Podcasts about Steadfast

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “I miss my home, [although I] don't remember it. Sometimes, I perceive a glimmer of it nonetheless. A longing for a feeling I can't remember or even name. But I know it's real, just beyond the sunset.”~The Stranger, Rings of Power S02E01 “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”~2 Peter 3:13 “You are both free and bound. Free, paradoxically, because, now, you have a home… And bound: to that mystery, precisely, a bondage which liberates you into something of the glory and suffering of the world.”~Zadie Smith, contemporary English writer “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”~John 1:14SERMON PASSAGEPsalm 85 (ESV)1 Lord, you were favorable to your land;   you restored the fortunes of Jacob.2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;   you covered all their sin.                      Selah3 You withdrew all your wrath;   you turned from your hot anger. 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,   and put away your indignation toward us!5 Will you be angry with us forever?   Will you prolong your anger to all generations?6 Will you not revive us again,   that your people may rejoice in you?7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,   and grant us your salvation. 8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,   for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;   but let them not turn back to folly.9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,   that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;   righteousness and peace kiss each other.11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,   and righteousness looks down from the sky.12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,   and our land will yield its increase.13 Righteousness will go before him   and make his footsteps a way.

This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes. ASX ends lower Runway near collision Steadfast to leave ASX ARN loss on Kylie, Jackie O implosion Walmart slumps Join our free daily newsletter here.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes. ASX ends lower Runway near collision Steadfast to leave ASX ARN loss on Kylie, Jackie O implosion Walmart slumps Join our free daily newsletter here.Support the show: http://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we are mistreated and suffer, Christians are called to patiently endure.

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On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, talks with Southwestern Seminary president David Dockery about his new biography, Steadfast, and the leadership journey behind it. Together they unpack key ideas like ‘convictional civility' and ‘leadership symphony,' offering a rich model of character-driven Christian leadership for today's ministry leaders.

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Deacon Will talks about the importance of our spiritual stability and how to have God at the center of our livesNew messages every Sunday! Support this ministry, go to ficfreno.com/give for details!

Today's message speaks to us about Faith and how we can try to maintain steadfastness in it. En el mensaje de hoy se habla de Fe y como nosotros podemos de tratar de mantenernos firme en ella.Preacher: Rev. Sixto Francois Translation: Leslie Francois

The Disciples Corner

Discipleship & Connections Pastor Joey Schwartz brings practical help to let the steadfastness in the Lord be complete in our lives.

