Podcasts about seek god

FATHER'S DAY AT LOCAL CITY. Seeking God leads to a significant life. God calls us to seek Him, but He isn't hiding. He wants nothing more than to be found by His people. www.localcity.church

Seek God, Stay Close, Tear Down the Idols Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 2 Chronicles 15:1-8 Episode Summary In this Father's Day 2026 message, Pastor Michael uses an original skit about King Asa, the Prophet Azariah, and the legendary Shelemiah the Shawarma Guy to bring a timeless message from 2 Chronicles to life. God didn't send a prophet to Asa when things were falling apart - He sent one right after a great victory. Because staying close to God when things are going well may be the hardest thing we're called to do. Key Points - God seeks us out not just when we're in trouble, but after victory - when we're most likely to drift - Seeking God means coming to Him as we are, without straightening up first - He helps us work through the mess - Staying close means not waiting for trouble to remind us we need God - Idols are anything we can't be okay without - the things we run to for identity, comfort, or worth instead of God Main Takeaway Seek God, Stay Close, Tear Down the Idols. God promises He can be found by those who seek Him. But victory, comfort, and success can quietly pull us back into old patterns and habits. It takes courage to recognize what has too much of our heart - and the guts to tear it down. Memorable Quotes - "The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you." - "He made Himself findable." - "Nobody drifts away all at once." - "An idol is the thing we can't be okay without." - "When your soul feels like a shaken-up soda bottle - what do you reach for? If it's not your God, it might be your idol." - "Nothing that pulls you away from The Heavenly Father is making you a promise you can trust." Reflection Question Are there idols - money, success, control, comfort, approval - that have quietly taken too much of your heart? What would it look like to have the courage to tear them down? Tune in to hear the hilarious skit featuring King Asa, Azariah the Prophet, and Shelemiah's Shawarma Shack, and discover why God sends His message right after our victories, not just our failures. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

In the Gospel of Matthew we hear Christ say, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” What things? ALL THINGS that we need in life. If we are willing to seek God, then our food, our health, our shelter, even our minds, will all be blessed by God. If we seek the world we will be left alone when the world ends. When we seek God, we always have God.

Hey wonderful ladies, I had to go more in-depth in this next episode. I pray it encourages you to go deeper into God, and never settle. Don't settle just barely making it with God. He wants more out of his daughters. He is calling each of us to go deeper in every area. In this new season, don't listen to the lies of the enemy. Stay armored up and focused on King Jesus. Daughters of God, so much more is out there for you. Seek God and keep seeking him. Don't stop my sisters in Christ Jesus.

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Is there a decision you’ve been avoiding because you’re afraid of getting it wrong? How long have you been waiting for certainty before taking a step? Here’s the problem: Certainty rarely comes before obedience. When you make a choice, you stand a chance of being wrong, and who likes being wrong? I’ve never met a single person who enjoys being wrong. Because of our fear of being wrong, we’re often stuck in indecision. Who am I talking to today? Who’s sitting in indecision today, hiding behind a pile of choices because it’s safe to stay there? The truth is, this is an area of great frustration and confusion for many. MAKING A CHOICE is hard to do. And because you fear making the wrong choice, you avoid choosing and thus you stay STUCK. Here’s the question: Is it actually better to be stuck than to be wrong? What if staying stuck is the greater mistake? God isn’t always clear with his direction. I’ve confused what I wanted with what God was leading me toward and it’s taken me down the wrong path. How about you? I’ve cleaned up plenty of messes following wrong choices. But wow did I learn a lot in the process. Looking back, I ask if it would have been better to do nothing? Would it have been better to sit and wonder for a few more years? How many opportunities would I have missed as I waited for that clear sign? My daughters might have spent their entire childhood in that orphanage if I’d demanded absolute certainty before adopting. I’d probably still be in a career that drained the life out of me. I’d still be living somewhere I didn’t want to live, wondering if full-time travel was possible. This podcast might still be sitting in a notebook instead of reaching people today. I would still be stewing over how to make that first retreat work, instead of stepping into retreat 111 next weekend. I bet the same is true for you. You would probably still be waiting to have that first baby, unsure if you were really ready to raise a tiny human being, huh? That career move was risky, but it worked out didn’t it? It’s all working out, even when it was uncertain. Even when you didn’t know what you were doing. Even when you never felt ready. But that first step in faith has brought you further than you ever imagined. There were things you were seeking God for and you never did get that crystal clear answer, but you showed up and did your best instead of sitting in the corner … and aren’t you glad you did? Aren’t you glad you tried? Here’s another question – can God handle our wrong choices? Absolutely. Our mistakes have never been bigger than his sovereignty. He is constantly moving among us to work all things together for good … even our bad moves and wrong turns. If God can hold the universe together, don’t you think he can redirect a missed opportunity? If he can number the hairs on your head, don’t you think he can guide your next step? Isn’t God that big? Isn’t he that powerful? Stop putting him in a box assuming your uncertainty has confused or limited him. God is not limited. God is not stuck. God cares about our choices. Some choices carry consequences, and some paths are wiser than others. But our mistakes are not bigger than God’s ability to redeem, redirect, and restore. Psalms 23:3 tells me “He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.” He guides ME. Say that with me. HE GUIDES ME. HE GUIDES ME. HE GUIDES ME. Do you believe that? God is guiding you … if you’re seeking him. God is guiding you … if you’re willing to actually follow him. God is guiding you … if you’re refusing to stay stuck in indecision. Are you calling on God for his guidance? Are you seeking his will? GREAT. Then don't be so afraid to make a choice. If you are genuinely seeking him and your heart’s desire is his will above your own, then trust that he will hold true to his word and he will guide you along the right path. However, if you’re not seeking God, you’re likely to get yourself into so many more messes than necessary. If you’re impulsive and led by desires of your flesh over desires of the Spirit within you, get ready for some ditches and trenches. Deep in those ditches and there in those trenches you will undoubtedly learn it would have been far better to pray about it before you jumped into it. Honey, God will still meet you there. And if you take a wrong turn? God isn’t standing there wringing his hands, wondering what to do next. He’s already making a way forward. Who else thought they’d be further along by now? Who else is wondering why the journey is taking so much longer than expected? Me too. Looking back, I can see a few wrong turns and a few unnecessary detours. But I can also see God’s faithfulness in every mile. Somehow, even the roads I wouldn’t have chosen taught me something valuable and brought me closer to where he was leading me all along. So maybe the answer isn’t to obsess over every turn. Maybe it’s to trust the Guide and enjoy the journey. I often pray for doors of opportunity to be opened, but even more often I pray for doors to be closed if they're the wrong doors. I ask for God to lock ‘em up, dead bolt them, seal ‘em tight if I'm not supposed to go through them because I know this much after 50 years of life … if it's not what God wants for my life, I really don't want it either. That’s a powerful prayer. God, if it’s not what you want, I DON’T WANT IT EITHER. Lord, if you’re in it, I want it. If you’re not, I don’t. That all sounds good, doesn't it. I bet you can agree with me so far. But what does that really look like in real life? What do locked doors look like? Sometimes a locked door looks like failure. It looks like the opportunity disappearing. The contract falling through. The promotion going to someone else. The relationship ending. The answer being no. And maybe—just maybe—that isn’t God’s absence. Maybe it’s God’s guidance. GOD GUIDES ME. He is guiding you, honey. I can look back over the past years of my life and see clearly all the closed doors I prayed for. I had some really big ideas that fell flat, and some hopeful situations that never quite panned out. And you know what that was? Upon first glace it looks like disappointment. It looks like setback. But the truth is, that was God faithfully guiding my family. But it kinda sucks when you're going through it. And it sucks so bad most of us just decide to never make a move or dare to change. We won't try the new flavor because what if it's wrong and what if it's a major disappointment. We won’t make a choice and say what we really want because what if it doesn’t work out? You are called to be guided, not certain. Certainty doesn’t require faith. If you can see every step, know every outcome, and eliminate every possibility of failure, you don’t need faith at all. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” God never promised certainty. He promised guidance. Faith is taking the next step when you don’t have all the answers. Faith is moving forward when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Faith is trusting that God is leading even when you can’t see the entire path. But sitting in indecision, refusing to move until every risk is removed and every question is answered—that isn’t faith. That’s a demand for certainty. And God didn’t call you to certainty. He called you to seek and trust his guidance. God is a master at redemption. He can turn wrong turns into wisdom, mistakes into growth, and setbacks into stepping stones. Nothing is wasted when it’s placed in his hands. Stop waiting for certainty that may never come. Seek God. Trust God. Make the decision. Take the step. Walk through the open door. And if you stumble along the way, trust that the same God who guides your path is more than capable of redirecting it. God is guiding you. Remember this, you are called to be guided, not certain. Seek and trust his guidance. Take that next step in faith. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Today is day 158 and we are on the section Concerning Prayer. 158. What should you pray? I should pray the Lord's Prayer, the Psalms, the collected prayers of the Church, and my own prayers as the Spirit leads me. (1 Samuel 2:1–10; Psalms 2; 62:8; Luke 1:46–55; 2:25–35; Acts 4:24–30; Romans 8:26–27; Revelation 4:8–11) We will conclude today with Prayer 90. For Grace to Seek God in Every Way on page 672 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We have prayers that need to be answered. Trust in the Lord, because He never fails, never forgets, and never breaks His promises. What He has spoken, He is faithful to bring to pass.

