Podcasts about yet god

In the last several months, we have experienced an immense amount of loss. In the midst of that loss, it is very easy to be distracted by the things that we no longer have. Yet God wants to use that loss as a focusing tool to draw our attention to what we actually do have. He takes what we often perceive as little but what is actually abundant and uses it to bring even greater fruitfulness and blessing. Today on Countdown 2 Eternity we are going to talk about that, so don't miss out on this important Bible study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1479/29

A Prayer to Be a Godly Empty Nest Mom Parenthood often brings with it fears—fear of repeating unhealthy family patterns, fear of failure, and fear of wounding the ones we love most. But Scripture reminds us that we are not defined by our past or bound by old habits.In today's prayer, Gina Smith reminds us that through seasons of raising young children and then learning how to love and support adult children, the temptation to fall back into fear and old ways remains. Yet God’s Word offers freedom: we are new creations in Christ. His Spirit empowers us to parent, love, and live in a way that glorifies Him, no matter what stage of life we are in. Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Prayer: Father, help me to live by the Spirit and to focus on the fact that I am a new creation and I don’t need to fear repeating patterns that are in my family. As I walk in this reality, please give me the opportunity to show my children what it means to be a new creation and be an example of what it means to live for you and be controlled by your Spirit. I want to leave the past behind and not be defined by what has happened to me or what I may have done. Please renew my mind, conform me into your image, and cause this transformation to be lived out in all that I do. My hope is in you alone. Amen LINKS: How to Pray God's Word For Your Children Guide Connect with Gina Smith Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at LifeAudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at LifeAudio.com/contact-us Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT) Manx shearwaters are seabirds that nest off the coast of Wales. To study the birds’ homing instincts, scientists tagged and transported several Manx shearwaters to various points around the globe. They released the birds to see if they could make their way back to the coast of Wales in just twelve days. Each one did. One bird, which was released in Boston, traveled 250 miles a day from a place it had never been before to get back home. So, the next time someone calls you a birdbrain, take it as a compliment. God has placed a homing instinct in us as well. Call it a homesickness for Heaven. We long for a place we’ve never been before. That’s how we’re wired. The author of Ecclesiastes said that God “has planted eternity in the human heart” (3:11 NLT). In our next set of devotions, we’re going to explore what the Bible says about Heaven, the beacon for our homing instinct. Some people tend to go mystical when they talk about the afterlife. They describe Heaven as a state of mind rather than an actual place. The Bible, on the other hand, describes Heaven as a real place. Jesus told His followers, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 NLT). The author of Hebrews described Heaven as a city. “But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16 NLT). Jesus identified Heaven as the dwelling place of God when He began the Lord’s Prayer with the words “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9 NLT). Luke identified it as the dwelling place of angels. “When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about’” (Luke 2:15 NLT). Hebrews 12:23 identifies Heaven as the dwelling place of believers who have died. “You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect” (NLT). Our brief time on earth is a pale imitation—a sneak preview—of what awaits us in Heaven. C. S. Lewis wrote, “All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been hints of heaven—tantalising glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear.” Lewis also wrote , “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is I was made for another world…Earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy but to arouse, to suggest, the real thing.” Heaven is the real thing that we long for. Reflection question: How can you tell that you have eternity planted in your heart? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How a Farmer Learned to Lead & Love in His Marriage On the outside, Jake looked like a happy-go-lucky farmer. But inside, his marriage was falling apart. Control, years of infertility struggles, alcohol abuse, and pornography created a wall between him and his wife. Even counseling couldn't break through the scar tissue of pain she carried. At one point, she said her willingness to work on the marriage was zero—she was ready to leave. Jake was out of options. Yet, in God's kindness, what seemed like the worst day became the turning point. His confession of addiction cracked open the first door to healing. What a Farmer Learned About Love in Marriage As a man who worked with horses and cattle his whole life, Jake knew how to communicate safety and calm with animals. Yet God showed him—through the story of David, Bathsheba, and Nathan's rebuke—that he wasn't doing the same for his wife. The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” 5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” 7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.' - 2 Samuel 12:1-10 The revelation was life-changing: God entrusted him with His daughter. Loving her meant creating safety, trust, and gentleness. Jake realized that real leadership wasn't control—it was love. Learned to Lead by First Laying Down Pride When Jake finally joined the program, he discovered what he had been missing for years: a biblically based roadmap for marriage. The forgiveness modules were the breakthrough. He had carried anger for so long that it felt like part of his identity. But through forgiveness, Jake experienced freedom he had never known. Old wounds didn't need apologies to be healed—he released them to God. His wife noticed almost immediately. For the first time in years, she felt safe with him. From Walls to Sanctuary: A Marriage Transformed The changes weren't just in Jake. His home transformed. He stopped reacting in anger—even when a box fell on his head in the garage. His kids froze, waiting for the outburst that never came. That moment opened his eyes to the unsafe environment his rage had created—and the freedom God was now building in its place. His home shifted from a place of survival to a sanctuary of love. He began looking forward to coming home, slipping away with his wife for time together, and seeing joy reflected in his children. Leading with Love in Everyday Life Jake learned to lead as a husband and father, not by demanding respect but by modeling Christlike love. When walking in after a long day, he chose to bring joy instead of frustration. When tension rose, he chose reassurance over arguments. When intimacy came, it was no longer duty—it was connection, passion, and contentment. Jake also says he has never felt so sexually satisfied, not because of more encounters, but because of the depth of love in his marriage. A Legacy of Leadership The transformation didn't stop with Jake and his wife. His children are being raised in a different household than they were 12 weeks earlier. His daughters now see how a husband should love his wife. His son now has a model of godly leadership to follow. Generations are being changed because one farmer decided to learn how to lead with love in his marriage. Final Thoughts Marriage was never meant to be endured—it was designed to be a sanctuary of love, trust, and joy. Jake's story shows that no matter how high the walls are, God can dismantle them brick by brick. True leadership in marriage doesn't come from control but from gentleness, safety, and sacrificial love. And the care that you give in other areas of your life is worth investing your family as well. For any husband who feels stuck, hopeless, or unsure of how to change, remember: you can learn to lead. And when you lead with love, everything changes—your marriage, your family, and your legacy. Blessings, The Delight Your Marriage Team PS - Ready for the next step? Our team of Clarity Advisors are ready to talk with you. Call +1 332-239-2379 or visit delightyourmarriage.com/cc to take the next step of faith in healing your marriage. PPS - Here is what (another) recent grad has to say: I was blindsided and stuck in my own self righteousness. He has wronged me in many ways in the past too but the course allowed me to see my own behaviour too, and I have forgiven him for the past and I feel we can really start afresh, looking at him with new eyes again. I am very hopeful for the future and I enjoy the weekends spending time with my family. Even if we may go through bad patches in the future we now have a framework to use. Nobody told us any of this before.

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Leah struggled with rejection and feeling unloved by her husband. Yet God used her pain to grow trust, resilience, and purpose in her life. When we feel overlooked or unappreciated, God can meet us in our longing and show us our worth in Him and His plan for generations to come.

What happens when a mighty nation forgets who placed them in power? Ezekiel's lament for Egypt reveals the sobering answer. This powerful examination of Ezekiel chapters 30 and 31 unpacks how God pronounced judgment on one of history's greatest empires—and why.For over 2,500 years, Egypt had stood as a cultural and military colossus, wielding immense influence across the ancient world. Yet God declared its downfall with precise detail through His prophet Ezekiel. The specificity is remarkable: Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon would attack in 568 BC, followed by the Persians in 525 BC who would completely end the dynastic line of Pharaohs that had ruled continuously for millennia.The heart of Egypt's downfall? Pride. "Its heart is haughty in its loftiness," God declares. Through vivid imagery, Ezekiel portrays Egypt as a mighty tree whose branches once sheltered many nations but would become a place where only scavengers feed after judgment. This transformation from protector to prey illustrates the totality of divine judgment—a pattern that repeats throughout history.This message remains profoundly relevant today. God still raises up and brings down nations according to His sovereign purposes. Leaders who believe their countries exist autonomously, without accountability to divine standards, misunderstand the lessons of history. Yet there's hope in this warning—God always sends messengers before judgment, giving opportunity for repentance. The question for nations today is whether they will heed these warnings before experiencing the day of the Lord.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

Wrecked. YET. Renewed. - "Wrecked by Deception" - Genesis 3:1-13 The story of Adam and Eve shows how dysfunction began with miscommunication, deception, and blame. Though given a perfect start, they fell into sin, hiding in shame from one another and from God. Instead of truth-telling, they shifted blame. Yet God responded with both truth and grace—announcing consequences, but also promising redemption through the coming “offspring” who would crush the serpent, pointing to Christ as the Truth and the Way. God covered their shame, protected them from eternal brokenness, and even through their fractured family began the story of redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of God who came through Adam's line. Their story reveals that if God could bring renewal through such brokenness, He can bring healing and hope to any family. 

