Podcasts about Thy

“I am a stranger with thee.” — Psalm 39:12 Yes, O Lord, with Thee, but not to Thee. All my natural alienation from Thee, Thy grace has effectually removed; and now, in fellowship with Thyself, I walk through this sinful world as a pilgrim in a foreign country. Thou art a stranger in Thine own […]

“Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins.” — Psalm 19:13 Such was the prayer of the “man after God's own heart.” Did holy David need to pray thus? How needful, then, must such a prayer be for us babes in grace! It is as if he said, “Keep me back, or I shall rush […]

Great Lent 2026; Sunday of the Cross "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24) Christ is talking as if "coming after" or "following" Him is something good. What is that all about? Where is He going? Where is He leading us? Christ talks about "denying" ourselves. In the next verse He ties that to being willing to die. This sounds important. We need to get it right. There is a great lie in our world: that all religions are basically the same. But Scripture warns us that the devil himself can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). So it is not enough simply to have faith in something. Why in the world are there so many warnings in the Bible about idolatry? Some people focus on sexual sin. But even Scripture often uses sexual sin as a metaphor for something even worse: worshipping false gods. One is bad—but the other is worse. Just as marriage is good, but union with God is even greater. So we need to get this cross thing right. Is it just about perseverance? Everyone has their own cross to bear? Well… kind of. But even that needs to be grounded. We are not simply stoics. If we are stoics at all, we are stoics of a very particular kind. So what is the cross? Yes, it involves pain. But not just any pain. Look to the prototype. We are Christians, and Christ is our standard. His cross was painful—but it was pain put to a purpose. It was sacrificial. He gave Himself as a sacrifice. And all sacrifice involves something valuable—something costly, something difficult. Pain can be like that. The cross was Christ's sacrifice on behalf of the people and the world that He loved. That gives us something to work with. Taking up our cross means doing things that are hard on behalf of others. At the very least, it means denying what we might prefer so that others can thrive. For Christ, that meant leaving the place where He was given the glory and honor that was His due and coming to live in a world where He would be disrespected, misunderstood, and even tortured and killed. And He did it so that we—the ones He loves—could join Him in eternal glory. When we voluntarily sacrifice our time, when we put up with people who misunderstand us, who may not value us, who may never fully appreciate what we are doing—and we do it out of a desire for their health and salvation … … then we are taking up our cross and following Christ into glory. So be patient when your ego tells you to lash out. Be courageous when your instincts tell you to hide. Figure out what love requires in each moment—and then dedicate yourself to it. In addition to patience and courage, this requires paying attention. It requires humility. It requires dedication to the needs of the moment. And it surely won't be easy. But this is the cup that our Lord accepted in the Garden of Gethsemane—the cup that led to the salvation of the world. And when we drink of that cup, we are united to Him through His passion on the Cross. But we must remember something very important. The cross is not the end of the story. Christ did not go to the cross in order to remain in the grave. He went through the cross into resurrection. And this is exactly where the Church is leading us during Great Lent. We are walking the road of the cross now so that we may stand together in the light of Pascha. Our Lord Himself told us how this works: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." In Christ, the cross is never the final word. What passes through the cross is changed. We die with Him so that we may live with Him. Buried with Him in death, we rise with Him into newness of life. As St. Maximus the Confessor says, "The one who participates in Christ's sufferings also shares in His glory." Suffering offered in love becomes glory. Sacrifice becomes participation in His life. And even death becomes the doorway to life. This is the mystery the Church sings every year at Pascha: Yesterday I was buried with Thee, O Christ;today I arise with Thee in Thy resurrection. This is where Christ is leading us. Through the cross. Into resurrection. So when the moment comes—and it will come—when love requires something difficult from you, do not be afraid of the cross. Take it up. Follow Him. Because on the other side of the cross is life— life with Christ, life with all the saints, and life in the glory of the Kingdom.  

Daily Morning Prayer (3/12/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 62-64; Joshua 4; Luke 23; Metrical Psalm 2:9-139 "Thy threat'ning scepter thou shalt shake, and crush them every where; "As massy bars of iron break the potter's brittle ware." 10 Learn then, ye princes, and give ear, ye judges of the earth; 11 Worship the Lord with holy fear; rejoice with awful mirth. 12 Appease the Son with due respect, your timely homage pay; Lest he revenge the bold neglect, incensed by your delay. 13 If but in part his anger rise, who can endure the flame? Then blest are they whose hope relies on his most holy name.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Morning Prayer (3/12/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 62-64; Joshua 4; Luke 23; Metrical Psalm 2:9-139 "Thy threat'ning scepter thou shalt shake, and crush them every where; "As massy bars of iron break the potter's brittle ware." 10 Learn then, ye princes, and give ear, ye judges of the earth; 11 Worship the Lord with holy fear; rejoice with awful mirth. 12 Appease the Son with due respect, your timely homage pay; Lest he revenge the bold neglect, incensed by your delay. 13 If but in part his anger rise, who can endure the flame? Then blest are they whose hope relies on his most holy name.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Morning Prayer and the Litany (3/11/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 56-58; Joshua 2; Luke 22; Metrical Psalm 2:5-95 Thick clouds of wrath divine shall break on his rebellious foes; And thus will he in thunder speak to all that dare oppose: 6 "Though madly you dispute my will, the king that I ordain, "Whose throne is fixed on Zion's hill, shall there securely reign." 7 Attend, O earth, whilst I declare God's uncontrolled decree; "Thou art my Son, this day my heir have I begotten thee. 8 "Ask and receive thy full demands; thine shall the heathen be; "The utmost limits of the lands shall be possessed by thee. 9 "Thy threat'ning scepter thou shalt shake, and crush them every where; "As massy bars of iron break the potter's brittle ware."If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Morning Prayer and the Litany (3/11/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 56-58; Joshua 2; Luke 22; Metrical Psalm 2:5-95 Thick clouds of wrath divine shall break on his rebellious foes; And thus will he in thunder speak to all that dare oppose: 6 "Though madly you dispute my will, the king that I ordain, "Whose throne is fixed on Zion's hill, shall there securely reign." 7 Attend, O earth, whilst I declare God's uncontrolled decree; "Thou art my Son, this day my heir have I begotten thee. 8 "Ask and receive thy full demands; thine shall the heathen be; "The utmost limits of the lands shall be possessed by thee. 9 "Thy threat'ning scepter thou shalt shake, and crush them every where; "As massy bars of iron break the potter's brittle ware."If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

If God's will is love, what does it mean to love yourself without sliding into narcissism—or the opposite extreme of self-neglect and self-hatred? Continuing the “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” conversation, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks bring needed nuance: self-love isn't self-worship, and self-denial isn't automatically virtue.They unpack why “harder” is not inherently “better,” why suffering is only meaningful when ordered to a higher purpose (love), and how true humility is simply honesty—being clear about what you're good at and what you're not. The episode reframes self-care as stewardship of your humanity: caring for yourself with the same respect and consistency you'd give a loved one (or even your pet), so you can show up with more freedom, joy, and capacity to serve.Key IdeasOrdered self-love avoids two traps: narcissism (self as god) and self-disregard (treating God's creation as worthless).The Christian goal isn't “maximum suffering”; virtue often makes the good easier, more spontaneous, and more joyful over time.Sacrifice matters—but only when it's for a higher purpose (love of God and neighbor), not as an identity or performance.Humility is honesty: “I'm good at X” isn't pride, and “I'm bad at Y” isn't self-hatred—it's reality.Grow the gifts you actually have, and let that growth expand your ability to love and serve others more effectively.Links & References (official/source only)Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (official site):https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/CliftonStrengths (Gallup) overview:https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspxImmanuel Kant (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry):https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant/CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend.Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com .Tags (comma-separated)Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, love, self love, ordered self love, narcissism, self care, stewardship, humility, virtue, holiness, Lent, fasting, suffering, sacrifice, purpose, love and limits, joy, gratitude, human nature, Immanuel Kant, moral formation, Jordan Peterson, treat yourself like someone worth caring for, CliftonStrengths, Gallup StrengthsFinder, gifts and talents, discernment, prudence, growth mindset, service, charity, family leadership, fatherhood, YouTube podcast, subscribe on YouTube, algorithms

We are reviewing our podcasts highlighting Jesus and the woman at the well. Fresh season 8 episodes in a few days. In the olden days, driving out to the Boise National Forest and coming home from the same, God talked to me first. It was a hard truth that I had no comprehension of until I unexpectedly found myself in church. God spoke through a billboard containing His word. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."Romans 6:23God often speaks to us with a hard statement. Romans 6:23 is one of those. For the woman at the well, the hard conversation began with "Give me a drink."The astonishing part was not a command from a strange man, "give me a drink", but that a Jew was talking to a Samaritan,We are dumbfounded to hear from God, not just difficult truths, but that the Holy God of the universe stoops down to converse with His fallen creatures. "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4Our So What?Viva la our astonishing conversations. For without those troublesome statements, we would never know we need and have been given a Savior for our souls. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 008Episode 010

11 And he said: A certain man had two sons:  12 And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his substance.  13 And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously.  14 And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.  15 And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him.  17 And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger?  18 I will arise, and will go to my father, and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee:  19 I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  20 And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am not now worthy to be called thy son.  22 And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and make merry:  24 Because this my son was dead, and is come to life again: was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.  25 Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing: 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.  27 And he said to him: Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe.  28 And he was angry, and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him.  29 And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee, and I have never transgressed thy commandment, and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends:  30 But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me, and all I have is thine.  32 But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.Parable of the prodigal son. The elder son is the Jewish element of the primitive church which is scandalised at the vocation of the Gentiles; the prodigal son is the pagan element.

