Podcasts about without god

Dive deep into the Book of Ecclesiastes with Rod Hembree and the Bible Discovery team. Uncover the profound insights of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, exploring the concept of life's seasons and the importance of living with God's guidance. Join the discussion on the meaning of life, the significance of time, and the wisdom found in Solomon's words. This episode offers a rich Bible study experience, combining historical context and personal reflections.

There are 3 pieces of God's armor we are to “put on”. 1. The belt of truth. 2. The breastplate of righteousness. 3. The shoes of peace. In getting dressed for the unseen spiritual battle, the final thing we put on are our shoes. And think about it, you're not ready to leave if you don't have your shoes on. My husband knows I'm not really walking out the door if my shoes aren't on. My shoes are the sign I'm really ready and we're going … until then, I'm not really going anywhere. God has places for you to go. A stand you are to take. Purposes you are to fulfill. Good plans you are to walk in. But, without your shoes, you're not really ready to go with him. The soldier's shoes were a valuable piece of their armor. Remember in these days, they were foot soldiers. They weren't riding around in tanks and helicopters. They were marching in, climbing up, standing ground. In military battles of these days, the army who had the best battle shoes was set apart. There's a story of an army who won countless victories because they put nails in their shoes, creating the first cleats. They could climb what no other army could climb. As women, we know shoes make or break the outfit – but in battle, shoes can make or break the victory. So Paul says in Ephesians 6:15, “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” Without your shoes, you're not ready. With the wrong shoes, you're not winning. Barefoot, you're injured. The shoes in the Armor of God are specifically the PEACE that comes from the Good News. Sounds a little fruity doesn't it? That's sweet – but does it really mean anything to you? I'll be honest – that just never meant anything to me at all – until today. Until I really studied what Paul is saying. Now I get it, and I'm so excited to share it with you. Peace – what's your image of God's peace? Someone once asked 2 very famous painters to each paint a picture of God's peace. One painted the image of a beautiful, calm, serene lake in the most peaceful setting you could imagine. It's basically where I am right now – North Italy's Dolomite mountains. The lakes here are the deepest, calmest blue, fully protected by stunning mountains that reach straight up in the sky. Such calm. Such peace. That was one artist's painting. But the other artist paints the ocean. Not calm water, but the ocean in a violent storm. Massive waves crashing in the fierce winds. Lightening flashing in the sky. And in the very bottom corner of the painting was a small bird, totally protected from the storm, standing on a rock with a solitary beam of light shining on it. If there was a soundtrack to the painting it was the bird singing his completely unbothered song of perfect peace in the midst of that raging storm. Both are pictures of peace. One is a picture of peaceful circumstances – the other is a picture of the power of God's peace. God doesn't promise peaceful circumstances, in fact Jesus warns us of the oppoisite – “in this world you will have trouble”. But God does promise us the power of his peace – the unshakable knowing he is with you, he sees you, and he is in control. We're so quick to assume only the good days contain God's peace, but you've never experienced God's peace on the most extreme level until you're in the middle of something that demands you absolutely freak out, but instead you have an unspeakable peace within. With this peace you're not rendered incapable, you're strengthened in the battle. My friend, if you find yourself currently in a battle, God has peace available for you. And his word isn't just offering it to you as an option, his word is telling you, “PUT THIS ON!” But how? How do you put on God's peace? Thank God, his word actually tells us. We're not left to guess and wonder. It's clear. Philippians 4: 6-7. First, there is an offer you have to REFUSE to make room for God's offer of peace. If you don't refuse it, there will simply be no space for peace in you. What is the offer you have to refuse? Worry. Here's precisely what God's word says, “Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. THEN you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” This is a formula and a process. First you refuse worry. Worry is always in the offering. There's always something to worry about, right? But you must turn away from it. Turn it off. Resist it. Evict it. Absolutely take a stand against worry. You know what we often do instead? We make excuses for it. “Oh, it's just who I am. I'm a worrier. I always have been.” That's the equivalent of saying, “Oh, I'm just muddy, it's just who I am. I go out and roll around in the mud so I'm always muddy. I always have been.” ALL WHILE YOU COULD CHOOSE TO TAKE A SHOWER! If you're a worrier, there's something you can do that's the equivalent of a shower for a muddy person – PRAYER. And just as you have to take a shower again and again, you must pray again and again. The only way you refuse worry is to talk to God about it. Push it right over to God and let him have it. Tell him what you need. Thank him for everything he has already done for you. That's your part of the equation. Then, God does his part. His part is filling you with PEACE. Peace that doesn't make sense. Peace like the little white bird sitting in a beam of light during a furious storm on the ocean, just singing his happy song. I don't care how much you worry or how long you've been worrying, peace is available to you. But my sister, you always have to choose it. Now you may think your worrying is harmless, but it's not. Without God's peace, you're facing a battle with no shoes on. Without your shoes you're simply NOT READY!!!!! Now here's where this gets really really really good. This is the part you may not have ever understood before and you're going to have a little light bulb go off. Paul says these shoes of peace come from the Good News. What is the Good News? It's literally the message of Jesus. It's the salvation story of God sending his own son to die for you so that you might be saved. It's the promise of his Holy Spirit dwelling in you offering what you could never manufacture for yourself. It's all this GOOD NEWS, not bad news that applies directly to our lives because of Jesus. Good, good, good news. Shoes of peace from this Good News of Jesus. And here's why this is important in battle – GET READY … Your enemy, the devil, is always going to try and convince you that God is against you, that God doesn't love you, that God is too busy for you, angry at you, distant from you. The devil continually tries to convince you that every little bad thing, and certainly every big bad thing, that happens in your life is proof of God's absence, God's distance, or God's disapproval of you. You've heard it and felt it before. You've questioned why God would allow this to happen to your family and you start feeling like God doesn't care about your family. Like he's too busy for you. Like he doesn't hear your prayers. Like he's always out to take things from you. Like he's just against you. The more you hear it and the more you feel it, the more dark your thoughts become, the more alone you feel, and the more hopeless the future looks. And that's precisely what happens if you don't have your shoes on. Your shoes of peace from the Good News know exactly who Jesus is, what Jesus did, and what he has promised. And just like a pair of cleats can dig in and hold your ground, KNOWING the GOOD News can help you stand firm when every doubt comes to rock you. The devil wants to remind of you all the bad news, but Jesus says, “I've GOT GOOD NEWS!” Feel the peace in that! The shoes of peace tell you even when bad things have happened, “GOD USES ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD”. The shoes of peace tell you even when the storm rages that, “YOUR GOD CONTROLS THE WINDS AND THE WAVES.” The shoes of peace tell you when everything falls apart that, “GOD HOLDS IT ALL IN HIS HANDS AND NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH HIM.” The Good News fills us with peace when the battle rages. And in peace, we stand, We don't run. We don't panic. We don't worry. We stand firm. Girl, put your shoes on and dig in! Dig in to God's promises over you and refuse to back down. Refuse to be shaken. Refuse to give in to worry. His promises will fill you with peace so you can stand through the storm and come out the other side. Jesus made us a promise of HIS PEACE. His peace that would hold us steady. His peace that would guide us. His peace that would fill us in ways that don't make sense. But do you know precisely WHEN he promised us this peace? Jesus promised us that peace on the edge of his own horrific storm. On the very night one of his very best friends would betray him – on the night he would be arrested – on the night before he was to bear the sin of the entire world on the cross, on the edge of the greatest storm all creation had ever seen, Jesus promised us his own peace. John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.” Jesus had immeasurable peace, and he offers us that same peace. But it's always up to us to PUT IT ON. With peace, you are ready for battle. With peace you can stand on God's promises and not worry. With peace as shoes, you can dig in with cleats and stand your ground regardless of circumstances. With peace as shoes, you can climb any mountain and overcome the obstacles in your way. You have to choose what you're walking in – Peace or worry. Worry will never win the battle. Peace already has. 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

To live without God is perhaps rather like living without the fire we should have, or without that thing that brings everything together so that what we're doing makes sense and feels natural.

