Podcasts about verses

Vijñāpti-pañcaka - Padma Purāṇa 437 mat-samo nāsti pāpātmā nāparādhī ca kaścana parihāre ‘pi lajjā me kiṁ bruve puruṣottama yuvatīnāṁ yathā yūni yūnām ca yuvatau yathā mano ‘bhiramate tadvan mano me ramatāṁ tvayi O Puruṣottama, no sinner or offender is as bad as I am. How can I describe my shame? Just as the minds of young ladies take pleasure in a young man, and the minds of young men take pleasure in a young woman, kindly let my mind take pleasure in You alone. Vijñāpti-pañcaka - [Skanda Purāṇa] bhūmau skhalita-pādānāṁ bhūmir evāvalambanam tvayi jātāparādhānāṁ tvam eva śaraṇaṁ prabhu Just as the ground is the only support for those whose feet have slipped, You alone are the only shelter for those who have offended You. Vijñāpti-pañcaka - [Arcana Paddhati] govinda-vallabhe rādhe prārthaye tvām ahaṁ sadā tvadīyam iti jānātu govindo māṁ tvayā saha O Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, beloved of Lord Govinda, this is my request: may You and Lord Govinda consider me one of Your assistants. rādhe vṛndāvanādhīśe karuṇāmṛta-vāhini kṛpayā nija-pādābja- dāsyaṁ mahyaṁ pradīyatām O Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, O queen of Vṛndāvana, You are a river flowing with the nectar of mercy. Please be kind to me and give me a little service at Your lotus feet. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://vaisesikadasayatra.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #pilgrimageoftheheart #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Calvary Live is an outreach ministry of GraceFM at Calvary Church in Aurora, Colorado.If you like what you hear on Calvary Live – don't forget tofollow us, and share it with your friends and family!

