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It is almost as if God had sent us an angel. We were coming back from a Christmas party years ago. All five members of the Hutchcraft family together with the families of the youth ministry I worked for had been there for the annual Christmas party. Now, Joe, one of our dearest friends - our greatest helpers, helped us load up all of our equipment into the back of the car and we headed home. Well, we had only driven just a few miles when a drunk driver crossed the centerline, plowed into our car and totaled it! Well, here we were sitting there dazed with the kids crying. I couldn't even see the car that had hit us! It had spun off behind me. I just sat there going, "What happened? What happened?" Well it became an even longer night with police reports, x-rays, emergency room vigils, and trying to rearrange schedules for the next few days. As we sat there in this total confusion in our totaled car, I suddenly saw a familiar face at the window. There was Joe, our dear friend. He had decided (without telling us) that he would follow us to help us unload when we got home. There he was, right there when the accident happened; right there to bring us comfort and to bring us help all night long. On one of the toughest, longest nights we'd ever had, Joe was the angel we needed. He was just the right man at just the right place at just the right time. So are you. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Positioned to Make a Difference." Now, our word for today from the Word of God comes from the book of Esther 4:14. Let me review for you the life of Esther up to the point where we'll begin reading. She was a young, Jewish maiden. She was approached to be the new queen of Persia. Nobody knew she was Jewish. Well, after all of the possible candidates that could have become queen, she is selected to become the new Queen of Persia. And now we are at a point where an evil man named Haman was plotting and prodding the king to give a decree that will cause the deaths of all of the Jews. Now, if Esther reveals herself and goes before the king, she may lose her life. But if she doesn't, it may cost the lives of her people. She's in a position to talk to the King Xerxes. And here's a statement from God's Word, "Who knows whether you have come into the kingdom for such a time as this." In other words, "Esther, it's no accident you are where you are. God put you here to be the right person at just the right place at just the right time." You know, God is very good at this business of positioning people to make a difference. He's done it with you. You say, "Well, I just go to this school. I just play on that team. I just work at this office. I'm just involved in this club. I just work at that plant. I just live in this neighborhood. Oh, come on! You know what? You are divinely, uniquely positioned by God. There is someone near you that God knows you can help with what you know; with who you are; with your biographical credentials. Maybe you're in a position where you can open a door for some ministry need. There was such a man like that in a key position to dispose of the vans his company was getting rid of, and he saw our need in our ministry at just the point when we desperately needed them. He came into the job at just the right moment and provided those vans. See, just an example of divine positioning. Above all else, God knows who around you needs to hear about your Jesus. He's divinely positioned you, like He did Esther; to be in a spot where you can save lives because of the influence He's given you; because of the shared life experiences you have with that person. They will listen to you, because you're one of them. Wherever God has put you, you can be sure it is to accomplish His divine purposes. God has a mission for you where you are. Be the best you can be, so you'll have people's respect, and know that you're where God wants you to assist Him at this place, at this time. Who knows? Maybe God has you there for such a time as this. So, use what He's given you to make a difference for Him.
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By faith, go. Wherever God says, whenever God says, because God says. That's the story of Abraham's life and the reason he's the OG of living BY FAITH. Lean in to this until the end and determine you will not settle where you were never supposed to stay.
Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 2; 1 Chron 229; Ps 95; 2 Thess 1 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to another fresh episode of the Daily Radio Bible! Today, host Hunter guides us through a significant turning point in the biblical narrative as we journey through 1 Kings 2, 1 Chronicles 29, Psalm 95, and 2 Thessalonians 1. In this episode, we witness King David's final charges to Solomon, Solomon's rise to a firmly established throne, and the outpouring of resources and devotion as preparations are made for the temple of God. We reflect on the importance of faith—you'll hear how our faith prompts us to act, but it is ultimately God's power that accomplishes all things in and through us. Hunter closes with heartfelt prayers, inviting us to participate in God's work today by leaning into His presence and peace. Settle in for encouragement, scriptural insight, and a reminder that you are deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Faith prompts, but it is the Son who accomplishes. That's the central theme woven through our readings today, and it's at the heart of what Paul reminds us in Second Thessalonians. We see it played out in the story of David and Solomon—a father prompted by faith to desire the building of a temple for the Lord, but it was not David's power that accomplished it. It would be done through his son, Solomon. God's promise and provision would come, not by David's might, but by the unfolding of God's wisdom and timing through the next generation. In the same way, Paul prays for the church, asking God to give us the power to accomplish all the good things our faith prompts us to do. Our lives as followers of Jesus are marked by this rhythm: faith stirs us with vision, hope, and the desire to walk in God's ways, but it is Christ in us—his power, his wisdom, his strength—that brings it to fulfillment. We participate, but it's his life that empowers, guides, and accomplishes all that truly matters and lasts. This is a freeing truth. Our call is not to strive in our own strength or to anxiously try to measure up. Instead, we learn to abide, to trust, to surrender, knowing that the one who calls us is faithful and he will do it. The Son draws us into his life, and as we walk with him—partnering with his Spirit—the work we are given to do takes on new meaning. Our hearts are formed not by religious performance, but by the mystery of Christ alive in us. What faith prompts, the Son supplies the power to complete. Let's live today attentive to his promptings, but also deeply at rest, knowing the outcome is in his hands. Wherever God calls us—acts of mercy, forgiveness, generosity, courage—it is his life and power that make it possible. May we participate fully, but rest securely in the sufficiency of Christ. That is the prayer I have for my own soul. That is the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that is the prayer I have for you. May it be so. Today's Prayer Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home. Heal the wounds of division, and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation. Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL
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Wherever God is, we can feel safe. In today's message, Pastor Ken says, wherever God is, His staff is. His staff is a reference to divine beings. God's always watching us and protecting us. Even when we fall, we can have hope in the gospel. He sent His Son to die for our sins so we can have eternal life through Him. Trust in God today. He wants to have a relationship with you and wants you to know that He's always by your side. You don't have to worry about anything because in all things, God's got your back.
