Podcasts about spiritual life

*Note: this is the Free Content version of my interview with Bastiaan van Rijn. To hear the entire interview, please consider joining my Patreon and becoming a member; alternately, this episode can be purchased for a one-time fee. More information at www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion.My guest this month is Dr. Bastiaan van Rijn.Bastiaan is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. During his PhD, he has investigated how practitioners of different movements in the nineteenth century tried to scientifically prove life after death exists. The outcome of this project is the book Afterlife Research (forthcoming), as well as several open-access articles. Beside this, he is also interested in playful approaches to religion and divination in the contemporary West. His newest project centers on spiritual tourism.This interview takes us into the fascinating world of Mesmerism—also known as animal magnetism—and its enduring influence on the boundaries between science, mysticism, and spiritual inquiry. Bastiaan gives a brief bio of Franz Anton Mesmer, who in the late 18th century proposed that an invisible fluid flowed through all living beings, capable of healing and revealing hidden truths. Though controversial and dismissed by many, Mesmer's ideas sparked a lineage of thought that continues to shape contemporary conversations about consciousness, healing, and the legitimacy of scientific inquiry.We discuss how Mesmerism blended science and mysticism, influenced public perception, and laid the groundwork for practices ranging from hypnotism and New Thought to modern-day energetic healing. Bastiaan's own research picks up this thread, tracing how the experimental impulse to make the invisible visible evolved into afterlife studies, somnambulism, and psychical research.From there, we dive into Bastiaan's dissertation, which examines the emergence of a “scientific culture” in afterlife research—one grappling with empirical inaccessibility, unreliable intermediaries, and skeptical resistance. Through case studies of three spiritual animal magnetizers, Bastiaan uncovers how different strategies were used to stabilize claims and navigate the tension between belief and method.Ultimately, this conversation invites us to rethink what counts as scientific, Bastiaan invites us to consider not just what these researchers claimed to find, but how they tried to find it, as well as how experimental practices in esoteric and spiritual domains contribute to broader dialogues about religion, and the unseen dimensions of human experience.What emerges is a rich, transhistorical culture of inquiry—one that challenges our assumptions about science, religion, and the boundaries of legitimate knowledge.PROGRAM NOTESFind Bastiaan:Bastiaan Benjamin Van Rijn - University of FribourgBastiaan van Rijn | LinkedInInstagramResearchGate – all research[PhD Diss.] The Experimental Culture of Afterlife Research: Attempts by Spiritual Animal Magnetizers to Prove Life after Death | Request PDF(PDF) Chapter 9 Building a Typology for Intentional Transformative Experiences: Louis- Alphonse Cahagnet's Experiments with Magnetic Somnambulism and HashishBastiaan van Rijn (0000-0003-4247-9198) - ORCIDOther Resources:1784: The Marquis de Puységur and the psychological turn in the west - PubMedThe seeress of Prevorst; being revelations concerning the inner-life of man, and the inter-diffusion of a world of spirits in the one we inhabit : Kerner, Justinus Andreas Christian, 1786-1862 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet ArchiveInvestigations of psychic/spiritual phenomena in the nineteenth century: somnambulism and spiritualism, 1811-1860A Republic of Mind and Spirit – Wonderful history of Metaphysics in the USA

What kind of person do you want to be? Or better, what kind of person does God want you to be? In 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4 the Apostle Paul speaks about four kinds of people: the natural person, the spiritual, the carnal, and the newborn. Charlie describes each from a spiritual perspective, then defines God's ideal, the spiritual person. But what does it mean to be spiritual? It has everything to do with the permanent indwelling Holy Spirit who Christians have today. While there is much written and spoken about making disciples, which is an emphasis in the Gospels, we cannot ignore the Epistles which tell us how to keep the commitments of discipleship. It seems there has been some neglect of the Epistles' view of spirituality. Hear this message and ask youself again, what kind of person does God want me to be and how do I become that person? #GraceLifeMinistries#Spirituality#CarnalChristian#ChristianLife#SimplybyGrace

Spiritual Life

At Times, Are You Unrepentant in Your Spiritual Life and, Therefore, “storing up wrath for yourself on the {Judgement} day of wrath”? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Penitence is not a once in a lifetime occurrence. Penitence is a daily and moment by moment occurrence. None of us is perfect, and not one of us always does the will of God. Paul, in Romans 2:4-5, is unequivocal in establishing the need for your continuing penitence and the consequences of your not repenting of your sins on a real-time basis: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.". Therefore, we all need to repent and return to the Lord. You can become cocky and arrogant in your spiritual life – “I am a Christian; God has done this for me.”. As the Psalmist tells us in Psalms 32:5 of his confession and his penitence: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.". You can rest on our perceived laurels; but these perceptions, of personal goodness and righteousness, can lead you quickly to a need for your penitence.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew 3:8-11; Romans 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalms 140:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Thanks-Living”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