First of all, sorry to begin with a sad story: I was once made a visit to someone who was severely held back in life by a mental health issue. He was truly tormented, despite having received the best of care. He told me though, that he was actually afraid of getting better because, having endured his ailment for so much of his life, he wasn't sure who he would be without it. He had allowed disorder, his cross, to define him. We each allow a variety of values to define who we are and it's a big deal because how we view ourselves shapes the choices we make around what to wear or buy, what language we use or how energy and time is spent. Some, very aware of their limits, might define themselves by their weaknesses, what they can or can't do. They may say things like, “I'm not a great athlete” or “I'm just not great first thing in the morning” and it can become progressively more self-deprecating. Holding a slightly more positive outlook, others define themselves by their strengths; they know what they're great at and what their best qualities are. They know they're strong or fast or smart and are pleased to let everyone know that's who they are. There are problems with both approaches, of course, because the various qualities someone might use to define themselves change. Someone who identifies as a good athlete is challenged when health fails or the inescapable truth of age creeps up. The one who identifies as ill is challenged when the right cure is found. Being defined by qualities, strengths or weaknesses, just eventually falls apart. Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday. Often, it's a prompt to revisit the Christian definition for who God is: three persons, one God, a true mystery. But today's feast isn't just a celebration of our Church's definition of who God is. It also celebrates the fact that God reveals himself. He reveals himself in creation. He reveals himself in the unique life of each. Best of all, he's revealed himself through Jesus and, yes, he's revealed himself as a Trinity. There may be a lot of mystery despite the best of definitions, but the Trinity remains worth celebrating because it's amazing that God reveals himself for us at all. It's also a celebration because when God reveals himself, he also reveals who each of us are. He is the maker and his mark is in each person; it's why we assert that each has been made in his image and likeness. In today's Gospel, Jesus reveals a little bit about who God is: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”[i] Through this one verse we begin defining God as one who sends his son and wishes to offer eternal life. But the same verse begins to define each of us too; it reveals that we're worth loving and we're worth saving: some very Good News! The more we learn about God the more we learn about ourselves. Without God, we're left to struggle to define ourselves; those anxious about weaknesses begin to tear themselves apart while others, honouring their strengths, can easily become prideful and even worse can happen when one group defines themselves as superior to even the smallest degree. Our faith proposes a different way: a definition based on who God says we are. Our faith proclaims that we're not defined by strengths but by our Baptism: we're first of all children of God. Our faith proclaims that we're not defined by weaknesses either but by the cross: there's no need to prove our worth when the Saviour has given his life for us. Our faith proclaims that we're not defined by any quality but by our call to share in the work of building God's Kingdom. Disciples don't define themselves but accept God's definition and this matters because those who define themselves allow their strengths or weaknesses determine how to live out faith. But disciples who accept God's definition allow him to determine how to live out strengths and weaknesses. Going back to the today's feast: as we celebrate the Trinity, how God has revealed himself as three persons, yet one God, as one who sends his son and offers eternal life, we also celebrate what it reveals about us: the Good News that we're worth loving and worth saving. But there's one more thing: God's self-revelation also unveils how we don't have to convince God of our value; we're worth loving and saving simply because God has defined us so. We only need to accept it. Father of all, we thank you for revealing yourself to us through the mystery of the Holy Trinity. May our contemplation of your revelation help us see ourselves not through our own eyes, through strengths or weaknesses, but as your beloved children, created in your image. Grant us the grace to accept the worth and dignity you have given us, trusting that we are worth loving and worth saving because you have declared it so. Following the example and command of your son, may our actions and words reveal your glory and the dignity of each person. We offer this prayer in his name. Amen. [i] John 3:16 NRSVCE

Introduction • How do you live by faith in a world of sin? 1. 'Do not fret because of evil men …' (15:1-24) • God is in control, so you can rest secure. 2. '… or be envious of the wicked.' (15:25-34) • Are you envious because the wicked have power? 3. 'For the evil man has no future hope …' (16:1-14) • Without God, this life is all they have. 4. '… and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.' (16:15-34) • Look at what God did to all these kings – and repent! Conclusion • The ministry of Elijah is a prelude to the light of the Gospel. • 'As for me and my household, we will trust in the LORD!'

Without God's perfect love, we cannot be free from condemnation and the bondage that we all face here on earth. But with God, we can live life and live it abundantly. Before knowing the Lord, Marina was living in bondage. Hear Marina’s incredible testimony and the ways God is using her story now as she serves in the Samaritan’s Purse Germany office. This episode was created by Samaritan's Purse and is part of their On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast content, shared with permission. Resources: Listen to “Fighting Spiritual Battles: Human Trafficking in Berlin,” to hear more about Alabaster Jar and how God is transforming hearts amid spiritual darkness. Marina Nobiling, director of national programs at the Samaritan’s Purse Germany office, shed light on the current cultural and spiritual climate of Germany and talked about the ongoing Samaritan’s Purse projects in the country. There is an immense need for the Gospel to be preached in Germany and for Bible-believing churches to step up and lead. “We want to stand for the Gospel. We want to stand for Jesus … And we want to show in our programs and projects what it's like to be with Him; to be living with Jesus.” – Marina Nobiling Before coming to Christ, Marina said she was not merely neutral towards God, she was an enemy. Marina was in bondage—she battled an eating disorder and anxiety for years to the point of planning to take her own life. But when Marina had an encounter with the Lord, everything changed. “And I had a voice in my head: ‘I want you to live. And you can do it with my help’ … It was beyond any doubt clear. That's Jesus. My whole life I had the wrong thinking. That's not true. God exists.” – Marina Nobiling Marina went from believing that the Gospel was an old superstition to knocking on the door of the nearest church, asking to be baptized. She was on fire for God. Marina now takes this compassion to the streets of Berlin, ministering to women who are trapped in prostitution. She remembers what it was like to be in bondage and desires for others like her to be free; to be transformed by the love of Christ. Life can be hard, and Marina still struggles, but she has something to turn to that cannot be shaken: God’s Word. Marina created a “first aid kit” with Psalms and Scriptures that speak to her when she is fighting lies or feeling weighed down by fears. Her favorite verse, Isaiah 43:1, reminds her that she belongs to the Lord—nothing can take that away. “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” – Isaiah 43:1, ESV If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Just as newborn infants need milk to survive, our souls desperately need spiritual nourishment to grow in God.Morning Offering, May 28, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com (https://bit.ly/42RYLJa)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Summary: Ms. G shares an inspiring message about the importance of seeking God's guidance before making decisions. Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, she emphasizes trusting God's timing to avoid unnecessary hardships.Takeaways:Rushing decisions without prayer can lead to negative consequences.Trusting in God's timing can be a form of divine preparation.Recognizing God's signs and warnings is crucial in decision-making.Patience and faith are essential during slow seasons.Proverbs 3:5-6 highlights the importance of trusting God.Delays can be protective and preparatory rather than denials.Faith involves trusting God even when uncomfortable.Prayer is powerful before making decisions.Conclusion:Patience and prayer are your strongest tools in trusting divine timing. Stay anchored in faith and let God lead to avoid unnecessary confusion and embrace His perfect plan.