Part of our verse-by-verse exposition through the book of Hebrews

The Gospel picks up on the same night as last week's feeding of the five thousand. Immediately after Jesus feeds the crowd, he sends the disciples across the sea, dismisses the crowd, and goes up the mountain to pray alone. A storm rises. Some time before dawn, Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. Peter, characteristically, asks to join him — and takes a few steps before he starts to sink. It is one of the most famous scenes in the Gospels, and one of the most misused. We want to handle it with care.The Old Testament tracks reach the Gospel by very different paths. Track One begins the Joseph story — the coat, the favoritism, the brothers' plot, and the trafficking of Joseph into Egypt. Psalm 105 remembers that same descent as part of God's long providence. Track Two brings us Elijah at Horeb, exhausted and suicidal, meeting God not in the wind or earthquake or fire but in the sound of sheer silence — paired with Psalm 85's beautiful image of steadfast love and faithfulness meeting each other. The Epistle continues into Romans 10, with Paul's insistence that the word of faith is not far away but near — on our lips, in our hearts — and his celebration of the beautiful feet of those who carry good news.For preachers continuing a series: the Matthew narrative arc is picking up momentum. The identity of Jesus is being asked with increasing urgency — the disciples' confession at the end of this scene (“Truly you are the Son of God”) anticipates the great confession at Caesarea Philippi in two weeks. Something is building.The ReadingsGenesis 37:1–4, 12–28First Reading (Track One) — Joseph Sold Into SlaverySummaryThe Joseph story begins; this will become the longest narrative in the book of Genesis. Jacob favors Joseph — the son of his old age — and dresses him in the famous coat that will follow him into legend. The brothers see the favoritism, feel the sting of Joseph's dreams that place him above them, and cannot bring themselves to speak peaceably to him. When Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers at pasture, they see him coming from a distance and plot his death. Reuben talks them out of murder and throws him into a pit, hoping to rescue him later. Judah spots a caravan of traders and suggests selling him instead. The brothers sit down to a meal while Joseph is in the pit. Then they pull him out, sell him for twenty pieces of silver, and let him disappear into Egypt.Key Ideas for Preaching* The family in this story is genuinely dysfunctional. Parental favoritism produces jealousy; jealousy produces murderous rage; rage becomes trafficking. Genesis does not clean any of this up. What does it look like to preach honestly about the destructive patterns in a family that many of your people have inherited in their own?* Reuben tries to save Joseph without confronting the brothers. Judah calculates a middle path — profit rather than murder. Neither of these is heroism. Where in your congregation has quiet compromise passed for moral courage, and how might the text expose that?* The most chilling detail in the scene is that the brothers sit down to eat while Joseph is in the pit. Cruelty and appetite living together in the same body. Where has your congregation grown comfortable eating while others suffer, and what would it look like to notice again?* The Joseph story that begins here will end with reconciliation and rescue. But the reconciliation is decades away. What does it look like to preach the opening of a story whose good ending we know, without collapsing the pain of the beginning?Significant Cautions* The trafficking of Joseph is a real evil, not just a plot device. Do not use it as a metaphor in a way that minimizes what actually happened to him — or what still happens to trafficked people today.* “God used it for good” is where this story eventually ends up, but it does not begin there. Do not use the eventual outcome to blame the victim or to bless the brothers' cruelty in advance.* Joseph is not blameless in the family dynamic. His dreams and his coat are part of what has produced the tension. But that does not make him deserve any of what happens.* Do not preach Jacob's favoritism as a charming quirk. It is a wound the family will carry for generations.Psalm 105:1–6, 16–22, 45bThe Psalm (Track One) — Joseph in FettersSummaryThis section of the great remembering psalm now focuses on Joseph specifically. God sent a famine on the land; he sent a man before them — Joseph, sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck put in a collar of iron, until his word came true and God's word tested him. Then the king sent for him and set him over his household. The psalm remembers Joseph's suffering openly, as part of God's long faithfulness.Key Ideas for Preaching* The psalm names Joseph's suffering openly — feet in fetters, neck in iron — before it names his elevation. It does not skip over the pain. What does it look like for your congregation to remember the hard chapters of God's people alongside the good ones, without pretending either did not happen?* “The word of the Lord tested him.” That is a striking phrase. Joseph's suffering is not caused by God's word, but it is what he had to endure while God's word did its slow work. Where in your congregation are people enduring something long and hard while God's promise seems to be delayed?Significant Cautions* “The word of the Lord tested him” can be misread to suggest that God causes suffering to test people. The psalm is describing the experience of waiting for God's promise, not endorsing a theology of trial.1 Kings 19:9–18First Reading (Track Two) — Elijah at HorebSummaryElijah has just fled Queen Jezebel's threat on his life after killing the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Exhausted and suicidal — in the verses just before our reading, he asks God to take his life — he has walked forty days into the wilderness and arrived at Horeb, the mountain of Moses. He goes into a cave. The Lord's voice asks: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah answers with a complaint. God tells him to stand on the mountain. Wind splits rocks; earthquake shakes; fire burns — but the Lord is in none of these. Then a sound of sheer silence — or, in older translations, a still small voice. Elijah wraps his face in his mantle. God asks the same question again. Elijah gives the same answer. God sends him back with an assignment to anoint successors, and with the correction that seven thousand others in Israel have not bowed to Baal.Key Ideas for Preaching* Elijah is not simply tired. He is suicidal. Just before our reading, he has asked God to take his life. What does it look like to preach on this text with tenderness for those in your congregation who have been that low, without preaching over their heads?