The Suffering of the Psalmist      The Psalmist wrote, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Psa 119:67). The word translated “went astray” is שָׁגַג (shāgag). According to HALOT it means “to make a mistake inadvertently, unwittingly…to go astray.”[1] It connotes moral or spiritual deviation (cf. Prov 5:23; Isa 53:6). Ross states, “The verb (שָׁגגַ) is used in Leviticus for unintentional sins; but here it probably includes rationalized, deliberate sins because he was wandering from the way of God. He was not walking by faith in obedience to the word, and so he suffered some affliction at the hands of the wicked; but now he was keeping God's oracle, the word “keep” (שָׁמַר) referring to a meticulous observance of all that God required in his covenant.”[2] The significance is that the psalmist admits he was drifting from obedience, not necessarily into outright rebellion, but into carelessness or neglect of God's Word. The affliction became God's means of correction, turning his wandering into renewed obedience. Thus, the term highlights human tendency to stray and God's faithful use of discipline to restore. A few verses later he states, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, so that I may learn Your statutes” (Psa 119:71). Affliction is seen as a teacher that drives God's people back to His Word. Ross adds, “The psalmist is able to acknowledge that his affliction worked for his good because it forced him to learn more of God's plan revealed in his word. In learning through adversity, he discovered the word God personally revealed in human language was far more valuable than silver or gold [Psa 119:72].”[3] Then, the psalmist states, “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (Psa 119:75). Ross states: "The affliction he has been experiencing came from God, even though it was through arrogant oppressors. The principle was laid down in the experience of Israel in the wilderness: God tested them to see if they would obey or not (Deut 8:16). Those who understand the ways of God know that ultimately it is his plan to exalt the righteous and destroy the wicked, but that in his wisdom he often humbles the righteous before exalting them."[4]      Taken together, these verses trace the movement from wandering, to correction, to obedience, and finally to worshipful recognition of God's faithful purposes. They teach that affliction, far from being wasted, is a tool in God's hand to sanctify His people and anchor them more firmly in His Word. We don't like trials or suffering, and we often ask God to remove them, much like Paul asked God to remove his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7). However, we find that most of the time God chooses not to remove our difficulty, like He did not remove Paul's (2 Cor 12:8-9), and we must learn that what He does not remove, He intends for us to deal with, and this by faith (2 Cor 12:10; cf. 2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6). The Suffering of Joseph      Joseph's life stands as one of Scripture's clearest demonstrations of how God employs suffering to shape the faith and character of His people. Betrayed by his brothers and cast into a pit, Joseph was sold into slavery and carried away to Egypt (Gen 37:23–28). There he endured the humiliation of serving as a foreigner in Potiphar's house, and though he prospered by God's favor, his integrity in resisting Potiphar's wife led to false accusations and unjust imprisonment (Gen 39:1–20). Even in prison, where he was forgotten by those he had helped (Gen 40:23), Joseph displayed remarkable faithfulness, refusing bitterness and maintaining trust in God's providential hand. Each stage of his trial pressed him deeper into dependence upon the Lord, refining his character for the weighty responsibilities that awaited him. His hardships were not incidental but instrumental in God's design, preparing him to serve as second only to Pharaoh and to become a channel of blessing to countless lives.      Joseph consistently interpreted his life from the perspective of God's providence, not merely in the well-known statement of Genesis 50:20. When he first revealed himself to his brothers, he sought to comfort them with the assurance that their sin, though grievous, was under divine control: “Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen 45:5). He went further, declaring, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Gen 45:7–8). In both statements, Joseph acknowledged the reality of human betrayal but deliberately framed it within the larger purposes of God. He viewed his sufferings as divine instruments for the preservation of life and the fulfillment of covenantal promises.      Later, after Jacob's death, Joseph's brothers again feared retaliation, but Joseph reaffirmed the same perspective, saying: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Gen 50:20). This statement serves as the theological climax of his narrative, demonstrating how God overruled human evil for His own purposes. According to Radmacher, “God works His good plan even through the evil plans of evil people. Even the worst events can be used in the hand of kindly Providence for His good.”[5] Even at the end of his life, Joseph's confidence remained fixed on God's providence. Altogether, Joseph voiced this divine perspective at least four times (Gen 45:5; 45:7–8; 50:20; 50:24–25), revealing a mature faith that consistently interpreted suffering through the lens of God's sovereign care. The Suffering of Moses      Moses' life reveals how God employs prolonged suffering and repeated trials to shape His servants into men of spiritual depth and usefulness. After killing the Egyptian, Moses fled into exile, spending forty years in Midian as a shepherd (Ex 2:15–25). This season of obscurity was not wasted but was God's classroom for humility and preparation. Though Moses had been educated in all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts 7:22), he needed the quiet discipline of the desert to unlearn self-reliance and to grow in patience and dependence on God. The Lord used these years of hiddenness to refine his character and to equip him with the endurance necessary for leading Israel. This long exile reminds believers that God often uses seasons of difficulty, waiting, and obscurity as essential training grounds for future service. Moses would later emerge not as the impulsive prince of Egypt but as the meek servant whom God could use to shepherd His people. Wiersbe states: "The man who was “mighty in word and deed” is now in the lowly pastures taking care of stubborn sheep, but that was just the kind of preparation he needed for leading a nation of stubborn people. Israel was God's special flock (Psa 100:3) and Moses His chosen shepherd. Like Joseph's thirteen years as a slave in Egypt and Paul's three years' hiatus after his conversion (Gal 1:16-17), Moses' forty years of waiting and working prepared him for a lifetime of faithful ministry. God doesn't lay hands suddenly on His servants but takes time to equip them for their work."[6]      When God called Moses to return to Egypt, the trials intensified. He faced the hardened opposition of Pharaoh (Ex 5–12), who resisted every divine demand, bringing repeated conflict and mounting pressure. Beyond this, Moses bore the weight of constant complaints from the Israelites themselves, who murmured against him at the Red Sea and in the wilderness over water and food (Ex 14–17). Such trials might have broken a lesser man, but through them God deepened Moses' humility and dependence. Scripture later records that “the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth” (Num 12:3). His humility came as he suffered hardship—first in Midian's solitude, then in Pharaoh's defiance, and finally in Israel's stubbornness. Each trial stripped Moses of self-confidence and taught him to rest in God's power and presence. Thus, Moses' life illustrates that suffering, though painful, is God's tool to produce humility, endurance, and spiritual maturity in His people, preparing them for greater responsibility and usefulness in His service. The pathway to spiritual maturity sometimes runs though the valley of hardship and suffering. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 1412. [2] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms (90–150): Commentary, vol. 3, 523. [3] Ibid., 524–525. [4] Ibid., 529. [5] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 83. [6] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 1, 182-183.

