Podcasts about wherever god

In our study of the parables of Jesus, we find the next story he tells. Remember, that’s what a parable is – it’s a story along with a teaching. It’s earthly stories with heavenly meaning told for a purpose by Jesus. Matthew 13: 24-30 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. “The farmer's workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?' “‘An enemy has done this!' the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?' they asked. “‘No,' he replied, ‘you'll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.' Okay – now what does that mean exactly? Once again a planting story to tell us more about the Kingdom of Heaven. The disciples were unsure what this meant, so they asked him. WOW – what a concept. When you don’t understand, ASK JESUS. Really, have you done that? What uncertainty are you facing right now? What confusing situation are you in? Where are you right now that just doesn’t make sense and you don’t know what the next right step is? You honestly don’t know the solution. You don’t know the right thing to do? You don’t know what to think or what to say. Well, there’s one place to turn for that – YOU GO TO JESUS! Jesus, I don’t understand this – please help me to understand. Jesus, I don’t know what to do, but you tell me that YOU ARE THE WAY and I’m trusting you. Show me the next step in your way. When the disciples ask Jesus what this parable meant, guess what happened? HE EXPLAINED IT TO THEM! Wow, just like that. They didn’t have to sit around arguing about it. They didn’t have to wander around confused and perhaps getting it wrong. They just asked Jesus! Girl, just ask Jesus! Have you done that yet? So, here we go – Still in Matthew 13:36-44: Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Thank you Jesus for making that clear. Thank you for helping us understand these heavenly things with this earthly story. Now, because we may be slightly removed from the experience of growing wheat today, let’s dig deeper so we really get it. The farmer is Jesus. The field he is working in is the world. The good seeds he plants are his people. The enemy is the devil. The weeds he plants are those who reject God’s kingdom and oppose Jesus’ work. The harvest is the end of the world. The harvesters are the angels. There are 2 eternal destinies: • The fiery furnace • The Father’s radiant Kingdom My friends, there is evil among us. There are counterfeits all around us, sent by the enemy do to evil. There is a real spiritual battle taking place all around us. Wherever God plants truth, the enemy plants deception. Wherever God brings life, the enemy tries to sow destruction. Wherever God grows wheat, Satan tries to plant counterfeits. They were sent to destroy us, but God won’t let that happen. The work of the enemy is to destroy all God’s good work. God plants good seed, then the enemy sneaks in and sows weeds in the field. But God is wise and he will NOT allow the enemy to succeed. So here’s what God does – he waits. Oh how patient our Lord is. He waits for the good seeds to grow. And he waits for the weeds to grow. He allows it. It’s easy for us to question why. Why would God allow evil? Why would he permit for the enemy to be trompsing around in this field doing his nasty work? Well first, remember this, the world we live in has been given over to Satan. This is a fallen world and the prince of this world is the devil. How can he do his nasty work here – well girl, this is where he reigns. BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS – his reign is temporary and he’s already been defeated!!!! He knows his destiny and it cannot be undone. Jesus promises victory! 1 John 5: 18-19, “We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.” You and I are just passing through this world. This isn’t our home. We’re on our way to a radically different destination – the Father’s radiant Kingdom is our destiny. We are set apart, untouched by the evil one, promised at eternal paradise on the other side of this brief life in a fallen world. Will there be evil here? Yes. Will the enemy plant weeds here and cause trouble? Yes. Do we have to worry about it? Nope. We just stay close to Jesus and remain in his truth! The farmer delays judgment because pulling up the weeds too soon would damage the wheat. His patience protects His people. Here’s what we often overlook today – There was a weed called darnel that looked EXACTLY like wheat. This weed was poisonous but you couldn’t tell the difference as it was growing. But when the wheat started producing and the darnel started producing, you could tell the difference. Until then, they looked exactly the same. It was an imitation plant bearing poison. And yes, that’s what we have around us. Imitations. They look like what God is doing, but they’re NOT. They are planted by the enemy to bring destruction. With time, they are revealed. What sets the wheat and the weed apart? What they produce! When the wheat grows to maturity and begins producing, then you can tell it apart from the weeds planted by the enemy. Before then, it all looks the same. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “Just as you can identify a tree by it’s fruit, you can identify people by their actions.” You know that saying, “When people show you who they are, BELIEVE THEM!” Actually, yes. We will be known by our fruit, and our lives look completely different based on if we are God’s wheat or the enemy’s weeds. Remember our study on the fruits of the Spirit? The fruit we produce when God’s Spirit lives within us: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Over time, fruit tells the story. We all have bad days, but over a lifetime, what grows out of us reveals if we are wheat or a weed. But here’s what the wheat is not called to do. The wheat is not called to identify weeds. We are not called to police the field. We are called to do one thing – become faithful wheat! That’s it – grow, bear fruit and trust the Lord of the harvest. In the end, God will sort this all out. That’s not our job. Our job is grow in this field and know when we’re done growing we will be gathered into the farmer’s barn. That barn is the radiant Kingdom of Heaven where we will get to shine forever. God will take care of these weeds. We don’t have to worry about them. So today, stop looking around the field. Stop counting the weeds. Stop obsessing over who’s fake and who’s real. Stop letting evil steal your attention. The enemy would love nothing more than for God’s people to spend their lives staring at weeds instead of becoming healthy wheat. Jesus never said, “Go inspect the field.” He said, “Follow me.” Your assignment isn’t to expose everyone else’s fruit. Your assignment is to produce your own. Become a woman whose life is overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Let your roots grow deep in Christ. Stay planted. Stay surrendered. Stay faithful. Have you ever noticed that healthy wheat doesn’t spend its energy competing with weeds? It simply keeps reaching for the sun. That’s our calling too. Keep reaching toward the Son. The healthier your relationship with Jesus becomes, the more fruit your life naturally produces. There will always be weeds in this world. There will always be deception, evil, heartbreak, betrayal, and counterfeit versions of what God intended. Don’t be surprised by that. Jesus told us it would be this way. But don’t let the weeds make you question the Farmer. The Farmer hasn’t lost control. Not for one second. He sees every seed. He knows every counterfeit. He misses nothing. He never loses one stalk of wheat. And He has already determined how the story ends. One day the harvest will come. One day Jesus will make every wrong right. Every counterfeit will be exposed. Every injustice will be answered. Every tear will be wiped away. And on that day, those who belong to Him “will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom.” Can you imagine that? No more weeds. No more temptation. No more evil. No more fear. No more tears. Only the radiant Kingdom of our Father. So until that day… Keep growing. Keep trusting. Keep producing good fruit. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Because the field is temporary… but the harvest is forever. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Show Notes In this episode, Cher shares a powerful message about stewardship, burden, and the lies that can tempt us to despise the very responsibilities God has given us. Drawing from The Pilgrim's Progress, Scripture, and everyday life, she encourages listeners to reject the culture's pressure to chase ease, aesthetics, and comparison—and instead to remain faithful in the unique calling and season God has placed them in.   Key Takeaways The enemy often tries to make good things feel like burdens. God-given responsibilities are not accidents; they are assignments. Comparison can tempt us to despise our own gifts and calling. Stewarding what God has placed in front of us brings freedom and purpose. Faithfulness in ordinary responsibilities glorifies God. Topics Covered The burden of responsibility in a fallen world Spiritual discernment in a culture that values performance and image Comparing gifts, talents, and callings Stewardship in family life, motherhood, and daily work Resisting the lie that “easy” is always better Choosing faithfulness over cultural pressure Notable Message: You are not meant to be like everyone else. The difference in your life may be exactly what points others to Jesus.   Scripture References and Themes Matthew 11:28–30 :  the burden and rest found in Christ James 1:13–15 : desire, temptation, and sin James 1:5 : asking God for wisdom 1 Corinthians 10:31 : doing all things for the glory of God The Pilgrim's Progress : the temptation to leave the path for an easier way Resources/Affiliate: The Pilgrim's Progress Book In Modern English  The Pilgrim's Progress free movie on YouTube  Quote Highlights “The real burden is being something that you're not.” “Wherever God has placed you right now is where He has you.” “Do what God has called you to do.” “The enemy is a liar and the father of lies.” Listener Action Step: Take a moment today to identify one responsibility you've been tempted to resent. Ask God to help you see it as a gift, not a burden, and to steward it with faithfulness.    Connect with me: styleandstewardship.com  YouTube Channel  Email: hello{at}styleandstewardship[dot]com

