Podcasts about your word

Did you know that according to one standard method of dating, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. was built before the time of Christ?Anyone who has ever visited a cave has heard the claim that the stalactites growing in the cave take, on the average, a full century to grow only one inch. Cave visitors stand in awe as they view stalactites and stalagmites up to forty feet tall. The hundreds of thousands of years of Earth's history begin to become a reality before their eyes. But the question is, does it really take a century to grow one inch of stalactite?When the Lincoln Memorial was built during the 1930's, the engineers sank steel cylinders into the bedrock in order to anchor the monument. The base of the memorial is set high above ground, leaving a cavernous basement beneath the floor. Rainwater seeping through the marble floor has formed stalactites up to five feet long on the basement ceiling! This growth is an inch per year, not per century!In a very real sense, the stalactites in the basement of the Lincoln Memorial are rocks that carry the testimony of God against the naturalistic, long-age stories of evolution. Isn't it only right that we who know His love in Christ should tell others of His Creation as given to us in Scripture?Matthew 3:9"And think not to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.' For I say unto you that God is able from these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."Prayer: Dear Father, I thank You that You have given me Your Word –the Bible. Help me to truly live as Your child by bearing witness to Your truth in this doubting world. In Jesus' Name. Amen.Ref: “Leaking Marble,” Gems & Mineral Merchandiser. Image: Basement below east terraces, 1991, Lincoln Memorial. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

The Sermon on the Mount: More Than You Think | Matthew 5 | Family Church Matthew Chapter 5 contains some of the most well-known words Jesus ever spoke — and some of the most misunderstood. In this message, our guest speaker walks us through the entire chapter, verse by verse, unpacking what Jesus was really saying in the Beatitudes, in His teachings on murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, and loving your enemies. Here's what most people miss: Jesus wasn't coming to get rid of the Old Testament. He came to complete it — to be the lens through which all of it finally makes sense. And when you read Matthew 5 through that lens, everything shifts. In this message you'll discover: What "poor in spirit" and "blessed are those who mourn" actually mean Why the hunger and thirst Jesus talks about is nothing like a mid-afternoon snack craving How Jesus raises the bar from action to heart — and why that's actually good news What the Sermon on the Mount has to say about your marriage Why "love your enemies" is the most radical thing Jesus ever said This is part of our ongoing series reading through the book of Matthew together — because the Bible is enough.

How do you respond to fear—do you withdraw, distract yourself, or try to regain control? In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds believers that the right response to fear is neither surrender nor avoidance, but overcoming fear through faith and obedience to God's Word. Scripture paints the picture of a life anchored in trust: the one who puts confidence in the Lord is like a tree planted by water—steady in heat, resilient in drought, and fruitful no matter the season (Jeremiah 17:7–8). Dr. Youssef exposes one of fear's most common roots: the loss of control. Whether it's finances, relationships, health, or the future, we often try to fix fear by tightening our grip—only to discover that control never produces peace. But Jesus offers a different kind of security: “My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). And God promises a sure foundation for those who rely on Him—one that silences panic when everything else shakes (Isaiah 28:16). This devotional will help you trade anxiety for assurance by surrendering your circumstances to the God who is truly in control. Prayer: God, help me to respond to fear with faith in You and obedience to Your Word. Help me to remember that I can rest in You because You are in control. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Freedom from Fear: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Prayer: I Declare Ministry Enlargement!“Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited. Isaiah 54:2-3Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts brimming with gratitude. Thank You for the gift of this day, for the breath in our lungs, and for the promise of Your presence. We acknowledge that every blessing flows from You, and we lift our voices in celebration of Your faithfulness as we declare, “Enlarge our territory!” (1 Chronicles 4:10). Lord, Your Word reminds us in Isaiah 54:2-3 to enlarge our tents and to stretch out our curtains. We yearn for lives and ministries that reflect Your glory, where our capacity for love, service, and impact expands beyond what we can imagine. Let us step boldly into this season of growth, knowing that You are the God of abundance. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."As Jabez sought Your favor, so do we, believing that our prayer is not in vain. Fill us with a fresh anointing that ignites passion within our hearts, empowering us to serve with extraordinary zeal. May our efforts bear fruit that not only blesses us but transforms families and communities, bringing souls to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.We implore You, Lord, to pour out resources for the vision You have set before us. Enable us to disciple those who are lost, to reach the broken-hearted, and to bring hope into despair. Let Your Word flow through us, swift and powerful, igniting the hearts of those around us.We stand in faith, declaring that we are blessed in our coming and going. Affliction shall not rise against us; we walk in Your favor, knowing that we are anointed and empowered through Christ Jesus. Enlarge our ministry, our hearts, and our faith, so that our lives can echo Your love and light in a world longing for You. Amen. Acts 6:7 says, So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith." Amen. https://maglife.org

Scrolling through old birthday photos, watching her boys grow from newborns into the children they are today, Emily Rose Massey noticed something she hadn't expected to see in those pictures — her own transformation. Because while she was busy raising four boys, God was quietly, faithfully doing a deep work in her too. That process has a name: sanctification. And in this tender and theologically rich episode, Emily unpacks what it means, why it matters, and why the God who began this work in you is the same God who promises to complete it. Sanctification — being set apart, made holy, conformed to the image of Christ — is not a self-improvement project. It is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 makes the most encouraging promise imaginable: the One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. Emily reminds us that our position in Christ is forever fixed — nothing can snatch us from His hand. But while we rest in the finished work of the cross, we are also called to partner with the Spirit through Scripture, prayer, service, and discipleship, allowing Him to renew our minds and gradually loosen the grip of worldly thinking and fleshly desire. The goal is not perfection this side of heaven — it is a life that, day by day and year by year, looks a little more like Jesus. Today's Bible Verse "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." — 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, NIV Ponder Today Sanctification is God's work, not yours alone. You partner with the Holy Spirit in the process — but the deep, transforming work of making you holy belongs to the faithful God who called you. Rest in that. Your position in Christ is forever fixed. No failure, no stumble, and no season of spiritual dryness can change what Christ has already secured for you. Sanctification flows from that settled foundation — it does not establish it. Holiness grows gradually, not overnight. The goal is not perfection this side of heaven but a life that, day by day, looks increasingly like Jesus. Small, steady steps of obedience matter more than dramatic overnight transformations. Spiritual disciplines are how we partner with the Spirit. Bible study, prayer, serving others, discipleship, and evangelism are not how we earn God's favor — they are how we open ourselves to the mind-renewing, desire-transforming work of the Holy Spirit. The longer you walk with God, the less the world's pull satisfies. As your mind is renewed through His Word, worldly thinking and fleshly desires gradually lose their grip. That shift in desire is itself evidence of God's sanctifying work in you. A Prayer for You Today Father God, thank You for saving me, setting me free, and continually sanctifying me. I know that I fail every day, but I lean into Your grace all the more. Your grace is sufficient for each day and is such a gift in my life. You are a God who transforms and purifies — so help me renew my mind with Your Word, that I may know Your good, acceptable, and perfect will and see my life conformed more and more to the image of Your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer stirred a fresh gratitude for how far God has already brought you, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to walk alongside you in your journey of faith and growth every day. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Every Christian lives by faith every day. Like a muscle, faith grows stronger when you exercise it—and it weakens when you default to self-reliance. In this episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that while all believers must walk by faith to mature in Christ, some are also given a distinct gift of faith by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit-gifted faith is marked by a remarkable steadiness: it views God's purposes as if they are already accomplished. Dr. Youssef points to biblical examples: Joseph held onto a God-given dream through betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and years in prison—because the dream was God's, not his own. Moses persevered through Pharaoh's hardened refusals, trusting that God would deliver His people exactly as promised. Nehemiah kept building despite opposition, intimidation, and doubt—because he believed God had called him to the work. Not everyone will live the “headline” kind of life these men did—but God still gives the gift of faith to believers today, and their confidence becomes fuel for others to keep going. If you're facing opposition, delays, or obstacles, this devotional will encourage you to keep exercising faith—and to thank God for those whose Spirit-given faith helps the Church press forward in victory. Prayer: God, help me to discern Your will for my life and to walk by faith every day. May I grow in faith as I trust Your Word, leaning not on my own understanding. Spirit, grow the spiritual fruit of faith in my life as I fix my eyes on Christ, my Savior. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “[I]f you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Who, Me? Gifted?, Mountain-Moving Faith: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Welcome to Day 2879 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2879 – “Never Too Little, Never Too Lost”  based on Luke 8:22-39 Putnam Church Message – 05/10/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Never Too Little, Never Too Lost.”   Last week's message was “Freedom from Bondage,” in which we learned that, regardless of the storms of life we face or the bondage we have experienced, through Christ we can withstand them and live free because believers fight on the winning side. Today, we continue with our twenty-second message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Never Too Little, Never Too Lost.” Our core passage today is Luke 8:40-56, which is found on page 1607 of your pew Bibles. Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman 40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[a] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”  46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don't bother the teacher anymore.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today as people who sometimes feel rushed, overlooked, unclean, afraid, delayed, or disappointed. We confess that we often measure people by status, strength, influence, or usefulness, but Jesus never does. Lord, open our hearts to Your Word today. Help us see that no one is too little for Your attention, and no one is too lost for Your grace. Teach us to trust You when life is urgent, when hope seems delayed, and even when it feels like death has spoken the final word. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing to You, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. Introduction: Jesus Looks at the One I read a story about the former president of Taylor University, Jay Kesler, who once said with a smile, “I have an office full of pictures in which I'm shaking hands with great dignitaries, all of whom are looking at someone else.” That line makes us laugh because we know exactly what he means. We have all seen it. Someone important shakes your hand, but their eyes are scanning the room. They are already looking for the next person, the next opportunity, the next more important conversation. But Jesus is never like that. If Jesus were to shake your hand, He would not be looking past you. He would not be distracted by the crowd behind you. He would look into your eyes, into your soul, into the places you hide from everybody else, and He would say, “You matter to Me.” That is the heartbeat of our message today: Never Too Little, Never Too Lost. We are continuing in Luke 8:40–56, and I encourage you to read the full passage from the New Living Translation. Luke places two stories together that belong together: the dying daughter of Jairus and the suffering woman who touched the edge of Jesus' robe. One is a young girl from a respected household. / The other is an unnamed woman pushed to the edges of society. One has a father who can publicly plead her case. / The other has no public advocate at all. One is twelve years old. / The other has suffered for twelve years. One is loved in the center of the community. / The other has lived on the outside, isolated by illness, shame, and ceremonial uncleanness. And Jesus moves toward both of them. That is good news. Which brings us to the first of four truths today. Main Point 1: Jesus Is Never Too Busy for the Broken Luke tells us that when Jesus returned to Galilee, the crowd welcomed Him because they had been waiting for Him. This is important. In the previous passage, Jesus had crossed the lake into Gentile territory. There, He delivered a man who was possessed, tormented, isolated, and living among the tombs. We called that message “Freedom from Bondage.” The people of that region saw a transformed man sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind — and they asked Jesus to leave. Now Jesus comes back across the lake, likely to the area around Capernaum, and this crowd is waiting. Can you imagine the scene? People are pressing forward. Some are hoping for healing. Some are curious. Some are desperate. Some just want to see what Jesus will do next. And then a respected man steps out of the crowd. His name is Jairus. Luke calls him a leader or official of the synagogue. He was probably not a rabbi, but a lay elder — the kind of man who helped oversee worship, teaching, building care, and community matters. / In a Jewish village, the synagogue was not merely a church building. It was the center of communal life. Jairus would have been known, respected, and influential. But on this day, Jairus is not standing tall as a dignified religious leader. He falls at Jesus' feet. Why? Because his only daughter is dying. Parents understand this scene immediately. There are few fears deeper than the fear of losing a child. Jairus does not come to debate theology. He does not come to protect his reputation. He does not come wondering whether being seen with Jesus might damage his standing among other leaders. His daughter is dying, and suddenly nothing else matters. It reminds us of the centurion in Luke 7, whose beloved servant was near death. It reminds us of the widow of Nain, whose only son had died, and Jesus stepped into her grief before she even asked. In that message, we said, “There is Always Hope.” Here again, Luke shows us that Jesus moves toward human sorrow. And notice this: Jesus goes with Jairus. He does not say, “I am too busy.” He does not say, “There are too many people here.” He does not say, “You synagogue leaders have not always supported Me.” He does not say, “I just came back from a stormy voyage and a difficult rejection.” Jesus goes. Object Lesson: The Calendar and the Empty Space Imagine holding up a packed calendar or a long to-do list. Every line is filled. Every hour is claimed. There is no margin. Then hold up a blank sticky note and place it in the middle. That blank space represents the interruption. Most of us do not like interruptions. We say, “I was on my way to something important.” But Jesus shows us that sometimes / the interruption is the ministry. Jairus interrupted Jesus' public welcome. / The suffering woman will interrupt Jairus' emergency. /...

A Prayer of Vision and Purpose Clarity!Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:2-3Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude. Thank You for the gift of life, for the breath that fills my lungs, and for the love that surrounds my family and friends. Your Word tells us in Habakkuk 2:2-3 to write the vision and make it plain, so I boldly declare clarity of vision and purpose over my life and those I cherish. Lord, help us to see what You are revealing to us today, transforming our doubts into unwavering faith.Just as You called Paul to Macedonia, I pray for that divine invitation to step into our destinies. May we not miss the calling you have for us but embrace each next step with courage and conviction. Remove distractions and the pull of the mundane that causes us to drift. Let our hearts align with Your gifts and assignments, and help us to run with vision, as Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is Your purpose that prevails.Isaiah 46:10 says, I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.'Father, I declare that I will not waste away in uncertainty; instead, I receive Your goodness, grace, and mercy to follow me this year. My family and I shall not stand in shame or disgrace, for our steps are secure in You. Inflame us with purpose, so that our joy and peace may increase daily, filling our homes with a spirit of hope.I declare that the gifts you have bestowed upon us will shine brightly in the work of our hands and the ministries we serve. May this be a year of unprecedented progress and divine alignment, where we can lift each other up, trusting that you, Lord, are the glory and the lifter of our heads. With arms open wide, we invite Your blessing into every facet of our lives.O Lord, light our path with divine clarity and purpose. Steady our feet as we walk in faith, and may our lives be testaments to Your unwavering love. We believe and declare it in the name of Jesus. Amen. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Amen.https://maglife.org

Prayer: I Decree Open Doors and Access!“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things say He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." Revelation 3:7-8Heavenly Father, I come before You with a grateful heart, thankful for the grace that fills my life each day. Thank You for the promises in Your Word that declare You hold the key to every door — Revelation 3:7-8 reassures us that what You open, no one can shut. Today, I decree open doors and divine access over my life, my family, friends, businesses, ministries, and careers.Just as You freed Peter from prison in Acts 12, I invite Your mighty hand to unlock the doors that have been closed and to illuminate the paths ahead. I celebrate the faith that Peter embodied, knowing that You are with us, guiding our every step. Let every barrier of delay, limitation, and stagnation be shattered in the name of Jesus.Isaiah 22:22 says, "I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."Father, I pray for new opportunities and prepared places; anoint us to be in the right place at the right time. May we experience divine favors and breakthroughs that surpass all understanding. Isaiah 22:22 proclaims that You have keys; let those keys open new horizons in our careers, relationships, and spiritual journeys.As I release this decree, I command every closed door to swing wide on its hinges. Let those doors that are not meant for us remain shut, while those You've always intended for us burst forth with overflow. I receive this declaration with faith and gratitude, expecting miracles to manifest as we walk in Your will.Lord, with the Key of David, I invite You to unlock my next season. Lead me into spaces of abundance and blessing. In Jesus' name, I declare it done. Amen. John 10:9 says, "I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture." Amen.https://maglife.org

Prayer: I Declare Mercy Triumphs!"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23Heavenly Father, I come before You in gratitude, with a heart overflowing with thanks for the unending mercy You've poured into my life. Your Word declares in Lamentations 3:22-23 that Your mercies are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! With every dawn, I am reminded of the fresh grace that envelops my family, friends, business, and ministries. I stand in awe of Your love, which covers our weaknesses and transforms our hearts.I reflect on the story of the Prodigal Son, who returned to his father in shame yet was met with arms wide open. Just as the father extended grace and forgiveness, Lord, I seek Your strength to forgive swiftly and wholeheartedly. Micah 7:18-19 reminds us that You delight in mercy. May I also extend that same mercy to those around me, breaking chains of resentment and judgment in my affairs.Psalms 103:8-12 says, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."So today, I boldly declare that fear has no dominion over me, for You have given me a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Sickness and disease flee in the presence of the blood of Jesus; I claim healing for my body and spirit as Isaiah 53 proclaims. Empower me, Lord, to wear the helmet of salvation and wield the shield of faith, quenching every fiery dart of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-18).In moments of anxiety, I hold fast to the truth that I have the mind of Christ, and therefore, I am shielded from depression (1 Corinthians 2:16). Like David, I am determined to pursue and recover all that the enemy has stolen from my life (1 Samuel 30:8). I pray for confidence in Your provision, trusting that just as Isaac reaped abundantly in famine, so too will I experience sufficiency and abundance in my endeavors (Genesis 26:12-33).Father, let Your mercy speak louder than any accusation in my life. May Your blessings overflow into every area I touch, guiding my every step. As I rise to advance Your Kingdom, I trust that You will enrich me in every way, assuring me of Your presence and love. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen. 1 Corinthians 2:16 say, "For, 'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." Amen.https://maglife.org