Craig Troxel talks about how ruling elders can help men consider a call to pastoral ministry.A call to pastoral ministry has several parts, one is the internal sense of call, another is the recognition of the church, the actual call to a congregation or mission work. Ruling elders help shepherd men in both and in this podcast we discuss the early stages of recognizing a call, or even encouraging men to consider if they are called.Discussion centers around Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry: With an Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency, (Banner of Truth Trust). See especially Chapter VI, The Qualifications of the Christian Ministry, pp. 24-31.Craig quotes John Newton, "Beware, my friend, of mistaking the ready exercise of gifts for the exercise of grace." (Letter #5 - "On the Snares and Difficulties attending the Ministry of the Gospel") Works of John Newton, vol.1 (Banner of Truth Trust, 2015) p. 108. See also Newton's letter Marks of a Call to the Ministry.We highly recommend Craig's own book,A. Craig Troxel, With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will toward Christ, (Crossway, 2020).Craig's Recommended ReadingJohn Calvin, Institutes Of The Christian Religion, translated from the first French edition of 1541 by Robert White, Banner of Truth Trust. (Especially Chapter 17, The Christian Life)Campegius Vitringa, The Spiritual Life, trans. and ed. by Charles K. Tefler, Reformation Heritage Books. John Flavel, The Fountain of Life: A Display of Christ in His Essential and Mediatorial Glory, Vol. 1 of the Works of John Flavel, Banner of Truth Trust.John Flavel, The Method of Grace In the Gospel Redemption, Vol 2 of the Works of John Flavel, Banner of Truth Trust.

Father McTeigue completes his reflections from earlier in the week, explaining that most people don't realize what sin is, and don't understand the rupture that it causes. Until we grasp this, we cannot grow in the spiritual life. Father finishes with Weekend Readiness to prepare you for Sunday Mass.  Show Notes The Concept of Sin: Pieper, Josef Why does God care about 'little' sins?  Why Do You Repeat Your Sins?  Saint Thomas and the Problem of Evil: Maritain, Jacques Introduction to the Devout Life | St. Francis De Sales iCatholic Mobile The Station of the Cross Merchandise - Use Coupon Code 14STATIONS for 10% off | Catholic to the Max Read Fr. McTeigue's Written Works! "Let's Take A Closer Look" with Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. | Full Series Playlist Listen to Fr. McTeigue's Preaching! | Herald of the Gospel Sermons Podcast on Spotify Visit Fr. McTeigue's Website | Herald of the Gospel Questions? Comments? Feedback? Ask Father!

♡ About This Earth XperienceThis Earth Xperience brings in Mama Melanin, also known as HEALarious Melanin Bee, a comedian, author, vegan, spiritual millennial mom, and creator of Laughaste Yoga. She is an entrepreneur who teaches joy as medicine, invites people into higher vibration living, and reminds us that healing can be playful, intentional, and accessible.This conversation was a life opportunity. It revealed how real growth happens when we stay present even when things feel awkward. We talked about joy, alignment, creative expression, spiritual identity, energetic protection, and authentic laughter. We explored what it means to move through the world without waiting for everything to be perfect and how to use the resources we already have. She showed how transmutation can turn heaviness into clarity and how sacred silliness keeps the spirit open.She shared the emotionally charged side of being judged as a spiritual person and the pressure of facing Christians who behave more like bullies. Her crips and bloods comparison showed the intensity of the reactions she receives. She explained how she protects her portal, why she does not entertain certain debates, and how choosing peace over performance becomes a real spiritual boundary. These insights offer a new way to understand what experiences we may need to release so we can move forward.We also talked about the fun parts. Her love for laughter, her joy in creative storytelling, her hilarious take on daily life, her laugh asanas, her entrepreneurial journey, and the way her son joins her in her comedic universe. She shared the sweetness in discovering her lane, the excitement of going viral, the lessons in building a brand, and the happiness that comes from watching people heal through humor.This episode sits at the intersection of spirituality, comedy, wellness, creativity, and human growth. It encourages listeners to think, laugh, release, and expand.♡ Explore Her WorkWebsitehttps://www.holisticallyhealarious.com/healarious-healing-ringtonesMama Melanin Show@mamaMelaninshowHEALarious Melanin Bee@healariousmelaninbeeLaughaste Yoga@laughasteyogaLaughaste Out Loud@laughasteoutloudHer platforms feature wellness tools, comedic edutainment, laugh yoga sessions, healing ringtones, spiritual insight, interactive workshops, and the full Laughaste lifestyle that blends joy with transformation.♡ Questions To ConsiderWhat moments in your life feel ready for release?How do you protect your spiritual and emotional portal?Where can laughter create healing for you?What does joy teach you about resilience?How does your own story shift when you stop waiting for perfection?

Every day you need to spend time in the Word and time in prayer. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

This podcast is a short daily audio provided by the online recovery group Transitions Daily. The daily distribution consists of different recovery quotes from various resources, including; Twenty-Four Hours a Day, A.A. Thought for the Day, Daily Reflections, Big Book Quote, Just for Today, As Bill Sees It, plus more! Transitions Daily also distributes this same content in a daily email with a secret Facebook group for discussion. Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information.                   Do you want to stop drinking? Have you ever listened to sobriety podcasts? Does alcoholism or addiction run in your family? Have you tried Alcoholics Anonymous or the 12 Steps of A.A.? Are you considering how to get sober? Are you seriously thinking about sobriety for the first time? Is alcohol controlling your life as never before? If so, you will definitely want to check out this recovery podcast.

