Podcasts about your word

Defeating thoughts have a way of quietly backing us into a corner. Resistance at every turn, mundane tasks that start to feel monumental, weariness that settles in before the day has really begun — and underneath it all, the enemy doing what he does best: creating doubt and fear. It started in the Garden of Eden with a single question: "Did God really say?" That one doubt-filled sentence cost Eve everything, and the pattern has continued ever since. In our work, our relationships, our health, and our faith, Satan works persistently to keep us living from a place of defeat rather than from the victory that already belongs to us. But First Corinthians 15:57 declares something that changes the entire frame: God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Not someday. Not eventually. Today. The victory is already given, already secured, already ours in Christ. Living from victory rather than toward it is one of the most significant mindset shifts available to a believer. Every doubt, every defeating thought, every whisper of inadequacy has to bow at Jesus' feet — because the enemy has no ground in a life that belongs entirely to Him. Psalm 21 describes God greeting David with rich blessings, granting unending favor, and ensuring that through His unfailing love, David would not be shaken. That same greeting belongs to every child of God today. When a whisper of defeat comes, the response is not a desperate hope that victory might arrive. It is a declaration of what is already true: I am victorious in Christ Jesus. Today's Bible Verse "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."— 1 Corinthians 15:57, NIV Ponder Today The victory is already given — we live from it, not toward it. First Corinthians 15:57 does not say God will give us victory someday. It says He gives it. Present tense. The finish line is behind us, not ahead of us, because of what Christ accomplished. The enemy's primary weapon is doubt. "Did God really say?" is still his opening move. Recognizing the source of defeating thoughts — and responding with God's truth rather than engaging the question — is one of the most powerful forms of spiritual resistance available. Every inch of your life belongs to Jesus — the enemy has no ground there. When defeat feels like the dominant reality, it is a lie operating on territory it does not own. Reclaiming that territory begins with declaring what is actually true. God greets you with rich blessings and unfailing love. Psalm 21 describes the posture God takes toward those who trust in Him — not reluctant assistance, but generous, joyful blessing. That is the God you are bringing your defeating thoughts to. Let "I am victorious in Christ Jesus" become an anthem, not a last resort. Speaking truth out loud in the face of doubt and fear is not a performance of confidence we do not feel. It is faith declaring what is real before feelings catch up to it. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, I admit that I have believed the enemy's lies for far too long. Please forgive me and help me step into the victory You have already claimed on my behalf. I am Yours, Lord, and I choose to live my life from the finish line of Your mercy and grace. When defeating thoughts come, help me see exactly where they are coming from and declare Your truth with boldness and belief. Your Word tells me I am blessed with unending blessings, and I stand on that truth as a platform of victory today. Thank You for overcoming the evil one. Remind me of this often, so that I too will overcome every doubt he throws my way. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer helped you step out of defeat and into the victory that already belongs to you in Christ, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to keep your mind anchored in the truth of who you are in Jesus every day. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Revelation is not simply a book about future events. It is a message from God meant to shape our lives right now. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef points to the blessing promised in Revelation 1:3 for those who read, hear, and take its words to heart. Through this extraordinary vision, Scripture reveals Jesus Christ as the suffering Savior who died and rose again—and the victorious King who will return in power and righteous judgment. The Messiah who came first in humility will come again in glory. Today, Christ graciously invites sinners to receive eternal life, but Revelation reminds us that history is moving toward a decisive conclusion. His return will bring judgment, vindication, and the fulfillment of every promise God has made. The apostle John received this vision while exiled on Patmos for his faithfulness to Christ. What looked like isolation and defeat became the setting for one of Scripture's greatest revelations of God's sovereignty. John was reminded—and so are we—that history is not spinning out of control. God reigns over the past, present, and future, and every event ultimately serves His purposes. So don't approach Revelation with curiosity alone. Let its warnings awaken you, let its promises strengthen you, and let its vision of the returning Christ lift your eyes above present trials. The darkness will not last forever. Jesus Christ is coming again, and His glory will overcome it all. Join me in prayer. Lord, thank You for the wondrous picture of the glory that is coming that You have provided in Revelation. May I take Your Word seriously as both an admonishment and an encouragement to live for You today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 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.

Warfare Against Satanists (1) (audio) David Eells – 9/2/26   A Call To War Dumitru Duduman September 1993 . “Cease heading the way you have been going and turn to me”, says the Lord. “Lucifer, who is armed for war on his horse, and is coming with a powerful army behind him to take vengeance against the children of God. The day is close! A day of terror when Lucifer will try to annihilate all those that live a clean life, a day of pain and terror is near. (We are the salt, our job is to resist him. We were told “you have not because you ask not”.) “If you could see what is being prepared and what will happen, you would surely quit doing everything you know in your heart to be wrong and would seek peace more than ever. Be prepared, be holy, and don't give in to the temptations and impulses of the enemy. Seek the Lord, your God, with all your heart. Those who will be clean, those who will be holy, I will not forget. I will save them”, says the Lord. “The armies of the devil are coming against those who worship me and truly seek me, with great fury. Pray that I may give you strength so that before the storm comes, I may save you and give you joy. “Those who live in defilement, that meditate upon evil things, will have no escape. They will not have any protection. I will destroy BABYLON”, (America) says the Lord, “because of the wickedness and blasphemy of this country. Not only here but wherever there is sin, I will punish it harshly. Only the righteous will I save, some even out of the midst of the fire. “Again, I tell you, a dark cloud is gathered. Lucifer, sitting on his black horse, is ready for war. The trumpets of the devil are sounding day and night to all the demons of the deep to be prepared to make war against those who truly live their lives for God. There will be such great turmoil that only a few will escape. Those who today only carry the name of 'believer' will fight with fury against those who worship me with a clean heart. This is why I have revealed this to you -- because the days are numbered. “I reveal to you, I speak to you, I show to you”, says the Lord, “but many do not want to remember, saying to themselves, 'Is it truly the Lord speaking this?' Others become scared for the moment, but then they forget and never become pure. Many of those who carry the name of 'Christian' are overcome by greed, fornication, drunkenness, and a pursuit of great wealth. “There is no time to lose. The day of destruction and terror is coming soon. The devil is agitated, and a great deception is being prepared; but I tell you, do not fear. I have the power to protect those who obey me. You must remember the Word of God. Tell them to read the Bible and pray that I may also save them. “The great day, the day of terror, the day of affliction, of pain, the day of the punishment of Babylon prophesied in the Bible is soon coming, and I will only save the righteous”, says the Lord. “I forgive whom I want. I make holy who I want, and I prepare who I want. Judge no one, for mine is the judgment”, says the Lord. “Each of you judge yourselves. Pray and draw close to me; and if you will obey, I will come to your aid. I will send a chariot of salvation and take each one out in his appointed time”. We have dealt with the spirit of faction against our ministry for several years now and have been cleansed of it and the apostates, so we recognize it in the worldly and see it operating in the government. We are doing the necessary warfare against this work of Islam, satanism, communism, and faction, with their witchcraft, curses, railing, etc., causing problems for Christians, President Trump, his administration, and the MAGA movement. (We were told that the Bride was being cleansed now but the much larger church will go through this same thing in the tribulation.) I'm going to go over some terminology with you about these demons of:   Gossip, Slander, Railing, Reviling ... and What Motivates Them Our first defense against these demons is to not receive accusations against anyone that we do not have two or three witnesses, as the Scriptures teach. Many times, the motivation for gossip, slander, railing, and reviling, which are similar, is to divide others unto oneself for selfish ambitions, like making disciples. Satan has this same purpose. Anyone who listens to these demons gets invaded by them. In this case, the person working for satan should be marked or identified. Rom.16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. (This division or faction often involves jealousy, lying, and manipulation to get one's way.) Jas.3:14 But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish [Greek: demoniacal]. 16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. Indeed, these people always are in deep sin, for when they judge they are judged in this manner. Let's get some terminology straight so we can look at some scriptures. From Wikipedia: Gossip is malicious talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others, meant to harm the subject's reputation in the community. It is one of the oldest and most common means of sharing facts and views, but it also has a reputation for the introduction of errors and variations into the information transmitted. The term can also imply that the idle chat or news is of a personal or trivial nature, as opposed to normal conversation, but may not be intentionally malicious. Mat.12:36 And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Thank God that we come into days of judgment so that we don't have to come into the Day of Judgment! The Greek word translated as “idle” here means “unfruitful.” There are unfruitful words that demand punishment in a day of judgment, so we should be quick to repent and be slow to speak. (I will give Greek meanings which reveal much here. Both Greek and Hebrew verses are given to show the nature of these errors.) Slander(er): Greek: Diablos; (Diablo is also Spanish for “Devil.”), Accuser; meaning accusing falsely, finding fault with the demeanor and conduct of others and spreading their innuendos and criticisms in the church. The devil finds those people who are accusers like him to do his dirty work. Psa.15:1 Jehovah, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? [I.e., Who will be in Jerusalem, whom John was told was the Bride?] 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart; 3 He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. This of course, cannot include those whose job it is to correct the evil. Psa.50:20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; Thou slanderest thine own mother's son. Psa.101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I destroy: Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer. We can actually see God destroying the life and conscience of those who sin like this. Pro.10:18 He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool. Jer.6:28 They are all grievous revolters, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly. Jer.9:4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go about with slanders. Eze.22:9 Slanderous men have been in thee to shed blood; and in thee they have eaten upon the mountains: (They are lifted up in pride, imagining themselves as God.) in the midst of thee they have committed lewdness. Rom.3:8 and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just. 1Ti.3:11 Women in like manner [must be] grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 2Ti.3:3 without natural affection, implacable (they cannot be appeased), slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, Tit.2:3 that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; Rail(er): Greek: Blasphemeo; to blaspheme, rail, revile, defame, speak evil of. 2Pe.2:10 but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities: (I.e., those who have authority over them.) Jude 1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities. (When I was young, people spoke with respect of the one the people voted to be president. Because of slander and railing, weak-minded people try to kill him. Jude 1:10 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed. Revile(er): Greek: Blasphemeo; to blaspheme, rail, revile, defame, speak evil of. Also commonly translated from: Loidoreo; to abuse, revile. Ecc.10:20 Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. Joh.9:28 And they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are disciples of Moses. But Moses had better sense. 1Co.4:12 and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; We have to endure these ignorant people until God removes them as He always does. 1Co.5:11 but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. Do not partake of spiritual or physical food with these demons. 1Co.6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. So you see they are linked with other serious sins. 1Pe.2:23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: God will repay. Most of the faction is dead. 1Pe.3:16 having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. Eph.4:25 Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. (Selfish ambition often involves pride, anger, and lying to get one's way.) 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: (?) let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, (Greek: Edify[ing] “the building up of the need.” i.e., If it's not building up the speaker and the spoken to, don't say it.) that it may give grace to them that hear. (If it doesn't bring graceful correction or give grace or favor from God to the hearer, then don't say it.) 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: (All of this comes because of selfish ambition and unforgiveness for those who get in its way.) 32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. If we want forgiveness from God, we must sow it.   Genghis Khan Spirit of Deception Eve Brast - 12/25/2011 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I saw many people being deceived by a much more powerful and deceptive evil principality called a Genghis Khan spirit. It will be worse than the false revival, Kundalini Eastern Spirit. (Genghis Khan was the Mongol who led legions of demon-possessed men to conquer most of Eurasia by the edge of the sword, massacring whole populations, about 40 million people. He is still worshipped by many in Mongolia, so he could represent a religious spirit here. No doubt this is a spirit that will bring spiritual death, conquering multitudes of Christians, like the Kundalini Yoga spirit's false revival. This new spirit conquers people by the sword or WORDS, written or spoken, which makes it much more dangerous than the Kundalini spirit, which was mostly imparted by the laying on of hands. These words are in the form of unforgiveness, bitterness, back-stabbing, criticism, slander, gossip, railing, lying, perversion, witchcraft, voodoo, etc. As with any war, the enemy will target the leadership with their words first in order to replace them with their own kind. If you listen to their words, you will be conquered and come into spiritual death and under their authority. These people always prefer to speak behind one's back, but you, the true Church, must tell them to go to the person they are accusing and speak to them alone, according to Jesus' command in Matthew 18:15, and if it is not sin according to the Word, they should stop gossiping and slandering and not receive such things. If they do not listen, “mark them” or identify them, as the Lord commands in Romans 16:17,18; Titus 3:10,11.) I was shaking my head in disappointment as I watched the people act like they were in love with this spirit; it was like a worldwide orgy. (The true people of God who stay with the truth of His Word won't be overtaken, even with this deception.) This is all I was shown. (We have been shown many times that this is a worldwide attack on the saints by apostates. The corporate beast spirit from the abyss is coming forth to enter the sons of perdition [Judases] and use them to conquer and make war on the true Christians. Rev.17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, [they] whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come. As the Word says, a great falling away to strong delusion is upon us. Pray for anyone being used in this way that they would repent before they are ultimately reprobated and forever known as sons of perdition. When I opened my Bible for a scripture for this dream, my finger was on 1Th.4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that ye abstain from fornication; 4 that each of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, even as the nations who know not God. (A refusal to separate from known or hidden sins is what makes Christians vulnerable to these conquering demons, for God turns them over to them. 1Co.5:5 to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. [Refusal to separate from these people will infect the whole assembly.] 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, [even] Christ: 8 wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.) I asked the Father what this Genghis Khan spirit was or what it represented, and when I opened my Bible, my finger was on 1Jn.2:22 Who is the liar but who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even who denieth the Father and the Son. (Antichrist spirits always deny the true Jesus and Word to justify themselves. The rest of this text tells the whole story. 1Jn.2:18 Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us (They get offended when you don't agree with their sin.), but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. [Notice that many antichrists in this “last hour” will separate from us because they do not belong with the true Church due to their leavened nature. In this, they deny the Father and Son (verse 22) because they deny the true Word given in the beginning, which is eternal life.] 24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise which he promised us, [even] the life eternal. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.   12/29/2011 In the dream above, I saw many Christians being deceived by a very powerful and deceptive evil principality called a Genghis Khan spirit. I saw that this spirit is manifesting in the factious who kill by the sword of slander, and now, below, I am seeing that it is also taking over a beast government. (There has always been a beast government to back up the factious. Jesus' time was a good example of this. Obama is the head of a D.S. beast government made up of Islam, faction, communist, leftist, peoples.) I had seen a cleansing of the true church by this spirit rising up in apostates to separate them from the Man-child and Bride, but also now, below, I see a global shift and transfer of secular governmental power in the spirit realm to this Genghis Khan spirit. (To confirm this, on 1/09/12, we just discovered that Mongolia is on our school schedule for my son Noah's studies this week! And he also has to read a book about Genghis Khan, who came from there. Now I know there are no coincidences with the Father! Isn't that something?) It appears from the dreams below that there is a secular type to coincide with, and possibly give timing to, the previous spiritual meaning of the Genghis Khan spirit that God gave. The war between Iran and Israel is being used as a type of the war between the factious murderers and the righteous. The Iran faction type is also backed up by a beast government type of Russia/China. Also, it appears that what is seen below is that this is the time of the choosing of the Bride and birthing of the Man-child ministry. I asked the Father to expand my understanding of this Genghis Khan spirit from my first spiritual revelation concerning the Church. I opened my Bible and my finger fell on: Eze.32:24 There is Elam (Iran invaded by Islam) and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the Earth, who caused terror in the land of the living, and have borne their shame with them that go down to the pit. (Iran is about to lose her battle to Israel, backed by the U.S. In parallel, the factious in the world church will lose their battle against the righteous.) (I looked up who Elam was because I didn't know. Elam was a son of Shem, who was the father of the Persians or modern-day Iranians.) (Shem is also the father of the chosen line of Israel, meaning the true Iranians and Israelites are born of the same father. However, the Iranian's Muslim invaders and evil leadership represents the same thing as the Edomites, for they have perpetually made war against their own brothers. As we have seen in another parable, this also represents the factious in the world church who persecute their brothers but will lose by the hand of God. So now you see that the Iranian Muslim invaders' actions against Israel represent the factious people's actions against the Church, since they are born of the same murderous spirits. The Psalms speak often of the persecution and slander against David by the factious, and many of these are also prophetically speaking of Jesus and Jesus in the end-time Man-child.) Then I asked for a confirmation for this scripture and opened my Bible and put my finger down on Isa.21:2 A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous man dealeth treacherously, and the destroyer destroyeth. Go up, O Elam (Iran); besiege O Media (Kurds of Iran); all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. 3 Therefore are my loins filled with anguish; pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman in travail; I am pained so that I cannot hear; I am dismayed so that I cannot see. (We see here that not only will the invader Muslim leadership of Iran attack first, as the factious always do. They murdered around 52,000, President Trump said 100,000 unarmed Iranian people, many turned Christians, before Israel and U.S. stepped in. We also see that this caused the woman Church there to be in travail with Christ coming through them. Is this a sign for the rest of the Church? Islam is killing Christians around the world. The red dragon of Satan is seeking to devour the woman Church. President Trump has opposed them three times recently. Iran has struck all of its Islamic neighbors.) Deb Horton's note: Genghis Khan was known and is studied in war colleges today for his strategic maneuvers. One of the most famous was dividing up his troops and sending in very small skirmish/attack forces before the actual war. (That may be what we have seen, when they struck all of their Sunni neighbor Islamists who are now against the Shia cult in the war.) The woman church, who is faced by the dragon, is in travail with the birth of the Man-child in Revelation 12:1-5. This appears to be giving us timing -- a physical sign of a spiritual happening?) About Elam: Jer.49:35 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam (Iran), in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, (This was before Zedekiah made the tribulation covenant with the King of Babylon as the head of the beast -- Ezekiel 17:13,15-21) saying thus saith the Lord of Hosts: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam (Iran), the chief of their might. (This looks like the Islamists in Iran being hit by Israel and the U.S. before the tribulation covenant, as we have thought. In parallel, the factious will lose their war against the righteous in the Church by the hand of God.) 36 And upon Elam (Iran) will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds: and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. (They are being scattered because the food, water, and pay are scarce and they are being slaughtered. The greatest revival of Christianity is there. They may scatter and spread the Gospel.) 37 And I will cause Elam (Iran) to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them who seek their life (of the Islamic Invaders); and I will bring evil upon them (Islam), even my fierce anger, saith the Lord; and I will send a sword after them (Islam), till I have consumed them; 38 and I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence king and princes saith the Lord. (Done, against Islam invaders) 39 But it shall come to pass in the latter days (now), that I will bring back the captivity of Elam saith the Lord. (Iran is being delivered from Islamic captivity. We see this as a prophecy of our day at the end of the Iran war. Also this is seen in Jer.25:25 and all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes (Kurds of Iran); 26 and all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach (Babylon U.S. weakened by war) shall drink after them. We also see in type in this text that the factious Islamic leadership will be brought into captivity in “the latter days.”) I asked the Father who the Elamites [Iranian Islamists] represented from these verses? (Could the Iranian Christians be a sign for the U.S. Christians who will also suffer under the Islamic beast?) When I opened my Bible, my finger fell on Jer.7:8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. (Those Iraneans who joined the Islamists to betray their brethren,) 9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods that ye have not known, 10 and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, we are delivered; that we may do all these abominations? 11 Is this house which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it, saith the Lord. (This clearly is a warning to the Iranians under this factious beast of Islam foreshadow the Christians in the U.S. who have followed a false Jesus but are justifying their sinful actions.) I asked the Father if He had anything more for us concerning all this, and when I opened my Bible, my finger was on Psa.7:10 My shield is with God, who saveth the upright in heart. I believe this entire Psalm is a promise to us of what our Father will soon do to the factious who receive and commit adultery with this Genghis Khan spirit to conquer enemies by the sword. Be encouraged, brethren, and hold fast to the truth which you heard from the beginning! As I was lying down to sleep, I asked the Father to show me more about the Genghis Khan spirit in a dream or vision. As I was lying in bed, praying in the Spirit, He gave me this vision on 12/29/11: I was high above Earth, looking down from a southern viewpoint toward the north at the Asian continent, where Russia and China are. It was dark upon the Earth. Suddenly, I saw something dark rising up from beneath the Asian continent, from the center where Mongolia is located (where Genghis Khan came from). The Spirit told me that Mongolia is the opening to the womb between the two legs of Russia and China, and this spirit is rising up in and coming forth from them. Its back rose out first, hunched like a mountain (or kingdom); then its head and shoulders came out bowed down toward the east; then its arms, and finally its legs. It stayed kneeling down on one knee toward the east, bracing itself with its arms and hands -- one on Russia and the other on China (similar to the stance runners have at the start of a race). (This Genghis Khan spirit is a spiritual type of a conquering spirit rising in the Russia/China beast to back Iran in the Middle East. When U.S. and Israel hit Iran, they were successful. However, Russia and China have defense agreements with Iran and Syria, and because of this insult, they are coming together in an arms race to fight against the U.S. along with Israel. Iran, in its hatred for Israel, is a part of this larger beast. This is a type of the factious religious beast, being a part of the larger conquering world beast in their hatred for Christianity. This is also seen in Revelation 14 where the religious beast is one with the world secular beast.) It had a human form with sharp nails on its fingers, pointed ears, and a bald head. Heaven gave it permission to raise its head and take its first breath and as it opened its mouth and drew in a large breath, some more stars (nations) were sucked into its mouth from the night sky, along with the breath it inhaled. I could see very sharp top and bottom canine teeth. (Just as the secular beast has physical power to devour the saints, so does the religious beast have spiritual power to devour the saints. Psa.37:12 The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth. Psa.57:4 My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.) It was very black with many stars in it. (Abraham's seed are “as the stars of heaven”. Just as Russia and China are a beast that has many stars, they will seek to conquer Israel and the U.S., and many more children of God will be sucked in under this Genghis Khan spirit's darkness. The U.S. is being weakened by war, and especially by the previous administration's destruction of our economy and military. And Russia has its hands full with Ukraine. The West may not be conquered by the Russia/China beast until the tribulation, as the Word in Hidden Manna in the chapter on the “Fall of the United States” shows.) It looked like the night sky's mirror image inside it. It didn't stand up, but if it had, the Earth under its feet would have looked like a large beach ball. It was gigantic. (Genghis Khan is a world-conquering spirit of the beast in the secular realm, just as it is in the religious realm. Genghis was a merciless murderer of men like faction, and slander is a murderer of souls.) I later asked the Father for a verse for this vision of the Genghis Khan spirit and my finger fell on Eze.21:24 Therefore thus saith the Lord: Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand (Unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and retaliation is the nature of those who have this spirit and God does not forgive or forget their sins for this reason. In verses 11 and 12 of this text, God says the sword “is upon all the princes of Israel”, meaning natural and spiritual. So the apostate leadership of God's people can be included.), 25 And thou, O deadly wounded wicked one, the prince of Israel, whose day is come, in the time of the iniquity of the end, 26 thus saith the Lord: remove the mitre, and take off the crown; this shall be no more the same; exalt that which is low, and abase that which is high. (This is clear that this spirit will conquer an apostate leadership of God's people in the end and they will be spiritually wounded and removed from their high position over any true people of God.) When I read the last part of this scripture, the Spirit brought to my remembrance what Mary said in Luk.1:51 He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. 52 He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. (Again, this was spoken of the removal of the apostates over the true people of God by the coming of the Man-child ministry, as the next part of the vision shows.) Right after this, I saw the upper half of a giant woman in the heavens with long blonde hair and very fair skin, cradling a newborn with golden hair in her right arm. (The worldwide woman and true Church having brought forth the Man-child ministry.) Light from heaven was shining down upon them. (I only saw her profile and the top of the newborn's head.) She was also facing east (toward the coming of the Son), looking down at her baby, her white garment lowered off her right shoulder in preparation to nurse Him. And a clear vial filled with golden oil appeared without hands and poured oil onto the infant's mouth and onto the woman's right breast. Then she brought the baby to her breast to nurse Him. (This Man-child will partake of the oil and gold of heaven -- the anointing and nature of Jesus.) I asked the Father for a verse concerning the vision of the woman, and my finger fell on Psa.128:3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, round about thy table. This whole Psalm is awesome! (God will prosper the woman Church to bear the fruit of Jesus in the wilderness, in spite of the dragon, who is satan, of Genghis Khan trying to destroy her and her Man-child. Escaping this evil is for them a Passover of the Destroyer before leaving Egypt for the wilderness. It is the Man-child escaping the dragon, which is trying to destroy them.) These two events seem again to be happening almost simultaneously or very close together, but they are both under the Father's sovereign control! I believe the Lord said this will not be prayed down, just lessened in some areas.   Enemy Tares Tianna Fire 4/24/23 (David's notes in red) (This is a revelation about the dangers of even thinking slanderous thoughts). I had been getting many strange attacks in the spiritual; unusual thoughts and feelings and many physical attacks all at once. I didn't mention this to my husband Samuel, but I went and had a bath, wondering to the Lord why all these crazy attacks were happening. I saw a specific person, and the enemy was giving her evil thoughts regarding me; she was unknowingly agreeing with those thoughts, not realizing it was demons. This gave the demons legal right to attack me regarding the evil cursed thoughts. (Rev.12:10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night.) I then had a vision of a few other people from my past, and some people who had fallen away. The enemy was giving them thoughts about me, and then the people were unknowingly speaking curses out loud against me. (Jam.3:5-12 So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind: 8 but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: 10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter? 12 can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither can salt water yield sweet.) I was able to understand the enemy was using these people to get a legal right to attack me; hence all the crazy physical and spiritual attacks. All of this worked because God has given authority to man; what they speak, they get. (Pro.18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.) We either bless or curse, and the consequences of man's thoughts and words are more powerful than we really understand. The Lord allowed me to see where the mental and physical attacks were all coming from. (2Co.10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ). Then I heard in my spirit that because Jesus has paid the price for us, we have the power to not accept these attacks. Even though the enemy tries to use man's thoughts and words against us, we don't have to allow the thoughts and words to affect us. (Mat.18:18-19 Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.) We are not under the curse, and we are blessed because of faith in Jesus. The attacks, the evil thoughts, evil feelings, and pains, all were put on Jesus because He paid the price to take it away. But we still have the choice to accept the curse and allow the enemy to attack us, or we can give it to Jesus, Who already took it. (Gal.3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.) (Pro.26:2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.) As soon as I heard this, I agreed, and I didn't accept these curses and idle thoughts against me. I agreed that Jesus paid the price, and the attacks completely calmed; praise God and ALL Glory to the Creator of all for all eternity! (1Pe.2:24 who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.) Later I went to Samuel, and he had been spending alone time with God. Samuel shared a prayer he had written for me to agree with and it related to what God had revealed to me. This is the prayer: “Do you agree that all curses, idle words and all witchcraft are broken off us and all the Brethren? That anyone who isn't wanting to follow the Real Jesus will not try to contact or see us unless they are manifesting Christ, and that all of the Brethren are healed, restored, and we will have enough provisions, and everything is restored or replaced with better? That we will never be separated from each other, and that we be Godly parents to David forever to glorify God in all we do; and that we manifest His Word and Christ in us, 100-fold all the time? That we will be His vessels, used to help others be closer to the Lord, being His Hands and Feet to establish His Kingdom, and that we receive all this now?! Thank You Almighty Father in Jesus Name for doing all these according to Your Word and Promises!”