This sermon draws a powerful parallel between the emotional isolation of unanswered prayer and Hannah's prolonged suffering in 1 Samuel 1, where her barrenness, humiliation by her rival wife, and perceived silence from God mirror the deep spiritual frustration many experience. Despite years of pain, mockery, and seeming divine silence, Hannah's faithfulness is revealed not in the absence of doubt, but in her persistent, fervent, and heartfelt prayers—pouring out her soul before the Lord even when she felt unworthy or unspiritual. The sermon emphasizes that God's silence is not absence, but a season of refining, and that true seeking involves passionate, honest communion with God, trusting His faithfulness even when answers come as 'wait' or 'no.' Ultimately, Hannah's story becomes a testament to God's remembrance and faithfulness, as He answered her prayer with Samuel, and she responded with lifelong obedience, demonstrating that true salvation is not just receiving God's answer, but remaining faithful to Him in every season—trusting that His ways are higher, His care is personal, and His promises are unshakable.

Introduction: What About Spiritual Gifts? (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) Spiritual Gifts are FROM God and FOR Every Believer. (1 Cor 12:4-6) Spiritual Gifts Are to Be Used to BLESS the CHURCH. (1 Cor 12:7) Spiritual Gifts Come in Many FORMS. (1 Cor 12:8-10) 2 Corinthians 12:12 - The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. Hebrews 2:4 - while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Wisdom Knowledge Faith Healing Miracles Luke 9:1 – And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases Prophecy Distinguish between spirits Tongues Interpretation of tongues Spiritual Gifts Are Given at the HOLY SPIRIT'S DISCRETION. (1 Cor 12:11) SEEK God. Consider the INTERSECTION. Take an ASSESSMENT. Take the Spiritual Gifts Test! Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Questions and Answers: What About Spiritual Gifts? Jeff Miller Download Audio Transcript 00:38Open up your Bibles with me, please, to the book of 1 Corinthians 12.00:45While you're turning there, let's just pause for a second, and I'm going to ask that you would please pray for me00:53to be faithful to communicate God's Word accurately and clearly as I should.01:01And I will pray for you to be open to receive what it is that God said. All right, let's pray. Father, sometimes we come to your word and I guess some passages seem to hit some of us more than others. And we're about to enter into a section that according to your word literally is for every single one of us. So I pray.01:31That Your Spirit would be the power behind the wisdom of Your Word and that You would continue to conform us into the image of Your Son, not just individually, but as a church body. Father, glorify Your name as we immerse ourselves into Your Word now. We pray in Jesus' name and all of God's people,02:02Amen. Look at 1 Corinthians 12, verse 1. Paul says,02:07Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.02:18This section of 1 Corinthians has been a big Q&A section.02:25They had sent Paul questions and he was responding with answers.02:28And up to this point, we've mainly been dealing with earthly matters. We've been talking about liberty and marriage and gender. And now we're on to more, I guess you could say, spiritual matters. And he says, concerning spiritual gifts, look at that verse 1, I do not want you to be uninformed. I don't want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.02:58Spiritual Gifts. Wow, that's a phrase that really describes the church today. Right? Because as always, church, we will go to either side of the extreme. When we talk about spiritual gifts, immediately you're going to have some people on one end of the spectrum that just completely neglect or ignore them. And think, oh, that's just like,03:28Goofy, charismatic stuff, but we're like sober-minded people. You completely dismiss the role that the Holy Spirit has in the work of the church. They're just neglected. And we do church according to human intellect and creativity. And then you have people on the other end of the spectrum that don't neglect the gifts. You could say they misrepresent the gifts of the Holy Spirit.03:58And over on the other extreme, people are doing all kinds of goofy things in church saying that it's a work of the Holy Spirit. We're slain in the Spirit and we're hooping and hollering and barking and howling. It's a gift of the Spirit. Excuse me. Absolutely essential in your work for Christ. Absolutely essential04:28in the health of the church, in the health of this church, you have to understand what spiritual gifts are, and you have to use your spiritual gift in the church. All right, look at verse 2. He says, you know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to mute idols. However, you were led. What he's doing here is he's setting up a contrast.04:58by idols.05:00And we're going to see this as we go throughout this section,05:03but the Corinthians in their former pagan lifestyle05:07learned a lot of bad methods of worship.05:11Pagan methods of worship.05:13And they brought those into the church.05:15Like, I guess this is how we worship.05:17And Paul here is making the contrast.05:20Like, look, no, no, no.05:22You used to be led by idols.05:24Now, now you are led by the Holy Spirit of God.05:30The Holy Spirit. Somehow, despite how essential His role is in the church, He just doesn't seem to get the press that the other members of the Trinity get, right? I mean, we talk about Jesus a lot. His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. His resurrection from the dead.05:58We talk about God the Father a lot. But God the Holy Spirit, just is essential. The Bible says that every Christian, every born-again Christian receives the Holy Spirit. That's Romans 8 and 9, among other places. That's God's presence abiding in you. Why? Why does God's Spirit live in you? Well, there's two main reasons. One is for character, right?06:28The Holy Spirit manifests the character of Christ in you. That's the fruit of the Spirit. That's Galatians 5. That's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That's what the Holy Spirit does in the life of the believer manifesting those characteristics. So it's character. The other reason the Holy Spirit lives in believers is for service.06:58And that's what we're talking about in this passage today. Every believer is given a spiritual gift to be used in the church. And you're like, wow, you know, how do I know that I even have the Holy Spirit? Well, look at verse 3. Paul says, therefore, I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says,07:28Jesus is accursed. And no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit. So how do you know you have the Holy Spirit? Here's a foundational test. How do you regard Jesus? And I don't just mean what do you say about Jesus here in church on Sunday morning or at small group. I mean in your heart, in your innermost being privately,07:58How do you regard Jesus Christ? In your heart, is Jesus Christ everything to you? Because your true heart disposition towards Jesus is manifest by the Spirit. If you're born again, Paul says, you cannot curse Jesus. And apparently some of that stuff was happening in the Corinthian church. That's a whole other study for another time.08:28Paul says, if you have the Holy Spirit living in you, you absolutely will regard Jesus Christ as your Lord. The Holy Spirit. He's not just for preachers and missionaries, by the way. The Christian life, every Christian's life, is a Holy Spirit-led and empowered life. So the question that Paul's getting into here, and Pastor Taylor's going to be talking about this more next week, here's the question on the table.08:58They asked. He's answering, so what about spiritual gifts? I mean, what are spiritual gifts? And how is it that the Holy Spirit uses spiritual gifts in the church? So on your outline, what about spiritual gifts? What about them? Paul's giving us a great foundational teaching on Holy Spirit gifts.09:28Number one, write this down. Spiritual gifts are from God and for every believer. Look at verses four through six. He says, now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit. And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. And there are varieties of activities,09:58is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. He says there's many kinds of spiritual gifts, but notice he says they all come from God. And he really wants to make that point clear because you notice he mentioned every member of the Trinity as being the source of spiritual gifts. You notice that? He talks about the Holy Spirit in verse 4. He talks about Jesus Christ, the Lord, in verse 5. He talks about God, the Father,10:28in verse 6. Spiritual gifts are gifts that come from God. Now, understand that spiritual gifts are different than talents. Okay? Like a skill that you have to play an instrument or to paint a mural. Spiritual gifts are different, but listen. I can show you biblically, and that's a study for another time.10:58come from God. Absolutely.11:03But here we're talking about ministry gifts.11:06Church ministry must be Spirit-powered, not done in the flesh.11:15Why?11:19Because if we're just doing ministry in our power, in man's power,11:25we're going to get man's results.11:27But when ministry is done in God's power, we get God's results. So which do you want? At the end of the day, I want to see what God can do in this church, not what I can do. But you notice the end of verse 6, beginning of verse 7, to everyone, to each. Listen, because every Christian possesses the Holy Spirit, all Christians, all Christians are given a spiritual gift.11:59It's so fascinating because every gift is a characteristic of Jesus Christ Himself. You realize He had everything perfectly. Think about that. Jesus, God in the flesh, who embodied every characteristic perfectly. You see the Holy Spirit giving us a spiritual gift. What's going on here? Here's what's going on. The church is called the body of Christ.12:29And each member is given a gift so that collectively, we as the body of Christ become a sort of representation of Jesus Christ himself. It's absolutely mind-blowing. But God wants the church to be Christ-like, and this is how it happens. We each use our spiritual gift. We're collectively built up in all of the characteristics that Jesus Christ possessed perfectly in the Incarnation.12:57So, spiritual gifts from God for every believer. All right, number two, spiritual gifts are to be used to bless the church. Look at verse 7. He says, to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For the common good.13:28It's kind of funny when you think about it. You're given a spiritual gift, right? But in a real sense, the spiritual gift given to you isn't even for you. Isn't that strange? God's given you a gift, but He goes, oh, that's not for you. That's for everybody else. You see, my spiritual gift is supposed to benefit you.13:57benefit me.14:01And that's why we believe in every member of ministry at Harvest Bible Chapel.14:05If you're attending here, if you consider this your church,14:09we're not shy about asking where do you want to serve.14:15Not because we're like, we need help.14:18We do need help.14:21But that's not the primary reason.14:24It's because if you're part of the church, God has gifted you to bless the