The church needs teachers who can teach the old and the young. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

As Christians, living a spirit-led life at home is something that can be mistakenly assumed. Too often, we think that the things we do, or the religious acts we carry out make us “spirit-led”. In contrast, the Bible says that life in the Spirit is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Actions and conduct are important, but are you experiencing “rightness”, peace, and joy in your home? If not, maybe we need to reevaluate how well we are doing at letting God lead us daily in our home life. Listen in today and be encouraged and challenged as well. A Spirit-led home IS attainable, and profitable, and possible at your house!

I want the church to be effective. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

We are talking this week about the work of the church. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill's guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction with a powerful message to share.This series explores Kevin's book One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps. It's sure to be of interest to spiritual travelers of all stripes. This episode is focused on Steps 6 & 7 exploring how Buddhist meditation can help with the practice of letting go.Show notes:One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps by Kevin GriffinKevin's website: https://kevingriffin.net/A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life by Jack Kornfield

I love the church. I love being part of the church. It's a joyous thing to be part of the family of believers. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Jarek Berga - November 9th 2025 You're already training for something — the question is, what goal are you straining toward? This week, Jarek pauses our King and His Kingdom series to share from 1 Timothy 4:6–11, a message birthed in prayer about what it truly means to “train yourself for godliness.” Using Paul's athletic metaphor, Jarek explores how spiritual formation, like physical training, requires diet and exercise — being nourished by the Word and strengthened through discipline. He contrasts legalism (trying to earn God's love) with training (responding to His love), inviting us to examine what we're ultimately living for. Whether you're in a season of growth or recovery, this message calls us to a life of perseverance, love, and purpose — straining toward the crown that lasts forever. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.church Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemecula and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #1Timothy4 #SpiritualFormation #Discipline #Godliness #Grace #KingAndHisKingdom #RestoredTemecula Share this message with someone who needs to hear it. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to Restored Church(00:00:53) - First Timothy(00:06:32) - "You're designed and built for something..."(00:06:52) - Paul's End Goal for His Protege, First Timothy,(00:09:49) - First Timothy 4, The Training of the Body(00:10:54) - Paul Writing to Timothy(00:14:02) - Paul Tells Timothy to Train Himself to Be godly(00:20:41) - Jesus on the Legalist(00:21:22) - Allergic reactions to work and discipline(00:25:41) - What I'm Advocating For Today(00:30:47) - Jesus' Spiritual Life(00:33:25) - Workout in the Spiritual Realm(00:37:47) - Paul to Timothy: How You Live Today Matters(00:43:49) - Prayers are a part of the Kingdom(00:49:32) - Eric Liddell: His Liberty(00:54:18) - Jesus Adorably Train(00:57:13) - Praise and Worship for Broken Hearts(01:01:34) - Prayers for the Sick and Others

Are you aware that as a believer you don't have to sin? Listen to this message to learn that in order not to sin we must align our thinking with the Word of God and realize that at the moment we accepted Christ's death on the Cross as the substitute for our penalty to sin, we were buried with Christ in His death and have been raised to a new life. Our challenge is to not allow our sin nature to rule over us any more by studying and applying Scripture. In association with this class, Dr. Dean recommends for you to view this video entitled “The Eighth Front is the Mind: Melanie Phillips on Britain, Zionism, and the Cognitive War Over Israel.”

Are you aware that as a believer you don't have to sin? Listen to this message to learn that in order not to sin we must align our thinking with the Word of God and realize that at the moment we accepted Christ's death on the Cross as the substitute for our penalty to sin, we were buried with Christ in His death and have been raised to a new life. Our challenge is to not allow our sin nature to rule over us any more by studying and applying Scripture. In association with this class, Dr. Dean recommends for you to view this video entitled “The Eighth Front is the Mind: Melanie Phillips on Britain, Zionism, and the Cognitive War Over Israel.”

The Suffering of Jesus Christ      Jesus Christ, though perfectly sinless in His nature and conduct (1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5), fully entered into the sufferings of humanity during what Scripture calls “the days of His flesh” (Heb 5:7a). As eternal God (John 1:1, 14; Col 2:9), He lacked nothing and possessed all knowledge, power, and authority. Yet in His humanity, He willingly submitted Himself to the limitations of human life, growing in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:40) and experiencing hunger, thirst, fatigue, grief, and rejection. This was not because of any imperfection in His being, but because the incarnation required Him to live in a fallen world where obedience to the Father necessarily brought conflict with the prevailing powers of darkness. Hebrews explains that He “learned obedience from the things which He suffered” (Heb 5:8). This does not mean He was ever disobedient, but rather that, through real human experience, He grew in the practical expression of obedience under pressure, culminating in His supreme submission when He “became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). According to Fruchtenbaum, “The expression learned obedience does not mean that Jesus disobeyed; it means that He learned what obedience cost Him. It cost Him suffering. Philippians 2:8 makes the same point. He learned what obedience costs by means of the things He suffered.”[1] Jesus' suffering, therefore, was the means by which He demonstrated in His humanity the perfection of obedience, leaving believers an enduring model of faithfulness amid adversity.      As the Suffering Servant foretold by Isaiah (Isa 53:1–12), Jesus also bore the unique suffering of standing in the place of sinners to satisfy divine justice. He not only endured the hostility of men and the pressures of life in a fallen world but ultimately suffered as the substitute for humanity's sins. In His sacrificial death, He bore the full weight of God's wrath against sin, paying a debt that was not His own (Mark 10:45; Rom 5:8; 1 Pet 3:18). On the cross, He suffered in the most profound sense, not for His failures, for He had none, but for ours, offering Himself as the once-for-all atonement. His suffering secured forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life for all who believe in Him. Thus, Jesus' sufferings were both exemplary and substitutionary: exemplary, in that He showed how perfect obedience is forged and displayed through hardship in a fallen world; substitutionary, in that He willingly endured the judgment we deserved so that we might be brought to God. Peter tells us, “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust” (1 Pet 3:18). Through His suffering, believers find both a model to follow and a Savior to trust, knowing that the One who triumphed through trials now intercedes for them and assures their salvation (1 John 2:1). Sanders states, “Serving and suffering are paired in the teaching and life of our Lord. One does not come without the other. And what servant is greater than the Lord?”[2] Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude, 1st ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2005), 66. [2] J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2007), 24.

