Podcasts about your son jesus

Title: Defending the Gospel to the Religious Text: Acts 26:1-11 FCF: We often struggle convincing religious people they need the gospel. Prop: Because religiously engaged people with prideful or worldly hearts will attack the gospel, we must be ready to provide a defense for the hope we have in us. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 26. In a moment we'll begin reading from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week Luke gave us a glimpse into a conversation between Festus and Herod Agrippa the Second. This conversation reveals to us not only that selfishly motivated politicians are not a new development of our time, but also that Festus is quite perplexed about how to handle an innocent man appealing to Caesar. Essentially Festus is caught playing favors and now he has to report to the Emperor a valid reason that Paul is present in his court. However, he hopes that Herod Agrippa can help him. Herod is highly favored of Emperor Nero and his father before him. If Herod Agrippa says that the only reason Paul is there is because he appealed prematurely – then Festus may not look completely inept. So, the stage is set for this deposition. It is not a trial or even a hearing. It is simply a fact finding endeavor so Festus can fill out his paperwork properly. How will it begin? Will Paul endure questions? If so, who will ask? Let's find out. Please stand with me to give honor to and focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Most High God, You are unlike all others. Yet You have condescended to reveal Yourself to us, most fully in Your Son Jesus. You have sent Your Spirit among us to reveal truth and illuminate our hearts through the inspired texts of Your scriptures. Father… I pray that You might send Your Spirit among us today and prevent us from being religious scholars and zealots only, without also becoming Your children. Adopt us through Christ and enable us to repent and believe on Him. Then train us to defend the gospel to those who are merely religiously educated and zealous. We beg You to be with and prepare Your people for the warfare we engage in every day. Do this today we ask in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: Let us get right to the text this morning. I.) Religiously educated people with worldly pursuits are unable to believe the gospel, so we must provide a defense for the hope we have in us. (1-3) a. [Slide 2] 1 - Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul, stretching out his hand, began to make his defense: i. Festus gave his opening remarks and addressed King Herod Agrippa the Second as the primary audience member of this deposition. ii. He also clearly laid out what the purpose of this deposition was. He needed something to include in the paperwork being sent up to the Emperor that requires Paul's presence in his court. iii. At the moment Festus has nothing to write. iv. It makes sense then that Festus would cede the floor to King Agrippa. v. Agrippa does not ask any questions, but informs Paul that he can go forward and give his defense. vi. So as is custom at this time, Paul stretches out his hand to signify to the listeners that he is about to speak. vii. And although Luke describes this as a defense, and although Paul will address the charges against him indirectly, we should understand that his speech here is not a defense of himself, but is primarily a defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how belief on Jesus is the next step in true Judaism. viii. So much so, that if you reject Jesus, then you cease to be a true Jew. ix. Paul will go to great lengths here to not only defend the gospel, but to defend also a Pharisaical view of Judaism that must evolve into Christianity if it is to remain true to the prophesies and promises that God has given to the Israelite people. b. [Slide 3] 2 - “Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I regard myself blessed, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; 3 - especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; i. Paul begins his defense addressing the judge, as is customary in a trial. ii. But Paul is not fawning over or buttering Agrippa up at all. Instead, he consistently gives praise to God throughout his entire defense for what God has done, even to deliver him to this point at this very moment. iii. Paul considers himself blessed. 1. This word blessed is the same word that Jesus used in the sermon on the mount when He spoke of the B-attitudes. 2. The word means highly favored or fortunate. 3. In a secular or pagan context, such a word might be used to indicate that someone is favored of the gods or was granted a divine wind on the open sea when no wind was present. 4. Scripture writers often use this word to speak of God's grace applied to someone. iv. Paul's view then, is that he is graced of God. Why? v. Because he has a chance to defend himself against the accusations of the Jews before Agrippa. And especially since Agrippa is well aware of, an expert in, the customs and theological disputes among the Jews. vi. With Festus, Paul had a judge who really was ignorant of the finer theological details on which the trial revolved. That is why Festus wanted to move the trial to Jerusalem and that is why Paul insisted on not going to Jerusalem – Festus sought clarity and Paul knew well the dangers that he faced in that city (if he got there alive). vii. Paul believes he is favored of God to sit before a man who is the secular head of the Jewish Religion. He is well aware of the intricacies of Jewish law and the disputes between the Pharisees, the Sadducees and even the Nazarean sect. viii. Now Agrippa being of the ruling class, an aristocrat, and not only Hellenized but Romanized as well – his sympathies would probably favor the Sadducean view of Judaism. But – if pressed, Agrippa would probably not publicly affiliate himself with any faction or party. He was Jewish but it was a faith of convenience. He was, primarily, a statesman. A politician. ix. What does Agrippa need to do with what Paul is going to say? c. [Slide 4] therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. i. Paul begs, implores, pleads with Agrippa to listen. ii. Not merely hear his words, not merely hear his defense, but to intently pay attention to all that he says and to do so with forbearance and patience. iii. Paul is asking Agrippa to listen, not merely as a judge, but as a man who needs to hear the message that he is about to be given. d. [Slide 5] 4 - So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; i. Paul now transitions to speak about himself. ii. As is customary to do in a defense speech, the accused typically will go back in their life to demonstrate a record of right living. iii. This illustrates that it would be out of character for them to be guilty of whatever the accusers are claiming. iv. Paul establishes, firmly, his Jewish and even his NON-Hellenized Jewish background. v. We spoke of this several months ago now – but there was a pecking order within Judaism. Judean Jews were seen as serious Jews. Jews who lived in Judea, who worshipped at Jerusalem, and who generally adhered as closely as they could to the law – many of them even learning ancient Hebrew instead of just speaking Aramaic. vi. Though he was born in Cilicia and is a Roman citizen, from an early age he moved to Jerusalem and therefore spent his whole young life being brought up among his own people and associating and fellowshipping with Judean Jews. vii. Paul establishes himself as a long time Judean Jew, well aware of the customs and teachings of the Jews. viii. Such claim could only be made by an elite few. ix. He continues. e. [Slide 6] 5 - since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. i. Not only was this how his young life was characterized, but his own accusers could verify that it was so. They knew well where he came from and who he was. ii. If they are willing to say so, and not too cowardly to admit it, they have known about him for a long time and know the prominence of Paul. iii. Not only was he a Judean Jew practically since birth, but he was also raised in the strictest sect of Judaism, keeping rigidly the entire Mosaic law, while adopting a more progressive view of the scriptures, to include all the Old Testament both the law and the Prophets as God's Word. iv. The Pharisee party was the party of the people and included not just the wealthy and nobility but even less prominent lineages. v. They believed in miracles and adopted a stricter interpretation of the scriptures concluding that if God has not said it is permissible, then we must refrain. vi. As we saw earlier, he was trained at the feet of Gamaliel a highly respected Rabbi. vii. He knows his stuff and had a reputation for being the REAL DEAL with his faith. viii. And it is because of this theological background that he is on trial. f. [Slide 7] 6 - And now I am standing here being tried for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 - the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. i. The hope that Paul speaks of here is most certainly the gospel of Jesus Christ. ii. But the core concept of that teaching is the belief that God would resurrect the righteous and the unrighteous dead. iii. Indeed, Paul calls this the hope of the twelve tribes, who earnestly serve God night and day. iv. Well, the twelve tribes have been scattered to the winds. v. So, what is Paul speaking of? vi. He is certainly speaking of the restoration and fulfillment of promises to, largely, dead people. Promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Moses, and David. vii. Those who have died but still have a hope that one day the Lord will resurrect them and fulfill His eternal promises to them. viii. The Sadducees would not accept such a teaching, and it is primarily the Sadducees that accused Paul before these Roman courts. ix. The irony should not be lost on us. Paul is on trial today because believes in the hope of the promise of all of Israel… and yet is still being accused… by Jews. x. This is what springboards Paul into his question he poses to all those who listen… g. [Slide 8] 8 - Why is it considered unbelievable among all of you if God does raise the dead? i. This question seems to come out of nowhere. But it is actually the foundational question that will drive the rest of this speech. ii. Paul says elsewhere that the resurrection is foolishness to the Jews and a stumbling block to the Gentiles. Not today, but soon we will see both of these reactions to Paul's defense. This is the tipping point of the gospel. What do you do with a crucified and risen Savior? iii. Paul has already established that he has been a Judean Jew under the strict sect of the Pharisees since his youth. He has always believed in the resurrection of the dead and eventual renewal of the kingdom of Israel. iv. But now he asks this question. v. Why is it considered unbelievable among all of you if God does raise the dead? vi. There are a couple ways to take this question by Paul. vii. The first way and the most obvious way is to express disbelief or frustration on Paul's part that the resurrection of the dead, by God Himself, is such an untenable idea. 1. If God is who He has claimed to be, and who the Jews have been earnestly worshipping Him to be, resurrecting the dead is completely plausible. 2. It isn't like He is unable to do it. 3. So, if there are scriptures to indicate such is true – as Jesus demonstrated even from the Pentateuch where God addresses dead patriarchs in the present tense and not the past – then our worldly pursuits and materialistic leanings should not suspend our belief on the matter. 4. We must admit that God can do this. 5. Paul speaking to Agrippa and the Gentiles both of which would wrestle with this idea of the dead being able to be resurrected. viii. Another way we could take this question is that Paul is not expressing frustration but is asking his audience to search themselves. This is not an accusatory question but a diagnostic one. 1. Why is it that they consider it unbelievable that God could, would, and does raise the dead? 2. What is truly preventing them from believing that this could be? ix. I think both ways are possible for this question to be asked and both of them fit with where Paul goes next. x. But let's pause first and review what we've seen so far. h. [Slide 9] Summary of the Point: So, if Paul is giving a defense of the gospel, who exactly is he defending it to and what exactly are their arguments? Paul lumps the gentiles, Agrippa, and the Sadducees into one group in these first 8 verses. In short, they are the resurrection deniers. They are religiously educated people who have been captivated by worldly pursuits. And what I mean by worldly pursuits is not just sinful practices, but even the pursuit of this life, this existence, this earthly kingdom rather than some future, eternal, and spiritually perfect kingdom that is to come. In a way, Paul defends the Pharisaical understanding of the Scriptures as the primary avenue to understand and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. Indeed, he shows that the Pharisaical way of understanding the Old Testament is the only way any Jew can remain a Jew… namely by receiving their Messiah, the God-Man Jesus of Nazareth. Because as it stands, Gentiles who think the resurrection of the dead is foolish, Jews who are religiously educated but purely secular, and even Jews that are religiously practicing but selectively applying the scriptures to only this earthly existence – all of these are unable to receive the gospel message. Therefore, Paul offers a defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And in order to do that, he must defend the resurrection to the religiously educated but worldly focused people. We too must provide a defense of the hope we have in us, and one of the audiences of that defense will be those from other faiths, those who call themselves Christians but are purely secular, or those who call themselves Christians, go to church, but have rejected essential doctrines of our faith. We must be ready to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ to these revelation deniers. Transition: [Slide 10(blank)] But is this the only kind of people that we must be prepared to defend the gospel to? Are there others? II.) Religiously zealous people without humility are unable to believe the gospel, so we must provide a defense for the hope we have in us. (9-11) a. [Slide 11] 9 - So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. i. The opening two words, “so then” could be taken emphatically. ii. Meaning that Paul is not merely moving the timeline along of his story, but is saying something to the effect of – “in fact, of course, or indeed” iii. He is expressing that he also demonstrated disbelief. Not necessarily in the possibility of the resurrection of the dead. And not in the truth of the resurrection of the dead – but specifically in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. iv. In fact, he was WORSE than Agrippa, or Festus, or the Sadducees, because he believed in the resurrection of the dead for the righteous and the unrighteous but could not believe in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. v. Indeed, he opposed Christ in the most aggressive way that he could. b. [Slide 12] 10 - And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. i. Paul recounts how he, with the authority of the chief priests, many of whom were no doubt still alive and possibly even still well known, did take prisoner many of the saints – meaning those who professed faith in Jesus as the Messiah. ii. He even cast his vote to put Christians to death. iii. “cast his vote” is a euphemism saying cast his pebble. iv. In the Sanhedrin they would cast pebbles into the center to count votes for a guilty verdict. v. This could indicate to us that Paul was on the Sanhedrin council, but it doesn't necessarily mean that. The expression could simply mean he approved of it in an unofficial capacity. vi. And if he is talking about Stephen's trial – if we remember – they didn't really cast a vote. They just got so angry at him that they rushed him out the door and stoned him to death. vii. But regardless of what Paul means – his heart was in full agreement with thinking that those who follow Jesus deserved to die. viii. But for what? c. [Slide 13] 11 - And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities. i. Paul tried to force every single one he found to blaspheme. What he means by this, is to deny Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. ii. Paul agreed that these Christians should be killed because he thought they were heretics. iii. Even though he believed in the resurrection… he didn't believe in Jesus' resurrection. iv. And Paul not only heartily approved of stamping out this faith in Jerusalem, but he even pursued them to foreign cities. v. He kept pursuing them. He wouldn't let them flee. vi. His aim was total annihilation of this faith. vii. Paul reveals that although the Pharisee party was closest to receiving this gospel, if they continue to oppose Jesus of Nazareth – then they also cannot receive the gospel. They cannot continue to be truly Jewish. viii. So let's review this point from Paul's early religious zealousness. d. [Slide 14] Summary of the Point: After asking the question of the gentiles and Agrippa, why is it so unbelievable that God can raise the dead – Paul immediately back pedals and confesses that he too struggled to believe the same about Christ. In this Paul depicts for us someone who is religiously devout and zealous but lacks humility to receive truth or be shown they are still in need. They lack the fundamental aspect of the truth of the gospel in that men need a Savior and cannot live a holy enough life by themselves to be counted righteous and worthy of God's Kingdom. Indeed, the pride and self-sufficiency of Paul's Judaism had reached such heights that though he himself believed in a future resurrection where all God's people would be raised to inhabit a new and eternal Kingdom, he could not believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, the firstborn of the resurrected dead, the Savior of His people. He could not believe it so aggressively that he imprisoned, killed, and pursued those who did and tried to force them to reject their own Messiah. In the pursuit of being the best Jew he could, Paul killed, imprisoned, and tried to damn those who had found the way, the truth, and the life – the only way to the Father. Such people cannot believe the gospel. Paul's defense here, is against his former self. We too must defend the gospel against those who are religiously zealous but lack humility. We must give a defense of the gospel to the legalist, who earnestly believes he contributes something to his salvation, and in so doing find themselves unable to believe the gospel. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today to inform our belief and guide our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 15] God has blessed Paul to be in the position he is in before Agrippa and this great crowd of prominent gentile people. What an opportunity it is for Paul to make much of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And he doesn't squander it. Rather than setting out to defend himself, Paul makes a defense for the gospel of Jesus Christ. And his audience is anything but a friendly one. He makes a Jewish case for the Messiahship of Jesus in front of the secular head of the Jewish faith and a bunch of pagans. That is going to be a tough crowd. But that is why the gospel must be… defended. These two groups of people Paul addresses today are some of the most difficult groups we would ever share the gospel with in our lifetime. They are both religious people, but two specific kinds. First, are the deniers of God's Word. Either they have cultic, pagan, or false religious beliefs, or they are Christians in name without practice, or they are Christians who have rejected essential and core doctrines of the faith. This group of religiously educated people who are pursuing worldly goals are actually unable to believe the truth of the gospel. The second group Paul references, is actually his former self. It is those who are religiously devout and zealous but who lack humility to see their desperate need for a Savior. Their religion, even their Christianity is a cooperative effort between God and a man to save himself from sin. And men like this will go to great lengths to silence any who might suggest that salvation is not of works at all… but purely and completely of God. These folks too cannot believe the gospel. And so, we must be ready to give a defense for the hope we have – even to these kinds of religious people. But what does that look like practically? 1.) [Slide 16] 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 religious people, as long as they are sincere, are bound for heaven. a. One of the great lies of our day is that we are somehow all on the same faith journey or faith mountain. And no matter which path you take or which side of the mountain you are on, the path and the mountain both lead to God. b. We are all God's children and why wouldn't He want to save all of us. c. Meaning of course that it doesn't actually matter which religion you follow or creed you hold to as long as you are sincere, a good person, and try your best. d. This teaching is called, syncretism. e. Many secularists have believed and taught this but influential leaders in broader Christendom have said similar things including the late Pope Francis. f. However, syncretism is abundantly false on both a logical and theological basis. i. Islam claims that Jesus was not crucified, did not rise again, was not God, and is not the greatest prophet, priest, or King. Islam also claims there is one god and once you die you are subject to Allah's judgment. ii. Hinduism and Paganism claims that there are several gods and once you die you come back as something else depending on how well you lived. iii. Christianity claims that Jesus is God the Son, with a united but distinct human and divine nature. Christianity says there is one God in three distinct persons and once you die you face His judgment. And the only way to be acceptable to the Father is through Jesus His Son. iv. So how can all of these be on the same mountain? It is logically false. The only way it cannot be false is if each of these religions are equally untrue in their doctrine. v. And if all of them have essential doctrines that are not true that means that syncretism is, in itself, a new religion altogether. g. The scriptures teach, here and in many other places, that those who sincerely follow other gods and/or put their hope in anything but Christ alone, will be rejected and suffer the wrath of the only true God, Yahweh. h. The gentiles seated there, Herod Agrippa, The Sadducees and the Pharisees all are held accountable to the exact same standard. What will you do with Jesus of Nazareth? That is the only question that matters. i. There is exactly one way to the Father and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. j. Therefore, we must deny that sincere people who trust in anything except Christ and Him crucified and risen again – can somehow still enter the Kingdom of God. 2.) [Slide 17] 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 religious people of various stripes often mount the greatest assaults upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. a. In the gospels, the greatest opponent to Jesus continued to be the Pharisees. b. As we've seen in the book of Acts, the Pharisees had a lot of things right. c. As Paul rightly says, in order to go to the next phase of Judaism it required you to see the Old Testament scriptures the same way that the Pharisees did. d. That is why in the book of Acts, we have seen that the greatest enemy of the church was the Sadducees. Because their form of Judaism made it impossible for anyone who firmly held to it to receive Jesus as the Messiah. e. From the scriptures and down through the history of the church we can affirm that some of the greatest opponents of the truth of God has always been those who are religiously devout. f. Israel was opposed by nations serving other gods. Christ was opposed by conservative Jews. The church was opposed by liberal Jews. Then the church was opposed by pagans. Then the church was opposed by the state church of Rome. g. And some of the greatest opposition formed against the gospel of Jesus Christ, comes from those who are abundantly close to the truth with minor modifications. h. Think about how close to the truth the Pharisees were? Paul believed that God would one day resurrect all of Israel and bring about the eternal kingdom of David. But when confronted with the Son of David, who had died and now lived – he could not and would not believe it. i. Jehovah's witnesses, Mormons, and those who hold rigidly to official Roman Catholic dogma, are so close to the truth of the gospel – but have a history of adamantly opposing it. j. We also see liberal Christianity today rising up to oppose the gospel too. k. Churches who have affirmed female pastorate, have affirmed and accepted LGBTQIA+ lifestyles, these same churches have rejected the inspiration and authority of the bible and have even called into question the believability of the resurrection of Christ. l. All of those whom I've just described would call themselves Christians – but would oppose the orthodox definition of the gospel. 3.) [Slide 18] 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 ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us to those who are religiously educated and zealous. a. We need not defend the gospel to someone who is asking to hear it, who is steeped in sin and desiring a Savior. We simply need to give it to them… b. But to those who are religiously educated and zealous for their false faith, we must be ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us. c. To those who deny the Word of God and those who deny that God accomplishes ALL of their salvation, to these religious people we must defend the gospel. d. Now the defense does not need to result in convincing the person opposing us. e. Just a spoiler here – Paul doesn't convince anyone in his defense of the gospel here. Not one single person. f. The results are not what we are responsible for. Instead, we are to stand for truth and rebut error. Whether the person sees it or not is not our role. We leave that to God and His Spirit. g. As Paul asked – we too must ask – why is it considered unbelievable that our entire salvation rests in the finished work of Christ? Why is it considered unbelievable that Jesus is God and Man? Why is it considered unbelievable that our works do not contribute at all to our salvation? Why is it considered unbelievable that the Scriptures are breathed out by God and are infallible and authoritative? Why is it considered unbelievable that God would design man immutably to be either male or female and to enter into a relationship with someone of the opposite gender that begins their sexual experiences and continues in marital and sexual fidelity until death? h. My friends… our questions have answers and they are found in the Word of God. i. When we challenge them with “why is it considered unbelievable” eventually they must come to the conclusion that they hate what God has said. There is something in them, preventing them from receiving all that God has revealed. j. We must defend the gospel in this way. Let us be ready to make a defense, which means we must know why we believe what we believe. k. But this sounds so aggressive and confrontational! I am not looking forward to this… 4.) [Slide 19] 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 we are blessed of God to defend the gospel before those who are religiously educated and zealous. a. Paul said that he was graced by God to defend the gospel to Agrippa. b. We too should recognize and affirm that defending the gospel, the hope we have in us, is not a drudgery and it is not a chore. c. It is certainly aggressive and confrontational. We are, after all, in a war. A war of ideologies and a war for truth. d. War is confrontational by nature. e. But God has blessed us indeed if He has selected us to defend the gospel to the religiously educated and zealous. f. And furthermore, He will sustain us as we do so. 5.) [Slide 20] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” The gospel of Jesus Christ is not opposed to religious education or zealousness but both understanding and passion come as a result of salvation and not as a means to it. a. The gospel as presented in the scriptures, has a logical and predictable outworking in all those who genuinely receive it. b. Mankind, in their wickedness, often try to turn the order of this on its head. c. Just like Satan in the garden tempted Eve with acquiring knowledge of good and evil to be like God – on her own timing and in her own strength – so too we try to put the spiritual cart before the spiritual horse all too often. d. Religiously educated people pride themselves in knowing a wide variety of beliefs, yet their knowledge in each is relatively shallow and must deny much of what each religion teaches. Religiously zealous people pride themselves in knowing a belief deeply and this leads to self-sufficiency and dependence on their own performance of ritual and practice. e. But the most religiously educated and zealous people, when they come to Christ have effectively hit the reset button on their understanding and passion. f. This is exactly what happened to Paul. He was religiously educated and zealous… but when he came to Christ he spent the next 3 years in Damascus and Arabia relearning everything through the filter of Jesus being the Messiah, the Son of God. g. One does not study Christianity and begin to practice it in order to somehow arrive at God saving them from sin. h. Now it isn't wrong to come and learn from sound biblical teachers what the bible says and what it means. This is a good thing. i. It isn't wrong to teach our children the Lord's precepts and grow them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. j. But until God moves upon them and gives the gifts of repentance and faith – their learning hasn't really yet begun. k. True, deep, intimate understanding and zealous passion for God does not really begin until you are given a new heart. l. Out of that new heart, repentance, faith, and growth can finally begin. m. So if you are here trying to learn your way to Christ. If you think if you can just know enough about the Lord to be pleasing in His sight… I beg you friend. n. Instead of pursuing Him in this way. Won't you begin with repentance and faith? Won't you reject and turn from your sin and place all your hope in what Christ has done? o. It is only those who are able to do this… who become the true learners and pursuers of Him. [Slide 21 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the Reformer Menno Simons O, Lord, Father, how very broad, easy, and pleasing to the flesh is the entrance into a miserable, carnal church. But how wonderfully narrow, O Lord, is your way— the gate which leads into your poor and holy church (Matthew 7:13). The way is so narrow that its gateposts strip off the gold and possessions, the flesh and blood, and all the lusts and inclinations of those who desire and sincerely seek to enter at this narrow gate. And so, by your grace, we come to rest and remain forever in your holy church. In Jesus name we pray this, Amen. Benediction: And now may He grace you with his presence, So that the weak might say, l am strong, And the poor will say, 'I am rich', And the feeble will say, 'I am upheld' Until we meet again, go in peace.

