Podcasts about through christ

Through Christ

SERMON SUMMARYWe explored Psalm 100, the ancient "entry song" for Jerusalem's temple, discovering seven divine commands that transform our understanding of worship. This isn't just about Sunday singing—it's about living a lifestyle of joyful surrender to our good God.The psalm begins with a "joyful noise"—not perfect pitch, but a victory war cry declaring that Jesus has already won. We're called to serve with gladness, not grudging duty, because we've encountered God's goodness. Through Christ, we can boldly enter God's presence with singing, no appointment needed—we're His children.At the psalm's heart lies this truth: knowing God as our Creator and ourselves as His beloved sheep. Unlike the world's view of sheep as mindless followers, we're valuable, intelligent creatures who recognize our Shepherd's voice above all others.We enter God's presence through thanksgiving and praise—the antidote to believing God is holding out on us. Corporate worship isn't optional; we're designed for connection to the body of Christ. Unspoken gratitude is worthless—we must verbalize our thanks.Finally, we bless God's name by offering our whole selves as living sacrifices, reflecting His character through love-driven obedience.​Why do we worship? Because the Lord is good, His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness spans generations. When circumstances aren't good, we worship our way through, declaring His unchanging character over our changing situations.DISCUSSION QUESTIONSThe sermon describes worship as "warfare" against the enemy's lies. What specific lies about God or yourself do you need to counter with the "joyful noise" of worship this week?How does understanding yourself as a valuable sheep who recognizes the Shepherd's voice change the way you filter the competing voices in your daily life?The message contrasts serving "with gladness" versus serving with grumpiness. What areas of your life reveal whether you're serving from gratitude or grudging duty?If "unspoken gratitude is worthless," how can you move beyond feeling thankful to actively expressing thanks to both God and the people in your life?The sermon challenges the idea that "I don't need church to worship God." How has corporate worship shaped your faith in ways that private worship alone couldn't?What would it look like practically to "bless God's name" by offering your whole self—your job, relationships, struggles, and dreams—as a living sacrifice this week?

In this powerful episode, we talk with Austin Davis, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Clearfork Academy, about how childhood identity, faith, and resilience shape mental health outcomes. This episode highlights the intersections of childhood trauma, the search for identity, spiritual awakening, and breaking generational cycles. Austin shares his journey from a 10-year-old tasked with being “the man of the house” to a father, therapist, and founder of a life-changing teen treatment center. Welcome back to Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads—an award-winning mental health podcast with over 1 million downloads! We're honored to be the 2024 People's Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health and the 2024 Women In Podcasting Award Winner for Best Mental Health Podcast. We want to hear from you! Leave us written input or a voice message at: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a "When we focus too hard on not becoming something, we often become exactly that. Healing is found in accepting what made us and choosing differently." – Austin Davis Meet Our Guest: Austin Davis, LPC-S Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Texas. He holds a B.S. in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University and an M.A. in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. Austin's career bridges the church and clinical mental health worlds. He has served youth through ministry and worked extensively in state mental health hospitals, gaining experience with nearly every mental health diagnosis. He is the founder of Clearfork Academy, a Christ-centered residential treatment center for teens struggling with mental health and substance use. He thrives on working with clients others might call “difficult,” driven by compassion and clinical skill. Austin is also the author of My Kid, My Crisis (2023), a moving collection of stories and insights into parenting, faith, and therapeutic transformation in the face of teen mental health challenges. When he's not working, Austin enjoys being with his family, making music, woodworking, reading, and staying active.

Have you ever felt like you don't belong in God's family or that your past disqualifies you from receiving His love? Pastor Mark Jobe continues our Empowered series with a powerful truth: you were never meant to live as a spiritual orphan. Through Christ's Spirit, you are not only qualified—you are chosen, forgiven, adopted, and accepted!

Have you ever felt like you don't belong in God's family or that your past disqualifies you from receiving His love? Pastor Mark Jobe continues our Empowered series with a powerful truth: you were never meant to live as a spiritual orphan. Through Christ's Spirit, you are not only qualified—you are chosen, forgiven, adopted, and accepted!

In today's Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla, we meditate on Ecclesiastes 9:4–6 and the urgency of life before death. Solomon reminds us that even a lowly living dog is better than a dead lion—because life still holds opportunity. While we are alive, the day of salvation is open. Once we die, the chance to repent, believe, and live by faith is gone.This devotion emphasizes the precious window of time we are given now to receive God's grace, live in daily repentance, and walk in the joy of our baptismal identity. “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV).Through Christ, every breath is a gift, and each day is a chance to rest in His promises. Watch and be encouraged to make the most of your time—because the Lord is near.

Have you ever felt like you don't belong in God's family or that your past disqualifies you from receiving His love? Pastor Mark Jobe continues our Empowered series with a powerful truth: you were never meant to live as a spiritual orphan. Through Christ's Spirit, you are not only qualified—you are chosen, forgiven, adopted, and accepted!

Have you ever felt like you don't belong in God's family or that your past disqualifies you from receiving His love? Pastor Mark Jobe continues our Empowered series with a powerful truth: you were never meant to live as a spiritual orphan. Through Christ's Spirit, you are not only qualified—you are chosen, forgiven, adopted, and accepted!

Are you trading slow, steady faithfulness for fast, fleeting success?ABOUT THIS MESSAGE:In this sermon, Pastor Adam Burton unpacks God's Blueprint for Diligent Living from Proverbs. Discover how true wisdom calls us to work hard like the ant, walk in integrity with honest hands, and trust God's timing instead of chasing quick gains. Through Christ, we are free to live with purpose—faithfully, honestly, and patiently—in a world full of shortcuts.

Send us a textWhat does it truly mean to be "born again"? In this exploration of Jesus's midnight conversation with Nicodemus, we unpack one of the foundations of the Word of God.When Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and Jewish leader, approached Jesus acknowledging Him as a teacher from God, Jesus responded with a statement that completely reframed their interaction: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This declaration left Nicodemus confused, trapped in a literal interpretation of rebirth that seemed biologically impossible.Jesus wasn't speaking of physical impossibilities but spiritual necessities. The Greek term for "born again" carries dual meaning – both "a second time" and "from above" – revealing that this spiritual transformation cannot originate from human effort but must come from God Himself. As Jesus explained, "That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of Spirit is spirit."This message strikes at the heart of our human condition. We cannot manufacture spiritual rebirth through religious devotion, education, behavioral modification, or any human achievement. It requires divine intervention – a miracle that transforms us at our core. Yet this isn't cause for despair but hope, for the God who requires this rebirth is the same God who delights in making it possible. Through Christ's sacrificial work on the cross, what is impossible for humanity becomes possible through God.Have you known this in your own life? Not just knowledge about God, but the life-changing miracle of being born from above? Join us as we explore what it means to trust the God who loves to save and who stands ready to perform this miracle in every heart that turns to Him in faith.Support the showNEW BOOK! I'm pleased to say that we have completed a new book that has been years in the making. The Ten Shirot: Songs of Redemption looks at ten songs that were sung through pivotal times in Scripture. It's an examination of the redemption of Jesus, of worship, and of Scripture in a way that we believe you probably haven't seen before. Check it out at https://a.co/d/0a4KIooL .The Redeeming Love Bible Broadcast is a ministry of Grace Baptist Tabernacle. We're located at 121 Arborside Lane in King, NC and we can be reached at welcome@gracebaptisttabernacle.org. Please continue to share these episodes, and please consider coming to visit our church. We are excited and expectant for you to come!