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Debt can look attractive at first—like a tool to get what we want now—but if we're not careful, it can become a master that enslaves us. In this week's message, Pastor Greg unpacks what Scripture says about money, debt, and generosity.From Matthew 6:24 to Romans 13:8, we're reminded that we can't serve both God and money. Debt promises freedom but often leads to discontentment, anxiety, and missed opportunities to be generous. Yet God has a better way—using money as a tool for blessing, stewarding what He's entrusted to us, and living with contentment.Most importantly, we're reminded of the greatest debt ever paid—our sin—completely forgiven through Jesus Christ. Because we've been forgiven much, we can love much.

In the last several months, we have experienced an immense amount of loss. In the midst of that loss, it is very easy to be distracted by the things that we no longer have. Yet God wants to use that loss as a focusing tool to draw our attention to what we actually do have. He takes what we often perceive as little but what is actually abundant and uses it to bring even greater fruitfulness and blessing. Today we are going to talk about that, so don't miss out on this important Bible study.Sunday Morning - September 28th, 2025

Joseph's story begins with a dream — a prophecy that seemed impossible for a spoiled 17-year-old kid. Yet God spoke identity and purpose over Joseph long before he stepped into it. In this message called “Prophecy” - we learn how God still speaks promises over us today, and why you need a word from Him to hold onto when life puts you in the pit or the prison.Want to learn more about Radical?Instagram: @radicalchurchFacebook: www.facebook.com/radicalchurchtxWebsite: www.radicalchurch.lifeRadical Church | Sundays | 8:15AM, 9:45AM, 11:15AM & 12:55PM1151 Bunton Creek Rd Ste 1001, Kyle, TX 78640

King Jehoram of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah set out to fight the Moabites, choosing what seemed like the easiest route. But ease quickly turned to crisis—they ran out of water for themselves and their animals. Their decision led them into desperation. Yet God, in His mercy, intervened through the prophet Elisha. Water flowed where there had been none. Provision came not because they chose wisely, but because God is faithful. This story reminds us:

Send us a text"Let them return to you, but don't you return to them." These powerful words from Jeremiah 15:19 form the cornerstone of a profound message about standing firm in biblical truth without compromise. When followers drift away, our natural instinct may be to chase after them, diluting the message to make it more palatable. Yet God's instruction to Jeremiah was crystal clear – stand unwavering in truth and let others return to you.This principle was embodied by faithful teachers like Voddie Baucham, John MacArthur, and R.C. Sproul – giants of the faith who never compromised biblical teaching to gain popularity or approval. Their lives demonstrate that standing firm might mean standing alone, but preserving truth ultimately matters more than gathering crowds. The temptation to compromise is especially strong when we desperately want to see loved ones embrace faith, but God's instruction remains clear – we must maintain unwavering commitment to His Word.Scripture tells us that "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." This preciousness comes through a process similar to refining jewels – requiring pressure to reach their most valuable state. Just as diamonds need tremendous pressure to form, believers are made precious through tribulation. We are God's treasure, His peculiar possession, the pearl of great price that Christ gave everything to purchase. With influential voices for biblical truth passing from this world, we face a critical question: Who will fill the void left by these uncompromising teachers? Being a Christian is both the most difficult and loneliest vocation anyone can have, not for the faint of heart. The challenge before us is clear – will we count the cost and stand firm in uncompromising faith, even if it means standing alone?The Balance of GrayFaith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

John Newton’s life mirrored the parable of the prodigal son—marked by rebellion, sin, and a long journey home. Yet God’s grace broke through his mess and transformed him into the man behind Amazing Gr

Looking for Revival 1 Kings 22:1-2, 10-13; 23:25   LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Revive them in our day, in our time, make them known; in wrath remember mercy. - Habakkuk 3:2, NIV   Everyone likes 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people who are called by my name…” – because it promises what we deeply crave: revival. But revival isn't just emotional fire. It's not hype. It's not a nostalgia trip back to better days. Revival is when God invades the ruins of his people's sin with his mercy, his Word, and his Spirit — and makes us new again. We're walking through the lives of three kings — Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, and today, Josiah — who each experienced this kind of God-driven revival. These were moments when God turned the lights back on, not because the people earned it, but because he remembered mercy. In the generation after Solomon, the country split in half, north and south, and the northern kingdom of Israel moved into stark idolatry under their rebel King Jeroboam. He built an alternative Temple for idolatrous worship, set up an alternative priesthood, and listened to false prophets. Right in the middle of that, God sent a true but unnamed prophet to Israel to announce that centuries later, he would raise up a king who would put the finishing touches on the demolition of this idolatry and renew the covenant between God and his people. The prophet said his name would be Josiah.   That's the King we are looking at today. He was the last great reformer before Judah collapsed. His story isn't just inspiring — it's prophetic. His name was called out centuries before his birth, a rare mark of divine intention. God raised him up for this moment: to tear down false worship, to rediscover the Word, and to renew the covenant — a picture of how God revives his people. 1 Kings 13:1-2 “By the word of the LORD a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. 2 By the word of the LORD he cried out against the altar: “Altar, altar! This is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David…That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the LORD has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.” NIV   Let's look at the three movements in Josiah's story: 1. Discovering the Book 2. Repenting from Sin 3. Renewing the Covenant   2 Chronicles 7:14 is a beautiful promise from God made to Solomon when he dedicated the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. It wasn't just beautiful - it was essential. God's people would frequently stray from their faith and forsake the Lord. Yet God was also merciful, granting revival, reformation, and rescue from their enemies to his people time and time again. In the text before us today, we see the fulfillment of God's promise as King Josiah comes to the throne as an eight-year-old boy, near the end of Judah's national life, leading a country that has abandoned God, even though God never abandoned it.   I. Discovering the Book - 2 Kings 22:10-13 At age 26, Josiah's workers are cleaning out the Temple when they find something that should never have been lost — the Book of the Law. God's Word had been buried. Forgotten. Tossed aside. But once it was read aloud, everything changed. The spark of revival always starts with rediscovering God's Word. The Bible isn't magic, but when God's people stop ignoring it and start listening to it — deeply, personally, humbly — revival becomes possible. The Word cuts. It convicts. It calls. You can't have a revival without the Book. If the Word has gathered dust in your life — if it's been shoved in a drawer behind the hustle and noise — there's no revival without opening it again.   II. Repenting from Sin - 2 Kings 22:11-13 Josiah's response is immediate and raw. He tears his clothes — a public act of grief and repentance. He realizes that God's wrath is hanging over them, not because God is unjust, but because the people have rebelled. And Josiah doesn't just repent personally. He leads the entire nation in repentance. He cleanses the land of idols, smashing them to dust. He tears down altars built for false gods. He doesn't manage sin — he destroys it. Real revival always comes with repentance. That means naming our sin, turning from it, and refusing to make peace with what God has condemned. Is there something in your life that needs to be smashed, not managed? Revival isn't just singing louder — it's living differently.   III. Renewing the Covenant - 2 Kings 23:1-3, 21-22 Josiah calls the people together and publicly renews the covenant — their sacred agreement with God. He restores worship, reinstitutes the Passover, and re-centers the nation on Yahweh. This wasn't just a ceremonial act — it was national restoration. Revival isn't just about cleaning house; it's about reclaiming God's promises and re-aligning our lives under his rule. God made a covenant with his people. Even when they broke it, he didn't walk away. Josiah leads them back into it. But here's where the story takes a turn. As beautiful as Josiah's revival was, it didn't last. After his death, Judah fell back into sin. Within a few years, Babylon invaded, the Temple was destroyed, and the people were exiled. Even the best king couldn't stop judgment from coming. Josiah was a good king, a faithful king — but he wasn't the King. The King of the New Covenant Centuries later, another young man from the line of David would rise, who was also foretold by the prophets — not to repair a broken temple, but to become the Temple. Not to renew the old covenant, but to establish a new one in his blood. Jesus is the greater Josiah. Where Josiah rediscovered the Book, Jesus is the Word made flesh. Where Josiah tore his clothes in grief, Jesus was torn for us. Where Josiah renewed the covenant with sacrifice, Jesus became the sacrifice that secures the covenant forever. Josiah brought revival for a moment. Jesus brings renewal for eternity. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus offers a better covenant, sealed by his blood, written on our hearts by the Spirit, not just in a scroll or temple. He doesn't just clean the outside — he gives us new hearts, making us the temple. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Conclusion: Looking for Revival Habakkuk's prayer is ours: “Repeat your deeds in our day, Lord… in wrath remember mercy.”   We don't need to manufacture revival — we need to seek the King who brings it. Let's follow Josiah's example: ● Return to the Word. ● Repent from sin. ● Renew our covenant commitment to Jesus.   Let's NOT put our hope in a political figure, not in emotional highs, not in religious nostalgia — let's put our hope in the King of the New Covenant, Jesus Christ, who revives the dead, restores the broken, and renews all things.   Response Questions: ● Where has God's Word been lost in your life? ● What sins are you managing instead of repenting from? ● Are you living under the old way, or under the new covenant with Jesus?   Let's pray for revival — not just around us, but in us — through Christ our King.

