Podcasts about your spirit

Send us a textII Corinthians 1Paul begins his second letter to the Corinthians by praising God as the source of all comfort during times of affliction. He shares his own sufferings, explaining that trials teach reliance on God rather than on oneself. Paul assures the Corinthians that just as they participate in suffering, they will also receive God's comfort. He recalls a life-threatening experience in Asia, where he “despaired of life” but was delivered through God's power. Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer, illustrating how the appeals to God by saints contributed to his deliverance. He then defends his integrity, stating that his words of exhortation and sacrificial actions are sincere and guided by Christ. Paul concludes by affirming that God has sealed believers with the Holy Spirit, ensuring their eternal security in Christ.Our God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He cares for His children and feels for those enduring trials and losses. He offers eternal comfort through a relationship with Jesus Christ. God also provides comfort through His power to improve circumstances over time, as well as through the support and love of fellow believers. We can face all trials with confidence if we trust in God's abiding grace and the power of prayer to seek His mercy and assistance. To cultivate true hope, Paul taught the people about the loving Father, the reigning Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit within us. This remains the most essential and transformative message we can share with others.  Mighty Father, we thank You for being the God of all comfort who strengthens us in every trial. When we face suffering, help us rely on You rather than ourselves. Remind us that just as Christ suffered, we too will encounter hardships, but through Him, we also receive untouchable and abiding hope. Teach us to share the comfort You provide with others, so we may encourage those in need. Strengthen our faith and remind us that Your promises are always true in Christ. Seal our hearts with Your Spirit and guide us to walk in trust and gratitude daily. Thought Questions: -       What does it mean to say your Father is the “God of all comfort”? How does He help you maintain confidence and peace in times of affliction?  -       How does suffering teach you to rely on God over yourself? Is that a valuable process? And how does that affect your view of trials? -       Paul states God always comes through on His promises (v20). What are some of those promises that fill you with hope in all circumstances?

SCRIPTURE- Matthew 11:29"[L]earn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls."REFLECTION- Fr. RonMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 86:11"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”REFLECTION- PeggyMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Send us a textMorning by Morning, July 30, 2025 - River of Life Good morning, Lord Jesus. All of me for all of You, as I begin my day embraced by Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Holy Spirit. ... “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). Lord Jesus. You are the River of Life. You are the Living Water (John 4:10). Yesterday, we down into the valley of “the slums” area of Nyeri, Kenya to give to the poor, to share the Word of God and the Bread of Life, in partnership with a ministry there providing education to the children and encouragement to the people. And a river runs through it. In many ways, that river has represented death with unclean waters that bring sickness and disease. But as we climbed up to a high place overlooking that valley to pray, You gave us words of life to proclaim a River of Life to runs through the hearts of the people and the land. You gave Bishop Gachengo, who oversees the ministry and one of the churches there, a vision of transformation for that valley. And as we prayed and proclaimed, as we called forth Your vision for that valley by the leading of Your Spirit, our team (Pastor Jeff, Mandie, Levi and Laurie), joined in that hope, filled with faith, that You are the God who sees and hears and transforms. Even as our group prayed and sang over the valley, souls came to be saved and drink of the River of Life. One man received Jesus in his heart and renounced his addiction to sniffing glue, then threw down and stomped his plastic bottle of glue. Praise God! Let the Life of Christ fill his heart and fill this valley! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.Written and sent out from the morning prayer time of Tommy Hays each day.God bless you and may you have a great day!—Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministrieshttp://messiah-ministries.org

SCRIPTURE- Romans 12:12"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”REFLECTION- Fr. JimMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Proverbs 3:6“In all your ways be mindful of Him, and He will make straight your paths.”REFLECTION- Sr. KaraMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- 1 Cor 16:13“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”REFLECTION- Sr. KarolynMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Psalm 145:3-7 NLTGreat is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.Every belief system is always just one generation from extinction. That is exactly why over and over we see in God's Word, how He wants us, first, to be a witness to our children. He wants us to show our kids through our words and actions that He is real and wants a relationship with us.Right now, in your life, what is God doing that your kids need to hear about from your heart?Let's take the psalmist's prayer and personalize the words to God from you:Great are You, Lord! You are most worthy of praise! No one can measure Your greatness. I will tell my children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on my tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. I will share the story of your wonderful goodness; I will sing with joy about your righteousness.Declaring these words is humbling. Telling our children what God is doing in us is powerful. Making Him real to them is a privilege. Allowing them to see Him through your life is exactly what God wants to do in your parenting. Be obedient to Him and He will be faithful to you and the generation you are raising now.Pray: “Heavenly Father, prompt me by Your Spirit to share with my kids the blessings You give and the burdens You take bear for us. Lead me to share Your story, in my story, as together we write their story. As above, so below, Amen.”

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 29:2"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."REFLECTION- LaurenMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Welcome to Day 2679 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomDay 2679 – New Testament Orientation – “The Church, Salvation, and Eschatology: God's Unfolding Plan”Putnam Church Message – 07/20/2025Sermon Series: New Testament Orientation Message 12: “The Church, Salvation, and Eschatology: God's Unfolding Plan” Last week, we explored "The General Letters of the New Testament:” 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NLT) 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[a] a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy.”[b]This week is the 12th and final message in our New Testament Orientation Series, and we will learn: The Church, Salvation, and Eschatology: God's Unfolding Plan” Ephesians 2:13-14 (NLT) "But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united us both into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us."Opening PrayerOur Loving and Sovereign God, as we reach the culmination of our journey through Your New Testament, we pause to reflect on the grand tapestry of Your plan for Your Church, for our salvation, and the culmination of all things. We pray that You would open our eyes to see these profound truths with the clarity and anticipation of the early believers. May we grasp the depth of Your reconciliation, the wonder of Your salvation, and the glorious hope of Your coming kingdom. Empower us, by Your Spirit, to live as Your unified people, eagerly awaiting the Day of Christ. Amen.Introduction: The Final Unveiling of God's Purpose We've journeyed from the Jewish roots of the Gospels, through the explosive growth in Acts, and explored the profound theology of Paul's letters and the General Epistles. Today, we bring it all together by considering three essential topics that define the conclusion of God's unfolding story: the Church, the nature of Salvation, and Eschatology—the doctrine of last things.Our core verses from Ephesians 2:13-14 serve as a magnificent summary of the radical new reality Jesus inaugurated: "But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united us both into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us." This passage speaks of a profound reconciliation, not just between humanity and God, but between the two great divisions of humanity: Jew and Gentile. This reconciliation defines the very nature of the Church.For the early...