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Ps 94; Ephesians 5 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible, where we journey together through the pages of scripture. On this June 9th episode, Host Hunter guides us through readings from Ecclesiastes 10–12, Psalm 94, and Ephesians 5. As we reflect on the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, the cries for justice in the Psalms, and Paul's inspiring call to live as children of light, Hunter invites us to taste the “sweetness of a new day” found in Christ. Along the way, he reminds us of the transforming power of God's love, the importance of living in light and hope, and the call to love one another deeply—laying down our lives just as Christ did for us. We'll close with a time of prayer, grounding our day in the peace, mercy, and abundance of God. So gather around and let the Word warm your heart—because here, you are always loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Children of light, that is what you are. The light is sweet. How pleasant to see a new day dawning. Ecclesiastes 11:7. And Paul wants us to know the sweet light of a new day that is found in Christ. His favor and kindness is there for us on this new day. And how sweet that is. A new day of hope, a new day of life. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have the light of the Lord. So live as people of the light. From our reading in Ephesians, if you want to taste the sweetness of this light, it's going to take careful determination. Verse 10 says, Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. We must be careful to put away the darkness of our past regrets, shame, resentments, and determine to apply the Gospel light to our heart each day. That light comes from the Lord. So let us come to Jesus each day determining to participate and join in the life that is now ours in him. Through Christ we are able to find strength to vanquish the lies that are told about God, that He is distant and separate from us. No, the light of Christ reveals His presence and his nearness. The light of Christ reveals his embrace. In the light of his loving embrace, we are able to honor and prefer one another. We are able to submit to one another. We are able to lay down our lives for one another. When we do that, it will indeed be a sweet and hopeful day. The wise man of Ecclesiastes said, light is sweet. How pleasant to see a new day dawning. So taste the sweetness of the life we have in Christ. Determine to love others. Let the love of Christ vanquish the dark lies of separation and distance. And determine to love through the power of Christ. Laying down your life in order to Experience his life. Now, that's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Loving God, you have knit us together in the body of Christ from every nation and tongue. Make us a vessel of your peace today. Make us a vessel of your peace today. Where hatred stirs, let us bear your love. Where wounds run deep, let us be agents of pardon. Where fear grips hearts, may we speak faith. Where sorrow hangs heavy, may we carry joy. Teach us to listen more than we speak. To understand before we are understood. To love. For in surrender we find abundance. In mercy, we discover grace. And in dying, we rise into your life. In the name of Jesus. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Have you ever noticed how quickly a beautiful musical piece is ruined when just one instrument plays off-key? The same principle applies to our relationship with God. When we attempt to insert our own melody into God's divine symphony, we create disharmony that affects everything around us.We journey through Scripture to witness both the beauty of God's perfect creation and the devastating ripple effects that occurred when sin introduced discord into His flawless orchestration.From Solomon's gradual compromise that began with a single foreign wife and ended with a heart turned from God, to the Israelites' failure to completely drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, we see a consistent pattern: small compromises justified over time lead to major departures from God's melody. These Biblical examples serve as sobering reminders that harmony requires complete obedience, not partial compliance.The body of Christ faces these same challenges today. When believers attempt to function outside their God-given purpose—like a foot trying to be a hand or an ear wanting to be an eye—they create spiritual "tumors" that make the entire body appear dysfunctional. These members operate with herky-jerky movements that don't align with the rhythm God has established.The good news? Reconciliation is possible. Even though one man's disobedience brought discord to all creation, one Man's perfect obedience makes harmony possible again. Through Christ, we can return to the melody God intended for us. This requires honest self-examination and the courage to cut off those things in our lives that create dissonance with the God we claim to serve."Message Our Father's Heart a Question or Response"Support the showThank you so much for listening and sharing with others! We would very much appreciate you continuing to FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE, and LIKE us through any of the following platforms:Substack: htt​ps://ourfathersheart.substack.com/Website: ourfathersheart.orgPodcast: https://ourfathersheart.buzzsprout.com/shareTwitter: https://twitter.com/@ofathersheart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ofathersheartYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ourfathersheartMay God bless you and make you prosperous in Him as you listen and obey His voice!

When we experience failure that leads to shame and regret, it can be tempting to find our identity in our past mistakes. However, God's love invites us to live free from shame and regret, even when our hearts condemn us. Through Christ, we find confidence before God, not by our perfection, but by His grace and finished work.--Sermon by Pastor Nate Click--New to Heritage? Want to get more involved? Looking for a Group or Ministry Team? Let us know at https://heritage.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/6/responses/new--Stay Connected:Website: http://www.hbcmonroe.orgHeritage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeritageBaptistChurchMonroe

In this sermon from Ephesians 3, the pastor explores Paul's discussion of his calling and the stewardship of God's mystery. The mystery refers to how Gentiles can come to God through Jesus without becoming Jews first. The sermon emphasizes how believers demonstrate God's wisdom to spiritual authorities in heavenly realms through their lives and choices, even though they cannot see this realm. The pastor explains that God's purpose in creating humans in His image was to have beings who would freely choose to love Him. Through Christ, believers have been restored to a position where they can demonstrate God's wisdom and glory in the spiritual realm through their faith and actions, even when no one else can see. Key Verses Ephesians 3:7-8 Ephesians 3:10-12 Romans 8 Acts 19:15

Through Christ, the distorted image of God in us is fully restored! We were created in His image, but sin separated us. Now, through the finished work of Jesus, we are separated from sin and set apart for His glory. When we war, we don't fight from an earthly position but from a heavenly one, where victory has already been won. What we bind on Earth is already bound in Heaven, and what we loose is already loosed. Let's walk in this divine authority, radiating His holiness and presence everywhere we go.  

On this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect on the true meaning of this solemn holiday—not just a day of rest and recreation, but a time to remember and honor the men and women who laid down their lives in service to our country. Lynette Kittle takes us back to the origins of Memorial Day, offering historical perspective and spiritual comfort for those grieving their loss. Through Scripture and prayer, we are reminded that while their sacrifice brings sorrow, it also points to the ultimate hope we have in Christ. Themes Explored: The history and purpose of Memorial Day Honoring military sacrifice with reverence and gratitude The eternal hope for those who die in Christ Comfort for grieving families The call to remember freedom's cost Scripture Reference John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

In this week's message, Pastor John Durham closes out our Whole Heart series by unpacking Haggai 2:20–23. He reminds us that God will shake all that is temporary in order to establish what is eternal. Through Christ, we receive an unshakable Kingdom, and even what feels lost or broken can be fully restored. God is not finished.

Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla – May 26, 2025“Keeping Sacred Promises” – Ecclesiastes 5:4–7 (ESV)In this devotion, Pastor Balla reflects on the seriousness of making and keeping vows before God. Solomon warns that promises made to the Lord are sacred and must not be taken lightly. “It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”We live in a culture where promises are easily broken, yet our God is faithful. His Word never fails. As believers, we are called to reflect His integrity—whether in marriage, Baptismal sponsorship, ordination, or personal commitments.Through Christ, we find both forgiveness for our failures and strength to keep the vows we make. His promises are sure, and in Him, we find grace to live faithfully.Join Pastor Balla as he teaches the importance of honoring sacred promises with reverence, faith, and truth.#DailyDevotion #PastorBalla #Ecclesiastes #ChristianIntegrity #GodsPromises #Faithfulness #VowsBeforeGod #LutheranDevotion

Redeemed for Power is a bold and timely message that reminds us: redemption didn't just save us from sin—it empowered us for spiritual authority. Through Christ, we've been transferred from the kingdom of darkness and commissioned with divine purpose. As redeemed people, we don't walk in fear or defeat—we walk in the same power that raised Jesus from the grave.This message will challenge and equip you to live with confidence, carry Kingdom authority, and take action in your faith. You weren't just rescued—you were authorized.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chron 5; Ps 99; Rom 3 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode for May 22nd, 2025, your host Hunter invites you to join him on day 143 of our journey through the Bible. Together, we'll read from 1 Kings chapter 8, 2 Chronicles chapter 5, Psalm 99, and Romans chapter 3, exploring pivotal moments such as the dedication of Solomon's Temple and Paul's reflections on faith, righteousness, and grace. Hunter guides us through these passages, highlighting the incredible fulfillment of God's promises, the presence of God among His people, and the invitation to all—no matter where you're from—to walk in faith. We'll reflect on our deep need for a champion to fulfill righteousness, culminating in the good news that Christ alone has overcome sin, death, and the grave on our behalf. As always, the episode closes with a time of prayer, reflection, and a reminder of the transforming power of God's love. Whether you're listening from nearby or halfway across the world, we're so glad you're here. Let's continue this journey together—one day, one reading, and one prayer at a time! TODAY'S DEVOTION: He is our champion, our deliverer from sin and death. As we listen to the scriptures today—from the dedication of Solomon's temple to the prayerful cries of the psalmist, and the honest reckoning in Romans—we're reminded that at the heart of the story is a deep human need: we are all lawbreakers, unable to fulfill righteousness on our own. No matter how many sacrifices are offered or prayers are spoken, all fall short, and the law serves as a mirror, showing us our inability to save ourselves. But God does not leave us in that helpless place. The gospel, as Paul teaches, is that God himself has come to meet us in our unrighteousness—not to condemn, but to save. Jesus, our champion, has stepped into the darkness, into sin and even into death, taking upon himself what we could never bear or fix. In sharing our flesh and blood, he has defeated the power of death and the evil one, offering freedom to all who were enslaved by fear and shame. Through Christ, God's promise is fulfilled. The righteousness we could never achieve is given as a gift, and the faith that unites us to him draws us into his victory and life. Now, the invitation is this: to say yes, to wake up to this new reality that is ours in Christ. We do not strive to make ourselves worthy. We rest in the finished work of Jesus, receiving his mercy, walking forward in the freedom and joy he has won, and letting his life be our own. No longer do we try to earn acceptance, but we accept his love, knowing he is our champion, the fulfillment of all God's promises. That is a prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord of life, you have awakened me again to the gift of this day. You go before me, walk beside me, and dwell within me. Let me walk slowly in your presence. May I resist the hurried spirit of this world and instead breathe deep of your peace. Open my eyes to beauty, my ears to your voice, and my heart to the quiet work of grace. Help me not to strive, but to abide, not to achieve, but to receive. Today, let my words carry your kindness. My actions reflect your mercy. My thoughts be anchored in your truth, that I am yours and you are with me. Amen. And now as our lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Send us a textThe concept of atonement sits at the very heart of Christian faith, yet many believers struggle to fully grasp its transformative power. Through Christ's sacrifice, we aren't merely forgiven—we're completely reconciled to God, standing before Him as guiltless and righteous beings.This powerful exploration begins by establishing what true atonement means: being made one with God through faith in Jesus Christ. We examine how Christ's death at Calvary accomplished something extraordinary—securing both reconciliation and justification for those who believe. Through reconciliation, peace is established between God and His people after sin's devastating separation. Through justification, believers are legally declared righteous, with no sin remaining for judgment.Perhaps the most difficult truth for many Christians to accept is that they stand before God as completely sinless creatures. Despite knowing all our failures and transgressions, faith allows us to embrace this extraordinary reality—we are treated by the Father exactly as He treats His own Son.The conversation then shifts to sanctification—that ongoing process of transformation into Christ's image. Unlike justification's one-time declaration, sanctification involves dying daily to self, progressive separation from sin, and growth in holiness. Crucially, this process looks different for each believer, with varying rates of growth and fruit production.Understanding sanctification's individualized nature should fundamentally reshape how believers interact. Since we're all at different stages spiritually, with different struggles and growth rates, judgment must give way to grace. We're called to meet fellow believers where they are, extending the same patience Christ shows us, while still offering gentle accountability when necessary.What would change in your walk with God if you truly believed you stand before Him completely guiltless? How might your relationships with other believers transform if you viewed their struggles through the lens of individualized sanctification? Join us as we unpack these life-changing truths and discover how the atonement of Christ offers both immediate justification and ongoing transformation.Support the show

In a world that often treats faith like a buffet, we might want to skip over topics like hell. But Jesus is clear—hell was never meant for us. You were created for relationship with God, not ruin. Through Christ, heaven isn't just a far-off destination—it's your true home. The invitation is open…will you accept it? Let's learn how to live like citizens of heaven today.   Recorded: Sunday, May 18, 2025

In this episode, Pastor Cindy talks about the importance of rest for the believer. She emphasized that it's not a matter of rest that we strive for on our own. It's about prioritizing our lives with God as the primary focus of our day. He is the one that provides true rest. He knows your schedule. He knows your job. He knows your needs and your wants and He is the only one that can bring to fruition all that you need to accomplish what He has for you to do. Through Christ, we don't strive for rest, we LIVE in it.  Scripture references: Revelation 4, Psalms 127:5, Hebrews 4:11-13, Ezekiel 36:26-27, John 16:13-15, Philippians 4:6-9, John 1:10-14, Ephesians 6:10-13.   Order your copy of Cindy's new book, NEW MOVES OF GOD Check out Cindy's TV show, CINDY STEWART LIVE. You can register for the 6-week, self paced e-course at COMPELLED TO CHANGE.  Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindy@cindy-stewart.com. She'd love to hear from you.  Pastor Cindy's Website  Pastor Cindy's Facebook  Pastor Cindy's Instagram Gathering Website  Gathering Facebook   Check out the other shows from KB PODCAST PRODUCTIONS: THE KINGDOM BRINGER PODCAST with Darin Eubanks Next Level Podcast with Michael McIntyre Super-Natural Living with Beth Packard KINGDOM MASTER MIND PODCAST with Ann McDonald   Podcast music from HOOKSOUNDS.COM    

Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla – May 15, 2025“God's Gift of Simple Pleasures” – Ecclesiastes 2:24–26 (ESV)After exploring the vanity of wealth, toil, and legacy, Solomon reminds us of something profound: the simple joys of eating, drinking, and honest work are gifts from God. In today's devotion, Pastor Balla reflects on Ecclesiastes 2:24–26, pointing us to the quiet blessing of daily life.True joy does not come from striving, but from receiving. The one who pleases God is granted wisdom, knowledge, and joy—not earned, but given. Meanwhile, those who labor apart from faith are left empty, their efforts serving no lasting purpose.Through Christ, even the simplest pleasures are sanctified. Join Pastor Balla and learn how to see life's ordinary moments as signs of your Heavenly Father's extraordinary care.Like, share, and subscribe for thoughtful biblical devotions rooted in the Lutheran confession.#Ecclesiastes #DailyDevotion #PastorBalla #LutheranFaith #GodProvides #SimpleBlessings

Micah Klutinoty in Week 4 of the Set Free series Romans 8:31-39 powerfully proclaims that nothing can separate us from the eternal love of God in Christ Jesus. Throughout this message, we are continually reminded of the unshakable security we as believers have in Christ, grounded in God's unwavering love and sovereign power. Through Christ's death, resurrection, and continual intercession, we are more than conquerors—fully assured that nothing in all creation can separate us from His love.

