A Few Minutes with God: Recent Episodes

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Do Christians live by too many rules? Rethinking Christian life restrictionsChristian life restrictions are the norm, right? The idea is that Christians have no fun, that faith piles rule after rule on our shoulders — a long list of do’s and don’ts. But Christianity is so much more than that, and living a Christian life can bring us true freedom. In this episode we explore those so-called restrictions and ask whether there’s any truth to the accusation that Christian life is nothing but rules.

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Those of us who call ourselves Christians do live by a right and a wrong. Through a formed conscience, we believe things are either one way or another — and many people consider that a form of restriction.

So the question comes: Why be a Christian? What’s in it for us? Why follow a list of do’s and don’ts when, some say, being a Christian is no fun?

Let me share the truth with you: being a Christian and living a Christian life is, in fact, freeing.

Right and wrong reveal a moral lawIt always amazes me to hear people say there is no God because there is no right and wrong — that everything goes. When you get right down to it, that isn’t how any of us actually live. Ask a moral relativist, someone who insists there’s no right or wrong, whether they’d be fine with a burglar breaking in and taking their computer, money, and jewelry. They’ll say, “No. That isn’t fair. They broke the law.”

But how can you have laws — the laws of the land — and not have a moral law beneath them? What is the difference?

A film worth watching here is God’s Not Dead. The main character is a Christian college student in a philosophy class taught by an atheist professor. On day one, the professor requires every student to write “God is dead,” sign it, and turn it in, because he doesn’t want to deal with Christian arguments in his classroom. One student refuses to sign. The professor challenges him to use the coming weeks of class to prove that God is truly alive. One argument that surfaces is simple: rules serve us and protect us. They are not restrictive to those who are living rightly. They only restrict those who want to do what is wrong.

Christian life restrictions? No — it is a gift

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. — Ephesians 2:8–10 (NASB)

Through God we are saved, and this is an amazing gift. I’m not sure how anyone can call a gift a burden.

Here is how I’d sum up what our faith actually gives us:

1. A gift
2. A choice
3. A blessing
4. Freedom from sin
5. Open gates of heaven

God gave us a choice and lets us make up our own minds — and yet many people stay firmly closed off in their beliefs.

Everyone lives under some restrictionIf Christianity is “restrictive” because we don’t do certain things, then honestly everyone is under restriction in some way.

You can’t run a red light — not unless you’re willing to harm yourself or someone else. Freedom of speech doesn’t mean you can make a racist remark or defame someone (people try these days, but they shouldn’t). Our society has norms, and much of the dissension we see is those norms being pulled apart.

Just because I don’t agree with you, it does not make me wrong. There are boundaries built into our world. We can’t travel without a visa or passport, we can’t board without paying for a ticket, we can’t use a credit card without paying the bill. Our world — and, in essence, our lives — is bound by rules and regulations. So why shouldn’t faith also have some guidelines?

The commandments are guidelines that free usWhen God handed down the Ten Commandments, He asked Moses to spread the Word. These are the guidelines we use to lead our lives, and they set us free — they bring us peace, joy, and happiness.

Like any good parent, our God watches over us. It’s striking that the same people who accuse Christians of living under restriction are often restrictive parents themselves. Would any parent let a child play in traffic, play with matches, or put their fingers in an electrical outlet? No — because of the danger of death. That parent isn’t being too restrictive. That parent is being loving. In the same way, we have a God who cares about us and wants us to have everlasting life.

We can never fully understand the mind of God. We come to know Him through reading the Bible, through our interpretation, and through allowing the Holy Spirit to enter our lives more deeply. Scripture does speak to how we should live, and we’ll dig into that in the next podcast.

Free will is the heart of itIn Mere Christianity — a book I recommend every Christian read — C.S. Lewis recalls that, as an atheist, he had built his case against Christianity on a set of ideas he later found to be false. One of them was moral relativism, the notion that there is no right or wrong. That is the crux of this: free will. We have the intellect to decide for ourselves.

Those who call Christianity too restrictive are sometimes the same people who want to defy what is good and holy. Others say Jesus was a good man but not the Messiah. But how can someone be good and a liar? Jesus said He was the Son of God. Either He is who He said He is, or He is not.

Freedom from all regulation does not, by itself, bring us joy. Giving children limits and rules is exactly what lets them flourish. Those who break the rules often find themselves in trouble, doing harm to their bodies, their souls, or both.

True freedom is knowing we are loved and loving others in return. The rules help us live lives that honor God and honor one another. What is wrong with You shall not kill? You shall not commit adultery? Honor your father and your mother? Love your neighbor? I think we’d all agree there’s nothing wrong with wanting to live the best lives we can.

The commandments themselves begin with God Himself:1. I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me. (Exodus 20:2–6; Deuteronomy 5:6–10) 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11) 3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

God is love. As limited as we are in our own understanding — and in the human words we reach for to describe a Divine being — we know He saved us from eternal separation by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to set us free, and the Holy Spirit to remain with us always. Eternal life is found in the true God alone.

Let’s prayDear Lord, I pray in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I thank You for the gift of freedom, the gift of free will, the gift of faith, and the gift of opening the gates of heaven through Your death and resurrection. Thank You for setting us free, for giving us a renewed gift of faith, and for allowing us to believe in Your Divine Providence for our lives and for our families. I am blessed that You have called me to live a life that honors You, and I can only do this by Your grace, so I pray for an outpouring of Your love and grace to fill me. Please, Lord, hear the petitions I now bring before You: ____________________. I ask that, as a community of believers — all those listening to this broadcast — we join together in prayer for one another and for our personal needs. I thank You for all that is good and holy, and I praise You with every breath I take. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

FAQDoes being a Christian mean following a list of do’s and don’ts? No. While Christians do live by a sense of right and wrong, faith is far more than a rule list — it is a gift of grace that leads to true freedom, not a burden of restrictions.

Are Christians really restricted from having fun? Christian life restrictions are largely a misunderstanding. Like traffic laws or the boundaries any loving parent sets, God’s guidelines protect us and let us flourish rather than hold us back.

What does the Bible say about Christian freedom? Ephesians 2:8–10 teaches that we are saved by grace through faith as a gift of God, created for good works. The commandments are guidelines that bring peace, joy, and freedom.

Is faith just a set of rules with no freedom? The opposite. True freedom is knowing we are loved and loving others. The rules help us live lives that honor God and each other — the way limits help children thrive.

The post Do Christians live by too many rules? Rethinking Christian life restrictions appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

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Living on Purpose: God’s Plan for Everyday LifeDo you ever wonder if your ordinary days really matter? In this episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast, Felice Gerwitz explores what it means to live on purpose by aligning everyday life with God’s plan—even when schedules are full and faith feels weak.

God created each of us with intention. He has prepared good works for us to walk in, and He invites us to respond to that purpose one day at a time. Drawing from the daily decision required in marriage and the truth of Scripture, this episode offers practical encouragement for living intentionally with God.

What Does It Mean to Live on Purpose?Living on purpose is not about having a perfect life or a dramatic calling. It is about making conscious, faithful decisions to walk with God in the middle of real life. When we feel discouraged or distracted, we can still return to Him and trust the plan He has already prepared.

Practical Ways to Walk in God’s Plan Daily and Life on Purpose* Start the morning with a simple prayer of surrender * Keep Scripture visible in the places you already look * Offer ordinary tasks as quiet acts of love * End the day with honest reflection and a fresh beginning * Encourage another person in their faith

These small steps help us stay aligned with God’s purpose in the middle of busy seasons.

Scripture for Reflection (RSV-CE)* Jeremiah 29:11 – Plans for a future and a hope * Ephesians 2:10 – Created in Christ Jesus for good works * John 15:16 – You did not choose me, but I chose you

God has already chosen you and prepared a purpose for your life. The invitation is to walk in it—one ordinary, faithful day at a time.

For more encouragement on your faith journey, explore these related episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

1. Renew Your Faith this New Year – Making faith a personal, daily decision
2. Why? A Powerful Question For Christians – Free will and authentic response to God
3. True Faith – Faith as a conscious decision that brings peace
4. Faith In Action: Living Your Faith Boldly – Turning faith into practical daily works
5. Missionaries at Home – Following God’s call in everyday life and relationships

One More ChildAvailable from Media Angels

This beautiful and entertaining book celebrates the gifts of family and children. It is Felice’s story, but it contains a message that will resonate with anyone who struggles with the often-conflicting messages about family life that are promoted to parents today. The author doesn’t claim to have all the answers; instead in each page, she encourages the reader to be open to the will of God in every area of life, including family planning.

The post Living On Purpose: God’s Plan for Everyday Life appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

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Examination of ConscienceEpisode #41 | A Few Minutes with God

Most of us would rather not look too closely at our own hearts. Slowing down for an honest examination of conscience — asking what we have thought, said, and done, and where we have drifted from God — can feel uncomfortable. But it is one of the most freeing habits a believer can build. In this short episode of A Few Minutes with God, host Felice Gerwitz walks through what an examination of conscience is, why so many of us avoid it, and how to begin.

What is an examination of conscience?An examination of conscience is a prayerful review of your recent thoughts, words, and actions, measured honestly against God’s moral law. Think of your conscience as a kind of spiritual autopilot — the quiet inner sense that steers your everyday choices. Like any guide, it works best when it is well formed and checked often.

Why we avoid examining our conscienceMuch of the world has lost its sense of sin, and looking inward can feel like the last thing we want to do. Yet a comfortable conscience is not the same as a clean one. As Paul reminds the Corinthians, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me” (1 Corinthians 4:4, NIV). Real peace does not come from our circumstances, or even from feeling fine about ourselves. It comes from being rightly related to God — and that relationship is worth an honest look.

How to examine your conscience — five stepsYou do not need a complicated method. These five movements, drawn from the episode, are enough to begin:

1. Form your conscience. A good conscience is not automatic; it is taught. Fill your heart with what is true through Scripture, sound books, and trustworthy teaching so you can tell right from wrong before the moment of choice.
2. Recover a sense of sin. Naming sin honestly is not shame — it is the doorway to grace. Our freedom can also shape others, for how we live can either wound or strengthen a fellow believer’s conscience (1 Corinthians 8).
3. Look back honestly. Set aside a few minutes to reflect on your recent thoughts, words, and actions in light of God’s moral law. Where did you fall short in love of God and love of others?
4. Name and turn from temptation. Notice the patterns that pull you away, and step around them by God’s grace. As Paul assures us, God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but will also provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13).
5. Guard your heart daily. We would never leave a child near danger without watching; our souls deserve the same care. A regular examination of conscience is how we keep watch.

What Scripture says about examining yourselfThe practice is woven through the Bible. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5, NIV). The psalmist prays it as an invitation rather than a dread: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV). And when we bring what we find into the light, we are met with mercy, not condemnation, for Jesus sent His followers out with the ministry of forgiveness (John 20:21-23).

A short prayer to examine your conscienceIf you are not sure how to start, borrow this: Lord, quiet my heart. Show me where I have wandered today in thought, word, and deed. Thank You for meeting me with grace, not condemnation. Guard me from temptation, and lead me one more step toward You. Amen.

Or begin a daily practise of examining your conscience.

Frequently asked questionsWhat is an examination of conscience?
It is a short, prayerful review of your recent thoughts, words, and actions, held up honestly against God’s moral law, so you can confess what needs confessing and grow closer to Him.

How often should you examine your conscience?
Many believers do it daily, often in the evening, looking back over the day. Even a few minutes is enough to make it a habit.

What questions do you ask during an examination of conscience?
Start simply: Where did I fall short in loving God today? Where did I fall short in loving the people around me — in my thoughts, my words, and my actions? What do I want to bring to God and leave with Him?

Is examining your conscience biblical?
Yes. Scripture invites it directly, from “Examine yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5) to “Search me, God” (Psalm 139:23), to Paul’s call to examine ourselves before the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28). The 10 Commandments are also a useful guide.

Related episodes from A Few Minutes with GodIf this encouraged you, sit with one of these next:

• Combating fear — standing on God’s promises when worry creeps in.
• Peacemakers — what it means to be a peacemaker in a world that needs peace.
• Faith time capsule — looking back to see how far the Lord has brought you.

| ReplayExamination of ConscienceWhen was the last time you paused to look honestly at your own heart? In this short but searching episode, Felice gently walks through what an examination of conscience is, why so many of us avoid it, and five simple steps to begin — a quiet practice that can set you free. A few honest minutes with God may be exactly what today is asking of you.Listen Now → |

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Redeeming Your Time: Living Each Day with PurposeEpisode 22Time well spent makes us happy. If we feel accomplished, if we do things on our “lists,” it makes us feel that we’ve spent our time well. Most of us say we need more time each day, we can’t finish out tasks, we run out of time. How can we add more time to our days?

Sponsors: CTCMath.com, Media Angels, Inc. Novels – Truth Seekers Mystery Series available on Amazon. Three novels for tweens!

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When I look at my day I think, “What is the best use of my time each day?” Other than with my friends and family the best time is with God. How can you fill up without the One who truly gives us that grace to get through each day? Who do you spend time with and is that time well spent? In this episode, we explore how you can make the time. Let’s strive to make the most out of every minute of every day.

Look at your day, how can you incorporate time well spent? We all say we don’t have enough time each day!

1. Identify the time wasters. Relaxing is wonderful for everyone and we don’t need to “produce” every day! However often we say we don’t have enough time for prayer because we don’t use our time wisely.
   • What are the things in your day that waste your time
   • How can you avoid the time wasters
   • Does making a list help you
   • We all waste time, and often we all need a break, so enjoy
2. What is the one thing you can avoid? Is there something on your list that you can eliminate or reschedule in your day so that you can make more time?
   • Social media
   • Emails in the morning or afternoon
   • Shopping without a list
3. Can you make 5-10-15 minutes or more to spend with God in prayer? Look at your lists above and see where you can add more time to your day. Five, ten or fifteen minutes helps tremendously! Time well spent with God is so helpful in our day. Often we leave prayer time to night time. Praying in the morning, the first thing you do — will change your life and is truly time well spent.
4. Who do you spend the most time with? Is it family, friends, virtual friends? Ist it fictional characters in books? Truthfully, sometimes we let virtual friends take the place of real ones. I have good friends online, some I’ve never met in person. Nurture your friendships but remember the one who will fill you with faith, love, and joy.
5. How can you make that time productive? Spending it with God first will increase your productivity all day long.
6. Can you be a witness or a blessing from the Lord to someone in your life? Do you ask God to use you each day? Do you see the people in your life as a blessing? How can the Lord use you? How can you be an example of God’s love to others?

The post Redeeming Your Time: Living Each Day with Purpose appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

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In this heartfelt episode, Felice Gerwitz recounts a touching encounter at the grocery store where a cashier sang, “I put my worries at the foot of the cross,” turning a routine errand into a powerful reminder of God’s care. Explore the freedom that comes from surrendering anxiety to Jesus, the impact of everyday holy boldness, and practical ways to trust God more deeply in daily life. Includes inspiring Bible verses and encouragement to live with unshakable peace.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

The Truth About Worries ~ Episode 374Putting Your Worries at the Foot of the CrossI want to share a beautiful true story of a cashier whose quiet song, “I put my worries at the foot of the cross,” became a divine reminder to surrender all anxieties to Jesus. Even in our everyday errands, the freedom found in casting our cares upon Him and the call to holy boldness in sharing our faith was a serious reminder! If you are seeking peace, I pray you are blessed as much from this story as I was from the encounter.

Truth About Worries Key Takeaways:

• Recognize divine appointments in ordinary moments.
• The power of worship and song to evangelize and encourage.
• Why worry steals our peace and how to release it to the Lord.
• Practical faith steps for bold, everyday witness.

Truth About Worries: A Divine Encounter in Everyday LifeRunning errands ranks among my least favorite tasks. Crowded stores, heavy traffic, and spending money are not my idea of fun—yet my family needs to eat. While checking out at the store, the cashier worked efficiently and quietly sang the refrain, “I put my worries at the foot of the cross,” over and over.

She wasn’t off-key, and the melody was unfamiliar to me. I wasn’t even sure she realized she was singing—not loudly, but steadily—as she rang up my many purchases. Because I shop infrequently, I tend to stock up, especially on sale items, so she had quite a workload!

As I emptied my basket, her song struck me. This woman was evangelizing without saying a word. She worked diligently—faster than I could load my cart—yet she proclaimed that her worries belonged to the Lord, not to herself.

Of course, Jesus lived, died, and rose again from the dead. He is no longer on the cross. He is risen. (Alleluiah!) But remember that with God, there is no time. We can pray and put our cares, our worries, and our burdens at the foot of the cross! I am going to leave it there without getting into the weeds.

Scripture Verse: Truth About Worries:Philippians 4:6-7 (RSVCE) “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

An Amazing God IncidentThis became a powerful God moment for me. I strive to pray throughout the day, especially during tasks I dislike. I aim to remain thankful for God’s provision and countless blessings. I nearly chose self-checkout, but my overflowing basket made help necessary. Loading, unloading, and putting everything away at home would take effort. Instead, I received an unexpected serenade of faith.

With no one behind me, the clerk handed me my receipt and wished me a wonderful, blessed day. I smiled, thanked her for the song, and shared that I, too, am a Christian. Her face lit up. I asked if others had inquired about God because of her singing. She said yes, at times. I praised her boldness in evangelizing and reminded her that we are all called to share the Good News. She had refreshed my own faith that day.

The Power of Holy Boldness and Releasing WorrySometimes we forget to surrender our worries to God. Imagine singing this simple refrain repeatedly—it would serve as a constant reminder and source of strength amid daily struggles.

1 Peter 5:7 (RSVCE) “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.”

Stepping out in faith to share the Gospel isn’t always easy, but this gentle song transformed my day. I already know Jesus, yet I needed the reminder: my cares are nothing in His hands. Worry accomplishes nothing. It changes no outcomes and reveals when we place trust in ourselves rather than in God.

Matthew 6:25-27 (RSVCE) “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?”

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

• Peace Works Against Fear – Combat anxiety with God’s supernatural peace.
• Peace of Mind – Simple steps to restore calm in chaotic times.
• Finding Joy in Tough Times ~ Waiting in Peace – Learn to wait on God with confidence.
• Faith and Hope – Build unshakeable trust that overcomes worry.
• Peace Within Families – Bring God’s peace into your home and relationships.

Listen now and be reminded that Jesus invites you to lay every burden at the foot of the Cross. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today!

Produced by Media Angels, Inc. | Ultimate Christian Podcast Network

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Freedom in Christsponsored by CTCMath.com

What does true freedom in Christ look like? Many believe religion is a set of rules, a thou shalt and thou shalt not, but it is so much more. True freedom comes from a deep and abiding love of Jesus Christ. This show examines your personal journey.

Thanks for staying tuned. First downloads were around 8 and I have to thank my friend Geri because I truly believe many were of her listening to the show… but, not there are hundreds and hundreds of downloads and I have to thank each of you because that means you share this show with friends, and our outreach for the UCPN now is taking root, so thank you! There are so many great shows on this network, please check them out. Go to UCPN –

So, freedom is our topic and it seems appropriate with July 4th being celebrated here in the US that our freedom is so pivotal to our lives. What does freedom mean to you? Is it doing anything you want to do whenever you want to do it? What does that look like to you? Each of us has a different idea of what freedom means.

Freedom can mean leaving sin behind. You may not realize that sin is slavery. Whatever that sin may be and there are many, the addiction to sin without the ability to break it is truly a struggle. It can be something simple like an addiction to chocolate, gluttony, or even shopping or more severe like pornography or drugs.

The end result of sin is death, the death of our souls. Just like an addiction to drugs or even smoking can hurt our physical bodies, so too a sin can hurt our mortal souls.

When we sin the first thing that we do is rationalize it. In our minds and then in our hearts. Well, it isn’t that bad, or it is okay if that is what I want it is not hurting anyone. Or, we are consenting adults and can do whatever we would like. The amazing thing about sin is that God does not force His way on us. We choose to be in that sin.

So when I hear people say that religion is too restricting, I can easily answer that no, sin is too restricting because often you can’t leave it behind. But freedom, true freedom is knowing that God forgives and gives us the free will to sin no more, or to continue in our destructive behavior.

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Slavery to sin is all around us, and we see it clearly now. Before it was shrouded in a dark, smoke-filled room. There were inklings of sin, there were little hints here and there, but now? Now it is a free-for-all, and sin reigns in the hearts of many. The idea of self-preservation has taken hold like never before. Fear is our greatest enemy and it can be used by the enemy to control. Think about this.

What does sin give us? It gives us many byproducts. It gives us guilt, the guilt of indulgence. It gives us sickness and disease, it gives us moral corruption.

What does freedom in Christ give us? It gives us the truth; it gives us joy – the joy that surpasses all understanding. It gives us the ability to wake up each morning without guilt, and it gives a clear vision of where we are going. I heard one of my favorite speakers share that we should weep and ask for forgiveness each night for our sins. And when we do, the Lord will forgive us. With this knowledge of forgiveness, we can begin each day with joy – because we have repented before the Lord. If it is a serious sin, one that can hurt our mortal souls, we should seek counsel from clergy in confession for a Catholic or a pastor for a protestant.