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/ministry-is-based-on-mercy/Moses was the newborn son of Hebrew slaves. After he was found floating in a reed basket in the Nile River by Pharaoh's daughter, she adopted him into the royal family. Moses received a noble Egyptian education. But he remained a Hebrew. When he was 40 years old, Moses saw an Egyptian guard beating a Hebrew slave. Moses struck and killed the guard. Then he fled into the Sinai mountains and became a shepherd for 40 years.That's when the Angel of the Lord -- the pre-incarnate Jesus -- appeared to Moses in a burning bush. The Lord didn't see a weak, whining, inadequate shepherd. He saw a man who would speak face-to-face with God as a friend; who would be his chosen servant to speak face-to-face with Pharaoh and say, "Let my people go"; and would lead God's people out of Egyptian slavery and into the Promised Land of Canaan. Jesus -- as the Angel of the Lord -- appeared to Moses to call him into his public ministry.Matthew was a tax collector. As a Jew, he was employed by the hated Roman Empire to collect taxes from his own Jewish people. Tax collectors were notorious for their greed and corruption. When Jesus came upon Matthew's booth, he didn't see a sinner to shun. He saw a soul sick with sin that the Physician of body and soul could save. He saw a man who would no longer take taxes from people. He saw his future disciple, apostle, and evangelist who would give God's Word to the people. Jesus appeared to Matthew to call him into his public ministry.On the road to Damascus, the ascended Lord Jesus appeared to Saul as a bright light. Jesus knocked Saul off his horse and onto his self-righteous butt. In Paul's own words, "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:13-14).The voice of the crucified One spoke from heaven: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me" (Acts 9:4)? And suddenly the shoe was on the other foot. The arrester was arrested. The slayer was slain. Saul was struck down and made blind. But three days later, he was baptized. His sight was given back. His life was given back -- a new life, a difficult life, and with this new life he was given a new name -- no longer would he be known as Saul, but now as Paul. Through Christ's grace and mercy, he was no longer a persecutor, but a preacher. No longer hunting those with Christ's name, but he was now a missionary serving in Christ's name. The ascended Jesus appeared to Paul to call him into his public ministry.Who would want these guys as their pastors? A murderer and run-away scaredy cat. A hated traitor to your culture and suspected cheater. A violent man who hunted your Christian siblings, threw some in jail, and killed others. Yet, these were some of the greatest leaders, apostles, and missionaries in the Bible -- Moses, Matthew, and Paul!God used them for his ministry. God used Moses' leadership, Matthew's wisdom, and Paul's passion. That's what he was looking for in his pastors.The Lord in his mercy called Moses, Matthew, and Paul into his public ministry. He said, "I want you. Leave your old life and follow me in a new life. No longer as a shepherd, but as my chosen leader. No longer as a tax collector, but as an apostle. No longer as a persecutor, but as a missionary." And for countless generations, the Lord has called men so they are no longer a farmer or businessman or builder or soldier or student or whatever, but as a pastor of God's people.What do you look for in a pastor? What are his duties? What is his role in the congregation?The pastor is a leader, yet he is also your servant. He is a shepherd, yet he is also a sinful sheep. He heals, skillfully using the double-edged scalpel of Law and Gospel. He is an evangelist, a teacher, a preacher, a confidant, a counselor, a scholar, an entertainer, and a friend. He visits the sick, marries those in love, comforts the grieving, buries the dead, admonishes those who sin, chases down the wandering, and feeds the faithful.He plans worship services, teaches Bible classes at church and in homes, visits members in the hospital or when they're homebound, goes out for coffee with members and outreach prospects, canvasses homes, organizes events like soccer camp and for WELS Wyoming Youth, does counseling, records podcasts, creates social media content, and more. So, when he posts pictures on Facebook of his hiking exploits, some friend will always ask, "Do you work?"The Scriptures have some demanding qualifications for every man who is called into the public ministry. Here are just a few of God's qualifications: He must be above reproach, self-controlled, respectable, an example for believers in life, in love, in faith and purity, watching his doctrine closely, blameless, upright, holy, and disciplined (1 Timothy 3:2-7; 1 Timothy 4:12,15-16; Titus 1:6-8).Ministry is based on mercy. Christ shows the minister mercy. Then the minister shows Christ's mercy to those to whom he is called to minister.The minister does not do his job to speak to an audience but to preach God's Word to God's people. It's not about gaining glory but about being used by God to gain souls for God's Kingdom to his glory. It's not about receiving prestige or power, but about becoming weak so Christ can be his strength (2 Corinthians 12:10).There is both honor and humility for a pastor when he sees God using men like Moses, Matthew and Paul in his public ministry. If God can use "losers" like these three, well ... then God can use a loser like your pastor, too. If God could convey his message through a staff-turned-snake to stir Pharaoh (Exodus 7:10), and teach a lesson to an unhappy preacher through a vine (Jonah 4:10) or speak to Balaam through a donkey (Numbers 22:28) ... then God can speak through someone like your pastor.It's through Christ's mercy that both pastors and people confess with Pastor Paul: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life" (1 Timothy 1:15-16).Do you remember playing dodgeball in grade school? I shared a meme this week that dodgeball felt like being a rebel on the planet Hoth dodging laser bolts from AT-ATs. Most of us weren't good at dodgeball. No arm. Slow. Can't catch. Can't dodge. Just getting pummeled!Paul doesn't sugarcoat it. Satan pummels us with our sins! Don't worship. Don't pray. Don't respect our leaders. Don't evangelize. We curse. Cuss. Gossip. Despair. Cheat. Hate. Retaliate. Lust. We're mean. Lazy. Greedy. Hypocritical. We are the worst of sinners! Chief of sinners, though I be!The surprise for Paul was that God chose him despite whom he had been. The surprise is that God chose a man to be your pastor despite who he is. The surprise is that God chooses you despite whom you had been ... and still are. Understanding that we are the worst, God sent Jesus to display his unlimited patience, to forgive us, give us faith, call us to follow him, and grant eternal life. What a stunning expression of mercy!Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "We hold this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). What a stunning expression of mercy that God continues to convey his treasure of salvation through a cracked pot like your pastor.By his mercy, God uses men like Moses, Matthew, Paul, me and other pastors to preach, teach, absolve, counsel, and administer the sacraments. It is both in humility and with great honor that the pastor is the voice of Christ to speak his Word of forgiveness to sinners and proclaim comfort to the suffering and grieving. He is the man Christ has appointed to exercise his keys -- locking heaven for the unrepentant and unlocking heaven for the repentant.Your pastor may not be the greatest orator, but it is the pen of the Holy Spirit who gives your pastor the words to preach. The pastor may dress up to look classy or dress down to look cool, but that's why your pastor wears a clerical robe. Then you don't focus on the man and his clothing but focus on the message and Christ's righteousness which covers the man like a white robe. The pastor may not be the greatest counselor, but he has compassion for the wounded sheep and hurting lambs in his flock. Your pastor may not be the greatest singer, but as one of my previous organists pointed out, "Pastor, we should write music for the three notes you can sing."At one time you may have a pastor who is fresh from the Seminary, but your sins are still absolved even though the pastor lacks experience, for Christ is speaking through your pastor and Jesus has plenty of experience forgiving sins. Another time you may have a pastor who is older, getting close to retirement age, his cadence may be slow, but Christ's voice is still clearly heard and the gospel still purely preached. You may have a pastor who is no longer as young and energetic as he once was, but God still works through him to grow his kingdom, feed his sheep, and baptize and commune his family. You may have a pastor who grew up working on a farm so working hard is what he expects of himself.Through his mercy, Jesus uses men like Moses, Matthew, Paul, and your pastors to minister to you with Word and Sacraments. Through his mercy, Jesus brings sinners like you into his church. To pray. To praise. To confess. To listen. To sing. To support his church.I visited Bob Albrecht this week as a shut-in visit. We talked about God bringing new families to our church. Bob is one of the founding members of Lord of Lords. I thanked Bob for God using him and others to start this church. Some of you were here when Bob and Doris Miller came to Lord of Lords with their seven children. People were excited to see them because they doubled the size of the church. God may move you away from Casper someday. Then he can use you to start a church out of your home -- much like Lord of Lords was started.In my office is a framed picture of Martin Luther's Sacristy Prayer. It was a gift from the Altar Guild at Water of Life. "Lord God, You have appointed me as a Bishop and Pastor in Your Church, but you see how unsuited I am to meet so great and difficult a task. If I had lacked Your help, I would have ruined everything long ago. Therefore, I call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you; I shall teach the people. I myself will learn and ponder diligently upon Your Word. Use me as Your instrument -- but do not forsake me, for if ever I should be on my own, I would easily wreck it all."Though Moses, Matthew, and Paul were not great to begin with, God made them great and grew his Kingdom through them. Please pray that your pastor may be a leader like Moses, an evangelist like Matthew, and a preacher like Paul. Pray that God may show mercy to your pastor so he may convey God's mercy to you. Pray that God may show mercy as he continues to minister to you through his Church. Amen.

Day 158: Teach God's Word to the Next GenerationScripture (Deuteronomy 6:7 NKJV):“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”Reflection: Passing on God's truth shapes the faith of future generations. Our example matters.Prayer: Father, help me teach Your Word faithfully to those around me, especially the younger generation.Until next timeStay in the BlessingsI really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!You're important to God, and you're important to us at The Refinery.When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.So whatever you're concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org2026 WILL BE A TIME OF WARFARE.This episode is brought to you by Refinery Life Australia:If you enjoy The Refinery Life Radio Podcast you can help support The Refinery by doing the following:Join our Telegram Channel https://t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia Sow an offering:Bitcoin: bc1qqh6720t2zagj72dyfj348az698tdut3hlecaj4Online: https://www.refinerylife.org/donate/If you do send an offering then please email us so that we can say thank youSubscribe oniTunes | Spotify  | YouTube | TuneIn | Rumble | Zap.Stream | Fountain |Share The Refinery with your friends and familySubscribe to the newsletter on www.refinerylife.orgFollow The Refinery on Twitter | Nostr | Instagram | Fountain 

Prayer: I Decree Wholeness and Health!“Jesus himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24Heavenly Father, today I come before You with a heart full of gratitude. I thank You for the breath of life, for every beat of my heart, and the gift of family and friends who walk beside me. Just as the woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd to touch the hem of Your garment, I reach out to You today, longing for wholeness and health in every area of my life.Lord, I speak healing into my body, my family, my friends, my business, and my ministry. I declare over every cell, organ, and system: return to perfect health! As 1 Peter 2:24 reminds us, "By His stripes, we are healed." I invoke the restorative power of Your love and grace to flow freely, bringing life to my brain, heart, lungs, and every vital organ.Jeremiah 30:17 says, For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, this is Zion, whom no man seeks after.I ask for strength for my daily assignments, Lord. Strengthen my heart as it pumps life-giving blood, empowering my every endeavor. May my lungs breathe in Your peace, and may my liver cleanse and detoxify as I walk in Your light. I commit to healthy habits and discipline, trusting Jeremiah 30:17, which says, "I will restore health to you and heal your wounds."Father, wrap my mind and body in Your perfect peace. Let my stomach and intestines digest not only food but also Your Word, absorbing the nutrients of Your wisdom. Protect my skin, eyes, and ears as I navigate each day, experiencing the beauty of Your creation and the joy of Your presence.In this moment, I declare that wholeness flows through me now. I surrender all worries and fears, embracing Your promise of health and healing. Amen. Psalm 103:2-5 says, "Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Amen.https://maglife.org

Scripture is unmistakably clear: Jesus will return in glory to judge the nations, separating those who received Him from those who rejected Him (Matthew 25:31–32). Yet false teachers deny or dilute this reality, replacing repentance and holiness with a softened message that cannot save. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef unpacks Jude's urgent imagery for apostate teachers—portraits designed to help believers recognize danger before spiritual shipwreck occurs: “Hidden reefs” at your love feasts (Jude 1:12): beneath-the-surface threats that damage the church while “feeding only themselves.” “Clouds without rain” (v. 12): loud, trend-driven voices that promise refreshment but deliver only disappointment. “Autumn trees… without fruit and uprooted” (v. 12): spiritually barren leaders who leave others malnourished and are ultimately “twice dead.” “Wild waves” and “wandering stars” (vv. 13): chaotic influences that produce wreckage and provide no true direction—drifting farther from biblical Truth. Jude then lifts our eyes to the certainty apostates try to erase: the Lord is coming with holy ones to judge everyone (Jude 1:14–15). For the unrepentant, that day will bring terror. But for believers who long for His appearing, it will be a day of joy—when we see the signs of His return and “lift up [our] heads” with expectation (Luke 21:28). Prayer: Lord, may I pursue Your Truth revealed in Your Word with confidence and joyfully prepare for the day of Your return. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever” (Jude 1:13). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Contend for the Faith: WATCH NOW|LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Pastor Colins Nwosu continued our teaching series with The Lordship of Jesus (Part 2), further exploring what it truly means to submit to Christ as Lord. Reading from Romans 14:8–9, we were reminded that whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord because Christ died and rose again to establish His Lordship over all. Today's teaching emphasised that acknowledging Jesus as Lord goes beyond verbal confession; it requires a life of complete surrender and obedience. Using the account of Saul in 1 Samuel 15, we saw that partial obedience is ultimately disobedience. Although Saul was explicitly commanded to destroy everything, he kept the choice livestock and spared King Agag, proving that partial obedience is nothing more than complete disobedience. We learned that to God, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Drawing also from James 1:22–24 (NLT), we were challenged to be doers of the Word and not hearers only, warned against looking into the mirror of God's Word and immediately forgetting what we have seen. True alignment with the Lordship of Christ means following His instructions completely, even when they challenge our preferences or personal desires. Pastor Colins concluded with a powerful reminder from missionary S. M. Zwemer: "Unless Jesus is Lord of all, He is not Lord at all." The call was clear and personal: Christ's Lordship must extend to every area of our lives, not just the parts that are convenient or comfortable. Confession: Lord Jesus, I surrender every area of my life to Your Lordship. Help me to obey You wholeheartedly, not selectively, and to build my life upon the solid foundation of Your Word. May my actions reflect my confession, and may Your will be done in me completely. Amen.

Time is running out to register for Sacred Heart Radio’s 25th Anniversary banquet! On June 13th, Join Matt and Anna (and Paul!), along with keynote speaker and Mass celebrant Fr. Wade Menezes, Ken Craycraft, and bishops and priests who’ve been part of our mission, to celebrate a quarter century of sharing the Catholic Faith over the airwaves. The ticket price includes dinner, wine, and dessert…. it’ll be an epic birthday celebration! Register here. Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Greg Willits to continue our series on his book, “God Doesn’t Hate Me After All.” Other guests include Fr. Phillip Larrey on how tech companies are responding to the pope’s new encyclical, and Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo from the Institute of Catholic Culture and Fr. Jonathan Duncan from the Bone Church Revival podcast to preview the Sunday Mass readings. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** St. Monica Sodality Prayer for Fallen Away Catholics “Eternal and merciful Father, I give You thanks for the gift of Your Divine Son Who suffered, died and rose for all mankind. I thank You also for my Catholic Faith and ask Your help that I may grow in fidelity by prayer, by works of charity and penance, by reflection on Your Word, and by regular participation in the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. You gave Saint Monica a spirit of selfless love manifested in her constant prayer for the conversion of her son Augustine. Inspired by boundless confidence in Your power to move hearts, and by the success of her prayer. I ask the grace to imitate her constancy in my prayer for [name(s)] who no longer share(s) in the intimate life of Your Catholic family. Grant through my prayer and witness that (he/she/they) may be open to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit, and return to loving union with Your Church. Grant also that my prayer be ever hopeful and that I may never judge another, for You alone can read hearts. I ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. ***** Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't discipline... but misalignment? In this solo episode of Harder Than Life, Kelly shares five habits he consistently sees in real builders, operators, and high performers — not the ones creating a persona online, but the ones actually building meaningful lives and businesses. This episode explores integrity, self-respect, boundaries, healing, and the small decisions that quietly shape your future. Kelly also gets vulnerable and shares one habit he's still actively working on himself—revealing how old survival patterns can continue showing up even while you're growing. If you've been feeling stuck, disconnected, or like your actions haven't matched the life you say you want, this episode will challenge you. Key Takeaways

Skeptics are forever trying to find errors in the Bible so that they can discredit it as God's Word. When a faithful Bible scholar discovers some puzzle in Scripture, he never assumes that he has found an error. He assumes that he doesn't have all the information necessary to resolve the question.As believers would expect, every so-called puzzle that has been resolved has been resolved in favor of the accuracy of the Bible. In each of these cases, those who said that they had discovered an error in the Bible were proven wrong.One of the more interesting puzzles that was finally solved concerned Luke's account of Christ's birth. Was Quirinius really governor of Syria when Christ was born in 4 B.C.? Scholars knew that he was governor in 6 A.D. But there was no evidence that he had governed Syria in 4 B.C. Some 19th-century scholars wrote that Luke must have made a mistake with the date of the census, since Quirinius wasn't governor when Christ was born. Then, in 1912, an inscription was discovered that was dated to around 10 B.C. It said that Quirinius was governor in Syria and Cilicia around that time. In other words, Quirinius ruled the area as governor at least twice, including when Christ was born.As God's Word, Scripture's accuracy can be trusted. Nothing has ever disproved the truth of anything in the Bible. The Bible can be trusted even when it talks about historical events. That's true even when the Bible talks about the history of the creation of the world.Luke 2:1-2"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)”Prayer: I thank You, Lord, that Your Word has been preserved for us in the Bible. I thank You that Your Word is completely trustworthy. I thank You that Your certain Word assures me that You fully carried the burden of my sin on the cross so that I could be forgiven. Amen.REF.: Jackson, Wayne. "Calm confidence in the Scriptures." Reasoning from Revelation. Image: Meister der Kahriye-Cami-Kirche (Mary and Joseph register as part of the Census of Quirinius) Istanbul, Chora Church, PD, Wikimedia Commons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

Pastor Colins Nwosu continued our teaching series with an engaging and interactive session titled The Lordship of Jesus, with insightful contributions from the congregation throughout the teaching. Reading from Romans 14:8–9 and Matthew 11:27, we established that whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord, because Christ died and rose again to be Lord of both the dead and the living. We learned that true lordship means absolute ownership. Acts 4:12 and Philippians 2:9–11 revealed that God has exalted Jesus above every name, establishing Him as the sole source of salvation before whom every knee must bow. Drawing from Luke 6:46–49, Pastor Colins further explained what it truly means to call Him “Lord.” Jesus asks, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” True lordship demands obedience, not merely lip service. We discovered that building our lives on His Word is like laying a foundation on solid rock that no storm can shake. The message also reminded us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light for those who fully surrender to Him. Pastor Colins will continue this teaching at our Holy Communion Service next Sunday, and you should not miss it for any reason. Join us in person or listen online. Confession: Lord Jesus, I declare that You are the absolute Lord over my life, my family, and my choices. I refuse to give You mere lip service; I choose to align my actions with Your instructions and build my life on the solid rock of Your Word. I rest in You, knowing that Your grace is my strength and my security. Amen!

