgiven ( See Matthew 6:14-15)! If we judge then by our standard we too shall be judged (See Matthew 7:1-2).*Proverbs 13:15 (KJV) Good understanding giveth favour: But the way of transgressors is hard.Through the Word of God we can learn how to turn our “enemy” into our “friend”. On the negative side we can also by neglect of the principles of the word of God turn a “friend” into an “enemy”.*Text: Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.*Proverbs 18:24 (KJV) A man that hath “friends” must shew himself friendly: and there is a “friend” that sticketh closer than a brother.*John  15:12-15 (KJV) .This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his “friends”. 14 Ye are my “friends”, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you “friends”; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.The Lord Jesus came to build His church and make His children one in Him! He taught us that a house divided will not stand! From “Proverbs” we learn that “A friend loveth at all times” - that good times or bad times - easy times or hard times! But because Jesus became our elder brother now we're not just friends with Him we are brothers and sisters with Him and with each other! Notice in “John's Gospel” Jesus laid down His life for us as our example to one another!Let's turn to the Gospel of Luke and let's see how “turned  enemies into  friends”:First let's read keeping in mind how Jesus showed Himself friendly all through this chapter healing, raising from the dead ECT…:*Read Luke 7:33-34 (KJV) For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a “friend” of publicans and sinners!First of all those who are truly following the Lord God will never be able to please the religious! The Pharisees judged both John and Jesus! But let's keep reading and see how Jesus' desire was to turn “enemies into  friends”:*Read Luke 7:36-37 (KJV) And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. [37] And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, Imagine how much of a battle it was for this woman to go into Simon's house! She knew everyone would be looking at her and judging her! But she had heard about Jesus who showed Himself “friendly” and she was ready to make Him her Lord and “friend”! Look at her heart:*Read Luke 7:38(KJV) And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. She was so broken by her past and she knew that only Jesus could make her whole and she completely humbled herself! In 1 Corinthians 11:15 we learn the hair is the glory of the woman! She put her best on Christ's feet, sSupport the show

Ephesians 1: Your Identity In Christ September 15, 2024 Session 5 Ephesians 1:1-10 Review: In Christ I am…. Blessed with every spiritual blessing Chosen; holy and blameless; loved and predestined to adoption; accepted in Christ; redeemed; forgiven Ephesians 1:10: God has made Jesus Christ the ultimate, consummate expression of Himself! (See Hebrews 1:1-3) Ephesians 1:11: Jesus has left us an inheritance (See Ephesians 1:1-10; John 16:15) All things that the Father has …. Christ's ultimate work for the Believer Ephesians 1:13, 14 The order: Hear the truth; the Gospel of Salvation; believe it (see also Ephesians 2:8, 9); the Spirit's seal, quarantee! The Prayer The revelation: The Hope The deposit of His Inheritance (John 16:15; Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3) His power and authority His Body: His Plan; If His Church Will Act as He Desires, NOTHING and NO ONE can Defeat it! (See Matthew 16:19)

September 15, 2024 | Luke Harding

Click Here for the Saints Be To God WebsiteGod is Good,All the time.All the time,God is Good.This very popular saying of ‘God is good all the time and All the time God is good' has come up many times recently. Many people have embraced this and taken this thought as their own. And for good reason – God is the ultimate Good and He does it all the time and in every situation. We all know there is evil, and we question where God is when something bad happens. The answer is: He is there helping us in some manner to get through it. Sometimes the “Footprints” story comes to mind. But we know the ultimate evil of Christ being cruelly beaten and even more cruelly killed on the cross was changed from being evil to being our redemption. God has a way of doing this in every evil that happens if we accept the Graces that He wants to give us. Even that grace of Redemption we must accept if we want to go to Heaven. God the Father's answer to evil is that He sent us His Son. His Son lived, suffered, died and rose to replace or remove the effects of what is evil with what is good- He saved us! He saved us from evil.Another way of saying ‘all the time‘ or on all occasions is the word always. So, our God is a God of Holiness and takes every bit of time and any occasion to ultimately make something Holy come from it. And He does. All the time. He makes Holy moments. All the time God is with us. This was his promise. See Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” It is different with everyone because we are all different. God will take an evil; a bad accident or a sickness, and thru His grace for us He somehow makes a Greater Good come from it. Most of the time we do not see this or find out why until we are on the other side of the vail but if we continue in our beliefs and accept Gods graces, we will be as fortunate as Job. If you are unfamiliar with the story of Job and how all of his great blessing were taken away from him and then given back twice as much because of his great belief, please see the Book of Job in the Bible. There is another ‘always'. "All ways" or "all the ways" means every manner possible. What happens when we think the same thing with God with this ‘all ways'. It is now a more complete picture of what God is. God is all the time good and every possible good. Can we say, “God is good all ways and all ways God is good”? God is in every manner possible good and in every manner possible God is good. God constantly is pouring out Graces on us. Does He ever give us something bad? No, He gives us everything we need. This is why we find that the saints had Joy no matter what. They say Saint Francis of Assisi was one of the saints most like Jesus. Not only was St. Francis poor like Jesus but he was Joyful like Jesus to a point of Loving Lady Poverty. He felt this great joy in his state of life because of the Blessings he received from God. In every manner possible God took care of him as he does now with us.Joy is the work of the Holy Spirt. The Holy Spirit has many Fruits. St Francis and Jesus have the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave His Holy Spirit to St Francis and now He gives Him to us. The same Holy Spirit that filled Jesus and the Saints fills us today if we ask Him and accept His graces. Ask for many graces. Ask all the time for Graces for every possible need. Ask for all the graces Jesus wants us to have so we and the others we pray for get all graces always and all ways. We ask for too little. Ask for more. More Jesus, More Jesus. All of Jesus, all of His body, blood, soul and Divinity. It is ours; we receive all of Him in Communion. We receive these graces in Adoration.More Jesus, More Jesus,Shalom  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE FOR RETREAT INFO CLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