In this episode, we explore the overlap between the language used to describe Solomon's temple and the language used to describe part sof the human body in the Hebrew Bible. Drawing from 1 Kings 6:15–16, we highlight how specific Hebrew words—sela (rib), debir (speak), yamin (right hand), and semol (left hand)—reveal a symbolic connection between the structure of the temple and the structure of the human body.The Holy of Holies, called the Debir, corresponds to the head or mouth—the place of speaking—while the Holy Place resembles the torso, protected by sela, or ribs. On each side of the temple, five basins stood to the right (yamin) and left (semol), pointing to the hands. These anatomical terms weren't accidental—they suggest the temple was designed from the beginning to be a symbolic human form.But the implications go far deeper: if the temple mirrors the human body, then the human body was created to be a temple—a dwelling place for God. This should change how we understand both temple and body. We trace this pattern into the New Testament, where Jesus declares his own body a temple in John 2:13–22, revealing a fractal pattern between temple and body. We conclude by reflecting on significance of this corresponding pattern between temple and body. God's desire to dwell in us is beautiful, but it also means He cannot ignore impurity, brokenness, or death. Wherever God dwells, that space must ultimately be cleanses, rectified, healed, and resurrected. His presence is life and powerThis episode invites use to reimagine our body—not as our own, but as sacred architecture designed for God's presence. Key Passages:1 Kings 6:15-16"Speak" "Oracle" 1 Kings 6:5, 16, 19, 20-23; 7:49"Ribs" Genesis 2:21; 1 Kings 6:5; 15-16"Right Hand" "Left Hand" 1 Kings 7:39John 2:13-22Explainer Video on how to use www.biblehub.com and www.blueletterbible.orgLeave us a question or comment at our website podcast page.* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music
“If all of us can grasp just a little bit more about the love of Jesus, it changes our life. That's all you need to know!” – Heidi Bogue On this week's episode of the Grace Unscripted Podcast, we get to hear the story of Heidi Bogue. Heidi's story is an incredible one! From being […]
We have already looked at the overall theme of Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin, which is that God's presence is not locked in a box somewhere. He is not a freeze-dried god, and not contained or bounded by anything that we might say, do, or think. Wherever God is, that place is holy. Whenever God is in fellowship with someone, that person is holy, that person is a saint. The filthiest dungeon could be holy ground, and a saint chained to the wall of that dungeon could be someone of whom the world was not worthy (Heb. 11: 38).
We must ask God to purge our lives of the sins that draw us away from Him. #theloriclineshow Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org! ~~~ What is God leading you to in this season? Where is He wanting to mold you? Are there areas of your life and heart that need a clean out? It is Spring. What work needs to be done now that will lead to making room for growth and good fruit down the road? While I love the idea of Spring cleaning, I do not want to do the Spring cleaning. That is in a way what led me to seek the Lord in this season and it really doesn't have much to do with vacuuming or dusting. I've simply been overwhelmed. I know many of you can relate. As I have taken inventory of my life, home and heart, and all the things that seem obvious that I NEED to do, I've been stuck in ways, not even knowing where to begin. That's when God gave me the words pray, purge and pursue. Instead of getting stuck in a cycle of what I should be doing, my heart is seeking what the Lord wants to LEAD me to do. One way is full of shame and guilt while the other is full of grace and is an open invitation to move closer to who God wants me to be and the plans He has for me. We began last time with pray. If you missed it you can find it at Lifeword.org, but to recap a bit, we're asking God to lead us to the things and areas of our life and heart that need attention. Pray till you pray, is the first step and words are not required. The purpose of the ‘pray' step is to be still and know God wants to move you closer to His heart and will for your life in every area. So listen and see where He leads you. The next step we are looking at today is PURGE. We begin with prayer. Once God reveals our area of focus, it's time to purge. Now when I think of purge I think of the physical act of cleaning OUT. Get rid of it. And in fact, that may be what God wants you to do. To purge is to cleanse, purify or remove. When you have the urge to purge, you act quickly! I love that! For me, this is where the spirit comes in. Where I am weak, thank God He is strong. I can lean on the Lord to give me the strength to follow through with any action of obedience the Lord moves me to take. (2 Corinthians 2:10) I will never have the urge to do things that aren't easy, but in His strength, I can do all things! What this step looks like for you will be different from what it may look like for me. Ask God to reveal your step forward and then to give you the urge or desire to take it! Where and what do we need to purge? God will reveal it. We can look to Psalm 51 as an example. David's sin was revealed and instead of sweeping it under the rug or ignoring it, he responded, took action and brought it to the Lord. Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. God revealed what needed to be cleaned out in David's heart. David responded with repentance and surrender. He wanted to have the sin cut out and his life made new. He moved closer to God through the process. We can do the same whatever that looks like. Be still and listen to His voice. By faith, you can throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. (Hebrews 12:1) You can cut out what is dead in your life and prune back areas of growth to produce more fruit. (John 15:2) You can take an honest inventory of where your treasure has been and realign your heart to what matters most. (Matthew 6:19-21) Wherever God leads us, those are the steps we can take to respond. That's the truth. We pray then we purge. God reveals and we respond. It's Spring cleaning that goes beyond the surface. Next time we'll move beyond the purge to PURSUE what God has in store. Join me at lifeword.org. I'm Lori Cline.