In this message, Pastor Nathan concludes Ephesians chapter 2 by exploring the Church as God's family and His holy temple. Rather than being defined by buildings or programmes, the Church is a people who have been brought together through Christ, shaped by His character, and filled with His Spirit to fulfil His purposes in the world.Notes:Continuing through Ephesians 2:19-22, Pastor Nathan reminds us of last week's message that Jesus brings outsiders into God's family through grace. What matters most is not our religious background, knowledge, or traditions, but whether our hearts have been transformed by Christ.Every believer is welcomed into God's family through faith.Paul tells the Gentile believers they are no longer strangers or foreigners. Instead, they are citizens of God's Kingdom and members of His family. This is more than an illustration. Through Christ we have been spiritually adopted as sons and daughters of God.The Church is a family.Jesus Himself described those who follow Him as His brothers and sisters. Our identity is no longer based on nationality, culture, denomination, or background. We belong to one spiritual family with God as our Father and Christ as the head of the Church.The Church is a together family.Pastor Nathan challenges the modern mindset of individualism and consumerism that can shape the way we think about church. Church is not something we simply attend or consume. It is a family we belong to.Like any healthy family, every member has a role to play. Together we carry responsibility for welcoming others, serving one another, and contributing to the health and mission of God's Church.We are not attenders at God's house.Together, we are His house.The Church is God's holy temple.Paul describes believers as being carefully joined together to become a holy temple where God dwells by His Spirit.While church buildings are valuable, God's dwelling place is no longer a physical building. Wherever God's people gather in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, His presence is there.Holiness has two important aspects:• Separation from sin and the values of the world.• Consecration to God's purposes.Followers of Jesus are called to turn away from selfishness, greed, hatred, prejudice, division, and every form of sin. At the same time, we dedicate our lives, our gifts, our families, and everything we have to serving Christ and His Kingdom.The Church is founded and shaped by Christ.Paul describes Jesus as the cornerstone upon which the entire Church is built.Just as every stone in a building is aligned to the cornerstone, every believer is being shaped to reflect Christ.Our attitudes, humility, forgiveness, love, service, and obedience are all formed by the example of Jesus.The Church only fulfils its purpose when Christ remains its foundation and every believer aligns their life with Him.Pastor Nathan finishes by encouraging the Church to ask two important questions:• Am I embracing God's plan for me within His family?• When people encounter us, do they simply see a church building, or do they experience the love, grace, and life of Jesus through His people?As God's family and His holy temple, we are called to reflect Christ together so the world encounters Him through us.Key Scriptures:Ephesians 2:19-22Galatians 6:15Matthew 12:48-50John 1:12-13Key Thought:The Church is God's family and His holy temple, built on Christ, shaped by His character, and filled with His Spirit to reveal Jesus to the world.Find out more about Jesus⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/Jesus⁠Find the answers to life's biggest questions. Try Alpha.⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/alpha⁠Can we pray for you? Request prayer.⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/⁠ and click 'Prayer Request' Button.#hillschurch #thegospelofjohn #evertonhills #brisbanechurch #brisbane #wesleyanmethodistchurch #hillschurchsermon

#198// If something in your life is being torn down right now, hear this. Demolition is not a sign of failure. It is the first step of restoration.A relationship. A season. A ministry. A version of yourself you spent decades building. And somewhere in the noise of it, a question forms that you have not said out loud: what if this is it? What if this is just where my life stays now?It isn't. Wherever God is tearing something down in the life of a believer, He is preparing to build. Victory is your portion in Christ Jesus, and He does not leave anything fallow forever. But it is on you to decide what your demolition means.In this week's episode -- it's the message I shared this past Sunday at REVIVE Church of Tampa -- I'm walking through Isaiah 58:11-12 and what God showed me about the difference between a life stuck in permanent demolition and a life that is actively being restored.Here's what we get into:→ STOP TRYING TO BE THE FOREMAN. The thing a general contractor told my husband in the middle of a demolition that will change how you survive every tearing-down season of your life→ THE WORD TO TETHER YOURSELF TO. Three promises hidden in Isaiah 58:11 that you can declare over a life that currently looks like a construction site, and why your feelings will follow your believing→ THE STRONGHOLD WEARING A DISGUISE. The thing you've been protecting because you believe you won't be safe without it, and the four-word declaration God is waiting on you to say→ IT WAS INSIDE BEFORE IT WAS OUTSIDE. The dream God gave me about our church building before a single wall came down, and what it reveals about what He has already placed inside you→ AFTER YOU HAVE SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE. What Peter's total collapse teaches us about restoration, and the line in 1 Peter 5 most of us have been taught to skip right over

Wherever God sends us, let us lead, serve, and steward as Jesus did.

No matter what season you're in, God is still at work!“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].” - Philippians 1:6 AMPCTime is one of God's greatest gifts. Every season has a purpose, and every season is an opportunity to grow. Rather than wishing for a different season, God calls us to make the most of the one we're in, trusting that He is faithfully accomplishing His work in us as we bloom where we're planted.Three keys to being fruitful in your current season:1. Stir Up the Gift That's in YouDon't allow the gifts God has placed within you to remain dormant. Stir up your gifts and choose to be on fire!2. Remember Your CallingYour circumstances may change, but God's calling on your life remains. Stay faithful where you are, trusting that He is preparing you for what's ahead.3. Choose to Magnify GodIn Psalm 34, David declared, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me,” while he was running for his life. He chose to make God bigger than his circumstances. As we magnify the Lord, our perspective changes, our faith grows, and we become fruitful, even in hard seasons.Wherever God has planted you, make the most of this season. Trust that He is at work in you, growing your faith, shaping your character, and preparing you for what's ahead!Restore Church | Yorkville, ILSunday Mornings | 10 AMJordan & Melissa Gash, Pastorshttps://www.restorechurchyorkville.com

What if the thing holding you back isn't fear of failure — it's fear of moving in the wrong direction? In this message, Pastor Chad tackles one of the most common struggles believers face: the paralysis of "what if I misunderstand God?" The answer isn't more certainty. It's realizing you were never asked to move first.In this episode:Why wisdom finds a way while fear finds an excuseThe difference between foolish recklessness and faith-filled riskHow the pillar of cloud in Exodus 13 redefines what it means to follow GodWhy the Ark went into the Jordan first — and what that means for your next stepRecognizing the difference between a resting season and a trying seasonHow God prepared Egypt for Joseph, positioned Mordecai for Esther, and commanded a widow before Elijah ever arrivedKey Scripture: "The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes." — Deuteronomy 1:30 (NAS95)The greatest risk isn't making the wrong move. It's refusing to make the next one. Wherever God is moving, He's already there — your job is simply to follow.

What if God's Word isn't just meant to comfort us—but to change us? This week we discover that the Living Word lovingly confronts the places in our hearts that need healing, inviting us to see ourselves, others, and our world through the eyes of Jesus. Wherever God's Word is welcomed, restoration begins.

In this refreshing conversation, I sit down with Natalie Abbott, co-founder of Dwell Differently. She shares her powerful journey of seeking God through various religious texts and how, in time, He opened her heart in a profound way. Soon after, the Bible came alive to her, and she discovered that God's truth is not only accessible but deeply transformative.We explore the “why” behind Scripture memorization, along with the science of how our brains work—unpacking how God designed our neural pathways to be shaped, strengthened, and renewed throughout our lives. Natalie opens up about the joy of working alongside her sister, the weight that can come with doing work the enemy seeks to undermine, and the deep encouragement she's found in hearing testimonies of God's Word taking root and bearing fruit in people's lives.Memorable Quotes:On verse memorization: “If I'm meditating on it, if I'm memorizing it, if I'm allowing it to sort of saturate deep into my bones, then it's going to affect me, it's going to deeply and profoundly transform me because that's what God's Word does, and it's going to come out in my life.”“I'm going to pray, ‘God if you're there, show me who you are,” and that is what I did every single night.”“I thought, ‘that book has made me feel so guilty and so terrible for so long, I'm going to burn it.' And at that moment, the Lord just intervened and was like, ‘Natalie, all those things that you couldn't live up to, I did, in Jesus, I did that for you. Will you believe that?' And I gave my life to Christ and it changed everything.” “If God is speaking in that book, like really actually speaking, and we say that we believe it, how come it's building up dust on the side of our bedside tables?”“It's just a few small words, that you put into your heart and into your mind, and you allow it to be the guiding force in your day, you allow God himself to speak into your heart and into your mind. Man it is so powerful. It is so good.”“Anything I say that is good or wise or helpful, it's a regurgitation of what God's already said.”“In some ways what we do at Dwell Differently is like the feeding of the 5,000. How can I even possibly know what God does with all of that nourishment that He is giving to His people? I have no idea. I'm the guy with the two fish and the five loaves and I'm saying, ‘God would you multiply this.'”“Wherever God is calling you, the enemy is always going to have those super highways, negative super highways - he's going to use those, they are powerful tools, he has used them before, they work, he is going to speak those lies to you, and you have to turn right back around and say, ‘That is not true. That is not true.'”Show Notes & Scripture References:Psalm 23:11 John 3:1Psalm 139John 15:7John 10:27Psalm 16:3Since recording, Dwell Differently has recently moved away from their monthly membership model, but their mission and ministry will continue through their podcast, website, and social media channels. Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God's TruthSocial media: @dwelldifferently, @nataliejoyabbottWebsite: dwelldifferently.com

In this message from Ezekiel 37, we explore the vision of the valley of dry bones and the powerful truth that God's Word and God's breath bring life where hope seems lost. When faced with situations that feel dead, broken, or beyond repair, God invites us not to rely on our own strength, but to listen for His voice and take the next faithful step.Together, we reflect on three important questions:What feels alive?What feels forced?What is one faithful next step?As we learn to recognize where God is already at work, we discover that true life comes not from our efforts, but from the life-giving breath of God. Wherever God is speaking and moving, new life can emerge.