Daily Morning Prayer (3/7/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 35-36; Deuteronomy 28; Luke 18; Metrical Psalm 41:10-1310 But thou my sad and wretched state in mercy, Lord, regard; And raise me up, that all their crimes may meet their just reward. 11 By this I know thy gracious ear is open when I call; Because thou suffr'st not my foes to triumph in my fall. 12 Thy tender care secures my life from danger and disgrace; And thou vouchsaf'st to set me still before thy glorious face. 13 Let therefore Israel's Lord and God from age to age be blessed; And all the people's glad applause with loud Amens expressed.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Morning Prayer (3/7/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 35-36; Deuteronomy 28; Luke 18; Metrical Psalm 41:10-1310 But thou my sad and wretched state in mercy, Lord, regard; And raise me up, that all their crimes may meet their just reward. 11 By this I know thy gracious ear is open when I call; Because thou suffr'st not my foes to triumph in my fall. 12 Thy tender care secures my life from danger and disgrace; And thou vouchsaf'st to set me still before thy glorious face. 13 Let therefore Israel's Lord and God from age to age be blessed; And all the people's glad applause with loud Amens expressed.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

“They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house.” — Psalm 36:8 Sheba's queen was amazed at the sumptuousness of Solomon's table. She lost all heart when she saw the provision of a single day; and she marvelled equally at the company of servants who were feasted at the royal board. But what […]

Daniel 2: 27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. 30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Daily Morning Prayer and the Litany (3/4/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 19-21; Deuteronomy 21; Luke 15; Metrical Psalm 40:9-13 9 In full assemblies I have told thy truth and righteousness at large; Nor did, thou know'st, my lips withhold from utt'ring what thou gav'st in charge. 10 Nor kept within my breast confined thy faithfulness and saving grace; But preached thy love, for all designed, that all might that and truth embrace. 11 Then let those mercies I declared to others, Lord, extend to me; Thy loving-kindness my reward, thy truth my save protection be. 12 For I with troubles am distressed, too vast and numberless to bear; Nor less with loads of guilt oppressed, that plunge and sink me to despair. 13 As soon, alas! may I recount the hairs on this afflicted head: My vanquished courage they surmount, and fill my drooping soul with dread.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Morning Prayer and the Litany (3/4/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 19-21; Deuteronomy 21; Luke 15; Metrical Psalm 40:9-13 9 In full assemblies I have told thy truth and righteousness at large; Nor did, thou know'st, my lips withhold from utt'ring what thou gav'st in charge. 10 Nor kept within my breast confined thy faithfulness and saving grace; But preached thy love, for all designed, that all might that and truth embrace. 11 Then let those mercies I declared to others, Lord, extend to me; Thy loving-kindness my reward, thy truth my save protection be. 12 For I with troubles am distressed, too vast and numberless to bear; Nor less with loads of guilt oppressed, that plunge and sink me to despair. 13 As soon, alas! may I recount the hairs on this afflicted head: My vanquished courage they surmount, and fill my drooping soul with dread.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

March 4, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 7:1-23Daily Lectionary: Genesis 22:1-19; Mark 7:1-23“And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him.'” (Mark 7:20)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The topic of food can get complicated these days with all of the diets out there: keto, carnivore, Mediterranean, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. In Jesus' day, food was a controversial topic. Lines were drawn in the sand. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. There was a food fight going on, so to speak. Certain foods were deemed “clean” and therefore okay to consume, while other foods were considered defiled and dirtied, leaving a person ritually unclean and unable to worship at the Temple. Jesus stops the food fight when He says, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” (Mark 7:14b-15) The disciples have a tough time with this. It's not what their Jewish mothers taught them. They would've been well aware of the clean/unclean categories. Jesus rocks their world when He tells them that food can't defile anyone. Every bite passes the heart and is expelled. Jesus declares all foods clean! So then what makes a person defiled and dirty?Food isn't the real problem since the heart of the problem is the human heart! And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23) No one gets away guilt-free from that list! Ouch! Leaves us all realizing that we have had thoughts, words, and actions that defile and dirty us. We're all in the same boat. We confess together, “I, a poor, miserable sinner!” Dirty and defiled, we deserve damnation! Thanks be to God, we get what we don't deserve! Grace upon grace! Jesus is the One who defiles and dirties Himself! He touches the unclean leper, lifts up the unclean dead, eats and drinks with unclean sinners and tax collectors. He takes upon Himself the dirt and defilement that damns! He bears our sins to die our death! Yes, He cries out those words of abandonment that we'll never have to speak: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). The Temple curtain is torn from top to bottom. The way to the Father is open to all through that godforsaken death on Good Friday. His blood cleanses us from all sin. “Take, drink, this is My blood shed for you for the forgiveness of all your sins.” There is food that sprinkles our hearts clean. Take, drink!       In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness; Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood; Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace: Thy blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God. (LSB 631:5)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

A 4-year-old's Lenten question opens a bigger one: what does it actually mean to “act like Jesus” and pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”? In this episode, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks connect Lent, Scripture, and real-life decision-making—showing that God's will is love, but love isn't vague “good vibes.” Love has reality, boundaries, and practical limits: what you can give, what someone can receive, and what wisdom calls for in a specific moment.They start with the Garden of Eden and the way God speaks truth about consequences, then move into how virtue matures us toward love as the “crown” of the virtues. The conversation closes with a key challenge: most of life isn't a carved-in-stone playbook—so how do we actually develop discernment, trust our judgment, and keep growing (with God's grace and the help of others)?Key Ideas“Act like Jesus” isn't imitation theater—it's becoming formed in God's logic over time, especially through Lent.God's will (in heaven and on earth) is love, and virtue exists to serve love.Love has limits in practice: what you can do, what others can receive, and what is realistically possible.We avoid what is clearly wrong, but we don't always instantly know the most loving “right” in gray areas.Discernment grows through prayer, experience, feedback, community wisdom, and noticing wounded places that distort decisions.The Holy Spirit forms Christians gradually—more sensitivity, better judgment, more Christlike freedom.Scripture Mentioned (no links)Genesis 2–3 (Garden of Eden context)Matthew 6:10 (“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”)Galatians 6:2 (“Carry one another's burdens…”)Romans 13:10 (“Love is the fulfillment of the law”)Acts 3:1–10 (the beggar at the Beautiful Gate)Links & References (official/source only)Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (official site):https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend.Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com .Tags (comma-separated)Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, Lent, Ash Wednesday, first week of Lent, giving things up, sacrifice, act like Jesus, thy will be done, God's will, love, virtue, prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude, crown of virtues, discernment, spiritual growth, Holy Spirit, spiritual consolation, wisdom, counsel, moral norms, right and wrong, gray areas, parenting and faith, fatherhood, children's questions, Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, Genesis, Our Father, Matthew 6:10, Galatians 6:2, Romans 13:10, Acts 3, Beautiful Gate, community learning, trusting intuition, woundedness, conflict aversion, spiritual formation, YouTube podcast, subscribe on YouTube

It's Monday, March 2, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus United States and Israel bombed Iran The long-simmering threat of conflict between Washington, Jerusalem and Tehran erupted Saturday morning as the United States and Israel launched sweeping airstrikes against Iran, reports NBC News. The launch of “Operation Epic Fury” followed months of heated rhetoric and repeated warnings from President Trump about military intervention in Iran. U.S. and partner forces struck multiple targets, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Not only was Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed, but so was his top security adviser, his chief military secretary, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, the Defense Minister, the Head of Iranian military intelligence, and former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reports Axios and Israel National News. Trump: We will destroy Iran's “wicked, radical dictatorship” In an 8-minute address to America, President Donald Trump explained why he believed the attack on Iran was necessary. TRUMP: “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America' and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries.” The president laid out the litany of Iranian attacks from the 1979 U.S. Embassy Hostage Crisis in which dozens of Americans were taken hostage for 444 days and the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut that killed 241 soldiers to the attack on the U.S.S. Cole in 2000, the killing of U.S. soldiers in Iraq, and the Iranian-funded attack on Israel through Hamas on October 7, 2023. TRUMP: “For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally obliterated. We're going to annihilate their navy. We're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world.” Isaiah 10:1-2 says, “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.” President Trump expressed concern for the safety of U.S. soldiers. TRUMP: “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans, and our children, will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harm's way. And we trust that with His help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail.” Sadly, three U.S. service members have been killed in action, as part of the Trump administration's “Operation Epic Fury,” reports NewsNation.com. Iranians celebrating in the streets Anti-regime protesters in southern Iran tore down a statue of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in celebration of his death on Saturday, reports The Telegraph. In Tehran, loud cheers echoed from rooftops and through the streets.   Listen. (audio of Iranians celebrating) Celebratory music played, car horns honked and fireworks were set off in parts of the capital at around 11pm local time. They were joined by Iranians across the world who celebrated the Supreme Leader's downfall after he was killed in a barrage of US and Israeli missile strikes early on Saturday morning. Senator Ted Cruz: Bombing Iran is “single most important decision of [Trump's] presidency” Appearing on CBS' Face the Nation, Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas applauded President Trump's decision to bomb Iran. CRUZ: “President Trump's decision to launch this decisive action against Iran is the single most important decision of his presidency. He is taking this action because the government of Iran is a profound and malign influence. “They have been the leading state sponsor of terrorism for 47 years. They have, over that time, killed nearly 1,000 Americans. They provide more than 90% of the funding for Hamas. They provide more than 90% of the funding for Hezbollah, the Iranian Ayatollah, was, until yesterday, actively trying to murder the President of the United States, Donald J Trump.” Senator Lindsey Graham: “The mothership of terrorism is about to go down!” Appearing on Fox & Friends, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was grateful the American people re-elected President Trump in 2024. GRAHAM: “My feeling today is that I'm very glad that President Trump won and Kamala Harris lost. Unfortunately, the modern Democratic Party is pathetic in the face of evil. “The difference between Donald Trump and our Democratic colleagues, he's common sense. He understands the world. He's of the mindset that the Ayatollah is Hitler in a robe, wearing a turban; that he's not capable of changing his ways. “Donald Trump does not get us entangled in forever wars, but he sure stands up to the bad guys, and he makes us safer. This is the most consequential decision any President has made since 1979.” Senator Graham predicted a major re-set in the Middle East because of “Operation Epic Fury.” GRAHAM: “If the regime falls, I think Saudi Arabia, the keeper of the holy mosque and Mecca and Medina, the center of Islam, will go back to the table to try to do peace with Israel. We were close before, before October the seventh. October the seventh was designed to stop normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. “I think when this regime collapses, we'll be back at the table of normalization. If Saudi Arabia recognizes Israel it will be the biggest change in 1,000 years in the history of the MidEast. If this regime falls -- Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis terrorist network supported by Iran -- will collapse, slowly but surely. “The mothership of terrorism is about to go down. There's a new dawn coming in the Mideast.” Mass shooting in Austin leaves 3 dead and 14 wounded Three people are dead and 14 have been injured after a mass shooting at a popular bar along West Sixth Street in downtown Austin, Texas during the early morning hours of Sunday, March 1, reports the San Antonio Express-News. The shooting took place at Buford's, a popular bar along the West Sixth Street entertainment strip. Anniversary of John Wesley's death And finally, John Wesley, the English evangelist, who was a principal leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism, died at the age of 87 on this day, March 2nd in 1791. Wesley placed his faith in Christ on May 24, 1738. Referring to our Savior Jesus Christ, Luke wrote in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” In his early ministry years, Wesley was barred from preaching in many parish churches and the Methodists were persecuted. Under Wesley's direction, Methodists became leaders in many social issues of the day, including the abolition of slavery. He became known for the Wesley Covenant Prayer. It says, “I am no longer my own, but Thine. Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for Thee or laid aside for Thee, exalted for Thee or brought low for Thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to Thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Thou art mine, and I am Thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on Earth, let it be ratified in Heaven. Amen.” Wesley wrote hymns including “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing.” “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace! My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread thro' all the Earth abroad the honors of Thy name.” John Wesley became widely respected, and by the end of his life, was described as "the best-loved man in England.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, March 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Listen along as we continue our series through Acts. Notes//Quotes: Acts 27:1-44 - Jack Title: Small Ship, Big Sea “Chiding is indeed cruel, and brings no comfort; but if it be tempered with some remedy, it is now a part of the medicine.” - John Calvin “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed” (Prov. 15:22) “We do not worship a deistic God, an absentee landlord who ignores his slum; we worship a garbageman God who came right down into our worst garbage to clean it up.”  - Peter Kreft Oh Maker of the mighty deep Whereon our vessels fare, Above our life's adventure keep Thy faithful watch and care. In Thee we trust, whate'er befall; Thy sea is great; our boats are small. We know not where the secret tides Will help us or delay Nor where the lurking tempest tides, Nor where the fogs are gray. We trust in Thee, whate'er befall, Thy sea is great; our boats are small. Beyond the circle of the sea, When voyaging is past, We seek our final part in Thee; Oh bring us home at last. In Thee we trust, whate'er befall; Thy sea is great; our boats are small. - Henry Van Dyke