church. Right? So I have to ask you, how is God using you in this church? How's God using you? If you've been given a gift that's for the common good, how is that working in your ministry?14:55Now look, I've got to tell you, we are so blessed at this church. We were talking about this not too long ago, but we have a crazy high percentage of people who are actively serving in this church in so many ways. We're not there yet, but that number needs to be 100%. And if you're attending this church and you're not serving, please hear me.15:26I just want to lovingly tell you that God hasn't called anyone to warm a seat. Nobody's spiritual gift is attendance. We need you to be using your spiritual gift for the common good. All right? So spiritual gifts are from God for every believer. Number two, spiritual gifts are to be used to bless the church.15:54And number three, spiritual gifts come in many forms. Here's where we need to spend some time. In this section here, Paul lists nine spiritual gifts. Now, this list is not exhaustive, okay? Actually, we're not going to look there today. We're going to stick in this passage as is our custom. But you can see also Romans chapter 12. You can see Ephesians chapter 4. There are other gifts than the ones that are listed.16:24here. This isn't exhaustive. This is more just representative. Spiritual gifts come in many forms. Let's look at verses 8-10. Paul says, for to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit.16:54To another, faith by the same Spirit. To another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit. To another, the working of miracles. To another, prophecy. To another, the ability to distinguish between spirits. To another, various kinds of tongues. To another, the interpretation.17:24of tongues.17:27Alright, so with spiritual gifts there are two categories.17:31There are speaking gifts and there are serving gifts.17:35But there are also two kinds of gifts.17:38There are permanent gifts.17:40There are gifts that were given that will be active in the church until our Lord returns.17:46And there are gifts that are temporary that were only for a time and purpose.17:51And this is where we get controversial.18:00Because this is where a lot of people have a lot of different opinions. But are you ready to go to Sunday school for a few minutes? Three of you? Okay. Thank you. Tristan always has my back. Always. And some of you are like, I don't know if I want to get out of here.18:23this road. Well, we're going through 1 Corinthians. This is next. And we receive God's Word as presented, right? So let's do it. But I want to talk about temporary gifts. And please hear me out before you storm out. That door's hard to slam, but it can be done. Before you storm out, before you throw anything at me, I would like you to please hear me out for a few minutes, all right?18:53Because this isn't my opinion. This is what the Bible says if you read it straightforwardly. Temporary gifts, sometimes they're called sign gifts. Those are the more miraculous type gifts. Please hear me because this is where I'm going to be misquoted, but not you. Listen, those gifts are not normative today.19:23Do I believe that they still happen? 100% I do. But they are not normative. Okay? So if somebody's like, well, what is Jeff's position on some of these sign gifts? I do not believe that they are normative today. I'm going to show you why. Can God do them? Yes. But, listen close. These sign gifts, are these spiritual gifts19:53that are possessed by people in the day of Paul and the apostles. And the answer is no. They're not possessed by people as they were in Paul's day. God still does them on occasion, not normative, but they're not possessed by people. I want to talk about miracles for a moment. Pastor Taylor and I were talking about this last week.20:23I think when we read the Bible, we get this idea that miracles were just like happening all the time, right? Like Moses woke up and like before his oatmeal, he like fired off five miracles. Boom. Not a man a meal, not oatmeal. But actually miracles in the Bible were actually very rare.20:53And apart from Moses' day, and apart from the day of Jesus in the apostles' ministry, miracles performed through men were actually very rare things. So why did we see so many miracles, especially in Moses' day, and especially in Jesus' and the apostles' day? Because this is why.21:21God performed miracles through people to verify or prove when new revelation was given. That's why it was normative in Moses' day. That's why it was normative for the apostles. Because God was giving new revelation, and that was the way He verified it. Any knucklehead can run around and say,21:51this is the new word of the Lord. And like, how can you prove that? Anybody can say that. God would verify what is actually revelation from him by backing it up with people who were giving not just this message, but performing these miracles. That's why you see that in Jesus. Why did Jesus perform so many miracles? Why did Jesus perform miracles? He's putting on a show, right?22:21He wanted to dazzle people, right? Hey, check this out. Check out what I can do. Anybody got two fishes, five loaves? Let me show you a trick. No! Jesus wasn't an entertainer. Why did Jesus do all the miracles? Actually, He referred to them as signs. Why? Because they were done to prove He is who He said He is. He's like, I'm God in the flesh. And of course, you're going to have people that were like, pfft.22:51I'm not buying that. But when you see this man raising the dead, healing the sick, feeding multitudes, you're like, there's something more to him. Right? Jesus' signs proved he is who he said he is. You're like, awesome, but what about spiritual gifts? Well, same principle here. Listen, to back the apostles'23:21while the New Testament was completed, was being completed, God authenticated the gospel with sign gifts. That's what the Bible says. You're like, where does the Bible say that? Many places. I'll give you a couple. Okay? Like 2 Corinthians 12. Look, the signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience with signs and wonders and mighty works. You see?23:51the true apostles were performing miracles. It was to authenticate the gospel message. Same thing in Hebrews 2.4. It says, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. Same principle as God was giving us the New Testament. You see, in those days, they didn't have the New Testament completed yet.24:21was being worked on by the Holy Spirit. So when somebody got up and said, let me tell you this message from God, how do we know it was from God? He backed it up with miracles. That's why when you go through the book of Acts, you see miracles less and less and less and less as you go through the book of Acts. We spent like three years in Acts, and that's what you see. In 1 Corinthians here, the book that we're studying, it was one of the earliest24:51written. So sign gifts were still very much a thing when Paul wrote this, but they were on their way out and they were ending as normative spiritual gifts when the New Testament was completed. That's why in none of the other epistles you see any talk about the spiritual gifts of miracles or healings or tongues or interpretation of tongues. You don't see that in any other25:21book in the New Testament.25:25Because it was phasing out.25:28We have God's word complete in written form,25:31so we don't need to verify it with a miracle.25:35God wrote it all down for us.25:37All right?25:39So, with that backdrop, I'm going to go through these quickly.25:44Each one of these could be a sermon,25:45and that's not the intention.25:49Interestingly, Paul does not explain them. He just lists them. I want to give you a little definition for each, a little understanding. So look at your spiritual gifts here, starting in verse 8. The first one is wisdom. What is wisdom? That's just skill in applying the Word of God. Do you know who typically possesses this gift are people that are counselors, whether it's formally or informally, people that are able to say, I understand how to incorporate God's truth.26:19into my life.26:21I can help you incorporate God's truth into your life.26:23It's applying the Word of God.26:24That's wisdom.26:26Next is knowledge.26:30That's understanding the Word.26:34It's somebody that can see Bible facts and knows how they fit together.26:39You know what's amazing?26:40Did you ever see these Christian authors?26:43They take like one subject and they write a whole book about it.26:46That's always amazing to me.26:48Like, how do they do that? They wrote a whole book about one subject? Well, I think a lot of them have the gift of knowledge. Right? Next is faith. Gift of faith. Now, obviously, this is faith beyond believing to get saved, because every follower of Christ has that kind of faith. Right? But you ever notice that there are some Christians that you meet that just seem to have a deeper,27:20Confidence in the Sovereignty of God. You know what I'm talking about? There's some Christians you meet, they could be going through just the worst trials a human being can go through, and they're just like, you know what? God's in control. He's got this. And they're just completely unflappable. They have the gift of faith. Those people are typically the best prayers. Right? Next on the list.27:48is healing.27:51Now again, I believe that this is one of the gifts27:55for people that was phasing out at this point.28:01But what is healing?28:02Well, it's just supernaturally healing a physical illness.28:12I wish I had that gift.28:14I wish it was still a thing.28:17And you might say, well, Pastor Jeff, I think it is still a thing. Because I saw this guy on TV. He was slapping people on the head deaf and they were getting up with full hearing. Interesting about those people, they never go to the cancer ward or the children's hospital. I mean, if I had the gift to heal people, that's the first place I'd go. You're like, oh, so you don't believe in healing? Oh, yeah, yeah. Look, listen.28:47Let's be clear. God still heals. I believe that 100%. And I have seen in this church God miraculously heal people. I believe that God heals. I'm not convinced that Benny Hinn ever did. All right? So next is miracles. Miracles. Like, wait a minute. What's the difference between miracles and healing? I'm not going to bore you with the long systematic Thompson Chain reference.29:17But here's the thing. That word for miracles, when you trace it through the New Testament, was most often connected with casting out demons. That's the difference. That's the distinction. See, that's what Jesus was talking about. Look at Luke 9.1. We'll have it on the screen. It says, and he called the twelve together, look, and gave them power and authority, here it is, over all demons and to cure diseases. So miracles.29:47In the New Testament referred to casting out demons. Again, I believe that was an apostolic era. Do I believe God still does that 100%? Absolutely, yes, He does. Normative? That a person has the gift and is running around doing that? No. All right, next is prophecy. Prophecy. Now, when we think prophecy, when we hear that word, what's the first thing we think of? Like future stuff, right?30:17Tell us the future. Well, sometimes, actually rarely, that's part of it. But you realize that's not what prophecy literally means at all. Do you know what the word prophecy is? It literally breaks down to a compound word