In this powerful episode, we're reminded that prayer is not about performance—it's about access. Through Jesus, the barrier between God and humanity was torn down. He didn't just point the way; He became the way (John 14:6), restoring the access we lost and giving us a new identity as sons and daughters.Here's what you'll learn:

Texts:  Genesis 5:1-32; Romans 5:12-21   The Generations of Adam (Gen. 5:1-32) God made man and woman after His likeness for His glory. The refrain of each generation ends in universal death: “And he died.” Enoch walked with God by faith and did not face death due to God's grace (Hebrews 11:5-6).   The Regeneration in Christ (Rom. 5:12-21)  Through Adam's sin, death came to all generations. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we can be made alive and justified by His grace to live with Him forever.

Year C – Fourth Sunday in Easter – May 11, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd                 John 10:22-30; Acts 9:36-43   Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen savior, Jesus Christ, who consistently shows us how great God's love is for those we have pushed aside. Amen. *** Earlier this week, at our Tuesday Bible Study, we took a deeper look at this passage we heard today from Acts. It's always fun when a story we may have overlooked surprises us with details that seem to rise to the surface… in a new way. For us, this week… it was this beautiful story about this disciple… Tabitha. She is the only woman in scripture to be specifically named a disciple, even though some translations have converted the word ‘disciple' into ‘woman.' She was, in fact, a named disciple of Jesus. And she cared for those who were vulnerable and marginalized… she cared for them out of her own resources… the widows and the poor. She cared for them with love and offered them dignity in a very practical way… by weaving and sewing their clothes. This is significant. In first-century Rome, a person might only have one or two pieces of clothing at a time, and those pieces likely would have been made for them. So, the making, washing, and repair of clothing – a basic human need – was a serious business in the ancient world. Through giving of her time and skill, Tabitha was able to elevate her community of widows into a community that clearly cared for and supported each other …while surrounded by a society that would sooner have them pushed aside as objects. We are familiar with the social hierarchy of first-century Rome. A widow without a son was at the very bottom… they were the most vulnerable, and it is a recurring theme in scripture and Christian history that we, who follow Christ, must care for them. I have seen many examples of ministries that go above and beyond to care for those who are incredibly vulnerable and in need… the widows of our time. I would say our Parish House is one example of a ministry that goes above and beyond to restore life and dignity to those who are so incredibly vulnerable. And yet… how often do we encounter aid and ministry that assumes the ones being served will always depend on that aid? How often do we evaluate programs… and find that they consider those they serve to be objects of charity, rather than potential agents of ministry? Why do the stories of helping widows tend to fall short of imagining ways for them to become prosperous… or even simply… ways to reduce their vulnerability? You see… I think this was what was so special about the disciple, Tabitha. She understood Jesus' command to love and care for others, especially those who are vulnerable… She understood this to be a mission to not only provide for basic needs but also elevate them and restore their humanity and dignity. She understood the command to love those on the margins as a command to bring those who have been pushed aside… back into the center. This is what Jesus did. Again and again. Jesus healed people by restoring them to their community… and he usually did this by curing the illnesses that kept them apart. This is what Jesus did, he loved people and restored their dignity… and so this is what his disciple, Tabitha, did. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, loves us so deeply that we are more than mere objects of charity. Jesus' love for us is so abundant that we are restored… renewed… and transformed… and commissioned to carry that love forward to others. This kind of love not only sees and cares for the vulnerable on the margins, but it pulls them back into the community and calls them beloved and valuable. *** There is a community of women living near Guatemala City. They are the widows of those men who were disappeared during the great wave of violence and terror that the Guatemalan government perpetrated against the indigenous population in the 1980s. The community is called La Esperanza, which means “hope.” The women came together to offer mutual support and care for each other and their children. They would not accept direct charity, but they did accept funds from a Presbyterian program to build one durable building in the center of their community, which houses a day care center, a preschool, a health clinic, and a weaving cooperative. They have divided the responsibilities necessary for running their community, such as caring for the children, cooking, cleaning, sewing, and weaving clothes for themselves and to sell for income. Some have trained as dental hygienists and nurse practitioners to care for the community's health needs. These women have a dignified life… they were cast aside, but through love and care for each other, the kind of love that comes from Christ, their lives are renewed. *** I imagine that if the disciple, Tabitha, lived today… we might find her in a community like La Esperanza. …we would find her in a community centered around hope. We would find the disciple, Tabitha, where we find other disciples… in places where hope in the risen Christ is transformed into loving action for those in need. The kind of loving action that transforms a person from an object of ministry, into an agent of ministry… Transforming people who have been lifted up into those who can, in turn, lift others. This is the power of Christ's love working through us… through Christ's disciples. And all of this is remarkable… but we haven't even reached the most remarkable part of the story. The disciple, Tabitha, was so important to the community of widows… and so important to the community of Jesus' disciples… that when they sent for Peter after her death, he came immediately. And through Peter… Jesus restored Tabitha, back to life. Because she lived, the community of widows would not be left alone. This story about the disciple, Tabitha, teaches us something about the nature of Jesus… about the nature of God… That God's love for those on the margins is so great, that God will not leave them abandoned. And yet there is more… Because Tabitha lived, the community of widows understood firsthand that with Jesus, death does not have the final say. Reality is no longer bound to life and death, but rather, by Jesus' promise that through him, all things are made new. Those widows in Tabitha's community were no longer beholden to society's vision for them at the bottom of the social hierarchy… they were newly caught up in Christ's vision for them… as valuable, worthy, and beloved. A legacy that was surely carried forward into the community at La Esperanza. Through the resurrection power and love of Christ, we, too, are always being made new… remolded and remade… reminded that we are worthy and beloved. Through Christ's love… we are transformed. Amen.

Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike reflects on Romans 5:20–21 and the overwhelming power of God's grace. Sin is no small thing—it's a devastating problem that touches every part of our lives. But Paul reminds us that God's grace doesn't just meet our sin—it surpasses it. Through Christ, we are not only forgiven but made righteous. No matter how deep the sin, grace goes deeper still. That's the wonder of the gospel.

1 Peter 1: 13-2113 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then.  18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