What if your workplace could become your mission field? In this episode of The Missional Life Podcast, we sit down with Darren Shearer, founder of the Theology of Business Institute and author of Marketing Like Jesus and The Marketplace Christian. Darren shares how Christians can infuse their faith into their business practices, use their spiritual gifts in the workplace, and create a Christ-centered culture that transforms lives. Whether you're an entrepreneur, employee, or leader, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you align your work with God's kingdom purposes. Listen in and discover how to make an eternal impact—right where God has placed you!About Darren Shearer:Darren Shearer is the founder and director of the Theology of Business Institute, dedicated to helping Christians align their work with God's purposes. He is also the founder and CEO of High Bridge Books, a company focused on publishing Christ-centered stories and messages. Darren is the author of several impactful books, including The Marketplace Christian and Marketing Like Jesus, which equip believers to use their spiritual gifts in business and share the gospel through their work. With a background in both theology and business, Darren inspires and equips others to see their workplace as a mission field.Big Takeaways:Work is Your Mission Field: Your workplace is a primary arena for living out the Great Commission. Wherever God has placed you, it's an opportunity to make disciples and bring His kingdom values.Spiritual Gifts Have Everyday Value: Your spiritual gifts are not limited to church settings but can and should be used to bring order, excellence, and ministry into your daily work life.Culture Shapes Discipleship: The culture you create in your business or organization has a significant role in influencing people for Christ. Be intentional about cultivating a godly atmosphere.Christ-Centered Marketing: Effective storytelling in business highlights the heroism of customers and clients while reflecting God's glory, rather than self-promotion.Begin with Identity in Christ: Your effectiveness in work, leadership, and ministry flows from the understanding that you are already in right standing with God, not from performance or achievements.Missional Challenges:See Your Workplace as Ministry: This week, ask God to open your eyes to ways you can share His love and truth with coworkers or clients through your actions and conversations.Reflect Jesus in Business Relationships: Treat every customer, coworker, and vendor as if they are Jesus Himself. Seek to honor them with kindness, integrity, and intentional care.Create a Culture of Kingdom Values: Assess your organization's culture. Begin implementing one change, such as a weekly team prayer or emphasizing servant leadership, to align your business practices with God's principles.00:00 Introduction to Darren Shearer00:45 Integrating Faith into Business02:30 Darren's Journey from Military to Ministry05:10 Using Spiritual Gifts in Business09:17 Recognizing Jesus in Business Interactions14:21 Building a Christ-Centered Company Culture16:40 Influence of Culture on Discipleship19:05 Biblical Examples of Leadership22:07 Leadership Principles from the New Testament25:05 Marketing Like Jesus28:37 Purpose-Driven Business Leadership31:42 Final Thoughts and ResourcesBuy Darren's Books
This week on the podcast I was joined by my good friend, Princess Jones! This week we talk about her journey the last few years - losing her job, moving multiple times, and how she has grown in terms of how she sees God. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna-nail/support
This week Pastor Neli guides us to reflect on our purpose. Wherever God has placed you—in your job, studies, creative work, or even at home—He's given you a unique space to bring His presence and purpose. Embrace each task as an opportunity to honour God, knowing that your work, no matter how big or small, can be filled with His glory. When we align our work with God's purpose, we become vessels of His love and light to those around us, transforming even the ordinary into something truly extraordinary. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis 1:28 (ESV)
What we can learn about the Cloud in Israel's journeys.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/lets-talk-scripture/donations
Wherever God reigns and rules, things get better. But what does it look like to live according to the kingdom of God?
Wherever God reigns and rules, things get better. But what does it look like to live according to the kingdom of God?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
My new book, "Unstuck" is OUT NOW! GET YOURS TODAY! If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and make sure you subscribe! You can WATCH the RTK Podcast on YOUTUBE Follow RTK on INSTAGRAM If you are interested in advertising on this podcast or having Kim as a guest on your Podcast, Radio Show, or TV Show, reach out to podcast@yeamediagroup.com ABOUT THE RTK PODCAST: Pastor Kimberly Jones, known as Real Talk Kim, travels the world fulfilling her passion and purpose of loving people back to life. She is a mother, pastor, entrepreneur, best-selling author, entertainer and most importantly a worshiper after God's own heart. Pastor Kim is the Senior Pastor at Limitless Church and has two sons. She is a human rights advocate with a passion for giving back and believes in the compassion of the Holy Spirit, delivering it to those who need it most. Pastor Kim has been featured on The Doctor Oz Show, Oxygen's Network Series Preachers of Atlanta, Your World with Creflo Dollar on BET, ABC's Nightline, The Word Network, CNN, Praise in the Park' Atlanta and numerous magazines and radio shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Every Christian is called to share the Gospel with everyone around them. The greatest way that we can show that the Gospel has made a difference in our lives is by living differently than everyone else, being the salt and light. Wherever God has placed us, we must make sure we are doing our jobs as a Christian on the job. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/640/29
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. This week, we conclude our summer speaker series with our Director of Community Life, Evan Gratz. Evan encourages us as Christ followers we are called to more than just reading our bibles and believing in God. But oftentimes we try to find loopholes that will keep us in our comfort zones and get us “off the hook” from doing what He is asking of us. However, Jesus very specifically tells us that how we treat “the least of these” and love others is how we treat and show love to Him. What does it look like to live a life of loving God by fully loving others without condition. Passage: Galatians 5:13-18 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience: 9:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Service 9:30 a.m. - Online Service 10:30 a.m. - Chapel Service Please consider joining us for one of these services. To view past worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline. To get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
Unbelief asks, "What if...?" But unwavering faith says, "Even if...!" In this message, Pastor Becca Reynolds reminds us that our feelings can never lead us into the future God's creating for us... only faith can! Both fear and faith require us to believe in something we can't see. Are you going to choose to let fear of the unknown keep you stuck in the past? Or are you willing to trust that, in God, there is always more? Don't let your belief in bad circumstances become stronger than your belief in a good God! Wherever God is taking us is better than where we've been. Can you believe that is true for your life, regardless of your circumstances?
