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Put On the Lord Jesus Jonathan Parnell Download Romans 13:11–14,“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” And it was this passage of God's word that once changed a man's life forever — his name was Augustine; he was from North Africa; he lived from the year 354 to 430; and the story of his conversion is the story I wanna tell you this morning as we kick off our new series, “How God Changes a Life.” The plan for this series is to look at four examples throughout church history of when God transformed someone's life through the power of his word. And the reason we're doing this is because we believe that God still does this kind of life-changing work today — my prayer has been that we as a church would be inspired by God's work in the past so that we would expect that same work in the present. And if you're here and you're not yet a Christian — if you're here and you need your life to change — first, I want you to know I'm glad you're here, and you've come to the right place. Whatever you've got going on, I can almost guarantee that Augustine's situation was worse. Let me tell you his story in three parts … We're gonna look at Augustine's context, his crisis, and his change. Part One: ContextAnd we start with the context, or the setting, because this is where every good story starts. The question here is: What kind of world did Augustine live in? Augustine was born in the year 354 in North Africa, which was part of the Roman Empire. This was about 40 years after the Emperor Constantine became a Christian and legalized Christian worship. Up until Constantine, Christians were a persecuted minority, but under his protections the gospel began to spread and the church began to grow. But the world was still a big mess — you could call it a world of conquest and confusion. ConquestIt was a world of conquest because there was constant fighting and enemy invasions, thanks to the barbarians. Now the word “barbarian” is a word in the New Testament. It was the Greek word for Gentiles outside the Greek-speaking world — these were Gentiles who spoke their own languages and maintained their own culture.Now as the Roman Empire expanded, Roman armies conquered a lot of these barbarian tribes, but over time these barbarians starting fighting back. A couple of names you've probably heard before are the Goths and Vandals (the Vikings came a few hundred years later). But the Goths and Vandals were Germanic tribes who fought against Rome. For example, in 410 (when Augustine was 56 years old), the Visigoths sacked Rome (which was a big deal — no foreign army had invaded Rome in over 800 years). This shook the whole world.Then in 430, the year Augustine died, the Vandals laid siege to the City of Hippo where Augustine lived. So while Augustine was on his deathbed, there was an invading army literally outside the walls of his city. And this was his life. This was the world as Augustine knew it — what he would later call the City of Man. It was a world full of conflict and war — Augustine's hope was not in politics. ConfusionBut then, at the same time of these physical threats, there were also layers of ideological confusion. There were all kinds of different worldviews and philosophies and Christian heresies. And one place where all this stuff was most obvious was in the biggest city of North Africa — the city of Carthage. Augustine moved there when he was 17 years old to go to college and study philosophy; it was one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world; it was a bustling place. And this is where Augustine went off the rails.He later described the city as a “seething cauldron of shameful sex.”So while he was being indoctrinated with all kinds of junk intellectually, he was also indulging in sexual sin. He would go to church, but it was because he was trying to pick up women. He ended up getting a woman pregnant and they had a son, and then spiritually, he went all-in with a cult called Manichaeism. Manichaeism is too much to explain now, but it was basically a fusion religion that was a mix of Buddhism and Bible heresies and other stuff. And it was super weird (They believed tiny particles of Divine Light were trapped inside material things). They rejected the Old Testament, but they did respect the letters of Paul in the New Testament (that'll be important later). But suffice to say, Augustine was confused. He was lost — and I mean bad lost. Like, if you think you have a past … Augustine was a sexually deviant, heretical college philosophy student. He was a very long way from Jesus. But … he had a Christian mother.Christian MotherAugustine's mom was a woman named Monica, she's a big part of his story. We know a lot about her because Augustine wrote a lot about her. He admired his mom deeply. She was a Christian, from a Christian family (she married a man named Patrick, who was a pagan; he didn't become a Christian until right before he died). But Monica raised Augustine in Christian truth, even though he rejected it for years. … His mom never gave up on him. She prayed for him a lot, and she bugged him a lot. I think she would classify as an ancient helicopter mom, but in the best kind of way. When she found out he had embraced Manichaeism, Augustine said she wept for him “more than mothers weep for their children who die” (and he knew that because she probably told him). There's one story of Monica where she kept insisting with a local pastor to meet with Augustine. The pastor wouldn't do it because Augustine wasn't interested. But Monica kept on and on with the pastor … Did you call him? Did you meet with him? Have you seen him? She'd beg this pastor through tears.Finally, this pastor told her:“It is not possible that the son of these tears should perish.” He told her to keep praying. And she did. Monica was an amazing woman, and we all should be grateful for her. And moms in the room, be a great mom like Monica. In our cultural moment, motherhood is scorned. Understand that abortion is not just an attack on children, it's an attack on motherhood too. We see this everywhere. Right now something like half the country is defending a woman who viciously murdered her three children. That's an attack on motherhood. And it's demonic. And we should stand against it with everything we've got. One way to do that is: Moms, be great. Be like Monica.Our world needs great mothers — and if they're not coming from the church, it's not happening. Moms, you have such a high calling! You're making a difference in the world. Be great.Monica was a crucial part of Augustine's context, and her influence was part of what brought him to a crisis.Part Two: CrisisAugustine was smart and he was really good with words. He ended up moving to the city of Milan to become a professor of rhetoric. This was a highly esteemed vocation, and he was living high on the hog. He was moving up the social ladder until he met the pastor of the church in Milan, a man named Ambrose. Augustine would go to church to hear Ambrose preach, and although he still didn't believe, he asked a lot of questions. Eventually, Augustine got connected with Ambrose's mentor, a man named Simplician. And Simplician started mentoring Augustine — and this is pretty fascinating — he inspired Augustine with stories of other people's conversions.One story he told him was of a man who was a philosopher in Rome, who was also from Africa, and this man been drawn to Christianity. Apparently this man read the Bible often and came to consider himself a Christian, but he didn't get baptized (because he thought it was too embarrassing). But then he finally became ashamed that he was ashamed, and he got baptized and declared himself to be a Christian openly. Simplician told Augustine this story (and I imagine he kept clearing his throat the whole time). And this story had an impact on Augustine right as he entered into the darkest time of his life in December 384. Going by his own account, it sounds like he suffered from what we'd call a depression. He was full of despair and doubts. His pursuit of knowledge and prestige, and all his sexual immorality, had left him unfulfilled. He was not happy with his life — which was right. He should not have been happy with his life. There is a such thing as a holy misery. Maybe that's something his mother had prayed for … Y'all ever heard anybody pray like that? I heard people pray that way when I was growing up. I've been in prayer meetings before when somebody would share about a lost family member, and they want God to save them so badly, and so people would pray: God, make so-and-so absolutely miserable until they turn to Jesus!God, don't let them get any rest! Torment them in their dreams! — until they trust Christ! Maybe Monica prayed like that. Because Augustine was in a crisis. The way he was living wasn't working. He was lost and he knew it. And that's the only condition for a changed life — it's not enough to be lost, you gotta know you're lost. You have to know you need help. Augustine knew. Part Three: ChangeAugustine tells this story in a lot of detail in his autobiography, Confessions. I'll try not to get too much in the weeds, but it happened like this:It's a normal day in Milan, and Augustine has a couple of his friends over. (And these are intellectual-types who like to study and share what they've learned.) And one of these friends finds a copy of Paul's letters in a stack of Augustine's books, and he's surprised by this, and so he starts telling Augustine and this other friend about how he had heard that there were a bunch of these men, not far from Milan, who had converted to Christ and their lives had completely changed. They had renounced their careers in the imperial service and committed themselves to studying Scripture and living a quiet life.Well this story wrecks Augustine. After the one friend left, Augustine is overcome with emotion and says to his closer friend who was still with him:What is wrong with us? What is this? What did you hear? Simple folk are taking heaven by storm while we clever people without a heart wallow in the materialist world of flesh and blood. (Confessions, 8.19, Chadwick's translation, p. 26)Then Augustine goes outside to a garden, to be alone. But his friend is so worried about him, he follows him outside. And Augustine is struggling. He's having some kind of breakdown. He's weeping and just a mess and then he hears the voice of a child, chanting: “Take up and read; take up and read.”He hears this, and then he gets up and runs to his copy of Paul's letters. He grabs them and opens to a random page and he reads the first thing he sees … which was in Romans 13 … “… not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (vv. 13–14)And that was it! Augustine was born again. Later he wrote, No further would I read, nor did I need; for instantly, as the sentence ended — by a light, as it were, of security infused into my heart — all the gloom of doubt vanished away. (8.29)And … he lived happily ever after. … Not quite! (It never works that way in this world. This is the City of Man.) Augustine had become a Christian — he was 32 years old and his life had been changed — but the change was only beginning. He baptized, and then soon after became a monk, and eventually became a pastor and later he became one of the most important theologians in church history. And as a theologian one of the most enduring impacts he made was related to the doctrine of conversion. Heart TransformationWhen Augustine read Romans 13:13–14, he had read it before that day in Milan. He had read the words and understood Paul's command, but he lacked the ability in himself to obey it. He had been a divided man.He respected the commands of the gospel, at least with his mind — he knew chastity was a good thing — but he didn't really desire to live that way. His heart wasn't in it. During his wayward years, he had actually prayed to God, “Grant me chastity, but not yet.”That's how Augustine had felt about all six of the prohibitions in Romans 13:13. The apostle Paul says in verse 11 that because of where we are in redemptive history — because Jesus has lived, died, and rose again, and because he's coming back — it's time to wake up and get your life in order. That means you stop living a certain way. Paul names six sins (it's not a comprehensive list, but it's a good list to stop doing). Verse 13, Paul says:No more orgies and drunkenness — stop the slosh parties.No more sexual immorality and sensuality — stop all fornication. No more quarreling and jealously — stop despising your neighbor.This is group-think sin, sexual immortality, and hatred of others.It's fascinating that this list from the First Century world remains a list of besetting sins in our 21st century world … just like it was in Augustine's 5th century world — and look: it's all gotta stop. All of it. But how?By putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is is where Augustine has so much insight. As a theologian, he stressed that our problem as sinners is that we have disordered loves. Our problem is not simply a lack of love for God, but it's that we love lesser things more than God. And we desire and pursue those lesser loves.His biographer Henry Chadwick says it like this: [Augustine's] repeated point is that the object of our love, whether high or low, is the magnet irresistibly drawing us on. He's saying we are all led by our loves, and left to ourselves, this is a bad thing. Because left to ourselves, apart from the grace of God, our loves are broken! — they're all out of whack and so they lead us down all these dead-end roads. If you follow your unconverted heart, you will not end up happy. Augustine had been there and done that. It does not work! And we know it doesn't work!And this is why we need a transformation of the heart! We need God to change us from the inside-out. We need to turn from seeking inferior mirages of beauty to seeking supreme beauty which is God himself. Augustine put it like this. He writes, How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose! . . . You [God] drove them from me, you who are the true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and you took their place, you who are sweeter than all pleasure … you who outshine all light … you who surpass all honor . . . O Lord my God, my Light, my Wealth, and my Salvation. (Confessions 9.1)Do you see what he's saying? The sinful, lesser things his heart pursued were not merely taken away — they were replaced by God himself, and God himself became his joy. Augustine wrote: Do not think you are dragged to God against your will. The mind is drawn by love which is the source of inexpressible pleasure. There is a pleasure of the heart whose sweetness consists in the bread of heaven … Give me a lover, he feels what I am talking about. Give me a man in a state of desire, of hunger, a traveller thirsty on a desert road who is sighing for the spring at his eternal home; give me a man like that, he knows what I mean. (Chadwick, 156ff)This is the same insight we read 14 centuries later from the Scottish pastor Thomas Chalmers. He calls this the “expulsive power of a new affection.” A greater love conquers the lesser loves.See, we put on the Lord Jesus Christ because we want to. Because we have found in Christ a greater joy than the fleeting pleasures of sin! And that's the miracle. That is the grace of God working through the word of God. This is a changed life. Look, it doesn't mean as Christians we never sin again, but it does mean that we have a truer joy that triumphs over sin. Christian, I want you to know what Paul says in Romans 6, that sin does not have dominion over you!In Christ, you have power over sin because you have the power of a superior pleasure. And that's the only way you're gonna win this battle in the world. You will never love your sin less until you love Jesus more because you know Jesus better. So know him — Know Christ. Seek Christ. Rest in Christ. And may your hearts be restless — miserable, tormented — may our hearts be restless until we find our rest in Christ. That's what brings us to the Table. The TableI realize this morning we are coming from all kinds of different places. Again, if you're here and you're not a Christian, I'm so glad you're here. This morning I invite you to put your faith in Jesus. Right now, turn from your sin and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change your life.And church, brothers and sisters in Christ, we've trusted in Jesus. Let's rest in Jesus this morning. We're not searching anymore. We're not lost. We're home. Let's rest in the love of Christ for us this morning as we remember his gospel.