that means speak before. You're like, speak before what? Speak before an audience. That's what prophecy is. It's somebody that stands in front of a group of people and says things.30:47Before Them. That's prophecy. It's the public speaking of God's truth. That's what happens when I get up here, Taylor or Brian or Justin or whoever stands up here proclaiming the Word of God. That is prophecy. We are speaking before. Right? Next is distinguishing between spirits. If you're interested, we did a whole sermon series on this.31:17A couple years back, this is what we more commonly call discernment. It's the ability to evaluate if something is from God or not. And in that sermon series, I'm not going to preach it all now, but I'd just like to remind you that that is something that we are all called to do. We are all called to discern what is from God and what is not from God. And again, I'll remind you that we live in a day that it is more crucial than ever because we live in a day where we have access to more information.31:47than we've ever had. You open up your phone, you're going to have 10,00031:51preachers giving you contradictory31:54message about31:55thus saith the Lord. How do we know31:57what God actually said? Discernment32:00is the gift to be able to32:01tell, he's not saying what God32:03said, but this guy definitely is, right?32:05Right?32:10Some people have that gift.32:13Alright, next gift is tongues.32:18Next gift is tongues.32:21You're like, are tongues for today?32:26People ask that, are tongues for today?32:31Yeah, tongues are for today.32:32How would you eat your ice cream otherwise, right?32:38Listen, I'm not going to go too far into this.32:42Oh, you're scared? No, not at all.32:43We're actually going to be doing a very deep dive in this. We're spending four weeks on this subject. But what is tongues biblically? Tongues is the ability to speak in a foreign language unknown to the speaker. It's a known language, by the way. It's not gibberish. It's somebody speaking an already existing language that that person doesn't know. They're just speaking it. Like I said, we're going to spend so much more time on this. And then interpretation of tongues is just simply that.33:13a person that was gifted with the ability to translate what the tongues speaker says. Many forms. One spirit. Oh, speaking of the Holy Spirit, number four. Spiritual gifts are given at the Holy Spirit's discretion.33:47Look at verse 11.33:52He says,33:54All these are empowered by one in the same Spirit34:01who apportions to each one individually as He wills.34:09As He wills.34:11The Holy Spirit, in His sovereignty, determines who does what. That's the Holy Spirit's job. Understand, as your pastor, I did not get to choose your gift. Like, oh, you want to be a part of our church? All right. Prophecy. Okay, how about you? You want to join the church? All right. Healing. You're like, you totally didn't listen to that sermon, did you? I don't get to determine that gift.34:41get to determine that gift. You know what? Preaching looks like a lot of fun. I think I'm going to ask the Holy Spirit for the prophecy gift. He is the one who determines the gift. It is a gift. And the gift giver determines the gift that he wants to give you. The gift giver determines the gift35:12that he wants to give you.35:19And I know this is a hard sell in our day.35:23I mean, Murph, you get it. You go back. We get it.35:27The gift giver determines the gift he wants to give. We get it. The younger people don't get that.35:33Like, why not? Because you know what we do in our day?35:38You know what we do in our day? We have a big event.35:42We have a baby shower, a wedding, little Joey's birthday party. He's turning five. Going to have his party at the Chuck E. Cheese. Do you know what we do today? We tell people what gifts we want, don't we? We do that. Little Joey's turning five. He's registered at Target. Right? Right?36:10Or, yeah, I'm getting married. Yeah, I'm getting married. Yeah, I'm registered at Target. We tell people the gifts that we want. I'm getting married. I want this toaster. I want this knife set. I want this vacuum. And then, I mean, we've done it. Aaron and I will go and be like, okay, this is the vacuum they want.36:40and we buy it and we wrap it up. And then they act surprised when they open it. They open it up and they're like, oh, you got me exactly what I was asking for. Oh, you shouldn't have. But you go back a generation, the gift giver determined what gift you got. Don't try that with the Holy Spirit, okay? You're baptized.37:11I'm registered at Target.37:15Well, we don't get a say in it.37:17It's His gift, right?37:19It's His gift.37:19Do you think I would have signed up for this?37:25Oh no.37:26Oh no.37:30He'll make a better choice than we would anyways.37:33Alright.37:35That's all well and good.37:36But that's really not the question37:39that we're asking right now.37:40The question that we're asking right now is how do I know what my spiritual gift is right I mean it's clear he's given all of us each of us a gift to represent the body of Christ and we're to use it in the common good we saw the kinds and you're like awesome what is my spiritual gift how do I find out what my spiritual gift is all right I'm going to give you three things we're going to close with this three things how do I know what gift I've been given letter A seek God38:10You're like, that sounds like a cop-out. No, look. If you make your life about on-your-face praying and in the Word and just get serving in the church, the Spirit's going to do what the Spirit does. He's going to be at work through you. You're going to figure that out real quick. So just don't worry about seeking a gift. Seek the gift giver. He'll do what He does.38:40That's what he does. Seek God. All right? Letter B. Consider the intersection. Like, what's the intersection? I was studying for this this week. I came across something. I thought it was super helpful. It's one of those diagrams where everything intersects. What do they call that? A Venmo diagram?39:10Venn. Not Venmo.39:20What's a Venmo?39:23Oh, that's giving money.39:26Also a spiritual gift. Right!39:30So you could Venmo your...39:31Alright.39:33I just feel like I had like an inception moment here.39:37Alright.39:38Consider the intersection.39:39Yeah.39:40All right. So I came across this Venn diagram. And I thought it was helpful. I'm going to try to recreate it here. But there's three things here. First of all, this circle here, we're going to call that, we're going to call this one ability. We're going to call this one ability. What is it that you seem, not complicated,40:10You seem like you're able to do this. Right? Of all the gifts. You're like, you know what? That's something that I seem like I'm able to do. I mean, I'm not boasting or anything. It just seems like something that I'm able to do. Okay? And then, with this one, we're going to call this one affinity. That's an idea. Okay. That's affinity. Like, well, that's an idea. Like, what do40:40I enjoy doing.40:42If somebody was like, you can do whatever you want in the church, whatever you enjoy most,40:46what would be the line I get to the front of first?40:50What's my affinity?40:53And then the third thing here, my circles are getting less and less circle-y, but I think you get the idea.41:01This one we're going to call affirmation.41:12You know, you have people maybe in your small group or other people in the church that are, they say to you, you know what? You seem like you have a real gift for teaching. You really seem like you have a gift for praying with people. So the point is this. Consider the intersection right here.41:39This is very likely your spiritual gift. I would say extremely likely. What you're able to do, what you love doing, and what people affirm that it seems like God has equipped you to do, that is very likely your spiritual gift. All right? Then letter C, assessment. Seek God, consider the intersection or assessment. We have a QR code.42:10Go ahead, take your phone out and give that a scan. Pastor Rich sent this along. But this is an online assessment. And really, I think between seeking the Lord, considering the intersection, doing the online assessment, I think that's going to get you all on your way to giving you a deeper understanding of what your spiritual gift is. So go ahead. Go ahead, do the...42:41Either scan that or Venmo me some money. Since you have your phone out and I just learned what Venmo is. Do I have a Venmo? Never mind. Aaron says I don't have a Venmo. All right. Our worship team would make their way up. While they're coming, you know, when I was in high school, I played soccer.43:11In my junior high year of playing soccer, the coach didn't like me. Why? Because I was unlikable. So I sat on the bench most of the season. Now, I knew I had the ability.43:39senior year, we had a new coach, and I didn't sit for one minute that entire season. In fact, I was co-captain of the team. But I got to tell you, I think back to that junior year of playing soccer, and I just remember feeling incredibly frustrated because I felt incredibly useless. You know, you put your shin guards on, you put your cleats on, you put your44:09your soccer uniform on.44:12And you just, I just sat there and watched the whole season.44:16Just sat there.44:21So many times I thought, why am I even here?44:25Why am I even here?44:26What am I doing?44:29I want to tell you, you don't have to worry about that with God's team44:34because there are no bench warmers.44:39God doesn't tell any of His children, you know what? You're nice and all, but you go sit over there. We don't really need you. Or you just wait, and if we decide there's a place we can squeeze you in, we'll see if we can do that. No, no, no, no, no. God's Word has made it very clear that He has called and He has gifted every single one of you.45:08this church. Let's pray. Our Father in heaven, so often we get a gift and we don't say thank you, but Father, we thank you not just for the gift of your Holy Spirit himself who lives within us, but the gift that he has given each of us to serve you and your church. For some people here, Father, this is probably brand new teaching.45:38Never really considered this. And for some people here, Father, maybe we've known this and have sort of strayed from it. But I'm asking today, Father, that your Spirit would grip every heart in this church and grip the church collectively so that we truly, as the body of Christ, might represent the person of Christ.46:08as these spirits are at work in us. So Father, I pray for the person here who maybe has been coming to this church but just hasn't stepped up. Remind them, Father, it's not just a matter of the elders and pastors and ministry team would value your input. Remind them, Father, that you have equipped them to serve your church.46:38We do so to your glory and honor. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 12:1-11What was your big take-away from this passage / message?What does it mean that spiritual gifts are for the common good (1 Cor 12:7)?Are sign gifts such as healing and miracles still possessed by people today? Why or why not?Why is it important to understand that the Holy Spirit is the One Who chooses what gifts believers receive (1 Cor 12:11)?How do you know if a ministry is done by the power of the Holy Spirit, or done in the flesh (that is, just by “human power”)?BreakoutPray for one another.