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

2025, September 21In a world where faith is often misunderstood—reduced to blind belief, outdated tradition, or personal opinion—this message series explores a better, deeper truth: faith is not irrational. It's reasonable, grounded in evidence, and deeply relevant.Over the past few weeks, we've explored:What faith really is: not just belief, but trust, obedience, and a new way of living—being “in the faith.”Why our faith is based on evidence: the design of the universe, the moral law within us, the historical and supernatural reliability of the Bible.How faith shapes our identity: "In the beginning, God" reminds us that we are His creation—designed for His purpose, accountable to His standard.But we've also been honest: we've all failed that standard. Sin is not just a personal issue—it's a global crisis. Yet God, our Creator and Judge, is also our Savior. He didn't leave us in our mess—Jesus stepped in to clean it up.Now, the call is clear: Own the mess. Confess the sin. Receive the grace. And live as someone who truly belongs to God.

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

This week's message tackled one of the hardest questions of faith: If God is in control, why is there evil in the world? From Genesis to the words of Jesus, we explored how evil entered through human rebellion, how Satan still works to deceive, and how suffering and brokenness reveal our need for Christ. Yet God promises that evil will not have the final word—He can redeem what is meant for harm and ultimately triumphs through Jesus' death and resurrection. In the face of darkness, we are called to endure, trust, and overcome evil with good.

Jonah 1:5-10 - God often sends storms into our lives not simply to punish, but to awaken us, redirect us, and draw us back into His purposes. Jonah tried to run away, avoided facing God's call, and in doing so created a bigger problem—not just for himself, but for others around him. Yet God's purposes persist, and even through disobedience, He pursues, disciplines, invites us to “arise,” repent, and take up what He has for us.

Jonah 1:5-10 - God often sends storms into our lives not simply to punish, but to awaken us, redirect us, and draw us back into His purposes. Jonah tried to run away, avoided facing God's call, and in doing so created a bigger problem—not just for himself, but for others around him. Yet God's purposes persist, and even through disobedience, He pursues, disciplines, invites us to “arise,” repent, and take up what He has for us.

Today's Society sends mixed messages about masculinity—expecting men to lead, provide, and protect, while also labeling those traits as “toxic.” This leaves many men fearful, passive, and unsure of their role. But from the beginning, God gave men responsibility (Genesis 2:15). Work, protection, and stewardship were intended as blessings, not punishments. Avoiding these roles causes harm in broken families and confusion in society. Adam, Moses, Gideon, Saul, and Peter all struggled with fear and responsibility. Yet God still used them, showing that fear of failure, or even adject failure does not disqualify a man from being used for God's purpose. Men are not called to carry manhood alone—God equips them with strength and grace. Through Christ's sacrifice, men are redeemed, restored, and clothed in righteousness. True manhood means embracing responsibility, trusting God, and leading with love and sacrifice. In Christ, fear is replaced with courage and purpose.

Today's Promise: Joshua 1:9 Imagine stepping into the shoes of a legendary leader, knowing that the challenges ahead are bigger than anything you've faced. That was Joshua—taking over for Moses, leading God's people into the Promised Land, and facing enemies far stronger and mightier than himself. Can you feel the pressure? The fear? The doubt? Yet God's message to Joshua was simple—and repeated three times in just a few verses: “Be strong. Take courage.”Words that weren't just for him—they're for you and me today. In a world filled with fear, uncertainty, and worry, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But this episode reminds us that we are not walking alone. God is with us, guiding us, and calling us to step forward boldly, no matter the giants in our path. Tune in and discover the courage God wants to give you today.

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

The world tells us our validation is in our grades, our success, our gifts, our talents, our looks and so many other things. Yet God tells us it's in One and Only place. And I love that Tracy has made it her mission, that started with her own two daughters, to remind us of where our identity really lies. Tracy Harper is a speaker, teacher, and Christian author with over twenty years of experience mentoring young adults through campus ministry. From the East Coast to Hawaii, her journey has taken her across the country—and through countless conversations with college students navigating faith, identity, and emotional overwhelm.Tracy holds a degree in Secondary Education/English from Towson University and completed Cru's Institute of Biblical Studies. She now lives in Maryland with her husband and three daughters, savoring life by the water with a good book and a great cup of coffee. Tracy helps young Christian women break free from people-pleasing and follow the Holy Spirit with confidence.Follow her @TracyHarperWritesSign up to receive free devotions that help women reset their relationship with God, self, and others at www.tracyharperwrites.comCheck out her debut book, From Him, Not Them: A Young Woman's Guide to Relying on God for Validation, Identity, and Guidance at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F66DS4RL

Acts 17:27 GNTHe did this so that they would look for him, and perhaps find him as they felt around for him. Yet God is actually not far from any one of us.

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

The Fathers in the Evergetinos remind us that the measure of our discipleship is often revealed in how we respond to insult and injury. The world teaches us to defend ourselves, to demand justice, to take vengeance so as not to appear weak. But the Gospel calls us to something altogether different, something that cuts against every instinct of pride: to bear wrongs patiently, to forgive from the heart, and to entrust judgment to God. Abba Cassian tells us that meekness is not merely restraining the tongue, but cleansing the heart itself from the remembrance of wrongs. Outward silence while inwardly replaying offenses is no victory. Unless the root of anger is excised, hatred and envy grow unseen. I know this in myself — how quickly I replay words spoken against me, how easily I justify my resentment. Yet God sees these thoughts, hidden to others, as clearly as if they were deeds. The elders of the desert show us another way. Abba Sisoes shocks a brother out of his thirst for revenge by praying that, since the man insists on avenging himself, God need no longer care for him. Abba Silouan alters the Lord's Prayer to expose the truth of the brother's heart: “forgive us not our debts, as we forgive not our debtors.” Their teaching is sharp, but it leaves no room for illusion. If I ask God for mercy, I must extend mercy to my brother, or else my prayer condemns me. The Fathers press us to look at Christ Himself. He endured insult without anger, was silent under reviling, forgave those who crucified Him, and laid down His life for those who sinned against Him. When I see how easily I take offense, how quickly I lash out or withdraw, I realize how little I resemble Him. And yet the call is clear: to follow Christ is to walk His path of forbearance, not simply to admire it from a distance. This is where the path of the Fathers collides with the way of the world. To the secular mind, insult must be answered, wrong must be repaid, and forgiveness is weakness. But in Christ's kingdom, insult becomes an opportunity to share in His meekness, wrongs become the occasion to enter His patience, and forgiveness becomes our share in His Cross. And so I am left with a choice, not abstract but daily, often in small things: Will I bear insult with humility, or will I cling to pride? Will I entrust myself to God's justice, or will I grasp for my own? The Fathers tell me plainly: if I cannot endure the smallest slights, how will I endure greater trials? If I cannot forgive the neighbor who wounds me in words, how can I hope to be known by Christ, who forgave even His executioners? The divine ethos is stark. To love those who hate me. To pray for those who grieve me. To forbear without resentment. To entrust vengeance to God. This is not optional; it is the very mark of one who has died and risen with Christ. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:12:59 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 281 B 00:14:30 Forrest Cavalier: https://biblehub.com/greek/3954.htm  Translated as Familiarity in Hypothesis 34 book 2, p266 00:19:11 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 281 B 00:40:05 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 283 A 00:50:41 Andrew Zakhari: It is amazing how what we would say to each other changes dramatically when we consider directing those same words to God. Prayer exposes our sin and converts us. 01:04:55 Kate : Would the Fathers take a pacifist position?  And would they not accept the Catholic just-war theory? 01:06:37 Catherine Opie: I am always amazed at how apt these readings are. I always get exactly what I need for whatever the inner struggle or circumstance is that is current for me or around me generally as a societal or news event. I have been attacked physically and, to my surprise, my instinct was to fight back like a wild animal. How do we learn to obstruct that survival instinct we have? 01:15:00 Maureen Cunningham: Thank you Blessing 01:15:19 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father! 01:15:21 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:15:27 Jennifer Dantchev: Thank you! 01:15:35 Catherine Opie: God bless

We think of Hosea as a book where God, in His longsuffering, announces His love for Israel that would endure until the end. Yet God's love and longsuffering had been long established by that day. We consider this together in Hosea 1:1.

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Joseph endured betrayal, abuse, and rejection from those closest to him. Yet God used that pain to save countless lives. When we let God transform our hurt, even the wrongs of others can be redeemed for good. This week, we'll learn how to surrender our pain and trust God's redemptive work.