mp3

mp3

Titus 3:3-8 NIV “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”   *Transcription Below*   Hunter Beless is an author of several children's books including Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It! and Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray. She is also a Bible teacher, co-author of Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace and the founder of Journeywomen Ministries, which empowers women to live out their faith through deep commitment to their local church. Hunter hosts the Journeywomen Podcast, sharing resources and insightful conversations with women of faith. She and her husband, Brooks, have four beautiful children, whom Hunter homeschools. You can find her on Instagram @hunterbeless, or at https://www.hunterbeless.com/books. Journeywomen Podcast   Thank You to Our Sponsor: The Sue Neihouser Team   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Questions and Topics We Cover: 1. What rhythms have been most profitable to you (spiritually, relationally, physically, and productively?)  2. In your own home, how have you intentionally helped your children know and love God through Scripture?  3. How is the Gospel useful for not only salvation, but also sanctification?   Similar Episodes from The Savvy Sauce: 16 Reflecting Jesus in Our Relationships with Rach Kincaid 57 Implementing Bite-Size Habits That Will Change Your Life with Author, Blogger, Podcaster, and Speaker, Kat Lee 150 Brain Science and Spiritual Abundance with Ken Baugh 166 Journey from Empty to Well Nourished Soul with Gretchen Saffles  207 Cultivating Character in Our Children with Cynthia Yanof Special Patreon Release Wholehearted Quiet Time with Naomi Vacaro 267 Apologetics with Ray Comfort 274 Holy Spirit Stories and Fruit and Ways to Identify His Guidance in Our Lives with Margaret Feinberg   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:16) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Thank you to the Sue Neihouser Team for sponsoring this episode. If you're looking to buy or sell a home this season, make sure you reach out to Sue at 309-229-8831. Sue would love to walk alongside you as you unlock new doors.   My guest for today is Hunter Beless, and you may recognize her as the founder of Journey Women Ministries. She's also a podcaster and an author of multiple books, including this recent one, Jesus Loves You More. Hunter is going to share today about all things discipleship.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Hunter.    Hunter Beless: (1:17 - 1:23) Thank you so, much for having me. I just love the concept of this show, and I'm excited to be here with you today.    Laura Dugger: (1:23 - 1:56) Well, I've been looking so, forward to getting to chat with you. You've been on my list for years, so, I'm thankful this worked out. And even, it may have been years ago, but I heard you publicly share that you had chosen to put your faith in Christ in elementary school, I believe. But then as you transitioned into high school, you were open about then choosing to pursue the ways of the world. So, will you just speak to that experience and talk to that teenage girl who's currently facing some similar temptations?    Hunter Beless: (1:56 - 6:39) Oh, that'd be such a privilege to get to speak to any young woman who is in a situation like this. I often think, like, if I would have just had one older friend who was encouraging me in the Lord, who would be willing to testify to God's grace in her life, and who would reach back and try and help me just to continue walking in the grace that he had extended to me through his son, like, I wonder if it would have gone differently for me, Laura. But, you know, the Lord did save me at a young age, and I lived fervently for him, loved God's word, even from a young age.    And I remember, like, seeing groups of people that I wanted to like me, and wanting so, desperately to be accepted by them. But knowing that when I opened the pages of scripture, the Holy Spirit brought conviction to my heart in a way that would not allow me to act in accordance with the things that these groups were doing, in order to be approved of by them. And so, I thought to myself, "Well, maybe I'll just stop reading my Bible so, much." This is about eighth or ninth grade. And, you know, then I won't feel a sense of conviction when it comes to, like, these behaviors that I know I need to, you know, adapt to, in order to be approved of by the people that I deemed, you know, significant. And so, I set my Bible aside.    And it's a really sad story. I mean, as I continued to spend time outside of God's word, I would still go to church with my family and things like that on Sunday mornings. But I just began to look less and less like a follower of Christ, and more and more like the world. And eventually, you know, I spent my entire duration of my high school years doing that. And I have to tell you; I just went back to my 20-year high school reunion. And there was a girl that I saw there. And she told me what a jerk I was in that season of my life. And it was such a wonderful thing to be reminded of what it looks like for me to not be walking in the Spirit, but to be walking in the flesh. And to really have to reckon with, that is what it looks like to be walking like the world.    And I just told her, I said, "You know what, you're completely right." I said, "I was." I was totally looking out for my good and not for the good of others. I was absolutely living for myself and not for the Lord. But by God's grace, when it came time for my senior year of high school, he allowed me to get to the end of myself. And you would have thought, like, looking back, I had the resume, I had the 4.0, I had the salutatorian status, I was the president of my high school senior class. You would have thought, this girl's crushing it. But I had never been more anxious, more depressed, more insecure, more selfish, obviously, as testified to by the girl that I just referenced, than I was in that season of my life.    And I remember I had a youth pastor who had just come into our church. And he said, "Hey," he said, "How's your time in the word looking?" And I said, "Well, I could either lie, or I could tell the truth." And I said, "You know, it's looking pretty, pretty bleak." And he said, "I just want to challenge you to get back in God's word." And at the same time, my dad had a tragic accident. It was a near death accident. And I was kind of reckoned with the brevity of life as a senior in high school. And I cried out to the Lord. And I said, "God, if you really are who you say you are, would you show me who you are through your word?"    And that sparked, Laura, this passion for God's word. And it allowed me then to see the difference in my own life, what it looks like for Hunter to be walking without listening to the voice of God, and what it looked like for Hunter to have her face in her Bible, and to seek to live by God's word. And I tell you what, I probably don't look nearly as impressive by the world's standards. But the joy and the peace, and really just the transformation that the Lord has accomplished in my life through his word, is something that I cannot stop testifying to. And I just cannot encourage women enough, like if you are wrestling with the flesh, to get into God's word, because God works by the power of the Holy Spirit through his word in the lives of his people. And so, that's why really this whole passion has just overtaken my life for God's word.    Laura Dugger: (6:40 - 6:59) Wow, that is incredible to hear that transformation, because God did it, and God can do it again. And God can do it for each one of us listening. But you are so passionate about discipling others. Can you first tell us, what were some of the significant ways that you've been discipled?    Hunter Beless: (7:00 - 10:07) Yeah, well, I went to college, and that was the first time that I had ever really had someone seeking to do spiritual good in my life, outside of my parents. And really, even with my parents, like, you know, sitting down intentionally studying the word, that wasn't a part of our family culture. And so, when I went to college, there was a girl, her name was Meredith. And I remember, she sat down, and she taught me how to read my Bible, for really the very first time. I remember being confronted with some of the truths of scripture, Laura, and I'm like, "That's in the Bible? That disrupts me. Like, I didn't know that, you know?" And so, it was such a wonderful time, just of really kind of being confronted with my own theological ideas from my, you know, lack of ability and time to really understand the message of the text, you know, and then to really reevaluate that and be conformed to the text and to allow it to conform me. So, Meredith had a significant influence in my life in how to study the Bible.    And then I had an older woman named Joyce, who at the time, I believe, was in her late 40s, maybe early 50s. And I just remember, Joyce found out that I began to memorize scripture. So, somewhere along the way, I realized, like, this book is so, significant that I need to start, you know, hiding scripture away in my heart. Some of that was just watching my own grandmother and seeing the way that the Lord had used scripture in her own life. And realizing, like, wow, if my grandmother has these truths hidden away in her heart for this season, and she had dementia, I need to start hiding scripture away in my heart, too. So, Joyce and I really, we started up a group on scripture memory.    And I'll never forget the first time I met her, she said, "Hey, I heard you're starting to memorize Ephesians." I never finished. But she said, "Let's hear it." And so, she just opened up her Bible. And I just started quoting Ephesians. And one of Joyce's coined phrases that at the time I didn't realize was actually scripture itself, she would hold the Bible out in front of me. And she would say, "Hunter, this is no empty word for you, but your very life." And she had so many phrases like that, that I didn't even realize at the time, because I was pretty biblically illiterate, that were the words of scripture themselves. That's Deuteronomy 32:47. And Joyce really embodied that message for me, that scripture is that man doesn't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. And so, watching her just live with her face in her Bible, proverbially speaking, and seeking to meditate on its truths and live by those day in and day out really transformed who I am even today. And she gave me a picture of what I'd like to look like years down the road.    So, I've had various mentors, but those are some of the first. And the Lord definitely used them in significant ways to do spiritual good in my life.    Laura Dugger: (10:08 - 10:36) And I don't know what kind of life those women lead if they're in public or more private disciplines, but their faithfulness, you just see the impact how it ripples out to bless generations. And even you, Hunter, you're leading this incredible ministry, where you disciple others through helping women know and love God through his word. So, will you share how you ended up getting to do this awesome work that you get to do today?    Hunter Beless: (10:37 - 15:41) Oh, well, the beginnings of this, you would not have thought were awesome. And in fact, you and I were just chatting, and I still am recording out of my closet. And really, it's all just been an overflow of what the Lord has been doing in my own life. And I did feel like along the way, I just, I began to just love learning from older women. And I do think that's a biblical, like scriptural kind of practice. You look at Titus 2, you see the older women are to teach the younger women what is good. I was a younger woman who loved learning from older women. And so, I had this, over the years, this just long list of women who had invested in me who had, you know, testified to God's grace in their life, who had taught me the scriptures.    And when my husband Brooks and I were in the military, we found ourselves on post. And just due to the transiency of a military lifestyle, the churches around military installations tend to be a little bit tired, sometimes depleted, because people in the military are moving so, frequently. So, it's hard, right, to have continuity to see people through in their discipling process and all of that. And so, I really missed those mentors that I'd had from college, and the year after college, after coming into marriage. And so, I thought to myself, like, man, I want the other women. I was also interfacing with either believers or non-believers who really had never been discipled. And I thought, man, I just wish I could get you with Joyce, or I wish I could get you with Meredith. I wish I could connect you, you know, with X, Y, or Z woman from the past couple of years.    And so, I thought, I also simultaneously was listening to a lot of podcasts because I was super lonely. Just because, you know, moving into a new culture, and then my husband was gone at least 50% of the time for training or deployment. And so, I'd be walking along the military installation listening to like sermon audio, like John Piper or Timothy Keller or whatever. And I thought, man, I wish that there was a conversational podcast about theology for women that would just be more warm and kind of like what we're doing right now. And my husband was like, "Well, you should start it." And so, I just started with the women who had mentored me. If you go back to the very beginning of the podcast, it's truly like my college roommates. It's my mentors from Pine Cove Christian Camps where Brooks and I met.    And I think I just by God's grace, the podcasting network was so, small at the time. I remember Journey Women landed in the number two spot right behind Joel Osteen whenever the thing launched. And so, then from there, it just gave the podcast some notoriety, which is what then allowed, you know, some of the names that you would recognize to reach out and to say, "Hey, you know, could we come on the podcast?" And at the time, I had no knowledge of, you know, how to market people marketing books or any of that Bible studies, etc. And yeah, it was a really fun season, actually, because it was pre-COVID. And you know, people weren't used to doing a whole lot online. And so, had some really, really fun conversations. And along the way, the Lord has helped me to hone in more of a vision of what I'm doing. Because at first, it was just like, let's get in the closet and have like fun, intentional conversations that I could share with my girlfriends or with maybe the military spouse that I'm meeting on the playground that I may never see again, you know.    And then along the way, people started even wanting to donate to the podcast and different things like that. And I thought, I really need to have a clearer aim. And so, now, you know, over the past eight years, the Lord has given us this mission to help women know and love God through his word, to find their hope in the gospel and to invest deeply in their local churches as they go out on mission for the glory of God. And some of that came and Laura, I'm sure you face this from women really seeking out discipling online, and us realizing we can't disciple you. Like, we cannot come alongside you and help you to grow in godliness, you know, but we can do that via the interwebs. But the degree to which we're able to do that is super-duper limited. And so, what does it look like for us then to equip women so, that then they would be encouraged to seek out fellowship in the local church, and to be investing their time, energy and talents in the local church. And so, that's become kind of our resounding gong at Journey Women over the years, just because we really do believe that ministry happens best in the context of the local church. And that's something that the Lord has validated through seeing women reaching out online and realizing like, hey, we could never, you know, provide what they need. But God in his grace has given us the local body that is able to do that.    Laura Dugger: (15:42 - 19:08) So, well said, because this is a great place that we can meet people anytime what is most convenient for them with a podcast. But then also, so, that's great for sowing seeds. But there's nothing that replaces that embodied relationship. And it just makes me think of God that he created us that way. And he knew it because Jesus even being embodied, little baby sent to earth, so, nothing replaces that. And, Hunter, I just I love hearing about your public ministry and the way the Lord has blessed and grown it.    