Podcasts about yet jesus

Jesus taught that the true measure of giving isn't the size of the gift but the heart behind it. Generosity begins long before anything leaves our hands. It starts with what we treasure, love, and worship.Few writers explore the inner life of faith as clearly as Pierce Taylor Hibbs, senior writer at Westminster Theological Seminary and the author of more than twenty books on Christian living. In today's episode, he joins us to invite believers to examine not just the act of giving but the spiritual forces beneath it.In a recent article for the latest issue of Faithful Steward magazine titled "Motive Is Everything," he draws from counselor David Powlison to explain that there's always a “sun” around which the planets of our lives turn. We're always pulled toward something—success, security, comfort, pleasure, affirmation, or money—because we're created to worship. The question isn't whether we worship, but what we worship.When the created things we enjoy begin to occupy the center, Scripture calls it idolatry. Money is especially powerful in this way because it overlaps with pleasure and power. It promises control over life and the ability to enjoy it—two desires that easily eclipse our devotion to God if left unchecked.To explore the heart behind generosity, Hibbs points to one of Scripture's most striking stories: the widow's offering in Mark 12. We don't know her name, but Jesus knew her heart. While others gave large sums, she dropped two small coins into the temple treasury—an amount no one else would have celebrated. Yet Jesus did. He saw not the amount but the motive.That's the point: Giving is never merely transactional. It's deeply spiritual. It reveals what we value most.Hibbs notes that Scripture treats the heart—the lebab—as the control center of our lives. The Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck wrote that the heart is the source of both our rational and volitional life. It shapes what we think, desire, choose, and pursue. Outward actions are merely the visible tip of an iceberg. Beneath them lies motive.Jesus makes the same point in Luke 6:45: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good…for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Our generosity flows from whatever we treasure most. If we treasure God, giving becomes worship. If we treasure self, giving becomes calculation, obligation, or strategy.This reframes generosity. It's not just about allocating money. It's about the posture of the soul. It includes time, attention, hospitality, compassion, and quiet acts of service—not only dollars in a plate.So how do we cultivate godly motives? Hibbs suggests beginning with Scripture—especially the Gospels—and watching how Jesus treats people. Jesus continually draws attention to what's happening beneath the surface: motives, desires, and loves.We don't wait for perfectly pure motives to give—we'll never act if we do. But we do allow the Spirit to search us, shape us, and re-center our hearts on Christ, the God who gives first so that we might become givers.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My son owns a rental property in Baltimore, but the tenant hasn't paid rent for two months. This has happened before, and it's putting financial strain on his family. We're debating whether to sell the house, but it would need some work. If we keep it, are there any tax deductions or benefits since the tenant isn't paying? What should my son do?I'm 64 and still working full time, but I'd like to withdraw money from my 401(k). Since I'm over 59½, can I do that without the 10% penalty even though I'm still employed? What should I know about taxes and plan rules?My wife is retired and in her 60s, but I'm not yet at retirement age. We're both on the mortgage. Can we still get a reverse mortgage, or do both borrowers have to meet the age requirement?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Motive Is Everything by Pierce Taylor Hibbs (Faithful Steward Issue 4 Article)The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers by Pierce Taylor HibbsOur Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful StewardshipWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012426.cfmFather Jason Lewis, MIC confronts a question that has echoed since the time of Christ: Who is Jesus, really? As the Gospel recounts, some of Jesus' own relatives believed He was “out of his mind,” while the scribes accused Him of acting by the power of evil. Yet Jesus' works—healing the sick, casting out demons, forgiving sins—force a decision that cannot be avoided.Father Jason draws on the classic trilemma, popularized by C.S. Lewis: Jesus can only be one of three things—lunatic, liar, or Lord. A mere “good moral teacher” is not an option. As Lewis argued, a man who claimed divine authority and spoke as Jesus did could not simply be misunderstood or exaggerated. Either His claims were false, making Him gravely deceptive or delusional, or they were true, demanding our faith and obedience. Scripture itself bears witness to this truth: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:1, 14; NABRE).The Church has always proclaimed this same confession of faith. Saint Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16; NABRE), not by human reasoning alone, but by revelation from the Father. Father Jason reminds us that the fruit of Christ's life and teachings confirms this identity. Lies do not produce saints. Deception does not transform the world through sacrificial love, truth, and mercy across centuries.Because Jesus is Lord, He does more than teach—He gives Himself. In the Eucharist, entrusted to the Apostles and handed down through the priesthood, Christ remains truly present to nourish His people and draw them into divine life. This is the heart of the Gospel and the foundation of Christian faith.To grow deeper in your understanding of how Christ continues His saving work through the Sacraments, explore Understanding the Sacraments at ShopMercy.org. ★ Support this podcast ★

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012026.cfmIn the Gospel, Jesus' repeated conflicts with the Pharisees over the Sabbath reveal not rebellion against God's law, but a restoration of its true purpose. As Father Mark Baron, MIC explains, the Pharisees arose during a time of intense pressure to preserve Jewish identity. Their zeal to protect the Law led them to build layers of manmade regulations meant to prevent even the possibility of sin. What began as devotion slowly became a burden.When the disciples plucked heads of grain, the Pharisees accused them of unlawful work. Yet Jesus responds with divine clarity: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath” (Mk 2:27; NABRE). God did not establish the Sabbath to enslave His people in fear, but to sanctify them. The commandment to rest is ordered toward holiness, not anxiety.Scripture confirms this purpose. “Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy” (Ex 20:8; NABRE). The Sabbath is a sign that God sanctifies His people, forming them into a holy nation (ref. Ex 31:13–14). To sanctify means to make holy, to perfect us in goodness. When rest becomes fear-driven rule keeping, the heart of the law is lost.Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, restores it to its original intention: human flourishing through worship, surrender, and love. This is fulfilled for Christians in the Lord's Day, when the faithful gather for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is not a burden imposed by God, but a gift through which He sanctifies us. To neglect it knowingly is not freedom, but loss.God's commandments are always a “yes” to life, goodness, and holiness. When rightly understood, they draw us closer to Him and restore us to what we were created to be.To deepen your understanding of how God sanctifies us through the Sacraments, explore Understanding the Sacraments at ShopMercy.org. ★ Support this podcast ★

Most of us want deep change, but we want it fast. We long for peace without patience, love without pruning, and freedom without formation. Yet Jesus tells us the truth: lasting transformation only happens through abiding. Just as branches don't produce fruit by effort, we cannot become who God intends apart from a life rooted in Christ. We all abide somewhere—and whatever we abide in is forming us. Jesus reveals Himself as the true Vine, the One who supplies life, love, and growth. As we remain in Him, the Spirit reshapes our desires, heals our wounds, and forms us into people of love, joy, and self-control. This is not an overnight miracle, but a long obedience in the same direction. The invitation is hopeful and freeing: make your home in the love of Jesus, and trust that over time, He will shape your life into something beautiful and strong.

This weekend in worship we continue our parable series with Jesus' short, surprising pictures of the Kingdom of God. The mustard seed and the leaven look small and ordinary. Yet Jesus shows that His reign grows in ways we can't always see and in ways that become unmistakable over time. The Kingdom does not depend on our strength or our scale. It depends on the King who is at work. We'll also connect these parables to the ways Jesus continues to build His Kingdom through ordinary means today. God's Word, the font, and the life of His Church can look simple on the surface, but they carry the power and promises of Jesus. And as we receive His gifts, we're freed to reflect His light and love in small, faithful moments. Words that point to Jesus, quiet prayers, and everyday mercy that God uses to bless others. Daniel 2:34–35, 44–45 Colossians 1:3-6 Matthew 13:31–33

This week's message takes us into one of the most profound conversations in Scripture: Jesus meeting with Nicodemus under the cover of night. Here was a man who thought he knew everything about God—a religious leader, a Pharisee, someone steeped in moral living and theological knowledge. Yet Jesus tells him something startling: none of it is enough. We must be born again. This isn't about adding a little spiritual polish to our existing lives or filling in some gaps with religious activity. It's about a complete transformation, a radical internal renewal by the Holy Spirit that changes everything—our identity, our loves, our values, our very being. The sermon draws on the prophet Ezekiel's vision of dry bones coming to life, reminding us that what God offers isn't improvement but resurrection. We're challenged to examine what truly defines us: Is it our career, our relationships, our status? Or have we allowed God's love in Christ to reorder our affections so that our primary identity is as beloved children of God? The beautiful truth is that God didn't come to condemn us but to save us—not just from the penalty of sin, but to transform us daily into the image of Jesus. This is both terrifying and liberating: we must die to ourselves to truly live.