Samson appeared to be a hero, but his story reveals a man marked by weakness, pride, and failure. Yet God still worked through him to accomplish His purposes. The reminder for us is clear: God does not require perfection to use us—He works through imperfect people by the power of His Spirit. Jesus is the true Hero, and our role is to trust and follow Him.Our regular service is at 10am on Sundays. We are located at 304 E. Austin Ave in Hutto, TX. Can't make it in person? You are welcome to join us live on Facebook or YouTube. If you need prayer or you just need someone to talk to please reach out to us at prayer@huttocommunitychurch.org.HCC Website - HCC Facebook - HCC YouTube

Some seasons bruise you and bless you at the same time. Yet God knows how to lift you, set you UP on high, and breathe hope into your tired places. When He does this, the next question to you should not be, ‘will you move again?' but instead: ‘what is your next move?'This Sunday, we lean into grace for your next steps. We will talk about momentum after mercy, preparation after perseverance, and opportunity that answers only to those who are prepared and ready. This message will interrogate the action for which the release of the power of God is already present and waiting on you to make your next move. I've always said that power is on the other side of obedience.Breaking through is not your destination; it is the gateway to an incredible journey of endless fulfilment.

Introduction: Watch! (Matthew 7:15-20) Watch Out: FALSE PROPHETS! (Matt 7:15) Watch For: FRUIT! (Matt 7:16-20) What They DO. John 7:18 – The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. What They SAY. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 – Do not despise prophesies but test everything: hold fast to what is good. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead Matthew 7:15-20What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Why did Jesus say BEWARE of false prophets? What exactly is the danger?What are examples of good fruit you should look for in a “prophet” (preacher, pastor)?What are examples of bad fruit?What are some topics many false prophets talk about? What are some topics they often avoid?False prophets talk about the Bible but not out of the Bible. What is the difference? BreakoutPray for one another. AUDIO TRANSCRIPT Before we continue in our series on the Sermon and Amount, I want to say a few things.In light of the events of last week, with the death of Charlie Kirk, the murder of Charlie Kirk,absolutely horrible.But at the same time, it's horrible.It's not really shocking, is it?It's not really shocking that something like that would happen.And I would say if you are shocked that something like that could happen in our country,then you haven't been paying attention.It's not shocking because this is exactly the kind of climate that the Lord told us we would be living in.Look at 2 Timothy 3.Turn in your Bibles there for a second, please.2 Timothy 3.Paul says, "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents,ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."Does that sound familiar at all?This is where we are.Charlie Kirk was a man who was murdered because of what he said.Because there were people that didn't like what he said. Does that sound familiar?The whole reason we're here is to worship God incarnate who came and said things that people didn't want to hear.And they murdered him for it.Yet God accomplished his purposes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.There's a young man who spoke boldly of the Lord who was publicly executed. His name was Stephen.God used that to advance his gospel purposes. There's a young man who spoke boldly for the Lord who was publicly executed.His name was Charlie.And already we're seeing God is using that to advance his gospel.It's a little terrible for Charlie's family and friends, but Charlie himself, he's having a good day.He is experiencing the fulfillment of the hope in Jesus Christ that he believed in.He's having a good day.As we had done this last stretch of the Sermon on the Mount, last week we talked about the command that Jesus gave us to enter the narrow gate.He said, "The way is hard." And here is another reason that the way is hard.Jesus said that we have to be willing to die.That's the call to discipleship. For anyone who has followed Jesus, Charlie got that.If he were here right now, what do you think he would tell us to do?What would you tell us to go after the Lord? To seek Jesus Christ, to get in His Word?And that's what we're going to do.So I'd like you to bow your heads, please. I want you to please pray for me.To be faithful to communicate God's Word as I should, and I will pray for you to have a heart open to receive what it is the Lord wants to teach us today.Father in heaven, we live in the days that you advertised. You told us exactly what this would be like.Father, we were just singing about how worthy you are.Father, may we all, like this faithful saint this past week, Father, may we all demonstrate how worthy we consider you by our willingness to lay down our lives.It's not going to get any better until our Lord returns.Calm Lord Jesus. Open up our hearts and minds to your Word today, Father.We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.Open up your Bibles to Matthew chapter 7, and we'll be picking up in verse 15.Last Halloween, I was at work. Aaron sent me a video at the house of a mysterious knocking.She's going through the house recording this. There was this knocking. She went to the doors. She went outside.Nobody but just this constant mysterious knocking. Creepy at any time, especially on Halloween, right?Well, we found out who was knocking. We have a woodpecker problem.Oh yeah, funny for you. We got a woodpecker problem.So we got on the Internet to figure out what we need to do to deter the woodpecker.And one of the things that they recommended was getting a plastic owl.They say that owls are just like natural woodpecker predators, right?So you're going to put an owl where the woodpeckers want to come, and that scares the woodpeckers away.So I dragged the ladder out, and I climbed up the side of the house, and I lashed the owl to the raid on vent with thick twine.And you know that woodpecker came back. So I went outside.Like, what did I do wrong here? And you know, I think I see the problem.That owl doesn't look ready to attack, does he? Looks like what we got here is a hostage situation.And I think the woodpecker saw this and was like, "Oh, this house is awesome."They just take my predators and lashed them to the house.You know what I learned from this? I'm not very good at deceiving.I can't even deceive a bird. But you know, there are, unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there today who are great at deceiving.Last week we talked about entering the narrow gate. Jesus said the way is hard.He said the narrow gate is hard to find. It's hard to walk.And here's another reason the narrow gate is so hard to enter. Look at verse 15.Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."It's hard to enter the narrow gate because there are false prophets that are good at deceiving.It's hard to enter the narrow gate because you have people that are standing saying that they represent God and they don't, and they're ushering people into the wide gates.Like, well, who would fall for that? Well, according to verse 13, Jesus said many, many.If you look at the flow of Jesus' sermon here from last week to this week, here's what our Lord is saying.Jesus is saying strive to enter the narrow gate and beware of those who would mislead you away from it.I want you to draw some things down on your outline. Here's what, it's really about one word today. Watch. Watch.Watch number one right this time. Watch out. False prophets."Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."See, God has this plan to save sinners, and the plan to save sinners, it has two tracks. One track is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ."Took away our sin, provided eternal life." That's one, that's one track.The other track that this train of salvation runs on is the gospel message being spoken through the people of God.Satan has his counterfeits. Just as God sends his people out to usher people into the narrow gate,Satan has his counterfeits leading people into the wide gate. And Jesus tells us in verse 15 about these false prophets that they're not always obvious, but they are always dangerous.Do you see that? They're not always obvious, but they are always dangerous. Let's break that down. They're not always obvious, first of all.Notice Jesus says that they're in sheep's clothing. What is sheep's clothing? That's just another way of saying, "Wool."Our Lord wasn't talking about going to the Spirit of Halloween store and buying a lamb costume. He's not talking about that.He's talking about a wool coat, because in those days that's what a shepherd wore. They wore a wool coat.So Jesus is saying false prophets are dressed as a shepherd. In other words, they look like a legitimate pastor.Oh, they sound so good and people just love them, but they're not always obvious, but they are always dangerous.That's why I look at the first word of verse 15, "Beware." Jesus didn't say, "Take note or notice." Beware. Look out for these people.Always dangerous. Jesus says they might look like shepherds, but inwardly they're wolves.Number one enemy of sheep. Inwardly evil.What does a wolf do with sheep? Does a wolf show up to feed the sheep? Does the wolf show up to care for the sheep? No.Wolves, when they show up, they're there to take. A wolf is there to get what the wolf wants. A wolf is there to destroy the sheep.And Jesus said that is what false prophets are like.Jesus said you have to beware. It's all through the Bible. All through the Bible. Read Old Testament, Deuteronomy 13, Isaiah 30, Jeremiah 14.We talked about this recently through the New Testament, Matthew chapter 24.Almost every New Testament epistle warns against false prophets.And here once again Jesus is calling us church to discernment.And you've heard me say this before, that is my biggest concern for the church at large, but that is my biggest concern for this church.It's lack of discernment.Like, well, what's discernment? Disernment is the ability to detect what's from God and what's not from God.My concern is for this church.My concern is for people here who genuinely love the Lord, genuinely love His Word, being led astray.Because more than ever we have countless opportunities to listen to junk teaching.Internet, podcasts, YouTube. Jesus tells us to beware and church never, never has it been a bigger problem because wolves have a bigger platform than ever in history.You have to discern who you follow, who you listen to, who you read. You have to discern.I'm shocked at the lack of discernment that we have in the church today.People just gobble up anything as long as it has a sticker on it that says Christian.It's not all from God. It's not.That's why Jesus tells us to beware. It's not all from God.Like, well, does it really matter? Does it really matter? I mean, come on.Aren't we just nitpicking here a little bit, Pastor Jeff? Does it really matter?Well, let me ask you this. Imagine that you woke up tomorrow morning and you had the most severe stomach cramps.I mean, it just felt like razors in your intestines and you're just like doubled over in pain, can't function, calling off work.I got to get to a doctor. Which doctor are you going to?Do you want the trendy doctor who has the most patience, who will lie to you to make you happy, but is really using you and misleading you?Or do you want the doctor who cares about you and will tell you the truth?You're like, well, it's a no-brainer, isn't it?Why isn't a no-brainer there? But when it comes to Bible teaching, we want the trendy lying guy.The wide gate leads to destruction. Does this stuff matter? Yeah, it matters, because your eternity is on the line.And you better be sure that you haven't been ushered into the wide gate by some false prophets.They're not always obvious, but they are always dangerous. They're dangerous to Christians.They're dangerous to the church. They're dangerous to our families.If Jesus, if God Himself is telling us we need to beware of these people, then we better be paying attention.Watch out for the false prophets. You're like, all right, well, how do I know?Like, if these people are out there and they're not obvious, but they're dangerous, how do I know?How do I recognize them? Well, number two in your outline, watch for fruit.Look at verses 16 through 20. Jesus tells us to beware.Look at verse 16. He says, "You will recognize them by their fruits."Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?So every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruits.A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruits.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits.I gotta tell you, this is one of the most comforting passages in the Bible.Jesus says you will recognize them. You will.Jesus didn't say, there's false prophets out there that'll lead you to hell. Good luck.You'll recognize them if you discern, if you care to discern.If you take the Lord's warning to beware, if you take that seriously, you'll recognize them.I recognize them how. Jesus said you'll recognize them by their fruits.You mean like a tree? Yeah, like a tree.You recognize a tree by what it produces, right?In the same way Jesus is telling us you recognize false prophets by what they produce.I don't really have to explain Jesus' analogy here too much, do I?Jesus illustrates it by saying, look, good trees make good fruit. Bad trees make bad fruit.Like, that's how you know. You're like, whoa, whoa, whoa, hang on, hang on, hang on.Back in verse 1 of chapter 7, I thought you said we're not supposed to judge someone's heart.That's right. You can't judge someone's heart. That's why Jesus says to judge the fruit.Jesus here is telling us, look, you have to judge by looking at what they produce.Like, well, what is that? Very simply church, it's two things.There are two things, any preacher you listen to, whether it's here or down the street or on the YouTubesor the Facebooks or whatever, wherever you're listening to preachers, you have to look at two things.In verse 1 of chapter 8, I thought you said, look, what is that?I thought you said, look, what is that?I thought you said, look, what is that?I thought you said, look, what is that?It'll come out. It always comes out eventually.What's in the heart is always revealed in actions. You will recognize them by their fruit.There's good fruit to look for.This pastor, this preacher you're listening to, you're following. There's good fruit to look for.What about things like humility and selflessness, repentance and obedience, generosity and hospitality?What about the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?Do they seem to have a motive to want to glorify God?Are they a person that wants holiness and righteousness? Do they seem like they want to magnify Jesus?There's a lot of fruit that we can talk about, but really, I guess since we're in this current sermon series, let's boil it down to this.Let's make it this easy.This preacher that you're evaluating, is he a Beatitude guy?Because a true Christian and a true prophet, someone speaking for God, is someone who exemplifies the Beatitudes.That's what our Lord is saying. You want good fruit, you're not going to find it from a false prophet.Because nothing good comes from them.You don't get grapes from thorns.You don't get things from thistles, do you?You know, Jesus made a very powerful statement of evaluation in John 7.18.Look at this. Jesus said, "The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory."But the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.The second part of that verse, Jesus is speaking obviously of himself.That's Jesus' standard for his own identity.But here, in the first part of that verse, Jesus is giving us a clue on how to identify a false prophet.Look at this. He says, "The one who speaks on his own authority is the one who seeks his own glory."See, that's the bad fruit that you need to be looking for.That preacher that is constantly looking for more attention.It's about his branding, his image, him being the face of it. More spotlight on me, please.Ain't I great?It's all about his pride, his ego, his power. Self-centered.Watch out for that guy. Watch out for the guy that's seeking his own glory.Self-centered and self-indulgent.You know, these people will put on a pure and holy front, write this down.Eventually, false prophets are found to be full of greed and/or lust.And that comes out eventually.You're like, "Well, Pastor Jeff, it's sort of hard to evaluate this fruit,because this kind of stuff often gets covered." You're right.This is the kind of fruit that's not always so readily seen,but there is a more obvious fruit that we need to evaluate.And that's the letter B. Listen to what they say.Listen to what they say.And oh, what they say matters, by the way, because Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets."Prophets?Prophets?It's about someone giving a message, right?A couple years ago, back when we were chicken farmers,we were chicken farmers. I heard a couple people laugh.At least that's what I like to refer to myself as.But we went to the rural king and we got ourselves six leg horns.And when you buy them at the rural king, they're sexed,which means you're getting all females, right?Because we wanted them eggs.Well, our leg horns grew up.They're so cute when they're little.And then when they get to that adolescent age, they get really ugly.And then they turn into beautiful creatures.Like humans, right? I know you're thinking it.I knew you were thinking it.All right, so we had these six chickens and the one day Aaron goes,"Hey, you need to come out and look at something. I need your opinion."And I went outside and our one leg horn, again, just coming out of adolescence,but our one leg horn was like, "Ah, ah, ah!"And I'm like, "Hmm, little gene, little J-E-A-N is actually little G-E-N-E."And you know what little gene we didn't know what he was until he opened his mouth?And that's true about false prophets.You might not know what they are until they open their mouth.Listen to the message.What am I listening for?And this is discernment 101. We've talked about this stuff.Disturment 101. What are we listening for?False prophets always have a twisted view of Jesus, always.His person, His work, who Jesus is, what He did, what it means.False prophets always have this twisted view.According to the Bible, the incarnation is Jesus Christ, fully God, fully man.God became a man to die as a man for men.That's who Jesus is. That's what He did.He rose from the dead to give us eternal life.That's who Jesus is. That's what He did.And if you don't get that doctrine right, nothing else really matters, right?And it's easy to take the shots at the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons and the Christian scientists.And those ones are obviously off about who Jesus is and what He did.I mean, that's so obvious. They're not really my concern.I'm more concerned about the ones who present themselves as being biblical.Listen to the message.Are they accurately representing God's Word?You've got to have discernment people.False prophets will teach some man-centered nonsenseand they like to sprinkle in some random out-of-context versesand non-discerning people say, "Well," he mentioned the Bible,"so that has to be from God."They twist Scripture to attract an audience.Do you ever wonder how they fill those massive auditoriums?Like, how do they do that?Like, if they're false prophets, how are there so many people packed in to hear them?It's because they tell people what they want to hear. That's why.They tell people what they want to hear.Their message is, they're going to talk about things like, look, God is love.That's really the only thing you need to know is God is love.Is that true? Is God love? Yes, absolutely.You see, the problem is that's the only aspect of God that they talk about.You know, the Bible at the same time talks about other attributes of Godthat are also just as true and just as important as the fact that God is love.God is love. That's all you're going to hear.And if you just believe, if you have enough faith, deep down in your heart of hearts,deep down in your hearts, way deep down in your heart, if you really believe,you're going to be physically healed and you're going to be wealthy,they say things like, you know what, you have the power to control your destiny.They say things like, it's never God's will that you lack.It is never God's will that you suffer.And then we sprinkle in a couple of verses to make it sound like I'm saying what the Bible says.And then the world comes along and they're like, oh, that's the kind of religion that I want.It puts the spotlight off of Jesus and on to me.That's the problem.Self-centered teaching attracts self-centered people.You know, we tend to measure success with numbers and then we somehow equate numbers with authenticity.Listen, huge red flag, when the focus of preaching is all about our benefits, not God's glory.I mean, that kind of preaching might be attractive to people, but not to God.So preaching, it leads to the wide path.Listen to what they say.And listen, not just listen to what they say, listen to what they never say.Listen to what they never say.Yeah, we're going to go with that.Are they teaching the whole counsel of God's Word?Or do they cherry-pick topics?It's a huge clue for false prophets.They're never going to talk about sin or repentance or denying yourself or judgment or hell.They're never going to talk about that.It's all so easy.It's nothing offensive.It's nothing that convicts.It's nothing that could possibly bring godly sorrow into your life.We're not going to talk about that.We don't want anyone to feel bad.We just want you all to feel comfortable.All the way to hell.The false prophet, listen, talks about the Bible, but not out of the Bible.And if you learn to discern the difference between those two things,you're going to be able to spot a false prophet instantly.They talk about the Bible, not out of the Bible.They're not preaching a narrow gate.And if they're not preaching a narrow gate, which gate are they leading you into again?1 Thessalonians 5, Paul says, "Do not despise prophecies, but test everything.Hold fast to what is good."Any teaching that includes here, any teaching that you hear must be tested with the Word of God.You see, in God's infinite wisdom, that's why he gave us a book.Why?Because anybody can walk around and say, "Well, this is what God says.I have a message from the Lord.Let me tell you what the Almighty is saying.Anybody can do that."But God gave us His Word in written form so that we could read it, and we can understand it,and we can compare what we hear with it, and know for sure what's from God and what's not.And here our Lord tells us, "Beware.Beware of false prophets, because not everything called Christian is from God."Satan is not going to make it obvious for us.Deception is his MO, and he's going to make sure that his false prophets wear sheep's clothing.They're going to be dressed just like a shepherd.Like that's the worship team to come back up.And church, I want you to stand.I want you to stand.We're going to get into prayer groups.So in just a moment, I want you to stand up.Go ahead, stand up.Don't be shy.And here's what I want you to do.I want you to grab a few people near.You're getting a little groups of about six or eight or so.Look, we're not going to go through and count.All right?And if you want to stand and pray by yourself, that's your business,but I want to encourage you to just grab a few people nearby, get into little groups.And here's what I want us to do today.I want us to heed the warning of Jesus.We need to pray.We need to pray for our church, for our families, for our little ones.We are bombarded more than ever with false teaching.So what I want you to do in your little prayer groups,I want you to pray just two things, all right?Number one, I want you to pray that we would know and love the Word of God.All right?And number two, that we would learn to recognize false prophets by their fruit.Those are the two things that we're praying about now.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13-19. Father Wounds - are wounds brought into our lives through family members. Deep wounds with lasting consequences.  Father's wounds - are wounds to parents by their children. It is grieving because their children turned their backs on the things they were taught from the time they were little.  Both are deep and painful wounds. How to deal with the pain and how to go beyond it. Our study covers: Amnon rapes Tamar (2 Sam 13) Absalom hates Amnon (2 Sam 13) Absalom murders Amnon (2 Sam 13) Absalom flees to thalami (2 Sam 13) Absalom conspires against David (2 Sam 15) Absalom revolts against David (2 Sam 15-17) Joab executes Absalom (2 Sam 18) In our study we see that wounds eliminate the spiritual strength of King David. We also see wounds that bring about rebellion and hatred, anger and murder. We see wounds experienced by a father who feels he has failed his son. A tragic horrible story. Yet God desires to speak to us through it. This story is in the Bible for a reason and purpose. The purpose is not just to inform but to transform. God desires to bring healing, hope and strength and to reverse the painful trajectory of what we have experienced. Divine Prescriptions     ⁃    Sow and Reap - Galatians 6:7-8 Consequences of our behavior can be negative or positive. “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Also, as seen in David's story, God forgives, but the consequences of sin are still there.     ⁃    Nurture or Anger - Ephesians 6:4  encourages fathers to teach their children to live uprightly and faithfully before God and for fathers to model an upright life to their children.     ⁃    Truth and Love - Ephesians 4:15 We are to speak truth to our kids but speak that with love.     ⁃    Forgive and Release - Whether we have father wounds or father's wounds we are to forgive and letting go. Colossians 3:13 We are to forgive as the Lord forgives us - even those who have disappointed us, hurt us deeply, and in that forgiveness and releasing there is healing and there is hope.     ⁃    Father and Son - 1 John 2:1-2 Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sin and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. God loves us and His love goes beyond the love of any father. Our Heavenly Father offers each of us healing, hope and life-transforming power. If you have been the victim of a father wound or if you are experiencing a father's wounds, you need to know there is a Father who loves you more than you could imagine. Who understands the wounds because those wounds were placed in the very body of His Son and He offers to us forgiveness, eternal life, and the ability to start all over. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