Follow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms_ A Prayer for RestReference: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Even the most spiritual acts mean nothing without love.Sometimes all it takes is a simple shift—from frustration to compassion—but that is easier said than done. Just as Jesus’ love compelled Him to act on our behalf, we too are called to let love guide our words, our parenting, and our purpose. Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for loving me enough to send Your Son Jesus to die for me. Help me to embody the love of Christ every day in every way. Teach me to see people through Your eyes of love and to release Your love to everyone I encounter. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen LINKS:Follow Million Prayer Moms on Instagram & Facebook: @millionprayingmoms_ Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at LifeAudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at LifeAudio.com/contact-us. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Fr. Boniface Hicks to share more thoughts on personal prayer from the saints. Other guests include Kris McGregor to reflect on the Office of Readings, and Marlon De La Torre from the Diocese of Columbus. ***** Prayer of St. John Eudes O Lord, You have created me for Yourself, to love You and to enjoy You, infinite Good, ineffable Beauty; do not permit me to lose sight of this sublime end toward which I must tend; do not permit me to wander among the wretched satisfactions that vain, feeble creatures can offer me. O my Lord, what poor use I have made of creatures! Pardon me, O Lord! Henceforth I do not want to use anything unless it is for Your glory and according to Your holy will, as Your Son Jesus did. O my God, if in the past I have turned aside from You who are my Beginning, my End, and my supreme good; if I have turned toward myself and creatures, preferring their will and mine to Yours, I here and now promise to renounce, entirely and forever the world and myself, and to give myself wholly and forever to You. O my God, I give myself to You as my Beginning; take complete possession of me. May I always abide in You! Be the beginning and end of all my actions. O my God, I give myself to You as my End, my Center, my supreme Good. Draw me to You! Make me tend continually toward You. Be my delight, my glory, my treasure, my all! Amen. ***** Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Eleven Pipers Piping ..." symbolizing the eleven faithful apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. The list does not include Judas Iscariot, the twelfth disciple who betrayed Jesus. Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Son Jesus called the twelve to His side, called them to leave their homes and families, just as Jesus left his to teach us to live worthily. As we are called this holy season to help the poor and needy, the weak, the inflicted and the abandoned help us to walk perseveringly in the difficult and sometimes painful paths of service to others.  Amen.  The post The Eleventh Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Today, we're continuing our series on sharing the gospel, and what we're covering today is about the Great Commission. Have you heard that term before? Christianity's great at using terms the general public isn't familiar with, and sometimes we use terms even we aren't familiar with as believers. A recent study shows that more than 50% of U.S. churchgoers don't know what that term Great Commission means. And when asked if they had heard of the Great Commission, half of U.S. churchgoers say they don't know that term. Maybe our priorities need tweaking.Matthew 28:19 says, “Go and make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” And though the Great Commission is not a term used in the Bible, it does describe the command Jesus gave us to share the Good News of His sacrifice for our sins. In this way, He provides a way for people to be reconciled to God, and this is the greatest news anyone will ever hear. Christians should be excited about this action plan.Matthew chapter seven indicates that the path leading to God is narrow, and that many are on the broad path that leads away from God. This truth should motivate us as Christians to fulfill Christ's Great Commission. And the Bible tells us that this activity will have an endpoint. We should have a sense of urgency about that. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was literally born in the Middle East. Jesus' disciples took His words to heart and began preaching and teaching about Him in Israel, then to all the regions around the Mediterranean basin. From there, the Gospel spread quickly into Europe, and beyond.Today, even with all our technology and hundreds of years of sending missionaries to remote parts of the world, not everyone has heard the Good News about Jesus. We have our marching orders. It's time to move. Let's pray.Father, we know that no matter what time is passing. We want all people to come to a saving faith in Your Son Jesus. Remind us daily that we should have a sense of urgency about sharing your good gift with everyone we come into contact with. In Jesus' name, amen.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 1 Corinthians 9: 16-19.22b-27; Rs psalm 84: 3.4.5-6.12; Luke 6: 39-42 FINDING THE GOLD OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD   Our meditation today has the theme: Finding the Gold of the Kingdom of God. Today the whole Church commemorates Saint John Chrysostom, who came from Antioch, in the area around Syria and is known as the greatest Father of the Church of the Eastern Church. As an educated person, he was an excellent preacher and teacher of the faith in Syria. Because of his greatness in explaining the knowledge of God, faith and the Word of God, he was given the title "Chrysostom" which means golden mouth.   Gold is a symbol of the highest excellence and is fitting to be associated with the glory of God. In the Kingdom of God, we are taught by the Lord Jesus Christ to achieve our highest ideal, namely to become like our Lord Jesus Christ. That is the gold that we deserve to have. Saint Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians says: our life is like a race in a sports arena to get the prize that is already available. Each of us must try as hard as we can to obtain it.   Gold must remain as gold and must not be tarnished or mixed with anything other than that. The Lord Jesus calls it happiness. Everyone is guaranteed happiness, as long as they follow Jesus correctly. Saint Paul emphasized that his calling to follow Christ was realized through his duty to preach the Gospel. He saw it as failure and destruction if he did not preach the Gospel. Like him, each of us should live by following Christ according to each person's calling and profession. We should appreciate the calling and not hate it.   A person can achieve the ideal of obtaining the gold of the Kingdom of God, one of the conditions is that he must be able to leave his old habits or practices. This involves a lifestyle in darkness and sin. For example, I know very well that addiction to alcohol and smoking will bring serious illness. All of that is out there. However, if I have the will, decision and free will not to use it anymore, it means that I am taking better care of my body so that it does not get sick. A healthy body will be a good home for a healthy soul, and I will use this healthy body and soul for the glory of God.   The gift and opportunity to pursue a new spirit within ourselves will be very easy, because it has been available from the beginning by God, if the old style can be removed from ourselves. Don't expect too much from others to remove it because the results will definitely be less than optimal. It is much better to remove your own old style. Then you have the freedom to include a new style from the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Almighty Father, we believe in Your Word through Your beloved apostle, who says: "I have been crucified with Christ, so the life that is in me is not mine, but Christ lives in me", may we always live with the new style taught by Your Son Jesus. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of the Father...