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. Jim Martin serves as IJM's Vice President of Spiritual Formation. In this role for over a decade, Jim has worked with IJM's global leaders to strengthen IJM's foundation of Christian spiritual formation. Jim seeks to equip IJM staff worldwide to do the work of justice joyfully and sustainably with ever-deepening dependence on God. Prior to this position, Jim served as IJM's Vice President of Church Mobilization, where he led a team working to move churches to a deeper level of understanding of God's passion for justice. This week, Jim reminds us that the church that Jesus came to establish is hard-wired for the life-and-death struggles of this world. It is a church that brings good news to the poor, that proclaims release to the captives, and lets the oppressed go free. It is a church, says Jesus, that the gates of hell will not prevail against. What does it look like for the church to engage today's life-and-death struggles? What does it look like for us, as followers of Jesus, to be light in the darkness? Weaving the words of scripture together with frontline stories of the work of International Justice Mission, Jim Martin paints a compelling picture of the church's role to bring the light of rescue and restoration into some of the deepest darkness in our world today. Passage: Luke 4:18-19 and Matthew 16:18 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience: 9:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Service 9:30 a.m. - Online Service 10:30 a.m. - Chapel Service Please consider joining us for one of these services. To view past worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline. To get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. Rev. Dr. Melissa Hofstetter is a Mennonite minister and a psychologist. She is the executive director of Shepherd Heart, a ministry organization that cares for clergy and congregations through retreats, pastoral care, ministry consultation, and continued education. This week, Melissa encourages us that if we learn to listen well and look deeply-- to attend and attune like Jesus-- we can meet each other at our places of greatest need and offer one another restoration, within our own church community. Passage: Luke 7:36-50 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience: 9:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Service 9:30 a.m. - Online Service 10:30 a.m. - Chapel Service Please consider joining us for one of these services. To view past worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline. To get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
"God can use anyone to accomplish His will. Did you know that Moses classified himself as being "slow of speech and tongue"? The very weakness that was a root of insecurity for him became the thing God wanted to use to redeem His people. God also told Moses that his brother Aaron, who was a good speaker, could accompany him and help him when he felt afraid. This story reminds us that God not only uses our weaknesses to glorify His name, but that He also provides practical help along the way. Wherever God is calling you, and whatever He is asking of you, let this story bring you comfort. You are equipped for the role. He is aware of your struggles. And His power is made perfect in your weakness."Leave a comment and enter to WIN a copy of Unfiltered, by Cleere Cherry Reaves: https://incourage.me/?p=240383--It may be July, but we're dreaming of Christmas. Why? Because we believe that the spirit of Christmas is something we can celebrate all year round as we "Spread Cheer All Year!" Get a sneak peek of the delightful new items for the upcoming holiday season and shop the Christmas Preview Collection today at dayspring.com. Use code PODCAST10 to save $10 on your purchase!The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.Connect with (in)courage: Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more! Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives. Email us at incourage@dayspring.com. Leave a podcast review on Apple!
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. Rev. Dr. Sean Chow is the Executive Director of the San Diego Presbytery. He is leading the presbytery through a strategic vision to plant churches, revitalize churches, and be more missionally focused. Sean was the Associate for 1001 New Worshiping Communities for Training and Leadership Cohorts for the Presbyterian Church. He resources and consults with regional denomination bodies, churches, and church plants as they launch new creative expressions of church. This week, Rev. Dr. Chow examines how pastors, church leaders, and congregations are searching to reconnect themselves to a changing culture. The church we once knew has lost its relevance and is searching for meaning amidst shifting contexts. No longer is the church the priority of families and the spiritual pivot point for communities. It has been replaced with less engagement of its members, low involvement, and programs that are not connecting with those outside its walls. The church, once relevant has become a relic of a time gone by, but how do we engage those outside the church wall? Passage: Matthew 9:35-38 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience: 9:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Service 9:30 a.m. - Online Service 10:30 a.m. - Chapel Service Please consider joining us for one of these services. To view past worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline. To get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. Seth Clark serves as Pastor at First Baptist Church of National Church (ABCUSA) and La Iglesia Fronteriza (interdenominational), offers spiritual direction and leadership coaching, gives leadership and theological training, and advocates for the people and places of our borderlands - especially Friendship Park. This week, Seth discusses how Jesus' early followers went out to preach and bring healing to the suffering. What do we do about the suffering that is right in our own backyard along and between the border walls? Passage: Mark 6:6b-13 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience: 9:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Service 9:30 a.m. - Online Service 10:30 a.m. - Chapel Service Please consider joining us for one of these services. To view past worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline. To get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
Read Online“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Matthew 8:19–20It is unclear from this passage alone why Jesus answered this scribe the way He did. At first, the statement of the scribe seems very devout: “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” But many of the Church Fathers, in their reflections of this conversation between Jesus and the scribe, offer helpful insights.First of all, note that Jesus neither accepts the proposal of the scribe to be His follower nor rejects it. Rather, Jesus simply makes a statement which clarifies just what is involved in being His follower. Some Church Fathers suggest that this scribe was desirous of following Jesus because he thought there would be great rewards given to him by doing so. After all, Jesus was a miracle worker, was becoming quite popular, and showed potential to be a great leader. Therefore, the interior motivation of this scribe to follow Jesus wherever Jesus went was a questionable motivation. Did he want to follow Jesus because he thought it would benefit him in some worldly way?Jesus' response to this scribe does two things. First, it removes all misconceptions of what it means to follow Jesus. If the scribe wanted to follow Jesus, then he had to be prepared to follow Him into poverty and homelessness rather than riches and possessions. Jesus wanted it to be clear to the scribe just what he was choosing. Secondly, Jesus' response was certainly an invitation to the scribe to follow Him, but only in the light of this new knowledge. In other words, Jesus was saying, “Yes, come follow me. But be aware of what that means. Following me will not result in your earthly riches but in your earthly poverty.”Why do you follow Jesus? It's important to consider your motivations at times. Some choose to follow Jesus because this was simply the way they were raised. Others do so because it makes them feel better to do so. And still others do so because they think it will make their lives better in various ways. But what is the ideal motivation for following our Lord? The ideal motivation for following Jesus in a total and unwavering way is very simple: we follow Him because He is the Son of God and the Savior of the World. Jesus came to call us to Himself and has invited us to live in union with Him through faith. So ideally, we will follow Jesus simply because it is the right thing to do. We will not do so because of the so-called benefits. Love, in its purest form, does not love the other because of what we get out of it. Pure love is a gift given to another because they are worthy of our love. And with Jesus, He is worthy of our love and worship simply because of Who He is.Reflect, today, upon Jesus inviting you to follow Him into poverty, detachment from all, simplicity of life and ultimately the sacrifice of your entire life. Do you understand what it means to be a follower of Christ Jesus? Do you understand that following Jesus cannot be done for selfish reasons? Do you realize that saying “Yes” to our Lord is saying “Yes” to His Cross? Ponder Jesus' life and reflect upon whether or not you are willing to follow Him to the poverty of the Cross. If you can make the choice to follow our Lord, knowing full well what you are saying “Yes” to, then the end result will also be a glorious sharing in His resurrected life.My glorious Lord, You walked through this world in poverty, rejection and suffering. You had no earthly home of Your own but now live in the riches of Heaven. Help me to follow You, dear Lord, wherever You lead me in this life. If You lead me to worldly poverty and suffering, I thank You. I thank You and choose to follow You no matter what. Give me the grace I need to follow You purely out of love for You, for You are God and are worthy of all my praise and worship. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured images above: The Scribe Stood to Tempt Jesus By James Tissot, via Wikimedia Commons
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. Our speaker for today, Steve Denney, is truly living this mission out in his role as Executive Director of Children's Heritage Foundation, a small non-profit focussed on transformational development through tangible acts of love in areas of extreme poverty. Steve conveys to us that you don't have to go far to discover “the least of these” reside in our own neighborhoods. He walks us through 3 convictions that get in the way of loving our neighbor, as well as 3 practices we can take on that will help us see Jesus in the world around us. Passage: 1 Timothy 6:12 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience. We have our Sanctuary Service at 9am. Our Online Service begins at 9:30am at pointlomachurch.org. And our Chapel Service starts at 10:30am. Please consider joining us for one of these services. To view past worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline. To find and explore the exciting opportunities for people to get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ Or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
Wherever God has strategically placed you is your present mission field and not your final home.Nehemiah 11, John 17:14-18, Matthew 5:14-16 With eternal hope in our final home, we can be courageous ambassadors for Christ in our present mission field.Nehemiah 11:1,18, Revelation 21:1-5, 1 Peter 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:20--------DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOOREGet Ron's Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit biblechapel.org/devo.CAREGIVINGDo you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.GROWTH TRACKWe all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, biblechapel.org/connect.
