Podcasts about throughout scripture

Spiritual Bypassing: When Christian Faith Is Used to Avoid Feelings, Trauma, and Real Healing What is spiritual bypassing, and how can it affect Christian women struggling with anxiety, trauma, grief, difficult emotions, or painful experiences? Sometimes well-meaning Christians respond to emotional pain with phrases like "count your blessings," "just have faith," "think positive," or "give it to God." Biblical truth matters—but using spiritual language to minimize, avoid, or shut down genuine emotional pain can keep us from addressing what is actually happening. In this episode of Trauma Healing for Christian Women, Michelle Croyle, LPC, EMDR-Certified therapist, explores spiritual bypassing in Christianity and why acknowledging painful emotions does not mean that you are failing spiritually or lacking faith. You can love God deeply and still experience anxiety, grief, anger, fear, hurt, exhaustion, or the effects of trauma. In This Episode, You'll Learn What spiritual bypassing is and what it can look like in Christian life How spiritual language can sometimes be used to minimize emotional pain Why experiencing anxiety or difficult emotions doesn't automatically mean you lack faith The difference between acknowledging your emotions and allowing your emotions to control you How trauma and a lack of felt safety can affect the nervous system Why "count your blessings" isn't always what a hurting person needs How spiritual bypassing can happen within relationships and church culture Why healthy boundaries and acknowledging when something hurt can be important How Christian faith and emotional honesty can exist together Why healing doesn't require pretending everything is fine Jesus did not ignore human suffering. He wept. He cared for people's physical and emotional needs. Throughout Scripture, we see people bringing grief, fear, pain, questions, and distress honestly before God. Faith doesn't require pretending. You can acknowledge, "This hurt me," "I'm grieving," "I'm angry," "I'm afraid," or "I need help," while still trusting God. Sometimes healing begins when we stop trying to put a spiritual bandage over a wound and allow ourselves to acknowledge what is actually there. Christian Trauma Therapy & EMDR Therapy in Pennsylvania THERAPY WITH MICHELLE Have you been looking for a Trauma-Informed Therapist who is also a Christian?  Do you want to honor your faith even in your therapy?  Would you love to incorporate deep healing in a way that aligns with God's Word and evidence-based treatments for trauma healing?   I offer THERAPY INTENSIVES which help you to go deeper and with faster results than weekly therapy can provide.  Learn more at: www.emdrpittsburgh.com. For a Free Consultation Call:   If you would like to see about working with me in an EMDR Intensive, you can schedule a free 15 minute consultation call so that we can get to know each other and see if I am a good match for your therapy needs.  Go to www.calendly.com/michellecroyle to connect with me.   FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: Join our free Facebook Community For Encouragement and Support: CLICK HERE   FREE RESOURCE: If this episode resonated, you might be interested in my free resource.   I created a free, faith-honoring guide that gently explains how healing happens in the body and why you're not failing.  Free Trauma Healing Resource Guide *All content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered professional counseling.  If you need professional therapy, please seek it out, and if you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services near you.

As we begin our new series, Pieces, we are shining light on the spiritual war we are in. For the child of God, arrows will be fired at you with an attempt to shatter your faith and get you to compromise who and what you trust. We are not fighting for victory. We are fighting from it. But what happens when the faith that was once so strong becomes tested, shattered, and broken?Through the story of his family, Pastor Brian shares what it looks like when the same people, with the same faith and the same God, experience two totally different outcomes. When God performs the way we want Him to, it can be easy to celebrate His faithfulness. But when He doesn't, we may find ourselves asking, “God, what do You want to do with my faith when it's shattered? What can You do with my brokenness?” Throughout Scripture, we see what God does with broken pieces. He restores and reassembles what has been broken. He re-members what has been dismembered. God loves to put broken things back together. Whatever you are carrying, bring what is being done in darkness into the light. Be bold in your brokenness and trust the only One who can put the pieces back together.Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/Nmp7CJFyvtsSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zkLearn more about us at chestnutmountain.orgFollow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

Yom Teruah is more than the sounding of a trumpet - it is a Kingdom alarm that demands a response.In this live Zoom teaching, Dr. Kenny Russell examines the biblical meaning of teruah and the urgent call behind the sound. Throughout Scripture, the trumpet communicated that it was time to awaken, assemble, prepare for battle, or move into an appointed position.The King is calling His people into position.But how do we identify our position within the purposes of the Kingdom?Our focus cannot remain centered upon ourselves—our needs, our personal advancement, or even our individual spiritual growth. These things have their place, but the Gospel of the Kingdom calls us into something greater than ourselves.The spring feasts establish the foundation of redemption and our personal response to the work of YeHoVaH. As we enter the fall feasts, however, our attention is drawn towards the corporate and national calling of Israel.Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot reveal YeHoVaH's dealings with His covenant people and His unfolding purpose for Israel and the nations.What does it truly mean to be Israel?Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, and a light to the nations. We have not been called merely to receive personal blessing - we have been called to serve the greater purposes of the King.The sound of teruah asks us:Where is the King calling us to stand?What is our Kingdom assignment?Are we serving His purpose or remaining focused upon ourselves?Are we proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom?The alarm is sounding in Zion.Awaken. Assemble. Repent. Prepare. Take your position. The King is coming.Key ScripturesLeviticus 23:23–25Numbers 10:1–10Exodus 19:5–6Joel 2:1, 12–17Psalm 47:1–9Matthew 4:171 Thessalonians 4:16–17Join us as we return to the Scriptures and rediscover the Gospel of the Kingdom from Israel to the nations.BulldozerFaith™ — The Gospel from Genesis to Revelation: From Religion to Relationship