August 4, 2024 Today's Reading: John 6:22-35Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 18:10-30; Acts 27:27-44Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus exposes the motives of those who sought Him after the feeding of the five thousand. They were chasing after food that perishes. Their primary target was what they needed for day-to-day life. That's important. You gotta eat! But it can't be what drives you. We work to put food on the table and have money in our pockets to buy what we think will satisfy us. None of it lasts. Jesus calls us to look beyond our day-to-day needs to our eternal needs, to Him who gives life to the world.Doesn't it please God to do our duty each day as we live out our vocations? Isn't it God-pleasing to work and put food on the table for our good and the good of our families? What could be more godly than that? When Jesus challenges His hearers on this, they ask the natural question: “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” So Jesus tells them what is God-pleasing: Believe in Him! Faith in Jesus pleases God.When people hear that the Christian faith is about Jesus, believing and trusting in Him for eternal salvation, many of them are disappointed and turn away. Isn't religion supposed to make you a better you? Shouldn't the Christian faith make this a better world? You know just how evil this world is. The “religious” Jews put Jesus to death. They rejected Him and His kingdom. You reject Him in your sins, too. God knows how evil it is. In Jesus, God stepped into this world. He became a physical, human part of it. He did this to redeem the world, to redeem you from all the evil of sin, death, and the devil.Jesus did come to make a better world. His resurrection is the greatest sign that the new creation is upon us. Faith clings to Jesus and longs for the end of this evil world and the dawn of the new, eternal one. Faith in Jesus, the Bread of Life, indeed pleases God. Your faith is nourished by the Bread of Life at His Table. He strengthens you with His Body and Blood to go out and love your neighbor, to provide for his or her needs, driving them right into the loving embrace of Him who gives life to the world. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost)-Rev. Joel Fritsche, director of Vicarage and Deaconess Internships and assistant professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. LouisAudio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.The Lutheran Confessions play a vital role in the church—both centuries ago, and today. But, do they apply to the daily life of a layperson? Pastor Andy Wright offers a resounding “yes” in his book, Faithfully Formed. He quotes, summarizes, and synthesizes key teachings from the Confessions, revealing their relevance in the daily lives of ordinary people.

June 30, 2024 Today's Reading: Mark 5:21-43Daily Lectionary: Joshua 5:1-6:5; Acts 10:1-17And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. (Mark 5:25-26)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When you think of the Christian faith, blood is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, blood is a recurring element in the Bible. From the first sacrifice that God performed to clothe Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis to the song of Revelation that praises the Lamb that is slain whose blood sets God's people free, blood is a central theme throughout the Bible. In the story of the woman with a blood flow, we see Jesus present in flesh and blood among the crowd. The woman had an ongoing problem that she couldn't manage to stop, but when she touched Jesus' garment, her blood flow was immediately dried up, and she was healed. This is because Jesus came to let His blood flow for the life of the whole world, and it is what healed the woman, and it can heal you, too.All of us, including the woman in the story, are sinners who need cleansing. We need cleansing from our sins to stand before God whole, clean, and at peace with Him. That precious cleansing has been given to you at the font. The baptismal waters connected to the Word of God are where Jesus has planted His cross as a lifespring for cleansing and restoration. From Jesus' side on the cross, you have His blood and water flowing freely for you and for the life of the whole world. John puts it this way: “This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.” (1 John 5:6-8, NKJV). In Baptism, you do not touch the hem of Jesus' robe; rather, Jesus clothes you with His robe that covers all your sin. Not only does He clothe you, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, He declares you healed in both body and soul.Jesus came to suffer and die for our sins so that we could be forgiven, at peace with God, and saved for eternity, whole and sound. Believe in Him, trust in Him, for the blood of the Scriptures, the blood of Jesus Christ brings you life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Heavenly Father, during His earthly ministry Your Son Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. By the healing medicine of the Word and Sacraments pour into our hearts such love toward You that we may live eternally; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect of the Day for Pentecost 6)-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock, AR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Your favorite study Bible is now available in a simple, intuitive app on your device! Distinctively Lutheran notes on the full ESV text, helpful articles, and custom user settings offer an engaging experience in God's Word anywhere you go. Download The Lutheran Study Bible App.

Delivered by John and Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Labuan Bajo, Diocese of Ruteng, Indonesia. Ezekiel 17: 22-24; Rs psalm 92: 2-3.13-14.15-16; 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10; Mark 4: 2-34 THE PROCESS OF GROWTH IN GOD   The theme for our meditation on this 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time is: The Process of Growth In God. This is a process of becoming to what God wants from us as human beings. We humans must get into this process and to grow, while God is the one who accompanies and gives life to this process. It is impossible for God to grow to become anything or anyone else, because He is already perfect. God from the beginning to the end is perfect.   We humans must go through the stage of becoming, which is from our natural and cultural conditions towards our dignity gifted from above as sons and daughters of God. We were truly created in the image and likeness of God. But our fall into sin has stained our sacred image and likeness. It is on this basis that the process of change or becoming is made and it constantly becomes according the way of God.   Our process of growth in God implies that the prime mover is God alone. What God really does in thismovement is to bring what on high down and to raise what down on high. This movement actually refers tothe fact that our life already damaged by sin which consequently damages also our sacred image and likeness. We must let ourselves to be processed to become new from weaknesses, lowliness, smallness, and sinfulness. By going through this way then we will become better persons and our dignity restored. This movement will bring us to remain in the providence of God and we truly enjoy growing in the Lord our God. Creating, caring and fostering really belong to the very basic acts of God.   This process of growth is well described in the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel that presents a parable about the tree from low place to be brought and planted on the high mountain of Israel. It would be a great tree upon which all kinds of birds and animals would come to enjoy a living on it. All will take shelter under it. The parable of the mustard seed in the today's Gospel also emphasizes the process of becoming from the smallest seed, then it grows into a larger tree so as to benefit the birds that come to it.   Our process of growth in God actually has another meaning as well, namely a movement within us humanbeings. What is indispensable on our part as human beings is our collaboration with God. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul speaks about a collaboration that takes place in the context of human work and effort sustained by our patience and endurance. It is not enough if we have faith or sort of doctrinal concepts. We must embody this faith with works, deeds, tireless effort, and steadfastness in every struggle. The outcome of this effort can't be seen directly and quickly, but it will come out indirectly along with our waiting for the coming of the glory of God. We will never have any process outside the plan and will of God.   Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord God, bless us to always choose the path of Your Son Jesus and our Teacher who teaches us to be perfect like You. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of the Father... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/media-la-porta/message

June 9, 2024 Today's Reading: Mark 3:20-35Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 8:1-21; John 12:36b-50…but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin  Mark 3:29In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Only the wrong people worry about committing the unforgivable sin. The old saying goes, if you're worried about committing this sin, you haven't, because the sin against the Holy Spirit is unbelief, and if you're worried about it, it's because you care, which is a sign there's belief.The problem isn't just that it gives people prone to worry the new worry that maybe they don't worry enough about their faith. It also leaves them to find comfort in the worry Jesus tells them not to have. Don't worry; your worry is a sign that nothing is wrong. But if you don't worry, is something wrong? Maybe we're overcomplicating things by trying to make them simple.  So Jesus attaches this worrisome verse to a parable about a strong man. The comfort doesn't come from how you feel about Him. The comfort comes from whether or not he's been bound. Jesus enters Satan's house, binds him, and then plunders the house. You were Satan's. But Christ has bound his accusing tongue. He has forgiven your sins. He has died so that you would not be owned by the devil anymore. You belong to Christ now. If you wonder whether or not you have committed the unforgivable sin, don't ask how worried you are about committing the unforgivable sin. Ask yourself, has Jesus overcome the devil? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? If Christ has conquered, and that's good, you have not committed the unforgivable sin. Breathe. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty and eternal God, Your Son Jesus triumphed over the prince of demons and freed us from bondage to sin. Help us to stand firm against every assault of Satan, and enable us always to do Your will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. - Rev. Harrison Goodman is the content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

