Podcasts about unbelief

Raised: When Jesus Calls the Dead to Life – John 11:27–57 In Episode 141 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane explore one of the most powerful miracles in all of Scripture—the raising of Lazarus in John 11:27–57. As grief, doubt, hope, and faith collide, Jesus declares Himself to be “the resurrection and the life” before calling Lazarus from the tomb. Together, they unpack what this miracle reveals about the heart of God, the power of belief, and how Jesus often works in ways that stretch our faith beyond what we can see. This chapter is not only about a man being raised from the dead—it's about a Savior who brings life into every place that feels hopeless, buried, or beyond redemption. If you've ever wondered whether God can still move in what feels impossible, this conversation is a reminder that Jesus specializes in resurrection. What area of my life feels beyond hope—and am I willing to believe that Jesus still brings dead things back to life?____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

We're not just a church. We're a Family.Our Vision is clear, simple, and unique. Our vision is Jesus in you. Our vision is for the people of God to have a faith that holds them. The kind of faith that vanquishes doubt, verifies identity, and voraciously contends for inner peace. A faith that removes the past, clarifies the present, and breathes life into the future. Our vision is the Kingdom of God built within the people of this obscure, yet mighty generation. A kingdom so great that its purpose destroys the common lack of self worth. A kingdom that sharpens the eyes, tenses the muscles, and readies itself for the battle against darkness. A Kingdom that brings purpose and healing to those who have failed more than succeeded, who are sinners more than saints, and who have known more pain than pleasure. Our vision is to challenge the weak and unproductive church of our day. To step beyond those who are religiously immature and search out those who for their love for Christ cannot be offended. Our hope is to raise warriors instead of those who think God only exists to keep bad things from happening. To raise those who know that following Christ means suffering loss yet gaining all things. Our vision is clear, simple, and unique…. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