I've done some dumb things in my life. I'm pretty sure you have too ?' and later we wear the consequences. Question is ?' how can we avoid making those same mistakes again? Join Berni Dymet as he takes a look at life, from a different perspective. Support the show: https://christianityworks.com/channels/adp/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailThis message, drawn from Ephesians 2:11–13, powerfully contrasts the spiritual condition of Gentiles before Christ—alienated, hopeless, and separated by religious and cultural barriers—with their present reality in Christ, where they are brought near through His sacrificial blood. It emphasizes that salvation is not earned by ethnic identity, ritual observance, or moral effort, but is a divine gift of grace through faith, which abolishes the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile by fulfilling the ceremonial law and creating one new humanity in Christ. The message underscores that all people, regardless of background, were once far from God and without hope, but are now reconciled to Him through the atoning work of Jesus, who is both peace between God and humanity and the unity of all believers. The tone is deeply pastoral and convicting, calling listeners to humility, gratitude, and evangelistic urgency, while affirming that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, not even the most broken or marginalized.Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.I. CHRIST IS OUR PEACE (11-16)    A. (Separation) THE GENTILES' CONDITION "BEFORE" CHRIST'S COMING  (11-12)1.      Without Christ2.      Without the Nation or Aliens from the nation of Israel3.      Without the promises or Strangers from the covenants of promise4.      Without hope 5.      Without God in the world    B. (Reconciliation) THE GENTILES' CONDITION "THROUGH" CHRIST'S DYING (13-16)      1. Made near by the blood of Christ (13)      2. Now "one body" with the Jews (14)because...         a. Jesus has made Jew and Gentile both one, breaking down the wall of division between them (14)         b. Jesus abolished in His flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances that had separated them (15)         c. Jesus now reconciles them both to God in one body through the cross (16)             Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?              John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.               “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32           Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.      &nbs

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be without God in this world? In this episode of Words From The Word, Pastor Roderick Webster opens Ephesians 2:12 (KJV) and walks through Romans 1, Galatians 1:4, and 2 Corinthians 4:4 to show how mankind turned away from God — not by accident, but by choice. You will learn why the church must remain a light, how Satan works to blind unbelievers, and why the blood of Christ is the only thing that can bring those who are far from God near to Him again. This is a word of warning and a word of hope. Subscribe to Words From The Word wherever you listen to podcasts.

Are you carrying the weight of a life that feels hopeless or far from God? In today's Words From The Word devotion, Pastor Roderick Webster draws from Ephesians 2:12 (KJV) to explore five conditions the Gentiles once lived under — and what it means to no longer live that way. You will learn what a divine covenant truly is, why believers grieve with hope rather than without it, and how Paul's bold message at Mars Hill still speaks to people searching for the true God. Whether you are a believer needing encouragement or someone still searching, this devotion is for you. Subscribe to Words From The Word wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this message from May 17th, 2026, Pastor Robby Gallaty preaches from Exodus 33 and what Moses tells God. Speaker: Robby Gallaty

Smoke-like days. A heart that feels withered. A prayer that has no energy left for polite words. We start with Psalm 102 because it tells the truth about what distress feels like and because it refuses to end the story there. When life is heavy, we need language that can carry grief, anger, and exhaustion straight to God without pretending we're fine.From that Scripture foundation, we respond to hard headlines and the emotions they stir up: sorrow for victims, anger at evil, and the question of what a nation owes its families in terms of safety, justice, and moral clarity. We also talk about immigration and assimilation through a blunt, values-first lens and why we believe a freedom-loving culture can't survive on drift and denial. You may not agree with every conclusion, but you'll hear exactly how we connect faith, responsibility, and public life.We then read Song of Solomon 2:1–7 as a marriage verse and move into John 1:29–51, where John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God and Jesus keeps it simple: “Come and see.” We camp on the claim that it's Christ alone, the only mediator and the only way back to the Father. We close with Proverbs 14 on prudence, a Medal of Honor rescue that highlights courage, a Reagan quote on unity under God, and the Lord's Prayer.If this episode helps you think, pray, or act with more clarity, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.#BacktoGod#ChristianNation#AmericanHeritageSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribeCountryside Book Serieshttps://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2 

Josh opens the show reflecting on America’s 250th anniversary and the growing debate over where faith fits into the future of the country. Josh discusses the troubling decline in prayer, the abandonment of Sabbath rest, and what happens to a nation when it drifts away from its spiritual foundation. He explains why the Ten Commandments still matter today and argues that returning to those timeless truths would put the country on a far better path. Josh is also joined by former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback to discuss President Trump’s trip to China and whether any real progress can be made on religious freedom under the Chinese government. The two also dive into the broader U.S.-China relationship and what’s truly at stake between the world’s two superpowers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Roman officer watches Jesus die and blurts out a verdict he can't take back: “Surely this man was innocent.” We start there, in Luke 23, with darkness over the land and Jesus entrusting His spirit to the Father and then we follow the story into Luke 24 where the women find an empty tomb and the world turns right-side up again.From that anchor, we shift into prayer for your marriage, your family, and your protection, and we read Genesis 9 on God's command to be fruitful and multiply. We talk honestly about population decline, the pressure to chase comfort and status, and how easy it is for Christians to treat God's commands as optional when they collide with our preferred standard of living. We also reflect on guilt and repentance through Proverbs 14 and on God's justice, holiness, forgiveness, and discipline through Psalm 99.The second half widens out into cultural commentary and American heritage. We mention a recent crime story used to argue against defending illegal immigration, and we reference an honor killing case while discussing fears about ideology, assimilation, and the health of Western civilization. We then turn to history with a Medal of Honor citation and close with George Washington on Providence and his warning that good government requires God and the Bible.If you're looking for a Christian podcast that blends Bible reading, marriage encouragement, and civic reflection, hit play, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.#GeorgeWashington #FoundingFathers#ChristianNation Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribeCountryside Book Serieshttps://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2 

This week Dr. Gregg Mays is joined by his wife, Son Hui Mays. They talk about how God can be found in the most unexpected places. This story is one about God at the boarding gate. Recently Son was supposed to fly to South Korea, but there was an unexpected “hiccup” that turned into a divine appointment. Son tells how “God helped me at the boarding gate.”Without God's intervention, Son was in for a long layover in Seattle, WA or a long stay at the Inchon airport in South Korea. Listen to their story of how God intervened and the result has been the most peaceful travel delay, which has included God moving in ways that could be described as a miracle.How can Agape Leaders serve you?  Please find us at:         Website:  http://www.agapeleaders.org/    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-mays/      Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/agapeleaders.org     Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/agapeleaders10/    Bible Break With Agape Leaders: http://www.agapeleaders.org/daily-devotionTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greggmaysYouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCmM7ETR652mLtDSKSjda-pwGet Your Copy of the A Word Wednesday Devotion: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Word+Wednesday+Devotion&ref=nav_bb_sbRead Dr. Mays' book Practical Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=practical+leadership+lessons+from+an+average+leader&crid=259U5RNS5J5W5&sprefix=Practical+Leadership%2Caps%2C102&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_20Give to ALCFM: http://www.agapeleaders.org/store/p15/Agape_Leaders_Christian_Fellowship_Ministry_Support.html

It doesn't take long for something new to lose its appeal. Dr. Tony Evans explains how that fading satisfaction reveals a deeper truth that life without God will always fall short of real purpose.

It doesn't take long for something new to lose its appeal. Dr. Tony Evans explains how that fading satisfaction reveals a deeper truth that life without God will always fall short of real purpose.

It doesn't take long for something new to lose its appeal. Dr. Tony Evans explains how that fading satisfaction reveals a deeper truth that life without God will always fall short of real purpose.