Verse 4 says: “But you, brethren, are notin darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” Notice againthe contrast. In verse 3 Paul spoke about “they” and “them.” Nowhe says: “But you, brethren.” Why is there a difference? Becausebelievers belong to Christ. Paulsays in verse 5: “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are notof the night nor of darkness.” Throughout Scripture, light and darkness arepictures of two completely different spiritual conditions. Darkness representssin, ignorance, and separation from God. Light represents truth, holiness, andlife in Christ. Jesus said in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Hewho follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Whenwe trusted Jesus Christ, we were brought out of spiritual darkness and into Hiswonderful light. Peter described believers as those whom God has called “outof darkness into His marvelous light.” SoPaul says: “You are children of light.” That tells us who we are. Andthen verse 6 tells us how we should live: “Therefore let us not sleep, asothers do, but let us watch and be sober.” In this verse, sleep is notreferring to physical death as it did in chapter 4. Here sleep picturesspiritual carelessness and indifference. Paul says, “Don't live as thoughnothing important is happening.” Wake up spiritually. That is a messageChristians need in every generation. It is possible to know Christ and stillbecome spiritually sleepy. We can become comfortable. We can lose our sense ofurgency. Our prayer life can become routine. Our Bible reading can becomemechanical. We can become so occupied with this present world that we forgetJesus is coming again. Paulsays: “Let us watch.” To watch means to stay spiritually alert. Jesusrepeatedly used the same word when speaking about His return. He said: “Watchtherefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Watchingdoesn't mean standing outside staring into the sky. Watching means living everyday in readiness. It means keeping short accounts with God. It means staying inHis Word. It means maintaining a faithful prayer life. It means using ouropportunities to serve Christ. It means refusing to become comfortable withsin. ThenPaul says: “And be sober.” The idea is being clear-minded, disciplined,and spiritually self-controlled. A sober Christian sees life from God'sperspective. The world says, “This life is all there is.” The Christian says,“Eternity is coming.” The world says, “Live for yourself.” The Christian says,“I belong to Christ.” The world says, “Gather everything you can here.” Jesussays, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Being a child of lightshould make a difference in how we live. Ephesians 5:8 says: “For you wereonce darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” NoticePaul doesn't say we merely have light. He says we are children of light. Ouridentity should affect our conduct. Sometimes we approach the Christian life bysaying, “Here is a long list of things I shouldn't do.” But Paul startssomewhere deeper. He reminds us who we are. You belong to Jesus. You are achild of God. You are a child of light. Therefore, live like who you are. Maybetoday would be a good time for a spiritual wake-up call. Has something causedyou to become spiritually sleepy? Have you lost some of the excitement you oncehad about serving the Lord? Have the things of this world crowded out yourawareness of eternity? Heavenly Father, thank You that through Jesus Christ You have brought usout of darkness and into Your marvelous light. Help us to remember who weare—children of light and children of the day. Guard us from becomingspiritually sleepy or careless. Wake our hearts to the reality of eternity.Help us to watch, to be sober, and to live every day in fellowship with You.May the light of Jesus shine through our lives so that others may see Him inus. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The heart of this message centers on one simple request that carries a powerful challenge: “Sir, we would see Jesus.”Pastor Tommy Boring reminds us that people today are still looking for Jesus, and God has called His people to help them see Him. In John 12, certain Greeks came to Jerusalem to worship and approached Philip with a desire to see Jesus. Their request set the stage for Jesus to speak about His coming death, resurrection, and the purpose for which He came. Throughout Scripture, we see people who were determined to find Jesus. David thirsted for God's presence, Zacchaeus climbed a tree because he wanted to see Jesus, the wise men traveled from afar to worship Him, and Philip told Nathanael, “Come and see.” Someone had to tell those Greeks that Jesus was there. The same is true today. Someone must tell people about Jesus and give them a reason to seek Him. Pastor Boring points to the many people in Scripture whose lives had been changed by Jesus. The woman at the well invited others to “come, see.” The man born blind could testify, “Whereas I was blind, now I see.” The leper who was cleansed, the woman who was healed after touching Jesus' garment, Zacchaeus, and the man at Bethesda all had something to say because they had encountered Jesus. Philip and Andrew could not save the Greeks themselves, but they could bring them to Jesus. That is also our responsibility. We cannot save anyone, but we can point people to the One who can. When people get close to Jesus, they hear Him through His Word and feel the drawing of the Holy Spirit. The goal is not simply to come to church, get refreshed, and leave unchanged. We are called to take what God gives us into the highways and hedges and let others know how wonderful Jesus is. In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, instability, and confusion, people need to see something real. They need to see Christians whose lives point to Jesus. The question is not only whether we know Jesus, but whether others can see Jesus in us. What do people see when they look at our lives? Do they see worry, anger, compromise, and the ways of the world? Or do they see the joy, peace, love, holiness, and faithfulness of someone who knows Jesus? The Great Commission is built on the truth that disciples make disciples. We are not called to simply sit in the house of God. We are called to go into the field and work. Someone may be watching your life and wondering if Jesus is real. Your testimony, your worship, your kindness, your faithfulness, and your willingness to speak about Christ may be what ignites a desire in someone else to say, “I want to see Jesus.” Pastor Boring challenges every believer to live so that others can find their way to Christ. May our lives lift Jesus up so clearly that people around us will want to know the Savior we know. “Sir, we would see Jesus.”

What if the wilderness isn't just the place between where you've been and where you're going? In this message, Rose Edwards introduces our journey through the book of Numbers, a book whose Hebrew name comes from its opening words: “In the Wilderness.” Throughout Scripture, the wilderness is often where God forms His people. It's where they learn to trust Him, follow His presence, live together in community, and discover what it truly means to belong to Him. Over the next 13 weeks, we'll journey through Numbers and discover what God can teach us when we find ourselves in the wilderness.

What if your story could become someone else's reason to believe? TESTIFY is a powerful sermon series built around the real-life testimonies of people in our church and the life-changing stories found in the books of John and Mark. Throughout Scripture, we see ordinary people encounter an extraordinary Jesus—and they couldn't stay silent about what He had done. From healing and freedom to forgiveness, restoration, and new life, their encounters became testimonies of God's power. In this series, we'll hear stories from people in our own church family while discovering the stories of Jesus throughout John and Mark. We'll be reminded that a testimony isn't just something that happened back then—it's evidence of what Jesus is still doing right now. You have a story. Jesus has transformed your life. Now it's time to TESTIFY.

There are moments when God whispers an invitation, and there are moments when He sounds an alarm. “Get a grip” is a call to the Body of Christ to awaken from complacency, draw closer to God, and become firmly established in Him.We are living in significant times, and this is not the season for a casual or comfortable relationship with God. The Lord is calling His people deeper—to know His voice, remain anchored in His truth, strengthen our spiritual foundations, and stand firm regardless of what may be happening around us.Galatians 5:1 tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then…” There is an urgency in those words. Freedom has been given to us, but we must choose where we will stand.Throughout Scripture, God warned and prepared His people before significant moments. Noah continued building when others did not understand. Jonah carried a warning to Nineveh. The prophets repeatedly called God's people back to Him. God's warnings were not given to produce fear—they were expressions of His mercy, calling people to prepare, return, and respond.Get a Grip is that kind of message. It is a challenge to examine where we have become spiritually comfortable, distracted, or complacent and to intentionally strengthen our relationship with the Lord.This is the time to stand firm, draw near, and go deeper.God is calling His people to become rooted, grounded, discerning, and prepared—not afraid of what lies ahead, but confident in the One in whom we stand.A New Level Awaits You!For books, teachings, upcoming events, and additional resources, visit loisflewelling.com.

Dr. Jordon GilmoreKey Scripture: John 6:35“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”In John 6, a crowd went searching for Jesus after He miraculously fed the 5,000. But Jesus challenged their motives: they were seeking Him because they had eaten the loaves, not because they understood what the miracle revealed. The physical bread was pointing to something greater—Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life.Throughout Scripture, bread represents provision, sustenance, and something necessary for life. For 40 years, God faithfully provided manna for Israel in the wilderness. That daily provision pointed ahead to Christ and reminds us that our relationship with God is not intended to be occasional. If Jesus is our bread, how often do we need to eat?Spiritual MalnutritionMany believers are trying to live the Christian life at a spiritual “caloric deficit.” We're trying to walk by faith, serve others, resist temptation, and fulfill our calling without consistently taking in the spiritual nourishment we need.Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.”Not every time we open Scripture will feel life-changing. Just as every physical meal doesn't have to be a five-star meal, every encounter with the Word doesn't have to produce an immediate revelation. Sometimes we simply need to eat. What we take in today may become exactly what we need weeks, months, or even years later.We can also prepare spiritually for what is ahead. Just as an athlete fuels before a demanding race, we should intentionally fill ourselves with the Word when we know we're entering a difficult or faith-demanding season.Stay Off the “Spiritual Ozempic”There are things that can suppress our spiritual appetite. Entertainment, possessions, comfort, relationships, negative thinking, disappointment, and even the voices we choose to listen to can fill us with the wrong things until we no longer hunger for God's Word.Thoughts such as “If God really loved me, this wouldn't be happening,” “If this were God's will, it wouldn't be this hard,” or “Life just isn't fair” can become spiritual appetite suppressants.Eventually, this can produce spiritual amnesia.The people in John 6 had just experienced the feeding of the 5,000, yet shortly afterward they asked Jesus, “What sign do you do, that we may see and believe you?” They had already witnessed the miracle but had forgotten what they had experienced.This is one reason testimony is so important: we remind one another of the connection between God's Word and His faithfulness.Hunger Is a Signal—and a GiftJesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”Physical hunger tells us that our bodies need nourishment. Spiritual hunger can do the same thing. When the Holy Spirit reminds us that we've neglected the Word, that hunger is not something to ignore—it is a grace pointing us back toward our source.Deuteronomy 8:3 explains that God allowed Israel to hunger before feeding them with manna so that they would learn that “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”Sometimes God allows us to experience need so that we can discover through experience that He is the source who satisfies that need. The difficult seasons we would rather avoid can become the very experiences through which we learn that Jesus truly is the Bread of Life.Fuel Your FaithThe Word is fuel for our faith.We shouldn't live spiritually with the gas light constantly on, only running to Scripture when we're desperate. God has given us a pantry full of spiritual nourishment. We can make daily deposits from His Word before we even know when we'll need them.The goal isn't merely to survive spiritually. We want to be nourished, strengthened, and fit for what God has called us to do.Key Scriptures:John 6:22–35 • Jeremiah 15:16 • Mark 1:35 • Matthew 5:6 • Deuteronomy 8:3Key Question:If God is our bread, how often do we need to eat?