The Law requires strict adherence to attain perfect righteousness. Thankfully, it isn't up to us to fulfill the law. Learn from Jesus' words as we study Matthew 5:17-20. **** Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. And I'm so glad that you are joining us today. It is September as I record this, and the days of Summer 2023 are behind us. It's hard to believe that soon we will be looking at a new year – 2024. This has been an exciting year for Women World Leaders. We are about to reach episode 500 of our podcast, the publication of Voice of Truth magazine will complete its 3rd year in December, and we have a NEW book launch THIS week! Keep your eyes open on social media and your email to get more information. If you don't get our emails and would like to, please visit womenworldleaders.com and fill out our contact form so we can keep you up to date on all the happenings of the ministry. One of the happenings we are so excited about is that we are currently planning our fall event, Ignite Your Purpose—which will occur on October 14th in West Palm Beach, FL. This will be a morning of worship, prayer, biblical teaching, empowerment, and fellowship. We would love for you to join us – but be aware that tickets are going fast! So hop on the website, womenworldleaders.com, now to order yours. Each Wednesday on this podcast we have the privilege of walking through the Word together. We are currently walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and, in this season, we are revisiting Jesus' teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. Today, we will be examining what Jesus said about the law in Matthew chapter five verses 17 through 20. Before we begin let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we love you so much. We honor praise and thank you today for who you are. You are a good father. You are love, joy, peace, wisdom and strength. God, you never give up on us sometimes teaching us again and again. What it is you long for us to know. God, I ask that you open our minds today to your teaching help us understand on a deeper level. These words that Your Son Jesus spoke so many years ago. I thank you for recording those words in the Bible, and allowing us to come back to them today. Guide us as we study. In Jesus name, I pray, amen. As we begin, just a reminder of where we are, Jesus is primarily teaching his disciples. It's part of their personal training, if you will. Matthew 5:1 tells us that Jesus sat as he taught, which indicates that this was intended as an intimate teaching, as they gathered on the side of the mountain. But we can surmise that there were others listening in as well. Have you ever been asked to leave the room, maybe as a child, so your parents could discuss something among the grownups? Or maybe a boss has asked you to leave the room so other higher-ups could discuss your position. Or maybe you've entered a room, and the conversation just seemed to stop, indicating that you were not welcome. You are not welcome to know what the discussion had been. It's not a good feeling to be left out, isolated, and wondering what you are missing. I want to tell you clearly, Jesus will never leave you out. He welcomes you for every discussion, conversation, activity, and even blessing. I remember arriving at our church one Sunday to be told that I couldn't sit near the front. Because that Sunday, the front rows were reserved for someone important. In God's eyes, there is no one more important than you. When we all bow down and worship God together in heaven, you will be in the front row. Don't ask me how this can be. Our humanity tells us that only some privileged people get sit in the front. I don't understand it. But God looks at each one of us. God looks at you, and sees his most precious child of all. You are the apple of his eye. Whenever you want to hear Him, you can go to Him. Whenever you want to ask him a question, you can ask. God will always have time for every one of your questions, concerns, needs, and even desires. Jesus may have been teaching the disciples that day. But he was teaching anyone who wanted to listen. And that includes us right now, as Jesus spoke the words that I'm about to read from Matthew 5, verses 17 through 20. He had you on his mind. There is something here that he wanted you to know today. From the New Living Translation, Matthew 517 Records Jesus is saying, “Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” The Pharisees thought and taught that Jesus was attempting to destroy the teachings that had governed the Jewish people. The Law of Moses refers to the first five books of the Old Testament otherwise known as the Pentateuch. And the writings of the prophets includes the major and minor prophets as well as the historical books of the Old Testament. In other words, the Pharisees believed and wanted everyone to believe that Jesus was speaking, teaching and living against the Hebrew Scriptures, in a sense, tearing them down and rendering them irrelevant. Jesus knows this and in this scripture, he addresses this fallacy head on saying, I have not come to abolish the Hebrew scriptures, but to accomplish their purpose, or as some translations say, to fulfill them. Theologian Michael Wilkins describes the statement as “all of that the Old Testament intended to communicate about God's will and hopes for humanity, find their full meaning and accomplishment in Jesus teaching and ministry.” And Warren Wiersbe likens Jesus fulfillment of the Old Testament to an acorn. Jesus did not come to smash the acorn to smithereens, but he came to grow that acorn into a majestic oak tree that was meant that it was meant to become. Jesus purpose was to accomplish all that the Old Testament said would be. He was the Promised Messiah, whom the Law and the Prophets pointed to. Jesus continues in verse 18, “I tell you the truth until heaven and earth disappear. Not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” Each part of the law and every prophecy given by God's chosen prophets had a purpose. And in Jesus, that purpose was fulfilled. Jesus was born and raised in the Jewish tradition, tending to every Jewish ritual. He fulfilled the law completely as no one else could before or since, living a sinless life. In his teaching, he taught the true meaning of God's Word, as God intended, not as the tainted version that the Pharisees spun. And of course, though, unknown at the time of the speaking, Jesus fulfilled the law in his death, and resurrection. We still study the Old Testament, God's law and we should, but we should study it with the understanding that in Jesus, it is fulfilled. Scholars will tell you there are three categories of the Jewish law. The ceremonial law had to do specifically with how God instructed the Israelites to worship, through sacrifice and offering. Each part of the ceremonial law was specifically crafted by God, to point the worshipers to Jesus Himself. We are not held to this part of the law because, as Jesus stated, even the smallest detail has been fulfilled. Some versions call this detail the smallest stroke of the pen. The actual translation is the word tittle, ti t t le. A Jewish tittle is what you and I would call a serif, a small projection on the top or the bottom of a letter, which in Hebrew, differentiates one letter from another. You could spend hours every day for years of your life studying the Old Testament, and never fully comprehend the depth of prophecy that the Jewish law held, as it pointed to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, many have set out to disprove that Jesus was the Son of God by studying the prophetic law, only to come away knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was exactly who he said he was. The second category of Jewish law was the civil law and this applied to daily living, because our world and culture are so different now, these no longer apply to us. But again, each tittle prepared the people for what was to come. Finally, the third category of Jewish law is the moral law. These are the direct commands from God that teach us how to relate to God, and how to relate to each other. The Moral Law of God has not and will not change. This is the core of what God wants us to know, and how He yearns for us to respond to him and to other people. It's important to note that Jesus obey the law completely as prescribed by God in each of these three areas, even if the Pharisees didn't see it that way. And then Jesus drew the line between himself and the Pharisees, saying in verses 19 and 20. “So if you ignore the least commandment, and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. But I warn you, unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of the religious law and of the Pharisees. You will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” The goal of the Pharisees was To be righteous, and hear Jesus calls them out, saying that the degree to which the Pharisees are righteous will never be enough to get them into the kingdom of heaven. This should speak to all of us. It should show us even today, that no amount of studying God's Word serving in God's Church giving to a ministry or even taking care of homeless orphans is good enough to receive our ticket to heaven. In fact, the righteousness that God demands of us before we can spend eternity with Him, is impossible for us to gain. We must be perfect. That lipstick you stole from your mom's purse when you were six. that disqualifies you. That piece of chocolate you ate in the closet and then told your kids you don't know what happened to it, disqualifies you. The anger you felt at the car in front of you in car line that wouldn't turn when it was his turn after you waited for 25 minutes in the same spot, disqualifies you. Okay, I should say those all disqualify me. Because those are my stories. But I'm sure you have your own. So how do we gain the right righteousness? How do we become right with God? Unblemished, pure and holy enough to stand beside God for eternity? There's only one way and his name is Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for you. For me and my stolen lipstick, that we should have the opportunity to take on his righteousness. Our righteousness will never cut it. But Jesus' righteousness is a shoo-in. And he offers it to each of us, no matter what shape our lives are him. Remember that third category of the Jewish law, the moral law, the moral law concerns itself with relationship. And when you give yourself over to your relationship between you and God, when you willingly repent of your sins and ask God to show you which way to walk, by the way, his answer is always that he wants you to walk with Him—then you are cleansed, made pure, made righteous, and you are gifted the kingdom of heaven. Jesus did not come to abolish the law. He came to fulfill the law to pay our penalty for sin that we no longer have to fear death, but can look forward to eternity with Him. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which Jesus ushered in as he fulfilled the law. Let's pray. Dear, most holy God, thank you for making a way for us to spend eternity with you. Thank you for teaching us by way of the law and then for showing us that You alone are everything we need. Jesus, I pray for anyone listening who has tried to do it on her own and has not surrendered her life to you. Put your loving arms around her reveal yourself to her today. Give her courage and strength to humbly bow before you call her to your side forever. God would give You all the praise and glory and while we do our best to walk with you every day. We look forward to the day when we are walking with you and simplicity and joy. Thank you for making that possible for each of us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Thanks for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.

Good morning! On today's show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Gary Zimak to discuss Paul's teaching in Roman's 8:28 that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. Other guests include Fr. Philip-Michael Tangorra to unpack the pope's trip to Mongolia, and Fr. Rob Jack with thoughts on how to “speak Catholic.” Plus all the latest news, weather, sports and a whole lot more… ***** Prayer of St. John Eudes O Lord, You have created me for Yourself, to love You and to enjoy You, infinite Good, ineffable Beauty; do not permit me to lose sight of this sublime end toward which I must tend; do not permit me to wander among the wretched satisfactions that vain, feeble creatures can offer me. O my Lord, what poor use I have made of creatures! Pardon me, O Lord! Henceforth I do not want to use anything unless it is for Your glory and according to Your holy will, as Your Son Jesus did. O my God, if in the past I have turned aside from You who are my Beginning, my End, and my supreme good; if I have turned toward myself and creatures, preferring their will and mine to Yours, I here and now promise to renounce, entirely and forever the world and myself, and to give myself wholly and forever to You. O my God, I give myself to You as my Beginning; take complete possession of me. May I always abide in You! Be the beginning and end of all my actions. O my God, I give myself to You as my End, my Center, my supreme Good. Draw me to You! Make me tend continually toward You. Be my delight, my glory, my treasure, my all! ***** Dr. Andrew Swafford, contributor to The Catholic Guide to the Old Testament Cincinnati Right to Life is online at cincinnatirighttolife.org. Dr. Regis Martin is online at Franciscan.edu. Fr. Burke Masters, author of A Grand Slam for GodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sermon from Matthew 14:34-36 Matthew 14:34-36 Rich soil Favorable conditions Perfect sunlight Gospel Connection While Jesus can heal physically, He desires to heal each one spiritually by His sacrifice for sin on the cross. See 1 John 2:1-2. Application What will you do this week to allow Jesus to be more than someone who has the ability to heal your disease or sickness, but to bring peace and healing into your soul as you live each day? Prayer Heavenly Father, help me to always remember the power of Your Son Jesus; not just His power to physically heal, but His power to change my life by conforming it to His.

A sermon from Matthew 13:53-58 Quick to minimize Less than a stranger Fall short GOSPEL CONNECTION “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:4-6 APPLICATION Which family members and/or friends will you commit to visit or call this week to tell them about the change Christ is making in you? PRAYER My Heavenly Father, may I never minimize Your power, authority and greatness. You gave us Your Son Jesus so we can have a relationship with You. Help me to live each day in awe and wonder of all You have done for me and all humanity.

Easter Sunday Sermon Luke 24:1-12 Gospel Connection The crucifixion is the once-for-all-time sacrifice for sin. The resurrection of Jesus is the defeat of death. Salvation - saved from sin and saved unto God - is only possible by Jesus finished work on the cross and the empty tomb. Romans 5:6-11; John 14:6 Application How will you prepare to tell what you know about Jesus and your faith in Him, so you are ready to tell others when the opportunity arises? Prayer Thank You God for Your love demonstrated to me in the life, death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus. Help me to tell others what You have done and how it has changed my life.

·       ..Jesus - Our Father who is in us with us in Heaven right now that place of refuge as is your HOLY name a refuge here in the fellowship of men with Your Son Jesus and Your Spirit – Oh Father thank you that you called me up into this into Your Name Ya whey   ·       Your Kingdom bring it, bring it – Bring your Life the river itself - part the sea and allow us to with backs up against the wall relying on nothing but you and your strength come to the place of promises – drown our adversary in your blood – take off his chariot wheels – drown his captains – his wolves – his horsemen   ·       Let that blood cleanse me my sin, my brokenness   ·       Father – Jesus – Holy Spirit – Into Your Hands – Your righteousness – Your Will we commit our Spirits – My Spirits longs for intimacy- INTO ME SEE with you to be in union with you   ·       My Souls – Needs to believe Lord Help my unbelief – show me you are right here witch you – you have been here all along   ·       My heart – Dig into that Lord – Dig, dig into that treasure you gave me Help me to See Your heart in Mine   ·       Into your hands your nail scarred hands I commit My Mind – Anoint My Wisdom my Understanding, Give me counsel and might and knowledge, Lord anoint my Fear of You and Only You allow me to delight in that fear that I have the biggest baddest Dad Ever…Give the Spirit of A sound mind - thoughts- My Imaginations   ·       My Body – my Sexuality – my Rest this weekend – my Health This weekend -   ·       Your will Lord – Your delight let that be done My will – Lord align my sense of what is right with Yours and let it be done -here on earth at this camp as it is in Heaven – Help me to taste that afresh   ·       Father give us today right now in this session our mana – the mana that you have for me in this time – The bread that I will eat and remember who You are and in that Who I am My True Name   ·       Father - daddy Forgive me and help me to accept that- by calling to my mind my unforgiveness and agreements that I need to break,   ·       Father lead me away from that place where I test You – that place where I would doubt that you care and Help me to know in all of my being You are sufficient more than enough   ·       Father Your Son - Jesus His name means Salvation Lord Save me deliver me bring me into that place tonight where the women caught in adultery was in Your Son's very presence where No accuser can stay   ·       Father breath Your Kingdom Here – Your Life – Your Hope – Your Joy – Your Grace, Yes that place where I know I am your favorite, Father, Jesus Holy Spirit , Your Love –   ·       That Love That will protect my Home, My Family, My Ministry, My Job My friends this weekend     ·       Father It is under YOUR AUTHORITY -we bring this camp – our time alone – our deepest intimacy- Over this time together in The Fellowship of men   ·       In the Name of Jesus That Authority, That Power, That Glory Touching Eternity Amen – Amen  

We are inspired by epic war stories. Great battles over time become so epic, they almost seem a part of myth. We put warriors on a pedestal and usually, rightly so. They make it possible for the rest of us to live in peace and freedom.   Have you ever considered there is only one perfect warrior? His name is Jesus.   1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”   From King Leonidas to Oliver Cromwell to George Washington, warriors have led their people to freedom. All were epic, all pivotal people in history.   And none hold a candle to our King Jesus. He is the ultimate warrior, the One that came to this world to rescue all of it. His sacrifice on the cross waged war on the enemy of our souls, and He won the final victory.   He has charged us as believers with the task of telling others about Him. Our Ultimate Warrior is calling us to make disciples in His name. If you want to be inspired by someone, be inspired by the Warrior that has no peer.   Let's pray.    Lord, Your Son Jesus did battle for us long ago. Thank you for His victory! In Jesus' name, amen.

Lady V's Devotional Episode  Matthew 1:23 ESV says this:  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with US).  Matthew 1:23 ESV  Devotional  When we enter a dark room, it is instinct to turn on the light. There is something inside of us that says— “I need to see where I am going”.  Yet, in life when things get it's darkest, we ignore the whispers to reach for ‘The LIGHT'”.   The LIGHT, Jesus, God with us, came into the world to help us to see beyond the darkness. Jesus came to open blinded eyes, to reveal The TRUTH that we all need a Savior to deliver us from the darkness.  But not just any savior—we needed THE SAVIOR of the world. We needed Jesus, Immanuel—God with us!   The prophet Isaiah and Matthew, the apostle, made the proclamation of who Jesus IS—as did many others.  Isaiah called HIM a Great Light, a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:2-6, ESV). And Matthew called HIM “Immanuel” which means God with us (Matthew 1:23).   Thus, we should never entertain the thoughts of being alone. We that are in Christ have the GREATER ONE with us. He is the Light that shines in the darkness. Jesus Christ—The Light in which the darkness has not overcome (John 1:5).  HE is the name you call on when you need saving from the darkness. Thus, there is nothing or no one else who can save you.   JESUS is ALL we need!  Jesus IS and always will be GOD with us.   We are never alone! The Greater ONE (IMMANUEL) is walking with us.  Beloved, if you are facing dark times there is a way out of darkness. The NAME that lights the way and roots out darkness. The NAME that is THE WAY!  HIS NAME is JESUS, IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US! The NAME above every name!   So, don't keep stumbling around in the dark!  Jesus IS the LIGHT of the world!  REACH FOR THE LIGHT!!  Let's pray...  Heavenly FATHER,   We come to you in the Name of Jesus, Immanuel, our God who is with us. We are thankful for Your Word that reveals that You are ONE.  We thank you for YOUR great love through YOUR SON, our LORD and Savior, JESUS.  FATHER GOD, we thank YOU for loving us and extending such grace to us through YOUR Son.  Thank YOU for the gift of YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, given to help us as we walk through this life.  Thank YOU, ABBA FATHER, that you sent us Jesus to light the way as HE is revealed as the LIGHT of the world, the TRUTH, THE WAY, and THE LIFE.  Thank YOU that YOU'VE given us the promise through YOUR Word that you will never leave us nor abandon us. For YOU are with us now and in ETERNITY.    We thank YOU FATHER for gifting us with Salvation through YOUR Son Jesus.   And Father God, I pray that every Believer will be reminded every day that we are not alone because YOU ARE WITH US.   Thank YOU for loving us and keeping us.   We love YOU Abba! All glory to your Name!  And it's in Jesus Name we pray...AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!  Grace and Peace to you all. And remember that JESUS IS LORD!  Prayer Scriptures  Matthew 1:23 John 1:1-9, 3:16, 10:30,14:26,19:30 Deuteronomy 31:8 Isaiah 60:1  Bible Study Resources  Holy Bible [NKJV, NLT, Amplified, MEV, ESV]  Get the Bible App by YouVersion  NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible and Zondervan Handbook to the Bible   More devotionals you may like   In HIS Presence – S3-DE17  Heart of Compassion – S3-DE16  New Things to Come – S2-DE20  Listen to We R S.H.E.Talks Podcast with SD and Lady V  Use web player above blog post to listen or subscribe and listen via your favorite podcast platform.  We R S.H.E.Talks Podcast episodes you may enjoy  HIM: The Importance of God's Presence – S3E17  Lost and Found: The Compassion of Christ – S3E16  Let It Go and Receive God's Best – S2E20  Eternity Awaits – S2E17  Identity Crisis–Do You Know Who You Are? S2E10 