We find ourselves in one of the most challenging sections of Romans, where Paul confronts us with a profound truth: the law reveals our sin but cannot save us from it. Through the lens of the tenth commandment—'thou shalt not covet'—we discover how deeply sin runs in our hearts. The message uses a simple yet powerful illustration of children wanting each other's ice cream to show us something profound: we are perfectly content with what we have until we see what others possess. This isn't just about material things; it's about the human heart's tendency to compare, desire, and ultimately rebel against God's boundaries. The beauty of this teaching lies in its honesty—we learn that even the greatest saints, like Paul himself, wrestled with sin daily. The law acts as a mirror, showing us our need for a Savior, but it cannot cleanse us. Only the blood of Jesus can do that. When we stand before God, it won't be our good deeds that save us, but Christ stepping onto the scales of justice in our place. This message calls us to guard our hearts, cultivate gratitude instead of covetousness, and remember that when we do fall—and we will—we have an advocate in Jesus Christ who pleads our case before the Father.### Sermon Notes: Understanding Romans 7:7-14#### Detailed Notes1. **Introduction**  - The sermon focuses on Romans 7:7-14, noted as a dense and challenging part of the scripture where Paul discusses the law and sin.  - Central theme: The law's role in revealing sin and the struggle of living under sin's influence despite knowing the law.2. **Prayer for Clarity**  - Asking for divine help to illuminate the passage and remove distractions for better understanding.3. **Missions Update**  - Brief updates on church missions to Malawi, South Africa, and Myanmar, emphasizing global reach and community impact.4. **Exposition of Romans 7:7-14**  - Example of coveting as illustrated in Exodus 20:17 (The Tenth Commandment).  - Story of personal experience with grandchildren to highlight the human tendency toward covetousness.  - Emphasis that coveting stems from the heart, leading to actions contrary to God's commandment.5. **Boundaries and Sin**  - Illustration of boundaries using a playground metaphor, explaining how humans naturally push against established limits.  - The law serves as a boundary to reveal the sin within, not to save.6. **Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)**  - Jesus teaching against covetousness by focusing on the parable where temporal possessions take precedence over spiritual richness.  - Warning against the dangers of greed and the temporal nature of material possessions.7. **David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12)**  - The story of King David's sin due to covetousness as a demonstration of how a desire stems from the heart and leads to breaking multiple commandments.  - Nathan's confrontation of David and the ensuing consequences.8. **Covetousness and Spiritual Life**  - Recognizing that covetousness begins in the heart and can lead to a cascade of sinful actions.  - Encouragement to guard the heart against such desires (Proverbs 4:23).9. **Paul's Struggle with Sin**  - Insight into Paul's internal struggle with sin, possibly rooted in personal inadequacies and past actions.  - Importance of grace through Jesus as the only path to overcoming sin.10. **Practical Implications of the Sermon**  - Recognizing our daily battles with sin and relying on Jesus as our advocate.  - Importance of gratitude as a weapon against covetousness and material obsession.  - Encouraging humility and recognition of one's sinfulness to experience growth and redemption.#### Practical Applications1. **Cultivate Gratitude**  - Regularly practice gratitude to combat covetousness. Maintain a gratitude journal or share daily thanks with family or friends.2. **Guard Your Heart**  - Be mindful of thoughts that lead to coveting. Establish personal 'guardrails' when engaging with media that fuels envy or discontentment.3. **Recognize Boundaries**  - Identify areas in life where you push against God's established boundaries and work on staying centered through prayer and reflection.4. **Pursue Spiritual Richness**  - Prioritize investments in spiritual growth over material acquisitions. Participate in church activities, bible studies, and community services.5. **Rely on Jesus' Advocacy**  - When struggling with sin, verbally acknowledge Jesus as your advocate in prayer to foster reliance on His grace.#### Discussion Questions1. How does understanding the purpose of the law help you in your daily struggle with sin?2. Can you identify ways in which covetousness surfaces in your life? How do you typically respond to it?3. Reflect on a situation where gratitude has helped you overcome feelings of envy or dissatisfaction. Share with the group.4. In what ways can we as a community support each other in establishing and respecting personal and spiritual boundaries?5. How does the understanding of Jesus as your advocate change your perspective on personal failings and sins?