Psalm 1:1–2 ESVBlessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers;but his delight is in the law of the LORD,and on his law he meditates day and night.Recently, my friend Jordan sent me a text with those verses and a prayer:“Praying for a newfound delight in His Word. Jesus, captivate us afresh and anew. May we find ourselves delighting in You and Your Word above all else. Thank You that Your Spirit is at work within us to make that possible.”That word "delight" caught my attention. As I mentioned in last week's episode, sometimes just knowing what to ask for is a gift in itself.So before breakfast, I asked for a newfound delight in His Word. I will give examples of what comes to mind when I think of the word delight. One of them was at church recently. I hugged a friend, and in that moment, I felt her three-year-old daughter wrap her little arm around my back. A surprise hug. There's nothing quite like mutual delight—between friends, between family, between us and God.And that's what this episode is really about. Not just delighting in His Word, but delighting in Him. And realizing, He delights in us, too.I'll end with the song “Psalm One” from Scripture Songs, Volume One.If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sherriyoungward.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To find out about upcoming gatherings and new projects, please join my email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.sherriyoungward.com

Delivered by Kristiana Lengkong from the Parish of Saint Theresia in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Exodus 14: 5-18; Rs psalm 15: 1-2.3-4.5-6; Matthew 12: 38-42.UNFAITHFULNESS The title for our meditation today is: Unfaithfulness.There was a man who had a job to work outside the city for three to six months.During this time he did not return to his home and family. Communication withhis wife and children was done via online messages and video calls. When he returned home after finishing the job, hefound out that almost everything in the house was normal and good, except forhis two beloved dogs who were no longer familiar with him. The two dogs reallyignored him, even though he wanted to play with them. His youngest son, eightyears old, said to him in this way: "The problem is you haven't been closeand played with them, so they have become strangers to you." Infidelity that happens in our relationship is causedby many factors, and one of them is that people are not close to each other.They do not communicate, there is no news shared and there is no sharing ofattention between them. This also happens between us and the Lord. There is along history about people who have been unfaithful to God where in the end theymust be subjected to the punishment imposed on them because of theirinfidelity. The Lord Jesus was sent by the Father into the world to bring themback to faithfulness and true faith. The people of God, and especially theIsraelites, were expected to be the first to renew this broken relationship andto walk on the new way initiated by Jesus Christ. However, they did not even want to know andacknowledge Jesus. They asked for signs that could help them to believe in Him.This is why Jesus gave them a very strong reaction. They openly opposed God byrejecting and not recognizing that Jesus was sent by God, whom they believedaccording to the faith of their fathers. This is a great sin of unfaithfulness.They preferred such worldly things like money, position, flesh, pleasure,social status and fame. Then, God alone and His teachings brought by Jesus of Nazarethwas not their priority. According to our Lord Jesus Christ, this is a sinagainst the Holy Spirit, and it will never be forgiven. The temptation to deny God by not making Him ourpriority in life is really very big. In general there are three greattemptations that threaten us anytime and anywhere in this world, namely money,power and flesh. The holy Scriptures always say that we need to be sincereabout ourselves. Whether we can overcome the temptation or we are alwaysovercome by it, the world around us is the witness. If we stay with God and letourselves be guided by the Holy Spirit, we are the ones who overcome temptation. Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... Our almighty God,may Your Spirit help us to be faithful always in the way of Your Son JesusChrist, and keep us from all temptations that cause us to be away from Yourpath. Hail Mary full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...

SCRIPTURE- 1 Chronicles 16:11"Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.” REFLECTION- Mary EllynMUSIC- Dan Gibson Solitudes- Holy Forever by Andre CavalcanteNOTES- PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God,into Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve you faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.

1.Barbara Tucker, RLP - R.E.S.P.E.C.T (Club Edit) 2.Benny Benassi - Able To Love 3.Алла Горбачева - Снова прости (Arrival Project Prg Remix) 4.Chocolate Puma - A Star Is Born (Scumfrog Edit) 5.In-Grid – Milord 6.Timo Maas - First Day (Feat. Brian Molko) 7.Deepswing & DJ Meme Ft. Linda Jackson - Lift Up! (Your Soul & Your Spirit) 8.Groove Jet - Billy Jean (Morales & Heller Electro Warehouse Mix) 9.Татьяна Буланова & DJ Цветкоff – Бескрылая Любовь (Original mix) 10.Masterboy - Feel The Heat 2000 (Extended Mix) 11.Max Graham vs. Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart (Club Mix) 12.Snap - Rhythm Is A Dancer 2003 (CJ Stone Club Mix)

SCRIPTURE- 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new one has come.” REFLECTION- JavierMUSIC- NOTES- PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God,into Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve you faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.

Psalm 145:3-7 NLTGreat is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.Every belief system is always just one generation from extinction. That is exactly why over and over we see in God's Word, how He wants us, first, to be a witness to our children. He wants us to show our kids through our words and actions that He is real and wants a relationship with us.Right now, in your life, what is God doing that your kids need to hear about from your heart?Let's take the psalmist's prayer and personalize the words to God from you:Great are You, Lord! You are most worthy of praise! No one can measure Your greatness. I will tell my children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on my tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. I will share the story of your wonderful goodness; I will sing with joy about your righteousness.Declaring these words is humbling. Telling our children what God is doing in us is powerful. Making Him real to them is a privilege. Allowing them to see Him through your life is exactly what God wants to do in your parenting. Be obedient to Him and He will be faithful to you and the generation you are raising now.Pray: “Heavenly Father, prompt me by Your Spirit to share with my kids the blessings You give and the burdens You take bear for us. Lead me to share Your story, in my story, as together we write their story. As above, so below, Amen.”