In 1939, J.R. Tolkin took Robert Dickmans hypothesis one step further in a lecture he delivered titled, On Fairy Stories. In his lecture, Tolkin said the following about fairytales and those who create them: Probably every writer making a secondary world, a fantasy, every sub-creator, wishes in some measure to be a real maker, or hopes that he is drawing on reality: hopes that the peculiar quality of this secondary world (if not all the details) are derived from reality, or are flowing into it. The peculiar quality of the joy in successful Fantasy can thus be explained as a sudden glimpse of the underlying reality or truth. The Gospels contain a fairy-story, or a story of a larger kind, which embraces all the essence of fairy-stories. But this story is supreme, and it is true. Art has been verified. God is the Lord, of angels, and of menand of elves. Legend and History have met and fused.[1] In the Bible, the three great antagonists that we face in our story include the great serpent, the problem of sin, and death (in that order). Satan entered into the Garden as a serpent where the first man and woman enjoyed true love with both God and each other, they were tempted to sin against God by the Serpent. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit that God commanded them not to eat and a curse was pronounced upon all of creation, and ever since that fateful day, sin and death have vandalized the peace we were created to enjoy with God. In the wake of Adam and Eves rebellion and under the shadow of evil and death, God gifted Adam and Eve a promise: The great serpent would one day be destroyed: And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel. (Genesis 3:15) So who or what is the serpent? In The Lord of the Rings, he is the Dark Lord Sauron. In The Wizard of Oz, he is the Wicked Witch of the West. In The Matrix, he is Agent Smith. In The Chronicles of Narnia, he is the White Witch. In Superman, He is Lex Luther. In Star Wars, he is Darth Vader and every evil Sith Lord before and after him. The serpent is Lucifer, the devil, the father of lies, the accuser, and the great dragon. There is another antagonist that is the consequence of our sin and rebellion, and that is death. The word gospel simply means good news, and oh is there good news my dear brothers and sisters! The apostle Paul spoke of it in his epistle to the Romans: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). The gospel of Jesus Christ from Genesis through the last chapter of Revelation has everything that every great story requires, and it is a story that has the power to not only transform, but to save! The gospel of Jesus Christ is supreme because it is indeed true, and it is seen and heard throughout the 23rd Psalm! The Good Shepherd Guides His Sheep through the Valley of Deep Darkness On resurrection Sunday, we looked at the first part of verse 4, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me... Even if your first Sunday at Meadowbrooke was on that day, you should know by now that the Lord of the 23rd Psalm is the Good Shepherd, and His name is Jesus! He is my shepherd; therefore I will not be in need. Why will I not be in need? Well... because He is my bread of life who satisfies my hunger and quenches my thirst (John 6:35)! Why will I not be in need? Well... because He is the Light of the world who lights up the darkness that surrounds me (John 8:12)! Why again will I never ever be in need so long as Jesus is my shepherd? Well... let me tell you: He for me is the resurrection and the life who has promised that not even death can take from me what I already have in Him (John 11:25-26)! Now, just because Jesus is my Shepherd, that does not mean that I am exempt from walking through the valley of the shadow of death. As I said on Easter Sunday, we all must experience the valley of utter darkness that includes suffering, sickness, a broken world, and even death; however, those whose shepherd is Jesus only must walk through it while everyone else must walk in it. For the one who does not know Jesus as the bread of life, the light of the world, and the resurrection of life will never know the kind of hope that transcends the grave. For the one whose shepherd is not Jesus, the grave is deaths victory dance over you, and the news only gets worse beyond the grave. Jesus said, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). Again, to all who would refuse Jesus as the good shepherd, He warned: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7:1314). Jesus is the narrow gate! For those whose shepherd is Jesus, then the valley of the shadow of death is a temporary experience that you are only passing through. Do you know what that means? It means that there is life at the end of the valley! There is a table, and there is oil, and there is a cup placed into your hand dear Christian that is overflowing with His goodness and faithfulness all the days of your life! At that table, we will hold high that cup and toast: Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:55-57). The Good Shepherd Comforts His Sheep with His Rod and Staff What is the significance of Jesus rod and staff? For starters, He is the one leading us through the deep dark valleys on this side of eternity; while in the valley, we have no reason to fear evil because He is with us, and while with us... He is armed with His rod and staff. In their commentary on the Psalms, Josh Smith and Daniel Akin comment: We are going through the deep, dark valleys because our good shepherd is leading us! The dark valley is part of the path of righteousness.[2] Not to belabor the point I made previously, but what does the dark valley include? It includes pain, it includes suffering, it includes disease, it includes achy joints, it includes persecution, and it even includes death! After all, Jesus did say: In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33b). You may be saying in response to this: Pastor Keith, what about what Jesus said in John 10:10? Here is what Jesus said: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. The thief is anything or anyone that promises to give you what only Jesus is able to give, and the abundant life is a life with Jesus. Now, what about the rod and staff? Why not just the rod or only the staff? Why both? The rod was typically used as offensive weapon against any predator that would threaten the sheep from the outside while the staff was used to direct, round up, and pull in the sheep. While the rod is used to protect the sheep from enemies, the staff is used to protect the sheep from themselves. Jesus guides me with His staff, and as He does, He leads me through the valley to the table where He has prepared a feast for me. Because it is Jesus who carries the rod and the staff, I can be confident that Jesus will lead me to where I need to go, or as the apostle Paul put it: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6), and He will use His rod and staff to do it. Or as one person wrote: Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is no emaciated weakling. Our Shepherd is a warrior, as shepherds had to be. No one can snatch his sheep out of his hand (John 10:28). The muscles of his arm are flexed to defend his flock; he doesnt carry a club for nothing. He is obviously enough for whatever the valley throws at us.[3] What is the point of verse 4? Here is the point: If Jesus is my shepherd, then even in the darkest moments of life I have all that I need because I have Him. Or, as the modern hymn, Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me, so adequately and helpfully states: The night is dark, but I am not forsakenFor by my side, the Savior, He will stayI labor on in weakness and rejoicingFor in my need, His power is displayed To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend meThrough the deepest valley, He will leadOh, the night has been won, and I shall overcomeYet not I, but through Christ in me The Good Shepherd Prepares a Feast for His Sheep in the Presence of Their Enemies So, where is He leading me? Where is He leading you dear Christian? What is waiting for me, and what is waiting for all who are being led by the Good Shepherd? A table that has been prepared by Jesus is what is waiting for His sheep. What is on that table? A feast is what is on that table! What is the meaning of this feast that He has prepared? It is a testament, it is proof, and it is a witness to Gods favor upon His sheep. This, my friend, is the abundant life Jesus provides! Again, another set of verses from Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me rings true! No fate I dread, I know I am forgivenThe future's sure, the price, it has been paidFor Jesus bled and suffered for my pardonAnd He was raised to overthrow the grave To this I hold, my sin has been defeatedJesus, now and ever is my pleaOh, the chains are released, I can sing, "I am free"Yet not I, but through Christ in me Where is the table set for His redeemed to feast? It is set in the place that my enemies are made to watch and not permitted to touch, take, or taunt because of the One who has prepared the table for me. But do not miss that before my enemies and yours, He has anointed us with oil and placed a cup in each of our hands! Besides the fact that in the dry and hot climate of the valley, oil would be used to sooth the skin and wine would be consumed to clear the throat. However, there is more to the oil and the cup! The imagery of oil and wine in the Bible speak of joy and prosperity. Conclusion When I think of the table in Psalm 23:5, I cannot help but think of three feasts mentioned in the Bible. The first happened while the Hebrew people were surrounded by Egypt under the bondage of Pharoh. On the eve of their deliverance they marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb with no defects and feasted on that lamb. After they feasted, God delivered the Hebrews from the bondage of slavery and defeated Pharoh and his army, and then they sang a song known as, The Song of Moses that included this verse: The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him... (Exod. 15:2), and concludes with these words: The Lord shall reign forever and ever (15:18). The second feast is the one Jesus celebrated with His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion and death. Like Moses and the Hebrews before, Jesus and His disciples sat at a table to the feast of the Passover. During the meal, Jesus and his disciples no doubt recited or even sang the Song of Moses: The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation... There were four cups that the disciples drank from during the Passover which were, The cup of sanctification (holiness) to start the celebration and a reminder of the holiness of God. The cup of salvation (deliverance) symbolizing Gods deliverance which was drunk after the retelling of the Exodus story. The cup of redemption (blessing), which was drunk after the meal which represented Gods act of redeeming Israel. The cup of glory (praise) which was drunk at the very end representing the future redemption and coming of the Messiah. It was this cup that Jesus said, Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.... I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Fathers kingdom (Matt. 26:26-29). After that feast, Jesus atoned for sin on the cross and then defeated the curse of sin and death by rising on the third day. Just before He died on the cross, He declared: It is finished (John 19:30)! The third feast has not happened yet, and we learn of it in Revelation 19:7-10; it is the Marriage feast we will celebrate with Jesus as His Bride. I believe that at this coming feast Jesus will pick up the fourth cup and drink it with us. Do you know what will come after that feast? The defeat of the nations gathered against Jesus and the final defeat of Satan. According to Revelation 15, do you know what song all of heaven will sing on that day? Here is what we are told: And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed. (Rev. 15:34) So, can you guess what comes after the banquet prepared before His people in the presence of our enemies in Psalm 23:5? You guessed it! What comes after is the triumph of the Lamb of God over all that stands against those whom He has redeemed! [1] J. R. R. Tolkien. On Fairy Stories (1939). [2] J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 150, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2022), 175. [3] David Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023), 90.