What do you do when your life doesn't look anything like you thought it would?When the relationship falls apart, the opportunity disappears, the finances become uncertain, the prayer seems unanswered, or you find yourself walking through a season you never expected?In this episode of the Dream Creation Podcast, we're talking about one of the most important truths you can hold onto in a difficult season:God may not always remove you from the hardship—but He will never abandon you in it.Throughout Scripture, we see faithful people who experienced incredible pain, uncertainty, rejection, loss, and fear—and yet God was still with them.We'll walk through the stories of:✨ Joseph — betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and imprisoned, yet Scripture repeatedly tells us that the Lord was with Joseph.✨ Job — who experienced devastating loss and suffering without understanding why, reminding us that we can bring our questions and pain honestly before God.✨ Hagar — alone in the wilderness with her son, discovering that God is El Roi—the God who sees.✨ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to compromise their faith, showing us that God can meet us in the fire.✨ Paul and Silas — beaten and imprisoned, yet praying and worshipping God at midnight, reminding us that we can trust and praise God even before we see the prison doors open.If you're currently going through a hard season, waiting season, wilderness season, spiritual battle, loss, disappointment, or uncertainty, this episode is for you.You'll be encouraged to:• Stop interpreting God's silence as His absence• Bring your honest emotions and questions to God• Focus on today's obedience instead of trying to control tomorrow• Seek godly community instead of isolating yourself• Remember that your circumstances do not define your identity• Trust God one day—and one faithful step—at a timeYou don't need to understand everything God is doing to trust Him.You don't need to see the entire path to take the next step.And you don't have to walk through the fire alone.God is still with you.

This week at Zion, Executive Pastor Anthony Rivera continued our This We Believe series by opening scripture to explore what the Bible teaches about Naturally Supernatural Ministry. Throughout Scripture, we see that God is always at work—and often far closer than we realize. Like the servant in 2 Kings 6, whose eyes were opened to see the chariots of fire already surrounding him, Pastor Anthony reminded us that the supernatural life begins with learning to see what God is doing right in front of us.Jesus makes this invitation clear in John 14:12, teaching that those who believe in Him will participate in His works. The qualification isn't gifting, status, or spiritual achievement—it's simply faith. And in John 14:16–17, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will be both with us and in us forever, empowering ordinary believers to live out extraordinary faith in everyday places.Pastor Anthony shared how God's supernatural work often comes with tension—moments of miraculous breakthrough and moments of deep wrestling. But the heart of the message is simple: miracles are never the destination; Jesus is. The supernatural life isn't about becoming powerful; it's about becoming available to the Spirit who already lives within us.This message is part of This We Believe: Exploring the Essential Truths That Shape Our Faith and Who We Are, a series on the authority of Scripture, who God is, the person and work of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, the purpose of the Church, and our mission in the world.NEXT STEPS:Whether you're exploring faith, growing in your relationship with Jesus, or looking for a church community, we'd love to help you take your next step. Visit zionchurch.com to learn more, plan your visit, and connect with the Zion family.ABOUT ZION CHURCH:Zion Church exists to see the lost saved, the saved ignited, and the world changed. We are passionate in our love for God and relentless in our love for people. We believe Jesus is over everything, God's presence changes everything, and we are called to live on mission together. Whether you're new to faith, searching for a church home, or looking to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus, there is a place for you at Zion.JOIN US SUNDAYS:8:00AM  |  9:30AM  |  11:00AMLOCATION:1201 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente, CAFOR MORE INFORMATION:www.zionchurch.comSTAY CONNECTED:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zionsanclementeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/zionsanclemente/YouTube: https://youtube.com/@zionsanclementeSupport the showSupport the show

Divine Setups & Holy EncountersWhat if the interruption you did not plan is actually an invitation from God? What if the delay, unexpected conversation, closed door, or change in direction is positioning you for something you cannot yet see?In Divine Setups & Holy Encounters, we explore how God often works through ordinary moments to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Throughout Scripture, divine appointments happened when people were willing to listen and respond—from Philip being redirected to a desert road, to Jesus stopping for people others may have overlooked. What appeared to be an interruption became an opportunity for God to change a life.But not every interruption is a divine appointment. Spiritual discernment helps us recognize the difference between a distraction and a God-ordained opportunity. As we become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we learn to hold our plans loosely, recognize His promptings, and remain available when He redirects our steps.Perhaps the next person you meet, the next unexpected conversation, or even the next change in your plans carries more Kingdom purpose than you realize.God often hides extraordinary opportunities inside ordinary moments. Will you have eyes to see them?Subscribe for more teachings on spiritual discernment, hearing God's voice, wisdom, and growing deeper in your walk with the Holy Spirit. www.loisflewelling.com

Today's Promise: 1 Thessalonians 5:24 What has God called you to do? Maybe He has placed a dream, a passion, or a specific purpose in your heart, but you wonder if you have what it takes to see it through. Today's promise reminds us that the God who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.   Throughout Scripture, we see God faithfully fulfilling what He promised. He kept His promise to Abraham, delivered Israel through Moses, and empowered the disciples to take the Gospel to the world. And He hasn't changed.   BillGod is faithful to complete the work He has begun in your life. He will give you the strength, wisdom, and endurance you need to fulfill His call. You have a part to play, but ultimately, God is the One who brings it to pass.   Whatever God has called you to do, you can trust Him. He is faithful, and He will do it.

Pastor Chad Veach from Zoe Church in Los Angeles is bringing a timely message to Awakening Church, The Time Is Here.

What do you want that only God can do?Throughout Scripture, God gives us an extraordinary invitation: "Ask of Me". Think about what that means—the God who possesses all things invites you to bring Him something from your own heart, giving you the opportunity to custom-build a way for Him to love on you. A personal desire. A personal answer. A personal display of His power and favor in your life.What does that invitation reveal about how God sees you? And what could happen if you truly believed that His favor toward you is already there?In this episode, we explore the powerful meaning behind the words “Ask of Me.” Listen and discover how this simple invitation reveals just how personal God's love is—and just how special you are to Him.

Throughout Scripture, we see the confession of the Jewish people that they like sheep have gone astray and wandered from their Shepherd.