John 8:34 has been our primary Bible verse this week. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Hey Friend, You know that feeling when you are “doing all the things” and still not seeing the progress you hoped for? Tracking macros. Saving workouts on Pinterest. Maybe even finishing 75 Hard.Yet the scale, your energy, or your mood are not really changing. If you have ever thought, “What am I doing wrong?” or “Why am I stuck?”, I want you to hear this new conversation. I recently sat down with my best friends, Shaela Daugherty (The Stronger Collective) and Brittany Braswell (Faith Filled Food Freedom Podcast), for a completely unscripted, bestie-style conversation about what we call “the boring basics” in health and fitness. Nothing fancy. No shiny hacks. Just the simple, repeatable things that actually work, for your body and your walk with the Lord. Inside the episode, we talk about: Why hopping from one program to another keeps you stuck and exhausted How social media has trained us to crave quick results and constant novelty The truth about “muscle confusion,” diet trends, and quick fixes Why the most powerful habits often feel very ordinary How faith, discipline, and consistency all work together What it looks like to honor God with your health in a real, sustainable way We also get really honest about our own struggles with consistency. There is a part of the conversation where I share how tempting it was to ditch my simple strength plan and follow the “fun” workouts I saw other women doing at the gym. My body did not need another shiny plan. It needed the same lifts, again and again, so it could actually grow stronger. That is what this whole episode is about: Stop chasing motivation. Start mastering the mundane. For the Christian woman who is Googling things like“Why am I not losing weight even though I work out?”or asking ChatGPT“How do I stay motivated to be healthy as a busy mom?” This conversation is a grace filled reset. We talk about how doing the same simple thingslifting, walking, praying, eating balanced meals, going to bed on timecreates the rhythm where real physical and spiritual transformation happens. A few simple “boring basics” we encourage you to start with: Eat protein at every meal Drink a glass of water every time you eat Choose one small habit and stick with it for at least 12 weeks Ask for accountability instead of trying to do it alone Anchor your routines to time with the Lord, not just willpower You do not need a more complicated plan. You need a faithful one.God often does His deepest work in the quiet, ordinary choices that no one sees. In grace + health, Lacy Lain Before you go…

Clinton Baptist Church

How does one become a slave of sin and then break free from it? ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

We are blessed if we are successful in throwing off temptation. But if we sin we will reap the consequences. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

In Episode 5 of Season 6 of The GenSend Podcast, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor sit down with worship pastor Ben Halsey to talk about the heart of worship in a culture shaped by influencers. What happens when the platforms and performance are stripped away and students encounter the presence of God through worship? Hear practical guidance for training young worship leaders to stay grounded in Scripture, walk closely with Jesus, and lead with humility. Discover the balance between excellence and authenticity in ministry, whether you're developing a student worship team or discipling young believers. Lead your ministry to focus on what truly matters: worshiping Christ above all else.  Also in This Episode:  Be reminded to teach young worship leaders to walk with Jesus daily before releasing them to step on stage.  Learn strategies to train students to evaluate songs and lyrics through the filter of God's Word.  Consider how modeling humility teaches student worship leaders to value servanthood over stardom.  Discover how to equip students to plan well but ultimately let God lead the moment, holding everything with open hands to give space for the Holy Spirit to move.  Explore conversations with young leaders to keep motives pure, asking the “why” behind every element of setlists, technology, and production choices. Helpful Resources:   The Reset: Returning to the Heart of Worship and a Life of Undivided Devotion by Jeremy Riddle  The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and the Spiritual Life by Henri Nouwen  Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill  The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine by A.W. Tozer  Growing Up: How to Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples by Robby Gallaty  GenSend on Instagram and YouTube  ★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org  ★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform ——————————————————————————————————————    Shareable Quotes: “It all comes down to the leader. Are they putting truth in a song that helps mature this generation, or are they offering a shallow faith because they themselves have a shallow faith?” —Ben Halsey  “Some of the most powerful worship moments happen when the technology fails.” —Shane Pruitt  “We value training people up more than we value perfection in every environment.” —Paul Worcester    “How can we help students focus more on God's glory than on style?” —Lacey Villasenor

Blessed is the man who endures temptation. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Do you know how to rest? Is hurry secretly ruining your life? Hear from Kyle as he examines Matthew 11:28-30 and uncovers why we need rest. This sermon is part of our “Experience God” sermon series. How do you experience God? God has given us many ways to step into his transformational presence, but too few take advantage of these gifts. Join The Crossing as we explore and experiment with ancient Christian practices to help us encounter God in new ways this fall. Want to get the most out of each week's sermon? Download “Experience God: Experiments for August and September”. This free workbook will help you apply what you learn on Sunday morning with daily devotionals and exercises. Download your free copy Interested in more content like this? Sign up for our weekly email newsletter. Every Friday, you'll get new resources to help you grow in your faith and a first look at what to expect on Sunday, delivered right to your inbox. Get connected at The Crossing! When you sign up for Crossing Update, you'll get a text message every Sunday morning with the new ways to get involved at the church. You can also find the latest information about events on The Crossing's website. 

Discover how putting God first—especially in life's busiest moments—can bring real peace, balance, and purpose through Matthew 6:33. In this vulnerable conversation, we dive into what it really means to keep a God-first posture while navigating real life—responsibilities, busyness, and the constant overwhelm that can come with it. This isn't a picture-perfect discussion; it's an honest one about what it looks like to seek God, first, in the middle of the mess, not just in the quiet moments, or at our conveniences. Rooted in Matthew 6:33, this conversation reminds us that balance isn't found in a perfectly managed schedule but in a surrendered heart that seeks God first. It's about choosing presence over pressure and faith over frantic striving. May this encourage you to pause, realign, and let your day—and your life—flow from a place of seeking Him first. #HeyGodIHaveQuestions #FaithAndLife #ChristianPodcast Stay connected: Subscribe on YouTube for weekly faith-filled encouragement Listen to the Eat Don't Compete podcast on Apple, Spotify, and iHeart Comment "Devotional" to be sent a jump start to your spiritual growth journey with a FREE devotional. https://jazminedewees.com/freedevotional/ Inbox me on instagram “ Join the Tribe” if you're ready to find yours. Put in the comments "I'm ready for The Study Room" if you will be LIVE on YouTube with me Thursday, November 13th for our first session.

Pastor Josh continues our sermon series, Romans. With this Sundays theme, What is real? The Spiritual Life.