* God does not lecture Elijah out of his despair. In the verses just before ours, God feeds him and lets him sleep before saying anything at all. Only then comes the question — twice — “What are you doing here?” That is pastoral care, not correction. How might your sermon model the same slowness with people in crisis?* The famous line is that the Lord was not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. That is not a general rule about how God speaks; it is what Elijah needed to hear that day. Where in your congregation are people expecting God only in the dramatic, and how might this text open the possibility of a quieter meeting?* God's correction of Elijah's “I alone am left” is the one honest word in the whole scene. Elijah has been sure of his isolation, and he has been wrong. Seven thousand others have stayed faithful. Where in your congregation are people convinced they are alone in their faithfulness, and how might the text steady them?* God sends Elijah back to work. The vision is not the end. The next day begins. What does it look like to preach that quiet encounters lead to ordinary faithfulness, not away from it?Significant Cautions* Do not universalize “God is in the quiet.” God is in the dramatic too, elsewhere in Scripture. The text describes what Elijah needed that day, not a doctrine about how God always comes.* Do not treat Elijah's suicidal despair as a stage he had to move through to reach the still small voice. The despair is real, and any congregant hearing this text may be living it. Handle with care, and if it fits your context, name real resources for those who need them.* The seven thousand who have not bowed to Baal are named to correct Elijah's loneliness, not to diminish his suffering. Do not use this line to tell someone in real isolation that they are wrong to feel alone.* “Still small voice” is one translation choice among several. “Sound of sheer silence” is another. If you dwell on the phrase, mention that faithful translators disagree — both readings are honest attempts at a Hebrew phrase that resists a single English equivalent.Psalm 85:8–13The Psalm (Track Two) — Steadfast Love and Faithfulness MeetSummaryA short psalm of confidence. The psalmist commits to hear what God will speak — a word of peace to God's people. God's salvation is near. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. The land will yield its increase; righteousness will go before God and prepare a way.Key Ideas for Preaching* The image at the center is remarkable: steadfast love and faithfulness meeting, righteousness and peace kissing. The qualities we sometimes hold apart — mercy and truth, justice and peace — belong together in God. Where has your congregation been forced to choose between qualities that should meet, and how might this psalm free them from the false choice?* Paired with the Gospel, the psalm's promise that God speaks peace prepares us to hear Jesus' “take heart; do not be afraid” across the water. What might it look like to let the psalm set the ear before the Gospel arrives?Significant Cautions* The kiss of righteousness and peace is a poetic image, not a policy platform. Do not press it into a specific political program on the pulpit.Romans 10:5–15The Epistle — The Word Is Near YouSummaryPaul insists that the word of faith is not far away. It is not up in heaven or down in the deep; it is near — on our lips and in our hearts. If we confess with our lips and believe in our hearts, we are saved. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek: the same Lord is Lord of all, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Paul closes with the chain that has echoed through Christian preaching ever since — how are they to call if they have not believed? how are they to believe if they have not heard? how are they to hear without someone to proclaim? And how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.Key Ideas for Preaching* Paul's insistence is that the word is near — not far, not hard to reach, not on the other side of a wall. The proclamation of the gospel does not require a journey to a mountain. Where has your congregation been treating the word as if it were still up in heaven, and how might Paul's nearness correct that?* “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” The image is homely — ordinary walking feet on ordinary ground. Where in your congregation are people already walking with good news, without knowing that the walking itself is being called beautiful?* Paul's chain — how are they to hear without a proclaimer? — is not about ministerial guilt. It is a description of how the word travels. What might your congregation do differently if they saw themselves as one link in that chain, not as those who have to carry the whole load?Significant Cautions* “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” has been used narrowly, to test who is inside and outside. Paul's flow of thought here is expansive, not restrictive. The point is how widely the invitation goes, not how narrow the gate is.* The “no distinction between Jew and Greek” line has sometimes been misread to argue that Christianity has replaced Judaism. Paul, a Jew, is not saying that. He is saying that God's covenant is expanding, not being reassigned.