What do you do when there seems to be no way? What happens when the problem in front of you is bigger than your resources, your influence, your faith, or your ability to fix it? In this message, we discover Yahweh; the God who is. The God who is present, faithful, powerful, constant, and sufficient for every impossible situation. Our focus today is YAHWEH: When There Is No Way to Heal. From Exodus 15:26, God shows Himself as: “I am the LORD who heals you.” Throughout Scripture, we see that God makes a way where there seems to be no way. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman had everything the world could offer—wealth, power, status, and influence; but none of it could heal his leprosy. His encounter with Yahweh teaches us that God's way may not look like our way, but His power is not limited by our expectations. Then, hundreds of years later, Jesus meets a man who had been suffering for 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda. This man wasn't searching for Jesus. He didn't ask Jesus to heal him. He wasn't demonstrating unshakeable faith. Jesus took the initiative. Through the healing at Bethesda, we see something profound about the grace of God: sometimes grace reaches us before our faith reaches for Him. The healing of Naaman and the healing at Bethesda are different stories, involving different people, different situations, and different expectations; but they reveal the same Yahweh. The God who healed Naaman is the God revealed in Jesus Christ. And the greatest question isn't simply, “Could God heal me?” The deeper question is: “What does this impossible situation reveal about who God is?” Sometimes faith opens opportunities for a miracle. Sometimes the miracle opens opportunities for faith. In both cases, the hero is not the person; it's Yahweh. In This Message: • God can make a way in the most impossible situations • God is not limited by our expectations and circumstances • God's grace often comes before our response • Obedience can require us to surrender our expectations • Healing is not always the greatest miracle; knowing God is • Jesus reveals the identity and power of Yahweh • God's miracles are signs pointing us to who He is • Our greatest need is ultimately reconciliation with God Scripture References: Exodus 3:13–15 Exodus 15:26 2 Kings 5:1–15 John 5:1–15 John 20:30–31 Colossians 2:9 John tells us that the signs recorded in his Gospel were written so that we would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing, we will have life in His name. These signs point beyond the miracle to the One performing it. Jesus is Yahweh revealed in the flesh. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” — Colossians 2:9 If you are facing an impossible situation, a long-term struggle, or something you simply cannot fix on your own, remember: Where you see an impossible situation, Yahweh sees an opportunity to reveal His glory. Yahweh is still the God who heals. Yahweh is still the God who makes a way. Yahweh is still the God who is.

Struggles are inevitable, but how you respond to them determines who you become. In this episode, we break down how Christian men and women can stop running from adversity and learn to struggle like a champion.God never promised us an easy life. Throughout Scripture, we see that trials, suffering, adversity, and difficult seasons can produce perseverance, character, faith, strength, wisdom, and hope when we allow God to use them.Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” start asking, “God, what are You developing in me through this?”Whether you're struggling in your marriage, faith, family, business, finances, health, leadership, or personal growth, your current battle doesn't have to destroy you. It can develop you.In this Christian motivational message, you'll learn how to change your mindset toward adversity, trust God during difficult seasons, build biblical perseverance, strengthen your character, and use life's hardest moments for good.Champions aren't people who never struggle. They're people who learn how to struggle well.Desire to become a High Level Husband? Click the link below.https://www.highlevelhusband.com/bmr-blueprint

Faith is not only about what we believe; it is also about what we are willing to stand for. Throughout Scripture, we see men and women placed in moments where remaining silent would have been easier, but faith required them to speak, act and stand for what was right. Standing for truth will not always make us popular, but when we know who God is, we can stand even when everyone else chooses to bow. In this message, we explore: DANIEL – A FAITH THAT WOULD NOT COMPROMISE Daniel lived in a culture that constantly challenged his faith, but he refused to compromise his convictions. Even when a law was passed that threatened his life, Daniel continued to pray to God as he had done before. His life reminds us that truth does not change because the environment around us changes. Sometimes standing for God means continuing to do what is right when everyone around us is telling us to stop. SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO – WE WILL NOT BOW King Nebuchadnezzar commanded everyone to bow before the golden image. Three men remained standing. They knew the consequences. They knew the furnace was waiting. Yet their response was clear: even if God did not deliver them in the way they expected, they would still not bow. Standing for truth means deciding beforehand that there are some things we simply will not compromise. ESTHER – SPEAKING WHEN SILENCE IS EASIER Esther was placed in a position where speaking the truth could have cost her life. Yet Mordecai challenged her with the words, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” There are moments when God places us in certain rooms, positions and relationships because He expects us to use our voice. Silence may feel safe, but sometimes faith requires us to speak. NATHAN – TELLING THE TRUTH EVEN TO A KING When David sinned, Nathan had the courage to confront him. David was king. Nathan understood the risk, but truth was more important than comfort. He stood before David and declared, “You are the man.” Real truth does not change depending on who is standing in front of us. Standing for truth means having the courage to say what is right even when the person who needs to hear it is powerful, influential or close to us. #empowerchurch #david #faith #stand #righteousness #upright #understanding #truth

Faith is not just about where we start, it is also about where we choose to go and what we choose to leave behind. Throughout Scripture, we see people faced with a choice: to move forward in faith or to look back at what God has called them away from. In this message, we explore: RUTH - A FAITH THAT CLINGS Ruth made the decision to stay with Naomi, declaring, “Where you go, I will go… Your God will be my God.” Her faithfulness reminds us that sometimes faith means holding on and moving forward, even when the future is uncertain. DON'T LOOK BACK - KEEP MOVING FORWARD While Ruth chose to follow forward, Lot's wife looked back. Her story reminds us of the importance of trusting God with what is ahead instead of longing for what He has called us to leave behind. THE PROMISE - GOD IS FAITHFUL TO BLESS God promised Abraham that He would bless him and multiply his descendants. When God makes a promise, He remains faithful. What He has spoken over your life is not limited by what you can currently see. JESUS -THE FULFILMENT OF THE PROMISE Jesus came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfil them. Everything God has been working toward finds its fulfilment in Christ, reminding us that God's plan is always greater than we imagine. DAVID - FACING GIANTS IN GOD'S NAME David did not face Goliath relying on weapons or his own strength. He came in the name of the Lord. When we know who God is, we can face what stands against us with faith and confidence. WHO IS YOUR GOD? David asked, “Who is this Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Sometimes the size of our faith is revealed by how we see God in the middle of our challenges. KEEP GOING - DON'T TURN BACK Ruth's journey to Bethlehem began with a decision to move forward. Your journey may not always be easy, but faith calls us to keep walking, trusting that God is leading us somewhere greater. The message reminds us that faith requires a decision. Will we cling to what God has called us toward, or will we keep looking back? Like Ruth, may we have the courage to say, “Where You lead, I will go,” trusting that the God who calls us forward is faithful every step of the way. Download Our New Apps Below: EC App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Empower Church EC App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp EBI App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Empower Bible Institute EBI App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi #empowerchurch #gebhardtberndt #faith #FaithOverFear #jesuschrist #faithjourney

Throughout Scripture, God uses what we already know to be true to assure us of something even greater: if earthly fathers provide for their children, how much more will our Heavenly Father provide; and if God clothes the grass of the field, how much more does He care for us? But the greatest comparison is found in the blood of Christ, which does more than cleanse the outward man, it reaches the conscience and frees us from the guilt and shame of the past. This message challenges us to stop merely enduring our salvation and begin living in the peace, freedom, and confidence that come from trusting the God of "how much more."

Building God's Way According to Ezra & Nehemiah, Pt. 2God Has a PeopleEzra 2 | King's Chapel Live StreamAs we continue Building God's Way According to Ezra & Nehemiah, Ezra 2 reminds us that God's work is never about an anonymous crowd. God has a people. He knows them by name, gathers them by family, and knows them by number.But God's people are not simply gathered together without purpose. Throughout Scripture, God's people follow a pattern of exile, exodus, wilderness, and promised land. Their story points forward to God's greater purpose of building His kingdom and ultimately to Jesus, the righteous Branch from David.In this message, we look at three truths about God's people:God has a people who are known by Him.God's people have a pattern shaped by His redemptive work.God's people have a purpose: to build God's Kingdom as we look to Jesus, our true King.As we build our lives, our church, and our community God's way, we can rest in this truth: we belong to a God who knows His people, gathers His people, and gives His people a purpose.Connect with King's Chapel in Longwood, FL - ▶️ www.kingschapelfl.com▶️ https://www.facebook.com/KingsChapelfl▶️ https://www.instagram.com/kingschapelfl/For the GLORY of our Great GodFor the GOOD of our NeighborEzra 2 sermon, Ezra and Nehemiah sermon series, Building God's Way, God's people, God knows you, Christian identity, purpose of God's people, Ezra sermon, Jesus righteous branch, God's kingdom, Christian sermon, King's Chapel Longwood FL

You don't need someone else's personality, story, or gifts to make an impact. Throughout Scripture, we see people sharing Jesus through bold conversations, thoughtful answers, personal stories, relationships, invitations, and simple acts of service. Today we'll bring all six styles together and discover how to identify the approach that fits the way God made you. Someone in your life may need to experience Jesus in a way that only you can show them. The question is, will you use what God has already given you?Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside's conviction that God's grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God's presence and activity in your life.