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Bob takes us through these convicting verses, showing us we are all murderers and adulterers when you consider our hearts.

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. John 19:33–34John's Gospel is filled with deep spiritual imagery and symbolism. It is clear that this imagery and symbolism was divinely inspired so as to give us spiritual food for reflection and meditation. One such image is given to us today as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As Jesus and the two criminals on either side of Him hung upon their crosses, the soldiers came to hasten their deaths by breaking their legs to cause them to more quickly suffocate. But when they came to Jesus, He had already died. So one of the soldiers, traditionally known as Longinus, thrust his spear into Jesus' side, and blood and water flowed forth. Some traditions identify Longinus with the centurion who cried out after Jesus' death, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” (See Matthew 27:54.) Other traditions state that he converted at that moment, making him the first convert to Christianity. And still other traditions state that Longinus could not see well, and the blood and water from Jesus' side poured upon his eyes, healing him. Regardless of whether these traditions are true, we know that Jesus' side was pierced and blood and water flowed forth. The symbolism of this act was more than a mere human symbol. It was an instrument of the profound spiritual reality that was taking place at that moment. As Jesus' Sacred Heart was pierced, the blood and water that poured forth was the new sacramental life of the Church. The Blood was the Most Holy Eucharist and the Water was the gift of Baptism. And when Jesus had previously “breathed His last” and “handed over His Spirit,” the Sacrament of Confirmation was bestowed. When we celebrate those Sacraments today, it is easy to see them as mere symbols of what we partake in. But in our Christian Tradition, the Sacraments are so much more. The symbol is also the reality. It is the instrument of what it symbolizes. Therefore, every time we witness a Baptism or partake in the Holy Eucharist, we are mystically present with Longinus, receiving the grace and mercy of our redemption, pouring forth from Jesus' wounded side, so as to heal us and make us whole. The human heart is, physically speaking, a bodily organ responsible for pumping blood throughout. But from a spiritual perspective, given that we are both body and soul, the human heart is also the source of our life. Without it, we physically and spiritually die. So it is with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was not only a physical heart that was physically pierced by the lance long ago. It is now also the source of our ongoing spiritual life, and, without Jesus' Sacred Heart of Mercy, we will die in our sins. Reflect, today, upon the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. See His Heart as the ongoing source of your new life in grace. Understand that His Heart is more than a symbol of His grace and mercy, it is the spiritual source and the font of that mercy. Prayerfully place yourself before His Cross, this day, and allow the blood and water, flowing from His wounded side, to cover you so that you, too, may believe.Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, You poured out upon the world the love and mercy of Your transforming grace through the instrument of the blood and water pouring forth from Your wounded side. Help me to gaze upon this font of mercy and to be covered with it through the gift of the Sacraments. May I always be open to all that You wish to bestow upon me by these precious and transforming instruments of Your love. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured images above: Flickr

Acts 10:17-28 You and I are commanded by God to go into all the world and make disciples. (See Matthew 28:18-20) This assumes we will, in the power of the Holy Spirit, come into contact with all the ethnic cultures of the world. (See Acts 1:8)However, this was not the default thinking of the early church leaders. They were surprised when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Samaritans. Now, after almost a decade, it is time for the good news of Jesus to go beyond ethnic divides. For the promise of a Savior is for the whole of creation. We have a holy responsibility to tell others about the love of God. even if we don't like them much. Jesus teaches us, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven..." (Matthew 5:43–45a) How important is it that we are telling others about the hope of Christ and the Gospel of the Kingdom of God? "Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? (Proverbs 24:11–12, also see James 4:17) Also consider, Ezekiel 3:18–19, "When I [YHWH] say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