And now a brief message from our sponsor. With over 28 years of experience in real estate, Sue Neihouser of the Sue Neihouser Team is a RE/MAX agent of Central Illinois, and she loves to walk alongside her clients as they unlock new doors. For anyone local, I highly recommend you call Sue today at 309-229-8831. And you can ask her any real estate questions. Sue lives in Central Illinois and loves this community and all that it has to offer. When unlocking new doors with her clients, Sue works hard to gain a depth of understanding of their motivations and dreams and interests in buying and selling their home. And then she commits to extensive market research that will give them confidence in their decision. Sue truly cares for each of her clients and the relationship she forms with each family along the entire home buying or selling process. This was absolutely our experience when we worked with Sue and her team. The house that we desired at the time was actually not even on the market, but Sue had a connection and was able to ask those homeowners if they would be willing to sell. She was timely in her response as she walked us through this whole process, and she helped us sell our home with the right offer coming in hours after it was listed. We kept saying she's thought of everything. And Sue's continued generosity was astonishing. I remember one afternoon after we had settled into our new home, and she was knocking on the door dropping off a goodie bag for our family that came from the local bakery. Our daughters also loved getting to know Miss Sue as she assisted us in finding truly our dream home.    So, whether you're looking to buy a home for the first time, or looking to upgrade or downsize, or making the big decision to move to an assisted living from your home of many years, Sue will be there to help you navigate the big emotions and ensure the process is smooth and stress free, and that the new doors to be unlocked are ready and waiting for more memories to be made. So, call her today at 309-229-8831 or visit her website at sueneihouser.com. And that is sueneihouser.com. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I'd also love to hear a little bit more about your personal life. So, what does a day in the life look like for Hunter Beless?    Hunter Beless: (19:09 - 21:25) Well, I think if somebody joined me in a day in a life, in this season, Laura, I feel like I'm too busy. I have committed to too much. And so, what it looks like practically, it's going to be a lot of time running from this or that event and just trying to do the things that I committed to before or some of the other things that the Lord has allowed in my life came to fruition. But just leaning into him for the grace that I need moment by moment, you know, and trusting that he is the same and that he has provided all of the grace that I need. His grace is sufficient for me, you know, as I'm running errands and facing the temptation to feel anxious or overwhelmed that, you know, I think it's Luke 12, where it's talking about how I can't even add a moment, not even the smallest amount of time to my life by worrying. So, I'm just going to entrust all of this to the Lord.    So, for me, I wonder how many women are listening to this and that they can relate to this because I talked to various people who they don't have a podcast, but they don't have the same work as me, but they feel that same temptation towards anxiety and the feelings of overwhelms that we all face, you know, and yeah, I think my life probably looks a lot like many of y'all's. And for me, it's just the constant meditation on scripture and just rehearsing the truths of God's word that are never changing, even in the midst of my ever-changing and chaotic circumstances. So, it doesn't seem to change even if I do a better job, which I could have done, planning my schedule or, you know, prayerfully considering the commitments that I made, but just resting and knowing that he is unchanging and that he is ever-present and that he is all-knowing and that he has provided everything that I need and his son.    So, that is what it looks like. Every day looks different, but again, leaning into the truths of God's word, meditating on those truths, rehearsing those truths over and over, and resting in the grace that the gospel provides. That's the thing that never changes.    Laura Dugger: (21:27 - 22:06) And I love that overview because if we look from the outside, you're homeschooling, you run this ministry, you have a podcast, and you're cooking healthy recipes for your family, but I'm sure do you also have weekly patterns? Because to me, it's a stewardship issue. You've been faithful with little, it sounds like, so, he has given you the opportunity to be faithful in much, and it's a season of much where you've written books and produced all this content. So, do you have a system in place or rhythms throughout the week that have helped you live that full, abundant life?    Hunter Beless: (22:06 - 24:19) Yeah, that's a really good question. Obviously, the weekly rhythm that we always start with is worshiping with the saints on Sunday. I look forward to that like no other. And we are in a church that the Lord is just so, gracious to have provided a pastor who prioritizes the preaching of the word and who is consistently proclaiming the gospel from the pulpit. And so, Laura, on the weeks where I feel like I have been so, busy that I have not spent the time in God's word that I would desire, just the recognition that going to church on a Sunday is such a blessing to get to receive God's word. And so, there have been many times that I just show up and I'm just like, "Thank you, Lord." Thank you for the provision of your word. Thank you for the provision of the body of Christ. And so, Sundays are just like a non-negotiable for us. We go to church on Sundays. And then, you know, we have various things. My kids are actually homeschooled on two days out of the week or three days out of the week. And then, they go to school two days. So, we do like a university model is what it's called. And so, on the three days that they are home, I am full tilt homeschooling, doing everything home-related.    And in fact, I have had to learn that part of their education is also helping care for our home. And so, we really see it as a team effort to keep the home, like, tidy and running and functioning well, so that we can, you know, spend as much time in it as we do, like, with happy hearts. And then, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I typically am in this closet working while the children are at school. Saturdays, we rest together as a family. We spend a lot of time outdoors. I also make bread regularly. And I think there's something liturgical for me about making bread. And, like, when everything else feels, like, a little bit chaotic and out of my control, the beauty of just doing a simple task like making bread to provide food for my family and nourishment is something that really brings me great joy. So, Saturdays are also bread-making days. And then, the week begins again. That is awesome.    Laura Dugger: (24:19 - 24:41) I love hearing that. And it makes me curious to go even a little bit further. I'll give you a few categories, but I'd love to hear what rhythms in these categories have been most profitable to you. So, when you think of it spiritually, physically, relationally, and just productively, how you stay creatively fresh.    Hunter Beless: (24:41 - 28:24) Yeah. You know, spiritually for me, and I'm a mother of, like, young children, right? So, my kids are ranging from age 11 to age 3. I would say we're still in a season in which sleep is a little bit unpredictable, particularly in those early waking hours. But I do my very best to try and get in God's Word first. And that is not because I want to check it off the list, but because I need the people in my home and beyond. So, really trying to just orient myself rightly to the truths of God's Word first thing is huge. I also do try to work out. So, that gets to the physical piece. I neglected working out for many years. I actually, hilariously, was a personal trainer when we were back in the military. And that was kind of my gig while Brooks was gone. And so, I know how to work out, and I enjoy working out. But with the children, it has been a difficult thing for me to prioritize. But just this last year, I got, this is the most, like, basic thing ever. I got a Peloton. I bought it secondhand off of Marketplace. And it has just been a wonderful way for me to sweat and exercise my body first thing in the morning without, you know, really requiring a whole lot. I don't have to leave the house. I don't have to go outside or anything, because Brooks does travel quite a bit still for work. And so, I try to ride the Peloton. Doesn't always happen. Happens less than it does, than I want for it to, but it does help.    And then, yeah, relationally is really, that's a really good question. I think one thing that the Lord has blessed me with, having lived a season of extreme transiency, right? So, we did eight years of military. And then, we did two years at, you know, university where Brooks got his MBA. And now, we're in our first, like, what we would call, like, a civilian kind of location, where he's got his first civilian job. We're almost 15 years deep into marriage now. And so, all of the friendships that I made along those eight years of moving almost annually. I think we moved, like, six or seven times in eight years. Yeah, just trying to maintain those relationships. I only have one or two from each duty station, but I love using Voxer or Voice Memo to keep in touch with people who have known me for, you know, a longer time. And that's just one thing that's really fun. I have to be careful not to let that overtake my time on my phone, but I do love to keep in touch with old friends. And they are some of the friends that the Lord has used just really to help me navigate the various challenges that we face, right, in life and relationally in marriage and all of that.    So, anyways, and relationally in marriage, Brooks and I were really just relishing in the friendship that God has given us with one another. I don't think it's been easy over the years, especially with all of the transiency and all of the deployments and all of the many moves that we've faced. But God has really just given us a true appreciation for one another. And to begin to see now, 15 years into marriage, that the differences that He has given each of us are a gift to help us be conformed into the image of His Son. So, that's some of it, spiritually, physically, relationally. Did I miss anything?    Laura Dugger: (28:25 - 28:32) Just even productively as you're creating content, how do you stay creatively inspired and fresh?    Hunter Beless: (28:33 - 30:55) Yeah, I love, my friend Gretchen Stoffels has a lot of wonderful things to say about this. She talks a lot about producing from the overflow and not the undertow. And that's ministered to me over the years. I find a lot of times when I am not creatively fresh, it's either because I'm overproducing or because I'm not honestly spending, most of what I do is all revolving around God's Word. So, it's like if I'm not spending time in God's Word and allowing myself to just be struck anew with truths from the text, then what do I have to share? So, that helps me too in knowing when am I overcommitted? Because if I don't have time then to be relishing in God's Word, not for the sake of producing something, but just like you said, just being struck and wonder by who God is, then I really need to reevaluate the commitments that I'm making and slow things down a bit. And so, that's kind of what has helped me to protect that time with the Lord so that then I would have something to offer others.    And I don't just think about it in terms of producing a podcast or writing a book or sending out a newsletter. I mean, honestly, even with the children, this has been something that I've been thinking about for the last six to eight months. If I want them to understand how God's Word informs all of life, then I need to be with my face in my Bible because who is it that they spend the most time with, right? All throughout their life. Like, it's me. And so, I get to then help them realize like, oh, here is how Scripture applies to all these different circumstances. But if I don't spend time in God's Word, then I've got nothing to give. And I have a friend who was a missionary actually in a remote country with the IMB. And I asked her, I said, "How did you ever evangelize with people in this remote context from this different religion and all of this?" And she said, "You know what, I just had to be so, filled up with God's Word that that's what came out." And I think about that all the time. So, when I'm feeling dry, I'm like, "Oop, oop, that's a good sign. I need to go back to God's Word."    Laura Dugger: (30:56 - 31:07) I love that. And let's go there then in your own home. How have you intentionally helped your children to know and to love God through Scripture?    Hunter Beless: (31:09 - 33:52) This is going to sound really selfish, but, you know, this whole endeavor, right, I've realized the significance of God's Word in my own life. And so, I'm constantly thinking, Laura, like, how am I going to get into God's Word? You know, like, that's, it sounds selfish. But if I really believe that I need God's Word for all of life, I'm going to have to figure out how am I going to get that in. And then it's wonderful because I get to bring the children along in that. So, maybe that's just like a fresh take on it, right? Because we're always thinking as mothers, like, how can we be investing in our children more heavily in all of these things? And I think those are good and right desires. Obviously, Deuteronomy speaks to that. You know, we're supposed to teach our children diligently the ways of the Lord. But I think it's just so refreshing when we come to the text as learners, as co-learners. And so, for me, I'm just always thinking, like, how can we learn together who God's Word is? How can we worship the Lord together in our home?    And then it helps me see those times, right, when you are offering instruction to the children, when you are being intentional about, you know, for us, we do, like, catechesis, for example, which is a series of questions and answers just to help disseminate doctrinal truths and help the children learn, like, here are, you know, foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. Then I'm not just like, "Okay, who is God? You know, God is the Spirit." I'm, like, thinking about the things that we're learning in a way where I also am seeking to learn as well. And I think that just gives a posture of humility, too. Like, as a parent, where it's not like, "You gotta learn your Bible verse this week, kid." You know, it's like, "We get to, we get to, look, we get to learn God's Word together, you know?" And then that helps them understand the joy of learning God's Word. And it also gives them a very real picture of a parent who's being transformed by the truths of God's Word. What better witness is there? And so, really, I've stopped seeing it as, "Hey, here's our time," you know, which we do have.    And practically, for us, a lot of that happens around the table because I've realized that, like, when children are well-fed, when they have something to do with their hands, they may be a little bit more prone to, like, have open ears, ready to hear, you know, instruction. But we do have those rhythms kind of in place, but I don't want it to be relegated to those rhythms. I want it to be all of life. I want us to understand it doesn't just mean we're gonna sit here over breakfast and do our Bible reading for the day. This is something that is really going with us through the day because we need it not just for this moment, but for all of life.    Laura Dugger: (33:53 - 35:38) You draw so much wisdom there, and I think especially that it's not an either-or, having that set-aside rhythm and time, or just hoping it'll be incorporated into all of life. But it's both.   I want to make sure that you're up to date with our latest news. We have a new website. You can visit thesavvysauce.com and see all of the latest updates. You may remember Francie Henrichsen from Episode 132, where we talked about pursuing our God-given dreams. She is the amazing businesswoman who has carefully designed a brand-new website for Savvy Sauce Charities, and we are thrilled with the final product, so, I hope you check it out. There you're going to find all of our podcasts, now with show notes and transcriptions listed, a scrapbook of various previous guests, and an easy place to join our email list to receive monthly encouragement and questions to ask your loved ones, so, that you can have your own practical chats for intentional living. You will also be able to access our donation button, or our mailing address, for sending checks that are tax-deductible, so, that you can support the work of Savvy Sauce Charities and help us continue to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ. So, make sure you visit thesavvysauce.com today.   