In Episode 8 of the CWOWI Podcast, John and Brian continue their series exploring the Trinity by focusing on the Holy Spirit.Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit empowers, teaches, comforts, and leads God's people. Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father while relying on the Holy Spirit to guide them into truth and strengthen their walk with God. In this episode, John and Brian discuss the Spirit's role in prayer, hearing God's voice, spiritual guidance, and living a Spirit-led life.CONNECT WITH USWeb: https://churchwithoutwallsinternational.orgPodcast: https://cwowi.buzzsprout.comVimeo: https://vimeo.com/cwowiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwowiFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CWOWInternationalBooks: https://churchwithoutwallsinternational.org/product-category/books-and-audio-books/Translations: http://www.cwowi.eu

Episode Notes: It's Time to MoveBig IdeaWe are all moving in some direction. The question isn't whether we're moving—it's what is moving us and where are we going?Using Newton's First Law of Motion as a picture for our spiritual lives, this message explores the danger of inertia: the longer we remain in the same condition, the harder it can become to change.Through the story of Jesus healing the man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5, we're reminded that Jesus doesn't simply meet us in our stuck places—He calls us to get up and move.Key Takeaways1. Inertia affects more than physical objects.Newton's First Law says that an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. The same principle can describe our lives. We naturally resist change and tend to continue in the direction we're already going.2. The longer we stay stuck, the more normal stuck can feel.Habits, bitterness, fear, shame, disappointment, and dysfunction can become so familiar that we begin to mistake familiar for healthy.3. Wanting change isn't the same as making a move.We can want a different life while continuing to protect the patterns that created our current life. Movement requires action.4. Our excuses can be true and still keep us stuck.The man at Bethesda had legitimate reasons for why he couldn't reach the pool. But his explanations couldn't move him forward. Our past may explain where we are, but it doesn't have to determine what happens next.5. Jesus meets us where we are.The man thought his answer was getting into the pool. Jesus showed him that he didn't need to get to the water because Jesus had come to him.6. Jesus calls us to move.Throughout Scripture, Jesus invites people to follow, leave, come out, get up, and walk. His grace doesn't simply allow us to remain where we are—it makes movement possible.7. Your past is part of your story, but it isn't your identity.Jesus told the man to pick up his mat. The mat represented 38 years of being stuck, but now it became evidence that he had moved. Jesus doesn't erase our stories; He redeems them.8. Small steps create motion.Getting out of inertia doesn't necessarily require one massive decision. Sometimes it begins with one simple act of obedience.Questions to ConsiderWhere are you stuck right now?What area of your life has looked the same for far too long?What conversation are you avoiding?What habit are you continuing to excuse?What are you carrying that you need to release?Are you confusing familiarity with health?Are you allowing something that happened in your past to determine your future?What step has Jesus already placed in front of you that you've been delaying?What is one specific action you need to take?Memorable Statements“Wanting movement and making a move are not the same thing.”“What remains unchanged long enough begins to feel unchangeable.”“Your current condition does not have to become your permanent identity.”“Our excuses may explain where we are, but they cannot move us from where we are.”“Your past may explain some things about you, but it does not have to have the final word about you.”“Small steps create motion.”“You do not have to do everything today, but you cannot keep doing nothing.”“Motion begins when we trust Jesus.”Scripture FocusJohn 5:1–9 — Jesus encounters a man who has been unable to walk for 38 years and asks him, “Do you want to get well?” Jesus then tells him to get up, pick up his mat, and walk.Acts 17:28 — “For in him we live and move and have our being.”The ChallengeDon't wait until you understand the entire path.Don't wait until you feel completely ready.Don't wait until every circumstance changes.Identify the next step Jesus is asking you to take—and take it.You don't need the whole journey mapped out. You need to stop confusing uncertainty with a reason to stay still.It's time to move.

What does the story of the Exodus have to do with the Gospel of Jesus?In this message, Pastor Greg Ford continues the conversation around the question, “Who is Yahweh?” and explores the powerful connection between the Old Testament story of Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the New Testament story of salvation through Jesus.Throughout Scripture, we see a consistent pattern: God saves before He instructs. Grace comes before truth. Salvation comes before law.Israel was trapped in bondage in Egypt, and God heard their cry, saw their suffering, and delivered them. Their salvation was not based on their performance, their obedience, or their ability to keep the law. God rescued them first, brought them into relationship with Himself, and then gave them instruction for how to live.Pastor Greg walks through this same pattern in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus, whose name means “Yahweh saves,” came to seek and save the lost. Through Jesus, we are not only saved from sin, but brought into relationship with God, adopted as His children, and formed into people who reflect His character.This message explores:• Why salvation comes before law• How the Exodus story points toward Jesus• The meaning of Yahweh and “Yahweh saves”• Grace before truth and why that matters• What it means to be adopted into God's family• Why God's commands are about how we treat one another• How Jesus fulfilled the law through love• Why conduct and spiritual formation still matter• How God forms us to become more like Him• Why we should never forget where we came from• How being rescued by God should change the way we treat others• What it means to live as an image-bearer of God in the worldGod did not rescue Israel from Pharaoh so they could become Pharaoh to someone else. In the same way, when God rescues us, He forms us into people who use whatever influence, freedom, and power we have to love others, serve others, and reflect His character.Jesus says, “Love each other as I have loved you.” Our salvation is not the end of the story. God saves us, brings us into relationship, teaches us His ways, and continues to transform us into the people He created us to be.If you are wondering who Yahweh is, what salvation really means, how the Old and New Testaments connect, or what it looks like to follow Jesus beyond simply knowing the rules, this message will help you see the story of Scripture in a whole new way.Watch the full message and discover what it means to be saved, brought into relationship with God, instructed by His truth, and formed into His image.If you've just made a decision for Christ, please respond HERE: https://www.one.church/jesusTo Support this Ministry: https://www.one.church/giveWebsite: https://www.one.church/One Church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onedotchurchOne Church Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onedotchurchGreg Ford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregoryafordOne Church is on a mission to ignite a movement that reaches adisconnected culture.#onechurch #gregford #purpose

GOD I WANT YOUR FIRE!What happens when the fire that once burned brightly starts to become nothing more than an ember?In this powerful message, Pastor Eric takes us to 1 Kings 18 and the moment when the fire of God fell on Elijah's altar. When the people saw the fire, they fell on their faces and declared, "The Lord, He is God!"God's desire has never been for His people to simply gather—He wants His fire burning in us.Throughout Scripture, fire represents God's presence, His approval, His power, His purification, and His ability to transform everything it touches. But while God sends the fire, we have a responsibility to keep it burning.Prayer is wood on the fire.The Word is wood on the fire.Praise is wood on the fire.Obedience is wood on the fire.Holiness is wood on the fire.The question isn't whether God still has fire.The question is whether there's still wood on our altar.This message challenges us to ask:• Has passion been replaced by routine?• Has worship become predictable?• Have we become comfortable with things that once convicted us?• Are we passing a genuine hunger for God on to the next generation?• Is there still a fire burning in us?God wants to burn away compromise, fear, indifference, addiction, and everything that keeps us from walking fully in His presence. His fire purifies. His fire transforms. His fire exposes. His fire empowers.And when the fire falls, people notice.God, I want Your fire.