Join Pastor Derek as he explores the 'prayer of commitment,' a powerful practice for casting burdens onto the Lord. Learn how to find peace by trusting in God's guidance and submitting life's challenges to Him. Discover the importance of decisiveness in prayer and the transformative effect it can have on your spiritual journey. The Prayer of Commitment is when we cast all our cares on the Lord, and submit to His leadership in the situation (1Peter 5:6-7). Then we should trust Him to lead us and offer the Sacrifice of Praise.

Join Pastor Derek as he explores the 'prayer of commitment,' a powerful practice for casting burdens onto the Lord. Learn how to find peace by trusting in God's guidance and submitting life's challenges to Him. Discover the importance of decisiveness in prayer and the transformative effect it can have on your spiritual journey. The Prayer of Commitment is when we cast all our cares on the Lord, and submit to His leadership in the situation (1Peter 5:6-7). Then we should trust Him to lead us and offer the Sacrifice of Praise.

I hate the devil, and I fight him by demonstrating the power of God. You must fight him, not allow him to stop you receiving. Some look to the church for ceremony, for a formula, for peace – but I find God most, not in the calm, but in the reality of my life. I discovered a long time ago that the most important thing which creates character is not WHAT happens to us so much as OUR REACTION! Moses encourages the people in verse 27, ‘If from where you are…  you will seek the Lord your God, you WILL find Him, if you seek Him with ALL your heart.' So, in the midst of every distress, fear, want, even sickness – whatever situation you are in – there you will find God! So often we are told that if you want to find God, you've got to be ‘holy', to give up everything, separate yourself, shut yourself up like in a monastery. No, the reality is that spirituality is not isolating yourself, not trying to be some kind of ‘holy' person – it's YOU dealing with GOD right where you are!

If God knows exactly where the fish are, He also knows precisely how and when to provide for the need weighing on your heart.

If you've ever felt guilty for prioritizing your own health, this episode is for you. As Christian women, many of us were raised with the quiet belief that selflessness means self-neglect. We pour into our families, our patients, our communities — and we run on empty. But what if Scripture actually makes a strong case for taking care of yourself? What if the Proverbs 31 woman has been modeling holistic health all along and we've just been missing it? This episode is for the Christian woman who is exhausted, overlooked, and quietly falling apart while holding everyone else together. If you're a caregiver, nurse, mom, or ministry leader who has put herself last for far too long — this one is for you. --- THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN WAS NOT WHO YOU THINK SHE WAS Many of us grew up with a narrow picture of this woman — quietly keeping house, sacrificing everything, never asking for anything in return. But a closer look at the Hebrew text tells a very different story. She was an entrepreneur. A real estate investor. A business owner who worked intentionally and strategically. And yes — she took care of herself. • Verse 17 tells us she dressed herself with strength and made her arms strong. She stewarded her physical body. • Verse 22 says she made fine coverings for herself and wore linen and purple — fabrics reserved for royalty and the wealthy elite in the ancient world. She kept something for herself, and she wore her flourishing without apology. • Verse 25 says strength and dignity were her clothing, and she laughed at the days to come. That's not naivety — that's the settled peace of a woman who has done the work. She was not a martyr. She was a prepared, thriving, God-fearing woman who understood that caring for herself was part of caring for her calling. --- GOD DELIGHTS IN YOUR WELFARE — NOT JUST EVERYONE ELSE'S Psalm 37:4 says God delights in the welfare of His servants. Not just your patients. Not just your children. You. If you are His, He is not indifferent to your health, your rest, your joy, or your flourishing. The fruit of your labor is meant to be something you also enjoy — not just something you hand off to everyone around you. This is not a prosperity gospel message. It's a stewardship message. You are the vessel. And a depleted vessel cannot carry much. --- JESUS MODELED BOUNDARIES — AND SO CAN YOU Even Jesus didn't heal everyone in every town every day. He retreated. He rested. He sought His Father. He knew who He was called to serve, when, and how. That framework matters for you too. Not every good thing is your thing. Not every need is your assignment. As it says in 1 Corinthians, we are all one body — each with a specific function. You are not the whole body. You are one part, with a specific gift, a specific calling, and a limited amount of time and energy to steward. When you say yes to everything, someone somewhere is missing the version of you that God actually appointed for them. --- WHEN BUSYNESS BECOMES A HEALTH ISSUE From a holistic health perspective, chronic overextension is not just a spiritual problem — it's a physical one. Boundaries are not just emotionally healthy. They are biologically necessary. Chronic fatigue, autoimmune flares, hormonal imbalance, and burnout are often the body's way of saying what the mouth has been too afraid to say: this is too much. If you haven't read Boundaries or Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, those are worth your time. --- TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 0:00 — What Proverbs 31 actually says about self-care and why most of us missed it 0:58 — She made her arms strong, she wore purple: unpacking the Hebrew meaning 2:21 — The caregiving trap: why high-capacity women neglect themselves most 4:45 — Psalm 37:4 and what it means that God delights in your welfare 5:15 — How Jesus modeled boundaries, rest, and intentional service 7:37 — Why not every good thing is your assignment 9:04 — How overextension connects directly to physical illness 10:32 — The invitation: what it looks like to take your next step toward healing --- KEY TAKEAWAYS • The Proverbs 31 woman stewarded her body, enjoyed the fruit of her labor, and wore her flourishing without shame. That is a biblical model worth following. • God cares about your welfare — not just the people you care for. • Jesus himself modeled intentional limits on his service. You are not called to do everything for everyone. • Chronic illness and fatigue can be the body signaling that boundaries are overdue. • Seek God's wisdom specifically — who to serve, when, and how. Not every good thing is your assignment. • You are one part of the body of Christ. Function in your part well, and trust God with the rest. This episode is educational and faith-based in nature and is not intended as medical advice or diagnosis. --- READY TO STOP RUNNING ON EMPTY? If this episode stirred something in you — if you are the woman who is tired of being tired and ready to actually do something about it — the More Energy Strategy Session was built for you. This is a private 60-minute conversation where we look at your whole health picture and identify the most important next step for your specific body and season of life. Not a generic protocol. Not another overwhelm spiral. Just clarity, direction, and a path forward. Book your session at herholistichealing.com/services.