“After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.” (Mark 16:9–11 NLT) Of all the people Jesus could have appeared to first after His resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. Mary was yet another in a long line of unlikely people entrusted by the Lord with important responsibilities. Think about it. Jacob was an opportunist who tricked both his brother and his father to get what he wanted (see Genesis 27:1–40). Moses was a murderer who had no confidence in his ability to speak, let alone lead an entire nation out of enslavement (see Exodus 3:1–4:17). Rahab was a prostitute living in enemy territory (see Joshua 2:1–24). Gideon responded to God’s call with these words: “How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15 NLT). David was such an unlikely candidate to be anointed king that his own father dismissed the possibility (see 1 Samuel 16:1–13). Esther was a young Jewish girl who became the queen of Persia after winning a beauty contest (see Esther 2:1–20). The “faith hall of fame” in Hebrews 11 is filled with inductees who probably wouldn’t have made the ballot if their peers had been on the selection committee. But, as God explained to Samuel, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). The Lord will not overlook anyone whose heart is attuned to Him. The women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry certainly recognized that. It would be an understatement to say that women were not held in high regard in first-century Israel. Many rabbis taught that it was better for the words of the Law to be burned than to be delivered by a woman. Yet Jesus chose a woman to be the first herald of His resurrection. It’s also worth noting that women were the last people at the cross and the first people at the tomb. Mary Magdalene had courage that many men lacked when Jesus was crucified. She stood by Him through it all. In fact, the Bible tells us that after He was crucified, Mary “saw where Jesus’ body was laid” (Mark 15:47 NLT). She watched as they took His body from the cross, wrapped it, and placed it in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. And Mary, along with other women, arrived at the tomb very early on Sunday morning to anoint Jesus’ body with spices (see Mark 16:1–2). Mary’s faithfulness was rewarded with a key role in history. The Lord says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT). God rewards the diligent. He will reveal His truths to those who set aside time in their day to seek the Lord, who prioritize His Word, and wait upon Him. Reflection question: What does spiritual diligence look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

January 11, 2026: May God's words be spoken, may God's words be heard. Amen. Now, if you have been here these past few weeks of Christmastide and the Feast of the Epiphany, you would be right thinking that Jesus sure grows up fast, I mean we just celebrated his birth, then last week he's a kid being visited by Magi, and now he's a grown man! I mean, at this rate, a week from now should be Palm Sunday, right? Wrong. Well, sort of – Ash Wednesday is coming up in just a few weeks, so buckle up. Still, you couldn't be blamed for feeling a bit of lectionary whiplash right about now. Kinda the way you feel the day after Christmas when there's stuff in the stores for Valentine's Day, which I do NOT appreciate given that happens to be my birthday, and there is no need to rush it. But, back to the texts we heard today from the Gospel of Matthew and from Isaiah. In the gospel we here the story of Jesus' baptism. Left off of what we heard today, is what Jesus does just afterward. He is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where he encounters evil. And in the wake of all that has happened in our nation this past year, and most recently, this past week, it would seem a message we very much need today. I will speak more about that in a minute, but it is important to first underscore what we are hearing in today's texts – about Christ's baptism, yes, but also about our own. Our collect today, the prayer we offered at the beginning of this service, was this: “Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made…” This isn't just a dunk in some water – this is a contract with God – a covenant we make in the name of Christ, and that is sealed by the Holy Spirit. And in our passage this morning from Isaiah, we hear some of what that covenant requires of us. About the prophet, God says “I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” Now, think about that…and then hear again the vows we all make at baptism either for ourselves, or was made by our parents, and Godparents, and we later confirmed. We promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves, and striving for justice and peace among all peoples, respecting the dignity of every human being.” See, the thing is…when we are baptized, we are baptized into something…or really baptized into someone. It is an identity that comes with a calling – the calling to free the captives, fight for justice and peace, and to love and serve. We are baptized into a life of Christ – because we are the body of Christ alive in the world today. And as the body of Christ, we don't just leave the waters of baptism, grab a towel, and continue as though nothing happened. We do as he did after his baptism – we live the life we are called to live – a life of ministry in a broken world – a life of wilderness moments when we are challenged, and pushed to the brink. And Lordy, we are in the wilderness now. This past week our government continued its horrific, unconstitutional, racist, and cruel violence against the people of our nation. Renee Nicole Good, a US citizen and young mother of three, was gunned down while in her car by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this past Wednesday. Her wife, Becca Good, is left to care for their 6 year old son. The video of the attack is brutal to watch, and the lies about her and the incident by our government just add to the horror. Renee is not the first to be killed, or tortured, or imprisoned unlawfully. She sadly will not be the last. In fact, on Thursday, the very next night, two more people were shot by ICE agents in their vehicle in Portland. These are very dark days for our nation and for the world. Like many of you, I have been at more than one vigil in response – one of them just down the street from my home on the Newton Green– which is in the middle of a very red part of our Garden State. Like the other vigils, it was a community gathered in love amidst tragedy and hate. Sadly, even as we stood together, someone shouted out from a passing truck “ICE, ICE, Baby!” The cruelty of our President and his followers seems to be the point. Yet we were not deterred, and continued to stand together to be a witness to the horror that has taken yet another life. One of the things I have said at these vigils is that our faith is one that follows a man who preached love and peace, and was executed by the government because of it. Yet his resurrection taught us all that light will always overcome darkness, life is stronger than death, and love will always defeat hate. It is the only thing that can. Renee Good understood that truth. Her wife, Becca Good, said in a statement after her murder, said: “I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way.” Indeed we do. We must. Because love is the only way out of this long national nightmare. We must stand as a testament to the power of love – to heal, to restore, to change the world – because that is what we committed to in our own baptism. So, we will keep on fighting for the suffering Christ in our midst, never forgetting Renee and all the other victims. That is how we will change the world – one step, one vigil, one march, one act of kindness, one moment of courage at a time. But that does not mean the road will be easy for us. It certainly wasn't for Jesus. He had his time in the wilderness, and we are now deep within it too. Today, we are faced with a seemingly never-ending onslaught of cruelty by those who should be servants of the people. We are worn to the bone by the vitriolic hate our President, his team, and his supporters spew nearly hour by hour, all amid a daily avalanche of lies and purposeful misdirection by the ones we are supposed to trust. The purpose is to knock us off center and keep us so disoriented that we feel helpless, hopeless, and filled with rage. Why would they want this? It's simple really – it is so we respond with the same in kind. For evil knows that darkness will feed darkness, hate will fuel hate, violence will breed violence. They fan the flames to incite those who oppose them to be just like them, which will give them fodder to increase the violence in a never-ending cycle. And in moments like this, it is very tempting to give into it. Why not fight fire with fire – violence with violence, hate with hate. We feel so drawn to it, do we not, if we are honest with ourselves? But the thing is, we need to consider who tries to draw us to hate and violence. Remember what happened to Jesus in the wilderness – the evil one spoke to him – catching him when he was worn from his long journey in that place – and showing him a path forward that seemed so simple. If Jesus would only turn aside from God, everything would be great – he would be great – the evil one said. You could understand the temptation. I mean – he was promised he could turn stone into bread – that would solve all the hunger in the world. He could be made king over everyone – imagine today if you could take the power away from all the world's brutal dictators, including our own? Yet Jesus knew that isn't the path toward peace, toward wholeness, toward grace. It wasn't for him, and it most certainly isn't for us. To be clear – righteous anger at injustice is good and will propel us to act like Christ, and overturn tables of oppression. But anger rooted in hate will only lead to violence and a turning away from Christ – that can never be our way forward. No, not for those who are baptized into him. We are meant to choose another way. At that vigil the other night in Newton, the organizer wanted to close with the hymn Amazing Grace, but wasn't sure of the words. So, I stood beside her and helped lead everyone in singing those lyrics of redemption. One of those verses is: Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. Grace is God's gift to us, and it, not hate, will always lead us through the wilderness and to home – where we will be grounded in the knowledge and love of Christ, and renewed to live as we are called to live in our baptismal covenant. And folks – that will change the world. It really will. God's grace is how we will get through this. Love is how we will change it. After I spoke at the vigil in Newton, a young mother of two boys – a teen of about 14 years old or so, and the other about 10 – came up to me. The teen apparently had told his mom after listening to me that he wanted to go to church, and she – a person who had been harmed by her own church experience – wanted to know where I was a priest, feeling that it would be inclusive. Since our parish is so far from where this was, I told them of another one they should try. That conversation filled me with hope – to see young people yearning for a relationship with God. And it is certainly something seen a lot these days as church attendance by all ages is on the rise. I believe that this is a sign of the future of the church, as people seek a way forward, and they witness us living out our lives in Christ. Because so many people today are yearning for an alternative to the madness they are witnessing. In a world filled with conflict, violence, hate, war, poverty, and abuse of the environment – seekers hope to be connected to something they sense is larger than all of that – stronger than all of that – to a God that loves unconditionally, and a faith community that reflects that love openly, consistently, and with intention. They are looking for comfort and peace, yes, but most especially, they want to know that God loves them in a place that welcomes everyone, amid a world that wants to exclude them. That is why what we do here is so important. It feeds us in a time of deep hunger, but it also is food for the world. Here is where we are given the strength for our wilderness journey. Here we offer that food of life to others. Here we are reminded of our baptismal contract with God – a life of prophetic witness, rooted in the love of Christ, that calls us to speak truth, to act for justice, to stand for peace, to offer hope and love to a people in darkness. We have made a commitment to God to be the ones to speak up against those who traffic in hate and violence. To be the ones to stand against those who seek to oppress and marginalize. To be the ones to respond to hate with love and lies with truth. And especially to be the ones to counter the racist, homophobic, and sexist, words and actions by earthly rulers and proclaim in the streets, in the halls of government, in our churches, and everywhere in the world that God loves EVERYONE– NO EXCEPTIONS – and so will we. For like the prophet in Isaiah, and like our savior in whose name we are baptized, we too were given “as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” There are many in prisons now – dungeons of bigotry and oppression, poverty, hopelessness, loneliness, and addiction. This is not time to throw the covers over our head and attend the church of the Holy Comforter. This is not a time to tune out. This is not a time to not pay attention. This is not a time to forget who we are, and whose we are. This is the time for us to be who we were born and baptized to be – prophets of his light, grace, and love – God's beloved agents of transformation. And there is nothing – no President or other leader, no ICE agent or army, no person or organization, that can stop what we, together, and by God's grace, will bring about – the overturning of evil, and the restoration of the world. They may have killed Renee Good, but by the good in each of us, rooted in the love of Christ – we will prevail. Amen. For the audio, click below, or subscribe to our iTunes Sermon Podcast by clicking here (also available on Audible): Sermon Podcast https://christchurchepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sermon-January-11-2026-1.m4a The Rev. Diana L. Wilcox Christ Church in Bloomfield & Glen Ridge January 11, 2026 The First Sunday After The Epiphany 1st Reading – Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 2nd Reading – Acts 10:34-43 Gospel – Matthew 3:13-17 The post “The Good In Us” appeared first on Christ Episcopal Church.