Where is your hope? I've engaged Dawkins and Hitchens—and saw how even atheists wrestle with meaning. In a noisy world, we avoid the deeper question: what are we trusting in? I've found real hope anchored in the resurrection of Jesus.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really mean to be a “good person” … and who gets to define that?In this thought-provoking episode of the Strong By Design Podcast, Coach Chris Wilson sits down with friend and co-host Pastor Jared Haley to tackle one of the most important and misunderstood questions of our time:Can you be good without God?From the outside, “goodness” seems simple: be kind, do the right thing, help others. But as Chris and Jared unpack throughout this conversation, the deeper you go, the more complex it becomes. Is goodness just behavior? Is it intention? Or is there a higher standard we're often ignoring?Together, they explore the tension between cultural definitions of being “nice” and the biblical idea of true righteousness. You'll hear honest insights on human nature, the limits of moral effort, and why even our best actions may fall short of a perfect standard.This episode isn't about pointing fingers; it's about asking better questions.Questions like:Why is defining “good” harder than we think? Are we shaped more by habit, wiring, or something deeper? Can a polished reputation actually hide deeper issues? What do everyday decisions reveal about who we really are? You'll also discover how small, consistent actions (micro-habits) shape character over time and why embracing the tension in life, rather than avoiding it, may be the key to growth.Whether you're a person of faith, exploring spirituality, or just trying to live a meaningful life, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and sharpen your perspective. Time Stamps00:00 – Why your natural gifts aren't an accident00:50 – Welcome to the Strong by Design podcast!1:15 – Join hosts Chris Wilson and Jared Haley for today's special episode1:35 – The truth about the male brain no one talks about6:03 – Why “being good” is harder to define than you think9:33 – The hidden patterns shaping who you really are12:38 – Why perfection might be out of reach15:43 – Know the gap between politeness and real goodness24:48 – Ethical dilemmas that don't have a "right" answer.30:52 – Why a "perfect" reputation is often a dangerous sign34:52 – Micro-Habits, Macro-Change42:03 – Modern assumptions about faith and community49:51 – How the smallest moments reveal who you truly are55:54 – Embracing the tension at the center of the human experience58:09 – Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast! Resources:You Version Bible App Connect with Chris:Instagram Connect with Jared:InstagramSupport the showConnect w/ Critical Bench: YoutubeFacebookInstagramCriticalBench.comCriticalNutritionLabs.comStrongByDesignPodcast.com

Without God, sin only spreads.  Our sin is malignant (2 Sam. 13:1-22)​ Our sin metastasizes (2 Sam. 13:23-38)

Message from Alvin Litonjua on April 26, 2026

Today, we dive into the pattern no one wants to talk about. Moral collapse at the top. Influence without integrity. Leaders building towers on sand, only to see them crumble. Paul M. Neuberger drops the gloves and names the root: a culture stripped of Christ. This isn't about one man or one party. It's about what happens when power grows faster than holiness—when ego outpaces repentance, and truth takes a back seat to image.Because here's the reality—Jesus is still Lord, even when scandal covers the news. Even when the world shrugs off sin as business as usual.The battle lines are drawn. What are you going to do when your moment of truth arrives?"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." –Luke 12:2Episode Highlights07:24 - When somebody operates in positions of power, without a foundation rooted in Christ, without accountability to something higher than themselves, without a fear of God that restrains their actions, the outcome is not uncertain, it's inevitable. Power amplifies what's already inside a person. It doesn't transform them, it reveals them. If humility is inside, power reveals humility. If integrity is inside, power reveals integrity. But if pride, lust, greed and selfish ambition, if those things are inside, power doesn't suppress those items, it magnifies them.29:26 - Because when the fear of God is present, integrity is no longer optional, it becomes a non negotiable. Decisions are no longer based solely on what is beneficial, but on what's right. Actions are no longer filtered through optics, but through obedience. Now imagine leadership environments where that's the standard—where leaders are more concerned with honoring God than maintaining image. Where truth is spoken even when it costs influence. Where conviction leads to repentance instead of cover-ups. That's not idealistic...that's biblical.47:21 - It starts with us. It starts with individuals choosing truth over comfort, integrity over image, conviction over compromise. Because when enough people make that single shift, culture is going to begin to change. As a result, leadership is going to begin to change. And over time, systems begin to reflect said change. This is why we speak so boldly at the C Suite for Christ Movement. This is why I personally put out such bold and unapologetic aggressive content. This is how we address difficult topics. This is why we refuse to stay silent any longer. Not because power, politics is the answer. Of course it ain't. Only Jesus is. And if we truly believe that, then we don't just say it. We live it.Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite

The names of God reveal his character, his ways and who he is for you personally. God has invited you into a relationship journey with him, and knowing all of his names mentioned in scripture will build your relationship with him. After all, he knows everything about you – don't you think it's important we learn all we can about him too? Name are important in the bible. When a family named their child, it was with great thought and intention. That name would become their identity. God has an identity to share with us in his names. An identity that gives us promises. Psalm 9:10, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.” Now, let's get to know his names so we can trust him even deeper. First, the name God gives himself, YHWH. The name YHWH appears over 6,000 times in Scripture, but in English we see it translated in a unique way – LORD (all caps). Every time you see LORD (all caps) in your bible, what you're actually seeing is the ancient Hebrew, YHWH. Look at Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my Shepherd” it's actually saying “YHWH is my Shepherd.” Ancient Hebrew did not include vowels. It was hard to read and very few people knew how to read. So instead God's word was heard and then memorized. While those original transcripts of Hebrew bible include the written name of God as YHWH, it wasn't spoken and therefore lost. Why wasn't the name of God spoken? Jewish tradition was to never speak the name of God aloud out of reverence. (Exodus 20:7, “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.” What they wouldn't even speak, we use so casually. Where is our awe? Where is our reverence? Most scholars believe “Yahweh” is the closest reconstruction of how YHWH was originally pronounced, This name, YHWH, the name of God ,sounds like breathing. God gives himself a name we cannot speak, but instead we BREATHE. YHWH. This name, YHWH, is made of breathy consonants with no vowels. It couldn't be pronounced, but rather breathed in and breathed out. Inhale YH Exhale WH In awe, in reverence. YHWH. Later, we added vowels to make it a name we could pronounce, Yahweh, the name of our God. This is a name introduced in Genesis 2 now appearing as LORD in all caps, but explained in Exodus 3: 15 when Moses asked God for his name and God answers with, “Yahweh, the God of your ancestors – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” YHWH – Root word “to be” – the self-existing one, the ever-present one (the ONLY one who can say this) Inhale YH Exhale WH The name of our God through breath. Your breath is a God-given rhythm of dependence. Genesis 2:7, “God breathed life into us.” Without God, you don't breathe. Without God, your lungs have no air. Without God, you simply do not exist. The moment he stops filling your lungs with his breath is the moment you no longer exist in this life. You are, and always have been, and always will be, completely dependent on God. It is the rhythm of your breath. Inhale, God I need you. Exhale, thank you, I give it back to you. Now God I need you again, inhale. Think of breathing like a game of catch. God throws you breathe, you receive it, then you give it back to him. And so the rhythm continues. Given and received, then given back, to receive again. And this is NOT AN ACCIDENT. This is God-designed for his creation. A rhythm of dependence that speaks his holy name. With your very first breath, you spoke the name of God. YHWH. – Psalm 8:2 MSG, “Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk and silence atheist babble.” In every crisis that caused you to gasp for air, you spoke the name of God louder. YHWH. With complete unawareness on an average of 20,000 times every day of your life, you've been speaking the name of God. YHWH. And in your final breath, you will speak his name. YHWH. All of creation is wired to speak the name of the Creator. Psalm 150:6 (the very last line of all of the book of Psalm closes with), “Let everything that breaths sing praises to the LORD!” Every inhale is a gift. Every exhale is a reminder. Every breath is a connection, calling on the name of our God. YHWH. You breathe with no intention, it's just natural. You breathe without awareness, it's habit. You breathe for survival, but truly it's sacred. Since the very beginning, you were designed to speak the sacred name of God with your every breath. Let's return to our posture of AWE – God is too holy to speak of casually, so let us breathe with awe and reverence. God gives himself a name we cannot speak, but instead we BREATHE. YHWH. Your life is meant to be a constant communion and connection with God. You don't have to constantly be in prayer, how about you just start being aware of what your breath really is – a call to the name of God. A connection with your creator and your sustainer. Remember, when you see LORD in all caps in your Bible, this is YHWH, the name God reveals of himself. The name that is spoken in your breath. Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my Shepherd” means YHWH. The I AM. The self-existing one. The ever-present one. The only one given the name YHWH which we speak with our breath. Girl, that's your Shepherd. Whom shall you fear? He's the one guiding you. He's the one taking care of you. He's the one staying close to you. YHWH is your Shepherd, you have absolutely nothing to worry about – ever. Now, when we read it, may we recognize this isn't just a title, this is a personal name. The name God has given himself. The name he created us to breathe our entire lives as we draw close to him. 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