Sept. 14, 2026 Daily Devotional: “The Song Over Your Soul”Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will quiet you with His love; He will celebrate over you with shouts of joy."     We often picture God as a distant judge monitoring our mistakes or a celestial manager keeping order. But the prophet Zephaniah reveals a strikingly intimate, tender side of the Almighty: He is present, powerful, and deeply affectionate toward His people. Look at the progression of God's heart in this verse: He is Present and Powerful: He does not watch from afar. He is right in our midst as a victorious defender who rescues us. When challenges feel overwhelming, His strength surrounds us.   He Delights in You: God isn't merely enduring your presence; He takes active delight in who you are. You are His cherished focus. He Brings Rest: His presence calms anxiety. Where theworld offers constant noise and pressure, His love provides a quiet, restful sanctuary for weary souls. He Sings Over You: Perhaps the most astonishing image in Scripture is God expressing joy through song. Picture a loving parent singing over a resting child—that is the depth of affection your Heavenly Father holds for you right now.   Many of us carry a persistent underlying fear that God views us primarily with disappointment, frustration, or quiet critique. We look at our stumbles, our inconsistent progress, and the ways we fall short, assuming that God merely tolerates us while keeping a record of our flaws. ​Zephaniah's message completely upends that assumption. When God looks at those who trust in Him, His heart is not filled with reluctantly endured patience—it is filled withdynamic, overflowing joy. Consider the remarkable picture painted here: the Sovereign Creator of the universe bursts into song over you. His love is not a passive tolerance; it is an active, protective delight that quiets our restless hearts and grants us profound peace. ​When life feels overwhelming or internal doubts make you question your worth, remember that your security rests in who He is, not in your perfection. He is with you in the midst of every struggle. He has already secured the victory, and right now, He surrounds you with His restful love and rejoicing. Zephaniah 3:17 is a declaration of God's presence, power, and affectionate love for His people. Contextually, it comes at the conclusion of Zephaniah's prophecy—after severewarnings of judgment against Jerusalem and surrounding nations—serving as a promise of restoration, safety, and deep communion for a faithful remnant. Whatever burdens or fears you carried into today, you do not have to carry them alone. You are guarded by a powerful Savior and held by a Father who rejoices over you. It revealsthat God's ultimate intention for His people is not destruction or perpetual judgment, but intimate restoration, protection, and delight. Pause for silence today and spend two minutes in quiet. Take a deep breath and picture God surrounding you with His peace, resting in His love. Reframe your worth when self-doubt or guilt speaks up today, counter it with this truth: the Creator of the universe takes joy in you and celebrates over you.

3 Elements of Life that Reveal to You God's Sovereign Plan Genesis 25:1-34 1. Providence in Provision (1-11) 2. Purpose of Promise (12-18) 3. Progression of Progeny (19-34) Reading for Next Week - Habakkuk

Somebody talked you out of your dream before it ever had a chance. Maybe it was a parent. Maybe a friend. Maybe someone you trusted. And the worst part? They didn't even know they were doing it. CJ takes his son Trey to a skateboard store and watches a 6-year-old fall twice in front of a crowd, get back up, and look at his dad like it was nothing — because CJ realized he was about to pass his own fear to his son. Fear of something he'd never even tried. ET traces his version, leaving comfort in Huntsville to chase something bigger when everyone said he already had enough. Jemal gives a raw testimony — real estate, the daycare, the businesses — every significant venture required blind, childlike faith. The one that didn't? Becoming a police officer. His whole family was already there. Everything else? Trust God with nothing upfront. And Karl brings the financial lens: your side hustle doesn't just need to make money. It needs to make sense. This one will make you think about who you've been taking advice from. And whether they've ever actually been on the skateboard.

There's a reason we call Good Friday “good.” The blood of Jesus wasn't shed just to cover our sins, but to completely take them away. Not hidden or managed. Totally removed! Paid in full! Never let the weight of the cross become something common to you, because it cost God everything. And thank You God, that's not the end of the story. What looked like death is about to reveal life. Resurrection Sunday is coming!