Even going back to the heart of this conversation of discipleship, Hunter, how do you think the local church, and especially older women in the community, can play a vital role in encouraging young people to love Scripture?    Hunter Beless: (35:40 - 39:34) You know, I love this question, and I just, I cannot overemphasize the value of older women who love God's Word in the church enough. You know, I think in the culture, we're hearing and seeing that, you know, it's not good to grow old. I mean, that's being perpetuated by all of the Instagram ads that we receive, and by seeing shiny faces that look like they haven't aged one bit. And I'm like, "No, God's Word says that women, older women in particular, have tremendous value in the family of God." And so, I think I want older women just to realize, like, we need you. And in fact, no one is exempt. No woman is exempt from the Titus 2 mandate to teach the younger women what is good. And how do we know what's good? Well, we know God alone is good. And because God is good, we know His Word is good. And if you don't have any clue, like how to reach back and invest in the next generation, I have great news for you. All you need is God's Word.    So, I mean, the littlest learners, the children in the community, I think they are the most gracious recipients of anybody in our community, you know, just when it comes to God's Word. And so, look for ways that you can encourage the younger people in your sphere of influence, in your local church, with God's Word. And often I think that just starts with maybe even meditating on one verse. You know, it can be that simple. Or for me, one way that I want to encourage, you know, the children in my life with God's Word is by identifying ways that I see God working in their lives and naming it. I mean, how encouraging would that be if an older saint in the church said, "Hey, you know, I don't know, my oldest daughter's name is Hadley. Hey, Hadley, like, I see God working in you. You are showing kindness, you know, to the other children in the church. Thank you so much for that. And I'm just praising God for the work he's doing in your life," you know.    But I think in order for them to do that, right, they have to be willing to be inconvenienced by being around the children. And we just had a sermon on this, a wonderful sermon from the book of Mark about Jesus saying, "Let the little children come to me." And so, I think just realizing that Jesus himself, right, he was unbothered. He delighted in the presence of children. So, I think in our older age, you know, especially after you have young kids and you've done all of your time, you know, investing in the next generation in that way, just realizing that there is value in serving in kids' ministry or children's ministry in the church and just getting around the children to be able to give yourself the opportunity to know them in a way where you can meet them with the truths of God's Word. It could also be just having younger families in your home. And I know that can be such an inconvenience. I mean, we're a hot mess. We are so chaotic. And I know, you know, you even have to consider the breakables. Like, you got to protect those, you know, when we come into the house. But figure out, like, what does hospitality look like where we can welcome in younger children, the families with younger children in the home, seek to encourage the parents. I mean, truly, Laura, what else are we doing here? Like, we have been given two things. We have been given the mission of evangelizing and discipling. And that message is the same.    At the heart of both of those things is the gospel. The gospel is for salvation and for sanctification. And so, if you're an older person in the church, keep meditating on the gospel. Keep, you know, seeking to disseminate the truths of the gospel to everybody around you. And remember, the littlest of these, I think, are the most eager learners. And it's such a great opportunity.    Laura Dugger: (39:36 - 39:52) Goodness, I love that. And as you say, disseminate these truths of the gospel for both salvation and sanctification. Can you even share clearly what is that gospel that applies to everyone?    Hunter Beless: (39:53 - 43:58) Oh, yes. I mean, this is the good news that I continually am rehearsing over and over and over again. I think for me, you know, I realized as a young child that the gospel was for salvation, right? That I love the Titus 3. You know, I just wrote this Bible study on Titus with Courtney Docter. If you don't have, like, a great comprehensive kind of gospel text that you've got in your back pocket, I think Titus 3:3-7 is a wonderful text to commit to memory. It says, "So, we are sinners." Romans 3:23. You know, we were created by God to glorify him. And yet, we have chosen to glorify ourselves. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, we too were once foolish. I think it's easy to see that when you really think about your life. You know, like, even me testifying to my life in high school. We too were once foolish. There's no getting around that. But we too, let me see, where am I now? "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us," "not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy," So, how does he save us? Well, he sent his son, Jesus. When did the kindness of God our Savior appear? Well, it appeared over 2,000 years ago. In a stable in Bethlehem. When, like you said, God sent his son to live a perfect life. And then he gave his life on the cross so, that we might have right relationship with God. He saved us. Not by works of righteousness, but according to his mercy, "By the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."    So, when, and by the way, he rose from the grave. Let's see, is that in here? I don't know. But let's see. That one's not in this particular gospel text of Titus 3:3-7. But we know that from the gospels, right? That Jesus Christ died on the cross. And that he rose again three days later. Overcoming death. So, that we too might not have to experience eternal death. We get to experience eternal life. When we turn from our sin and trust in him. And that's when that washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit happens. We're filled with the spirit. He's poured out his spirit on us. Verses 6 and 7 says, "whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." And so, I think part of what it looks like for us to live with that hope of eternal life. Is to constantly be reflecting upon who we were apart from Christ. Who we are in Christ. And who we will be when we one day see Christ again. Face to face. And so, that for me is what it looks like. Just to relish in the gospel. To remember the gospel.    Even when I was talking earlier, Laura, about feeling overwhelmed. The temptation for me then is to feel down on myself. And to wrestle with shame. Because I've over committed, right? But I'm rehearsing the truths of the gospel to myself in that moment. And saying, "Okay. Yes, could I have planned my schedule better? Yes, could I have done all these things? But you know what? I, by God's grace, get instead to rest in the grace that the gospel provides for me in this moment. Knowing that with all these various responsibilities, I am not going to be executing them perfectly. But he has perfectly accomplished my salvation on the cross. And so, I can rest in his son. Knowing that my salvation is not based on my perfect performance. But on the performance of Christ." And that then again helps me then to relish in the gospel. To remember the gospel, like I said, is not just for that moment of salvation or justification. When we're saved from our sins and made right with God. But it's also for every moment of every day. Because we need it all the time. At least I do.    Laura Dugger: (44:00 - 44:20) Yes, absolutely. And I think we can hear that or repeat that so, often. But I love how you unpack it. Because especially for those who have been saved. When they rely on the gospel for sanctification. Can you give any more examples of what that looks like? Specifically for sanctification after the salvation?    Hunter Beless: (44:21 - 46:35) Yeah. I think it's just coming to a greater understanding of our desperate need for Jesus. And then as we rely on him more wholly. I think we're conformed even more into the image of his son. Just after that gospel hymn in Titus 3. Verse 8 says, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works." So, what is sanctification? Well, sanctification is growing in godliness. Or said another way, it's growing in good works. Right? So, we're not saved because of our good works. We're saved by the gospel so, that then we can produce good works. By God's grace. That's the sanctification process. And so, how does that happen? Well, verse 8 tells us, "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things." What does it want us to insist on? It wants us to insist then on the contents of the gospel from Titus 3:3-7. So, we need to, in order to grow in our ability to do good to others. What do we do? We insist on the gospel.    And how does that work? Well, when I am feeling, again, overbooked, overwhelmed. And somebody comes into my life that needs service. If I'm functioning by the world's wisdom, what am I going to say? "You know what? I just don't have the margin for that. I can't do that. I need to protect my time." But if I'm looking at the gospel, what do I see? Well, I see what Christ died for me. Was that act of service self-protective in any way? No. So, what does it look like for me then to lay down my life for the good of another? And that's how the gospel then informs our living in such a way that we begin to grow by God's grace, not by our own effort, in godliness. So, I think that's how the sanctification process kind of works itself out.    Laura Dugger: (46:35 - 46:54) Thank you so much for sharing that. And you've taught us already so, much in this time together. But you've also written a book recently for children. Can you tell us a little bit more about it and share the lasting truths that you want to impart to children who get to read or listen to your book?    Hunter Beless: (46:55 - 49:47) Yeah. I think it started for me with really thinking about what are those kinds of scriptural, biblical truths that I want to offer to the children in these everyday moments like we've been talking about. My son, I already shared, he's been struggling with sleep for the last year or so,. And he'll come tumbling down the stairs in the middle of the night. And my initial reaction to that is to want to say, "It's okay. Mommy's here." Right? And that's true. And I do think that offers some temporal comfort. And it is a good thing for a mother to be present in the time of a child's need. But thinking more deeply, I began to say, "Buddy, God is with you. You have no need to fear." And the reason for that is because I started thinking about, well, what if mommy wasn't here? What if I wasn't able to be here? And some of that came just from having lost my own father in the last few years to cancer spontaneously. And just thinking, like, what are the lasting truths that I then want to impart to my children when I'm no longer able to be present? So, it is true. It's comfort that mommy is here in your time of need. But also, even when mommy's not able to be here, remember, God is with you always.  And it's been such an encouragement for me then to even see him, like, on the playground and his little buddy will get hurt. And he'll turn and he'll tell his buddy, like, "It's okay. God's with you." You know what I'm thinking? "That's so, good. Like, this is the kind of stuff that I want to be just ingrained within the children so, that their initial reaction is, 'It's okay. God is with me.'" Similarly, the message that is repeated throughout the book is, "Jesus Loves You More". And that was really instigated from one of my children requesting for me to say over and over again this popular phrase that we've all heard, "I love you to the moon and back." And I started thinking, like, "Okay, that's true. I do. I love you to the moon and back. I love you to the, you know, mountaintop and to the ocean floor. I love you as far as the east is from the west. But there is one who loves you even more than I ever could. And in fact, when my love fails you, His never will." And so, I wanted to get that.    If there's one message that I want my kids to know, it's that. It's that Jesus loves them so, much that he went all the way to the cross at Calvary and gave his very life so, that they could be made right with God. So, that's the message that I hope kids will take away from the book. I do hope that it inspires parents to think about what are those lasting truths that they want to impart to their kids. And I hope it equips them then to be able to share what I believe as Christian parents is the most important message we could ever give.    Laura Dugger: (49:48 - 49:54) I just want to acknowledge too, I'm so, sorry for the sudden loss of your father in recent years.    Hunter Beless: (49:55 - 50:19) Well, thank you. Yeah, it's, you know, my kids were just saying as we were hiking this last weekend, they're like, "We miss puppy." But we're like, I'm at a point now where I did go through many years of grief, missing him, you know, all of this. But just relishing in the fact that he's in the presence of the Lord Jesus. And I am just so grateful because he's in a much better place. So, I'm looking forward to the day that I get to join him there. Amen.    Laura Dugger: (50:20 - 50:28) Well, Hunter, you've already given us so much, but where can we go to continue being discipled by you after this conversation?    Hunter Beless: (50:30 - 51:14) Well, if you like conversations like this, you know, I infrequently show up at Journey Women. We used to do a weekly show and then it turned to bi-weekly and now we're seasonal. But I do love having conversations just like this. And I hope that, you know, just as our conversation today, I hope it encourages women just to get together, like you said, with women in their local context to open up God's word. And just to go deeper, relationally, conversationally, to come together around the truths of God's word. You've asked such great questions, Laura. And I think take some of these questions and ask your friends and see where the Lord guides those conversations. I think that'll just be such a blessing. It's been a blessing to meet and chat with you today.    Laura Dugger: (51:15 - 51:32) Well, I've loved every minute. And you may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge or insight or discernment. And so, as my final question for you today, Hunter, what is your Savvy Sauce?    Hunter Beless: (51:34 - 52:28) Oh, you try to nail me down to something practical. It's funny, Laura, because I feel like I resist practical. And I'm not sure what it is about me that resists practical other than maybe sometimes I felt like bound in by people's practical advice. Does that make sense? And so, for me, here's my practical advice. My practical advice is to allow all of your practices or your practicals to be informed by the principles of the text. So, allow the principles of scripture to inform your practice. And that's not very practical, but I think the only practical way you can do that is to get your face in your Bible and to really seek to know and love God through his word. And then he will certainly help inform your practice.    Laura Dugger: (52:30 - 56:34) I think that's actually more practical than you realize. That is wonderful. And Hunter, your joy and your laugh are just contagious. And you're clearly gifted from the Lord as a clear, articulate communicator. And it blesses so, many people in so many generations because you are able to filter in the truth and then communicate it in a way that's able to be received. So, it's been so encouraging to sit under your teaching and be inspired to take this out and to hopefully begin in our home. But also, those good works, as we're called as older women, too. None of us are exempt, as you said. So, I've just thoroughly enjoyed being with you. Thank you for being my guest. Thank you so much for having me. It's been so fun.   One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