When What You Have Isn't Enough - Matthew 14:13-21

Sunday evening message from the pulpit of Falls Baptist Church

“I believe,” the father cried — before the doubt. A sermon on Scripture's most poignant confession and its meaning for today's doubters. Click here to read the sermon I Believe — Help My Unbelief! Mark 9:14–29 It is great to be with you here today. I want to give all these musicians a hand — thank you, Keith, and thank you to everyone up here. I love all the instruments, and even Michael Jessup is making a joyful noise over there. God bless you guys. I want you to know first and foremost that I am praying for Pastor Christopher, for his family, and for Yates Baptist Church during this time of transition. I also want some of you to know — I'm sure some of you are thinking, who is Marty Childers, and what is Tri-West? It used to be called Yates Baptist Association. We had to change our name because things kept getting confused. People would come to our building looking for you, and people would come here looking for us, and checks got crossed, and a lot of things happened. So that is one of the reasons we changed the name. We are Triangle West, the western part of the Triangle Baptist Network. We say Tri-West. But more than that, I want to give you a real quick infomercial, because I want you to know who we are as Tri-West. I have had the privilege for the last almost ten years — Mike, in October it will be ten years — to work with this association. I have had the privilege of working with many people from this church, and I just want you to know that we are all about strengthening, planting, and resourcing the local church to fulfill the Great Commission. Strengthening, planting, and resourcing the local church. When I first got here, if I'm really honest, a lot of associations in North Carolina had their own plans, and they did a lot of things, and they asked the churches to come along and help them execute those plans. But we said no — we want to flip the script, because God's Plan A is the local church. So the association wants to do everything we can to help the local church fulfill the Great Commission. As a part of that, we are helping revitalize churches, and we are helping to plant new churches. In fact, just in the last year and five months, we have seen four new church plants start in our area — in Durham, in Chapel Hill, in Hillsborough, where I live. And your participation in our association actually helped fund some of those things. Just recently we voted to send five thousand dollars to a youth camp in Haiti that Yates Baptist Church has been supporting for many, many years. As you are a part of this network, you are also helping church planters in Oaxaca, Mexico — two weeks from today I will be in Oaxaca with about thirty-five students, and I am looking forward to that. Your participation also helps us with a Farsi-speaking church in Armenia, which is a story I would love to come back and tell you more about. As we participate together as a network of about sixty-five churches in the greater Durham area, we can do more together. We are trying to help churches not to be silos, not to be isolated, but to look around and say, hey, you are doing that too — let us see how we can collaborate. I want you to open your Bibles, or your apparatus, to the Gospel of Mark, chapter nine. We are going to be looking at verses fourteen through twenty-nine. I am going to read through verse twenty-four first, and then I want you to keep your Bibles or your phones open there, because we will come back to the rest of the passage a little later. Mark, chapter nine, beginning at verse fourteen: And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran to him and greeted him. And he asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" And someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." And immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9:14–24, ESV) [Prayer] Father, we thank you for this time to worship you. We thank you that we have had this moment to lift songs to you. We are here to praise your name, but we are also here to be taught, and to be encouraged, and to be challenged to live the life that you have called us to live. So Father, I pray that you would use this passage, that you would use this Scripture, and that you would teach us the things we need to learn today. Father, I pray that we would listen as your Spirit teaches us. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Do you believe? Charles Blondin was a famous French acrobat who made international history as the first person to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope, on June 30, 1859. He successfully traveled along a more than thousand-foot-long, two-inch-thick cable suspended 160 feet above the raging waters. Over the next few years, Blondin crossed Niagara Gorge more than 300 times, consistently raising the stakes each time with a new dangerous theatrical variation of his walk. He walked across on stilts. He put himself in a body sack and went across. Once, in the middle of the gorge, he set up a small stove and made an omelet, then lowered it down to someone waiting in a boat on the water below. One day after crossing, he brought out a wheelbarrow. He asked the crowd: how many of you think I can push that wheelbarrow across? Hands went up. How many of you think I can take a person across in it? Hands went up again. Who wants to volunteer? Silence. Do you believe? You will notice that we started in verse fourteen, right in the middle of the chapter. It opens by saying "they came to the disciples" — but who is "they"? That is Jesus, Peter, James, and John. They had just come down from what we call the Mount of Transfiguration. We do not know exactly which mountain it was, but it was a mountain, and they were descending from a moment in which Peter, James, and John had seen a glimpse of God's glory. For just a moment — the text does not give us the mechanics of how it happened — Jesus' humanness seemed to be peeled back, and they saw him in white, blinding in its intensity. Peter had wanted to stay there. But as they came down the mountain, they walked straight into chaos. How many of you have had a mountaintop experience and then come back to find that life hits you? It seems like almost every time I go on a mission trip, I come back so full, and then I hit the muck of life — the junk, the everyday things that have to happen. That is exactly what is happening here. They descend from the mountain and walk into confusion. At the bottom, Jesus finds a desperate father — and Happy Father's Day, we will come back to that in a moment. He finds a tormented child. He finds nine frustrated disciples. He finds a crowd who may be looking for a spectacle, just waiting to see what is going to happen. He finds religious leaders ready to argue. This is the context into which Jesus steps. Do you believe? These are the final months of Jesus' earthly ministry. He had been with his disciples for three years. He had fed the five thousand, he had fed the four thousand, he had done many miraculous things. And now he comes down from the mountain and walks directly into a crisis. I believe that a crisis is an opportunity for God to show up. I believe a crisis is where God does some of his best teaching. Some of you are thinking back to situations in your own life — maybe this past year, maybe a decade ago, maybe a long time ago — when you were in a situation you did not understand at all, and now, looking back, you can see it clearly: oh, that is what God was doing. A crisis is where God shows up. The first thing I want to share with you today — and for those of you who take notes, feel free — is that this is a story about faith. The boy's father had come looking for Jesus, but Jesus was not there. Still, he was encouraged, because some of Jesus' disciples were right there — maybe they could help his son. He would have been glad had they succeeded. For whatever reason, their efforts were lacking. And by the time Jesus and the three disciples arrived, an argument was already going on. The first question Jesus asks is, "What are you arguing about?" I can imagine the disciples going up against the scribes, and then — as these things tend to escalate — the disciples maybe turning on each other. Well, we were not able to cast it out because you said the wrong words. You lifted your hand wrong. You did not do it the way we did last time. You know how that goes. Our enemy is always looking to divide us. And then Jesus responds. His response is pretty heavy. "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?" He asked a version of that question several times throughout the Gospels. The one that always comes to my mind is when they were crossing the Sea of Galilee and a great storm came up. Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. The disciples came and woke him: "Master, Master, don't you care? We're going to die!" Jesus stood up, spoke to the wind and the waves, and the sea went calm. But then he turned to his disciples and asked, "Where is your faith?" (cf. Luke 8:25, ESV). Do you believe, or do you not? I do not know where you are today, but I want to ask you the same question. Where is your faith? How is your faith? On our phones we can check the weather. I have not found an app yet to check my faith — today it's pretty low, today it's high. How is your faith? Now, we can be very judgmental on this father, because we already know what he is about to say. We know he is going to say, "I believe; help my unbelief." And we tend to fall hard on that second part — on the unbelief. But before he said "help my unbelief," he said "I believe." Before he admitted his doubt, he declared his faith. I think this is one of the most poignant statements in all of Scripture. The man — this father — pulls back the mask, pulls back the curtain. He is being transparent. He is open and honest. He is saying: I believe, I want to believe, I really, really want to believe, but I am struggling to believe. His honesty matters. We have to remember that we are on this side of the resurrection — he was on the other side. He did not have the whole story. And he was struggling, but he wanted to believe. Maybe some of us are struggling today. Maybe some of us have been there. "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24, ESV). I felt that way this week. Maybe you have too. Did you notice, though, that he said "I believe" first? That was his first statement. He did not lead with I'm really struggling, but I'm trying. He led with I believe. And I think that matters enormously. It is also interesting that he says to Jesus, "If you can, have compassion on us and help us." I almost wish there were a question mark in Jesus' response — "If you can?" — as if he is saying, do you know who you are talking to? And then he goes on: "All things are possible for one who believes" (Mark 9:23, ESV). That is the first thing I want you to remember. This is a story about faith. By the way — this is a book about faith. The second thing I want to share is that this is also a story about failure. We do not like to talk about that, do we? We would prefer to talk about success stories. We would prefer to talk about how the walls of Jericho came tumbling down (cf. Josh 6:20), about how Moses led the Israelites through on dry ground (cf. Exod 14:22), about Daniel in the lion's den (cf. Dan 6:22), about Jesus raising a little girl who had died (cf. Mark 5:41–42). We love those wonderful, powerful stories of the Bible. But guess what? This book also includes a lot of stories about failure. The Scripture reminds us that we will fail. When I was working with the International Mission Board — I think it was our first or second year — we kept hearing a phrase over and over: freedom to fail. We don't like to fail. But sometimes we don't accomplish things simply because we are not willing to try. I believe — and I know there are a lot of Duke fans in this room, so we can debate this later — that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. But he missed so many shots. Great home run hitters have hit many home runs, but they have struck out many more times. You will not accomplish things if you don't try. This passage reminds us that there are going to be moments of failure. There will be failures in our families. There will be failures in our marriages. There will be failures at work, in our personal lives, in our churches. But I think that is precisely where God wants to show up. He wants to remind us that he not only has the answer — he is the answer. Scripture tells us that God wants to use our weakness so that he can demonstrate his strength (cf. 1 Cor 1:27, ESV). What greater moment of weakness is there than when we fail? When you are in the pit, when you are down in the dumps — that is a theological term, by the way — God is saying, let me show you what I can do. This is a good reminder that we are human. Sometimes — and be honest with yourself here — sometimes we can get puffed up. We do something well, and then we do it well again, and we are just on a roll, and we think, man, I have got this. But there will be moments when we fail. When we do, we need to realize that God is there. Just do not allow your failures to become distractions. Do not allow your failures to pull you into a pity party. Do not allow your failures to keep you stuck in that moment of depression, believing there is no hope. I keep hearing a phrase lately that I have to say I hate: "pessimistic Christian." That is an oxymoron. Who should have more hope than we do? Nobody. This passage reminds us that we will pass through moments of failure. Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6, ESV). So in our greatest time of need — when we fail, when things are not going right, when things are not going the way we planned — God is still in charge. We need faith most precisely in those moments. I love the character of David. I love David — but I wrestle with the fact that the Bible calls him a man after God's own heart (cf. Acts 13:22; 1 Sam 13:14), even though he committed adultery, tried to cover it up, committed murder, and tried to cover that up too, until Nathan came and confronted him (cf. 2 Sam 12:1–13). He thought he had actually gotten away with it. But the Bible calls him a man after God's own heart not primarily because of who David was, but because of who God is — and secondarily because David truly repented. His heart changed. He did horrendous, terrible things, and then he came before God and said, I am sorry. I messed up. I have done this terrible thing. We see in the Psalms, over and over, David saying something like: Lord, where are you? Have you abandoned me? My enemies are all around me, looking to destroy me. And then three or four verses later: but I will worship you, I will praise you, because you are the only true God, and you will be my refuge and my strength (cf. Ps 22:1, 27–28). David did that over and over because he had a heart that was willing to be honest — just like this father was willing to be honest. I believe; help my unbelief. Here is something interesting about this story. Just a few chapters earlier in Mark, Jesus actually gave his disciples authority to heal and to cast out unclean spirits. In chapter six, verse thirteen, they had healed many people, and they had cast out many demons (Mark 6:13, ESV). They had the power. But now, a little later, their faith is flagging and they have begun to argue. And here is the problem: when we begin to argue, the ministry stops. Recently there was a gathering in Orlando at the Southern Baptist Convention. I am sure you saw the news stories. The news stories always find the things we are arguing about and run with them. The truth is, there were nearly a hundred missionaries appointed and sent out to go all over the world. There were a lot of great things happening. But when we argue, the world watches, and the world is going to publicize it as much as it can. I read one theologian who put it this way: "Accept the rebuke from God as a gift that exposes your need." When Jesus says to his disciples, "How long am I going to have to put up with you?" — I think he says that to me sometimes. I am pretty sure he says it to all of you too. We do not like to admit that we have needs. But that is what David did. And that is what this father does. He has exhausted every possibility to find healing for his son, and now he is standing in front of Jesus. The third thing I see here is that this is a story reminding us that we are in a fight. You do not hear a lot about this today, but we are in spiritual warfare. I know people are going to say that sounds strange. But it is biblical. The Bible talks a great deal about this. We served as missionaries overseas for twenty-seven years, and we saw things happen that I can only describe as illogical and unnatural. Another time I will come back and tell you more about that. But when I say illogical and unnatural, I mean things like a little boy who died at the bottom of a pool, and two weeks later I saw him running down the aisle of the church. We saw both good and bad. But this much is clear: we are in a spiritual battle. I know a lot of people today do not like to talk about Satan. I read all the time that more and more people in the church do not actually believe in the devil or in demonic reality. I am pretty simple, Mike — whatever this Book says, I try to believe it. And the Scripture tells us that Lucifer was an angel who fell from heaven because of pride, because he wanted to be like God. The Scripture tells us that the enemy and his demonic presence are at work in this world. That is why we have so much trouble. Now, I do not want to get into a debate about whether this particular boy was possessed or oppressed, or whether what was happening was epilepsy or something else. In fact, the passage uses the word "spirit" throughout, and my Spanish Bible says "demonic spirit." Whatever was happening, something was happening, and the father was looking for help. Jesus is about to heal this young boy. He asks the father how long this has been going on. The father says, from childhood — and that the spirit had often cast the boy into fire and into water to destroy him. I hesitate to share a personal example here, but I want to. Melissa and I have four grandchildren. Our oldest grandson is named Elijah. Elijah is just so cool — but he is different. He has been diagnosed with autism and is non-verbal. He can say a few words once in a while. When I read about this boy who was mute — the one the world was probably looking at strangely — I think of my grandson. If Elijah were here today, he might run up to some of you and smell your hair. That is one of the things he loves to do. He might run up and hug a random person. Most of the time, people hug him back — but more and more lately, people just look at him as if something is wrong with him. He is awkward. He is lanky. He moves differently. And when I think of this story, I think of that father watching his son go through something like this, day after day, week after week, year after year, desperate to find help. So where did he go? He went to Jesus. That is what you and I should do. When Jesus arrives, the spirit responds immediately. It sees Jesus and it throws the boy into convulsions. It recognized what was standing there. That is the nature of spiritual warfare. Our enemy seeks to destroy you and me. He seeks to destroy your testimony. He seeks to destroy the image of God that is in you and in me. He wants you to see the worst in each other instead of the image of God in each other. He seeks to divide us. He will do whatever it takes to get us off track. But I want to remind you: our God is more powerful. The fourth thing I see in this passage is that it is a story about freedom — because God brings freedom. He heals this young man. When Jesus commands the spirit to leave, look at what happens, beginning in verse twenty-six: After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. (Mark 9:26–27, ESV) What I love about this is the variety in how Jesus heals throughout the Gospels. Sometimes he heals in an instant. The centurion said, just say the word, and it is already done (cf. Matt 8:8). There are times he heals lepers and sends them to the priest, and they are healed as they go (cf. Luke 17:14). There is one time he heals a blind man and it actually takes a second touch before the man can see clearly (cf. Mark 8:22–25). What I want you to see is that sometimes God heals in an instant, but sometimes it is a process. It was not immediate here. The boy fell down and convulsed and rolled on the ground. Sometimes it is a process. We do not know whether what happened between the command and the boy arising from the ground took ten seconds or ten minutes. But the spirit came out — the text says so plainly — and I want you to know that sometimes we are waiting for God to show up and do something, and he is already at work. It is just not on our schedule. He is working. He is bringing healing, he is bringing redemption, he is bringing all those things. Just not on our timetable. I love what the passage says next. The boy was on the ground, and they all thought he was dead. But Jesus reached down and took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. There is something in that word — arose — that is not accidental. It foreshadows the morning when Jesus himself, after the cross and the grave, arose. He has power over death. So we do not have to fear it. I talk to people almost every week who are afraid of dying — people in their thirties, in their forties. But as Christians, we do not have to be afraid, because we have hope. That reminds me of Peter. Do you remember when Peter was out on the water with the other disciples and Jesus came walking to them on the sea? Peter said, Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water. And Jesus said, come on. And Peter got out of the boat — Peter, not Jesus — and he was walking on the water too, until he noticed the waves, and the wind, and his circumstances. And he began to sink, until Jesus grabbed him and pulled him up (cf. Matt 14:28–31, ESV). If we fix our eyes on our circumstances, we are going to sink. But if we fix them on the Lord, all things are possible to the one who believes (cf. Mark 9:23, ESV). The fifth thing I want to share — and I will admit this one stretches the alliteration a little bit — is that our first priority should always be prayer. A little later in the passage, beginning at verse twenty-eight, we read this: When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer." (Mark 9:28–29, ESV) Your translation may say "prayer and fasting." Either way, the idea is focused, concentrated, committed prayer. I have heard a statement a lot lately, and I love it: prayer is not part of our strategy — prayer should be our strategy. I actually tried to Google who said it. I could not find a clear source, so I am not going to claim it. But it is a great statement. Let me ask you something. When you have failures, when you have struggles, when you are dealing with a difficult situation — is prayer the first thing you do, or is it your last resort? Here is something worth noticing. Go back this afternoon and read this passage slowly. You will see that Jesus talks with the disciples, he talks with the father, and the boy is healed. But there is no moment in the text where I see Jesus kneel and pray. There is no recorded prayer. I do not think he is saying you have to stop every minute and formally pray. What he is saying is what First Thessalonians says: we are to pray without ceasing (cf. 1 Thess 5:17, ESV). We are to live a life of prayer. We are to be in constant communion with God, in a way that makes us conduits of the Holy Spirit's work. I love the fact that he says this kind can only come out through prayer, but we do not see him stop to pray — because he was already living that life. We know that many times Jesus would take his disciples somewhere and say, stay here, watch and pray, and he would go away and pray. And he would come back and — I am not going to say this is any of you, because I don't see anyone sleeping this morning — but they were asleep. There is a tension there worth sitting with. There are a lot of great theologians who have thought deeply about prayer. Augustine said that prayer is the language of the heart's yearning for God. Martin Luther, who would get up before sunrise to pray for three or four hours before he even opened his Scripture — and then pray for three or four more hours afterward — Martin Luther said, "The less I pray, the harder things seem to get. The more I pray, the more I see God move." Could you pray a little bit more? Could you begin developing a lifestyle of prayer? I want to close with a story from about thirty years ago, when I was serving in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I had gone to a meeting of pastors at First Baptist Church in Santa Cruz. I was leaving with my good friend Eladio Alvarez. Eladio and I walked out of the building and looked down the one-way street. Nothing was coming. I started to step out into the road. And just as my momentum was carrying me into the street, something pulled me back. A truck — going the wrong way on that one-way street, at about fifty miles per hour in a thirty-five-mile-per-hour zone — went flying by. Whatever hair I had was flying. Eladio and I both turned white. I said, man, you just saved my life. And he said, no, no, I didn't do anything. I said, no — I was stepping into the street and you pulled me back. He said, no, you were about to step in, and then you just awkwardly jumped back on your own. We went back and forth on this for a while. Finally he said, you know what happened? You got grabbed by an angel. I said, I don't know about grabbed — but something supernatural happened. My momentum was into that street, and all of a sudden I was standing on the curb. I got on a bus and went home. When I walked in, the light on my phone was blinking — and this was one of those regular phones, not a cell phone, so those of you under forty, feel free to Google it. The message said: this is Bobby Long from Central Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina. That's my home church. Bobby said, I woke up this morning about five-thirty, and I just had this uneasy feeling that you were in danger. So I have been praying for you. He said, at seven-thirty I still didn't have any peace, so I started calling the deacons. We set up a prayer chain. We have been praying for you for the last three hours. Please call me collect. It cost about five dollars a minute back then. But I called him. And I said, Bobby, your prayers were answered. When I told him the story, he could not believe it. About the same time I was stepping into that street, almost four thousand miles away, a group of people were praying. When God brings someone to your mind, stop. When God puts a person or a situation on your heart, stop and pray. Prayer is not part of our strategy. Prayer is our strategy. This kind can only be driven out by prayer. What are you facing today? What difficult situation are you carrying? Our God is powerful. We have to have faith even in our failing moments. We have to know we are in a fight — but our Lord has the power to bring freedom. [Prayer] Father God, I thank you so much for this passage. I thank you for this Scripture that reminds us of who you are and what you do. Father, I thank you that you are all-powerful. I thank you that you have the power to heal and to cast out every unclean spirit, and that you have the power to do anything in everything. Father, we pray right now that we would realize that we must confess, just like this father did: Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief. Help our unbelief to grow, and help our faith to be strengthened. Help us to grow in faith. And Father, I pray that we would do that by praying. I pray right now for Yates Baptist Church — that you would bring them together as one body, that you would unite them, that you would fill them, that you would direct their path, and that you would use this church to reach many, many families, to reach many people who might walk out of darkness into your light, not because of who they are, but because of who you are. So Lord, we pray in the name of Christ that you would do your will and your way and in your time in this place. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Works Cited Augustine. Expositions of the Psalms 33–50 (Enarrationes in Psalmos). Translated by Maria Boulding, OSB. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2000. (For Ps. 37.14.) Augustine. Expositions of the Psalms 121–150 (Enarrationes in Psalmos). Translated by Maria Boulding, OSB. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2004. (For Ps. 125.8.) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. 2011. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles. Luther, Martin. Luther's Works: Vol. 31, Career of the Reformer I. Edited by Harold J. Grabe. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1957. (For writings on prayer's necessity.) Luther, Martin. Luther's Works: Vol. 54, Table Talk. Edited by Harold J. Grabe. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1967. (For reflections on prayer and God's activity.) Luther, Martin. The Large Catechism. Translated by John W. Doberstein. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1961. (For teaching on prayer as essential.) © 2026 Marty Childers. All rights reserved.