Today's Reading: Mark 8:27-9:1Daily Lectionary:Ezekiel 40:1-4; 43:1-12; Romans 8:18-39And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Text of the Reflection.  “Who is Jesus?” is the question that runs through all the readings this week, starting with John the Baptist's identification of Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and continuing with Isaiah identifying Jesus as the Lord's Servant and Paul mentioning that we have fellowship with our Lord Jesus.  Today, as we celebrate the Confession of St. Peter, Jesus bluntly asks the question.  He starts by asking “Who do people say that I am?”  That's a question that you would hesitate to ask even of a friend, in case they would tell you something that people are saying behind your back about you that you don't want to know.  But after the disciples answer that question, Jesus asks them who they, the disciples, say He is.  Peter answers that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.  You would expect a recognition that Peter was right or some kind words from Jesus.  Instead, Jesus tells the disciples not to talk about His identity as the Christ.Then, He goes on to say that it's necessary for Him to suffer and die and after three days, rise from the dead.  That doesn't seem very Messiah-like, does it?  Messiahs don't die, Christs don't suffer, and the Lord's servant shouldn't go through these things that Jesus said He would go through.  This seems absurd to the point that the Christ-confessing Peter pulls Jesus aside to ask, “Are you sure?”  What a difference between “You are the Christ” and “I'm not sure you've thought this through.”  How often do we look at the actions of God and think, “It doesn't seem like God is doing what He should.”  You struggle with God's actions seeming ridiculous to you, or to anyone else.  That's why it's so important that Jesus is the Christ.  What you think of God's actions isn't nearly as important as who Jesus is.  He is the Messiah, the Christ who has come to save you from your sin, even your sin of thinking that Jesus is being God wrong.  Your Lord is the Christ who saves you with His great love. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Heavenly Father, You revealed to the apostle Peter the blessed truth that Your Son Jesus is the Christ. Strengthen us by the proclamation of this truth that we too may joyfully confess that there is salvation in no one else; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois.Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

One of my big prayers this Christmas for you is, "God, please rest Your merry gentlemen and gentlewomen! Would You please bring tidings (news) of comfort and joy to Your people through Your Son Jesus? In Jesus' name, Amen!” Rest, comfort and joy fit with what our leadership team set out to teach you this year: how to be content, persevere, and have hope. This is why we tried to teach you a theology of suffering through Job and teach you a theology of perseverance through the Book of Jude and find hope in disturbing times through the Book of Micah. Now as we continue in our Advent Season and focus this Sunday on Joy from Luke 2:8-20, we learn that an announcement can bring us joy. Maybe you are bored with life? Maybe you are in the depths of despair? What if you are an announcement away from being lifted from the doldrums to the heights of joy? That is what can happen when you hear the good news of Jesus. That is what those who are getting baptized this Sunday will experience. You are only one announcement and tiding from joy!

Lady V's Devotional Episode  Psalm 46:1 NKJV says this:  “God is our refuge and strength,  A very present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1 NKJV  Devotional  How many times do we try to figure things out ourselves when trouble comes? Most likely, our first response is... “What am I going to do?”   And if we are honest...we immediately start meditating on that problem instead of praying to God for help.  I know, I know...it's a human thing to panic first and pray later. But, just like the people of Israel found out—GOD should be the first ONE you consult.  God is accessible and always available to hear the cries of HIS children. He's an EVER-PRESENT Help in times of trouble—meaning right NOW!  I'm here to tell you that GOD is a FAITHFUL Heavenly Father who never grows tired of helping us. If you call on HIM—He will answer!  He is our strength when we are weak. He is our refuge when we need shelter from the storm. GOD is an EVER-PRESENT HELP!  LET HIM HELP YOU!  He is willing to help if we would LET HIM into our lives and fully surrender to HIS PERFECT WILL.   And much like the people of Israel, we have to learn by experience that keeping our total trust in God will always pay off.  In fact, keeping our focus on God and depending on HIM for HIS help, keeps us in a posture of worship before HIM. Total surrender!  No matter the situation—GOD IS STILL GOD! LET HIM HELP YOU! Ask for HIS Help!  He's greater than any enemy that comes against you. He's stronger than any force of evil that seeks to devour you.   GOD IS GREATER!!!  Now, of course HE doesn't always answer on our timetable. But—HE does answer.   So, stay prayerful, be patient and WAIT on the LORD. Rejoice in knowing that GOD loves you and He wants to help.    All we have to do is cooperate with HIS plans and HIS timing.   Beloved, seek GOD more, ask for HIS help and receive the supernatural help that only HE provides. And as you let JESUS in, you will see God help you—HIS WAY!   Let's pray...  Heavenly Father,  We come to You in the Name of Jesus, blessing Your Holy Name! Thank You Father God for every blessing and every favor from Your Hand.   Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son Jesus to die on the Cross for our sins and was resurrected unto new life.  Thank You that we get the privilege of being Your children in Christ Jesus because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the Cross. Thank You that we matter to You!  Lord God, we thank You that You care about what concerns us. You are with us as we walk through the darkest valley. We don't have to be afraid, for you are close beside us.  Thank You for Your protection, strength, and comfort when we need it. You are a good, good, FATHER and we love YOU!  Father, fill every believer with the JOY OF THE LORD which is our strength.  Thank You that by the Blood of JESUS we are YOURS, in Jesus Name. Amen, Amen, Amen.   Grace and Peace to you all! And remember that JESUS IS LORD!!!  Lady V  Prayer Scriptures  Psalm 46:7 John 1:12-13 Psalm 23:4 Nehemiah 8:10  Bible Study Resources  Holy Bible [NKJV, NLT, Amplified, MEV, ESV]  Get the Bible App by YouVersion  NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible  More devotionals you may like   In HIS Presence – S3-DE17  Heart of Compassion – S3-DE16  New Things to Come – S2-DE20  Listen to We R S.H.E.Talks Podcast with SD and Lady V  Use web player above blog post to listen or subscribe and listen via your favorite podcast platform.  We R S.H.E.Talks Podcast episodes you may enjoy  HIM: The Importance of God's Presence – S3E17  Lost and Found: The Compassion of Christ – S3E16  Let It Go and Receive God's Best – S2E20  Eternity Awaits – S2E17  Identity Crisis–Do You Know Who You Are? S2E10  Christianity Misunderstood--Understanding Grace - S1E9  Check out these links  spreadinghopeeverywheretalks.com  

The Word of God Wednesday Night Intercessory Prayer (Group Page) Wednesday January 26, 2022 Heavenly Father in the Name of Your Son Jesus, we approach your Throne Room of Grace with a repentant heart. We give you praise adoration and we Magnify your Holy Name. Father, we give you All the Glory because it rightly belongs to you. We ask that you forgive us of all of our sins known and unknown. We ask you to especially forgive us Tonite for any sin of unforgiveness towards ourselves, or others. Father, we thank you for the grace that you give us to forgive. We know that when we forgive ourselves or others, we set ourselves up to receive your forgiveness, Mercy and Grace that is freely given to us through the Sacrificial offering of your son Jesus. We intercede for those who do not have anyone to pray for them and we ask that you heal protect, clothe and feed them. Father we pray for those who are in Prison and ask that you heal and protect them as well. We ask that your Holy Spirit descend upon each and every Soul that we are interceding for now, including our family member, friends, loved ones, Children and our co-workers. We ask that you bless them and keep them and their families safe. We ask that you protect them from the “Evil One!” Father, we ask by Faith and receive your Holy Spirit as well as the Precious Blood

The Word of God Wednesday Night Intercessory Prayer (Group Page) Wednesday January 26, 2022 Heavenly Father in the Name of Your Son Jesus, we approach your Throne Room of Grace with a repentant heart. We give you praise adoration and we Magnify your Holy Name. Father, we give you All the Glory because it rightly belongs to you. We ask that you forgive us of all of our sins known and unknown. We ask you to especially forgive us Tonite for any sin of unforgiveness towards ourselves, or others. Father, we thank you for the grace that you give us to forgive. We know that when we forgive ourselves or others, we set ourselves up to receive your forgiveness, Mercy and Grace that is freely given to us through the Sacrificial offering of your son Jesus. We intercede for those who do not have anyone to pray for them and we ask that you heal protect, clothe and feed them. Father we pray for those who are in Prison and ask that you heal and protect them as well. We ask that your Holy Spirit descend upon each and every Soul that we are interceding for now, including our family member, friends, loved ones, Children and our co-workers. We ask that you bless them and keep them and their families safe. We ask that you protect them from the “Evil One!” Father, we ask by Faith and receive your Holy Spirit as well as the Precious Blood

Today's Reading: Mark 8:27-9:1Daily Lectionary:  Ezekiel 40:1-4; 43:1-12; Romans 8:18-39And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." (Mark 8:29) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Peter properly says, "You are the Christ" (Mark 8:29). But because man is always trying to squash Jesus into his own scheme of things, Jesus "strictly charged them to tell no one about him" (Mark 8:30). Jesus would tell us about Himself and what it means for Him to be the Christ for us. And what a telling it is. "And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected. . . and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31). Man thinks he can save himself. Jesus thinks man must get out of the way. "For whoever would save his life will lose it" (Mark 8:35). Man thinks he can give his own death in return for his life. Jesus responds, "What can a man give in return for his life?" (Mark 8:37) With his mind set "on the things of man" (Mark 8:33), what is Peter thinking? That a faith trusting its own work and merit is how best to follow Jesus? At the very least, Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34). Nobody really wants to be ashamed of herself and her own righteousness. What we must all learn, however, is that such a cross, or such despair of self, is actually godly and wholesome. It frees us to abandon our confidence in ourselves and trust in Jesus alone. Not cheerleader Jesus. Dead Jesus. Risen Jesus. Not life-coach Jesus. Word Jesus. Water Jesus. Supper Jesus. The Jesus who takes the fruit and promise of His Cross and gives it to us as our own. Who would even bark, "Get behind Me, Satan!" to any voice trying to get in the way of His going to the Cross for us.No, you are not the source of your confidence before God. Jesus is. The "FOR YOU" Jesus whom God sends for Peter and you. The beaten, dead, and risen Jesus. These are the things of God. And they are for Peter. And they are for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Heavenly Father, You revealed to the apostle Peter the blessed truth that Your Son Jesus is the Christ. Strengthen us by the proclamation of this truth that we too may joyfully confess that there is salvation in no one else; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for the Confession of St. Peter)-Rev. Bradley Drew is pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

“On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Eleven Pipers Piping ..." symbolizing the eleven faithful apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. The list does not include Judas Iscariot, the twelfth disciple who betrayed Jesus. Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Son Jesus called the twelve to His side, called them to leave their homes and families, just as Jesus left his to teach us to live worthily. As we are called this holy season to help the poor and needy, the weak, the inflicted and the abandoned help us to walk perseveringly in the difficult and sometimes painful paths of service to others.  Amen.  The post The Eleventh Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Nicholas, who was born in the third century, had no idea that centuries after his death he would be known as Santa Claus. He was just a man who loved God and genuinely cared for people. One time he learned of a family who was in great financial distress. Nicholas decided to help. He came to their home at night and threw a bag of gold through an open window, which landed in a sock or shoe. Nicholas gave cheerfully of his own possessions and did many kind deeds. The apostle Paul urged the believers in Corinth to be cheerful givers. He wrote to them about the great financial needs of their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and encouraged them to give generously. Paul explained to them the benefits and blessings that come to those who give of their possessions. He reminded them that “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6). As a result of their cheerful generosity, they would be “enriched in every way” (v. 11), and God would be glorified. Father, would you help us to be cheerful givers not only in this Christmas season but all year long? Thank You for Your incredible generosity in giving us Your “indescribable gift,” Your Son Jesus (v. 15).

Thank you Lord for sending Your Son Jesus to die and save us from our sin for all of mankind.Thank you for a steadfast spirit.

We are inspired by epic war stories. Great battles over time become so epic, they almost seem a part of myth. We put warriors on a pedestal and usually, rightly so. They make it possible for the rest of us to live in peace and freedom.   Have you ever considered there is only one perfect warrior? His name is Jesus.   1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”   From King Leonidas to Oliver Cromwell to George Washington, warriors have led their people to freedom. All were epic, all pivotal people in history.   And none hold a candle to our King Jesus. He is the ultimate warrior, the One that came to this world to rescue all of it. His sacrifice on the cross waged war on the enemy of our souls, and He won the final victory then.   He has charged us as believers with the task of telling others about Him. Our Ultimate Warrior is calling us to make disciples in His name. If you want to be inspired by someone, be inspired by the Warrior that has no peer.   Let's pray. Lord, Your Son Jesus did battle for us long ago. Thank you for His victory! Amen.   Did you know the average message-based T-shirt is read over 3,000 times? We believe if you change your shirt, you can change the world! Be part of the movement at Kerusso.com/subscribe.