Jesus said that whoever commits sin is a servant of sin. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

     Scripture identifies two main forms of suffering that promote spiritual growth: corrective suffering, which restores the disobedient to fellowship, and perfective suffering, which refines the obedient toward greater maturity in Christ.      Corrective suffering arises from divine discipline when believers deviate from God's will and wander into disobedience. Such discipline is the measured response of a loving Father who seeks to restore His children to fellowship and fruitfulness. Israel's history provides a vivid backdrop to this principle. When the nation violated the Mosaic covenant, God responded with covenant curses designed to bring them back to Himself (Deut 28:15–68). Hosea depicts God hedging up Israel's path with thorns, frustrating her sinful pursuits so that she might return to Him (Hos 2:6–7). The author of Hebrews interprets such experiences as evidence of divine love: “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:6). According to Warren Wiersbe: "Chastening is the evidence of the Father's love. Satan wants us to believe that the difficulties of life are proof that God does not love us, but just the opposite is true. Sometimes God's chastening is seen in His rebukes from the Word or from circumstances. At other times He shows His love by punishing us with some physical suffering. Whatever the experience, we can be sure that His chastening hand is controlled by His loving heart. The Father does not want us to be pampered babies; He wants us to become mature adult sons and daughters who can be trusted with the responsibilities of life."[1]      Divine correction is not rejection but affirmation of sonship. Paul also recognized this principle at work in the Corinthian church, where some believers suffered weakness, sickness, and even premature death because of their irreverence and selfishness at the Lord's Table (1 Cor 11:30–32). Even kings were not exempt, as seen in Solomon's later years when God raised up adversaries against him after his heart was turned away to idols (1 Kgs 11:14, 23–25). Corrective suffering, therefore, functions as God's gracious intervention to arrest further decline and restore obedience. It is the shepherd's rod that redirects the straying sheep. Yet this discipline, though loving in design, can be resisted if the believer hardens his heart. Still, the intention remains clear: corrective suffering seeks to break the power of rebellion, humble the soul, and lead God's child back into the blessing of fellowship with Him.      Perfective suffering, by contrast, is not punitive but refining. It does not arise from disobedience but from God's sovereign intention to deepen faith, expand endurance, and produce spiritual maturity. When a believer is walking faithfully with the Lord, obeying His Word, God may still permit suffering in order to shape character, purify motives, and equip His servant for greater usefulness. Job exemplifies this reality. Though declared blameless and upright, Job was permitted to endure severe affliction under Satan's hand, yet through the ordeal he came to a fuller appreciation of God's majesty, confessing at the end, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5). Job's knowledge of God had grown because of what he'd learned through his sufferings. Paul's thorn in the flesh illustrates this same category. Though he prayed repeatedly for its removal, God left it in place to keep him humble and dependent, declaring, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). Rather than crushing Paul, this suffering became the very platform by which God's strength was displayed through his weakness. Perfective suffering, then, is a divine gift, the furnace in which faith is purified and the believer is transformed into greater conformity to Christ.      While suffering in Scripture may be manifold, the categories of corrective and perfective suffering provide a helpful lens for understanding God's purposes. In both, His love and sovereignty are evident. Corrective suffering restores us when we stray, and perfective suffering strengthens us as we obey, with the unifying aim that we be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:28–29). The Integration of Blessings, Trials, and Sufferings      In God's perfect plan, blessings, trials, and sufferings are divinely orchestrated means for advancing the believer toward spiritual maturity. Blessing manifests the very essence of God's goodness and generosity, cultivating gratitude, humility, and faithful stewardship in the believer's life (Jam 1:17; 1 Tim 6:17–18; 1 Pet 4:10). Trials test faith under pressure, refining endurance and strengthening spiritual stability (Jam 1:2–4; 1 Pet 1:6–7). Sufferings train the soul to be dependent upon divine grace (1 Pet 5:10; 2 Cor 12:9). Each is a facet of divine pedagogy: blessing manifests God's grace and entrusts resources for service (2 Cor 9:8); trials expose and perfect faith (Gen 22:1; Heb 11:17; Jam 1:2–4); and suffering cultivates humility, patience, and deeper fellowship with Christ (2 Cor 12:7-10; Phil 3:10). Together, they form an important part of God's training program for His children, proving that prosperity and adversity alike are instruments of His unfailing love. As Job testified in the midst of both abundance and loss, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Regardless of the circumstance, God is always at work conforming His sons and daughters to the likeness of Christ (Rom 8:28–29). What follows are biblical examples of suffering that helped advance believers to spiritual maturity (Jesus being the unique example). Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 324.

If you are new to 7 City, we'd love to get to know you. You can find our digital connect card and other ways to get connected at 7city.infoFacebook | Youtube: 7 City ChurchInstagram | TikTok: @7citychurch

Church Rules Can Destroy Your Spiritual Life (Matthew 12:1-21)

If you are new to 7 City, we'd love to get to know you. You can find our digital connect card and other ways to get connected at 7city.infoFacebook | Youtube: 7 City ChurchInstagram | TikTok: @7citychurch

How do you "sharpen the countenance of a friend"? How can you maintain a friendship while sharpening one another? ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

How do you "sharpen the countenance of a friend"? When iron sharpens iron, there is friction! ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Jumping in to the Living Steps we are exploring of the principles of the last three of 12 steps and how they are expressed in fundamental ideas of Pnimius HaTorah and Chassidus.Closing out our exploration of step 10, Menachem touched on the fact and reality of yeshiva, of admitting we are wrong, as an essential stepping stone of a spiritual life and personal development.Website: TheLightRevealed.orgEmail: TheLightRevealed@TLRFamily.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelightrevealed/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelightrevealed/

How do you "sharpen the countenance of a friend"? I have had friends like this in my life. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

How do you "sharpen the countenance of a friend"? Sometimes you have to push them out of their comfort zone. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Have you ever gone searching for peak color in the fall? My wife and I do it every year. We drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, hoping to catch the mountains […] The post Catching Peak Color- The Seasons of Spiritual Life appeared first on Broken Door Ministries.