Study session scripture: Romans 9:30-10:13What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness[d] did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” Brothers,my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?'” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?'” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Study session topics:Israel's Rejection of God's Promises Israel's Unbelief (9:30-10:4) As with last time, we begin with "What shall we say then?" Points back to Paul's discussion of God's promises to Israel What follows is Paul's summation of what he laid out in Ch. 9 Paul lays out a grand irony between the Jews and Gentiles: Gentiles, on the whole, neither possessed nor pursued God's law, but they have been given an opportunity to receive God's righteousness by faith Jews, on the whole, possessed and pursued God's law for generations, yet that pursuit has not yielded the righteousness that leads to life Why did Israel fail to obtain righteousness through the law? They failed to use the law for its intended purpose: as a mirror to reveal their wickedness and point to a savior Instead, they attempted to use the law to increase their own righteousness As a result, they stumbled over the purpose of the Messiah and His teachings Paul diagnoses the issue of the Jews as being zealous for God, but being wrong about what God requires -If the Jews understood the law and its purpose rightly, they would look to Christ, "the end of the law for righteousness." What does "end" mean? Fulfillment -Culmination -TerminationGod's Message of Salvation to All (10:5-13) Paul again contrasts righteousness based on the law with righteousness based on faith He quotes Leviticus 18:5, a verse he also uses in a similar way in Galatians 3:10-14 The way of the law and the way of faith are mutually exclusive Using several Old Testament references, Paul lays out 3 different types of religion: The religion of the law (10:5) This is the religion of legalism, which Paul refuted in Ch. 7 No one can perfectly keep the law all their life The law was never meant to be a means of salvation The religion of signs (10:6-7) Here Paul references Deuteronomy 30:11-14 and recontextualizes it to refer to Christ's work, laying out several different meanings for Israel and Christians: Neither Israel nor Christians need any further word from God Neither Israel nor Christians need to do anything to bring the Messiah to them Neither Israel nor Christians should look for miracles The religion of faith (10:8-10) -This is a religion of belief and confession Belief: not mere intellectual assent, but trust, resting your hope for the future on Christ's work -Confession: several elements here "Jesus is Lord"--placing oneself under the kingship of Christ Confession with one's mouth is done before others--publicly identifying oneself with ChristConfession with one's mouth is how we share our faith with others Paul ties this passage back into his greater point on Israel's unbelief and rejection of God's promises "Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame" refers back to 9:38 where Paul assembles several quotes from Isaiah, all of which refer to the Messiah and come together to show both the promise of salvation and Israel's rejection of itPaul continues to hammer downs the walls between Jew and Gentile by restating what he said in 3:29-30 and universalizing Joel 2:32Study session audio: S4 E25: Romans 9:30-10:13 Download