It's a question most want to ask, “what happens when I die and where exactly am I going?” A destination is referred to as the place to which a person or thing travels or is sent. There will be a day we all step into a final resting place and in preparation of that moment, we will need to know the truth of where we are headed. The reality is there is life after death.  The truth is our destiny is one with God or one without God. =====“TWO POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS”The Bible makes a clear distinction between those who have eternal life and those who do not.“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. “1 John 5:12How can you tell where you are going to go? In this informative and eye opening message from Pastor Ron Cathcart, we learn there is an answer to this question and though the distinction is clear, the how is really going to all depend. 1. TWO TYPES OF DEATH Physical - A natural question for most, what happens after I leave this earth?  See Hebrews 9:27 and Eccelsiastes 3:1-2Spiritual - Everyone is going to live somewhere forever, physical death is not the end. See Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2: 1-5, John 3:3-7, John 3:16 and Matthew 10:28 2. TWO TYPES OF JUDGMENT As a believer or non-believer, everyone will face judgment. See Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 and 1 Peter 5:43. TWO TYPES OF DESTINATIONS There is Heaven and there is Hell. God sent a savior, will you accept this gift?See Matthew 13:49-50, Revelation 21:8, 2 Peter 3:9, Revelation 22:1-5, Revelation 21:224. TWO TYPES OF ROADS Broad is the road that is the most popular.  Narrow is the road not making any headlines.  Which place is better?See Matthew 7:13-145. TWO TYPES OF ADVENTS If He showed us once, He will show us twice, Jesus came and will come again!  If you died today or Jesus came back, are you ready?See Thessalonians 4, Ecclesiastes 7:2 and Ecclesiastes 7:42Rivers Church in O'Fallon, MO exists to help people become passionate followers of Jesus. Need prayer? Leave a prayer request here. Our team will pray for you: https://2rivers.churchcenter.com/people/forms/29709Ensure you don't miss out! Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to stay updated with our content ⏩.LIKE ✔️, SHARE 

One of the most profound forms of hypocrisy is when our external facade, the image we project to the world, starkly contrasts with our internal reality. We meticulously polish our words and actions to appear as devout Christians, yet our minds are often filled with thoughts that lead to secretive, ungodly behavior. This discrepancy between our public image and our private thoughts is a form of hypocrisy that Jesus Himself warned against.Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. (Matthew 23:25–26)Jesus calls them to an internal transformation, not just a reformation of external behaviors that conflict with the inner man. For example, we say we forgive someone because we know that is what we are called to do, but the reality is that we still have hate in our hearts for them. Jesus calls that murder. (See Matthew 5:21-45)John writes, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15). We need a change of nature that comes from being born again, not just a behavior change. Even though we may do and say all the right things, we may be missing something in our lives: the Lordship of Jesus.References:John 9:28-33Jeremiah 14:11–12Isaiah 59:1–2Hebrews 4:13John 6:28b–29-----Call us: 208.524.4747prayer@watersprings.netOnline Giving: https://watersprings.net/give.phpServe at Watersprings: https://watersprings.churchcenter.com...CCLI Streaming License: 20080252 Size ECCLI Copyright License: 1406906 Size FDISCLAIMER: Closed captioning and/or transcription is being provided solely for the convenience of our viewers. Watersprings Church does not review for accuracy any information that appears in a closed caption or transcript. Watersprings Church makes no representations or warranties, and expressly disclaims any responsibility or liability with respect to, any errors or omissions in, or the accuracy, reliability, timeliness or completeness of, any information that appears in a closed caption or transcript.

Rejection was the hallmark of Jesus and the apostles. In this penetrating lesson, Brother Singh helps us understand that serving God in Spirit and truth sets the elect apart from most churchgoers (See Matthew 10:22). In stark contrast to the media-driven ministries of the 21st Century, Jesus and Paul would have been viewed as too humble and mediocre to be regarded as authentic. Pentecostal churches would surely have rejected them for not being in the Spirit.

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14–16The desire for money can become a powerful incentive to betray our Lord. In this Gospel passage, it seems clear that Judas' betrayal was based on his desire for money. He most likely had some level of faith in our Lord, or he wouldn't have become His disciple. But even if Judas did have some level of faith, his desire for money appeared to overshadow the faith he may have had.One of the central lessons we can learn from Judas is that the desire for money is a powerful incentive for the decisions we make. So many of the great saints have taught us that the path to holiness consists, first, in a purification of all our disordered affections. And since one of the most powerful attachments that many struggle with is an attachment to money, this is an important desire to purify in all of our lives.It's true that material possessions are not evil when they are used for the fulfillment of God's will. But the desire for more, for an excess, will always cloud our ability to see clearly the will of God and live for His glory alone.Once Judas had betrayed our Lord and Jesus was arrested, recall that Judas “deeply regretted what he had done.” And during Jesus' trial, Judas went back to the chief priests and said “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood” in an apparent attempt to stop the trial. But Jesus' death was set in motion and could not be stopped. As a result, Judas returned the money and sadly went off to hang himself (See Matthew 27:3–5).The desire Judas had for money clouded his thinking. And his sin did to him what sin always does. As soon as his sin of betrayal was done, Judas saw the consequences of that choice. And the consequences grieved him deeply. He learned that choosing sin ends with an empty promise. He realized that thirty pieces of silver was not worth the value of his soul. But of course, even then Judas could have repented and received the mercy of God. But he didn't. He simply ended his life in ultimate despair. Reflect, today, upon the witness of Judas. Use him as a source of meditation and self-examination this Holy Week. What is it in your life that you desire more than our Lord? What temptation clouds your thinking and leads you to choices that you know will end in emptiness? Strive to eradicate every disordered desire within you this day and choose wisely the will of God instead. Do not let yourself continue to believe the lies that keep you from making Jesus and His holy will the one and only focus of your life. My divine Lord, You and You alone must become the focus of my life. You and You alone are of the greatest value in life. Help me to shed all earthly desires in life so that I will not fall into the temptations that lead to empty promises and so that I will embrace the true and fulfilling promises that come from You. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Judas Receiving Payment for his Betrayal By Giotto di Bondone, via Wikimedia Commons