In 1939, J.R. Tolkin took Robert Dickmans hypothesis one step further in a lecture he delivered titled, On Fairy Stories. In his lecture, Tolkin said the following about fairytales and those who create them: Probably every writer making a secondary world, a fantasy, every sub-creator, wishes in some measure to be a real maker, or hopes that he is drawing on reality: hopes that the peculiar quality of this secondary world (if not all the details) are derived from reality, or are flowing into it. The peculiar quality of the joy in successful Fantasy can thus be explained as a sudden glimpse of the underlying reality or truth. The Gospels contain a fairy-story, or a story of a larger kind, which embraces all the essence of fairy-stories. But this story is supreme, and it is true. Art has been verified. God is the Lord, of angels, and of menand of elves. Legend and History have met and fused.[1] In the Bible, the three great antagonists that we face in our story include the great serpent, the problem of sin, and death (in that order). Satan entered into the Garden as a serpent where the first man and woman enjoyed true love with both God and each other, they were tempted to sin against God by the Serpent. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit that God commanded them not to eat and a curse was pronounced upon all of creation, and ever since that fateful day, sin and death have vandalized the peace we were created to enjoy with God. In the wake of Adam and Eves rebellion and under the shadow of evil and death, God gifted Adam and Eve a promise: The great serpent would one day be destroyed: And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel. (Genesis 3:15) So who or what is the serpent? In The Lord of the Rings, he is the Dark Lord Sauron. In The Wizard of Oz, he is the Wicked Witch of the West. In The Matrix, he is Agent Smith. In The Chronicles of Narnia, he is the White Witch. In Superman, He is Lex Luther. In Star Wars, he is Darth Vader and every evil Sith Lord before and after him. The serpent is Lucifer, the devil, the father of lies, the accuser, and the great dragon. There is another antagonist that is the consequence of our sin and rebellion, and that is death. The word gospel simply means good news, and oh is there good news my dear brothers and sisters! The apostle Paul spoke of it in his epistle to the Romans: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). The gospel of Jesus Christ from Genesis through the last chapter of Revelation has everything that every great story requires, and it is a story that has the power to not only transform, but to save! The gospel of Jesus Christ is supreme because it is indeed true, and it is seen and heard throughout the 23rd Psalm! The Good Shepherd Guides His Sheep through the Valley of Deep Darkness On resurrection Sunday, we looked at the first part of verse 4, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me... Even if your first Sunday at Meadowbrooke was on that day, you should know by now that the Lord of the 23rd Psalm is the Good Shepherd, and His name is Jesus! He is my shepherd; therefore I will not be in need. Why will I not be in need? Well... because He is my bread of life who satisfies my hunger and quenches my thirst (John 6:35)! Why will I not be in need? Well... because He is the Light of the world who lights up the darkness that surrounds me (John 8:12)! Why again will I never ever be in need so long as Jesus is my shepherd? Well... let me tell you: He for me is the resurrection and the life who has promised that not even death can take from me what I already have in Him (John 11:25-26)! Now, just because Jesus is my Shepherd, that does not mean that I am exempt from walking through the valley of the shadow of death. As I said on Easter Sunday, we all must experience the valley of utter darkness that includes suffering, sickness, a broken world, and even death; however, those whose shepherd is Jesus only must walk through it while everyone else must walk in it. For the one who does not know Jesus as the bread of life, the light of the world, and the resurrection of life will never know the kind of hope that transcends the grave. For the one whose shepherd is not Jesus, the grave is deaths victory dance over you, and the news only gets worse beyond the grave. Jesus said, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). Again, to all who would refuse Jesus as the good shepherd, He warned: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7:1314). Jesus is the narrow gate! For those whose shepherd is Jesus, then the valley of the shadow of death is a temporary experience that you are only passing through. Do you know what that means? It means that there is life at the end of the valley! There is a table, and there is oil, and there is a cup placed into your hand dear Christian that is overflowing with His goodness and faithfulness all the days of your life! At that table, we will hold high that cup and toast: Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:55-57). The Good Shepherd Comforts His Sheep with His Rod and Staff What is the significance of Jesus rod and staff? For starters, He is the one leading us through the deep dark valleys on this side of eternity; while in the valley, we have no reason to fear evil because He is with us, and while with us... He is armed with His rod and staff. In their commentary on the Psalms, Josh Smith and Daniel Akin comment: We are going through the deep, dark valleys because our good shepherd is leading us! The dark valley is part of the path of righteousness.[2] Not to belabor the point I made previously, but what does the dark valley include? It includes pain, it includes suffering, it includes disease, it includes achy joints, it includes persecution, and it even includes death! After all, Jesus did say: In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33b). You may be saying in response to this: Pastor Keith, what about what Jesus said in John 10:10? Here is what Jesus said: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. The thief is anything or anyone that promises to give you what only Jesus is able to give, and the abundant life is a life with Jesus. Now, what about the rod and staff? Why not just the rod or only the staff? Why both? The rod was typically used as offensive weapon against any predator that would threaten the sheep from the outside while the staff was used to direct, round up, and pull in the sheep. While the rod is used to protect the sheep from enemies, the staff is used to protect the sheep from themselves. Jesus guides me with His staff, and as He does, He leads me through the valley to the table where He has prepared a feast for me. Because it is Jesus who carries the rod and the staff, I can be confident that Jesus will lead me to where I need to go, or as the apostle Paul put it: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6), and He will use His rod and staff to do it. Or as one person wrote: Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is no emaciated weakling. Our Shepherd is a warrior, as shepherds had to be. No one can snatch his sheep out of his hand (John 10:28). The muscles of his arm are flexed to defend his flock; he doesnt carry a club for nothing. He is obviously enough for whatever the valley throws at us.[3] What is the point of verse 4? Here is the point: If Jesus is my shepherd, then even in the darkest moments of life I have all that I need because I have Him. Or, as the modern hymn, Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me, so adequately and helpfully states: The night is dark, but I am not forsakenFor by my side, the Savior, He will stayI labor on in weakness and rejoicingFor in my need, His power is displayed To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend meThrough the deepest valley, He will leadOh, the night has been won, and I shall overcomeYet not I, but through Christ in me The Good Shepherd Prepares a Feast for His Sheep in the Presence of Their Enemies So, where is He leading me? Where is He leading you dear Christian? What is waiting for me, and what is waiting for all who are being led by the Good Shepherd? A table that has been prepared by Jesus is what is waiting for His sheep. What is on that table? A feast is what is on that table! What is the meaning of this feast that He has prepared? It is a testament, it is proof, and it is a witness to Gods favor upon His sheep. This, my friend, is the abundant life Jesus provides! Again, another set of verses from Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me rings true! No fate I dread, I know I am forgivenThe future's sure, the price, it has been paidFor Jesus bled and suffered for my pardonAnd He was raised to overthrow the grave To this I hold, my sin has been defeatedJesus, now and ever is my pleaOh, the chains are released, I can sing, "I am free"Yet not I, but through Christ in me Where is the table set for His redeemed to feast? It is set in the place that my enemies are made to watch and not permitted to touch, take, or taunt because of the One who has prepared the table for me. But do not miss that before my enemies and yours, He has anointed us with oil and placed a cup in each of our hands! Besides the fact that in the dry and hot climate of the valley, oil would be used to sooth the skin and wine would be consumed to clear the throat. However, there is more to the oil and the cup! The imagery of oil and wine in the Bible speak of joy and prosperity. Conclusion When I think of the table in Psalm 23:5, I cannot help but think of three feasts mentioned in the Bible. The first happened while the Hebrew people were surrounded by Egypt under the bondage of Pharoh. On the eve of their deliverance they marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb with no defects and feasted on that lamb. After they feasted, God delivered the Hebrews from the bondage of slavery and defeated Pharoh and his army, and then they sang a song known as, The Song of Moses that included this verse: The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him... (Exod. 15:2), and concludes with these words: The Lord shall reign forever and ever (15:18). The second feast is the one Jesus celebrated with His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion and death. Like Moses and the Hebrews before, Jesus and His disciples sat at a table to the feast of the Passover. During the meal, Jesus and his disciples no doubt recited or even sang the Song of Moses: The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation... There were four cups that the disciples drank from during the Passover which were, The cup of sanctification (holiness) to start the celebration and a reminder of the holiness of God. The cup of salvation (deliverance) symbolizing Gods deliverance which was drunk after the retelling of the Exodus story. The cup of redemption (blessing), which was drunk after the meal which represented Gods act of redeeming Israel. The cup of glory (praise) which was drunk at the very end representing the future redemption and coming of the Messiah. It was this cup that Jesus said, Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.... I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Fathers kingdom (Matt. 26:26-29). After that feast, Jesus atoned for sin on the cross and then defeated the curse of sin and death by rising on the third day. Just before He died on the cross, He declared: It is finished (John 19:30)! The third feast has not happened yet, and we learn of it in Revelation 19:7-10; it is the Marriage feast we will celebrate with Jesus as His Bride. I believe that at this coming feast Jesus will pick up the fourth cup and drink it with us. Do you know what will come after that feast? The defeat of the nations gathered against Jesus and the final defeat of Satan. According to Revelation 15, do you know what song all of heaven will sing on that day? Here is what we are told: And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed. (Rev. 15:34) So, can you guess what comes after the banquet prepared before His people in the presence of our enemies in Psalm 23:5? You guessed it! What comes after is the triumph of the Lamb of God over all that stands against those whom He has redeemed! [1] J. R. R. Tolkien. On Fairy Stories (1939). [2] J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 150, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2022), 175. [3] David Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023), 90.