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. Noel (Noxy) Musicha was born and raised in Lilongwe, Malawi and is Congolese by heritage. He is the co-creator of a small but mighty church among the materially poor and diverse immigrants of San Diego. The church, Ebenezer, is transforming its town with everyday, practical Theology. He has a degree in Biblical studies and communications and a Masters in Public Administration. He also acknowledges playing football professionally, including his short stint with the Malawian National Team, as some of his quality education. Noel currently teaches at the University of San Diego, Pastors the community, and coaches youth football in between. Noel is a father of 3 - Jazarra (11), Theophilus (9), and Israel 6. He is married to his college friend Melissa, also a college and semi-professional football (soccer) player. This week, Noel inspires us to examine the people who responded to God's call. Men and women who seek after God throughout history have had an uncanny ability to look at the past. God is alive today and doing practical work today in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, and the world. Will you respond to God call on your life? Passage: Genesis 1:1-4 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience. We have our Sanctuary Service at 9am. Our Online Service begins at 9:30am at pointlomachurch.org. And our Chapel Service starts at 10:30am. Please consider joining us for one of these services. To view past worship services along with other digital content, go to our Youtube Channel @PointLomaChurchOnline. To find and explore the exciting opportunities for people to get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ Or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. We are privileged to hear from author and speaker, Kevin Nye. Kevin is a writer and advocate working toward ending homelessness by engaging best practices. Kevin's first book released in August of 2022 and is titled, "Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness". Kevin currently lives with his wife and son in Minneapolis, MN, where he works as Housing Director at an organization addressing youth homelessness. This week, Kevin discusses the "Parable of the Soewer" and how the Sower throws good seeds to all kinds of soil, regardless of what may come of them. What can we learn from this act of grace in our interaction with the unhoused? Passage: Luke 8:4-8 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience. We have our Sanctuary Service ("blended") at 9am. Our Online Service begins at 9:30am at pointlomachurch.org. And our Chapel Service ("modern") starts at 10:30am. Please consider joining us for one of these services. To find and explore the exciting opportunities for people to get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ Or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. This week, Rev. Doug Satre joins us from Plant With Purpose. Plant With Purpose works to help subsistence farming families to thrive and to overcome the challenges of poverty and environmental degradation. While their circumstances may be different from ours, we have much in common. All of us are called to love and walk with Jesus. In the process we have an opportunity to know Him and ourselves better, to develop our gifts and talents, and to become agents of healing in our world. Passage: Luke 24:13-24 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience. We have our Sanctuary Service ("blended") at 9am. Our Online Service begins at 9:30am at pointlomachurch.org. And our Chapel Service ("modern") starts at 10:30am. Please consider joining us for one of these services. To find and explore the exciting opportunities for people to get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ Or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
Guest: Bishnu Regmi | Julian Gibb interviews Bishnu Regmi Pastor of Grace International Church. Bishnu shares how he, and his wife Kamala, have prayed for God to open doors, and then taken the challenge to change 1 life at a time. From ministry to prisoners in Nepal, hosting families from Nepal to get established in the U.S.A., to pastoring a church with both Nepalese and English speaking congregations. Bishnu Regmi See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This year at the church we have been moving our Faith Forward by exploring discipleship in the gospel of Matthew. Near the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus calls his disciples to give special consideration for those on the margins of society, what he calls "the least of these". In taking care of orphans, widows, prisoners, and the like, we have the privilege of serving Jesus, himself. This summer at PLCPC, while Pastor Karla is on Sabbatical, we have the unique opportunity to hear from some of our Christian sisters and brothers who are doing this type of frontline discipleship ministry. The speakers range from those doing ministry to the unhoused, to those releasing people in bondage from human trafficking, to those helping refugees on our own border. Hopefully, you will be inspired and encouraged to take your own step in deeper discipleship by hearing their stories. Wherever God calls, might we all have the courage to answer. This week, Pastor John Moser kicks off the series with an introduction into Matthew 25. Jesus surprisingly meets us in persons who need our compassionate help. How will we respond? Passage: Matthew 25:31-40 We have three worship opportunities for you to experience. We have our Sanctuary Service ("blended") at 9am. Our Online Service begins at 9:30am at pointlomachurch.org. And our Chapel Service ("modern") starts at 10:30am. Please consider joining us for one of these services. To find and explore the exciting opportunities for people to get involved in what God is doing within our community, please visit our website at www.pointlomachurch.org. For event happenings: http://pointlomachurch.org/connect/events/ To register for any event: http://pointlomachurch.org/register If you would like to give to the ministry: http://pointlomachurch.org/give/ Or through our Venmo account: @Point-Loma-Church
Wherever God places you, be prepared for God-given responsibilities.