March 2, 2026Today's Reading: Genesis 32:22-32Daily Lectionary: Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 18:16-20:18; Mark 6:14-34“Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.' But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.'” (Genesis 32:26) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What a wrestling match in Genesis 32! Not the one we would expect. Wasn't the Lord on Jacob's side? Yes, but here it appeared that the Lord was Jacob's adversary. Not exactly what Jacob probably wanted. I mean, his life was already in deadly danger. Why? Well, you may remember when Jacob cut a deal with Esau, his older brother. Esau's birthright for a bowl of vegetable stew. And then, Jacob deceived his dad to get Esau's blessing. Not a happy camper! Filled with rage, Esau threatened to murder his baby brother. A family feud was in process. Jacob didn't want it to escalate to bloodshed! He desired his family to be safe and sound, so he made plans that could possibly cool off Esau's jets. Jacob prayed to the Lord and then sent his family ahead to Esau with loads of goodies.  Jacob, now alone, found himself wrestling all night. No match against a mere man but against the Lord Himself! Throughout the struggle, Jacob had quite the grip. The Lord even touched his hip and put it out of socket, but Jacob refused to tap out. At daybreak, the Lord said, “Let go!” “Not until you bless me,” Jacob yelled! The Lord came through for Jacob as He promised! He gave Jacob the new name “Israel,” which means “he who wrestles with God.” And then, the Lord blessed him. Jacob called the place “Penuel,” which refers to seeing the Lord's face. This wrestler wouldn't share his name even though Jacob wanted that. The name would be shared, though, many years later, by the angel Gabriel with the virgin Mary and her guardian Joseph. Yes, the One that Jacob wrestled with was the One that would come from Jacob's family tree and take down Sin, Death, and Satan for you and me.  We can feel like we're in a wrestling match with the Lord. It can look like God is against us as we get bumps and bruises from the rough and tumble of life. Some days we just limp along. Suffering and sickness tucker us out. Temptations wear us down. Even though it can seem like we're all alone, we're not! Jacob is an example for us. Hold onto the Lord's promises day after day until we see him face-to-face in the resurrection. We will! All of God's promises have their “yes” in Jesus! No promise will ever be broken by the One who has broken the powers of Sin, Death, and Satan by His wrestling match at Golgotha for us. Because Jesus has conquered, we will, too! It's His promise, and His grip on us won't slip. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won; And although the way be cheerless, We will follow calm and fearless, Guide us by Thy hand To our fatherland. (LSB 718:1)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings, From the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies, who surround me. (Psalm 17:8-9 NAS)

Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings, From the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies, who surround me.(Psalm 17:8-9 NAS)

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by creators and executive producers Genie Deez and Thy Than!This week's conversation covers the brand new PBS Kids series Genie and Thy created, Phoebe & Jay, which follows two children who live with their father and grandmother at Tobsy Towers in the fictional city of Nadaville, California. Genie and Thy share favorite episodes, diversity and representation in today's media, the collaborative process between the writers and producers, and so much more!Watch Phoebe & Jay on PBS Kids and on PBSKids.org!https://pbskids.org/phoebeandjayhttps://pbskids.org/videos/phoebeandjay(And check your local PBS station for dates and times.)Taping date: February 13, 2026Edited by: Mileshttps://www.youtube.com/@Miles02109Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