Title: Acknowledged and Regarded Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 FCF: We often struggle honoring those who are leaders over us. Prop: Because God has appointed and equipped leaders for His church, we must receive, honor, and live peacefully with those whom the Lord has given. Scripture Intro: NET [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians 5. In a moment we'll read from the New English Translation starting in verse 12. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. We have observed how 1 Thessalonians is a rather unified letter. Far from a hastily written email, Paul's letter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is a masterful work weaving together major themes to bring comfort, hope, and direction to a fledgling church in the city of Thessalonica. The letter itself is incredibly positive as Paul cheers them on to keep growing in their faith. From early in the letter, Paul commended the Thessalonians for working out of their faith, their labor in love, and their enduring hope in the coming of Christ. But despite having these cardinal Christian virtues, Paul still says that he needs to complete what is lacking in their faith, and prays that the Lord would cause their love to abound for each other and to strengthen them in holiness so they can be ready and full of hope or the Lord's return. [Slide 2] Far from being a throw away comment or empty compliment, the possession of and growth of these cardinal Christian virtues takes center stage in the letter. And our most recent contexts we've considered are certainly part of that. To address what is lacking in their faith and urge them forward to work out their faith, Paul explains their need to be holy in regard to living out a godly sexual ethic. To address their labor in love and encourage it to abound for each other, Paul instructs them to live a quiet life, mind their business, work with their hands so that they have a good reputation with outsiders and are not in need. This will produce a church that is truly Holy in love. To address their holiness and hopefulness for the Lord Jesus' return, Paul assuages two of their fears by informing them that dead Christians will be snatched up with the living and we are not appointed for wrath but for salvation through Jesus's atonement for His elect. So, in chapter 4 and 5 so far, we see Paul address faith, then love, then hope, then hope again. So as we move forward Paul will now move to address love, then faith again before the letter closes. So, what does Paul have to say today that expands the idea of their labor of love abounding toward one another? Let's look. Please stand with me to give honor to and focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: All Wise Father, Creator and Sustainer, we praise You for Your Son who is the Lord of all and the Head of the Church. He is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and He is The Great Shepherd. We thank You for His work to redeem a people unto Himself and we thank You for Your Spirit who has indwelled those people to guide them to all truth and progressively conform them to the image of Your dear Son. We thank You God for Your provision to the church that You have given gifts to the church in the form of leaders who are godly men serving You in Your strength and power, under the authority and in submission to Your Son. We ask that we would love those whom You have called and qualified to lead us and that we would be at peace, making leading us a joy and not a drudgery. We pray this in Jesus' name, amen. Transition: [Slide 3] “Every man who is divinely called to the ministry is divinely equipped.” A. W. Pink “I cannot recall, in any of my reading, a single instance of a prophet who applied for the job.” A.W. Tozer “Obedience to legitimate authority is one of the fruits and evidences of Christian sincerity.” Charles Hodge “Democracy is all very well as a political device. It must not be allowed to intrude into the spiritual, or even the aesthetic world.” C.S. Lewis “Democracy is not an infallible way for getting things right. The democratic vote among the Israelites in the wilderness was to go back to Egypt.” John Blanchard Meditate on these words as we expound the text this morning. I.) The church must be holy in their love for their leadership, so we must look for and receive leaders whom the Lord has called and qualified. (12) a. [Slide 4] 12 - Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, i. Paul once again moves on to another topic under the same goal of producing holiness in the Thessalonian people. ii. As we noted, this begins another section where Paul is exhorting them to love one another in an abounding way. iii. For the second time Paul uses the verb “ask” to get across what he and the other evangelists would like to see from the Thessalonian church. iv. We should not interpret this to be a request from Paul, in the traditional meaning of the word ask. v. It is like when we ask our children if they would go do their chores… we aren't really asking. But asking is kinder than barking orders. Asking communicates love and a good relationship. Asking gives respect. vi. So also, Paul asks the Thessalonian church to do something, but it is not as if this is optional for them. vii. So, what does Paul ask of them? b. [Slide 5] to acknowledge i. This infinitive functions as the complement to the plural pronoun you. ii. The verbal action of Paul asking produces the effect on the object (you) that they be a people who acknowledge. iii. This word is actually the word “to know.” iv. Paul has used this word repeatedly throughout the letter to assure and remind the Thessalonians of what they have already been taught by Paul and his companions when they visited them. v. Paul now is asking them to gain that same familiarity, not toward information, but toward people. vi. Therefore, the translation “acknowledge” seems to be the best understanding of the word. vii. Paul is asking for the Thessalonians to acknowledge or recognize, or even receive a group of people, in a similar way that they had acknowledged and received the evangelists' teaching. viii. But what sort of people? ix. Well, Paul doesn't name them. He doesn't give them titles. x. Instead, Paul uses participles to describe what these people are like. xi. He describes them in three ways. c. [Slide 6] those who labor among you i. We know that Paul refers to a single group of people because he uses a single article and joins each participle with the conjunction “and.” ii. The Thessalonians have already been instructed in chapter 4 how working with their hands is one major way that they can show love to one another. iii. When they are not in need, they are helping the church by not being a drain on the church's resources. iv. However, here, Paul suggests that there is a group of people who are not only working with their hands to provide for themselves, but is also working… AMONG them. v. Not only are they not a drain on the church's resources, but they are contributing to the work and labor of the church. vi. The word labor implies not only work but hard work. Labor to exhaustion. vii. This labor need not be physical or manual labor. There is nothing with the Greek word that would mandate this. In fact, in other letters Paul uses this word to describe the labor of preaching and teaching. viii. And so, whoever Paul is asking the Thessalonians to acknowledge, they are hard workers who specifically work for the benefit of the church. ix. The following two descriptions could be seen as two aspects of that labor – but this is largely an interpretational decision. It could just as easily be two more descriptions of the same people. x. So, what other descriptions does Paul have for these people who must be acknowledged? d. [Slide 7] and preside over you in the Lord i. The word preside is a great word to use here because it carries the appropriate force. ii. Commentators go back and forth on whether or not this word speaks of authority or care. iii. Preside carries the appropriate amount of both. It means to oversee. It means to look after and guide. iv. It certainly means to rule in the sense that these folks are making the decisions, but not in a tyrannical way. v. Paul clarifies and shapes the word with the prepositional phrase “in the Lord.” vi. As commentators point out – this prepositional phrase is not called out here as if the other two descriptions of these folks are somehow NOT in the Lord. vii. Certainly, they labor among them… in the Lord. viii. Instead, the prepositional phrase is called out here to assure his readers that their oversight, their care, their rule is not done with selfish or power-hungry intentions. ix. Their presiding, is done in the Lord. Under His authority. They are ultimately under Christ. x. So, what is the final description of these people whom the Thessalonian church must acknowledge… e. [Slide 8] and admonish you, i. To admonish means to exhort, to counsel, to correct, to instruct, to guide, to warn and to teach. ii. The semantic range of the word is quite broad but generally speaking it carries the idea of parental guardianship. iii. In fact, Paul uses the same word when he instructs fathers to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. iv. This then, is the fatherly role of providing spiritual instruction both in example and in teaching to set a path and keep them from deviating from the path. f. With these descriptions it seems obvious that Paul is talking about the office of Elders among the Thessalonian church. Which raises a somewhat perplexing question. g. Why didn't Paul simply tell them to acknowledge their Elders? i. The clue to the answer is the word “acknowledge” itself. ii. The word acknowledge seems to be an informal appointment or reception of the men who were conducting themselves in this way. iii. Paul and his companions were in Thessalonica for at most a few months. iv. And the vast majority of the church were gentiles and former pagans. v. That being said, new converts, only a few months into being believers are probably not the right people to appoint as Elders. Even if they are godly people and great teachers. vi. Paul actually warns Timothy about this when he instructs him not to appoint Elders who are new converts. vii. Certainly, in Acts we have records of Paul appointing Elders in the churches being established as a result of His evangelistic efforts. However, we are not told that this was a normal practice of his, as if each church waited for him to appoint Elders for them. viii. What is more likely is that although Paul did at times appoint Elders in certain churches, the more normative practice would be for the church to receive the Elders whom the Lord had clearly raised up for them. ix. Which means what Paul is saying, albeit in unofficial language, is for them to receive men as Elders of their church. And the three descriptions become an abbreviated list of their qualifications. x. Most likely, Paul has a specific group of men in mind, and by his threefold description has made it plain for the Thessalonians who he thinks should be Elders, without calling them out by name. h. [Slide 9] Summary of the Point: Paul moves on in his effort to complete what is lacking in their faith by instructing them further on how they can abound in love toward one another. They are already laboring in love. But to abound in love, there are a few principles they must consider. And the first is regarding church leadership. Paul encourages the Thessalonian church to be holy or different in the way they love those who lead them. One way that they can love those who lead them is by acknowledging or receiving those whom the Lord has obviously qualified and called to lead them. The qualities of the men and evidence of their calling is on display in the way they are currently conducting themselves among the congregation. They are laboring hard for them, presiding over them, and admonishing them. Such men deserve reception into leadership. [Slide 10 (blank)] Transition: But merely giving them a title will not ensure that the church is holy in their love for their leaders. Every organization on the planet is capable of recognizing hard working members and granting them leadership roles. The church is different because this is based on qualities and callings that are cultivated by God Himself. So, what else must the Thessalonians do toward their leaders to show a different and unique kind of love for them? II.) The church must be holy in their love for their leadership, so we must respect our Elders because of the work they have been called to perform. (13a) a. [Slide 11] 13 - and to esteem them most highly in love i. The second item that Paul asks the Thessalonian church to consider regarding these men who have become leaders among them, is to esteem them most highly. ii. To esteem means to regard or think of them… iii. It is a question of opinion or reputation. iv. But more importantly, it is a question of honor. v. Paul is asking the Thessalonians to give HIGHEST honor to these men. vi. To respect them, as the highest human authority in the church under Christ. vii. He is asking them to consider these men to be as highly regarded as he and his companions would be if they were among them. viii. And Paul encourages them to do this IN LOVE. ix. This gives a clue that the honor granted is not due to them because they have earned it or because they are more important that the rest of them. x. Instead, this is an act of selfless love. This is a way for them to labor in love toward one another. xi. This is a way for them to abound in love toward one another. xii. They must honor and respect these men to the highest degree out of a heart of a love for Christ and His people. xiii. The spirit of honoring these men is rooted in love. But what is the reason to honor them? b. [Slide 12] because of their work. i. More than likely, Paul is not referring to the excellence of their work. ii. He has already pointed to the fact that they labored to exhaustion, that they presided over them in the Lord, and that they admonished them. iii. This itself speaks to the quality of their work. iv. Here, Paul probably intends the importance of their work. v. An Elder's role is of utmost importance and comes with the highest level of responsibility. vi. Peter points out that Elders care for the very soul of each person in their congregations. Paul points out that Elders function as shepherds under the Great Shepherd. vii. They are stewards of the church of Jesus Christ. viii. Such a role is of such importance and heavy responsibility that Paul advises that the church honor, to the highest degree, the men who have been received to function in this capacity. ix. Not because they do a good job… but because they have a heavy burden to bear. c. [Slide 13] Summary of the Point: Paul continues to prove out how the Thessalonian church can be unique in the way they love their leaders. One way they can do this is by respecting them, not because of the title they have, and not even because of their excellence in performing their duties, but respecting them most highly simply because of the weight of their work. Elders watch out for the souls of the congregation. They inherit spiritual responsibility beyond their own family and will answer to the Lord Jesus for how they lead and loved His church. Such a heavy burden deserves highest honor from those who are being lead and cared for. [Slide 14 (blank)] Transition: But receiving qualified and called people into leadership and respecting them highly does not necessarily mean that you won't be a thorn in the boot of church leadership. There is one more sure-fire practice that will alleviate the burden you put on your church leaders, while simultaneously showing abounding love to the whole church, including church leaders. III.) The church must be holy in their love for their leadership, so we must be at peace with one another. (13b) a. [Slide 15] Be at peace among yourselves. i. I read this final command in two ways. I can't decide which way Paul intended and it is possible he intends both. ii. First, and probably less likely, Paul intends for the Thessalonian church to be a peace with the men who have been acknowledged and regarded as church leaders. 1. That they would go along willingly and peacefully with the leadership and labor of these men. 2. That they would not squabble or fight over preferences and unimportant matters, but would instead lovingly submit to their leadership and support them through prayer and meek correction at times. 3. However, one could make the case that all of this was already said in the requests for them to acknowledge and esteem them most highly. iii. A second way we could read this, which is probably more likely, is Paul instructing the church as a whole to be at peace with one another. 1. Paul will have more exhortations next week concerning the conduct of the church toward one another and how to abound in love toward each other. 2. But we shouldn't miss the obvious connection of this command to the reception and honoring of these men. 3. Every person who has ever served in church leadership can tell you without any hesitation, that the church is much easier to lead, love, admonish, and labor for… when there are not a hundred little fights they need to police. 4. When the church is generally at peace with each other and loving each other and discipling each other… leading, loving, laboring for, and admonishing such a people – takes on a joy that is not like anything else. 5. In fact, Peter commands his readers to submit to, love, and pray for their Elders because it will allow their Elders to serve them joyfully and not as a drudgery. b. [Slide 16] Summary of the Point: Paul seals up any cracks and holes in his exhortation here. His desire is for the church to see that they must be different in how they love their leaders. And one sure-fire way to make sure they are different in their love for their leaders… is to be a peace with them and the rest of the church. Not a busy body. Not a rabble rouser. Not a lay about. Not a gossip. Not a sower of discord. But pursuing peace with everyone in the church, including their leaders. This is how we can be different in our love for our leaders. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today that informs and corrects our beliefs and shapes and guides our lifestyles? [Slide 17] Basics of Faith and Practice: In these last two chapters Paul is encouraging the Thessalonian church to consider that God's will for them is to grow in holiness. To continually to be conformed to Christ and thus be more and more distinct from the world around them. One way they can be different is by abounding in love for those who lead them. But abounding love existing within the church begins with a proper level of acknowledgement of, respect for, and peace with its leadership. A church that claims to love each other but distrusts, neglects to pray for, disobeys its leaders, or are continually experiencing unrest or lack of peace, is a loveless congregation. It is only by receiving qualified and called leaders, highly honoring them, and being at peace with them and one another, that a church can truly be different and abounding in its love for its leaders. But let us dig into some 21st century implications of this. 1.) [Slide 18] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that the church should treat its leaders differently than the world. a. How does the world treat its leaders? b. Although there is not a universal sentiment to every single form of government, I think we can safely conclude that the world does NOT love its leaders. c. Fear? Sure. Distrust? Of Course. Hate? Yep. d. But I think you'd be hard pressed to find any person look at the leader of their job, their country, or even their HOA with… love, respect, and receiving them as their leader. e. A cursory level of attention pointed, even to our local government in Columbus Twp, assures us that there is anything but love for those who are making decisions that affect our township. f. But the church is designed by God… to be different. g. We are to love our leaders. We are to pray for them. We are to submit to them. We are to honor them. We are to be at peace with them and one another. h. What an amazing opportunity it is to show the world that the church is different… simply in the way we speak of and treat our leaders. i. Submitting to a decision you didn't fully agree with, forgiving leaders who make a blunder, respecting them as some of the people you turn to most for guidance, receiving them as leaders even though you didn't get a vote, and being at peace with them even though they do stuff that drives you nuts. j. Wow… if the world saw a church do that with its leadership… I think they would be very… VERY confused. 2.) [Slide 19] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that the church has ever been or was ever intended to be a democracy. a. The church is a monarchy and Christ is its King. b. And not everyone in the Kingdom has the same gifts, responsibilities, or authority. c. Even within the 12 disciples Christ spent more time with and prayed more often with three out of twelve. d. Peter, James, and John all had significant roles and authority in the church as it began. e. And we have absolutely no record of or examples of the church members gathering to determine courses of action. f. We do see the church gathered to be informed of steps that should be taken, and we see the church being pleased with those action steps. g. We see the church gathered to be informed about discipline and by the majority, punishment was administered. h. But no formal vote is cast. And certainly, the church membership is never reported to dictate what is to be done. i. The only model of leadership we find in the scriptures, is a plurality of Divinely called and equipped men, presiding over the church in service and love. j. God calls and qualifies leaders who act as stewards of the True King and Head of the church Jesus Christ. k. Their authority is limited both by the sphere of the church and the revelation of the Scriptures. l. But a plurality of Elders making all the decisions for and laboring long and admonishing the church is the only biblical model we are given. m. One wonders how we got so many and so drastically different forms of church polity, when the scriptures are literally silent on any other forms. n. In the church everyone does not have an equal say. Not everyone has an equal voice. Not everyone has an equal vote. o. But when God qualifies and calls the leaders of the church, members need not fear power grubbing or tyrannical leadership. Because God qualifies and calls Elders to selflessly serve the church, presiding over it, laboring hard for it, and admonishing it. 3.) [Slide 20] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must receive Elders who are called and qualified by God. a. Elders are not elected, they are received. b. Elders are not voted for, they are acknowledged. c. Elders do not campaign, they are called by God and gifted with grace to exemplify the qualifications God clearly spells out in the scriptures. d. This doesn't mean they are perfect. Not like the King to that degree. e. There will be faults, failings, blind spots, character flaws, and even sinful tendencies. There may be things about them that bug you, bother you, or otherwise irritate you. f. But they are godly, they are hard workers, they are good leaders, and they are good guides. g. As such, it is incumbent upon the church to continue to look for those among them who seem to be qualified and called to be Elders. And when they happen upon someone who fits that description, they must receive that person and acknowledge them as such. h. This, in and of itself, is completely distinct from anything the world has ever seen. i. Even in a republic, elections are mostly popularity contests and those who have the most money to campaign usually win. j. And in dictatorships or monarchies leadership is passed to people who are unvetted as a leader or are just more powerful than the others. k. Only in Christ's church does He qualify and call His leaders and they are received and acknowledged as the Lord's choice for leaders. l. This is how it should be. 4.) [Slide 21] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must give our highest honor to our Elders because of the weight of their responsibilities toward us. a. In most types of leadership, we might favor a merit-based honor system. Or even, perhaps, honor given merely for the title that the person has. b. Only in the church is it expected to honor leaders neither for their performance nor for their title but merely because of the weight of responsibility they have. c. Certainly, Elders who lead well and labor long in preaching and teaching are worthy of double honor. Meaning not merely respect, but even financial compensation. d. And Elders who are especially used of God, will certainly be honored more. e. But the fact is that the church is commanded here to give their highest honor to Elders simply because of the job they have been given. f. To look out for the spiritual well-being of yourself… seems daunting at times. g. And if you have a family – that too is quite difficult. h. But for Elders they have all of this and also the weight of the individual souls of an entire congregation. i. They will be judged by Christ Himself according to how they took care of His bride. j. This detail alone is reason enough for the church to grant them their highest level of respect and honor. 5.) [Slide 22] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must be at peace with each other as an act of love toward our leaders and the church as a whole. a. When things are going well, people are growing, people are coming to Christ, and generally the church is progressing well… b. There is nothing more deflating to church leaders and nothing that stifles progress more than when people make mountains out of molehills. c. As much as the gospel should transform churches into holy places completely distinct – oftentimes these places are filled with Christians who are far from God or even those who claim to be Christians but are not actually Christians. d. As such, the church is waylaid by people who say they believe the scriptures but go to war over whether or not the Elders are visiting enough people, or making enough of an evangelistic effort, or connecting well with other churches or that the preaching Elder made them feel convicted by what he said in the sermon. e. And those are actually some of the “important” things they go to war over. f. And if these folks aren't squabbling over the decisions of the Elders, they are battling with one another over things that love should be able to cover and forgiveness should overtake. g. Nothing takes the wind out of the sails of the church like church members who are overcome with selfish ambition and the need to have it their way. h. Well, the church isn't Burger King. i. You can't have it “your way” j. It is God's way or it isn't a church. k. And God has given Elders to wisely and prayerfully consider, guided by the scriptures, the way that God would have them go. l. Be at peace with each other and submit to each other. m. In this way the church is a bunch of people who don't get everything they want and serve the Lord and each other with gladness and humility anyway. 6.) [Slide 23] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” God has given His church godly men, in plurality, to shepherd the flock until Christ gathers her again. a. Can you imagine if the Lord did establish a democracy for the church? b. Aaron giving in to the desire of the Israelites to make a golden calf and worship it as the god who brought them out of Egypt… suddenly looks like a unifying and wonderful time of togetherness and comradery. c. Paul would have no right to correct the Galatian church of whom the majority bought into the teachings of the Judaizers that they should be Jews first before they become Christians. d. Instead, we should comfort ourselves that God did not design His church to function this way. e. Instead, He calls and equips some men to be godly and work together with other godly men to lead and care for His people. f. They aren't perfect individually, but together they sharpen each other and keep each other accountable to what the Lord would have them to do with His people. g. What a blessing. h. I have seen and heard stories of pastors who govern alone in a church. And it seems like they either become tyrants, door mats, or they get run out of their churches. Very rarely does a single man in leadership actually succeed in leading God's church effectively. i. I am so thankful to the Lord for the plurality of qualified men that lead this church. They hold me accountable. I have been corrected by them, taught by them, helped by them, encouraged by them… and I hope they could say the same about me. j. Honestly – I can't see any other form of church government as superior to what we have here. And I must tell you that you are truly blessed of God to have these men look after you. k. Oftentimes being an Elder is a thankless job. Do your best to make sure… that is less often for these men. Thank them. Pray for us. Submit to us. And honor us. Not because of our title. Not because we've earned it. But because God has laid on us the care of your soul. 7.) [Slide 24] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” Only something supernaturally powerful and genuine could produce selfless and hard-working leadership that is loved, cherished, and honored by those they lead. That is what the gospel does for the church. a. When we are a church like this… where the leaders are hardworking, selfless, and good teachers and guides, and when the church loves, honors, prays for a submits to them – such a church is a billboard for the gospel. b. No other organization on earth is like that. c. No other group of people or culture is like that. d. And there is no explanation that adequately answers the question, why, then the power of the gospel of Jesus' Christ. e. He remakes our hearts. He conforms us to Him. He refines us. He changes us. f. If you are here today and you have never trusted in Christ. You have never turned from your sin. I implore you to know the power of the gospel. That it can change the vilest sinners into the purest saints. It can change adulterers into faithful spouses. It can turn ornery curmudgeons in to gentle and compassionate benefactors. g. And if you are here today – and you've professed to trust in Christ, but you are full of selfish ambition, it is your way or the highway, and you have no respect for God's qualified and called leaders, nor do you intend to ever submit to or pray for them. I would challenge you to listen to the Lord's commands before it is too late. h. A person who continually refuses to obey the Lord, is a person who cannot be sure they are truly changed by the power of the gospel. i. Repent and believe the gospel and be saved. j. As always – if this is you – be sure to come to me or another Elder before you leave today. We'd be happy to have this conversation with you. [Slide 25 (end)] Let me close with a prayer from the book of Christian prayers from 1578. O Lord, let your shepherds be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints rejoice. Pour out your Spirit of wisdom on these ministers of your word, so they may know the mysteries of your holy will. Give them the gift of utterance, that they may set forth the abundant riches of your gospel. Write your laws in their hearts, and your testimonies in their innermost parts, that they may lead your people into all truth, and guide your church with discretion. Make them good workers, faithful shepherds, and wise builders. Help them to mend any broken walls and feed your sheep with the bread and water of life. Strengthen them to care for your vineyard, repair your sanctuary, and lift up those who are dedicated to the service of the Lord. Finally, may they shine with such a holy and pure light before us that they may edify no less by example of life than by instruction of teaching. So, as we see the qualities you have given them to benefit the church-their modesty, meekness, endurance, patience, and more—may many others also be won to your gospel through their holiness, to confess the glory of your name. And we will see that you surely live, reign, and work in your servant. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Benediction: May the God of Abraham Who reigns enthroned above, Even the Ancient of everlasting days, the God of love, Inspire you to behold His face and to make Him your shield and high tower. So that you believe He is and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him. Until we meet again, go in peace.