God the Holy Spirit Part 3John 16:7 (ESV)“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.”The Help of the Holy Spirit Teaches and counsels you on what to do. (John 14:26) Makes you aware of sin. (John 16:7-8) Is with you in every situation. (1 Corinthians 3:16) Gives you illumination of the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) Reveals the unknown thoughts of God to you. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) Gives you wisdom. (Ephesians 1:17-20) Guides you in truth for today and shows you what is to come. (John 16:13-15) Strengthens you in your human weakness. (Romans 8:26-27) Guarantees you eternal life through the righteousness of Jesus. (Romans 8:10-11) Enables you to produce good fruit. (Galatians 5:22-25) God the Holy Spirit Has Given You Spiritual Gifts2 Timothy 1:6 (ESV)“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of My hands.”2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”1 Timothy 4:14a (ESV)“Do not neglect the gift you have...”1 Corinthians 12:1 (NIV)“Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.”1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIV)“I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit.”1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV)“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.”1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (NIV)“In fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”1 Corinthians 12:27-30 (NIV)“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?”1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”Prayer“God, I ask You to show me what gifts the Holy Spirit has given me with which I might better serve You and others. I completely surrender my will to You and I am excited to know what supernatural gifts You have chosen to give me. I commit to You that I will give Jesus Christ all the credit and glory for any work or miracle You do through my life, my prayers, my actions and my obedience.I ask that You cleanse me and forgive me from any compromise, sin, wrong beliefs or pride. I ask that You deliver me of everything not pleasing to You, things that would keep me from being a clean vessel for You.Father God, thank You for loving me and sending Your Son Jesus for me. Jesus, thank You for exchanging Your life for mine. Holy Spirit, thank You for convicting me of my sin and introducing me to Jesus; and thank You for filling me with Your power and manifesting Your spiritual gifts through my life as You chose. Amen!”

1st reading is delivered by Brother David, SDB, 2nd reading is delivered by Brother Noel, SDB (they are from Salesian Studentate Post Novitiate Community in Jakarta, Indonesia), Gospel reading and meditation delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Social Communication Office of SDB Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ezekiel 17: 22-24; Rs psalm 92: 2-3.13-14.15-16; 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10; Mark 4: 26-34. THE PROCESS OF GROWTH IN GOD The theme for our meditation on this 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time is: The Process of Growth In God. This is a process of becoming what God wants us human beings to be. We humans are the one who must get into this process and grow, while God is the one who accompanies and gives life to this process. It is impossible for God to grow to become anything or anyone else, because He is already perfect. The God from the beginning to the end is perfect. We humans must go through each stage of becoming which is from a natural and a given condition of our respective cultures towards the dignity gifted to be the sons and daughters of God. We were truly created in the image and likeness of God. But our fall into sin has stained our sacred image and likeness. It is on this basis that the process of change or becoming is made and it constantly becomes according the way of God. Our process of growth in God implies that the prime mover is God Himself. What God really does in this movement is to bring those on high down and to raise those down on high. This movement actually refers to the fact that our life already damaged by sin which consequently damages also our sacred image and likeness. We must let ourselves to beprocessed of becoming new from weaknesses, lowliness, smallness, and sinfulness. By going through this way then we will become better persons and our dignity restored. This movement will bring us to remain in the providence of God and we truly enjoy growing in the Lord our God. Creating, caring and fostering really belong to the very basic acts of God. This process of growth is well described in the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel that presents a parable about thetree from low to be brought and planted on the high mountain of Israel. It would be a great tree upon which all kinds of birds and animals would come to enjoy a living on it. All will take shelter under it. The parable of the mustard seed in the today's Gospel also emphasizes the process of becoming from the smallest seed, then it grows into a larger tree so as to benefit the birds that come to it. Our process of growth in God actually has another meaning as well, namely a movement within us human beings. What is indispensable on our part as human beings is our collaboration with God. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul speaks about a collaboration that takes place in the context of human work and effort sustained by our patience and endurance. It is not enough if we have faith or sort of doctrinal concepts. We must embody this faith with works, deeds, tireless effort, and steadfastness in every struggle. The outcome of this effortcan't be seen directly and quickly, but it will come out indirectly along with our waiting for the coming of the glory of God. We will never have any process outside the plan and will of God. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord God, bless us to always choose the path of Your Son Jesus and our Teacher who teaches us to be perfect like You. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of the Father... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/media-la-porta/message

PRAYER FOCUS: ARE YOU GLADLY BUILDING A SANCTUARY FOR GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND THE LIFE OF YOUR NATION? Listen to the Prayer Audio: Heavenly Father, Protect and bless us as we draw close to Your Heart for we are here to worship and praise You. Knowing Your Heart is why we are here and why we are seeking Your Perfect Will in all we do and say this day and all the days ahead of us. We thank You for the Gift of Your Son who in loving us has really shown us Your Heart and so in this time we are together may we like Him worship You in spirit and truth! May we grow stronger in our Love for You and follow Your Command Your Son said to us love one another as I have loved you! Father it is Your Heart that love fill the whole earth and all of us as Your Family and to build You a Sanctuary among us so that You fill us with Your Presence and we will see Your Glory shine in us and in one another. Father, it is Your Call that our hearts be a Sanctuary for Your Presence and that all we do and say will be used to draw the lost, the abandoned, the sick and the lame and the widow and orphan into the Love found in Your Sanctuary among us. Lord, we know it is Your desire that none should perish so we intercede for them and that all of our actions draw men to see Your Presence in us and around us! We are here Father, to gladly and willingly be used to offer Sanctuary to all who seek to know You and to be saved by the Blood of Your Son, Jesus the Christ! Father, fulfilling Your Perfect Will is our desire and goal and You have spoken through Your Prophets that in our land we are to lead by the ones You have anointed to lead us. Father we have shown You we want what You want in re- electing President Trump. But the enemy has planted weeds among our crop. So Lord, we intercede that the harvest begin by separating the wheat from the chaff on the the threshing floor where we have built our altar to worship and praise You! Lord the enemy has stolen from us that which we have desired, so give us the Wisdom now to move and o what needs to be done to restore what the prophets have said is to be! Let Your Holy Fire burn up the chaff that is among us so that we will see Your Magnificent Glory change what man has done in shame and let us return to the Plan You have given us and fulfill it now here in America, Israel and across the earth! Father, one thing that You have made that is sacred and holy is the womb of woman for it is the privilege to bear and grow life in a child who is our future and a sign of Your Presence in our lives. Father, we have made a mockery of this sacredness by allowing it is a woman's body and she can do what she wants with it and allowing abortion to be in the land. Now is the time Lord for us to rise and give voice to change the laws and to stand firm that all life is Precious and it is our Gift to us! Lord, we seek the strength to stop the Hamans and jackals that have stolen the offices of authority to re-in-state this abomination in our land. Lord, we speak in the authority of Jesus this stops now and we will see the anointed return to lead us and stop this! Lord, let Your Mighty had of Justice strike the enemy now just as You did for the Hebrew children in their time of deliverance from Pharaoh and his army. By the Blood of Jesus wash away this iniquity from our land! Father, it our prayer that the covenant You made with us be completely restored and that the righteous will arise to return us to live by Justice as is in our Constitution. Father, You have been exposing the corruption in our land even in the highest court so now let the plan to overcome this and destroy the corruption be brought forth now in such a way that You get all the Glory and this nation will know it is You, who love us and have called us to be Light like Your Son Jesus in this day and in this hour! So shall it be Lord! What You Will is what we freely accept and use our will power to fulfill. Thank You,

PRAYER FOCUS: WE ARE IN THE TENSION OF TRANSITION SO WE REPENT AND RISE TO REBUILD! Listen to the Prayer Audio: Heavenly Father, With a humble contrite heart we come before You seeking an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on us all to gather strength and renewed energy in our battle against the forces  in their attempts to stop the growth of the Kingdom here in our nation and to stop us from keeping the territory that we have won thanks to You Victorious Plan You have placed in us.  Lord we are here to continue to do our part in this war to rebuild America as land of the free and the home of the brave.  A land where we will freely call out that Jesus is Lord and we will not use political correct speech to say the truth but to speak plainly without worrying about what other think or feel, just like our President who expresses often what we want to say too. Father, in this day there is much tension because of the transition we are making from almost loosing our nation to rebuilding it now on the foundation that You gave us in the beginning.  Now we want to expand that foundation to make the proclamation that Jesus is Lord all the clearer that we will not cower when the enemy rattles his saber but we will raise our Sword of Faith to strike at the root of the enemy’s foundation and process of bringing hate and death into our land.  Lord just as we bravely stand for the Right to Life for the unborn we want that same intense courage to stand against all of the isms that are plaguing us today.  Lord we have seen too long the indoctrination of our children by teachers who have no true morality and distorted view of our history and they pass it on to our children.  Lord, enough of this give all parents the courage and boldness to take back the education of our children.  Lord have parents really take the time to bring Christian Home schooling in their lives.  That the resources like Ed-Exit. Com  and others will truly be a tool to rescue our children and give them a biblical principled life.  Lord to rebuild America as a Christian nation is our struggle after too many years of breaking America down by lies and deceit of political leaders who do not know You as the true God and one day soon You will say to them when they face You, that You never knew them and their deeds are an abomination before You!  Lord that we Your Army of Prayer Warriors will always defend the Truth and give You the glory and honor and praise You rightfully deserve! Father, by the authority given to us by Your Son Jesus we take up the Ax to cut off the funding and support of these riotous and hateful actions of antifa & black lives matter and all organizations that are rebellious and seek to destroy America.  That we will stop funding them through our buying any article that is sold to give them backing.  Lord let Your Holy Fire burn at the root all that has been used to keep us captive and make us slaves to a way of life that is abominable and blasphemes Your very Word of Life!  Lord use the Your Might and Power to bring down these politicians and money  controllers.  May they be made to make recompense and restitution for the destruction that they brought to the property of Your People and all those who have lost business and their ability to have wealth that You told us to have and use for Your Kingdom and the spreading of the Gospel to all who have never know the Love You have for them.  That they may truly experience Your everlasting love by responding from their heart to love You in return  That they may realize it is You who matter most! Father in our interceding we place those who in our government are truly following the direction and agenda that You have given President Trump to bring to pass.  As Your prophets have spoken we are in a time of transition to fulfill the great calling You have for each of us and to participate in the Great Harvest You have begun and to offer our selves as living sacrifice ...

PRAYER FOCUS: A FRESH ANOINTING ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO LEAD AMERICA THROUGH THESE HOT TIMES OF UNREST AND REBELLION! Listen to the Prayer Audio: Heavenly Father, In the Name of Your Son Jesus the Christ we bring before You are intercession for America and on this day we pray for our President: Donald J. Trump that he will receiving a new anointing from the Holy Spirit in leading our nation.  We seek a complete protection of him from any attempt from the enemy to over turn his presidency and any of the many things You have blessed him to bring to America, especially a renewed spirit and returning to the heritage of our Faith in God and the rule of law and order.  Father, bless him and his family with protection and endurance through all of the attacks of the enemy by words and actions.   Lord, we are here to show honor and respect for the authority the people have given him through electing him.  As your prophets have spoken he is the anointed of the Lord for such a time as this. Father in the authority of You Son we proclaim and declare over President Trump that he blessed with a special encounter with the Holy Spirit so that he will know of Your Divine Will of his time as President and that he will be given encouragement and discernment to continue to bring Justice to the land.  That through his decisions those who are corrupt will be exposed and brought to face the consequences of their betrayal and treason of America.  Lord that more and more Americans awaken to what has been given to us by this man’s work for us to return to our soul purpose in You Plan to bring the Spread of the Gospel around the world and to be a nation that protects life, especially that of the children in the womb!  Lord, strengthen his resolve to protect life from conception to the time of returning to our heavenly destiny.  Lord, that through his leadership in governing us we may live our Christian life fully protected by our Constitution and laws that are just and fair to the exercise of our freedom to worship You in spirit and truth! Father as other great leaders in our history have turned to You in their hour of need and crisis may President Trump have that  humble servant’s heart to say like Abraham Lincoln I fall to my knees in prayer for God’s guidance and direction!  Lord, as prophet Kim Clement proclaimed was that during Trump’s time in office the White House will become a House of Prayer and that America will truly be a land of freedom to proclaim that Jesus is Lord!  That with a humility he will give You all the glory for the miracles of change that are happening now in this day.  That even today as he is in New Hampshire he will speak words from the Holy Spirit that will unite this nation and turn back the tide of chaos and rebellion of those who are in darkness and under the influence of evil puppet masters that we will see law and order restored to our cities. Protect and guide him to follow Your Agenda that You have placed in his heart to fulfill and will be blessed to finish the task You have given him! Father, there is much that he has accomplished because of Your Blessing so we continue to intercede for him so that Justice will come to pass by bringing a cleanse to the whole Justice system here in USA.  That the men and women he has chosen to work with him are protected  and will obey his orders to drain the swamp and bring Justice to the land. May men like AG Barr have Wisdom and strength to bring to justice those who have long been bringing evil into the land and have been ruled by the bribe and selfish interests to make us captives instead f free. Fill his administration with righteousness and trustworthiness to separate those who are deceivers and liars from those who are anointed to fulfill the duties that are before them!  Lord we are here to support and honor those who use authority to protect the people of America.  Justice will prevail in the land! Father,

We are inspired by epic war stories. Great battles over time become so epic, they almost seem a part of myth. We put warriors on a pedestal and usually, rightly so. They make it possible for the rest of us to live in peace and freedom. Have you ever considered there is only one perfect warrior? His name is Jesus, and He forms the backdrop of our talks this week spotlighting warriors. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” From King Leonidas to Oliver Cromwell to George Washington, warriors have led their people to freedom. All were epic, all pivotal people in history. And none hold a candle to our King Jesus. He is the ultimate warrior, the One that came to this world to rescue all of it. His sacrifice on the cross waged war on the enemy of our souls, and He won the final victory then. He has charged us as believers with the task of telling others about Him. Our Ultimate Warrior is calling us to make disciples in His name. If you want to be inspired by someone, be inspired by the Warrior that has no peer. Let’s pray. Lord, Your Son Jesus did battle for us long ago. Thank you for His victory! Amen. Did you know the average message-based T-shirt is read over 3,000 times? We believe if you change your shirt, you can change the world! Be part of the movement at Kerusso.com/subscribe.