In this episode of Believing the Bible, host Scott Lane and the directors of the San Antonio Bible-Based Science Association (SABBSA) tackle a major question requested by listeners: Why is unbelief rapidly increasing today? The team dives into the spiritual, cultural, and educational factors driving this societal shift, while offering a surprising, data-backed ray of hope for the next generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Delay, The Death, and The Resurrection Life - John 11:1-26 In Episode 141 - When Jesus hears that His close friend Lazarus is sick, He doesn't rush to his side—He waits. In this episode, we unpack the tension of John 11:1-26. Why does God sometimes seem slow to answer our pain? We'll look at the heartbreak of Mary and Martha, the raw humanity of Jesus, and the staggering moment He redefines reality by declaring, "I am the resurrection and the life." If you're sitting in a season of waiting or wondering if God has forgotten you, this episode is a powerful reminder that His delays are never denials. Where in your life right now does it feel like Jesus is arriving 'too late'—and how does knowing He delayed on purpose with Lazarus change how you view that waiting room? ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

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To Every Generation...The teaching ministry of Calvary Chapel Crossfields.....Join us as we go verse by verse through the Bible.

When a Leader Does Not Believe - Matthew 14:1-12

Mark 9:13-29 14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” ESV LESSON NOTES Raphael's sixteenth-century oil painting brilliantly merges two contrasting biblical scenes into one canvas: the radiant Transfiguration at the top and a dark, chaotic struggle at the bottom. This artistic choice reflects our daily reality, where the "good" and the "hard" are often crammed into the very same portrait of life. Faith requires recognizing that Jesus is both willing and able. While the leper in Mark 1 questioned Jesus's willingness ("if you are willing"), the father in Mark 9 questioned His ability ("if you can"). True reliance trusts both His infinite compassion to care and His absolute power to act. Every single person at the base of the mountain—the disciples, the crowd, and the teachers of the law—was struggling with faith. The father of the boy was simply the only one honest enough to admit his unbelief out loud, showing that bringing our questions to God is a healthy, biblical practice. Prayer and fasting are not transactional tools used to gain leverage or build personal holiness. Rather, they are relational practices designed to make us intentionally helpless, shifting our reliance away from our own understanding and entirely onto God. "Helplessness, not holiness, is the way to access the presence of God." Timothy Keller DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Icebreaker: Have you ever had a "mountaintop moment"—a time when God felt especially close or life felt especially meaningful—followed immediately by a difficult challenge or disappointment? What was that experience like? 1. The father cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Why do you think this prayer has resonated with Christians for centuries? What makes it so relatable? 2. Do you more often question God's willingness to help or His ability to help? Why do you think that is? 3. Prayer and fasting are relational rather than transactional. What is the difference between using spiritual disciplines to get something from God and using them to grow closer to God? 4. If faith is fundamentally reliance on Jesus, what is one practical area of your life this week where you need to rely less on yourself and more on Him?

Sermon Notes - John 12:37-50 - Jesus: His Final (Public) WordsMain Point: Unbelief leads to judgment - but salvation is available through Christ.-John's Perspective on Unbelief (37-43)  -They Did Not Believe: Isaiah 53 (37-38)  -They Could Not Believe: Isaiah 6 (39-40)  -Many Believed* (41-43)-Jesus' Plea Against Unbelief (44-50)  -The Opportunity for Belief (44-47)  -The Occasion for Judgment (48)  -The Offer of Eternal Life (49-50)

Have you ever talked to someone who rejected (or doubted) the existence of God? Maybe you find yourself in such a place. What are the factors that cause folks to doubt God? And what can we say to help them in that struggle? That's our topic for this Sunday. Join us for a thought-provoking sermon.