GOD I WANT YOUR FIRE!What happens when the fire that once burned brightly starts to become nothing more than an ember?In this powerful message, Pastor Eric takes us to 1 Kings 18 and the moment when the fire of God fell on Elijah's altar. When the people saw the fire, they fell on their faces and declared, "The Lord, He is God!"God's desire has never been for His people to simply gather—He wants His fire burning in us.Throughout Scripture, fire represents God's presence, His approval, His power, His purification, and His ability to transform everything it touches. But while God sends the fire, we have a responsibility to keep it burning.Prayer is wood on the fire.The Word is wood on the fire.Praise is wood on the fire.Obedience is wood on the fire.Holiness is wood on the fire.The question isn't whether God still has fire.The question is whether there's still wood on our altar.This message challenges us to ask:• Has passion been replaced by routine?• Has worship become predictable?• Have we become comfortable with things that once convicted us?• Are we passing a genuine hunger for God on to the next generation?• Is there still a fire burning in us?God wants to burn away compromise, fear, indifference, addiction, and everything that keeps us from walking fully in His presence. His fire purifies. His fire transforms. His fire exposes. His fire empowers.And when the fire falls, people notice.God, I want Your fire.

What does it really mean to take the Lord's name in vain? Exodus 20:7is about far more than misusing God's name in our speech—it is aboutwhat happens when people who bear God's name fail to represent himaccurately. Throughout Scripture, God's people fall into two ditches:becoming indistinguishable from the world or becoming different onlyto begin to think they are better than everyone else. But Jesus showsus another way. He perfectly bears the name of God, moving towardsinners with both compassion and a call to repentance. And at thecross, he takes the judgment we deserve so that forgiven sinners canbear his name with humility and love while still courageously callingpeople to repent and believe the Gospel. This message asks achallenging question: When people encounter us, what picture of Jesusdo they see?

From the valley of fear to the mountain of praise, this week's Biblical Alert explores the powerful message of the prophet Habakkuk. After hearing the voice of God, Habakkuk was transformed, moving from trembling uncertainty to confident worship and surrender.Throughout Scripture, those who encountered the holiness and majesty of God were deeply impacted. Moses trembled on Sinai, Joshua fell on his face, Daniel was overwhelmed, and Peter, James, and John stood in awe at the Mount of Transfiguration. Yet each encounter points to the same truth: when we lift our eyes above our circumstances and fix them on Christ, we discover the power of God's will, mercy, and grace.Join us as we examine Habakkuk's prayer, “O Lord, revive Your work... in wrath remember mercy,” and consider the call to repent, lay aside the weights that hinder us, and embrace a life of holiness and praise. When we truly see God as He is, our hearts are moved to sing, “Thy will be done.”Tune in for this encouraging message of renewal, reverence, and worship as we learn how seeing Jesus changes everything.The Voice in the Wilderness does not endorse any link or other material found at buzzsprout.More at https://www.thevoiceinthewilderness.org/

We often underestimate young people because of their age, but God doesn’t. Throughout Scripture, God used young men and women in powerful ways. Today, Pastor JD will share with you why you should never despise youth. Sometimes their youth is exactly what God uses: their boldness, faith, and willingness to follow Him.

Apostolic Mentoring Podcast with Charles G. RobinetteWhat is the greatest threat to end-time revival?It may not be persecution.It may not be compromise.It may not even be false doctrine.It may be the subtle elevation of our own kingdom above the Kingdom of God.In this challenging and prophetic episode of the Apostolic Mentoring Podcast, International Evangelist Charles G. Robinette exposes one of the greatest obstacles to apostolic revival and global harvest: self-centered ministry, organizational pride, territorial thinking, and personal agendas that compete with God's eternal purpose.Throughout Scripture, God has always called His people to seek His Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Yet too often believers become consumed with building personal platforms instead of advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.This message will challenge pastors, leaders, ministers, and believers to embrace humility, unity, biblical partnership, and Kingdom-minded living in preparation for the greatest harvest the world has ever seen.Discover why:• God's Kingdom is bigger than our organization.• Revival accelerates when the Body of Christ works together.• Competition hinders harvest but cooperation multiplies souls.• Spectators never change the world, participants do.• Partnership of Faith is essential for end-time revival.• The greatest victories come when we lay down our agenda for God's agenda.If you have ever wrestled with church politics, division, comparison, competition, or the tension between personal vision and God's global mission, this episode will encourage, convict, and inspire you to pursue what matters most.The world does not need larger personal kingdoms.The world needs the Kingdom of God.This is a prophetic call to unity, humility, sacrifice, and complete surrender to God's eternal purpose.If this episode blesses you, please subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with pastors, leaders, ministry teams, and friends around the world as together we work toward the greatest end-time harvest in history.Equipping Millions 2 Reach Billions.We love to hear from our listeners! Thank you! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1639030158?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_VZBSV9T4GT4AMRWEWXJE&skipTwisterOG=1 Support the showhttps://www.youtube.com/@charlesgrobinettehttps://www.instagram.com/charles.g.robinette/https://author.amazon.com/bookshttps://charlesgrobinette.com/

In this video, our global lead pastor  @okodughaolushola  teaches that spiritual drought is the absence of the Spirit's refreshing presence and activity in a person's life. Drawing from Amos 4:7 and Hosea 6:1–2, Pastor Shola explained that God uses symbols such as fire, oil, the dove, and rain to reveal His presence and operations.Rain is already part of God's system; when the conditions are right, it falls. In the same way, the refreshing of God's Spirit is available, but we must position ourselves to receive it. Throughout Scripture, water represents provision, blessing, benevolence, judgement, and refreshing.Pastor Shola emphasizes that from Genesis to Revelation, water is repeatedly used to demonstrate God's power, from the Red Sea to the miracles of Jesus. Water is essential for life, and its absence produces dryness and death. Spiritually, the Word of God is like water, bringing life, growth, and transformation. When there is no spiritual water, things stop yielding.Drawing from Isaiah 32:14, John 4, and Ezekiel 47:7, Pastor Shola wraps up the message by noting that when God wants to transform a person's life, the rain of His Spirit comes upon them. Wherever there has been drought, the flow of the Spirit can bring refreshing, restoration, and fruitfulness.This message will help you:- Recognize the importance of God's Spirit in producing fruitfulness.- Understand the spiritual symbolism of water and rain.- Position yourself for the refreshing of the Holy Spirit.- Allow God's Word to bring life into areas that have become dry.- Experience God's Spirit flowing into every area of your life.Watch, reflect, and position yourself for the rain of God's Spirit. Where His Spirit flows, dryness gives way to life, refreshing, and fruitfulness.ABOUT THE NEWWe are a people of love and excellence who are result-oriented, spirit-led, word-rooted, prayer-driven, and kingdom-conscious. Led by Pst. Shola Okodugha, we are on a divine assignment; to raise a movement of people who will shape culture through the spirit of faith and love, bringing great joy to cities and nations.——Partner with us to spread the influence of God all over the world. Give - https://pay.squadco.com/TheNewglobal——BROADCAST DETAILSMinister: Date: ——Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the latest content: http://bit.ly/subscribethenewliveWebsite: http://wearethenew.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearethenew_global/#TheNewLive #SholaOkodugha

Favor – Part 1: The Power of Proclamation Your words have more power than you realize. Throughout Scripture, God created, healed, and transformed through His Word—and He has given believers the authority to speak life, truth, and faith over every circumstance. Join us for Week 1 of our new series, Favor, as we discover how biblical proclamation can shift our perspective, strengthen our faith, and align our lives with God's promises. It's time to stop speaking fear and start declaring His truth.

Hannah Buchanan | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Throughout Scripture, God calls ordinary people by name and invites them into His purposes. Abraham was called to leave what was familiar. Moses was called to confront Pharaoh. Samuel was called as a child. Esther was called to risk her position for the sake of her people. Jesus invited the disciples to follow him, and that same invitation extends to us today.  Following Jesus means more than believing the right things or checking a box. It means becoming attentive to where Jesus is already at work and being willing to join him. Sometimes that means a major decision; sometimes it means a simple act of obedience. The challenge is learning to hear God's voice in the midst of the noise of our lives. We may hear from God through Scripture, prayer, silence, or the wisdom of a trusted friend or spiritual mentor to help us recognize His leading. We don't have to know the entire path before taking the next faithful step. Ultimately, God's call is an invitation to follow Him wherever He leads. We may not always know exactly what He is asking of us, and we may not feel ready or equipped, but we can trust that the God who calls us also goes with us.