Just the other day I was delighted when a young man approached my friend and I after daily mass and asked what time confession happened at the church – he shared he had been away from the church for some time and wanted to come back. He wanted to talk to a pastor and work through his forgiveness. This is what freedom looks like. He was fearless and it looked like the Lord was already working in his life.

When we ask for forgiveness we are acknowledging the need for repentance. This thought is our conscience speaking and it can only speak if it is well-formed.

Read 1 Corinthians 10 – here, Paul is saying that while food and drink were no longer banned as in the time of the Old Testament, that did not mean that everything is beneficial. We know that overeating can make us sick, or eating the wrong types of foods if we are allergic. Would we willingly eat something that can make us sick? No—of course not, but then why can’t we refrain from the things that are evil and can hurt our souls?

Sometimes people think that if they give up sin they are doing it for God. It goes something like this, “Lord—I am giving up evil for you, now please do this and this for me.” We bargain with God – I’ll do this if you do that. Giving up sin will give us freedom. It is not a bargaining tool. I learned this a week ago when I felt the need to repent and I thought about fasting. I would fast all day and eat one meal at night. After the first week, I decided to do it another week, and felt that the Lord said, “Did I ask you to do this?” My second week of fasting was not for any particular reason, whereas the first week was… and I felt called to do it. So, I listened.

This voice is one that we have to learn to hear, we hear it in our hearts and we can answer with a yes or a no – sure, it would not have hurt anything or anyone to fast each week, but my purpose was not to lose weight, it was repentance.

The freedom we want in our lives and the joy can only come when we are free of guilt. When we do what is right, when we are in communion with God, when we seek the eternal good over the temporal we will discover that joy that we crave. Many of the sinful acts are ones that bring temporary enjoyment. But that is not the same as joy – or happiness that is free from guilt. Even the most hardened sinner who thinks wrong is right and right is wrong, is often very angry when they spew their nonsense. I listed the other day in passing to a man who was claiming that what he believed should be elevated among all other things – but then, he completed the sentence condemning the Christians for their bias and Christianity had been foisted on those and forced.

You can not force someone to believe – in fact, there is no way humanly possible to force Christianity, true Christianity that changes a soul. That my friends is a gift, it is a pure gift from the Almighty that calls to us and brings us to that higher place that is where we stand with God and not against Him. True freedom is deciding for ourselves if we will answer the call if we will accept the gift from the Almighty and in this way, open our hearts for even more blessings in our lives.

Let’s pray – Lord please teach me what true freedom looks like – what is true freedom in Christ and how can I lead a life that is beneficial to my soul. Lord allow me to hear your voice, and lead me, show me the joy that true freedom from sin can bring and I pray specifically for the following needs… and I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

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Can you use the 10 Commandments for a Conscience Check

Episode #43

In this podcast, we’ll examine if the 10 Commandments can help you check your conscience. How do we know if we are on the right path? Are we doing great? Of course! We don’t sin! That is until you take a look at the list below. I’ve listed each of the 10 Commandments and questions to ask yourself.

First, begin with prayer, ask the Lord to allow us to see what is in our lives that need to be forgiven and perhaps if it is an area where you struggle.

Sin causes us to put off doing what is right and what we should do, and it allows us to make excuses for all the times we are not doing what is right. Are the Ten Commandments just suggestions or are they something we should look at when we examine our conscience? I know that we all struggle because we think, “Well, I’m not an ax murderer so therefore I am a good person,” however, that line of thinking is truthfully not accurate.

Thankfully we do not commit murder but there are other things to look at under the “Thou shalt not kill” commandment.

Thank you to our sponsor, CTCMath.com

Using the 10 Commandments helps us form a good conscience.

The commandments are not suggestions, they are serious. The commandments are so serious that after Moses came down from the mountain and saw the sin happening to the people he had left behind, he broke them. God then gave him the Commandments again!

The first three commandments all deal with the way we consider God. Do we put him first, do we blaspheme His name? Do we keep holy the Sabbath?

Here is a look at the Ten Commandments and ways to consider how you have sinned against God…

1. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.
   1. Have I denied God in any way?
   2. Have I taken part in non-Christian ceremony or service?
   3. I have agreed with heretical or blasphemous anti-Christian literature?
   4. Have I been faithful in my prayer life?
   5. Have I made fun of God or His teachings?
   6. Have I presumed upon God’s mercy or doubted it?
   7. Have I placed more importance on any person or creature before God?
   8. Have I cared about material goods over God?
   9. Have I been guilty of irreverence – jokes or other conversations that are anti-God.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
   1. Have I sworn against God?
   2. Have I complained against God?
   3. Have I broken a vow made to God?
   4. Have I angered others so that it makes them swear against God?
   5. Have I blasphemed?
3. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
   1. Have I missed Mass or church?
   2. Have I been distracted during church?
   3. Have I been late to church or left early (not due to an emergency).
   4. Have I made others miss church?
   5. Have I done unnecessary work on Sunday?
   6. Have I bought or sold things not of necessity on Sunday?
4. Honor thy father and thy mother.
   1. Have I been disrespectful or disobedient to my parents?
   2. Have I been irreverent to others in positions of authority?
   3. Have mistreated my spouse or children?
   4. Have I mistreated the elderly, the infirmed or the handicapped?
   5. Have I been disobedient or disrespectful of a loved one, a family member?
   6. Have I been disrespectful or irreverent toward the clergy or someone in authority to God.
5. Thou shalt not kill
   1. Have I desired or hastened the death of someone, or caused bodily injury to another person?
   2. Have I oppressed or did I seek revenge on another person?
   3. Did I cause others to fight?
   4. Have I argued with another(s)?
   5. Did I injure anyone else?
   6. Have I been jealous, envious, entertained evil thoughts or hatred against another?
   7. Have I entertained thoughts of suicide, etc.
   8. Do I abuse my body in any way?
   9. Have I harmed my soul by intentional exposure to temptations?
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
   1. Have I abused my role in my marriage, (marital rights, practicing birth control, or other contraception such as sterilization?)
   2. Have I committed sins against purity?
   3. Have watched indecent movies or internet photos, etc.?
   4. As a single person have I had sex outside of marriage.
   5. Have I worn suggestive clothing, or had thoughts that were impure.
   6. Have I used indecent language, told indecent jokes.
   7. Have I prayed at once to banish bad thoughts or intentions?
7. Thou shalt not steal
   1. Have I stolen anything?
   2. Have I damaged or been negligent with someone else’s property?
   3. Have I refused to repay debt?
   4. Have I cheated my employer or employees?
   5. Have I cheated or defrauded anyone?
   6. Have I gambled to the point that it is an obsession?
   7. Have I refused to pay a bill
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
   1. Have I lied against anyone, causing them harm, spiritually or materially, or ruined their name?
   2. Have I judged others without evidence?
   3. Have I gossiped about other people even if it is true?
   4. Have I been uncharitable in my talk or actions against another?
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
   1. Have I wanted someone who is otherwise committed?
   2. Have I had unpure thoughts about someone else?
   3. Have I remained alone in another’s company unnecessarily of the opposite sex that is a temptation to me?
   4. Have I been in lewd company and listened to indecent jokes or stories?
   5. Have I boasted or taken delight in past sins?
   6. Have I caused others to sin?
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
    1. Have I wanted something belonging to someone else?
    2. Have I acquired something I know is stolen?
    3. Have I failed to return something I borrowed?
    4. Have I neglected to help someone in need?
    5. Have I failed to make restitution for something I’ve taken?

These sins all boil down to sins of pride, vanity, envy, lust, anger, covetousness, envy, laziness or apathy, gluttony… they lead to boasting, duplicity, ambition over others, contempt for others, anger, and resentment and revenge, stubbornness and obstinacy.

Yes, I feel convicted in researching this and sharing this podcast with all of you to change my own life for the better.

Let’s Pray!

Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you sinful and sorrowful and I ask that You help me through an infilling of the Holy Spirit to stay on the path that leads to You. I know Lord this path is difficult but with Your Divine help I know You will be with me every step of the way. Dear Jesus help keep me from pride, envy, lust, anger, covetousness, envy, laziness, apathy or gluttony. Please help me to do what is right and to hunger for righteousness. I thank you for all the ways You have intervened in my life and I give you permission to be a greater part of my life. Thank you and praise You Jesus! And, I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.

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The greatest prayer that Jesus prayed is not what you think. In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz explains the High Priestly Prayer and how we can use this to grow closer to the Lord each day.

The Greatest Prayer: John 17 Episode 373High Priestly Prayer & Obedience to God’s Will | A Few Minutes with God

What if the greatest prayer Jesus ever prayed could transform your daily relationship with God?

In Episode 373 of A Few Minutes with God, host Felice Gerwitz explores the High Priestly Prayer of John 17—known as the longest and most profound prayer recorded in Scripture. While the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) gives us a perfect model, John 17 reveals Jesus interceding directly for Himself, for His disciples, and for every believer who would come after them.

What Is the Greatest Prayer in the Bible?In the Gospels, we see Jesus modeling prayer again and again. He taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, a beautiful, concise prayer we often pray daily. Yet there is another prayer of Jesus that stands out as the longest and, many believe, the greatest recorded prayer in the entire New Testament. It’s found in John 17—the High Priestly Prayer Jesus prayed in the upper room the night before His arrest.

Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17 ExplainedYou’ll discover three key movements of this prayer: Jesus’ request for glorification and unity with the Father, His heartfelt plea for protection and sanctification of His disciples, and His powerful prayer for the oneness of all future believers “so that the world may believe.” (John 17:21, RSVCE)

This episode is an invitation to pray with Jesus, to let His words shape your heart, and to walk more closely with the Lord who intercedes for you every day.

Three Key Movements of the High Priestly Prayer of JesusFirst, Jesus prays for Himself. He asks the Father to glorify the Son so the Son may glorify the Father. He speaks of completing the work the Father gave Him to do. In that moment of obedience and surrender, we see the perfect unity between Father and Son.

Second, Jesus prays for His disciples. He asks the Father to keep them in His name, to protect them from the evil one, and to sanctify them in truth. He knows they will face trials in the world, yet He does not ask that they be taken out of the world—only that they be kept faithful.

Third, Jesus prays for all of us—every future believer. He prays for our unity so that the world may believe. What a profound invitation! Jesus wants us to share in the very love and oneness He enjoys with the Father.

How Obedience Becomes Your Best Daily PrayerFor me, the takeaway is that our best prayer is obeying the Lord. That is the greatest gift we can give God. By obeying the Lord we are living in His will. I’ve prayed so many times to be in God’s will, yet in my heart I often know what that looks like and still ignore it. I get busy with the things of the day and forget that the main to-do each morning is spending time in prayer.

We are also called to be obedient, as we are able, to the laws that do not contradict moral decency and Christian principle. This includes those difficult areas many of us overlook—such as living together out of wedlock. It has become commonplace, but it is not God’s design for us.

God gives us the model of a prayer life, obedience to Him, and the mission to share the good news with others. How can we keep this to ourselves? We must live, as much as we are able, like the disciples who glorify God through faithful obedience and bring others to Christ. We can begin by praying for those who are lost, those who do not yet know the Lord. Ask Him for the strength to be bold and to cherish every moment in prayer. This is the closest we get to heaven on earth. May God be blessed today and always.

Practical Takeaway: Living in God’s Will Through Prayer and ObedienceOpen your Bible to John 17 this week. Read even a few verses daily and pray them back to the Father. You’ll be amazed at the peace and closeness you experience.

Related Episodes You’ll Love from A Few Minutes with God* Discerning God’s Will ~ A Few Minutes with God * Listening to the Lord ~ A Few Minutes with God * Faith in Action ~ A Few Minutes with God * Overcoming Hopelessness ~ A Few Minutes with God * Praying for a Friend ~ A Few Minutes with God

Be infilled, entertained, and equipped as you press play today.

Share this episode with a friend who longs to pray more deeply and live in God’s will, and subscribe so the next A Few Minutes with God finds you right when you need it.

All Scripture quotes are from the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE).

Be infilled. Be entertained. Be equipped. Then go live the prayer Jesus prayed for you

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Feeling unworthy of God or God’s love? You’re not alone. In this episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast, Felice Gerwitz explores God’s mercy and how it transforms our hearts. Learn how to overcome feelings of inadequacy with these powerful scriptures and practical steps. Don’t miss this uplifting message—read on and share with a friend!

Unworthy of God? Discover His Boundless Mercy ~ Episode 353Welcome, friends, to a reflection inspired by the latest episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast! Today, we’re tackling a topic that many of us know well: feeling unworthy of God. If you’ve ever felt like you fall short or wondered if God could possibly love you despite your flaws, this post is for you. Let’s explore the beauty of God’s mercy and how it lifts us up, no matter where we are. If you love this message, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast for weekly encouragement! I also want to remind you to take out your Bible and prayer journal if you have one.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

Do You Feel Unworthy of God?As a Christian, I often wonder if God is frustrated with me. I try to serve Him through prayer and obedience, but let’s be honest—I’m human, and I stumble. Maybe you feel the same way. You want to live for God, but those moments of doubt or failure creep in, making you feel insignificant. The good news? God doesn’t need our perfection; He desires our hearts. His mercy is boundless, and it’s available to us every single day. Praise God for that! Every day is a new day.

There are four powerful scriptures that remind me of God’s love and mercy, even when I feel unworthy, which is often. As I get older I feel less worthy, but the good news is that when this happens I rebuke it in the precious Name of God! The enemy does not want us to think or believe that God is merciful, and often this misinformation creeps in. So, today I’ll share practical ways to embrace His grace and love into your daily life.

Scripture 1: God’s Mercy Is SteadfastLet’s begin with a verse that shows us the character of the Almighty God. In Psalm 103:8, we read:

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

This verse is a reminder that God isn’t quick to judge or condemn us. Yet He is a merciful and just God. He is there, waiting for us, ready to meet us no matter where we are in our faith walk. Maybe you are just getting started in your faith journey, or maybe you’ve been on this road a long time. Either way, we can feel like we have fallen short. When you feel unworthy, hold onto this truth: God’s love for you is unwavering.

Application: Write down Psalm 103:8 and place it somewhere you’ll see it daily, like your mirror or workspace. Let it remind you of God’s patience and love.

Scripture 2: You Are Valued by GodIn my little corner of the world, I sometimes feel so small. But God sees me, and He sees you. Our efforts, no matter how small, matter to Him. Luke 12:7 says:

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

God knows every detail about you. You are never insignificant in His eyes. When feelings of unworthiness creep in, remember that you are precious to Him. I love this verse because it reminds me that we are not only important, but we are seen. That is a big buzzword right now: “feeling seen” and recognized for who we are. But how much more important is it to be the person God created you to be? And how wonderful that God sees us. Sure, we all need to improve, yet He is there waiting.

Application: Take a moment to thank God for His personal love for you. Journal about a time when you felt seen or valued by Him. If you can’t think of anything, thank Him for the gift of life!

Scripture 3: God is WaitingCan you believe that? God is waiting for you and me? And the best thing is we don’t have to earn His love. The image of the Father running to us, as in the Prodigal Son, or Jesus knocking at the door, waiting for us to invite Him in, reminds us of His relentless love.

A fitting verse is Revelation 3:20

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

This verse beautifully captures the imagery of Jesus, knocking at the door of our hearts, waiting for us to open it. The handle is on our side, symbolizing our free will to invite Him in. God’s love is always there, but He waits for us to respond, to show we care by opening our hearts to Him. When we do, He doesn’t just enter—He comes to dwell with us, sharing an intimate relationship. God is a gentleman. He doesn’t push Himself on us; instead, He is patient and kind.

This scripture reminds us that even when we feel unworthy, God’s arms are open wide. We don’t have to earn His love; we simply need to turn to Him. For more on God’s constant presence, check out my episode Not Abandoned, where I explore how God never leaves us.

Application: Take a moment to pray and ask Jesus to help you open the door of your heart. Journal about what it means to you to know He’s waiting to come in.

Scripture 4: Mercy Brings New LifeFinally, let’s look at Ephesians 2:4-5:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”

God’s mercy doesn’t just bring us forgiveness. It gives us new life, a spiritual life of abundance and grace. When you feel like you’ve failed, His grace restores you. This is the heart of the Gospel! God’s love for us is renewed daily and when we are open to it, wonderful things happen.

Application: Each morning, pray a simple prayer of gratitude for God’s mercy. Ask Him to help you live in the freedom of His love.

How to Respond to God’s MercySo, how do we live in light of this incredible mercy? For me, it’s through prayer and striving to obey God’s teachings, even when I don’t get it right which is more times than I care to admit. Another verse, 1 John 1:9, offers hope:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This verse is like a reset button. When we mess up, we can come to God, confess our sins, and trust in His forgiveness. Feeling unworthy doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love—it’s an invitation to lean into His mercy. How often? Daily.

Next Steps:

• Pray: Spend a few minutes each day thanking God for His mercy. Use my book, A Few Minutes with God, for guided reflections.
• Journal: Write about how God’s mercy has shown up in your life. What scriptures encourage you?
• Connect: Join our A Few Minutes with God Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/AFewMinutesWithGod) to share prayer requests and praise reports.

More Encouragement from A Few Minutes with GodIf this message resonated with you, I invite you to listen to the full podcast episode, Unworthy of God, at ultimateradioshow.com. For more on God’s constant presence, check out these favorite episodes:

• Not Abandoned: Discover how God never leaves you, even when you feel far from Him.
• Calm in the Storm: Learn how God’s peace sustains you through challenges.

These episodes, along with others at The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network, are designed to encourage your faith journey.

Let’s Pray TogetherLet’s close with a prayer: Lord, thank You for Your mercy that never fails. When I feel unworthy, remind me of Your love and forgiveness. Help me to trust in Your grace and live for You each day. Amen.

Thank you for joining me, friends! I pray this post has encouraged you to embrace God’s mercy and let go of feelings of unworthiness. If it blessed you, please share it with a friend and follow us on Instagram. For more resources, visit mediaangels.com.

Call to Action: Subscribe to A Few Minutes with God Podcast on Spotify, iHeartRadio, or your favorite podcast app. Let’s grow in faith together!

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Pleasing God – Episode 183Pleasing God is easier than you think! Is there any way that we can be pleasing to God? Is there anything we can do to earn God’s love? Is this something we should even attempt? In this podcast, we will discuss several ways.

Thanks to our sponsor… CTCMath – this is a curriculum company that can help a child to really understand and learn math in a way that will not bog them down! Visit CTCMath.com for a free lesson and pass this on to a friend.

Okay – pleasing God, can you do it? Should you do it? IS this attainable. Pleasing God seems like a formidable task. But the good news is if you do not believe in God is that you can’t.

Hebrews 11: 6 states … And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

So, let’s say for the sake of argument you want to please God … the first place to begin is with your relationship.

When you look at our relationship with God what do you think? If you can stop this audio to think about this for a minute please do… okay so what came to mind as you considered this question?

Maybe you said:

1. Pleasing God is doing what is right and just.
2. Pleasing God is not doing anything I want to do.
3. Pleasing God means having self-control.
4. Pleasing God is impossible. Or…
5. Pleasing God is like is like trying to please a parent.

When we talk about faith there is room for feelings and for some of us, we feel like we are a lost cause and swimming against the flow. Here is the thing…

When was the last time you tried to please a parent? As a parent (if you are one) when was the last time your child did something that was pleasing for you?

We don’t think in those terms, do we? We do not act out of respect, or concern or even of love just to please someone we do it just because. If we love someone we want them to be happy, we want to share the love we have for them with time, with gifts or with giving of ourselves. When we love God how do we show the Almighty our love for Him? This may be something you have never considered before because we are so caught up on the Thou Shall Nots instead of the amazing gift of life and freedom that God has given to us.

When we look at the Fall – the Garden of Eden and the beautiful world God created without sin, we only see the sin – we think about that tree – of Good and Evil. God did not want us to suffer, He wanted us to live in paradise. And, we hope and we pray that this is what heaven is – a paradise that has been created for the righteous which can only be justified by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Christ asks us to turn from sin and to follow Him. That’s it.

That is why Hebrews 11:6 starts by laying the groundwork of faith. Praising God isn’t as hard if our faith is at the center, and with faith comes what? The Holy Spirit is our guide. Not in the new age way of spirit God, please!! Heaven forbid. But in the third person of the Trinity – sent by God – After Jesus rose from the dead and spent time with the various disciples and Mary his mother and Mary Magdelene he rose up to heaven. We read about this in Acts 1-9 [on air]

God sent his Spirit – and this was called Pentecost. Today, we can receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts, in church Sacramentally or in prayer. Again we read about this in 1 John 3:24

We know by the Spirit HE gave us!

When we think about things in our life we can see that pleasing God is not as difficult as we think. Think about the joys of your life. Are you content? Is there an issue in your life if it could be handled or changed that would make you happy? Or how about happier? Of course, in each of our lives, there is something that could add to our happiness. But, the true things that bring us happiness are the things that money can not buy. Buying more things usually brings a short-term happiness, contentment or joy but not long-term!

Romans 8:9

You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Pleasing God starts with faith and after that, it is way easier than you think – pleasing God is something we want to do – no, we crave doing because of our relationship with HIM – there is an old saying about trying to outgive God, we can’t. It is impossible, the more we give God the more we receive.