Chocolate MilkJohn 20:21-22 “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.This verse takes place after Jesus has been crucified. The apostles are all locked up in the upper room because they are afraid that if the Jewish people knew where they were, they would be crucified, too. I am sure this was a very confusing time for the apostles. They had been living life with Jesus for the last few years. Every day, extraordinary things happened. Then they find out that Jesus is going to be crucified. I mean, they knew Jesus had enemies, but I don't think they understood what was truly going on. How could they? How is it possible to comprehend the man they had been following, the man they knew was the one true king, was going to be crucified? The Messiah was supposed to come and deliver them from their captors. Yet Jesus hadn't defeated the Romans yet. How could He be leaving them?I am sure this thought was going through so many people's minds at the time. It must have been very confusing. They had read or been taught that when the Messiah comes, He will save them. They assume this means He will save them from the Roman occupation. They don't realize that Jesus is here for much bigger things. Jesus has come to save their souls.The apostles are locked in the upper room, and Jesus appears to them. I wonder if they were frightened at first. I wonder if they asked Him if it was really Him. Take a minute, close your eyes, and try to picture what it was like for them in that upper room. The man they thought was the Lord was crucified, and then they felt they needed to lock themselves in a room for fear of death, and then Jesus appeared to them in this locked room. I wonder if they thought He was a ghost? I wonder what they were thinking, what was going through their mind.It says in the verse above this one that Jesus showed them his hands and feet, and then they rejoiced that He had risen. The first thing that Jesus did, even before showing them His hands and feet, was to impart peace to them. The first thing He said in that room was, “Peace be with you.” I think this makes perfect sense because they probably weren't very peaceful. They were scared and unsure of what to do next.After Jesus shows them his wounds, and they rejoice that He has returned, Jesus talks to them. “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Jesus knows they are confused about what just happened and what is going to happen. They had been following Jesus. That was their job, their life for the last several years. They had to have been wondering what they were going to do now that Jesus was gone. Then Jesus appeared and told them what to do. He told them that He was sending them out to do the works that He did. This gives them some direction and some guidance.However, how could they go out and do the things that He did when they were scared of persecution? The next line answers this. It says, “When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit to build them up and give them strength. The Holy Spirit gave them a holy boldness to go out and proclaim the good news about Jesus Christ. It gave them the courage to come out of the locked room and say all the things they had been taught to say. They witnessed all they had seen and heard over the several years they were with Jesus. They had the courage to leave the room, and that very same day, they baptized 3,000.This is the same Holy Spirit that each one of us has living inside of us. We each, you and I, have the Spirit of Christ living inside of us. We have the potential to have this same holy boldness that the apostles exhibited. We have the potential to do all the signs and wonders that they did. The reason for this is that they were only capable of doing signs and wonders because Jesus gave them the authority, and He gave the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't just give these gifts to the apostles, and then they died with them 2,000 years ago. When Jesus gave them to the apostles, He was giving them to all those who were to follow after them as well.If you have been baptized, you have received the Holy Spirit. This means you have all the power and all the courage that the apostles had living inside of you. You just have to access it. There is an analogy that I heard in Encounter Ministries, and I have also heard it at the Life in the Spirit seminars. I am not sure exactly how it goes, but it basically compares our lives to a glass of chocolate milk. Our life before the Holy Spirit, before baptism, is just plain milk. However, when you add the Holy Spirit, it is like you are adding chocolate sauce to the milk. Now that we have added the chocolate sauce, do we automatically have chocolate milk? No, we need to stir the milk to spread the chocolate sauce all around. This is similar to the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit can give you the power and the courage to do many things, but you need to call up it. You need to step out in faith and believe that it will be there to help you. Once you start calling upon the Holy Spirit to help you, then you will begin to see extraordinary things start to happen all around you. All you have to do is read the book of Acts in the Bible to see all the amazing things the apostles accomplished once they had the Holy Spirit living inside of them. Check out the book of Acts and then decide what amazing things you are going to do with this beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus gave us.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening today. Lord, thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. You are amazing. Thank you for giving us the authority to do the works that Jesus did and even greater works now that He is with you in Heaven. Lord, we ask that you help us to see the ways you want us to use the power of the Holy Spirit in our own lives. Help us to see what you want us to do. We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with our will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to meeting you here again on Monday. Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I! Have a blessed weekend!Today's Word from the Lord was received in August 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, “My children, I give you the grace to see the uncut diamond in the burdens of your life, which appear to be just a hard, cold rock. I shine like a diamond within them. I bless you through them. I get you through them. I have much joy for you. I have much planned for you. Trust and come through the burdens.” 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

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: John 12-14 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode for December 22nd, Hunter, your Bible Reading Coach, warmly invites you to join him as he guides us through an uplifting passage from the Gospel of John, chapters 12 through 14. As we near Christmas, Hunter reflects on the themes of increasing light, exploring Jesus's final days, his teachings, and the transformative gift he offers—peace of mind and heart. Through heartfelt readings and thoughtful prayers, Hunter encourages listeners to embrace the peace that only Christ can give, even amidst life's anxieties. You'll hear about the power of spiritual habits, the depth of Jesus's love, and practical encouragement for nurturing peace in your own heart and home. So find a quiet moment, settle in, and let today's journey through God's word infuse your day with hope and light. TODAY'S DEVOTION: He offers us a gift—his peace. In today's reading, Hunter shares how Jesus says, "I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart." At this time of year, when gifts are on our minds and hearts can be weighed down with anxiety or trouble, Jesus offers something that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It's a unique peace, his peace. Not the fleeting peace the world tries to offer, not the absence of trouble or the guarantee of comfort, but a settled confidence that comes from him alone. It's easy for our minds to be troubled by so many things—our future, our families, our finances, our health. Yet Jesus, the living Word, the miracle worker, the one who raised the dead and gave himself for all humanity, comes to us and says, "I have a gift for you." He, the Creator of all things, offers to quiet those anxieties and bring peace to the places in our lives that are unsettled, wounded, or confused. This isn't just a theoretical peace—it's an invitation to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Advocate Jesus promised would be with us. The Spirit helps us to recognize and receive the gift that Jesus is giving—a peace not as the world gives, but as only he can give. We are invited to take time, especially today, to sit with this generous gift and allow ourselves to live in the light, joy, and love of it. We are invited to let this peace shape our hearts and lives. That's a prayer Hunter has for his own soul. It's the prayer he has for his family. And it's the prayer he has for you. Peace of mind and heart—may it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

In the noise and rush of the Christmas season, it’s easy to let the message of Christ fade into the background like familiar music we barely notice. Yet Jesus did not come merely as a gift to be received and set aside—He came as a King to be welcomed, worshiped, and responded to. Scripture proclaims that the Christ child is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His being (Hebrews 1:3). Born in humble flesh, Jesus is both Savior and Sustainer, worthy of our full devotion. This season invites us to prepare room in our hearts, step away from distractions, and bow in awe before the Newborn King. Main Takeaways You’ll learn why Jesus is more than a gift—He is a living presence who calls for a response. Discover how the incarnation reveals the radiance and glory of God in human form. Reflect on how busyness and consumerism can dull our worship during Christmas. Understand why Christ’s birth calls us to humility, surrender, and praise. Be encouraged to prepare space in your life for Jesus as King, not merely as a seasonal tradition. Bible Verse References Hebrews 1:3 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/hebrews/1-3.html Your Daily Prayer Jesus, I step away from the noise and distractions of this world to worship You. You are the radiance of God’s glory, the humble King who came to dwell among us and sustain us by Your powerful word. I open my heart to You anew and make room for Your presence in my life. You are worthy of all praise, honor, and devotion. Thank You for Your grace, Your nearness, and Your unending love. May my life be lived each day in response to who You are.Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily moments of Scripture, reflection, and prayer. Leave a rating or review to help others discover this podcast. Visit LifeAudio.com to explore more Christ-centered podcasts. Read more Christmas devotionals and worship-focused articles at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Bible study tools and Scripture exploration:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com Christmas devotionals and worship resources:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Whether conscious or unconscious, we often view much of our humanity in opposition to our spiritual life. We know our predilections to vices and addictions. We find ourselves making and breaking the same commitments or resolutions each year for change that remains elusive. We realize we are intensely engaged in the same argument or relational rut, as predictable as Black Friday sales. Yet Jesus' arrival on earth speaks a different understanding of our humanness. Divinity is moving into our neighborhood, not to price us out of the block, but to show us the sacred in our skin, breath, thoughts, desires, quirks, and connections. We are invited to wait and watch for the Beloved and Beautiful in the imprint of humanness. In this final week of Advent, Christopher explores the loneliness of the human condition juxtaposed with a God who is with us in every mess and who invites us to love by leading with mercy.  Reflection Questions: How do you experience belovedness in your body?  What would it look like for you to trust your own experience of God's Love? Where do you hope to make a place for the freshness of God's Love in your life?