Faith For Our Covenant Rights (1) (audio) David Eells 2/25/26 I want to talk to you today about some possible misconceptions some of God's people may have regarding receiving God's blessings and why some people don't receive them when they are prayed for.   Satan Reads Minds & Inserts Thoughts I was asked this question: Can you substantiate in Scripture where it is written that Satan can put thoughts into our minds? My answer was: In order for Satan to put thoughts into our minds, he would also have to be able to read our minds. I will try to explain this in a moment, but first, you might want to entertain another question: Can anyone substantiate with Scripture that Satan cannot put thoughts into our minds or read our minds? Since we can't do this, then we shouldn't believe it because it is not Scriptural. It says in (1Ch.28:9) ... The Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts... In the spirit realm, thoughts are audible to the mind of God and demons. God and demons can, in turn, impart the gift to read minds. I have read the thoughts of men by the power of the Holy Spirit. A man once asked me if I knew what he was thinking. At that moment the Holy Spirit gave it to me, and for several minutes the man was awed at the power of God. Also, when I first went to a full gospel Church I witnessed Christians attempting to exorcise a demon-possessed man who thought he was a woman. He also demonstrated the ability to read minds when the unbelieving Christians asked for a demonstration. He did say that it was easier to read the mind of one person there and pointed to the only person there who was not filled with the Spirit, even though he did not personally know anyone there. Familiar spirits or spirits of divination in magicians, wizards, mediums, etc., have demonstrated the power to read minds in front of audiences of people. We wrestle with principalities and powers in the mind. The Bible says in Eph.6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].... 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We see here that with the renewed mind of the Word, our thoughts are guarded as with a helmet because we won't accept foreign thoughts. We learn to discern the illegal thoughts of the enemy. Then we are able to take back our thoughts (by repenting and agreeing with the Word) and we cast the enemy's thoughts down. 2Co.10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), (The principalities and powers hold the strongholds in the thoughts of the mind.) 5 casting down imaginations (thoughts and images), and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. We win the battle by rejecting the enemy's thoughts and replacing them with God's thoughts. We are at peace with God when we are full of His thoughts, and our minds are guarded from the demonic attacks that, if heeded, cause outward actions of sin. We are told in Php.4:6-7 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Satan is able to insert thoughts within our thoughts. Act.5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? and also 1Ch.21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. Now, here we can use a little Holy Spirit reasoning. How could Satan insert his thoughts in the midst of our thoughts unless he knows the context of our thoughts? If you went into your computer to edit a paragraph, how could you do this if you couldn't read the original? How could you insert the right text unless you could read the context of the original thoughts? If you just inserted words anywhere without knowing the context, you would make a nonsensical statement, and anyone would know that someone inserted something that was out of place. So it is with us. If Satan or demons inserted something that didn't fit the context of our thoughts, then everyone would know that they are at work. They do their best work undercover, and they know it; they're crafty and work to deceive us. How would Satan be able to tempt us if he were so dysfunctional? We would know it was him immediately. How then would it be a temptation? Now, here is the really important thing. Our battle does not depend on whether the enemy can read our minds or not. It depends on what he can do about what we know. When we read the Book of Job, we can clearly see that God put restrictions on Satan's ambitions for Job. Satan has to obey God's rules of engagement even when he knows what we think. Satan admits he did not have the power to get at Job because of God's hedge around him, and the same is true of us. Job.1:9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? 10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. It is not important for our thoughts to be hidden from the enemy when he can do nothing about them. And he can do nothing about our thoughts unless by them we give him permission, for we have authority over him. Luk.10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. 20 Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. It doesn't matter what the demons know that we know, for as sons of God we are their lords just as it was with Jesus. Joh.20:21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Mat.18:18 Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind (forbid) on earth shall be bound (forbidden) in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose (permit) on earth shall be loosed (permitted) in heaven. Our faith permits the sovereignty of God to be manifest through the Body of Christ and forbids Satan, no matter what he knows of our thoughts. Jesus' condition for receiving His benefits is plain: “As thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee” and “According to your faith be it done unto you” and “Thy faith hath made thee whole”. As we believe, God's benefits will be given. Unbelieving thoughts and actions forbid God's benefits to us because He has made a condition, and He cannot lie. Unbelief permits Satan to continue administering the curse. Mar.6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. So we see that even Jesus was forbidden to do mighty works for those who would not believe. Whether we know it or not, we are constantly forbidding or permitting Satan, demons, and God's angels by our thoughts, words, and actions. Since all authority in heaven and earth was given to Jesus and He, in turn delegated it to His disciples, where does Satan get his authority? He gets it from our unbelief, words, and disobedience. If the devil can convince you to listen and accept his thoughts of doubt, worry, fear, anger, etc., you won't be able to stand against him with faith. When we add to or take away from God's Word in thought and deed, this permits the curse by Satan and forbids God's blessings for us or through us. This is by God's design to motivate us to come into agreement with Him. It clearly says in Rev.22:18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book (19) and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. So, in coming into agreement with God, we forbid Satan to administer the curse to us. In order to win this battle, we have to cast down the thoughts of Satan that he sends our way, which would otherwise give him permission to destroy us. So again, 2Co.10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), 5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Here's another misconception. Many think that the reason God gives the gift of tongues is so that Satan cannot understand what we say to God, and his purposes will be thwarted. This is false. Satan and his fallen angels are much smarter than Christians give them credit for. They certainly know the “tongues of men and of angels,” or they couldn't communicate with one another and put their thoughts in our heads. 1Co.13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. When prophecy is uttered in one's own known language, the mind, doctrine, and desires are permitted to be involved in what is said, and the Word is polluted as it says in 1Cor.13:9 “for we know in part, and we prophesy in part”. In other words, the Prophecy can be part God and part man. However, the reason we speak with tongues is so that WE will not know what we are saying and will have no carnal reason to change it or add to it. In this way, it will be a pure Word given of the Spirit. The Bible says in Rom.8:26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity (We have problems sometimes and we don't see the things we need to see. We don't know ourselves as well as we may think we do.): for we know not how to pray as we ought; (It is so true! God gives us the gift of speaking in tongues because we don't know what we should pray, but the Spirit does know what to pray. The apostle Paul really appreciated this gift, and he said, 1Co.14:18 I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all.); Continuing in Rom.8:26 but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered (that is by man); 27 and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. So once again, we gain wisdom concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in us in how to defeat the enemy.   Faith in Balance Another misconception some people may have is how they use faith for things that they don't understand are wrong; things that are not good for us or others. Mar.16:17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe... 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Should we always eat what we want, drink what we want, and breathe what we want because we are not under the curse, according to Galatians 3:13? Possibly the key words here are “what we want,” not “what we need”. God said He would supply our every need. Some think that because we are not under the curse, we shouldn't tell people that certain things are poisonous to their bodies. Where is the balance here? No one should tempt God by taking poison on purpose when there is a choice. That is like the snake handlers who often die tempting God to prove who they are. Permit me to paraphrase the devil when he tempted Jesus: “Throw yourself off this temple, Jesus, because God said the angels would catch you”. His answer was, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God”. Like the angels' promise, God also said you are not under the curse. Does that mean you should put poison in your mouth on purpose when you have a choice not to? That would be tempting God in the exact same way. Notice the devil tempted Jesus to use His promise of protection and His deliverance from the curse to jump off the temple. He tempts you to use your promise of protection and eat known poisons for no purpose, or eat after your own lusts. There is no difference, unless that is all you have to eat, like the man who said to Elisha, “There is death in the pot,” because, in their foraging for food, poisonous gourds had been thrown in the pot. Since that is what they had to eat, he blessed it, and they ate it. When I lived in Pensacola, I drank the water there, I've driven my motorcycle through the chemtrails, and I ate whatever food was put before me because I needed to and was blessed. I knew an otherwise strong Christian who believed with all his heart that he could eat anything he wanted because he was not under the curse. I agreed with the principle, but not the way he was using it to justify his lustful eating habits. He was using the doctrine to eat in an unhealthy manner, and he was overweight and under-exercised. To make a long story short, he died with his arteries clogged and dying because of a lack of circulation. And he confessed constantly that it was all good and he wasn't under the curse. The Lord said we ask and don't receive because we want to consume it upon our lusts. The demons jumped on the seven sons of Sceva, who thought they had protection, but their own lives were not right with God, and so they were under the curse. The promise that ‘if you drink any deadly thing it will not harm you' is for those who have to drink the water they have and eat the food available to them, like when Moses blessed the bitter waters in the barren wilderness. When we are given poison secretly to kill us, as ‘the powers that be' are doing now, we are protected. When we know about it and have a choice between poison and pure, we should choose that which is pure. Of course, if you have something to prove, like the devil was tempting Jesus by saying, “If you are the Son of God,” prove who you are. Jesus had no such lust, and He proved it. There was another way down from that temple roof. Some religious people today would say to someone like him, “You don't have any faith”. But Who is the teacher here? The man who said there was death in the pot was not wrong. Now they had a choice to make: believe God if you need to eat or opt out if you don't believe. Many Christians don't truly believe that God will protect them from poison. Should we just let them die because they do not believe in God's promise? Is it all right to say to them, there is death in the pot? They would die and never have a chance to grow up and learn that they are not under the curse. The Lord said in Hosea 4:6 that His people would die for lack of understanding. Let us have mercy on them and tell them with grace and wisdom that fluoride, chemtrails, chemotherapy, and many drugs they take, etc., are poison. “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man.” But should they be forced to take them or deceived into taking them, they should believe they are not under the curse. Now we know serpents are also demons, but Paul did not take up that serpent on purpose. It bit him, but when it happened, he shook it off by faith and was none the worse in Acts 28:3. I knew a couple who believed they were not under the curse, but they were under a law of their own making, instead of grace through faith; they were under pride, Jezebel and worshiped a false Jesus. God didn't care what their doctrine was; He refused to answer and protect them. In short, walk in holiness and under the protection of God, but don't try to prove who you are in pride, don't put yourself under a law, and don't be competitive with others, for God will humble you. We are not looking to make or find the line in this balance for others; we just share Biblical principles to help them find balance. Let everyone find their own line in their conscience and according to the measure of their faith. We don't want to be caught making laws for others here. Those who truly trust in the Lord are covenant people.   Covenant People Have Rights through Faith Some time ago, I received an email from a brother who was following a man who taught his followers that we should heal everyone like Jesus did. I responded to him with the following: First of all, I am glad for all the people who get healed. By the grace of God, what this brother teaches is right. I have taught for over 55 years with multitudes saved, healed, delivered from demons, and provided for by many kinds of miracles, even physical creations, resurrections, etc.; many were by phone or online, etc. I have searched the scriptures diligently for over 50 years, and there are many that this brother does not consider and put into his puzzle. In his video, he says, “There are no verses that say a person's unbelief will stop them from getting healed.” He has not believed his Bible, throwing out all verses that do not agree with his theory, just like the people he criticizes. According to Jesus, both the minister should have faith AND the one being ministered to. Here are just a few scriptures that come to me quickly: Rom.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Mar.9:22 And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. 24 Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead. But Jesus showed them not so. Mar.6:4 And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching. Luk.8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher. 50 But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole. 51 And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him (none who disbelieve), save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother. Mat.8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour. Mat.9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to YOUR faith be it done unto you. Real faith puts us in covenant rights. Mat.21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. We cannot add to or take from God's Word under penalty of a curse (Revelation 22:18,19). So I told this brother who had been captured by a deceiving spirit, “You would do better to study where ALL the scripture is respected.” When Jesus went from town to town, He healed the people who came to Him. They came because they heard and believed He healed, or they would not have come. For this reason, Jesus rarely went to anyone to heal them. When He went to the pool of Siloam, He went to just one man and healed him because Father gave Him a word of knowledge. He healed no one else there. If Jesus wanted to heal everyone, why didn't He do it for all the rest lying around the pool, who were waiting for the waters to be troubled by the angel? Jesus can heal without faith in someone, but He doesn't have to because of the command for them to believe. This is the exception and not the rule. He requires faith, especially for those who know better. Babies get milk when they cry. Adults are expected to get it for themselves. So if you want to guarantee they have a right to healing, deliverance, and provision, preach the Gospel and see if they believe. This preacher did not do this and he mostly prayed to take pain away. He would ask specifically, “Does anyone have pain?” This may remove a symptom, which by nature, points people to the real disease that he is not dealing with.     Also, Jesus taught that if you don't forgive, you will not be forgiven. Addressing this man, I said, Your friend proved that in the video. When people forgave, they got their healing. He came to the wrong conclusion because he was not accepting all of the scriptures. I have seen the same thing for many years when people repent of willful disobedience, which always brings judgment; they get healed. Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. Jesus taught that when a person is forgiven, they can be delivered from the tormentors, which are demons that bring spirits of infirmity.   He demonstrated this in Mat.9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, and take up thy bed, and go up unto thy house. And Luk.5:24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house. The clear proof that they were forgiven was that they got healed, as Jesus said. Jesus showed that you can give healing or deliverance to even a child of God, but he will not keep it if he doesn't become a disciple and fill his heart with the Word. Mat.12:43-45 But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. Jesus said those who received these benefits from Him also lost them, and it's still true today. Your friend said that every time he prays, he will get healing, which is not true. As he was speaking, the Lord had me test him. He looked square into the camera, saying a person did not need faith; all they needed was his faith. He told the people to put their hands on their infirmity, and he would pray, so I did too. I put my hand on a small thing on myself that had not yet manifested. I was not believing when he prayed because he said it wasn't necessary. When he prayed, nothing happened to me, just like most of the people who watched that video. By the grace of God only, I have been praying for the sick, casting out demons and performing miracles of all kinds for about 55 years, and far less than 1% send me a testimony of their benefit, and most that are sent to us are not on our site. Here you can see that I have taught others to heal and see miracles of all kinds, and they, in turn, are teaching others. But we have to speak as Jesus did and the main condition is faith. I have also taught the real Gospel and the disciples have seen many saved. All the people your friend sends out to witness and heal have the same experience as you. Some are healed, and some are not, and they don't know why. They feel condemned because they haven't got enough faith. You say you believe this man is a Man-child. The Man-child will speak all of the Word and have all kinds of miracles like Jesus, not just the removal of pain, which he specializes in. Also, the Man-child will go to the covenant people and send disciples to the covenant people, just like Jesus the Man-child. History must repeat, or the Bible is wrong. When you speak the gospel FIRST to a person, and they believe it, they are a covenant believer, and they are entitled to healing, deliverance, and miracles. Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). They were the only ones who had the Covenant. The reason Jesus was healing all, which your group is not doing, is because He went to the people who had covenant rights of healing. Exo.15:26 and he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am Jehovah that healeth thee. Today, we offer healing, and if anyone believes the simple Gospel, they will receive. The Syrophoenician woman wanted healing for her daughter, but Jesus said, “It's not right to cast the children's bread to the dogs” (or unbelievers). She said, “But even the dogs get the crumbs that fall from the master's table”. Jesus said, “For this saying (of faith) go thy way; thy daughter is healed”. Jesus was bringing a New Covenant for all those who believe. They have a right to healing and deliverance. Also, notice the daughter had rights through the parents' faith. The centurion's servant had rights through his faith, as with Jairus' daughter. If they believe that they can heal everyone, why do they not go to the hospitals where the really sick people are and empty them? Taking pain away is one of the easiest things. Keep on preaching the Gospel, brother, but include all of the scriptures for more success. Read the free book on our site called The Real Good News. You will find many more scriptures there AND the real Gospel. Now, another area people may have a misunderstanding about is…   Repenting for Others and the Sins of the Parents I received this question from a sister and put my comments in red. She writes: I'm forwarding this to you as it is in line with your ministry. Personally, I have mixed emotions about it. On one hand, God said in the Old Testament that He no longer holds the sins of the Father against the children. My Reply: This is because for those who believe, Jesus broke the genetic curse of Adamic sin, which is passed on through the blood of parents. We had a woman in our assembly who adopted three babies from birth but didn't know the biological parents. As each child entered puberty, they started manifesting fornication, lying and stealing, and the mother was confused because she had raised them all to be Christians. She wanted to find out who the biological parents were and was able to because an HRS worker turned her back while she looked at their files. She went to see the mother and found out that she was just like the children with the same sins. Even though the parents did not raise these children, their sins were passed on through their blood. As we prayed for these children, God saved them and the genetic curse was broken. Now they do not suffer for the sins of their parents. Many Christians still suffer for the sins of their parents and need to believe the Gospel to be delivered. She continues: Eze.18:1 The word of Jehovah came unto me again, saying, 2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? 3 As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, ye shall not have [occasion] any more to use this proverb in Israel. My Reply: Those in true spiritual Israel are delivered from the sins of the parents by the blood of the Lamb. Jesus became a curse for us (Gal.3:13,14). She continues: Eze.18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. My Reply: “For each man shall bear his own burden” (Gal.6:5). She continues: That being so, then this admonition to repent of the sins of the Fathers before us, or we will be punished, seems contrary, although every generation has those who are prejudiced and mistreat others, for which they as individuals should repent. Is every generation of America going to have to repent for what their forefathers did? When does it end? My Reply: We can repent for the sins of our parents, which are genetically in us, but we cannot repent of their sins for them, as some say. Everyone has to repent for themselves. :o) A sister we know of thought this would work for the City of New Orleans, but God quickly told her that it would not. She continues: “We stopped over in New Orleans on July 2nd. We repented and interceded for that city. Afterwards as we turned to leave, the Lord spoke clearly to two of us. What He said to me was startling. He said, “I will destroy this city in a day!” Obviously, repenting for someone else doesn't work; two months later, the city was gone. (Hurricane Katrina)” My Reply: Some believe verses like this prove that to be a false doctrine. Neh.9:2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. This is for Christians who are separated from their nations. Our sins, which ARE the iniquities of our fathers in us, can be confessed and forsaken. She continues: Secondly, as one scripture verse points out, Psalm 130:3 If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? The idea that Nashville, Las Vegas, or New Orleans are more sinful than other places is possible, but if God wants to, He could pick any big city and would be able to find enough reasons to punish the people therein. However, from the Old Testament, I get the impression that, in spite of men's sinfulness, God is looking for reasons to spare people, such as for the sake of any righteous persons therein. When messages calling for repentance come through, I take them seriously because I don't want to take a chance of destruction coming. My Reply: “The wicked is a ransom for the righteous” Pro.21:18. When God judges the wicked, the righteous get the fear of God and repent like when God judged Egypt, and Israel came out from among them. God is gathering sinners into cities to give a demonstration for the righteous, who, like Lot, will come out from among them. The judging of the wicked is a ransom, which is the price God is willing to pay for the righteous to be free from bondage. Ten judgments fell on Egypt, and Israel tempted God 10 times in the wilderness.