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Spiritual warfare is often misunderstood- either ignored altogether or blamed for every problem we face. Yet Scripture reveals a real battle taking place in the unseen realm, one that seeks to divide, deceive, and distract God’s people. Looking at Ephesians 6, we discover that the armor of God is not simply about personal protection, but about preserving the unity, mission, and witness of the people of God in a world filled with spiritual opposition. Through the truth of the gospel, the power of prayer, and the victory of Jesus over every power of darkness, believers are called to stand firm as ambassadors of His kingdom. Wherever God has placed you- in your home, workplace, school, or community- you have been deployed to bring hope, reconciliation, and the love of Christ into the world. The battle is real, but the victory has already been won.

Spiritual warfare is often misunderstood- either ignored altogether or blamed for every problem we face. Yet Scripture reveals a real battle taking place in the unseen realm, one that seeks to divide, deceive, and distract God’s people. Looking at Ephesians 6, we discover that the armor of God is not simply about personal protection, but about preserving the unity, mission, and witness of the people of God in a world filled with spiritual opposition. Through the truth of the gospel, the power of prayer, and the victory of Jesus over every power of darkness, believers are called to stand firm as ambassadors of His kingdom. Wherever God has placed you- in your home, workplace, school, or community- you have been deployed to bring hope, reconciliation, and the love of Christ into the world. The battle is real, but the victory has already been won.

It is easy to feel ordinary, overlooked, or unqualified. Many people believe God only uses pastors, teachers, or people with special talents. But throughout Scripture, Jesus called ordinary people—fishermen, doubters, laborers, and imperfect individuals—to do extraordinary things through His power.The disciples were not chosen because of status, education, or perfection. They were chosen because they were willing to follow Jesus. God saw potential in them that they could not yet see in themselves.The same is true for you.God does not ask you to be perfect before He uses you. He asks you to trust Him, grow in faith, and allow the Holy Spirit to work through your life. The power of God turns ordinary people into vessels of hope, encouragement, healing, and truth.Wherever God has placed you—your workplace, family, school, or community—is part of your mission field. Your words, prayers, kindness, and testimony can impact lives more than you realize.Today, remember this truth: you are not limited by your weaknesses when God's power is working in you.

Pastor Matt opens by asking a question most of us can relate to: have you ever had your plans completely redirected? Using Acts 8 as his text, he shows how the early church faced exactly that when persecution broke out in Jerusalem. Rather than stopping the mission, the scattering of believers actually fulfilled Jesus' own words from Acts 1:8 — that His followers would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The big idea Pastor Matt anchors the entire sermon to is this: God advances His mission through ordinary believers who are willing to faithfully follow wherever He leads. The central figure of the sermon is Philip the Evangelist — not an apostle, not a headliner, but one of seven men chosen to serve the early church. Despite being displaced by persecution, Philip preached Christ in Samaria, saw lives transformed, and then obeyed what seemed like an illogical call to leave a thriving ministry and head out to a desert road. There, he encountered an Ethiopian official reading from Isaiah and, starting right where the man was, led him to faith in Jesus and baptism. Pastor Matt draws a meaningful contrast between this Ethiopian — a humble, genuine seeker — and Simon the Magician, who was interested in God's power but never truly surrendered. In honor of Mother's Day, Pastor Matt pauses to connect Philip's ordinary faithfulness to the quiet, daily faithfulness of mothers. Just as Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1, tracing Timothy's faith back to his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, Pastor Matt reminds mothers that their consistent, unseen obedience carries eternal weight. The sermon closes with a practical call to action: surrender to Jesus, step out in obedience, and identify the "Ethiopian official" in your own life — someone who is searching and whom God has placed in your path.

Shine Bright | Bryan Borden | Senior Sunday On Senior Sunday, Youth Minister Bryan Borden shares a timely message from Colossians 3:17, reminding our graduating seniors—and all of us—that every word, action, decision, and next step can be lived in the name of Jesus. As our church sends our high school seniors into a new chapter, this message calls them to carry Christ with them, live with purpose, and “shine bright” as salt and light in the world. Wherever God leads next, may their lives point others to Him. Scripture: Colossians 3:17; Matthew 5:13–16Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

In this special standalone message, we are honored to welcome our friend Dave Edwards to Bethlehem Church. In his message, "God Works," Dave explores how God uses the "bitter waters" of our lives to reveal His character and His power. Drawing from the journey of the Israelites in Exodus 15, Dave breaks down how God transitions us from rescue to renewal. We often want to skip the desert, but it's in the dry places that we learn God isn't just a bystander—He is an active worker in our hearts. Using the framework of the five key areas where God is constantly moving, this message will help you identify what He is doing in your life right now. As Philippians 2:13 reminds us, "It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

In this deeply encouraging message from Fire in Our Bones, James Force reminds pastors, leaders, and servants of God that while ministry is one of the greatest callings on earth, it can also be exhausting, discouraging, and heavy. Preaching from Psalm 23, he calls us back to the simple but life-giving truth that we are not just shepherds of others—we are sheep who still need the Shepherd ourselves. As James says, “The center of God's will will always be your favorite place to be,” and no matter where God leads, He remains faithful to provide everything needed for every assignment. With honesty, warmth, and pastoral strength, James urges weary leaders to stop living on performance, pressure, and constant output, and to let the Lord minister to them again. He reminds us that “The Lord is my shepherd. I lack no good thing,” and that even in dark valleys, God's presence is enough to carry us through. This message is a call to rest, trust, and renewed dependence on Jesus—to slow down, receive from Him, and remember that “Wherever God places you, your role will always be to point to Jesus.”