Sermon OutlineBig Idea: We naturally hunger for more than mere existence. Jesus declares that He alone is the Bread of Life who satisfies our deepest hunger and gives eternal, abundant life.Key Verse: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” — John 6:35I. We Hunger for More Than Mere ExistenceCentral question: Where can that life be found?II. Bread Meant LifeTo understand John 6, we need to appreciate the significance of bread in the ancient world.Bread represented:Sustenance — wheat and barley bread were staples of everyday life.Provision — “bread” could represent food and physical necessities generally.Fellowship — breaking bread communicated hospitality, acceptance, friendship, and peace.Sacred memory — Passover bread recalled the Exodus; manna recalled God's provision in the wilderness.Throughout Scripture, therefore, bread points beyond itself to God as the One who provides life for His people.This background makes Jesus' declaration extraordinarily powerful: “I am the bread of life.”Jesus does not merely give the bread we ultimately need. Jesus is the Bread.III. The Crowd Wanted the Bread but Missed the SaviorJohn 6:25–29IV. Jesus Is Greater Than MosesJohn 6:30–34V. Jesus Is the Bread of LifeJohn 6:35VI. Zoe Does Not Mean an Easy LifeJesus' promise of abundant life does not mean:our problems disappear,suffering ends,life becomes easy,Christians never experience sorrow.Jesus Himself says:“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33Sermon ApplicationThere are two responses to Jesus' words.For those who do not yet follow Christ:Do not make the mistake of the Galilean crowd—wanting what Jesus can provide while missing Jesus Himself. The Bread of Life is offered freely. Come to Christ, trust Him, repent, and receive the life only He can give.For followers of Christ:We can belong to Jesus while still clinging tightly to areas of our lives we refuse to surrender. Yet we cannot experience the fullness of life in Christ while deliberately withholding parts of ourselves from Him.The question becomes: What am I still trying to control that Christ is asking me to surrender?Sermon QuestionsWhat do you think people today most commonly pursue in an attempt to experience a meaningful and fulfilling life? How does Jesus' promise of zoe differ?Why is the cultural and biblical significance of bread important for understanding Jesus' statement, “I am the bread of life”?The crowd wanted what Jesus could give them without recognizing who He was. In what ways are we tempted to do the same thing today?What is the significance of Jesus contrasting the manna given in Moses' day with Himself as the “true bread from heaven”? What does this reveal about Jesus' identity?Jesus promises abundant life but does not promise an easy life. What area of your life might Christ be asking you to trust Him with or surrender more completely to Him?Resources ConsultedCarson, D. A., R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, eds. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.Gaebelein, Frank E., ed. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Vol. 8. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1981.Got Questions Ministries. “What Can We Learn from Jesus' Feeding of the 5,000?”Keller, Timothy. “The Feeding.” Gospel in Life. YouTube.Milne, Bruce. The Message of John: Here Is Your King! The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.Ryle, J. C. Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John. Various editions.Wesley, John. John Wesley's Notes on the Whole Bible. Various editions.Questions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Tim Winkler ().

God has always been faithful to keep His promises. Throughout Scripture, He enters into covenant with His people and remains steadfast even when they are not. Jonathan reflects that same kind of faithfulness in his covenant with David, choosing loyalty to God's purposes over his own future, his family, and even his claim to the throne. His story reminds us that true faithfulness isn't measured when keeping a promise is easy, but when it costs us something. As followers of Jesus, we're called to reflect God's unwavering faithfulness by keeping our promises with the same steadfast love He has shown us.

The next parable Jesus tells is one of the most debated in Scripture. Unlike some of the other parables, Jesus never explains this one. That means faithful Bible scholars have reached different conclusions. Let’s read it for ourselves. Matthew 13:31-32, “He put another parable before them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” So…what do you think? Is this story about the beautiful growth of God’s Kingdom? Or is it a warning that evil can quietly grow alongside it? So what do we do when Scripture isn’t immediately clear? We go to Jesus. Because Jesus didn’t just tell the truth… He IS the Truth. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” So I asked Him, “Jesus, what do you want me to see here?” Here’s what I believe the Lord showed me. This parable has two sides. Like a coin. If I flip a coin and it lands on heads, does that make tails false? Of course not. Both are always there. I believe this parable contains both a beautiful promise…and a loving warning. So the heads side of this parable is a story of growth. The mustard seed is known as a tiny seed. This isn’t the only time Jesus talks about the mustard seed. There’s a much more familiar scripture many of us remember. Jesus says to his disciples in Matthew 17:20, “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'” Throughout Scripture, the mustard seed represents something tiny that carries incredible potential. God specializes in starting with what everyone else overlooks. A tiny seed. A shepherd boy. A teenage girl. Twelve ordinary fishermen. Five loaves and two fish. Heaven has never been impressed by size. Heaven has always been impressed by surrender. The mustard seed is something that is so small and seemingly insignificant, but within it is potential for big things. Even the tiniest grain of faith can move mountains. So, this tiny grain of the mustard seed can be planted in a garden and become larger than all the other plants in the garden and grow to be a tree where birds make their nests. What begins so small, with God, can grow to become greater than you can possibly imagine. Zechariah 4:10, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” We all love the idea of doing something BIG for God. We dream about changing lives. Writing books. Starting ministries. Launching businesses. But most of us don’t love the tiny assignments that produce those things. We want the tree. God hands us a seed. “God, send me across the world as a missionary…” …but I don’t want to pray with my neighbor. “Lord, use me in powerful ways…” …but I don’t want to serve where nobody notices. We want significance. God offers faithfulness. Most of us woke up today holding seeds from God. The problem is… Seeds don’t look impressive. They don’t look like the future God sees. And because we can’t see the tree… we underestimate the seed. We’re not willing to start small. We want big full blown trees, not tiny seeds. People ask me all the time how to build their own mentoring, or a podcast, or retreats. They usually don’t like my answer. I tell them… Start with the seed. Do it when you’re unsure. Do it when you’re uncomfortable. Do it when nobody applauds. Do it when almost nobody shows up. Do it for free. Keep planting. Keep watering. Keep showing up. But we want to be great from day 1. We want immediate success. We want a full blown tree by day 2 please. But Jesus says, “from this tiny seed, something big can grow.” GROWTH TAKES TIME. We all want overnight success. God almost always chooses faithful consistency. Trees don’t explode into existence. They grow. Slowly. Quietly. One ordinary day at a time. There’s one way you grow something great … be willing to be bad at it long enough to get good! I remember my first ever mentoring session in 2012. I was cutting edge hosting live videos before live videos were a thing outside of the nightly news. Facebook live didn’t exist. There was no zoom. I had a full blown studio set up in our master bedroom, special lights and cameras and programs. That first live mentoring session I had like 12 people watching and I was a nervous wreck. I taught my lesson, then I thought I was done. But there was one problem – we had practiced how to start the live broadcast, however we had failed to practice ending the broadcast. We literally didn’t know how to stop recording. My husband signaled to me to continue as he frantically searched for a way to stop recording. By this time I had said absolutely everything I knew to say and I had nothing left. So you know what I did … I started dancing. Yip, just me in front of a live camera dancing. Y’all, I cannot dance. It was so awkward. Finally in desperation my husband just unplugs the entire thing from the wall and cuts power. We both looked at eachother and said, “Whew, now that was a mess! I never want to do that again.” Then the next week, we did it again. And again, and again. Over 700 weekly mentoring sessions later, we’re still just showing up and doing it again. Looking back now, that wasn’t embarrassing. That was a seed. Seeds are awkward. Seeds are unimpressive. Seeds are hidden underground where nobody celebrates them. But without the seed… there is never a tree. It was a small seed and a messy process, but with God, it has grown into more than we could have ever imagined. Again, Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” This is how God has always worked. He works through small beginnings. He works through ordinary obedience. He works through people who are simply willing to keep planting. Never underestimate what God can do with one tiny act of faith repeated over and over again. He works in small beginnings. He works in unseen potential. Don’t let unseen potential become unmet potential because you’re not willing to put in the ground work. But every coin has another side. The same principle is true of evil. Sin rarely shows up looking dangerous. It usually arrives looking small. Harmless. Easy to justify. One compromise. One lie. One bitter thought. One secret. One click. One missed opportunity to forgive. They’re just tiny seeds… Until they aren’t. Left unattended, what began as something small quietly grows in the dark until it takes over far more of your life than you ever intended. Be careful what you’re planting. Tiny seeds always become something bigger. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Throughout Scripture there are frequent warnings about false teaching. Because where there is truth there is always error, and too often we are easily deceived. On this episode of The Verdict, we'll realize that our own attitudes can help or hinder our spiritual understanding. Be sure you have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Who is God the Father, and how does He relate to the Son and the Holy Spirit?In Episode 7 of the CWOWI Podcast, John and Brian begin a new series exploring the Trinity by focusing on God the Father.Throughout Scripture, people encountered the Father's presence in remarkable ways. They experienced His glory, overwhelming peace, warmth, holy fear, and at times were overcome by His power. In this episode, John and Brian discuss these biblical encounters and examine how God's presence has affected people throughout history.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time God doesn't just want to give us enough—He wants to fill us. Throughout Scripture, food is a sign of something much deeper: God satisfying the hunger of our hearts and souls. Even as Jesus grieved the death of John the Baptist and sought time alone in prayer, His heart was moved with compassion for the crowds. He took five loaves and two fish, blessed them, broke them, and gave them, showing that when we offer our small gifts to God, He multiplies them beyond what we can imagine. That same pattern reaches its fulfillment in the Eucharist, where Christ feeds us with His very Body and Blood. This week, notice what you turn to when you feel empty. Does it truly satisfy, or does it only distract? Jesus still says, "Bring it to me." He longs to fill you—not with temporary comforts, but with His abundant life, His love, and His presence, so that you, in turn, can help satisfy the hunger of others.