This sermon from Malachi 1:6–2:9 challenges us to examine whether our worship is wholehearted or half-hearted, like the Israelites who dishonored God by offering second-rate sacrifices. It reminds us that God desires our best—not what's convenient—and that true worship flows from a heart anchored in His love. Through Christ, our Great High Priest, we are called to repent and offer sincere, devoted worship in response to His mercy.

How can you be considered dead to the law while still being alive and breathing? In the ninth episode of "The Cross," Duane Sheriff explains that a transformation occurs during salvation. Believers die to the law and become united with Christ. Through Christ's death and resurrection, they are freed from sin and the law, enabling them to serve God through grace and faith rather than legalistic obedience.In Romans 7, Paul uses the marriage analogy to illustrate our new covenant with Christ. Just as death releases us from the bonds of marriage, Christ's death on the cross has freed us from our 'marriage' to sin and the law. This freedom allows us to be 'married' to Christ and live in a new relationship of grace rather than legalism.Click for FREE offer ➡️https://pastorduane.com/the-cross/

From the sealed tomb to the Risen King, this message explores how Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate reversal of sin, death, shame, and defeat. What seemed final was just the beginning. Through Christ, everything changed.

Sermon Summary:This week, we began our five-week "ROOTED" series by examining the fundamental question of identity: who are we at our core? Drawing from Colossians 2:6-10, we explored how our true identity must be rooted in Christ rather than in conditional identities offered by our culture. Just as olive trees in Gethsemane have extensive root systems that allow them to regenerate even after being cut down, our spiritual lives depend on what lies beneath the surface.We discovered that the identity God gives us is secure and unconditional—we are valuable image-bearers (Genesis 1:26-27), purposeful partners in God's restoration plan, and deeply loved children adopted into God's family (Ephesians 1:4-5). In contrast, our culture bombards us with conditional identities based on performance, appearance, achievements, relationships, or interests. These create deep insecurity because they can be lost at any moment.Throughout Scripture, we see God working to restore our true identity. In Hosea, God transforms people from "Not my loved one" to "My loved one." Through Christ, we experience the ultimate identity transformation from outsiders to insiders, from nobodies to somebodies, from servants to sons and daughters of the King.John Newton's journey from slave trader to abolitionist illustrates how embracing our identity in Christ is sometimes a process rather than an instant change. His story reminds us that our pasts don't determine our identity.To live from this secure identity, we recommended two practical steps: daily Scripture meditation (focusing on verses about our identity in Christ) and community confirmation through Table Groups where others can remind us of who we are when we forget. When we're secure in our God-given identity, we become a church where people don't have to put on a show, where being real isn't scary, and where mistakes don't define us.URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

"Which chair are you sitting in? Friend of God Acquaintance of God Enemy of God Joshua challenged the Israelites to choose whom they would serve. Today, that choice is yours.The Friend's chair offers intimacy, purpose, and divine friendship. The Acquaintance's chair is comfortable but spiritually stagnant. The Enemy's chair leads to separation from God.But here's the good news: Through Christ, you can change chairs!"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8Where will you sit today? The choice is yours, but eternity hangs in the balance.

"Which chair are you sitting in? Friend of God Acquaintance of God Enemy of God Joshua challenged the Israelites to choose whom they would serve. Today, that choice is yours.The Friend's chair offers intimacy, purpose, and divine friendship. The Acquaintance's chair is comfortable but spiritually stagnant. The Enemy's chair leads to separation from God.But here's the good news: Through Christ, you can change chairs!"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8Where will you sit today? The choice is yours, but eternity hangs in the balance.

Send us a textThe ancient pattern of temptation that led to humanity's fall continues to affect us today. Dr. Papa takes us deep into Genesis 3:6, revealing how Eve's three-part temptation—finding the forbidden fruit appealing to her body, emotions, and mind—perfectly parallels the "lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life" described in 1 John 2:16.When Jesus came as the Second Adam, He faced these identical temptations in the wilderness. While Eve questioned and ultimately rejected God's Word, Jesus defended Himself by quoting Scripture—a powerful model for our own spiritual battles. Dr. Papa shares a thought-provoking anecdote about a plantation worker named Moses who, given an easy job with just one restriction, couldn't resist looking inside a forbidden box. This humbling story reminds us that we're likely no better than Adam when facing temptation.The consequences of Adam's sin are catastrophic—we inherit spiritual death, blindness, and bondage. Romans 5:12 tells us both sin and death entered the world through one man's disobedience. Yet there's hope! Through Christ, the Second Adam, we find the path to redemption. By recognizing our sin, repenting, and receiving Jesus as Savior, we experience the transformative power of His perfect obedience. As the Sunday school children affirm: "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Share this episode with someone struggling to understand how ancient spiritual truths still offer hope for today's challenges.Support the showhttps://www.jacksonfamilyministry.comhttps://bobslone.com/home/podcast-production/

The resurrection of Jesus isn't just a moment in history—it's an invitation to transformation. In this powerful Easter message, we unpack Romans 6:4 and the call to newness of life. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we're invited to die to our old ways and truly live—fully alive, fully free, and made new. You must die... So that you can truly live. Then, and only then, you can walk in newness of life. This is the hope of Easter. This is the power of the resurrection.