Welcome to Day 2869 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2869 – “Where Are You in This Picture”  based on Luke 8:1-21 Putnam Church Message – 04/26/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Where Are You in This Picture?”   Last week's message was: “The Love and Grace of Jesus.” We explored how Jesus's Love and Grace extend to those others reject. Today, we continue with our twentieth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Where Are You in This Picture?” Our core passage today is Luke 8:1-21, which is found on page 1605 of your pew Bibles.  The Parable of the Sower 8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see;  though hearing, they may not understand.'[a] 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. A Lamp on a Stand 16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has / will be given more; / whoever does not have, / even what they think they have, / will be taken from them.” Jesus' Mother and Brothers 19 Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.”   Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Thank You for the Gospel of Luke, which continues to show us the beauty, authority, compassion, and truth of Jesus. As we open this passage today, we ask You to open our hearts as well. Let the seed of Your Word fall on good soil within us. Remove what is hard, shallow, distracted, or resistant. Give us ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts ready to obey. Lord, do more than inform us today—transform us. Show each of us where we are in this picture, and by Your grace, lead us into deeper faithfulness. In Jesus' name, amen. As we continue in this twentieth message in our journey through Luke's Gospel, we come to a passage that feels almost like a mirror. In recent weeks, Luke has shown us again and again who Jesus is. He has authority over sickness. He has authority over death. He has authority over sin. He receives the broken. He forgives the guilty. He welcomes the outsider. And after all of that, Luke now brings us to a very personal question: What are we doing with Jesus? Or to put it in the title of today's message: Where are you in this picture? Because Luke 8:1–21 is not merely information about other people long ago. It is a spiritual portrait gallery. Somewhere in this scene, we will find ourselves. Are we like the women who served Jesus with grateful devotion? Are we like the crowds who listen but do not really change? Are we like the shallow soil that sprouts quickly but wilts under pressure? Are we like the thorny soil, slowly choked by worry and worldly cares? Or are we becoming good soil—receiving the Word, holding fast to it, and bearing fruit with perseverance? That is the question. And it is such an important question because in this passage, Jesus teaches us that ministry success, spiritual growth, and genuine discipleship do not begin “out there” somewhere. They begin in here—in the heart. A Simple Object Lesson I have four pictures here today: One is of hard-packed dirt—soil that has been walked on until it is stiff and unyielding. / One is a thin layer of dirt over a rock. /  one is soil mixed with weeds and thorny roots. And one is soft, rich, prepared soil. What will happen if I spread seed over each of these plots of land? The seed would be the same. / The Sower would be the same. / The difference would be the soil. / That is the heart of this passage. The great issue is not whether God's Word is powerful enough. It is. The great issue is not whether the gospel is true enough. It is. The question is: What kind of heart receives it? And that leads us to our first of four truths for today. Main Point 1: Genuine faith expresses itself in practical devotion. Luke begins this section by reminding us that Jesus was traveling from town to town proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, and so were a number of women—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others—who supported His ministry out of their own means. That opening matters. Right before this, in Luke 7, we saw a sinful woman pouring out her love at Jesus' feet. Now Luke shows us more people whose faith is not merely emotional or theoretical—it is practical, visible, and costly. The disciples had left nets, boats, tax tables, and ordinary routines. These women were giving their resources, their loyalty, their time, and their reputations. That would have been striking in the first-century Jewish world. Rabbis were followed by disciples, yes—but Luke makes a point of mentioning women here, not as background decorations. They are active participants in Jesus' mission. Some had been healed, some delivered, some redeemed from brokenness. And now their gratitude has become service. Mary Magdalene had been set free from demonic bondage. Joanna lived in close proximity to political power through her husband's position at Herod's court. Susanna is largely unknown to us, but not to Jesus. That in itself is comforting. Some names are well-known in the story of God, and some are not. But obscurity does not mean insignificance. The Lord sees every quiet act of faithfulness. This has been one of Luke's major themes all along. The people who truly receive...

The most familiar verses often hold the deepest meaning.LINKS:Buy Carol's book: Today is a VerbDownload How to Pray God's Word for Your ChildrenFollow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms A Prayer When Your Heart has Lost its Song by Carol McCleod Psalm 118:24 isn't just a quote for a coffee mug — it's a daily assignment. Start with praise. Fill it with worship. End with thanksgiving. That's the will of God for your day. Reference: Psalm 118:24 Prayer: Father, I acknowledge that Your ways are best. I long to obey Your Word and to worship You daily. Forgive me for the days I have whined more than I have worshipped. I declare that this is the day you have made and You deserve my highest praise. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The fossil record shows us examples of God's great creativity in designing living things. It also shows that life appeared suddenly on earth, in finished form. The fossil record shows us that earth originally had a much greater variety of life. Finally, the fossil record doesn't show any evidence of creatures evolving from one type into another.Paleontologists have been looking for fossils of unusual creatures in some of the oldest rocks that have fossils in them. In other words, these rocks in British Columbia have evidences of some of the earliest forms of life. These layers show the rich variety of life that once existed on earth. Paleontologists have found a much greater variety of arrow worms and jellyfish than live today. But even in the earliest layers, the worms and the jellyfish are fully formed.In addition, paleontologists have found some startling creatures. One foot and a half long creature had a circular mouth with radiating teeth and claws. Another looks like a tiny, inch long dragon. Scientists describe it as looking like the cameo of a stegosaurus. Perhaps the most unusual creature was named "Santa Claws" by one paleontologist. It has five pairs of claws attached to its head, two flaps on the side, and a tail like a beaver.Paleontologists and Christians who believe the biblical record of creation don't dispute the facts about fossils. We object to interpretations of the fossils that needlessly contradict Scripture.Psalm 18:30" As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, even in death, brought about by man's sin, these creatures glorify You and bear witness to Your act of creation. Strengthen my faith so that I may not be intimidated by claims that contradict Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.REF.: Weisburd, Stefi. "New creatures from the Cambrian." Science News, v. 128. Image: Burgess shale scale, Matt Martyniuk (Dinoguy2), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