Whether through John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, or the shepherds, we have seen how God showed that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior, at his arrival. Yet Jesus' didn't only show up in this world. He arrived to reveal the heart of God for His people. He arrived to reveal the heart of man. Let's see who He is and take hold of Jesus this Christmas.Luke 2.21-40

I had another episode planned for today, but at the last minute I decided to rerun this Christmas episode for you. I think this will become our traditional Christmas episode here at Gnostic Insights. And, if you are new to this podcast, welcome! Next week’s episode will be controversial, so I thought it best to wait until after Christmas for its release. Today, we're going to look at the nature of the Christ—the who, what, why of Christ. Most people are familiar with seeing the baby Jesus in the manger and that's what we celebrate at Christmas time, the birth of the Christ on Earth in the form of a human. But the Christ is an ethereal creature that predates the birth of Jesus. Jesus and the Christ aren't exactly the same, although Jesus was fully Christ. The Christ predates the birth of the human known as Jesus. So, let's learn more about the Christ and why the Christ figure is so essential to us Second Order Powers.  Gnosticism is the forerunner of the modern Christian faith. As such, a better understanding of the figure of the Christ is essential to understanding both Gnosticism and Christianity. The cosmology that I talk about here on the podcast was well known to Jesus and his original followers, but it was cut out of Christianity about 1700 years ago by the Nicene Council, at the urging of the Pope and the Roman Emperor. Because this theology was subtracted from orthodox Christianity, many of the ideas of gnostic cosmology sound odd and unfamiliar to modern churchgoers. Some of the ideas may even sound heretical at first glance due to their unfamiliarity. Yet the theology contained in these early scriptures makes sense of so many puzzling aspects of Christian faith that they must be reexamined. That's why I call the Substack The Gnostic Reformation. I'm confident that once you understand gnostic Christianity, you will better understand your relationship with God. According to gnostic cosmology as laid out in the Nag Hammadi, we humans and all other forms of life on Earth, from bacteria and eukaryotes on up, are the fruit of the Pleroma and Logos. We Second Order Powers find ourselves locked in a never-ending battle for dominion over the Earth with forces that were generated as a result of the Fall. Due to the law of mutual combat, we have forgotten our origin in the Fullness and our mission to bring love and harmony to creation and have instead taken on many of the characteristics of the shadows of the Deficiency. The Second Order Powers are locked in a never-ending war with the Deficiency. Here below, we constantly battle the physical forces of death and entropy, as well as the spiritual forces of vice, sin, delusion and despair. In order to restore memory and reason to the Second Order Powers, the Aeons of the Fullness, every one of them individually and all of them collectively, gave glory in unison to their Father while praying for a helper to bring peace to the Deficiency and forgiveness to Logos. Out of this focused prayer, a unique fruit emerged, one that contained all of the capabilities and powers of the Fullness, along with all of the love and eternal qualities of the Father. The singular fruit of the Fullness and the Father is known by various names: the Christ, the Savior and the Redeemer, the Advocate, the Light, and the Beloved. In Simple Explanation terms, the Christ is a perfect and full fractal of the Father and the Son, all rolled-up into one perfect form. Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth was both perfect man and perfect God incarnate. Christian Gnostics believed the same. Here is a more complete explanation of who Jesus was. It's said that Jesus was conceived without sin because he carried within his body the perfection of man and God. This would mean that Jesus was perfect and true to the original DNA formula for humanity. Hence the importance of the virgin birth that then imparted that perfect DNA to the baby. Jesus was also without negative karma attached to his soul, as his soul was the soul of God. The components of Jesus's body were also without sin, as the cells and flesh that became Jesus were in fact the Aeons of the Fullness incarnate. As Colossians 1:19 says, “For God was pleased to have all his Fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on Earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.” This one sentence from Colossians contains the entire Christian Gnostic Gospel. Because Jesus brought along the entire Fullness of the Pleroma when he incarnated, every aspect of the Father and Son came to material instantiation on Earth. In this manner, the eternal God experienced the finite life of us Second Order Powers and all of the struggle between birth and death that plague us all. Here is how the Tripartite Tractate of the Nag Hammadi scriptures describes this process: “As for those of the shadow, Logos separated himself from them in every way, since they fight against him and are not at all humble before him. The stumbling which happened to the Aeons of the Father was brought to them as if it were their own, in a careful and non-malicious and immensely sweet way. It was brought to the Fullnesses so that they might be instructed about the Deficiency by the single One, from whom alone they all received strength to eliminate the defects. They gathered together, asking the Father, with beneficent intent, that there be aid from above from the Father for his glory, since the defective one could not become perfect in any other way unless it was the will of the Pleroma of the Father, which he had drawn to himself, revealed, and given to the defective one. Then, from the harmony, in a joyous willingness which had come into being, they brought forth the fruit which was a begetting from the harmony, a unity, a possession of the Fullnesses, revealing the countenance of the Father of whom the Aeons thought as they gave glory and prayed for help for their brother with a wish in which the Father counted himself with them. Thus it was willingly and gladly that they brought forth the fruit. And he made manifest the agreement of the revelation of his union with them, which was his beloved Son, but the Son in whom the Fullnesses are pleased to put himself on them as a garment through which he gave perfection to the defective one and gave confirmation to those who are perfect, the One who is properly called Savior and the Redeemer and the Well-pleasing One, and the Beloved, the One to whom prayers have been offered, and the Christ and the light of those appointed in accordance with the ones from whom he was brought forth, since he has become the names of the positions which were given to him. Yet what other name may be applied to him except the Son, as we have previously said, since he is the knowledge of the Father whom he wanted them to know? Not only did the Aeons generate the countenance of the Father to whom they gave praise, but also they generated their own, for the Aeons who give glory, generated their countenance and their face. They came forth in a multifaceted form in order that the one to whom help was to be given might see those to whom he had prayed for help. He also sees the One who gave it to him.” (That is from the Tripartite Tractate sections 85 through 87.) So you see, the mission of the Christ, as stated in Colossians, was to redeem all of creation, including the fallen Aeon who had founded our material universe. Because the Christ came to redeem everyone, the body of Jesus came to Earth with every one of the Fullnesses on board. For every fallen spirit, the Christ brought forth their own personal and recognizable Savior. Redemption has already taken place. It is up to the Second Order Powers and the one who fell to recognize and accept that redemption in order to complete the mission of the Christ. In Simple Explanation terms, the Christ brought the correcting formula for all of our spirits and souls, each unique and personally formulated to meet our individual needs. The baptism of the Christ washes away the mental and spiritual confusion brought on by the endless war with shadows of the Fall. Gnostics are apocalyptic, as are Christians. Gnostics believe that some day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus, the Christ, is Lord. Repentance and redemption comes harder for some than for others. Some souls take more time to recognize and remember. Ultimately, though, there comes a day of reckoning, for the Father will not be denied forever. There will soon come a day when the Deficiency ends. On that day, a new economy will unite Heaven and Earth, and all souls will find their joyful place in Paradise. The only forms banished to the outer darkness will be the shadows and phantoms of the Fall, which did not exist within the Father's consciousness from the beginning. These shadows are not real and they will have no home with us in Paradise. The hierarchy of the Fullness of God dreams of Paradise. Logos crowns the hierarchy and contains fractals of all the other Aeons. Now here's a gnostic perspective of Jesus on the cross. One of the central themes of the Christian faith is the death of Jesus on the cross. Christians the world over focus on the body of Jesus hanging on the cross, and I've often wondered, why this fixation of Jesus on the cross? Why is the crucifix the focal point of every church and altar? Why do people wear the cross as jewelry or hang a crucifix in their bedroom? The obvious answer Christians give is that without the cross, Jesus could not have saved humanity from sin, for he bore our sins into the grave with his death and they were washed away with his resurrection from the dead. Praise be to God, but why the cross? If Jesus had been stoned to death or drowned or beaten or thrown from a high tower, would we still feel such affinity for the stone, a lake, a club or a roof? I don't think so. I think there is something very special about the shape of the cross itself. I ask this question because Jesus never said, I'm soon to pass on from this world, and I want you to focus on my body hanging on the cross as I take on the sins of the world. And yet, that's what people do, as if that were the entire point of the Gospel. As far as I can tell, Jesus did not ask for his death and resurrection to be the focal point of worship. What Jesus actually said was: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30), and, “Whoever welcomes me welcomes the Father that sent me” (Luke 9:48). In other words, Jesus acknowledged himself in reference to his Father and he deflected glory to his Father. Yet Jesus is worshipped by modern Christians to the extent that the Father almost goes unmentioned. Thank goodness for the Lord's prayer, which is directed to the Father and not to the Son. Jesus taught it to be said to the Father; he did not teach it to be recited to himself. No slight to the Son, of course, we're merely emphasizing the importance of the God Above All Gods. During the last supper, Jesus instructed his followers to think of his broken body as they break and eat bread and to consider his blood as the fulfillment of a contract with humanity as they drink wine. This is what Jesus left the church as instruction regarding his death. He did not instruct them to erect images of crosses and to worship him hanging on a cross, as if he were stuck up there forever. Yes, Protestants have allowed Jesus to come down off the cross and therefore their crosses are unoccupied to remind us that Jesus resurrected, but still the focus is on the cross. Again—why the cross in particular? Here is the symbolism of the cross as I understand it. We who dwell on Earth are engaged in endless warfare with the Imitation that always seeks to lure us away from our Father in Heaven. Oftentimes we don't even realize we're engaged in warfare with the Imitation, because it can appear disguised as goodness. This is what is meant by the Devil being a liar. Things are proposed “for our own good,” but they're not; they're proposed for power and control. We Second Order of Powers are engaged in this endless warfare and, although we come from a good disposition of the Father and the Fullness, we have forgotten our heavenly nature and become deluded because of rage and other passions and addictions. The Christ came to Earth in the form of a Son of Man to bring the Third Order of Powers to Earth as the solution to overcoming the phantoms of the Imitation that have mired the Second Order Powers in error and ignorance. Those who have eyes to see the Christ are able to remember their Father in Heaven. Those who remember their Father in Heaven and repent from the Imitation are redeemed. Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the promise to redeem the fallen. Jesus as the Son of God and the Son of Man brought salvation to the Deficiency and restored it to the Kingdom of Heaven. The reason the cross looks as it does and occupies such a central role in worship is that the cross represents human beings. The Cross is shaped like a human, a Son of Man. It is no accident that Jesus was crucified on a cross because Jesus is a Son of Man, the Son of Man. The Cross should remind us that humankind has been redeemed by the body and blood of Christ in an even more profound way than acknowledging the indignity and suffering of Christ on the cross. It should remind us that the Son of God—the Christ—bridged with the form of his human body spirit-to-matter, which is top-to-bottom, and neighbor-to-neighbor, which is side-to-side, just as the shape of the cross. In the Gnostic Gospel, redemption comes to all of creation through the incarnation of the Son of God into the body of the Son of Man. The manner of the Savior's birth, death, and resurrection will come to every soul as they realize their Father is in Heaven and to Heaven they will return. For, as it says, “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” That affirmation comes from the New Testament (Philippians 2:10). It just takes time. We aren't there yet because of the common delusion of presumptuous thought, which causes people to behave selfishly. Ego must first make way for the love of Christ to take over the throne of the Self. Only then may you rise above the egoic imitation, for then you will have a champion and a king. The very public way that Jesus was crucified and the very public way that he resurrected gives us all hope of the same: Jesus demonstrates proof of resurrection and his life, death, and resurrection is about all of us, not only about the Christ. Jesus is the exemplar of our resurrection. And, by the way, in a Gnostic sense, which could be considered heretical by many Christians, the story of Jesus and the Christ and the Father don't even have to be believed as historical fact, which many nay-sayers make the cornerstone of their argument against Christ and God. The very concepts themselves—the very thoughts, the mind—is what carries this. We are consciousness and this Christ story is in our consciousness for our salvation. Think on that… I acknowledge that this is a very different version of Christianity than has been traditionally presented to us. This is gnosis that was originally contained in the sacred scriptures that formed the New Testament prior to the Pope and Emperor of Rome getting their hands on it and stripping it out. It's nice to know. I hope you get it. It doesn't really matter, because all you need to know is that we come from the Father and to the Father we will return. That is the bottom line. We are emanations directly of the Father and the Father has promised to save us all and bring us all home. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” This has been taken to mean that one must acknowledge the power of the Christ before the Christ can redeem you. But, you see, this would put all of the power of redemption in your hands rather than Christ's. The Christ will redeem all Second Order Powers by the end of time, with or without your prior acknowledgment. All redemption comes to the Father through the Christ, and that is in Christ's hands. What accepting the Christ now does for you is open the door for the Third Order Powers to enter your egoic soul. This power makes it possible to live a joyous and virtuous life. It allows the love of the Father to flow through you and out into the world. And it eases your transition after the physical death of your body, so you may enter the afterlife without fear, knowing that you rest in the Pleroma of the Christ. The Final Economy is our foretaste of Paradise. No more shadows, no more sorrow. I hope that this information is helpful to you and will help you remember your gnosis. Merry Christmas. God bless us all. And onward and upward. If you are getting any gnosis from this information, please consider supporting Gnostic Insights with a generous donation. It helps keep me motivated. I’m a one-person enterprise with full responsibility for every aspect of this podcast, from writing to recording to editing to artwork to paying for the hosting services that bring this gnosis to you. I could really use some more support! Please do what you can. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Stripe Credit Card *Choose your item *Item A - $10.00Item B - $25.00Item C - $50.00Total$0.00Submit