Did you know you can talk to God anywhere, anytime? He listens to your prayers and He responds in love. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter, long ago, to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus. And it said this. He told his people, Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. This just means that when we pray to God, His Spirit is with us, giving us strength and connecting us to God. Do you want to start a relationship with God? Pray with me now: God, I need you in every part of my day. Come and give me strength, give me guidance. I need it. I need connection with You today through Your Spirit. I want to be close to You and I want to follow You with all of my life, all of my heart. I love You, Father. In Jesus' name, amen. Always remember, there is hope with God. I'm Andrew Palau. Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:18 radio.hopewithgod.com

Welcome to Day 2674 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2674 – New Testament Orientation – “The General Letters of the New Testament” Putnam Church Message – 07/13/2025 Sermon Series: New Testament Orientation Message 11: “The General Letters of the New Testament”   Last week, we explored the "Christ, the Fulfillment of the Law" Core Verse: Galatians 2:16 (NLT)  "Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God by faith in Christ and not by obeying the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law." This week is the eleventh of 12 messages in our New Testament Orientation Series, and we will learn: "The General Letters of the New Testament:” 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NLT)  9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[a] a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy.”[b] Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, we approach Your presence today with hearts full of anticipation. As we open the “General Letters” of the New Testament, we pray that Your Spirit would illuminate these precious words. May we, like the early believers, grasp our true identity as Your chosen people, a holy nation, called out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Grant us wisdom to understand these messages forged in the crucible of early Christian life, and empower us to live out the living hope that is ours in Jesus Christ. Amen. Introduction: Voices from the Scattered Flock This is our eleventh lesson in this New Testament Orientation series! We're nearing the completion of our journey, and today we turn our attention to a collection of profound letters often called the "General Letters" or "Catholic Epistles." Unlike Paul's letters, which were typically addressed to specific churches or individuals, these are often broader in their intended audience, offering vital guidance to scattered communities of believers—both Jews and Gentiles—living throughout the Roman world. Our core verses from 1 Peter 2:9-10 beautifully capture the essence of what these letters emphasize: "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 'Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy;...

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comI Corinthians 2 The gospel of Jesus Christ does not require special people or eloquent speech. In fact, such things can distract from the power of God. The solution is to centralize all teaching and honor upon “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” God's power supports our faith, not the wisdom of men or the abilities of any individual. Unfortunately, this power is hidden from the people of the world, not by God's will, but because of their hard hearts and closed ears. For those willing to hear the truth, the Holy Spirit has gifted them teachings from the mind of the heavenly Father. The “natural man” will not accept them, nor is he able to do so. However, he who evaluates things spiritually will know God's mind and be saved through His Son. As Christians, our hope rests fully in the Lord Jesus Christ. While we value teachers who help us grow in faith, they must never replace Christ as our ultimate source of strength. We appreciate those who guide us to the Lord, regardless of their abilities. Understanding God's will is a privilege once hidden but now revealed through Christ. For unbelievers, it remains a mystery, but for us, it is a profound blessing to know the mind of our Creator. Through the Holy Spirit and the teachings of apostles and prophets, we are guided in truth. We should eagerly seek God's Word daily, allowing it to shape our spiritual journey and draw us closer to Him. Loving Lord, thank You for revealing Your wisdom and truth through Your Spirit. Help us not to rely on human understanding, but on the guidance of Your Spirit as given through Your apostles and prophets. Fill us with humility and a desire to grow closer to You each day. Teach us to seek Your Word, not the words of men, and let it transform our thoughts and actions. Please grant us the mind of Christ, so we may walk obediently, reflecting His love and wisdom in all we do. We will dedicate time to contemplating spiritual truths in Jesus' name.  Thought Questions: -       How can you know if a teacher is working with pure motives? What will be central in their teaching as the strongest evidence of integrity? -       If the wisdom of God has never aligned with the world's wisdom, what should your attitude be toward counter-culture aspects of the faith? -       Is it scary to realize that the “natural man” cannot discern spiritual things? How do you protect against becoming such a person?

Acts 4:32-35 NLTAll the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.All were united in heart and mind. Sharing what they had. No one needy among them.Only God can change the human soul to cooperate, unite, and love like that, selflessly, literally bringing Heaven to earth.Today, His life is available. His love is available. His Spirit can touch our lives to love, care, and share like those first disciples.This passage creates a longing to be united in heart and mind with other believers.Can you make yourself available to love selflessly today?Read once more this time from the Message Bible:The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That's mine; you can't have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.No matter how independent we may think ourselves to be, we need care. We need help. We need others. True community is finding common ground coupled with unity. Focused on what draws us together, rather than divides. Peace over chaos. Responsibility over rights. Giving. Caring. Loving like Jesus.Let's pray together: “Lord of all, thank You for Your Spirit that unites us in one heart and mind. Thank You that in You we can meet one another's needs, share our blessings, and love with the kind of love that only Heaven can give. As above, so below.”

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. RAM HORNS HERALDING HIS PRESENCE The Great I AM Jehovah, the great I Am. Your Spirit, is in command. Thou shall lead us from here, for Your voice we do hear. And nothing shall we fear. For Your presence is ever before us. Jehovah, glory be unto Thee. Jehovah, the great Elohim! I Bow Down I bow down before You, Father, Father. Words don't approach You, only a broken heart. Forever I'll worship, Father, Father. Live here within me, my heart can be Your home. O Father I am Yours. Psalm 91 The one who dwells in the secret place of the most high God, within the shadow of the Lord Almighty, he will abide. The one who dwells in the secret place of the most high God, within the shadow of the Lord Almighty, he will abide. I'll say of the Lord, Only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. Amen. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. Amen. Amen Amen! Worship in the spirit I'll say of the Lord, Only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. Amen. Fill Me Fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Truth shall stand and lies are washed away from me. When You fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Truth shall stand and lies are washed away from me. When You fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Standing In Thy Presence Standing in Thy presence Lord, when Thy glory is revealed. Standing in Thy presence Lord, no heart is ever concealed. Standing in Thy presence Lord, the day of Thy power. Standing in Thy presence Lord, all the sons of God have waited for this precious hour! Worship in the Spirit Standing in Thy presence Lord, when Thy glory is revealed. Standing in Thy presence Lord, no heart is ever concealed. Standing in Thy presence Lord, the day of Thy power. Standing in Thy presence Lord, all the sons of God have waited for this precious hour! Ram Horns! Thank you for joining us in this time of worship to our King!...