Question: What do we pray for in the third petition? Answer: In the third petition, which is, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," we pray, That God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven. Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://gift.ligonier.org/1267/westminster If this podcast has been a blessing to you, try these other podcasts from Ligonier: Renewing Your Mind: https://renewingyourmind.org/ 5 Minutes in Church History: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/ Ask Ligonier: https://ask.ligonier.org/podcast Open Book: https://openbookpodcast.com/ Simply Put: https://simplyputpodcast.com/

Today’s Topics: 1) Gospel – Matthew 6:7-15 – Jesus said to His disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. “This is how you are 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. “If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Dr. Peter Howard joins Terry to discuss the Great Apostasy and the End Times

Today, we are focusing on how the sword of theSpirit—the Word of God—is our greatest defense against the false teaching ofthe cults and heresies that are so prevalent in the world today. This is veryimportant. At the same time it is our best weapon against the false teachingthat Paul warned would take place in the last days (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy3:1-9). Thebest answer to secular humanism is the Word of God. If there was ever a daywhen secular humanism has infiltrated even Christianity, it is today. Sadly, weare witnessing what A.W. Tozer called a humanistic Christianity. How true thatis. It becomes all about me—what I feel, what I can have, what is in it forme—instead of asking, What do we learn about God? How can we be holy like God? TheApostle Paul warned even the young church at Ephesus. You must understand thatfalse teaching has been present since the very beginning of the early church.It was already creeping in. Peter dealt with it. The Apostle John dealt withit. We find Paul addressing it as well when he spoke to the elders of thechurch at Ephesus In Acts 20:29-32. He said: “For I know this, that after mydeparture savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also,from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw awaythe disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for threeyears I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now,brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able tobuild you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” God's Word, Paul said, is what will build you up, set you apart, and give you courage and wisdom to deal with the false teachers. Today,people are not asking, “What does God say?” Instead, they are asking, “What doI feel?” We hear phrases like, “Follow your heart.” “What does your heart tellyou?” “What do you think the Bible is saying to you?” But that is not the mostimportant thing. The most important question is: “What is God saying”? Period.Godhas spoken. Whether you believe it or not, His Word is settled. Yet todaypeople ask, “What do I prefer? What do I think is true?” Paul warned that inthe last days people would have itching ears—they want their ears scratched andtickled (2 Timothy 4:3-5). They want to hear things that are not true but makethem feel good. Peterwrote in 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and alwaysbe ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope thatis in you with meekness and fear.” John also warned in 2 John 7–8: “Formany deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ ascoming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”  Theirreligion is a do-good religion. Do the best you can and you'll get to heaven.Try to keep the Ten Commandments. Then there's good God, good devil, goodeverybody. All you have to do is do what you feel like is the best thing foryou to do. In the end, God will have mercy on you and we're all going to get toheaven one day. I've actually heard these pastors quote Romans 8:35-39 atfunerals telling the people that “nothing can separate us from the love of Godthat's in Christ Jesus our Lord. Everybody's going to end up in heaven one daybecause nothing can separate us from His love”. Myfriend, these are lies of the devil. That's why Jude also warned in Jude verse3, "... I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contendearnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Forcertain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for thiscondemnation, ungodly men who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and denythe only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ."  Myfriend, we must know the Word of God! It is our best weapon against the falseteachers and their heresy. Jesus said, "Sanctify them through thytruth. Thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

Still Waters Psalm 23 (Part 2) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” I only really talked about the first few lines of this Psalm in my last episode and there are some other powerful parts to this Psalm. I want to make sure I go through the whole thing so when you are using it against your anxiety you can understand all the various aspects of it. Today I want to look at the very next line. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I was attending a conference once, and the speaker mentioned this verse.  It was not a spiritual conference, so when I heard it, I figured it was a sign that I should talk about it.  The verse says though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.  This is hard.  It seems like there is so much to fear these days. There is fear surrounding these elections. There is fear surrounding the future of our country. There is fear surrounding so many things. When we read this scripture we wonder how it is possible to fear no evil.  How is it possible to fear no evil when you are surrounded by death, or the possibility of death?  If you read on it says “for thou are with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me.”  God is with us, we all know this, we repeat this and tell others this, but do we really believe this?  Do you believe that God is right there with you when you are in the valleys?  We all know how all-powerful God is, so if we believe that He is there with us, it makes sense that we wouldn't be afraid.  How could we be afraid when He is there?  He is the Almighty One.   So, why do we have so much fear?  Are we afraid that He won't help us?  Are we afraid He won't show up?  Are we afraid to die?  What is it that we have been so afraid of?  Maybe you find yourself worried about a lot of things.  Maybe you worry every time there is a storm coming.  Maybe you worry about your finances.  Maybe you worry about your children, parents, siblings, or spouse.  Worry may be a part of your everyday life.  I am hoping to change that.  It probably won't change overnight, and it may not be easy, but it is possible.  The bible mentions “fear not” 365 times.  This is definitely something that God wants us to get.   I will be honest, I didn't get the last part of this verse.  “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”  I looked up the meaning of this because I wondered if there was something that I was missing.  I am glad I did because there is a great article called “Understanding Psalm 23: What Does the Staff and Rod Actually Mean?  I put a link in the show notes so you can read the whole article.  I highly suggest it as it is good.  I will not retell the article; I will just touch upon the few descriptions of the rod and the staff.  First, the author says that the staff symbolizes rest, as shepherds used to lean on their staff for rest.  Next, the staff can symbolize rescue because shepherds used to use their staff to rescue sheep from the thick brush.  Third, the staff can symbolize a guide as the shepherd used it to guide sheep across open fields.   This all seems to make a lot of sense to me. It seems like we are much happier and less afraid when we are able to just rest in the Lord.  To just sit with Him and turn over all of our worries and fears to Him.  Also, God rescues us from difficult situations when we need Him.  He doesn't abandon us.  He is always there for us in good times and in bad.  Lastly, He is definitely our Guide.  How many times have we needed God to guide us through the rough parts of our lives?  We need Him as a guide for the easy parts as well. The article goes on to say that Rod is Our Protection.  When shepherds were herding sheep they used their rods to defend against anything that wanted to attack the sheep.  This is what God does for us.  He protects us from our enemies.  The Rod is also a symbol of Love.  The shepherds used to use their rods to count the sheep.  You might be wondering how this is a symbol of Love.  This is an act of love because the shepherd is making sure that all of his sheep are present and accounted for.  God is doing the same thing for us.  He does not want a single one of His sheep to get lost.  He loves us too much.   Now that I understand what the words rod and staff mean in the context of this verse and in the time that it was written, I feel as though I understand the verse as a whole better now.  I can't believe how much the Lord is saying to us with just a short sentence or two.  I am also in awe, sometimes thinking about how much God loves us.  It amazes me how He can be all these things for us, for each and every one of us.  Understanding that His staff is our guide, rescue, and rest, and that his rod is our protection and love helps me understand why we should have no fear.  We don't need fear when we realize all that He has already done for us.  We don't need to fear when he is there to protect us, guide us, and rescue us.  He has got us. We can rest in the knowledge that His staff and His rod are enough for us.  They are more than enough for us.   “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”  Is it any different hearing that verse again after hearing the description of the rod and the staff?  Does it make you want to trust in the Lord more?  Does it help you fear a little less?  I hope that it has helped.  I hope that we can all get to a place where we don't have so much fear.  It is so freeing when you can let go of your fears and learn to lean into and trust God.  You won't regret it.  I will leave you with Matthew 6:27 to think about.  “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, we ask that you help us to have no fear in times of trouble.  We ask that you help us to feel loved.  Lord, I ask that you help all those who are feeling anxious or worried today and every day.  Help them to hand their worry over to you and not take it back again.  We thank you, Lord, for guiding us through our lives.  We thank you for protecting us and for being our place of rest.  Lord, we thank you for rescuing us every single time we need you to.  You are the best!  We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen.   Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day, and may the grace and favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you! Today's Word from the Lord was received in April 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Trust me. I am worthy of your trust. I gave all for you because I loved you. I do not abandon my children. Whatever comes your way, remember I'm there.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…” Matthew 6:7–8Prayer is so essential to our spiritual lives that we should strive to live in a state of constant prayer, all day, every day. However, saying prayers is very different from truly praying. Jesus begins by teaching that prayer is not about “babbling many words.” We do not pray to change God's mind or to convince Him to do our will. That is not the essence of prayer. Jesus is very clear: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”So, how do you pray? Do you come to God with a list of requests, thinking that if you ask enough or in the right way, He will grant your wishes? Consider how a child might plead with a parent until the parent finally gives in. Is this how God wants us to approach Him in prayer? Certainly not.Prayer must be constant—asking, pleading, and even begging—but for what? Should we beg God to conform to what we think is best? No. True prayer is when we ask, plead, and beg that God change us and conform us to His perfect will.The Our Father teaches us both the sentiments and content of true prayer. We begin by acknowledging who God is—our loving and intimate Father who dwells in Heaven. Though He is transcendent and beyond us, He is also near, like a father who lovingly watches over His children.God is holy—wholly other, perfect in every way, the Holy One. For this reason, we adore Him, proclaiming that even His name is holy.What do we ask of God in prayer? Not that He fulfills our will, but that “Thy will be done!” His will is accomplished when His Kingdom is established in our lives—when He governs us and we live in obedience to His every precept. This requires deep trust and surrender.We also ask for our “daily bread,” which includes all that we need materially and spiritually. We must trust that God will never forsake us as long as we remain faithful to Him. He always provides. Those who rely on worldly riches rather than on God's providence may find themselves spiritually impoverished, so we ask God to provide for every need according to His will.One of our greatest needs is for forgiveness. We all sin and are in need of mercy, which only God can provide. However, God's forgiveness comes with a condition—we must forgive others as well. If we do not extend forgiveness to others, we cannot fully receive it ourselves. True forgiveness, once received, transforms us so profoundly that it must overflow to others as freely and abundantly as it was given to us. The Lord's Prayer concludes by acknowledging the reality of the evil one and the temptations that surround us. Only God's grace can protect us from these snares. This truth should lead us to complete dependence on God's grace and on the ministry of His angels to guard and guide us. Reflect today on how you pray, especially when you recite the Our Father. Do you fully understand what you are saying? Do you believe it with all your heart? Your Father in Heaven knows your needs. Trust Him, turn to Him, acknowledge His holiness, worship Him, rely on His providence, seek and extend forgiveness, and allow Him to protect you from evil. If you do, you will pray as Jesus desires. 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. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Question: What do we pray for in the second petition? Answer: In the second petition, which is, "Thy kingdom come," we pray, That Satan's kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and the kingdom of glory may be hastened. Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://gift.ligonier.org/1267/westminster If this podcast has been a blessing to you, try these other podcasts from Ligonier: Renewing Your Mind: https://renewingyourmind.org/ 5 Minutes in Church History: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/ Ask Ligonier: https://ask.ligonier.org/podcast Open Book: https://openbookpodcast.com/ Simply Put: https://simplyputpodcast.com/

In this episode, Micah Herbster walks through Psalm 119:109–112, the fourteenth stanza of this great psalm, reminding listeners that the Christian life is not a passing moment but a lifelong path. Building on the theme of God's Word as a light for the way, Micah focuses on two powerful words that shape our spiritual resolve: never and forever. From the sobering reality that “my soul is continually in my hand” to the firm declaration “yet do I not forget Thy law,” this passage calls believers to steadfast remembrance and unwavering obedience—even in danger, opposition, and uncertainty. With illustrations drawn from the “Never Forget” refrain following September 11, this challenge presses the urgency of staying on the path of Scripture.The second half of the passage lifts our eyes to lasting devotion: “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever… I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy statutes alway, even unto the end.” God's Word is not merely instruction—it is inheritance, delight, and heart-joy. When the Word truly rejoices the heart, it inclines the will toward obedience. This episode challenges listeners to examine whether Scripture is genuinely their delight, to resist drifting under pressure or pain, and to determine—by God's grace—to obey Him to the very end. The episode closes with a prayerful response, learning not only to study the Psalm, but to pray it.