Worship Guide 3.17.24

Today, we live in a period of history when the elect of God anticipate the return of Jesus as King of kings. Our Lord warned nearly 2,000 years ago. "Watch, therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." (Matthew 24: 42). In parabolic language, Jesus told his disciples, "Had the house owner known what hour the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and prevented his house from being broken into. (See Matthew 24:43).

In this video I talk with Matthew Adelstein about his journey from atheism to agnosticism as well as various arguments for the existence of God and for Christianity. See Matthew's blog: https://benthams.substack.com/ Matthew's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@deliberationunderidealcond5105 Truth Unites exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville. SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://truthunites.org/donate/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truthunites FOLLOW: Twitter: https://twitter.com/gavinortlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnitesPage/ Website: https://truthunites.org/

Does consumer culture keep you from God's best? Let's learn how consumer culture holds you back, and how the shift from “consumer” to “contributor” can change your life and give more glory to God.=========================As Americans, we're good at being served. That's because our society (and most of the world) has moved from a “producer culture” to a “consumer culture.” Companies keep providing customers with higher and higher levels of service. It's hard not to get too comfortable when you're used to that kind of customer care!But what happens when consumer culture creeps into the church? Will we miss out on some of what God has for us?One of our core values at 2Rivers Church is, “We are spiritual contributors, not just consumers.” And even though being a spiritual consumer isn't wrong in and of itself, God wants more from us—and for us.WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A CONSUMER AND A CONTRIBUTOR?A consumer is a person who purchases goods and services for personal use. More broadly speaking, to be a consumer is to receive or be served. On the other hand, a contributor is someone who gives something to help someone else achieve or obtain something. It's not wrong to be a spiritual consumer. We all need to “consume” at some level—the Bible, good teaching, and worship music, for example. The problem is when we consume more than we contribute. God wants us to be both consumers and contributors.WHY SHOULD I BE A CONTRIBUTOR?1. Because the Christian life is not about you.Jesus is our example. He didn't come so people would serve Him—He came to serve! Jesus spent His ministry teaching, healing, and helping people. He even gave His life for us! Let's learn from that kind of humility.See 2 Corinthians 5:15 and Mark 9:35.2. Because it's your created purpose.To be a contributor is to acknowledge that God created us for more than personal gratification. The Apostle Paul writes, “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).See also 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14–15, 1 Corinthians 12:18, and 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT).3. Because God uses it to capture the hearts of others.When you become a contributor and not just a consumer, others see God working through you.See Matthew 5:16.HOW DO I BUCK CONSUMER CULTURE AND BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR?1. Lean into the One who first served us.Jesus lived a life of service. His contribution to the world changed everything for us. Even on the last week of His life on Earth, He exemplified service by washing His disciples' dirty, dusty feet. Let's follow His example.See Mark 10:45 and John 13:15.2. Jump in and start using your gifts.How has God blessed you? Find ways to use your time and talents to serve others. That doesn't just mean volunteering at church (which we encourage), but turning your whole life into a life of service.See 1 Peter 4:10.=========================2Rivers Church in O'Fallon, MO, exists to help people become passionate followers of Jesus. LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE so you can get more content to help you live equipped and become a passionate follower of Jesus! RESOURCES FOR YOUFind ways to be a contributor by volunteering at 2Rivers: https://www.2riverschurch.com/serving.html Find out what we believe here: https://www.2riverschurch.com/whatwebelieve.htmlStruggling and need prayer? We'd love to pray for you. Submit a prayer request here:  https://2rivers.churchcenter.com/people/forms/29709

My Sermon for Vail Valley Baptist Church on February 4, 2024. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wayne-floyd/support