What do we learn about Jesus's betrayal? Matthew 26:14–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to see treachery, sovereignty, obedience, and sinfulness, as we consider Jesus's betrayal. This devotional centers on the prophesied betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, revealing profound truths about divine sovereignty, human treachery, and Christ's willing obedience. The betrayal is marked by deep treachery, as one of Jesus's closest disciples, part of His household and family, conspires against Him, highlighting the gravity of apostasy within the covenant community. Yet Jesus affirms that His death is not a tragic accident but the fulfillment of Scripture, demonstrating God's sovereign plan and Christ's intentional obedience to the Father's will. The scene also exposes the brazen nature of sin, as Judas, having heard Jesus's solemn warning and even the curse upon the betrayer, still proceeds with his betrayal, revealing the deceptive and self-justifying character of unrepentant evil. Ultimately, the passage calls believers to profound self-examination, humility, and reliance on Christ's righteousness, recognizing that only through His grace can we be cleansed from our capacity for such betrayal and made obedient like Him.

It is easy, almost natural, to be owned by our stuff. Yet Jesus says that we are to care for the poor, which sometimes means we must sell something we have in order to do that. It may not be appealing, but as Christians we should ask God what He wants us to sell so that we may help someone in need who may potentially become a brother or sister in Christ.

It is easy, almost natural, to be owned by our stuff. Yet Jesus says that we are to care for the poor, which sometimes means we must sell something we have in order to do that. It may not be appealing, but as Christians we should ask God what He wants us to sell so that we may help someone in need who may potentially become a brother or sister in Christ. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/640/29?v=20251111

If you want to follow Jesus, you must hate your father and mother, your spouse and even your kids. These words seem not only harsh but they seem to contradict the very commands God has given to us. Yet Jesus said them. Today, Dr. Philip Ryken helps us try to understand what Jesus meant, and how we can follow him on Every Last Word. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/581/29?v=20251111

If you want to follow Jesus, you must hate your father and mother, your spouse and even your kids. These words seem not only harsh but they seem to contradict the very commands God has given to us. Yet Jesus said them. Today we'll be trying to understand what Jesus meant, and how we can follow him. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/790/29?v=20251111

Whether conscious or unconscious, we often view much of our humanity in opposition to our spiritual life. We know our predilections to vices and addictions. We find ourselves making and breaking the same commitments or resolutions each year for change that remains elusive. We realize we are intensely engaged in the same argument or relational rut, as predictable as Black Friday sales. Yet Jesus' arrival on earth speaks a different understanding of our humanness. Divinity is moving into our neighborhood, not to price us out of the block, but to show us the sacred in our skin, breath, thoughts, desires, quirks, and connections. We are invited to wait and watch for the Beloved and Beautiful in the imprint of humanness. In this third week of Advent, Christopher looks at the fragility of God being with us in even the most challenging and harrowing of times.  Reflection: What does your soul rejoice in? Is it harder for you to find joy in giving mercy or in receiving mercy? What is your prayer to the God of Upheaval?

Life moves fast—much faster than our souls were designed to run. Between responsibilities, noise, technology, and distractions, our minds rarely find quiet. Yet Jesus invites us into something radically countercultural: a secret place of stillness with Him. In this devotion, Keri Eichberger reminds us that solitude isn’t merely the absence of people—it's the intentional presence of God. True rest doesn’t come from binge-watching shows, scrolling endlessly, or escaping reality. It comes from withdrawing to be alone with the Lord, letting Him replenish what life drains. Solitude with God is a spiritual practice—a rhythm Jesus modeled throughout His earthly ministry. When we step away from the world’s constant chatter and allow silence to settle in, we make space to hear His voice again. We find peace, clarity, comfort, and spiritual renewal that no substitute can provide. And here's the beautiful thing: As we learn to savor God’s presence in private, His peace begins to follow us everywhere. Solitude becomes something we can carry within us—transforming busy rooms, chaotic moments, and overwhelming days. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” — Matthew 6:6 Main Takeaways Solitude isn’t isolation—it’s intentionally entering God’s presence. God desires to meet us in stillness, away from noise and distraction. Solitude strengthens our ability to sense God’s presence throughout everyday life. The secret place with God brings spiritual renewal, clarity, and rest. Practicing silence and prayer becomes a portable sanctuary for the soul. Today’s Prayer Glorious God, You are the sweetest gift of solitude. When I retreat from the noise of the world and quiet my heart before You, I find peace and nourishment that only You can give. I confess that I often turn to lesser things to soothe what only Your presence can heal. Teach me to prioritize stillness. Make solitude with You a regular rhythm of my life—one that becomes so natural that I can turn to You anytime, anywhere. Quiet my distractions. Relax my striving. Help me learn to savor Your holy, life-giving presence. Fill me with Your love, joy, and peace as I rest in You today. In Jesus’ precious name,Amen. Reflection Scriptures Psalm 46:10 Isaiah 30:15 Mark 1:35 Psalm 62:1 Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer on LifeAudio.com Share today’s devotion with someone who needs rest in God Explore related topics on Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com: How to hear God in the quiet What solitude with Jesus looks like Breaking busyness with biblical rest Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Presented by Julie Busteed We don't use the word abide very often today. Yet Jesus uses it eleven times in John 15. The scene is the Last Supper. He has just washed his disciples' feet, and now he is teaching and praying for them—sharing his final words with them before the crucifixion. Because Jesus emphasizes this word so strongly, it's worth pausing to understand what he meant. He says: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4–5, ESV). The Greek word menō, translated “abide,” means to remain, stay, or dwell. It's an active word—not passive—implying an ongoing, intentional relationship. Some Bible translations even use the word remain. Matthew Henry, in his commentary, highlights the context well: Jesus was about to leave his disciples after being with them for three years. The disciples would soon face the temptation to drift from him, from each other, and from his teaching—perhaps even to return to the old patterns of the law. Jesus impresses on them the urgent importance of remaining in him and in community with one another. And he assures them that the helper, the Holy Spirit, would come to strengthen and sustain them.[1] In this passage, Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches. Believers in Christ are the branches; he is the vine. A life of fruitfulness depends on staying connected to him. To abide in Christ starts with a relationship. The first step is to come to him as Lord and Savior, recognizing your need for forgiveness and grace. But that's only the beginning. As you follow him, the relationship grows deeper. You learn who he is, what he teaches, and how he calls each of us to live in obedience to him. To love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). Abiding is a lifelong journey of growing, obeying, and staying connected. — [1] Matthew Henry, “John 15,” Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, BibleGateway, n.d., https://www.biblegateway.com/.