Angel Reiki School is in person April 10-12, 2026: Are you ready to stop wondering "if" you're intuitive and start working for God? The Angel Reiki School isn't just a class, it's a 3-in-1 certification. I'm going to certify you as an Angel Messenger, Medium, and Energy Healer all in one weekend. I'm handing you the exact business roadmap I used to build my own practice from the ground up. No more guessing how to find clients or how to structure your sessions. You'll leave with the high-vibration tools to hear the Angels clearly and the professional blueprint to build a heart-centered career. IN-PERSON TRAINING: Join Julie in person on April 10, 11, and 12 in Oak Brook, Illinois.  ONLINE TRAINING: Prefer to learn from home? Our next online session begins April 1st. REGISTER: Secure your soul's seat at https://theangelmedium.com/  QUESTIONS? Reach out directly to Julie at julie@theangelmedium.com. Episode Summary Hello Beautiful Souls! I love you so much! Welcome to the Angels and Awakening Podcast, Pray and Be Wealthy series. I'm your host and author, Julie Jancius, here to uplift, inspire, and remind you of a fundamental truth: You make God happy just by being you. In today's episode, we are shifting our vibrational frequency away from "doing" and "earning" and moving into the sacred space of "being." We often think we are separate from Source, but the truth is that the Divine is experiencing every nuance of human life through your senses. When you see beauty, God is seeing it through you. When you cry, the Heavens hold you in a divine embrace. Your unique soul blueprint is essential to the expansion of the universe. You are not a machine; you are a living, breathing expression of infinite creativity. Today, we release the burden of comparison and honor the divine spark within. Key Spiritual Takeaways & Affirmations: Divine Perspective: Your existence is a gift to God. You are the way the Universe gets to explore and express its joy. Oneness: You are never alone; the Divine is always experiencing life alongside you in every laugh, every tear, and every step of your soul's evolution. Inherent Worth: Release the need to "earn" love. You are inherently worthy of abundance and grace simply because you exist. Cosmic Bias: The Universe is biased in your favor because you are its joy! The Power of You: God's biggest wish is not for you to be someone else, but for you to be the truest version of yourself. Connect with Julie Book a Session: Ready to hear directly from your Angels and loved ones? Book a private reading at theangelmedium.com. Join the Community: Hang out with us twice weekly for new episodes! Win a Free Reading: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Take a screenshot and email it to julie@theangelmedium.com. Your name stays in the drawing until you win! In every moment, remember: You are being celebrated by the Heavens.