Archives Listen to the Prayer Audio: Heavenly Father, We come to You with a humble contrite spirit for without the covering of the Blood of Your Son Jesus the Christ we would not be able to be in Your Presence,  But what is so awesome is now we are able to be in the courts of heaven because of Him and what he has already done for us.  O Father, we give You thanks and praise for we are Your family and we can trust You beyond measure for You Loving kindness is wrapped around us and so now we are clothed in the robe of righteousness so we are a new creation and all of the past has been washed away.  Father because of Jesus the Christ we are able to stand before you without guilt or shame or embarrassment or condemnation for our past for as You have said our sin is in the deepest part of the sea of forgetfulness and only fools go there to fish it up.  Thank You for Your Justice and mercy that rules over us now and into eternity! Father in our day we want Justice and Mercy to rule in America and in every nation that calls upon You, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob who sent your Son, Jesus the Christ as our Lord and Savior!  Lord, Your kingdom is built on Justice, a Justice that protects the innocent and the sinner who has repented and taken on the mind of Christ Jesus!  A Justice that is base on Your Commands to treat one another with love, honor and respect!  A Justice that rights wrongs and overturns any unjust ruling  whether it be in a court or a law that is not in align with Your Word.  Lord we seek Justice that as our founding fathers and mothers stated it must be based on Your Laws and in accord with what Your Son has done for us to make us a Christian nation to worship You in spirit and truth.  There is no other god or idol like You and so we reject any thing that has been made an idol or god in our land!  We stand for Life, life for all the unborn and all who walk in our land whether they be young or old, wise or ignorant, weak or strong but always worthy because of the love of Your Son poured out on us! Father, we shun a legalistic outlook that places a burden on us to follow Your Commands as well as liberal point of view that says anything goes. Lord our submission to You and those in proper authority to rule is a surrender of ourselves.  Not our will but Your will be done!  Let You Holy Spirit pour forth Wisdom upon us to reveal all truth so we can discern and decide to judge rightly that which is of You and which is of the enemy found in our heart so what we speak and do is for your Glory and makes the kingdom spread and reign over all men! Father, continue to bless president Trump his wife and family and all who are a part of his true friends and those who serve to make Your Will be done in America as You have planned! Lord that he is protected in all of his journeys and stand before other nations to spread the good news that old evil empire is crumbling and dying as it falls under the Hammer of Justice as Your Laws rule over us and make us Your Family and that You will dwell with us now and for all eternity! Lord we can only imagine what our life will be but Your plan for us is one of goodness and greatness as we see Your glory displayed here in America, in Israel and other nations who look to You as the God is true God and never lies or deceives us, for Your ways are right and true!  Father we are so happy to call You ABBA and know You are a great and Mighty God but You listen to us in tenderness and Mercy as child is nurtured by his loving mother!  Lord the intimacy You have for us is real and true and unlike the Israelites of old who ran from Your holy Mountain we draw closer to You even in this moment as we are gathered here on this call and every moment we think of Your and give our heart to you so that our hearts are united and You give us a peace and understanding that we can find nowhere in this world but only in the Palms of Your Hands!

Archives Listen to the Prayer Audio: Heavenly Father, Because of Your Son Jesus the Christ we now have a new and awesome vision of You. You are closer to us than our own mother and father.  That through Faith in Your Son we can come to You as Your children and draw close to Your Heart.  Father we repent of all the ways in which we have a distorted view of You.  You are not distant from us nor are You a harsh and demanding God, but a loving Father who takes delight in His children.  O Father we draw close to You draw us closer to You now and forever! Father we seek Justice in our land that we all will live in the law and order You have provided us through Your Commandments.  When we follow and hold to them then we are blessed and everything goes well in the land.  Thank You, Father for giving us a leader in President Trump to bring about a return to law and order and a return to the laws of this land as found in our Constitution and all that has been based on laws You have given us in the Torah/Old Testament.  Thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit who reveals all truth to us and makes us aware of following in the footsteps of Your Son, Jesus the Christ who walked out Your Commands perfectly.  We are here to be obedient as He was.  Not our will but Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven ! Father, we decree and declare that justice prevail in our land.  We proclaim over those who have been assigned to be judges and decision makers that they be in one accord with Your Will for us and that they be in the robes of righteousness form Your Son, Jesus the Christ.  That those who are appointed or elected to theses offices of Justice be men and women who are of strong moral code and they are truly knowledgeable of the our Constitution and of the Sacred Scriptures to make decisions that are fair and just and that they be free from the bribe or the influence of those who seek to keep us captive and hold power over us.  Lord that Your Justice will prevail and America will live in the atmosphere of appreciation of law and order and that we be truly mindful of one another and be fair and true in all that we do in labor, sharing and living with one another.  Father, we desire to live as You have made us and shown us the Path to Peace that is made known  by Your Son, Jesus the Christ! Father, in these days bring an end to all those who are corrupt and have placed us under a curse of disobedience to Your Way.  Father we walk away from legalism and politically correct influences and those who would put us in bondage to keep us from worshiping and proclaiming Your name publicly and wherever we live or come together even in this phone conference.  Lord we are free because of Your Son Jesus the Christ and we are here in boldness of Faith to live as true disciples and followers of your Word and that we are here to intercede to speak prophetically that what You have said is to be in our age will come to pass swiftly and definitely now and in our future! Father, we intercede for those who have been abused or take advantage of or have been falsely accused in court systems.  Lord that those who have been imprisoned under false testimony and under-handness be set free and be given just recompense for the humiliation and unjust treatment!  Lord, let those who have used their position as judge to bring about decisions and rulings that are not their proper jurisdiction be brought to impeachment and removal from office and replaced by a righteous man or woman able to properly judge.  Lord just as You showed Moses who to delegate proper authority to, let President Trump and those he has chosen to be a part of the Justice Department bring about law and order as You desire and will.  Lord Your courts are filled with Justice so to are ours to be. Fill us Father with the Wisdom from the Holy Spirit to walk in righteousness and truth!  We know it will come to pass for we make our prayer in the Name ...

Archives Listen to the Prayer Audio: Heavenly Father We come to You as humble contrite children who have become Your Warrior in our fight to spread Your Kingdom here in our land of America and with all our brothers and sisters in other nations seeking You to rule and reign over the earth!  Father let You Holy Angels be our rear guard as well as lead us in this battle to over come darkness and spread Your Light!  We love you with all our might and strength freely as You ask of us.  We are here Lord to give You all the Glory and Honor and Praise in Thanksgiving for we know You are for us and not against us that even if our loved ones abandon us that You are with us and will never leaves us for Your Loving Kindness lasts forever! In our words to day Lord we admit our guilt through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit of anything that stands in our way of fulfilling Your Will for us.  But by the Blood of Yeshuah all stain of guilt of sin is washed clean.  We are made holy and set apart to be Your People because of our Faith in Your Son so we want our character to reflect and be an image of Your Son for all to see.  Lord we are not here to argue or convert anyone only to show them how You have made our life so great because of Your great love for us.  Lord because of You we let our light shine and we are here to love and serve all whom You have put in our lives to care for. Today, Father, we declare over our President Trump, his wife and family protection from all the firey darts of the enemy.  That those who voice such hatred and disrespect  toward them will be silenced.  We proclaim Lord that Your Hammer of Justice fall on all those who have chosen to follow such evil intent as to bring about impeachment that You, Lord use this to bring about a re-alignment of our government and that Your people use their voice and vote to change all of these liars and deceivers into dust and that righteous men and women step forward to take back America and make us one nation under You, Lord as You made us so that we live under true freedom and Justice for all.  In Jesus this is our prayer! Father, we also declare that the old church system we have been under is destroyed so that we will worship You in  spirit and truth.  Lord those who have stood in the way of true spiritual growth be cast down and those You have anointed for such a time as this be brought forth and we hear Your Voice again and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our assemblies and in all of our gathering even as we here come together in prayer.  That we will lift up hearts to You and be one in the Spirit and one in Truth and we will see swift answers to the prayers we raise so we will truly be a nation that knows and serves You and You alone!  Lord, thank You for those who give us insight into Your Word so that we might truly become a Kingdom as You want here on earth as it is in heaven! Lord we declare that the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit rule over our lives that we will walk in discernment in choosing those we are to have lead us.  That by their character they may be made known to be the ones You have chosen. It is not just knowledge that You want us to have but to live by Wisdom of the Holy Spirit in all we do whether it be to teach or mentor others or the raising up of our children. Lord that we may see one another as You see us.  That our judgments will be based on truth but not just how we feel.  That we will be speakers of Truth and not lie or deceive one another.  That the fruit we bear will be because we are good trees rooted in You Lord and no one else!  Thank You, Father for all the blessings You bestow on us and we know that they are Yours and so we are here to share and give just like Your Son Jesus the Christ! Finally Lord what is written in Psalm 83 we proclaim over our nation that all those who conspire against us in any way will be confounded and will have no effect on our lives now and into the fu...

Today, in Mexico, the United States and across the Americas, we honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.  On December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, an Indian convert to the faith, was walking to a nearby village so that he could attend Mass.  On his way, a woman appeared to him amidst the sound of celestial music.  She announced to him: I am your merciful Mother, to you and to all mankind who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. Therefore, go to the dwelling of the Bishop in Mexico City and say that the Virgin Mary sent you to make known to him her great desire.Though Juan Diego did not accomplish this at first, he eventually followed the instruction of the Virgin of Guadalupe in subsequent apparitions and brought fresh roses from the mountain top to the bishop as a sign that the Virgin wanted a shrine built there.  Roses did not usually grow that time of year so this was clearly a miraculous sign.  Upon arriving at the bishop’s residence, Juan Diego opened his cloak (tilma) carrying the roses so as to pour them out onto the floor before the bishop. When he did so, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared, miraculously, upon the threads of this cloak.  The cloak is still visible to all who wish to see it at the shrine in Mexico City.  And what is amazing, scientifically speaking, is that the image is not painted, rather, each and every thread has changed color so as to create this holy image.  Furthermore, the cloak is made of a cactus plant that normally disintegrates within ten years.  Today, the cloak is almost five hundred years old and it is as fresh and vibrant as ever.Though the miraculous nature of the tilma of Juan Diego is fascinating to ponder, what is of far greater significance is the message of our Blessed Mother as she appeared to Juan.  ”I am your merciful Mother...” she said.  She is our Mother when we trust her and invoke her help.  The Feast of Our Lady, therefore, ought not simply be seen as a cultural, historical or miraculous phenomena.  Rather, it must be seen as a glorious invitation from the Queen of Heaven to accept her as our mother.  Reflect, today, upon your own relationship with our Heavenly Mother.  Do you trust in her intercession and help?  Do you know that Jesus has entrusted you to her care?  Have you consecrated your life to her protection?  One of the best ways to honor our Blessed Mother is to pray the rosary.  Pray it today, at least a decade.  And as you do, ask her to gently guide you to her Son, Jesus.Dearest Mother, Virgin of Guadalupe, I consecrate myself to your motherly care.  I thank you for your perfect concern, help and mercy. Please intercede for me as I place my trust in you.  Take me to Your Son Jesus that I may love Him with your beautiful heart.  Mother Mary, pray for us.  St. Juan Diego, pray for us.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Archives Listen to the Prayer Audio:Heavenly Father,From our heart to Yours!  We seek to listen to Your Word of Your Heart today and to remain under Your Protection from all the assaults of the enemy and the evil darkness that is spread around us. We seek Your Light to pierce the darkness for us to be Light to those in darkness and are without Hope that they will see the Hope we carry as Your Family because of the Love of Your Son Jesus for us. We trust You, Father completely for we know Your plans for us are for good and we give up our will so that Your Will be done in us and in our land.  We are in repentance so that You hear our prayer and You are already in the process of healing our land and driving out the systems that have held us captive.  We are grateful for what You are doing in us and for us!Father we know Your heart is for us to care for the poor, the widow and the orphan.  So, Father we bring to you the children who have been abandoned and given into slavery by sex trafficking and other forms of abuse.   Father bless those who are raised up for our time to rescue the children from these evil plots and schemes of those who are perverse and promote such an abomination toward the gift of Your children to us.  Lord open our hearts to be generous in giving our time and finances to those who truly are taking care of these orphan children, especially in war torn areas of this earth.  Lord, continue to expose those here in America that are part of this destructive form of life.   May we see swift Justice brought to all those who have promoted it and participated in it in any way.  From the halls of our government to the very churches who have participated to those who have remained silent and been afraid to stir the assembly to action.  Lord raise us up to do our part and to support and cover with a shield of prayer all those who are here to rescue and offer homes and to supply the needs for all of these children.  Lord let Your Light so shine in this darkness through us and in us!  Thank You Holy Spirit for stirring up this Army of Warriors to do our part!!Father we bring to you the addicted ones in our land.  Those who are caught up in the opioid crisis that our President and his wife are making us aware of.  Lord that we will be examples for our children that the use of drugs for recreation is a lie from the pit of hell.  That our lenient attitude toward the smoking of marijuana and the passing of laws by liberal states will be revoked and Your people will rise up to use our Voice and Vote to overthrow this destructive influence in our land!  Lord we repent of not standing for the truth that we are not here to listen to those who lie and say what harm is there in freedom to choose to use these natural weeds to be a part of a person’s life.  Father forgive us of allowing this witchcraft to influence us and to get high on drugs instead of High on You, O Lord! Continue to let the Holy Spirit’s convicting Power to reign in America to save those who have been lost and to use them now as true beacons of Light and Truth.  Lord, thank You for what is happening among our Youth who are hungry for the Truth and are being brought to those who will mentor them to live a wholesome life according to the Good News of freedom from what binds to walking with You Lord in spirit and truth!Lord, we seek special protection and Holy Spirit Wisdom be given to those men and women who dedicate their lives of service as Law Enforcement agents to bring Justice and Peace into our communities, especially wherever there is unrest or civil crisis of any kind. Bless their moments of courage to face evil in all its forms.  Keep them protected as they walk into harm’s way to save the innocent and those too weak to protect themselves.  Lord let these servants see that they are a part of Your Plan to bring us back from the brink of destruction and to bring down those who are evil and promote evil in a...