Daily Morning Prayer (2/23/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 110-113; Deuteronomy 3; Luke 6; Metrical Psalm 38:1-14, and a brief reading from the Books of Homilies1 Thy chast'ning wrath, O Lord, restrain, though I deserve it all; Nor let at once on me the storm of thy displeasure fall. 2 In ev'ry wretched part of me thy arrows deep remain; Thy heavy hand's afflicting weight I can no more sustain. 3 My flesh is one continued wound, thy wrath so fiercely glows, Betwixt my punishment and guilt my bones have no repose. 4 My sins, that to a deluge swell, my sinking head o'erflow, And for my feeble strength to bear too vast a burden grow.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Morning Prayer (2/23/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 110-113; Deuteronomy 3; Luke 6; Metrical Psalm 38:1-14, and a brief reading from the Books of Homilies1 Thy chast'ning wrath, O Lord, restrain, though I deserve it all; Nor let at once on me the storm of thy displeasure fall. 2 In ev'ry wretched part of me thy arrows deep remain; Thy heavy hand's afflicting weight I can no more sustain. 3 My flesh is one continued wound, thy wrath so fiercely glows, Betwixt my punishment and guilt my bones have no repose. 4 My sins, that to a deluge swell, my sinking head o'erflow, And for my feeble strength to bear too vast a burden grow.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

On the Sunday of the Last Judgment, the Gospel reveals that judgment takes place not in a courtroom, but in the throne room of God—a reality the Church enters every Sunday in the Divine Liturgy. This homily explores how worship forms repentance, trains us in mercy, and sends us into the world with lives shaped by the pattern of Christ's self-giving love. --- The Throne Room Now: Judgment, Mercy, and the Work of the Liturgy A Homily on the Sunday of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31–46) When we hear the Gospel of the Last Judgment, our attention is usually drawn—rightly—to the command to do good: to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned. And the danger every year is that we hear this Gospel as if Christ were saying something like this: "Be good people during the week (ie take care of people)—and then come to church on Sunday." But that is not what the Lord is saying. In fact, the Gospel appointed for today does something far more unsettling—and far more hopeful. It places the Judgment not in a courtroom, but in the throne room of God. Christ says, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory." That is not legal language. It is liturgical language. The people who first heard this would have known exactly what that meant. They would have filled in the details instinctively from the Scriptures and from worship: the throne surrounded by cherubim and seraphim; the unceasing hymn of praise; even the River of Fire—not as punishment, but as the light and heat of God's own glory. And here is the first thing we must understand: We are not only told about that throne room. We are brought into it. Every Sunday, the Church does not merely remember something that will happen someday. We are brought into that reality now - as much as we can bear it. The Kingdom is revealed to us here and now, sacramentally, liturgically, truthfully. And that changes how we hear today's Gospel. First: There is a connection between doing good and coming to church Sunday is not an interruption of the Christian life. It is its measure. In a real sense, every Sunday is a little judgment—not a condemnation, but a revelation. We come into the light, and the truth about us is allowed to appear. And notice how this begins in the Divine Liturgy. It begins not with confidence, not with self-congratulation, but with repentance. The priest, standing before God as the leader and voice of the people, pleads at the very beginning: "O Lord, Lord, open unto me the door of Thy mercy." That is not theatrical humility. That is the truth. We are asking to be let in—not because we deserve it, but because without mercy we cannot even stand. And then, before the Trisagion, the priest names what God already knows about all of us: that He "despisest not the sinner but hast appointed repentance unto salvation." And so he begs Him directly: "Pardon us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary." This is what Sunday is. It is the people of God standing before the glory of His altar and asking to be healed. Asking to see clearly. Asking to be made capable of love. But repentance in the Liturgy does not remain on the lips of the clergy alone. Before Communion, the entire Church takes up the same posture and says together words that are almost shocking in their honesty: "I stand before the doors of Thy temple, and yet I refrain not from my terrible thoughts." We do not pretend that standing in church has magically fixed us. We confess that we are still conflicted, still distracted, still broken. And then, with no room left for comparison or self-justification, we each say: "Who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first." And finally, we make the plea that fits today's Gospel with frightening precision: "Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of Thy holy mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body." The Church is honest with us here. The same fire that heals can also burn, depending on whether we approach it with repentance or with presumption. This is not a threat meant to drive us away, but truth meant to help us approach rightly. That is why Sunday is a little judgment—not because God is eager to condemn, but because His throne room is opened to us now in mercy, so that we may be healed, corrected, and trained to recognize Christ when He comes to us in the least of His brethren. Second: Sunday worship is where we actually do the work Christ commands And once we see that, we can begin to understand what the Church is actually doing here -  and why worship cannot be separated from judgment. Before we ever offer bread and wine, the Church first intercedes for the world. We pray for peace from above and the salvation of our souls; for the peace of the whole world and the good estate of the holy Churches; for this city and every city and countryside; for travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick, the suffering, and the captive; for deliverance from tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity. We even pray for civil authorities—not to bless power for its own sake, but that peace and order might make room for mercy and justice. In other words, before we do anything else, we place the needs of others before God. And in addition to interceding for all of this, here—at the heart of the Divine Liturgy—the Church actually performs the works of mercy Christ names in today's Gospel. Not in theory.  Not symbolically.  But truly. Here: Strangers are welcomed and given a home. Prisoners are freed from the shackles of sin and the sentence of death. The naked are clothed with baptismal garments. The thirsty are given living water. The hungry are given the Bread of Life. This is not allegory. This is reality at its deepest level. God Himself tells us to care even more for the soul than for the body. During the week, we sacrifice ourselves to meet bodily needs—and we must grow in that work. But on Sunday, we are commanded to do the most important work of mercy: to restore people to life in Christ. That is why worship is not optional. It is not private devotion. It is the Church doing what the Church exists to do.  And because that work is real, it carries with it genuine hope. Third: Sunday gives us a foretaste of the reward The Gospel of the Last Judgment is not only a warning. It is also a promise. Those who learn to serve Christ in the least of His brethren are not merely rewarded—they are invited to rest in God, to share in His life, to participate in His rule. Saint Paul says something astonishing: "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? … Do you not know that we shall judge angels?" (1 Corinthians 6:2–3) This does not mean we become harsh or self-righteous. It means we are being trained—here and now—for a future of responsibility, faithfulness, and love. What we do here is forming who we are becoming. Conclusion What happens in this Divine Liturgy is the automatic response of the Church—that is, of a people devoted to sacrificial love—to God's command to care for others as we care for ourselves. This is not a dead ritual. It is a powerful tool for doing essential work. It is the throne room of God revealed to us now. But it is not meant to remain here. The expectation of the Church is that the pattern of the Liturgy becomes the pattern of our life. That the repentance we practice here becomes the repentance that shapes our weeks. That the mercy we receive here becomes the mercy we extend beyond these walls. That the intercessions we make here train us to notice, remember, and bear the burdens of others when we leave. That is why the Liturgy does not end with applause or reflection, but with a command: "Let us go forth in peace." We are sent out not having finished our work, but having been formed for it. And when the Son of Man comes in His glory, He will recognize those whose lives have taken on the shape of His worship— those who learned, here, how to repent, how to intercede, and how to love.

Thy kingdom come; the will, works,way and the word of God.

“Thy good Spirit.” — Nehemiah 9:20 Common, too common is the sin of forgetting the Holy Spirit. This is folly and ingratitude. He deserves well at our hands, for He is good, supremely good. As God, He is good essentially. He shares in the threefold ascription of Holy, holy, holy, which ascends to the Triune […]

In this episode of Walk Talks, Micah and Malachi Herbster open Psalm 119:105–108 to explore what it truly means to walk in the light of God's Word.“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Before the light can be appreciated, the darkness must be acknowledged. They reflect on the reality of living in a fallen, sin-cursed world where the world, the flesh, and the devil constantly speak lies. Without the Word of God, there is no true direction. But God, in His mercy, has given believers everything needed for life and godliness through His truth.The conversation emphasizes the believer's desperate dependence on Scripture—not merely as information, but as divine authority. Owning a Bible or knowing its contents is not enough. The Word must be engaged daily, submitted to fully, hidden in the heart, and obeyed. Walking implies consistency—step by step, decision by decision—marked by intentional, biblically conscious living.Psalm 119:106 introduces the theme of covenant commitment. The psalmist vows to keep God's righteous judgments, prompting reflection on why God so faithfully keeps His covenants while His people so often struggle to keep theirs. Micah and Malachi discuss the importance of renewing holy resolutions and cultivating spiritual resolve in a wavering world.Verse 107 reminds listeners that faithfulness does not exempt believers from affliction. The psalmist remains under trial, yet he does not turn to self-pity, frustration, or anger. Instead, he turns to the Word—the source of revival, restoration, and strength. Suffering is framed as a refining fire that prepares believers for deeper service to the King.Finally, Psalm 119:108 reveals a heart that responds rightly—with prayer, praise, confession, and a sincere desire to grow in obedience. A life shaped by the Word is marked by humility, worship, and perseverance.This episode serves as a call back to the lamp, back to the path, and back to the Word within—urging believers not only to know the Word, but to walk in it, live by it, and obey it.