It's Friday, February 13th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus China named global ‘Puppet Master' of religious persecution At a congressional hearing on February 4, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback asserted that China continues to aid authoritarian and communist nations worldwide in their quest to suppress religious freedom, reports International Christian Concern. Brownback explained that China is the main driver of assistance to religious persecutors throughout the world. He said, “This alliance of communist, authoritarian, [and] totalitarian regimes will literally stop at nothing to control people of faith. China is the puppet master behind all of it.” According to Bob Fu of China Aid, “The Chinese Communist Party has a powerful civilian surveillance system with hundreds of millions of face-recognition cameras. They are all over China, including all four walls of the church building and pulpits and every corner of the street.” Known as “digital authoritarianism,” China is sharing its technological surveillance programs with nations, including Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, that are known for abuses of religious freedom. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You [God] are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me.” Hawley demands congressional oversight of abortion pill after FDA's safety failure Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is calling for a crackdown on the abortion kill pill, Mifepristone, saying it's time for Congress to increase oversight of the drug and reinstate what he describes as basic safety guardrails, reports Fox News. He said, "Abortions are going up every single year. What's driving that is Mifepristone. It's the chemical abortion drug that is getting mailed into every state in the country. It doesn't matter what the state laws are. It doesn't matter if your state restricts abortion, bans abortion, or bans Mifepristone. It doesn't matter. It's getting mailed into every single state without a doctor visit, many times, without even a doctor's prescription. No follow-up. It's unbelievable!" Chemical abortions now account for 63% of all U.S. abortions. Not only do 11% of women who swallow the Abortion Kill Pill have to go to the emergency room due to hemorrhaging and sever bleeding, but the FDA has not completed the study of its dangers to women which it promised. Senator Kennedy: “The Karen wing of Democrat Party wants to defund ICE!” Democrats and Republicans are still battling over the funding for the Department of Homeland Security bill as Democrats demand restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement or I.C.E., reports RedState.com. But, on Fox News,  Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana had a very direct message to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, about the Democrats' demands to defund I.C.E. KENNEDY: "The Karen wing of the Democratic Party wants to defund ICE, just like they wanted to defund the police. And we know how that vampire movie turned out. The Karen wing of the Democratic Party is in control of the Democratic Party. “Even if we agreed to every one of Senator Schumer's conditions -- and I won't vote for 'em -- he couldn't deliver the Democratic votes. Because the Karen wing will punish any Democrat who votes to keep the Department of Homeland Security open." Jelly Roll's wife says backlash to his Gospel message at Grammy Awards is 'borderline demonic' As The Worldview reported on February 3rd, Jason DeFord, known as Jelly Roll, won three Grammys including one for the Best Contemporary Country album. In a February 8th episode of her podcast, Jelly Roll's wife, Alisa, claims that the backlash against her husband has been “horrific” and “borderline demonic” after the singer thanked Jesus for saving his life and encouraged others to trust Christ at the Grammy Awards, reports The Christian Post. Listen. ALISA DEFORD: “Who would have thought that my husband's speech would set the internet on fire? The problem is people are weaponizing the Bible and religion way more than they are celebrating the name of Jesus. “They're just proving why people do not want to be a Christian. Seeing all of these people online just tearing apart my husband's walk of faith makes me not want to associate with that type of Christianity. It's so horrific and it is so sad and it's borderline demonic. “I've been seeing videos where people are saying that my husband, he's a ‘performative Christian.' If I wasn't trying to walk with God, I would find you and slap you, lady, but I'm trying to turn the other cheek and be better. “In what world is it okay to ever question somebody's walk with God? All he's saying is, ‘Hey, Jesus is for everybody. Jesus does not belong to one political party. Jesus loves you and the Internet lost their minds.” Some critics claimed that Jelly Roll's words were “very MAGA,” while others accused him of using religion to try to grow his brand.  Jelly Roll credited Jesus and his “beautiful wife” with changing his life. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Valentine's Day birthed through Christian martyr's death And finally, have you ever wondered why we celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th? Well, Pastor Valentine or Valentinus was a clergyman in the Roman Empire who lived during the reign of Claudius Gothicus or Claudius II. Because the Emperor was having difficulty getting young men to volunteer to serve in the army to fight his wars, he prohibited marriage which would further hurt the conscription rate. Pastor Valentine, who celebrated God's love and Biblical love between husband and wife, secretly married Christian couples in the forest which ultimately led to his arrest and imprisonment.  While Claudius took a liking to Pastor Valentinus, the bold preacher tried to convert the Emperor which resulted in a sentence of death. In Romans 10:14, the Apostle Paul asks, "How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Valentine was beaten with clubs and stones.  And when that failed to kill him, Valentine was beheaded on February 14, A.D. 269. And now you know the rest of the story. Pick up a copy of the excellent children's book entitled Valentine: God's Courageous Evangelist. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, February 13th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Because God has shown Himself faithful in every way-by His nature, by His promises, and to His people-we can trust Him enough to live faithfully, love deeply, and serve wholeheartedly. Pastor Dan Cox reads from Lamentations 3:22-27. Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible ChurchContact Wonder Lake Bible ChurchStudy NotesGod is faithful… in His nature to His promises in Christ to His people God has been, and will be, faithful to me… God has been, and will be, faithful to YOU… God has been, and will be, faithful to WLBC… VISION 2030 Applying the Text Trust Him Love Him Praise Him

Amanda Holmes reads E. E. Cummings's “i thank You God for most this amazing day.” Have a suggestion for a poem by a (dead) writer? Email us: podcast@theamericanscholar.org. If we select your entry, you'll win a copy of a poetry collection edited by David Lehman.This episode was produced by Stephanie Bastek and features the song “Canvasback” by Chad Crouch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I explore the emotional dynamics surrounding a manifestation that's taking a while to come into being. I'll share guidance for transforming your perspective of "the timeline" and key mindset shifts to help you pivot. Inside this episode:Dealing with the question, "Why is it taking so long?" (Especially surrounding finding your husband/partner or having kids)Neurosis vs. legitimate sufferingReleasing self-blame, self-criticism and feeling victimized by the Universe/GodManifestation as it pertains to intimate relationshipClearing your wounded inner child "relationship templates" and how these wounds impact manifestingHow pain, loss and grief play a role and how to let go of unrealized timelinesHow to find acceptance and release controlAdvantages to a manifestation taking longer than you thoughtHow to get into right relationship between You–God or You–UniverseHow to turn a delayed manifestation into fertile soil for spiritual and psychological growthWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@field__notespod Connect with me about coaching sessions: edengarciathaler@gmail.com Learn more: edenhetrick.com Submit a topic for the podcast: https://tally.so/r/mOMzA7 Follow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/field__notespod About me:Welcome to Field Notes Podcast. I created this podcast to be a living roadmap for transforming your patterns into your expanded potential. Tune in for perspectives that spark transformation and tips for optimizing your well-being in a crunchy (yet non-dogmatic) way. On the ongoing journey of finding freedom from the stuff that keeps us stuck—here are my field notes. If you are looking for deeper support on your journey of becoming, I offer 1:1 sessions and I would love to support you. Visit edenhetrick.com for more information. Please inquire for sliding scale availability. If you love this show and want to support it's growth: Share the show w/ someone Leave a 5-star rating ...

Melba Moore - Standing Right Here (Funky Re-Edit),DJ Jazzy D The GrooveMaster - More of You God, Kerri Chandler & Jerome Sydenham - You're In My System (Dennis Quin Vocal Mix),Ten City - That's The Way Love Is (Jerome Sydenham & Tiger Stripes 2025 Remix),Adria Duch - Why You Mad (Kirill Matveev Rework), Raheem DeVaughn - You (Terry Hunter Remix),Luke Delite/Michelle Weeks - Things Will Get Better (Moodena Remix),Dave Anthony/Lisa Millett - This Time Baby,Sonny Chiba/Lucid Konversations - No More Illusions (Genuinely Blaq Remix),Dave Anthony/N Reed - I Don't Care Who's Right Or Wrong,Mascara - See You in L.A. (7" Mix),Michael Gray/Phebe Edwards - Life Will be,Dames Brown/Waajeed - Glory,Dames Brown/Eddie Fowlkes - Do It,Leroy Hutson - Wisdom of My Life (45),Arnold Blair - Finally Made It Home (45),Samm Henshaw - Float,Kym Swain - Tell Me How You Feel, Tavares - More Than A Woman,Tavares - I'm Back For More,Tavares - Strangers In Dark Corners,Tavares - Never Had A Love Like This Before,Tavares - It Only Takes A Minute,Lenny Fontana feat. Jasmine Lovett - If You Want Me,The Braxtons - The Boss (MAW Album Mix),

You God are my God | Psalm 63 | 23 Nov 25 | David Silvester | PM | Psalms by Campden Baptist Church