Matthew 6:33

Listen and be blessed 

Amos chapter 5 God delivers a powerful call to seek Him, not empty religion. Episode 8 in the Series God Has Spoken explores the difference between outward worship and genuine repentance, and why God's invitation still stands today: “Seek ye me, and ye shall live.”

Disputes with co-workers, arguments over little things when we're tired, and family conflicts are, unfortunately, unavoidable. We may have seasons where we're at peace with everyone, but eventually, we will need to make amends with another person; thankfully, there IS a biblical way to do so! The Bible says that we're to be at peace with everyone to the best of our ability; so, how do we do that? In today's message, Pastor Mark will show you some of the biblical tools you need to settle arguments. The main tool is simply communication. Seek God to give you the right words, and He WILL come through!

Series: Acts — Preacher: Brian O'Day

This is Dr. Pete Norris from The Beauty of Grace Podcast. We would love to hear from you. Support the show

Back in the. Paddock, we consider my Biblical mentor, David. We know the first two indicators of people we will like are 1. Are they like us? The second is, do we admire them and want to be like them?Hence, David, how do you become a “man after God's own heart?” How did David become that believer after God's own heart?He listened to God.Now these are the last words of David. “David, the son of Jesse, declares, And the man who was raised on high declares, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, 2 “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.”2 Samuel 23:1-2He says his life.“Is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, When the tender grass springs out of the earth, Through sunshine after rain. 5 “Truly is not my house so with God? For He has made an everlasting covenant with me, Ordered in all things, and secured; For all my salvation and all my desire, Will He not indeed make it grow?” 2 Samuel 23:4-5 He talked to God:“Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my groaning. 2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to Thee do I pray. 3 In the morning, O LORD, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch.” Psalm 5:1-3“As for me, I shall call upon God, And the LORD will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice. 18 He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me.” Psalm 55:16-17“Seven times a day I praise Thee, Because of Thy righteous ordinances. 165 Those who love Thy law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalm 119:164-165Our So What?Seek God in prayer. (It's never too late to begin.)Brethren, let's pray for one another. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.” Amen1 Timothy 1:17”What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 008Episode 028

By Jay Gardner

Listen and be blessed 

Remember God loves you so much he sent his Son Jesus Christ to take the punishment for your sins. You are of great value. Jesus loves you and He is just a prayer away! This episode includes AI-generated content.

God invites us to seek Him while He is near (Isaiah 55), calling for an active, intentional response rather than passivity. Just as people once eagerly sought an audience with a king, we are invited to pursue His presence with urgency and expectation. When Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowds cried “Hosanna,” they recognized their need for salvation and the fulfillment of God's promise in Him—the true Messiah.This same call is seen in the persistence of Bartimaeus and the faith of the woman who reached out to touch Jesus' garment—both examples of seeking Him with purpose and trust. God is present among His people, especially when we gather in His name, inviting us into real relationship. Seek Him not as a distant figure, but as the living Savior—the only hope for our lives—and pursue Him with a heart ready to encounter Him personally.Scripture: Isaiah 55:6Guest Speaker: Yonatan Hiruy

Pastor Gabe Moreno starts our SHARE series. When we think about sharing our faith with others, many of us immediately wonder, “What if I don't know what to say?” In this passage, we learn of an unsung hero of the faith who shared what he knew, even though he didn't have a complete gospel understanding. What would sharing opportunities look like for you if you prioritized seeking God's presence over searching for the right words to say? 

Listen and be blessed 

By Jay Gardner

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 371, “When Did You Begin to Seek God?” Kim discusses the timeline of young King Josiah's spiritual life and growth. As we examine the early years of the king's reign, Kim challenges listeners to reflect on their own spiritual timelines.   Our focal passage for this episode is 2 Chronicles 34:1-9, and with 3 as the focal verse:   During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images.     WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT FEATURE:   If you were to draw a timeline of your spiritual walk, where would the progress points be?   Additional Resources and Scriptures:   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 (1 & 2 Chronicles) 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. (2026). 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/  

In this powerful teaching from Genesis 24–26, we uncover how God leads His people with clarity, purpose, and direction. Through the story of Abraham's servant seeking a bride for Isaac, we see a prophetic picture of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit at work—calling and preparing a bride for Christ. This message emphasizes: How to seek God's will with confidence Why asking God for confirmation is biblical The danger of valuing temporary, worldly things over eternal, spiritual truth How the Holy Spirit leads, guides, and reveals truth to believers today We also explore the contrast between Jacob and Esau—showing how one decision can shape destiny. Esau traded his birthright for a temporary need, revealing a lack of value for spiritual inheritance.

Life can get busy—really busy. Between work, family, responsibilities, and everyday life, it can sometimes feel difficult to find time to sit down and spend intentional time with God. If you've ever wondered: How do I keep seeking God when life feels overwhelming? This Mini Encouragement episode (under 15 minutes) is for you. The truth is that every season of life looks different. Some seasons allow for long quiet mornings with the Lord, while others feel full from the moment you wake up. But even in the busiest seasons, God still invites us to seek Him. In this episode we talk about practical ways to stay spiritually connected when life is full, including: ✨ Giving yourself grace during different seasons of life ✨ Finding creative ways to stay in God's Word daily ✨ Listening to Scripture through apps like Dwell or the Bible App while driving, cooking, or cleaning ✨ Making prayer a constant conversation with God throughout your day ✨ Being intentional about the content you allow into your life One of the most encouraging reminders from Scripture is that we are called to “pray without ceasing.” When life feels full, it becomes even more important to fill our minds with things that point us toward Christ. Choose the things of God instead of letting the noise of the world fill those spaces. If you're in a busy season of life, this episode is a reminder that seeking God may look different right now—but it is still possible and still deeply important. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who are you trying to impress? How often do you buy name brand or trendy styles not because you like them, but because you want other people to like what you have? Often we can buy into the consumerism mindset of trying to buy our happiness or buy things to please other people in attempts to make us happy. Is your goal to please someone else? Do you buy into the lie that you can buy happiness? Let's dive into Galatians chapter 1 together to see what God's Word says about impressing other people. Let's connect!Follow me on TikTok @givingyourbestlifeJoin me on YouTubeShop my books hereWith gratitude, Stephanie❤️

Begin each morning with the Lord in His Word—this simple habit will bring more joy into your life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking for Biblical marriage principles? For Christian Singles, the pursuit of a godly and fulfilling marriage is a significant life goal. In the Bible, marriage is considered a sacred institution designed by God Himself. It offers guidance on how to build a strong and lasting marital relationship. In this article, we will explore key biblical marriage principles that Christian singles can apply in their journey toward finding a life partner. 10 Biblical Marriage Principles for christians Seek God’s Guidance in […] The post Biblical Marriage Principles for Christian Singles: A Guide to Godly Relationships appeared first on Christian Singles Advice | Christian Dating Advice Tips. Related posts: 5 Marks of a Biblical Husband: A Guide for Christian Singles 7 Clear Signs of a Godly Man: Insights from a Christian Single Woman How to Find a Godly Spouse: A Christian Singles' Guide Should I Date a Godly Person I'm Not Attracted To? Why God Delays Your Marriage Prayer: 7 Biblical Reasons for His Perfect Timing