REFLECTOR- Sr. CarolMUSIC- Various GuitarPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle

SCRIPTURE- Corinthians 16: 13REFLECTOR- JeffMUSIC- Confitemini Domino by TaizePRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

REFLECTOR- PeggyMUSIC- Impending Death of the Virgin SpiritPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- Check out our BLOG on the app or website for a post to learn a bit more about the 1st Martyrs

Send us a textHave you ever wondered if Old Testament believers were saved differently than we are today? This thought-provoking episode tackles a commonly misunderstood theological question that strikes at the heart of our understanding of salvation.We challenge the notion that the Holy Spirit operated differently in salvation before and after Christ's earthly ministry. By examining key Scriptures and the unified work of the Trinity, we demonstrate why salvation has always been the same throughout human history.The confusion often stems from John 7:39, which mentions the Spirit "not yet being given." But what did Jesus really mean? We unpack this verse to show that while the administrative role of the Holy Spirit expanded after Pentecost, His essential role in salvation never changed.David's passionate plea "Do not take Your Spirit from me" offers compelling evidence that the Holy Spirit indwelt Old Testament believers just as He indwells us today. If figures like David and Abraham—called a "man after God's own heart" and "friend of God" respectively—weren't indwelt by the Spirit, then what made their relationship with God so special?The Trinity works in perfect harmony: the Father elects, the Son redeems, and the Holy Spirit regenerates. This divine pattern applies consistently to every believer throughout history. When we suggest otherwise, we inadvertently introduce disunity into the Godhead.Our panel of guests brings thoughtful perspectives to this conversation, sharing personal insights about God's sovereignty and the consistency of His saving work. Through respectful dialogue, we navigate this challenging theological terrain, inviting listeners to deepen their understanding of how the entire Godhead has always worked together to save God's people.Join us for this illuminating discussion that will transform how you view salvation across biblical history and strengthen your appreciation for the unchanging nature of God's redemptive plan.Support the show

REFLECTOR- Fr. RonMUSIC- Bubbles by Holly Jones- St Andrew by Alexis FfrenchPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

Salvation happened instantly in your spirit, is happening in your mind and body, and will one day be completed in your mind and body when Christ returns. It has happened, is happening and will happen. It has happened in your spirit which is the most important thing. The fact that it happened in your spirit means that it is happening in your mind and body now and will ultimately happen in your mind and body when you go to be with the Lord. It doesn't have to happen in your body and mind in order for it to happen in your spirit. It happened in your spirit first and because of that it is happening in your body and mind now and will finally be completed when Christ returns and you receive glorification. (1 Corinthians 13:8-12, 1 Corinthians 15:35-55). The post Salvation's Effect on Your Spirit, Mind & Body (Pt2) appeared first on Ryan Rufus.

In this episode of Draw Near, we reflect on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ and invite you to rediscover the power, beauty, and reality of the Eucharist. More than a symbol, the Eucharist is the living presence of Jesus—true food for the soul, strength for the weary, and healing for the brokenhearted. Together, we explore: How to cultivate a deeper devotion to the Eucharist in your daily life What it means to live eucharistically—offering your life as a gift How the Eucharist has brought strength and healing in personal moments of struggle With heartfelt stories, Scripture, practical takeaways, and wisdom from the saints, this episode will leave you inspired to approach every Mass and every moment with renewed gratitude and reverence. Challenge for the Week: Choose one simple way to deepen your Eucharistic devotion—adoration, prayer after Communion, or offering your day intentionally to God—and share it with someone. Whether you're struggling to connect with the Eucharist or simply desire more, this episode offers encouragement and spiritual depth that will draw you closer to the Heart of Christ. *Mentioned in this episode: * Stay With Me - Prayer of St Padre Pio After Communion Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You. Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much, and always be in Your company. Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You. Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love. Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes; death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile! Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all it's dangers. I need You. Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart. Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by communion, at least by grace and love. Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation, because I do not merit it, but the gift of Your Presence, oh yes, I ask this of You! Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more. With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)." Click here (https://www.drawnear.me/donate) to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. "Like" and follow us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara). Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drawnear.me/)! Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page. (https://www.drawnear.me/) Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger & Kara Kardell

Your Nightly Prayer

SCRIPTURE- Isaiah 49: 50REFLECTOR- GerryMUSIC- Praise the Lord, Amen by Sacred Treasures VPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