Meatfare/The Last Judgment Matthew 25:31-46  On the Sunday of the Last Judgment, the Gospel reveals that judgment takes place not in a courtroom, but in the throne room of God—a reality the Church enters every Sunday in the Divine Liturgy. This homily explores how worship forms repentance, trains us in mercy, and sends us into the world with lives shaped by the pattern of Christ's self-giving love. --- The Throne Room Now: Judgment, Mercy, and the Work of the Liturgy A Homily on the Sunday of the Last Judgment Matthew 25:31–46 When we hear the Gospel of the Last Judgment, our attention is usually drawn—rightly—to the command to do good: to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned. And the danger every year is that we hear this Gospel as if Christ were saying something like this: "Be good people during the week—and then come to church on Sunday." But that is not what the Lord is saying. In fact, the Gospel appointed for today does something far more unsettling—and far more hopeful. It places the Judgment not in a courtroom, but in the throne room of God. Christ says, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory." That is not legal language. It is liturgical language. The people who first heard this would have known exactly what that meant. They would have filled in the details instinctively from the Scriptures and from worship: the throne surrounded by cherubim and seraphim; the unceasing hymn of praise; even the River of Fire—not as punishment, but as the light and heat of God's own glory. And here is the first thing we must understand: We are not only told about that throne room. We are brought into it. Every Sunday, the Church does not merely remember something that will happen someday. We are brought into that reality now—as much as we can bear it. The Kingdom is revealed to us here and now, sacramentally, liturgically, truthfully. And that changes how we hear today's Gospel. First: There is a connection between doing good and coming to church Sunday is not an interruption of the Christian life. It is its measure. In a real sense, every Sunday is a little judgment—not a condemnation, but a revelation. We come into the light, and the truth about us is allowed to appear. And notice how this begins in the Divine Liturgy. It begins not with confidence, not with self-congratulation, but with repentance. The priest, standing before God as the leader and voice of the people, pleads at the very beginning: "O Lord, Lord, open unto me the door of Thy mercy." That is not theatrical humility. That is the truth. We are asking to be let in—not because we deserve it, but because without mercy we cannot even stand. And then, before the Trisagion, the priest names what God already knows about all of us: that He "despisest not the sinner but hast appointed repentance unto salvation." And so he begs Him directly: "Pardon us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary." This is what Sunday is. It is the people of God standing before the glory of His altar and asking to be healed. Asking to see clearly. Asking to be made capable of love. But repentance in the Liturgy does not remain on the lips of the clergy alone. Before Communion, the entire Church takes up the same posture and says together words that are almost shocking in their honesty: "I stand before the doors of Thy temple, and yet I refrain not from my terrible thoughts." We do not pretend that standing in church has magically fixed us. We confess that we are still conflicted, still distracted, still broken. And then, with no room left for comparison or self-justification, we each say: "Who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first." And finally, we make the plea that fits today's Gospel with frightening precision: "Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of Thy holy mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body." The Church is honest with us here. The same fire that heals can also burn, depending on whether we approach it with repentance or with presumption. This is not a threat meant to drive us away, but truth meant to help us approach rightly. That is why Sunday is a little judgment—not because God is eager to condemn, but because His throne room is opened to us now in mercy, so that we may be healed, corrected, and trained to recognize Christ when He comes to us in the least of His brethren. Second: Sunday worship is where we actually do the work Christ commands And once we see that, we can begin to understand what the Church is actually doing here -  and why worship cannot be separated from judgment. Before we ever offer bread and wine, the Church first intercedes for the world. We pray for peace from above and the salvation of our souls; for the peace of the whole world and the good estate of the holy Churches; for this city and every city and countryside; for travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick, the suffering, and the captive; for deliverance from tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity. We even pray for civil authorities—not to bless power for its own sake, but that peace and order might make room for mercy and justice. In other words, before we do anything else, we place the needs of others before God. And in addition to interceding for all of this, here—at the heart of the Divine Liturgy—the Church actually performs the works of mercy Christ names in today's Gospel. Not in theory.  Not symbolically.  But truly. Here: ·      Strangers are welcomed and given a home. ·      Prisoners are freed from the shackles of sin and the sentence of death. ·      The naked are clothed with baptismal garments. ·      The thirsty are given living water. ·      The hungry are given the Bread of Life. This is not allegory. This is reality at its deepest level. God Himself tells us to care even more for the soul than for the body. During the week, we sacrifice ourselves to meet bodily needs—and we must grow in that work. But on Sunday, we are commanded to do the most important work of mercy: to restore people to life in Christ. That is why worship is not optional. It is not private devotion. It is the Church doing what the Church exists to do.  And because that work is real, it carries with it genuine hope. Third: Sunday gives us a foretaste of the reward The Gospel of the Last Judgment is not only a warning. It is also a promise. Those who learn to serve Christ in the least of His brethren are not merely rewarded—they are invited to rest in God, to share in His life, to participate in His rule. Saint Paul says something astonishing: "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? … Do you not know that we shall judge angels?" (1 Corinthians 6:2–3) This does not mean we become harsh or self-righteous. It means we are being trained—here and now—for a future of responsibility, faithfulness, and love. What we do here is forming who we are becoming. Conclusion What happens in this Divine Liturgy is the automatic response of the Church—that is, of a people devoted to sacrificial love—to God's command to care for others as we care for ourselves. This is not a dead ritual. It is a powerful tool for doing essential work. It is the throne room of God revealed to us now. But it is not meant to remain here. The expectation of the Church is that the pattern of the Liturgy becomes the pattern of our life. That the repentance we practice here becomes the repentance that shapes our weeks. That the mercy we receive here becomes the mercy we extend beyond these walls. That the intercessions we make here train us to notice, remember, and bear the burdens of others when we leave. That is why the Liturgy does not end with applause or reflection, but with a command: "Let us go forth in peace." We are sent out not having finished our work, but having been formed for it. And when the Son of Man comes in His glory, He will recognize those whose lives have taken on the shape of His worship—those who learned, here, how to repent, how to intercede, and how to love.

“Fulfiller of the past And hope of things to be, We hail Thy body glorified And our redemption see. “‘Tis good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain; But since Thou bidst us leave the mount, Come with us to the plain.”

I. Introduction Welcome to the Victory Church podcast and Sunday worship gathering. Victory's mission: reaching the lost, restoring the broken, reviving believers.​ Joy and gratitude for being in God's house where worship, prayer, the Word, and fellowship occur.​ Emphasis that God's grace enabled people to be present, overcoming hindrances.​ II. The Nature and Purpose of Prayer Prayer and the Word as central priorities at Victory Church.​ Biblical commands to pray: “men ought always to pray,” “pray without ceasing,” “watch and pray,” “continue earnestly in prayer.”​ Clarification: prayer is not a religious ritual but a relational conversation with a loving Father.​ Prayer as sharing cares, dreams, concerns with God; Scripture as God sharing His thoughts and heart with us.​ III. Reactive vs. Proactive Prayer A. Reactive Prayer Definition: responding to events, crises, and immediate needs after they happen.​ Typical reactive requests: jobs, finances, housing, healing, family and school pressures.​ Affirmation: these needs matter to God; believers should cast all cares on Him.​ Problem: if this is the only kind of praying, discipleship and prayer life are out of alignment with God's best.​ B. Proactive Prayer Definition: creating or shaping situations by praying God's will in advance, not only reacting.​ Example from the Lord's Prayer: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” as a proactive request.​ Goal: move believers beyond crisis-only praying into kingdom-focused, forward-looking prayer.​ IV. Acts 4 as a Model of Prayer A. Context of Acts 4 Acts as early church history, showing the Spirit-empowered beginnings of the church.​ Peter and John preaching, healing a crippled man, and provoking opposition from religious leaders.​ Authorities command them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.​ Connection to today: pressure in culture to silence biblical truth and the name of Jesus.​ B. The Disciples' Response They return “to their own” (the church, fellow believers) when threatened.​ Principle: where you turn in crisis reveals much about your heart.​ They share the report as a prayer request and turn immediately to corporate prayer.​ They pray in alignment with Scripture (Psalm 2) and God's will, not just emotions.​ C. Content of Their Prayer (Acts 4:24–31) Acknowledge God as Creator and Sovereign Lord over heaven and earth.​ Rehearse Scripture about nations raging and rulers opposing the Lord and His Christ.​ Interpret persecution as part of God's sovereign purpose in Christ's suffering.​ Reactive element: “Lord, look on their threats.”​ Proactive element: ask for boldness to speak the Word, and for God's hand to heal with signs and wonders in Jesus' name.​ Result: the place is shaken, all are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they speak God's Word with boldness.​ V. Praying with the Word and God's Will Call to pray not only from need or emotion but aligned with Scripture.​ Examples of praying Scripture over needs (provision, healing, emotional and spiritual needs, relationships).​ Recognition that God's will includes timing; believers must be sensitive and obedient.​ Emphasis: there is power when prayer and the Word are joined.​ VI. From Problem to Launching Pad Observation: in Acts 4, the crisis launches the church into deeper proactive prayer, not retreat.​ Instead of praying primarily for safety and comfort, they pray for greater boldness and impact.​ Application: believers today should ask God to use trials to produce testimony, messages, and greater influence for His glory.​ VII. Call to a Proactive Kingdom Focus A. For Truth and Witness in a Confused Culture Culture tolerates generic “god talk” but reacts strongly to the exclusive claims of Jesus.​ Expect opposition when living and speaking biblical truth, without being obnoxious or hypocritical.​ The church must stand firm on Scripture, not be shaped by social media or worldly opinions.​ B. For Local and Global Mission Victory Church's call: reach Providence and the nations through evangelism and missions.​ Example: missions trips (Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia) and conferences to strengthen pastors and churches.​ Appeal for proactive prayer for missions: bold preaching, anointing, signs and wonders, and lasting fruit.​ C. For Revival and Awakening Distinction: revival for the church (bringing believers back to life), awakening for the lost.​ Invitation to pray for souls, discipleship, anointing, revival in churches, and awakening in the nation.​ Desire to create cultures of discipleship, evangelism, missions, and deep engagement with Scripture.​ VIII. Illustrations of Proactive Prayer in History and Life Personal testimony: long season in temporary housing, choosing contentment and kingdom focus while trusting God's timing.​ Application of Matthew 6:33: prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting Him to add needed things.​ Biblical example: Job praying for his friends and receiving double restoration.​ Historical examples: John Knox's burden “give me Scotland or I die” and its influence.​ David Brainerd's fervent prayer for Native Americans and resulting impact.​ William Tyndale's martyrdom for translating Scripture and the later spread of English Bibles.​ The Moravians' 100-year prayer meeting and remarkable missionary sending.​ IX. Practical Application and Invitation Challenge: move beyond “needs-only” praying to kingdom-centered, proactive prayer.​ Specific areas to pray proactively: personal walk, church, ministries, missions, national awakening, and social issues.​ Encouragement to stay for times of corporate prayer, lifting up pastors, leaders, and global work.​ Final appeal: cultivate a passion that cries, “Lord, give us souls, give us revival, use my life and this church for Your glory.”