Welcome to Day 2939 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2939– “Grave Warnings for the IN Crowd” – Luke 11:29-36 Putnam Church Message – 08/23/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Grave Warnings for the “IN” Crowd”   Last week, our message was “The Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness,” and we learned that Jesus Christ was sent to reclaim the nations and finalize God's kingdom. Today, we continue with our thirty-fifth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Grave Warnings for the “IN” Crowd.” Our core passage today is Luke 11:29-36, starting on page 1615 of your pew Bibles. The Sign of Jonah 29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here. The Lamp of the Body 33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy,[b] your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” Opening Prayer   Father, we come before You today asking for more than information. We ask for illumination. Shine the light of Your Word into every corner of our hearts. Lord Jesus, protect us from becoming people who stand close to You outwardly / while resisting You inwardly. / Keep us from demanding more evidence when You have already given us more than enough. Expose our pride, our hidden motives, our fears, and our excuses. Holy Spirit, give us clear eyes, humble hearts, and willing spirits. Help us not merely to admire the Light, but to walk in it. In Jesus' name, amen.       Introduction: Being “In” Does Not Mean Being Right By this point in Luke's Gospel, Jesus was no longer an unknown teacher from Galilee. His name was everywhere. John the Baptizer had drawn huge crowds and pointed people toward Him. Jesus had healed the sick, cleansed lepers, cast out demons, fed thousands, commanded storms, raised the dead, forgiven sinners, confronted hypocrisy, and commissioned His followers to carry His message throughout the land. People were talking about Him. / Some loved Him. / Some hated Him. / Some were afraid of Him. / And many were simply watching to see which way things would go. That is human nature, isn't it? / When something becomes popular, people begin asking, “Is this going to succeed?” / When an election approaches, some people wait to see who appears most likely to win. / When a business reorganizes, employees may quietly watch to see which executive is gaining influence. / When a controversy divides a community, some people hesitate to take a position until they know which side will cost them the least. And apparently, many people surrounding Jesus were doing something similar. / They were interested. / They were impressed. / They were curious. / But they were not committed. / They wanted Jesus to prove that following Him would be a safe investment. / Give us another sign. / Give us one more miracle. / Give us enough assurance that we can join Your side without risking too much.  / But Jesus refused to play that game. Last week, in “The Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness,” we saw Jesus draw a sharp line. There is no neutral ground. The Stronger Man has entered the strong man's territory. The Kingdom of God has come near, and everyone must decide where their allegiance lies. Now Jesus takes that truth one step further. / He turns from the obvious darkness around them to the hidden darkness within them. / And that is where this message becomes uncomfortable. Because Jesus' strongest warning is not directed toward people who know nothing about God. / It is directed toward the people standing closest to the revelation. / The “IN” crowd. / The religiously informed. / The culturally familiar. / The people who have seen much, heard much, and know much. And Jesus says, in effect: The greater the light you receive, / the more responsible you are for what you do with it. Let's look at four truths that will help us to understand this passage, which are on your bulletin insert. Main Point 1: Demanding More Proof Can Become an Excuse for Not Believing Luke tells us that as the crowd pressed in around Jesus, He said: “This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah.” That sounds almost shocking. / Hadn't Jesus already given signs? / How many signs did they need? He had healed the blind. / He had cleansed lepers. / He had restored crippled bodies. / He had raised the dead. / He had fed thousands. / He had cast out demons. Immediately before this passage, He had delivered a man who could not speak because of demonic oppression. / And some still said, “Show us a sign.” At some point, the problem is no longer a lack of evidence. / The problem is unwillingness to respond to the evidence already given. The Sign of Jonah Jesus says Jonah will be the sign. / Jonah carried two powerful meanings. First, Jonah was a prophet sent by God with a message. / He went to Nineveh and said, essentially, “Judgment is coming. Repent.” / There were no fireworks. / No extended miracle campaign. /No entertainment. Just the Word of God. / And Nineveh responded. Second, as Matthew 12 makes clearer, Jonah's experience in the great fish also points forward to Jesus' death and resurrection. Jonah disappeared into the depths and emerged alive. / Jesus would descend into death and emerge victorious on the third day. The ultimate sign would not be another temporary miracle. / It would be the empty tomb.   Ancient Context: Nineveh Nineveh was not a pleasant little Gentile village. / It was associated with Assyria, one of the most brutal imperial powers of the ancient world. / Assyrian warfare was infamous for cruelty. They terrorized conquered...

Living a godly life in an ungodly world can be costly. Scripture makes it clear that believers should not be surprised when obedience to Christ brings rejection, ridicule, or resistance. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef points to Paul's warning in 2 Timothy and Jesus' words in John 15: those who belong to Christ will sometimes face opposition precisely because they no longer belong to the world. When Christians pursue purity, righteousness, and integrity, a culture walking in darkness may resent the light their lives represent. But God does not call His people to stand alone. The Holy Spirit gives believers power to withstand the pressures around them, while God's Word exposes lies and trains us in righteousness. Scripture teaches, corrects, rebukes, and equips us to live faithfully in every circumstance. The more deeply we immerse ourselves in God's Word, the more our hearts and minds become aligned with His will. Obedience becomes clearer. Discernment grows stronger. And standing for Truth becomes less about resisting the world through sheer willpower and more about walking closely with Christ. When pressure comes, stay rooted in Scripture and dependent on the Holy Spirit. God has given you everything you need to stand firm, walk in the light, and remain faithful to Him. Prayer: God, thank You for Your Spirit within me to guide me to respond to worldly thinking with Biblical wisdom. Thank You for Your Word that exposes the lies around me. Help me to stay in Your Word so that my heart and mind will be aligned with Yours. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Never Give Up, Don't Conform to the World: 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.

Read OnlineA Holy ProvocationWhen the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away. Luke 4:28–30What a sobering beginning to our Lord's public ministry. Shortly after His baptism in the Jordan River and the establishment of Capernaum as the center of His ministry, Jesus began calling His disciples and performing powerful miracles. News of His preaching and healing spread rapidly, reaching His hometown of Nazareth.When Jesus returned to Nazareth, those who had known Him from His youth were not prepared for what they witnessed. In the synagogue, He stood and read from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah. It was a messianic passage foretelling the One anointed by the Spirit to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. After reading, Jesus sat down and solemnly proclaimed, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” With these words, He revealed Himself to be the long-awaited Messiah.At first, the people were amazed at the gracious words He spoke. But their awe quickly turned to confusion, then to hostility. “Is this not the son of Joseph?” they asked, unable to reconcile the divine authority they had just encountered with the humble figure they remembered from years past. Their familiarity bred contempt. Their hearts, bound by human reasoning and pride, could not accept the divine mystery standing before them.Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus addressed the unspoken demand in their hearts—the desire to see in Nazareth the same wonders He had performed elsewhere. But He offered them no signs. Instead, He offered truth, recalling that in the days of Elijah and Elisha, God's blessings were extended not to Israelites, but to Gentiles—a widow in Zarephath and a leper from Syria. This comparison deeply offended their national pride and shattered their assumptions about divine favor. Rather than receiving His rebuke with humility, they were filled with fury. The crowd attempted to kill the very One they had once known as neighbor and craftsman. Yet Jesus, untouched, “passed through the midst of them and went away.”Jesus certainly knew this would happen. In His divine wisdom, He foresaw the reaction He would receive. And in a mysterious way, He even appears to draw it out. Why? Because this holy provocation was an act of mercy. In exposing the hardness of their hearts, Jesus gave them an opportunity to confront their pride, repent, and receive the Kingdom in truth.In the months and years ahead, many of the people of Nazareth likely benefited from this initial encounter. There is little doubt that after Jesus left Nazareth, He remained the talk of the town. There is no record of Him returning. However, as He continued His public ministry, the people who had rejected Him would have continued to hear reports of His authoritative preaching and miraculous works. Some may have even traveled to nearby towns, such as Capernaum, to witness Him for themselves. In doing so, their initial rejection would have confronted them anew—forcing a choice: Either repent and believe, or grow in bitterness and confusion. Either Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah or He was a false prophet. There could be no middle ground.Reflect today on the mysterious ways Jesus continues to provoke hearts—including your own. Sometimes His Word unsettles us not because it is harsh, but because it is true, and we are unprepared to accept it and change. The people of Nazareth teach us that we—like them—sometimes need our pride stirred up so we can see it and reject it. As you consider the people of Nazareth from that moment forward, see yourself in them. Recognize any ways that you respond with hostility to humbling truths that are hard to accept, and allow time and grace to heal you—helping you to repent and grow in gratitude for Jesus' humbling and holy provocation.My challenging Lord, You see into the depths of my heart. When I resist Your Word, provoke me in mercy. Confront my pride, reveal my blindness, and call me to repentance. May I never reject You, but always surrender with trust to the truth You offer. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The Brow of the Hill near Nazareth, by James Tissot  Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

What gives believers the courage to obey God when His plan seems confusing or impossible? The heroes of Hebrews 11 understood that their confidence did not rest in circumstances—it rested in the character of Almighty God. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds us that courageous faith begins by recognizing the greatness of God's power and the certainty of His promises. The God who created the heavens and calls every star by name cannot fail, lie, or make a mistake. When He speaks, His people can trust Him enough to obey. Consider Joshua marching around the fortified walls of Jericho or Gideon facing an army described as being “thick as locusts.” God's instructions may not have made sense from a human perspective, but both men moved forward because they trusted the One who gave the command. That same faith is necessary when our circumstances puzzle us, suffering weighs us down, or the road ahead appears impossible. God does not promise that obedience will always be easy, but He does promise to remain faithful—equipping, guiding, and strengthening His people through every battle. Whatever you are facing today, remember the foundation of courageous faith: God is powerful, God is faithful, God is sovereign, and Christ has already secured the ultimate victory. Keep praying. Keep obeying. Keep trusting the God who works all things for the good of those who love Him. Prayer: God, thank You for the examples of courageous faith found in Your Word. Help me to always trust You and Your plan for victory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon They Were Just like Us, We Can Be like Them: 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.