Not only are spiritual gifts a work of God's free grace in our lives, but so also is the very faith with which we use those gifts.

A new MP3 sermon from Maidenbower Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Folly of Unbelief (sermon 1980) Subtitle: From the heart of Spurgeon Speaker: C. H. Spurgeon Broadcaster: Maidenbower Baptist Church Event: Podcast Date: 6/5/2026 Bible: Luke 24:25 Length: 33 min.

My Sheep Know My Voice: The Good Shepherd Continued – John 10:22–42 In Episode 140 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane continue their journey through John 10 as Jesus boldly reveals His identity during the Feast of Dedication. In John 10:22–42, Jesus declares that His sheep hear His voice, He knows them, and no one can snatch them from His hand. As opposition intensifies, Jesus continues to point people to the evidence of His works and His unity with the Father. This passage is a powerful reminder of the security, assurance, and intimacy believers have in Christ. Together, Jamie and Jane explore what it means to recognize the Shepherd's voice, trust His leadership, and rest in the confidence that we belong to Him. Whether you're struggling with doubt, seeking direction, or longing for deeper intimacy with God, this conversation will encourage you to listen closely to the voice of the One who calls you by name. Am I listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd—or allowing other voices to shape my identity and direction? ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

Send us Fan MailThe hour of Jesus has arrived, and as the cross draws near, we see both the fullness of His deity and the depth of His human agony.God bless you today and I encourage you to spend time in God's Word https://www.instagram.com/biblicaltapestry/https://www.facebook.com/HyperNike12

Paul Williams - Jesus offers everyone the chance to take the greatest gift we all need - eternal life with God forever. And yet, many people don't want it. This week in Luke 7 we discover why many don't jump at the chance at having such a brilliant free gift.

When Jesus returns to Nazareth, He is met not with faith but with cynicism. The people most familiar with Him are unable to receive Him for who He truly is and miss what God wants to do among them. In the same way, unbelief can keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's work in our lives. From Mark 6:1–6.

Deacon Ben Rivas | June 7, 2026

How Unbelief Makes Its Way In - Matthew 13:54–58

It is by no means deliberate that the last few sermons have not had the ‘classic' Spurgeon three point structure, but I hope that it at least undermines the weary assertion that this preacher ‘invariably' has three points. This sermon has an interesting balance, because it has two main divisions but is still divided into thirds. The sermon finds us on the Emmaus road, with two disciples who are thinking foolishly, “slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” Spurgeon is blunt and forceful in dealing with this matter. Speaking first to the true believer, he asserts, first, that unbelief is folly, and, second, that unbelief arises from slowness of heart. The preacher simply explores those two assertions arising from the text, analysing and anatomising our dull hearts. He closes that portion of the sermon with an encouragement—that slowness of heart is not the same as hardness of heart, and that those who weary of their doubts should abandon them for the faith that not only saves but also secures. Then, with that element of the sermon concluded, Spurgeon asks his believing congregation to pray as he speaks directly to the unconverted. The last third of the sermon is a sustained plea to those who do not yet believe, seeking to expose and to correct the folly and dullness that grips such hearts, concluding with warnings and pleadings. The sermon is striking in its directness and in the arrangement which serves as a vehicle for that direct address, looking first the doubting believer and then the unbeliever in the eye with affection and concern, and speaking to the soul. Read the sermon here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/folly-of-unbelief Check out the new From the Heart of Spurgeon Book! British: https://amzn.to/48rV1OR American: https://amzn.to/48oHjft Connect with the Reading Spurgeon Community on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ReadingSpurgeon Sign up to get the weekly readings emailed to you: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon. Check out other Media Gratiae podcasts at www.mediagratiae.org Download the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

It is by no means deliberate that the last few sermons have not had the 'classic' Spurgeon three point structure, but I hope that it at least undermines the weary assertion that this preacher 'invariably' has three points. This sermon has an interesting balance, because it has two main divisions but is still divided into thirds. The sermon finds us on the Emmaus road, with two disciples who are thinking foolishly, "slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken." Spurgeon is blunt and forceful in dealing with this matter. Speaking first to the true believer, he asserts, first, that unbelief is folly, and, second, that unbelief arises from slowness of heart. The preacher simply explores those two assertions arising from the text, analysing and anatomising our dull hearts. He closes that portion of the sermon with an encouragement—that slowness of heart is not the same as hardness of heart, and that those who weary of their doubts should abandon them for the faith that not only saves but also secures. Then, with that element of the sermon concluded, Spurgeon asks his believing congregation to pray as he speaks directly to the unconverted. The last third of the sermon is a sustained plea to those who do not yet believe, seeking to expose and to correct the folly and dullness that grips such hearts, concluding with warnings and pleadings. The sermon is striking in its directness and in the arrangement which serves as a vehicle for that direct address, looking first the doubting believer and then the unbeliever in the eye with affection and concern, and speaking to the soul.