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --After this manner therefore pray: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13 KJVWe are not created to be subjects to the kingdom of this world but to the Kingdom of our God.From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 ESVGod's word is literally a revelation of His Kingdom priorities and yet those priorities are rarely ever ours.God's Kingdom is His sovereign rule and reign in heaven and on earth, presently accomplishing His will in and through the hearts and lives of those who faithfully follow Him. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Colossians 1:13 CSBHe is a compassionate King.Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:1-2 ESV For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 ESVJesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world. John 18:37 NKJVJesus came for a Revolution of Redemption and Restoration!He is the Conquering King!Pilate wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” John 19:19 ESVDeath, the previously undefeated foe, was no match for our conquering savior and King.They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 17:14 ESV The more pertinent question is, who was on that cross? - John LennoxNow after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen. Matthew 28:1-6 ESV3) He is the Sovereign King Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty. Psalm 24:8 ESVTherefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 NLTMuch of the chaos is in our lives stems from the fact that we don't rightly respond to Christ's sovereign rule as King.For God is the King over all the earth. He reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne.. Psalm 47:7–8 NLTWe must see Jesus as both our merciful Savior and our sovereign Lord.-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:Leviticus 15-18; Acts 18 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Hunter invites us into a journey through the transformative pages of Scripture, focusing on Leviticus chapters 15–17 and Acts 18. Together, we explore ancient rituals of purification, the significance of blood in the Old Testament, and Paul's missionary challenges and encouragements in Corinth. Along the way, Hunter offers thoughtful spiritual guidance, drawing parallels between the biblical text and our everyday struggles with fear, faith, and obedience. The episode concludes with heartfelt prayers, uplifting hymns, and practical encouragement to step into God's love and purpose for our lives. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the journey, today promises to deepen your understanding and help you walk in God's strength and joy. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Don't be afraid. Speak out. Don't be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me. God wants Paul to keep doing what He's asked him to do. God has a plan for many people, He says, in that city. They already belong to him. They will soon discover what they don't quite yet know. He wants Paul to know that he doesn't need to be afraid. This simple message makes you wonder why Paul needed a vision to have that reinforced, but apparently he did. And sometimes we do too. Sometimes we need a clear vision of Christ in order for us to do those simple things that we knew all along. Trust God. Trust that God is already at work in these people's lives before we even say a word. God is there. We don't need to be afraid. You know, I've lived a good part of my life next to the Pacific Ocean. I enjoy talking about it, sharing it with you. The ocean's so big, so beyond any one person. Sometimes you can look out over it and you could feel afraid. There's no controlling the sea, and yet there is a way to participate with it. You can actually learn to harness some of the might of that ocean. You can also learn to draw some of your life from that ocean, as sailors and fishermen have learned from the beginning of time. There's an old hymn by the writer Jesse Adams I'm going to go ahead and read these lyrics to you. They speak to what we've just read about today. I feel the winds of God today. Today my sail I lift, though heavy oft with drenching spray and torn with many a rift. If hope but light the water's crest and Christ my bark will use, I'll seek the seas at his behest and brave another cruise. It is the wind of God that dries my vain regretful tears, until with braver thoughts shall rise the purer, brighter years. If cast on shores of selfish ease or pleasure I should be, Lord, let me feel Thy freshening breeze, and I'll put back to sea, if ever I forget Thy love, and how that love was shown. Lift high the blood-red flag above, it bears Thy name alone, great pilot of my onward way. Thou will not let me drift. I feel the winds of God today. Today my sail I lift. And the prayer of my own heart today is that I will lift the sail, that I'll not be afraid, that I'll trust in him. That's the prayer that I have for my family too, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  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 tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  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  

"This great saint was bishop in Magnesia, and suffered for Christ at the age of 113. When a violent persecution broke out under the Emperor Septimus Severus, the aged Charalampus did not hide from his persecutors, but freely and openly preached the Christian faith. He endured all tortures as though not in the body, and when they flayed the living flesh from him, the godly saint said to the Emperor's soldiers: 'Thank you, my brethren, for scraping off the old body and renewing my soul for new and eternal life.' He performed many wonders and brought many to the Faith. Even the Emperor's daughter, Gallina, repudiated the paganism of her father and became a Christian. Condemned to death and led to the place of execution, St Charalampus raised his arms to heaven and prayed for all men, that God would give them bodily health and salvation of soul, and that He would grant them the fruits of the earth in abundance: 'Lord, Thou knowest that men are flesh and blood; forgive them their sins and pour out Thy blessing on all.' After praying thus, the saintly elder gave his soul to God before the executioner had laid his sword to his neck. He suffered in 202. Gallina took his body and buried it." (Prologue)   The Great Horologion puts his age at 103.

I've been looking for a way to celebrate America 250 as this year goes by and I don't want it to be relegated to July 4th or certain events. So, I thought maybe I would search for primary documents, written for or by the Founding Fathers (and a surrounding cast of historical characters) for as many of the days of the year as I can. Since I'm starting in February, I think it's fitting that my search brought me first to a set of letters exchanged between Phyllis Wheatley and General George Washington. Below is the poem that prompted Washington to write to the formerly enslaved poet, Phyllis Wheatley. His Excellency, General Washington by Phyllis Wheatley Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of light,Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I write.While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms,She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.See mother earth her offspring's fate bemoan,And nations gaze at scenes before unknown!See the bright beams of heaven's revolving lightInvolved in sorrows and the veil of night!    The Goddess comes, she moves divinely fair,Olive and laurel binds Her golden hair:Wherever shines this native of the skies,Unnumber'd charms and recent graces rise.    Muse! Bow propitious while my pen relatesHow pour her armies through a thousand gates,As when Eolus heaven's fair face deforms,Enwrapp'd in tempest and a night of storms;Astonish'd ocean feels the wild uproar,The refluent surges beat the sounding shore;Or think as leaves in Autumn's golden reign,Such, and so many, moves the warrior's train.In bright array they seek the work of war,Where high unfurl'd the ensign waves in air.Shall I to Washington their praise recite?Enough thou know'st them in the fields of fight.Thee, first in peace and honors—we demandThe grace and glory of thy martial band.Fam'd for thy valour, for thy virtues more,Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore!    One century scarce perform'd its destined round,When Gallic powers Columbia's fury found;And so may you, whoever dares disgraceThe land of freedom's heaven-defended race!Fix'd are the eyes of nations on the scales,For in their hopes Columbia's arm prevails.Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,While round increase the rising hills of dead.Ah! Cruel blindness to Columbia's state!Lament thy thirst of boundless power too late.    Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side,Thy ev'ry action let the Goddess guide.A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! Be thine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a point in many recovery journeys where insight stops being the problem. You know what to do. You understand your patterns. And yet… change still feels hard. In this episode, I talk with Paula Robbins, author of Hitchhiking Into Recovery, who has over 37 years of sobriety, about why that happens—and what actually sustains healing over the long haul.     The Ride That Opened the Door Paula's recovery didn't begin with a dramatic intervention. It began when she was picked up hitchhiking in 1988 by someone living a sober, connected life. That single interaction mattered because it interrupted isolation. Not with willpower. With connection.     Addiction Is a Disconnection Problem Paula grew up with trauma, neglect, and instability. Alcohol became a way to shut down overwhelming emotions long before she had language for what was happening. By age 12, she was drinking to blackout. What stands out isn't just the trauma—it's what was missing: Safety Emotional guidance Consistent connection Addiction wasn't a moral failure. It was a survival strategy.     Feelings Aren't Facts One of Paula's most grounding principles is simple: Feelings and facts are not the same. Recovery didn't eliminate difficult emotions—it created space to respond instead of react. That pause is where real change happens.     The Four Pillars That Sustain Recovery After decades of sobriety, Paula distilled what actually works into four stabilizing forces: Community – healing happens in relationship Mentorship – someone to help you see clearly Service – contribution rebuilds self-esteem Daily spiritual alignment – prayer, meditation, or quiet time These pillars show up in every effective recovery model because they address the root issue: disconnection.     Divine Alignment vs. Self-Will Paula explains divine alignment not as certainty, but as a felt sense. When she's controlling outcomes, she feels restless and tight. When she surrenders—even briefly—things soften. Sometimes all it takes is the simple phrase: "Thy will be done."     A Gentle Reminder If change feels hard, it doesn't mean you're failing. It may simply mean effort isn't the missing piece—connection is.     One Small Action Try just one: Strengthen one pillar that feels weak Take a 5-minute daily pause Offer one small act of service Notice a feeling without acting on it Healing doesn't require fixing yourself. It starts with not doing it alone.     Resources Mentioned Hitchhiking Into Recovery 12-Step Recovery Programs Step 3 Prayer Step 11: Prayer and Meditation Service work in recovery Guest Contact Info: 

“Tell me… where Thou feedest, where Thou makest Thy flock to rest at noon.” — Song of Solomon 1:7 These words express the desire of the believer after Christ, and his longing for present communion with Him. Where doest Thou feed Thy flock? In Thy house? I will go, if I may find Thee there. […]

"There is an ancient tradition that the holy, righteous elder Symeon, who came from Egypt, was one of the Seventy learned Jews chosen in the days of the Pharoah Ptolemy Philadelphus (285-246 BC) for the task of rendering the Hebrew Bible into Greek, and that to Symeon was assigned the translation of the book of the Prophet Isaiah. When he reached the famous passage where the Prophet foretells the virgin birth of Christ, saying: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Is. 7:14), he was so perplexed that he took a penknife to erase the word 'virgin' in order to replace it by 'young woman'. At that moment, an angel of God appeared and prevented him from altering the sacred text, explaining that what seemed impossible to him was, in fact, a prophecy of the coming into this world of the Son of God. To confirm the truth of this, he promised that Symeon would not see death until he had seen and touched the Messiah born of the Virgin. When, after many long years, Christ was brought into the Temple at Jerusalem by the All-Holy Mother of God, the Holy Spirit revealed to the Elder Symeon that the time of fulfilment of the promise had come. He hurried to the Temple and, taking the Child in his arms, he was able to say wholeheartedly to God: Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation (Luke 2:29). For indeed, the Elder Symeon was the living image of the ancient Israel of the Old Testament, which having awaited the coming of the Messiah was ready to fade away and give place to the light and truth of the Gospel. The relics of the holy and righteous Symeon were venerated at Constantinople in the church of St James, built at the time of the Emperor Justin.   "The prophetess Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, was eighty-four years old. Since the early death of her husband, she had spent her whole life in the Temple in hope of the coming of the Saviour. She is the pattern for holy widows, virgins and monks, who have freed themselves of worldly cares in order to dwell always in the Temple, offering their fasts, hymns and prayers in eager expectation of the Lord's coming. And when, like Anna and Symeon, they have seen the indwelling Christ with the eyes of their heart and touched Him through their spiritual senses, they proclaim with joy and assurance to all mankind that the Saviour is still coming into the world: A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of His people Israel (Luke 2:32)." (Synaxarion)   The Synaxarion notes that the tradition that St Symeon was one of the Seventy is by no means universal among the Fathers. According to some, Symeon was the son of Hillel and father of Gamaliel, St Paul's teacher. According to others, he was a righteous and devout Jew aged 112, neither a priest nor a Pharisee.

“Thy love to me was wonderful.” — 2 Samuel 1:26 Come, dear readers, let each one of us speak for himself of the wonderful love, not of Jonathan, but of Jesus. We will not relate what we have been told, but the things which we have tasted and handled-of the love of Christ. Thy love […]

In this episode Fr. John and Mary break open the richness found inside just one line in the prayer Jesus taught us, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [mission@actsxxix.org](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission Web: https://www.actsxxix.org Instagram: @acts.xxix Facebook: @ACTSXXIXmission The Rescue Project Web: https://rescueproject.us Instagram: @the.rescue.project Our Streaming Channels Web: https://watch.actsxxix.org/browse YouTube: @actsxxix (https://youtube.com/actsxxix)