Christian nationalism was recently denounced by John MacArthur as a faulty viewpoint. MacArthur indicates that things will get continually worse on Earth. Unfortunately, this view cultivates apathy and even discourages cultural influence. In contrast to this view, Christ teaches us to pray: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” If things will only get worse, then what was the justification for the profoundly positive influence of Christian leaders like William Wilberforce? And why should we, as Christians, work to eradicate slavery, human trafficking, and abortion? While we have tremendous respect for John MacArthur, in this episode, we want to take issue with a few of his recent statements. Yes, we might lose down here, but we also might win occasionally. That's not really for us to decide. In the words of J.R.R. Tolkien, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Wherever God has placed you, whether in a family, school, political office, or bakery, you are called to faithfully represent Christ and His Kingdom in everything you do, no matter the outcome. It's time for a faith that is active, not passive, in the face of challenges.View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing PageDisciple Nations Alliance Website
In today's study, we study the concept of Holy Ground. We go back to themes that are very familiar to all, but then we venture into territory a lot of people might be surprised about. In our discussion of holy ground, we talk about Naaman and his trip to see the prophet Elisha, David being driven from Israel by King Saul, Jacob at Bethel, and more. Wherever God is, that place is holy ground for as long as He is present there. Mankind has always sought to obtain holy ground, and in today's episode, we have a conversation concerning how that is made possible.You don't want to miss this stirring program today!
Do you have to wait until the next life season before you can make a meaningful impact? Col. Patrick Kanewske's story–from serving in the Marine Corps to helping build the Ark Encounter to volunteering at a faith-based veterans workshop–will encourage you to creatively serve others wherever God has you now.
Some people look across the ocean and wonder what is on the other side. They look to see what is beyond and what is to come. Most of us, however, could be more adventurous. We like the comfort and familiarity of our lives. For most of us, venturing on a journey to the unknown makes us uncomfortable. In our text, Jesus invites the disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He did not force them to go. God is always inviting us to a better place. He does not force us but draws us there. God leads us on a journey to better things. The trip may have difficulty, but the result is always better than where we are now. Discomfort is the price of growth. We must go through some things to get to where God wants us to be. The disciples did not know they were sailing into a storm when they boarded the ship. When they began their trip, they were full of faith, but as the storm came on them, they shifted their focus from faith to themselves, and fear set in. Fear will cause us to question the promise of God. But, the promise of God is secure. Jesus said, "Let us go to the other side". The promise in that was that they would GET to the other side. Wherever God is taking us, it is worth the trip, and we must focus faith on Him and trust him on the journey.
Some people look across the ocean and wonder what is on the other side. They look to see what is beyond and what is to come. Most of us, however, could be more adventurous. We like the comfort and familiarity of our lives. For most of us, venturing on a journey to the unknown makes us uncomfortable. In our text, Jesus invites the disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He did not force them to go. God is always inviting us to a better place. He does not force us but draws us there. God leads us on a journey to better things. The trip may have difficulty, but the result is always better than where we are now. Discomfort is the price of growth. We must go through some things to get to where God wants us to be. The disciples did not know they were sailing into a storm when they boarded the ship. When they began their trip, they were full of faith, but as the storm came on them, they shifted their focus from faith to themselves, and fear set in. Fear will cause us to question the promise of God. But, the promise of God is secure. Jesus said, "Let us go to the other side". The promise in that was that they would GET to the other side. Wherever God is taking us, it is worth the trip, and we must focus faith on Him and trust him on the journey.
Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller at Shepherd's Grove Presbyterian Church
Pastor Bobby teaches that there's no limit to how much provision God has for us. Wherever God is, provision is.
Whether the industry or domain is politics, education, tech, or business, many of you are working jobs to advance someone's vision for good. Whether you are 12 years old or 100 years old, you are envisioned to work to make the world a better place. Some of you might love the work you do, but some of you take it as a burden. And yes, your work matters. And the way you work matters to God. Wherever God placed you to work, He has a plan. And by looking at your work through His lens changes any kind of perspective to loving your work with all your heart. But how to look at it with diligence?Join us today as we continue our very powerful series “For The Good”. Let us together unwrap the treasures in the Bible that lead us towards our perspective of work into an enduring passion.✅ Check in to let us support you in your journey. If you're new here, you'll receive a free digital gift card! https://echo.church/checkin
Kyle and Matt discuss navigating the complexities of by-laws in church revitalization. They often need to change, but how and when takes a ton of wisdom and patience.Article: https://www.namb.net/church-replanting/resource/replant-reality-the-bible-vs-the-bylaws/Sponsor: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary provides theological education that includes both academic challenge and hands-on ministry experience. Wherever God calls, Southwestern Seminary will help you get there. And the best way to experience Southwestern is to attend Preview Day on October 20.See first-hand all that Southwestern Seminary has to offer. During your visit, you'll tour the campus, meet faculty members, chat with current students, and experience the unique campus community of Southwestern Seminary.Register today at swbts.edu/preview
Kyle and Matt sit down to discuss several ways you and/or your church can serve local schools this year.Article: https://research.lifeway.com/2018/08/21/12-ways-your-church-can-serve-local-schools/Sponsor: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary provides theological education that includes both academic challenge and hands-on ministry experience. Wherever God calls, Southwestern Seminary will help you get there. And the best way to experience Southwestern is to attend Preview Day on October 20.See first-hand all that Southwestern Seminary has to offer. During your visit, you'll tour the campus, meet faculty members, chat with current students, and experience the unique campus community of Southwestern Seminary.Register today at swbts.edu/preview
Kyle and Matt celebrate their 300th episode with a doozy––a chat about music styles and music preferences in churches.Article: https://www.namb.net/church-replanting/resource/replant-reality-dont-ask-us-to-change-the-music-style/Sponsor: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary provides theological education that includes both academic challenge and hands-on ministry experience. Wherever God calls, Southwestern Seminary will help you get there. And the best way to experience Southwestern is to attend Preview Day on October 20.See first-hand all that Southwestern Seminary has to offer. During your visit, you'll tour the campus, meet faculty members, chat with current students, and experience the unique campus community of Southwestern Seminary.Register today at swbts.edu/preview