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/a-journey-of-faith/Frodo, the Hobbit, was tasked with destroying the ring of power in the fiery lava of Mount Doom. Frodo and his faithful friend, Sam, traveled approximately 1800 miles from Bag End in the Shire to Mount Doom in Mordor. They traveled through forests, caves, swamps, and mountains. This is the equivalent of walking from New York City to San Antonio, Texas. Their journey took exactly 6 months and 2 days.This was a journey of faith. Frodo and Sam had to believe the words of Elrond of the Elves and the council of Gandalf the Grey that they would survive to destroy the ring on Mount Doom.Abram, the son of Terah, was called by God to leave his homeland in Ur and move with his family to Haran. Moses writes, "Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot, who was the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, who was the wife of his son Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there" (Genesis 11:31). The distance from Ur to Haran was approximately 600 miles. This journey likely took several months.Later, Abram left his father in Haran and traveled to Canaan. The distance from Haran to Shechem in Canaan was about 450 miles. This would have taken several weeks to travel. Remember, Abram was a spry 75 years old when he left Haran. Abram traveled approximately 1050 miles. That's like traveling to Dallas or Chicago from Casper. This was a journey of faith for Abram.Each of you is on a journey of faith. It's always interesting to learn the reason you moved to Casper. For some, it was family or education or the energy industry or other employment opportunities. You know from experience how difficult life can be in Casper. There are booms and busts with the energy industry. One of the major exports from Casper is its youth. I've been told it gets cold and snowy here. I've experienced the wind.When we moved here, Shelley and I didn't know anything about Casper or Wyoming. We had only driven through a portion of Wyoming once. Driving to Casper, we saw the windsock and high wind warning signs on 258. The first thing Shelley said to me when we arrived at the parsonage was, "Where did you move me to?!"All of us, at one time or another, moved out here on a journey of faith.It isn't only a journey of faith with our physical location, but it's also a spiritual journey of faith from the baptismal font to the grave.It took a lot of faith for Frodo to leave the safety, peace, and quiet of the Shire. Especially because he would encounter Nazgul, orcs, Urak-hai, a cave troll, Belrog, Gollum, and Shelob the spider. Frodo is stabbed by the Witch-king, choked by Gollum, and injected with spider-poison from Shelob. All while being watched by the giant flaming eye of Sauron.Moses writes, "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Get out of your country and away from your relatives and from your father's house and go to the land that I will show you'" (Genesis 12:1). It took a lot of faith for Abram to leave the safety, peace, and quiet of living near his father, Terah, in Ur. We're used to moving out of our parents' home at 18. Then possibly moving hundreds of miles away. That didn't happen back then. You stayed in communal life with your family.Plus, when Abram moves from Haran, he doesn't know where he's going. God hasn't told him the destination yet. The Lord said to Abram, "Go to the land that I will show you." Wherever it was going to be, Abram hadn't been there yet.The key to faith isn't the person believing. The key to faith is the object in which the person believes. Abram believed in God's rock-solid promises. What were those promises?The Lord said, "I will make you a great nation" (Genesis 12:2). Remember, Abram is 75, Sarai is 65, and Sarai is barren when God's makes this promise. Abram would have many descendants -- physical and spiritual. Abram has lots of physical descendants as children of Isaac -- the Jews -- and Ishmael -- the Arabs. (They don't seem to be getting along right now.) Though, we Christians are not physically descended from Abram, it's more important that we are his spiritual descendants. St. Paul explained, "For this reason, the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace and may be guaranteed to all of Abraham's descendants -- not only to the one who is a descendant by law, but also to the one who has the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: 'I have made you a father of many nations'" (Romans 4:16-17).The Lord said, "I will bless you" (Genesis 12:2). God would be with Abram and his descendants. When God blesses us, there's nothing else we need. We don't need luck or chance or fate. Which is good, since none of those things exist. Only God's divine will and providence exist.The Lord said, I will make your name great" (Genesis 12:2). Several generations earlier, the people at Babel built the city and tower for the purpose of, "let's make a name for ourselves" (Genesis 11:4). God humbled and scattered them. God takes a humble man like Abram and makes his name so great that we still remember and thank God for him roughly 4100 years later.The Lord said, "You will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). This blessing comes through Abram's greatest descendant -- Jesus. The Savior blesses the whole world with forgiveness and peace.The Lord said, "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse anyone who dishonors you" (Genesis 12:3). As we heard last Sunday, Satan's offspring will continue to be hostile to Eve's believing offspring. But God is always on the side of his people.The Lord said, "All of the families of the earth will be blessed in you" (Genesis 12:3). Again, this is a promise of blessing through Abram's great descendant, Jesus Christ.Moses writes, "So Abram went, as the Lord had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother's son, and all the possessions they had accumulated and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to travel to the land of Canaan. Eventually they arrived in the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land until he came to the Oak of Moreh at the place called Shechem. The Canaanites were in the land at that time" (Genesis 12:4-6). Abram is going to be living among heathens and pagans. His descendants would eventually have to dispossess the Canaanites of their land."The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'I will give this land to your descendants.' Abram built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. He moved on from there to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent there, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and proclaimed the name of the Lord" (Genesis 12:7-8). At this critical moment for Abram, the Lord appeared to him to reaffirm and clarify his promise and to bolster Abram's faith. He made it clear that Abram was not to try to take immediate possession of the land. It was only for Abram's descendants that the land of Canaan would become a new homeland. Each new promise of God nourished and exercised Abram's faith.In land of unbelievers, Abram built an altar. Wherever he went, Abram seemed to build an altar to the Lord. This altar was something the unbelievers would see when they passed by it. Abram built a second altar 25 miles away in Bethel. There he "proclaimed the name of the Lord." He was not ashamed to be light in a land of spiritual darkness of false religion and pagan gods. Abram's worship announced the true God into the culture of the heathen Canaanites.It takes a lot of faith to live out West. You're probably a long distance from much of your family. The work and weather out here can be difficult. Like Abram, you may feel alone in your Lutheran faith. There aren't a lot of Lutherans in Wyoming ... especially WELS Lutherans. Abram was surrounded by unbelievers in Canaan. When you're at work or school or your neighborhood, you may be surrounded by unbelievers. And they act like it!What do you do when the culture and community put pressure on your faith? You can be tempted to question and doubt God. To cower and remain quiet about your Lutheran Christian faith. To imagine that you're alone so far away from your fellow WELS Lutherans.When those temptations come along, go back to the promises God made to Abram. Because most of them are promises also involve you. Our spiritual lineage goes all the way back to Abram! Pause and reflect on that for a moment. A few select people on this earth may be able to trace their lineage back through a dozen generations. We can trace our spiritual lineage through an unbroken line all the way back to Abram! How many generations is that? We'll likely never know, but far more than a dozen.Far more comforting than the unbroken line is the providence of our God, who saw to it that the spiritual line remained unbroken so that you -- you, specifically -- would hear the gospel and be brought to faith. You needed to hear the gospel, so God arranged history so that you would! He made sure that the gospel message could travel an unbroken path from Abram to you!The key to faith isn't the person believing. The key to faith is the object in which the person believes. By God's grace, the Holy Spirit began your journey of faith when your parents brought you to the baptismal font as an infant. Or that journey of faith began when you were older and the Holy Spirit converted your heart through hearing and believing God's promises. That journey of faith has led you to worship here at Lord of Lords. A Lutheran church built by your spiritual parents -- some who are still here. Abram built an altar to proclaim the name of the Lord among the heathen people of Canaan. This altar, the church, and the three crosses outside all proclaim the Lord's name to the people who drive by or stop in. You are light in spiritual darkness.This altar is a reminder that when life takes an unfamiliar or uncomfortable direction, remember Abram's wise response. Call on the name of the Lord. Worship him for loving you. In all things God's providence works for the good of those who love him, whom he has called for his purpose. Wherever God leads, call on his name and worship him there.Sam and Frodo made a journey of faith to destroy the ring of power on Mount Doom. Abram and Sarai made a journey of faith by leaving their family and traveling to an unknown destination. That journey of faith included believing they would be parents of a great nation ... when they didn't have any children yet; believing in a Savior from sin ... when he hadn't been born yet; and building an altar to the Lord God ... among people who believed in a myriad of false gods.You are on a journey of faith. You won't have any orcs, cave trolls or giant spiders after you. At least, I hope not! But you will have the Devil and his demons tempting you. You'll have your sinful nature questioning and doubting God's promises. You'll have pagans and heathens attacking your Christian faith.When these things happen ... and they will, trust God's promises made to you and Abram. Trust that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of those promises. He is Abram's descendant and your Savior. He forgives your doubts. He answers your questions. His Holy Spirit brings you repeatedly before the Lord's altar. Here you are reminded of your Baptism, when God made your name great by putting his Triune name on you. Here you hear his Word to encourage, comfort, and sanctify you. Here you receive the Sacrament for courage in the face of the Devil and his offspring. Here you join with your Lutheran Christians to proclaim the name of the Lord in prayer, creed, song, and activity.This all takes place along your journey of faith. Amen.