Your Daily Prayer

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this What's On Our Mind episode, we ask: how do you know when a task has your name on it? In a noisy world full of choices, it can be hard to discern your true path. Is it just hard work, or a sign you're on the wrong road? We explore stories of callings, intuition, and spiritual discernment, and how energy, peace, and prayer become signposts for purpose.Through everyday examples — from saying no with clarity, to receiving encouragement from others, to God-centered prayer — we highlight how guidance shows up in radically personal ways. The conversation also introduces new podcast series: From God to Jerry to You, Intimate Dialogue, Radically Personal, and What's Your Spiritual Story?For anyone seeking everyday spirituality, practical discernment, and a deeper sense of purpose, this episode offers encouragement to listen, trust, and follow the path that already has your name on it.Related Episodes:250. Special Episode: Suffering, Growth & Divine Love | Celebrating 250 Episodes249. Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – The Summons of Love and Life's True Calling248. From God to Jerry to You- God on the Bhagavad Gita: Moral Complexity, Swadharma, and Your True CallingOther Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What's Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What's On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.What's On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. Stay ConnectedShare your thoughts or questions at questions@godandautobiography.com

Date: Recorded on the 16th of September, 2025Location: Melbourne, Australia // Boston, USA.A Note To The Runners: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my book here.⁠⁠⁠Join The JL Mentorship: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out the form here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My go-to order is a long black.⁠⁠⁠Notes Running⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Latest SubstackMy Guest:Lee Glandorf.Lee's Substack: https://thesweatlookbook.substack.com/Lee's Poem: "I Thank You God For This Most Amazing" by E.E Cummings. i thank You God for most this amazingday:for the leaping greenly spirits of treesand a blue true dream of sky;and for everythingwhich is natural which is infinite which is yes(i who have died am alive again today,and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birthday of life and of love and wings:and of the gaygreat happening illimitably earth)how should tasting touching hearing seeingbreathing any—lifted from the noof all nothing—human merely beingdoubt unimaginable You?(now the ears of my ears awake andnow the eyes of my eyes are opened)

I thank You God for our listening family groups. We are the victorious army. Moving and going forward A sermon With gratitude with Mike Povovich

Gracias, thank You God for the readers and listening family groups. We are the victorious army. Moving and going forward

We're talking straight to the girl in transition—whether you just moved to a new place, started a new job, became a mama, or are figuring out what's next. We've both been there, and we get how hard and disorienting it can feel. But we believe this can be a season where your faith grows in radical ways. We're sharing three super practical takeaways that have helped us keep our faith in motion when everything around us felt new or uncertain. We'll walk through the “Ask, Seek, Knock” process from Matthew 7:7, talk about why boldness matters in new seasons, and remind you that you don't have to do this alone. God is with you, and He wants to meet you right here—in the middle of the uncertainty. In This Episode [01:00] Real-Life Transitions – From high school to college, new cities, and motherhood [02:00] Keeping Your Faith in Motion – Avoiding spiritual stagnancy in new seasons [03:30] Ask, Seek, Knock – A practical faith process based on Matthew 7:7 [08:45] Step 1: Ask – How to ask God better questions [10:30] Step 2: Seek – Look for signs of God's faithfulness [12:00] Step 3: Knock – Take risks, walk through open doors with God [13:45] Boldness Through the Holy Spirit – You have what it takes because He is with you [15:00] Encouragement for the Girl Who Feels New – Be the inviter, the encourager, the pursuer [16:30] Book Reading Storytime – Kenza's real-life example of small obedience producing big fruit [18:00] Boldness Isn't Just for You – God uses your courage to bless others [19:00] How to Find Boldness – Worship and being in His presence [20:00] Final Word: Spend Your Time Wisely – Steward the season you're in with intention ⁠PRE ORDER OUR NEW STUDY! ⁠⁠ This seven-week, verse-by-verse study through the book of Acts invites you to embrace the unpredictable, sometimes challenging adventure of Spirit-led living that characterized the early church. Thanks to Our Sponsors Winshape: ⁠Learn more or submit your application today!⁠ NIV Application Study Bible - Grab your copy today! If you'd like to partner with For The Girl as a sponsor, fill out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form! Follow us!

NEVER GIVING UP | Romans 8:31–39When life hits hard and you feel like giving up, Romans 8 reminds us: God is for you.If God is for us, who can be against us?The God who did not spare His own Son is on your side.Christ died for you, was raised for you, and is interceding for you right now.Nothing—past, present, or future—can separate you from His love.God's Promise to You:God will never give you up. God will never let you down. God will never desert you.God's love is unstoppable, and His grip on your life is unbreakable.Join us Sundays at 9:00 & 11:00

"You God see Me"A message preached by Pastor Mike Henry at Royal View Baptist Church.Worship Guitar - 100 Beautiful Hymns - Instrumental - Peaceful Gospel Music --- Used by the permission of the artist Josh Snodgrass

It's Thursday, July 3rd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Russia's tight restrictions on missionary activity Individuals and religious groups across Russia continue to face charges of “unlawful missionary activity.” Forum 18 reports the country has conducted 34 such prosecutions this year, an increase compared to recent years. A dozen of these cases affected evangelical Christians. Pastors were fined simply for evangelizing or holding unauthorized church services. Russia enacted tight restrictions on sharing religious beliefs in 2016. The country also imposed “anti-missionary” legislation in occupied Ukrainian territories.  In Acts 5:29, the apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Biologically accurate pronouns allowed despite Australia's wokeness Free speech advocates won a big case against Australia this week. At issue is a post on Elon Musk's social media platform X that used biologically accurate pronouns to identify a transgender individual. Australia's eSafety Commissioner ordered X to remove the post, but X challenged the order. On Tuesday, Australia's Administrative Review Tribunal sided with X in the case.  Paul Coleman with Alliance Defending Freedom International said, “In this case, the Australian government alarmingly censored the peaceful expression of a Canadian citizen on an American-owned platform, evidence of the expansive reach of censorial forces, even beyond national borders. Today, free speech has prevailed.” Elon Musk wants to found The American Party which will cut the deficit Speaking of Elon Musk, the tech billionaire called for a new political party in the U.S. On Monday, he posted on X, “If this insane spending bill passes, The America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.”  Musk openly opposes President Donald Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” for its deficit spending. Afraid of losing $175m, U of Penn agrees to stop transgender nonsense The University of Pennsylvania is backing down from its support for transgenderism. The Trump administration threatened to withhold $175 million in funding to the school for allowing men to compete in women's sports, reports CNN. UPenn came to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education recently to protect women's sports. Notably, the school will strip a transgender swimmer of his medals. The male swimmer, Will Thomas, who now goes by the feminine name “Lia” Thomas, has been pretending to be a woman, enabling him to win medals by competing in women's sports. Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, said, “It is my hope that today demonstrates to educational institutions that they will no longer be allowed to trample upon women's civil rights.” Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old abortion ban Wisconsin's Supreme Court struck down the state's 176-year-old abortion ban yesterday. The 1849 law made most abortions a felony. But the high court ruled 4-3 that more recent legislation superseded the law. Wisconsin only has a ban on late-term abortions now. Heather Weininger, Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life, told LifeNews, “The court did not point to a single state statute that specifically repeals [the law]. To assert that a repeal is implied is to legislate from the bench.” Jimmy Swaggart, known for his “I have sinned” confession, died at 90 Remember this?  JIMMY SWAGGART: “I have sinned against You, my Lord, and I would ask that Your precious blood would wash and cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God's forgetfulness. Thank you. Thank you.” That was the tearful confession on February 21, 1988 of televangelist Jimmy Swaggart at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after it became public that he had an encounter with a lady of the evening in New Orleans.  He was defrocked by the Assemblies of God, reports The Christian Post. The Pentecostal preacher died on July 1st at the age of 90 after suffering a cardiac arrest recently. In the announcement from his official Facebook page on Tuesday, his family wrote, “Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ.” Swaggart's popularity peaked in the mid-1980s, reaching millions of households with his weekly telecasts. In his confession, the televangelist alluded to Micah 7:19. It says, “You [God] will again have compassion on us;   You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Man's gold necklace cross deflected bullet And finally, a young man in Florida is thanking God for saving his life. Last month, 20-year-old Aiden Perry was shot in the chest, by accident, while visiting a friend's apartment.  The gun was only 10 feet away from him. The incident could have been much worse if it weren't for the gold cross necklace he was wearing. The necklace deflected the bullet from hitting major organs in his chest. Dr. Khafra Henry, who performed the surgery, explained to WESH-TV how Aiden's golden cross necklace was a blessing. HENRY:  “Of its metallic component, it actually shielded a lot of the force of the bullet, so the bullet ricocheted off the necklace and entered his chest wall. However, it was just in his fat tissues because it slowed down the trajectory of the bullet.” Dr. Henry noted what might have happened had Aiden not been wearing his golden cross. HENRY: “It could have been way worse, entering his chest wall itself, into the pleural space, which is the airspace around the lung, between the bones, and injuring his lung itself, or his heart.” Aiden said, “It's just kind of a reminder now – to never stop believing. Keep believing and God's definitely real.” In his comments to WESH-TV, he expressed gratitude to God. PERRY: “I think God played a big role in this. I think He's the reason I'm still here today.” In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus asked, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, July 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

God doesn't always look like He's going to do much with our lives. But at some point, in the middle of the mundane, God will ask ordinary people to change course to do something different, something that gives more purpose and meaning. What would you do if it was YOU God asked? Would your faith be so crazy so as to say, “Yes”?

Carol Chisolm is a singer, songwriter, speaker, and author. She was named Songwriter of the Month (July 2020) by Nashville Christian Songwriters, International. She was one of the top five finalists in the 2021 You God's Music Talent Showcase, named the 2022 Traditional Artist of the Year for the Tampa Bay Gospel Music Awards, named among the Top 25 Artist of 2023 by the I Support Florida Gospel Music Movement, named Female Artist of the Year for the 2024 Florida Gospel Music Awards, and recently name Female Artist of the Year for the Praise and Worship Experience Awards 2025. Carol's latest release, “Conquerors”, is inspired by my struggle with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that results in baldness. She suffered many years from fear, shame, and self-hatred until finally accepting that she is fearfully and wonderfully made by a faithful God who loves her with or without hair. Carol is a contributing author in the award-winning anthology, “She Writes for Him: Black Voices of Wisdom” and “My Bald Is Beautiful: I Am Not My Hair”. Her Selah award nominated book, “Breaking the Shadows: How to Embrace Your True Self and Live in the Light of God's Glory”, was published in 2023 and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Redemption Press Publishing. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.chisolm.5Instagram: @carolchisolmministriesWebsite: www.carolchisolm.com

2 Paths Which Portray to You God's ProvidenceGenesis 11:1-91 - A Contrary Ploy (1-4)2 - A Concrete Plan (5-9)

The Most Misunderstood Promise in The Bible, Part 2 Today, Pastor Michael is continuing our theme of studying one of the most famous quotes in the Bible, a quote used anytime one needs encouragement, that promise found in Jeremiah 29: 11. Things God Wants for You (God's Plans for You!): Salvation, John 3: 16, John 4: 14. Fellowship, John 15: 5. Obedience,  John 14: 15. Holiness, Romans 12: 1-2. Discipleship, Matthew 28: 19-20. Good works, Ephesians 2: 10. Progress, 2 Peter 3: 18. Our theme for today is, “Walk with God and the rest will follow.” (CSB Bible Notes) Many a faithful believer has found comfort in these words of hope. Today's verse can be found in Jeremiah 29: 11. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

In 1943, a camp in rural Maryland called Shangri-La was purchased as a retreat for US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Rustic, quiet, and remote, it provided “an opportunity for solitude and tranquility,” according to the White House website, “as well as an ideal place to work and host foreign leaders.” When Dwight Eisenhower became president, he renamed this retreat Camp David in honor of his grandson, and the name stuck. Aside from increased security measures, there has been very little modernizing of the camp. It remains the perfect place for the president and his family to escape and rest. Believers in Jesus also have a retreat where we can find rest in the midst of our turbulent world. King David wrote in Psalm 32:7, “You [God] are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” David recognized that God was his true place of safety. Jesus welcomes us to find rest and restoration in Him. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). He can be our place of rest any time, every time, and all the time.