Bible-reading funks are more common than most people admit, and they arrive for all kinds of reasons. A busy season of life, a complicated history with how Scripture was taught, the ordinary pull of a tired and distracted mind — any of these can quietly erode the habit of regular Bible reading until weeks have passed and the distance from God's Word feels both familiar and vaguely guilty. The honest acknowledgment that we are not always naturally eager to open the Bible is not a sign of weak faith. It is a sign that faith is a commitment, not just a feeling. Psalm 1 paints a picture of someone whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on it day and night — and the result is a life that is like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in season and never withering. That kind of rootedness does not happen accidentally. It is the fruit of a sustained, intentional commitment to staying in the Word even when it does not feel compelling. One practical strategy that has proven remarkably effective for getting out of a Bible-reading funk is finding someone whose spiritual wellbeing matters deeply to you and committing to read Scripture with or to them once a day. It does not have to be a long passage. It does not have to be perfectly timed or beautifully executed. It simply has to happen. Accountability, even the chaotic and imperfect kind, has a way of keeping us tethered to the Word better than good intentions ever do. Stay committed not because it always feels good, but because goodness is only found when we are anchored in the truth and love of God's Word. Today's Bible Verse "Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."— Psalm 1:1-3, NIV Ponder Today Faith is a commitment, not a feeling. If Bible reading relied on feeling eager and inspired, most of us would rarely open its pages. Discipline practiced in the absence of feeling is what produces the deep-rootedness Psalm 1 describes. Finding someone to read Scripture with creates accountability that good intentions cannot. When someone else's spiritual well-being is connected to our commitment, the stakes shift. We show up not just for ourselves but for them. The goal does not have to be impressive to be effective. One Psalm a day. One short passage. A specific, measurable, realistic commitment practiced consistently will do more for your Bible reading than an ambitious plan that lasts three days. A Bible-reading funk is not a permanent state — it is a season to push through. The feelings of intimidation, boredom, or distance from God's Word are real, but they are not reliable guides for whether we should open the Bible. The Word itself is what revives those feelings over time. Stay the course because Jesus is running it with you. The hard disciplines are the only ones truly worth pursuing and treasuring. A life rooted in Scripture bears fruit in every season — including the ones where the leaves feel like they might not make it. A Prayer for You Today Lord, in our sinful flesh it is so easy to shrug off Your Word, to dismiss its beauty, power, and freedom. Whether it is a busy season, a challenging circumstance, or the enemy's distractions, we too easily place Bible reading on the back burner. Please grant us the discernment to find someone we can read Your truth with, and may this commitment to Scripture revive our hearts and awaken a new desire to stay tethered to who You are through the pages of the Bible. In Your holy name we pray, Father, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

"Don't pray for patience, God will answer by testing yours." We've all heard it. In today's episode, Brooke McGlothlin makes the case for praying for it anyway.

Joshua 1:6-8 NLT“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.For those who love God, for those who follow Christ, the way to reach the life goals that God created us to attain is only through Him—His way, His will, and His Word. To become everything He planned for us when He formed us in our mother's wombs.When God spoke to Joshua on behalf of the people of Israel about moving to the Promised Land, He twice said to “be strong and courageous,” and then to be very careful to follow His Word. Then they would prosper and succeed. The same is true for us today. Follow God's way, His will, and His Word, which in today's culture, will take being strong and courageous.Listen once again to this rephrasing of today's passage, this time for the Message Bible:Strength! Courage! Give it everything you have, heart and soul… Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.” It is clear in this passage how important it is to study and meditate on God's word to be successful. The path to success and achieving goals for the believer only comes through an uncompromising path through His Word.Let's pray: “Father God, please give me a hunger for Your Word, a desire to study Your Book, to meditate on it, and be careful to obey what You tell me. As above, so below.” - Amen

At our Interactive Midweek Service, Minister Tope Omotayo brought us God's Word titled “Victorious in Christ.” Anchoring the teaching in 1 Corinthians 15:57, we were reminded that our victory is not something we earn through self-effort, it is a gift we have received through Jesus Christ. In Christ, our triumph is assured across every situation and circumstance, yet the message challenged us with an important question: if Christ has already given us the victory, why do we sometimes continue to see ourselves as defeated or unvictorious? Drawing from Proverbs 23:7 and Mark 11:23–24, we saw how our thoughts, beliefs and words must come into agreement with what God has already declared concerning us. We cannot allow circumstances to become a louder definition of our lives than the truth of God's Word. Minister Tope then brought the teaching into everyday life, challenging us to trust God rather than carry everything ourselves. When worry takes over, we can subtly begin to act as though everything depends on our own ability rather than handing the matter over to God and trusting Him to direct our paths. Victory therefore requires faith, a renewed mindset, dependence on God and remaining connected to the fellowship of believers. Even in difficult situations, we can ask, “What would Jesus do?” and allow His Word to shape our response. The message left us with a simple but powerful assurance: our circumstances do not determine whether we are victorious. In Christ, our victory is already guaranteed and assured. Confession: Lord, thank You for giving me victory through Jesus Christ. I refuse to define myself by what I see or by the circumstances around me. I am victorious in Christ, and my victory is guaranteed and assured. I choose faith over worry, I trust You with every situation, and I receive grace to think, speak and act according to Your Word. In all things, I will live from the victory You have already given me. Amen.

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 2 - Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord: vv 1-3; Procession of the Faculty - The Versicles and Gloria Patri (p. 108) - O God, Beyond All Praising: Choir: vv. 1, 2; Congregation: v. 3 - Colossians 2:6-10: As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. - Hymn 24 - Lord, Open Thou My Heart To Hear: vv. 1-3; Choir sings between verses - President's Address: Dr. Gene Pfeifer, President of Bethany - Installation of New Faculty and Staff - Presentation of Scholarships - Hymn 35 - All Glory Be To God On High: v. 1 - Kyrie, Lord's Prayer - Collect for the Opening of the Academic Year: Lord God, heavenly Father, We thank you that by Your grace You have given us Your holy and blessed Word, by which You also among us gather Your Holy Christian Church. We humbly thank You for providing us with an institution of higher learning, where the precious knowledge of Christ our Savior can be confessed and taught. As we begin this academic year, we ask that Your hand of blessing would rest upon teacher and student, that all learning may give glory to Your name, for the edification of Your people and the welfare of our fellow man. Help us, O God, by Your Holy Spirit, to keep Your Word in pure hearts, that we may be strengthened in Christian faith, perfected in holiness, and comforted in life and in death. - Opening of the Academic Year: P: I now declare the Bethany Lutheran College Academic year of 2026–2027 to be in session, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, (+) and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen - The Benedicamus and Benediction (p. 127) - Hymn 82 - With the Lord Begin Thy Task: vv. 1 - 5 - Postlude Service Participants: (Preacher), Nathan Nikoley (Organist), BLC Concert Choir (Choral Group), Prof. David Paulson (Choir Director), Chaplain Don Moldstad (Liturgist)

Welcome to The Daily. Go ahead and pick up your 1 Peter Scripture Journal now. Our text today is 1 Peter 2:1-3: So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. — 1 Peter 2:1-3 One of the first signs of a healthy baby is hunger. No one has to teach a newborn to crave milk. Healthy babies instinctively desire what gives them life and helps them grow. Peter picks up that image as he begins the second chapter of his letter. He has just reminded believers that they have been born again through the living and enduring Word of God. Now he moves from birth to nourishment. New life is only the beginning. God intends for his children to grow. But Peter says something profound before he ever mentions milk. "Put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander." At first, the connection seems strange. What do malice, deception, hypocrisy, jealousy, and slander have to do with spiritual growth? More than we realize. Appetite is shaped by what we consume. Anyone who overindulges in junk food eventually loses their appetite for what nourishes them. The same thing happens spiritually. Sin, like these five here, dulls our hunger for God. It numbs our taste for truth and slowly replaces our desire for what gives life with cravings for things that cannot satisfy. Most believers do not wake up one morning and decide they no longer want God. Their appetite simply changes. They fill up on lesser things. They feed on distraction, entertainment, resentment, comparison, success, approval, or the endless noise of the world until the desire for God's Word begins to fade. Peter invites us to return to a healthier appetite. "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." The same Word that brought you to life is the Word God uses to mature you. It nourishes faith, renews the mind, strengthens conviction, and steadies the soul. We do not outgrow our need for God's truth any more than a child outgrows the need for food. Yet Peter ends with an assumption: "If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." He borrows language from Psalm 34, inviting believers to remember what first drew them to Christ. Before there was a deep craving, there was a first taste of his grace. They discovered that the Lord was not harsh, distant, or indifferent. He was good. And tasting his goodness awakened a hunger for more. Perhaps that is why some believers stop growing. It is not that God has stopped feeding them. It is that they have forgotten how satisfying he truly is. If you have lost your appetite for God, do not settle for spiritual starvation. Return to the One who alone can satisfy. Taste the goodness of the Lord again. The problem may not be that God has become less desirable. It may be that you have filled up on lesser things. Stop that and feed on the things of God. DO THIS: Take an honest inventory of what has been shaping your appetite. What are you consuming each day that is either increasing or diminishing your desire for God? Ask the Lord to help you put away whatever dulls your hunger for Him. ASK THIS: What "lesser things" have been competing for my spiritual appetite? When was the last time I truly delighted in God's Word? What practical step can I take this week to cultivate a deeper hunger for God? PRAY THIS: Father, forgive me for filling my life with things that leave my soul empty. Restore my hunger for Your Word and renew my desire for You. Help me taste again Your goodness and grow into the person You are calling me to be. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Speak, O Lord"