What is God's will for your life in 2024? Healthy plants bear fruit, and healthy Christians and healthy churches bear fruit as well! John 15 challenges us to abide in Christ this year so that we can bear fruit for the glory of His name. Text: John 15:1-11 1. Every branch should produce fruit. John 15:1-2 - “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. A. Fruitless branches are removed from the Vine. (See Matthew 7:16-20) C. Some branches DO produce fruit and these branches are pruned so they can produce even more. D. Pruning can be painful, in fact many of life's lessons are very painful. (See Romans 8:28). 2. Bearing fruit doesn't save you – it's possible because you are already saved. John 15:3 - Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. See also Ephesians 2:8-10. 3. Abide in Christ. John 15:4-10 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abidein me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. A. There are 10 “Abides” in this passage! We get the word “Abide” from the Greek “meno” (Minnow), about half the time it is translated as “remain or stay” and the other half “abide, or dwell” B. This text has to do with both proximity and steadfastness. C. Proximity – we must rely on Christ. We must be spending time with Him, be connected to the vine if we are wanting to bear good fruit. D. Steadfastness – we must endure until the end. Don't stop and think “I've got this now”. Abiding in Christ and bearing fruit is a joy-filled endeavor! There is nothing better than being close to Jesus. John 15:11 - These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This year, we will gauge our success as a church by our fruitfulness – and our fruitfulness will come with our enjoying God together. We must abide in Christ if we are to be used by Christ in this world!

There is real evil in the world. You and I see, hear, and experience the effects of man's depravity all the time. So, how do we answer evil? Before we venture down this road, I would like to point out that evil is irrational. As much as we would like to know or understand all the "whys" of evil done by those who bear the image of God, we can't.There are things that do not make any sense in this world. Many of these atrocities should have no place to exist, yet in this fallen world, they seem to find a place to exist and flourish. Genocide, murder, war, terrorism, torture, rape, slavery, human trafficking, child abuse and molestation, adultery, discrimination, abuse of power, and so many others that reveal man's fallen nature. (See Romans 1:18-32)Genesis tells us, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5). This is why we need the transformation of the heart, soul, and mind that comes through a life loyal to, led by, and filled with the Holy Spirit of God. You and I cannot trust our own hearts; Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?So then, how do we answer evil? We do what Jesus did in the wilderness, and Steven does in Acts 7; we answer with the Word of God. (See Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13) “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isiah 55:10-11)Confronting evil in all forms is always challenging, but it must be done. Sometimes, we do not have a choice in the matter. So, when that time comes, be ready with the Word of God. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12–13)Referances:Lk 6:44–45Ps 119:11Proverbs 22:6Luke 24:27Ro 8:28–30Ps. 91:15Isa. 52:4Ex 4:10–12Mic 7:18–20Je 31:34Ps 103:11–12-----Call us: 208.524.4747prayer@watersprings.netOnline Giving: https://watersprings.net/give.phpServe at Watersprings: https://watersprings.churchcenter.com...CCLI Streaming License: 20080252 Size ECCLI Copyright License: 1406906 Size FDISCLAIMER: Closed captioning and/or transcription is being provided solely for the convenience of our viewers. Watersprings Church does not review for accuracy any information that appears in a closed caption or transcript. Watersprings Church makes no representations or warranties, and expressly disclaims any responsibility or liability with respect to, any errors or omissions in, or the accuracy, reliability, timeliness or completeness of, any information that appears in a closed caption or transcript.

See Matthew ch. 2. Their number is sometimes put at fourteen thousand.   In our own day, the icon of "Rachel weeping for her children" (Matthew 2:18) has come to commemorate also the tens of millions of children who have died through abortion.

See Matthew ch. 2. Their number is sometimes put at fourteen thousand.   In our own day, the icon of "Rachel weeping for her children" (Matthew 2:18) has come to commemorate also the tens of millions of children who have died through abortion.

See Matthew ch. 2. Though St Matthew's account may leave the impression that the flight into Egypt was almost immediate, it would have been at least forty days after Christ's birth, following His Presentation in the Temple (Luke ch. 2). Christ, his holy Mother and his adoptive father St Joseph probably remained in Egypt for several years, until the death of Herod the Great.   St Nikolai Velimirovic (in the Prologue) relates the following tale: the holy family, fleeing into Egypt, were accosted by robbers, one of whom, seeing the Christ Child, was amazed at his supernatural beauty and said 'If God were to take human flesh Himself, He would not be more beautiful than this child!'. The robber told his companions to take nothing from the family. In gratitude the Mother of God told him 'This Child will reward you richly for having spared Him today.' Thirty years later it was this robber who was crucified at Christ's right hand, and was granted to hear the words 'Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.'

See Matthew ch. 2. Though St Matthew's account may leave the impression that the flight into Egypt was almost immediate, it would have been at least forty days after Christ's birth, following His Presentation in the Temple (Luke ch. 2). Christ, his holy Mother and his adoptive father St Joseph probably remained in Egypt for several years, until the death of Herod the Great.   St Nikolai Velimirovic (in the Prologue) relates the following tale: the holy family, fleeing into Egypt, were accosted by robbers, one of whom, seeing the Christ Child, was amazed at his supernatural beauty and said 'If God were to take human flesh Himself, He would not be more beautiful than this child!'. The robber told his companions to take nothing from the family. In gratitude the Mother of God told him 'This Child will reward you richly for having spared Him today.' Thirty years later it was this robber who was crucified at Christ's right hand, and was granted to hear the words 'Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.'