Lately, my life has been filled with miracles some big and small – one is a serious surgery we thought my husband would need concerning his spine – not only is the surgery unnecessary, but the doctor’s words were…. Well, you had a serious problem, but your body healed itself. Wow, how does that happen? It is a miracle. And the small things like a toothache and when calling that day, an opening for a dentist appointment was available later in the afternoon. That never happens!

Pleasing God, friends is living our lives and worshiping the creator and it can’t get any better than that!

Let’s pray. Dear Lord thank you for all the blessings and the miracles that surround us each and every day, those we see and those that happen in our lives without us even knowing. I praise you and I thank you and I ask that you help me to be pleasing to my family, my friends, and most of all to you dear God. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. We praise you and are in awe of your gifts. Dear Lord, I ask for the following needs: and I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Remember, peace works against fear, it really does, and we must unite as Christians against the bombardment of fear that permeates our airwaves. Fear is one of the mechanisms that can keep us in bondage. In this podcast, I’ll share how peace works against fear, and in the Name of Jesus, we can be shielded and protected.

Peace Works Against Fear ~ Episode 372Fear is one of the enemy’s most effective tools to keep us in bondage, but the peace of Christ Jesus shatters its hold. In this episode of A Few Minutes with God, we explore how God’s peace actively works against fear, shielding and protecting us in His holy Name.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

The Influx of Fear in Our Daily LivesInboxes and headlines often direct our attention to topics that stir anxiety. Recent years (especially 2021–2023) brought isolation, loss, confusion, and psychological pressure that many still feel today. History will judge this era harshly, yet the daily drip of bad news continues. Bad news sells, but it robs us of peace. Our bodies remain in a constant state of fight-or-flight when we consume fear-driven media.

As Christians, we are called to something greater. Peace is not the absence of trouble—it is the presence of Jesus Christ in our hearts. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), and God offers us that perfect peace. Yet, it is easier said than done! Getting the head knowledge down to the heart is another issue altogether. Stress seems to follow me around, and it translates into a feeling of doom when I don’t allow myself the time to pray to attend Mass or, at the very least, thank and praise God.

If you can make a list of your favorite Bible verses that focus on peace. You can refer to this in your prayer journal when you are overwhelmed. If you don’t have a prayer journal, start one today. It doesn’t have to be massive. It can be a small book with a side pen that doesn’t take up much room. I take mine to church to jot down notes and highlight Bible verses I want to read later. This is, once again, a great reference for the times I forget that God is with me. I’ve listed five in my show notes. Use those as a jumping-off point and list five of your own.

Scripture Verses: Peace Works Against FearHere are powerful truths from God’s Word to arm you:

1. 1 John 4:18 — “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love.”
2. John 14:27 — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
3. Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
4. Philippians 4:6-7 — “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
5. Psalm 27:1 — “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

A list of Bible verses is not empty words—they are living promises. Take them to heart through daily prayer and meditation.

Two Simple Actions This Week to Replace Fear with Peace1. Examine Your Routine: Identify what robs you of peace—news feeds, certain conversations, social media, or worries about the future. Replace those triggers with thanksgiving and uplifting content from trusted sources. I have my favorites; once again, make a list of your own. 2. Seek the Lord Daily: Ask Him each morning to direct your path, fill you with joy, and shield you from fear. Praise and worship lift us into the heavenly realm even in our homes. Try playing Gregorian Chant or sacred music in the background—notice the shift in your spirit.

Thanking the Lord daily for His blessings is a powerful weapon against fear. In this podcast, I’m focusing more on external forces that rob us of our peace and joy.

Why This Matters TodayIn a world pushing fear as a constant companion, we can choose the peace that surpasses understanding. I reject the spirit of fear in the precious Name of the Lord, and I can embrace the joy of the Lord! Does that always work to restore my peace and joy? No, but I will fight for it daily. I know that my prayers matter. I know that God hears me. I know, that I know, that I know that He died for me, rose from the dead in three days and is reigning in heaven. This temporary world is a place I can live, but ultimately my goal is heaven. Therefore, I know that while I pray, I must avoid the needless bombardment of fear-mongering and lies, so that I can keep my eyes more fully on Him.

Dear Lord, I pray for those listening today that you fill them with discernment to root out the lies of the enemy, to focus on the ways that the enemy has deceived them, and to give them the strength and fortitude to turn to you in times of need. I come against the spirit of fear in the Name of Jesus and ask You, Lord, to send Your angels to combat it alongside us. And I pray this in Jesus Name. Amen.

Listen to the full episode on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network and share it with someone battling anxiety. God’s peace is available to you right now.

More Encouragement from A Few Minutes with God Podcast* Combating Fear – Practical tools from Scripture to fight fear. * Overcoming Fear – Finding victory in Christ amid uncertainty. * Faith Overcomes Fear – Living boldly through trust in God. * Cure For Fear – Weapons and tools from Almighty God. * Peace of Mind – Restoring calm through prayer and trust.

May the Lord bless you with His unshakable peace. Spend a few minutes with God today—He is waiting. Until next time, walk in faith, not fear.

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Who are the peacemakers? Are you a peacemaker, and do you find yourself in that role? What does the Holy Bible say? This podcast discusses being a peacemaker and how we can all strive to do our part.

Peacemakers ~ EpisodeSponsored by CTCMath.com

If you look up the word online, you will find that being a peacemaker is not a good thing. In all fairness, this information came from a search using the latest AI technology, artificial intelligence. There have always been computer programs that search for keywords and match websites with the words. However, the latest technology gives a synopsis of what is found in literal seconds, which needs to be corrected. One of the reasons is technology does not have a heart; a human element is missing.

My search showed me that a peacemaker is drawn to those who disagree and are typically worn out or frustrated, and it is a person who does not take care of themselves. While all of that can be correct, making a blanket statement in some people is not always good. It is said that peacemakers are not assertive. How can you be a peacemaker without speaking up and trying to see things from different sides? That requires diplomacy. Sure, not everyone is diplomatic, but it is a gift if you are. I try to see things from both sides outside my family, and the frustration comes when I can not understand an evil motivation. I can not computer things like abortion on demand or late-term abortion. In truth, I can not understand abortion at all, the killing of a life. In some states, legally. As one popular television personality said, he was for abortion. He agreed it was murder, and he said he could live with that thought and urged abortion advocates to embrace that terminology.

Wow. Our world is a place where evil is recognized and allowed. And we should all be okay with it—are you? We must pray, dear friends, because there is good news. The good news is that Jesus reigns now and forever, and evil has no hold over those who profess Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior (if they live holy and, in my case, sacramental lives).

When we discuss the word peace in a religious context, we are talking about a feeling that comes from an action. This can be caused by an action on our part, being in a quiet room, reading a scripture verse, and meditating on the meaning, which comes from God’s grace. However, a peacemaker can refrain from using words that can incite or cause problems or dissension. A peacemaker can see a situation that has gotten out of control and turn it around into one that is diffused, forcing those in disagreement to agree or compromise.

Recently, I watched someone do this effortlessly. This person took a volatile situation filled with misunderstanding and frustration and, in a few sentences, told each of those affected what the other was trying to say diplomatically. I was impressed. It caused me to think and consider the idea of being a peacemaker. Who are those who strive for peace, and how are they rewarded? As the scriptures tell us – we are told, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Wow! I want to be called a child of God.

I have to admit that I have not always been a peacemaker outside my family. It is sometimes easy to get others riled up, and it is under the guise of teasing, just having fun, or trying to make a point. I realized that it did more harm than good, and while I am not being specific here in my examples, I believe we can all look at our own lives and find situations where we could have used our words more effectively and in a way that would do good rather than harm.

Being a peacemaker is a good thing. In the Bible, we have Christ’s wonderful words when he was surrounded by the crowds. The Beatitudes contain words we should read daily (read on air).

These are words we should read daily. I remember reading these words back in my smart-aleck days and thinking, well, I’m no meek or humble; I’m in trouble! Friends, I was laughing at myself here and kidding around, but I had much work to do on my spiritual journey! It has been quite the journey, and the Lord is still working with me—praise you, Jesus!

Being a peacemaker in this world means making a conscious effort to examine your words, what you are saying, and how they impact the lives of others. Words matter. (More on air.)

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Combating FearPodcast # 27

Combating fear is something we all want. Do you worry about things? Join the club – don’t we all? But in this episode I am going to discuss fear, the result of worry and how we, as Christians, armed with the promises of God can combat the fear and turn it to victory!

Thanks to our sponsors, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins + CTCMath.com

Show Notes: Combating Fear

Fear gets us nowhere. It is a dead-end street that has us walking the same path again and again. It is the place that the enemy would like us to remain in because let’s face it — fear is a bondage. Fear is from the enemy.

2 Timothy 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

Yet, God built us to fear if we sense danger. Fear does in essence help to protect us – if we sense something instinctively it can help us to survive. Fear is natural, it keeps us away from those things that could hurt us or bad choices.

The bible also tells us that “fear of the Lord is the beginning of all understanding,” how do we take that verse? What we fear is the judgment of the Lord. If you are a follower of Christ and want to do His will – you should not fear judgment, but you should remember it as you live your life.

God is our light – He is the guiding beacon in the midst of our fears. We can have the courage to deal with the things that happen in our lives and what that takes is praying to overcome the fear. Prayer and reading Scripture verses and memorizing some can help. Another help is using acronyms to help us.

When speaking about fear in the spiritual sense, when we allow worry to cloud our thoughts and overtake our lives realize we are giving the spirit of fear permission to reside in us. The first step is in renouncing the spirit of fear.

In the Name of Jesus, I come against the spirit of fear and I renounce it – I do not give fear dominion in my life. I break any chains of fear in my life and offer it to you, Lord. Lord, I give you permission to come into my life with joy, the joy that surpasses all understanding and that reigns in the knowledge that you are in control of my life.

Here are some wonderful scriptures to write in your journal under the title of “Combating Fear” and pray, say, and memorize these wonderful scriptures:

1. 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
2. Proverbs 29:25: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
3. Matthew 10:31 “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
4. Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
5. Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.”
6. Psalm 91:14 – “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
7. Romans 8:30-31 – “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
8. Psalm 118:6: “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
9. Psalm 27:1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear?”
10. Luke 1:30: “But the angels said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.”

If you are fearful and have never repented of the spirit of fear, let’s pray! (Prayer at the end of the audio.)

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What if you could open a “faith time capsule” and see exactly where your walk with the Lord began, and how far He has brought you? In this uplifting episode, Felice Gerwitz explores the Road to Emmaus, the power of reflection, and the unexpected ways Jesus shows up in our daily lives.

You’ll be encouraged to take inventory of your faith, realign your focus, and trust that God is still writing your story. Perfect for anyone seeking encouragement, renewal, or a deeper appreciation for God’s faithfulness through every season. View many more podcasts on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Faith Time Capsule: Reflecting on Your Faith Journey and Seeing God’s Hand Introduction: Your Faith Time CapsuleHave you ever wished you could go back in time and view your faith journey like a time capsule? What would you see? Would you notice big gains, faltering steps, or those quiet moments when God held you securely in the palm of His hand?

Today, I invite and challenge you to pause and reflect. Jesus often comes into our lives in the most unexpected ways, just as He did for the disciples on the Road to Emmaus. They walked right beside the risen Lord and didn’t recognize Him at first. Their eyes were prevented from seeing the obvious until He opened the Scriptures to them.(Luke 24:16)“But their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.”

When we read the Word of God, it enters our hearts in a powerful way, especially when we pray and ask the Lord for His help and guidance. I’ve caught myself reading the Bible or a Scripture passage, and I stop and re-read it again, because I don’t remember what I just read! This often happens if it is a familiar passage. When I stop and reread the passage, it is often impactful!

On the road to Emmaus, once the disciples recognized Jesus, He vanished, they said to one another: (Luke 24:32)

What are we overlooking in our own daily lives? Sometimes the best thing we can do is stop, take inventory, and let the Lord show us what truly matters. And sometimes that means rereading a Scripture passage and taking some time to quiet our hearts and let the words penetrate.

The Road to Emmaus: Eyes Opened to the UnexpectedThe disciples had been with Jesus for years, yet they still missed Him in their midst. How often does that happen to us? We rush through our days, focused on projects, tasks, and to-do lists, and fail to see the Lord walking beside us.

God’s presence is not dramatic. He meets us in the ordinary, sometimes in the very place where we feel most stuck. When we slow down and invite Him in, our hearts burn with recognition, just as the disciples’ did.

Taking Inventory: What Are We Overlooking?After my recent cataract surgery, I was forced to rest. For someone who is always moving from one project to the next, this “rest” felt harder than the procedure itself! Yet in those quiet moments of discomfort and recovery, I learned I wasn’t as patient as I thought. A tiny bit of physical challenge opened my eyes to how truly blessed I have been.

All of a sudden, things looked brighter. I didn’t realize that cataracts, which develop slowly over the years, can dull your vision. Things are whiter, and the world physically looks brighter. It made me consider what else in my spiritual life has been dulled through the years and ways I have been unaware of it. In this way, sin can dull our spiritual lives. When we allow sin to creep in, a small lie here, gossiping about our friend there, our souls become dull.

Instead of reaching for a spiritual book or listening to a spiritual topic, I go for the low fruit, something entertaining instead of challenging. Sometimes I’ll “assign” myself reading material, take an inventory of my bookshelves, pull off two or three books I’ve been meaning to read, and leave them in places where I will see them. This small thing helps me to achieve my goals without overthinking them.

In my downtime, God came to me in ways I would never have noticed if I hadn’t stopped to appreciate the healing process. He reminded me that even small trials can refine us. (James 1:2-4)

What about you? What is important in your life right now? Your focus reveals where your heart is right now, and today is the perfect time to take stock and make changes. Small changes, as I did.

A Personal Lesson in Rest, Healing, and God’s TimingDuring recovery, I realized how much I take for granted. Simple things like clear vision unexpectedly became reasons for gratitude. The Lord showed up in those quiet moments of discomfort, teaching me patience and trust in ways I never expected.

Faith doesn’t always increase steadily with age. It grows in different seasons—through joys, trials, surgeries, and ordinary days—when the Lord steps in exactly when we need Him most.

(Philippians 1:6)

(Jeremiah 29:11)

What Matters Most Now? Realigning Your FocusTake a moment today and ask: “Lord, what do You want me to see?” Seek first His kingdom, and everything else falls into place. (Matthew 6:33)

Favorite Verse: (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When we look back, we see God’s hand guiding us. Even through faltering steps, going against His will and His plans for us. He never abandons us.

Faith Increases in God’s Perfect TimingThe truth is that our faith grows precisely when we need it most. Whether you’re in a season of rest, recovery, or rapid growth, the Lord is there. When I was younger, I entered everything with great zeal and expectation. I can’t say much has changed other than slowing down. I still have great expectations, and you should too! God is there for us, and we can look to the Word of God for this affirmation.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

We walk by faith, not by sight, and yes, this verse takes on a whole new meaning for me now! 2 Corinthians 4:18

Open Your Faith Time Capsule TodayFriends, open your own faith time capsule this week. Look back with gratitude. Look forward with hope. Jesus is walking with you right now, just as He walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We know in our minds and our intellect that God will not forsake us yet we need to see this with our spiritual eyes as well.

Let’s pray together: Heavenly Father, I praise you and I thank you. Thank you is such a weak word for what I feel in my heart. I praise You for every step of my faith journey. Thank you for opening my eyes to see You in the unexpected. Help us to trust Your perfect will and Your perfect timing and allow us to seek Your kingdom first. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Thank you for spending time with me today. If this episode blessed you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. Your faith journey matters—God is not finished with you or me yet!

For more encouragement on your faith journey, check out these additional episodes from A Few Minutes with God on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

1. Not Abandoned – https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/not-abandoned/
2. Trust in God – https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/trust-in-god/
3. Renew Your Mind – https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/renew-your-mind/
4. Faith In Action: Living Your Faith Boldly – https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/faith-in-action/
5. Your God Given Purpose – https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/your-god-given-purpose/

Listen now on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network or your favorite podcast app.

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Many people exercise their bodies but not their souls. Strengthening your faith takes time and effort, similar to getting into physical shape. In this podcast we explore ways to enhance your faith journey.

Strengthening Your Faith ~ Episode 370Welcome back to A Few Minutes with God Podcast! In a recent episode, we explored how to put our faith into action—living it out through love, service, and sharing the Good News.

Today, Episode 370 dives deeper into Strengthening Your Faith. How do we build a faith that is not only active but also deep, resilient, and unshakable? That is the vital question we should ask ourselves.

Faith is like a muscle—it grows stronger with use, yet it also requires daily nourishment and spiritual discipline. Whether your faith has wavered in difficult seasons or you long to draw closer to Christ, strengthening your faith is a lifelong journey that equips you to live out His call with courage and joy.

The Foundation of Faith: Assurance in the UnseenScripture gives us the very definition of faith. In Hebrews 11:1 (RSVCE), we read: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This verse shows us that our trust in God’s promises is important even when the path ahead is hidden. True faith is not blind; it is rooted in the living God who never fails. Read the entire chapter of Hebrews 11; it recaps the faith throughout Biblical history, with Enoch and Abraham as examples for us. The idea of faith isn’t new, and sadly, the faith placed in politicians, athletes, or actors is a distraction.

Deepening Your Faith Through PrayerOne of the most powerful ways to strengthen faith is through prayer—not just a list of requests, but a heartfelt conversation with the Lord. Prayer draws us into His presence and reminds us He is always near. Taking the time, just a few minutes (or longer) a day, exercises your spiritual muscle.

I remember a spiritually dry season when life felt overwhelming, and my prayers became routine. Through an inspiration which I can only attribute to the Holy Spirit, I committed to just five quiet minutes each morning, sitting with God and listening. No fanfare, no charts or books, or a checklist of what I expected to happen. Just a blank journal, a Bible, and time. Over a period of dedicated time, His peace filled my heart. As Philippians 4:6-7 (RSVCE) encourages: “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Illuminating Your Path with God’s WordAnother essential key is immersing ourselves in Scripture. Psalm 119:105 (RSVCE) declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Even one verse a day can transform our outlook. Try reading the Gospel of John slowly—one chapter daily—asking the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. The Bible is God’s living Word that reveals His truth, love, and perfect plan. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (RSVCE) reminds us: “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Consider these words. They are not just “nice” or “encouraging, they are true! God’s Word is a lamp; all scripture is inspired! God is here today just for you and for me. He is here waiting for us to give Him the time He rightly deserves.

Growing Stronger in CommunityWe are not meant to walk this journey alone. Surrounding yourself with fellow believers—through your parish, a Bible study, or a prayer group—builds encouragement and accountability. I once joined a small faith-sharing group at my parish, and hearing others’ stories of struggle and victory inspired me to persevere. I’ve recently joined another monthly prayer group, and it, too, has encouraged me to grow in faith.

Proverbs 27:17 (RSVCE) tells us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Even more beautifully (if that is possible), Hebrews 10:24-25 (RSVCE) urges: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another.”

Faith isn’t exclusive. It isn’t faith or works, but both together. One is the manifestation of the other, and while both have value, only through Christ are they redemptive. Being alone with the Lord is also valuable, but encouragement from others of faith is what often keeps us strong.

Trusting God Through Trials and TribulationsStrengthening faith also means trusting God amid life’s storms. Doubts may arise when circumstances turn difficult, yet our Lord is never surprised by our trials. As I reflected on Maria Vadia’s inspiring book Healing is For You!, I was reminded that true healing—especially spiritual healing—flows from a relationship with Jesus, not from visible signs alone. Her book, every other sentence, almost, has a scripture verse that proves her point. It is a call from the Lord to be healed inside and outside.

As frail humans, we can fall into conditional faith, but God calls us to deeper trust. The “prosperity gospel” that promises health and wealth if we believe hard enough misses the heart of the Gospel. Jesus taught the narrow road: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14 RSVCE).

Trials produce endurance. James 1:2-4 (RSVCE) beautifully explains: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Spiritual Endurance: Running the Race of FaithWatching my son, who recently visited, run four to six miles in the hot, humid Florida mornings reminded me of spiritual discipline. He runs for his health, his job, and his goals—not because it feels easy, but because the results are worth it. The same is true for us. Life demands endurance, yet we often choose scrolling or entertainment over the challenge that deepens our faith.

God calls us to run with perseverance. Hebrews 12:1-2 (RSVCE) invites: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

Strengthening your faith is not a one-time event but a daily choice to pray, immerse yourself in Scripture, walk in community, and trust God through every trial. Like a well-trained runner, you will face discomfort, yet the reward—deeper intimacy with Christ, unshakeable peace, and eternal inheritance—far surpasses any hardship. May you run this race with courage, knowing Jesus walks beside you, equipping you every step of the way. Your faith, strengthened by grace, will become a beacon of hope for a world in need of the Savior.

Amen!

For more encouragement on growing in faith, check out these related episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

1. Faith In Action: Living Your Faith Boldly
2. Discipline And Faith
3. God’s Provision: Trusting Him
4. Holiness Is Possible
5. Overcoming Hopelessness

Thank you for listening and sharing this episode! Visit AFewMinuteswithGodPodcast.com for show notes, and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

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Magnificat® Ministry Presents Magnificat® Proclaims, Episode 16, Judy Zelden – The Power of Faith and PrayerMagnificat® Ministry presents Magnificat® Proclaims. In this episode, Judy Zelden, wife of Mike Zelden, is a mother of three and grandmother of nine.