Dance class, gymnastics, cheerleading, Student Council, Marching Band, youth ministry, worship team, Bible studies, speaking engagements — and that's just a few items from Emily Rose Massey's packed list of accomplishments. For more than twenty years, her worth was wrapped up in her productivity. And if we're honest, many of us know that exhausting cycle all too well. In this episode, Emily offers a grace-filled invitation to step off the performance treadmill and rest in the truth that God's love was never something you had to earn. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it beautifully clear: salvation is a gift, not a reward. And that same grace that saved you is the very grace that is sanctifying you, shaping you, and carrying you forward — day by day, inconsistency by inconsistency. God started this work in you, and He will finish it (Philippians 1:6). You don't have to hide when you fail or scramble to do better on your own. You simply need to come boldly to the throne of grace, lean on His strength, and trust that He is working — because He is. Today's Bible Verse "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." — Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV Ponder Today Grace is a gift, not a reward. You cannot earn it, maintain it, or lose it through your performance. It is freely and abundantly given — full stop. The same grace that saved you is sanctifying you. God doesn't just rescue you and then hand you a checklist. He oversees your growth, your maturity, and your transformation from beginning to end. Your failures do not surprise God or derail His plan. Your inconsistencies, your disobedience, your lack of trust — none of it can thwart what He has purposed for your life. God starts it, and God finishes it. You don't have to hide when you sin. Jesus lived the perfect life for you and paid the penalty you couldn't. When you fall, the answer is not to run away — it's to run to Him, boldly, to the throne of grace. Trust that He is working and yield to it. You don't need to muster up your own strength or faith. The Holy Spirit is your Helper, and God's plan for your life will be accomplished because of His goodness and faithfulness — not yours. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, let the truth of Your Word take deep root in my heart — that Your grace is a gift I can never earn and never need to maintain. Thank You, Jesus, for Your great sacrifice on the cross that made a way for me to receive eternal life. May I never forget that the work of the cross is finished. Help me to rest in that finished work. And when I sin, Holy Spirit, convict my heart to run boldly to the throne of grace and receive Your forgiveness and love. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer helped you release the weight of striving, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to rest and grow in your faith every day. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Many believers struggle with spiritual imbalance—either stuck in regret over the past, overwhelmed by the present, or distracted by speculation about the future. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef shows how Scripture calls us to a complete, steady picture of faith: past, present, and future held together. You'll explore how key parts of the Christian life span all three: Salvation: you were saved when you trusted Christ, you are being saved as God works in you daily, and you will be saved eternally in glory. Transformation: the Holy Spirit made you new at conversion, continues shaping you into Christlikeness now, and will one day perfect you forever. Kingdom of God: the Kingdom arrived with Jesus, reigns in believers' hearts today, and will be fully revealed when Christ returns. Prophecy and the End Times: God's Word shows promises fulfilled, being fulfilled, and still to be fulfilled with precision. This devotional invites you to live with grounded maturity—learning from the past without being trapped by it, walking faithfully in the present, and anticipating the future with awe-inspiring hope in Jesus Christ. Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom and understanding as I look into Your Word to see Your sovereignty at work. May I be filled with joy, love, and thankfulness as I remember the past, follow You in the present, and anticipate my future with You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplatethe Lord's glory,are being transformed into his imagewith ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Revelation for Today: LISTEN NOW| WATCH NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Introduction: What About Spiritual Gifts? (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) Spiritual Gifts are FROM God and FOR Every Believer. (1 Cor 12:4-6) Spiritual Gifts Are to Be Used to BLESS the CHURCH. (1 Cor 12:7) Spiritual Gifts Come in Many FORMS. (1 Cor 12:8-10) 2 Corinthians 12:12 - The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. Hebrews 2:4 - while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Wisdom Knowledge Faith Healing Miracles Luke 9:1 – And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases Prophecy Distinguish between spirits Tongues Interpretation of tongues Spiritual Gifts Are Given at the HOLY SPIRIT'S DISCRETION. (1 Cor 12:11) SEEK God. Consider the INTERSECTION. Take an ASSESSMENT. Take the Spiritual Gifts Test! Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Questions and Answers: What About Spiritual Gifts? Jeff Miller Download Audio Transcript 00:38Open up your Bibles with me, please, to the book of 1 Corinthians 12.00:45While you're turning there, let's just pause for a second, and I'm going to ask that you would please pray for me00:53to be faithful to communicate God's Word accurately and clearly as I should.01:01And I will pray for you to be open to receive what it is that God said. All right, let's pray. Father, sometimes we come to your word and I guess some passages seem to hit some of us more than others. And we're about to enter into a section that according to your word literally is for every single one of us. So I pray.01:31That Your Spirit would be the power behind the wisdom of Your Word and that You would continue to conform us into the image of Your Son, not just individually, but as a church body. Father, glorify Your name as we immerse ourselves into Your Word now. We pray in Jesus' name and all of God's people,02:02Amen. Look at 1 Corinthians 12, verse 1. Paul says,02:07Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.02:18This section of 1 Corinthians has been a big Q&A section.02:25They had sent Paul questions and he was responding with answers.02:28And up to this point, we've mainly been dealing with earthly matters. We've been talking about liberty and marriage and gender. And now we're on to more, I guess you could say, spiritual matters. And he says, concerning spiritual gifts, look at that verse 1, I do not want you to be uninformed. I don't want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.02:58Spiritual Gifts. Wow, that's a phrase that really describes the church today. Right? Because as always, church, we will go to either side of the extreme. When we talk about spiritual gifts, immediately you're going to have some people on one end of the spectrum that just completely neglect or ignore them. And think, oh, that's just like,03:28Goofy, charismatic stuff, but we're like sober-minded people. You completely dismiss the role that the Holy Spirit has in the work of the church. They're just neglected. And we do church according to human intellect and creativity. And then you have people on the other end of the spectrum that don't neglect the gifts. You could say they misrepresent the gifts of the Holy Spirit.03:58And over on the other extreme, people are doing all kinds of goofy things in church saying that it's a work of the Holy Spirit. We're slain in the Spirit and we're hooping and hollering and barking and howling. It's a gift of the Spirit. Excuse me. Absolutely essential in your work for Christ. Absolutely essential04:28in the health of the church, in the health of this church, you have to understand what spiritual gifts are, and you have to use your spiritual gift in the church. All right, look at verse 2. He says, you know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to mute idols. However, you were led. What he's doing here is he's setting up a contrast.04:58by idols.05:00And we're going to see this as we go throughout this section,05:03but the Corinthians in their former pagan lifestyle05:07learned a lot of bad methods of worship.05:11Pagan methods of worship.05:13And they brought those into the church.05:15Like, I guess this is how we worship.05:17And Paul here is making the contrast.05:20Like, look, no, no, no.05:22You used to be led by idols.05:24Now, now you are led by the Holy Spirit of God.05:30The Holy Spirit. Somehow, despite how essential His role is in the church, He just doesn't seem to get the press that the other members of the Trinity get, right? I mean, we talk about Jesus a lot. His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. His resurrection from the dead.05:58We talk about God the Father a lot. But God the Holy Spirit, just is essential. The Bible says that every Christian, every born-again Christian receives the Holy Spirit. That's Romans 8 and 9, among other places. That's God's presence abiding in you. Why? Why does God's Spirit live in you? Well, there's two main reasons. One is for character, right?06:28The Holy Spirit manifests the character of Christ in you. That's the fruit of the Spirit. That's Galatians 5. That's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That's what the Holy Spirit does in the life of the believer manifesting those characteristics. So it's character. The other reason the Holy Spirit lives in believers is for service.06:58And that's what we're talking about in this passage today. Every believer is given a spiritual gift to be used in the church. And you're like, wow, you know, how do I know that I even have the Holy Spirit? Well, look at verse 3. Paul says, therefore, I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says,07:28Jesus is accursed. And no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit. So how do you know you have the Holy Spirit? Here's a foundational test. How do you regard Jesus? And I don't just mean what do you say about Jesus here in church on Sunday morning or at small group. I mean in your heart, in your innermost being privately,07:58How do you regard Jesus Christ? In your heart, is Jesus Christ everything to you? Because your true heart disposition towards Jesus is manifest by the Spirit. If you're born again, Paul says, you cannot curse Jesus. And apparently some of that stuff was happening in the Corinthian church. That's a whole other study for another time.08:28Paul says, if you have the Holy Spirit living in you, you absolutely will regard Jesus Christ as your Lord. The Holy Spirit. He's not just for preachers and missionaries, by the way. The Christian life, every Christian's life, is a Holy Spirit-led and empowered life. So the question that Paul's getting into here, and Pastor Taylor's going to be talking about this more next week, here's the question on the table.08:58They asked. He's answering, so what about spiritual gifts? I mean, what are spiritual gifts? And how is it that the Holy Spirit uses spiritual gifts in the church? So on your outline, what about spiritual gifts? What about them? Paul's giving us a great foundational teaching on Holy Spirit gifts.09:28Number one, write this down. Spiritual gifts are from God and for every believer. Look at verses four through six. He says, now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit. And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. And there are varieties of activities,09:58is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. He says there's many kinds of spiritual gifts, but notice he says they all come from God. And he really wants to make that point clear because you notice he mentioned every member of the Trinity as being the source of spiritual gifts. You notice that? He talks about the Holy Spirit in verse 4. He talks about Jesus Christ, the Lord, in verse 5. He talks about God, the Father,10:28in verse 6. Spiritual gifts are gifts that come from God. Now, understand that spiritual gifts are different than talents. Okay? Like a skill that you have to play an instrument or to paint a mural. Spiritual gifts are different, but listen. I can show you biblically, and that's a study for another time.10:58come from God. Absolutely.11:03But here we're talking about ministry gifts.11:06Church ministry must be Spirit-powered, not done in the flesh.11:15Why?11:19Because if we're just doing ministry in our power, in man's power,11:25we're going to get man's results.11:27But when ministry is done in God's power, we get God's results. So which do you want? At the end of the day, I want to see what God can do in this church, not what I can do. But you notice the end of verse 6, beginning of verse 7, to everyone, to each. Listen, because every Christian possesses the Holy Spirit, all Christians, all Christians are given a spiritual gift.11:59It's so fascinating because every gift is a characteristic of Jesus Christ Himself. You realize He had everything perfectly. Think about that. Jesus, God in the flesh, who embodied every characteristic perfectly. You see the Holy Spirit giving us a spiritual gift. What's going on here? Here's what's going on. The church is called the body of Christ.12:29And each member is given a gift so that collectively, we as the body of Christ become a sort of representation of Jesus Christ himself. It's absolutely mind-blowing. But God wants the church to be Christ-like, and this is how it happens. We each use our spiritual gift. We're collectively built up in all of the characteristics that Jesus Christ possessed perfectly in the Incarnation.12:57So, spiritual gifts from God for every believer. All right, number two, spiritual gifts are to be used to bless the church. Look at verse 7. He says, to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For the common good.13:28It's kind of funny when you think about it. You're given a spiritual gift, right? But in a real sense, the spiritual gift given to you isn't even for you. Isn't that strange? God's given you a gift, but He goes, oh, that's not for you. That's for everybody else. You see, my spiritual gift is supposed to benefit you.13:57benefit me.14:01And that's why we believe in every member of ministry at Harvest Bible Chapel.14:05If you're attending here, if you consider this your church,14:09we're not shy about asking where do you want to serve.14:15Not because we're like, we need help.14:18We do need help.14:21But that's not the primary reason.14:24It's because if you're part of the church, God has gifted you to bless the church. Right? So I have to ask you, how is God using you in this church? How's God using you? If you've been given a gift that's for the common good, how is that working in your ministry?14:55Now look, I've got to tell you, we are so blessed at this church. We were talking about this not too long ago, but we have a crazy high percentage of people who are actively serving in this church in so many ways. We're not there yet, but that number needs to be 100%. And if you're attending this church and you're not serving, please hear me.15:26I just want to lovingly tell you that God hasn't called anyone to warm a seat. Nobody's spiritual gift is attendance. We need you to be using your spiritual gift for the common good. All right? So spiritual gifts are from God for every believer. Number two, spiritual gifts are to be used to bless the church.15:54And number three, spiritual gifts come in many forms. Here's where we need to spend some time. In this section here, Paul lists nine spiritual gifts. Now, this list is not exhaustive, okay? Actually, we're not going to look there today. We're going to stick in this passage as is our custom. But you can see also Romans chapter 12. You can see Ephesians chapter 4. There are other gifts than the ones that are listed.16:24here. This isn't exhaustive. This is more just representative. Spiritual gifts come in many forms. Let's look at verses 8-10. Paul says, for to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit.16:54To another, faith by the same Spirit. To another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit. To another, the working of miracles. To another, prophecy. To another, the ability to distinguish between spirits. To another, various kinds of tongues. To another, the interpretation.17:24of tongues.17:27Alright, so with spiritual gifts there are two categories.17:31There are speaking gifts and there are serving gifts.17:35But there are also two kinds of gifts.17:38There are permanent gifts.17:40There are gifts that were given that will be active in the church until our Lord returns.17:46And there are gifts that are temporary that were only for a time and purpose.17:51And this is where we get controversial.18:00Because this is where a lot of people have a lot of different opinions. But are you ready to go to Sunday school for a few minutes? Three of you? Okay. Thank you. Tristan always has my back. Always. And some of you are like, I don't know if I want to get out of here.18:23this road. Well, we're going through 1 Corinthians. This is next. And we receive God's Word as presented, right? So let's do it. But I want to talk about temporary gifts. And please hear me out before you storm out. That door's hard to slam, but it can be done. Before you storm out, before you throw anything at me, I would like you to please hear me out for a few minutes, all right?18:53Because this isn't my opinion. This is what the Bible says if you read it straightforwardly. Temporary gifts, sometimes they're called sign gifts. Those are the more miraculous type gifts. Please hear me because this is where I'm going to be misquoted, but not you. Listen, those gifts are not normative today.19:23Do I believe that they still happen? 100% I do. But they are not normative. Okay? So if somebody's like, well, what is Jeff's position on some of these sign gifts? I do not believe that they are normative today. I'm going to show you why. Can God do them? Yes. But, listen close. These sign gifts, are these spiritual gifts19:53that are possessed by people in the day of Paul and the apostles. And the answer is no. They're not possessed by people as they were in Paul's day. God still does them on occasion, not normative, but they're not possessed by people. I want to talk about miracles for a moment. Pastor Taylor and I were talking about this last week.20:23I think when we read the Bible, we get this idea that miracles were just like happening all the time, right? Like Moses woke up and like before his oatmeal, he like fired off five miracles. Boom. Not a man a meal, not oatmeal. But actually miracles in the Bible were actually very rare.20:53And apart from Moses' day, and apart from the day of Jesus in the apostles' ministry, miracles performed through men were actually very rare things. So why did we see so many miracles, especially in Moses' day, and especially in Jesus' and the apostles' day? Because this is why.21:21God performed miracles through people to verify or prove when new revelation was given. That's why it was normative in Moses' day. That's why it was normative for the apostles. Because God was giving new revelation, and that was the way He verified it. Any knucklehead can run around and say,21:51this is the new word of the Lord. And like, how can you prove that? Anybody can say that. God would verify what is actually revelation from him by backing it up with people who were giving not just this message, but performing these miracles. That's why you see that in Jesus. Why did Jesus perform so many miracles? Why did Jesus perform miracles? He's putting on a show, right?22:21He wanted to dazzle people, right? Hey, check this out. Check out what I can do. Anybody got two fishes, five loaves? Let me show you a trick. No! Jesus wasn't an entertainer. Why did Jesus do all the miracles? Actually, He referred to them as signs. Why? Because they were done to prove He is who He said He is. He's like, I'm God in the flesh. And of course, you're going to have people that were like, pfft.22:51I'm not buying that. But when you see this man raising the dead, healing the sick, feeding multitudes, you're like, there's something more to him. Right? Jesus' signs proved he is who he said he is. You're like, awesome, but what about spiritual gifts? Well, same principle here. Listen, to back the apostles'23:21while the New Testament was completed, was being completed, God authenticated the gospel with sign gifts. That's what the Bible says. You're like, where does the Bible say that? Many places. I'll give you a couple. Okay? Like 2 Corinthians 12. Look, the signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience with signs and wonders and mighty works. You see?23:51the true apostles were performing miracles. It was to authenticate the gospel message. Same thing in Hebrews 2.4. It says, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. Same principle as God was giving us the New Testament. You see, in those days, they didn't have the New Testament completed yet.24:21was being worked on by the Holy Spirit. So when somebody got up and said, let me tell you this message from God, how do we know it was from God? He backed it up with miracles. That's why when you go through the book of Acts, you see miracles less and less and less and less as you go through the book of Acts. We spent like three years in Acts, and that's what you see. In 1 Corinthians here, the book that we're studying, it was one of the earliest24:51written. So sign gifts were still very much a thing when Paul wrote this, but they were on their way out and they were ending as normative spiritual gifts when the New Testament was completed. That's why in none of the other epistles you see any talk about the spiritual gifts of miracles or healings or tongues or interpretation of tongues. You don't see that in any other25:21book in the New Testament.25:25Because it was phasing out.25:28We have God's word complete in written form,25:31so we don't need to verify it with a miracle.25:35God wrote it all down for us.25:37All right?25:39So, with that backdrop, I'm going to go through these quickly.25:44Each one of these could be a sermon,25:45and that's not the intention.25:49Interestingly, Paul does not explain them. He just lists them. I want to give you a little definition for each, a little understanding. So look at your spiritual gifts here, starting in verse 8. The first one is wisdom. What is wisdom? That's just skill in applying the Word of God. Do you know who typically possesses this gift are people that are counselors, whether it's formally or informally, people that are able to say, I understand how to incorporate God's truth.26:19into my life.26:21I can help you incorporate God's truth into your life.26:23It's applying the Word of God.26:24That's wisdom.26:26Next is knowledge.26:30That's understanding the Word.26:34It's somebody that can see Bible facts and knows how they fit together.26:39You know what's amazing?26:40Did you ever see these Christian authors?26:43They take like one subject and they write a whole book about it.26:46That's always amazing to me.26:48Like, how do they do that? They wrote a whole book about one subject? Well, I think a lot of them have the gift of knowledge. Right? Next is faith. Gift of faith. Now, obviously, this is faith beyond believing to get saved, because every follower of Christ has that kind of faith. Right? But you ever notice that there are some Christians that you meet that just seem to have a deeper,27:20Confidence in the Sovereignty of God. You know what I'm talking about? There's some Christians you meet, they could be going through just the worst trials a human being can go through, and they're just like, you know what? God's in control. He's got this. And they're just completely unflappable. They have the gift of faith. Those people are typically the best prayers. Right? Next on the list.27:48is healing.27:51Now again, I believe that this is one of the gifts27:55for people that was phasing out at this point.28:01But what is healing?28:02Well, it's just supernaturally healing a physical illness.28:12I wish I had that gift.28:14I wish it was still a thing.28:17And you might say, well, Pastor Jeff, I think it is still a thing. Because I saw this guy on TV. He was slapping people on the head deaf and they were getting up with full hearing. Interesting about those people, they never go to the cancer ward or the children's hospital. I mean, if I had the gift to heal people, that's the first place I'd go. You're like, oh, so you don't believe in healing? Oh, yeah, yeah. Look, listen.28:47Let's be clear. God still heals. I believe that 100%. And I have seen in this church God miraculously heal people. I believe that God heals. I'm not convinced that Benny Hinn ever did. All right? So next is miracles. Miracles. Like, wait a minute. What's the difference between miracles and healing? I'm not going to bore you with the long systematic Thompson Chain reference.29:17But here's the thing. That word for miracles, when you trace it through the New Testament, was most often connected with casting out demons. That's the difference. That's the distinction. See, that's what Jesus was talking about. Look at Luke 9.1. We'll have it on the screen. It says, and he called the twelve together, look, and gave them power and authority, here it is, over all demons and to cure diseases. So miracles.29:47In the New Testament referred to casting out demons. Again, I believe that was an apostolic era. Do I believe God still does that 100%? Absolutely, yes, He does. Normative? That a person has the gift and is running around doing that? No. All right, next is prophecy. Prophecy. Now, when we think prophecy, when we hear that word, what's the first thing we think of? Like future stuff, right?30:17Tell us the future. Well, sometimes, actually rarely, that's part of it. But you realize that's not what prophecy literally means at all. Do you know what the word prophecy is? It literally breaks down to a compound word that means speak before. You're like, speak before what? Speak before an audience. That's what prophecy is. It's somebody that stands in front of a group of people and says things.30:47Before Them. That's prophecy. It's the public speaking of God's truth. That's what happens when I get up here, Taylor or Brian or Justin or whoever stands up here proclaiming the Word of God. That is prophecy. We are speaking before. Right? Next is distinguishing between spirits. If you're interested, we did a whole sermon series on this.31:17A couple years back, this is what we more commonly call discernment. It's the ability to evaluate if something is from God or not. And in that sermon series, I'm not going to preach it all now, but I'd just like to remind you that that is something that we are all called to do. We are all called to discern what is from God and what is not from God. And again, I'll remind you that we live in a day that it is more crucial than ever because we live in a day where we have access to more information.31:47than we've ever had. You open up your phone, you're going to have 10,00031:51preachers giving you contradictory31:54message about31:55thus saith the Lord. How do we know31:57what God actually said? Discernment32:00is the gift to be able to32:01tell, he's not saying what God32:03said, but this guy definitely is, right?32:05Right?32:10Some people have that gift.32:13Alright, next gift is tongues.32:18Next gift is tongues.32:21You're like, are tongues for today?32:26People ask that, are tongues for today?32:31Yeah, tongues are for today.32:32How would you eat your ice cream otherwise, right?32:38Listen, I'm not going to go too far into this.32:42Oh, you're scared? No, not at all.32:43We're actually going to be doing a very deep dive in this. We're spending four weeks on this subject. But what is tongues biblically? Tongues is the ability to speak in a foreign language unknown to the speaker. It's a known language, by the way. It's not gibberish. It's somebody speaking an already existing language that that person doesn't know. They're just speaking it. Like I said, we're going to spend so much more time on this. And then interpretation of tongues is just simply that.33:13a person that was gifted with the ability to translate what the tongues speaker says. Many forms. One spirit. Oh, speaking of the Holy Spirit, number four. Spiritual gifts are given at the Holy Spirit's discretion.33:47Look at verse 11.33:52He says,33:54All these are empowered by one in the same Spirit34:01who apportions to each one individually as He wills.34:09As He wills.34:11The Holy Spirit, in His sovereignty, determines who does what. That's the Holy Spirit's job. Understand, as your pastor, I did not get to choose your gift. Like, oh, you want to be a part of our church? All right. Prophecy. Okay, how about you? You want to join the church? All right. Healing. You're like, you totally didn't listen to that sermon, did you? I don't get to determine that gift.34:41get to determine that gift. You know what? Preaching looks like a lot of fun. I think I'm going to ask the Holy Spirit for the prophecy gift. He is the one who determines the gift. It is a gift. And the gift giver determines the gift that he wants to give you. The gift giver determines the gift35:12that he wants to give you.35:19And I know this is a hard sell in our day.35:23I mean, Murph, you get it. You go back. We get it.35:27The gift giver determines the gift he wants to give. We get it. The younger people don't get that.35:33Like, why not? Because you know what we do in our day?35:38You know what we do in our day? We have a big event.35:42We have a baby shower, a wedding, little Joey's birthday party. He's turning five. Going to have his party at the Chuck E. Cheese. Do you know what we do today? We tell people what gifts we want, don't we? We do that. Little Joey's turning five. He's registered at Target. Right? Right?36:10Or, yeah, I'm getting married. Yeah, I'm getting married. Yeah, I'm registered at Target. We tell people the gifts that we want. I'm getting married. I want this toaster. I want this knife set. I want this vacuum. And then, I mean, we've done it. Aaron and I will go and be like, okay, this is the vacuum they want.36:40and we buy it and we wrap it up. And then they act surprised when they open it. They open it up and they're like, oh, you got me exactly what I was asking for. Oh, you shouldn't have. But you go back a generation, the gift giver determined what gift you got. Don't try that with the Holy Spirit, okay? You're baptized.37:11I'm registered at Target.37:15Well, we don't get a say in it.37:17It's His gift, right?37:19It's His gift.37:19Do you think I would have signed up for this?37:25Oh no.37:26Oh no.37:30He'll make a better choice than we would anyways.37:33Alright.37:35That's all well and good.37:36But that's really not the question37:39that we're asking right now.37:40The question that we're asking right now is how do I know what my spiritual gift is right I mean it's clear he's given all of us each of us a gift to represent the body of Christ and we're to use it in the common good we saw the kinds and you're like awesome what is my spiritual gift how do I find out what my spiritual gift is all right I'm going to give you three things we're going to close with this three things how do I know what gift I've been given letter A seek God38:10You're like, that sounds like a cop-out. No, look. If you make your life about on-your-face praying and in the Word and just get serving in the church, the Spirit's going to do what the Spirit does. He's going to be at work through you. You're going to figure that out real quick. So just don't worry about seeking a gift. Seek the gift giver. He'll do what He does.38:40That's what he does. Seek God. All right? Letter B. Consider the intersection. Like, what's the intersection? I was studying for this this week. I came across something. I thought it was super helpful. It's one of those diagrams where everything intersects. What do they call that? A Venmo diagram?39:10Venn. Not Venmo.39:20What's a Venmo?39:23Oh, that's giving money.39:26Also a spiritual gift. Right!39:30So you could Venmo your...39:31Alright.39:33I just feel like I had like an inception moment here.39:37Alright.39:38Consider the intersection.39:39Yeah.39:40All right. So I came across this Venn diagram. And I thought it was helpful. I'm going to try to recreate it here. But there's three things here. First of all, this circle here, we're going to call that, we're going to call this one ability. We're going to call this one ability. What is it that you seem, not complicated,40:10You seem like you're able to do this. Right? Of all the gifts. You're like, you know what? That's something that I seem like I'm able to do. I mean, I'm not boasting or anything. It just seems like something that I'm able to do. Okay? And then, with this one, we're going to call this one affinity. That's an idea. Okay. That's affinity. Like, well, that's an idea. Like, what do40:40I enjoy doing.40:42If somebody was like, you can do whatever you want in the church, whatever you enjoy most,40:46what would be the line I get to the front of first?40:50What's my affinity?40:53And then the third thing here, my circles are getting less and less circle-y, but I think you get the idea.41:01This one we're going to call affirmation.41:12You know, you have people maybe in your small group or other people in the church that are, they say to you, you know what? You seem like you have a real gift for teaching. You really seem like you have a gift for praying with people. So the point is this. Consider the intersection right here.41:39This is very likely your spiritual gift. I would say extremely likely. What you're able to do, what you love doing, and what people affirm that it seems like God has equipped you to do, that is very likely your spiritual gift. All right? Then letter C, assessment. Seek God, consider the intersection or assessment. We have a QR code.42:10Go ahead, take your phone out and give that a scan. Pastor Rich sent this along. But this is an online assessment. And really, I think between seeking the Lord, considering the intersection, doing the online assessment, I think that's going to get you all on your way to giving you a deeper understanding of what your spiritual gift is. So go ahead. Go ahead, do the...42:41Either scan that or Venmo me some money. Since you have your phone out and I just learned what Venmo is. Do I have a Venmo? Never mind. Aaron says I don't have a Venmo. All right. Our worship team would make their way up. While they're coming, you know, when I was in high school, I played soccer.43:11In my junior high year of playing soccer, the coach didn't like me. Why? Because I was unlikable. So I sat on the bench most of the season. Now, I knew I had the ability.43:39senior year, we had a new coach, and I didn't sit for one minute that entire season. In fact, I was co-captain of the team. But I got to tell you, I think back to that junior year of playing soccer, and I just remember feeling incredibly frustrated because I felt incredibly useless. You know, you put your shin guards on, you put your cleats on, you put your44:09your soccer uniform on.44:12And you just, I just sat there and watched the whole season.44:16Just sat there.44:21So many times I thought, why am I even here?44:25Why am I even here?44:26What am I doing?44:29I want to tell you, you don't have to worry about that with God's team44:34because there are no bench warmers.44:39God doesn't tell any of His children, you know what? You're nice and all, but you go sit over there. We don't really need you. Or you just wait, and if we decide there's a place we can squeeze you in, we'll see if we can do that. No, no, no, no, no. God's Word has made it very clear that He has called and He has gifted every single one of you.45:08this church. Let's pray. Our Father in heaven, so often we get a gift and we don't say thank you, but Father, we thank you not just for the gift of your Holy Spirit himself who lives within us, but the gift that he has given each of us to serve you and your church. For some people here, Father, this is probably brand new teaching.45:38Never really considered this. And for some people here, Father, maybe we've known this and have sort of strayed from it. But I'm asking today, Father, that your Spirit would grip every heart in this church and grip the church collectively so that we truly, as the body of Christ, might represent the person of Christ.46:08as these spirits are at work in us. So Father, I pray for the person here who maybe has been coming to this church but just hasn't stepped up. Remind them, Father, it's not just a matter of the elders and pastors and ministry team would value your input. Remind them, Father, that you have equipped them to serve your church.46:38We do so to your glory and honor. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 12:1-11What was your big take-away from this passage / message?What does it mean that spiritual gifts are for the common good (1 Cor 12:7)?Are sign gifts such as healing and miracles still possessed by people today? Why or why not?Why is it important to understand that the Holy Spirit is the One Who chooses what gifts believers receive (1 Cor 12:11)?How do you know if a ministry is done by the power of the Holy Spirit, or done in the flesh (that is, just by “human power”)?BreakoutPray for one another.