Daily Dose of Hope April 9, 2026   Scripture: Philippians 4   Prayer:  Holy God, You are a God of order and a God of purpose.  The world may seem chaotic, but you are not.  You have ordered your world with perfection.  Help us trust you.  Lord, fill us with your perfect peace.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have been walking through Paul's letters and today we finish the letter to the Philippians.   Today's reading is Philippians 4.  Philippians 4 is one of my all-time favorite chapters in the Bible!  Why?  Because in the midst of living in a society that strives to be happy and fails, Paul shares with us the keys to true joy.  We are going to just focus on v. 4-8 today but be sure to read through the whole chapter.  It's truly a beautiful end to his letter to the Philippians.   Philippians 4:4 is a great verse to memorize.  Paul writes, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Have joy in God.  Be joyful in the Lord always.  What's interesting to me about this letter that Paul uses some form of the word joy fourteen times in these four short chapters.  He is serious about joy.  And he isn't at some resort somewhere drinking good wine and eating steak.  Not at all, he is in a Roman prison cell.   Paul is in a dank, dark, poorly ventilated Roman prison cell.  Keep in mind, Roman prison cells were designed to strip a prisoner of dignity.  They were filthy, often crowded.  Unlike today, there was no such thing as being condemned to serve a sentence in prison.  Although people could spend a lot of time in prison, it was time in which they were awaiting trial to then be given their real punishment, which could very well be death.    Paul, at the time he wrote this letter, has probably been in prison for about four years.  He had no idea what was going to happen to him.  He had been charged with inciting riots among the Jewish communities in different cities and he was simply waiting to hear whether or not he would be put to death.    And yet, Paul writes to rejoice in the Lord always.  To the world, this wouldn't make any sense.  What makes sense to the world?  Well, seeking happiness.  Happiness is based on your happenings.  When your happenings, your circumstances, are going really well, when you feel really good, when things are going your way, then you are happy.  But joy is something else entirely.  Our world doesn't really understand joy.  Joy is not a feeling or an emotion.  Joy is not dependent on circumstances or whether things are going our way.  No, joy is a fruit of the Spirit, it's the manifestation of God in the midst of ALL circumstances.  It's an orientation that declares every day is a gift from God.   But Paul goes on in verses 5-7,  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When tragedy hits, when we are in the midst of despair but when we know that God is near, then it creates space for a different response than anxiety.  Rather than constant worry and anxiety, we can move to prayer and petition.  So now this is beginning to make a little more sense.  When we are gentle and know the Lord is near, we seek God in prayer.  This isn't a formula by any means but Paul is saying that one generally follows the other… Choose to REJOICE --- Be gentle/be like Jesus --- Know God is near ---- Seek God in prayer. This in turn, will lead to less anxiety and more thanksgiving.  Why?  Because gratitude does something to our heart.  When we are thankful, we are reminded of God's faithfulness.  We are reminded of all the times God has shown up and taken care of us. I recently read that there are two kinds of people:  Those who are currently facing hard circumstances and those who will soon be facing hard circumstances.  Think of what Jesus said in John 16:33, In this world you will have trouble, but take heart because I have overcome the world.  This is the reality.  When, not if, we face trouble, we have 2 choices:  anxiety or rejoicing.    Anxiety is generally how the world responses.  Sometimes, it's how we respond to.  But it is the world's go-to response.  It leads to more distress, more seeking escape in things like food, alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, anything that will bring pleasure, no matter how short-lived.   God is calling us to respond differently:  by rejoicing.  Rejoicing reminds us who God is, who we are, and that we are not alone.  REJOICING leads to peace.  Anxiety leads to inner conflict and misery.    Let's end this part of our discussion with verse 8, Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  I would encourage you to memorize this verse.  This is about changing our thought life.  It's a method/strategy for dealing with worry and anxiety.  So often, we get in a loop.  We play the tape over and over again in our head.  What if this happens?  Why did that happen?  What will I do if this occurs?    I'm wondering if Paul, in his Roman prison cell, sometimes fell prey to this kind of thinking.  It's like he is telling us, "look, you think you can't rejoice but you can.  Stop thinking about the bad stuff and start thinking about that which is true, that which is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or worthy of praise."    This means turning off the news.  It means turning off Facebook.  It means removing the external sources of negativity from your life as much as possible.  Focus on what is worthy of praise.  What things in your life are worthy of praise?     Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

In this episode, Swamiji explains Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 16, where Shree Krishna describes four kinds of devotees: the distressed, the seekers of knowledge, the seekers of material gains, and the wise.  He explains how most people begin their spiritual journey by turning to God in times of pain or need. Some approach out of curiosity to understand life's deeper truths, while others seek worldly success and fulfillment. Yet, the highest among them are those who love God selflessly, simply because they recognize their eternal relationship with Him.  Swamiji beautifully highlights that all these paths are valid, but true spiritual growth lies in evolving from seeking something from God to seeking God Himself.  This episode encourages deep introspection—why do we remember God, and how can we grow towards unconditional devotion?  About Swami Mukundananda: Swami Mukundananda is a renowned spiritual leader, Vedic scholar, Bhakti saint, best-selling author, and an international authority on mind management. He is the founder of JKYog, holds distinguished degrees from IIT and IIM, and is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. He has been sharing Vedic wisdom globally for decades.   

When you have a major decision to make or a faced with a "fork in the road" in your career, whose opinion do you seek out first? Do you ask your friends? Your partner? Do you make a list of pros and cons? Do you just avoid it? Although we've all probably done each of these things, there is a BETTER way: ask the one who already knows everything about your past, present, and future. When we get on our knees and seek God's opinion first, He leads us towards the best decision. So, next time you are faced with a tough choice, pray, read God's word, and pay attention to the confirmations and affirmations that come through Christ Followers in your life. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." So, stop worrying, and start praying – He will take care of you. 

Seek God with all your heart, and you will find Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://takingthelandpodcast.comThere's something in you that wants control.The Bible calls it the flesh. This sermon calls it something even more blunt… an animal.PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION for WORLD EVANGELISM:• NO ADS, Early releases, Full-Length Testimony Tuesdays⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• Subscribe for only $3/month on Supercast⁠: https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• Subscribe for only $3.99/month on Spotify⁠: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taking-the-land/subscribe• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $4.99/month on Apple Podcasts⁠: https://apple.co/4owjo5ZIn Exodus 21, God uses a shocking image to reveal a deeper truth about human nature. If what's inside you is left unchecked, it doesn't stay small. It grows. It harms. It destroys.This message exposes:• Why sin never stays contained• The internal battle every believer faces• The danger of ignoring known weaknesses• Why guilt cannot be buried, only atoned for• The only solution God providesThis is not a comfortable sermon. It's a necessary one.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Lessons from Exodus 21 and Genesis 301:47 The Fallen Nature of Man and Biblical Imagery03:49 Man as an Animal Without God05:47 The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit07:45 The Story of Cain and Abel: Animal Instincts and Sin09:56 The Responsibility of the Owner: Restraining the Animal11:55 The Potential for Sin in All of Us13:50 The Danger of Ignoring Inner Animal Instincts16:12 The Biblical View of the Heart and Inner Nature18:00 The Need for Constraining the Inner Animal19:54 The Consequences of Sin and the Cost of Redemption21:47 Guilt, Condemnation, and God's Atonement24:11 The Path to Salvation: Repentance and Forgiveness25:59 Closing: Living Responsibly and Spiritually26:58 Invitation to Open Hearts and Seek God's SpiritShow NotesALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD EVANGELISMLocate a CFM Church near you: https://cfmmap.orgWe need five-star reviews! Tell the world what you think about this podcast at:• Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/3vy1s5b• Podchaser: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-the-land-cfm-sermon-pod-43369v

We often say, “God bless America.” We sing “God Bless America.” But does our nation really deserve God's blessing? Today, Ron takes us to the book of Amos, where God shares a rather sobering message with the nation of Israel, one that He could very easily give to our own nation today. Stay with us now as Ron continues his teaching series, “The Ultimate Road Trip Through The Bible: The Minor Prophets.”  

The prophet Amos was something of a country preacher. A man of modest means called to take the word of the Lord to eight nations during a period of great prosperity and affluence. But it was also a time marked by greed, exploitation of the poor, and a rather severe moral decline. What was Amos' message, and how does it apply to us today? Ron has answers next, as he continues his teaching series, “The Ultimate Road Trip Through The Bible: The Minor Prophets.”  

What does it really mean to be rich toward God? And what does Jesus have to say about the way we handle money, possessions, and our future?Today, Pastor Aaron McRae explores one of Jesus' most challenging parables in Luke 12 — the story often called the Parable of the Rich Fool. When a man interrupts Jesus with a dispute over inheritance, Jesus uses the moment to expose a deeper issue: greed, misplaced security, and a misunderstanding of what life is truly about.Through this teaching, we wrestle with an uncomfortable but freeing truth: Life is not defined by what we accumulate but by how we relate to God and participate in His kingdom.This message invites us to rethink how we approach stewardship—not as obligation, but as an opportunity to trust God and join His work in the world.You'll discover how intentional planning with our resources can lead to deeper faith, greater joy, and eternal impact.Resources: BooksThe Divine Conspiracy — Dallas WillardLuke: That You May Know the Truth — R. Kent HughesKey Bible Passages (NIV)Luke 12:13–21 — The Parable of the Rich FoolLuke 12:31 — Seek God's KingdomMatthew 6:20–21 — Treasures in HeavenCorinthians 16:1–2 — Planned and Proportional GivingActs11:29–30 — Giving as Each Is AbleProverbs 3:9 — Honor the Lord with Your WealthProverbs 21:20 — Wisdom in SavingProverbs 15:27 — The Cost of GreedProverbs 28:27 — Caring for the PoorTimothy 5:17–18 — Supporting Church LeadershipPhilippians 4:14–16 — Supporting MinistryCorinthians 9:7–11 — Sharing in Spiritual Work1 Chronicles 29:1–20 — Giving for God's HouseNumbers 18:21 — Supporting the LevitesExodus 35:20–29 — Giving Toward God's WorkFor the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com