Frodo, the Hobbit, was tasked with destroying the ring of power in the fiery lava of Mount Doom. Frodo and his faithful friend, Sam, traveled approximately 1800 miles from Bag End in the Shire to Mount Doom in Mordor. They traveled through forests, caves, swamps, and mountains. This is the equivalent of walking from New York City to San Antonio, Texas. Their journey took exactly 6 months and 2 days.This was a journey of faith. Frodo and Sam had to believe the words of Elrond of the Elves and the council of Gandalf the Grey that they would survive to destroy the ring on Mount Doom.Abram, the son of Terah, was called by God to leave his homeland in Ur and move with his family to Haran. Moses writes, "Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot, who was the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, who was the wife of his son Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there" (Genesis 11:31). The distance from Ur to Haran was approximately 600 miles. This journey likely took several months.Later, Abram left his father in Haran and traveled to Canaan. The distance from Haran to Shechem in Canaan was about 450 miles. This would have taken several weeks to travel. Remember, Abram was a spry 75 years old when he left Haran. Abram traveled approximately 1050 miles. That's like traveling to Dallas or Chicago from Casper. This was a journey of faith for Abram.Each of you is on a journey of faith. It's always interesting to learn the reason you moved to Casper. For some, it was family or education or the energy industry or other employment opportunities. You know from experience how difficult life can be in Casper. There are booms and busts with the energy industry. One of the major exports from Casper is its youth. I've been told it gets cold and snowy here. I've experienced the wind.When we moved here, Shelley and I didn't know anything about Casper or Wyoming. We had only driven through a portion of Wyoming once. Driving to Casper, we saw the windsock and high wind warning signs on 258. The first thing Shelley said to me when we arrived at the parsonage was, "Where did you move me to?!"All of us, at one time or another, moved out here on a journey of faith.It isn't only a journey of faith with our physical location, but it's also a spiritual journey of faith from the baptismal font to the grave.It took a lot of faith for Frodo to leave the safety, peace, and quiet of the Shire. Especially because he would encounter Nazgul, orcs, Urak-hai, a cave troll, Belrog, Gollum, and Shelob the spider. Frodo is stabbed by the Witch-king, choked by Gollum, and injected with spider-poison from Shelob. All while being watched by the giant flaming eye of Sauron.Moses writes, "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Get out of your country and away from your relatives and from your father's house and go to the land that I will show you'" (Genesis 12:1). It took a lot of faith for Abram to leave the safety, peace, and quiet of living near his father, Terah, in Ur. We're used to moving out of our parents' home at 18. Then possibly moving hundreds of miles away. That didn't happen back then. You stayed in communal life with your family.Plus, when Abram moves from Haran, he doesn't know where he's going. God hasn't told him the destination yet. The Lord said to Abram, "Go to the land that I will show you." Wherever it was going to be, Abram hadn't been there yet.The key to faith isn't the person believing. The key to faith is the object in which the person believes. Abram believed in God's rock-solid promises. What were those promises?The Lord said, "I will make you a great nation" (Genesis 12:2). Remember, Abram is 75, Sarai is 65, and Sarai is barren when God's makes this promise. Abram would have many descendants -- physical and spiritual. Abram has lots of physical descendants as children of Isaac -- the Jews -- and Ishmael -- the Arabs. (They don't seem to be getting along right now.) Though, we Christians are not physically descended from Abram, it's more important that we are his spiritual descendants. St. Paul explained, "For this reason, the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace and may be guaranteed to all of Abraham's descendants -- not only to the one who is a descendant by law, but also to the one who has the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: 'I have made you a father of many nations'" (Romans 4:16-17).The Lord said, "I will bless you" (Genesis 12:2). God would be with Abram and his descendants. When God blesses us, there's nothing else we need. We don't need luck or chance or fate. Which is good, since none of those things exist. Only God's divine will and providence exist.The Lord said, I will make your name great" (Genesis 12:2). Several generations earlier, the people at Babel built the city and tower for the purpose of, "let's make a name for ourselves" (Genesis 11:4). God humbled and scattered them. God takes a humble man like Abram and makes his name so great that we still remember and thank God for him roughly 4100 years later.The Lord said, "You will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). This blessing comes through Abram's greatest descendant -- Jesus. The Savior blesses the whole world with forgiveness and peace.The Lord said, "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse anyone who dishonors you" (Genesis 12:3). As we heard last Sunday, Satan's offspring will continue to be hostile to Eve's believing offspring. But God is always on the side of his people.The Lord said, "All of the families of the earth will be blessed in you" (Genesis 12:3). Again, this is a promise of blessing through Abram's great descendant, Jesus Christ.Moses writes, "So Abram went, as the Lord had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother's son, and all the possessions they had accumulated and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to travel to the land of Canaan. Eventually they arrived in the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land until he came to the Oak of Moreh at the place called Shechem. The Canaanites were in the land at that time" (Genesis 12:4-6). Abram is going to be living among heathens and pagans. His descendants would eventually have to dispossess the Canaanites of their land."The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'I will give this land to your descendants.' Abram built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. He moved on from there to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent there, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and proclaimed the name of the Lord" (Genesis 12:7-8). At this critical moment for Abram, the Lord appeared to him to reaffirm and clarify his promise and to bolster Abram's faith. He made it clear that Abram was not to try to take immediate possession of the land. It was only for Abram's descendants that the land of Canaan would become a new homeland. Each new promise of God nourished and exercised Abram's faith.In land of unbelievers, Abram built an altar. Wherever he went, Abram seemed to build an altar to the Lord. This altar was something the unbelievers would see when they passed by it. Abram built a second altar 25 miles away in Bethel. There he "proclaimed the name of the Lord." He was not ashamed to be light in a land of spiritual darkness of false religion and pagan gods. Abram's worship announced the true God into the culture of the heathen Canaanites.It takes a lot of faith to live out West. You're probably a long distance from much of your family. The work and weather out here can be difficult. Like Abram, you may feel alone in your Lutheran faith. There aren't a lot of Lutherans in Wyoming ... especially WELS Lutherans. Abram was surrounded by unbelievers in Canaan. When you're at work or school or your neighborhood, you may be surrounded by unbelievers. And they act like it!What do you do when the culture and community put pressure on your faith? You can be tempted to question and doubt God. To cower and remain quiet about your Lutheran Christian faith. To imagine that you're alone so far away from your fellow WELS Lutherans.When those temptations come along, go back to the promises God made to Abram. Because most of them are promises also involve you. Our spiritual lineage goes all the way back to Abram! Pause and reflect on that for a moment. A few select people on this earth may be able to trace their lineage back through a dozen generations. We can trace our spiritual lineage through an unbroken line all the way back to Abram! How many generations is that? We'll likely never know, but far more than a dozen.Far more comforting than the unbroken line is the providence of our God, who saw to it that the spiritual line remained unbroken so that you -- you, specifically -- would hear the gospel and be brought to faith. You needed to hear the gospel, so God arranged history so that you would! He made sure that the gospel message could travel an unbroken path from Abram to you!The key to faith isn't the person believing. The key to faith is the object in which the person believes. By God's grace, the Holy Spirit began your journey of faith when your parents brought you to the baptismal font as an infant. Or that journey of faith began when you were older and the Holy Spirit converted your heart through hearing and believing God's promises. That journey of faith has led you to worship here at Lord of Lords. A Lutheran church built by your spiritual parents -- some who are still here. Abram built an altar to proclaim the name of the Lord among the heathen people of Canaan. This altar, the church, and the three crosses outside all proclaim the Lord's name to the people who drive by or stop in. You are light in spiritual darkness.This altar is a reminder that when life takes an unfamiliar or uncomfortable direction, remember Abram's wise response. Call on the name of the Lord. Worship him for loving you. In all things God's providence works for the good of those who love him, whom he has called for his purpose. Wherever God leads, call on his name and worship him there.Sam and Frodo made a journey of faith to destroy the ring of power on Mount Doom. Abram and Sarai made a journey of faith by leaving their family and traveling to an unknown destination. That journey of faith included believing they would be parents of a great nation ... when they didn't have any children yet; believing in a Savior from sin ... when he hadn't been born yet; and building an altar to the Lord God ... among people who believed in a myriad of false gods.You are on a journey of faith. You won't have any orcs, cave trolls or giant spiders after you. At least, I hope not! But you will have the Devil and his demons tempting you. You'll have your sinful nature questioning and doubting God's promises. You'll have pagans and heathens attacking your Christian faith.When these things happen ... and they will, trust God's promises made to you and Abram. Trust that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of those promises. He is Abram's descendant and your Savior. He forgives your doubts. He answers your questions. His Holy Spirit brings you repeatedly before the Lord's altar. Here you are reminded of your Baptism, when God made your name great by putting his Triune name on you. Here you hear his Word to encourage, comfort, and sanctify you. Here you receive the Sacrament for courage in the face of the Devil and his offspring. Here you join with your Lutheran Christians to proclaim the name of the Lord in prayer, creed, song, and activity.This all takes place along your journey of faith. Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/a-journey-of-faith/