* “How beautiful are the feet” has been used to guilt people into evangelistic performance. Paul is celebrating the goodness of the walking, not measuring how many miles you have covered.Matthew 14:22–33The Gospel — Walking on WaterSummaryImmediately after the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus makes the disciples get into the boat and cross the sea while he stays behind to dismiss the crowds. He goes up the mountain to pray, alone. The boat is far from shore, battered by the wind, when in the fourth watch of the night — sometime before dawn — Jesus comes to them, walking on the sea. They are terrified. He speaks: take heart; it is I; do not be afraid. Peter, characteristically, asks for proof — command me to come to you on the water. Jesus does. Peter walks a few steps on the water toward Jesus. Then he notices the wind, becomes afraid, and starts to sink. Lord, save me. Jesus immediately reaches out and catches him: you of little faith, why did you doubt? They climb into the boat; the wind stops. The disciples in the boat worship him: truly you are the Son of God.Key Ideas for Preaching* Notice where Jesus is when the storm starts. He is on the mountain praying, alone. Last week we watched him serve from within his grief; this week he is in the deeper solitude that grief-serving people need. What does it mean that the compassion of Christ is fed by his own solitude with the Father?* Jesus does not calm the storm before coming to the disciples. He comes across the storm, in the storm, walking on the very water that is battering them. Where in your congregation are people waiting for the storm to end before Christ arrives, when the text is showing them a Christ who comes in the middle of it?* “Take heart; it is I; do not be afraid.” The Greek behind “it is I” is ego eimi — “I am” — the same phrase used for God's name at the burning bush. Matthew is signaling that this walking figure is not just a man. What might it mean for your congregation to hear the walking Jesus as the God who once named himself I AM at Sinai?* Peter's boldness and Peter's fear are the same Peter. He asks to walk; he walks; he notices the wind; he sinks. Every reader recognizes this. Where in your congregation are people ashamed of the same mix — of the boldness that took them out onto the water and the fear that pulled them back — and what would it mean for them to hear that Peter is us?* Jesus reaches out immediately. There is no delay. There is no lecture first. There is no letting Peter sink a little longer so that he learns. Christ catches him as soon as he cries out. Where in your congregation are people afraid that Christ will let them sink, and how might this immediacy steady them?* “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” The phrasing is often preached as harsh, but the tone in the Greek is more tender — a real question, an invitation to wonder. Jesus is not shaming Peter for the doubt; he is asking him to look at it. How might your sermon receive this question the way it might have been asked — quietly, on the water, one hand still in Peter's?Significant Cautions* “You of little faith” has been used to shame doubt for centuries. The tone in Matthew is not the tone of most sermons that quote it. Handle with care.* Do not preach this as a “have more faith” sermon. Peter did not sink because his faith was too small; he sank because he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the storm. The prescription is not more effort but redirected attention.* “Walking on water” has been metaphorized in ways that empty the story of its actual claim about who Jesus is. The scene is not a self-help image; it is Matthew making a claim about the identity of Christ.* Do not use this text to blame those whose lives are storm-tossed for their lack of faith. The storm was not caused by the disciples' unfaithfulness; it was simply where they were.* The disciples' confession at the end — “truly you are the Son of God” — is the first time in Matthew a group of disciples says this out loud. Do not skip past its weight. It is the fruit of the encounter, not just a closing line.Thematic ConnectionsThe Gospel is the natural center for the day. Matthew has placed the walking on water immediately after the feeding of the five thousand — the same Christ, the same disciples, the same night. The feeding showed us what Christ does when the crowd is hungry. The walking on water shows us what he does when his own disciples are afraid. Both scenes hinge on a compassion that acts from within the situation, not at a safe distance.On Track One, Joseph's story is beginning. The opening chapter of a long saga in which God's promise is delayed by human cruelty, delivered eventually, and revealed as having been at work through the whole terrible middle. The pairing with the Gospel is more thematic than direct: Joseph, like Peter, is going to spend time sinking before he is caught. Psalm 105 gives us the tradition's own reading of Joseph's suffering — feet in fetters, neck in iron — as part of the long work of God's fidelity. Preachers can hold Joseph's descent and Peter's sinking together, both as stories of God's people going down before God's rescue comes.On Track Two, Elijah at Horeb and the Gospel share a striking feature: God comes not in the loud and dramatic but in something quieter — the sound of sheer silence for Elijah, and, for the disciples in the storm, the walking figure and the tender “take heart.” Psalm 85's promise that God speaks peace prepares the ear. The whole track invites a congregation to trust that God shows up in ways more tender than dramatic. But it can also honor the moments when the dramatic is what is needed — as it is when Peter is sinking and Jesus reaches out immediately.Romans 10 sits inside the day as the invitation. The word is near — on our lips, in our hearts. There is no distance to cross to reach God's love. The Christ who walks across the water in the Gospel is the one whose word is already inside us in Romans. And the beautiful feet of the messengers are also, quite specifically, the feet that stepped out of the boat and, briefly, walked on the water.For preachers continuing a series: the Matthew arc keeps unfolding. The identity of Jesus is being asked with more urgency each week. Peter's confession at the end of this scene (“truly you are the Son of God”) anticipates the great confession at Caesarea Philippi in two weeks. The Gospel is building toward something. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe

In today's message we talk about being steadfast.En el mensaje de hoy hablamos de mantenernos firmes.Preacher: Rev. Michael Lopez Translation: Tabitha L. Lopez

Listen to learn how to move an audience with a character who never changes. Do characters need to change for you to have a satisfying story? That's a question we've been asking since, like, episode five of this podcast. And we're finally talking about it! In this continuation of our deep dive into character arcs -- Stu, Chas and Mel break down MOANA, APOLLO 13 and THE DRESSMAKER to work out what carries a story when a character arc doesn't. If your protagonist isn't going to change, the drama has to come from what they do to everyone else. We do manage to figure out some tools that carry a steadfast story: doubt and wobble (a character with no doubt isn't steadfast, they're a psychopath), emotional events between characters, and a distinction borrowed from operant conditioning — additive rewards (you gain something) versus subtractive ones (something is taken away). The subtractive reward is why a happy ending can still feel like loss... and it's the thing we reckon that'll matter most when we get to negative arcs. We also wibble-wobble over WILLOW, TAKEN, FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, THE MARTIAN, PROJECT HAIL MARY, THE GREY, ALL IS LOST, STAR WARS (as always), GREY GARDENS, PRISCILLA, and how many tampons NASA sent to space. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon. Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre & Natalie and Lily. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— "If your characters are not going to arc, if they are going to remain steadfast, then creating multiple smaller emotional events is really important to keep the story dynamic." — Mel Killingsworth @ 02:32:01 ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open 00:00:18 – What Is a Steadfast Character Arc? 00:04:24 – › Character as habitual action and setting up payoff 00:05:56 – › Operant conditioning and additive versus subtractive rewards 00:09:14 – › Zero-context takeaways on steadfast emotional stakes 00:10:33 – The Questionnaire for Analysing Character Arcs 00:12:18 – MOANA 00:13:31 – › Credits and the hero's journey plot summary 00:16:12 – › The I Want song and being pulled versus pushed 00:20:14 – › Moana's steadfastness causes her own low point 00:22:47 – › Steadfast belief that changes others, not the self 00:25:57 – › Multiple challenge types needed to dramatize resilience 00:27:25 – › Maui's arc contrasted as genuine positive change 00:29:38 – › Skills and rewards versus true character transformation 00:36:22 – › Grandmother and father relationships deepen audience intimacy 00:41:15 – › Disney princess genre expectations for character arcs 00:45:27 – › Tracking when and whether Maui and Moana change 00:48:36 – › The reluctant ally pattern across MOANA, STAR WARS, WILLOW 00:52:10 – › Contrast, theme, and the audience's emotional event 00:53:08 – APOLLO 13 00:55:50 – › Plot summary and the docudrama's technical problem-solving 00:57:38 – › Riveting problem-solving without any character value change 01:00:56 – › Emotional events replace arcs in the Jack and Jim relationship 01:09:12 – › Emotional tension versus arc as a structural framework 01:14:42 – › Disaster movies compared across steadfast and positive arcs 01:16:23 – › Do any characters change their relationship to themselves? 01:20:02 – › Working the steadfast questionnaire against APOLLO 13 01:33:53 – THE DRESSMAKER 01:39:16 – › Debating Tilly's true objective in returning to Dungatar 01:44:51 – › Steadfastness as being the agent of change for others 01:48:37 – › Teddy's death punishes the belief that she isn't cursed 01:52:16 – › Subtractive reward and removal of burdens versus true change 01:57:00 – › GREY GARDENS as a parallel study in steadfast protection 02:02:18 – › Tilly's revenge tactic transforms the town around her 02:11:55 – › Fairy tale logic and heightened melodrama in the film 02:16:29 – › Debating whether Tilly is steadfast or an agent of change 02:20:11 – › Subtractive rewards and how the ending should feel 02:24:23 – › How the story world punishes and rewards transformation 02:27:01 – › Was this steadfast, a positive arc, or both? 02:31:45 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up FILMS MOANA (2016) — (w) Jared Bush, Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, Don Hall, Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell (d) John Musker, Ron Clements THE DRESSMAKER (2015) — (w) Jocelyn Moorhouse, Pj Hogan, Rosalie Ham (d) Jocelyn Moorhouse APOLLO 13 (1995) — (w) William Broyles Jr, Al Reinert, Jeffrey Kluger, Jim Lovell (d) Ron Howard RELATED EPISODES DZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith Weston DZ-126: Secrets and Clues DZ-128: What even is a Character Arc? ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2026/dz-129/

We will not hide them from their children,    but tell to the coming generationthe glorious deeds of Yahweh, and his might,    and the wonders that he has done.- Psalm 78:4 Links and Timestamps: 00:25 – Scripture Reading; 08:09 – Introduction; 28:46 – Commentary on Psalm 78; 1:00:30 - Commentary on ‘Edge of the Ocean' by Stick Figure; 1:37:12 - “Low-Cortisol Living” vs. ‘The Upside of Stress'by Kelly McGonigal; 2:04:37 - Reflections on ‘The Anxious Generation' by Jonathan Haidt; 2:29:49 - Differentiation, Embodied Belonging, and Non-Anxious Presence; 3:05:44 - What Promotes Clear Thinking in the Midst of Anxious Emotional Systems.

Titus 2:1-10 (ESV)Andrew and Edwin discuss sound doctrine and healthy teaching to produce healthy families and, therefore, healthy congregations.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=26309The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Zach Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of steadfastness in pursuing our spiritual aspirations—an endeavor that profoundly resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when maintaining unwavering trust in the Lord becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also invigorate our relationships, propelling us toward our individual dreams. The reassuring truth remains constant: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we have the innate ability to remain resolute in these aspirations, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience. For those who seek guidance in fortifying their trust along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for steadfastness within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of maintaining trust in our spiritual aspirations and discovering the extraordinary sense of steadfastness that resides within each one of us. Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode, Pastor David Rice teaches from Matthew 20:1–16, unpacking Jesus' parable of the generous landowner—and what it truly means to live with deep, heart-level gratitude rather than comparison as we navigate the subtle enticements of entitlement in our modern world.Support the showFind us at! Calvary.us

Joni's newest book "Keeping Faith When Life Hurts" is out now! Order it here --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

"Dad's coming" gives hope or dread depending on the type of day you've had, doesn't it? If you have been frustrated trying to get something to work, hearing "Dad's coming" is hope. If you've been misbehaving, "Dad's coming" is a dread. It doesn't matter when in the day this is said, hearing those words will have their intended effect immediately. I remember getting a lego robot set one year and I had put almost all of it together, however, I thought I had turned the page on the manual only to discover I had built, after a day's frustration, two left legs. And now it was time for bed. But Dad was coming home. I woke up the next day to find my lego robot—standing—on the kitchen table. All was set right. Now, most of us have much bigger problems than a lego robot with two left legs (although, kids, I do still see how this as a big problem for your worlds, so blessed are you), so do the recipients of this letter. However, the letter is invoking a much more powerful Being than my dad. James is telling us that the Lord, Jesus Himself, is on the way.