If you've ever stood in the middle of a mess and thought, “Where do I even begin?”—you're not alone. Week 2 of our What a Mess series takes us into the chaotic world of the Judges and the unlikely leadership of Gideon. From Chaos to Calling Pastor Vicki began with a relatable visual: a messy teenager's room. It's overwhelming, disorienting, and just like the time of the Judges—where “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” That kind of self-reliance never ends well. “Our inner compass fails us. We need direction—specifically, God's direction.” When we meet Gideon in Judges 6, he's hiding in a winepress. Not exactly a mighty warrior, right? But that's where God shows up. A Hesitant Hero Gideon is fearful, skeptical, and full of excuses: “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest…and I am the least in my family.” Yet God says, “Go in the strength you have.” Not someone else's strength. Not future-you. You, right now. That's powerful. Even then, Gideon asks for signs—again and again. “Maybe Gideon was slightly OCD,” Pastor Vicki joked, “but God is patient with him.” This story reminds us that God doesn't demand perfect faith. He simply asks us to keep showing up. Down to 300 From 32,000 men… to 10,000… to just 300. “God wanted to ensure that in no way at all could the Israelites think this was their victory.” We often think we need to be more—stronger, braver, smarter. But God uses less to do more. “God isn't just an odds defier—He's an odds smasher.” Trumpets Over Weapons The turning point? Trumpets. Not swords. “Gideon didn't question. He didn't argue. He just obeyed.” That's faith in motion. Faith not in ourselves, but in God's power through our weakness. So, What About You? “What's going on in your life? How is God asking you to trust Him, to have faith?” You may be trying to fix it your way. But what if God's asking you to surrender, step back, and watch Him move? Faith doesn't have to be big—it just has to be real. Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Come As You Are Series - The Samaritan Woman at the WellJohn 4:39-42 “Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of his word.  They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”I like this verse because it shows how important it is that we talk about our faith and how much God is doing for us.  The opening sentence in this verse says, “Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony.”  What if she didn't tell anyone what had happened?  What if she was too afraid of what others might think to talk about it?  She was already an outcast because of her lifestyle.  She had five different husbands over the years, and when she met Jesus, the man she was currently living with was not her husband.  The reason she was getting water at the hottest time of day was that she was too ashamed to get water in the morning when the rest of the women got their water.  She did not want to be the center of attention.  She didn't want everyone looking at her, and yet she ran to town to tell everyone about Jesus.  I wonder if all those people would have been saved if she had been too afraid to tell her story.  If she was too afraid to share her excitement over Jesus and what He did for her.  The reason I ask is that I sometimes feel afraid to share.  Sometimes I get a prompting from the Holy Spirit to say something to someone, and all this fear and doubt go through my mind.  I wonder what that person will think of me if I say it.  I wonder if I will sound crazy or stupid.  I wonder if they will even listen or if they will just walk away.  I wonder if they will be mean.  It sounds like this woman did not think about it at all.  She had a conversation with Jesus and then ran right to town to tell everyone about it.  I want her courage, her boldness, her humility.  Or maybe her impulsiveness, if she ran off without even thinking about it.  Maybe I need more of that when it comes to Jesus.  Maybe I just need to act first and think later when it comes to following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Have you ever wondered if something you say or do could have this effect on people?  It can.  It might have already.  A lot of times, it is for us to plant the seeds but not to see the harvest.  We have no idea how our words and actions can affect the course of someone's life.  Sometimes we say something, and the person we say it to doesn't really think much of it, but then down the road, they see the significance of it. Think back to all the people who have been influential in your life.  Did you know at the time they were going to be so influential?  Did you know that the advice they gave you was going to shape the kind of person you would become?  Are those people still alive?  Could you tell them now how influential they were?  They may not know.We don't usually see the good in us as much as others do.  It is an interesting experiment to ask those who know you well to tell you what they see in you, what they feel your strengths are, and what your weaknesses are.  I was reading a book titled “The Miracle Morning” and the author Hal Elrod suggested sending an email to those closest to you, this can include family, friends, and coworkers.  He suggests you email them and ask them to tell you the top 2-3 areas of weakness you may have, and then also some areas of strength.  He said it is a great way to see if you are living life intentionally and if you are giving off the vibe you want to give off.  At the end of the book, he gave a sample email to send out.  I think if you asked others how they see you, you would be surprised.  They will see things in you to admire and look up to, and you may not see them.The verse ends by saying that although the people in the town started to believe in Jesus because of her words, now they believe because they heard Jesus for themselves.  I love this part too because I feel it takes the pressure off of me.  I just have to tell my story, I just have to talk about what Jesus has done for me, and hopefully that will be enough to lead people to find Jesus.  It is not my responsibility to make them Christian, to save their soul, to teach them everything they need to know about Jesus.  Jesus will do that.  It is just my job to tell them about my encounter.  If I tell people how God is working in my life, that will be enough to get them to seek God so they can find out more.  I truly believe our stories are powerful enough to bring others to Christ, and this verse is a great witness to that.  Sometimes we think our story is not big enough, interesting enough, or important enough to tell others.  We feel we have lived a boring, normal life, and so others won't want to hear about it.  This is a lie from the enemy.  He knows how important our stories are, and he knows others need to hear them.  There isn't a single person who gets through this life without hardships, without struggles.  Maybe you feel your struggles are small compared to others, and yet someone else might be having the same struggle you had, and they feel like it is so overwhelming.  God might be doing big, amazing things in your life, and that is awesome. Tell people about it.  God might be doing small, almost unnoticeable things in your life, and that is amazing too; tell people about it.  There are some people, a lot of people, who don't know God.  They don't know that the reason everything went so well and things fell into place so nicely is because of God.  However, if you tell them about the little ways you see God showing up in your life, they will start to see Him in their life as well.  I know it is hard to speak up sometimes.  I know this world doesn't seem to be super friendly to people who want to talk about Jesus.  I know there are a million reasons we can come up with for why we shouldn't share our story.  I know the enemy is whispering in your ear that you don't have anything to share.  He is saying your life is too boring, and no one wants to hear about your life.  I know all of that, and yet if you read this verse, hopefully you can see the importance of sharing your story anyway.  What if your story was the story someone needs to hear today to find Jesus, or to come back to Jesus?  Can we join together and be brave enough to share our story so that we can bring others to know Jesus?  Can we do that for God?  If you feel like you are not brave enough, I know I am not some days, then ask God for help.  He gives us what we ask for, especially if we are asking for things that will help us build up the kingdom of God.  How is God working in your life, and who can you talk to about it today?Another thing I thought of when I was thinking about this story is the fact that Jesus chose this particular woman to reveal his identity to.  She was a Samaritan, and Jews were not supposed to associate with Samaritans. She was a woman, and men weren't supposed to talk with women they didn't know. Yet God chose this Samaritan woman to be the first person to whom He revealed his true identity. God chose her, and He is choosing you, too!God has a purpose for each one of us.  I was going to say, “If God wants to use you, He will.”  However, I don't believe it is a matter of “if”.  God definitely wants to use you; He wants to use all of us to help Him build up His Kingdom.  Whatever you feel God putting on your heart, know that He chose you for a reason.  Maybe that thing you feel is a weakness is the exact reason God chose you.  Maybe he is going to use that weakness to help you talk to others with that same weakness?  Maybe your addiction to alcohol makes you perfectly suited to bring his good news to others with an addiction to alcohol.  God will use all our mistakes, all of our pain, all of our sins, for good if we let Him.  Don't listen to that inner voice that tells you God wouldn't use you.  That is the voice of the enemy trying to keep you down because he knows God has powerful plans for you, and the enemy is worried about what will happen if you step into those plans.  God knows you are not perfect, and that is exactly why He wants to use you.  Let Him.  Say Yes.  Surrender to God, and He will use you.  You are exactly who He wants.  Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Please help us see how you are working in our lives.  Please open our eyes to all you do for us and help give us the boldness to share it.  Dad, we are asking you to help us spread our story to all those we meet so they can start to see you working in their lives.  We ask that you help us not to believe the enemy's lies that our story is boring or that we don't have anything to say.  We love you, Lord, you are working in our lives, and we want to share that with others.  We just need your help to do that.  Thank you, Lord!  We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. Just two more weeks to sign up for retreat. Check out the link in the show notes for details. I look forward to spending time with you again tomorrow.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in May 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is,Come As You Are Series - The Samaritan Woman at the WellJohn 4:39-42 “Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of his word.  They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”I like this verse because it shows how important it is that we talk about our faith and how much God is doing for us.  The opening sentence in this verse says, “Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony.”  What if she didn't tell anyone what had happened?  What if she was too afraid of what others might think to talk about it?  She was already an outcast because of her lifestyle.  She had five different husbands over the years, and when she met Jesus, the man she was currently living with was not her husband.  The reason she was getting water at the hottest time of day was that she was too ashamed to get water in the morning when the rest of the women got their water.  She did not want to be the center of attention.  She didn't want everyone looking at her, and yet she ran to town to tell everyone about Jesus.  I wonder if all those people would have been saved if she had been too afraid to tell her story.  If she was too afraid to share her excitement over Jesus and what He did for her.  The reason I ask is that I sometimes feel afraid to share.  Sometimes I get a prompting from the Holy Spirit to say something to someone, and all this fear and doubt go through my mind.  I wonder what that person will think of me if I say it.  I wonder if I will sound crazy or stupid.  I wonder if they will even listen or if they will just walk away.  I wonder if they will be mean.  It sounds like this woman did not think about it at all.  She had a conversation with Jesus and then ran right to town to tell everyone about it.  I want her courage, her boldness, her humility.  Or maybe her impulsiveness, if she ran off without even thinking about it.  Maybe I need more of that when it comes to Jesus.  Maybe I just need to act first and think later when it comes to following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Have you ever wondered if something you say or do could have this effect on people?  It can.  It might have already.  A lot of times, it is for us to plant the seeds but not to see the harvest.  We have no idea how our words and actions can affect the course of someone's life.  Sometimes we say something, and the person we say it to doesn't really think much of it, but then down the road, they see the significance of it. Think back to all the people who have been influential in your life.  Did you know at the time they were going to be so influential?  Did you know that the advice they gave you was going to shape the kind of person you would become?  Are those people still alive?  Could you tell them now how influential they were?  They may not know.We don't usually see the good in us as much as others do.  It is an interesting experiment to ask those who know you well to tell you what they see in you, what they feel your strengths are, and what your weaknesses are.  I was reading a book titled “The Miracle Morning” and the author Hal Elrod suggested sending an email to those closest to you, this can include family, friends, and coworkers.  He suggests you email them and ask them to tell you the top 2-3 areas of weakness you may have, and then also some areas of strength.  He said it is a great way to see if you are living life intentionally and if you are giving off the vibe you want to give off.  At the end of the book, he gave a sample email to send out.  I think if you asked others how they see you, you would be surprised.  They will see things in you to admire and look up to, and you may not see them.The verse ends by saying that although the people in the town started to believe in Jesus because of her words, now they believe because they heard Jesus for themselves.  I love this part too because I feel it takes the pressure off of me.  I just have to tell my story, I just have to talk about what Jesus has done for me, and hopefully that will be enough to lead people to find Jesus.  It is not my responsibility to make them Christian, to save their soul, to teach them everything they need to know about Jesus.  Jesus will do that.  It is just my job to tell them about my encounter.  If I tell people how God is working in my life, that will be enough to get them to seek God so they can find out more.  I truly believe our stories are powerful enough to bring others to Christ, and this verse is a great witness to that.  Sometimes we think our story is not big enough, interesting enough, or important enough to tell others.  We feel we have lived a boring, normal life, and so others won't want to hear about it.  This is a lie from the enemy.  He knows how important our stories are, and he knows others need to hear them.  There isn't a single person who gets through this life without hardships, without struggles.  Maybe you feel your struggles are small compared to others, and yet someone else might be having the same struggle you had, and they feel like it is so overwhelming.  God might be doing big, amazing things in your life, and that is awesome. Tell people about it.  God might be doing small, almost unnoticeable things in your life, and that is amazing too; tell people about it.  There are some people, a lot of people, who don't know God.  They don't know that the reason everything went so well and things fell into place so nicely is because of God.  However, if you tell them about the little ways you see God showing up in your life, they will start to see Him in their life as well.  I know it is hard to speak up sometimes.  I know this world doesn't seem to be super friendly to people who want to talk about Jesus.  I know there are a million reasons we can come up with for why we shouldn't share our story.  I know the enemy is whispering in your ear that you don't have anything to share.  He is saying your life is too boring, and no one wants to hear about your life.  I know all of that, and yet if you read this verse, hopefully you can see the importance of sharing your story anyway.  What if your story was the story someone needs to hear today to find Jesus, or to come back to Jesus?  Can we join together and be brave enough to share our story so that we can bring others to know Jesus?  Can we do that for God?  If you feel like you are not brave enough, I know I am not some days, then ask God for help.  He gives us what we ask for, especially if we are asking for things that will help us build up the kingdom of God.  How is God working in your life, and who can you talk to about it today?Another thing I thought of when I was thinking about this story is the fact that Jesus chose this particular woman to reveal his identity to.  She was a Samaritan, and Jews were not supposed to associate with Samaritans. She was a woman, and men weren't supposed to talk with women they didn't know. Yet God chose this Samaritan woman to be the first person to whom He revealed his true identity. God chose her, and He is choosing you, too!God has a purpose for each one of us.  I was going to say, “If God wants to use you, He will.”  However, I don't believe it is a matter of “if”.  God definitely wants to use you; He wants to use all of us to help Him build up His Kingdom.  Whatever you feel God putting on your heart, know that He chose you for a reason.  Maybe that thing you feel is a weakness is the exact reason God chose you.  Maybe he is going to use that weakness to help you talk to others with that same weakness?  Maybe your addiction to alcohol makes you perfectly suited to bring his good news to others with an addiction to alcohol.  God will use all our mistakes, all of our pain, all of our sins, for good if we let Him.  Don't listen to that inner voice that tells you God wouldn't use you.  That is the voice of the enemy trying to keep you down because he knows God has powerful plans for you, and the enemy is worried about what will happen if you step into those plans.  God knows you are not perfect, and that is exactly why He wants to use you.  Let Him.  Say Yes.  Surrender to God, and He will use you.  You are exactly who He wants.  Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Please help us see how you are working in our lives.  Please open our eyes to all you do for us and help give us the boldness to share it.  Dad, we are asking you to help us spread our story to all those we meet so they can start to see you working in their lives.  We ask that you help us not to believe the enemy's lies that our story is boring or that we don't have anything to say.  We love you, Lord, you are working in our lives, and we want to share that with others.  We just need your help to do that.  Thank you, Lord!  We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. Just two more weeks to sign up for retreat. CLICK HERE for details. I look forward to spending time with you again tomorrow.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in May 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Fear not, my children. I bear you up on eagle's wings. I lead you in ways of righteousness. We are friends. Both heaven and earth shine upon each of my children.”  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Pastor Christy Cass As we close the Made to Garden series, this message reminds us that fear doesn't have to drive us into hiding. From Genesis 3, we see the first humans cover themselves with fig leaves and hide when shame and fear entered the story. Yet God's response wasn't condemnation—it was an invitation: “Where are you?” Supporting Scriptures: Genesis 3:1–10, Proverbs 8:13, 2 Timothy 1:7, John 3:20, 1 Corinthians 10:13 Big Idea: God doesn't yell from the fence line—He walks into the garden. He comes close. The invitation is to step out of hiding, trade fear for trust, and walk with Him in the open. Key Themes & Takeaways: There are two fears in the garden: Fear that hides from God (shame, paralysis, people-pleasing). Fear of the Lord (holy awe that leads to trust and obedience). Alignment with God happens in head (truth), heart (desires), and hands (obedience). Obedience is our “yes.” Outcomes are His responsibility. Practical Steps to Live Fearless: Generosity & Hospitality → move from closed hands to open tables. Courageous Witness → everyday invitations, bold in love. Peacemaking → have hard conversations with truth and grace. Creativity & Resilience → choose fresh hope over cynicism. Community & Correction → walk together, not in isolation. Work & Integrity → live honest and excellent before God and others. Stay Connected: Give: https://theecho.churchcenter.com/giving Online Service: Sundays 9 AM (YouTube & Facebook Live) Connect: https://theecho.churchcenter.com/people/forms/113001 Instagram: @wearetheechochurch #EchoChurch #MadeToGarden #ChristianSermon #FaithGrowth #BibleTeaching