Asking someone to give more is awkward and not a "good look." Yet Jesus often talks about what giving can really look like.Scripture Readings:Genesis 1:26-31|Romans 8:31-39|John 3:11-21Website : glc.gracepocatello.orgStay Connected to us: facebook.com/glcpocatelloOnline offering can be done through our secure platform: https://glc.gracepocatello.org/give-online/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/PocatelloGrace

Everything You're Looking For - "PEACE in Your Chaos" - Philippians 4:4-8 The holidays can feel anything but peaceful—packed schedules, pressure, and noise. Yet Jesus came to bring exactly what our hearts crave: peace. He restores what sin has broken, reconnecting us with God and offering forgiveness, the hope of heaven, and the promise of eternal life. But His peace isn't just for “someday”—it's for right now. From a prison cell, Paul shares the secret to living in Christ's peace: guard your mind from worry, practice intentional gratitude, and stay close to God through prayer. When we do, the Prince of Peace meets us with His calming presence.

On this second Sunday of Advent, Christine reflects on how hope is not about pretending things are better than they are. John the Baptist sees the brutality of his world clearly from his cell, and causes him to question what he once proclaimed. Yet Jesus invites him - and us - into a hope that looks squarely at pain, injustice and suffering and still insists that God is at work. What it might mean to practice an eyes-wide-open hope that doesn't flinch from the truth, yet keeps watching for the small, hidden ways that God's redemptive work shows up on the edges?

In this Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff turns to the figure of John the Baptist and the call to repentance that prepares the way for the Lord. He explains that John stands at the culmination of Old Testament prophecy, announcing the arrival of the Messiah and calling all people to conversion. Yet Jesus teaches that the least in the kingdom is greater than John, because Christians carry Christ within them. This means the true tragedy is not simply breaking commandments but failing to live as Christ in the world. The post The 2nd Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff turns to the figure of John the Baptist and the call to repentance that prepares the way for the Lord. He explains that John stands at the culmination of Old Testament prophecy, announcing the arrival of the Messiah and calling all people to conversion. Yet Jesus teaches that the least in the kingdom is greater than John, because Christians carry Christ within them. This means the true tragedy is not simply breaking commandments but failing to live as Christ in the world. The post The 2nd Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Whether conscious or unconscious, we often view much of our humanity in opposition to our spiritual life. We know our predilections to vices and addictions. We find ourselves making and breaking the same commitments or resolutions each year for change that remains elusive. We realize we are intensely engaged in the same argument or relational rut, as predictable as Black Friday sales. Yet Jesus' arrival on earth speaks a different understanding of our humanness. Divinity is moving into our neighborhood, not to price us out of the block, but to show us the sacred in our skin, breath, thoughts, desires, quirks, and connections. We are invited to wait and watch for the Beloved and Beautiful in the imprint of humanness. In this second week of Advent, Vanessa looks at the fragility of God being with us in even the most challenging and harrowing of times.  Reflection  Where do you spy God? Where do you long to see peace realized in your personal life? What can you do to bring peace to others?

If we truly believe Jesus is Lord, then his words matter… even the ones that challenge us. In this week's conversation, we reflect on Luke 6:46: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?” Jesus does not rebuke here, but invites each of us personally to reflect on teachings, words from God, or passages of Scripture we truly believe. Let's also allow it to be an invitation to ask: which of Jesus's words and teachings have I forgotten or discarded because they are difficult. All of us have places where obedience feels costly or inconvenient. Yet Jesus never calls us to follow him on our own strength. Let's also look at what he does to help us? Throughout the episode, we also explore: * how the Holy Spirit prompts us toward deeper faithfulness * why some of Jesus' teachings feel difficult and what that says about our spiritual growth * how grace strengthens our weak places * the invitation to reflect on areas where we're not fully following him * the simple, daily yes that forms real discipleship Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)." Click here (https://www.patreon.com/c/drawnear/membership) to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. "Like" and follow us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara). Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fredandkara/)! Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. (https://www.drawnear.me/) Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell

This Giving Tuesday, help us meet the spiritual moment! Give now. “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT) One way to prepare our hearts for Christmas and foster a spirit of genuine gratitude is to consider what Jesus laid aside, for our sake, when He came to earth. His is not a rags-to-riches story; it’s a riches-to-rags story. The apostle Paul wrote, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). We may not be able to wrap our minds around the glory of Heaven. But we can imagine the pure joy of being in God’s presence. We can guess at what it’s like to be worshipped nonstop by adoring angels. Yet Jesus set those things aside to squeeze His infinite presence into a container of flesh and make Himself vulnerable to the people He created. Let’s also consider the existence that Jesus embraced when He came. He could have been born in the most elegant mansion on the ritziest boulevard in Rome. He could have had aristocratic parents who boasted of their pedigree. He could have had the finest clothes from the most exclusive shops. He could have had legions of servants to respond to His every whim. But He chose none of that. Instead, Jesus humbled Himself. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT). God came into our world—not as an all-powerful deity, but as a baby, born to humble parents in a humble setting. The Creator of the universe was born in a stable in Bethlehem. Like many other aspects of the Christmas story, we have romanticized the environment of Jesus’ birth. We decorate our homes with nativity sets that make the scene seem cozy, comfortable, and heartwarming. We see the baby Jesus surrounded not only by His loving parents but also by His shepherd friends, His wise men friends, and His animal friends. But in sanitizing the circumstances of Jesus’ birth, we lose the raw, powerful meaning behind them. The stable or barn (or maybe even cave) where Christ was born was cold and damp. It also would have smelled. God incarnate was born on a dirt floor used by animals. Our Savior came not as a monarch draped in gold and silk, but as a baby wrapped in rags. Jesus went from being a sovereign to a servant. He went from the glory of God to a stable filled with animals. It has been said that history swings on the hinge of the door of a stable in Bethlehem. As you prepare for Christmas, think about what Jesus left behind to dwell among us. Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in Heaven. Reflection question: How can we, as Jesus’ followers, humble ourselves for His sake? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" 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.

Whether conscious or unconscious, we often view much of our humanity in opposition to our spiritual life. We know our predilections to vices and addictions. We find ourselves making and breaking the same commitments or resolutions each year for change that remains elusive. We realize we are intensely engaged in the same argument or relational rut, as predictable as Black Friday sales. Yet Jesus' arrival on earth speaks a different understanding of our humanness. Divinity is moving into our neighborhood, not to price us out of the block, but to show us the sacred in our skin, breath, thoughts, desires, quirks, and connections. We are invited to wait and watch for the Beloved and Beautiful in the imprint of humanness. In this first week of Advent, Christopher looks at the genealogy of Jesus through the lens of Mary, searching for hope in a season of despair.  Reflection  How can we wear our own skin with gratitude instead of loathing? What is Divine Wisdom inviting you to trust? Who is someone in your life who illuminate hope for you? 

The Church needs to get one thing straight and leave it settled forever: Jesus Christ plainly declared that nobody can predict the hour nor day of His return to Earth. Anybody that tries to do so is dishonoring Him. The sensationalized predictions of the date of the Second Coming, like the recent September 23rd rapture prediction, are not something Jesus signs off on. Yet…Jesus did say MUCH about the season surrounding His return. He also taught quite a bit about some precise things we should expect once that season begins to unfold. In this message, we take a look at what is going to be happening on earth just prior to the season in which Christ returns. Jesus connects this future season to one in the very distant past which caught humanity by surprise. Why does Jesus connect these two events? Because He does not want for the future generation to be unprepared like that past generation was. This message is a call to quit staring at the prophetic clocks and calendars and instead to start preparing our lives for His return - no matter how near or distant that may be.

The Church needs to get one thing straight and leave it settled forever: Jesus Christ plainly declared that nobody can predict the hour nor day of His return to Earth. Anybody that tries to do so is dishonoring Him. The sensationalized predictions of the date of the Second Coming, like the recent September 23rd rapture prediction, are not something Jesus signs off on. Yet…Jesus did say MUCH about the season surrounding His return. He also taught quite a bit about some precise things we should expect once that season begins to unfold. In this message, we take a look at what is going to be happening on earth just prior to the season in which Christ returns. Jesus connects this future season to one in the very distant past which caught humanity by surprise. Why does Jesus connect these two events? Because He does not want for the future generation to be unprepared like that past generation was. This message is a call to quit staring at the prophetic clocks and calendars and instead to start preparing our lives for His return - no matter how near or distant that may be.