Ecclesiology: Church Mission Chris Hefner Church Mission How are we doing at church? Are we doing church well? Jesus gave the church her mission because Jesus is the Founder, Leader, and Lord of the church. See Matthew 28:18-20 Our mission at WBC is to lead our neighbors and the nations to follow Jesus To follow Jesus according to Mt. 28:18-20 includes: Submitting to his authority Obeying his commands Relying on his presence How do we fulfill Jesus' mission here at WBC? Here are four steps. Worship Learn Serve Replicate Theological Takeaway: While Christians and church members have obligations in the church, only our Lord and Savior has the right to direct and govern the church. So, the church's life and mission must come from the Lord, not us Worship Takeaway: God's people have always been marked by their worship (see Israel in OT and the church in the NT). Christian mission begins and ends with worship Evangelistic Takeaway: It is the responsibility of the church to communicate the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation, but making disciples, not merely converts must be the focus of the church. Effective, church-focused evangelism has making disciples as its goal Relational Takeaway: For the church to fulfill Christ's mandated mission, it must be “our” mission, not merely “mine” or “yours.” We worship together, learn together, serve together, and replicate together Reach out to us via email at: info@wilkesborobaptist.org

Today we look at the ninth chapter of Haddon Robinson's excellent book. How is our thinking ‘dressed'? Have you ever dressed inappropriately for an event you went to? It sends the wrong signals, confuses the observers, and embarrasses the wearer. Lessons that are badly dressed draw attention to the confused thought that led to this error. What do we mean by dressing a lesson? Haddon Robinson gives us the following subtitles to the chapter:  Strong transitions A clear style: a clear outline; short sentences; simple sentence structure; simple words A direct and personal style A vivid style I won't comment on all of these because Haddon Robinson does it much better in his book, but I will highlight a couple of points. Transitions Why do clear transitions matter? The matter because a listener needs stronger clues about the direction of thinking than a reader. Someone reading a text can see the transition in front of them. They can re-read the document and observe the transition. In a lesson the listener needs clear audible prompting to notice the connection between your points. A strong transition makes a big difference. In the New Testament we often see words like "therefore”. The placing of these words is significant, especially given that these letters were read out and most people would not read them on the scrolls, but hear them spoken. A good example is found in the book of Romans. After discussing the theological foundation of salvation in the previous chapters, Paul transitions to a practical application of living a transformed life in Romans 12:1-2. He states, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." The use of "therefore" signals a shift from doctrinal exposition to the imperative of a transformed lifestyle, linking the theological understanding with practical implications for Christian living. Your congregation will keep pace with you if you link your points with transitions. Otherwise, if you jump from one point to another without transition they will be trying to link your points in their own head — thus their attention will be taken away from what you are saying. Let's take an example from Jesus. After teaching on the impossibility of serving two masters in Matthew 6:24, he gives his audience a "therefore", and goes on to explain more about his point. See Matthew 6:25 and following. Style Style should be personal, but also vary according to context. While all my sermons are ‘Malcolm' sermons, they vary in style. For example, my sermons in Thames Valley have less interactivity than my sermons in Watford. The reason is the size of the group as well as the shape of the rooms in which we meet. Do you have a style? When you're starting, it's not so important. But as time goes by, there should be something distinctive about your style. Not for the sake of it, but because it reflects your personality and your context. Consider the difference between the majestic style of Isaiah and the more emotionally charged style of Jeremiah — appropriate to who they were, but also to their circumstances. Clarity Whatever your style, it is important that it enhances clarity in your message.  Does your message flow in a clear direction? Do your sub-points make your overall point clearer? Do your transitions link your points to create clarity? What about your illustrations?  How do we develop clarity? The first step is to write out your outline. The next step is to pray through that outline. In the week before a sermon I go for a walk in the woods and speak the outline out loud. It soon becomes clear whether it makes sense or not. I also rehearse the illustrations. This is not so that I speak them the same way word for word when I deliver the lesson, but to reveal whether the illustration itself creates clarity, and whether the way I am sharing it will be clear or not. These exercises show me how to refine the points and the illustrations for more vivid impact.  Conclusion Test your transitions. Are they helping your audience think along with you? Develop your style. Make the lesson your own, allow your context and personality to influence your style. Check for clarity. Dress and re-dress your sermon until clarity is achieved Why not consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our current module is Homiletics (the preparation and delivery of lessons). Contact us here with enquiries: courses@aimukandireland.com   The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com   Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, "How God grows His people", sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).  Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.  Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching. God bless, Malcolm