“Have faith in yourself.” “Have faith in the system.” “Just believe.” In today's world, faith often means optimism or manifestation—but Scripture defines faith very differently. In this episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef clears away the confusion with two essential truths. First, there is no power in faith by itself. Faith isn't a force; the object of faith is what gives it weight. If your faith is anchored in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone, then you stand on unshakable ground—because Christ is powerful, victorious, and trustworthy. Second, faith is not the same as feelings. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as confidence and assurance—not emotional certainty. Faith says, “God said it. I believe it. That settles it.” And to keep us from boasting in our “strong faith,” Dr. Youssef points to the deeper foundation beneath it all: even faith is God's gift. By grace, God raises believers up with Christ and saves them through faith—not by works—so all glory belongs to Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:6–9). Prayer: Father, You are the object of my faith. I rejoice knowing that my faith is not in vain because my faith is in You alone and not based on how I feel. You are always faithful and what You say will come to pass. I trust in Your Word and sovereign love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon 12 Evidences of Faith, Joy in Trials: LISTEN NOW| WATCH NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Parables are a good way to teach. Jesus often used parables to teach a lesson. Parables can even be a good way to teach science. However, parables cannot be used to establish scientific fact.Unfortunately, Charles Darwin frequently used parables as part of his scientific method. Many modern evolutionists continue that tradition. Let's look at an example. Those who believe in evolution have tried to find an explanation for why some birds have luxurious, bright plumage. Does the peacock really need those brilliant tail feathers? Well, say evolutionists, females prefer the males with the most beautiful plumage. So, the brightest males had more babies. Evolutionists call this sexual selection.What does the story prove? It doesn't prove anything in the scientific sense. It doesn't explain where the colors came from in the first place. It doesn't explain why females prefer showy males. Nor does it explain where peacocks originally came from. And it doesn't explain why some birds have very drab colors. The biggest problem with this explanation is that it simply begs the question. You see, many evolutionists admit that they have no good explanation for how sexual reproduction evolved in the first place.So the evolutionists' story for how the peacock came to have such bright feathers is just a story--not scientific proof. And when it comes to stories, I prefer the stories reported in the Bible, because they have our Creator's own personal guarantee of truth.2 Timothy 4:3-4"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”Prayer: I pray, dear Father, that You would give me a clear-thinking, critical mind informed by Your Word. Help me use these abilities to clearly see the errors of the world's thinking and better appreciate Your wisdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.REF.: "The Sight that Made Darwin Sick!" Riginal View, No. 8. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

 ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਭਗਤ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਕੀ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਹਮ ਸਰਿ ਦੀਨੁ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਨ ਤੁਮ ਸਰਿ ਅਬ ਪਤੀਆਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਬਚਨੀ ਤੋਰ ਮੋਰ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ॥੧॥ ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਉ ਰਮਈਆ ਕਾਰਨੇ ॥ ਕਾਰਨ ਕਵਨ ਅਬੋਲ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬਹੁਤ ਜਨਮ ਬਿਛੁਰੇ ਥੇ ਮਾਧਉ ਇਹੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੇ ਲੇਖੇ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਆਸ ਲਗਿ ਜੀਵਉ ਚਿਰ ਭਇਓ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਖੇ ॥੨॥੧॥ ਅਰਥ: (ਹੇ ਮਾਧੋ!) ਮੇਰੇ ਵਰਗਾ ਕੋਈ ਨਿਮਾਣਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਤੇ, ਤੇਰੇ, ਵਰਗਾ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਹੀਂ, (ਮੇਰੀ ਕੰਗਾਲਤਾ ਦਾ) ਹੁਣ ਹੋਰ ਪਰਤਾਵਾ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਨਹੀਂ। (ਹੇ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਰਾਮ!) ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਪੂਰਨ ਸਿਦਕ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਪਰਚ ਜਾਇਆ ਕਰੇ।੧। ਹੇ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਰਾਮ! ਮੈਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਕੇ ਹਾਂ; ਤੂੰ ਕਿਸ ਗੱਲੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਬੋਲਦਾ?।ਰਹਾਉ। ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ-ਹੇ ਮਾਧੋ! ਕਈ ਜਨਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਵਿਛੁੜਿਆ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ (ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰ, ਮੇਰਾ) ਇਹ ਜਨਮ ਤੇਰੀ ਯਾਦ ਵਿਚ ਬੀਤੇ; ਤੇਰਾ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਕੀਤਿਆਂ ਬੜਾ ਚਿਰ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, (ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਦੀ) ਆਸ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਮੈਂ ਜੀਊਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ।੨।੧। ਭਾਵ: ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਦਰ ਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਅਰਦਾਸ। DHANAASAREE, DEVOTEE RAVI DAAS JEE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: There is none as forlorn as I am, and none as Compassionate as You; what need is there to test us now? May my mind surrender to Your Word; please, bless Your humble servant with this perfection. || 1 || I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to the Lord. O Lord, why are You silent? || Pause || For so many incarnations, I have been separated from You, Lord; I dedicate this life to You. Says Ravi Daas: placing my hopes in You, I live; it is so long since I have gazed upon the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. || 2 || 1 ||

Romans 5:18-21 …Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NLT) Depending on how we were brought up and what we have been taught about God, we must all come to the place of understanding that Scripture is the bottom line of what we should believe and the foundation of what we should build our lives upon. We have to become responsible for what we believe and what we will teach our children—based on our own beliefs, not anyone else's. The concept of grace is such an important pillar of that personal faith.Here's a tough question for you … do you think your own life is ruled more by law or by grace?Is your faith based on what you do for Jesus or what Jesus has done for you?Remember—any questions we ask here are only to help you honestly evaluate where you are, and by comparing to Scripture, ask if is there is any part of your belief that You need to hand over to God?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, if there is anything I believe about You that is not right and not fair to You, I invite You to teach me Your ways through Your Word. As above, so below.”

Welcome to Day 2864 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2864 – “The Love and Grace of Jesus”  based on Luke 7:36-50 Putnam Church Message – 04/19/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “The Love and Grace of Jesus.”   Last week's message was: “In Defense of a Doubter,”  and we learned that “There is room near Christ for a doubter who still wants the truth.” Today, we continue with our nineteenth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “The Love and Grace of Jesus.” We will explore how Jesus's Love and Grace extend to those others reject. Our core passage today is Luke 7:36-50, which is found on page 1604 of your pew Bibles.  Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman 36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, which is living, true, and full of grace. Thank You for sending Jesus, who does not turn away the broken, the ashamed, the doubting, or the weary. As we open this passage today, open our hearts as well. Let us see ourselves honestly, see Jesus clearly, and receive Your mercy gladly. Break down our pride, soften our judgment, and teach us again what real love and real grace look like. May Your Holy Spirit speak to each person here in a personal way. And may we leave this place forgiven, changed, and filled with peace. In Jesus' name, amen. As we continue in this nineteenth message in our journey through Luke's Gospel, we come to one of the most tender, powerful, and unforgettable scenes in the ministry of Jesus. Luke has already been showing us who Jesus is. He is the One with authority to teach. He is the One with power to heal. He is the One who speaks hope into impossible situations. He is the One who raises the widow's son. He is the One who reassures the doubter. And now here in Luke 7:36–50, He is the One who receives the sinner. This is not just a story about a woman with a bad reputation. This is not just a story about a Pharisee with a hard heart. This is a story about the love and grace of Jesus. And if we are honest this morning, every one of us needs this story. Because some of us know what it is to feel like that woman—ashamed, wounded, carrying a past we wish we could erase. And some of us, if we are really honest, know what it is to sound a little too much like Simon—composed on the outside, religious on the surface, but cold in the heart. This story meets both kinds of people. It confronts the proud, and it comforts the broken. It exposes false religion, and it magnifies the beauty of grace. So let us walk into Simon's house and watch what happens when love and grace sit at the same table. A Simple Object Lesson Here are two jars, one beautifully polished and sealed on the outside, and the other cracked open and spilling perfume. Most of us would naturally be drawn first to the neat one. It looks respectable. It looks controlled. It looks presentable. But the truth is, the sealed jar may hold nothing that blesses anyone. The broken jar, however, fills the whole room with fragrance. That is our story in today's message. Simon looks polished. The woman looks broken. But Simon offers Jesus almost nothing. The woman pours out everything. Sometimes the people who look the most put together are the least aware of their need for grace, while the people who know they are broken become the very ones through whom the beauty of Christ fills the room. That brings us to our first of four truths or points in our message today. In your bulletin insert on the side, it says The Love and Grace of Jesus. Main Point 1: Jesus welcomes the people; / religion pushes people away. Luke tells us that a Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to his home for dinner. Jesus accepted the invitation. Even that is grace. Jesus was willing to go into the home of a man who did not really understand Him and may not even have honored Him properly. Then suddenly, into that carefully managed dinner walks a woman the text calls “a sinful woman.” That phrase tells us everything about how the town saw her. She had a label. She had a reputation. She had a history. People did not say her name first; they said her shame first. And yet she comes. She comes into a place where she is unwelcome. She comes into a room where eyes will judge her. She comes near Jesus with tears, perfume, humility, and love. Now, in that first-century setting, this would have been a shocking scene. Meals among the wealthy would sometimes take place in semi-open courtyards, where others might observe from the edges. But this woman does not stand at the edge. She moves toward Jesus. / She falls at His feet. She wets His feet with tears. / She uncovers and lets down her hair. / She wipes his feet with her hair. / She kisses them. / She anoints them with perfume. Imagine this picture – in polite society, it would have been scandalous. What a picture. / The Pharisees saw contamination. / Jesus saw a heart. The religious world saw a problem to manage. / Jesus saw a soul to restore. This is the pattern we have seen throughout Luke. Jesus speaks to fishermen, touches lepers, heals servants, raises the dead, encourages doubters, and now receives a woman with a ruined reputation. Again and again, Luke shows us that Jesus moves toward the very people others avoid. This reminds us of the woman at the well in John 4. Society had pushed her to the margins, but Jesus met her there and offered living water. It reminds us of the woman caught in sin in John 8, when others reached for stones, but Jesus reached for redemption. It reminds us of Matthew 9, when Jesus sat at the table with tax collectors and sinners and said, “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (NLT). Now let's bring that into our day. As hard as we might try otherwise, we still label people, do we not? Divorced. Addicted. Difficult. Political. Unstable. Rich. Poor. Tattooed. Lazy. Obese. Uneducated. Too far gone. We may think they are not our kind of people. We may

Our moon is moving away from the earth at the rate of four centimeters per year. That might not seem like much. But that rate of movement away from the earth presents problems for those who believe the earth and moon have been around for 4.5 billion years.At the rate the moon is receding, it would have been so close to earth only 1.5 to 2 billion years ago that tidal friction would have melted earth's surface rocks. Mathematical fiddlings help a little, but not enough. By mathematically increasing the rate of earth's spin over supposed "billions" of years, and figuring in a factor for assumed different tidal rates, one can inch the earth moon relationship back to about 4 billion years.Evolutionary scientists believe the problem can be solved to keep their 4.5 billion years of evolutionary history intact. But, they admit that the assumptions being tried need investigation, since the matter is far from solved. In other words, evolutionists admit they have a problem making the earth moon relationship fit into their long age history.The mathematical models rule out the theory that the moon was formed billions of years ago from the same dust cloud that supposedly formed the earth. Also ruled out is the theory that the moon was captured by the earth's gravity. Only one explanation seems to satisfy the data--that the moon was formed relatively recently, orbiting the earth from the time of its creation.Psalm 148:3"Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.”Prayer: I thank You, dear Father in heaven, that Your Word to us in the Bible is true and can be trusted. With the creation I will bear witness to You as Creator, and with my mouth I will tell others of the salvation in Christ. In Jesus' Name. Amen.REF.: Dye, Brad. "The moon revisited." Creation Science Dialogue. Kerr, Richard A. "Where was the moon eons ago?" Science, v. 221. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

There are days when the mountain in front of us feels so large and our resources feel so small that simply taking the next step seems impossible. The pain that won't relent, the demands that keep piling higher, the dreams that feel buried under an avalanche of obstacles — and beneath all of it, a soul that is simply depleted. We know we need help. We just aren't always sure where to find it, or whether anyone is truly able to give us what we actually need. Psalm 121 begins with one of the most honest questions in all of Scripture: I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? There is the mountain, looming and real. And then comes the answer, sweeping and certain: my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The same God who formed the mountains towering before us is the One who stands ready to help us scale them. His help is not a distant promise reserved for extreme emergencies — it is a present, flowing, limitless source of strength available to us right now, through His peaceful presence, through the people He places alongside us, and through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. Whatever mountain you are facing today, you do not have to stare it down alone. Lift your eyes. Your help is already on the way. Today's Bible Verse "I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." — Psalm 121:1-2 Ponder Today The psalmist's question is one we all ask when we are staring at a mountain — and the answer is always the same: our help comes from the Lord, the One who made the mountain in the first place. God's help is not reserved for our most dramatic moments — it is a present, flowing, limitless source of strength available to us in every depleted, discouraged, ordinary moment of need. Help from God comes through multiple channels — His peaceful presence, the people He strategically places in our lives, and the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within every believer. When we lift our eyes from the mountain to the Maker of the mountain, something shifts — our problems are still real, but they are suddenly much smaller than the One who stands ready to help us through them. God always supplies sufficiently and perfectly — not always in the way we expect or on the timeline we prefer, but always in accordance with His good plans and purposes for our lives. Today's Prayer Mighty God, You are my ever-present help, and You know exactly how much help I need and when I need it. Sometimes I struggle to gather the strength to take on even the simplest tasks — I need You. You alone are the help I am looking for, and You always supply sufficiently and perfectly. Today, remind me that Your power is always there to strengthen me, Your Word is there to guide me, and You are constantly placing people along my path to support me. Your help is limitless and relentless — an unfailing flow of strength to my weary soul. Thank You, Jesus. In Your strong name, Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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. Amen.Day 3: For UnderstandingHoly Spirit, grant me understanding. Help me to grasp the truths of faith more deeply. Open my heart to Your Word and make it alive within me. Amen.O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God. I thank You for the many graces You have given me. I ask You to continue guiding me and to dwell in me always. Amen.

Can your ear talk to you? New research seems to show that your ear actually generates sound that echoes whatever you hear.Startled scientists are making new discoveries that appear to show that we have hearing aids built into our ears. Yes, our ears do produce sounds. When sound hits the eardrums, the vibrations move bones within the ear, causing a bone called the stapes to vibrate. These vibrations are translated to pneumatic pressure within the cochlea. The oscillating pressure is picked up by tiny inner hairs in the cochlea that vibrate with the sound. These vibrations generate an electrical signal that is sent to the brain.Researchers have learned that outer hair cells within the cochlea respond to the incoming signals by generating audible sounds that can be picked up by tiny microphones. The sounds are generated as the hairs dance up and down in time with the incoming sound, just like the cone of a loudspeaker. The effect is that the ear echoes the incoming sound a few thousandths of a second after it enters the ear. The echo generated within the cochlea is not necessary for hearing. However, scientists suspect that this feedback system helps people smoothly hear sounds that range from soft to loud. Some scientists have voiced their skepticism about these astonishing findings.Our ability to hear sound is much more elegant in design than scientists ever expected. The technically precise details of the ear's design discredit all claims that the ear could have evolved.James 1:22"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”Prayer: Lord, let my voice praise You for all the great things You have done. Let me always be glad to hear Your Word and, assured of Your forgiving grace, put it into practice in my life. Amen.REF.: Malcolm M. Browne. "Let's Hear it from the Ears." The Plain Dealer. Image: Schematic overview of inner ear, van der Valk, W.H., Steinhart, M.R., Zhang, J. et al., CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped from original. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

It was only a few years ago that excited supporters of the big bang theory for the origin of the universe announced that their theory had apparently been proven. Now their unverified conclusions are being seriously questioned on several fronts.Even as it was being announced that the big bang theory was proven, verification was being made on other results showing that the big bang theory is probably wrong. William G. Tifft of the University of Arizona had been looking at lists of red shifts from distant galaxies. On a graph, he plotted the red shifts corrected for the effects of the earth's motion. If the red shifts from these objects are the result of their speeding away from earth, their red shifts should be evenly spread over the known range of shifts. Tifft found that they're not. The red shifts are clumped into patterns. The intervals are about 72 kilometers per second, with some half that value and some one-third of that value. Astronomers from the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh verified his results.A second study by Tifft has shown that galaxy red shifts measured from earth have changed in just a few years! This change is completely unexpected by proponents of the big bang theory. The change is large enough that Tifft expects to be able to test the rate at which these changes take place within only a few years! One suggestion is that red shifts may be some sort of decay phenomenon rather than expansion of the universe.How could human beings expect to understand a universe created by the Author of Scripture when they reject Scripture itself?Isaiah 55:8"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”Prayer: I thank You, dear Lord, for the revelation of Your Word of salvation in Scripture. I pray that I may never presume to understand something before I know and believe what You have said about it in Your inerrant Word. Amen.Image: High redshift galaxy candidates in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field 2012, NASA, ESA, R. Ellis (Caltech), and the HUDF 2012 Team, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