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/be-salt-and-light/Several weeks ago, I found a trailer for my side-by-side on Facebook Marketplace. Matt graciously went with me to look at the trailer. Who could have guessed? Matt knew the owner! We'll call him "Jake".We entered Jake's shop. I eventually texted Shelley, "I brought the right guy along. Matt knows Jake. They've been talking about race cars for the past 15 minutes." Jake had two race cars in his shop. Then we started moving outside to the trailer. Before we got there, we passed by Jake's very expensive snowmobile. I texted Shelley, "Now they've spent 5 minutes talking about snowmobiles."The whole time, Jake is filling each sentence with four-letter words. And not the good kind. While we were by the snowmobile, Matt introduced me as his pastor. Do you know what Jake did? Matt and I discussed it later. It seemed like Jake's language got even worse! It was like he was showing off his extensive foul language repertoire in front of the Lutheran pastor!Matt and I discussed the encounter later in my vehicle after I purchased the trailer. First, I had to stop my ears from bleeding after the assault with all those cuss words! We discussed how as Christians we try not to cuss, gossip, engage in course talk or crude jokes, and so on. We are called to be fine Christian salt in a world filled with course salty language. We are called to be Christian lights reflecting the light of Christ's purity in a world darkened by decadence and death.In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty again? Then it is no good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. In the same way let your light shine in people's presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."Salt in Jesus' time was precious. Salt was used to preserve food since there was no refrigeration. Salt was used to disinfect wounds and was rubbed on the skin of newborn babies to protect them from various diseases. Sacrifices were sprinkled with salt to purify them before they were offered to the Lord. Salt was seen as killing the sinful decay and preserving life.Salt is useful stuff. A little salt can be sprinkled on a dish to tickle the tastebuds. Salt is useful to remove the ice on your sidewalk and driveway ... if it ever gets cold enough to have snow and ice this winter.Light shines and brightens dark places. It can be a small candle or a simple oil lamp bringing light to a dark room in Jesus' day. It can be the sun shining and chasing away the darkness of the night every morning. It can be children walking through the house and turning on lights in every room. Then dad is doing his fatherly duty of walking through the house and turning off all the lights.Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world." Notice that Jesus doesn't say, "You need to work on your saltiness" or "You need to become light." No, Jesus says that through your Baptism, through your conversion to Christianity, through your faith in him who is the true salt and bright light, now this is what you are. So be salt and light.This world is rotten and corrupt and needs to be salted. The world is shrouded in the darkness of sin and death and needs to be lighted.Where do you encounter this rot and feel this darkness in our culture? As salt and light Christians, we notice this rot and darkness as we are living and raising our children in an amoral culture. It used to be that we were living in a moral culture - one where people did wrong things, but they knew the difference between right and wrong. Today we are living in an amoral culture where people no longer believe in or care about right or wrong. They just do whatever comes naturally to them and feels good to them. And what is natural is evil and what feels good is sin.We are living in a culture that relishes the rot and delights in the darkness. They don't know any better. They've tasted this world's tainted garbage so long that what is good, right, and healthy is a shock to their system. They've lived in the shadows so long the light hurts their eyes. Now they want us as Christians to not only tolerate their amoral behavior, but we must also accept it and promote it. They want to drag us into their decay and darkness. Then we are to join them in persecuting anyone who refuses to tolerate, accept, and promote their wickedness.We fall victim to these scare tactics by Satan and his devilish followers. We're afraid of being called names, canceled, persecuted, prosecuted, classified as "unloving," "bigoted," or "hypocritical." We are tempted to fill up our shakers with sugar. We are in danger of losing our saltiness. We are tempted to cover our light under a bowl. We are in danger of letting our light go out.The problem is that we don't like friction. We don't want people to think of us as offensive. We believe in the make-believe 11th commandment of "thou shalt be nice!" As Lutherans, we like to stay in the middle of the road. But on this issue, the world is on one side and Jesus is on the other side. We get hit by semis in the middle of the road. There are times when we need to be all the way to one side of the road - because that's where Jesus is.We don't want to scare anyone off or offend anyone or cause any problems. It's much easier to mind our own business, keep quiet, and keep to ourselves. It's much more convenient to compromise God's truth than to shake out Christ's salty judgment upon a corrupt world. We are more willing to offend God than offend our neighbor. It's more pleasant to hide in the shadows than to shine Christ's light into the darkness. It's a whole lot easier to go with the flow than to stand against the tide, standing on the solid rock of the cross of Christ.When we do that, we are not being what Christ has made us to be - salt upon the earth and lights upon the world.Jesus often told people difficult things - like he was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, or he told the rich man to sell everything to follow him, or that he was the Bread of Life. In every instance, people rejected that message and turned away from Jesus. He didn't worry about offending people or appearing as "not nice." Jesus told the truth. The people rejected that truth. Jesus told his disciples elsewhere that when people rejected the truth, to shake the dust off their feet and move on. We would do well to follow Jesus' example and words.This means not everyone will like you. Jesus calls us to be salt. Not the sugar on top.Jesus is the salt that preserves your soul by pointing out your sins against him. He is the salt that purifies you with his perfection. He is the salt that never loses its saltiness. He is the salt that heals your wounds - physical, mental, and spiritual. He is the salt that prepares your body for death and life beyond death. He seasons your speech with salt (Colossians 4:6).At creation, God did not leave the earth wrapped in darkness. He said, "Let there be light," and there was light that pushed against the darkness (Genesis 1:3). Nor did God abandon his children to sin's darkness, either. Since the darkness is not disappearing, our Savior Jesus stepped into the darkness. "[God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13,14). Now that we have been rescued from this darkness and brought into the Light of Christ, we need to keep following the Light. Jesus teaches, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).Jesus calls you salt because you are precious. You serve a purpose. You are baptized to be the salt of the earth. You are baptized to be the light of the world. Jesus calls you salt not because of how much you can do, but because of how much he has done. He loves you. He declares you forgiven of your sin. He has spared you from hell. He chases the devil away from you. He has rescued you from death. He has made you his own. He sets you apart from the rest of the world for his purpose.That purpose is to simply tell others what Jesus has done for you. Your privilege is to talk about all the wonderful things Jesus did out of love. This is your purpose as the salt of the earth. This is your purpose as his lights in the world. As Jesus has confronted your sins, now you are to confront the sins of those around you. As Jesus has shined the light of his grace upon your life, now you are to shine the light of Jesus' grace upon others. As Jesus has forgiven your sins, now you are given the opportunity to forgive the sins of the repentant around you.Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor August Pieper makes it very clear: "[T]here is no excuse for those who think it unnecessary to tell unbelievers about their sins right to their face and to condemn their ways with the written law, since the gospel alone is God's power for salvation, and so it is enough to make these tidings known to the world. This opinion is not based on Scripture, but on their own wisdom. It is born of their fear of men and of the curse of the cross... Wanting to be silent about sin and win the impenitent only with the sweetness of the gospel amounts to denying God's zeal and holiness and suppressing his threats. It amounts to hypocrisy, practicing spiritual quackery. It means leading the poor people to fleshly security instead of to faith and casting pearls before the swine. Under all circumstances the impenitent need the law, and only next, afterwards, the gospel." (August Pieper, Wauwatosa Theology, Vol 2, pg. 60)We take on the difficult task of being salt in an unsalty world. Even if people don't listen, we have done our duty. Then we have honored what God has made us to be. However, if we do not do our duty, then we will stand before the Lord on Judgment Day and we will observe those on Jesus' left pointing at us and accusing: "They never told me!" Then we will hear Jesus' sentence of judgment: "It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."As Christian parents, Christian citizens, and members of the Christian Church, we are called to be a part of a counterculture which works hard to shine the light of Christ into the shadowy corners of the world and the dark recesses of people's souls. You are light, shining the light of Christ. You are the moon, reflecting the greater light of the Son.The Bible says, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). You have been called out, set apart, chosen for a purpose. Wherever God has shaken you out - in your home, your school, your work, your community - there you are salt, seasoning your little corner of the world. Wherever God places you in the shadows, there you are light, shining the light of Christ into the darkness that threatens to envelop those you love.This is your identity. This is your calling. No one else has this calling - only children of God in Christ Jesus. May we be such salts and lights that when others experience our saltiness and witness our shining lights, that they may praise our Father in heaven. We pray that we are what Christ has made us to be - salt and light. Amen.