Are you weary? Walking hopelessly through the mundane? Jesus has so much more for you and is calling you to get up and walk in obedience. Pick up your mat and let God, in His grace, supply the strength you need every step of the way. (John 5:1-15) **** Thanks for listening to the Women World Leaders' podcast! This is our Wednesday edition, Walking in the Word, where we take time out of our busy week to sink into God's Word and ask Him to reveal His truth and teaching to us. My name is Julie Jenkins. I'm the teaching and curriculum leader for Women World Leaders, and I am pleased to be your host. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John together as we study the life of Jesus Christ. If you are enjoying our study, I'd like to ask you to take a moment to share it with someone else. My reasoning is simple. See…this podcast was started because a friend came to me in need of Biblical teaching. She is a nurse, and her team of associates had been gathering at lunch and listening to a limited Easter teaching. When they completed the series, she reached out to me looking for a podcast to empower them to stand strong together during the height of the covid pandemic. After searching and praying for an appropriate podcast for her, God spoke to me that He was calling Women World Leaders to begin this podcast series, and I thought, if He is calling, there must be a need. So we are asking you now, to help us fill that need. For us, it isn't about download numbers, but about reaching those whom God intends to reach. Will you pray and ask Him who in your life would benefit from a weekly bible teaching that they can access anywhere at any time? And then will you share it with them? Your outreach will likely have a ripple effect that will extend further than you can now imagine. Sometimes we just have to respond obediently, even if we don't fully understand. That thought leads us into our teaching today as we study John's account of the healing of the disabled man at the pool of Bethesda from John 5:1-15. Before we begin, let's pray… Dear Most Holy God, I thank you for each person who is listening, wherever they may be. Lord, I don't know how you drew each individual to this podcast today, nor do I know what they are going through. But you do. You see each listener individually and there is something that you have called them to hear today. God, may the words that come from my mouth not be my words, but yours. Allow this teaching to come from you alone. We give you this time and ask you to infiltrate our thoughts, Holy Spirit, as we read and study your Word. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. John 5 from the New Living Translation begins… 5 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days We have seen Jesus heal many people as we have been walking through the gospels. We have seen Him step out time and again, but today we see Him intentionally step into the territory of the Jewish religious leaders whom He knew would seek His death. He traveled straight into Jerusalem. Scripture says He traveled there for a Jewish festival, although we don't know which one. And it appears that He was alone as He visited the Temple area. Verse 2 continues… 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda,[a] with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.[b] The Sheep Gate was not an obscure name of an entry into the temple, it was the actual opening in the Temple wall through which the sacrificial sheep were brought. From the Sheep Gate, the sheep would have been taken directly to the pool that John mentions, where they would have been washed before being taken into the sanctuary. Heading through the Sheep Gate, you could walk down a pathway to the pool of Bethesda, a set of twin pools that has now been identified by archeologists and is currently known as the pool of St. Anne. These twin pools were surrounded by four colonnades with an additional colonnade going between the two halves of the pool. I am far from being an expert in architecture, so to get a picture in my mind, I had to look up what a colonnade is. So now I can report that the pool was surrounded by an open hallway made of large columns and covered by a roof. This is where the sick people would lay…under the colonnade that both surrounded the pool and cut through the middle, separating the two parts of the pool. Many translations say that those who lay there were disabled, using the generic term for those who were too weak to help themselves. John further describes them as the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. This must not have been a pretty sight…it was probably actually quite heart-wrenching, pathetic, or even disgusting – depending on your outlook. Perhaps needless to say, this was an area that the upper class and those considering themselves purified for worship, would avoid. But not Jesus. He walked right down the colonnade, among those who were hurting. Those who couldn't see. Those who couldn't walk. And those who, in fact, couldn't move. He walked among those who were there because they didn't know what else to do or where else to go. There was a superstition surrounding this pool that said that when the angels randomly caused the water to stir, the next person into the water would be cured. But in reality, the people were hopeless. The blind – they would not have been able to see the water stirring. The lame could see the water stirring, but they couldn't get to it. And the paralyzed, they were unable to move altogether. And the Jewish officials surely looked down on the gathering as the belief of the powers of the water mirrored the belief bestowed upon many of the healing shrines and pagan cults of the area. It was an area full of disgrace. Those who gathered where the animals were cleansed were unable to get help themselves – and yet they waited. And their waiting was not in vain. Not because of the stirring of the water, but because Jesus, God in the flesh, stepped in among them. John narrows down our vision from a crowd of people to a single man who lay on his mat without a purpose, no different than the others. Verse 5… 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. We don't know anything about this man except that he had been afflicted for 38 years. That is nearly as long the average life expectancy at the time! And he had given up. He may have been lying beside a pool that was said to have healing powers, but it was a formality. Verse 6… 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can't, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” I can understand the man's state of hopelessness. He had been living with a debilitating illness for 38 years and was lying, day in and day out, among others who had no hope. We tend to get acclimated to where we are and to accept the situation we are in after a period of time. While that is a normal human defense mechanism, if you are stuck in a situation that feels hopeless, I want you to know that our God is a God of hope and renewal and restoration. God wants to light a fire in your soul and remind you that with Him, nothing is impossible. You may feel that you have nothing left to give and absolutely no way to make your bad situation better. And do know what? You may be right! You may have no power AT ALL to walk out of the situation you are in. But what God wants you to know is that you don't need to rely on YOUR power or on YOUR plan. We were not created to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, to use an American colloquialism. We were created to trust Jesus. We don't know if this disabled man was blind or lame or paralyzed … or all three. What we do know is that he was beyond hope. And as Jesus, the Son of God, walked beside his mat, the man couldn't see Jesus for who He was, he couldn't walk to Jesus, and he couldn't even reach out to him…and he didn't have to. Because JESUS spoke into the life of the man and healed Him with His word … without even a drop of the stirring water hitting his skin. Verse 8… 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! THAT is how God works! Remember our previous teachings on God's sovereignty? Jesus' power is above nature, demons, illness, and even death. But there is so much more. Jesus' power is personal and will reach into your soul giving you hope where there is no hope, peace where there is despair, and salvation where there is sin. Nothing we can do in our lives can wipe the mud from our eyes so that we can see. Nothing we can do can empower our legs to run the race that God has for us. We can do nothing to move from a paralyzed life to one full of movement and purpose for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But with a single word, Jesus, who walks among our sick mats strewn about, can raise us to a life that we can only imagine. We need only believe and obey. Continuing in verse 9… But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can't work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” 11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.'” 