How do you "sharpen the countenance of a friend"? ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Suffering as a Means of Spiritual Growth      Sufferings (pathēma) encompass a broader category that includes pain, hardship, or affliction resulting from life in a fallen world, the hostility of others, or divine discipline. The word pathēma derives from paschō, meaning “to experience, suffer, endure…affliction.”[1] The word is frequently used in the New Testament to describe the sufferings of Christ as well as those of His followers (Phil 3:10). Peter wrote, “After you have suffered [paschō] for a little while, the God of all grace…will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Pet 5:10). Suffering may come through persecution for righteousness (2 Tim 3:12), through physical weakness or limitation (2 Cor 12:7–9), or simply through the general consequences of living in a sin-cursed world (Rom 8:18–22).      While trials test faith, sufferings train the soul through endurance, humility, and dependence upon God's sustaining grace. Paul's personal afflictions illustrate this reality well. Though he pleaded three times for relief from his “thorn in the flesh,” the Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor 12:8–9). Likewise, Joseph's prolonged suffering in Egypt, though marked by injustice and hardship, became the means by which God shaped his character and positioned him for blessing and service (Gen 37–50).      The Hebrew counterpart to pathēma is עָנָה (ʿānâ), which means to “be bowed down, afflicted…be put down or become low.”[2] It is often used to describe the suffering of God's people under pressure (Ex 1:11–12; Deut 8:2–3) or the self-humbling that accompanies dependence upon the Lord (Lev 16:29, 31; cf. Jam 4:6; 1 Pet 5:6). Both pathēma andʿānâ express the spiritual principle that God uses adversity not to crush His people but to conform them to His character. Through suffering rightly endured, believers are drawn into closer fellowship with Christ, as Paul wrote, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings [pathēma]” (Phil 3:10). Categories of Suffering      Scripture presents several categories of suffering in the believer's life, each serving distinct purposes within God's sovereign plan. Some suffering comes because of righteousness, as Paul wrote, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12). Peter echoes this when he states, “Even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed” (1 Pet 3:14). To suffer for righteousness means God permits evil men to persecute the believer who is walking in His will (John 15:18–19; 2 Tim 3:12). Yet God blesses by supplying grace sufficient in the moment (2 Cor 12:9), and future reward at the judgment seat of Christ where faithful endurance will be recognized (1 Cor 3:12–15; 2 Cor 5:10). At times, suffering comes for the sake of testimony, advancing the gospel and glorifying God. Paul wrote, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel” (Phil 1:12). The “circumstances” Paul refers to are his imprisonment in Rome, which placed him under house arrest while awaiting trial before Caesar (Acts 28:16, 30).[3] There is also the category of shared suffering with Christ, as Paul longed “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil 3:10). These forms of suffering reveal God's sovereign use of adversity for His glory and the believer's growth. Apart from these, Scripture identifies two main forms of suffering that promote spiritual growth: corrective suffering, which restores the disobedient to fellowship, and perfective suffering, which refines the obedient toward greater maturity in Christ. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Moisés Silva, ed., New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 666. [2] Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 776. [3] This was likely during his first Roman imprisonment (around A.D. 60–62). Though restricted, Paul was permitted to receive visitors and to preach and teach from his rented quarters (Acts 28:30–31). Paul had been falsely accused in Jerusalem, arrested, and after a series of hearings before Jewish and Roman authorities—including Felix, Festus, and Agrippa—he exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:11–12). This led to his voyage to Rome, where he endured shipwreck and eventually arrived under guard (Acts 27–28). Humanly speaking, imprisonment might have looked like a setback. His chains gave him opportunity to share Christ with the Praetorian Guard (Phil 1:13), Rome's elite soldiers, and word spread even into Caesar's household (Phil 4:22). Furthermore, his example emboldened other believers to speak the word of God without fear (Phil 1:14). In other words, the “circumstances” of Phil 1:12 were Paul's unjust arrest, Roman confinement, and looming trial. Yet, rather than hindering God's work, these very hardships became the platform for advancing the gospel, both among unbelievers in high places and among believers who gained courage from Paul's faithfulness.

The Spiritual Life has Three Main Requirements: 1) Making intentional contact with Spirit; 2) Integrating that into the resto of our lives; 3) Sustaining. In this teaching I talk about these 3 challenges and hint at how we can rise up to meet them. Hope you enjoy it! If you appreciate my work please consider a donation at: "paypal.me/newdayglobal". Thank you!

Just as we recognize the signs in nature to discern the weather, so too, we discern God's presence in our lives and adjust our spiritual lives accordingly. (Lectionary #477) October 24, 2025 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Good fruit versus bad fruit. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda, given on October 19, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society, Boston, MA

If you want to grow spiritually, should you go to a monastery and withdraw from the world, or look for greater meaning, connection, and purpose in the loud messiness of life?  In other words, do you heal the world by working in it or praying for it? Philosophers and spiritual thinkers have debated it for centuries, but perhaps finding the right balance is the answer. On this episode of How God Works, we'll talk with journalist Sigal Samuel, about the centuries old debate over the spiritual life and how best to pursue it - through contemplation or activity. We'll also talk with Father Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest and founder of the world's largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and prison reentry programs about how he finds a balance between an inner- and outer-focused life. Sigal Samuel is a Senior Reporter at Vox and Co-Host of Vox's Future Perfect podcast, she also writes the advice column Your Mileage May Vary, which offers a framework for thinking through your ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions. Feel free to send Sigal your questions! And to learn more about her other work, check out her website.Father Greg Boyle is a Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries. Learn about their work here.