Several weeks ago, I found a trailer for my side-by-side on Facebook Marketplace. Matt graciously went with me to look at the trailer. Who could have guessed? Matt knew the owner! We'll call him "Jake".We entered Jake's shop. I eventually texted Shelley, "I brought the right guy along. Matt knows Jake. They've been talking about race cars for the past 15 minutes." Jake had two race cars in his shop. Then we started moving outside to the trailer. Before we got there, we passed by Jake's very expensive snowmobile. I texted Shelley, "Now they've spent 5 minutes talking about snowmobiles."The whole time, Jake is filling each sentence with four-letter words. And not the good kind. While we were by the snowmobile, Matt introduced me as his pastor. Do you know what Jake did? Matt and I discussed it later. It seemed like Jake's language got even worse! It was like he was showing off his extensive foul language repertoire in front of the Lutheran pastor!Matt and I discussed the encounter later in my vehicle after I purchased the trailer. First, I had to stop my ears from bleeding after the assault with all those cuss words! We discussed how as Christians we try not to cuss, gossip, engage in course talk or crude jokes, and so on. We are called to be fine Christian salt in a world filled with course salty language. We are called to be Christian lights reflecting the light of Christ's purity in a world darkened by decadence and death.In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty again? Then it is no good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. In the same way let your light shine in people's presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."Salt in Jesus' time was precious. Salt was used to preserve food since there was no refrigeration. Salt was used to disinfect wounds and was rubbed on the skin of newborn babies to protect them from various diseases. Sacrifices were sprinkled with salt to purify them before they were offered to the Lord. Salt was seen as killing the sinful decay and preserving life.Salt is useful stuff. A little salt can be sprinkled on a dish to tickle the tastebuds. Salt is useful to remove the ice on your sidewalk and driveway ... if it ever gets cold enough to have snow and ice this winter.Light shines and brightens dark places. It can be a small candle or a simple oil lamp bringing light to a dark room in Jesus' day. It can be the sun shining and chasing away the darkness of the night every morning. It can be children walking through the house and turning on lights in every room. Then dad is doing his fatherly duty of walking through the house and turning off all the lights.Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world." Notice that Jesus doesn't say, "You need to work on your saltiness" or "You need to become light." No, Jesus says that through your Baptism, through your conversion to Christianity, through your faith in him who is the true salt and bright light, now this is what you are. So be salt and light.This world is rotten and corrupt and needs to be salted. The world is shrouded in the darkness of sin and death and needs to be lighted.Where do you encounter this rot and feel this darkness in our culture? As salt and light Christians, we notice this rot and darkness as we are living and raising our children in an amoral culture. It used to be that we were living in a moral culture - one where people did wrong things, but they knew the difference between right and wrong. Today we are living in an amoral culture where people no longer believe in or care about right or wrong. They just do whatever comes naturally to them and feels good to them. And what is natural is evil and what feels good is sin.We are living in a culture that relishes the rot and delights in the darkness. They don't know any better. They've tasted this world's tainted garbage so long that what is good, right, and healthy is a shock to their system. They've lived in the shadows so long the light hurts their eyes. Now they want us as Christians to not only tolerate their amoral behavior, but we must also accept it and promote it. They want to drag us into their decay and darkness. Then we are to join them in persecuting anyone who refuses to tolerate, accept, and promote their wickedness.We fall victim to these scare tactics by Satan and his devilish followers. We're afraid of being called names, canceled, persecuted, prosecuted, classified as "unloving," "bigoted," or "hypocritical." We are tempted to fill up our shakers with sugar. We are in danger of losing our saltiness. We are tempted to cover our light under a bowl. We are in danger of letting our light go out.The problem is that we don't like friction. We don't want people to think of us as offensive. We believe in the make-believe 11th commandment of "thou shalt be nice!" As Lutherans, we like to stay in the middle of the road. But on this issue, the world is on one side and Jesus is on the other side. We get hit by semis in the middle of the road. There are times when we need to be all the way to one side of the road - because that's where Jesus is.We don't want to scare anyone off or offend anyone or cause any problems. It's much easier to mind our own business, keep quiet, and keep to ourselves. It's much more convenient to compromise God's truth than to shake out Christ's salty judgment upon a corrupt world. We are more willing to offend God than offend our neighbor. It's more pleasant to hide in the shadows than to shine Christ's light into the darkness. It's a whole lot easier to go with the flow than to stand against the tide, standing on the solid rock of the cross of Christ.When we do that, we are not being what Christ has made us to be - salt upon the earth and lights upon the world.Jesus often told people difficult things - like he was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, or he told the rich man to sell everything to follow him, or that he was the Bread of Life. In every instance, people rejected that message and turned away from Jesus. He didn't worry about offending people or appearing as "not nice." Jesus told the truth. The people rejected that truth. Jesus told his disciples elsewhere that when people rejected the truth, to shake the dust off their feet and move on. We would do well to follow Jesus' example and words.This means not everyone will like you. Jesus calls us to be salt. Not the sugar on top.Jesus is the salt that preserves your soul by pointing out your sins against him. He is the salt that purifies you with his perfection. He is the salt that never loses its saltiness. He is the salt that heals your wounds - physical, mental, and spiritual. He is the salt that prepares your body for death and life beyond death. He seasons your speech with salt (Colossians 4:6).At creation, God did not leave the earth wrapped in darkness. He said, "Let there be light," and there was light that pushed against the darkness (Genesis 1:3). Nor did God abandon his children to sin's darkness, either. Since the darkness is not disappearing, our Savior Jesus stepped into the darkness. "[God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13,14). Now that we have been rescued from this darkness and brought into the Light of Christ, we need to keep following the Light. Jesus teaches, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).Jesus calls you salt because you are precious. You serve a purpose. You are baptized to be the salt of the earth. You are baptized to be the light of the world. Jesus calls you salt not because of how much you can do, but because of how much he has done. He loves you. He declares you forgiven of your sin. He has spared you from hell. He chases the devil away from you. He has rescued you from death. He has made you his own. He sets you apart from the rest of the world for his purpose.That purpose is to simply tell others what Jesus has done for you. Your privilege is to talk about all the wonderful things Jesus did out of love. This is your purpose as the salt of the earth. This is your purpose as his lights in the world. As Jesus has confronted your sins, now you are to confront the sins of those around you. As Jesus has shined the light of his grace upon your life, now you are to shine the light of Jesus' grace upon others. As Jesus has forgiven your sins, now you are given the opportunity to forgive the sins of the repentant around you.Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor August Pieper makes it very clear: "[T]here is no excuse for those who think it unnecessary to tell unbelievers about their sins right to their face and to condemn their ways with the written law, since the gospel alone is God's power for salvation, and so it is enough to make these tidings known to the world. This opinion is not based on Scripture, but on their own wisdom. It is born of their fear of men and of the curse of the cross... Wanting to be silent about sin and win the impenitent only with the sweetness of the gospel amounts to denying God's zeal and holiness and suppressing his threats. It amounts to hypocrisy, practicing spiritual quackery. It means leading the poor people to fleshly security instead of to faith and casting pearls before the swine. Under all circumstances the impenitent need the law, and only next, afterwards, the gospel." (August Pieper, Wauwatosa Theology, Vol 2, pg. 60)We take on the difficult task of being salt in an unsalty world. Even if people don't listen, we have done our duty. Then we have honored what God has made us to be. However, if we do not do our duty, then we will stand before the Lord on Judgment Day and we will observe those on Jesus' left pointing at us and accusing: "They never told me!" Then we will hear Jesus' sentence of judgment: "It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."As Christian parents, Christian citizens, and members of the Christian Church, we are called to be a part of a counterculture which works hard to shine the light of Christ into the shadowy corners of the world and the dark recesses of people's souls. You are light, shining the light of Christ. You are the moon, reflecting the greater light of the Son.The Bible says, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). You have been called out, set apart, chosen for a purpose. Wherever God has shaken you out - in your home, your school, your work, your community - there you are salt, seasoning your little corner of the world. Wherever God places you in the shadows, there you are light, shining the light of Christ into the darkness that threatens to envelop those you love.This is your identity. This is your calling. No one else has this calling - only children of God in Christ Jesus. May we be such salts and lights that when others experience our saltiness and witness our shining lights, that they may praise our Father in heaven. We pray that we are what Christ has made us to be - salt and light. Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/be-salt-and-light/

From Czech Courts to a Global CallingOndrej Plasil grew up in the Czech Republic with a basketball in his hands and a competitive spirit in his heart. The game gave him direction, discipline, and drive. But underneath it all, he was quietly searching for something more.In a country where faith is often absent or minimized, Ondrej didn't grow up in a strong Christian environment. He knew about God, but the idea of following Jesus personally felt distant. That began to change when he encountered believers who lived differently — people whose lives radiated joy, purpose, and hope that couldn't be explained by talent or success alone.Through a series of providential moments, Ondrej and his family came to know Christ as Savior, Lord, and Friend. That decision changed everything. His identity was no longer rooted in performance or approval but in grace. His view of life, success, and even basketball was transformed.That journey brought him to Cedarville University, where he's now a sophomore studying business management. Here, he stepped into a community that nurtures his young faith and challenges him to grow deeper. Surrounded by fellow students who love Jesus and live with boldness, Ondrej found accountability, inspiration, and a renewed sense of calling.What was once a quiet faith became a passionate pursuit. He began to see his gifts and his story as part of something bigger than himself.Ondrej's dream is bold: to see revival in the Czech Republic. Whether through launching a Christ-centered academy, planting seeds of faith through education, or simply walking faithfully with the people of his country, he longs to be used by God.He shared his story on the Cedarville Stories podcast, offering a glimpse of his hope-filled vision: to be a faithful voice in his homeland, pointing people to the truth of Jesus.Wherever God sends him, Ondrej is ready. He's living proof that when Jesus captures a heart, everything changes.https://share.transistor.fm/s/da12250ehttps://youtu.be/rqrunn4aGhA

Wherever God leads you in life whether it be family, work, ministry, or anything else, He will provide whatever is necessary to accomplish it. But it is up to us to stay close enough to recognise His guidance and see His provision.