Today's Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfmIn today's homily, Fr. Anthony reminds us of a truth Americans rarely ponder: we have never lived under a king — yet our entire faith rests on the Kingship of Jesus Christ. Unlike earthly monarchs who seek power, privilege, and protection, Jesus rules from a place no human king would ever choose: the Cross. His throne is wood, His crown is thorns, His royal robes are His own Precious Blood. This is the radical reversal of the Gospel — a King who saves not by “saving Himself,” but by pouring Himself out in total self-gift. As Scripture says, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).The mockery of the rulers, the soldiers, and the thief — “Save yourself!” — echoes the temptation we all face: self-preservation over self-surrender. Yet Jesus reveals the true meaning of kingship: mercy. On Calvary, He establishes a kingdom not of domination but of redemption. He conquers sin, death, and Satan by embracing the Cross, proving that divine authority is expressed through sacrificial love. The Diary of St. Faustina echoes this mystery when Jesus says, “The flames of mercy are burning Me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls” (Diary, 1074). Christ thirsts for souls, not for earthly glory.Fr. Anthony urges each of us to enthrone Jesus as King in our hearts. The real battle is not with political enemies or cultural currents, but within — between virtue and vice, grace and temptation. To invite Christ the King is to ask Him to conquer our interior enemies quickly and decisively. And where the King reigns, He places His Queen — the Blessed Virgin Mary — beside Him. Through truth, humility, and repentance, the kingdom of God takes root within us, leading us to the final victory: rising with Christ after our death, just like the good thief who prayed, “Jesus, remember me.”For more Catholic teaching, visit DivineMercyPlus.org and the link in our bio. Deepen your understanding of Christ's saving work and the Sacraments with Understanding the Sacraments at ShopMercy.org.#marian #marians #marianfathers #marianhelpers #divinemercy #thedivinemercy #catholic #catholicism #romancatholic #romancatholicism#franthony #christtheking #dailyhomily #catholicpreaching #jesuschristking #calvary #divinemercydevotion #maryourmother #catholictruth #gospelteaching ★ Support this podcast ★

What comes to mind when you think of God's posture toward you? All of us long to know for certain that Abba looks at us with eyes of love, but it's easy to project our own judgment and rejection onto his heart for us. Yet Jesus reconciles the love of God to us through his empathy and desires that we become familiar with his loving gaze of delight.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi get practical about cultivating a loving friendship with Jesus. You'll be blessed with fresh insight into scriptures that ooze Jesus' empathy as you're equipped with help to nourish your soul through his ever-deepening love and care.Resources for this Episode:Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God's Great Empathy for YouAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks*Please note: You'll receive the BOGO discount on Deeply Loved by adding two copies to your cart in our shop. This sale runs until November 27, 2025. Click the link above to get this special deal.

This exploration of spiritual warfare challenges us to reconsider what truly matters when facing life's battles. Drawing from Revelation 2 and Jesus' words to the church in Ephesus, we discover that the most dangerous aspect of spiritual warfare isn't the battle itself—it's our posture when the battle comes. The Ephesian church was doing everything right on the surface: they were doctrinally sound, patient in suffering, discerning of false teaching, and tireless in their work. Yet Jesus confronted them with a devastating truth: they had abandoned their first love. This message reminds us that activity without affection leads to burnout and drift. We can be incredibly busy serving God while our hearts grow distant from Him. The key to holding fast in a drifting culture isn't found in fighting harder or doing more—it's found in holding to Jesus first. When we look up before we look around, when we remember His worthiness rather than focusing on the world's lostness, our motivation transforms. We're called to fight from victory, not for victory, because Jesus has already conquered. The resurrection sets Christianity apart from every other religion, and that same resurrection power lives in us. Our posture matters more than our performance, and realigning our hearts with God's love—not our love for Him, but His unwavering love for us—keeps us anchored in truth.Connect with First Baptist Starkville: https://bit.ly/3imWgqv Subscribe to see our latest sermons: https://bit.ly/3DxRyjH Support this ministry and our work in Starkville, MS: https://bit.ly/44muvW0

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Job 41-42; 2 Corinthians 1-2 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! In this November 15th, 2025 episode, your host Hunter invites us into day 320 of our Scripture journey, guiding us through the closing chapters of Job and the beginning of Second Corinthians. We'll witness Job's remarkable transformation from grief to restoration, his humility before God, and the generous blessings that follow as he prays for his friends. Then, in Paul's heartfelt letter to the Corinthians, we explore themes of divine comfort, forgiveness, and the call to embody grace for others. Along the way, Hunter reflects on where we turn in times of need and encourages us to become sources of comfort and forgiveness in our own lives. The episode closes with a thoughtful time of prayer and a reminder: we are deeply loved and called to share that love with the world. So whether you're tired, seeking comfort, or simply looking for a fresh word of encouragement, join us for a rich, hope-filled encounter with Scripture and prayer. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Where do you go when you need forgiveness? Where do you turn when guilt and shame threaten to overwhelm your heart? It's an important question, and Hunter draws our attention to it today. Not only do we need a place for comfort and forgiveness, but so do the people in our lives. Are we known—are you known—as someone who offers grace, kindness, a listening ear when someone has stumbled or is hurting? The invitation in today's scriptures is clear: where you go for comfort and forgiveness will help determine where those around you go when they're in need. If you turn to your gracious Father, receive comfort from the Spirit, and drink deeply of forgiveness from Christ, then others—those who may be carrying heavy burdens of sorrow or failure—will know they can come to you. When your life is rooted in grace, it becomes a place of sanctuary for those seeking mercy. Hunter urges us: go to the cross, go to Christ, go to your loving Savior. He forgives freely and does not treat us as our sins deserve. As the psalm says, "He does not repay us according to our iniquities." If you're daily receiving grace and mercy, you'll become someone others trust to receive it from too. Paul asks, "Who is adequate for such a task as this?"—the task of comforting, restoring, forgiving. There's only one who is truly able: Christ alone. Yet Jesus invites us to participate with Him in sharing His comfort and grace. When we go to Him, we're empowered to offer the real comfort and real forgiveness the world aches for. That's a prayer Hunter has for his own soul, for his family, and for all of us. May we become people who are known as vessels of Christ's comfort and forgiveness—not just for our sake but for the sake of a world in need. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

In every culture, we're drawn to do good. Yet Jesus reminds us that our works lose their meaning when they become monuments to our own name rather than a response to God's grace. The Pharisee in the parable shows how self-trust and comparison can distort even good practices, while the tax collector reveals the hope found in depending entirely on God's mercy. We often forget that grace is what begins every good work in us—and when righteousness becomes our personal ambition, it quietly separates us from both God and others. The way forward is through daily confession and a humble return to God, trusting His righteousness—not ours—as the true source of any lasting good. --- Scripture: Luke 18:9–14 (NRSV) The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” 13 But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.'    

Discover why Jesus corrected one of the most successful churches in history and what their story teaches us about maintaining authentic faith today. The church in Ephesus had everything - apostolic leadership from Paul, Timothy, and John, sound biblical doctrine, and unwavering commitment to truth. Yet Jesus had a serious problem with them that threatens many churches today.This message explores the danger of abandoning your first love for Christ while maintaining religious activity. Learn about the difference between theological orthodoxy and relational intimacy, and why good doctrine without devotion leads to spiritual apathy. The Ephesian church was so focused on defending the faith that they lost their delight in the Faith-giver.Key topics covered include spiritual discernment, biblical church leadership, maintaining authentic Christian faith, overcoming spiritual coldness, gospel-centered living, and practical steps for spiritual renewal.

Spring Lake Church – BellevueSermon: All AuthorityTeacher: Jack GuerraPassages: John 5:16-47In “All Authority,” Pastor Jack Guerra teaches from John 5:16–47, where Jesus reveals His divine equality with the Father. He holds the power to give life, execute judgment, and call the dead to rise. Through John the Baptist, His works, and the Scriptures, all testimony points to His deity. Yet Jesus also exposes unbelief that keeps hearts from true life. He invites us to believe, honor, and follow Him fully.springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