In today's episode I will be praying over us, reading Psalm 51, and saying whatever the Holy Spirit prompts me to say after I read the scripture. This is day 51 of a series where I will be reading a Psalm everyday on here for 150 days. I challenge you to come to join me everyday as we use scripture to fight off the enemy and grow us in ways that we can't even imagine.   My First Christian Children's book, "You Are Loved" is now available for purchase on Amazon!! Thank you to everyone that has purchased, been praying, supporting, and sharing. All glory goes to God!! Here is the link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZKSPJNB   Link to partner with me and give towards my future mission projects: https://pushpay.com/g/globalventurescatoosa?fnd=missionary&fndv=hide&ru=prod&sr=58535&ad=%7b+%22PledgeID%22%3a%22Y01TRFR1VlklMmJMYkY5NmRNJTJiU2dHU21oWVBXQjN2OXRVNkdsNWpjMUFzamRkRkNBUmN2Z2R0MjdmdTZ2eGduc1U%3d%22%7d&nt=Partner%3aMs+Lorena+Espy+   If you want to receive newsletters: submit your info here: www.postable.com/lorenaespy If you want to check out previous Bible studies, click here To Purchase my "Christ Transforms Me" Journal, click here   Email me: faithfuelsmyfire@gmail.com Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/486483515603028/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmBsSKktGU_8WHVNIxhFuzg The Bible App that I use: http://bible.com/app Instagram: @_lorenacamille_ Never Forget to Choose Faith Over Fear, -Lorena Espy

In today's #podcast episode, I interview Matthew Jandernoa. I ask Matthew about how to "motivate" yourself to do those things you don't want to do. Matthew also shares how he builds a family culture. I also ask Matthew to share with you how he uncovered his calling. Show Notes and Resources.   Want to be a guest on Inspired Stewardship? Send Scott Maderer a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/scottmaderer  

Join us for week 2 of our series, Pillars, as we learn the necessity of being steadfast in prayer.

It is God's steadfast love and faithfulness that supernaturally sustains us to remain steadfast in the midst of suffering, sorrow, and spiritual attack.---We desire to see the Gospel saturate a people, awakening them by the glory of God to treasure Jesus as better.For more Gospel-centered teaching and resources, including audio and video downloads of our sermons, please visit our website: http://www.thewellchurchok.com/resourcesInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/thewellchurchokFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/thewellchurchok

Steadfast in God II

By Kenneth J Cline - When life's storms threaten to pull us off course, we need something sure and steadfast to hold us fast. This message explores the powerful biblical metaphor of an anchor, revealing how foundational truths keep our souls grounded. We will discover several essential scriptures that serve as

Preaching for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Theresa Gardner offers a reflection on finding hope amid a world marked by polarization and dehumanization:"The hatred, darkness and pain of the world has brought me to my knees, knocking the wind out of my spirit. But it is the light and the hope of my students and those who are on the margins of society that continue to give me strength- let's look to them together, give each other the hope we need to become more whole."Theresa Gardner, a native of South Jersey, currently serves as Director of Christian Service at Loyola School in New York City. She holds an undergraduate degree in music and theology from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies from Villanova University, where she engaged with feminist theology, synodality, and ecclesiology. She recently published a chapter in Liturgical Press's The Legacy and Limits of Vatican II in an Age of Crisis, examining women's leadership in the Church since Vatican II. Visit https://catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/07052026 to learn more about Theresa, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

The Psychology Behind the Parsha   Parshas Pinchas - The 17th of Tamuz    (June 2026 - Tamuz 5786)   Love is Steadfast   Month of Tamuz classes are sponsored in memory of Doris Lombardi by Brittany and Daniel Lombardi. Grandma Doris was strong, warm, giving, loving, hilarious, and full of life. She was an ardent lover and supporter of the Jewish people and Israel and she constantly conveyed those values to her family. The fullness with which she lived and loved us inspires our family regularly and we hope that we continue to carry on her legacy in our actions and in the way we raise our children.   This week of classes are also dedicated in loving memory of Dr Frederica Muller; Frieda Bracha bas Aharon HaKohen. Her strength, brilliance, courage, and resolute conviction, established her family on principles of Judaism and passionate love for the Jewish People and HaShem. Through her descendants her legacy continues to profoundly benefit our nation with Torah, community building, and exemplary dignity. May her memory be blessed and her soul constantly elevated.    This week's classes are also dedicated for the benefit of a Refu'ah Sh'leima for Perel Sasha bas Meril Rivka, Ya'akov ben Malka Mattel, Binyamin ben Lillian Lily, Rachamim Sasson Rafael ben Bracha Fruma Gittel, Baruch Yehoshua Yisrael ben Sima and all Cholei Yisrael.