Send us a textStrong Women Strong WorldHuldah | Part 9 Senior Pastor Keith StewartSeptember 7, 2025Over the many years I have been a pastor, I've often heard people say, “God only raised up women as leaders when there was no man to lead.” It's such an ignorant statement and this Sunday's message is proof of that. Huldah was a prophet in the Old Testament. She lived at the same time as two other well-known prophets - Jeremiah and Zephaniah. Yet God used her mightily to turn the nation back to Himself and not because there were no men speaking up for God. God used Huldah because she had the message the king and the people needed to hear. If you don't know her incredible story, don't miss this message.Discussion Questions 1. Take some time to consider some of the parallels between the movie Hidden Figures and the women whose stories we've been learning about in this series. In what ways are they similar? In what ways are they different? Can you think of other historical examples where the achievements of women have been largely unacknowledged? Why do you think this has been true in history? Why do you think the stories of women in the Bible are often not told well or with the same level of detail that Scripture records them? 2. When you think about the span of time that passed between Solomon's generation and that of Josiah, 300 years seems like a long time but at the same time, it doesn't seem that long to actually forget God's Word, to abandon the Temple and stop celebrating the very feast that reminds you of why you are a people (Passover). What should we be learning from their failures? How might churches face the same threats externally and internally? Was anything in this account of how far God's people had strayed shocking or surprising to you and why? 3. Huldah is a prophetess whose authority and trusted position is beyond dispute. She is the first one sought out for an answer from God. Everything she said is received without debate or pushback. She validates the book they found as the Word of God and then interprets the book for their present situation. What stood out to you most in the telling of Huldah's story? Why do you think Huldah was unaffected and uncompromised by the corruption of Jewish society all around her? What can you learn from her example about being a thermostat instead of a thermometer? What spiritual disciplines do you engage in regularly to help protect you from corruption from within or without? 4. Take some time to look over the chiastic structure of the telling of Huldah's story. Why do you think the writer of Chronicles chose to emphasize Huldah over Josiah? Why does her prophecy occupy center stage in this narrative? 5. Huldah left an unmistakable mark on history, Jewish history, Christian history and even American history. What are some of the things that stood out to you about Huldah's legacy? Why do you suppose this woman, who inspired so many in history, and is the only woman to have gates in Jerusalem named after her, why is her story so relatively unknown today? What can you do to make sure others know about Huldah's inspirational story?