Introduction: Why the Resurrection Means Everything (1 Corinthians 15:12-34): The resurrection SHAPES my FAITH. (1 Cor 15:12-28) IF There Is No Resurrection: PREACHING the Gospel: Meaningless. (1 Cor 15:12-14a) FAITH in Christ: Meaningless. (1 Cor 15:14b) Your BIBLE : Blasphemous. (1 Cor 15:15) Your SIN : Not forgiven. (1 Cor 15:16-17) Believers who have DIED : Gone forever. (1 Cor 15:18) CHRISTIANS : The worst. (1 Cor 15:19) The resurrection STOPS my FEAR. (1 Cor 15:29-32) The resurrection SELECTS my FRIENDS. (1 Cor 15:33-34) Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Unified and Purified: The Resurrection Means Everything Jeff Miller Download Audio Transcript 00:05Open up your Bibles with me please to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. While we're turning there, just ask that you would please take a moment to pray for me, to be faithful to communicate God's Word accurately and clearly, and I will pray for you that your heart would be open to receive what it is that God has said in His Word. Deal? All right. Thank you both.00:34Let's pray. Father, we thank You for Your Word. We're asking now that You would eliminate any distractions in our minds and our hearts, that we would focus solely on what it is You've communicated to us. Father, lay on our hearts the importance of this Word because of who said it.01:04that we're not here to talk about my opinion or some old preacher's opinion. We're here to talk about what you have said in your word. So I pray that that would drive the attentiveness that we give to what it is you've said here, Father. We thank you in advance for what you're going to do. We pray in Jesus' name that all of God's people Amen. Amen. Alright. Who here is a golfer? Raise your hand if you're a golfer. Some of you are shy about it. I'm sorry, is it a secret? I see some of you. Yes, it's a secret. Come on, raise them high. Raise them proud. Who's a golfer? Even if you play golf. You don't have to be on the PGA.02:06Do you know? I've never played golf a day in my life. I'm not against golf. I've just never played it. When I was in high school, I was going over to my friend's house, and he was in his, it was actually his grandparents' house, and he was in the backyard hitting golf balls into the woods, just whoosh, whoosh. So I show up. He's like, hey, I'm almost done. I'll be with you in a minute.02:34So I don't golf. I'm just like do-do-do-do-do-do. And I look, and in the tree, like where the branches split, there was a wiffle ball in the tree. I'm like, I wonder how that got there. So I pulled this wiffle ball out, and I was shocked at how heavy it was for its size. Very intriguing. I can tell you're intrigued by it. I certainly was. So he's hitting the golf balls, and I said, hey, check out how heavy this ball is. And I tossed it to him. And he was like, ha-ha. And he took a swing. Let me tell you what I think he thought was going to happen. I think he thought he was going to hit that wiffle ball like into the woods, launch it in midair like baseball style, right? So I'm like, hey, check out how heavy this ball is. I threw it. And he's like, whew. And he swings and the ball hits the middle of the golf club, like the shaft.03:34and it explodes.03:37And he's standing there holding the handle.03:39And his eyes were like as big as silver dollars.03:42He's like, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.03:45I'm like, what's the matter?03:47He's like, this was my grandfather's brand new driver.03:55And I found out later it was very expensive.03:58I don't know.03:58I don't play golf.03:59I told you that.04:00But he's like, I'm like, what's the problem? He's like, this was his brand new driver. And I'm like, his driver? I said, is that important? And he's like, is that important? It's the most important club. And he got in all kind of trouble and we all laughed. Well, he didn't, but we all did. Like, why did I tell you this? That story.04:31Because here's the thing, in golf world, I was completely oblivious to the most important thing. I didn't know. I didn't know. The driver, it is important, right? It's important. Okay, all right. It is important. I was clueless. And you know, fast forward a few decades, let's get out of golf world, let's get in church world, the principle still stands, I think.04:59There are so many people in church world that are ignorant of the most important thing. And the most important thing, biblically, is this idea of resurrection. And we talk about it in church, and there are people that are like, is that important? Like, it is the most important thing. Resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15 is all about resurrection.05:29And the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is by no means any kind of exaggeration, but the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most significant event in the history of the world. It's the central teaching of the church. And because Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead, the Bible says his followers too will resurrect from the dead.05:59just a few minutes ago. Dead to self. Alive. Raised in Christ. Understand that when we talk about resurrection, it's not just like this metaphor or this poetic concept. It's real. This is literally your eternal state of being. You will resurrect. So you have to know what the Bible says.06:29says about this, and you have to believe this.06:34So on your outline today, I encourage you to take some notes, but why the resurrection means everything.06:41It means everything.06:45Number one, we're going to do some theology today.06:50Number one is the resurrection shapes my faith.06:54It shapes my faith.06:56Everything that we believe in this church is tied into this idea of resurrection.07:07It shapes my faith. We started this last week. Paul talked about the evidences that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.07:13He talked about the grace that we receive, the gift of God.07:18And now when we get to this section, Paul actually plays a what-if game concerning resurrection. Paul says hypothetically, hypothetically, what would result if there were no resurrection?07:35What would result if Jesus didn't rise from the dead?07:41What would that mean?07:42What would be the significance for us, church, if Jesus didn't rise from the dead?07:47I mean, imagine the scene.07:49Imagine the scene.07:51Jesus Christ, mocked, humiliated, crucified, dead, taken from the cross, put in the tomb. Three days later, the women show up and the stone is still there. The guards are still there. The guards are like, move along, move along ladies. And Jesus is in the tomb and He stayed in the tomb.08:21What if there was no resurrection of Jesus Christ? What if? That's what Paul gets into here. Look at verse 12, 1 Corinthians 15. He says, now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.08:51has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain. Stop there. On your outline, if there is no resurrection, the first thing Paul says, if there is no resurrection, preaching the gospel is meaningless. Think about that. Preaching the gospel is meaningless. You are totally wasting your time here this morning. You got up and got your church clothes on and you drove here for what?09:21studying this. That was a complete waste of time. I wasted much of my week. You wasted your Sunday morning coming here today. You're wasting your time right now just listening to me blather on and on and on about what? Every sermon, every Bible study, every small group, every Christian book, every Christian podcast, every Christian conference is a complete waste of time and money if there's no resurrection.09:52Why are you here? So preaching the gospel is meaningless. Letter B, faith in Christ is meaningless. Look what he says. Rest of verse 14, he says, and your faith is in vain. If there's no resurrection, your faith is in vain. Who's your faith in? My faith is in Jesus. Oh, okay. Well, if Jesus died and stayed dead, what's so special about him? He's just in a a long list of religious leaders that showed up, said some profound things, died, and is in his tomb. Just like everybody else. There's no resurrection. Oh, by the way, Jesus throughout his ministry clearly proclaimed that he would die, and he said he would rise from the dead. So, if there's no resurrection, Jesus Christ is either crazy or he's a liar. And that's your faith? Your faith is in that one?10:52Let us see your bible is blasphemous your bible is blasphemous look at verse 15 he says we are even found to be misrepresenting god because we testified about god that he raised christ whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised your bible is blasphemous all of the apostolic teaching your new testament It's blasphemous. If Jesus didn't raise from the dead. Because all of these apostles preach a message and they wrote about a message and we're reading their message today that God raised Christ. It's the central thing in the entire New Testament. And we're sitting here dissecting it. For what? If Jesus didn't raise from the dead. I mean, if Jesus didn't raise from the dead, we have to ask, well, okay, if they were wrong about that, What else are they wrong about? Maybe we should just throw out the whole New Testament. So your Bible is blasphemous. Letter D. If there is no resurrection, if there is no resurrection, your sin is not forgiven. Your sin is not forgiven. Look at verses 16 and 17. He says, for if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised, Christ has not been raised. Your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Oh boy. You know, someday you're going to die and you're going to stand before the God who created everything and you're going to have to give an account of your life. You're going to have to give an account for all of the wrong things that you've done. Your wrong attitudes, your harsh, mean words, your actions, your thoughts. You're going to have to give an account to the creator of the universe.12:52And you don't have any excuse or any hope if there's no resurrection.12:59Because your sin is not forgiven.13:02Letter E.13:06This doesn't get more comfortable, by the way.13:11Believers who have died, I mean it will, but just not yet.13:15Believers who have died are gone forever.13:18Believers who have died are gone forever.13:20Look at verse 18. He says, Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.13:31Fallen asleep, he's talking about they died, right?13:35So what about those who have believed in Jesus Christ and they died?13:38Guess what?13:39They're gone forever.13:40You're never going to see them again.13:42I have done a lot of funerals over the last almost 30 years.13:46Can you imagine?13:47No resurrection?13:48That's what I do.13:48I stand by the casket.13:50Hope you enjoyed your time with them because you're never going to see them again. It is over. If there's no resurrection, they're gone. And letter F, Christians are the worst. The worst. Look at verse 18. He said, I'm sorry, verse 19, excuse me. He says, If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are, of all people most, to be pitied.14:38Like, if Jesus just gives us some sense of contentment and fulfillment in this life, but does nothing for us after we die, He's like, we should be pitied.14:47We are miserable, pathetic people. We devoted our lives to what? We planted this church for what? We send missionaries all over the world for what? A dead prophet. You are lame. Oh, but look at verse 20.15:19He says, but in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Verse 20 makes all the difference. Verse 20, it's the game-changing verse here. You see, He stops, enough of the hypothetical stuff at this point. He stops the what-if thing. He says, here's the reality. Jesus Christ, did rise from the dead. So, that means your outline here, since Jesus Christ did rise from the dead, you can state all of those points in the opposite and they would be true. This is reality. Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, preaching the gospel is not meaningless. No, no, no, no. Opposite. Preaching the gospel means everything.16:17This is literally a message of life and death. If Jesus rose from the dead. And he did. So this is the message of eternal life. Oh, and because Jesus rose from the dead, take the second one. Turn it opposite. Faith in Christ means everything. It doesn't matter what you do, who you know, how much you've accumulated in this life. In the end, in the end, there's only one thing that matters. Do you know Jesus Christ? Because faith in him means everything.16:49Letters see your Bible. Letters see your Bible. Let's not blasphemous because Jesus did raise from the dead. The message of the gospel is true. Your Bible is God's communication to you. Everything you need to know for life and godliness. God has given us all things through His Spirit, through His Word. We got it. Stating letter D in the opposite, your sin is forgiven. Jesus Christ takes your sin.17:17sin away. You are pronounced not guilty. There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Sin is no longer an issue because Jesus rose from the dead. Believers who have died believing in Christ, you're going to see them again someday. See, the opposite is true because Jesus rose. His people were alive. Think of that glorious reunion.17:47You know, there's a lot of people in heaven I can't wait to track down. Yes, I'm going to, Jesus first, right? Exaltation of the Son of God first, but I got to tell you, there's a lot of other people I'm so looking forward to seeing again someday. And then Christians, because Jesus rose, you're not the worst. And I'm really sorry if I hurt your feelings when I said that earlier. But that's what He said. You're not to be pitied.18:17And I don't feel right saying, well, you're going to be envied, because that's not our posture either. But just objectively, we are people in good position because we have believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have eternal life. The resurrection is the foundation of all of our theology. It shapes everything we believe.18:47Look at verses 21 through 22.18:50Because he's going to get into...18:51This is like the most deep and succinct explanation of theology that I think might be in the whole Bible right here.19:02Look at verses 21 and 22.19:05He says, For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.19:17For as in Adam, that's Adam and Eve, Garden of Eden, that Adam, for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. This is just Theology 101. Man, Adam brought death. When Adam sinned against God in the Garden of Eden, brought sin and death into the world. That's why the world is in the shape that it's in. That's why we are in the shape that we are in. We live in a world of sin and death. Adam brought that. The man Adam brought death, but the man, the last Adam, Jesus, brought life. He came to restore the life that we forfeited in the first Adam.20:17So we're talking about resurrection. You're like, okay, okay. So when does resurrection happen? Okay. Enough of the teaser here. When does it happen? Well, he tells us here. Look at verse 23. He says, but each in his own order, Christ, the first fruits, then at his coming, Those who belong to Christ, then comes the end. Stop there for a second. Own order. He says each in his own order. He's like, there's a sequence here. We're talking about resurrection. And he says Christ is the first fruits of resurrection. Then, he says then, resurrection is going to happen to, he says it in the text here, those who belong to Christ.21:17to Christ. People who have received Christ will resurrect. You're like, okay, when will that happen? He tells us right here. Did you see it? Did you see it? At His coming. At His coming, He's talking about the rapture. And next week's message is all about the rapture. So you definitely don't want to miss that. But He's saying at the rapture of Christ, those who belong to Him will resurrect. And He says, Then comes the end. Like, the end. What is the end? Well, again, he gives us a great paraphrase here. Pick up in verse 24. He says, then comes the end when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.22:19The last enemy to be destroyed is death.22:25For God has put all things in subjection under his feet.22:32But when it says all things are put in subjection it is plain that he is accepted who put all things in subjection under him.22:43When all things are subjected to him then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all. See, this passage takes us into eternity. What's he talking about here? Just very simple, right? These are broad strokes. This is like an overview of the book of Revelation. Here's what he's saying. He says, after every enemy is defeated, the redeemed are gathered together, and the bride of Christ is complete. Then Jesus returns the bride and himself to the Father. So that God is all in all. And you're like, well, thank you for the theology lesson. But what does that have to do with me?23:47Everything. Everything. Everything. Yes, this explains the origin of sin and death. This explains the necessity of resurrection. This explains why believing in the resurrection is absolutely essential. This explains where everything is ultimately heading. But, It means something today. It means something today about who you are and how you act and what you think and what your attitude should be today. It means everything today. And you're like, well, can you be a little more specific about that? Absolutely. Follow the text. Resurrection means everything because, number two, the resurrection stops my fear.24:47The resurrection stops my fear. Look at verse 29. Paul says, otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? They're like, wait, what? You know, there's a lot of people They say this is the hardest verse in the New Testament. And you can do the homework. There are dozens and dozens and dozens of interpretations. Like what in the world is he talking about here? Well, I want to show you something in the language and then show you something in the context. And I believe that Maybe it's not as hard as we make it out to be. It says here, notice he says, baptized on behalf of the dead. Now your Bible, if you have a different translation, it might say baptized for the dead. Your Bible says something like that? Okay, well, the Greek word is identical to the English word for. Okay?26:17Now, let's talk about English for a second, because the Greeks used their "for" in the exact same way. And when we use, we use the word "for" for everything. But the meaning of it changes drastically. And it always depends on the context, always. Always depends on the context. That's a little word, but it changes everything.26:47If I said to you, I'm going to the store for bread, you know what I mean, right? I am going to the store in order to obtain bread, right? But if I said to you, I took an aspirin for my headache, see the word for no longer means in order to obtain. I did not take an aspirin in order to obtain a headache. That would be silly, right?27:18I took an aspirin as a result of having a headache. You see, for, it's the context. I didn't go to the store as a result of having bread. I went in order to obtain. I took the aspirin as a result of having, and the context always makes the difference. With that in mind, look at the next two verses to see what the context is. What's he talking about? How is he using the word for, baptized for?27:47the dead. Look at verses 30 and 32. He says, Why are we in danger every hour? Some translations have and at the beginning. And why are we in danger every hour?28:01I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus, our Lord, I die every day.28:09What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus?28:15If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die. You see the context? The context is persecution. Because in the first century, in the first century, when you were baptized, you were marked for death. By publicly identifying with Jesus Christ, marked for death. Paul here is talking about people who were getting baptized because they came to Christ from the influence of someone killed for their faith. Meaning the living person was baptized for because of the dead. You're like, how can the death of a faithful person inspire How can that be? Do you remember Charlie Kirk? We just saw this. We just saw as a result of his faithfulness and death, we saw a spiritual awakening. And it's not up to me to determine how many of those people truly came to Christ and how many just became interested in spiritual things. God sorts that out. That's not my job.29:45how somebody being faithful and giving his life for his faith in Christ can inspire others to step up.29:55Here's Paul's point.29:58If there is no resurrection, why would anybody get baptized?30:04Why would you stand for Christ?30:06Why would you die for Christ if there is no resurrection?30:09Why would you do that?30:11And then he just simply illustrates that with his own life.30:13He says, look, I die every day. Every single day of my life, I'm living out my death. Why would you do that, Paul? Because I believe that I'm going to resurrect someday. So if there is no resurrection coming to Christ, then standing for Christ is idiotic because it brings persecution. You might as well live it up, eat and drink for tomorrow we die.30:45But, when I really believe Christ resurrected, when I really believe that someday I'm going to resurrect, it changes how I live.31:01Sharing the gospel, serving Him and His church, serving others in the name of Jesus, it all matters for eternity, so it doesn't matter what it costs me, even my life.31:16No fear.31:19That's what he's saying. The resurrection stops my fear.31:23No fear. Remember back in the day, some of you are way too young to remember this. Remember back in the day when if you had a pickup, you had a no fear decal on the windshield? How many people remember the no fear?31:35Remember that? Okay, some of you do.31:43It's a real easy sentiment when there's nothing to fear. Right? Because we say that in the church, right? No fear! I'll stand for Jesus no matter what! Yeah, well, you know, before 2020, it was so much easier to claim you have no fear, because you could sit in the church and you had nothing to fear. I was thinking a lot about that. Remember, again, some of you might be too young to remember, and I might be showing my age here, but do you remember COVID? Do you remember COVID? Do you remember COVID? Those glory days when the store would hang big pieces of plastic?32:37Between you and the cashier. And then the cashier would proceed to touch all the things you just touched and then hand them back to you after she touched them. Remember that? Fun times. COVID did so much damage. We watched churches close. We watched Christians buy into fear. Do you know how much venom was spewed at me from people who left our church? Because how How dare we? How dare we? We should close the church. I was rebuked. But you know, with all the damage that happened as a result of COVID, there have been a lot of amazing things that God has done as a result. And here's one good thing that happened with COVID. You know, when we stand here and say, I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid. Well, it showed us who really meant it.33:40Do you really believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Do you really believe that? Then you'll serve God without fear. Without fear. What's the worst thing anybody can do to me? Kill me. You can't threaten me with heaven. Bring it. No fear. The resurrection stops my fear. Then finally, Number three, the resurrection selects my friends. He says, do not be deceived. Bad company ruins good morals. Do not be deceived. Paul's like, stop lying to yourself. Bad company ruins good morals. Understand this. Please hear me.34:37a whole nother big long word study. But when he talks about bad company, he's talking about people you are very, very closely associated with. Your BFFs. Okay? That's what he's talking about here. Bad company ruins good morals. Don't lie to yourself. Bad company ruins good morals. Alright? Alright? And you're like, wait, wait, wait. That seems like an awfully random proverb to just drop.35:07up in here, doesn't it? Paul's like, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, Proverb! Like, wait, wait, wait, what? What happened? Where did that come from?35:17That's a random thing, isn't it? No, it's not. Here's why. Listen, Paul says that theology is caught, not just taught.35:34You are influenced by.35:39And you become like the people that you're closest to.35:44That's just the way it is.35:47I want you to think about the people that you are closest to in your life.35:52You're just like them.35:55Look around at your friends.35:57If your friends are all knuckleheads, guess what you are?36:05If your closest friends are not believers, you're going to start embracing their values and their ways of thinking and their ways of talking, and you're going to start living just like them if you're not already.36:19And that's contrary to the way of living God has called us to.36:25Bad company ruins good morals.36:27I don't have to give much of a sales pitch here because you know it's true. You know it's true. When you hang out with your unsafe friends, don't you find it so much easier to complain right along with them? You're a Pastor Taylor servant about complaining, but you're with them and they're all complaining and you just kind of get swept up in it. Now, yeah, everything stinks to you too. You're complaining. When you hang out with your unsafe friends, do you gossip with them? I don't normally like to talk about rumors that I heard, but boy, they're just unloading. I've got to share the stuff that I think I heard. Crude remarks and jokes, you know, when you're with the guys and all the perverted nonsense. We just go right along with it. Let me tell you some jokes that I've heard. Bad company ruins good morals. You're like, wait, wait, wait, but Pastor Jeff, shouldn't we evangelize? Yeah. Listen, we're to reach the lost, not get our theology from them.37:28or learn habits from them.37:32Look at verse 34.37:35He says, Wake up from your drunken stupor as is right and do not go on sinning.37:44For some have no knowledge of God.37:46I say this to your shame.37:51He's like, Wake up.37:52Stop sinning.37:54You're acting like people who don't know God.37:57Shame on you.37:59Those we are most closely associated with are going to have the biggest impact on us. Today, did you notice the tables when you came in? Did you notice all these tables? You know what those are for? It's small group sign-up day. And I am begging you to get in a small group. Surround yourself with people who are going to push you to Jesus.38:27Instead of dragging you away from them. Do you believe in the resurrection? If you do, you can't live like those who don't know God. You can't live like you did before you came to Christ. And Paul says you can't even keep the same closest unsaved friends.39:00The resurrection selects my friends.39:06We can have our worship team join us back up here on the platform.39:10I'd like you to bow your heads.39:16You know, we, in this service, we saw, we witnessed three brave young ladies Make a public confession. Make a public declaration. Now it's your turn. To make a declaration. Just keep your heads bowed. And in light of this passage, the first declaration you need to make is this. I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Can you say that? Say that in your heart to God. Say that in your heart to God. And if you're not there, like God, please manifest the truth.39:54of your word in my heart by your spirit. I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and I believe everything that that means.40:08In light of the text, the second thing I want you to say to the Lord today, this week, the rest of your walk, I have nothing to fear.40:21This life, this body, is temporary. Heaven is eternal. My resurrected body that we're going to be talking about over the next couple of weeks, my resurrected body is going to be eternal. I have nothing to fear here whatsoever.40:40Can you say that in your heart before the Lord because of you, because of your promise? I have nothing to fear.40:53Then finally, Can you confess this in your heart? Before the Lord. God, you have called me to identify with the church, not the lost. And yes, we are to witness, we are to evangelize, we are to invite people to come and see. But when we identify, with people who don't know you.41:29It's going to have an effect on us.41:32God, you've given us a huge warning right here in your word.41:35Bad company ruins good morals.41:41So can you confess that in your heart before the Lord?41:43God, I want to identify with the church, not the lost.41:54Father, we thank you.41:59And it's, I guess, easy to have the positive peer pressure in this room to say these things.42:06But I pray, Father, that these truths from your word would resound in our hearts and minds.42:13That our lives, our very lives revolve around the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.42:23that we don't live in fear of anything except for the fear of the Lord. Father, we would find our greatest friendships to be other people who have made the great confession of Jesus Christ. Glorify your name, Father, in your church. We pray in Jesus' name.42:49Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 15:12-34What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Explain 1 Cor 15:29. How do “the dead” influence people to be baptized?How can you keep friendships with nonbelievers without being influenced by them?BreakoutPray for one another.

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 389, “Plow Up the Hard Ground of Your Hearts!” Kim discusses the word picture in Jeremiah 4 of the hard soil and the thorns. Whether our heart has a fully hard soil area or a hard area of ground, the Lord calls on us to “Plow up the hard ground of [our] hearts!” Even if our heart soil isn't stone hard, that does not mean that we do not have some thorns that are choking out some of our growth and spiritual fruit.    Our focal passage for this episode is Jeremiah 4:1-4, with 3-4 as the focal verses:    3 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts!     Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem,     surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord,     or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire     because of all your sins.     WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT FEATURE:   Bravely ask the Lord: “What do You want to change in me through this?”   PRAYER:   Lord, break up the hard ground of my heart. Pull out anything that is choking the work You want to do in me. Make my heart soft toward Your voice and ready to receive Your Word. Show me what needs to change, and give me the courage to obey You. Amen.   Additional Resources and Scriptures:   Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus X - https://x.com/eoinlovingjesus?s=21&t=YcRjZQUpvP7FrJmm7Pe1hg INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus” YouTube Channel: Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingOthersInLovingJesus   I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.   RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF Jeremiah/Lamentation PODCASTS: “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume” “Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Jeremiah & Lamentations by Steven Smith “Life Application Study Bible” “The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary “The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays (Editors) Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament, 2004, by Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger, III. OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT     "Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus" Facebook Group:   Our Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.   This podcast is hosted by Kim Smith, a small town Country Girl who left her comfort zone to follow Jesus in a big City World. Now, she wants to use God's Word and lessons from her faith journey to encourage others in loving Jesus.   In each episode, Kim will share insights regarding a portion of God's Word and challenge listeners to apply the lessons to their daily lives.   If you want to grow in your faith and learn how to encourage others in loving Jesus, subscribe and commit to prayerfully listening each week.   Remember, “It's Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”   If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at EncouragingOthersinLovingJesus@gmail.com.     National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline   988   https://988lifeline.org/   Reference: Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.   Podcast recorded through Cleanfeed and edited through GarageBand. The soundtrack, entitled “Outlaw John McShane” was obtained from Pixabay.     The HIDDEN Episodes:  If you can't access episodes 1-50 on your podcast app (the podcast was then entitled "A Country Girl in a City World - Loving Jesus"), you can get all the content at my Podbean site at https://acountrygirlinacityworldlovingjesus.podbean.com/  

Have you ever skimmed instructions simply to confirm what you already believed? We can do the same thing with Scripture—approaching the Bible with predetermined ideas and searching only for verses that support them. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef warns against reading our own assumptions into God's Word. When we force a favorite theme, opinion, or belief onto every passage, we risk missing what God is actually saying. Pride in our knowledge can blind us to fresh truths about His character, His love, and our continuing need for Him. Faithful Bible study begins by asking what the text actually says. That means considering its original setting, reading passages in context, using sound study tools, and resisting the temptation to make Scripture say what we want it to say. Dr. Youssef also reminds us that meaningful Bible study cannot be rushed. The treasures of God's Truth reward those who seek Him diligently. Growth requires time, attention, humility, and a willingness to listen. Come to Scripture not merely looking for confirmation, but for transformation. Slow down, seek the Lord earnestly, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into the Truth God wants you to see. Prayer: Holy Spirit, open my eyes so that I may see wonderful Truth from Your Word. Illuminate my mind so that I can learn what You want me to learn. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character . . . for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Defending a Lion: 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.