God often calls us to roles that feel overwhelming or beyond our capacity. Jennifer Slattery reflects on how recognizing our flaws doesn’t disqualify us—instead, God can use our weaknesses to grow our faith and strength. By serving Him wholeheartedly, seeking Him consistently, and relying on His guidance, we can step confidently into the assignments He’s placed before us. Even when tasks seem impossible, God equips us to follow His commands and complete the work He has called us to. Highlights Feeling ill-equipped doesn’t mean you’re disqualified; imperfection can lead to growth when anchored in God. Like Solomon, success in divine assignments requires a close relationship with God and attentive obedience. Serve God with a unified heart, setting aside mixed motives and self-protection. Seek God through prayer, Bible reading, worship, journaling, and surrender to His guidance. Courage and strength come from trusting that God has placed you in the role and will make your efforts fruitful. This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Hearts Prepared for Divine AssignmentsBy: Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading:“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” - 1 Chronicles 28:8-10 Years ago, when I began to sense that God was opening doors for publication and establishing my calling, I became overwhelmingly aware of my sin, flaws, and weaknesses. I feared I wasn’t spiritually or emotionally mature enough to hold any type of platform for Him. Initially, I wanted to withdraw and choose a less visible role (also known as suppress and deny my gifting). As I prayed through this, however, the Lord helped me see that yes, I assessed my faults and potential vulnerabilities correctly, but my imperfection needn’t disqualify me. My recognition could, in fact, lead to growth and strength, so long as I remained focused on and connected to Him. If I wanted to live more like Jesus in this new and much more public role, I needed to consistently apply King David’s advice to his son Solomon. David, ancient Israel’s second king, knew his life neared its end and wanted to ensure his son had everything he needed to lead the nation well and complete David’s long-held dream of building the first permanent temple for God. This assignment must’ve felt overwhelming. To succeed, Solomon needed much more than building, math, leadership, and problem-solving skills. He needed to maintain a close relationship with God in which he remained alert to the Lord’s voice and set his heart on dependent obedience. Intersection Life & Faith: We’ve probably all landed in situations for which we felt severely ill-equipped. Perhaps you’re parenting a rebellious and drug-addicted teenager, managing a highly toxic team, facing a diagnosis with confusing treatment options, or trying to heal from deep childhood wounds. When the path ahead feels steep and shrouded in fog, we can stall in fear, march ahead in human foolishness, or apply today’s passage. Again, this reads: “Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God … 9 “... serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you … the Lord has chosen you... Be strong and do the work” (1 Chron. 28:8b-10, NIV). Let’s break this down. Be careful to follow God’s commands. This implies living with intention and predetermining to obey; however, He leads. Of course, I must know the Lord’s will, as recorded in Scripture and whispered in my heart, to remain intimately aligned with my Savior. Serve Him with my whole heart. Sadly, I often carry mixed motives. I want to honor Christ and to self-protect. I long to love my family well, but my pride often gets in the way. I choose contentment while simultaneously fighting against a desire for increased wealth, beauty, or better health. But with God’s help, I can worship Him with a unified heart. Seek God through prayer, Bible reading, worship, journaling, and inviting Him to remove any lies that distort my perspective of Him. He will be found by me. I’m comforted knowing that God never withholds love or relationship. He always makes Himself available to us. The moment I take a step toward Him, He is already moving toward me (James 4:8). The Lord has chosen you. When my insecurities tell me someone else would perform my responsibilities better, the Spirit reminds me that God placed me in this role. He alone holds the figurative pen for my life and the power to make my efforts fruitful. Be strong and do the work. While I want to begin each day quietly connecting with Christ, eventually I must leave my figurative prayer closet to follow however He leads. May these steps, and your Father who preserved them in writing, increase your courage and resolve the next time you feel overwhelmed or insufficient for whatever stands before you. Further Reading:Colossians 3:23-242 Timothy 2:1-7Hebrews 10:36-39 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are you living for God's approval… or people's applause? Most of us enjoy recognition. We like being noticed, appreciated, and affirmed. Even when we serve God, there can be a quiet craving underneath — the desire to be seen. But Jesus said something that cuts completely against our natural instincts: "I am not seeking glory for myself." — John 8:50 In this episode, Rob explores the subtle trap of self-glory and the freedom that comes when we seek God's approval alone. Pride often hides behind good works, and even spiritual service can become a stage where we hope someone will notice. True humility isn't self-hatred or insecurity. It's something far healthier: self-forgetfulness. When our focus shifts from human praise to God's approval, our motivation becomes pure and our joy becomes deeper. In this episode you'll learn: Why the desire for recognition can quietly shape our spiritual lives How pride often hides behind religious activity What Jesus meant when He said He wasn't seeking glory for Himself The difference between humility and insecurity How to redirect the craving for praise into gratitude toward God The peace that comes from serving quietly without needing applause Jesus lived completely free from the addiction to human praise. His life invites us into that same freedom — a life where our goal is not applause from people but the simple words from God: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Key Scriptures John 8:50 Matthew 6:1–6 Matthew 25:21 Reflection Questions Who am I really doing this for? Would I still serve the same way if no one noticed? Am I seeking God's approval or human applause? Next Steps If this episode encouraged you, here are a few ways to stay connected:

Seek God and delight yourself in doing good for His glory--He promises that your steps will be firmly planted in Him the whole time. Broadcast #7011To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

God, if you're in it, I want it – If you're not, I don't. Seek God's hand. Moses said to God in Exodus 33:15, “Lord, if you don't personally go with us, don't make us leave this place.” MSG – Lord, if your presence doesn't take the lead here, call this trip off right now.” […]

Read OnlineThe Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Mark 8:11–12The Pharisees struggled with skepticism, resistance, and trickery, reflecting the tragic reality of hearts closed to grace. They should have been the first to rejoice in the coming of the Messiah but became Jesus' staunchest critics and persecutors. Their rejection shows how pride and hardness of heart can blind even those who are most familiar with the law and the prophets. As religious leaders, their privileged role heightened their responsibility to recognize and guide others toward the Messiah, making their rejection all the more tragic.Instead of manifesting hearts open to grace, they demanded another sign, despite the countless signs Jesus had already performed: healings, exorcisms, authoritative teachings, and the miraculous feeding of the multitudes. These works were displays of divine power and fulfilled Messianic prophecies, revealing Jesus as the promised Savior.Jesus' authoritative teaching resonated deeply within those with faith. His words and works illuminated their hearts and confirmed His divine identity. The Pharisees' demand for another sign was not an act of faith but a manifestation of their obstinate resistance to the truth standing before them.How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees? “He sighed from the depth of his spirit…” This is a holy response. His deep sigh was not driven by anger or pride but by love. To “sigh” is to express holy sorrow: “Blessed are those who mourn…” (Matthew 5:4 RSVCE). Though we must have holy sorrow in the face of every sin—both our own and those of others—the sin that should evoke the deepest sorrow is that which is committed in obstinacy. Obstinacy blinds us to our sins, leading to rationalizations or excuses that prevent us from recognizing our need for repentance. When the sin committed in obstinacy is grave, this leaves a soul in the most pitiable state.By modeling holy sorrow, Jesus teaches us how we are to react to others who manifest a similar hardness of heart. We should not take it personally. Instead, we must feel the pain of their sin with empathy. Doing so is the most loving response we can make because our holy sorrow becomes a mirror of their souls, inviting them to recognize their spiritual need and turn to God for mercy.In addition to feeling and expressing holy sorrow, Jesus declares that “no sign will be given to this generation.” Jesus is not being stubborn or refusing to provide the necessary revelation that the Pharisees need in order to convert and believe in Him. He is doing the opposite. The Pharisees have already been given everything they need to come to faith in Jesus. By refusing further signs, Jesus was confronting their hardened hearts and inviting them to believe based on the ministry He had already given them. True faith arises from hearts that are receptive to grace.The fact that Jesus “left them” (Mark 8:13) is another act of mercy. By leaving them, Jesus mirrored the spiritual reality of their souls: God was absent from them due to their hardness of heart. His departure also provided an opportunity for the Pharisees to reflect on their rejection, perhaps planting seeds for future repentance. In leaving them, Jesus respected their freedom to reject Him, even as it grieved His merciful heart. Even in judgment, God's mercy is always at work, inviting sinners to return to Him.Reflect today on Jesus' merciful heart. God's mercy manifests itself in various ways, depending on our needs. Sometimes, mercy is tender and encouraging, especially when hearts are contrite and humble. At other times, mercy is sorrowful and empathetic, mourning over ours and others' sins. Seek God's mercy in your life and then resolve to become an instrument of that mercy to others, in the way that they need it, calling them to repentance and faith.Most merciful Heart of Jesus, Your compassion is profound and Your empathy deep. Please pour out Your mercy on me, in the way I need it, and use me as an instrument of Your mercy for others. May all people see their sins and, with pure hearts, repent and come to faith in You. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Jacob Jordaens, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

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