Joel continues his journey through the Book of Romans with an overview of chapter 8, verses 1-4.

Joel continues his journey through the Book of Romans in chapter 8, verses 2-3.

mp3

Bhagavad Gita Ch. 14 “Yoga of the Three Modes of Material Nature” Verses 16,17,& 18 The lecture discusses how the predominance of Stava, Rajas, or Tamas in the mind results in either progress or regression in a person's spiritual evolution and determines the environment for the rebirth. Moksharthi - Please visit YouTube for Bhajans by Neil Bhatt - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8jOW56VdfinQGoaP3cRFi-lSBfxjflJE Gita for Daily Living - Now on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@GitaforDailyLiving

What does the blood on the doorposts in Exodus have to do with the cross of Jesus? Continuing our "Covered" series, Pastor Josh explores the first Passover and the powerful moment when God spared His people because of the blood of a spotless lamb. This historic night wasn't just about Israel's deliverance from Egypt—it was pointing forward to Jesus, our true Passover Lamb. Through the blood on the door Israel was spared; through Christ's blood on the cross we can be saved. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

mp3

Saturday, 14 March 2026   An explanation of the overall pictorial contents of Matthew 17.   Chapter 17 of Matthew completes a picture that has been ongoing for several chapters. In Chapter 14, there was a snapshot of Israel's history in relation to the law. Chapter 15 then gave a picture of what is going on in the world from the time Jesus fulfilled the law until the rapture. Chapter 16 revealed a passage that petitions the Jews of the end times to consider who Jesus is based on their own history, comparing it to how He is portrayed in Scripture.   Chapter 17 began with the words “after six days.” It is a reference to the six days of creation, which mirror the six thousand years of man's time before the millennium, the seventh day, the day of God's rest on earth –   “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10   Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain. Peter is the apostle to the circumcision (Galatians 2:7), James was the first apostle to die, and John was the last. This is an honor that James and John had sought, but in a different way –   “Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?' She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.'” Matthew 20:20, 21   In one respect, Jesus granted the request concerning the placement of apostolic honor. These three men form a triad of witnesses to the Jews. There on the high mountain, Jesus metamorphosed before them. Moses and Elijah, representing the law and the prophets as well as the living and the dead, appeared along with Jesus.   Peter, whose epistles are strategically placed after Paul's, indicating they are addressed to the end times Jews after the church age, offered to build three tabernacles, dwelling places, for them. The voice of the Father came out of the cloud, noting that it is His Son, Jesus, in whom He is well pleased, and that they were to hear Him.   It is the final lesson of the end times. The law and prophets are not what the Jews are to focus on, but Jesus. It is His glory alone that will take them into the millennium, the law being finally removed from Israel (see Hebrews 8:13).   While descending the mountain, the disciples asked Him why the scribes said that Elijah was to come first. Jesus said, “Elijah indeed, he comes first, and he will reconstitute all” (17:11). Elijah is literally coming back to witness to Israel. However, Jesus also noted that Elijah had come already. The disciples understood this to mean John the Baptist.   The indication is that Israel will understand from these two appearances that they missed the ball, and the troubles they have faced were a self-inflicted wound. Verses 14-17 detail the healing of the man's son. No names of people or locations were given, just a description of the boy being moonstruck and suffering badly because he frequently fell into the fire and f  requently into the water.   It is a picture of Israel in their history before the Lord, completely untreatable, even by the disciples (their witness to Israel) –   “Your affliction is incurable, Your wound is severe. 13 There is no one to plead your cause, That you may be bound up; You have no healing medicines.” Jeremiah 30:12, 13   See also Micah 1:8,9.   Jesus called them a faithless and perverse generation, something that exactingly describes Israel. It is a point stated to the Jews by Peter in Acts 2:40. Despite their failure, it says that Jesus rebuked the demon, and it left the child that very hour. Israel's wound will be cured immediately at the return of Christ.   When the disciples asked why they couldn't cast it out, Jesus said it was because of their unbelief and that that kind could only go out by fasting and prayer. Jesus doesn't say who must fast and pray. Rather, He says it is a part of such healing.   Fasting is a sign of mourning and repentance toward God. Prayer is the means by which God is petitioned.  In the future, at the time of Christ's return, Israel will, like ancient Nineveh, fast and pray to the Lord. When they do, they will be healed.   The final verses of the chapter referred first to them “overturning” in the Galilee (verse 22). The word was anastrephó. As explained, one can return without any intent or change in the way things are, or one can return while considering, making changes, redirecting to something new, etc. It is also used as a word indicating contrast.   It is the state of Israel after having been healed. There is a return with a considered change, redirecting them to something new. They will enter the New Covenant, returning to God in a new way. That wording is based on Jesus' words about the Son of Man being betrayed into the hands of men, being killed, and being raised on the third day (verse 23).   That is the exact gospel Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4. Israel will be overturned in their thinking by finally accepting, as Paul says, “the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved” (1 Corinthians 15:1,2).   In verse 24, it says that they came to Capernaum. The name is derived from kaphar, to cover, as in atonement, and Nahum, the name of the prophet. However, Nahum is derived from nakham, to sigh. The sense of the word extends to regretting, feeling sorry, and being or getting comfort.   All three of these are tied up in the thought of salvation. While in this location, those who received the temple tax asked if the Teacher paid the tax. Peter's answer in verse 25 was that He did. The tax, as explained, was based on the ransom money (silver) described in Exodus 30:11-16. It is the money representing salvation through Christ's sacrifice, ransoming man from the power of the devil.   Still in verse 25, Jesus preanticipated Peter by asking about paying such taxes, does that come from the king's sons or from unfamiliars (those outside the family). The word used was prophthanó, to get an earlier start on a matter.   Jesus didn't just speak of the matter of Israel's salvation before they asked for it. He spoke of the matter before they could ask. In other words, the Bible has clearly proclaimed that Israel will once again be God's people. Their ransom money had been procured long before they knew there was a need for it. This was preanticipated by God in Christ.   Peter's response to Jesus about the tax was from unfamilars. Jesus said, “Hence, the sons, they are exempt.” It is a point that will apply to Israel after the Lord returns. Being sons of God (as a nation), once again, they will be free from such payment.   Verse 27 described the manner in which Peter would find such a coin to pay the taxes. It was provided by Jesus in a miraculous way. Likewise, Israel will not pay anything for their ransom. Rather, it will be provided by Christ's all-sufficient payment at the cross of Calvary.   The final words of the chapter recorded Jesus' words to Peter, “That, having taken, you give to them for Me and you.” Jesus' work leading to His resurrection is what validated both His and Israel's sonship.   For Jesus, that is recorded in Romans 1:4, where it says, “and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” See also Hebrews 1:5.   For Israel of the end times, pictured by Peter, the apostle to the circumcision, it is belief in the gospel that will bring about their state of sonship. The tax is paid through the miracle-working power of God in Christ.   Life application: Chapter 17 of Matthew clearly indicates that there is a future for Israel, the people. They are restored to the land of Israel as prophesied in God's word. They will never be uprooted from it again, according to that same word –   “‘I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. 15 I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,' Says the Lord your God.” Amos 9:14, 15   This is good news for Israel. However, for Israel at this time, the news is not so good. They are not currently God's people (Hosea 1:9, 10 & Romans 9:25, 26). Not being God's people, they are also not sons of God. That right has been stripped from them at this time.   Rather, Jesus clearly notes that their father is the devil –   “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:44-47   To reject Jesus is to reject God because Jesus is God and the Son of the Father. Jesus calls Israel during this dispensation a “synagogue of Satan” in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9. Calling them God's people at this time does a disservice to them. What they need is evangelism, not coddling, sycophancy, fawning, or flattering.   They are not right with God, and not to evangelize them, when you have the opportunity to do so, can only continue them down the path leading to the Lake of Fire. This is important. Israel needs Jesus. Without Him, they are like any other nation on the planet that lacks Jesus Christ. Be bold in your proclamation of Jesus Christ to all people, Jew and Gentile alike.   Lord God, help us to think rightly about our conversations with others. Help us to remember that without Jesus, they are on a one-way path to eternal condemnation. May we boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all people. Amen.

mp3

mp3

Insights and comments could be sent to Jonathan@thepararshapodcast.comThey will be addressed during our daily classes to enhance the discussion.For Parasha & Navi Special Classes, please visit:Apple podcast link:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-parasha-podcast/id1525436805Spotify link:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6w6PD5kC5vi9qqJ8VDU0JV?si=939c0262383e4c1cFor Navi classes, please visit:Apple podcast link:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-navi-podcast/id1549133051Spotify link:https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WxjXKNXllLVr9p1enQIc8?si=71de5d3ff961455dFor Tehillim classes, please visit:Apple podcast link:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tehillim-podcast/id1588773372Spotify link:https://open.spotify.com/show/79ooU0LqW7FF8Zh5YfJAkp?si=a33c064f60374646For Ketuvim classes, Please visit:Apple Podcast link:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ketuvim-podcast/id1734069288Spotify link:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pMd7hhOBAb1Oy2RhWMX0H?si=8da277c698b94890 #Parasha #Navi #Torah #Bible #Wisdom #psalms #songs #Tehillim     

What does it mean to “quench” the Holy Spirit?  How is it possible for us to do that?  Verses 19-22 of chapter 5 guide us toward honoring the Holy Spirit's work in our lives and depending on Him to help us avoid evil.

mp3

mp3

Verses 16-18 of chapter 5 are some of the most beloved verses in 1 Thessalonians.  But these three verses contain three daunting commands. How can we possibly fulfill them? Only by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Verses 39 to 46 of 1 Samuel 17

Satsang discussions on verses 18.67 to 18.71Don't miss the last 10-15 minutes where Alpana summarized her recent interactions with Swami SPji

mp3

Joel continues his journey through the Book of Romans in chapter 7, verses 14-23.

Joel continues his journey through the Book of Romans with an introduction to chapter 7, verses 7-25.

Joel continues his journey through the Book of Romans in chapter 7, verses 24-25.

Joel continues his journey through the Book of Romans with an introduction to chapter 8, verses 1-13.