Get the notes!Jesus Is Greater Than Moses: An Exegetical Exposition of Hebrews 3:1–11The opening chapters of the Epistle to the Hebrews construct a strict structural hierarchy designed to anchor believers under intense social and theological pressure. Moving from the cosmic, ontological domain of Christ's superiority over the angelic realm analyzed in chapters 1 and 2, Hebrews 3:1–11 pivots directly into the concrete, historical, and covenantal structures of the nation of Israel.By executing a verse-by-verse structural evaluation of Christ alongside Moses—the foundational human mediator of the Old Covenant—the text establishes a definitive standard of authority that demands complete covenantal exclusivity.1. Consecration and the Dual Offices of Christ (0:00–5:15)The corporate identity of the New Covenant community is firmly anchored in the finished, consecrating work of the cross rather than physical lineage:Hebrews 3:1 — "Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession..." The Character of the Calling: The structural description “partakers of a heavenly calling” reorients the reader's expectation away from the localized, earthbound, territorial inheritance of the Mosaic economy toward an unshakeable, eternal reality.The Imperative to Scrutinize: The absolute command to “consider” stems textually from the Greek verb κατανοήσατε, denoting an intensive, scholarly fixing of the mind and uninterrupted mental investigation of an objective reality.The Operational Convergence: Christ is simultaneously designated as the Apostle (ἀπόστολος)—the ultimate Envoy sent forth directly from the Father to manifest final divine revelation—and the High Priest (ἀρχιερεύς), the exclusive sacrificial mediator who secures permanent access to the divine presence.2. The Architect and the Artifact: Verses 2–6 (5:16–12:10)To prevent a simplistic, hyper-critical reading of the Old Covenant, the text openly confirms Moses' flawless execution of his historic duties, drawing textually from the divine validation detailed in Numbers 12:7. Moses is explicitly situated within the boundaries of “all God's house” as a crucial, protective steward of a provisional administration.However, Verse 3 introduces a distinct categorical separation of glory based on an architectural analogy:The Analogy: The builder and designer of an estate naturally commands exponentially greater honor than the material house itself or any component within it.The Classification: Moses is historically categorized as a created component within the house, whereas Jesus is revealed as the uncreated, transcendent Builder who engineered the entire structure.The Syllogism: The formula in Verse 4 asserts that while every house is constructed by someone, the Builder of all things is God, explicitly declaring the absolute deity of the Son.This distinction culminates in a precise semantic shift in status between the two leaders:Moses as Servant (θεράπων): This term indicates a high-ranking, valued supervisor who executes tasks on property belonging to someone else. His entire ministry was prospective and forward-looking, operating as an anticipatory “testimony to the things which would be spoken later” by the programmatic declaration of the gospel.Christ as Son (υἱός): This title establishes absolute, hereditary ownership. Christ reigns directly over His own ancestral house. The living community of true believers constitutes this authentic temple, provided they actively hold fast their objective theological confidence and the triumphant boast of their hope firm until the final consummation.3. The Voice of the Spirit and the Peril of Unbelief (12:11–20:00)The latter half of the passage pivots to a sobering, pneumatological warning utilizing the text of Psalm 95:Hebrews 3:7–8 — "Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me...'" Scriptural Animation: The introductory formula “as the Holy Spirit says” confirms that the Old Testament Scriptures are not handled as dead historical artifacts, but as an active, living, vocalized divine warning addressed directly to the contemporary reader with absolute immediacy.The Anatomy of Rebellion: The historical collapse of the Exodus generation occurred because they witnessed visible, supernatural miracles for forty consecutive years, yet remained fundamentally blind to the structural “ways” and internal character of God.The Judicial Consequence: Systemic unbelief and progressive hardening of the heart evoke divine holy indignation, culminating in an unalterable, binding oath of absolute exclusion from the physical and spiritual rest (κατάπαυσις) of the promised land.Ultimately, this historical failure under Moses serves as internal scriptural proof that physical entry into Canaan under Joshua was never the final destination or design of God's rest. When read alongside the wider truths developed later in Hebrews 12, believers recognize that severe temporal trials are forms of divine discipline designed to strip away shallow, nominal commitment, ensuring that the covenantal community is stabilized to inherit an unshakeable kingdom.Complete Hebrews 3:1–11 Educational Resource PackageTo equip pastors, small group leaders, and serious students of Theology for deep, systematic study, the complete publication-grade curriculum portfolio for this lesson is now available for download.This digital package is engineered strictly without bullet points, utilizing a clean alphanumeric nested hierarchy (1, A, B) that preserves all indentations, typography, and structural lines when copied and pasted directly into Microsoft Word.The integrated curriculum portfolio includes:

The Good Shepherd: Known, Called, and Protected – John 10:1–21 In Episode 139 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane explore one of the most beloved passages in the Gospel of John: Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In John 10:1–21, Jesus reveals His heart for His people, declaring that He knows His sheep by name, leads them with care, and lays down His life for them. Together, Jamie and Jane unpack what it means to recognize the voice of the Shepherd in a world full of competing voices, how Jesus offers abundant life beyond mere survival, and why His sacrificial love sets Him apart from every other leader. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that you are not forgotten, overlooked, or wandering alone—you are known, pursued, and deeply loved by the Good Shepherd. Whose voice am I listening to most—and how is it shaping the direction of my life? ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

Hosts Pastor Robert Baltodano and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Scot, email (2:24) - Why did God strike Israel with a plague after giving them quail in Numbers 11? Anonymous, email (5:17) - What is the difference between being a "Doubting Thomas" and unbelief? Carolyn, email (7:52) - Was the devil thrown out of heaven before the Garden of Eden was made? When did Lucifer get the name devil or Satan? Beverly, NY (10:31) - Could "Edom" in 2 Chronicles 21 verse 10 be Hezbollah? Ken, NY (13:11) - Can you explain the time tables of Ezekiel 36, 37, and 38? Enriquez, HI (17:18) - Because God doesn't change, shouldn't we hold to all of the commands of the Old Testament? Heather, VA (22:39) - My young daughter says she got saved in VBS, should I press her to find out if that is true? How do I encourage my husband to be in his Bible every day? John, NJ (33:31) - How do I deal with a step-daughter that makes accusations against my side of her family? Tina and Mia, NJ (40:51) - How is Jesus the first person to be on Earth? Lucinda, YouTube (44:03) - How should a Christian support a government official that isn't a believer? Michael, Facebook (46:52) - Is the use of alcohol morally wrong? Kevin, email (50:19) - What does the book of Daniel say about Iran? Do Gabriel and the Prince of Persia have relevance today?  Brian, email (51:42) - When we get to heaven, will we remember our sins from our time on Earth and feel guilty? Ask Your Questions: Call: 888-712-7434 Email: Answers@bbtlive.org