ScriptureToday we explore Genesis 28:10-22, that includes a vision of a ladder/stairway connecting Heaven to Earth and a literary ladder as well. Showing us eleven steps that occur during Jacob's interaction with God. But we settle on Step Ten, verses 18-19:So early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had put under his head, set it up as a pillar, and then poured oil on top of it to commemorate his experience with God. 19 He named that place Bethel, which means “house of God.” Before that the name of the city had been called Luz. The GistBethel is the Bible's first example of God transforming an ordinary location into a sacred/holy place. We see it continue in the Old Testament: Exodus 3 (burning bush), Exodus 25-40 (tabernacle). Then in the New Testament, Jesus arrives on the scene and the shift of holy/sacred places shifts from places and things to people. 1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19 - believers become the temple, as God's spirit dwells in us. 1 Timothy 3:15 - the "church" happens when people gather together in God's name. The church isn't holy, but the gathering of "community" becomes sacred because of God's people. God meets us in unexpected places, transforms common/ordinary things into holy ground, and our everyday lives become sacred and holy places when we take the time to slow down and realize God is with us. Digging DeeperAre you in a difficult place right now, where you don't expect to find God?Is it difficult to trust & believe that your life can become a dwelling place of God? "Wherever God reveals Himself, Bethel (House of God) happens." How does it feel to read that?

Moji George, CSB, from Boston, Massachusetts, USA & Lagos State, NigeriaYou can read Moji's editorial in the Christian Science Sentinel.

Jesus' command to “go” in Matthew 28:19 is an invitation to live an active, intentional faith. The Christian life was never meant to stay contained within church walls. From the beginning, God's plan has always been about movement—going to people, meeting needs, and sharing hope on street corners, in neighborhoods, and through everyday relationships.Following Christ means more than believing the right things; it means doing something with what we believe to be true from God's word. God uses ordinary people who are willing to step out, speak up, serve, and invite others into His love. When we move in obedience, God moves through us in powerful ways.This message is reminder that you don't need a title, platform, or perfect plan—just a willing heart. Wherever God has placed you, that is your mission field.

Everyone is a candidate for salvation through Jesus Christ! Doctor John Easter shares incredible stories from the mission field that remind us of our holy calling—to tell others about the love of Jesus. We may not all be called to foreign countries, but we can be missionaries in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. Wherever God has placed us, we have the capacity to tell people about salvation!

Becky Kopitzke It's a new Stand Up For The Truth podcast with host Dave Wager and special guest Becky Kopitzke, author, speaker, and longtime communicator of biblical truth. Together they dive into the “theology of vocation,” exploring what it really means to serve God through everyday work and calling. Becky shares her story of learning that her worth isn't found in what she does, but in who she is as a child of God. From motherhood to writing books and mentoring others, she's seen how the Lord uses both gifts and seasons of waiting to shape her faith. The conversation opens with Colossians 3:12, calling believers to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and explores how these virtues define our work and relationships when Christ is at the center. Dave and Becky also talk about how our vocations, whether teaching, parenting, or working behind the scenes, become acts of worship when surrendered to God. They touch on the importance of humility, dependence, and being faithful in the small things that few may notice. Even the simple act of praying for someone you meet can reflect the heart of Jesus. Through stories of family, ministry, and everyday faith, the episode reminds us that our calling isn't about titles, fame, or platform. It's about living fully for the One who created us. Wherever God places you, He can use your obedience to make an eternal impact. Sorry, no videocast of today's show.  Feedback about today's podcast is appreciated - email davew @ q90fm.com.

God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body. . . . — Ephesians 1:22-23 Maybe you have heard someone say, “I don't need to go to church to be a Christian.” This is true. Many Christians have been jailed for their faith and have been prevented from going to or attending church worship services. But the church is not a place where we “go.” The church is the body of Christ. Wherever God's people meet for worship and fellowship, the church is present. The church is found not only in buildings that we call churches but also in prisons, on college campuses, on remote mission fields, in homes within countries that have outlawed Christianity, and more. The Bible likens the church to a human body and says that we are each a part of the body (1 Corinthians 12). Being a Christian and being part of the church are synonymous. Every part of the body is important, and every part contributes to the overall well-being of the entire body. While it may be true that we don't need to “go to church” to be a Christian, the parts of the body can die if they are disconnected from the whole. A foot, finger, eye, or kidney, for example, cannot live if it is not connected to the body. Only when we minister to others, and are ministered to, can we grow in our faith and flourish! Lord, thank you for the church, your body, in its many different shapes and forms throughout the world. Thank you for joining me to the church. Help me to serve and to be served as a part of it! Amen.

God's rest is not about inactivity but the completion of His purpose and the establishment of His reign. The Tabernacle in the wilderness served as God's dwelling place among the Israelites, guiding their journey with His presence visible as a cloud by day and fire by night. Moses refused to move without God's presence, understanding that true rest comes from alignment with God's direction. Today, many Christians experience burnout because they've removed themselves from God's rest, trying to accomplish things in their own strength rather than making God the center of their lives. As living temples of God's Spirit, we are called to recenter our lives around His presence.God's rest and God's reign cannot be separated - they are synonymous. Where God rests, He also rules.Biblical rest is not passive inactivity but the seat of authority and the command center from which God directs victory.The Tabernacle shows us that God desires to be at the center of our lives, with everything else arranged around His presence.Burnout often happens not because we work too hard, but because we've stepped outside of God's rest and try to live under our own authority.Wherever God rests, His people advance - our victories flow from Christ enthroned in our hearts.Support the show

God has been highlighting John chapter 10 to this house for some time. There's a deeper understanding to the revelation in this chapter that many are unaware of. Pastor Josiah takes us deeper into the meaning of the chapter and particularly what the Lord is saying through John 10:10 concerning healthy shepherds. Wherever God sends you, find healthy shepherds that carry these qualities. Don't just find people who lead churches, find healthy shepherds.

The Presence Driven Life - Part 30 August 13th 2025 - Wednesday Evening

Intergrity over posture! Wherever God may place you, do the right thing. Always. All of it!

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.  Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Teacher: Dave Brown When they came to the threshing floor of Nakhon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God because the oxen stumbled. The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.— 2 Samuel 6:6-7 What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us… We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward out mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech.— A.W. Tozer Holy Scripture posts Uzzah as a danger sign for us: “Beware the God.” It's especially important to have such a sign posted in places designated for religious worship and learning. We enter a church or school to learn God, be trained in knowledge and obedience and prayer. And we get what we came for—truth that centers, words that command and comfort, rituals that stabilize, work that has purpose, a community of relationships that strengthen, forgiveness that frees. We find God. We change our ways. We repent and believe and follow. We rearrange our circumstances and reestablish our routines around what now gives meaning and hope. We take on responsibilities in the wonderful new world of worship and work. We advance in the ranks, and before we know it we're telling others what to do and how to do it. All this is good and right. And then we cross a line—we get bossy and cranky on behalf of God. We begin by finding in God a way to live rightly and well, and then along the way we take over God's work for him and take charge of making sure others live rightly and well. We get the idea that we're important, self-important, because we're around the Important. Religion is a breeding ground for this kind of thing. Not infrequently these God-managing men and women work themselves into positions of leadership. Over the years the basics with which they began, the elements of reverence and awe, the spirit of love and faith, erode and shrivel. Finally there's nothing left. They're dead to God. Uzzah is a warning. If we think and act as he did, we'll be dead men and women, soon or late. Dead in our spirits. Dead to the aliveness of God.— Eugene Peterson In olden days men of faith were said to “walk in the fear of God” and to “serve the Lord with fear.” However intimate their communion with God, however bold their prayers, at the base of their religious life was the conception of God as awesome and dreadful. This idea of God transcendent rims through the whole Bible and gives color and tone to the character of the saints. This fear of God was more than a natural apprehension of danger; it was a nonrational dread, an acute feeling of personal insufficiency in the presence of God the Almighty. Wherever God appeared to men in Bible times the results were the same-an overwhelming sense of terror and dismay, a wrenching sensation of sinfulness and guilt.—A.W. Tozer Fear is no longer the word I use to describe how I feel about God. Now I use words like reverent intimacy. I still fear God, and I pray that I always will. The Bible emphasizes the importance of fearing God…Our culture severely lacks the fear of God, and many of us are plagued with amnesia. But for a long time, I narrowly focused on His fearsomeness to the exclusion of His great and abounding love.— Francis Chan So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.— 2 Samuel 6:12b-15

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.

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  

Your Nightly Prayer

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.

“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).

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

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

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?

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