12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. 13 The man didn't know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. The man picked up his mat and walked without even realizing who had healed him. And he walked into a controversy…and all he knew to do was to say what had happened. And wait. And Jesus confirmed that He would not leave him alone in his newfound healing. Jesus was there. Jesus guided the newly healed man into his next steps. Jesus first healed the man, and then he walked with him. This man who had just a short time ago been without hope and without anyone to help him, through no action of his own, now had Jesus beside him. If you are listening to this, you need to know that JESUS is walking beside your mat. He is calling your name. Telling you to get up – He has a mission for you. You can trust His power, His strength, His love, guidance, and protection. You are His. And He will never leave you alone. It was the Sabbath…which turned the religious leaders against Jesus and against the man who was now carrying his mat. Jesus knew it would. Jesus knew the tide was turning against him, but that didn't stop Him from loving and caring for the man on the mat. We don't know what happened to that man, but I'd like to think that he became a stalwart follower of Jesus Christ. I'd like to think that he used the power in His legs to run after Jesus and the strength in his muscles to go wherever He was called to share the good news. And I'd like to think that I, too, will harness that power that Jesus infuses into my own cells daily to share who He is. I pray you will, too. Let's get up and walk together in obedience. Wherever God calls. Dear Most Holy God…I simply can't thank you enough for rescuing ME from beside the pool…for giving me eyes to see, feet to walk, and muscles to respond to your call. For infusing me with your power and strength to walk through this life. God, I confess there are days I am weary. There are days when I come up with excuses. Thank you for never giving up on me, and for never leaving my side. Thank you for calling to me and for commanding me to get up. Thank you giving your life for my weakness – that I may run in your presence forever. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Kyle and Matt discuss a few things pastors should strive to know about every kid in their church.Article: https://www.namb.net/church-replanting/resource/3-things-pastors-should-know-about-every-kid-in-their-flock/If you're looking for theological education that includes both academic challenge and hands-on ministry experience, then might I suggest Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary? Wherever God calls, Southwestern Seminary wants to help you get there. And the best way to experience SWBTS is to attend its Spring Preview Day on March 31. See first-hand all that Southwestern Seminary has to offer. During your visit, you'll tour the campus, speak with faculty members, chat with fellow students, and experience the unique campus community of Southwestern Seminary. Register today at swbts.edu/preview
Ashley Smith was just getting her life back together. A 26-year-old single mom, she had had a pretty rough journey. A Christian upbringing but a youthful rebellion - brushes with the law, some drug issues, jobs found and lost - and finally marriage and a little girl. Four years earlier, her husband had died in her arms from stab wounds in a violent attack. On that night in March of 2005, she was just getting settled in the apartment she had moved into two days earlier. When she returned from her 2:00 A.M. run to the store, accused killer, Brian Nichols, forced his way into her apartment at gunpoint. Nichols was the object of the largest manhunt in Georgia history up to that time. He had had a deadly escape from a downtown courtroom where he left the judge and three others shot to death. Later, he shot another man. Initially, he bound and gagged Ashley. Eventually, he began to trust her enough to give her some freedom. For seven hours, she began to talk to the killer in her living room. She talked about the battles of her life, about the little daughter she was supposed to pick up the next morning, and about her newly reborn faith. With his permission, she read to him from the book she was reading, "The Purpose-Driven Life." Ultimately, unbelievably, he allowed Ashley to leave - after she seemingly had persuaded him to consider ending the killing and to give up peacefully. After she called law enforcement - as he almost surely knew she would - they swarmed around that apartment only to see him come out and quietly surrender. Later, Ashley Smith recalled some extraordinary things that Brian Nichols had said to her. He told her he thought she was an angel sent from God, that he was lost and that God had led him right to her so she could tell him, from the well of her own hurt, how the people he had hurt were feeling. She told him he was a child of God and she wanted him to do God's will. Then she said, "I guess he began to want to." For days, the national media talked over and over again about those extraordinary seven hours and the incredible young woman who had helped end a bloodbath. She said it wasn't her at all. It was the God who was leading her now "purpose-driven life." I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "A Bigger Purpose Than You Ever Dreamed." Ashley Smith, unlikely hero for God, was on assignment from God that night. So are you. With her life on the line, she did not miss the divine opportunity in front of her to save a life and maybe even a soul. Make sure you don't miss yours. Because every one of us is like Esther in Bible days, who was chosen Queen of Persia so she would ultimately be in a position to save her people from the king's decree to destroy them. The challenge from the man who raised her is recorded in Esther 4:14, our word for today from the Word of God: "Who knows but that you have come into your royal position for such a time as this?" Just like Esther, just like Ashley Smith, you have been divinely positioned to save the lives of people you live close to, you work with, and you go to school with. God does these life-saving divine match-ups as He did that amazing night in Ashley Smith's apartment. Who would have guessed? He puts you with people who can be reached by someone like you, however unqualified you may feel. But God knows that your background, your battles, your interests, even your failures, your abilities uniquely qualify you to rescue a particular lost person that He brings into your life. Life suddenly becomes amazingly exciting when you live it assuming God is setting up divine match-ups - and using those match-ups so you can tell about your Jesus. Rescuing people that God has assigned to you becomes the eternal purpose that drives your life. Wherever God puts you - whoever God puts you with - remember that purpose. And help the people He brings your way be in heaven with you someday!
(Acts 18:1-11) Did you know that you can be at home anywhere? You simply need the presence of God with you! Just stay awhile where He has you! Wherever God puts you, try to find in that place all that the Lord has for you. (06311221229)
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