There are few tests of genuine faith more revealing than the moment someone wrongs us — and we have to decide what to do with it. The instinct to hold on, to keep score, to wait for an apology before we extend any grace, runs deep in every human heart. And yet Jesus, in Luke 6, calls His followers to something that cuts directly against that instinct: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and be merciful — just as your Father is merciful. That is not a suggestion for the spiritually advanced. It is a command for every believer, rooted in the most foundational truth of the gospel: we did not deserve the mercy God extended to us, and yet He gave it extravagantly anyway. Because we have freely received, we are called to freely give. This does not mean ignoring harmful behavior or abandoning healthy boundaries — but it does mean that unforgiveness has no rightful home in the heart of someone who has stood before a holy God and received pardon. We are not God. We cannot stand in His place as Judge. What we can do — what His Spirit empowers us to do — is love, bless, pray, and pardon, even when every part of us would rather hold on. Mercy is at the heart of the gospel, and every opportunity to extend it is an invitation to look more like Jesus. Today's Bible Verse "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." — Luke 6:35-36, NASB Ponder Today The command to show mercy is not reserved for easy situations or repentant offenders — Jesus calls us to love, bless, and pray for those who have wronged us, regardless of whether they have said sorry. Holding unforgiveness does not put us in a position of power — it puts us in the place of God, which is a place we were never designed to occupy and cannot sustain. We have no grounds to withhold mercy from others when we ourselves have received it so extravagantly from a holy God whose standard none of us could meet apart from Christ. Showing mercy does not mean ignoring harmful behavior or abandoning healthy boundaries — it means refusing to let bitterness and unforgiveness take root in our hearts at the expense of our own spiritual health. Mercy is at the very heart of the gospel — every opportunity to extend it to someone who doesn't deserve it is a chance to reflect the character of a God who extended it to us first. Today's Prayer Heavenly Father, I do not deserve Your mercy, yet You have been so extravagant with Your love for me. Help me reflect on the gift of Your forgiveness daily, so that I can extend that same grace to others — even those who have hurt me, misunderstood me, or spoken against me. When I am tempted to hold onto bitterness or speak words I will regret, set a guard over my mouth and cultivate in me the fruit of self-control by the power of Your Spirit. Help me walk peaceably, with gentleness and humility, as Your Word commands. In Jesus' name, Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to Day 2859 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2859 – “In Defense of a Doubter”  based on Luke 7:18-35 Putnam Church Message – 04/12/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “In Defense of a Doubter.”   Last week's message was: “He is Risen Indeed!” We will celebrate the resurrected Christ and the assurance we have in the salvation that He brings. Today, we return to Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “In Defense of a Doubter.” We will explore the doubts of Jesus's cousin, known as John the Baptizer. Our core passage today is Luke 7:15-35, which is found on page 1603 of your pew Bibles.  Jesus and John the Baptizer 18 John's disciples told him about all these things. / Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'” 21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 24 After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'[b] 28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.' 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Opening Prayer Father, thank You that You are not threatened by our questions and not surprised by our weakness. Thank You that in Jesus Christ You meet us not only in strength, but also in struggle. As we open Your Word today, give us honesty, humility, and hope. Help us to see that doubt does not have to destroy faith, and that Your Son is still enough / even when life does not make sense. In Jesus' name, amen. Introduction There is a kind of faith that sounds strong but is actually fragile. It never asks hard questions. It never admits confusion.  It never confesses pain. It smiles through gritted teeth and calls that spirituality. But the Bible gives us something far more honest than that. The Bible gives us John the Baptizer. The same John who leaped in Elizabeth's womb at the presence of Christ. The same John who thundered in the wilderness. The same John who said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The same John who pointed away from himself and toward Jesus. And now in Luke 7, that same man is in prison, and he is asking a question he never expected to ask: “Are You the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Luke 7:19) That question surprises us. But Luke includes it because he wants us to learn something important: A season of doubt does not automatically mean the death of faith. Sometimes doubt is rebellion. Sometimes doubt is unbelief. But sometimes doubt is the cry of a wounded believer trying to reconcile what he knows about God with what he is living through. And that is where many believers live at one point or another. You may trust God and still have questions. You may love Christ and still ache. You may believe deeply and still struggle honestly. So today we are going to stand in defense of a doubter—not to glorify doubt, but to understand what Jesus does with it. Main Point 1: Faith Can Be Shaken Without Being Destroyed Luke 7:18–20 John's disciples come to Jesus and ask the question straight out: “Are You the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Let's not rush past how astonishing that is. John was not a casual observer. He was not a spiritual dabbler. He was not a man who had built his beliefs on rumors. He knew the prophecies. He had heard the voice of God. He had publicly identified Jesus. He had baptized Jesus. He had seen the Spirit descend. And yet now, from a prison cell, John is trembling. Why? Because circumstances can shake even the strongest believers. John expected the Messiah to come with power, to cleanse, to judge, and to bring visible kingdom change. And yet Herod still sits on the throne, evil still seems to prosper, and John himself—the faithful prophet—sits forgotten in a dungeon. If Jesus is truly the Expected One, why does the world still look so wrong? That is not a foolish question. That is an agonizing one. And many of us know something about it. A praying parent watches a child drift farther from God. A faithful wife buries a husband too soon.  A godly man loses his job while dishonest people advance. A believer fights disease, grief, betrayal, or depression and quietly wonders, “Lord, where are You?” That does not mean the believer has become an unbeliever. It may mean the believer has run out of easy answers. Object Lesson — The Storm-Bent Tree Imagine a strong tree in a storm. The wind bends it. The branches whip. Leaves tear loose. For a while, it looks unstable. But when the storm passes, the roots remain. That is John. He is bent, but not uprooted. He is shaken, but not blown away. And that is a needed reminder. A believer can be deeply troubled and still deeply rooted.   Matthew's Parallel Helps Us Matthew 11 records this same incident. Matthew gives us the same question, the same prison setting, and the same answer from Jesus. That tells us this was not a minor moment in Christ's ministry. The Spirit wanted the church to remember that even the greatest prophet of that generation went through a dark night of the soul. So, if you are in a season of doubt, do not assume that the struggle itself means your faith is fake. Some doubt is corrosive. But some doubt is the painful honesty of a real disciple asking, “Lord, help me understand.” Related Scriptures Psalm 73 — Asaph struggling with the prosperity of the wicked. Habakkuk 1 — “How long, O Lord?” Mark 9:24 — “I...

Introduction: Authority & Submission: God's Plan for Order. (1 Corinthians 11:2-16) God's Plan For Order Must Be UNDERSTOOD. (1 Cor 11:2-3) God's Plan for Order Must Be APPLIED. (1 Cor 11:4-6) God's Plan for Order Started at CREATION. (1 Cor 11:7-10) God's Plan for Order Brings BALANCE. (1 Cor 11:11-12) DECISION TIME: Are You On Board with God's Plan for Order? (1 Cor 11:13-16) Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Questions and Answers: What About Gender Roles in the Church? Jeff Miller Download Audio Transcript 00:36Open up those Bibles to the book of 1 Corinthians 11.00:42And as you do so, just please take a moment to pray for me to faithfully and clearly communicate the Word of God.00:53And I will pray for you to have a heart that is open to receive what God said.00:59Alright? Let's pray.01:05Father, we once again just ask for Your Spirit to be at work with Your Word in a supernatural way that we can't fully describe, but it always brings about life change when Your Spirit works that way. Father, I pray that You would help us to eliminate any distractions and to just take this time to laser focus on your word and what you've communicated to us here, Father.01:43We pray in Jesus' name and all of God's people said, amen.01:50Amen.01:51Amen.01:53When I was in college, I worked at Walmart.01:56This was in Ohio.01:58And one of my jobs at Walmart was when a customer bought something heavy, like a trampoline or an anvil or whatever Walmart sells, it was my job to get it in their car.02:13And I remember this one lady in particular, I was putting something heavy in her car, and she said, Are you married?02:24She wasn't proposing to me, by the way.02:26She was much, much, much older. And I was much, much, much younger. She goes, you married? And at the time, I was not. I said, no. She said, if you were, would you let your wife wear pants? And I got to tell you, I was young and a brand new Christian. And I was like, as opposed to what?02:59I just wasn't sure that I had a say in that matter. Is my wife going to wear pants? I'm like, that's a thing? I didn't know that was a thing. Well, it's a thing. It is a thing. In Corinth, it is a thing even more than ever today.03:26talking about, and I later discovered what she was talking about, gender roles, attire, what is appropriate, what is a woman? God created them male and female. We're going to talk about gender roles today.03:56And in this section, it's kind of a Q&A section. And here, next question up, we're going to see is what about gender roles? We're going to give you a little background here so you understand why Paul was writing what he wrote. But the church in Corinth, they had a lot of problems. And one of the problems they had was they had issues with feminism.04:28Now listen close because this, you have to understand this to understand why Paul is saying the things that he did here. But in that culture, in the Corinthian culture, married women would wear a veil or a head covering as a sign of modesty and submission to their husbands.04:56When a woman wore a veil, it was her way of saying, I'm taken. I'm not interested. I'm not available. You know, sort of like in our culture, we wear the wedding ring. That's your way of saying, look, I have been claimed. I'm not looking for someone else. All right? Some cultures today still use head coverings or veils in a similar custom. It was a sign of modesty and submission.05:26Well, some of the Corinthian women, in the name of liberty, would protest the traditional male and female roles. And they would make a statement that they're liberated women. They'd make the statement by throwing away their head coverings. And some would even take it a step further than that. And say, I'll show you how liberated I am. They would shave their heads.05:57and protest.06:02Now in past time and going through 1 Corinthians, we talked a lot about the prostitution in Corinth.06:10And let's just say prostitutes didn't wear veils.06:15Because prostitutes were going around saying, I'm available.06:21And you see some of the liberated Corinthian women were like, throwing their veils away too. Women rejecting their roles. Men abdicating their roles. It's an issue as old as the human race. Like, well, what about today? Well, obviously veils really aren't a thing in the American culture.06:58I'm not great at mincing words here, okay? But let's just be honest. In our culture, there are clear signs of masculinity and femininity, right? There are clear signs of that, right? Don't you dare leave me up here. There are clear signs in our culture of masculinity and femininity, right? I don't judge.07:24Okay, so if you come across a woman who has a purple crew cut, a skull tattoo on her face, and she's wearing combat boots, would you immediately think to yourself, that's very feminine? Would you? Would you? Okay. Or what if you came across a man, who was wearing mascara, and he had his fingernails painted pink, and he's wearing a pink mesh half tank top. Would you say, that's masculine? Would you? No. There's obvious signs of what's feminine and what's masculine. You're like, so this passage today is about clothes. Yeah.08:26And more than that, it's about men being men and women being women living the roles as God designed them to be lived out. And these roles for men and for women must be reflected in attitude, they must be reflected in conduct, and they even must be reflected in appearance.08:53This passage is about the fundamental way that God is at work in everything in the universe. It's a divine order that Satan would want to disrupt. Here's the real issue on the table in this passage. It's the issue of authority and submission. Now, as soon as you say the dirty S word in church, people get their guards up. Like, submission. Submission.09:23People get their guards up. There's already this like animosity. Submission. Really? This is the sermon you went with on Mother's Day? Submission? I do the preaching calendar in July. I did not see this coming until about like two weeks ago. And then I was like, oh dear. Here's the problem though with submission. You know what the problem is with submission?09:53Submission is people don't understand it.09:57I want to give you a couple biblical truths about submission to help us set up this passage.10:03It's an acronym, SOFT.10:08Listen, ladies, it's okay to be soft.10:11That's how God designed you, soft.10:14So what is submission?10:15S. S is for strength.10:18Listen, you know why people don't like to hear submission?10:21Because they think submission is weakness.10:23Submission is strength. I'll prove it very easily. Who was the most submissive person to ever walk the planet? Do you know? Jesus Christ. Jesus did not do one thing that wasn't in complete submission to his Father's authority. Jesus never had a day where he's like, well, the Father wants me to do this, but I don't feel like doing that. He never had a day like that. Jesus was He was completely submissive to the Father's will every second of His life, and He loved it. Okay, another question. Who was the strongest person to ever walk the planet? Jesus. The most submissive person ever somehow is also the strongest person ever. So is submission weakness? Submission is strength.11:24O.11:25Soft.11:26O.11:27O is for order.11:29Listen, when we talk about submission and authority, it's just the way God made everything to function.11:35It's just the way.11:36Everything that we see, everything that's unseen.11:38Submission, authority.11:40Authority, submission.11:41That's the way God structured the universe.11:44It's in the spiritual realm.11:48All right, we'll talk about that in a few minutes.11:51It's all over the earth.11:53The government, your workplace, the church, the home, authority and submission in every arena of life. It's everywhere. Authority and submission. The focus here in this passage has to do with men and women. Men and women are equal, but we're different. That's okay.12:23some roles for men and some roles for women. It has nothing to do with superiority or inferiority. It has nothing to do with that. It's your workplace. You are under your boss's authority, but that doesn't mean he's better than you or she is smarter than you. It's just about the structure that's been established. It's about order. It's about order. Somebody has to make decisions.12:52decisions out. It's just the way it works. Everywhere. All right? S, O, F and T go together. Faith and trust. Faith and trust. Do you have faith? Do you have faith? Well, one of the key ways faith is expressed is by submitting the authorities that God has placed over you. So long as the authority is not asking you to sin.13:22We express our faith by submitting to the authorities God has over us at our workplace, in the church, in the home. Faith says, God, I trust you by submitting to the authority that you placed over me. That's an act of faith. And it takes an incredibly strong person to be able to trust God to that degree. So here's the principle for this passage. Please really tune in here.13:52because this is the principle of this passage. And I was very careful I worded this. I'm going to read this to you twice, okay? But here's the principle of this passage. Christians should, in the name of laying down their rights, as Brian talked about last week, Christians should conform to their gender-specific patterns of dress and appearance that their culture identifies with being male, and female because God wants these roles embraced because authority and submission in these roles is God's plan for order. Let's say that again. This is the short version. If you want the long version, stick around. Christians should conform to their gender-specific patterns of dress and appearance that their their culture identifies with being male and female. Like, why? Because God wants us to embrace those roles. Why? Because authority and submission in these roles is God's plan for order. All right? That's the short version. Now, let's take a look at the text and see what exactly God said on your outline. Authority and submission, God's plan for order. That's what this is. This is God's plan for order.15:22This is the way God orchestrated everything. Authority and submission, God's plan for order. Number one, write this down. God's plan for order must be understood. It must be understood. Look at verse 2. Paul says, Now I commend you, because you remember me in everything, and maintain the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.15:52Paul is front-loading a very hard topic with praise. Paul says, you seek my counsel on everything. I appreciate that so much about you. You hold the traditions. Literally, that word is translated doctrine in other places in Scripture. Paul's like, you're people that care about the truth and harvest. Let me commend you. Listen, I know that this is a controversial topic. I get that.16:22And I know that this is an extremely unpopular topic. But you know what else I know about this church? That you come here because you want to know what God said. You come to this church because you believe that we want nothing more than to represent the Bible in our sermons, right? Check the record. That's all any of us have ever tried to do is just reflect God's truth. And I commend you for that.16:51Even when it's hard. Look at verse 3. Verse 3 is the thesis of the whole thing. Paul says, but I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ. The head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. You see, here's the thesis. Authority and submission is God's design.17:22He says the head of man, the head of every man, is who? Christ. You're like, Jesus isn't the head of every man. Wait 15 minutes. Every knee will bow, okay? But the head of every man is Jesus Christ. Man, we better get on board with that sooner than later. Okay, the head of the wife is what?17:56You are so much more reluctant to say this one, aren't you? The head of the wife is the husband, right? And the head of Jesus is God. You see, Paul's just giving the thesis here. There are roles that have been established. And I love how he puts the hard one sandwiched between two very obvious ones. Do you see that?18:25It's obvious, right? The head of man is Christ, obviously. And the head of Jesus is God, right? Jesus completely submissive to the Father in all things, right? John 14, 28. Jesus regarded the Father greater than Him. And He says the head of every wife is the husband.18:51that men are called to have authority. There's the problem. Another problem that we have with submission. Because we don't get what authority means either. People get this idea that authority means man sits on the throne and chop, serve me, everything for me, my way, my preferences. That's not what authority means at all. Do you know what authority means. Biblically, authority is I have to make decisions that are going to bless and protect the people that God is entrusting to me. That is true in my home. I have to make decisions to bless and protect my family. That is true in the church. I have to make decisions in this church, and our elders have to make decisions in this church that's going to bless and protect the congregation, the people who come to this church, the members, the sheep of this fold.19:52That's what authority is.19:57And you see, Paul lays out this thesis.19:59You can't deny any of these things.20:03If you look very close, in every case, it's about trusting God by submitting, right?20:10How does man trust God?20:12Well, man trusts God by submitting to Christ.20:15I want to jump to the last one.20:17How did Jesus trust his Father?20:21He trusted His Father by submitting to Him. So how does the wife trust God? Right there in the middle, by submitting to her husband. Also, the other side of that, the authority in every case is not dominating. It's lovingly leading. Do you see that? How does Christ lead man? Lovingly. How did the Father lead Christ?20:51Therefore, how should the man lead his wife? Lovingly. So if you believe this universal law of authority and submission, then you're going to get the rest of the passage. All right? Number two, God's plan for order must be applied. God's plan for order must be applied. Look at verses 4 and 5.21:22He says, every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.21:31But every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.21:43So Paul is applying this principle here.21:45He's talking about prayer and prophecy.21:47What's that?21:48It was just talking about women preachers, right? No. No, the women as pastor thing, Paul makes that very clear in just a couple of chapters. You can write it down. Chapter 14, verses 34 and 35, Paul talks about women as pastors.22:18about that in this passage. This passage, he's focusing on the head covering customs, and later, like the pastor thing, we're going to get into the other gender issues. Chapter 14. So, he says, men, when you pray, when you prophesy, wherever that is, he says, your head should be uncovered. And women, you should have your head covered. Why did Paul say that?22:48because in Corinth, again, this is a culture-specific tradition, but in Corinth, if a person covered their head, that was a sign of being feminine. That was a very effeminate way to present yourself. And what Paul's simply saying here is, men, don't do that. Men, in Corinth, hey, don't cover your head.23:18Don't do it.23:20You're like, well, what about the Jewish men?23:24Because, you know, the Jewish men covered their head when they pray.23:27Yeah, that is a Jewish custom.23:29Came from the rabbis, not from the Bible, because of Moses being veiled after he talked to God.23:36So what about the Jewish men in Corinth?23:39Paul's like, no.23:41Jewish men, don't cover your head.23:43Why?23:44Because if people in Corinth see you praying with your head covered, they're going to think you're effeminate. Right? And you're like, all right, is this for all churches? I mean, is this for us today? I mean, tell me, Pastor Jeff, should I go home and throw away my Yankees cap? Are people going to think I'm effeminate if I wear that? No. Look, this is obviously, obviously, it's a Corinthian-specific issue.24:21Because, you know, Paul only addressed gender and veils in Corinth.24:27You don't see this anywhere else in the New Testament, not to any other church.24:35So what Paul is saying to the Corinthians is this.24:39Accommodate yourself to the customs of the Corinthians.24:42In other words, church, here's the principle.24:45Here's the principle that does apply to us. Don't violate customs that have significance in your culture. That's what he's saying. Don't violate customs that have significance in your culture. Meaning this, men should do what men do, and women should do what women do. Don't try to make some statement of liberation by taking on the appearance of the other gender.25:18In verse 6, he addresses the feminists. He says, For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. Again, Paul here is speaking to the feminists. What he's saying here is this. Ladies, you want to protest?25:44Okay, you're making some kind of statement. You refuse to act like a lady. Is that what you're going for? Then just, okay, just shave your head. How about that? Because the response for these Corinthian church ladies would be like, shave my head. I'm not going to do that. That's like, that's disgraceful. Paul's like, then put a veil on Miss Corinth. Paul's being very facetious here. He says, look, you've got to go with the cultural norms.26:14when it comes to being male and female. You've got to know what's happening in that culture and you've got to go with it. Right? Like when we go to Thailand, some of the churches in Thailand, many of the churches in Thailand, when you go to church, the men sit on this side and the women sit on this side. They don't have a middle. All right? So when I go to Thailand, I don't just go strutting into the church like, I'm free in Christ. I'm sitting with the ladies. Because all the men are going to be like, that American guy. Is he a little weird, isn't he? Like, no, we sit with the dudes. Because that's just part of the custom. That's part of the culture. Right? That's what Paul's talking about here.27:14He's saying, look, boy, this is a hard sell. This is such a hard sell. When I got into ministry, I never imagined this would be a hard sell. But now that we live in a day of drag queen story hour and transgender stuff, the Bible just here says, embrace gender distinction. You know what it is in the United States in 2026. Your look, the way you act, your role.27:43If you're a man, be a man. If you're a woman, be a woman. That's what Paul's saying here. You've got to apply God's plan for order. Thirdly, authority and submission, God's plan for order. Thirdly, God's plan for order started at creation. Look at verse 7. He says, for a man to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. Stop there. Paul's saying, men, you are to lead. Not abdicate that role in submission. If too many men that just aren't stepping up, being the servant leader in the home that God has called them to be, that's a problem. There's a problem in Corinth. It's a problem.28:43in our day today. Man, you've got to step up and lovingly lead your family.28:50That's what Paul's saying here. Stop shrinking back.28:54He says, man, you're the glory of God. Then he says, woman, you're the glory of man.28:59This is how authority and submission was established. Man is the glory of God, means man was made to manifest God's will.29:10And woman being the glory of man means that woman was made to manifest man's will. You're like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Since when? Since creation. Look at verses 8 and 9. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.29:40Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. Stop there. Authority and submission. The Bible says very clearly here and in Genesis 2 that woman was created to help man. And we need all the help we can get.30:10says the woman was made from man for man. Do you think God could have created men and women at the same time? Do you think that's possible? I think he could have if he wanted to. So why in the world did God create man first and then take woman from the man? Why did he do that? Why didn't he just create them both?30:40at the same time. And the answer is right here. He's establishing his plan for order.30:46Because look at verse 10.30:49He says, that is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head because of the angels.30:59Paul's saying, so, if you accept God's plan, authority and submission, God's plan for order, if you accept God's plan, show it by dressing the way that's reflected in your culture because of the angels. What? Whoa, what? Because of the angels. Yeah, obviously, duh, because of the angels. What do the angels have to do with any of this? Here it is, listen.31:37God's plan for order, authority, and submission. Do you know who gets that more than anybody? Do you know if you scoured the universe and you were looking for someone who understood this more than anyone, do you know who you would get? An angel. They get God's plan for order. They get it. They're like, okay, there's authority, there's submission. God's my authority. He says to do something, I do it.32:07They get how it works. Do you know what else they get? Angels get that rebelling against God's plan is a very bad idea. Speaking of angels, look at Jude, verse 6. And we studied Jude a few years ago. You can look up this whole sermon online. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, God has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day. You see that? Because of the angels, Paul is pleading here. He goes, ladies, look, as soon as you talk about these matters of men and women and authority and submission, there's a lot of women immediately want to throw the whole thing out. And Paul is pleading here. He's like, ladies, look, God's plan is good.33:07And if you're not on board, learn from the angels who weren't on board that God takes it very seriously when his plan for order is rejected. God was serious about his plan for order at creation, at Corinth, and at Harvest Bible Chapel today. God's plan for order started at creation. Number four, God's plan for order brings balance. Look at verses 11 and 12. He says, nevertheless, in the Lord, woman is not independent of man, nor man of woman. For as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.34:07God's amazing plan of order to work. We all have to do our part. We all have to work together. We're not independent. That's what he's saying. We're not independent. God designed us to be interdependent. That's how order works. The home, the church, understand.34:37Neither were designed to function just by man. The home, the church, neither was designed to function just by woman. In order for the home and the church to be at their absolute healthiest, both men and women have to be faithful to the roles that God established in creation.35:07Let's look at verse 12 again. This is so beautiful and so profound at the same time. He says, for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman, and all things are from God. Yes, man is called to have authority. And moms, moms, You have the responsibility and privilege to make your son a man who is going to serve God faithfully in his role. That's what Paul's talking about here. Yes, woman was taken from man at the beginning, and ever since then, man has come from woman, and man has been shaped by woman. Meaning, those of you who are moms of sons, listen, you made a son and now you are making a man. So moms, you hone your son into a man who's going to lead with love. You hone your son into a man who's going to lead with kindness, who's going to show respect. Moms, you make your sons into men of humility and self-sacrifice. Because moms, your impact on your son will ultimately exponentially manifest throughout the whole world with the impact that he's going to have when you send him out of your house. So you see there's balance. Every role fulfilled God's way advances his kingdom and glorifies the name of Jesus Christ. That's why Paul says, All things are from God. Number five. Decision time. Are you on board with God's plan for order? Look at verse 13. Paul says, judge for yourselves. Is it proper for a wife to pray to God, with her head uncovered. Judge for yourself. Paul's saying, in other words, is it appropriate for a woman to fight being feminine? Is that proper? Verse 14, he says, does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is a disgrace for him? But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory, for her hair is to her for a covering. Judge for yourself, Paul says, authority and submission. Embracing God's gender roles. Is that proper? Is that appropriate? I think it's right back on the hair thing. Paul's like, hey, even beyond the Corinthian culture, he says, nature teaches men shouldn't have women's hair. He says, but it's It's right on a woman, though. So interesting. Paul says that the veil they wore, the head covering, it was just sort of an accent for the hair that God designed the woman to have anyways. Tradition came from somewhere, didn't it? And you're like, oh, all right, fine. Man doesn't have long hair. Woman should have long hair. All right. Here's where we get legalistic, right?39:06You ready for the legalism? We've got to define what's long hair. Four inches? Five inches? I don't know. Maybe the standard is just this. Every dude has got to shave their head. Women have to be tripping over their hair. It has to be that long. How about that? You guys, I'm not interested in legalism because God's Word certainly isn't.39:38Look, in our culture, men don't need to have a crew cut to look manly. In our culture, women can look extremely feminine with shorter hair. All right? Because in their culture and in our culture, it's about the heart. And that's why Paul says, judge for yourself. Look, be honest. If you've chosen a hairstyle because you're trying to be rebellious. That's a hard thing. If you've chosen a hairstyle because you're trying to make a statement with it, that's a hard thing. That's what he's addressing here. And if you're trying to make some kind of feminist statement with your hair or whatever, I just want to say this as lovingly as I can. If you're trying to make a statement with some feminist thing. Nobody here really cares about your statement.40:42But, God cares about your heart.40:48That's the bottom line.40:52That's the bottom line.40:54And probably my favorite verse in the whole passage is the next one.40:58Paul says, If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.41:06Paul says, because he knows, look, nothing's changed. He knows writing this, people are going to be like, I'm sending Paul an email. And I'm sure there are people thinking that about me. And this is what God says. He's like, look, if you want to fight about living out and representing your gender role, you're not going to sway the church. Because God made a distinction between men and women.41:34We are God's church, so we're going to keep the distinction. Because God has a plan for order. For men, for women. And it's godly authority. And it's godly submission. Our worship team would make their way up. That was the introduction. Now here's the sermon. Men.42:04Act like a godly man. Women. Act like a lady. Act like a godly lady. This is God's plan for order. Let's pray. Father in heaven, I pray that you would give us understanding.42:38Because our whole culture would just rail against this passage today. We live in a culture that can't even define what a woman is when you have made it very clear that you want us to be the people that you've created us to be. Father, I pray that we would find great joy and fulfillment and contentment and contentment.43:09And finding our identity in Christ.43:14And living out the role, whatever that is, wherever you have us, however that looks, God.43:23Let us be a people that are shaped by the truths of your word.43:28We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 11:2-11:16What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Explain 1 Cor 11:3. What does this say about authority and submission pertaining to God's plan for order?Is this passage teaching women should wear head coverings at Harvest? Why or why not? How does this apply today?Read 1 Cor 11:10. What do angels have to do with women understanding the roles of authority and submission? See also Jude 6.Why do you think this topic is such a source of contention (1 Cor 11:16)?BreakoutPray for one another.