She helped found Magnificat in 1981, moved with her family to Baton Rouge in 1983, and served as a guidance counselor at Catholic schools. Judy returned to Magnificat’s Central Service Team (CST) from 1991 to 2008 and has since been on the CST Advisory Team. She authored a women’s Bible study called Woman, Called By Name which debuted in 2015 and released another Bible study in 2021, “Woman, Called and Sent for Such a Time As This.” Both studies received an imprimatur and were featured in popular webinars.

Magnificat® Ministry Presents Magnificat® Proclaims.The Podcast is a platform for inspiring testimonies that showcase God’s goodness, greatness, and grace in our lives. These testimonies not only inform and educate but also encourage and inspire us to develop, deepen, and cultivate our relationship with the Triune God. The show hosts are Monique Moussot and Maryann Ridini Spencer.

Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHARE Magnificat® Ministry’s Podcasts

Watch the video podcast of this episode on Magnificat Ministry’s YouTube Channel at https://youtube.com/@MagnificatMinistry

Visit: Magnificat® A Ministry to Catholic Women website and peruse the Magnificat Proclaims books in the store: https://magnificat-ministry.org

LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS on The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and other channels: Magnificat® Proclaims: https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/magnificatministry/

The Magnificat® Ministry Podcast is also heard on EWTN’s Podcast Central (scroll to our Podcast Icon) on this page: https://www.ewtn.com/radio/other-podcasts

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About Magnificat® Ministry

Founded in 1981, Magnificat®, A Ministry to Catholic Women, an international nonprofit with over 70 Chapters across the globe, exists to evangelize and encourage Catholic women to grow in holiness through opening more fully to the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “My Soul Magnifies the Lord,” recorded in Luke 1:46, is the beginning of Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s joyful greeting. The entire scene of the Visitation is the inspiration for this Ministry. Through quarterly gatherings that include a Chapter Meal, praise and worship, guest speakers proclaiming their testimonies as to how God has transformed their lives, and other faith-sharing experiences organized in a relaxed social setting, women (and men) are inspired and encouraged to grow in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. Visit: https://magnificat-ministry.org

All Magnificat® Ministry Podcasts: https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/magnificatministry

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Christian Unity ~ Uniting God’s PeopleEpisode 310: Exploring Christian Unity based on Ephesians 4:1-6

How can we have Christian unity when we can’t even get along with those we live with and love? The same goes for world peace. How can we expect World Peace when we argue with our spouse or friends? If we can’t get along with those we like, how can we find common ground among various nations? Our world is falling apart, friends. Right before our eyes, today is the day to pray like never before.

Thanks to CTCMath.com for sponsoring this episode. CTC is a math curriculum found online for grades K-12.

Today is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. (Psalm 118:24) So we begin with praise, rejoicing in the day and giving God all the glory. As I’ve shared many times on this podcast, we praise God and thank Him even in the midst of trial and adversity. Things are falling apart all around us, and we praise God. One of the reasons is because, yes, God is worthy of praise. The other is because it helps remind us that we are not in this alone. Even if you are driving by yourself, taking a walk, or at your home alone, God is with you.

Once we have praised God, we put on God’s armor. Ephesians 6:10-18. Don’t just read it, pray it. Slowly and with meaning. We ask the Lord for protection against evil one. Why? Because he is the disrupter and the one who causes the division. This began in the Garden and continues today.

Christian Unity Starts Here:

Where does Christian unity begin? It begins with me—right here, right now. It doesn’t start with my neighbor, my friend, or my spouse. I don’t stop to pick up the phone and say, “Hey, you really need to get with it and be united.” It won’t work. For there to be peace, it starts with me. Mother Teresa famously said this about peace: “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”

So, it starts with me: what can I do and how can I do it?

A friend posted an article from a website, and I am posting the link here. The topic is the importance of Christian Unity. It goes on to explain the importance of doing our part (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to not be the cause of division, which means to guard us against temptation, guarding our mouths and what we say, and, more importantly, your social media posts.

When I read the title of the article, I was convicted to watch my words, especially among my family and friends.

As I write this, we are currently in an election cycle, and it can be horrible to read what people say and watch neighbors and friends become enemies. I lost friends during the last election cycle because I would not engage in conversation or be swayed by the beliefs of those who contacted me. They “unfriended” me on Facebook which truthfully hurt my feelings tremendously. In retrospect, while I had many champions for my cause, and the majority of friends agreed with me, I found that those who did not were steeped in a way of thinking I could not identify or understand. I am steeped in prayer this election cycle, making an effort to set aside time daily for our country and the disunity. And for the disunity in our world as well, with countless wars!

Jesus wants us united, yet He is well aware that the evil one is trying to wreck our lives. We read of this in

Ephesians 4:1-6 (read on air).

We are called to be “forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” How can we do this? There is only one way, with an infilling and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is something like this, “Dear Holy Spirit, come and fill me with to overflowing with your love, your peace, and your joy. Please fill me with love for my children and my spouse (name anyone close to you here). Fill me with love and compassion for those who I don’t like, and I don’t care to know. Help me to be faithful to you, my Lord, and help me never to be parted from unity with You. Holy Spirit, come.”

Create your own prayer or version of asking the Holy Spirit for help bringing unity and peace to your life and the lives of others.

The only way for us to have Christian unity is to pray and ask God for a deeper desire for peace in our hearts. Another thing the article said that resonated with me was to ask the Lord to keep us away from “every temptation of the enemy to rip us apart.” These are very wise words. We must avoid the temptation to get in the last word or to say something that might be considered funny yet hurtful. We must rally the troops and let your family and friends know what you are doing. This is not bragging (oh, look at me praying here); this is explaining a way of thinking that I believe most Christians will rally around and unite.

God loves us; He loves this fallen humanity of which we are a part, and He knows our needs before we even ask. Yet ask we must today. Begin now. Ask the Lord for peace and unity, and let it begin with me. May you be blessed now and forever.

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God First – Episode 226When was the last time you put God first? Is God in your first thought of the day? No? How about the last thought? The struggle is real especially when life is overwhelming and seems to get in the way. Join Felice Gerwitz as she shares how she puts God first and the way she accomplishes this daily.

Our wonderful sponsor who helps bring this network to you for free, visit CTCMath.com for a great math curriculum for grades K-12

An elderly friend once shared that as she grew older, her understanding and awareness of her sinfulness increased. This self-awareness should not be limited to age, but due to the nature of most of our lifestyles, this unfortunately is the norm.

If we take time to reflect we will all realize we fall short. Yes, it is difficult to admit but true. We all have shortcomings but the way we handle them is the difference between living a life for God or against Him because somewhere in the middle does not count. The Scriptures remind us that G0d will spew us out of his mouth! In fact Revelations, 3 verses 15-22 will give you so much to unpack. There are five main themes that we hear in entire sermons based on this scripture. First let me share it with you. (Read on air.)

Unpacking Revelations 3 -A Few Points

1. Lukewarm faith
2. Don’t need God – own ability
3. Refined by fire
4. Repent
5. God knocking at the door
6. Ability to hear God’s Word

Let me read the verses in Revelations 3:15-22 (Read on air.)

Lukewarm faith – going through the motions. There is a song that really resonated with me for some time, the song’s title is The Motions by Matthew West. This was a song that hit hard because one of the lines says: (read onair.)

Matthew West was quoted as saying “The song is about complacency and a desire to “break free from the average, ordinary, lukewarm Christian life” – and that is what we need to do, break free of complacency. The thought is there is always tomorrow to pray, to read the Bible to attend church. But the saying goes that today is the “first day” of the rest of your life. We should look at each day as an opportunity not only to grow closer to God but to ask the Lord how to best serve Him.

Is this true of you? Don’t need God – own ability. There is a popular saying, “we make our own luck,” and I think I have always hated that phrase because to me it means I don’t need God. Yes, we should work hard, strive to do the best we can, get up and get going and not wait for handouts. However, we need God in the same way that we need air to breathe. That too is a Christian song, you may know it by its title “Breathe” (The Air I Breathe), and the original author Marie Barnett didn’t even mean to sing the lyrics (as a song leader) but was led to sing it spontaneously in church one Sunday. *You can read here story here. It made it to a Vinyard’s album and later was recorded by many artists such as Michael W. Smith. The words go like this (read on air). (Lyrics here.) Without God we would not even have air to breathe, so all the glory and honor go to Him! (Read Onair.)

Refined by fire – Interesting the Scripture states – counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich – we are refined by fire but usually, that is a painful process and if we do not learn anything from the pain we will suffer again and again. In order to be rich we must learn from this refinement and praise God in all things, even those hardships.

Repent – The obvious here is to ask the Lord for forgiveness, but I want to take it one step further… we stay away from deepening our relationship with the Lord and putting God first when we are in sin. Like Adam and Eve were afraid to show their faces to the Lord, because of their sinfulness and their lack of repentance at that point, so too we are afraid of the justification for our sins. For every sin, there must be a payment. And sin, unfortunately, affects us all not only the person in sin.

God knocking at the door – We have discussed this in many other podcasts and it calls to mind a photo I have of the Lord knocking at the door, but the handle is on my side. God is the Almighty and can do anything, but God wants our hearts only when we give it to Him willingly. Unbelievers will say that religion is forced and there are all these rules and hoops to jump through — however, God has given us free will for a reason and a choice to follow Him, to let Him, to put God first or not.

Ability to hear God’s Word – recently in a prayer ministry meeting a friend recounted a story and said over and over again, “But I told this person specifically…” and she said this more than one time. It is interesting that we can talk to people and they do not hear or comprehend what we say even when we think it is crystal clear. The same with God’s word. It is crystal clear if we have our minds and hearts open to putting Him first.

There is so much more to unpack in those few lines of Scripture and I urge you and challenge you this week to meditate upon the words and make a plan, today to put God first in your life and to get yourself out of complacency and fire for the Lord, the Creator of Heaven and Earth! May God bless us today and always.

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God’s Love Is Sufficient – Episode 182Uncertainty surrounds our lives yet with God we know that His love is sufficient for all of our needs. In this podcast, learn how you can live a life that is free from worry, stress, and anger.

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If you know your scriptures you are probably thinking – why is she talking about God’s love being sufficient when the scriptures say, my grace is sufficient: Read: 2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s grace is his love and his forgiveness – it is empowerment by the Holy Spirit that makes us strong in, as the scriptures say our time of weakness. Seriously God’s grace and love is sufficient? Really? When are we weak? When are we scared? When we have infirmities – illnesses?

God’s Love IS SufficientNo one thinks their life is ideal. But if I asked you to take some time to design your ideal life what would be included? Would it be a house on the beach, listening to the waves crashing on the seashore? Or would it be a mountain retreat? What about an unlimited bank fund or maybe good health and happiness in your family? Each of our lists would be very, very long. But for most one of the missing elements is a relationship with God. Our ideal life surrounds our health and welfare, our temporal or temporary needs. We are often more interested in taking care of today, the right now rather than the forever.

We hold on tight to the things that don’t matter in the end.

An ideal life is free from worry, stress, anger, and heartache, to be free from illness … and the only way for this to happen is to have confidence in Almighty God. A stress-free – worry-free life is almost unimaginable. In fact, it is a difficult concept to grasp. Yet God’s love is all we need to live a life that is fulfilling.

This may be again, easier said than done. God is the God of Creation – He is after all the Creator God. Before original sin our lives would have been more astounding than our greatest dreams. One of the things that our first parents shared with the Creator was the gift of communication with Him. Communication is a form of relationship – communion is beyond speech, it is beyond what we can explain with words. This is what was recovered by the life – the example Christ gave to us, His death for redemption and the resurrection. The miracle. God is the only one who can restore us. This communion with God takes us to a level where we can let go of the things of this world. As a Catholic, I believe Holy Communion is the key because it is healing.

Recently we had a medical scare concerning my husband. We thought he might need surgery on his back – the neck region… and we know how back surgery can be – it can be great or the worse nightmares can happen. Well after months and months of tests, MRI, more scans, and even some he still has to go to later this month, we are at peace. The neuro-surgeon basically said my husband had a major issue but that his body had repaired itself, and the vertebrae he would have had to fuse in surgery was already done for him! What a miracle! What a gift from God.

It also turned out – which shows God’s sense of humor, that the surgeon and I chatted about his hometown which is also my hometown (I’m one of these people who read a doctor’s bio on their website), and it turns out he knew me, and I was his teacher in the 4th grade when I was a college student and student-teaching in his classroom. Of course, I was blown away, and we laughed about the chances of meeting up again.

God is amazing and in this life, we can either praise God for all things – those we are scared and uncertain about and those things that are truly happy and amazing blessings in our life. God cares in everything we do even if we think that only bad things happen.

We are called to love God and realize that His grace and His love are all we need, but without a relationship, we cannot love someone we do not know. How do we know someone? We communicate with each other. Some may feel speaking to God is a one-way street. We talk, He listens. We hear nothing back. This takes practice and it takes the Holy Spirit. Have you availed yourself to the Holy Spirit? I attended what is called a Life in the Spirit Seminar in the 1990s and this changed my life. Here I learned that God not only wanted a personal relationship with me but that He wanted to pour His Spirit into my life in a way that I could experience, more fully what it means to be a Christian. People talk about finding faith and the honeymoon period. That is a period when they can’t get enough of reading the Bible or spending time in prayer or just meditating on the goodness of the Lord. They are so excited to share their faith and everything that God has done in their life with anyone – and I mean anyone who will listen.

The Holy Spirit allows Scriptures to become alive. When we read about Jesus healing the Lepers we think about this in terms of being there on the side roads and watching this take place. We feel the elation of those healed and we want to shout from the rooftops – God is a God of miracles. Everything else pales by comparison. We also realize that the things of this world are fleeting.

Sure we need money to live, to buy food, to pay for our bills – but that is not enough for most. Everyone has big dreams that include bigger homes, cars, and vacations, and a bigger, deeper relationship with the Lord is not necessarily high up on the list.

No wonder we are depressed, defeated, and feeling like no one cares or listens to what we have to say. So what can we do? Put aside all of our world aspirations – of course not, but maybe intersperse them with other goals and focuses.

First, when you read Scripture always pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of knowledge, and ask that the Lord allows you to see the parts that really speak to you. Our lives have a way of refining all of the impurities and all of the things we need to release, but our strength is in that grace from God and that Knowledge that God’s love is all we need.

Let’s Pray – Dear Lord we thank you for all of the miracles in our lives for those things we see and for all of those things that are unseen. I praise you for the grace you give us and that is indeed sufficient and I thank you for the love you give for that is sufficient as well. I ask you Lord to bless those I pray for now and provide for all of their needs.. and I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Challenge After Easter ~ Episode 249What is the challenge after Easter? Have you even considered this a question? In this episode, Felice explores the idea of embracing each day with the remembrance of the Resurrection and living our lives as true Christian sons and daughters.

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Before Easter, many of us take the time to seek God in a deeper way as we consider His ultimate sacrifice. This time is called Lent, and it is the 40 days before Easter. Jesus spent 40 days in prayer in the desert before what is called his public ministry. It is an amazing example to us. Jesus spent this time in preparation, and He was tested.

The Easter season is always special, especially if you practice fasting, almsgiving, reconciliation, or confession. We examine our lives and look for ways to improve. Maybe we realize there are sins in our lives, and we make a point of changing for the better. Lent is practiced widely in the Catholic Church and begins on Ash Wednesday, a time of receiving ashes on the forehead at church with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.” This a reminder that we do not live forever, and while God is merciful, He is also just.

Perhaps you focused before Easter on prayer, journaling, or made a concentrated effort to renew your relationship with the Lord. This time is beneficial; if you did not have time to do this in the past, there is always today to begin. It is never too late to increase your faith and your time with God. Each day is a new beginning, and with it comes new hope! I love the word hope – it is inspiring and gives me the confidence that all will be well. Maybe not as I will it, but as the Lord wills it to happen.

During Easter, we celebrate the fact that God has conquered death and opened up a way to heaven and that we, as His followers, have a path ahead that is an invitation. Easter day may include worship, attending church, and celebrating by sharing a meal with friends and family. It is a wonderful time of connection.

What about after? Do we lose that Easter glow? Do we forget about rejoicing the day after HE has RISEN? Unfortunately, that is a yes for many of us. Each day after, we continue on with our lives and forget what God has done for us. However, the challenge is to remember Jesus daily.

Here are a handful of ideas to keep the Lord front and center:

1. Praise and thank Him each day for the simple things. In a future podcast, I will discuss everyday prayer, but for now, know that our lives can be used as a prayer. If we dedicate our concerns to Him, the burden is often lifted. Maybe not totally, but in some way, we know we are not alone.
2. Meditate on one scripture each day. For example, Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Think about the words, and focus on what impacts you. The overarching theme here is that God’s protection for those who follow Him will not overwhelm us. It does not mean life is easy, only that He will give us the grace to handle it. By meditating on this concept, we will be renewed.
3. Realize that you are not in this life alone. As a follower of the Almighty God, the King of the Universe, you are never alone. John 14;25-27 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate,[a] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Again an amazing verse to ponder.
4. Use song as a prayer. Praying through the verses of your favorite Christian songs helps us to be placed in the midst of God. Praying through song is considered by some, praying twice. Here is a podcast I created sometime back on Christian music and using it for praise, here.

Can you add to the list above? What are some ways to keep God the focus of your life? Take some time and consider this question, maybe right now but afterward. We have different ways of worshiping God, but keeping God at the forefront of our lives takes work and a concentrated effort. Our lives would be so much better if we could remember to do this, and not just during the Easter or Christmas season but all year long.

For many of us, our lives are divided into compartments. There is work time and family or friend time; there is time for recreation, whether it is social media, a book, the television, or an online source. There is time for worship which may be one or more days a week. However, if we include God in all we do, if we did this, our lives would not only be richer but more in the sense of keeping us from sin.

When we get busy or our focus is on the wrong thing, we stumble, and we fall. In trying to do our best or make everyone else happy, we discover that we have lost something of ourselves. Many of us are “other-focused,” which means we place our family and friends above ourselves. This is not a bad thing, but we forget to fill up our own tanks with the hope that Jesus is the only important thing and that His life, death, and resurrection give us hope of eternal life. This is the essence of the Easter message. Understanding that God made us for Himself and that our dedication and prayer to Him daily is for us, not for Him. Nothing we can do can earn us salvation, but in the same way, we should give Him our very best. By doing this, we can release the burdens that keep us tied down to Him in the midst of worship.

How will you keep the Easter season alive in your life? Only you know the answer to this, and I pray that you are motivated to make take the message to heart; you are loved so much, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Amen and Amen.

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Family Transformed – Episode 217Are you ready for a transformation within your own family? How about a challenge for a transformed family? This is a follow-up to the last episode of Heart Transformed

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Why is it we can see the faults in other people so much easier than we can see the faults in ourselves? Did you know when we focus on ourselves first (the opposite of what we have been taught), and get our own spiritual house in order, the rest of the family will see the change and want to be a part of what you have? If you didn’t catch the last episode, Heart Transformed be sure to check it out.

St. Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:1-4 [ Read on air]

When our family is at peace, when we are serving the Lord as a group, we will all get along so much better. I taught my children that God put us together as a family on purpose. There are no mistakes in Lord’s plan for family life. Each person was selected to be together because of what they could learn from each other. It is a beautiful thing when it works the way God designed. If we focus on the things above we are so much happier.

The best teacher is the example we set If we want our family to read the Bible, we need to read the Bible. If we want our family to pray, we need to lead in prayer. Years ago I wanted my husband to be the spiritual leader of our home, and he is in so many ways, but not in the way I wanted him to be. I wanted him to lead the Bible studies and the prayer sessions we had as a family and while he contributed to these, he is not a leader. So we became co-leaders, I would initiate the studies and he and I would contribute to the discussion. We can become upset or bitter because things do not go our way rather than take on the leadership ourselves if that is what God leads us to do. Don’t box yourself in with your own ideas, but rather what works best for your family. Never, never compare your family to other families. That will surely set you up for failure. Many people put up a good front when everything is falling apart. So don’t judge by exteriors.

Here are some simple things to do, for yourself if you do not have a young family and with a family, if you do:

1. Start each day by giving thanks. By doing this we are giving God all the glory (Colossians 4:4 – When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.”) That is enough for us to rejoice daily.
2. Family prayer. Begin each meal with thanks to God. Keep it brief. Have a nighttime routine that includes prayer.
3. Encourage each member of the family to have their own time to pray.
4. Participate in helping. Whether it is each other or contributing to the family needs. Meals, cleaning up, helping when needed.
5. Participate in ministry outside of the home. Volunteering, visiting the elderly (neighbor), etc.

Talk to your family members and add to this list. As the children grew and left home we had a big gap in our lives, and my husband and I found we were no longer praying together because our nightly routine was changed. Even when our children were younger, the two of us would pray each evening together. This habit changed as our lives became busier. For anyone who has children, you always think you will have so much time when the kids grow older, but soon find that our lives just change and often become even busier. We must make the time to pray together.