The apostle Paul provides direction on how to relate to those who are “over you in the Lord.” Verses 12 -13 of chapter 5 make it clear that every Christian needs spiritual oversight, and Paul calls us to love and respect for those who lead us. 

mp3

Think for a minute. What is your most valuable and effective daily resource? In fact, what are your top two tools you rely on most to effectively navigate your day? Your phone? Car? Washer and dryer? Backyard grill? To-do list? Cup of coffee? Bread machine? Google maps? What if I told you about two powerful tools that help you navigate the territory of your soul each day? Interestingly, that’s where the power of 2 little verses comes in. Let’s explore. Read More … For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city: 4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, 5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed! 6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding." 7 One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse. 8 Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you. 9 Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it. 13 The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15 to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways, 16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, 17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant." 18 But he doesn't know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. Listen Donate Subscribe: Proverbs Daily Podcast Psalms Daily Podcast

A couple of weeks ago I shared a 'Ramadan Gift' - the opening chapter of the Quran in rhyming verse.  Due to tons of very positive feedback, I'm going to share a few more verses with you. Again, don't get too excited - I'm not claiming that I'm able or that it's even possible to translate the whole Quran like this.  Also, please keep in mind that this is a first draft. It has not been thoroughly scrutinized by scholars as the final version would be if it were ever to be formally published. I'm sharing it with you to gauge your feedback and to see if it would be something worth taking further.   

Kicking off our new Easter series, "Covered," Pastor Josh explores Genesis 3 and humanity's instinct to hide and cover our sin. When Adam and Eve's attempt fell short, God provided a covering of His own—an act that points forward to the greater sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

John 15:18-25,18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,[a] but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.'We continue in our journey on this Thursday night, the longest Thursday night in history, and Jesus is preparing his men, and us, for the storm. As the cross approaches, the God-man speaks with new clarity and striking self-focus. Fourteen times in this passages Jesus says I, me, and my. These are not passing, incidental references; it's an emphasis.And the effect of this emphasis is to help us. This is love. We've seen how chapter 15 is like a battlefield speech. Jesus is getting his men ready for hell to break loose. And when the world's hatred shakes Jesus's disciples, the greatest danger isn't death. The greatest danger is falling away from Jesus.So, he gets us ready: stay with me, stay in the Vine, and bear fruit. Love each other, with an expansive love that longs to draw others in. And as you expand outward in love to be Jesus's instrument to bring others to him, and make room for others, be ready to encounter the world's hatred.The world's hate contrasts with Jesus's repeated summons to love (13:34–35; 15:12, 17). His disciples move toward the world in love and find themselves met with hatred. And notably absent is any sense of responding in kind. The implication is, keep loving even as your efforts to love are met with hatred.Why would the world hate Christians?Which raises the question, for Jesus's disciples and for us: Why would the world hate Christians?You might feel this very personally: Why would I be hated? I'm a Minnesotan. I'm nice. I don't want to upset people. I want them to be happy, and I've found in Jesus the great Treasure. I want others to know Jesus. Jesus is love, and teaches love. Why would someone hate me for that?It's an important question. And Jesus wants us to know why, and he wants us to know how to handle it. That's our focus this morning: Why would the world hate Christians, and what are we to do about it?We'll begin with the why, which is both simple, and has some layers to it. And we'll end with Jesus's two directives about how to handle it.The World Hates JesusAt one level, Jesus's answer is simple: the world hates you because the world hates me. Jesus is the focus. The followers of Jesus are hated because they are followers of Jesus. And the world hates Jesus. Listen again how Jesus is the focus of verses 18–21, with it all culminating at “on account of my name”:If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you…. 20 Remember the word that I said to you [in 13:16]: ‘A servant is not greater than his master [that is, Lord].' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things [hate you, persecute you, disregard your word] they will do to you on account of my name…“On account of my name” means because of me and what they think about me. They are mistaken, in some sense, as we'll see. But they know some true things about him, and what they know they don't like. Actually, they hate. It may often come out as dislike or indifference, but deep in the soul, it is hatred. (Their speech may be smooth as butter, yet war is in their heart, Psalm 55:21).So, Jesus says, the world hates you because it hates me. That's his simple answer and focus.Why Does the World Hate Jesus?But there's another layer. You can also ask, Why does the world hate Jesus? Verses 22 and 24:If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin…. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.The world hates Jesus because he, in a new way, exposes the sinfulness of their sin.Now, we need to say more about “world.” What does “world” mean here? This is not the world of Genesis 1–2, the world created by God and untainted by sin. This is the world of Genesis 3 and since, the world under the power of sin (“the created moral order in active rebellion against God,” Carson). This “world in rebellion” is the world in view in John 3:16: “God loved the world” — the world of sinners, set in opposition to God, loving sin, not loving him —God loved this hellbent, rebellious world in this way: “he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” That's love. And God's love in giving his Son is all the more stunning because the world he loved was the world dead set against him.That's the world in our passage: the world in love with sin, the world that hates God. No wonder such a world would hate Jesus. Jesus is God incarnate. He comes as the light, shining in the darkness. And in the light of his words and his works, the true nature of sin is exposed. The sin was there before he came, when the Light himself comes, then sin is exposed like never before, and seen to be what it is: an assault on God himself. There were lights for the exposing of sin before Jesus came: the light of nature, the light of Moses and the prophets. But the coming of Christ, the true light, so surpasses the previous lights, that his coming ushers in a whole new day. Yes, there was some light before, but the light of Christ is so strong, so pure, so bright, it's as if the previous lights hardly shone. Like twinkling stars at night compared the sun when day comes. And when Jesus comes, the sinfulness of sin becomes apparent: sin is rebellion against God. Hatred of God. Preferring of other things to God is cosmic treason. Longing for and loving created things over the Creator himself is treason.And remember, it's Thursday night. There will be no more outrageous display of the sinfulness of sin than when sinners conspire to put God himself to death the next day. The cross is the ultimate exposé of human sin: sin is an attack on God.So, why does the world hate Jesus? Because he exposes the true nature of sin, and takes away excuses for sin. That's one layer.No Longer “of the World”But Jesus gives us another layer in verse 19, for why the world hates Christians:If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.Jesus has talked before about choosing his disciples (John 6:70; 13:18), and as recently as verse 15:“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide…”It's not that the disciples first chose Jesus; he chose them. They were once of the world. They were born in rebellion against God. They loved darkness rather than light. Yet, Jesus took the decisive step to pluck them out from the world, and make them his own.But the sinful world, in rebellion against God, loves its own who love sin, not God, and affirm sin and celebrate sin. But when Jesus plucks his disciples out from the world, the world doesn't like that. The world hates that. And I know many in this room have experienced that hatred very personally.Jesus chose you. He opened your eyes. You came to faith in him and began to follow him — and your old friends or your family didn't like it. Maybe they kept up a veneer of Minnesota nice, and you didn't sense any deep hatred, but Jesus is telling us here what was, what is, going on: the world in its sin, with guilt-ridden conscience, desperately craves the affirmation of its sin, and fears the exposure of the sinfulness of its sin — and it hates when its fellows in darkness see the Light.This hatred can be stirred when we're plucked out, or when we refuse go back in, as 1 Peter 4:3–4 says,the time that is past [now that the Light has come] suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you [speak evil of you, say things that make you look bad].Yet, what's the posture of our hearts to be like in moments like this, when the veneer comes off, and hatred begins to seep out? We don't hate them in return. But we remember we were there, but for the grace of God. We were “of the world,” but Jesus drew us out. So, we have the spirit of Titus 3, which calls us…to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us… (Titus 3:1–5)The World Does Not Know the FatherWhich brings us to one last layer, the bottom layer, for why the world hates Jesus. Now, we pick up the final pieces:The end of verse 21: “because they do not know him who sent me.”Verse 23: “Whoever hates me hates my Father also.”End of verse 24: “now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.”The world's love for sin, and hatred of Jesus, shows that they do not know the Father.This is true of all who do not know Jesus: they do not know God. There are no “good people” who are honestly mistaken about God and not culpable in their sin. They may hide their hatred of the Father well (with speech smooth as butter), but if they are not in Jesus, they do not know God; and they will be “gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:6).This is an exclusivist bottom layer. You know that term “exclusivist”? It means, as Jesus says here, he is the exclusive way to God. There aren't other ways around him or apart from him. Jesus is the Word, the revelation, of the one God who made this world, and over and against whom the world stands in its sin. Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews who reject Jesus as Messiah do not find other paths to God. Jesus is the one way, the one God provided, and all who reject Jesus reject the only God. So, in Jesus's words in verse 23 is a condemnation of all world religions, including secularism, except for the one Jesus brings.Which lands on the world as profoundly offensive. And lands on Jesus's people, who know themselves sinners and undeserving, as the best news in the world: you mean there's a way! In my sin, in my guilt, in my weakness, there's a way!So, we have the focus of the world's hate and the layers. The world of darkness hates Christians because it hates Jesus, the light. And it hates Jesus because he exposes the sinfulness of sin. And it hates his people because Jesus chose them out of the world. And at bottom, the world hates Jesus, and his people, because the world does not know the Father.So, what do we do about it? Jesus clearly means for verses 18–25 to have an emotional effect on us. There are six ifs in this section, which makes it read almost like poetry, with a rhetorical effect. Jesus wants us to be ready for the world's hate, and stay with him and love one another — and keep endeavoring to expand the circle of our love.In these verses are two imperatives, two commands, that lead us to what Jesus wants us to do about the world's hate. So, he's told us the why, with its focus and layers. Now what to do: he wants us to know in verse 18, and to remember in verse 20. So, know what? Remember what?1. Know this: the world hated Jesus first.What's that do? It helps us get ready. The world hated Jesus, so much so it put him to death; and we're his, we're with him. We should expect the world's hate, know it's coming, and not be surprised by it.The effect of the if in verse 18 is far more like a when: When the world hates you, and it does. The end of verse 19 says, “the world hates you.” Verse 20: they will persecute you. So, 1 John 3:13 says, “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” That's what Jesus is doing here: keeping us from getting caught off guard. Like 1 Peter 4:12:Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you…And to help us in John 15, verse 25, Jesus draws in a line from Psalm 69: “they hated me without cause.” Psalm 69 is King David, “a righteous sufferer who is zealous for God but is persecuted by God's enemies for no good reason” (ESVSB). This is true of Jesus. And it will be true of us who are his.And critical to the pattern of Psalm 69 being true about Jesus, and being true about us, is that we don't give the haters any good reason.Twin dangers face us once we learn that the world, at bottom, hates Jesus, and hates us: we could try to avoid their hate or provoke it. As thoughtful members of a society, it's easy to figure out the fault lines between Jesus and the world — and we can easily avoid them or easily provoke them. Knowing that the world's hate is coming doesn't mean we seek to dodge it, nor that we try to prompt it. It's there, and it's coming; don't let the world's hatred steal the agenda one way or another.There's a vast difference between expecting it and trying to excite it. I expect the government to want more of my money, but I don't try to excite it. And there's a world of difference between the holy, Christlike expectation of the world's hate, and unholy, un-Christian attempts to excite the world's hate. Cities Church, we wanna be the right kinda hated. We are hated, and will be hated, and we want it to be for the reasons they hate Jesus, not because we're fools on Jesus's terms just as much as the world's.Contagious zeal for Jesus that accumulates detractors on account of him is one thing. Learning how to enrage people and garnish it with Jesus's name is another. And worse yet is falling away from Jesus because of his haters.So, know this: the world hated him first. We expect the world to hate us too. And we're pleasantly surprised and don't try to sabotage it, when the hatred ebbs at times.2. Remember this: Jesus is great.I love verse 20: Jesus says, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.'” Which is not mainly about the lowliness of the servant, but about the greatness of Jesus.Don't miss this: Jesus is great. Remember this, he says: your Lord is great. Which may sound simple but is powerful.In 1856, Charles Spurgeon was preaching to more than 10,000 people in a packed-out hall when agitators interrupted the service by yelling fire. A stampede ensued, and seven were trampled to death; thirty were seriously injured. In the horror of it all, Spurgeon suffered a severe emotional breakdown, and the event left a mark on him the rest of his life. He faced critics, (haters) and went into depression over it. Years later he testified,I was pressed beyond measure and out of bounds with an enormous weight of misery. The tumult, the panic, the deaths, were day and night before me, and made life a burden.How did God rescue him? He says, From that [nightmare] I was awakened in a moment by the gracious application to my soul of the text, “Him hath God the Father exalted” (“God has highly exalted him,” Philippians 2:9). The fact that Jesus is still great, let his servants suffer as they may, piloted me back to calm reason and peace. (Lectures to My Students, 162 [1954])There it is: “Jesus is still great.” Seven are dead, thirty seriously injured. But Jesus is still great. When the storm comes, look for the greatness of Jesus.When for his sake, you sense their hate,Remember that your Lord is great.And part of that greatness is that you get to be with him. What holds John 15 together is that you're with him, on his side. Hated with him means loved by him! And united to him! You're with Jesus! Enjoy him.Cross of Hate and LoveIt's heavy to spend a whole sermon dwelling on the world's hate for Jesus, and for us. But then we come to this Table. The cross is a demonstration of the world's hate. Sinners conspired together to put God to death. And the cross is the ultimate demonstration of love. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Pastor opens with a prayer for God to build unity among believers especially in the areas where we have differing opinions, that we would show grace to one another and humility before God. Pastor begins with the "rapture" passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will be with the Lord forever." "Will be caught up." This caught up is the rapture. "Will be caught up" is one word in Greek: harpazō (Latin was used to translate the Greek work and in Latin the word is rapiemur from which we get "rapture") Let's check out 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 where Paul answers the question about Christian believers who have died, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord's word we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first."   These are encouraging words for believers, giving them the assurance of Jesus' Second Coming and the assurance of the resurrection of the dead, the gathering of the living and all going with Jesus in the air and of being with Him forever. If we take Paul's powerful words of summary of the Second Coming in these verses - it seems to be saying that the rapture occurs when Jesus returns, when the dead are raised and when we are all caught up in the air with Him. Paul goes on to say in verse 18: "Therefore encourage one another with these words." In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 we read that Christ comes at a time no one knows, and He comes not only to bring His people to Himself, but to bring judgement. Verses 4-6 goes on to tell us that we belong to the Light and not to the darkness and Paul calls us to understanding that Jesus can come anytime and that we should be ready and looking forward to His return.  Common questions:         What is all this talk about the Rapture - its referring to believers who have died in Christ and those who are alive when He returns and the risen dead and the alive will be united with Christ         Will there be a rapture - Yes!!!         Where is the rapture found in the Bible - In 1 Thessalonians 4         When will the rapture take place - at the Second Coming of Christ         Will Christians go through the Tribulation - The word for tribulation is the Greek word thlipsis. It is used 45 time in the New Testament. (Suffering, persecution, tribulation) Pastor takes us on an exploration of the ways thlipsis is used in the New Testament by looking at:         John 16:33         Matthew 24:21-22         Romans 5:3         1 Thessalonians 3:7         2 Thessalonians 1:4         Revelation 7:14 We see in these verses that tribulation is a reality, we read of the tribulation of others, of Jesus saying that in this world we will have tribulation, that there will be tribulation, and we read about glorying in our tribulations.  Pastor shares the tribulation of the apostles, disciples, and early believers, and that throughout the centuries there has been tribulation of Christian people and in our day the tribulation that is attacking many believers around the world (kidnapped, raped, captured, hunted down, killed, ridiculed, put down, in fear of losing jobs, etc). Tribulation is real, it's a reality. the Bible doesn't say we will escape it, instead it says we will be persecuted. Our hope is not based on being taken out of tribulation, our hope is on the second coming of Christ. And the assurance that we will be raised on the last day and will live with Him forever. Believers have differing opinions - Pastor encourages us with what the Bible says:         to maintain the peace of the Holy Spirit.          To search the scripture         to not get caught up in details that cause controversy          to focus on the mission of bringing others to Christ Jesus is the only message of reconciliation and eternal life. That is our focus, labor, prayer and service. Bottom line …. The entire New Testament points to the Second Coming of Christ and urges us to live in such a way as to be always ready for His return. Pastor's closing prayer speaks of thanks to God for the Scriptures, while in them we don't find everything we want to know, the Scriptures do provide ALL that we need to know. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