Digital diary entries to explore my racing thoughts, to challenge my own assumptions, to examine and name my emotions, to express my feelings, while applying God's truth over my everyday situations..

It's Witness Wednesday! Todd Friel goes to the University of Georgia to engage students in candid, thought-provoking conversations about morality, truth, and Christianity. Through a series of real-world encounters, Todd challenges students to define wisdom, justify their moral beliefs, and explain why they hold their worldview. As conversations unfold, many students struggle to ground their beliefs in objective truth, ultimately leading to discussions about whether morality requires a higher authority—namely, God. Segment 1 • Todd asks Jared “What is wisdom”—and can you prove your definition is actually right? • If morality is just how you were raised… who are you to say anyone is wrong? • Christian student Jared hits a wall trying to justify “right and wrong” without appealing to a higher authority. Segment 2 • You say you're a Christian—but do you actually know why you believe it? • Presbyterian Yuhan admits his faith is inherited, not examined—does that describe you too? • If you've never tested your beliefs, how confident should you really be? Segment 3 • Can you call something evil (like Hitler or eugenics) without an objective standard? • Darian gives sharp answers—until extreme scenarios expose the limits of relativism. • The conversation forces a turning point: do morals require a higher authority like God? Segment 4 • Can you call yourself a Christian… but still not explain why someone should believe? • John struggles to give a compelling reason for Christianity—until justice, judgment, and eternity come into focus. • The gospel becomes unavoidable: if sin isn't punished, how can God be just—and what did Jesus actually accomplish? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Betrayal hurts most when it comes from someone close and Psalm 55 doesn't soften that reality. We open with David's words about being wounded by “my equal, my companion,” then connect that ancient grief to a present-day world where violence is not theoretical and where our choices, from personal habits to national policy, carry real consequences. I also start with prayer, asking God to forgive us when we abandon the weak and to help us defend the widow and the orphan with steadiness, patience, and courage. From there, I take aim at the stories Hollywood sells about danger and self-defense. Real life is not a comic book, and pretending otherwise can get people hurt. I talk about what multiple fighting instructors have told me for years: if you can only choose one path of training for a woman facing a larger attacker, firearms beat hand-to-hand skills. We then return to Scripture with Ephesians 5:22–33, treating marriage as a one-flesh covenant that mirrors Christ and the church, and I ask what it means to actually live out respect, sacrificial love, and responsibility. We wrap with several snapshots that tie faith to history and civic life: a Berlin Christmas market attack, a Medal of Honor story about Navy Lieutenant Commander Alan Buchanan, and a powerful Dwight D. Eisenhower message on God-given rights and the danger of letting the state claim it is the author of human rights. If you want a Christian perspective on Psalm 55, marriage in Ephesians 5, prayer, courage, and freedom, listen through to the end, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.#DwightDEisenhower#Psalm55#ChristianNationSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribeCountryside Book Serieshttps://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2 

In this episode of the Outlaw God podcast, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson turn to Psalm 51 to explore sin, repentance, and the human will. Drawing on Luther's teaching, they show how David's confession comes after God's Word confronts him through the law and restores him through the gospel. The discussion emphasizes that repentance is not self-improvement but God's work of creating a new heart in the sinner. Psalm 51 is presented as a living prayer that teaches how God moves sinners from death to forgiveness. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: 1517 Youtube: How God Still Speaks Today Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Translated by Dr. Derek Cooper More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Steven Paulson

This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with JOURNAL author Jay Watts about his article, “What Does the World Look Like Without God? Deconstruction and Unanswered Prayers.” Coming Soon!This is also part of Jay's ongoing column, Ethical Apologetics.For the specific older article mentioned in the podcast please see David Hume's Fatally Flawed Arguments against Miracle Reports. One way you can support our online articles and podcasts is by leaving us a tip. A tip is just a small amount, like $3, $5, or $10, which is the cost of a latte, lunch out, or coffee drink. To leave a tip, click here.Related articles and podcasts by this author:Episode 485: The Problem of Platforming on Anger The Problem of Platforming on AngerEpisode 469: The Incredulity of Yuval Noah Harari: Evaluating the World's Foremost Big Story Historian “The Incredulity of Yuval Noah Harari: Evaluating the World's Foremost Big Story Historian'”Episode 441: Exploring “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) Decisions with Hope“Exploring “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) Decisions with Hope“ Don't miss an episode; please subscribe to the Postmodern Realities podcast wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Please help spread the word about Postmodern Realities by giving us a rating and review when you subscribe to the podcast. The more ratings and reviews we have, the more new listeners can discover our content.

In this sermon, Dr. Oheneba Boadum explores the spiritual consequences of human autonomy, contrasting a life of divine dependence with the "haste of civilization." He uses the biblical narrative of Cain and Seth to illustrate how humanity often builds systems—such as cities, arts, and technology—to compensate for a lost sense of God's presence. The sermon argues that while the line of Cain focused on sensual innovation and self-sufficiency, the lineage of Seth represents a return to worship and holiness. Ultimately, Boadum encourages us to move away from secular self-reliance and rediscover an intimate, prayerful connection with the Creator. This teaching emphasizes that true restoration is found by placing spiritual devotion above the distractions of modern societal progress.