Many of us have a habit of skipping the instructions and trying to figure things out on our own. But when it comes to Scripture, that approach can lead to serious misunderstanding. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains why learning to read the Bible properly is essential for Christian growth. Dr. Youssef identifies several common pitfalls, including proof-texting, ignoring context, confusing literal and figurative language, overlooking historical and cultural background, and trying to understand Scripture apart from the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' words in Matthew 5:29 provide an important example. When He speaks of gouging out an eye that causes someone to stumble, He is using vivid hyperbole to communicate the seriousness of removing anything that interferes with wholehearted devotion to God. Understanding genre, context, and intent helps us hear Scripture as it was meant to be heard. Bible study must also lead to application. It is not enough simply to accumulate information—we must allow God's Word to confront, instruct, and change us. Dr. Youssef encourages believers to study carefully, compare reliable translations, pray for the Holy Spirit's illumination, and resist the temptation to force our own ideas into the text. Approach the Bible prayerfully, carefully, and humbly. As your understanding grows, so will your ability to recognize, obey, and live in the Truth that sets you free. Prayer: God, help me to read Your Word with diligence and integrity. May I see more of who You are as I study, and may I be uplifted by Your wonder and beauty. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Defending a Lion: 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.

Knowing the Voice of the Holy Spirit | Walking in the Spirit (2)How can we recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit in a world filled with competing voices, distractions, fear, and deception?In this powerful message from the series Walking in the Spirit: Living Free from Deception in the Last Days, we are reminded that the Shepherd is still speaking, and as His sheep, we can learn to recognize His voice.Jesus said, “My sheep know My voice.” The goal isn't simply to hear God occasionally in moments of crisis. The Holy Spirit desires to become the familiar voice we walk with every day.This message explores four foundational truths about knowing and following the voice of the Holy Spirit:1. The Shepherd Is Still SpeakingGod has not stopped speaking. As we stay close to Him, His voice becomes familiar, His peace becomes recognizable, and His leading becomes clearer.2. The Holy Spirit's Voice Always Agrees with God's Word and Reveals JesusThe Holy Spirit will never contradict the truth of Scripture. His voice leads us toward Jesus, produces Christlike character, increases our love for God's Word, and calls us into greater obedience and humility.3. Recognition Grows Through RelationshipLike Samuel, we learn to recognize God's voice through relationship and intimacy. The more time we spend with the One who is speaking, the more familiar His voice becomes, and the easier it is to recognize and reject the voices of fear, pride, and the world.4. The Blessing Comes Through ObedienceHearing God's voice is not the finish line. The proof that we've heard God's voice is found in our willingness to follow and obey what He says.This message challenges us to move beyond simply asking, “How can I hear God more clearly?” and begin asking, “How can I spend more time with the One who is speaking?”Because intimacy with God produces clarity in hearing God.

Welcome to Day 2929 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2929– “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” – Luke 11:1-13 Putnam Church Message – 08/09/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Lord, Teach Us To Pray.”   Last week, our message was “Exchanging What's Good for What's Best,” and we learned that when good things begin to crowd out the best thing, have the courage to exchange what is good for what is best. Today, we continue with our thirty-third message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Lord, Teach Us To Pray.” Our core passage today is Luke 11:1-13, on page 1614 of your pew Bibles. Jesus' Teaching on Prayer 1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father,[a] hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.[b] 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[c] And lead us not into temptation.[d]'” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today as children who need to learn. We confess that we often pray last instead of first. We try to assemble life by our own wisdom, strength, and effort, and only when we have made a mess do we turn to You. Lord Jesus, teach us to pray. Teach us not only the words of prayer, but the heart of prayer. Teach us to come to the Father with reverence, trust, humility, boldness, and surrender. Holy Spirit, open our hearts to receive Your Word, and make prayer not a last resort, but the daily breath of our souls. In Jesus' name, amen. Introduction: When All Else Fails, Read the Instructions There is an old saying many of us know well: “When all else fails, read the instructions.” Some of us live by that saying a little too confidently. We look at a box marked “Some Assembly Required,” and instead of beginning with the instruction sheet, we dump the parts on the floor, glance at the picture on the box, and say, “I can figure this out.” And sometimes we can. / But every now and then, we get humbled. Imagine Christmas Eve. The children are asleep. A hidden box is dragged from the closet. The parts are laid out with great confidence. Screws, bolts, panels, wheels, rods, brackets — all carefully arranged. The project begins smoothly. But somewhere around midnight, the finished product starts looking less like the picture on the box and more like an abstract sculpture. Finally, with dawn approaching, the builder digs the instructions out of the trash. At the top of the page, in small print, some sarcastic soul has written, “Now that you have made a mess of things, please start over and follow these instructions.” That is funny because it is true. And it is often how we approach prayer. We say, “When all else fails, pray.” But Jesus did not live that way. Jesus did not pray only when He was desperate. / He prayed before major decisions. / He prayed after ministry. / He prayed in solitude. / He prayed with others. / He prayed when crowds pressed in. / He prayed in joy. / He prayed in anguish. / He prayed before the cross. Luke has emphasized this repeatedly. / Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray. / He prayed before choosing the Twelve. / He prayed on the mountain before the Transfiguration. / He prayed as His mission moved toward Jerusalem. / Prayer was not a spare tire in Jesus' life. / Prayer was the steering wheel. Last week, in “Exchanging What's Good for What's Best,” we saw Mary sitting at Jesus' feet while Martha was worried and upset about many things. Mary chose the one necessary thing — listening to Jesus. Now, in Luke 11, the disciples watch Jesus pray, and they realize they need instruction. They do not say, “Lord, teach us to preach.” They do not say, “Lord, teach us to heal.” They do not say, “Lord, teach us to cast out demons.” They say, “Lord, teach us to pray.” That request is still one of the most important requests any disciple can make. Let's explore four truths that will help us to understand why this one question is so important. These are found on your bulletin insert on the side that is titled: Lord, Teach us to Pray. Main Point 1: Prayer Begins With Relationship and Reverence Jesus begins the model prayer with one word: “Father.” / That is astonishing. Jesus does not begin with “Distant Creator,” though God is Creator. He does not begin with “Almighty King,” though God is King. He does not begin with “Sovereign Master,” though God is Lord. He teaches His disciples to begin with “Father.” In Greek, the word is pater. In Aramaic, Jesus used the intimate word Abba, which we see in Mark 14 when He prays in Gethsemane. Paul later says in Romans 8 and Galatians 4 that by the Spirit, believers cry, “Abba, Father.” This means prayer begins not with technique, but with relationship. We do not come to God as strangers trying to get the attention of a reluctant deity. We come as children to a Father who already knows us, loves us, and welcomes us. But Jesus also teaches reverence. “May your name be kept holy.” (Hallowed be your name.) God is Father, but He is not casual. / He is near, but not common. / He is loving, but

Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus entered the wilderness for forty days and nights to face Satan's temptation. Hungry and physically weakened, Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread—but He responded with the Word of God: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that Scripture is not optional nourishment for the believer—it is the only food that can truly sustain the soul. Just as our bodies need daily, nutritious food, our spirits need the living Word of God for strength, encouragement, discernment, and endurance. Dr. Youssef warns that much of the Church is suffering from spiritual malnourishment. We work hard to feed our bodies, educate our children, maintain our health, and build our lives—yet too often we try to survive spiritually on crumbs of Scripture. But if Jesus Himself relied on Scripture in the face of temptation, how much more do we need the Word daily? The Bible is our spiritual bread and our power for living. This devotional calls believers to return to the Word of God—not occasionally, not casually, but daily—with gratitude, hunger, and obedience. Prayer: Father, forgive me for neglecting Your Word. I know it is to my detriment because Your Word is life. Give me a deeper understanding of Your Word by Your Spirit, that I might grow in faith to the glory of Your name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”'” (Matthew 4:4). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Defending a Lion: 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.

LESSON 228God Has Condemned Me Not. No More Do I.My Father knows my holiness. Shall I deny His knowledge, and believe in what His knowledge makes impossible? Shall I accept as true what He proclaims as false? Or shall I take His Word for what I am, since He is my Creator, and the One Who knows the true condition of His Son?Father, I was mistaken in myself, because I failed to realize the Source from Which I came. I have not left that Source to enter in a body and to die. My holiness remains a part of me, as I am part of You. And my mistakes about myself are dreams. I let them go today. And I stand ready to receive Your Word alone for what I really am.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

If you are in a fight that resets every time you think you are gaining ground — a diagnosis, an addiction that circles back, a marriage that heals just enough to break again — Psalm 116 opens with someone who understands. The psalmist describes the cords of death entangling him, the anguish of the grave coming over him. And then he does something remarkable: he tells you the outcome before he tells you the story. Not what God fixed. What God did first. He heard. He turned His ear. Picture what that posture looks like: not a king on a high throne receiving a formal report, but a parent leaning in close in a dark room at three in the morning, not wanting to miss a word. His presence in the battle is a gift, not a consolation prize, but the thing the psalmist says made him commit to calling on God for the rest of his life. Today's Bible Verse "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live." — Psalm 116:1-2, NIV Ponder Today God hearing us is not a consolation prize; it is the promise. The psalmist does not begin by celebrating what God fixed. He begins by celebrating that God listened. Being heard by the God of the universe is not a lesser gift than the rescue we were hoping for. Turning His ear is an act of intimate, personal attention. It is the posture of leaning in, of focusing on a voice He does not want to miss. God is not receiving formal reports from a distant throne. He is in the dark room with you. Battles that reset are one of the most exhausting forms of suffering. Starting over after thinking you were gaining ground is a particular kind of grief. Bringing that specific weariness to God, not just the dramatic moments but the grinding ones, is exactly what He invites. God's presence in the battle is a gift, even when His answer is not the one we wanted. Being honest about that is not a failure of faith. The psalmist was honest about his despair. God did not require polished prayer before He leaned in. His love is not measured by whether He fixed the problem. One of the most freeing realizations in the life of faith is uncoupling God's love from our circumstances. He is leaning in right now, mid-sentence, before you find the right words. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, You know the room I am sitting in. You know the thing that keeps coming back. Just when I think it is handled, I am starting over — and I am so tired of starting over. Your Word says You heard a man who had nothing left but a cry, and You turned Your ear toward him. God, turn Your ear toward me. Not because I have prayed well or believed hard enough, but because that is who You are. Forgive me for measuring Your love by whether You fixed my problem. Help me hold the truth that You are listening even when nothing changes and that You are leaning in when the room is dark and quiet. I do not know how this ends on this side of heaven. But You do. Let that be enough for tonight. I love You, Lord, because You hear me. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More?

Read OnlineDivine Humiliation“It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” Matthew 15:26–28Imagine the Son of God referring to you as a dog. For most people, that would be deeply offensive. So why would Jesus do such a thing? He did so, in part, to draw forth from this woman an act of profound humility and faith. Through this moment of divine humiliation, Jesus invited her to rise to a heroic response, prompting Him to exclaim, “O woman, great is your faith!” He desires to do the same with each one of us.When Jesus first encountered this woman, He saw into her soul and perceived the depth of her faith. As God, He knew everything about her—her suffering, her love for her daughter, her perseverance. He also knew He would heal the girl, yet He did not do so immediately. Instead, He engaged in what theology refers to as divine pedagogy—a method of instruction by which God teaches slowly, carefully, and with purpose. In this case, Jesus used the moment to teach His disciples, and us, a profound lesson about humility and unwavering faith. He tested her, and she passed the test marvelously.The location of this encounter is also significant. It took place in the region of Tyre and Sidon, in modern-day Lebanon—a Gentile territory known for its Greek-speaking population and pagan customs. The woman is specifically identified as a Canaanite, evoking the memory of Israel's ancient enemies. And yet, it is precisely this outsider—this woman of seemingly little spiritual privilege—who becomes a model of the faith the chosen people were meant to embody.She first approaches Jesus, crying out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” By calling Him, “Son of David,” she reveals her belief in His messianic identity. But what does Jesus do? Nothing. He appears to ignore her—not because He is displeased or uncaring, but because He is testing her faith, knowing full well she will persevere and shine.God often allows similar experiences in the lives of the faithful. It's easy to assume that if we follow Christ, we will be shielded from difficulty. On the contrary, one of the most powerful ways God forms His saints is by allowing them to undergo trials. These trials, far from being signs of abandonment, are invitations to heroic virtue. They are divine tests. And God never permits more than we can endure by His grace.If that seems confusing or difficult to accept, we need only look to the Son of God Himself. Though Jesus was perfect, it was the Father's will that He endure the deepest depths of humiliation: rejection, persecution, suffering, and death. Through this ultimate “divine pedagogy,” the Son not only conquered sin and death but also taught us how to follow Him—by transforming our humiliation into humility, our weakness into strength, and our suffering into sanctification. In this way, God's power is made perfect in our weakness (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9).As the conversation with the woman unfolds, Jesus continues to appear distant, yet He knows she will not give up. Her faith and her love for her daughter drive her to persevere. She humbly persists through every trial, and in doing so, she wins grace—not only for herself and her daughter, but also for the disciples who witnessed the exchange and for all who read her story today.Reflect today on the ways God may be inviting you to a deeper faith through silence, delay, or trial. Could He be calling you, like this woman, to heroic humility and steadfast trust? Embrace those moments of divine testing, for they are often the very means by which His greatest works of grace are accomplished—in you and through you.Divine Teacher and Guide, You teach us through Your Word, Your actions, and even through Your silence. When You are silent in the midst of trials and tribulations, grant me the grace to persevere in faith, trusting that You will never abandon me. Help me to understand that every trial You permit is an invitation to deeper trust, so that Your grace and glory may be revealed in me, and through me, shine forth to others. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Woman of Canaan, by Harold CoppingSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

There was a time when many people in the Western world—believers and non-believers alike—knew the Bible's stories, teachings, and moral foundations. But today, Biblical knowledge is fading as postmodern thinking declares truth to be personal, shifting, and based on feeling. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds believers that God's Word does not bend to culture, opinion, emotion, or circumstance. Throughout history, people have loved the Bible, hated it, believed it, rejected it, tried to change it, and attempted to destroy it. Dictators and rulers have sought to silence it, yet the Word of God still stands. The tragedy is that many believers now neglect this incomparable treasure, missing the joy, power, wisdom, and strength that come from reading and obeying Scripture. Dr. Youssef encourages Christians to become like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what God's people should do. In a world saturated with postmodern ideas, a few hours of church each week will not be enough to neutralize the pressure of the culture. Believers must immerse themselves daily in the Word of God. When you open your Bible, you are choosing God's Truth over the world's confusion. As Scripture renews your mind and strengthens your heart, you will become less at home in this world—and better equipped to recognize and withstand the attacks of Satan. God's Word is your greatest weapon in the fight, and it always prevails. Prayer: Lord, help me cherish Your Word and feast on it so I remain healthy, strong, and faithful. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “. . . from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command; . . .” (1 Chronicles 12:32). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Defending a Lion: 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.

Second Timothy 1:5 is often quoted to celebrate the faithful discipleship of Lois and Eunice, and rightly so. But it is equally a portrait of Timothy stepping into his own personal faith — moving beyond the foundation his grandmother and mother provided and owning that faith as his own as he began to preach and lead. Paul was writing to encourage Timothy to stand on what he now personally believed, not simply on what he had been handed. The same invitation extends to every believer who has grown up surrounded by the faith of others. There is a moment when borrowed faith must become personal. When kneeling before God and surrendering is no longer someone else's story but your own. The foundation provided by faithful parents and grandparents is a profound gift. But the blessings of following Christ are only fully experienced when we move from inheriting a faith to genuinely living it ourselves. Today's Bible Verse "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."— 2 Timothy 1:5, NIV Ponder Today Inherited faith provides a foundation, but it must become personal to bear lasting fruit. Growing up surrounded by Christianity is a gift. But the blessings of following Christ are only fully experienced when that faith moves from borrowed to genuinely owned. Timothy's faith was celebrated not just because of Lois and Eunice, but because it now lived in him personally. Paul's encouragement to Timothy was a call to step fully into his own faith and lead from it — no longer leaning on his family's belief, but standing in his own. A decade of running from God does not disqualify a person from a profound personal encounter with Him. The return to faith — the moment of surrender — can arrive at any point, and God is fully capable of meeting us wherever and whenever we come back. Borrowed faith may sustain us through seasons of wandering, but it cannot produce transformation. Living on goldfish-and-apple-juice Sunday School memories and someone else's prayers is not the same as personally pursuing Christ, studying Scripture, and allowing truth to take root in your own heart. Give thanks for those who built the foundation, then own what they gave you. Honor the Loises and Eunices in your life by moving from gratitude for their investment into active, personal growth in Christ — and then pour that same investment into someone else. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of family, friends, teachers, and others who have poured into my life and taught me about You and Your Word. May I move from an inherited faith to a personal relationship with You, supported and strengthened by time in Scripture and bathed in prayer. Provide a Christian community to help me grow in my pursuit of knowing You more and applying the timeless truths of Scripture to my life. When I experience opposition or confusion in this journey, give me the strength to seek wise counsel and continue in Your ways. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More?