mp3

1 Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? 2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands. 3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud: 4 "I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind. 5 You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart! 6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things. 7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it. 12 "I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. 14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth. 17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice, 21 that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries. 22 "Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. 24 When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born; 26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep, 28 when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong, 29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him, 31 rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men. 32 "Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Don't refuse it. 34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. 35 For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death." Listen Donate Subscribe: Proverbs Daily Podcast Psalms Daily Podcast

mp3

1 My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. 2 Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Tell wisdom, "You are my sister." Call understanding your relative, 5 that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. 6 For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice. 7 I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding, 8 passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house, 9 in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness. 10 Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent. 11 She is loud and defiant. Her feet don't stay in her house. 12 Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner. 13 So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him: 14 "Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows. 15 Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you. 16 I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let's take our fill of loving until the morning. Let's solace ourselves with loving. 19 For my husband isn't at home. He has gone on a long journey. 20 He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon." 21 With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him. 22 He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose. 23 Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hurries to the snare, and doesn't know that it will cost his life. 24 Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth. 25 Don't let your heart turn to her ways. Don't go astray in her paths, 26 for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army. 27 Her house is the way to Sheol,* going down to the rooms of death. Listen Donate Subscribe: Proverbs Daily Podcast Psalms Daily Podcast

Jason Blitman talks with singer-songwriter and queer icon Ani DiFranco about her reading life and the story behind her new book, The Spirit of Ani.ANI DiFRANCO is a Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter and musician who has released twenty-three albums, traversing genres and addressing a range of autobiographical, political, and social issues. She is widely considered a feminist icon, and created her own record label, Righteous Babe Records, in 1990. She regularly releases new music, and continues her decades-long career as a major touring artist. DiFranco released a collection of poems and paintings titled Verses in 2007. Her memoir, No Walls and the Recurring Dream, was a New York Times bestseller, and she is the author of two children's books, The Knowing and Show Up and Vote. In 2024, she completed a five-month run on Broadway in the role of Persephone in Hadestown.Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERESUBSTACK! MERCH! WATCH! CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most common accusations against Christians is that they're "hypocrites". While this accusation is often not justified, sometimes it is. Today we will look at 1st Samuel 2, which is a study in contrasts. We'll see the contrasts between a godly woman, hypocritical leaders, and a godly young man. Join us for another practical study in God's Word. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    In our study, yesterday, of 1st Samuel 1, what did Hannah pray? What did she do with Samuel when the Lord answered her prayer? 2.    Verses 1 to 11 contains one of the longest prayers from a woman in the entire Bible. It's a beautiful prayer. As you read over this prayer, how does Hannah's prayer life and the content of her prayers compare to yours? 3.    In verse 1, what is Hannah's view of the Lord? Why does she exalt Him? 4.    In verses 2 - 4, what does Hannah exult about the Lord? 5.    What are the doctrines of God that Hannah praises God for in verses 6 to 10? Are there places where you can you follow her example and bring rich doctrine into your prayers? Which ones? Are any of these doctrines difficult for you to even pray? If so, why?  6.    In a bit of spiritual whiplash, now we look at the example of Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas. How are they described in verse 12? How do their actions in this chapter confirm this description of them? 7.    What would they do in verses 13 to 16? How is this a violation of the sacredness that was necessary for the sacrifices in the book of Leviticus? 8.    What is the Lord's view of their actions in verse 17? 9.    How did they respond to Eli's admonishments in verses 22 - 25? How should they have responded to him?  10.    In verse 29, what did the Lord say to Eli about his own values when it comes to things of the Lord? How is it possible to put our children before the Lord today? How can we guard against this possibility? 11.    How would you describe this hypocrisy of Eli and his sons? What were its roots? How should it have been rooted out? 12.    What was the Lord's judgment upon them in verses 31 to 34?  13.    In verse 35, who will God raise up instead? In verses 18 and 26, how was Samuel different from these men? 14.    This chapter gives us a powerful example of contrasts. What were the contrasts between Hannah and Eli's sons and Samuel? As you think about your own life, is there any area of hypocrisy that needs to be rooted out? Are there any steps you can take to be more like Hannah and Samuel? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