SERMON SUMMARY:In "The Four Gardens of Easter," we explored how the Easter story unfolds through four significant biblical gardens. We began in Eden, the original garden where humanity fell and was exiled from God's presence. Eden wasn't just a pleasant location—it was a sacred space where heaven and earth overlapped, where humans worked alongside God as gardeners to protect and preserve His creation. When sin entered, that intimate connection was broken, but God immediately planted seeds of restoration through His promise in Genesis 3:15.The second garden, Gethsemane, represents surrender. Here, Jesus reversed Adam's rebellion through submission: "Not my will, but Yours be done." We saw how surrender isn't weakness but wisdom—the pathway to resurrection. In our own lives, Gethsemane moments come when we must choose between our way and God's, ultimately determining who's truly Lord.The third garden is the resurrection garden where Jesus was buried and rose again. Mary mistook Jesus for a gardener—a beautiful mistake, as He truly is the divine Gardener bringing new life from death. The resurrection demonstrates that no situation is beyond God's power to renew. As Romans 6:4 tells us, we're united with Christ in both death and resurrection, walking in "newness of life."Finally, we glimpsed the garden city of Revelation 21-22, where heaven comes to earth. This isn't just a return to Eden but its expansion—a place where nature and culture, wilderness and civilization harmonize perfectly. Through Christ's resurrection, this future has already begun breaking into our present. As we practice noticing signs of new life, embrace the rhythms of death and resurrection, and participate in God's restoration work, we become gardeners of resurrection hope—citizens of the garden city already breaking into our world.

Our world has been experiencing a growing crisis of hope. The future seems uncertain and the present volatile. When you feel hopeless and beaten down by life, Peter reminds us that we have a God who is merciful and sees our helpless state, who has made us alive and has given us a living hope that is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, our eternal future is secured in the vaults of heaven, where it cannot die, fade or be corrupted.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides four transformative benefits for believers. Through Christ's resurrection power, we receive complete forgiveness of sins and freedom from our old nature. This power also gives believers a greater purpose focused on sharing God's message with others. Most importantly, it guarantees eternal life with God, where physical death becomes merely a transition to our heavenly home. This power, demonstrated in miracles like raising Jairus's daughter, continues to transform lives today through faith in Jesus.

Sin is real, but so is the power to overcome it. Through Christ's resurrection, we're no longer slaves to sin. Surrender to God, receive His Spirit, and live free. This was first aired on Radio HCI Today via the WeLove Radio App.

Through Christ's righteousness, we are called to joy and freedom. Subscribe to daily devotions e-mails: https://wcm.link/ddsub

In this message, Pastor Mark Butler walks through the events and meaning of the crucifixion of Jesus, highlighting the significance of each statement Jesus made on the cross. He emphasizes that the death of Jesus was not an accident but a deliberate act of obedience to God's plan of redemption. Pastor Mark reflects on Jesus' forgiveness, compassion, and complete fulfillment of prophecy even in the midst of His suffering. He encourages believers to bring others to the cross, not only to receive salvation but to experience the depth of God's love, grace, and purpose. Through Christ's victory, we have forgiveness, assurance, and the power to live a transformed life.

Today we started reading the Gospel of John and saw how Jesus called his first followers.  It is evident Jesus made an immediate impact on those who met up with him starting from when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. John's Gospel, the last one to be written, in several parts fills in the gaps left by the first 3 Gospels.  Of course some parts overlap; taken together they provide us with a multi-dimensional picture of the life on earth of the Son of God.  As the personality of Jesus opens out to us, we see the impact he made on individuals and we see why even those sent to arrest him said, in excuse of their failure, “No one ever spoke like this man.” [7 v.46]When John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God” [1 v.36] it caused at least two to follow Jesus.  Seeing them follow Jesus perceived their character, but he also knew his Father was at work in causing this.  At the climax of his ministry he would say in prayer, “I kept them in your name, which you have given me.  I have guarded them, and not one of them is lost except the son of destruction” [17 v.12]   Judas failed to “see” who Jesus really was.In today's chapter we read how Philip told his friend Nathaniel, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also in the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth …” [v.45]  So they knew their Bible!  Nathaniel questions, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, ‘Come and see'”We cannot go and see Jesus physically (not yet!) but we can ‘Come' to God's word and after careful examination ‘See' what it really means, comparing scripture with scripture: only God's word gives us the real reason for being alive – and, wonderfully, gives us a real hope for the future.An interesting example of what God's word “inspires” us to do is in today's chapter in the book of Numbers.  We are not living under Moses' law with all its system of offerings, but we can take the lesson that “day by day … you shall offer in the morning and … you shall offer at twilight …” [28 v.3,4]Today, God fearing people should, says Paul in the letter to the Hebrews, “Through (Christ) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” [13 v.15]  Do your lips bear such fruit?  Have you “come” to “see” what “the Lamb of God” means in your life? Do you offer praise as a result? The older we get the more fully we should be able to “see” this.

April 6th, 2025 | Jesus is...Sufficient | Hebrews 10:1-18In this week's episode, Pastor Todd Kaunitz continues the series by exploring Hebrews 10:1-18, where we learn the profound truth that Jesus is Sufficient. Pastor Todd walks us through the rich contrasts between the Old Testament sacrificial system and the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. In Hebrews 10, we discover that while the Old Testament sacrifices were a shadow pointing to something greater, Jesus is the substance—completely sufficient to forgive, transform, and secure us eternally.Pastor Todd highlights how Jesus' death and resurrection were not just historical events but the full and final solution to the problem of sin. Through Christ, we are fully forgiven, inwardly transformed, and eternally secure in God's grace. In this episode, you'll be encouraged to rest in the sufficiency of Jesus and understand how His sacrifice is more than enough to give us peace with God, transform our hearts, and ensure our salvation.Tune in to be reminded that, because of Jesus, we have everything we need—His love, power, wisdom, mercy, righteousness, grace, and goodness. Jesus is sufficient in every way, and His finished work is all we need for salvation, rest, and worship.Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need PRAYER? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support through GIVING: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbbctx.org/giving⁠

While we live as exiles in a foreign land, God does not intend for us to do so alone. Through Christ's work, God is forming a new people. In 1 Peter 2:4-10, we see the foundation, identity, and purpose of God's new people.

Our topic for this episode is God's greatest gift to us, grace. I've preached a lot of sermons on grace, I've written a few books on grace, but I never get tired of talking about this gift of being made right with God through his grace. As perfectly summarized in 1 Corinthians 5:18-21, "All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between us and himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with him. God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And he gave us this message of peace. So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is as if God is calling to you through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God." Watch the Ark in the Darkness HERE. Find out more from Hope For The Heart Here. Learn more about The Chosen HERE.