Your Daily Prayer

Send us a textLast week, in part 1 of this two part series on the UncommonTEEN Podcast, we began talking about how to throw away anxiety, stress, overwhelm, and insecurities for good!  God wants you walking in confidence, really embracing who it is that He created you to be! But how do we do that?1.    It starts with truly understanding who it is that God says you are.John 3:16 says that you are so loved by God. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God makes everything beautiful in its time. You are beautiful! Just the way you are! Jeremiah 1:5 says that before the world was even formed, God knew everything about you and approved of you as His chosen daughter. He set you apart for a purpose.Isaiah 43:4 says that you are precious to God, honored by God, and loved by God!Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has plans for your life that are good. Plans to give you a future and a hope.Luke 12:24 says that you are valuable to God. But In order to truly understand who God says you are, you have to intentionally make the choice to believe it!  2.    Rewrite the stories you've been telling yourself. When you feel anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or not confident in who you are…when those feelings start to pull you down, I want you to stop and think about what you're thinking about. Ask yourself, do these thoughts or do these words that I'm telling myself or maybe someone else said about me…do they line up with what God says about me? Do those thoughts line up with what God says in His Word? The first way you can tell if they do or if they don't is, how are those thoughts making you feel? If they are making you feel anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, or insecure, the answer probably is no…they do not line up with what God says about you.   3.    Change your words; change your life.  Our circumstances that we are facing cause our thoughts. When we dwell on those thoughts, those thoughts cause the words we begin to speak. When we begin to speak those things over our lives, our words then cause the results that we see.  Pick one verse and say it over and over again until those feelings of anxiety leave. “Thank You, Lord that in John 14:27, Jesus says He has given me His peace. I thank you that I have peace.” Then repeat over again over again until you feel that peace, Thank You, Lord for your peace. I have the peace of Jesus. I praise You God for giving me Your peace.”  Sometimes you can speak those verses for a couple minutes and anxiety will leave, sometimes you may need to be speaking those verses over yourself for an hour or two, but continue to do it until that anxiety leaves.  The Word of God is powerful and can and will destroy the weapons the enemy has used against you!  Ladies, check your emails this week for updates on the New UncommonTEEN App!!To ask your Ask Me Anything Questions or if you need prayer, head on over to UncommonTEEN.com.For the Ask Me Anything Questions, click on the RED BUTTON at the top of the screen. These questions may used on a future episode of the UncommonTEEN Podcast!For any prayer requests or more personal questions, click on the YELLOW CHAT TAB at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. These will not be used on the podcast unless you say you would like it to be used. Connect with Us!Website: UncommonTEEN.comInstagram: @uncommon.teenUncommonTEEN Live Conference: UncommonTEENlive.com

It seems in today's world pronouns have come into great controversy, but in simplest level when I'm talking about myself me, I use a word I, me, my. If I'm talking about somebody who's not in my presence I will usually use he or she. So for instance if somebody's not in my presence I go he's a nice young man or she's going to graduate college. I'm talking about somebody who's not present but I'm referencing them. We're going to take a look today at Psalm 23 verse 4 that has a very significant change in what happens. The Psalmist says in the beginning, "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." But now the Psalmist is going to change and talk about two things that are very significant related to fear that most people have that's going to come across in all of our lives. So see what the two things that the Psalmist talks about that gives us comfort at afraid of? Sermon Notes Psalm 23:4a Moving through the valley of the shadow of death Psalm 107:10 – 16 God saves from the shadow of death John 3:16 Whoever believes will not perish but have eternal life John 11:25 & 26 Jesus is the resurrection and the life 1 Corinthians 15:50 – 57 Death is defeated and we have the victory through Christ Job 19:23 – 27 My eyes shall see my Redeemer Psalm 23:4b Do not fear harm/evil because YOU God are with me Romans 8:35 – 39 Nothing not even death separates us from God Psalm 23::4c Both God's rod and staff comfort Micah 7:14 May He shepherd His people with His scepter

"I am in awe of You God. Looking around at all You've created and seeing birds flying around and hearing them cry out to You is overwhelming in the best way possible." In today's episode, I will discuss what it means to be in awe of God. I will be pairing it with a story and some scripture.   Enjoy!   This episode's show notes: https://www.faithfuelsmyfire.com/post/what-it-means-to-be-in-awe-of-god   If you do want to donate to help me go on the mission trip there are specific things that you will want to do whenever you click on that link to make sure that they know that you're supporting me as the missionary. So I'm going to tell you exactly what to do. If you want to click on that link and donate whatever you can. So you're going to go on the website: https://globalventures.tv/give and then you want to make sure you click on where it says "support a missionary." Once you do that, you'll put in however much you want to donate. Then in the "memo" portion of it, make sure that you type in my name so they know that it is for me, my name is Lorena Espy. If you want to check out previous Bible studies, click here To Purchase my "Christ Transforms Me" Journal, click here   Email me: faithfuelsmyfire@gmail.com Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/486483515603028/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmBsSKktGU_8WHVNIxhFuzg The Bible App that I use: http://bible.com/app Instagram: @_lorenacamille_ Never Forget to Choose Faith Over Fear, -Lorena Camille  

I pray the Lord blesses you with this two-minute prayer on the Full Armor of God. Thanks be to You God, in giving Your people victory through Christ Jesus the Lord. Victory over sin, death, and the devil. You command us to be strong in the might of Your strength by putting on the full armor of God.  I put on Your Belt of Truth. Thank You, Lord, that Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path protecting me from the enemy's lies. I put on Your Breastplate of Righteousness. Thank You, Lord for Your righteousness that guards my heart. You enable me to submit to Your will for Your glory, having protected me under the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I put Your Shoes of Peace on to walk into enemy territory as Your ambassador of reconciliation, ready to share the good news of Christ with those in captivity under Satan's rule. I take up Your Shield of Faith to victoriously come against Satan's fiery darts to fear. I will stand firm, trusting in Your faithfulness, Your goodness, Your Word, and Sovereign plans. You promise to never leave us, never to abandon us (Heb 13:5)  I put on Your Helmet of Salvation that has delivered your people from oppression. You have enabled me, Lord, to discern good from evil as I put Your Word to practice.   I take Your Sword of the Spirit to fight and defend me. Your Word is active and alive - sharper than a double-edged sword exposing and defeating Satan's attempts to steal, kill, and destroy. By Faith, I have put on the full armor of God enabling me to live this day resisting the devil's temptations to sin by standing firmly submitted to You King Jesus, to whom the victory and glory belongs. Thank You God of Peace for Your promise to one day crush Satan under our feet.  Amen.  

Thankful For God's Mad Schemes (Tribute to Bad Dreams by Teddy Swims) *showcased photo of my wonderful Mom; thankful for her beautiful, radiant love & for her sweet Holy Spirit that continually sustains her when life hurts❤️

Episode 66 What is man that You [God] are mindful of him? Tune in to learn more about what it means to be made in God's image and to fulfill the command to multiply and subdue the earth. Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/-xutpkhW-UQ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone⁠ License code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8 Find more Take 2 Theology content at https://take2pod.wordpress.com

Are you feeling invisible or unvalued in your relationships? Or perhaps, without realizing it, are you creating an environment where others feel unseen? In this episode of the "I Feel Loved When..." @soulanchoring podcast, we reflect on a powerful lesson from a social experiment involving world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell (as shared by No One Knows What They're Doing (@nooneknows.show) with Erin McGoff (@advicewitherin) interviewing Ryan Stygar (@attorneyryan)). When Bell played in a busy Washington DC subway, almost no one noticed him, despite his extraordinary talent. It's a stark reminder that even the most gifted among us can go unnoticed if we're in the wrong environment. We explore how to discern when you're in the wrong environment and what it means to create a space where love, value, and humility thrive. From Psalm 139:13-14, we recall that "You (God) created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." We discuss the importance of properly valuing ourselves and others, as God values us. True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less (C.S. Lewis), allowing space for God's love to flow freely through you and into your relationships. Tune in to discover how to build an environment where you and those around you are seen, valued, and loved as God intended. Let's walk in the truth that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and extend that same truth to others.