mp3

1 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 you are trapped by the words of your mouth; you are ensnared with the words of your mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 7 which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. 9 How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— 11 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man. 12 A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth, 13 who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers, 14 in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. 15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy. 16 There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: 17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19 a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. 20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and don't forsake your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 24 to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife's tongue. 25 Don't lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids. 26 For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished. 30 Men don't despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry, 31 but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house. 32 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul. 33 He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He won't regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts. Listen Donate Subscribe: Proverbs Daily Podcast Psalms Daily Podcast

mp3

Preston Sprinkle joins Levi and Jennie for a candid, hilarious, and deeply thoughtful conversation around his newest book, From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership. Preston shares what sent him on a years-long, thousand-hour deep dive through Scripture, scholarship, and church history without rushing to “pick a side.” Along the way, the crew gets real about how these conversations actually land in local churches: the tension, the backlash, the nuance, and the very human emotions involved. From Jesus' surprising elevation of women, to the “problem passages” like 1 Timothy 2 and Romans 16, this episode is an invitation to slow down, stay humble, and let the Bible speak louder than the algorithms. Connect with us on social! Preston: @preston.sprinkle Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] From Genesis to Junia book – https://bit.ly/4tG5dz2 Theology in the Raw Podcast – https://bit.ly/4s1GILd Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 0:00:19 – Hats, Boise memories, and the “pollen snow” bike ride 0:05:44 – Immigration, algorithms, and thinking Christianly first 0:29:49 – Why Preston spent 1,000+ hours on women in leadership 0:45:13 – Fresh Life's journey, backlash, and Jennie's honest emotions 0:52:26 – Jesus, the early church, and why women are essential to mission 1:00:54 – The “hard verses”: 1 Timothy 2 vs. Romans 16 (Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia)

Why does it bother us when someone doesn’t seem to like us? In this episode, we unpack the tension between people-pleasing and God-pleasing. While the desire to gain favor with others can stem from good intentions, it can easily shift into seeking approval instead of living from love. Scripture reminds us that our ultimate aim is not to please people — but to love them well. When love and faithfulness guide our thoughts, words, and actions, we find ourselves resting in God’s approval rather than striving for human validation. What We Discuss The difference between loving people and pleasing people Why human approval is unstable How our hearts can deceive us Filtering our actions through biblical love What it truly means to gain favor in God’s sight This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Gaining Favor in the Eyes of God and Others By Keri Eichberger Bible Reading:Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4) The sad truth is, it sincerely upsets me when someone doesn’t seem to like me. And though I’ve certainly struggled with people-pleasing, I’ve come to the conclusion that my concern over how another may perceive me isn’t just about pleasing the person. Not to mention, I know people are impossible to always please. But I’m beginning to believe the majority of my mission to receive favor in the eyes of others is rooted in the desire to do the right thing. Not necessarily by them, but by God. But to be honest, discerning the God-honoring way can be tricky at times. Because my heart and mind can deceive me. That’s true for all of us. We may tell ourselves our words and actions are justified and right. But too often our human flesh naturally prompts us toward selfish motives. So occasionally, when someone seems to have an issue with me, I start to wonder if they are sensing such behavior, and are justified in their ill thinking and feelings. On the flipside, if someone seems to be pleased with me, if I appear to have their favor, it sometimes serves as an indicator that I’m on the right path. But then again, this thought process is flawed as well. Do you ever personally fall into people-pleasing? Or simply and strongly desire to gain favor in the eyes of others? If, like me, you do find yourself aspiring to find right standing with people, why does it matter to you? Though the more important questions we should consider are: What really matters? And who really matters? We certainly can’t always please people, because we are all flawed and imperfect. But we aren’t called to please people anyway. We are called to love them. God is the only one we should ultimately aim to please. He alone is whom we ought to set our hearts on pleasing. He is who we ought to set out to please. Because of our love for God—because he first loved us. And what is pleasing to God is our loving him and loving others. Our goal should not be to please others, but to love others—for the sake of God and our love for him. In our quest to transition from pleasing to loving, our goal should also be to love the way God called us to love. The way Jesus loved. And I’m sure you’re closely familiar with this passage, but he perfectly describes how he longs for us to love in 1 Corinthians 13. Verses 4-7 read, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. This type of love is a tall order, no doubt. But this is a replica of what love looks like in the eyes of our all-loving Lord. These are the attributes we should aim for in learning to love. And as we learn to love more and more like God commanded us to love, we will find favor in his eyes and of others. Intersecting Faith & Life: Proverbs 3:3 encourages us to, Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. And verse 4 claims, Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. So, if you desire to find favor with the Lord and those around you, let love never leave you. Instead of seeking to please people, make it your life mission to love better. Practice filtering your thoughts, decisions, words, and every action through the First Corinthians love filter. Are your actions patient, humble, kind, selfless, drenched in truth and holiness? Are your words those of protection, trust, hope, and perseverance? This is love. While it’s not necessarily wrong to desire to want to please others, the heart and goal behind this desire should truly be to love them. As God would love. For the sake of God. Determine to root your desire to gain favor with those around you in your desire to please God. Let that desire to please God fuel your fire to love like God. And in loving like him, you may gain favor with others, but your striving to please people will be replaced with refreshed and confident rest that you are pleasing in the eyes of our good God. And that is all that really matters. If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the ache you carry—the insecurity, the anxiety, the quiet sense of being “not enough”—is rooted in a lie you didn't even know you believed? In today's episode, Stasi welcomes Jennie Allen to share about the incredible moves of God on college campuses and then from her new book The Lie You Don't Know You Believe, inviting us into a hope-filled conversation about the freedom Jesus offers when we bring our agreements into His light. There is a deeper Truth spoken over your life than any lie gripping you from the enemy. Come be reminded: God is on the move, you are captivating to Him, and freedom is closer than you think.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: 1 John 4:19 (NIV) – We love because he first loved us.Romans 8:1 (NIV) – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.Luke 7:47 (NIV) – Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.Revelation 12:11 (NIV) – They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.John 10:10 (NIV) – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.John 8:32 (NIV) – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.Romans 2:4 (NIV) – Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? …..JENNIE ALLEN Jennie's newest book, The Lie You Don't Know You Believe: How to Find It, Fight It, and Live Free: https://amzn.to/4qTyPGCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennieallen/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniesallenTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniesallenYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jennieallenPodcast: https://www.jennieallen.com/podcastFind Jennie's books and resources here: https://www.jennieallen.com/ If:Gathering:  https://www.ifgathering.com/Gather25: https://www.gather25.com/BIOJennie Allen is a Bible teacher, author, podcast host and visionary leader. As the founder of IF:Gathering and Gather25, a vision to mobilize the global Church, Jennie has devoted her life to disciple a generation to see revival across the globe. Jennie has written three New York Times bestsellers, Untangle Your Emotions, Find Your People, and Get Out of Your Head, inspiring millions to experience freedom in Christ and connection with others. Jennie holds a master's degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Zac, and their four children.…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode—Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:YouTube – https://wahe.art/4h8DelLSpotify Podcasts – https://wahe.art/496zdfnApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Amazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ

Preston Sprinkle joins Levi and Jennie for a candid, hilarious, and deeply thoughtful conversation around his newest book, From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership. Preston shares what sent him on a years-long, thousand-hour deep dive through Scripture, scholarship, and church history without rushing to “pick a side.” Along the way, the crew gets real about how these conversations actually land in local churches: the tension, the backlash, the nuance, and the very human emotions involved. From Jesus' surprising elevation of women, to the “problem passages” like 1 Timothy 2 and Romans 16, this episode is an invitation to slow down, stay humble, and let the Bible speak louder than the algorithms. Connect with us on social! Preston: @preston.sprinkle Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] From Genesis to Junia book – https://bit.ly/4tG5dz2 Theology in the Raw Podcast – https://bit.ly/4s1GILd Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 0:00:19 – Hats, Boise memories, and the “pollen snow” bike ride 0:05:44 – Immigration, algorithms, and thinking Christianly first 0:29:49 – Why Preston spent 1,000+ hours on women in leadership 0:45:13 – Fresh Life's journey, backlash, and Jennie's honest emotions 0:52:26 – Jesus, the early church, and why women are essential to mission 1:00:54 – The “hard verses”: 1 Timothy 2 vs. Romans 16 (Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia)

The lecture discusses how we can use the understandings of the “Three Gunas” to cleanse our Antahkarana, the internal instrument - the mind and intellect for our spiritual evolution. Moksharthi - Please visit YouTube for Bhajans by Neil Bhatt - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8jOW56VdfinQGoaP3cRFi-lSBfxjflJE Gita for Daily Living - Now on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@GitaforDailyLiving

In this episode of The Word Within, Mike Herbster opens Psalm 119:113–120 and draws a sharp contrast between two ways of living—and two ways of thinking. In the face of opposition, the psalmist identifies the enemies of the godly and of God Himself as empty-thinkers, evildoers, the erring, and the wicked. But over against them stands a different kind of person: one who loves God's law, hopes in His Word, keeps His commandments, stands unashamed, respects His testimonies, and trembles in holy fear before Him.What makes the decisive difference between these two opposites? Verses 116–117 anchor the passage in the upholding work of God. He alone sustains the believer, proving Himself to be our hiding place and shield. This conversation calls us to examine whether our thinking is divided or undivided—and to find stability not in ourselves, but in the faithful support of our God.

Pastor Tim wraps up our "Dollars & Sense" series by asking a powerful question: are we faith-filled or fearful when it comes to our finances? Teaching from Matthew 6:19–34, he unpacks Jesus' words about treasure, trust, and worry, and what it really means to seek first the kingdom of God. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live