There is something deeply sobering about watching history decay from neglect — a farmhouse left to the weeds, rooms full of untold stories slowly becoming one with the field around them. Without intentional effort to preserve the past, everything eventually disappears. What was meant to instruct and inspire future generations simply vanishes, and those who come after are left to stumble through the same mistakes with no warning and no map. The same is painfully true in our spiritual lives. Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 10 are a direct and urgent reminder that Israel's history was not recorded merely as interesting ancient literature — it was written down as a warning for us. The golden calf, the grumbling in the wilderness, the testing of God — these were not isolated events from a distant people. They are mirror images of the temptations we face today, preserved in Scripture precisely so we do not have to repeat them. When we skip over the parts of the Bible that feel less relevant or too unfamiliar, we leave rooms of our spiritual house unexamined and uncared for. God regularly called Israel to remember, and He calls us to do the same — to be faithful students of His whole Word, both Old and New Testament, so that the lessons of those who walked before us become the guardrails that keep us on the path of righteousness today. Interested in creating something new with us!? Take Our Newsletter Survey! Today's Bible Verse "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" — 1 Corinthians 10:11-12, NIV Ponder Today History left unpreserved is history lost — the same is true spiritually: when we neglect the recorded accounts of Scripture, we forfeit the warnings and wisdom they were written to give us. Israel's failures were not recorded to shame them but to protect us — Paul makes clear that their stories serve as direct warnings for believers living today, not relics of a disconnected past. No part of Scripture is irrelevant — even the passages we find difficult, unfamiliar, or less immediately applicable hold lessons that can protect us from the snares of sin. God repeatedly called Israel to remember His past work, and He calls us to do the same — actively engaging with how God has moved in history deepens our faith and anchors our trust in Him. Being a doer of the Word, not just a reader, is the ultimate goal of studying Scripture — the past is only truly preserved when it changes the way we live in the present. Today's Prayer God, thank You for providing us with Your Word, which has everything we need to faithfully follow You. Help me create rhythms in my life that encourage me to remember how You worked in the past and to learn from the saints who have gone before me. I do not want to skip over parts of Scripture merely because they seem distant from daily life — increase in me the desire to be a faithful student of Your whole Word, Old and New Testament alike. May I not be a reader only, but a doer of the Word, allowing what I learn to shape the way I live. In Jesus' name, Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

For Edge God in Podcast Edge God In Podcast 320 The Book of Deuteronomy: Remember and Choose. EdgeGodIn.com | Host: Estella Chavous Championing Human Potential in Christ Download Bible Study Template Learning Objective: By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to recognize how fear, doubt, and perception influence their response to God's promises, evaluate their emotional and behavioral reactions in seasons of uncertainty, and apply the EIC Method (Encounter → Identify Behavior → Course Correct) to shift from fear-driven responses to faith-centered obedience aligned with God's Word. Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:5–7 | Matthew 22:37–38 | Psalm 119:10–11 | Proverbs 3:5–6 | Joshua 1:8 | Psalm 1:2–3 | James 1:22 | Deuteronomy 30:19–20 | John 14:15 | Isaiah 1:19 | Galatians 6:7– 8 The book helped them understand five key areas: Developing confidence in God's guidance and covenant promises Choosing faithful obedience in seasons of uncertainty and challenge Recognizing how fear, doubt, and negative attitudes hinder spiritual growth Understanding God's steady faithfulness despite human weakness and inconsistency Prayer: Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts, anchored in Your Word in Deuteronomy. Teach us what it means to love You with all our heart, soul, and strength, and to let that love shape every part of our lives. Where fear has taken root, replace it with trust. Where doubt has spoken louder than Your promises, quiet our thoughts with Your truth. Help us not only hear Your Word but carry it in our hearts and live it out in our daily choices. Let our emotions be surrendered to You, and our actions reflect obedience rooted in love. Form us into people who do not drift between belief and fear, but who are fully anchored in You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Support Resources: Books & Resources: Understanding and Acting on Behaviors that lead to Christ-Filled Relationships: Designed to uncover the key behaviors that influence how you relate to Christ-Awareness, Discernment, Emotion, and Renewal. Situational Meditation Theory and Practice: Finding this space and learning to engage in meditation, contemplation and reflection. Situational Meditation Journal: A companion to the book, cultivating a lifestyle of presence and full engagement in the moment. Emotional Intelligence in Christ Project: Book, 6-Week Study Guide & Course

We think of her as a genteel Southern lady, and she was that, for sure.But Ruth Bell Graham was so much more. While her husband was away so much, preaching to the masses, she was preaching to her own little flock. The result was children who became adults, and in turn shared the Good News of Jesus with others.Anne Graham Lotz and Franklin Graham didn't just fall out of the sky!Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”In their little home in the mountains of North Carolina, while Daddy was in Brussels, New York, and Sydney, Mother Ruth was faithful for years on end to impart godly wisdom to their children. Much iron was sharpened on cold winter nights and long summer days.Theirs was a home that didn't always have both parents available, but they thrived.Use that as an example of how to bring up your own children. You'll be happy forever that you did.Let's pray.Lord, Your Word is good, and it shines a light on our path. Give us the strength to mentor our own children in your ways. 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.

Some voices today try to make Christianity “easier” by removing whatever feels uncomfortable—reducing the faith to a few agreeable points and ignoring the rest. In this episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains why that approach doesn't produce stronger believers—it produces weaker ones. Jesus Himself affirmed the Old Testament, including accounts like Noah and Jonah (Matthew 24:37; Matthew 12:40). That means we cannot claim to believe in Jesus while dismissing what He declared to be true. Scripture isn't a buffet. If the Bible records Christ's virgin birth, His miracles, His cross, and His resurrection, we don't get to select the parts we prefer and discard the rest. Dr. Youssef then turns to Jude, who urged Christians to “contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3). Truth does not shift with the times—and when we forget the magnitude of God's grace toward us, our faith grows thin and our witness loses strength. But when we hold fast to the Gospel, we submit to Christ fully, trust every Word He affirmed, and stand firm—even in a culture that pressures compromise. Prayer: Father, help me cling firmly to Your Gospel and trust and obey Your Word—contending for Truth. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, . . .” (Jude 1:1). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Truth: The Most Endangered Species: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

New fossil discoveries in China are being greeted by evolutionists as among the most spectacular of the century. The fossils, say evolutionists, represent some of the earliest multicelled creatures. Evolutionists are publicizing these fossils as evidence for evolution. It's not difficult, however, to see how these fossils support creation rather than evolution.Evolutionists admit the fossils show that the first multicelled creatures have appeared suddenly. This confirms creationist claims that life appeared suddenly and without evolutionary ancestors.These "first" multicelled creatures were complex and complete. There were no fossils with partially developed eyes or other organs. They include trilobites that had some of the most complex eye structures of any creature that ever lived. There are also fossils of shrimp-like creatures and creatures with hard shells. Some of the animals were over two feet long. Now that's a big jump when you remember that the previous step was a single-celled algae!There are no evolutionary missing links. The evolutionists said that the creatures all belong to groups that still exist. This means that science has now documented the history of some kinds of creatures alive today right back to the very first record of multicelled life. In other words, these creatures never evolved! Also of interest is how evolutionists explain the size of this fossil deposit, which is miles across. One evolutionist said, "A violent storm probably stirred up the sea bottom and the mud settled over a large area..."Exodus 31:17“It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.”Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I do not understand how You could have designed and so quickly created the millions of kinds of living things that You did. Help me to believe Your Word, even when my poor, sinful, created mind cannot understand how wonderful You are. In Jesus' Name. Amen.REF.: Wilford, John Noble. "Fast Evolutionary Jump Led to Complex Life, Study Says." Star Tribune, Wednesday. Image: Chengjiang biota collage, Dwergenpaartje Cédric Aria, Fangchen Zhao, Han Zeng, Jin Guo, Maoyan ZhuSmith, Degan ShuYujing Li, Mark Williams, Thomas H. P. Harvey, Fan Wei, Yang Zhao, Jin Guo, Sarah Gabbott, Tom Fletcher, Xianguang Hou, Peiyun Cong, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

In Deuteronomy 27:2-8 we read of how Moses instructed Joshua to build an altar on Mt. Ebal after the Israelites had entered the Promised Land. There, the people were to sacrifice and give thanks to the Lord.Bible critics have generally been skeptical of the Bible's early history of Israel's conquest of Canaan. Over the years, however, a growing number of discoveries have supported the Bible's account of the earliest history of the Israelites. Perhaps one of the most dramatic recent discoveries is the altar Joshua apparently built on Mt. Ebal after Israel entered Canaan.The ruins of the altar are laid out in a rectangle that measures 25 by 30 feet. The walls of the nine-foot-high structure of uncut stones and rocks are filled with ash, dirt, stones, and bones. Over 4,000 bones were found in the fill, all of them bones of the sacrificial animals called for in Moses' law. Evident, too, is the ramp up to the altar that was used by the priests, as stipulated by Exodus. One discovery at the site seems to tie everything together. It is an Egyptian scarab that was probably among the spoils the Bible says Israel took with them from Egypt.Bible-believing Christians don't need this proof to accept the Bible. But it is exciting to identify and learn more about such a historic place as the Mt. Ebal altar.Joshua 8:30“Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal…”Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I know that Your Word is trustworthy. But I thank You that You have provided this additional witness to the integrity of Your Word for those who doubt. Let them, too, come to know Your grace in Christ. Amen.REF.: Machlin, Milt. "Joshua and the Archaologist." Reader's Digest. Image: Joshua's Altar, Hoshvilim, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