Three daughters in the car, ranging in age from seven to twelve, navigating a conversation about Moses, the book of Acts, and the Lord's Prayer — and then, just as the theology is getting genuinely rich, the seven-year-old pipes up with the most pressing question on her mind: "But Mom, what are we going to have for supper?" It is the kind of moment that makes a parent both laugh and wonder: is any of this actually getting through? Discipling children and the next generation rarely looks like a carefully curated, Pinterest-worthy moment. It looks like car rides and half-finished conversations and questions that reveal both curiosity and distraction in equal measure. And yet Isaiah 55:11 holds a promise that steadies every parent, teacher, mentor, and youth leader who has ever wondered whether the seeds they are planting are making any difference: God's Word will not return empty. It will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. The impact of sharing Scripture, praying with and over children, and talking openly about faith is never determined by how much they appear to absorb in the moment. God is always at work, on His timetable and according to His plan, using our faithful obedience to shape the next generation. What a privilege it is, like Isaiah, to co-labor with Him in that work — car conversations and supper questions and all. Today's Bible Verse "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."— Isaiah 55:11, NIV Ponder Today God's Word never returns empty, even when it appears to go unabsorbed. What looks like a distracted seven-year-old or a disengaged teenager does not limit what God can do with the truth that has been spoken over them. He is always at work. Discipleship happens in ordinary moments, not just intentional ones. Car rides, meal times, bedtime routines — these are the spaces where faith is most naturally and powerfully passed from one generation to the next. We are invited to co-labor with God in shaping the next generation. That is not a burden — it is a profound privilege. We plant and water, and God brings the growth, in His timing and according to His purposes. Age is not a barrier to engaging children with the deep things of faith. A seven-year-old asking about the Trinity and a twelve-year-old learning to share the gospel are both evidence that children are far more capable of meaningful spiritual engagement than we often assume. Trust God's timetable, not your own measurement of impact. The conversations that seem to go nowhere, the questions that land with a thud, the seeds that show no visible growth — God is using all of it. Romans 8:28 assures us He is working it all for good. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Help me to abide in it daily so that I will be prepared to share with others, especially the next generation. I ask that Your truth will penetrate the hearts and minds of those who hear it, bringing conviction and a desire to know You. Give me the knowledge and encouragement to keep talking with the children in my life about You, their faith, and the Scriptures, even when I wonder whether they are comprehending or even listening. I know that Your Word never returns empty, and I trust that You are always at work — in ways I can see and in ways I cannot. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More?

The story from 1546 until 1580 is one of courage and cowardice, weakness and strength. The LORD used that season to clarify how we as God's people confess the Truth of the Word. What would end up being 12 articles of Truth addressing the doctrinal issues of the day has a backstory of politics, war, personalities, and false doctrine.  “Help us, dear Heavenly Father to be faithful to Your Word and live holy lives according to it. Amen” Rev. Andy Wright, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to begin a new series on the Formula of Concord. To learn more about St. John Lutheran, visit stjohnlcmstopeka.org. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2919– What About My Neighbor's Neighbor? - Luke 10:25-37 Putnam Church Message – 07/26/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “What About My Neighbor's Neighbor?”   Last week, our message was “Joyful Return, Insightful Response,” in which we learned to rejoice that you belong to Him. Today, we continue with our thirtieth-first message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “What About My Neighbor's Neighbor?” Our core passage today is Luke 10:25-37, on page 1613 of your pew Bibles. The Parable of the Good Samaritan 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b]” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,' he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today grateful for Your Word, which searches our hearts and reveals both our need and Your grace. We confess that we often know more truth than we obey. We can quote Scripture, discuss doctrine, and defend our beliefs, yet still pass by hurting people on the other side of the road. Lord Jesus, teach us today what it means to love You with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Show us where we have drawn lines too tightly, where we have looked for loopholes, and where we have failed to see others with Your compassion. Holy Spirit, open our eyes, soften our hearts, and move us from knowing to doing. In the name of Jesus, amen. Introduction: Back to the Basics In 1959, Vince Lombardi inherited the Green Bay Packers at the lowest point in their history. The previous season, the team had lost ten of their twelve games. They were discouraged, disorganized, and defeated. So Lombardi gathered the team and announced that they were going back to basics. He picked up a football and said, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” From the back of the room, Max McGee, known as a cutup, replied, “Uh, Coach, could you slow down a little? You're going too fast for us.” Lombardi laughed, but the point was serious. The most brilliant playbook in the world will not help a team if the players have forgotten how to block, tackle, pass, catch, and run. Sometimes, spiritually, we need to go back to basics too. By the time Jesus stepped into the public religious life of Israel, many of the most visible religious leaders had turned godliness into a complex system of rules, rituals, and loopholes. They had studied the Law, memorized the Law, debated the Law, and built fences around the Law. But in the process, many had forgotten the heart of the Law. Love God. Love your neighbor. That sounds basic, doesn't it? But as Jesus shows us in Luke 10:25–37, the basics are not always easy. In fact, they are impossible without grace. In the previous message, “Joyful Return, Insightful Response,” the seventy returned from ministry rejoicing that even demons obeyed them in Jesus' name. Jesus corrected their joy, reminding them that their greatest joy was not what they had done for God, but that their names were written in heaven. Now Luke moves us into a conversation with a religious expert who wants to know what he must do to inherit eternal life. This is a very different kind of encounter. The seventy came back rejoicing in grace. / This lawyer comes testing Jesus with a legal question. The seventy had gone out announcing peace. / This man comes looking for a debate. The seventy were learning to serve. / This man is trying to justify himself. And Jesus, as He so often does, takes the conversation deeper than the man expected. / The question begins: “What should I do to inherit eternal life?” But by the end, the real question becomes: “What kind of person sees suffering and moves toward it with mercy?” Or to put it in the title of our message: What About My Neighbor's Neighbor? We will review four truths to understand the answer to this question. Main Point 1: The Wrong Question Reveals the Wrong Heart Luke tells us that an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus. / That matters. This man is not asking like a hungry soul seeking truth. He is not like the sinful woman who wept at Jesus' feet. He is not like Jairus, desperate for his daughter. He is not like the father whose son was tormented. He is not like the seventy returning with joy. He is testing Jesus. / He asks, “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” At first glance, that sounds like a good question. But there is a problem inside it. He asks what he must do to inherit. Those two words do not naturally fit together. You do not usually work to receive an inheritance. An inheritance is given because of relationship. A son or daughter receives what belongs to the family because they belong to the family. This man's question reveals confusion. He is thinking about eternal life as something to be achieved, earned, managed, or secured by religious performance. That was not unusual. Many first-century Jews assumed that as children of Abraham, they had a secure place in God's Kingdom. The question then became: “What level of obedience proves I belong? How far must I go? What exactly is required?” Jesus answers the question with another question: “What does the Law of Moses say? How do you read it?” / That is masterful. Jesus does not reject the Law. He points the man back to it. The Law was never the problem. The problem was the human heart trying to use the Law for self-justification. The man answers well. He combines Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus says, “Right. Do this and you will live.” Now, we need to hear Jesus carefully. Jesus is not saying the man can earn salvation by trying harder. Jesus is pressing the man to face the true standard. Perfect love for God and perfect love for neighbor would indeed describe a righteous life. The problem is that none of us has lived that way. / The man knows it too. So, Luke says he...

Slowly stepping out of one of the hardest seasons of life, having wrestled with God the whole way through — wondering what He was doing, why He would allow such suffering, and whether He was truly present in the middle of unimaginable pain. That kind of honesty is not a crisis of faith. It is faith in its most human and most courageous form, holding on to the truth that God had always come through before and trusting He would come through again. James 1:2 instructs us to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. And if that instruction has ever made you want to laugh out loud sarcastically, you are in very good company. Suffering hurts. Sorrow causes genuine heartache. Joy in the pit of darkest days does not come automatically. But James does not ask us to feel joy instantly — he asks us to consider it. That one word opens a door that despair tries to keep closed. If we can simply entertain the possibility that something good might be growing in us through the pain — perseverance, endurance, a stronger faith — there is a glimmer of hope in that consideration. And even the smallest glimmer of hope carries a spark of joy. God does not waste our suffering. He is carrying us through it, producing in us what ease and comfort never could, and opening up blessings we could not have received any other way. Your trust in Him can keep growing, one trial at a time, one day at a time. Today's Bible Verse "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."— James 1:2-3, NIV Ponder Today James asks us to consider joy — not to manufacture it instantly. The word "consider" is an invitation to entertain the possibility, even when feelings run in the opposite direction. That small act of considering opens the door to hope. The testing of faith produces perseverance, endurance, steadfastness, and growth. These are not small things. They are the qualities that carry us through every future trial, and they are only forged in the fire of genuine difficulty. Even the smallest glimmer of hope carries a spark of joy. When we are drowning in darkness, we do not need a flood of joy. We need enough light to keep moving. Considering what God might be producing through our pain is enough to provide that. You can trust God's goodness even when you cannot see it clearly. His Word repeatedly declares that He is trustworthy, that He works all things for good, and that He never leaves our side. Those truths do not change because our circumstances are painful. A Prayer for You Today Lord God, Your Word tells me that You use all things for good. But to be honest, sometimes life hurts so much that it is hard to see or imagine any good. Help me to remember that You are all-powerful, that You are a God of goodness, that You love me more than I can fathom, and that You are absolutely trustworthy at all times. Help me to simply consider these beautiful truths in and through my sorrows and suffering. Because when I acknowledge You, Your power, and Your blessings in my difficulties, I find hope. And in hope, there is joy. I praise You for the joy You make always available to me. In Your faithful name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer gave you even a small glimmer of hope in the middle of a hard season, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to grow your joy and your trust in God through every trial life brings. If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you! 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.

Most men carry a deep drive to provide, to accomplish, and to be productive — and that is not a bad thing. But Psalm 112 holds out a vision of what a father's life looks like when it is rooted in something deeper than hard work: a fear of the Lord, a delight in His commandments, and a trust that God is the ultimate provider. The man who seeks the Lord in this way is called blessed — and so are his children after him. This is not a passage about quick wealth. It is a picture of the generational fruit that grows when a father leads his family by orienting his own life around God first. More than teaching children how to work hard or use their gifts, a father who fears the Lord and hungers for His Word gives his children one of the greatest treasures they will ever receive. Praying for the fathers in our lives — for their rest, their walk with God, their wisdom and strength — is one of the most powerful things we can do for our families. Today's Bible Verse "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed."— Psalm 112:1-2, ESV Ponder Today A father who fears the Lord gives his children one of the greatest gifts imaginable. More than work ethic, provision, or even good values, a dad whose life is genuinely oriented around God gives his children a model worth imitating and a legacy worth inheriting. The blessings of Psalm 112 flow from the fear of the Lord, not from hard work alone. A man who delights in God's commandments and trusts in His Word positions his family to receive both spiritual and material blessing — not as a formula, but as a fruit of a life surrendered to God. The drive to provide is good — but balance between work and rest matters. God Himself rested on the seventh day. A father who cannot slow down risks running on empty in the very areas his family needs him most: presence, patience, and spiritual leadership. Apart from God's grace, every father is limited. The wisest thing any man can do is lean on the Lord for wisdom and strength in everything he puts his hand to, rather than relying on his own capacity alone. Praying for the fathers in our lives is one of the most powerful things we can do for our families. Whether a father knows the Lord deeply or is still far from faith, interceding for his walk with God, his rest, and his leadership has eternal significance for generations to come. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, we pray for the men in our lives. If the father of our children does not yet know You, we pray that You would draw him to Yourself and give him a hunger for Your Word. We pray that he will learn the importance of rest so that he can be restored. We ask that he would lean upon Your grace in all that You have called him to do. Thank You for being a faithful Father who always provides for our needs. We pray that the father of our children always looks to You first for wisdom and strength as he learns to walk in Your righteous ways and leads his children in the knowledge and love of You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer stirred intercession in your heart for the father or fathers in your life, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to strengthen your faith and the families God has placed in your care. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Summer days are not all alike. In Alaska, the midnight sun means nearly 24 hours of light, and something unexpected happens — you sleep less, eat less, and still feel energized, as if the season itself is giving you more than the calendar promises. In Hawaii, closer to the equator, the days split evenly between twelve hours of light and twelve of dark all year round, and somehow the long summer evenings most of America enjoys simply never arrive. Wherever we find ourselves this summer, the length and quality of our days are entirely in God's hands — and that is worth pausing to appreciate. Joshua 10:13 records one of the most remarkable moments in Scripture: the sun standing still in the middle of the sky for nearly a full day as God fought on behalf of His people. The God who orchestrated that miracle is the same God who set the rhythms of sunrise and sunset, who made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun to know when to go down. He designed summer with intention, and He calls us to enjoy it. Ecclesiastes urges us to enjoy life with the people we love, all the days God has given us under the sun. Long summer days are an invitation to reflect, rest, and be refreshed — to guard our lips from grumbling when they feel too long or too short, and instead let praise rise from morning light to evening glow. Every day of summer is a gift from the God who made the sun and holds the seasons in His hand. Today's Bible Verse "The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day."— Joshua 10:13, NIV Ponder Today God designed the seasons with intention — and summer is a gift worth savoring. The length of our days, wherever we live, is no accident. The same God who made the sun stand still in Joshua's day set our summer hours in place for our refreshment and His glory. Every sunrise and sunset reflects the faithfulness of God. Psalm 74:16 reminds us that the day and night both belong to Him. Paying attention to the summer light around us is a simple and profound way to remember whose hands hold our days. Summer offers time to reflect, rest, and be refreshed. The slower pace and longer light of summer are an invitation from God to step back from the relentless forward motion of life and simply receive what He has provided. Guard your lips from grumbling about the season you are in. Whether your summer days feel endless or too short, too hot or too unpredictable, gratitude is always available. Let praise rise from morning to evening rather than complaint. Enjoy life with the people God has placed around you. Ecclesiastes 9:9 is a direct and practical command: enjoy this life, these days, these relationships. Summer is one of God's clearest invitations to do exactly that. A Prayer for You Today Dear Father, thank You for giving us long summer days to bask in warm light and prolonged evening glow. Help us to savor and enjoy each day You give us with the people we love, just as Your Word encourages us to do. Whether we have longer or shorter daylight hours, guard our lips from grumbling and complaining. Let praise come forth from our lips from our morning rising to our evening lying down. On days when it seems like the sun is standing still, strengthen us to choose to savor and enjoy every hour in whatever situation we find ourselves living in. Let Your light shine in and through us this summer, drawing those around us to the light You give. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer helped you slow down and savor the gift of this season, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to help you find God's goodness in every day He gives you. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God's love for His children is deeper than we can fully comprehend. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds believers that God not only redeemed us for eternity, but He also walks with us through every season of life—comforting, protecting, delivering, and sustaining us. Before the foundation of the world, God knew His people by name. He orchestrated every detail of our lives, opened our eyes to His great salvation, and gave us the Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, and remind us of Christ's words. Yet when trouble comes, many pray as though God must be persuaded to care, failing to remember the depth of His love already displayed at the cross. Dr. Youssef warns that too many believers live beneath their spiritual privileges. Instead of standing on God's promises, they surrender to fear, anxiety, and discouragement. But the child of God has access to the limitless resources of heaven. We are not powerless, and we are never alone. When trials come, the Holy Spirit strengthens us, the Word of God guides us, and the presence of Christ surrounds us. Our hope is not rooted in human ability or favorable circumstances, but in the unchanging character of our faithful Savior, who has already won the victory through His death and resurrection. As Christians, we can turn to God with confidence, knowing we are His beloved children, and pray:  Lord, we both know that I'm in trouble, but I know Your Word says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1). I am confident that You have already blessed me with every spiritual blessing. You have given me all the strength I need to face these problems. I know that You are walking with me and that You promised never to leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). I thank You for hearing my concerns and for providing a solution. Help me to discern Your will and to obey You faithfully. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.   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.