Easter centers on the most important message in human history: Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul explains that this message is not simply religious tradition—it is the foundation of the Christian faith and the only true hope humanity has in the face of death.Jesus lived an ordinary life for most of His years, but during His three-year public ministry He taught with authority and performed miracles that drew thousands of eyewitnesses across the region. Yet despite the power and compassion of His ministry, religious leaders viewed Him as a threat and pressured Roman authorities to crucify Him. When Jesus died, even His closest followers believed the story was over.But the story didn't end at the cross.On the third day, the tomb was empty. Jesus appeared alive to His disciples, to skeptics like Thomas, to His own brother James, and even to more than 500 people at one time. These eyewitnesses didn't merely claim that Jesus rose from the dead—they built their lives on that conviction and many ultimately gave their lives defending it.Paul explains that the resurrection changes everything. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then faith is meaningless and death remains undefeated. But because Jesus rose, death no longer has the final word. Through the resurrection, God has defeated sin, broken the power of death, and offered eternal life to all who trust in Christ.This message also confronts a deep reality of the human experience: death is unavoidable. Every person eventually faces its grief, its loss, and its questions. Yet the resurrection reveals that death is not the end of the story. Because Jesus conquered the grave, those who belong to Him will also be raised and transformed into eternal life.Without God, we tend to build our lives around temporary pursuits—success, relationships, achievement, or status. But these things cannot ultimately satisfy the deepest questions of life or overcome the reality of death. Only the risen Christ offers the hope that our hearts are searching for.In this message, we explore:✔ Why the resurrection is the most important message ever proclaimed✔ The eyewitness evidence that confirms Jesus truly rose from the dead✔ What the resurrection means for our faith and our future✔ Why death is humanity's greatest problem—and how Jesus defeated it✔ The hope of eternal life for those who trust in Christ✔ Why the resurrection forces every person to consider who Jesus truly isEaster invites each of us to wrestle with the same question people have faced for over two thousand years: What will you do with the resurrection of Jesus?Because if Christ truly rose from the dead, it changes everything.

Cities Without God: The Haste of Civilization explores how human civilization began not as a neutral progress story, but as a response to life outside God's immediate presence. From Adam and Eve's loss of glory and shame entering the world, to Cain's murder, exile, and city-building, the sermon shows how humanity began to compensate for lost intimacy with God through invention, self-protection, sensuality, and autonomy. The line of Cain becomes a picture of a hurried, self-made civilization—marked by polygamy, violence, and technological advancement—while the line of Seth marks the return to worship and dependence on the Lord.  The message calls believers away from self-sufficient living and back to the place of reverence, worship, and trust in God's presence.

We don't just need God's help with the big things…we need his help with EVERYTHING.Reading Plan: Worship - Psalm 39:7-13Wisdom - Proverbs 10:6-8Witness - Joshua 7-9Visit https://www.revivalfromthebible.com/ for more information.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260328dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:15-17 Living by the Spirit There is probably nothing more important to a child’s well-being than having loving and caring parents. When children feel safe, cared for, and nurtured, they tend to be more obedient, perform better in school, and learn how to build relationships with others. However, when children live in constant fear of a parent, just the opposite often happens. They suffer in school, have low self-esteem, and find it difficult to trust others. God gave us life by his Spirit when he led us to trust in his Son, Jesus. This gift of his Spirit changed our relationship with our heavenly Father. The apostle Paul says it this way: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship.” Without God’s Spirit in our hearts, we would fear God and have nothing to look forward to except his judgment on our sin. But the Spirit leads us to see Jesus—the one who became our sin, so that we could be God’s forgiven children. Right now, we can be confident that God loves and cares for us as we await the glorious inheritance, he has waiting for us. This wonderful truth not only changes our future, but it changes our present. Instead of living as slaves to our sinful nature with nothing but death as our future, we can live as God’s grateful children, making the most of every opportunity to thank our Father. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help me to always remember that through Jesus, I am your dear child and you are my dear Father. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260328dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:15-17 Living by the Spirit There is probably nothing more important to a child’s well-being than having loving and caring parents. When children feel safe, cared for, and nurtured, they tend to be more obedient, perform better in school, and learn how to build relationships with others. However, when children live in constant fear of a parent, just the opposite often happens. They suffer in school, have low self-esteem, and find it difficult to trust others. God gave us life by his Spirit when he led us to trust in his Son, Jesus. This gift of his Spirit changed our relationship with our heavenly Father. The apostle Paul says it this way: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship.” Without God’s Spirit in our hearts, we would fear God and have nothing to look forward to except his judgment on our sin. But the Spirit leads us to see Jesus—the one who became our sin, so that we could be God’s forgiven children. Right now, we can be confident that God loves and cares for us as we await the glorious inheritance, he has waiting for us. This wonderful truth not only changes our future, but it changes our present. Instead of living as slaves to our sinful nature with nothing but death as our future, we can live as God’s grateful children, making the most of every opportunity to thank our Father. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help me to always remember that through Jesus, I am your dear child and you are my dear Father. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Professed ex-atheist Christopher Beha has written that falling in love was his ticket back to God. Seth examines this claim and reads some other interesting articles of the week.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

White Oak Baptist Church

White Oak Baptist Church

In this episode of Do The Work | Mindset Mastery There are moments in life where everything feels right. You look around and you realize the work, the sacrifice, and the discipline have created something meaningful. But then something small happens and your mind begins to drift. Fear shows up. Doubt creeps in. Anxiety begins whispering questions that were never there before. I had one of those weeks. It was a roller coaster of emotion. The highest appreciation for the life I have built and then suddenly a wave of fear and doubt. And it reminded me of something that every one of us needs to understand if we want to lead our lives with clarity and strength. A moment in time does not define who you are. Understanding a Moment in Time A moment in time is simply a temporary emotional or mental state that appears in response to circumstances. It is a snapshot. It is not your identity. We experience pressure. We experience success. We experience fear. We experience uncertainty. But those feelings are simply information from our mind and body about what is happening around us. What truly matters is not the moment itself. What matters is how we respond. This realization came to me while I was on vacation with my family in Turks and Caicos. I was sitting on the beach in deep appreciation for everything that had been created in my life. My daughter had just turned seventeen. My other daughter was in Spain. I felt grateful for the journey that had brought us there. And then my mind traveled backward. I began thinking about who I was at seventeen years old. That thought took me back to a moment in my life when I was fighting for my life. I went from appreciation to pain in seconds simply because my mind chose to revisit a story from the past. And I had to stop myself. Why was I leaving a moment of gratitude to relive something that I had already overcome? The answer was simple. My mind was trying to create contrast. It was trying to bring balance to a moment that felt almost too good. But the truth is that we do not have to stay there. Bringing Yourself Back to the Present After that moment I reminded myself of something powerful. I am here now. That phrase changes everything. It reminds us that the past does not control us unless we allow it to. It reminds us that our current circumstances are the only place where we have the power to act. And this lesson showed up again when I returned home. We discovered that one of our dogs was struggling to breathe. We rushed him to the animal hospital and the doctors discovered that his lung had started leaking air. It had happened spontaneously. There was no clear reason. Suddenly the emotional shift happened again. The cost of the treatment was high. My mind immediately started replaying every financial decision I had made recently. The trip. The investments in the business. The new building. The furniture we were ordering. I began questioning everything. But then I caught myself. Instead of going down that road I asked a simple question. What am I going to do next? The answer was obvious. We were going to take care of the problem. We had the resources. We had worked for those resources. There was no reason to sit in fear when the solution was already clear. That was the moment I said something that changed my mindset completely. Thank you God. It was easy to say those words when I was sitting on the beach feeling grateful. But it mattered even more to say them when things became challenging. Because gratitude should not only exist in moments of success. Gratitude must also exist in moments of pressure. The Story We Tell Ourselves Many of the struggles we experience come from the stories we create in our own minds. One moment becomes a narrative. That narrative becomes part of our identity. And before we know it we start believing something about ourselves that is simply not true. I see this happen all the time with people who step away from their goals. Someone stops showing up for a while. They stop posting content. They stop attending meetings. And then they begin telling themselves that it is too late to come back. Weeks turn into months. Months turn into years. But the truth is simple. You can always say one sentence. I am here now. That is all it takes to reset your path. Challenging the Thoughts of Yesterday Years ago in March of 2020 I wrote a journal entry during a very difficult period in my life. There was fear. There was frustration. There was anxiety about the future of the business and the direction we were heading. I questioned myself. I questioned my leadership. I questioned my ability to navigate the challenges we were facing. But in that journal entry I asked myself one powerful question. What would happen if you were free of these thoughts? The answer became my instruction. I would be confident. I would focus on the journey. I would execute. I would love my life. I would stay present with my family. That moment in time did not define my character. It was simply feedback about where my mind had wandered. Since that moment our organization has grown tremendously. Our brokerage has more than doubled. Our agents are producing at levels that we once only imagined. But the most important realization is this. The same thoughts still show up from time to time. The difference now is that I recognize them quickly and I respond differently. Choosing Your Response Growth does not come from learning something new every day. Growth comes from challenging the thoughts that held you back yesterday. When fear shows up you have two options. You can allow that moment to become your identity. Or you can give yourself clear instructions on what to do next. Move forward. Execute. Trust that the work you have put in will carry you through the challenge. A moment in time does not define your life. Your response does. And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do in that moment is pause and say thank you. Thank you for the challenge. Thank you for the awareness. Thank you for the opportunity to grow. Because every moment is simply an invitation to become stronger. Reflective Questions When you experience fear or doubt, do you treat it as a defining moment or simply a temporary state? What story are you currently telling yourself that may not actually be true? What is one action you can take today that would move you forward instead of staying stuck in your thoughts? Notable Quotes "A moment in time is a snapshot of how you feel or think in that instant. It is not your identity." "I am here now." "With God I shall not fear. Without God the world controls my emotions."   Follow A.Z. Araujo on Social Media: Instagram: @azaraujo Facebook: A.Z. Araujo TikTok: A.Z. Araujo YouTube: Do The Work Podcast   For Real Estate Agents in AZ: Learn more about Do The Work Coaching and A.Z. & Associates: dothework.com/azaa   Upcoming Events: If you're a real estate brokerage owner, sign up for one of our upcoming events. Visit: dothework.com bigmoneybrokerage.com Join my mailing list for updates!   New Do The Work Gear: Check out the latest DTW and Do The Work Gear! Hats, shirts, journals, and more: • • shop.dothework.com