Welcome to Day 2849 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2849 – “Beholds He Comes!”  based on Zechariah 9:9 Putnam Church Message – 03/29/2026 Luke's Account of the Good News – “Behold He Comes!”   Last week, we continued our study of the ministry of Jesus Christ with a message titled “There is Always Hope!”  We learned that the heart of discipleship is: Where Jesus is, hopelessness is never final. Today, we are switching from our study of Luke for two weeks to focus on Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. Today's message is: “Behold He Comes!” covers the entire Passion Week, and our launching point today is Zechariah 9:9:   Zion's Coming King 9 Rejoice, O people of Zion![a] Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious,[b] yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey's colt.   Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, as we gather around Your Word, quiet our hearts and open our eyes. Help us to see more than a parade, more than a cross, more than an empty tomb. Help us to see You as You truly are: the promised King, the suffering Savior, and the risen Lord. Take the familiar story and make it fresh again. Speak to the weary, awaken the distracted, convict the proud, comfort the grieving, and call all of us to follow You more fully. In Your holy name we pray. Amen. Introduction Over the next two weeks, we step away briefly from Luke for a special journey—from Palm Sunday to Easter/Resurrection Sunday, from the shouts of “Hosanna!” to the cry of “It is finished,” and then to the glorious announcement, “He is not here; He is risen!” The title of this message is “Behold He Comes!” That is really the heartbeat of Passion Week. Behold, He comes into Jerusalem. Behold, He comes to the temple. Behold, He comes to the table with His disciples. Behold, He comes into Gethsemane. Behold, He comes before Pilate. Behold, He comes to the cross. Behold, He comes out of the grave. The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—tell this story in harmony, though each gives us a different camera angle. Matthew highlights prophecy fulfilled. Mark emphasizes the movement and urgency of the King's mission. Luke gives us the tears of Jesus and the tragedy of a city that did not recognize its moment of visitation. John reminds us that many in the crowd were stirred because Jesus had raised Lazarus, and now excitement was running through Jerusalem like wildfire. But Palm Sunday is not just a happy parade. It is the beginning of holy collision. Hope and misunderstanding meet on the same street. Praise and rejection are only days apart. The palms wave on Sunday, but the cross stands on Friday. And yet through it all, one truth remains: Jesus is not swept along by events. He comes deliberately. He comes knowingly. He comes lovingly. He comes for us. Main Point 1: He Comes as the Promised King When Jesus approached Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives near Bethphage and Bethany, He sent disciples to bring a donkey and its colt. This was not accidental. This was not random transportation. This was revelation. Matthew 21 points us directly to Zechariah 9:9 “Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey.” Now, in the ancient world, kings often arrived in one of two ways. If they came on a war horse, they came in conquest. If they came on a donkey, they came in peace. Jesus is King, yes—but not the kind of king the crowds fully expected. The Jews wanted a throne. -> Jesus came with humility. The Jews wanted Rome overthrown. -> Jesus came to overthrow sin and death. The Jews wanted political rescue. -> Jesus came for eternal redemption. Can you picture the scene? The road is dusty. Cloaks are spread down like a makeshift royal carpet. Branches are cut and waved. Psalm 118 is rising from the crowd: “Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” And John tells us specifically that these were palm branches—symbols of joy, victory, and national hope. Similar to us waving an American flag during a parade. Expanded Narrative For first-century Jews, Jerusalem was not merely a city. It was the city of promise, the city of David, the city of the temple. And when Jesus comes riding down the slope of the Mount of Olives, every prophetic nerve in Israel starts to tremble. The prophets had spoken. The covenant had promised. The generations had waited. -> And now Behold He Comes! But notice the manner of His coming. There is no sword in His hand. No army behind Him. No chariot rumbling over stone. Only a borrowed animal, willing disciples, and a crowd that understands just enough to cheer—but not enough yet to surrender. That still happens today, doesn't it? People are often happy to celebrate Jesus when they think He will fit their expectations. We welcome Him when He seems useful to our plans. We praise Him when the blessings are flowing. But when He comes humbly, when He confronts us, when He does not serve our agenda, we do not always know what to do with Him. Illustration It is a little like someone expecting the President to arrive in a black limousine with security and flashing lights—but instead he shows up alone, in plain clothes, and sits down at the table to listen. Some would miss the significance because they expected power to look louder. Jesus comes with authority, but it is wrapped in humility. Object Lesson Hold up a gold-looking crown in one hand and a simple rope halter or small wooden yoke in the other. Say: “Which one looks more like a king? Most of us would choose the crown. But Palm Sunday tells us that God's King often comes in a form we do not expect. The crown is real—but the path to it runs through humility.” Related Scriptures Genesis 49:10–11 hints at kingship tied to the colt. Psalm 118:25–26 gives us the language of “Hosanna” and blessing. Zechariah 9:9 declares the humble King. Philippians 2:6–8 tells us Christ humbled Himself. Summary of Main Point 1 Palm Sunday announces that Jesus is not merely a teacher entering a city. He is the long-awaited King entering His rightful place. But He comes with humility, peace, and purpose. He does not come to match human expectations; He comes to fulfill divine promises. The question for us is not, “Will we admire this King?” but “Will we receive Him on His terms?” Main Point 2: He Comes and Sees What Others Cannot See Luke gives us one of the most moving moments in the triumphal entry. While the crowd rejoices, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. Luke 19:41 says, “But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.” Think about that. The crowd is shouting. The disciples are praising God for the miracles they have seen. The Pharisees are telling Jesus to quiet the people. And in the middle of all that noise—Jesus is crying. Why? Because He sees what they do not see. They see a parade. -> He sees a city on the brink of judgment. They see excitement. -> He sees hardened hearts. They see what they want Him to do. -> He sees what He must do. John tells us that many in the crowd were stirred because of the raising of Lazarus. That miracle had electrified public imagination. “If He can call a dead man out of the grave after four days, surely, He can take Jerusalem! Surely, He can establish the kingdom now!” But Jesus knows that many voices shouting “Hosanna” do not yet understand holiness, repentance, surrender, or the cost of redemption.   Expanded Narrative Jerusalem had a history. It was the city of priests, sacrifice, pilgrimage, Scripture, memory, and hope. To an ancient Israelite, it was the place where heaven and earth seemed to meet. Yet it had also become a place where religious familiarity could hide spiritual...

Ouch! You've just gotten a paper cut on your finger. What's the first thing you do? If you're like most people, you'll probably put your finger in your mouth. If you think about it, you probably have no idea why you put your finger into your mouth. Actually, when a dog licks its wounds or when you put your paper cut-ravaged finger in your mouth, you are beginning medical treatment.Medical science is only just learning what God knew when He built this reaction into us. The saliva of mammals and human beings contains Epidermal growth factor. Studies show that when epidermal growth factor is applied to wounds, healing takes place much faster. Epidermal growth factor increases the number of cells available to grow new skin over a wound. It also encourages capillaries to form near the wound to increase blood supply. Epidermal growth factor doubles the amount of new DNA at the wound site. Finally, it increases the amount of collagen in the wound to give the new tissue the strength to close up and remain closed.Researchers have little idea how epidermal growth factor works. They are still researching this powerful medicine that's found in our saliva.Only our wise and loving Creator could have provided us with this convenient and powerful medical treatment. Only He could have built into us the natural reaction of putting an injured finger into our mouth. Like so much else in the creation, this blessing is too well designed to be nothing more than a series of unrelated coincidences.Nehemiah 9:6“Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”Prayer: Dear Father, our pagan world talks about chance and coincidence. But I learn in Your Word that there is no such thing. Cleanse my thinking and speech of this pagan influence so that I may better witness Your truth. In Jesus' Name. Amen.REF.: "An Aid to Healing that Simply Can't be Licked." Discover. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

The monarch caterpillar feeds on milkweed. Milkweed manufactures a powerful toxin that can, in most cases, stop the heart of any creature who eats enough of it. The monarch caterpillar itself is unharmed by this poison. In fact, the caterpillar stores the poison in its body, and this poison remains even after the caterpillar has turned into a butterfly.Evolutionary scientists thought that the viceroy evolved to mimic or look like the monarch to fool birds into thinking that it, too, was toxic. The evolutionary story was that viceroys must really be good to eat, since they evolved from the tasty admiral butterflies. This evolutionary thinking remained untested until a few years ago, basically because scientists often consider it improper to question evolutionary claims. But, the tests using the wingless bodies of six different kinds of butterflies, including viceroys, proved that viceroys are indeed toxic to birds. Birds avoid the viceroy because it manufactures its own toxins. In fact, research has shown that the viceroy is, on average, even more poisonous than the monarch!Evolution is bad science. In this example, we see how evolution led to generations of misunderstanding about how God protects the viceroy butterfly.John 3:12“If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”Prayer: Lord, where the truth of Your Word is rejected, ignorance about even Your creation soon follows. I pray that the darkness and ignorance caused by evolution would be reduced through the bold witness to the truth by Your people. Amen.REF.: Walker, Tim. "Butterflies and Bad Taste." Science News, Vol. 139. Image: Viceroy Butterfly, PiccoloNamek, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

Welcome to Day 2844 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2844 – There is Always Hope – Luke 7:1-17 Putnam Church Message – 03/22/2026 Luke's Account of the Good News – “There is Always Hope!.”   Last week, we continued our study of the ministry of Jesus Christ with a message titled “The Twelve and Their Marching Orders.”  We learned that discipleship is: Building a life on His words until His kingdom becomes more real to us than the world around us. Today, we continue with the seventeenth message in Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ in a message titled “There is Always Hope!”  Our Core verses for this week are Luke 7:1-17, found on page 1602 of your Pew Bibles.  The Faith of the Centurion 1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,' and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,' and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Jesus Raises a Widow's Son 11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don't cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. Opening Prayer Father, thank You that You are the God of hope. When our strength runs out, when our wisdom fails, when our circumstances overwhelm us, You remain faithful, present, and powerful. As we open Your Word today, lift our eyes above what we can see. Strengthen those who are weary. Encourage those who are grieving. Help us to trust that with Jesus, there is always hope. Speak to our hearts through Your Spirit and shape us by Your truth. In Christ's name we pray, amen. Introduction — The Thing People Cannot Live Without There are some things human beings simply cannot do without for very long. We need water. /We need food. /We need shelter. /And in a way that is harder to measure /but no less real, /we need hope. Hope is one of those invisible necessities of life. A person can survive longer without food than we might imagine. A person can endure terrible cold, staggering pain, and crushing loss as long as hope remains alive. But when hope dies, the human spirit begins to collapse. That is why despair is so dangerous. Despair does not merely make us sad; it drains us of motion, imagination, prayer, and endurance. Hope is what keeps the stranded person scanning the horizon. Hope is what keeps the grieving mother praying one more prayer. Hope is what keeps the exhausted unemployed worker filling out one more application. Hope is what keeps the suffering saint from surrendering to the lie that nothing will ever change. And Luke 7:1–17 is a passage about hope.  Not vague optimism. Not wishful thinking. Not positive self-talk. Hope anchored in Jesus. Luke gives us two stories and places them side by side very carefully. In one story, a Gentile centurion has a beloved servant at the point of death. In the other, a widowed mother is walking behind the body of her only son. One story is full of urgent fear; the other has moved all the way into open grief. One person sends for Jesus; the other never even asks. One situation is desperate; the other, humanly speaking, is final. And Luke sets them side by side so that we will see the same truth in both directions: When Jesus steps into the situation, hopelessness does not have the last word. So if you came this morning carrying discouragement, grief, uncertainty, or some private ache that has worn your heart thin, hear this clearly at the start: There is always hope when Jesus is near. Main Point 1 — Hope Begins When We Trust Jesus Beyond What We Can See Luke 7:1–10 Luke tells us that after Jesus finished teaching the people, He returned to Capernaum. And there, the first story begins. A Roman centurion had a servant who was very sick and near death. Now that fact alone is striking. This is not a Jewish elder. This is not one of the Twelve. This is not a synagogue leader's child. This is a Roman officer. A centurion commanded roughly one hundred soldiers. He was not at the very top of the military chain, but he was significant. He had authority, experience, discipline, and social standing. He was a man used to being obeyed. And yet here he is in a place of need. That is an important reminder already: rank does not prevent sorrow. Influence does not shield the heart. Power does not protect a person from pain. This centurion has a servant he deeply values, and that servant is close to death. Now Luke gives us another surprising detail. The centurion sends Jewish elders to Jesus. That tells us something about the delicacy of the situation. A Roman officer understood enough about Jewish customs to know that asking Jesus to enter a Gentile home could create a cultural and ceremonial problem. So, he sends respected Jewish men to speak on his behalf. And these elders come to Jesus, saying, “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, 5 “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.” Their argument is based on worthiness. “He's a good man.” “He's been generous.” “He has done good things.” “He deserves kindness.” And humanly speaking, we understand that argument. We all talk that way. We say, “If anyone deserves a break, it's her.” Or, “If anyone deserves help, it's him.” But then the centurion interrupts that whole line of thinking. As Jesus approaches the house, the centurion sends another message: “Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet You. Just say the word from where You are, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:6–7, NLT) That is extraordinary. The Jewish elders say, “He is worthy.” The centurion says, “I am not worthy.” That difference matters. The elders looked at the man's résumé. The centurion looked at Jesus. The elders were weighing merit. The centurion was resting on mercy. A Man Who Understood Authority Then he says something remarkable: “I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,' and they go, or ‘Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,' they do it.” (Luke 7:8, NLT) This man understood authority. He knew what it meant for a word backed by real authority to produce immediate action. And he believed Jesus had that kind of authority over disease. He is saying, in effect: “I do not need You to touch him. I do not need You to enter the room. I do not need a visible ritual. I do not need a dramatic display. If Your authority is what I believe it is, then distance is irrelevant. Just speak.” That is deep faith. And Jesus marvels. Luke says:...

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, most of us quietly stopped asking questions. Responsibilities filled the spaces where wonder used to live, and without even noticing, we traded curiosity for routine — including in our faith. We read the same passages, pray the same prayers, and somewhere along the way, the thrill of discovering who God is begins to feel like a distant memory. But what if God never meant for that sense of wonder to fade? Proverbs 2 paints a vivid picture of someone who seeks understanding the way a treasure hunter pursues hidden riches — actively, hungrily, refusing to settle for the surface. That is the posture God invites us into, not just as new believers, but for the entirety of our lives with Him. He is not threatened by our questions or put off by our desire to understand more. He is a God of infinite wisdom, which means there is always something new to discover about who He is and how He works. A curious mind doesn't weaken faith — it deepens it. When we open Scripture asking the Holy Spirit to show us something fresh, when we pay attention to the evidence of God's creativity woven into the ordinary moments of our day, we find that seeking Him is not just a discipline. It is a delight. Today's Bible Verse "Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." — Proverbs 2:3-5, NIV Ponder Today Curiosity is not a childish trait to outgrow — it is a God-given gift that draws us deeper into knowing Him, and He invites us to cultivate it throughout our entire lives. God is not threatened by our questions; He is actually the one who extended the invitation to seek, search, and discover — and He promises that those who seek Him will find Him. Seeking God with a curious mind is an active choice, not a passive one — it means opening Scripture, paying attention to creation, and asking the Holy Spirit to teach us something new each day. Today's Prayer Dear God, I want to know You more. I confess that I sometimes settle into routine and stop seeking You with the curiosity and wonder You deserve. Give me a curious mind that is eager to learn and a heart that longs for Your wisdom. Teach me through Your Word, through creation, and through every experience of my daily life. Help me search for understanding the way a treasure hunter searches for hidden riches — actively, hungrily, and with great expectation. I trust that as I seek You, You will reveal more of who You are. Thank You, God. Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We live in a world that is hungry for signs — a feeling, a dream, a coincidence that feels too perfectly timed to be anything other than divine direction. And while that longing for guidance is deeply human, it can quietly lead us away from the most reliable source of direction God has given us. What does it actually look like to be led by the Holy Spirit? The answer may be simpler — and more demanding — than we expect. Being led by the Spirit is not a passive, mysterious feeling or a matter of reading the circumstances around us like a spiritual roadmap. It is an active, daily surrender — putting to death the desires of the flesh and anchoring our lives to the truth of God's Word. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that we are not left to navigate this dark world through guesswork or gut feelings; we have been given a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. When we fill our hearts and minds with Scripture, studying it and asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate its truth, something begins to shift. Fear loses its grip. Trust takes root. And we find ourselves learning to rest in the sovereignty of a God who is in control of every detail — even the ones we cannot yet see. Today's Bible Verse "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." — Psalm 119:105, NKJV Ponder Today Being led by the Spirit is not about feelings, signs, or circumstances — it is an active, daily choosing to walk in obedience to God's Word rather than the desires of the flesh. The Holy Spirit will always use Scripture to guide us — which means the more deeply we know God's Word, the more clearly we will recognize His leading. A subjective, experience-based faith can lead to confusion and misunderstanding; anchoring ourselves to Scripture gives us a foundation that cannot be shaken or changed. When we fill our hearts and minds with God's Word, fear begins to lose its grip — we no longer have to live in the anxiety of "what ifs" but can rest in His divine providence. Studying Scripture is not just an intellectual exercise — it is how we come to know God, trust His sovereignty, and receive the wisdom to make decisions that honor Him. Today's Prayer Father God, I need direction, and I confess that I often look for external signs rather than turning to Your Word. I repent for relying on subjective feelings and build my life instead upon the firm foundation of Scripture. Give me a hunger to study Your Word so that I may know You and Your will more deeply. Strengthen my faith and trust in Your sovereignty so that I can rest in the knowledge that Your hand leads me every day, even when I cannot see it. Thank You for giving me a light to my path and a lamp to my feet. In Jesus' name, Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.