26 The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.Colossians 1:26-27  Teaching Text: 2 Cor 3:12-18, 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  O God, O God,The plan which You had from the beginning, regarding Your Kimyals,which already existed in Your Spirit.The month that You had set, the day that You had set, has come to pass today.O my Father, my Father,the promise that You gave Simeon that he would see Jesus Christand hold Him in his arms before he died.I also have been waiting under that same promise, O God.You looked at all the different languages and chose which ones will be put into Your Word.You thought that we should see Your Word in our language.Today, the day You had chosen for this to be fulfilled, has come to pass.O God, today You have placed Your Word into my hands, just like You promised.You have placed it here in our land.And for all this, O God, I give You praise.The truth is…Christ...IN.YOU.Not over there.Not one day.Not after you get your life together.Christ in you.The hope of glory.This is where striving begins to die.   Christianity doesn't begin with obtaining more of Christ.It begins by discovering that He has already given Himself to you completely. 2 Cor 3:12-18, 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  "The gospel is the declaration that Jesus Christ has come to do for us what we could never do for ourselves." — Tim Keller.  Revelation 3:20,”20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” To my hurt. (Sin & Pain)To my longing. (Searching for Purpose) Matthew 6:19-21,”19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  To my soul. (Desire for Perfect Love) 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ”Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”- He holds our soul perfectly and fulfills our desire for soul care truly.   Genesis 1:1-5,”1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”   Hebrews 4:12-16,”12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  2 Cor 3:17,” Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”   John 10:9-11,”9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  

Welcome to Day 2914 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2914– “Joyful Return, Insightful Response”  based on Luke 10:17-24 Putnam Church Message – 07/19/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Joyful Return, Insightful Response.”   Last time our message was “Practical Talk to Those in Ministry,” where we learned to leave the harvest in the hands of the Lord who is the Lord of the harvest. Today, we continue with our thirtieth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Joyful Return, Insightful Response.” Our core passage today is Luke 10:17-24, on page 1612 of your pew Bibles. The Seventy-Two Return 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today with joy and humility. Thank You for calling ordinary people into Your Kingdom work. Thank You that the name of Jesus is greater than every power of darkness, every accusation of the enemy, and every fear that troubles our hearts. Lord Jesus, help us rejoice in the right things. Teach us to celebrate Your victories without becoming proud of our usefulness. Remind us that our greatest joy is not what we accomplish for You, but that we belong to You. Open our eyes to see what prophets and kings longed to see. Give us childlike hearts that receive Your truth with faith and obedience. Holy Spirit, guide us now as we listen to Your Word. Amen. Introduction: A Story - Returning From the Battle In the early nineties, a few years after Desert Storm, General Norman Schwarzkopf wrote an autobiography titled It Doesn't Take a Hero. Near the middle of the book, he describes his thoughts as he headed for his first combat command position in Vietnam. He was a West Point graduate, full of energy and idealism. He went to Vietnam, as he said, for “God, country, and Mom's apple pie.” But later, after a second tour of duty, he returned from a battle-scarred landscape where young men under his command had died or had lost parts of their bodies to landmines. He came home to a divided nation, and he wrote with exhausted realism, “I realized then I was really tired of being a commander… I thought, Thank God it's over. I'd saved as many lives as I could… I wanted to get home to my family.” Same geography. Same war. Same mission. But what a difference between the man who went out and the man who returned. In Luke 10, the seventy-two whom Jesus sent out also return from the battlefield. But the seventy-two return with joy. In our last message, “Practical Talk to Those in Ministry,” we watched Jesus send them out two by two. He told them the harvest was great and the workers were few. He sent them like lambs among wolves. He told them to travel light, offer peace, heal the sick, and announce that the Kingdom of God had come near. They went out as messengers of the King. / Now they return. And they come back like children running through the door after seeing something amazing. “Lord,” they say, “even the demons obey us when we use Your name!” They had gone out to announce peace, but they discovered that the name of Jesus also carried authority over the powers of darkness. Jesus rejoices with them. But He also corrects their perspective. He lifts their eyes above the thrill of ministry success and says, in effect, “Yes, rejoice that evil is retreating. But do not build your joy on power. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” That is our theme today: The greatest joy of a disciple is not what we do for Jesus, but that we belong to Jesus. Which brings us to our four truths today which are found in your bulletin insert on the side that is titled: Joyful Return, Insightful Response Main Point 1: Kingdom Ministry Pushes Back the Powers of Darkness The seventy-two return with joy and say, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use Your name.” That little word “even” carries their surprise. Jesus had told them to heal the sick and announce the Kingdom. But apparently, as they ministered in His name, demons also submitted. They saw firsthand that the mission of Jesus was not merely moral improvement, social kindness, or religious instruction. It was war against the dominion of evil. Luke has been showing us this from the beginning. Jesus confronted demons in the synagogue. He delivered the man in the region of the Gerasenes. He gave the Twelve authority over demons. He healed the boy whom His disciples could not help. And now the seventy-two discover that the authority of Jesus extends through them as well. This is where we need to understand the Bible's bigger supernatural worldview. The late Dr. Michael S. Heiser often reminded readers that the Bible presents a spiritual world populated by heavenly beings. In the Old Testament, we see scenes of God's heavenly council, sometimes called the Divine Council. God is the Most High, the Creator, the supreme King. But Scripture also shows lesser spiritual beings who serve, rebel, accuse, deceive, or oppose God's purposes. In Job 1 and 2, we meet “The Satan,” or “the adversary,” appearing among the heavenly beings. In that setting, the word functions like a title — the accuser, the challenger, the prosecutor. By the time we reach the New Testament, Satan is clearly presented as the great enemy of God's people, the tempter, the accuser, the ruler of a rebellious kingdom of darkness. So, when Jesus says in Luke 10:18, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning,” He is not giving the disciples a small compliment. He is interpreting their ministry as part of a cosmic victory. Every sick person healed, every demon rebuked, every message of Kingdom peace proclaimed — all of it was evidence that the usurper's rule was cracking. The adversary was falling. Object Lesson: The Flashlight in a Dark Room Imagine turning off the lights in a room and then switching on a flashlight. The darkness does not negotiate. / It does not hold a committee meeting. / It simply retreats where the light shines. That is what happens when the Kingdom of God advances. When Jesus walks into a synagogue, demons cry out. When Jesus steps into Gentile territory, a legion of demons loses its captive. When Jesus sends out His followers, evil spirits submit to His name. Not because the disciples are impressive, but because the King is present through them. Ancient Israelite Context For a first-century Jewish listener, this would not sound like a mere private spiritual experience. It would sound like the long-awaited victory of God. Genesis 3:15 promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. Psalm 91 spoke of trampling lions and serpents underfoot. Daniel 7 envisioned the Son of Man receiving authority, glory, and sovereign power. The prophets looked forward to the day when God would defeat evil and restore creation. Now Jesus says, “You are seeing the beginning of that victory.” The Kingdom has come near. Modern Illustration We may not always see dramatic confrontations with evil spirits, but we still see the Kingdom push back darkness. When an addict finds freedom in Christ, darkness...

Read OnlineEntering and Becoming the House of GodJesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” Matthew 13:36Today's Gospel begins with a subtle yet significant detail: “Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.” This transition from the public to the private reflects a recurring pattern in the Gospels: Our Lord teaches the crowds in parables, veiling the mysteries of the Kingdom, while reserving their fuller explanation for the disciples in the quiet intimacy of the house. In this context, the house becomes a symbol of the Church—the inner sanctuary where Christ reveals His secrets to those who follow Him not only outwardly, but with humble faith and spiritual hunger.Though the disciples—likely the Twelve Apostles—were uniquely privileged to share this moment with Jesus, in which He explained the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat in precise detail, this sacred setting is not closed to us. Each of us is invited into this “house” through the life of the Church. Though the Apostles were weak and sinful like all of us, they were nevertheless chosen to be the first bishops—visible shepherds who would continue Christ's mission after His Ascension. Through their fidelity, the Word of God went forth to the ends of the earth, a proclamation that continues today through their successors.While each of the baptized is called to proclaim the Gospel in accord with his or her vocation and mission, the bishops—and their co-workers, the priests—uniquely form the spiritual household through which Christ continues to speak with clarity. Through their preaching, governance, and sacramental ministry, the hidden mysteries of Christ's teaching are continually made known. This is not due to their personal merit, but because of the sacred office entrusted to them by Christ through Apostolic Succession. They became the foundation of the Church—the spiritual House of God—in which Jesus continues to minister.Place yourself in this Gospel scene. You, too, are called to draw near to Christ, to enter the house with Him, and to seek understanding with the heart of a disciple. In the Church—this household of faith—the Master still teaches, still explains, still reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom to those who desire to listen.As you prayerfully see yourself in this scene, unite it with your experience of your parish church and other sacred places where God has spoken to you, nourished you, and transformed you. When the Gospel changes us, the Sacraments nourish us, and the Church guides us, it is always Christ who is teaching, feeding, and leading. We must, therefore, learn to see beyond the minister or the building, recognizing Christ's presence, speaking to us and sanctifying us through His Church.Though the Church—the visible presence of the Kingdom of God on earth—is the privileged place where we encounter Christ, each of us, in our own unique way, is also called to be this “house” for others. Because God dwells within us, His Kingdom is present within our souls. Thus, this Gospel scene is not only about entering the house—it is also an invitation to become that house: a dwelling place where others may encounter Christ, hear His Word, receive His mercy, and be drawn into His love through the witness of our charity.Reflect today on this house. First, see the Church as the house in which Christ speaks to you most clearly. Give thanks for the many ways our Lord has spoken to you and fed you in this sacred House of God. Reflect also on your own soul as a dwelling place of God. Believe that Christ desires to use you to bring others into His presence, dwelling within your soul. Give thanks for this gift, and pray that you may be both a faithful disciple within the house and a radiant house of grace for others to enter and meet Christ our Lord.Most intimate Lord, You desire to reveal to me—and to all Your children—the deep and profound mysteries of Your Kingdom of grace. Draw me to Yourself, to Your House of Grace and Mercy, which resides within Your holy Church. Teach me, sanctify me, and form me according to Your holy will. As You make Your dwelling within me, make my soul a place where others may encounter You, hear Your Word, and receive Your grace. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, by Duccio di BuoninsegnaSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

It's kind of fun in those moments when the kids are in bed and the dishes are done to think about the Big Questions. You know the list.Why am I here?What is the meaning of life?A question that people from ancient times to now have asked is, why in the world, literally, did God create people? We are a handful, as past generations used to say. We mess up. Sometimes we're on our way to being smart then find ourselves flying down the Stupid Highway.God must get tired of us, right?1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”In those terrible moments when you feel dirty and worthless, remember this verse. God says you are special to Him! You!Begin praising Him for this incredible gift and begin to understand that He made you to fellowship with Him, forever.That's pretty awesome.Let's pray.Lord, all through Your Word, You speak of us as the object of Your love. Your incredible gesture of sending Jesus for us is proof of that. Thank you. 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.

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, “As iron sharpens iron, 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.

In this episode I break down The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and show you how each one applies directly to your fitness journey. Be Impeccable with Your Word: the promises you keep (or break) with yourself shape whether you follow through. Don't Take Anything Personally: a bad workout or a stalled scale is data, not a verdict on your worth. Don't Make Assumptions: stop deciding what will or won't work for your body and start testing it, like I did with my own 30-day recomposition experiment. Always Do Your Best: your best changes day to day, and that's the antidote to all-or-nothing thinking. If you've ever felt stuck in guilt, comparison, or perfectionism around your training, this episode will change how you think about consistency for good.   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

Welcome to Day 2909 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2909– “The Ultimate Close Encounter”  based on Luke 10:1-16 Putnam Church Message – 06/21/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Practical Talk to Those in Ministry.”   Last week's message was “A Face Like Flint,” in which we studied the One who set His face toward Jerusalem now sets His grace upon His people. Today, we continue with our twenty-ninth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Practical Talk to Those in Ministry.” Our core passage today is Luke 10:1-16, on page 1611 of your pew Bibles. Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two 10 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.' 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick>who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.' 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[b] 16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today grateful that You invite ordinary people into Your extraordinary work. We confess that we often feel inadequate, distracted, discouraged, or afraid. Sometimes we carry burdens You never asked us to carry, and sometimes we measure ministry by results rather than faithfulness. Lord Jesus, teach us today from Your Word. Show us what it means to be sent by You, to labor for Your harvest, to depend on Your provision, to speak peace, to serve faithfully, and to leave the results in Your hands. Help us see that ministry is not reserved for a few, but belongs to all who follow You. May our lives become faithful witnesses to the nearness of Your Kingdom. Amen. Introduction: Why Would God Use Us? I have often wondered why God involves people in His work when He can do everything Himself. Have you ever thought about that? God does not need our talent. God does not need our strength. God does not need our planning ability. God does not need our committees, schedules, buildings, sermons, songs, or programs. He can do the job better than we can. He can speak a word, and worlds come into existence. He can open blind eyes, raise the dead, calm storms, silence demons, and move kings according to His will. So why does He entrust something as important as building His Kingdom to people like us? People who get tired. People who misunderstand. People who get proud. People who become discouraged. People who argue about greatness. People who sometimes want to call down fire on their enemies. That is the mystery of grace. God does not involve us because He lacks power. He involves us because He loves us, forms us, and gives us a genuine part in His redemptive work. In the previous message, “A Face Like Flint,” we saw Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 is a hinge in Luke's Gospel. From that moment forward, Jesus is moving toward the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension. Nothing will distract Him from the Father's mission. Now, in Luke 10:1–16, Jesus does something remarkable. He multiplies the mission. Earlier, He sent the Twelve. Now He appoints seventy-two others, or seventy depending on the manuscript tradition, and sends them ahead of Him into the towns and places He plans to visit. This means the ministry is expanding beyond the inner circle. The Kingdom is not a private project for the Twelve. It is not merely the work of clergy. It is not limited to those with public titles. Jesus is building a people who are sent. And in this passage, He gives practical talk to those in ministry. That includes pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, missionaries, children's workers, worship leaders, caregivers, parents, grandparents, encouragers, prayer warriors, business owners, neighbors, friends, and every believer who bears witness to Christ. If you belong to Jesus, you are involved in ministry. So let us listen carefully to His practical instruction found in four truths in your bulletin insert on the side that says Practical Talk to Those in Ministry. Main Point 1: The Harvest Belongs to God, but the Labor Belongs to Us Jesus says the harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, He tells His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest, asking Him to send out workers into His harvest. That is where ministry begins: not with panic, but with prayer. Jesus looks at the world as a harvest field. That image would have been vivid to His listeners. In an agricultural world, the harvest was urgent. When the crop was ready, delay could mean loss. Workers had to go into the field while the time was right. But notice what Jesus calls it. It is not our harvest. It is not the church's harvest. It is not the pastor's harvest. It is the Lord's harvest. That matters. When we forget this, we carry burdens God never intended us to carry. We begin to think the future of the Kingdom depends on us. We stay awake at night worrying about results we cannot control. We measure faithfulness by numbers, approval, visible response, or immediate fruit. But Jesus calls Himself the Lord of the harvest. He owns the field. He knows the soil. He sees the hearts. He sends the workers. He brings the growth. Our responsibility is not to control the harvest. Our responsibility is to labor faithfully. Object Lesson: A Seed Packet and a Basket Hold up a packet of seeds and an empty basket. The seed packet represents the work entrusted to us. / We can plant. / We can water. / We can tend. / We can prepare. But we cannot force life into the seed. The basket represents the harvest. / We long to see it full, and that longing is good. / But only God can bring the harvest. Paul says something similar in 1 Corinthians 3:7  It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. That is freeing. We are not excused from labor. Jesus calls us workers. But we are freed from pretending to be God. Ancient Context When Jesus sent these seventy-two, He sent them ahead of Him. They were not going out to build personal followings. They were preparing towns for the arrival of the King. In the ancient world, messengers often went ahead of a ruler to announce his coming. They did not invent the message. They did not negotiate the king's authority. They...

My first reaction: "No way." Then, "It's true...and it's awful." A man asleep in the middle of the night. Suddenly, what has been determined to be an approximately 60-foot sinkhole opens up beneath the house and literally sucks the man, the bed, and the bedroom in with it. The home has since been demolished, and the next door neighbors were given 30 minutes to grab what they could and evacuate. There was even speculation that the owners of the other two homes would never return. Sinkholes seem to be a lot more common than we realize. I mean, certain soil-rock-and-moisture combinations apparently can erode over time and then suddenly collapse beneath you. There's ground that looks like it's safe to build on, but one day it just caves in under you. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Building on Ground That's Going Down." There's a feeling too many of us know all too well. "Hey, I thought this would support me. It just collapsed." Beginning in the fall of 2008, so many friends of mine saw their financial security suddenly disappear into a sinkhole as the ground just shifted overnight. A Wall Street veteran told me, "You know, if you had asked any of us Christian guys here what we were trusting in, we would have said, 'Well, we're trusting In the Lord, of course.' Until we suddenly lost what we were really trusting in." As they say on the news, sinkholes are all over the place. The person who once said, "Til death do us part" is suddenly gone. The children you lived for left the nest empty. The church or organization you did so much for let you down. The company you served for so long doesn't need you anymore. The friends you gave so much for moved on without you. The plans you made vanished with one visit to a doctor's office. The people you lived to please turned their backs on you. So many sinkholes! Ground you build on that you can't depend on. Yesterday's dream; now today's nightmare. The family who lost their home and their loved one in that sinkhole did find one consolation – the family Bible the demolition crew managed to retrieve. One family member stood in front of the rubble, just hugging that Bible for all she was worth. Well, I'll tell you, that's the only ground I know that will never cave in beneath you. It's what Martin Luther was counting on when he stood against the mightiest religious forces of his day and insisted knowing God was by faith alone. As all other ground around him was collapsing, he stood firm on a Biblical bedrock that is our word for today from the Word of God. Listen, "Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens" (Psalm 119:89). Firm in the heavens. Truth you can stake your life on; a foundation that can never be shaken. It's where Paul told Timothy to plant his feet when it seems as if everyone - including God's people - are adrift. "But as for you," he said, "continue in what you have learned...you have known the Holy Scriptures...All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:14-16). Sometimes, it means standing with a holy defiance of the culture, the crowd, the consensus, both feet firmly planted on God's Word. "God has spoken. That settles it." Jesus told about two men - one whose house "collapsed" when the torrent came, and one whose house "could not be shaken." The first one, he says, built on "ground without a foundation." The other "dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock." He said the sinkable man "hears My words and does not put them into practice." The unsinkable man, he said, "hears My words and puts them into practice" (Luke 6:47-49). So sitting in church just soaking up Christian beliefs is not enough to sustain you when your world's collapsing. Compartmentalized faith is collapsible faith. You have to do God's Word, not just know God's Word. King David posed this question for a sinkhole moment: "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" That's a good question. Here's the answer: "The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne" (Psalm 11:3-4). When your world caves in, God's Throne hasn't moved. His Word is unchanged, and your God still reigns.