If you are alone in your home and have a good prayer life, that is wonderful, now invite a friend. I pray with my friends often. Sometimes it is in church, sometimes it is a friend in need. I am part of several email prayer groups that send out prayer requests. I set up a Facebook group – A Few Minutes with God years ago for prayer requests. It was used to help people who needed prayers and also to post their praise reports.

And that is really the crux of the transformed family, and that is you will have so many praise reports! A praise report is where we thank God for the blessings in our lives. My son was hit by a falling object that was large and metal off of a single-story roof. The injury could have been so bad, but it turned out that while it bled profusely, the damage was minimal and mostly a scrape. That was a miracle. No swelling, no concussion, no brain damage, or worse! So thank you Lord for your blessings. If you think about it each day you can come up with so many things to thank the Lord for and to praise His Name. But, it takes time to stop and think.

What do you do when you enter a church? Is it a time to be social, or is it a time to listen and pray? Can we pray and be social? Of course! But I feel that often church is used as a social outlet rather than a time of worship. Going to church for me is a time to get on my knees, for as long as I am able, and begin by thanking and praising God, asking His forgiveness for the ways I have offended Him, and petitioning Him in prayer. However, you serve to worship it is an individual choice.

This week I challenge you to work within your own family no matter how big or how small and make positive changes. Small to begin with and grow as your family grows and adapts to a time of prayer, worship, and growing closer to the Lord. I pray this is a blessing to you and your family.

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Ten Lies We Believe ~ Episode 128We all do it we believe lies. There are ten lies we believe! The worse thing? The lies we believe are by definition not true! We give the enemy credit when all the credit should go to Almighty God! In this episode, we explore the most common lies and ways to combat them.

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Why do we believe lies? Because many of us are wounded in some way or like to think of ourselves as broken. We are shaped by so many of life’s events. Sometimes it is our own sins, the sins of others, the death of a loved one, or a tragedy within a family. These things shape us and how we consider the future choices we make. God predestines no one to hell! God is the creator, he is love, truth, goodness, beauty. When we see those things in our world they originate from God. Sin is the refusal to live in the beauty that is God. God’s mercy allows us to choose. God never forces His love upon us, he respects human dignity and our free will.

Think about this. Hell is a testimony to God’s respect to our freedom. Love redeemed us and won heaven for us. God will not violate our capacity for choice. So if we want to believe the lies of the enemy we have freedom to do this. The only thing we can give ourselves credit for is sin – every good thing comes from God!

Remember the song, “…and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love…” I use to think that it was an injustice that I was not showing others God’s love because I did not feel His love myself. I was under a false impression. I believed the lies of the enemy. In my steps as a Christian, I had learned about God’s unconditional love – meaning we don’t need to work at it or earn it, yet I believed that God’s punishments were very real and the thought was depressing. Lies these are all lies. It took me years to undo and become free from these lies! And, friends, this freedom is amazing and I pray this for all of you listening today as well.

Jesus spoke about Satan in the Holy Bible, he said the enemy is the “Father of lies.”

John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:45-47 Jesus continues… “Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

If we can not hear what God says in the Word, from our pastors and from our prayers, the bigger question is, “Who DO you belong to?” The first step in combatting the lies of the enemy is to recognize them. Evil is frightening and how do we respond to evil? First by recognizing it! We often credit the evil one with the things that belong to God. At the root of evil is pride – the root of all sin.

Top Ten Lies of Satan

1. Satan is a myth. Does Satan really exist? The enemy likes people to believe he does not exist – God is a myth and all of this “penance” or “fasting” or “being good” or “faith” is a tall tale. My question is to people who do not believe in God, “If you believe in God and there is no heaven, you are assured a life where good is called good and evil is called evil. There is no confusion. But if you do not believe in God, and you follow the ways of the enemy (because of course, you are following Him – he has already duped you in believing he does not exist) and then you die and learn there is God. What is the alternative? A life in eternal damnation because a person who denies God and lives a life without God in it will turn their back on God eternally. Our pastor calls it the fundamental option.) I feel sorry for those who do not believe because they are missing an amazing joy! The joy of the love of a benefactor, a Father who loves us not matter what! We have the choice of obedient love or self-seeking which often leads to destruction. What I am is God’s gift to me and what I become is my gift to God!
2. Not good enough – false pride- You are sinful and therefore not good enough to follow God. God made us on the sixth day of creation and He said it was “very good” therefore, God made us good. I know there are plenty of people out there that will argue with this statement. So, let’s look at Genesis 1:26-3126 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. So the question I have for you to think and pray about is this, if God made us good why do we think we are destined for evil, yes we adopted a “sin nature” as the term goes from Adam and Eve but that is why Jesus came! To take on our sins. Think about it.
3. You must be perfect to be a Christian, and if you are not you fall short. First, there is no perfection outside of heaven but that does not mean we do not try. Secondly, we can not be perfect again this doesn’t mean we are lazy Christians but we don’t become holy by the way we dress or act toward others. Instead, the way we dress or act is an extension of our love of God and His goodness within us. It is a flow-through not a doing it on our own strength.
4. Doubt — don’t believe what God says. Satan wants us not to believe what God says. Read Genesis 3:1-4

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

We must believe that when God says it, He means it. And do not believe or doubt God!

1. God Punishes You –– If you are a Christian nothing bad can happen to you. (So when bad things happen to good people, obviously God let you down or there is no God. God punishes you for your sin. Sin does have a consequence and a recourse but we must believe that God is good all the time and all the time, God is good!

2. Guilt, Envy, Infidelity – The evil one will tell you that these things are not bad but they are serious. Guilt can eat us up and make us focus on the problem or the issue rather than the solution. Envy is another one of those sins that takes our eyes off of God. Infidelity – well, enough said. Sins may start small but then it snowballs, and as you’ve heard there is no small sin.

3. You can’t trust God you have to do things yourself. This is such a lie, we can trust God and we can ask God for help. You know you are believing this lie if you do not ask the Lord for help throughout the day! Do you say, “I need your help Lord. How do I do this? or How can I carry on?” Or is it that I must take charge and take care of the issue without God’s help? God gives us the ability to handle things but a little prayer can go a long way to finding a solution.

4. Small Sins are not bad. Everyone sins – and your sins are just not that bad compared to everyone else. This is a truth I have heard people say! We are living a life after the fall is a battle. It is good against evil. Good is the promise of everlasting life and evil is the promise of a wonderful life on this earth without any thought of an afterlife.

5. God can never forgive you for your past sins, so why try. Your past does not define you. We are stuck in the past or worried about the future but miss that God is here now. And today? He gives us grace for today! Not for yesterday, or for tomorrow. This can cripple you and make you depressed. You may feel that God has punished you in some way due to past sins. You are a child of God! God lived, died and rose again to give us eternal life. He shouldered that pain and burden when He carried the cross. By His stripes, we are healed. Christ died for you and for me and now lives to give us abundant life! Ask for forgiveness, if you can go to your pastor – if you are Catholic go to confession and let it go!

6. Judgmental – We see the sins and failings of others and use that as an excuse to say that all Christians are hypocrites. Of course, some are and ruin it for the rest of us, but the majority of Christians that want to love and serve the Lord are too busy with their own lives to worry about the lives of others. This goes for our adult children. We can pray for them but must allow them to make their own mistakes. Intervention time is when they live under your roof! Christians do not put each other down or point out each others sins – not unless someone asks you! Committed Christians also give don’t flaunt their “holiness” in fact you will know someone is a good Christian if they don’t believe they can ever outgive God and they give God all the glory!

So how do you combat the lies?

1. Pray. Keep your eyes focused on God. The #1 Satan buster is prayer. Even if it is just, “Jesus.” or “Jesus help me!” God hears us.
2. Arm yourself with the power of Scripture – pray this verse daily! Ephesians 6:10-12 – I love Ephesians 6:10-12 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
3. Surround yourself with like-minded Christians. This is so important!
4. Go to church. I go to Mass each day as much as I can. By the time I get home, and I feel joyful!
5. Listen to praise and worship music. It is difficult to believe the lies of the enemy when we are infused in a joyful atmosphere.

Friends, every day we have a choice. We can be obedient and love the Lord with our whole hearts and ignore those lies or be self seeking which leads to death! Often we chose the world over God! God wishes that we do not rest upon anything other than the infinite goodness of God!

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit please hear our plea to help us to combat the lies of the enemy who is fighting for our soul. We know you have won the battle by your life, death, and resurrection. You are so much greater than the forces of darkness. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the Name above all Names and we claim the healing power of You God in our lives. We ask that you help us to combat those lies that we hear in our minds and instead give us words to praise and worship you. I pray for those that are in need of your healing and I lift up the following prayer intentions … and I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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ForgivenessEpisode #10

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It isn’t a feeling, it isn’t something we want to do, but it is totally freeing! In this podcast learn how a situation in my life turned into a blessing when I understood the true meaning of the gift of forgiving others.

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Show Notes: Episode 10 – ForgivenessForgiveness – that is such a beautiful word – in this episode, we will explore the difference between forgiveness as a feeling and as a decision.

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Show Notes: Forgiveness:

1. Misunderstandings, lies, and false accusations bring hurt to both parties. No one is left unwounded.
2. I had to make a decision to forgive.
3. Once you can make a decision to forgive you ask the Lord to help you.

The prayer I prayed asking for forgiveness:

Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and only redeemed by your grace and what you did on the cross and resurrection for me. I know that only through your grace can I forgive my friend. I know you love this person and I ask you to give me that love – the love you have for

Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and only redeemed by your grace and what you did on the cross and resurrection for me. I know that only through your grace can I forgive my friend. I know you love this person and I ask you to give me that love – the love you have for them, because Lord I cannot do this on my own. I pray to forgive this person as you have forgiven me, and to love this person, and I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.

1. Forgiveness became a feeling.
2. Praying a blessing on our “enemies” works!

Another Prayer:

Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and only redeemed by your grace and what you did on the cross and resurrection for me. I know that only through your grace can I forgive my friend. I decide in the Name of Jesus to forgive – because I’ve been forgiven. I know you love this person and I ask you to give me that love – the love you have for them because Lord I cannot do this on my own. I pray to forgive this person and to love this person, and I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.

Do you have people in your life that have annoyed you – that have hurt you? And you know in your heart that you have been wronged? Let’s pray – let’s give that to the Lord today and allow the Lord to free you as He has freed me!

Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and only redeemed by your grace and what you did on the cross and resurrection for me. I know that only through your grace can I forgive my friend. I decide in the Name of Jesus to forgive – because I’ve been forgiven. I know you love this person and I ask you to give me that love – the love you have for them because Lord I cannot do this on my own. I pray to forgive this person and to love this person, and I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.

Let’s go forth – you and me, together proclaiming as the apostles did – what the Lord has done for them!

Scriptures on forgiveness:

Colossians: 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Matthew: 6:14-15 – For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

What are your favorite forgiveness scriptures? Make a list of these and pray them when you have difficulty forgiving.

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In the middle of our troubles, we can rely on only one person to get us through: God. Today’s podcast is about holy reliance, and we will delve into ways to trust in God even when we feel like things are hopeless!

Holy Reliance ~ Episode 314What is your first reaction when you are struggling? Today, I had a perfect opportunity to practice what I “preach” and failed miserably! Yet, with God, we get a do-over, a chance to change, repent, and sin no more. We have a chance to see the areas where we need work and to make a decision. Changing is difficult, especially because we want our results to be instantaneous. But change takes time, and it is hard work, consistent work, showing up and rolling up our sleeves, and expecting the best from ourselves and those around us.

I volunteer—a lot! I was very good at one point in time at saying, “No!” when asked. But something happened, and I’m not sure what. I often feel overwhelmed and that there is no more to give, yet God keeps showing up and showing me that I am not in charge. He is in charge, and when I give Him my yes and my life, He makes everything work out!

Do you rely on the Lord for everything? Do you ask God for a parking space? Do you pray when you need help with your finances and to pay your bills? When my two youngest were going to college, I prayed that the Lord would provide scholarships, and He did! We can ask God for the mundane as well as an increase in our spiritual life and an increase in our faith.

Holy Reliance – The ProphetScripture talks about prophets and how they did the work of the Lord. Each of them had challenges. Some, like Jonah, were not very good prophets, but one that stood out was Ezekiel. Ezekiel is a prophet, and he is being called by the Lord with a warning. Ezekiel 2:1-2 – He said to me, “Son of man,[a] stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

In verses 3-4 the God states: I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn

He goes on to explain the hardships Ezekiel will have, yet the prophet does not turn his back on God. Why? Because he has Holy Reliance. He knows his strength comes from the Almighty. How can he speak to the Israelites otherwise? Even knowing the hardships, he continues on. Can we do that? Can we persevere even when we know there will be hardships?

Holy Reliance – The PsalmistThe Psalmist knew this as well – in Psalm 121:1-8 (read on air), we read.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Read those verses slowly, pray them, and add them to your prayer journal. Mediate on the words, “Where does my help come from?” Many times, we think our help is from ourselves. We are the ones who get things done. We can only rely on ourselves because others let us down! But that is not true. The next verse tells us, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Do we realize that God, the Creator of the Universe and everything in it, cares about us in an intimate way? He knows everything about us, and yet we rely on ourselves or perhaps those closest to us. On a practical level, when I work, I rely on the tools I use, the computer, the internet, and a microphone to record. But if the internet goes down or my computer shuts off midstream, I’m stuck, I’m frustrated, and my peace is shaken. It really does not take much. In our lives, we can quit or continue on.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve saved one finished recording over another, and I’ve had to re-record a podcast. But I don’t—okay, I try not to let it get me down because I feel that the Lord has something so much better for me to say! I’ll get a thought or an inspiration, some idea that hits me, and I will be glad that I had an opportunity to do it again.

What about spiritually? What about those times we know we’ve let ourselves down or the Lord down? This is where we can repent. We can once again call upon the Lord. We can ask him to help us. And when we do, He shows up in a mighty way! In previous podcasts, we’ve discussed miracles. Do we expect miracles in our daily lives?

Friends, we don’t do it alone – in fact, we can’t do it without the help of God! When you are struggling, turn to Psalm 119:7-8

I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

I love that! Do not forsake me, Lord. I need you now more than ever. We must have trust, and this trust must come with a humble heart. Our hearts ache because we fail to see the goodness around us and focus on the hardships or our failures. Even in our failures, we must trust that God has a righteous plan and will turn it around. Think of the book of Ruth. God turned around a tragedy, the death of her husband and her sister’s husband, and she left her home and went with her mother-in-law Naomi to Israel, where she later remarried and had a child. Ruth was the grandmother of King David, which led to the lineage of Jesus Christ. Our King and Savior!

God has a plan for our lives. What can we do? We can trust. We can rely on Him, we can ask God to give us more of Him and we can ask for an abundance of faith and strength to traits we can always use in our lives. Amen~

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New Eyes of Faith – Episode 263As a Christian, it is important to practice our faith. But what does your faith look like? The new eyes of faith is an awakening. In this episode, we explore the meaning of faith and how we sometimes deceive ourselves.

Thanks to our sponsor CTC Math – visit the website at CTCMath.com

Faith can be subjective. Your faith is naturally based upon your experiences, your understanding, and even your denomination. Even two people sitting next to each other in church can have a different take on faith. This lends itself to an interesting question. Where is your faith, and can you say you practice what you believe?

This may be a hard question to answer and one that will take some time and thought.

Do we love the One who gave us life? The one who loves us beyond anything we can imagine. Let’s take a moment and think about that. You. Are. Loved. That alone should open our eyes and give us new eyes of faith. That should fill us with such love that we want to share this love with others.

That is the crux of the issue that many of us face in our world today. Those who say they have faith and those who do not practice what they supposedly believe. Listen, we all fall short, but by the grace of God, we flounder. Thankfully Jesus came into the world to redeem us. We read in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (Read on air).

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.When our eyes are opened, we see evil for evil and good for good. That is why so many of us are upset by what is happening in our world today. Many people, they have been desensitized, and they can not see evil for evil.Our eyes can be opened to greater faith and a deeper walk with the Lord, and at times it takes something catastrophic to happen before we can see the light, so to speak. Many things we consider important no longer are, and those things we hold onto, we find we can do without. Has that happened to you? You find that what was previously important is no longer an issue or of great concern. It is as if the blinders were removed; now, we can see clearly.

In Genesis 3:5, the tempter tells Adam and Eve a lie; the scripture reads: “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

So, what did they do? Genesis 3:6-7 (read on air).

What did they receive? New eyes of faith, but it was not a positive outcome for the pair. The eyes of Adam and Eve were opened when they ate the forbidden fruit. God warned them. His perfect will was for them to live with Him forever in the place He had created for them. Instead, they made a choice, and we see it perfectly in hindsight –

Scripture often talks about finding “favor in your eyes,” with many references to finding favor in God’s eyes. That should be our goal, to find favor in the eyes of God. How do we do this? How do we deepen our love for God? One way is by spending time in His presence. We have many reasons why this can’t happen. We have family responsibilities, work, school, and other obligations. And, it is a choice.

New Eyes of FaithJust like Adam and Eve had a choice. This is the first lesson we learn in the Bible about good vs. evil. It is the enemy against us, the evil one. He hates what God created. God created and said, “It is good,” and that is what the evil one wants to destroy. He wants to destroy our families and us. An increase of faith helps us weather the storm of life, but we need that connection to each other and God.

Faith is a connection to the Almighty. We are made for connection. One of the podcasters on this network, Margaret Vasquez, who hosts the Wholeness and Holiness Podcast, talks about connection. As a trauma specialist, she knows that a lack of connection often causes dysfunction.

We can become disconnected from ourselves, those around us, and those we love the most. And a disconnection from God can lead us to other less desirable things! We can find we lack direction, and worse. Who we are is important, but who we are in Christ is important to renewing faith. Do we witness the gospel message? How can we when we are struggling ourselves? It is time to take a deep refreshing breath and look at our faith with new eyes.

As a business owner, I know that I better fulfill that promise when I promise to do something. No one cares about our excuses. Thankfully my job is not life and death, but it is important to keep websites up, bills paid so that the podcast stream doesn’t stop on your app and other things that we do to keep the business running. All of our behind-the-scenes work is invisible, but it is necessary for our customers. Many of my decisions were based on troubleshooting better options.

The worse thing we can do is not admit when we are wrong. We can all improve. Isaiah 2:10-12 (Read on air). Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. (Talk about humility)

Isaiah 5:20-21 (Read on air)

In this way, we should troubleshoot our options when it comes to renewing our faith and praying to the Lord to open our eyes.

We can ask that the Lord gives us the new eyes of faith to:

1. Identify areas where we have sinned.
2. Make better choices.
3. To choose God first above all others.
4. To make time to pray.
5. To get our priorities right

Remember, faith is a choice. It is a free-will option given to us by an Almighty God who loves us and who loves you beyond anything we can comprehend. It is perfect love, and no one can love you the way God can. We are created in His image. We were created for a specific purpose. We were created to love and serve Him, but He gives us so much more than anything we can do for Him. Our challenge this week is to pray that the Lord opens our eyes to areas we need to improve and gives us a deeper faith.

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Discipline and Faith: The Inner Circle ~ Episode 369In this episode, we’ll discuss being part of Christ’s inner circle through discipline and faith, which leads to true discipleship. We’ll reflect on the cost of following Jesus, which is outweighed by the hope it brings. I’ll also share the ways faith empowers us to live holy lives in today’s world. Let’s begin with a prayer: Lord, open our hearts to Your will and guide us in the discipline of faith. Amen.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

As I was praying about the last few podcasts, the recurring theme was on silence, pondering in awe, Almighty God, and sacrifice, meaning discipline. I am wondering if it’s because I need it? The answer is yes! I do need it, and I need to be reminded of it often. That is typically how it goes when I podcast.

What Is the Inner Circle?Have you ever wanted to be in that inner circle—in that group where people care for each other, where they are there for each other, where they will do anything for you? Many of us are blessed to have this within our families or a close group of friends. Can you imagine living in the time of Christ? What was His inner circle? It began with Joseph and Mary, and more than likely extended family. It then expanded to those who were called by Christ, who accompanied Him, who sat at His feet, and who benefited from His teaching.

Today, we have an opportunity to be in that inner circle by the very nature of our faith and belief in that Jesus Christ is indeed Lord. But being a disciple takes discipline, and in a way, it goes along with my last podcast on striving for holiness. I think we can be happy in the fact that the disciples selected by Christ were, in essence, a ragtag group. They were not the elites, the most learned, or the people with the most money; they were everyday working people, what people like to refer to as the everyday man. But that gives us such hope and, again, purpose. We need hope to wake up each day, praying it is better than the last. We need purpose, because without it we have no focus or goal.

As Scripture reminds us, and I love this! 1 Corinthians 1:27-28: “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are.” This shows us that God calls the ordinary to do extraordinary things through Him. Don’t you want to be called? The very fact that you are listening today is a call.

The Cost of DiscipleshipThese men learned to give up not only the life they had lived but to become disciples in a way that was going to give them true freedom and true joy—but at a cost. And you know that’s what keeps a lot of people from Christianity: the cost. Discipleship is not free.