We are…. 7!!!! This weekend we celebrated a special B-DAY!

Who Deserves Mercy? No one. Not you. Not me. Yet God is gracious and merciful to all who come to Him to obtain His mercy. Have you received His mercy? Will you receive Jesus as your Savior and His mercy today?

Transitions often bring a mix of joy and grief. When we release something precious—a child leaving home, a season ending, or a chapter closing—it’s natural to feel empty or unsettled. Yet God, in His compassion, promises new mercies every morning and fresh blessings for every season. In today’s prayer devotional, Keri Eichberger reflects on the bittersweet milestone of sending her son off to college and invites us to redirect our hearts toward God’s unfailing love. Even when grief lingers, His compassions never fail, and His unfailing love leads us into a future filled with purpose and joy. Main Takeaways Transition often brings loss, but it also ushers in new opportunities for growth and joy. God’s mercies are new every morning—He continually provides compassion, strength, and blessing. Looking forward in faith helps us release the past while embracing the future God has prepared. Cherished memories remain gifts of joy even as God leads us into new seasons. Bible Verse References Lamentations 3:32 – Though He brings grief, He will show compassion. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His compassions are new every morning. Psalm 30:5 – Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Calls to Action (CTAs) Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily encouragement rooted in God’s Word. Share this episode with a friend or parent walking through a season of transition. Leave a review to help others discover hope through Scripture-based prayer. Resources & Related Articles 5 Prayers for Letting Go and Trusting God – Crosswalk.com Finding Joy in Life’s Transitions – iBelieve.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In a world filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and overwhelming stress, how can we truly experience God’s peace? Drawing from Philippians 4:6-7, reminds us that God offers an unshakable calm when we choose prayer over panic and trust over control. Through Scripture, practical steps, and personal reflection, this devotional invites us to trade our worries for God’s peace and refocus our minds on what is true, lovely, and praiseworthy. ✨ Highlights Why anxiety, fear, and worry are at an all-time high—and how God meets us there How praying with an open Bible deepens trust and strengthens your faith Philippians 4:6-9’s step-by-step antidote to anxiety: pray, thank, focus, and rest Why fixing your thoughts on God’s goodness brings peace that surpasses understanding A simple, powerful prayer to surrender your concerns and experience God’s presence

Hey y'all ! Welcome to another Friday with CWCOI ! In this week's episode, our host, Ally Yost reads through the entire book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is full of wisdom and reminds us that apart from God, we have nothing. Whether you have already read it or maybe you have been meaning to, we encourage you to sit with God as we open His word together. "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 ☆ REP CWCOI MERCH ➤ https://allyyost.com ☆ MY BIBLE (code ‘ALLYYOST' at checkout) ➤ https://hosannarevival.com/collections/beautiful-bibles/products/nlt-notetaking-bible-versailles-theme  ☆ TUMBLER LINK ➤ https://allyyost.com/products/travel-tumbler ☆ JESUS FREAKS | OFFICIAL TRAILER ➤ https://youtu.be/DbbJHm0WfJg?si=ErjC8Z9_TmC5VLar ☆ EARLY ACCESS TO EPISODES AND BONUS PERKS ➤ https://patreon.com/CWCOI  ☆ GIVE TO CWCOI ➤ https://www.paypal.me/CWCOI _____________________________________________  Connect further with us ! TikTok ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@christwithcoffeeonice  Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/christwithcoffeeonice _____________________________________________  Connect further with Ally !  TikTok (2M) ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@ally_yost  Instagram ➤ https://www.instagram.com/ally_yost/  ShopMy ➤ https://shopmy.us/allyyost Pinterest ➤ https://www.pinterest.com/ally_yost1/_created/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On In The Market with Janet Parshall this week we invited you to ask your most pressing questions on narcissism and its impact on lives and families. Our guest, who not only bring her professional expertise but also her personal experience to the discussion once again drew us back to God’s word for guidance in dealing and healing from this most dangerous personality type. Your most challenging questions on the bible and the Christian life were front and center as one our favorite bible teachers gave us solid, biblical answers to your most perplexing queries. There is a concerted and determined effort underway in many churches to turn aside from traditional Christianity. This deconstructionist viewpoint is leading many people to create a “spirituality” that spares them from the difficult parts of the faith. It can also lead them completely away from their faith into false beliefs like agnosticism, the occult and atheism. Our guest, a highly respected apologist is sounding the alarm on the dangers of deconstructionism as well as providing solid bible guidance for families who are dealing with a loved one who facing these challenges to their life and faith. She explained the origins of this movement and how it is hooking and leading so many astray from “the faith of our fathers”. Despite the violent, unprovoked attack on Israel a few years ago, we are seeing a continued effort to discredit the Jewish people around the world. Yet God’s word promises a blessing to those who bless His chosen people and land. But what does that promise really mean? Our guest, a messianic believer shared his insights on this topic and many others related to the Jewish people, where they came from, their prophetic destination and how what happens to this small nation continue to have a dramatic and long-lasting impact on the rest of the world. Once again you are invited to join our favorite husband and wife team as they continue to show us how vital it is to test everything we see and hear against the straight stick of truth that is God’s unchanging word. Janet and Craig continue teaching us how to use God’s word to find the truth behind the confusion in the news of the week.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.