Spring Lake Church – DowntownSermon: All AuthorityTeacher: Garet MeyerPassages: John 5:16-47In “All Authority,” Pastor Garet Meyer teaches from John 5:16–47, where Jesus reveals His divine equality with the Father. He holds the power to give life, execute judgment, and call the dead to rise. Through John the Baptist, His works, and the Scriptures, all testimony points to His deity. Yet Jesus also exposes unbelief that keeps hearts from true life. He invites us to believe, honor, and follow Him fully.springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Job 21; Mark 5-6 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In this episode for October 30th, 2025, your host Hunter invites you to join him as together you journey through key moments in Scripture. Today's reading begins with Job's heartfelt response to his friends, wrestling with the challenging question of why the wicked sometimes prosper while the righteous suffer. The journey continues into the Gospel of Mark, exploring powerful moments in Jesus's ministry—from the deliverance of a man possessed by demons, to the healing of a woman with persistent bleeding who touches Jesus's robe in faith, and the raising of Jairus's daughter. Hunter reflects on these stories of desperation, faith, and unexpected grace, reminding us all that God's greatest gifts often find us in our moments of deepest need. The episode concludes with prayer and encouragement, as Hunter calls listeners to embrace God's gift of life, walk forward in joy, and remember that they are truly loved. Join us for Scripture, reflection, and a fresh reminder of hope for your day. TODAY'S DEVOTION: She came empty-handed, yet full of hope. In the crowd that pressed around Jesus, no one noticed her—not the way they noticed Jairus, the esteemed synagogue ruler, with status and recognition. He could approach Jesus openly, likely with little resistance. But for the bleeding woman, it wasn't that way. Her life had been reduced to poverty and pain, every resource spent with nothing but disappointment in return. She had lost everything. But still, she held on to a fragile thread of faith—if I can just touch the edge of his robe, I will be healed. It may have felt to her that she was taking something to which she had no right, reaching for what belonged only to those with something to give in return. And yet, she pressed through, believing for mercy, grasping what seemed almost like stealing a gift she could not afford. At the moment her hand met Jesus' cloak, healing power flowed. She was freed from her suffering—but also overcome with fear, feeling as if she had taken something not hers to take. Yet Jesus, in kindness and compassion, called her forward—not to shame her, but to claim her. "Daughter, your faith has made you well," he declared. He did not charge her for the healing. He did not turn her away. The gift was for her: free, abundant, and full of grace. Many of us know what it's like to feel as though life has emptied us out, left us with nothing to show for our efforts. Maybe, like her, we feel unworthy to receive or even approach Jesus. But today's gospel is clear: his gifts are not earned; they are given. When we come, with whatever faith we have left, he meets us with blessing. Let us live in gratitude, not as thieves in his presence, but as recipients of gracious, abundant life. Jesus reminds us: take the healing, take the gift, walk in peace. Let us hear his words to us: "Daughter, son, your faith has made you well." That is a prayer I have for my own soul. That is a prayer I have for my family—my wife, my daughters, my son. And that is a prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Daily Prayer from October 30th, 2025 Gracious and everlasting God, you have brought us through the shadow of night into the promise of a new day. You go before us with your mercy, sustain us by your grace and keep us from wandering paths of fear or pride. Let every word we speak and every step we take be formed by the goodness of Christ. O Lord, gather your people far and near. May every tribe and tongue come to know your peace. Let justice roll like a river and healing flow where there has been division. Pour out your spirit upon all flesh and bring us closer to the day when your kingdom comes in fullness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation. Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Job 19; Mark 1-2 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! In today's episode, your host Hunter guides us through the powerful words of Job 19 and the opening chapters of the Gospel of Mark. As we journey together through Scripture, Hunter invites us to ponder the cries of Job, who holds fast to faith amidst suffering, and to witness the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry—full of healing, forgiveness, and the call to trust in God's goodness. You'll hear reflections on faith, perseverance, and the silent prayers that only Jesus hears, woven together with moments of prayer for the day ahead. Hunter encourages us to dig deep, hold on, and trust that God hears the faith in our hearts, even when words fail us. It's a soul-nourishing episode of Scripture, reflection, and prayer, reminding us that no matter what, we are loved—and that is truly good news. So, grab your Bible and join us for today's journey in the Word! TODAY'S DEVOTION: There is a frequency of faith that Jesus hears. The crowds come to listen to Jesus, but Jesus comes to hear the crowds. He's tuned into the silent voices of hearts speaking trust, hope, and desperate faith. Mark tells us about some friends—four of them—who quietly say with their actions, Let's push through this crowd. Let's dig into this roof. Let's hold onto these ropes. Let's see what Jesus will do. Their faith isn't loud, but Jesus perceives it. He sees their determination, he hears their silent prayers and pleading. Mark closely records each small step—pushing through the crowd, digging into the roof, holding on to the ropes, lowering their dear friend to Jesus. Jesus sees it all. And when he does, he responds not only with healing, but with forgiveness. "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, 'Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven.'" Faith, sometimes, is not just in words but in actions, in persistent movement, in refusing to be discouraged. But within the crowd, others are speaking a different language—a language of disbelief, skepticism, and scorn. Only Jesus hears those words too. "Why does this man speak like that? He's blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Even as God offers forgiveness and healing, doubt fills the room. Yet Jesus persists. He confronts disbelief, he offers grace, and he calls us to trust him even when others do not. So what is Jesus hearing from you today? Are your words silent prayers of faith, a whisper of hope, or perhaps a desperate plea to break through the darkness? Or do doubts crowd in, pushing back against hope, afraid to believe that God is good and can be trusted? Jesus hears it all. And he calls us to push through, to dig in, to hold on, to believe that his heart is truly good for us. Sometimes, faith—the kind that moves mountains—is simply the kind that pushes through, digs in, and keeps holding on. Mark's story reminds us: God is good. You can trust him. In your struggle, in your prayers, in your need, let faith whisper, Perhaps God, in his goodness, will help me. That is my prayer for my own soul, for my family—for my wife and my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you today. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen. Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation. Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL

At the heart of John chapter 3 lies one of the most transformative truths in all of Scripture: we must be born again. This message confronts us with a stunning reality—that religious achievement, heritage, education, and moral effort cannot earn our way into God's kingdom. When Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus, a highly respected religious leader and member of the Sanhedrin, He was addressing someone who had climbed to the pinnacle of spiritual accomplishment in his culture. Yet Jesus looked past all of Nicodemus's credentials and went straight to the heart: 'Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' As we examine this passage, we're reminded that billions of people across the world still operate under a works-based understanding of salvation, believing they must earn their way to heaven through good deeds, religious observance, or moral living. Even many who identify as Christians have somehow attached works to their salvation. But the gospel message is radically different: salvation is a free gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. We can know—right now, in this moment—that we have eternal life, not because of what we've done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

In this message, we're reminded that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. Scripture shows that sheep are helpless, easily harassed, and prone to wander without a shepherd's care. Yet Jesus knows His sheep, carries them close to His heart, and leads them with love and wisdom. Even when we face danger or lose our way, He protects, guides, and restores us. Through every valley and trial, the Good Shepherd never leaves us alone—He seeks us out, brings us home, and rejoices when we return to Him.

In this message, Pastor Sean teaches on the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Loving God radically means putting Him above every idol, every false belief, and every desire that competes for our hearts. From Solomon's downfall to the modern idols of self, pleasure, and false religion, we see that anything placed before God leads to deception and distance from His love. False gods promise freedom but deliver bondage. Yet Jesus the one true and living God calls us to wholehearted devotion and authentic relationship. When we encounter Him, our hearts are set free to love purely, live boldly, and worship Him alone The vision of Mercy Culture is to take people from corporate encounters with God to daily personal encounters with God. At Mercy Culture, one of our unique characteristics is that we are a presence driven church. We are not built around any person or ministry. We are built around the presence of God. Each week, you will hear a teaching from our Lead Pastors, Les and Nikki Cody or another leader in our community. To learn more about Mercy Culture, visit https://mercyculturewaco.com   

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible—your companion for this 14th day of October, as we journey together through the Bible on day 288 of the year. I'm Hunter, your host, joining you and listeners from around the world as we gather to warm our hearts by the fires of God's love. In today's episode, we explore Nehemiah chapters 11 and 12, delving into the resettlement of Jerusalem and the dedication of its walls with joy, song, and thanksgiving. We meditate on the wisdom of Psalm 1, reflecting on what it means to be rooted and nourished in God's word. Then, we witness a miraculous moment in Acts 3, where Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth at the temple gate—an encounter that becomes an invitation to new life through the power of Jesus. Join me as we move beyond the gates of expectation into the fullness of God's love and restoration. Let's settle in, open our hearts, and discover together what God wants to show us today. TODAY'S DEVOTION: He can take us beyond the beautiful gate—into life itself. The story in Acts 3 is the story of a man who sat daily outside the temple, unable to enter, always stopping just short of where life and the presence of God dwelled. He expected so little—asking only for a few coins from those passing by. Yet, when Peter and John arrive, the unexpected happens. Peter says to him, "I don't have any silver or gold for you, but I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk." And in that moment—through the living power of Christ—the man rises, not only from his physical brokenness, but beyond his limitations, into the temple, leaping and praising God. His friends couldn't get him through that gate. Moses and the prophets could not take him beyond. Our own strength and the expectations we settle for—none of it is enough to move us past the barriers that hold us back from God's life. But Jesus can. Through Peter, Jesus saw him, healed him, and took him farther than he ever imagined—past the gate, into the temple, into joy, into the life that God gives. This is the story not just for that man, but for all of us. How often do we sit outside the gates, hoping for a little relief, expecting so little, feeling stuck or limited by what we see or believe about ourselves? Yet Jesus meets us there, sees us completely, and calls us to rise—to walk with him into life, into restoration, into the fullness we were made for. He is the one who brings us in, who restores our souls, who lifts us far beyond anything we thought possible. He calls us to stand, to walk upright, to leap with joy. Let the abiding life of Christ lift you up and take you in—far past any gate, far past what you thought possible. Receive what Jesus has for you today—not just the small things you expect, but the abundance of life he gives. That's a prayer I have for my own soul, for my family, for my wife and daughters and son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

In this Bible Story, we learn about Jesus' provision over Peter's taxes. Jesus also gives a stiff warning to those who would threaten the innocence of a child. This story is inspired by Matthew 17:24-27; Mark 9:33-41 & Luke 9:49-50; 17:1-2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Matthew 17:27 from the King James Version.Episode 198: It was tax season in Capernaum and Peter had no money to spare. Yet Jesus was not caught off guard. He cared for Peter and his family and told him where to go and what to do to find the money needed. The next evening around dinner Jesus called on His disciples asking them what they were arguing about earlier that day. Embarrassed, they sheepishly remained silent. While Jesus shared with them that if they truly want to be great, they must put the needs of others above themselves.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, Jesus defends a woman caught in adultery from being stoned to death. She is drug out into the public half naked for all to shame her. Yet Jesus stands up to the religious leaders, and proclaims that whoever was without sin could throw the first stone. Since none of them had a rebuttal for Jesus, they left, and the woman was forgiven. This story is inspired by John 7:1-8:12. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is John 8:7 from the King James Version.Episode 195: The Pharisees once again trying to trap Jesus in His words bring Him a woman caught in the act of adultery. As they were trying to push Jesus into either forgiving the woman against the Law of Moses or stoning her as the Law requires, Jesus pushed them instead. He challenged them to take a look at the sin in their own lives first and the Pharisees began to leave one by one. When all who were left were Jesus and the woman, He spoke words of forgiveness and comfort, sending her on her way saying “go and sin no more.”Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your strength runs out, when fear torments your mind, and when your love falls short, God's love steps in. In this compassionate message, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts teaches from John 21, where Jesus meets Peter after his denial. Peter's love had failed, his confidence was shaken, and he no longer trusted himself. Yet Jesus restored him through love and called him to follow again. That same love is available to you. Real transformation doesn't come from changing our behavior — it begins with what we allow into our hearts and minds. If you change the input, the output will follow. God's presence renews your thoughts, restores your identity, and empowers you to walk in freedom. His love casts out fear, steadies your soul, and sustains you when human love falls short. This is a timely word for anyone who needs a reminder: Your story doesn't end where your love failed. God's love will meet you there, restore you, and carry you forward. Message: “Love Steps In” Scripture: John 21:15-18 (NKJV) Speaker: Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts Date: Aug. 24, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.