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*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation centers on entering into the finished work of Christ and learning to walk in complete trust and dependence upon God. The speakers emphasize that believers are already being perfected through Christ and that God is actively shaping, refining, and transforming His people into vessels through which He can move. Rather than striving through human effort, the family discusses yielding to the Father's will, allowing Him to prune, mold, and lead them into deeper relationship and rest. The discussion also highlights the transition from the Adamic nature into the life of the Spirit, where believers begin to experience authority, sonship, peace, and contentment in God. Through faith, humility, and surrender, the believer discovers that the true reward is not earthly gain, but an ongoing walk and relationship with the Father. Show Notes God has already completed and perfected the work concerning His people.Unbelief does not override what God has declared.Believers are the clay, and God is the potter shaping lives according to His purpose.The Lord refines His people through fire, pruning, and spiritual growth.True good works come from God moving through yielded vessels.The cross represents a transition from flesh into Spirit.Walking with God requires humility, trust, and surrender to His will.Jesus entered into rest after completing His work and now intercedes for believers.Faith is a daily unfolding walk rather than a fully visible roadmap.Contentment in the present relationship with God is a major step in spiritual maturity.The greatest reward is simply walking in relationship with the Father. Quotes “Your unbelief doesn't count.”“I've got a finished work for you.”“We are His workmanship, created in Christ for good works.”“My only job is to submit to His will.”“Jesus Christ is our rest. He is the finished work.”“It's a walk of faith and trust, and it unfolds daily.”“Enjoy the path. Enjoy the ride.”“Can you be content in your relationship with the Lord?”“There's only one thing you're going to receive, and that is that you have a walk with God.” Scriptural References Philippians 1 (6)“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”God completes the work He starts in His people.Ephesians 2 (10)“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”Believers are shaped and prepared by God for His purposes.Jeremiah 18 (6)The potter and the clay.God molds and forms His people according to His will.Hebrews 4 (9–10)Entering into God's rest.Christ is the believer's rest and finished work.Hebrews 11The roll call of faith.Faithful believers trusted God even without fully receiving the promise.Romans 8 (14)“As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”Sonship comes through walking in the Spirit.Galatians 2 (20)“Not I, but Christ lives in me.”The Christian life is Christ living through yielded vessels.Matthew 18 (3)Becoming as a little child.Walking with God requires humility, trust, and simplicity.Psalm 37 (7)“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”Contentment and trust are part of the believer's walk. Takeaway The believer's journey is not about striving to become something through human effort, but about surrendering to the finished work of Christ and allowing God to shape, refine, and live through them. As believers learn to trust Him daily, they enter into His rest, discovering that the true fulfillment is not found in future promises alone, but in walking with God right now.

Amazing Grace: The Blind Man Who Finally Saw – John 9 In Episode 138 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane dive into John 9, the powerful story of a man born blind who encounters Jesus and receives his sight. But this miracle is about more than physical healing—it's about spiritual awakening, identity, and what it truly means to see. As the healed man grows in boldness and the religious leaders grow in resistance, this chapter reveals the difference between outward religion and genuine transformation. Together, Jamie and Jane unpack how Jesus meets us in brokenness, how suffering is not wasted, and why sometimes the people who think they see clearly can still miss the heart of God. This conversation is an invitation to let Jesus open your eyes—not just to healing, but to who He truly is. Where might Jesus be inviting me to see differently—about Him, myself, or others? ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Website: www.janewwilliams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Fr. John Horn, co-founder of the Institute for Priestly Formation, to begin a series on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They discuss the connection between our wounded image of God and sin, revealing how many of our repeated struggles are rooted in lies about our identity in the Father's love. Fr. John also shares how Confession can become more than just listing sins, why we should embrace our interior poverty, and the danger of scrupulosity.    Key Points: Unforgiveness is one of the greatest barriers to restoration. Many people remain trapped after confession because they continue holding unforgiveness toward themselves. God does not despise our wounds; He desires to love us directly within them. Much of habitual sin is driven by deeper lies and false beliefs about God, ourselves, and others. Spiritual poverty is the very place that attracts God's mercy. Confession becomes transformative when we examine not only the outward sin, but the beliefs underneath it. Our image of God is often shaped by early relational wounds and experiences with parents or authority figures. God is not reluctantly forgiving us; He rejoices over us and fights for our healing and freedom.   Resources: Institute for Priestly Formation Episode 131: Forgiveness and Spiritual Renewal w/ Fr. John Horn "....Not enough that the arrow has been extracted from the body, the wound, which it inflicted, must also be healed. So with regard to the soul. Not enough that the sin has been pardoned. The wound which it left must also be healed." (St. John Chrysostom)   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:21 Healing is Found Through Forgiveness 09:10 The Wound Left Behind by Sin 16:01 Why So Many Catholics Avoid Confession 24:29 Sin Begins with Unbelief 33:56 Scrupulosity and Self-Forgiveness 37:40 How Our Image of God Becomes Wounded 58:51 Practical Ways to Prepare for Confession   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

How is your faith doing? Do you ever feel like echoing the cry of the father in Mark 9 and saying to Jesus, "I believe, but help my unbelief!" This week, guest speaker and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22, Joby Martin, walks us through this passage to remind us of the boldness that comes with faith in the Lord.

Unity with Christ has two directions.Identification - of Jesus with us, of ourselves with Him - is the key that unlocks all He obtained for us by His death and resurrection.Support the show

How is your faith doing? Do you ever feel like echoing the cry of the father in Mark 9 and saying to Jesus, "I believe, but help my unbelief!" This week, guest speaker and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22, Joby Martin, walks us through this passage to remind us of the boldness that comes with faith in the Lord.

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Shavuot (Pentecost) is more than just a historic event from Acts 2—it is a "Last Days" reality meant to be living and breathing in us today. But have we allowed the trials of life to quench the fire? In this Shavuot 2026 message, we confront the danger of the "Nazareth" mindset. When we face unmet expectations, familiarity, sickness, or rejection, it's easy to lose confidence in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We unknowingly adopt a lifestyle of cessationism, letting our trials speak louder than the Bible and making our struggles our god. But God's miracles haven't left; our faith simply needs a revival. In this teaching, we cover: 1. The Unbelief of Nazareth: How familiarity and life's disappointments can rob us of God's power. 2. Reclaiming Your Identity: How to stop letting your enemies or your past define your faith. 3. Restoring the Fire: Practical steps to believe like a child again, ask for the gifts of the Spirit, and boldly act in faith. Support Rise on Fire Ministries by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rise-on-fire This podcast is powered by Pinecast.Read transcript