It can be learned, but it takes work. Sometimes it means losing your friends, your job, and even your life. In some countries, Christians even today are being persecuted. They’re being wiped off the face of the Earth, and we are helpless, it seems, to stop this genocide. This cost is high, and yet most of us are not called to that level—yet we still take our freedom in Christianity for granted.

In Luke 14:27-28: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Jesus calls us to count the cost, but the reward is eternal joy and freedom in Him. Think about this. The world offers us a counterfeit, something that is temporary. Yet, Christianity offers us salvation and eternal life.

Discipline in Faith: Why It’s Worth ItMost of us would agree that it’s important for an Olympic athlete to train, spend countless dollars, give up relationships and sleep, and push their bodies to unbelievable lengths to win a medal and the prestige and honor that come with it. In fact, it’s expected, and that doesn’t keep people from wanting to strive for a seat on an Olympic team. That isn’t just accepted, for a winner, it is mandated.

But isn’t it okay to work toward learning more about God? Faith is a gift, and salvation is free if we choose to believe in Christ as Savior. Yet, many don’t believe we should lose sleep to study, to pray, to surround ourselves with like-minded people, or to choose to be alone and contemplate the Almighty and what He has done for us!

Why then is the cost of discipline and being in the inner circle of people who love, honor, and serve the Lord so unattainable to some? I’ve been told in the past that being a Christian means giving up my freedom, that I am narrow minded that the gate to heaven is not narrow. If giving up my freedom means that I have trained and educated myself in the Word of God and the teachings of the Church, in the love that God has for me—that’s striving for holiness as I shared in the last episode. It means that if I watch what I say and govern my speech, I can bless others with words that build up rather than tear people down. I can be aware that true holiness means following God in all things. It means taking time to fast. It means spending time with God in silence. It means surrounding myself with others who are also uplifting and love the Lord.

Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Discipline in faith is our race toward holiness, and it’s empowering. And our example is Christ.

Living as Disciples TodayDiscipline isn’t cheap, but it is so worthwhile. And true discipleship means asking the Lord again and again and again for His will in our lives. We can’t be complacent; that time is gone. Our world is in shambles, and people of faith are needed now more than ever. We have to be that voice in the darkness. We have to let others know that the love of God is true love, that the love of God does take discipline, but the love of God is so worthwhile. We have a purpose; we have a goal. We know that the enemy has been defeated, and I believe that the enemy knows that which is why there is so much chaos and confusion in our world. It is to take our eyes off of the prize, which is faith in Christ. In his defeat the enemy wants to take down as many as he can. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)

And I challenge you today to make a list, to figure out the ways that you can, in the little slice of life that God has given you, share about the goodness of God. Sometimes it just means being a good example, a good neighbor, a good friend, a good student, a good coworker. Sometimes it means being a witness to others in ways that you will never see—it’s planting those seeds but letting God harvest. But whatever that is for you, know that you are part of this inner circle of those who love the Lord, who want to sit at His feet and hear what He has to say. And we can do that today by opening our Bibles, by memorizing the Word, and by living lives that are holy. May God be praised today and always.

Philippians 3:12-14 inspires us to press on: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Thank you for joining me on this journey of faith and discipline. Remember, God’s love calls us to more—let’s embrace it with joy!

Related Episodes on the Ultimate Christian Podcast NetworkFor more encouragement on faith, purpose, and holiness, check out these additional episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast under the category on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

1. Called to Be Saints — Embracing Holiness in Everyday Life – Explore sainthood as a daily invitation for every believer.
2. Vocation and Purpose – Discover how Christians balance family, work, and faith through vocation.
3. Your God Given Purpose – Guidance on finding your purpose through listening to God and trusting His plan.
4. Discerning God’s Will – Insights on hearing God’s voice and aligning your life with His will.
5. Listening To The Lord – Practical ways to hear God’s voice in daily life for deeper faith.

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Holiness Is (Im)Possible: Striving for Sainthood in Everyday Life ~ Episode 368Have you ever considered becoming holy? What about becoming a saint? Do you believe it’s possible, or do you think holiness is impossible? Maybe you believe we can’t be holy—only Jesus, or perhaps some of His followers, or subsequent martyrs and saints became holy. But you and me? No way. My friends, this is a diabolical lie, and many Christians believe it. Therefore, they don’t strive for holiness because why should they? We’re striving for a goal that doesn’t make sense or isn’t possible, especially in the day in which we live today. But holiness is possible.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

Scripture on God’s Call to HolinessAs Scripture reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from immorality…” God desires us to be holy, set apart for Him. This verse encourages us to pursue purity and dedication in our daily walk with the Lord. But we can’t do it alone, and when we try to do it without prayer, without seeking God, we will fail. So many times I read a scripture verse and think there is no way I can do it, but then I remember I don’t have to do it without help!

Additionally, in 1 Peter 1:15-16, we read: “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” These words further remind us and confirm what we know intellectually, that holiness is not just a distant ideal but a calling we can embrace through God’s grace. Sometimes getting things from our heads to our hearts can be a challenge.

Why Striving for Holiness MattersI used to think that striving to do good—well, good enough—was a decent goal. I didn’t think anyone needed to strive to be great because that’s an unattainable goal. Plus, it’s kind of vain thinking that what we do or who we are is great. But truly, if we are sons and daughters—adopted sons and daughters of God—then by definition, we are heirs to the kingdom. We should strive for holiness not so we can boast but so we can give all the glory to God.

Friends, we get distracted by semantics and we think that holiness isn’t possible this side of heaven. In fact, we very rarely say the word or think that we are working toward holiness because again, that goal seems too far off or unattainable. It’s like saying I’m going to be part of the Olympic team and I’ve never even trained—which brings us to the fact that if we want to be holy, one of the things we must do is train. And the way we can train depends on our situation in life.

Holiness in Your Unique Life SituationThe reason I’m qualifying it by saying your situation in life is because we all have responsibilities. Maybe you are a mom of young children, a student with lessons and responsibilities, or maybe you are middle-aged and a caregiver to elderly parents. We all have situations in our lives that may prevent us from striving for holiness in the way of, let’s say, someone who’s in seminary or someone who’s in religious life.

But that doesn’t give us a pass on doing some basic things. As I shared from the book The Forgotten Way by Matthew Kelly, one of the ways to strive for holiness is to watch what we say. As he puts it, “You can become a saint just by governing your speech.”

You may be thinking, but that’s just too basic.But is it really? Think of the number of times that we have spoken and hurt someone or have spoken and not thought our words through. Very rarely do people apologize when they should, or maybe they over-apologize, as in the case of my sweet granddaughter Samantha. She often apologizes even when it’s not her fault. But holiness is possible, and that is a purpose that we should strive for. We can start today—it isn’t too late, even if you are overwhelmed, busy, have a huge workload, or have multiple deadlines to meet. You can start being holy just by saying, “Lord, I want to be holy,” and I want help in guarding what I say.”

I’m guilty of talking without thinking and hurting those I love the most. I used to chalk it up to transparency, that there was no need to wonder what I was thinking because I would tell you. Honesty is a virtue, but talking before thinking of the results of those words is not charitable. Something I wish I had learned earlier in life.

Finding Purpose Through HolinessSo many people have lost their life’s purpose.

Young people, especially, don’t seem to have life goals. I saw a recent post by a dad talking to his children about higher education, and they were wondering which jobs they could get that wouldn’t be replaced by AI in the future.

Without purpose, goals, or hope, we find people living in despair, discouragement, and disappointment. But what if our goal is to strive for heaven, to strive for the love of God, to strive to be a child of God? Does this change our despair? Yes! Realizing that there is more than what we can physically see and touch, and the goal is greater, is a blessing and leads to true freedom.

The first step would be asking the Lord, “Lord, what do you want from me?” What do you want from me today, right now? It doesn’t have to be a huge declaration. It can just be an acceptance of His will in our life for that day.

Sometimes our lives are not our own. We’re not in control, even when we think we have everything organized, scheduled, and perfectly mapped out. It doesn’t work that way—it doesn’t even work out at times when we’re trying to do good for the sake of another. It doesn’t always work out, but each day we get to see the glory and hand of God if we can just thank Him. If we can thank Him in the midst of the adversities, if we can thank Him even when we break a glass jar five minutes before we have to leave the house, or we’re going to be late to an appointment that is 30 minutes away, we can be thankful that no tile was chipped and the jar was not valuable.

Overcoming Distractions and Embracing DisciplineSometimes these little issues take us away from our purpose, and our purpose is to serve God and to bless others by works of charity, even when we pat ourselves on the back, and then something like this happens to take away our peace.

None of us is perfect, and that’s not what holiness means. It doesn’t mean achieving perfection. I think that holiness means striving to be the best that we can be, given our life situations. Again, when I share things like life situations, it’s because I don’t want to put a burden on people. I know that as a young mom, I would hear people share testimonies and think, “Gosh, I want to go to that. I want to share the glory of God with other people,” but I couldn’t. It was not my time; it wasn’t my station in life. Yet I could work with what God gave me: raising my children, homeschooling, being there for my husband, my family, and my friends.

Striving for holiness means guarding our speech, but it also means being deliberate in our speech. You know, speech can either make people happy or miserable, and sometimes we lash out and say things we don’t need to say because we’re upset. Yelling makes us feel better because we’ve gotten it off our chest, but it doesn’t make those who are the recipients of our yelling feel any better. And that is the best time to say nothing—or at least pray before we do.

The Path to Holiness: Practice and Quiet TimeHoliness isn’t easy. Holiness doesn’t have a direct formula either. I’ve read uplifting articles that if you did X, Y, and Z, then the Lord would bless you—that if you wanted that house, you just needed to claim it, or that car. It’s like telling somebody that you have to go through all of these hoops to please God before you’re blessed. We don’t know the mind of God, but that is not the God I serve.

Striving to be holy is a goal that is attainable, but like anything we strive for, it takes practice. The idea of A Few Minutes with God, the title of this podcast, is a testament to the fact that spending time with God in quiet is a step toward holiness, peace, tranquility, and joy. The holiness comes from acknowledging that God is holy, and in the example of Jesus Christ, we have an example to follow, meditate on, and contemplate.

But we avoid the quiet. When things are quiet, what do you do? Do we reach for our phones, turn on the television, or computer? Again, a tool of the enemy to distract us.

Goals:* But quiet and sit with God, just for a little while at first. And when we are distracted, apologize to the Lord and move on. Guilt is not from God. * Guard our words. Think before we talk, or better yet, remain silent. * Add, “Be Holy!” to the top of our to-do list!

By striving to be holy, we focus on the discipline of controlling our speech.By controlling our speech, we also find we can control our tempers and our reactions to things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. In essence, we have greater control over ourselves and our actions. Discipline can be trained, and we see it in many athletes, but discipline is something that we need, especially if we are going to work towards striving for holiness.

Think about the fruit that comes from this discipline.When we exercise self-control over our words we can avoid gossip, lies, harshness, or unnecessary speech. Read James 3:2-12– my goodness, it is eye-opening! Let me just read you a portion, but please go back and study this verse: James 3: 8-10 (Read on air.) …but no human being can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

This is so true; from our mouths come beautiful and sometimes vile things. Let us repent and move on because we all want healthier relationships, inner peace, and godly character. Let us pray to the Lord that He blesses us with the ability to have self-control, gentleness, and kindness, all fruits of the Spirit, that we may praise God in all things, strive for holiness because it is possible, and live in joy. Amen!

Related Episodes from A Few Minutes with God PodcastFor more uplifting content on faith and Christian living, check out these related episodes on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

1. Called to Be Saints — Embracing Holiness in Everyday Life
2. The Spiritual Grace From God
3. Keeping Your Faith Alive
4. The Gift of Humility
5. Fruits of Faith

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Evil Tactic – Combatting Evil ~ Episode 225What is an evil tactic? It is something employed by the evil one to take souls to hell. Harsh? Maybe. But, this is something that few of us want to talk about or consider. In this podcast, Felice will explore the tactics used and how to prevent being led to the dark side.

Visit this month’s wonderful sponsor who helps bring this network to you for free, visit CTCMath.com for a great math curriculum for grades K-12

Few people realize the greatest tool of evil is to convince people that evil does not exist. Everything is fine, it’s good, there is nothing to worry about. Everyone gets a free pass to go to heaven. Don’t worry, proclaim God once, claim Him and go on and live your life in whatever way you see fit. I realize we all come from different faith walks. Some are non-denominational and others adhere to a specific denomination. Some teach it is faith alone and others that it is faith and works.

In the previous podcast, I cited James 2:14-26, Faith without works is dead. With this thought, we must look at the ways that evil sets to destroy not only others but specifically our lives.

Here is a short list of things that are considered evil tactics:1. Not believing evil or satan exists. John 8:44 (read) 2. Fearfulness (in a minute I’ll read from Matthew 10 which helps us to combat fear) 3. Deception and lies, Confusion, Twisting of words – reproductive freedom, no big deal, not for us to judge 4. Division – because when we are divided we are weak. John 17:20-24 (read) 5. Diversion – an overload of information, social media, anxiety, and distractions of everyday life Matt 10:26-32 (read) 6. Discouragement and depression – personal setbacks, always wanting more, if “this” happens, I’ll be happy. (humility)

There is so much packed into these verses, first, we have nothing to fear, the next is that we should not fear the body because what is most important is our soul, and the only person to fear is what can destroy us -that is giving into evil tactics and ultimately hell. Then there is the wonderful verse about the Father’s intimate knowledge about each one of us because he even knows the number of hair on our heads. We have value to God, my friends more than we know! We must also acknowledge God, we must not be afraid of our Christian faith or deny him unless we want to be denied before the Father in heaven. Powerful words!

1. Humility – the key to discouragement and depression is humility. Realizing we can do nothing without God. This is not a way to push off blame or alleviate our guilt, it is a way however to realize that when we do things under our own steam we are setting up ourselves for failure. Have you ever wondered when your life falls apart, and you can’t seem to handle anymore that you are “doing” it yourself and without God? Sure, we are all gifted in some way, but those gifts should be attributed to the Almighty.

In our humility we ask the Lord for help, to come into our lives in a deeper way (I know – I must sound like I repeat myself over and over) but it is a truth that when we grow closer to God we find things that are so important in our life or that we think are important fall way. All the people who suffer loss realize in the end that these are things they can not take with them when they die. That is why we are taught to look to the end, to look at our lives and when we do, when we grow closer to God we can see the areas where we have sinned.

Evil tactics are lost on those who are grounded, who surround themselves with like-minded Christians, and who immerse themselves in all that is good and holy, beginning with your relationship with Christ and the Scriptures. This week make a list of the evil tactics aimed at you and work at ways (with God, Scripture, and prayer) that you can combat the evils.

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Memorize ScriptureReplay sponsored by CTCMath.com

When was the last time you attempted to memorize scripture? This is worthwhile and beneficial to our spiritual growth. By memorizing the verses we can ingrain them into our hearts and call them to mind in times when we struggle. Here are some tips for memorizing with ease.

Visit Media Angels and the books and services provided for Christian Families. Books such as the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, A Few Minutes with God, One More Child as well as the 24 different Character Planners for the entire family.

When the children were younger I would assign them scriptures to memorize. Most of the time they were a verse or two, often nothing longer. I had friends whose children could quote sections of the Bible and I was amazed! And while memorization is great for children, it is important that we as adults also spend time on memorization. In fact, it can really help us as we get older.

I have a list that I call life verses, such as Joshua 24:15 – but the entire verse is not what I quote. Here is the entire verse:

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”When I think of the verse, it is this part… As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.Another is John 1:1-5 –What I will quote having memorized it is this part, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made.”I love that verse because it is one of those mind-blowing verses – in those words I can see the Almighty God, Father, and Son. The Word is Jesus, God is God the Father and nothing is done without the Spirit. For some reason, that verse makes me very happy!It is almost like I have a tiny glimpse of the creation of the world.Then there is what we call the Magnificat – Luke146-55 when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and the baby in Elizabeth’s womb lept for joy. Here we read Mary’s answer to Elizabeth: And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, …Another version says, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

and another the King James – My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

I love all of those versions, but my favorite is My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…

You can look up various scripture verses on a website such as BibleGateway.com or your own Bible translation.

I’m making a point to memorize some new verses, do you want to join me in the challenge? Let’s get started with some simple techniques for memorization.

Memorize Scripture The Easy Way1. Scriptures that are important to you. The first step is to look at the Bible and find the verses that are important to you. You can begin by listing some of your favorites, even if you have already memorized these verses. I shared some with you. 2. Write them down. Reinforces the words. Using seeing, hearing, and writing helps us in remembering. While typing is tactile it really is beneficial to write the scriptures out and say them out loud. Seeing them in print helps as well. 3. Read them often. Put the scriptures you are using in one spot. Several of my children used flashcards to help them when studying for a test. You can do this with the scripture verses. Put the words on the lined side of the card, and the verse number on the back. By looking at the verse such as John 1:1 – you should be able to recite, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 4. Create a sign or banner. This is one of my favorite things and I love receiving gifts that are plaques with Scripture verses on them, in fact, I have many throughout my home. I also hang them from the bedroom doors, I use those sticky plastic hook things. Okay, so sometimes it does bang on the door when you open or close it, but it is so worth it to see those verses and it reminds me to live them! 5. Test yourself. How are you doing? You can set simple goals like one new verse a week. Just think in a year you can memorize 52 new verses! Wouldn’t that be great?

Will you join me? That is this week’s challenge, one verse! Be blessed and in the Name of Jesus I ask for an infilling of the Holy Spirit to be upon your family today and always. Amen.

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Listening to that still, small voice is the goal of all who are discerning God’s will! In this episode, we explore how we can shift our focus once we have practiced the habit of listening.

Discerning God’s Will: Aligning Your Path with His Plan ~ Episode 367Listening to the Lord, following His will, and practicing holding our tongue is not easy. As I shared in the previous episode, as a family, we are reading the book “The Forgotten Way. The Saint James Master Plan.” By Matthew Kelly – This little book is powerful. What it lacks in words it makes up for in punch.

Holding our tongue, thinking before we talk, and spending time in silence helps us to cultivate the habit of listening to that still, small voice. The natural next step is to understand and interpret what He is revealing to us.

There is no formula – you do x + y, and you get Z. No, that is not how it works. But listening takes practice, and it is difficult to listen if we are talking.

When was the last time you were seeking a clear direction in your life? Making decisions—whether it’s a career change, family matters, or spiritual growth is possible without Go,d but how much better is it if we pray for the Lord’s help?

In a world filled with distractions and conflicting voices, discerning God’s will isn’t just a skill; it’s a lifeline to living a purposeful, God-centered life.

The Art of Discernment in FaithDiscernment is more than just making good choices; it’s a spiritual practice rooted in prayer, reflection, and obedience. It involves testing the spirits to ensure our decisions align with God’s holy truth rather than our own desires or worldly influences.

In today’s fast-paced society, where self-help gurus and social media influencers bombard us with advice, true discernment calls us back to the foundational principles of our faith. We’ll draw inspiration from biblical figures like the Apostle Paul, whose vision of the Macedonian call in Acts 16 redirected his missionary journey entirely.

This wasn’t a random event but a clear prompting from the Holy Spirit, showing us that God often speaks through circumstances, inner peace, and confirmation from Scripture and community. For Catholics, the Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes forming our moral compass through regular examination and sacraments like Reconciliation.

By prioritizing these elements, we can avoid the pitfalls of confusion and step into the clarity that comes from a heart attuned to God. Discernment isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress in holiness, trusting that God reveals His will progressively as we seek Him diligently.

Key Scripture PassagesRomans 12:2“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.”

This powerful verse from St. Paul urges us to reject the patterns of secular culture that prioritize materialism, individualism, and instant gratification. Instead, it calls for a radical transformation through the renewal of our minds—achieved via daily immersion in God’s Word, prayer, and the Eucharist.

After reflecting on this, consider how worldly influences might be clouding your judgment. For instance, in a culture obsessed with success measured by wealth or status, discerning God’s will might mean choosing a vocation that serves others, like teaching or missionary work, even if it’s not lucrative.

Practically, start by cutting back on your media intake: replace scrolling through divisive news feeds… Ultimately, this transformation equips us to test and approve God’s perfect will, leading to a life of fulfillment and eternal reward.

Proverbs 3:5-6“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

In an age where self-reliance is idolized—think of the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality—this proverb reminds us that true straight paths come from acknowledging God in every aspect of life, from mundane routines to major crossroads.

After pondering this, reflect on times when leaning on your understanding led to detours. Use apps with daily Scripture I shared about the Bible in a Year podcast by Ascension Press. It’s free on YouTube. (More on air.)

1 John 4:11 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

St. John warns against deception in a world rife with false prophets and misleading ideologies.

This is especially relevant today, with cultural shifts promoting relativism and ideologies contrary to Christian teachings, such as those undermining the sanctity of life or traditional marriage. Testing spirits involves comparing promptings against Scripture, Church tradition, and moral absolutes.

After this reference, delve into how to practically test: use the “fruit inspection” from Galatians 5—does the spirit produce love, joy, peace? Avoid sources that twist the truth, such as progressive theologies that dilute biblical commands.

Instead, draw on solid resources such as the Bible! In personal life, test career callings: if a job requires compromising ethics, it’s not from God.

As a believer, we must speak out against anti-family policies. Surround yourself with like-minded Christians. This safeguards against spiritual pitfalls, leading to authentic freedom in Christ.