Everyone – everyone who believes in Jesus is called to be His ambassador. An Ambassador of Christ. That involves a change of heart, it involves a change in our actions and it involves – well, going. Ambassadors don't stay, they go. That's why being Christ's Ambassadors ain't easy sometimes.   Christ on the Inside Now, one of the things that you and I know is that we are what we eat. If what I do is I pig out on chocolates – man, I love chocolate, but we know that too much of it is bad for us; and fatty foods and sweet, sugary drinks and lots of cakes and sweets, all that stuff – if I pig out on that then who I am on the inside is going to change. I'm going to put on weight, my emotions will take a downswing, because that's what happens with too much sugar, I'll become lethargic and tired and I won't be able to cope. My heart will have to work so much harder to get blood around the larger body and my coronary arteries will get all clogged up, my blood sugar will go up ... and on and on the list goes. The impact is that I have less of a life to live now because I'm always tired, not feeling well and my life expectancy will be cut short. On the other hand, if I get a great mix of healthy cereals and grains and those brightly coloured vegetables and lean meat and all that stuff, which actually tastes pretty fantastic, the complete opposite will happen. What happens on the inside has a huge impact on what happens on the outside. Who we are on the inside – whether it be physically or emotionally or spiritually - has a huge impact on who we are on the outside. And the upshot of all that is that we simply can't be one thing on the inside and try to be something else on the outside – it just doesn't work. Last week, again this week on the programme and indeed, over the next couple of weeks we are having a bit of a chat about living our lives here on this earth as ambassadors for Christ, because that is what anyone who believes in Jesus is called to be. We are citizens of heaven, not of this earth and as Paul, the Apostle writes, in Second Corinthians chapter 5, verse 20: We are ambassadors for Christ; since God is making his appeal through us, we entreat you on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. As I said, you just can't be one thing on the inside and then pretend to be another thing on the outside. You can't be Swedish on the inside and pretend to be the Indian ambassador on the outside. We can't be the devil on the inside and pretend to be an angel of light on the outside. Well, I suppose we can for a while but I suspect it's incredibly hard work, carrying on a deception like that and it doesn't take long for who we are to make its way to the outside. Jesus Himself said – Matthew chapter 15, verse 19: For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness and slander. So, if we are going to be ambassadors of Christ, then we first have to be citizens of heaven on the inside, just as the Indian ambassador has to be Indian and not Swedish on the inside. Interesting how God talked about this through His prophet Ezekiel, to His people. He talked to them about what was going on in their hearts. Have a listen – Ezekiel chapter 18, verse 31: “Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me and get yourselves,” listen to this, “a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel?" A new heart! I think we know what God means but that's not much of an expression that we would use today. But the expression that we would use is "a change of heart". You and I know what that means: unless something happens deep inside our hearts – on the inside - we can't change on the outside. But you know there have been issues, transgressions, sins in my life that, try as I might, I couldn't change my heart by myself. I'm guessing you have had that experience too – we all have! And that's why God made this promise too, through His prophet Ezekiel, to His people – Ezekiel chapter 36, verse 26: A new heart I will give you, a new spirit I will put within you and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. In fact, perhaps what you want to be is an ambassador of Christ but there's something right now going on in your heart; something you would love to change but you can't for yourself that you need God to do for you. So why don't we pray about that right now: Father God,this Word of yours, You are putting Your finger right on one of the deepest problems in my life. You and I both know what it is and You know that I have struggled to change my heart - I've tried my hardest, but I just can't. And so I come to You in faith and pray for Your will – Ezekiel chapter 36, verse 26 – for a new heart – a change of heart. Take out the heart of stone, O God, and replace it with a heart of flesh. Take out of me any spirit that is causing me to sin and fill me with Your Spirit. I come to You in faith. I believe that what I have asked You, You will give me because I am asking You in the name of Jesus. Amen. Now, I encourage you, if you have prayed that prayer will me, to believe, simply to believe, that God will give you the good thing that you have asked Him for and He will. That's what He says He will do and He never, ever, ever fails on His Word – ever! When the Apostle Paul was sharing the Good News about Jesus with the folk in Athens, he quoted a poem about a Greek god and applied it to Jesus. This is what he said – Acts chapter 17, verse 28: For in him we live and move and have our being. You know, for me that says it all! It's about being totally immersed in Christ; about being drenched in Jesus – that's actually the literal meaning of the word "baptised or baptism". The original Greek word was "baptidso". So when a boat was lost in a storm and it went under and it sank, it was said to have been "baptidso"d. When a fabric was dyed a new colour and it was plunged into the dye and completely drenched and it came out a new colour, it was said to have been "baptidso"d. That's exactly what the Apostle Paul writes to his friends in Rome. Romans chapter 6, verses 3 and 4: Don't you know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ were baptised into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death so that just as Christ was raised again from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. It means death to the old life and the living of a new life; literally, to be "born again" – a whole new heart and filled with a new spirit; the Spirit of God this time; the Holy Spirit. It means that goodness replaces evil – not so much because we work hard at it but because God's given us a change of heart and now what happens is we actually want to honour God; we want to live a life that brings glory to Him – and that's the new life. We are going to talk more about that next. It's the new life that wins people over to Christ. It's the new life that shines like a light and brings flavour to people's lives like salt. But just as a well that is dry can't bring forth water, so a life that is empty of Christ; His very Spirit; His presence within us, so a life like that can't be an ambassador of Christ. If there are things that you have been struggling with on the inside; things that are holding you back from taking up your commission as Christ's ambassador in your little petunia patch, then here's what I encourage you to do – get with God, get in prayer, open His Word, ask Him to fill you to overflowing with His Holy Spirit. Ask Him again and again and again to give you a new heart. And just as we prayed before; just as I said before, He surely will – because He wants to – because when we bear much fruit in our lives it brings Him great glory. A new heart; a change of heart; filled with a new spirit, His Spirit.   Christ on the Outside So let me ask you a question: if you are someone who believes in Jesus and you drive a car, do you have a Jesus bumper sticker or one of those fish stickers on your bumper bar? Maybe ... maybe not! I mean, even if you don't, that's okay, I don't either, but if you had to put one on your car, let me ask you, does your behaviour on the road as a driver match up to what the sticker advertises? I mean, are you a courteous driver who obeys all the road rules or do you break the speed limit and honk your horn at people and yell at them from the inside of your car? I guess if you're the former it would be okay to have a fish sticker or a Jesus sticker on your car because your behaviour is a good advertisement for God - in effect, because what you advertise on the sticker and how you behave match up, it works. On the other hand though, can you imagine a rude, impatient driver, who's constantly breaking the road rules, identifying themselves as a Christian, using some sticker they put on their car. It's not a very good ad for God, is it? It turns out that who we say we are; who we hold ourselves out to be and who we actually are in what we say and what we do – if those two don't match up – well, there's a name for that: we call those people "hypocrites". We have been talking about living our lives as ambassadors of Christ – “for we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us.” 2nd Corinthians chapter 5, verse 20. In other words, God, just as He used the Apostle Paul, wants to involve us in the business of making His appeal to the rest of the world. Now what we have seen over the course of the last couple of weeks is that we don't all have to be "Pauls" in order to do that. Diplomacy, which is the role of an ambassador, mostly happens in one on one relationships where trust is built so that governments have relationships in place to resolve difficult issues. That's the point of diplomacy and it's the role of an ambassador. See, I think sometimes we are misled into thinking: Aw, WOW, oh – an ambassador for Christ, well, that must be the pastors role not me!' because it sounds like a flashy, up front title. And earlier we saw that in order to be an ambassador of for, say India, we had to be Indian, if we're Swedish no one is going to believe we are the Indian ambassador, right? Who we are on the inside really counts. That's why God promises something new – Ezekiel chapter 36, verse 26: A new heart I will give you; a new spirit I will put within you and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. See, we can't change who we are on the outside until we have a change of heart on the inside. I've tried it, you've tried it – it doesn't work! If something first happens in our hearts though, to change us on the inside, then all of a sudden changing on the outside becomes mush easier. That's what we talked about earlier. Right now we are going to follow on with the natural continuation of that. We are going to take a look at how important it is that who we are on the outside is consistent with who we are on the inside. And that's why I kicked off with that story about the bumper sticker. It's kind of obvious isn't it? Now I'm not suggesting that you or I are ever going to live a perfect life. I pretty much make mistakes every day and probably you do too and no one ... no one expects us to be perfect. But either how we live declares that our heart and our life has been changed by God or it doesn't and if it doesn't, without putting too fine a point on it, we're being hypocrites. That's something that Jesus identified in the religious leaders of His day. They pretended to be ‘oh so holy' on the outside, but on the inside – well have a listen to what Jesus said to them – Matthew chapter 23, verses 25 and 26: Woe to you, you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside may also be clean. Now, I'm kind of comforted by that; I like it that Jesus is concerned both about our hearts – who we are on the inside – and our hands – what we do on the outside. If someone came to me and said, ‘You know Berni, I've heard what you have been saying – I've decided I want to be an ambassador of Christ. What do you think is the most important thing in that role?' Well, this is how I'd answer. The first thing is your heart and your relationship with God' being completely sold out to Jesus and if you don't have that, well, you can't pretend it. And the second thing is: how you behave; how you live it out, because if you say that you are one thing and you do completely the opposite, people will pick you as a phoney in a split second and then, instead of shining God's light into the world, you just turn people off. Let me give you an example. My country, Australia, has a very strong relationship with the United States of America – has had for a good many years. Now, imagine that the U.S. Government, all of a sudden, appoints a brand new ambassador and sends him across the pond to Australia. And within a few months, we discover this ambassador, he's a lecherous drunk, who can't keep his hands off other women – whether or not he happens to be any good at his trade of diplomacy – and scandal after scandal, involving this new ambassador hits the news and the press. How do you imagine such a person would influence the view that Australians have, not only of the U.S. Government but of the American people? It would be devastating wouldn't it? Not only would this so called "ambassador" hurt the people around him but he'd bring his whole Nation; his whole people into ill repute. And that's why the lives we lead as Christians are so important. Come on – let's get real!! Does hypocrisy display the glory of God? No! It brings Him and His people as a whole, into disrepute. "Oh, those Christians – they're just a bunch of hypocrites!" And God ... God doesn't like hypocrites, my friend. Listen again to Jesus – Matthew chapter 23, verse 25: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. People talk about ‘missional living' – living out our lives as missionaries or ambassadors in this world. You know what I think the biggest thing that you and I can do to live "missionally" is to live a holy life. What's a holy life? It's a life where the cup and the plate are clean on the inside as well as the outside. Peter, the Apostle, sums it up like this in his Letter, First Peter, chapter 1, verse 14: Like obedient children, don't be conformed to the desires you formally had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct, for it is written “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” My friend, there is something wonderful; utterly sublime, when we roll up our sleeves with God and get to cleaning the inside as well as the outside. And here's the thing: people notice – people sit up and take notice and think to themselves, "There's something different about that person – something good; something I trust; something I want." And there ... right there, we have an ambassador of Christ!   Taking His Love to the Sinners When I used to run an I.T. consulting firm with my business partners, we used to joke that life would be so much easier if we didn't have clients. It's true, it's just not very profitable, I guess. And the same is true when it comes to sinners – you know, those people who drink too much, or they swear too much, or they are just rude or belligerent or a pain in the neck - the most natural thing in the world for someone who loves Jesus, is to kind of recoil from them – to retreat into the holy huddle of Christian friends. I would like to finish off today with a short story about Jesus approach to sinners. It comes from Luke chapter 5 – if you have a Bible, come on, open it up with me – let's go there – it's a confronting and edgy story – gets right in your face, just the way Jesus meant it to be. Come on, let's have a listen. Luke chapter 5, verses 27 to 32: After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And Levi got up, left everything, and followed Jesus. Then Levi gave a great banquet for Jesus in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and the scribes, well, were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” But Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but the sinners to repentance. Now, here's the thing: the Romans occupied Israel in the first century – this godless empire occupied God's people; God's Promised Land and ruled over them. And the way they collected taxes was effectively, to tender it out to individuals; people like Levi; people who were Jews! They would bid for the right to collect the taxes on behalf of the Romans and the highest bidder would win. And so in order to make a profit, the tax collector would then find all sorts of ways of extorting additional taxes from the people. Now, Levi was sitting in a tax booth, collecting taxes from people who used the road to ship their goods and so forth – a bit like a modern day toll road. And what made it worse, not only did he extort taxes; not only did he cheat and lie but he was working for the Romans – Levi, a Jew, ripping off his fellow Israelites! So, this was not the sort of guy you would want to talk to or have as a friend or approach for any reason whatsoever. But Jesus ... Jesus approached him; Jesus called him, the way a Rabbi calls disciples. Jesus went to this sinner, Levi, this abhorrent, disgusting traitor – as far as all the other Jews were concerned – and not only did He say to Levi, “Follow me,” He went to dinner; a banquet at Levi's house with a whole bunch of other tax collectors. Now the religious people, the Pharisees, instead of saying, "Man, what a great idea – taking the love of God right into the middle of the sinners – loving them, listening to them, healing them, maybe even bringing them to repentance," instead of that, the Pharisees, they found some theological, religious reasons for criticising Jesus. Now, let me ask you this – brutal; right to your face: when it comes to sinners, are you more like Jesus or more like the scribes and Pharisees? Come on! It's a question we need to ask. The thing about an ambassador is that he doesn't stay at home in his own country where he knows everyone; his friends are and he's comfortable – he gets on a plane, with his family, sets up his home right in the middle of this other foreign country that he has been posted to as an ambassador. Get it! You and I, if we truly are Christ's followers, you and I are called to "go". Not to sit at home in our holy huddles were we are comfortable. Don't get me wrong: having Christian friends is great, going to church is great but we're called to live on the mission field – we are called to go to the sinners the way Jesus did. And while sometimes that means going to another part of the world, true, most times it just means touching the colleague at work, inviting over the neighbours next door for a barbecue because you have heard them screaming at each other and their marriage is falling apart and what they need in their lives is Jesus. What they need to know is that He loves them. What they need to have is a personal encounter with the Saviour who came for them. Not just for us, for them – the Saviour who died for them - the Saviour who rose again to give them a new life and an eternal life. What they need – the "Levis" in our world – they need Jesus. So, I am going to ask you again, when it comes to the ‘Levis' in your world, are you Christ to them or are you a Pharisee? Do you go to them with the love of Jesus or do you sit at home with your friends and complain about them? My friend, these people who are hurting, who are dying, who are going to a Christ-less eternity, my friend, they need an ambassador – they need an ambassador of Christ who looks just like you and just like me.