THE HEALING AND MIRACLE PODCASTwith Prince HandleyWWW.REALMIRACLES.ORG STRESS, ANXIETY AND YOUR BRAINHOW TO PROFIT FROM STRESSYou can listen to the above message NOW. Click on the pod circle at top left. (Click “BACK” to return.)OR … LISTEN NOW >>> LISTEN HERE 24/7 release of Prince Handley teachings, BLOGS and podcasts > STREAM Twitter: princehandley FREE Prince Handley Teaching & Newsletter: SUBSCRIBE ____________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION In this podcast teaching we will discuss the current sociological threat of stress, the influence of anxiety―its harmful effects AND how to use it for our benefit―and how to protect ourselves from panic so that we can improve our brain function. Plus … healing! Does this sound impossible? Hang on for the ride … and watch things improve in your life! ____________________________________________________  STRESS, ANXIETY AND YOUR BRAIN HOW TO PROFIT FROM STRESS In my 2018 teaching “Anointed Slowdown: Preparation for Your Future” I told people to: Slow down NOW. Get involved helping others. Do NOT overload yourself with schedule. Cut out in your mind's eye what you want to do in the future. Write down your Holy Spirit goals and claim Mark 11:24 regularly.  I told my subscribers, “SLOW DOWN NOW!” I warned them, “The reason you need to slow down NOW is because stressful times are coming. You will need all the “preparation” you can get to maintain spiritual equilibrium.” If you have not done so, study my teachings below:  Dealing with Stress In the End TimesFrustration and Your Future – The Way Out My definition of “balance”—the micro one—is to maintain a “peace zone” out of which you refuse to wander. That is, stay in Area 14 where you refuse to be bothered: by Satan, by demons, by people … even by Christians. As a graduate industrial engineer, I was required to study and know such subject matter as: Strength of Materials, Dynamics, Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis, and, in addition, upper level Physics and Electro-Chemistry. I find it interesting that the physical (or, physics) definition of stress is two fold and more correctly applicable to the human genome: An applied external force or system of forces that tends to strain or deform a body. The internal resistance of a body to such an applied force or system of forces. Therefore, as pertains to the human condition, we could accurately say that stress (either from external or internal forces) is: “a mentally, physically, or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external or internal influences and capable of affecting physical health, usually characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability, and depression.” Since we are a tripartite being (body, mind, spirit) we can reasonably assume that stress can affect us: physically, mentally, and spiritually; and that, since all three are interconnected, either one may also influence the others. The synergistic effect of which could produce total wreck, or breakdown! This is WHY some people who come to me for help seem to at first be manifesting total meltdown. THE BAD NEWS One psychologist reports that the average high school student today has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950's. _________________________ IMPORTANT FACTS TO KNOW Anxiety related issues are #1 health issue in the USA. The #2 issue for men after alcohol. Over $48 Billion spent yearly in USA on stress. Over $300 Billion if loss of productivity is included. 95% of teenagers have a friend dealing with stress. USA is #1 nation in world dealing with stress._________________________ THE GOOD NEWS Stress is essential to brain health. Paul Bendheim, M.D., states that, “Neuroscientists have discovered that, in order to learn, we need a certain amount of short-term tolerable stress to stay sharp and grow our brains.” Moderate, occasional stress promotes new cell generation. Enjoyable forms of self-induced stress (like physical exercise) can help our brains by improving short-term memory. Also, our overall health benefits from moderate stress by helping our immune system to stay on guard to protect against infectious micro-organisms and cancer. Let me give you four KEY curatives to stress and anxiety-related conditions: 1. STOP the activities that seem to be causing you stress. If you can not stop them completely, then force yourself to take pre-scheduled breaks for rest or recreation. (A non scheduled break could be as soon as you feel the outset of anxiety or stress.) 2. DO something you enjoy. Find a new hobby or recreation … do something you have always wanted to do: Ride a motorcycle. Fly an airplane. Build something. Learn to dance. 3. SPEAK affirmations to yourself. Write them on paper, or record them and play them back. The importance is TO SAY them to yourself. The speech mechanism is vitally associated with your central nervous system. You can bring healing and strength to your whole system, especially if you are saying the Word of God. Find scriptures that pertain to: Your situation; and, Your new goals (recreation or desires). One great resource available is my book, Total Person Toolbox: Words That Work. 4. PRAY in tongues: the language of the Holy spirit. A. When you pray in tongues, you are praying according to the will of God, even if you do not understand it. “He who, when speaking, uses the gift of 'tongues' is speaking, not to men, but to God, for no one understands him; yet in the Spirit he is speaking of hidden truths.” (1 Corinthians 14:2) B. Also, when you even just sigh (or groan) in tongues, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede for you according to the will of God, and thereby bring you therapeutic help. “Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for s with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27) C. One of the great advantages when you praise God in tongues is that you are engaged in pure worship. There are not enough words in your native language (Hebrew, English, Spanish, etc.) to tell God how wonderful He is, and how much you love Him. However, when you praise Him in tongues, the Holy Spirit (the Ruach HaKodesh) is praising the LORD through you, and God comes on the scene with healing power. The Bible tells us God lives in the praises of His people. “But you are holy, You who inhabit the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3) Here is a link to a great resource on the Holy Spirit PLUS gifts of the Spirit (including speaking in tongues): How to Receive God's Power with Gifts of the Spirit, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY Learn to make stress work for YOU. Monitor the daily (or weekly) events that cause stress and anxiety. Pray and ask God to help you recognize chronic stress levels that are UNhealthy. These can affect memory and judgment resulting from impaired nerve cell growth and their cable-like connections. Also, too much high, chronic, stress affects the “executive center”―prefrontal cortex of frontal lobes―of the brain causing bad decisions. Other problems that can result from “skewed” brain instructions are increased risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, cancer and intestinal problems (lke IBS) and ulcers. A five year study showed that those with “high stress proneness” had twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. Listen to your body: frequent stomach sensations, tension headaches, muscle tension and soreness, especially in the neck and shoulders … AND chronic fatigue can all be signs … in addition to FEAR. Do NOT accommodate fear. WHAT ABOUT FEAR Another “sign upon the road” is FEAR. The basic stress response is “fight or flight” and is genetic. However, chronic stress can damage memory formation and weaken the immune system. Love is stronger than fear. The Bible says, “Love casts out fear.” The next time fear knocks at the door of your heart, let faith answer it. Remember … the Bible says to followers of the Messiah: “For God has NOT given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Fear is a spirit. You've received a Spirit NOT of fear. Resist fear. Just speak to it and say, "I won't take you. I refuse you. God says I've received not a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Fear knocked at the door … faith answered … and no one was there. If you allow fear to linger it rewires your brain and bypasses the prefrontal cortex. “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” (Proverbs 27:12) I have done lots of investing through the years by day trading and investing in commodities and futures where I operated with large margins for the advantage of leverage. Of course, if the trades went “south” the margins worked to my disadvantage. But, here, I want to illustrate the good use of margins. The definition of “margin” is “An amount available beyond what is actually needed.” One source describes it as, “The space between our current load and our limits.” WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE MARGIN Stress goes up. Focus narrows. Relationships suffer.*** You are not prepared for the future. *** Notice: Relationships only start … or are nourished … during margin. In Luke 17:1, Messiah Yeshua taught: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come ...” This is where “margin” can be a buffer to protect you from stress. HOW YOU DEVELOP MARGIN Slow down. Simplify things in your life: activities, stuff, technology. Allow for and establish time, money, work and relationship margins. Give yourself SPACE. Don't make things too binding … too tight … too limited: Plan for MARGIN in your time, your financial dealings, your work, your relationships! FINALLY Good News: One of God's Names in the Hebrew language—Jehovah Rapha―means “The LORD Who Heals.” He is, “The LORD your physican.” He can heal your stress, your body, your soul and your spirit. All you have to do is ASK Him. Just pray this prayer: “God in Heaven, I need healing. Please forgive my sins. I turn away from them and turn to YOU. Please come into my life and take over NOW. Save me and heal me. Give me Eternal Life. Help me to live for YOU here on Earth, and take me to Heaven when I die. I ask this in the Name of Your Son: Jesus, the Messiah.” "I am the LORD that heals you."Torah: Exodus 15:26 Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai.Your friend, Prince Handley President / RegentUniversity of Excellence Podcast time: 16 minutes, 2 seconds. Copyright © Prince Handley 2019 _________________________ Rabbinical & Biblical Studies The Believers’ Intelligentsia Prince Handley Portal (1,000’s of FREE resources)Prince Handley Books NOTICE If you would like to partner with Prince Handley and help him do the exploits the LORD has assigned him,click the secure DONATE button you see. God will reward you abundantly on earth … and in Heaven!DONATE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT WILL BE SENT TO YOU ___________________________

Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. How To Feed Many Robin Aylor Though many words accompany sin as the previous verse 19 says; here we find that there is also a time for a wise man to speak. Somehow Solomon is saying there is a parallel between the righteous mans tongue and the wicked man’s heart. He says it in an odd way, I suspect just to make us think about it. Looking at both verses he mentions a heart, a tongue and lips that feed. I believe Solomon wants us to realize that the heart and the tongue and our deeds are in agreement. I think a good expounding paraphrase of these two verses would go something like this. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver and his lips feed many because it comes from a righteous heart. The heart of the wicked is of little worth and his foolishness will be known by his words which will benefit no one and will ultimately end in death. You see, wherever the heart is… it will flow to our tongue and through our lips and it will also flow out of our body as deeds that will feed many or deeds that will be utterly worthless. In Matthew 12:34 Jesus said: …For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Oh, a wicked man my try to hide what is in his heart by saying pretty sparkly words but his heart always seems to develop a bad case of acid reflex that finds a way to exit his mouth and transfers into evil deeds. So, yes; can a righteous man’s tongue can feed many. James 2:15 says it like this: If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? The wisdom that comes from godly faith will produce faithfulness. That is how a righteous mans lips can feed many while fools die for lack of sense. James 12:17 goes on to say: So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Thank You Father that our personal righteousness is now found in Your Son Jesus and through Him and You Holy Spirit You are changing us practically in your wisdom to feed many.

APOSTLE TALK - Future News Now!WWW.PRINCEHANDLEY.COM with Prince Handley HOW TO BE NOURISHED, PROVIDED & PROTECTEDIT'S COOL! You can listen to this message NOW.Click in the LibSyn pod circle at top left. (Allow images to display.)Listen NOW or download for later. For INSTANT REPLAY, go to: www.blubrry.com/prophecy/ Please email this message to a friend. You may SUBSCRIBE to this ezine teaching by email to: princehandley@gmail.com(Type 'SUBSCRIBE" into the "Subject" line.) RSS PODCAST 24/7 release of ALL Prince Handley teachings and podcasts >>> STREAM Text:  "follow princehandley"  to 40404 (in USA) Or, Twitter: princehandley ______________________________________________________________ HOW TO BE NOURISHED, PROVIDED & PROTECTEDIT'S COOL!__________ Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you;He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.– Psalm 55:22__________ Psalm 55 is a contemplation of David, or “maskiyl” (Hebrew), meaning “to have insight, to ponder and wisely understand.” This Psalm was written by David to provide help when you experience treachery by a friend with whom you have close relationship. The Psalmist, having been hunted by his friend (King Saul and 3,000 men) who wanted to kill him … and at another time by his own followers who spoke of stoning him … instructs us out of his own experience with G-d, that in the time of treachery by a close acquaintance, we should “cast our situational problems upon the LORD.” The word “cast” here used in Psalm 55 is from the original Hebrew “shalak,” a primitive root meaning “to cast off, to cast away, to cast out … or to hurl, to throw.” It reminds us of the admonition by another Jewish leader, Shimon (the Apostle Peter), who wrote: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (Brit Chadashah: 1 Peter 5:7) In this passage, the Apostle instructs us to take our anxieties, distractions, burdens and worries and throw them on the LORD (with the understanding, of course, that we are going to leave them there: in Messiah's hands, for Him to take care of). David revealed to us a truth that when we throw (Hebrew: shalak) our burdens upon the LORD (with the understanding, of course, that we are going to leave them there: in Messiah's hands, for Him to take care of), that He … the LORD … will sustain us. That's cool! Why do I say that? Because that is what the word “sustain” is in Hebrew: “c-h-u-l” pronounced like “cool.” The Hebrew word “chul” means “to nourish, to maintain, provide, protect, support, and defend.” Also, “to provide the necessary means of support.” You may be in a hard time economically right now. Maybe your government, which is supposed to be your friend, has been treacherous – guilty of betrayal and deception – in misuse of your tax money, or by rewarding financially the very banks and investment firms that have caused the key money problems that plague or threaten you, your family or your livelihood. I have some great news for YOU. If you will cast – throw – your anxieties upon the LORD, and leave them in His hands to deal with for you … He will sustain you. He will nourish, provide and protect you. And that's really cool! Try it. Just pray this prayer right now: “Father in Heaven, in the name of Mashiach Yeshua (Messiah Jesus) I take all of my problems, including economic ones, and throw them upon you. I now leave them in your hands, trusting you to take care of my particular probems and situations. Lead me by your Spirit, and take over my life. I give Your Son – Jesus – the control of my life … forever. Amen!” Remember to thank Him when you see the answer(s) … and tell your friends Who did it! Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai. Your friend, Prince HandleyPresident / RegentUniversity of Excellence Podcast time: 5 minutes, 0 seconds WEBSITES:    www.uofe.org    www.realmiracles.com    www.princehandley.com    www.podcastsatellite.com    www.hmpodcast.wordpress.com    www.princehandley.wordpress.com    www.apostlehandley.wordpress.com    1,000 Messages by Prince HandleyPODCASTS (INTERNET BROADCASTS):    ADVANCED TEACHING Podcast: www.apostle.libsyn.com    VOICE OF ISRAEL Podcast: www.podcastsatellite.libsyn.com    HEALING & MIRACLE Podcast: www.healing.libsyn.com    PRINCE HANDLEY Podcast: www.princehandley.libsyn.com24/7 PRINCE HANDLEY BLOGS, TEACHING AND PODCASTSwww.twitter.com/princehandley/TWITTER: princehandley Podcast time: 15 minutes, 27 seconds