On Sunday, we come to the Lord's Day, a day that many have termed the Christian Sabbath. Going back to the time of Constantine, the Sabbath has been treated as a day of physical rest. In fact, our own country established it as day of rest, complete with blue laws, to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. Yet, is that what Genesis 2:1–3 means when God says that he blessed the seventh day and made it holy? On Sunday, we are going to consider those very things.In Genesis, the seventh day should be something assigned to the opening prologue (Genesis 1:1–31). As Genesis goes, the book of the generations of the heavens and the earth begins in Genesis 2:4 and goes through Genesis 4:26. In Genesis, the whole book is built around ten statements of the generations. But before that Genesis 1:1–2:3 is a section that introduces the whole of creation in seven days. As I will try to show on Sunday, man was created on Day 6 *for* Day 7. That means that Day 6 was not the pinnacle of creation, Day 7 was. But what was Day 7 for? That is what we will consider on Sunday as we consider how this final day of the creation week culminated God's very good creation. Even more, we will see how this day promises rest for all those who find Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath. Truly, if you are feeling weary and heavy laden, if the burdens of life and sin are plaguing you, this message about God's gift of rest is something you will want to hear. To prepare for Sunday, take time to Read Genesis 1:1–2:4. But also read Psalm 92 and Hebrews 4 and pray that the Lord would give you rest in Christ, who is bringing new creation glory to all those who are being remade in his image. This is what holiness looks like and it is something we will consider in detail on Sunday.As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you this Lord's Day.For His Glory and your joy in Jesus,Pastor DavidAs a reminder, the County Center Community Group is in our overflow downstairs this Sunday.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 2:1-3)Discussion Questions for Genesis 2:1–31. How do these verses connect to Genesis 1:1–31 and what comes next in Genesis 2:4 and following?2. What is unique about this passage? What are the key ideas expressed in the passage?3. Are there any commands in this passage? Any direction for keeping Sabbath as a weekly pattern?4. What does it mean that God rested? How does this day of rest relate to the other six days of creation?5. What does it mean that he blessed this day and made it holy?6. How does a comparison of this passage to other uses of the word ‘holy' inform the meaning of this day?7. How did the Sabbath operate in Israel? Did Jesus change that weekly pattern? How? See Matthew 11:28–12:6.8. What does it mean to find rest today? How does the Sabbath relate to the temple and to the church?9. Where can you find rest today? What does that actually look like?10. How does Genesis 2:1–3 make you long for heaven?

Introduction: How to Get the Most Out of Church (James 1:19-27) Come ready to Hear God's Word. (Jas 1:19-21) Leave ready to Apply God's Word. (Jas 1:22-27) Deuteronomy 6:24 - And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. John 13:17 - If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. Matthew 12:34 - For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead James 1:19-27What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Explain James' mirror illustration in Jas 1:23-24.Why is the tongue a good indicator on where your faith is (Jas 1:26)? See Matthew 12:34.What do you personally need to do to better prepare yourself for church next Sunday?BreakoutPray for one another.

As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we should bear His image.

Noah lived among a wicked and perverse generation, yet the Bible tells us that Noah obeyed all that God commanded of him. His righteousness shines like a beacon of light in the darkness, and his testimony challenges us to do the same. God instructed Noah to build an ark to rescue any who entered from the wrath God would pour out on the sinful world. His example provides us a picture of how those who are in Christ are rescued from the wrath of God to come. Join us for session three of "By Faith" as we examine the life of Noah and his faithfulness to the Lord.Verses Used:Hebrews 11:72 Peter 2:52 Corinthians 5:6-7Proverbs 4:23Micah 6:8Discussion Questions:1. How does Noah demonstrate faith in God by obeying the command to build an ark?2. How does Noah's life challenge us in our walk with the Lord?3. What is the reason God sent the flood?4. How is the ark a foreshadowing or picture of what Christ will do for us? 5. Though mankind deserves judgment, what is the reason God delays judgment? (See 2 Peter 3:9)6. The Bible teaches that God's judgment will eventually fall on this earth.  As those who know Christ, how are we instructed to act as we wait? (See Matthew 24:42-46 and 2 Peter 3:11-14)