REFLECTOR- Sr. CharleneMUSIC- All Creatures of our God and King by Paul Cardall- Seeds of Growth by Malte MartinPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

Your Nightly Prayer

REFLECTOR- Mary EllynMUSIC- "Psalm 19- Their Message Goes Out" - Unknown sourcePRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

REFLECTOR- JustinMUSIC- "God has His arms around me" from the film, "40 Guns"PRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

“For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12With Father's Day approaching, we're asking a deeper question: What kind of legacy are we leaving as men, as dads, and as stewards of what God has entrusted to us? Jonathan Lewis from Fathers for Fathers joins us to talk about fatherhood, faith, and the financial discipleship that shapes generations.Jonathan Lewis is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®), and President of Eastport Financial Group Inc. He is also the founder of Fathers for Fathers, a faith-based organization dedicated to restoring hope, healing, and purpose in the lives of men, especially fathers. A Story RedeemedWhen Jonathan was 15, he experienced a trauma no child should face—dragging his father's lifeless body onto a beach in Nova Scotia after a drowning accident. That moment became a fracture point in his life, leading to years of instability, homelessness, guilt, and emotional isolation.But out of those ashes came clarity: a calling to reach other men who feel lost, alone, and ashamed. His ministry, Fathers for Fathers, is a direct response to the epidemic of fatherlessness and emotional isolation plaguing men today.The Epidemic Few Talk About84% of men say they don't have a single person they can talk to.Guys have been trained to withdraw, but we need each other. If you're listening and feel like you've failed as a father, or you don't even have the strength to keep going, you're not alone. You can do this, but not by yourself.The solution is community and accountability. And for men who do have a support system, pursue others. Don't take the first 12 ‘no's as a brush-off. Broken men want to be pursued. They're just afraid.What Does Faithful Fatherhood Look Like?So, what does it mean to be a successful father?First, if you're still breathing, your story isn't over. You haven't missed your chance.Using a football analogy from Fathers for Fathers' upcoming study, life can be described as a game we're all born into—on the wrong team. But we don't have to stay there. Through Jesus Christ, we're invited to join the winning team. But it requires repentance, humility, and a willingness to fight.And it often starts with small steps.Practical Steps Toward RestorationFor divorced dads and those estranged from their children, you may think there's no way back. But there is. If you're not in your kids' lives, start. If you haven't supported their mom, own it. If you've been battling secret sin—confess it.These are hard words, but they're spoken with deep compassion. God will honor you when you honor Him. This ministry isn't about beating men up. It's about helping them get back in the game.Stewardship Starts at HomeStewardship isn't just about money. If you're generous with your wealth but not your love or your time, you've missed the point.Stewardship begins with the way a man loves and leads his family, especially his wife. When reading Ephesians 5, men might say, ‘I'd take a bullet for my wife.' But Christ calls us to something harder: dying to ourselves daily.Stewardship, then, is about priorities: honoring God with your money, your time, your attention, and your affection.A Prayer for DadsIf you're a father or a man who feels discouraged, who is ready for more, and who is just hanging on. Pray this out loud:“Lord, I pray that Your Spirit would touch the heart of the man listening who thinks he's too far gone. Remind him that nothing can separate us from Your love, not even failure. Let him know Jesus already put on the jersey for him. I pray for courage, for repentance, and for grace. Thank you for the scandalous grace that says You would've sent Jesus for just one man. You sent Him for all of us.”If you're a father who feels broken, or if you know one, visit FathersForFathers.org. You'll find tools, encouragement, and a brotherhood of men committed to healing and hope.This Father's Day, let's not just celebrate the dads who've done it right. Let's rally around the men who are trying to get it right, one step at a time.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm curious about nursing home costs and what happens to my parents' assets. I learned that Medicare covers limited skilled nursing care, and Medicaid restricts asset access, meaning my siblings and I likely won't be able to access their money while they're in a nursing home.I'm currently working and planning to retire soon. How could I invest in ways that align with my faith and ensure I'm not supporting companies that go against my beliefs?I wanted clarification on fixed indexed annuities. I wasn't familiar with them and wanted to understand if they were a good investment option.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Fathers For FathersList of Faith-Based Investment FundsWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

REFLECTOR- Sr. KathleenMUSIC-  Be Thou My Vision from YouTubePRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.

REFLECTOR- Fr. CarlMUSIC- Beautiful Savior (piano version)PRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

Read Online And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.  Acts 2:2–4Happy birthday! Today, as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we also celebrate the birth of the Church. Thus, today is a celebration of your membership in the life of the Church. As a human institution, the Church has always suffered on account of the sins of Her members. This sad truth is something that we are increasingly aware of today. But the Church itself is the Spotless Bride of Christ. It is the Body of Christ on earth, in Heaven and in Purgatory. Those of us on earth are members of the Church Militant. Those in Heaven are members of the Church Triumphant. And those in Purgatory are members of the Church Suffering. But all of us are united under Christ our Head as members of His holy Body, the Church. We profess our faith in the Church every Sunday.We profess that we believe in “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” What exactly does this mean? First, it means that by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, those who profess faith in Christ are united as “one.” This oneness is a spiritual union that will endure for eternity. It is unbreakable and restores us to the life we were created to live. That is, a life of union with God and others, a communion of humanity with God.As one family, the Church is also “holy.” Holiness is another way of saying that we are made whole by the blood of Christ, sharing in His redemption. By His mercy, our sins are forgiven and we become children of the Father in Heaven, sharing the eternal life of the Son.The word “catholic” refers to the truth that the offer of salvation is given to all. It is a universal calling given to all people who will accept this gift. God did not come to save only a few but all, and many will accept this gift of salvation.We are “apostolic,” in that God chose to establish His Church through the mediation of His Apostles. They were uniquely called to become instruments by which the saving Truth is proclaimed and the grace won by the Cross is distributed. The work of the Apostles continues today through their successors, the bishops, and those who are co-workers with the bishops, the priests. Sinful though they may be, God uses them, nonetheless, to bestow His grace and truth upon the world.As a member of the one Body of Christ, you are also invited by God to enlarge His family through the sharing of the Gospel and by your life of deep prayer. You are called and sent, and this takes place by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we especially celebrate today.Reflect, today, upon the incredible privilege it is to be invited to be a member of the Family of God, the Church. And reflect, also, upon the important duty you have to extend that invitation to others. Pray to the Holy Spirit, asking for an increase in His seven-fold gifts in your life so that You can help share the saving message of the Gospel to those whom God wants to reach through you.Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You.  Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Fear of the Lord: With this gift the Christian becomes keenly aware of anything that may hurt his/her relationship with God.  There is a holy “fear” of hurting this relationship, and grace is given to avoid these things at all cost.Wisdom: With this gift the Christian is given a special grace to “ponder divine realities” in his/her speculative reason.  We are able to see the big picture and know how best to be an instrument of peace and harmony in our world.Understanding: This is the ability to have a supernatural assurance of the matters of faith.  Life makes sense.  We can make sense of the deeper parts of revelation, make sense of suffering and understand those things that tempt us to doubt.  With this gift we come to see how everything in life can work for good in accordance with God's plan.Knowledge:  With this gift the Christian knows, more in the practical intellect, what God's will is in this or that situation.  We know how to live, how to discern God's will and what decision to make in our daily life.  It also enables us to learn from our past mistakes.Counsel:  With this gift the Christian sees him/herself as a link in a chain which makes up the entire Church.  God uses each one of us to help and support one another on our journey.  We know what to say and how to act so as to do our part to build up one another.Fortitude: Simply put, it is a firmness of mind and spirit to do good and avoid evil.  It's a sort of Christian courage.  The Gospel will call all of us to a radical life of love.  Fortitude gives us the strength we need to follow through.Piety:  This gift enables us to first reverence and love God, but also to see the dignity of one another and reverence each other as children of God.Image: Juan Bautista Maíno, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