If there was a great worldwide flood, as described in Genesis, such a catastrophe certainly should have left obvious evidence of itself all over the world. Scientists who believe in creation say that we are surrounded by these evidences. Many of them also believe that some of the features associated with glaciers can be better explained by a catastrophic flood. While evolutionary scientists scoff at the biblical account of the Flood, they continue to run across evidences of what they take to be huge floods. Further evidence has been reported of a continental flood.The September 1989, issue of Geology, a scientific professional journal, carried an article about drumlins in northern Saskatchewan. Drumlins are hills that are traditionally associated with glacial activity. When viewed from the air, they resemble eggs lying on their sides, all pointing in the same direction.Over the years some scientists have proposed that drumlins were formed by large quantities of water running in the same direction. The article in Geology offers yet more evidence for large quantities of water moving over the continental land surfaces. One of the scientists remarked that, “There's nothing in recorded history that matches the size of these floods.”If we consider Genesis to be recorded history, rather than ancient and ignorant myth, there certainly is a historical record of a huge Flood!Genesis 7:20"Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail, and the mountains were covered.”Prayer: Dear Lord, in our age of unbelief, so many don't even feel they need to apologize for rejecting Your Word as ancient myths. Help me, along with all of Your people, to be bright, shining lights for Your truth in this dark world. In Jesus' Name. Amen. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

In the car. At your desk. Taming a temper tantrum. Wiping tears. Teaching algebra. Exhausted, poured out, overwhelmed with worry. That's exactly where God meets you LINKS:Use Code PODCAT20 for a discount at the Mom ShopJoin the Summer Book Club!20 Dinnertime ConversationsDownload How to Pray God's Word for Your ChildrenFollow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms A Prayer for the Weary Mom with Shalene RobertsCease your mental and emotional striving and approach the throne of grace with honest prayers whispered through tired lips.On today's Everyday Prayers Podcast by Shalene Roberts listen to a prayer for every weary mom chasing rest in all the wrong places. Reference: Psalm 46:10Prayer: Lord, we confess how often we’ve chased rest in all the wrong places, in cleared calendars, finished to-do lists, and seasons that never quite arrive. Forgive us for striving when You’ve invited us simply to come. Teach us to abide in Your Word, even in small, imperfect moments. And teach us to be still, to cease striving, and to know that You are God, and we can rest safely in Your care. In Jesus’ name, amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Read OnlineTransformed by God's WordHe spoke to them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” Matthew 13:33Yeast is small—invisible once it is worked into the dough. And yet, its influence is pervasive and powerful. This simple image—yeast worked into three measures of flour, causing it to slowly rise—reveals that the Kingdom of Heaven is built quietly, almost imperceptibly, from within. Like leaven silently transforming dough from the inside, so too does God's grace operate—hidden yet active—in the heart, in the Church, and in the world.Patiently watching dough rise can be a small wonder, especially for children. In this brief parable, the yeast symbolizes the Word of God, and the wheat flour, the human soul. When God's Word is welcomed by faith, it possesses the power to transform the entire soul. Just as yeast elevates and expands flour into bread, so God's Word elevates human nature and conforms it to Himself. How awe-inspiring it is to behold the gradual transformation of a soul animated by divine grace! Saint Augustine offers several interpretations of the “three measures” of wheat flour. He suggests they can represent the threefold interior life of the human person: heart, soul, and mind (cf. Matthew 22:37); or the three degrees of fruitfulness described in the parable of the sower—“a hundredfold, sixtyfold, and thirtyfold” (cf. Matthew 13:23); or even the three righteous men mentioned in Ezekiel—Noah, Daniel, and Job (cf. Ezekiel 14:14), each representing a distinct path of fidelity under trial. Each of these interpretations reveals how God's transforming Word is at work not only in the individual soul, but within the Church and throughout all humanity.Though “three measures” might not sound like much, it was in fact a substantial amount. According to ancient Jewish and Roman measurements, three measures (or satons) could equal nearly fifty pounds of flour—enough to feed more than a hundred people. The parable, therefore, is about abundance—the superabundant fruitfulness of God's Word when it is thoroughly received—penetrating deeply into the individual soul, the Church, and society. Like leaven in dough, this transformation takes time. Though not immediate, it is steady, enduring, and complete.Consider your own life: Has the Word of God been thoroughly mixed into your whole being—into your heart, your soul, and your mind? Has it leavened your interior life so completely that even your smallest actions are touched by grace? Has divine love taken hold of you—not in part, but in whole?Furthermore, do you see your interconnectedness with the Church and rejoice in the many ways God is at work within Her and Her members? Do you gaze upon the world and, with wonder and awe, perceive God's hidden activity? It is easy to focus on the worldly chaos and to be drawn into the sensationalism of evil. But it takes a truly perceptive soul—like a child watching dough rise—to behold the quiet, steady work of God, who is ever bringing His Kingdom to life—quietly, steadily, and far and wide.Reflect today on the quiet ways God is at work within you, within the Church, and throughout the world. Though you might not always perceive the movement of grace, trust that it is active—like yeast in dough—gently transforming, sanctifying, and preparing hearts for the glory to come. Resist the temptation to measure your spiritual growth by visible signs or immediate results. Instead, remain faithful to prayer, attentive to the Word, and docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. God's Kingdom unfolds in time, and its rising is certain. Even when the world seems overwhelmed by sin or division, remember that the leaven is at work. The final loaf is being prepared for the eternal banquet—and you are being made ready, one hidden grace at a time, until you are fully prepared to share in the joy of the eternal feast.Most Holy Word of God, speak to me, enter my heart, and transform me by Your grace. Send forth Your Word into Your Church on earth. Make Her holy, that She may reflect the beauty and strength of the Body of Christ. Use me and all the members of Your Body to witness to the world—especially to those who do not yet know You—so that they may be drawn into the wonder and awe of Your transforming power and come to partake in the superabundant Banquet to which we are all called. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons  Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Noah built an ark having never seen rain, spending decades on a task that invited mockery and tested his endurance at every turn. Moses, a man with a speech impediment, a criminal record, and every human reason to say no, was sent back to Egypt to demand the freedom of millions. Mary, a teenage virgin, received the news that she would carry the Messiah of the world — and instead of shrinking back in fear, she said simply: "I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you've said happen to me." None of these people were comfortable. All of them grew in ways that would have been impossible without the discomfort. James 1:2-4 names what was happening in each of them: the testing of faith produces perseverance, and perseverance, when it finishes its work, produces maturity. Discomfort is not a sign that you have misheard God or that you are disqualified. It may be the clearest sign yet that He is at work. Today's Bible Verse "I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you've said happen to me."— Luke 1:38, NLT Ponder Today Discomfort does not mean disqualification. Feeling stretched, uncertain, or out of your depth is not a signal to quit. It is often a sign that God is doing something in you that only this particular pressure could produce. Growth and discomfort are inseparable. From pregnancy to promotion to heartbreak, every meaningful growth requires a season of being stretched beyond what was previously comfortable. Faith is no different. Noah, Moses, and Mary all said yes before they could see the outcome. Their obedience did not wait for certainty or comfort. They stepped forward anyway, and God met them every step of the way. He will do the same for you. The testing of faith produces perseverance, and perseverance produces maturity. James 1:2-4 reframes trials not as obstacles to our faith but as the very process by which our faith becomes complete. Pure joy in trials is possible when we understand what they are producing. Your obedience in discomfort is never just for you. Noah's perseverance saved the human race. Moses' obedience freed a nation. Mary's yes changed all of human history. What God is growing in you through this season may be a blessing to far more people than you realize. A Prayer for You Today Lord, I thank You that You are with me. At times You ask me to accomplish things that feel daunting to my flesh. My human nature wants to run away or pause the process, yet Your Word reminds me of the victory that comes with obedience. You showed this with Noah, whose perseverance helped save the human race. You displayed this with Moses, using him despite his imperfections. You reminded us through Mary, who carried the Savior of the world without complaint. In each of those situations, You were with them — just as You are with me today. Give me the strength to face the difficulties ahead. Show me how to be patient through the discomfort, and help me to see how You desire to grow me through it all. Teach me to completely surrender to You so that I may remain a vessel to be used by You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer gave you the courage to stay the course through an uncomfortable season, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to strengthen your faith and keep you growing 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.

James gives believers a clear command and a sure promise: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that these two commands are inseparable—because successful resistance flows from successful submission. A life fully submitted to God is fortified with godliness. We cannot afford to be passive when Satan or our flesh tempts us away from obedience to Christ. Instead, we must fight the fight of faith by trusting the promises of God—His promise to give more grace, His promise to favor the humble, and His promise to forgive and cleanse all who confess their sins. Dr. Youssef reminds us that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. When Satan whispers accusations—“Your sins are too many,” “Your past is too dark,” “God will never forgive you”—we draw the sword and answer with Truth: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” The enemy is disarmed by the Word of God because he recognizes the presence of Jesus in you—the same Jesus who defeated him in the wilderness, condemned him at the cross, and will one day cast him into eternal ruin. In Christ, all God's promises are “Yes,” and by His power, you can submit, resist, and stand. Join me in prayer. Father God, thank You for Your Word that is my sword to fight against Satan, my flesh, and the darkness of the world. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  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.

Read OnlineThe Sword of Truth and PeaceJesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's enemies will be those of his household.” Matthew 10:34–36At first glance, this Gospel sounds like a mistake. Did Jesus really say this? He certainly did. Understanding this passage requires a deep and clear awareness of Christ's mission. He came to bring the true and lasting peace that comes only through adherence to the fullness of truth and cooperation with the fullness of grace.Note that this teaching was not delivered to the crowds but to the Twelve. Jesus often spoke to the crowds in parables, gently nourishing them with truths they could gradually grasp. But to the Twelve, He spoke with increasing clarity and depth. Today's Gospel is one such instance.This passage comes from what is sometimes referred to as the Missionary Discourse, in which Jesus prepares His Apostles for the upheaval their mission will bring—first as they go out two by two to the towns of Israel, and later, after the Ascension, when they are sent to the ends of the earth. At first, Jesus' words seem jarring, even paradoxical, coming from Him who is the Prince of Peace. But when we grasp their meaning, we discover the “tough love” this Gospel both encourages and demands.We all desire peace, especially within our families and communities, but peace is multifaceted and can have different meanings. On a superficial level, peace simply means the absence of conflict. While such tranquility has its place, Jesus came to offer a far greater and more enduring peace: the peace of shalom.Shalom, the Hebrew word for “peace,” signifies far more than the absence of strife. It encompasses the fullness of harmony, justice, and blessing that flow from a right relationship with God. It is a peace rooted in truth and communion with Him. Ironically, true peace can provoke division, especially when the Gospel confronts the sins and falsehoods people are unwilling to abandon.The “sword” our Lord brings is not for destruction, but for purification. It cuts away what is false so that the peace of shalom may take root. The sword Christ promises is the Truth: the living and active Word of God, “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). It cuts through deception, pierces the heart, and forces a choice—a decisive turning toward or away from Him. God directs that sword at each of us, and through us, toward others. Even familial bonds will be tested and purified by the Gospel. Sometimes that purification results in visible division. But often, such division is necessary to bring about a deeper and more lasting unity in God's truth.Which do you prefer? The mere absence of conflict at any cost—or a peace so deeply rooted in divine truth that it heals, unites, and strengthens bonds of love after purifying them? Certainly, the former is easier. Avoiding conflict is good when it means refraining from sinning against another—whether through anger, harsh judgment, or rudeness. But when conflict arises from purifying love, conveyed through the power of God's saving Word, then such conflict becomes an act of charity. It does not seek division for its own sake, but aims at the heart—at conversion and truth—rather than at preserving what is fleeting and passing.Reflect today on the kind of peace you seek in your own life. Are there areas in which you've settled for comfort rather than truth? Have you avoided necessary spiritual conflict for fear of tension, even when it might have led to growth or reconciliation? Pray for the courage to welcome the “sword” of God's Word—not to cause division, but to purify—so that the peace of shalom may take root more deeply in your heart, your relationships, and your mission. Prince of True Peace, You did not come to bring superficial peace to the world, but to bring the Sword of Truth—Your Word—that purifies and heals, so that true unity may be found. Pierce my heart with Your Word, O Lord. Cleanse me of all that separates me from You, and make me an instrument of Your purifying truth for those to whom I am sent. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The Exhortation to the Apostles, by James TissotSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

“Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through Your Word to me draw near; Let me Your Word e'er pure retain; Let me Your child and heir remain."

Read OnlineThe Generous Sower“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up…” Matthew 13:3–4In today's Gospel, the Parable of the Sower is delivered from a boat, as Jesus addresses a large crowd along the shoreline. Jesus uses the natural acoustics of the water to carry His voice to the eager multitude who came to hear Him. Their earnestness offers us an opportunity for self-examination: Am I among that crowd, attentively listening as God speaks to me today? Do I go out of my way to seek, listen, and respond to the Word of God?A parable is a method that both reveals and conceals. It reveals divine truth to those who are humble and receptive, and conceals that same truth from those whose hearts are closed. The truths of the Kingdom are not concepts that can be quickly grasped. They are divine mysteries that must enter the soul and be pondered and nourished. Only the spiritually docile can penetrate their depths and allow God's Word to transform their lives.The Sower is Christ. The seed is the Word of God, and the soil represents the human heart, in all its various conditions of readiness and receptivity. Some souls await God's Word like freshly tilled, moist, and fertilized soil. As soon as the seed enters, it begins to grow rapidly—until fully grown and producing good fruit.Other souls are less receptive. Like the path, some hearts are hardened, stubborn, refusing to receive divine truth. The Word is heard, but not truly received. The enemy snatches it away before it can penetrate.Hearts that are like rocky ground are those who initially receive the Word with joy but lack perseverance. When trials come, they fall away. They may attend Mass, read Scripture, or begin with fervor, but without deep interior conversion rooted in prayer, they cannot endure the heat of testing.The thorny heart is the divided heart, where the Word of God is mixed with anxieties, riches, and pleasures. The Gospel is heard—perhaps even cherished—but it is suffocated by worldly attachments, ambition, or fear. Earthly anxieties and the fascination of riches are thorns that smother the soul and prevent it from growing.The good news is that God, the Divine Sower, is not passive. He sows the seed Himself—personally, directly, and abundantly. He is not like a remote monarch seated on a distant throne, waiting for us to come to Him. No—God always takes the initiative. He goes forth like the sower, casting His seed upon us even before we ask.The seed comes to us in two essential ways: truth and grace. As truth, God's Word enlightens the intellect to know His eternal mysteries. As grace, God's Word strengthens the will to embrace and live those truths with faith and charity.The Divine Sower sows lavishly. He casts the seed everywhere—on the path, among the rocks, amidst thorns, and upon rich earth. This is not careless, but the work of Divine Mercy. God desires that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Even where the ground seems hardened, shallow, or choked with thorns, He still sows. He never ceases to speak, to reach out, to invite. He sows even in places we might deem hopeless—until the final moment, when the time for sowing is ended.Reflect today on God's generous and continuous sowing in your soul. He never ceases speaking to you, calling to you, and planting His Word within you. How receptive are you? Which soil best describes your soul? It's never too late to respond in this life. God's Word can grow rapidly within us when our souls are fertile and receptive. Remove the rocks, cut down the thorns, and till the hardened path, so that the abundant seed will make its way into your heart.Divine Sower, You ceaselessly send forth Your truth and grace to enlighten and strengthen us in the mission of building Your Kingdom. Please till the soil of my heart and make it fertile, so that Your Word may take root in me, growing and producing an abundance of good fruit. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Jules & Jenny from Lincoln, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Today's Bible Verse: "The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains because they had chariots fitted with iron." — Judges 1:19 Judges 1:19 reminds us that even when God is with us, we may still encounter obstacles that feel overwhelming. The tribe of Judah experienced victory because the Lord was with them, yet they struggled to overcome the people living in the plains because they had powerful iron chariots. This passage reveals the tension between God’s presence and the challenges we face. Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Looking for a peaceful way to end your day? Listen to "Your Nightly Scripture" to end your day with God's word Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Discover more devotions with Jennifer at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker and multi-published author, She’s passionate about helping believers live with bold faith, rooted in surrender to Christ’s purpose. Jennifer co-hosts both Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear, encouraging listeners to step into their God-given identity. Her teachings blend Scripture with personal insight to help others embrace God’s power over fear and move forward with confidence.

Marriage is one of God's most profound gifts, and it comes with a design that is both countercultural and deeply freeing when embraced with the help of the Holy Spirit. The picture offered in this episode is a marriage viewed as 51/49: equal in value, distinct in role. The husband carries an extra measure of responsibility before God as the leader and protector of the home, and the wife is invited to fulfill her own God-ordained role with joy, excellence, and a spirit of respect. This is not a diminishment of the wife's voice or contribution. It is God's order for the family, and walking within it is where His peace is found. For wives whose husbands are not yet the spiritual leaders of their homes, this can feel especially difficult. How do you submit with a glad heart when your husband is not carrying his spiritual weight? Peter addresses this directly in 1 Peter 3:1-2, reminding wives that a husband who is disobedient to the Word can be won over not by nagging or lecturing, but by the quiet, consistent witness of a wife's chaste and respectful behavior. That kind of influence requires something we cannot manufacture on our own. It requires the grace of the Holy Spirit working in and through us, humbling us daily, and giving us a heart to serve even when it is hard. God sees your marriage, He values your covenant, and He is at work in both of your hearts. Bible Verse "In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior."— 1 Peter 3:1-2, NASB Ponder Today Equal in value, distinct in role. God did not design men and women to be interchangeable in their family roles. Embracing the role He has specifically designed for you as a wife is not a burden — it is a gift that leads to peace rather than chaos. A godly wife's greatest influence is often not her words. Peter's counsel is striking: a husband disobedient to the Word can be won over by observing his wife's respectful and chaste behavior. The witness of a life lived well speaks more powerfully than nagging ever could. Submission is not possible without the Holy Spirit's help. Walking in the role God has designed for you, especially when your husband falls short, requires grace you cannot generate on your own. Ask for it daily and expect God to provide it. God sees the dynamic in your home and He is at work in it. Whether your husband is a strong spiritual leader or still far from faith, your marriage covenant matters deeply to God. He wants to work in both of your hearts to reflect His ways. Fulfilling your role with joy and excellence is one of the most loving things you can do for your husband and family. When a wife prays for, encourages, and respects her husband — even in his imperfection — she lightens a burden he carries before God and reflects the grace of Christ in her home. A Prayer for You Today Father God, thank You for the gift of marriage. It is not always easy, but please help me see it as the gift it truly is. Help me hold my tongue when I am frustrated and learn to walk in a respectful manner toward my husband. I ask that You bless him as he seeks to support and provide for our family, and move in his heart to hunger after Your Word as he learns to lead. If he does not yet know You or love You, convict his heart to see his great need of the Savior and draw him to the cross. Thank You for my husband and for the order You have placed in the family. I pray Your peace would be our foundation. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer stirred a fresh desire to love and serve your husband the way God intended, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to strengthen your faith and your most important relationships 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.