Questions? Comments? Text Us!Have you ever wondered how there can be one God and so many different religions? Join Scott Langdon and Dr. Jerry L. Martin as they explore this intriguing question many have pondered.Scott and Jerry discuss the problem of the diversity of revelations and explore the manifestations of God across different cultures and religions as complementary rather than contradictory. Drawing from Jerry's enlightening book, God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher, Scott and Jerry explore the richness of God's nature, mirroring the diverse ways we understand ourselves.Scott and Jerry explore the frustrations of being misunderstood and relate these experiences to common misconceptions about God's nature while embracing the multifaceted essence of God.Discover how our actions towards others reflect God's presence in our lives and explore the idea of a more anthropomorphic God who actively engages in our lives. This episode is made for today's interconnected world!Follow along with future episodes and get your copy of God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher here.Relevant Episodes:[What's On Your Mind] Fierce Faith[Life Wisdom Project] Faith and Identity | Special Guest: Dr. Mikhail Sergeev[Special Episode] Revisiting God Explains How All Religions Exist[From God to Jerry to You] God, How Did You Manage To Find Me?Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:Life Wisdom Project: How to live a wiser, happier, and more meaningful life with special guests.From God To Jerry To You: Calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God: Sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have.What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series of episodes.What's On Your Mind: What are readers and listeners saying? What is God saying?Resources:READ: “Suffering is the Test of Humanity”YOUTUBE CHANNEL: NEW VIDEOS#whatsonourmind #godanautobiography #experiencegodWould you like to be featured on the show or have questions about spirituality or divine communication? Share Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

"Balance serious academics with play and exploration to keep learning enjoyable." ~ Cindy West Watch this full interview on our YouTube Channel. In this insightful edition of our Homeschooling Through the Years Series, Cindy West joins Yvette Hampton to delve into the complexities of homeschooling during the middle school years. Discover how to balance serious academics with play and exploration, while allowing your child the independence they crave. Cindy shares her unique approach to unit studies and gives practical advice on nurturing passions and making learning enjoyable. Learn the importance of setting expectations and involving your children in their education for a tailored, stress-free learning experience. Don't miss out on Cindy's expert advice for homeschooling middle schoolers!" Middle school is a time for kids to assert independence and explore their passions." Has the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast been a blessing to you? Support from our listeners allows us provide resources, support, and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Would you please consider a year-end gift to support the Schoolhouse Rocked ministry? Recommended Resources: Podcast Note-Taking Guide Gameschooling! Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast Nature Schooling - Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast Cindy's The Magical Marvelous Years of Middle School (Video Training Course) Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids, by Kristen A. Jensen, MA The Fallacy Detective, by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You (God's Design for Sex), by Stan Jones and Brenna Jones Sequence Board Game   Recommended Middle School Curriculum: Apologia Science BJU Press Homeschool CTCMath  

"Parents should listen without judgment to foster open conversations with their kids." ~ Cindy West Watch this full interview on our YouTube Channel. Join Yvette Hampton and special guest Cindy West on this compelling episode of our Homeschooling Through the Years Series, as they dive into the challenges of parenting middle schoolers. Learn how to encourage your child's talents, navigate awkward friendships, and maintain open, non-judgmental communication about important topics, like personal hygiene, puberty, academics, and social media. Discover practical strategies for teaching kids about godly friendships, addressing hormonal changes, and fostering social skills. Don't miss out on Cindy's expert advice for homeschooling middle schoolers!  Come back tomorrow for the rest of this conversation.  Has the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast been a blessing to you? Support from our listeners allows us provide resources, support, and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Would you please consider a year-end gift to support the Schoolhouse Rocked ministry? Recommended Resources: Podcast Note-Taking Guide Gameschooling! Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast Nature Schooling - Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast Cindy's The Magical Marvelous Years of Middle School (Video Training Course) Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids, by Kristen A. Jensen, MA The Fallacy Detective, by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You (God's Design for Sex), by Stan Jones and Brenna Jones Sequence Board Game   Recommended Middle School Curriculum: Apologia Science BJU Press Homeschool CTCMath  

"Talk openly and proactively about challenging topics to prepare your kids for the world." ~ Cindy West Watch this full interview on our YouTube Channel. Cindy West joins Yvette Hampton for a deep dive into middle school for our Homeschooling Through the Years Series. In this episode, Cindy and Yvette discuss these crucial and challenging times filled with hormones, growth spurts, and awkward moments. Cindy shares her experiences and insights from homeschooling her own kids and offers invaluable advice on how to navigate these years with grace and joy. We also touch on topics like game schooling, nature studies, and creating a joyful learning environment. Come back Wednesday and Thursday for the rest of this conversation.  Has the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast been a blessing to you? Support from our listeners allows us provide resources, support, and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Would you please consider a year-end gift to support the Schoolhouse Rocked ministry? Recommended Resources: Podcast Note-Taking Guide Gameschooling! Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast Nature Schooling - Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast Cindy's The Magical Marvelous Years of Middle School (Video Training Course) Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids, by Kristen A. Jensen, MA The Fallacy Detective, by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You (God's Design for Sex), by Stan Jones and Brenna Jones Sequence Board Game   Recommended Middle School Curriculum: Apologia Science BJU Press Homeschool CTCMath  

Have you ever felt like an underdog? Like you are operating at a disadvantage? If so . . . welcome to the club! The Bible is full of people who felt they were underdogs. In today's episode, John and Jim unpack an encouraging idea: You + God is a winning combination!

The Sixth Sunday of Easter ORISON: ‘Beloved, let us love one another' from In Praise of Singing – Alice Parker (1925-2023) PSALM 67 – Patricia Van Ness (b. 1951) HYMN: For the beauty of the earth (Tune: LUCERNA LAUDONIAE) – David Evans (1874-1948) NUNC DIMITTIS – Plainsong setting, Tone V.1 ANTHEM: i thank You God […]

Meditations on the Beauty of You… God loved us long before the cross. He didn't need blood to accept us. He came because he had been celebrating us all along! ~Join Matt & Katie for some God adventures in 2024!  The 11 week, 4 country, Kainos Experience!  Email: experiencekainos@gmail.com for full details.  ~ Want to go deeper in this kind of revelation?  Check out our Glory Foundations Class at: www.gloryfoundationsclass.com Order Matt's book 'High On God' at our website: www.thefirehouseprojects.com  Been blessed by this ministry?  Partner with us financially to spread this GOOD NEWS!  Click here TO DONATE: www.thefirehouseprojects.com/donate

There is a prayer for more in Isaiah 64, that contains the statement, "We are the clay. You (God) are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." We are the clay. You are the potter. We are all the work of your hand. That's full-on, all-in 100% surrender. This is not really a God bless me, God protect me, God help and heal me, give me comfort and prosperity kind of prayer. It's more of a God search me, God break me, God change me kind of prayer. Refine me. Shape me. Mold me. I surrender.The picture of the Father as potter and his people as the clay breaks Isaiah's prayer wide-open. It's the New Testament leaking into the Old Testament.  It's relationship.  Rather than God bursting forth, God is invited in.  Rather than nations tremblingand mountains quaking Father Potter is shaping my heart. Listen, do you know that the fingerprints of Father Potter are all over you? And sometimes it hurts, he pushes and prods and digs his fingers into the recesses of our lives...but...He Is shaping you for a purpose, a good, a good purpose. 

A new MP3 sermon from First Byron CRC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Grace to You: God and Government Subtitle: Grace to You Speaker: Dr. David P Murray Broadcaster: First Byron CRC Event: Sunday - PM Date: 11/19/2023 Bible: Romans 13:1-7 Length: 32 min.

In This Episode, We Get Tactical About: Working with Veterans and First Responders Overcoming Childhood and Family Trauma Sports and Healing Faith and Military/Policing What Does Mighty Oaks Foundation Do? Staying in the Word, Staying in Prayer, Staying in Church and Reaching out to a Corner Man Sharing Doesn't Make You Weak The Lies Cops Tell Themselves Two People Will Never Give up on You - God and Satan The Current State of Law Enforcement and Peer Support The Suicide Crisis in CBP and USBP Having a Positive Impact on Police Finding the Right Corner Men Remembering “I Am Second” Not Alone is a Game Changer Knowing When to Cut Off the Wrong Friends Being Accountable and Willing to Share If You Don't Have the Failure, You Don't Have the Hero Arc   Resources + Links:   Connect with Kristofor on Instagram | @team_healey   Connect with Kristofor on Substack | https://kristoforhealey.substack.com   Join us for The Weekend: Bourbon Trail in Lexington, Kentucky September 29-October 2, 2023 | https://www.theweekendbourbontrail.com/   How can Kristofor help you become an indispensable man? https://linktr.ee/krhealey   Download a FREE COPY of Indispensable: A Tactical Plan for the Modern Man   Buy your copy of the book, here!   Shoot us a message on Instagram with your biggest takeaway @team_healey   Show Notes:   John Davis works for Mighty Oaks Foundation. Mighty Oaks Foundation is a faith based non-profit that works with Military, First Responders and their spouses.    As a former Sergeant in the US Army 82nd Airborne John was a forward observer in the 319th Artillery Battalion. John was attached to the 3/504th Infantry Battalion for Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989 and 1/17th Cavalry Division Scouts in Iraq as a Ground Laser Team Leader for Operation Desert Shield / Operation Desert Storm in 1991.    After honorably discharging from the US Army in 1993 he joined the Orange County, California Sheriff's Department where he worked in the county jail. In 1994 he transferred to Whittier Police Department where he worked as a Patrol Officer and as a member of the Special Occurrence Response Team and Entry Team. After being in three justified officer involved shootings John was medically retired in 2004.    After retiring from law enforcement John became a high school football, track and strength coach. John and his wife Quennie have 8 children and 5 grandchildren. Outside of Mighty Oaks Foundation, John and Quennie own a Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy in Magnolia, Texas where John is the head coach. You can get a copy of John's book “Man on the Roof” on Amazon and learn more about his amazing story and journey of faith.  You can connect with him online at:   www.mightyoaksprograms.org  @coachdaviscombatstrength  @carlsongracie_magnolia   Until Friday… Out of role.   

Become the YOU God wants to use.  In “God Chose You! Will You?,” we're reminded that we have a choice to walk by faith into our purpose or stay stuck in what God has called us out of.  If you've just made a decision for Christ, please respond HERE: http://ele.vc/tIepfr To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: http://www.elevationchurch.org/giving/ Scripture References: Ephesians 1, verse 4 Ephesians 4, verses 22-24

Become the YOU God wants to use.  In “God Chose You! Will You?,” we're reminded that we have a choice to walk by faith into our purpose or stay stuck in what God has called us out of.  If you've just made a decision for Christ, please respond HERE: http://ele.vc/tIepfr To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: http://www.elevationchurch.org/giving/ Scripture References: Ephesians 1, verse 4 Ephesians 4, verses 22-24

Become the YOU God wants to use.  In “God Chose You! Will You?,” we're reminded that we have a choice to walk by faith into our purpose or stay stuck in what God has called us out of.  If you've just made a decision for Christ, please respond HERE: http://ele.vc/tIepfr To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: http://www.elevationchurch.org/giving/ Scripture References: Ephesians 1, verse 4 Ephesians 4, verses 22-24

Today in Closing Remarks, Steve answers the question about stardom and how to become a star.  "You God to get there and you need more God to stay there!" - Uncle SteveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you stand for justice, truth always prevails! Today on Exploring the Marketplace, Shawn Bolz & Bob Hasson bring to the conversation, Clarisa Batiz.  Clarisa works in a family business where she manages the sales side of the organic vegetables department that exports fruits and vegetables from Mexico to the US and Canada. Tune in as Shawn, Bob & Clarisa share how God opened the door for her to work in a male dominated family business and the peace God gave her along the way.  Hear how God has used her in social justice to bring awareness to situations that brought truth and exposure and the deep faith she walks in in her business and life.  You + God = more not less.  You can do anything with Him by your side! Tune in!