Tips for Discerning DailyTo make discernment a daily habit, begin with structured prayer times, perhaps using a prayer journal to record areas of struggle or praise reports. I love keeping a praise journal to see all that God has provided in our families.

If you can add fasting to your life, not just from food but from noise—turn off the music or news during commutes to listen inwardly. Surround yourself with a faithful community, like Bible study groups, for objective feedback. Remember, discernment thrives in frequent attendance at church. I love that my church encourages silence. When entering, I can kneel and pray quietly. It is a wonderful way to begin to worship God.

If facing major decisions, consider a retreat, even for a few hours! Seek spiritual guidance from your pastor. Patience is key—God’s timing often differs from ours, building trust. Incorporate nature walks and reflect on creation as a means of discernment, as Psalm 19 suggests. Finally, celebrate small discernments to encourage perseverance.

Related Podcast EpisodesEnhance your spiritual discernment with these additional episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

1. Faith in Action – Steps to boldly live your faith.
2. Overcoming Hopelessness – Embracing joy in trials.
3. Praying for a Friend – Interceding for others.
4. Let Your Yes Be Yes – Commitment and truthfulness.
5. Asking God – Persistent prayer for wisdom.

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Listening to the Lord: Hearing God’s Voice in Daily Life ~ Episode 366Welcome to A Few Minutes with God Podcast, hosted by Felice Gerwitz. In this episode, we dive into the foundational aspect of our Christian walk: learning to listen to the Lord. As believers, tuning our hearts to God’s gentle whispers amid the noise of the world is essential for spiritual growth.

This four-part series explores listening to Him, following His will, and exercising caution in our speech. Join us as we seek timeless wisdom from Scripture to inspire your faith journey.

Why Listening to the Lord MattersIn a fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the still, small voice of God. This episode focuses on practical ways to cultivate a listening heart, drawing from biblical examples like Samuel’s call in the night. By prioritizing quiet time in prayer and meditation, we open ourselves to divine guidance that aligns our lives with His purpose.

Book referenced: The Forgotten Way*

Scripture Verses for Reflection* 1 Kings 19:11-12: (Read on air.) This reminds us that God often speaks in whispers, urging us to be attentive. * Psalm 46:10: “(Read on air.) A call to silence our minds and listen for His presence. * John 10:27: “(Read on air.) Jesus assures us that as His followers, we can recognize His voice.

Practical Steps to Listen BetterStart your day with intentional silence, perhaps by reading the passage slowly and stopping to contemplate the words, or by journaling. In this way, you can write down your prayer requests and keep track of those that have been answered and those you need to continue praying for. Avoid distractions like social media during devotion time, and seek confirmation through godly counsel. Remember, listening is an active pursuit of intimacy with the Lord.

Related Podcast EpisodesFor more insights on deepening your relationship with God, check out these episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

1. Let Your Yes Be Yes – Exploring integrity in our commitments to God.
2. Asking God – How to approach the Lord in prayer with boldness.
3. Faith in Action – Living out your beliefs courageously.
4. Overcoming Hopelessness – Finding joy through God’s promises.
5. Praying for a Friend – The power of intercession in building community.

*affiliate link. Please see terms and conditions.

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Finding God in the Every Day with Felice GerwitzDo you have a daily schedule? It’s time to add finding God to your list. The Lord’s voice is something we seek, whether in quiet time or in prayer. What should we do? What does God want us to do? What is God’s will for us, today, tomorrow or next year? How do we find God? In this episode, Felice Gerwitz discusses how we should seek God every day.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com — the online math program homeschool parents love because it builds real confidence fast. Lessons are short and clear, kids can pause and rewind as often as they need, and they can learn at their own pace (without the stress). Parents also get detailed progress reports—and a whole lot less tension when it’s time for math. Show Notes:

Whether it is finding God in the rainbow, or the beautiful sunset – to finding God in the person sitting next to you in church, your life will become joyful if you look. In addition add journaling time to your day. When you journal you can see, more clearly the Lord’s work in your life. Study the following scriptures in finding God in the every day – 1 Kings 11-12 and Isaiah 41:10

Share this podcast with your friends! Use the social media buttons above or email the link to a friend. Please give our podcast a rating on iTunes or Google play or any podcast app. We appreciate you, our listeners!

Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels, Inc.

Check out the book – A Few Minutes With God

Show Notes: Finding God Every Day

1. Seeking God – praying
2. Look for blessings
3. God incidence or coincidence
4. Seeing God in the people around you
5. Watching and listening
6. Showing by example
7. Ending your day with thanks

1 Kings 11-12

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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Missionaries at Home: Following God’s Call in Your Daily Life ~ Episode 365sponsored by CTCMath.com

Are you wondering, “What is a missionary?” or “Can I become a missionary at home?” In this episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast, we explore how every Christian can embrace God’s calling within their vocation—whether as a parent, spouse, professional, or friend. Discover practical ways to live out your faith by serving others selflessly, right where you are. We’ll blend uplifting insights with Scripture to inspire you on this journey of faith and service.

Understanding the Heart of a MissionaryMissionaries are individuals who dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel and serving others out of love for Christ. But you don’t need to travel to distant lands to be one. As our pastor, Fr. Shawn, profoundly shared in a recent sermon, true giving isn’t about what we receive in return—it’s a selfless act empowered by God’s grace. This idea resonated deeply with me, prompting prayer and reflection on how it applies to everyday life.

Consider the missionaries who give not just their time but often their very lives for the sake of others. They do so because of a divine calling and the grace God provides. As Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” We might view such commitment as insurmountable because we haven’t yet received that specific grace. Yet, when God calls, He equips.

I’ve met missionaries who recount blessings amid hardships. One friend, invited by a priest to serve in a poor community alongside her doctor husband, faced unexpected challenges. Meals were simple rice and beans—not due to lack of funds, but to share in the locals’ daily reality. They slept on thin mats under mosquito nets, enduring heat and rain. Though they cut their ten-day stay short to a week due to illness, possibly from food or water, she described it as the hardest yet most rewarding experience. It began with an invitation rather than a direct calling, but it led to ongoing support for that community.

Mother Teresa: A Model of Perseverance Through Spiritual DrynessMother Teresa exemplifies missionary life, yet her story reveals profound inner struggles. Outwardly, we saw a saint tirelessly serving the poorest in Calcutta, founding the Missionaries of Charity, and embodying Christ’s love. However, her private writings, revealed after her death, spoke of a deep “dryness of soul”—periods of spiritual desolation where she felt abandoned by God, devoid of the consolations she once experienced.

Despite this, Mother Teresa persisted, viewing her suffering as a way to unite with Christ’s passion. In her letters, she described this darkness as lasting decades, yet she continued her work, saying it was for Jesus alone. As shared in Catholic sources like LifeSiteNews, this struggle didn’t diminish her grace; it highlighted her faithfulness. Drawing from Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Her example teaches us that God’s calling isn’t always accompanied by feelings of joy—sometimes it’s a deliberate choice to obey, trusting in His sustaining power.

Does this mean Mother Teresa lacked God’s grace? Absolutely not. It shows that even saints face trials, but grace enables endurance. As in Romans 5:3-5, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Her life inspires us to press on, even when spiritual dryness clouds our path.

The Essence of Missionary Giving: Selfless Service Without ExpectationBeing a missionary means giving of ourselves without seeking rewards. Consolations—those warm feelings of joy during prayer, service, or worship—are graces from God, not signs of our holiness. As I once read in spiritual writings, these boosts come when we’re struggling in faith or need encouragement. We’re all works in progress, as Philippians 1:6 assures: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Mother Teresa began with those initial warm feelings but continued through dryness, driven by her heart’s calling. This reminds us that missionary work is often a decision, not just an emotion. When we follow God’s lead, blessings may follow, but they’re not the goal.

How to Become a Missionary at Home: Practical StepsYou can live as a missionary right in your own surroundings. Here’s how to start:

1. Begin with Prayer and Time with GodIt all starts in quiet communion with the Lord. Dedicate daily time to prayer, seeking His guidance. As James 1:5 encourages, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Through prayer, discern your unique calling.

2. Start in Your Own HomeMissionary work begins with those closest to you—your family. Serve your spouse, children, or roommates with love and patience. Ephesians 5:21 urges, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Small acts like listening attentively or helping with chores become missionary opportunities.

3. Ask the Lord to Lead You to Those in NeedInvite God to bring people across your path. Be open to unexpected encounters. Matthew 25:40 reminds us, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”

My husband and I became missionaries to engaged couples through an opportunity that found us. Initially hesitant, I embraced it, and for four years, we’ve mentored couples preparing for Catholic marriage. We emphasize the sanctity of matrimony, openness to life, and its permanence—contrasting worldly views of temporary commitments or “trial runs.” Marriage, like surrendering to Christ, is a lifelong gift to God and each other. This hasn’t been easy, but it’s rewarding, drawing us closer as a couple. Now, I’m eager to train other mentors to continue this legacy.

Opportunities to Serve: Especially During the HolidaysPray and ask God how you can share your gifts as a missionary at home. Others might help identify your talents—perhaps teaching, hospitality, or encouragement. During holidays, abundant chances arise: charitable donations, visiting the elderly, or volunteering with organizations. As Galatians 6:9 exhorts, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Giving of yourself can be tough, but wholeheartedly done, it contributes to a greater good. Like my husband and me, even small efforts make a difference.

I pray you find joy and hope in serving others—it’s a calling for all of us! As we close, remember Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

• Related Episodes on the Ultimate Christian Podcast NetworkFor more uplifting discussions on living out your faith, check out these episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast:

  • Vocation and Purpose – Explores Christian views on vocation and purpose, balancing family, work, and faith, with practical tips like daily prayer and using talents to serve others.
  • Your God Given Purpose – Guides on discovering God-given purpose in chaos through listening to God, embracing gifts, and trusting His plan with daily prayer.
  • Faith In Action: Living Your Faith Boldly – Challenges listeners to share faith through actions, providing five steps such as praying with expectation, embracing small acts, sharing stories, engaging community, and living with purpose.
  • Praying For A Friend – Explores the blessing of praying for friends in need, offering practical steps like listening with love, praying with Scripture, being consistent, trusting God’s plan, and following up, emphasizing prayer as a way to serve and show care.
  • Blessings In Our Life – Reflects on spiritual blessings as gifts from God, using Psalm 23, and urges using talents for the Kingdom, inspired by Mother Teresa’s call to love family as a path to world peace.

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Joy of the Lord Episode 196The joy of the Lord is… can you fill in the blanks here? The joy of the Lord is so many different things to different people but in this podcast, we will explore how God’s joy can bring us to a greater and deeper commitment with Him!

Please visit my website for books and classes at Media Angels.com

Check out these our podcasts on the topic of Joy: Joy in Living God’s Will and Daily Joy here.

What did you answer when I asked you what you would say when asked, “The joy of the Lord is…”

I can give you so many such as the Joy of the Lord is my strength, Nehemiah 8:10

The joy of the Lord is my rock, He is my Savior and my Lord. How can I thank the Lord who created the heavens and the earth and who knows every hair on my head and every need I have beforehand? The only way I know how is by giving him all the praise. And, when we praise God, what naturally follows is a thankful heart.The world is trying to weigh us down and watching the news is enough to depress even the most joyful. There is nothing that surprises the Lord and there is nothing, no event that He does not already know the outcome. Throughout the history of mankind, we see the same mistakes made over and over again, beginning with the fall of the garden of Eden. Things have not changed significantly in the sense of people continuing to sin!We read in Psalm 92:4Each day we have a challenge, and that challenge is to keep the joy of God in our hearts. Ask ourselves the following questions:1. What can you offer the Lord today?2. What can you thank the Lord for today?3. How can you show the joy of the Lord to others?Think about these questions and what is key is that whenever we are in the mindset of trying to please the Lord we are receiving blessings. We can not outgive the Lord. Try it. The Lord will not be outdone and we can see that as evidence in our lives. The disciples followed Jesus not because it was easy, but because there was no other way to light, truth, and love. Jesus was compelling, He drew them in with His unconditional love and forgiveness. They were transformed from the ordinary to the extraordinary.How can we be transformed each day in our ordinary lives? Think about this? It is the theme of this podcast and that is to have the joy of the Lord in our hearts. We can study the Word of God in the scriptures, memorize scripture verses to help us when we are down, turn to God in prayer whenever we have a need or just because we want to praise and thank Him. We can be transformed by the everlasting love of God and the joy that thought brings to our hearts.Have you gotten off course? We all go off course at some time in our lives. We feel that the Lord is too busy for our needs so we will go it alone. This is not the way to live life and when that burden seems to heavy to carry we will see the evidence in the fruit and that is the wrong path or the path of least resistance. Friends this is not the path we want to be on, we want to be on that narrow path that leads to God and that joy we talk about, the joy of the Lord.Is there something that is weighing you down? If so, release it and give it to God. That is why over the course of the years I’ve asked you to try a journal, first a praise and thanksgiving journal because that is unbelievably helpful. The second is a prayer journal so that you can go back at some point and see all of the prayers that have been answered. It is truly a faith booster. I have one that I started in 2008 and that thing has pages that are bent and highlighted words and sticky notes. I keep it around to remind myself that while not all prayers were answered, the ones that were important were answered better than I can possibly imagine.What is the end of this story? We need to keep the focus of Christ in our minds daily, to focus on the blessing we have in our lives, those simple things, the comforts of a home of a family of the blue sky and green grass or even a snowy vista…whatever that is that God brings to us in nature. Nothing can hold back an attitude of gratitude if we will it to be.The joy of the Lord is my strength and I pray that for you today, and my challenge to you is to increase that joy in your heart with song and prayer, daily! May God be blessed! Amen, and amen.The post The Joy of the Lord (New Year Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

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Anticipating Christ’s Birth: Meditations on the Nativity ~ Episode 364Welcome to A Few Minutes with God Podcast, hosted by Felice Gerwitz. This podcast is dedicated to giving you encouragement and is open to anyone seeking spiritually enriching content. Today, as we approach the Advent season, we’re diving into timely topics that prepare our hearts for Christmas. We’ll explore meditations on the Nativity of our Lord and Savior, blending scripture verses to inspire and uplift. Join me as we reflect on the miracle of Christ’s birth and draw closer to God through prayerful contemplation.

Preparing Our Hearts for the Miracle of Christ’s BirthThe Christmas season is often filled with lights, gifts, and festivities, but amidst the joy, meditations on the Nativity should take center stage. It’s easy for the profound mystery of Jesus’ birth to fade into the background amid holiday preparations. Yet, this is precisely the time to pause and ready our hearts for the Incarnation—the moment God became man to save us.

Imagine the anticipation building in your soul as Advent unfolds. This period invites us to reflect deeply, much like Mary and Joseph did in the days leading to Bethlehem. By focusing on the Nativity, we honor the humility and love of God, who chose to enter the world in vulnerability. As we meditate, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the wonder of this event, transforming our celebrations into true worship.

Scripture reminds us of this call to preparation in Luke 1:46-48, the Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.” These words from Mary echo the joy and reverence we should carry into Christmas, magnifying God’s greatness in our lives.

The Struggle of Mary and Joseph: A Journey of FaithPicture the young couple, Mary and Joseph, embarking on a grueling journey to Bethlehem. They faced not just physical hardships—long travels on foot, uncertainty about lodging—but the immense spiritual weight of their mission. Entrusted with the Savior of the World, they navigated Roman census demands, societal scrutiny, and personal fears. Can you fathom the pressure? Mary, pregnant with the Son of God, and Joseph, her protector, relied solely on divine providence.

Their story teaches us about trust amid trials. In the midst of difficulty and stress, they exemplified obedience to God’s will. We often wonder what conversations they shared along the way or how they prayed for strength. Perhaps Joseph recounted dreams from angels, reassuring Mary of God’s plan. This reflection invites us to consider our own struggles: How do we respond when life feels overwhelming? Like Mary and Joseph, we can turn to prayer, finding peace in God’s promises.

As we ponder their journey, it’s uplifting to remember that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Their faithfulness paved the way for salvation, reminding us that our daily challenges can become opportunities for grace. Let this inspire you during Advent—embrace your own “Bethlehem moments” with hope.

Mary: TheotokosCentral to our meditations is Mary’s role, profoundly honored in Church tradition. In 431 AD, at the Council of Ephesus, the Church formally declared Mary as Theotokos, or Mother of God, to combat the Nestorian heresy, which separated Christ’s divine and human natures. This declaration affirmed that Mary bore the whole person of Jesus—fully God and fully man—ensuring the unity of His incarnation. According to the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), this teaching underscores Mary’s unique vocation and protects the truth of Christ’s divinity.

This title isn’t just theological; it’s a source of comfort. Mary, as Mother of God, intercedes for us–think of asking a friend to intercede for you. Yes, you can go right to Christ, but Mary always points to her son, and she is drawing us closer to her Son. Reflecting on this during the Nativity helps us appreciate her “yes” to God, which changed history. Generations indeed call her blessed, as foretold in the Magnificat, inviting us to seek her guidance in our spiritual lives.

Reflections on the Humility of the NativityOften, when I meditate on the Nativity, a wave of sadness comes over me—not despair, but an awareness of the humility involved. Mary and Joseph, feeling helpless, brought the Savior into a stable or cave, far from the warmth of a home. No royal palace, no fanfare; just straw, animals, and the chill of night. This scene horrifies in its simplicity, yet it radiates divine beauty.

Why a manger? It signifies God’s humbleness as an example to us. Jesus, the King of Kings, chose poverty to show that true power lies in love and sacrifice. Through God’s grace alone, this lowly birth reveals His accessibility—He meets us in our brokenness. As Philippians 2:7-8 tells us, “[He] emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

This humility uplifts us, reminding us that no circumstance is too humble for God’s presence. In our own lives, when we feel inadequate or overlooked, the Nativity assures us: God dwells among us, transforming the ordinary into sacred.

Diving into the Wonder: John 1:14 and Short MeditationsTo connect deeply with the Incarnation, let’s turn to John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This verse captures the miracle—God pitching His tent in humanity, revealing His glory through Jesus.

Here are short meditations to enrich your Advent devotions, perfect for Christmas Eve reflections or daily prayer:

1. Meditation on the Journey: Close your eyes and walk with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Feel the dust of the road, the weight of expectation. Pray: “Lord, guide my steps in faith, just as You led them.”
2. Meditation on the Birth: Envision the stable’s dim light, Mary’s labor, Joseph’s vigilance. Hear the first cry of Jesus. Reflect: How does this vulnerability mirror God’s love for you? Scripture tie-in: Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
3. Meditation on the Shepherds: The lowly shepherds were first to hear the angels’ announcement. Consider: God invites the humble first. Ask: “Am I open to His call in unexpected ways?” Luke 2:10-11: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
4. Meditation on the Magi: Wise men from afar sought the King with gifts. Ponder: What gifts do I bring to Jesus—my time, talents, heart? Matthew 2:11: “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.”
5. Meditation on Mary’s Pondering: Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Take time to ponder your own encounters with God. Journal: What miracles has He wrought in your life?

These meditations are designed for “Nativity story reflections” or “Catholic devotions for Christmas Eve,” making them searchable and spiritually enriching. Incorporate them into family prayer times or quiet moments, allowing the Holy Spirit to deepen your connection to the Incarnation.

Uplifting Conclusion: Embracing the Nativity’s JoyAs we wrap up this episode, remember: The Nativity isn’t just a historical event; it’s an ongoing invitation to encounter Christ. Despite the sadness in its humility, it should fill us with joy—salvation has come! Let this Advent be a time of renewal, where meditations lead to action: Share the love of Jesus with others, practice humility, and rejoice in God’s grace.

May the peace of the Christ Child fill your hearts today and always

Related Podcast EpisodesFor more uplifting content, check out these episodes from the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network under the “A Few Minutes with God” category:

1. Celebrate Christmas and Advent – Episode 280 – Explore ways to spiritually prepare your family for Christmas.
2. Mary Mother of Jesus (Special Replay) – A deep dive into Luke 1:46-55 with practical applications.
3. Holy Family Our Family (Special Replay) – Reflections on Joseph and Mary’s example for modern life.
4. True Meaning of Christmas – Meditations on Emmanuel drawing from John 1.
5. Christmas Blessings – Simple prayers and scriptures to enhance your celebrations.

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Episode 362: Called to Be Saints — Embracing Holiness in Everyday LifeAre we really called to be saints… even in the middle of busy, ordinary life?

In this episode of A Few Minutes with God, we explore what it truly means to be called to sainthood—not as a lofty, unreachable goal reserved for monks or martyrs, but as a daily invitation for every believer.

As the holidays approach and life feels increasingly full, it can be difficult to focus on prayer, holiness, or even quiet moments with the Lord. Yet Scripture reminds us that sainthood is not about perfection—it’s about total commitment to God, lived out one faithful step at a time.