Comfort is one of the greatest distractions to wholehearted obedience.In "Where Are You With Being Inconvenienced? | Giving Satan An Easy Victory," we explore Jesus' call to discipleship and confront a question many of us don't often ask: Have we become so committed to comfort that we've become resistant to obedience? While the harvest is plentiful, Jesus reminds us that the workers are few—not because God isn't moving, but because following Him often requires us to lay down our convenience, our excuses, and our own agendas.Throughout Scripture, we see that spiritual drift rarely begins with outright rebellion. More often, it starts with small compromises, misplaced priorities, and a growing desire for comfort over calling. But Jesus modeled a very different way of life. He willingly embraced inconvenience, humility, and sacrifice so that we could experience the fullness of life found in Him.In this sermon, you'll discover:Why excuses quietly keep us from wholehearted obedienceHow comfort can become a greater obstacle than oppositionWhat happens when we keep looking back instead of pressing forwardHow Jesus' willingness to be inconvenienced changes the way we follow HimWhy the harvest still needs believers who are willing to say "yes"The question isn't whether following Jesus will inconvenience you, but instead: What is your comfort costing the Kingdom?Jesus willingly embraced inconvenience so that we could experience new life. As His followers, we're invited to do the same—choosing obedience over comfort and trusting that God will use every surrendered "yes" for His glory.

Does God still heal today? Throughout Scripture, we see a God who moves toward broken people with compassion, power, and hope. Discover how the spiritual gifts of faith, healing, and miracles point us to Jesus, the different ways God brings healing, and why we can trust His heart—even when we don't understand His plans.

It's easy to forget God's faithfulness once the crisis has passed. Throughout Scripture, God's people paused to remember what He had done, strengthening their faith for what was ahead. This week encourages us to celebrate God's work in our lives through remembrance, baptism, and communion, allowing yesterday's faithfulness to build today's confidence.

In The Most Important Conversation, we explore why prayer should be more than something we believe is important—it should be a vital part of our everyday relationship with God. Throughout Scripture, prayer is woven into the lives of God's people and modeled continually by Jesus, reminding us that God values our relationship with Him, invites us to participate in His work, sustains us through time spent in His presence, and calls us to pray for one another.We are encouraged to move past feelings of inadequacy or inconsistency and simply take the next step, remembering that God hears us not because we are good enough, but because of what Jesus has done. By praying honestly and specifically, remembering God's faithfulness, practicing gratitude, and refusing to give up, we can develop a deeper, more consistent prayer life—and discover that time with God can become the best part of our day. Let's listen in…LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:• George Müller• Better Men Group begins 9/11• Book “The Fight” by John White• Download the free study guide, complete transcript, and show notes here.• Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 3, verse 16; Colossians 4, verse 12; John 15, verse 4; Hebrews 10, verses 19b-22; Colossians 1, verses 9-12; Philippians 4, verse 6; Luke 18, verse 1• Find out more about Covenant Church at ⁠covenantchurchwv.com

Get your ticket for The Gathering! Use code FIRST50 for 50% off - https://stan.store/AlignedAgent/p/the-gathering--tz4xi2mgInterested in generating more deals from referral relationships? Learn more here - https://proinsight.info/faithfulHave questions or need help?

In this message from our The Names of Jesus series, we explore what it means for Jesus to be the Bridegroom. Throughout Scripture, God reveals His faithful, covenant love for His people, and in Christ we see that love fully displayed. Discover how Jesus invites us to receive Him, find lasting joy in His presence, and faithfully await the day He returns for His bride.⚫CONNECT WITH US:

Throughout Scripture, we see people whose lives were transformed by hearing and responding to a word from God. Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Gideon, David, Solomon, Elijah, Peter, and Andrew each received a word that changed the direction of their lives. In this powerful message, we are reminded that faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of God. When we position our hearts to seek the Lord, listen for His voice, and follow His direction, one word from God can bring clarity, purpose, provision, and transformation.Scripture ReferencesJohn 10:27Romans 10:171 John 5:4Genesis 12:1–3Genesis 26:1–3Genesis 26:12–14Exodus 3:1–10Judges 6:11–12, 141 Samuel 23:9–132 Chronicles 1:6–121 Kings 17:1–61 Kings 17:7–9Mark 1:16–18Jeremiah 29:11–14Proverbs 16:12 Chronicles 31:20–212 Chronicles 12:13–14Isaiah 30:29–30Luke 10:38–42Psalm 119:105Isaiah 60:1–3Isaiah 30:21MORE...« Jesus Disciple » God is calling believers EVERYWHERE to be a part of fulfilling the Great Commission, making disciples around the world. Get free resources and find out more at https://jesusdisciple.com« Support the Jesus Disciple Vision » Give at https://jesusdisciple.com/give/« Solid Lives » Church groups, conferences, discipleship, and biblical resources: https://solidlives.com« The Rock Network » Learn more about Jerry Dirmann's home church and The Rock Network: https://gototherock.com« Free Media Library » Access hundreds of free Bible teachings and resources: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-disciple/media-library« Support » Help us provide free biblical resources around the world: https://solidlives.com/give/Support the show

Sometimes the strongest things we can do begin by setting something aside. Throughout Scripture, people fasted in seasons of uncertainty, grief, and preparation—not to change God, but to let God change them. Whether you're seeking wisdom, direction, or a renewed hunger for Him, this ancient practice still has the power to shape our lives today.

Pastor Banning reminds us that worship was never meant to revolve around us, our feelings, or our circumstances, but around the One who is worthy. Throughout Scripture, God invites His people to respond with surrender, adoration, and delight as we lift our voices to Him. Worship is not about what we receive, but about giving God the honor He deserves and joining in the song of heaven.