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. John 19:33–34John's Gospel is filled with deep spiritual imagery and symbolism. It is clear that this imagery and symbolism was divinely inspired so as to give us spiritual food for reflection and meditation. One such image is given to us today as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.As Jesus and the two criminals on either side of Him hung upon their crosses, the soldiers came to hasten their deaths by breaking their legs to cause them to more quickly suffocate. But when they came to Jesus, He had already died. So one of the soldiers, traditionally known as Longinus, thrust his spear into Jesus' side, and blood and water flowed forth. Some traditions identify Longinus with the centurion who cried out after Jesus' death, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” (See Matthew 27:54.) Other traditions state that he converted at that moment, making him the first convert to Christianity. And still other traditions state that Longinus could not see well, and the blood and water from Jesus' side poured upon his eyes, healing him. Regardless of whether these traditions are true, we know that Jesus' side was pierced and blood and water flowed forth.The symbolism of this act was more than a mere human symbol. It was an instrument of the profound spiritual reality that was taking place at that moment. As Jesus' Sacred Heart was pierced, the blood and water that poured forth was the new sacramental life of the Church. The Blood was the Most Holy Eucharist and the Water was the gift of Baptism. And when Jesus had previously “breathed His last” and “handed over His Spirit,” the Sacrament of Confirmation was bestowed.When we celebrate those Sacraments today, it is easy to see them as mere symbols of what we partake in. But in our Christian Tradition, the Sacraments are so much more. The symbol is also the reality. It is the instrument of what it symbolizes. Therefore, every time we witness a Baptism or partake in the Holy Eucharist, we are mystically present with Longinus, receiving the grace and mercy of our redemption, pouring forth from Jesus' wounded side, so as to heal us and make us whole.The human heart is, physically speaking, a bodily organ responsible for pumping blood throughout. But from a spiritual perspective, given that we are both body and soul, the human heart is also the source of our life. Without it, we physically and spiritually die. So it is with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was not only a physical heart that was physically pierced by the lance long ago. It is now also the source of our ongoing spiritual life, and, without Jesus' Sacred Heart of Mercy, we will die in our sins. Reflect, today, upon the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. See His Heart as the ongoing source of your new life in grace. Understand that His Heart is more than a symbol of His grace and mercy, it is the spiritual source and the font of that mercy. Prayerfully place yourself before His Cross, this day, and allow the blood and water, flowing from His wounded side, to cover you so that you, too, may believe. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, You poured out upon the world the love and mercy of Your transforming grace through the instrument of the blood and water pouring forth from Your wounded side. Help me to gaze upon this font of mercy and to be covered with it through the gift of the Sacraments. May I always be open to all that You wish to bestow upon me by these precious and transforming instruments of Your love. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

The Matt Slick Live daily radio show broadcast is produced by The Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM.org). During the show, Matt answers questions on the air, and offers insight on topics like The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues!  The show airs live on the Truth Network, Monday through Friday, 6-7 PM, EST (3-4 PM, PST) You can also watch a live stream during the live show on RUMBLE! MSL: May, 24 2023 Topics include: 06- What is evil, and is it part of God's plan or will? 12- Atheism and polytheism. 33- Should we keep the Sabbath? See Matthew 12:8. 40- When is it ok for a Christian to display tough love? 46- Why do celebrities mock Jesus? 51-  If Adam & Eve ate from the Tree of Life, would we live forever? 54- Does Joshua 24:15 describe free will? MSL: May, 24 2023     This show LIVE STREAMS on RUMBLE during the Radio Broadcast! Subscribe to the CARM YouTube Channel Subscribe to the Matt Slick YouTube Channel CARM on Facebook Visit the CARM Website Donate to CARM

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14–16The desire for money can become a powerful incentive to betray our Lord. In this Gospel passage, it seems clear that Judas' betrayal was based on his desire for money. He most likely had some level of faith in our Lord, or he wouldn't have become His disciple. But even if Judas did have some level of faith, his desire for money appeared to overshadow the faith he may have had.One of the central lessons we can learn from Judas is that the desire for money is a powerful incentive for the decisions we make. So many of the great saints have taught us that the path to holiness consists, first, in a purification of all our disordered affections. And since one of the most powerful attachments that many struggle with is an attachment to money, this is an important desire to purify in all of our lives.It's true that material possessions are not evil when they are used for the fulfillment of God's will. But the desire for more, for an excess, will always cloud our ability to see clearly the will of God and live for His glory alone.Once Judas had betrayed our Lord and Jesus was arrested, recall that Judas “deeply regretted what he had done.” And during Jesus' trial, Judas went back to the chief priests and said “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood” in an apparent attempt to stop the trial. But Jesus' death was set in motion and could not be stopped. As a result, Judas returned the money and sadly went off to hang himself (See Matthew 27:3–5).The desire Judas had for money clouded his thinking. And his sin did to him what sin always does. As soon as his sin of betrayal was done, Judas saw the consequences of that choice. And the consequences grieved him deeply. He learned that choosing sin ends with an empty promise. He realized that thirty pieces of silver was not worth the value of his soul. But of course, even then Judas could have repented and received the mercy of God. But he didn't. He simply ended his life in ultimate despair. Reflect, today, upon the witness of Judas. Use him as a source of meditation and self-examination this Holy Week. What is it in your life that you desire more than our Lord? What temptation clouds your thinking and leads you to choices that you know will end in emptiness? Strive to eradicate every disordered desire within you this day and choose wisely the will of God instead. Do not let yourself continue to believe the lies that keep you from making Jesus and His holy will the one and only focus of your life. My divine Lord, You and You alone must become the focus of my life. You and You alone are of the greatest value in life. Help me to shed all earthly desires in life so that I will not fall into the temptations that lead to empty promises and so that I will embrace the true and fulfilling promises that come from You. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.