I. Remember the ancient and arrogant antagonism between Jews and Gentiles, v11. II. Remember the sad alienation of the Gentiles, v12. III. Rejoice in the inclusive atonement of Christ, v13.

Welcome to today's Guided Prayer, where we invite you to find a quiet space to still your mind and body.  Guided Prayers are a daily 5–10 minute, intentionally created moment to slow down and meet with God—through scripture, reflection, and honest prayer.It's not a program you attend.It's a pathway you practice.A guided space where people can stop, breathe, and connect with Jesus—every single day.

The Big Bang is an explanation for the origin of the universe that denies that God had any involvement.  However, to make what we observe in the universe and what we assume the results of the Big Bang should be, Dark Matter and Dark Energy must be proposed.  This program discusses the "Dark Universe."  

The cultural hangovers of Christianity are well attested.Recently, people who were once describing themselves as ‘New Atheists' have gone as far as to call themselves ‘Cultural Christians', due to the prevalence of Christian thought in modern ethics.But what if the great dream of the New Atheists eventually succeeded?What would a world where God was actually dead look like?FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - click here.CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.  Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative and a point of contact for church pastors interested in engaging with our work here at Undeceptions.  Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actor today was Dakotah Love. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

Even the sharpest minds and fiercest skeptics eventually face the question: can the truth of God's love and salvation persuade a heart to believe?

Friends of the Rosary,Without God, we are inevitably destined to dissatisfaction. It's impossible to reach joy, hope, and peace — the living water Jesus spoke of with the Samaritan woman (Jn 4:13-14).She represents the existential dissatisfaction of one who does not find what he seeks.Man is able to provide affection, money, power, human glory, honor, career, but the endless joy only belongs to the divine, infinite sphere.The living water is the gift of the Holy Spirit that only Christ the Lord offers. It's the water that flows only from the divine source. It's the living water of the Spirit that can quench man's thirst for the infinite.And the faithful receive the gift of God when they renounce a self-centered mentality.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play⁠• March 9, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

The Dismantling of the Religious Self Four Lenten Reflections on Delusion, Abandonment, and the Life That Remains in God “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24 The fathers speak very little about religious success. They speak constantly about religious delusion. Not because religion is false, but because the ego can survive inside it indefinitely. It can pray. It can fast. It can obey. It can sacrifice. It can appear humble. It can appear faithful. It can appear entirely given to God. And yet never cease to exist as the center of its own life. The religious self is the final refuge of autonomy. It is the last structure to collapse. Christ did not come merely to forgive sin. He came to destroy the self that lives apart from Him and to raise the person into a life that is no longer his own. This destruction does not occur all at once. It occurs in stages. First, the destruction of false fulfillment. Then, the destruction of false righteousness. Then, the destruction of the self that believed it belonged to God. And finally, the revelation of the life that remains when the self that lived has died. This is not metaphor. It is the path. First Reflection The False Light That Feeds on Devotion On Seeking Fulfillment in Religious Things Instead of God “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?” Psalm 41:3 (42:2) Evagrios of Pontus returns again and again to the command of the Lord because he knows the tragedy of the human heart. The command is heard. It is repeated. It is admired. But it is not yet obeyed. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Matthew 6:33 This is not because the man refuses God. It is because he does not yet know how to live from Him. The soul seeks life with a desperation deeper than thought. It cannot endure emptiness. It cannot endure groundlessness. It must drink from something. And until it drinks from God Himself, it will drink from what surrounds Him. This is the beginning of the spiritual life for nearly every man. He turns away from obvious sin. He enters the life of prayer. He begins to fast. He reads the Scriptures. He studies the Fathers. He orders his days toward obedience and repentance. He removes himself from the chaos of the world and places himself among holy things. Everything outwardly moves toward God. But inwardly, something subtle and terrible begins to form. The man begins to live not from God, but from religious life itself. He begins to draw life from proximity. From belonging to the Church. From serving others. From participating in sacred rhythms. From being known as faithful. From being recognized as someone who has given his life to God. These things give him structure. They give him identity. They give him continuity. They give him the sense that his life has weight and meaning. And this feels like life. But it is not yet life in God. Christ did not say blessed are those who surround themselves with religious things. He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 The branch may rest against the vine. It may touch the vine. It may appear connected to the vine. But unless the life of the vine flows into it, it remains dead. St. Isaac the Syrian speaks with terrifying clarity about this condition. He writes that the soul seeks rest relentlessly, but until it rests in God, it will rest in created things. Even in holy things. Even in prayer itself. Because prayer can become a place where the ego hides. St. John Climacus warns of this when he writes that vainglory attaches itself to every virtue like a parasite. It feeds on fasting. It feeds on prayer. It feeds on silence. It feeds on obedience. It feeds on tears. It feeds on devotion itself. It is possible to pray constantly and remain centered in oneself. It is possible to serve constantly and remain untouched by God. It is possible to build an entire life around God and never yet have surrendered one's life to Him. Christ speaks of this with devastating simplicity. “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you.” Matthew 7:22–23 He does not deny their works. He denies their communion. They lived around Him. They acted in His name. They built their lives in His presence. But they did not live from Him. This is the great danger of religious life. It offers proximity without union. The ego adapts itself to religious structure because religious structure can sustain its existence indefinitely. The ego does not resist religion. It colonizes it. Abba Macarius the Great said, “The heart itself is but a small vessel, yet dragons are there, and lions are there, and poisonous beasts are there, and all the treasures of wickedness are there. But there too is God.” Both realities coexist for a long time. The man prays, and the ego remains. The man fasts, and the ego remains. The man serves, and the ego remains. The ego does not fear religious activity. It fears death. Because Christ did not come merely to improve the ego. He came to crucify it. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20 This is not metaphor. It is ontological violence. The ego can survive prayer. It cannot survive crucifixion. This is why the ego draws life from religious participation rather than from God Himself. Because participation strengthens its continuity. Communion destroys its autonomy. Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou writes that God allows the man to labor in the life of the Church for years while this hidden foundation remains intact. Not because God is absent, but because the man is not yet capable of bearing the loss of himself. So God permits him to live from secondary things. From belonging. From service. From stability. From identity. These things are not evil. They are merciful accommodations to weakness. But they cannot give life. The prophet Jeremiah speaks with words that cut through every illusion. “They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13 The tragedy is not that the cisterns are wicked. It is that they cannot sustain life. They leak. They empty. They must constantly be refilled. The man must constantly reaffirm himself. He must remain useful. He must remain faithful. He must remain visible. He must remain necessary. Because his life depends on these conditions. But life in God does not depend on conditions. Life in God survives abandonment. It survives obscurity. It survives uselessness. It survives the loss of identity itself. This is why God begins, at a certain point, to remove the cisterns. Not as punishment. As mercy. He allows the man to lose what sustained his sense of himself. He allows him to lose position. He allows him to lose recognition. He allows him to lose certainty. He allows him to lose the emotional consolations that once accompanied prayer. Prayer becomes dry. Service becomes empty. The structures that once gave life now give nothing. This is the beginning of truth. St. Silouan the Athonite describes this moment as the withdrawal of grace that reveals to the man the true poverty of his soul. He writes that when grace withdraws, the soul sees its own weakness and learns that it cannot live without God. Not without religious life. Without God. The distinction becomes absolute. The man discovers that he does not yet know how to live from God Himself. He only knows how to live from what surrounds Him. This revelation feels like death. Because something is dying. The false center. The imagined continuity. The self that lived from participation instead of communion. Christ spoke of this death when He said, “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25 This loss is not symbolic. It is experiential. It is terrifying. Because the ego experiences the loss of its foundations as annihilation. Abba Moses said, “Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.” What does the cell teach? It teaches the man that he does not yet live from God. It removes distraction. It removes affirmation. It removes reinforcement. And what remains is his poverty. His inability to give himself life. His inability to sustain himself. His inability to exist without drinking from God. This is the beginning of real prayer. Not prayer that expresses devotion. Prayer that expresses need. Not prayer that affirms identity. Prayer that arises from groundlessness. The publican understood this when he stood at a distance and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Luke 18:13 He had nothing left to sustain himself. And Christ says he went home justified. Because justification begins when illusion ends. God does not remove the false light to harm the man. He removes it to save him. Because whatever the man cannot lose without losing himself has become his god. God removes every false god. Even the religious ones. Until only God remains. St. Isaac the Syrian writes that the man who has learned to live from God alone becomes free from all fear. He can lose everything and remain alive. Because his life no longer depends on created things. It depends on the uncreated God. This is the passage from religious life into real life. The passage from devotion into communion. The passage from illusion into truth. It begins in loss. It ends in God.