REFLECTOR- JeffMUSIC- When the Moon Sings by William AckermanPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

REFLECTOR- GaryMUSIC- We walk by Faith Not by SightPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

REFLECTOR- JustinMUSIC- God of Day and God of Darkness- Here I Am, LordPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES

Send The Parable Podcast a TextWe are at the start of the summer season and we are taking three weeks off from our regularly scheduled episodes. However, you won't be left empty-handed. I wanted to give you a little bit encouragement over the next few weeks with just some thoughts as you walk into summer. Sometimes when seasons change we kind of look at our life and we wonder where we've been, where we're going. Hope you enjoy.Psalm 139:1-14 | O Eternal One, You have explored my heart and know exactly who I am; You even know the small details like when I take a seat and when I stand up again. Even when I am far away, You know what I'm thinking.You observe my wanderings and my sleeping, my waking and my dreaming, and You know everything I do in more detail than even I know.You know what I'm going to say long before I say it. It is true, Eternal One, that You know everything and everyone. You have surrounded me on every side, behind me and before me, and You have placed Your hand gently on my shoulder. It is the most amazing feeling to know how deeply You know me, inside and out; the realization of it is so great that I cannot comprehend it. Can I go anywhere apart from Your Spirit? Is there anywhere I can go to escape Your watchful presence? If I go up into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in the realm of the dead, You are there.If I ride on the wings of morning, if I make my home in the most isolated part of the ocean,Even then You will be there to guide me; Your right hand will embrace me, for You are always there.Even if I am afraid and think to myself, “There is no doubt that the darkness will swallow me, the light around me will soon be turned to night,”You can see in the dark, for it is not dark to Your eyes. For You the night is just as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to Your eyes. For You shaped me, inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother's womb long before I took my first breath.I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe.Want to Enhance Your Conversations?Before you go, could you do me a  favor and take my Listener Survey and then in doing so I will send you, "10 basic Tips to Enhance Your Conversations." It will be sent straight to your inbox and you can keep it on your phone and refer to it anytime you need a little help. Hear more from Brooke Palmer Episode 112 | Belonging Community Church in Urbana, MarylandWebsite |Facebook | Instagram | TikTok#theparablepodcast #yourstorymatters #chWays to Support The Parable Podcast #1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify). #2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation. #3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

REFLECTOR- JenMUSIC- Holy, Holy, HolyPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

SCRIPTURE- Proverbs 28: 26REFLECTOR- SarahMUSIC- Mother Dear, O Pray For Me by Panis AngelicusPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comActs 7 Stephen delivers an epic speech to the Jewish leaders, spanning two thousand years of Israel's history. He emphasizes God's promise of land to Abraham. He then discusses the jealousy of Joseph's brothers, highlighting how God protected him and led the Jews to Egypt. Stephen then recounts the story of Moses and explains how he saved the people despite their repeated obstinance. God was present and active all throughout Israel's history. Stephen notes that God is still working through the Holy Spirit, yet the Jews remain rebellious, even murdering “the Righteous One.” This infuriates the crowd, leading them to stone Stephen to death. In his final moments, Stephen sees Jesus in heaven standing next to the Father and pleads that the people's sins not be held against them.  Stephen's defense provides several meaningful application points. First, he was wise and courageous in his willingness to share the truth about God with a dangerous crowd. Confessing Jesus requires standing firm in the face of eminent danger. Second, the lengthy message recounts key figures in Israel's history. More importantly, it illustrates that God was always present with them, never limited by location or hindered by anyone. This is the God we serve, who remains active and unstoppable today. Finally, the glory of Jesus resonates through Stephen's words and character. Like Stephen, we should know God's story and emulate Jesus as we share it. He honors Christ by reciting Jesus' words on the cross, even unto his dying breath.     Great Father, Your involvement with Your people has sustained them for generations. Men and women of faith stood firm for You, even when Your own people opposed them. Help us recognize that You are with us. Open our hearts to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Many resist Him, some even in a misguided attempt at faith. Please guide us by Your Spirit to know and teach the truth. If defending Your Name costs our lives, grant us the courage of Stephen to emulate Jesus and die with unwavering faith, heavenly hope, and love, even for our enemies.   Thought Questions: -       God supported the faithful, especially as others opposed them. Do you believe God is with you? And how is He helping you today? -       The Jews were “resisting the Holy Spirit,” though they thought they were righteous. How do you avoid falling into such a misguided religion? -       Jesus and Stephen asked God to forgive those who murdered them. How do you demonstrate that heart of mercy to others?

SCRIPTURE- John 1: 1REFLECTOR- Sr. KathleenMUSIC- Mother of God, Here I StandPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 121REFLECTOR- Sr. KarolynMUSIC- Peace I Leave with You by "Catholic Hymns"PRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- 

SCRIPTURE- Luke 22: 19REFLECTOR- LaurenMUSIC- Take and Eat by Michael JoncasPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES- A Vincentian Reflection on Pope Leo's First Address

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 115REFLECTOR- Mary Ellyn Schneider (new) - Email: hair4kids@comcast.netMUSIC- Psalm 103 Violin musicPRAYERTo You, do I belong O GodInto Your hands I surrender my life.Pour out Your Spirit upon methat I may love You perfectly,and serve You faithfullyuntil my soul rests in You.NOTES-