God calls His people to remain steadfast, trusting that their labor for Him is never wasted.► Gather with us live online and in person every Sunday at 9:30a and 11:00a: https://live.fbcw.org/► Watch/listen to our services: https://fbcw.org/worship-with-us/► Give to help our mission: https://fbcw.org/give/

Masterpiece Podcasts: Collection of Chinese Classic Novels

Stay the Course, Being Steady in the Lord in the Mist of a Volatile World • Sunday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org To give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give We are living in a time when everything around us seems to be shaking. Nations are shaking, economies are shaking, families are under pressure, and even within the visible church there is instability and compromise. Headlines change by the hour, but the Word of God has not changed. The Lord is raising up a people who will not be driven by fear, trends, or the latest crisis, but who will stay the course and remain steady in Him even when the world is volatile. God is not surprised by this hour. He has already prepared a path for His people. He has given us His Spirit, His Word, and His promises so that we can stand firm, endure, and even flourish when others are losing hope. 1. Steadfast when everything is shaking First, God calls us to be steadfast and unmovable. He does not want a fearful, fragile church, but a steadfast people who know whom they have believed. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 2. Running with patience, eyes on Jesus To stay the course in a volatile world, we must run the race God has set before us with patience and with a clear focus on Jesus Himself. Hebrews 12:1 2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 3. Guarding your heart and mind with peace In a volatile world, anxiety comes knocking each day. But the Lord has given us a way to walk in supernatural peace in the middle of chaos. Philippians 4:6 7 “Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.” 4. God is our refuge when the earth trembles There are times when the shaking is not just emotional or personal, but global. Even then, God promises to be our refuge and strength. Psalm 46:1 3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.” 5. Trials that refine instead of destroy Some of the volatility we face is not just out there in the world, it is in the form of personal trials. But in the kingdom, trials are not just random attacks. God uses them to refine, mature, and strengthen us. James 1:2 4 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 6. Not troubled by the signs of the times The Lord even spoke about the volatility of the last days. He told us about wars, rumors of wars, and shaking, yet He also told us how to posture our hearts. Matthew 24:6 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars see that ye be not troubled for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” 7. Planted, not blown around In a volatile world, many people are tossed like leaves in the wind. But the righteous are called to be planted like trees by rivers of water. Psalm 1:1 3 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Colossians 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven whereof I Paul am made a minister.”

Brian Biedebach • Galatians 4:8–4:11 • Steadfast

Both spiritual practice and steadfast activism require a pattern of faithful presence over time (often with no visible result). Showing up, again and again, is the shape of both spiritual practice and activism. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804

Sermon Notes - Psalm 36 - Darkness and LightMain Point: The light of the Lord is greater than the darkness of the wicked and is best seen in Jesus, the light of the world.-The Darkness of the Wicked (1-4)  -The wicked do not fear God  -The wicked harm themselves  -The wicked harm others-The Light of the Lord (5-9)  -5 Attributes of God:   -Steadfast love   -Faithfulness   -Righteousness   -Justice   -Salvation  -5 Blessings for God's People:   -Refuge    -Abundance   -Delight   -Life   -Light-The Victory of the Light and the Defeat of the Darkness (10-12)

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.

Ed Moore preaches on enduring suffering from 1 Timothy 4:5 at the 2026 NYC Pillar Pastors Conference.

Steadfast love will see you though painful providence.