Stefan Molyneux takes on objections to Universally Preferable Behavior as a moral framework. He pushes back against the idea that morality stands on its own, stressing the need for clear definitions in any philosophical talk. When it comes to tying morality to gods or divine sources, he points out that fuzzy claims don't hold up as real arguments. Molyneux questions whether morality can just be about chasing the good, the true, and the beautiful, pulling in examples from religious texts to show the inconsistencies there. He looks back at how Christian morality has fallen short over time and doubts whether theocratic setups really deliver on ethics. In the end, he calls for a straightforward grasp of morality and what UPB means in practice, urging people to check their own biases and lean on real-world evidence in these discussions.Email from listener:UPB reduces down to "Morality is being". Or "By the act of living, you prefer life". Or Universal Preference for Being. But even without beings, morality still exists. So morality is God based, and is the rational pursuit of, participation in, and defense of the Good, the True, and the Beautiful (with evil being precisely whatever actively undermines or destroys those ends). Plato would agree. Jesus said, to love God with all your mind heart soul and strength, and love others as yourself, and the whole of the law rests on these two principles. It means to fight for the Good, the True, and the Beautiful - for order. Of course, this can only be done through rationality and power. So, the Good must take the power back. This cannot be done through secular materialism which only reduces to hedonism. People that hear their conscience seek rationality and God more than anything else, because everything else is temporary.However, Christianity displays false theories. The biggest one is the idea that an innocent person needed to suffer and be sacrificed for evils committed by everyone else. God would never require this because God is 100% good. The reality is that Jesus needed to be killed and resurrected so that His story would be way bigger and spread Goodness to way more people, and last forever. So, he did die for sins in that sense alone, so that more people would hear His story and turn away from sin.There is no other practical moral framework to turn to. Philosophy alone is rational, but it does not ground morality the same way God does. Actually, rationality requires one to accept God. Without God, people literally have absolutely no reason to be moral at all. And Deism's impersonal God doesn't connect with people. Christianity was working until the Jews brainwashed society and the Church and destroyed its influence on society. Notwithstanding its misinterpretations, Christianity appears to be the only effective thing people can actually believe in and follow. And Neitzche would say the will to power is too potent for UPB to control. However, Christianity at least affords a will to power of the True, the Beautiful, and the Good. Jesus whipped the little bastards in the Temple. That needs to come back, because that is all the little bastards can understand.Someone wants steak for dinner and the other person doesn't, or go hungry forever, that does not make the steak guy forcing the other to eat the steak immoral. UPB is a logical construction that fails in the real world, and honestly, not even to be a jerk, but literally no one at all gives the slightest fuck about it. Sorry for the language.And I really do appreciate your efforts and all your good works. And sure, UPB is a true logical construction, but people are irrational and will never be rational. And that is why the real world philosophy is 100% might makes right. And this is why Christianity must be forced down their throats until the world is functional again. Irrational people only understand force, and Christianity is the valid, justified, moral, virtuous, reason and purpose of true physical force against irrational and evil people.There is an attempt at logic in UPB, and it sort of works, but not really. Morality already existed before Mankind, and UPB only points out the effects of immorality, it does not define morality. And lastly, to include with all the arguments I have made against UPB. I will just say that bottom line, UPB is merely a survival instinct desire and not the creation of morality. Every person would agree that they don't want to be attacked or stolen from, simply because they want to live and survive, so that would make that universally preferable behavior. However, because this is all survival instinct based, as soon as a person sees a chance to steal or attack, that best serves their own survival, they will immediately not care the slightest about UPB because they are about their own survival over everyone else's. UPB is matter-based biologically-based morality, and simply does not hold up, just like all the other secular ethical frameworks before it - they all failed, and all secular ethical frameworks will always fail. This is because God-based, soul-based morality is the only Truth, as proven at dynamicentity.comGET FREEDOMAIN MERCH! https://shop.freedomain.com/SUBSCRIBE TO ME ON X! https://x.com/StefanMolyneuxFollow me on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@freedomain1GET MY NEW BOOK 'PEACEFUL PARENTING', THE INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PARENTING AI, AND THE FULL AUDIOBOOK!https://peacefulparenting.com/Join the PREMIUM philosophy community on the web for free!Subscribers get 12 HOURS on the "Truth About the French Revolution," multiple interactive multi-lingual philosophy AIs trained on thousands of hours of my material - as well as AIs for Real-Time Relationships, Bitcoin, Peaceful Parenting, and Call-In Shows!You also receive private livestreams, HUNDREDS of exclusive premium shows, early release podcasts, the 22 Part History of Philosophers series and much more!See you soon!https://freedomain.locals.com/support/promo/UPB2025