Moses was the father of two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and he also served as a father figure to the entire Hebrew people as they escaped from slavery in Egypt.He loved his people and helped discipline and provide for them on their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. Imagine leading a frustrated, tired, hungry group of travelers through the desert — without air conditioning or handheld electronics — for four decades!So many aspects of Moses' life story seem larger-than-life, and he was indeed a hero of his time — but he was also merely a man. Moses' perseverance in the face of incredible challenges over the course of his life shows today's fathers that overwhelming tasks can be achieved when we stay close to God.Exodus 16:11–12 says, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.'”The Israelites were afraid they would starve in the barren desert after fleeing Egypt, and complained to Moses that it would have been better if they had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt, where they had enough to eat, than to wander the desert without provisions. Imagine how frustrated Moses must have been! The Lord had miraculously saved the Israelites from slavery, and now they worried God wouldn't provide what they needed to survive.Through God's faithful guidance, Moses was able to shepherd the Israelites through 40 years of wilderness living. They quarreled with Moses. They accused him of leading them to disaster and ruin. They complained frequently — even after they had seen God's promises fulfilled. Yet still, Moses carried on. He brought every concern to the Lord, and with God's blessing and guidance, he was able to keep going.Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”Moses teaches fathers that with God, all things are possible.God answers prayer, and desires intimate fellowship with every believer.No one can follow God's laws perfectly. We all need a Savior.Let's pray.Heavenly Father, sometimes parenting is exhausting! Thank you for the blessing of children, and we ask you to bless dads with patience to spare and to make your presence known to tired dads in the trenches who need your wisdom, and your grace. In Jesus' name, amen.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Michael Dennis • Selected Scriptures • The truth, enemy, and danger of victimhood • Steadfast

Leslie continues The Steadfast Heart series with a look at spiritual warfare and how the enemy's hinderance can impact our emotions. In this episode, Leslie encourages us to look at the areas of your life where we feel defeated, discouraged, or hopeless and consider whether Satan may be attacking us in those areas. She presents a Biblical strategy for being aware of enemy hinderance and attack, and resisting those attacks through the power of Jesus' name.For more resources from Leslie, visit https://setapart.org/. To learn more about the 2026 online Set Apart Conference, visit https://setapart.org/2026-set-apart-conference/. To learn more about the Ellerslie 5-Week Late Summer Discipleship Program, visit https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/. To support Set Apart Ministries, visit https://setapart.org/support/.

Leslie continues the Steadfast Heart series by unpacking the Biblical principle of letting God shape our heart's desires. We often believe we will find satisfaction in making our own decisions and simply asking God to bless them. But all throughout Scripture it is clear that God wants to guide us, direct our paths, give us wisdom, and show us the way we should go. Scripture is also clear that as we build our lives around Him, our desires align with His. This episode challenges us to freshly examine whether we are truly allowing God to shape our desires and lead our lives.For more resources from Leslie, visit https://setapart.org/. To register for the online version of the 2026 Set Apart Conference, visit https://setapart.org/2026-set-apart-conference/. To learn about the Late Summer 5-Week Discipleship Program at Ellerslie, visit https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/. To support Set Apart Ministries, visit https://setapart.org/support/.

Leslie continues the Steadfast Heart series by diving into Proverbs 31. As modern women we can often feel unhealthy pressure when we encounter this portion of Scripture. But when we understand what Proverbs 31 is really about, it can completely change our mindset. In this episode, Leslie unpacks Biblical keys to understanding Proverbs 31 not as a standard to rise up to, but as a promise to stand upon. She offers practical ways to lean on the supernatural enabling strength of God to live out the seemingly impossible calling upon our lives as daughters of the King.For more resources from Leslie, visit https://setapart.org/. To learn about the online version of our 2026 Set Apart Conference, visit https://setapart.org/2026-set-apart-conference/. To learn about our 2026 Late Summer Discipleship Program at Ellerslie, visit https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/. To support Set Apart Ministries, visit https://setapart.org/support/.

As part of the Steadfast Heart series, Leslie unpacks a little-known secret to emotional health - living for God's glory instead of for ourselves. While it seems counter-intuitive, when we choose to get out of the way so that Jesus can be seen through our lives, we experience lasting joy and peace. There is tremendous emotional freedom that comes from choosing to step out of the way, so that Jesus can clearly be seen in and through us - just as John the Baptist did when he said "I must decrease, but He must increase." (John 3:30) When we fix our gaze on Jesus and let others follow our gaze upwards, we will experience a soul-level emotional peace that can never be found in focusing on ourselves. For more resources from Leslie, visit https://setapart.org/. To learn about our 2026 Set Apart Conference, visit https://setapart.org/2026-set-apart-conference/. To learn about our 2026 Ellerslie Discipleship Programs, visit https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/. To support Set Apart Ministries, visit https://setapart.org/support/.

Leslie continues the Steadfast Heart series with a conversation about self-pity and the impact that it can have on our emotional health. While the culture often treats self-pity as harmless or even healthy, in reality nothing can plummet us into despair or depression quicker. In this episode, Leslie offers Biblical keys to living free from the trap of self-pity while also allowing God to bring healing to our hurts and griefs.For more resources from Leslie, visit https://setapart.org/. To learn more about our 2026 Set Apart Conference, visit https://setapart.org/2026-set-apart-conference/. To learn about our 2026 Ellerslie Discipleship Programs, visit https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/. To support Set Apart Ministries, visit https://setapart.org/support/.