Through Scripture, real-life stories, and reflections on well-known saints, we are reminded that holiness often looks like small acts done with great love.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover: What Scripture means when it says we are called to be saints* * Why sainthood isn’t reserved for clergy or religious life * How fear often keeps us from fully surrendering to God * Why saints can be described as “rebels for God” * Lessons from modern examples of faith lived boldly * Encouragement from the life of Mother Teresa and her hidden struggles * Practical, manageable steps to grow in holiness today * Why there is no “middle ground” when it comes to following Christ

Scripture Featured: James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift comes from above * Romans 1:7 – Called to be saints * Joshua 24:15 – Choose this day whom you will serve * Philippians 4:13 – Strength through Christ * Philippians 4:7 – The peace that surpasses understanding * Matthew 6:16–18 – Fasting in humility * Ephesians 2:8–10* – Saved by grace, created for good works

Simple Ways to Live the Call to Sainthood:* Put God first each day—even with a short prayer * Practice daily prayer, morning or night * Embrace small acts of self-denial or fasting * Make restitution when you’ve wronged others * Give generously to those in need * Share Christ through both words and actions

Sainthood isn’t about being flawless—it’s about running toward God, especially when life is difficult. Whether you’re a parent, student, professional, or caregiver, your daily vocation is holy ground when offered to the Lord.

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” — Mother Teresa

May this episode encourage you to take one faithful step closer to God today.

Listen to Episode 362
Find the full show notes and resources at:
AFewMinutesWithGodPodcast.com

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The True Meaning of Christmas Gifts: Giving from the Heart ~ Episode 363Year after year, we spend a great deal of money on the perfect gift, only to miss the true meaning of Christmas gifts: giving from the heart. How can we take back the holiday and our sanity? In this episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast, Felice focuses on the true meaning of Christmas, making it affordable and Christian!

I heard someone enthusiastically say that the holidays are near, and I panicked. My son is deployed, and I want to send him a package. I have baking to do (which I love), and I have presents to buy. I don’t have enough time or even the energy to tackle all of this in November, let alone December! But then I took a deep breath and prayed, ‘God, help me,’ and I felt calm.

Biblical Perspective on GivingWhat is the biblical perspective of giving? All of it costs nothing. It is time, love, courage, and inspiration all stemming from our love of God. If we love God, this love will pour out from us onto others. The biblical perspective on giving emphasizes generosity that flows from a grateful heart, not obligation or show. As Catholics understand it, giving isn’t about a strict percentage like Old Testament tithing but about offering cheerfully and sacrificially, returning God’s gifts back to Him through acts of worship and charity.

Charity in Gift GivingThis topic highlights generosity inspired by the Magi in Matthew 2:11, who journeyed far to present gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus—not out of duty, but as an outpouring of adoration and recognition of His kingship, divinity, and future sacrifice. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 9:7, St. Paul reminds us, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Acts 20:35 echoes Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” showing how giving aligns us with Christ’s selflessness. In everyday life, this means prioritizing heartfelt gestures over extravagant spending, allowing God’s grace to transform our giving into a reflection of His abundant love.

Translating Biblical Giving into Christmas GiftsBut how does this translate into gifts? Sometimes the best gifts are those that cost the least. Baking has been my go-to for many years. Since there is a sweet overload these days I have switched to bread baking for gifts. Even if you are not a baker there is something you can give from the heart. As a young mom, I longed for a time to get away to shop for groceries or even get a haircut without the children near. I was delighted when my mother-in-law and in later years my parents could watch the children for me. Those gifts of time are priceless to young people and old alike.

Consider simple, meaningful ways to embody this:Share a handwritten note of encouragement with your favorite prayer or write one. Offer to help a neighbor with chores during the busy season. These acts mirror the Magi’s offerings and invites the Holy Spirit to work through us, fostering a deeper connection. When we give we do so not because of obligation but because we are thankful for what the Lord has done for us. Sharing your praise reports is another way to share God’s love.

Of course, giving gifts is another way to consider gift-giving a symbol of Christ’s gift to us. We can never outgive God!

Faith-Based Gifts That Honor God’s LoveWhat are faith-based gifts that honor God’s love? Here are five ideas, each paired with a Scripture verse to inspire your giving:

1. A Personalized Prayer Journal:Gift a simple notebook where the recipient can record prayers, reflections, and answered petitions. This encourages daily communion with God and honors His love by prioritizing spiritual growth. As Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” You can find these at discount stores all of the time. I found beautiful leather-bound journals for $4.99 one year.
2. An Act of Service, Like Babysitting or Meal Preparation:Offer your time to assist a busy family or elderly friend, freeing them to rest or worship. This selfless giving reflects Christ’s servant heart and builds community in His name. Galatians 5:13 instructs, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
3. A Charitable Donation in Their Name:Contribute to a faith-based cause, such as a Catholic charity supporting the poor or pro-life initiatives, and present a card explaining the impact. This gift extends God’s mercy outward, embodying stewardship of His blessings. Proverbs 19:17 states, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
4. Masses Celebrated:Enroll a loved one in perpetual spiritual benefits through Mass offerings. Purchase Mass enrollment cards from websites such as Marian.org, where you can arrange for them to be remembered in daily Masses, providing a gift that lasts for years through ongoing prayer and intercession. A card will be sent in your name. Direct link here. This underscores the eternal value of prayer for souls. As Hebrews 7:25 affirms, “Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
5. Handmade Rosary or Prayer Aid:Make or buy a rosary to encourage devotion to Our Lord by the example of our Lady. The rosary centers on the mysteries of Christ’s life. His birth, his death, and His resurrection. This simple tool fosters a habit of meditation and draws the recipient closer to divine grace. Luke 1:42 inspires us: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (One year I purchased glow in the dark rosaries for my grandchildren. I still had mine from my grandmother (yellowed and frayed) and it was something I treasured from my childhood.

These ideas keep Christ at the center, transforming gift-giving into an extension of worship and evangelization.By choosing gifts like these, we not only express love but also plant seeds of faith that can grow in the hearts of those we cherish. Imagine the joy of knowing your gift leads someone to a deeper encounter with the Lord—truly a reflection of the first Christmas gift, the Savior Himself.

In preparing these heartfelt presents, start with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide your choices and infuse them with genuine charity. Involve your family in the process, turning gift-making into a shared act of faith that strengthens bonds and teaches the next generation about generous living. Remember, the Lord delights in our efforts, no matter how small, when offered with a pure heart.

Reclaiming Christmas Through Heartfelt GivingAs we approach this sacred season, let’s remember that the true joy of Christmas lies not in material abundance but in emulating the generosity of our Savior’s birth. By focusing on gifts from the heart—infused with time, love, and faith—we honor the Incarnation and invite others to experience God’s peace. Pray for guidance, as I did, and watch how the Lord multiplies your efforts. May your Christmas be filled with the light of Christ!

In the hustle of holiday preparations, it’s easy to lose sight of the manger’s simplicity, where God’s greatest gift arrived humbly.Consider how acts of kindness, like baking treats for a neighbor or crafting personalized prayers for loved ones, echo the selflessness of the Holy Family. As Proverbs 11:25 reminds us, “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” Let this verse inspire you to give without expectation, trusting that the Lord will refresh your spirit amid the festivities.

Reclaiming Christmas means weaving faith into every tradition, from adorning your home with nativity scenes to sharing stories of saints who embodied charity. In doing so, we not only deepen our own devotion but also light a path for others toward eternal hope. Reflect on 2 Corinthians 9:7: “God loves a cheerful giver.” Embrace this call with joy, knowing that heartfelt giving transforms ordinary moments into sacred encounters with divine grace.

Related Podcast EpisodesFor more uplifting discussions on faith, holidays, and Christian living, check out these additional episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

1. Christmas Miracle Every Day – Explore how to experience the miracle of Christmas in everyday life through faith and God’s presence, with personal stories and scriptural encouragement.
2. Celebrate Christmas – Discusses celebrating Advent as a preparation for Christmas, emphasizing reflection, prayer, fasting, and keeping Christ central, with family ritual ideas and ties to Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6-7.
3. Loneliness At Christmas – Addresses the challenge of loneliness during the holidays, offering faith-based ways to find comfort in Christ and reach out to others, with references like Isaiah 41:10.
4. Christmas Blessings – A special replay examining whether we feel worthy of God’s blessings at Christmas, drawing on scripture to affirm His abundant grace.
5. Christmas Is Real – Affirms the historical and spiritual reality of Christmas, debunking myths and focusing on Jesus’ birth as the ultimate gift, with practical applications for believers.

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Christian HospitalityEpisode # 47 (Holiday Replay)How are your Christian hospitality skills? Is this something that needs practice or do you have an open door policy and invite people into your inner circle, often?

In this episode, Felice Gerwitz discusses how hospitality is a gift but a skill that can improve and grow. Who knows, you may be entertaining angels!

Hebrews 13:22 is a warning from St. Paul who says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

I know we are all busy and the idea of one more thing often tips us over the edge.Yet, Christian hospitality really begins at home. I know many churches are equipped with various ministries and they all have a very important place. In fact, those ministries are a way for people to connect and grow in faith. In the past, I volunteered to teach many classes at church and for over ten years was very involved. As the seasons of my life changed, I began working on Christian hospitality and ministry in other ways. This podcast reflects one of those ways.

The Bible gives us much food for thought.Jesus was an example when he went to a tax collector’s home, someone who was considered a crook by many because they often charged more than they should in order to keep some of the money. Read Matthews 5:46-48 — here Jesus challenges us to extend our Christian hospitality even to our enemies and one line always gets me, “So be perfect, just as our heavenly Father is perfect.”

How can we be perfect?The Father, our heavenly Father perfects us – -we can’t do it alone. We are such a mess most of the time, one friend calls it being a “hot mess.” How can we minister to others when we can’t even minister to ourselves? Well, with the help of our heavenly Father!

Here is some suggestions.1. Pray. Is there someone at church who catches your eye and perhaps someone you should invite out for coffee? 2. Ask the Lord for guidance. Is there a particular ministry He wants you involved with or something you should join? 3. Introduce people you think might get along and see if you can connect others. 4. If you are Catholic and are able, go to daily Mass. Or, no matter what your denomination, take time to sit in quiet and listen to the Lord. 5. Pray about ways you can be used by the Lord in Christian hospitality. 6. If you are in a group setting, speak to those you don’t know. 7. Invite someone you don’t know into your own group. 8. Invite someone to listen to this podcast — it is a form of Christian ministry and hospitality. Better yet, listen with a friend!

The simple gesture of kindness and hospitality toward a stranger can be turned into something wonderful by the Lord.Take the time to talk to those you don’t know. If you are in prayer about this, the Lord will provide those wonderful “God-incidents” to connect you with those in need.

Remember to fill up! Go to church, pray, read the Bible and be still before the Lord. You can’t give to others if you are spiritually empty yourself.

Let’s pray:Dear Lord, I thank you for the gifts you’ve given me and to those who are listening to this broadcast. I know that nothing is impossible for you and if you call us to service, you will provide not only for us but for those who we minister to, in Your Name, Jesus. We ask you to send us out in service for You, as your hands and feet. Point us to those who need You the most and let us help in any way that we can. Thank you Lord for giving us the gift of hospitality and bring good for the kingdom of God from our efforts. I pray this in Jesus, Name. Amen.

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Show Notes: Episode 361 – Pray Deeper: Overcoming Barriers to a Vibrant Prayer LifePodcast: A Few Minutes with God
Host: Felice Gerwitz
Network: Ultimate Christian Podcast Network

Episode OverviewIn this episode, Felice Gerwitz explores practical strategies for deepening your prayer life and overcoming common obstacles such as doubt, busyness, and spiritual dryness. Drawing from personal experience and scripture, listeners are encouraged to persevere in prayer and experience God’s transformative presence.

Key Topics & Takeaways1. Recognizing Barriers to Prayer* Prayer routines can become stagnant or distracted by daily life, social media, and work pressures. * Common obstacles include doubt, lack of time, spiritual dryness, and routine prayers.

1. Scriptural Encouragement* Luke 18:1: Jesus teaches perseverance in prayer.
2. Romans 12:12: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
3. Matthew 6:6: Pray privately and intentionally.
4. Psalms 42:1-2: God revives our spirit when we seek Him.
5. Ephesians 6:18: Pray in the Spirit on all occasions.
6. James 5:16: The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
7. 1 Timothy 2:1: Intercede and give thanks for all people.
8. Philippians 4:6: Present requests to God with thanksgiving.
9. Daniel 6:10, 1 Samuel 1:10-20, Luke 5:16: Examples of bold and persistent prayer.
10. 2 Corinthians 12:9: God’s grace is sufficient in weakness.

11. Romans 5:3-4: Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.

12. Practical Strategies for a Vibrant Prayer Life* Start small: Even five-minute increments can make a difference.

13. Make a “prayer appointment” and treat it as an important meeting.
14. Use tools like devotionals or scripture apps to begin your day intentionally.
15. Incorporate praise, worship, journaling, and quiet reflection.
16. Lean on community for support and accountability.
17. Intercede for others to shift focus from self and serve.

18. End prayers with gratitude to foster joy and remember God’s faithfulness.

19. Personal Reflections* The host shares personal experiences of praying with children, using short segments, and finding revival through intentional prayer.

20. Encouragement to recognize distractions and respond to God’s nudges.

21. Importance of community prayer and sharing requests for mutual support.

22. Encouragement & Closing* Prayer is for our transformation, not to change God.

23. Rely on God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s help.
24. Commitment to break through barriers together and grow in faith.
25. Host prays for listeners’ renewed prayer lives and asks for prayers in return.

Related Episodes on Prayer and FaithDeepen your prayer journey with these episodes from A Few Minutes with God on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

• Praying for a Friend – Explore the power of intercessory prayer for loved ones.
• Prayer to God – Practical ways to communicate with the Almighty daily.
• Faith Minutes – Turn brief moments into powerful faith-building prayers.
• Asking God – A replay on boldly approaching God with your needs.
• Your God-Given Purpose – How prayer reveals God’s plan for your life.

Resources Mentioned* Ultimate Christian Podcast Network * Magnificat devotional pamphlet * A Few Minutes with God Facebook page

Call to Action* Subscribe, rate, and share the podcast. * Visit afewminuteswithgodpodcast.com for show notes and more episodes. * Join the community and share prayer requests.

May God bless you today and always. Amen.

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Faith Challenge ~ Episode 200 (Replay)It’s time for a challenge, a faith challenge! When was the last time you asked God for more of Him and less of you? When we look at our faith is it something we take for granted, or is it something we need to cherish? Felice shares three faith challenges in this 200th episode of A Few Minutes with God!

Visit my website for great faith challenging books, such as One More Child and A Few Minutes with God.

What is a faith challenge? It is a way to increase our faith in good times and in bad. It is a time to grow, to become stronger, and to be light to others. It is also helpful to be prepared and get your faith-kit together. Something you can pull out in times of need that will help you to overcome with God. God is here for us all of the time, yet in times of crisis, we freeze up and forget we have many tools in our arsenal!

Perhaps your faith has been challenged when something terrible happens in your life or the life of someone you love. What do you do during these times? Usually, we drop to our knees and pray, but sometimes we feel like God doesn’t hear us. Has this happened to you? For many Christians when our faith is challenged we get more of God, not less. We may not feel Him, but we know without Him we would fall.

First Faith Challenge Prep:1. Be prepared. Do you have a prayer you can pray to calm yourself down? If not find one or write one. 2. What are your favorite go-to scriptures when you are in need? Write them down with the subheading for each topic. Have your Bible handy with marked passages to read. 3. Be ready to use your praise journal (and prayer journal) and have it handy.

Faith Challenge 1 ~ Hard Times:1. Pray for strength and wisdom. 2. Pray with someone else and if necessary, pick up the phone and text or call someone who will pray for you. 3. Put your need on a prayer chain. If you do not have one, ask around. There are many eMail prayer chains available as well as on social media. The Facebook page here is just for that need.

All of us have been challenged by recent worldwide events. I don’t need to list them, I am sure you have a mental list of your own. It was and has been a horrible time with fear the number one ingredient that everyone in the media keeps pushing. Are you fearful? What do you do when you experience fear?

Faith Challenge 2 – When Things Are Out of Our Control:1. Know that God is in control, remind yourself of this. 2. Remind yourself that God always wins. 3. The enemy is a liar and fear is one way to manipulate us, pray this verse: 1 John 4:4 “…for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.“

Another challenge in our lives is when someone lets us down. This is more difficult when it is someone we know or love. We feel abandoned and alone. We feel misunderstood. We feel at a loss. During these times where can you turn?

Faith Challenge 3 ~ When People Let Us Down.1. Remember that God will never let you down. God is always there, even in the midst of difficulty and trial. 2. Focus on today, don’t let past hurt or future what-ifs bog you down. 3. Pray Jeremiah 29:11 –For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The biggest challenge we have as Christians is to get out of our own way and allow the Lord to work in our lives. We often give the enemy the credit, but truly it is our own obstacles that are the most deferential to our spiritual growth. If things are not going as we planned we are quick to blame (or I am quick to blame, and maybe you are a bit like me?) but I’ve realized the older I get that the only person responsible for my spiritual growth or lack, of growth, is me.

Ask yourself these quick questions:

1. Am I taking time to pray and read the Bible?
2. Am I spending quiet time with God?
3. Do I praise God in all things?
4. Am I allowing the Lord to work in me?
5. Do I surround myself with like-minded Christians?
6. Am I spending time ministering to others (even if it is your family – that counts).
7. Do I share what God has done for me with others?
8. Do I see the miracles of God’s grace in my life?
9. Am I appreciative of all that I have?
10. Am I loving and kind to my own family or Christian support group?

These are just a few of the ways we can check our own hearts and motivation. If we are striving to become more faithful in thought, word and deed we are working toward a goal and not becoming stagnant. The challenge for you this week and in the next is to grow in faith and challenge yourself in this way! May God be blessed.

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Thanksgiving and Faith Episode 162Thanksgiving and faith go hand in hand even when our faith is always being tested by the forces of this world. Even if everything in your life is going well, or as well as can be expected, it is as if we have one eye looking in the rearview mirror just waiting for something to happen. Maybe, however you are an optimist and you look at things as being in God’s hands, a very good place to be… and for us as Christians there is a very simple lesson and that is to get our priorities in the right place.

Where are your priorities?Your family, your immediate needs, maybe you are struggling with an illness and your priority is to get better. We must get our priorities straight and that includes thanking God in all things, having faith when faith seems distant, and looking at our lives as a temporary place yet, somewhere the Lord wants us right now.

Do you remember, some time ago (for those of you who have listened for a while) I did a show on being in the present moment? When our peace is robbed, it is because we are looking too far in the future.

Today, focus on today.And, as you are focusing on today—what are you thankful for. As I record this it is a time of difficulty as well as the holidays around the corner. And truthfully, many people might feel like there is not much to be thankful for…however, that is never true. As disciples of Christ, we have so much to be thankful for!

Gratitude is something that is innate for some people, it comes naturally—yet, for others it is difficult. Being grateful means we see the little things, the things often overlooked by others. We see the it in the sunset, in the time with family or friends. We see it in the ability to go to church and praise God. Without gratitude, we have no hope. Without hope we have no future. Where is our hope? It is with the Almighty.

Lately, the news has been dire. And when you listen to the news you hear doom and gloom, yet when you open the Bible, the Word of God is encouraging for those who love and follow the Lord and His commands. Remember the children’s song, based on scripture? This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad? Psalm 118:24 says, The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. But what about verse 25? Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!

Remember success varies, and what you consider success is not what I consider success.For some success translates into money earned, and for others, success is in the smile of a child or a sunset or sunrise. Thanksgiving doesn’t depend on success. Thanksgiving takes a conscious effort of determining that you will be thankful…why? Why not? What is it in your life that you can praise God for, and mean it? Take some time to think about this. I see people post things on social media that show a sense of hopelessness. There is a sense that things are all bad and there is no redemption, but those people have not only lost a sense of hope and dare I say, faith. If we have faith—the faith that surpasses all understanding we have hope. And, if we have hope – we are thankful.

Why is it that it is easy to list all the things that upset you?If I gave you five minutes to list all your grievances you could probably fill a sheet of paper, but if I asked you to list all the ways you are thankful and have hope, what would your paper say? The enemy does not want us to have hope and he has robbed a society glued to social media and television of hope. Do you have the weight of the world on your shoulders? Do you feel defeated? Think about this:

Here is what we know.1. God is the victor, and to Him goes the glory and honor. 2. You are a child of God. Remember that. 3. Unite your will to God’s every day – Lord I give you my will, please give me your will. Thy kingdom come thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 4. In God there is hope. Never forget that. 5. The battle is not for us to fight, but the battle is for us to prepare for (Ephesians 6:10-18- put on the armor of Christ: –because once again the battle has been won. Let me remind you what this amazing scripture says:

Ephesians 6:10-18

New International Version

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

How can we be vigilant? By praying dear friends, praying to our Lord because only God and God alone can change our hearts from being burdened to overflowing with Thanksgiving and hope!

Let’s pray.

Dear heavenly Father, I praise you and I thank you for everything. For the sun, the moon, and the stars, for the mornings and the evenings. For giving me the breath each and every day to not only survive but to thrive and to praise YOU who are worthy of my praise. I love you my God and I thank you, only YOU are victorious against the enemy and I thank God the Father for sending His only son that we can not only be saved but to be healed and to be joyful and hopeful people. Dear Lord, I pray for the following needs: And I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Do you know how to pray? Many of us learned the basics through the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is wonderful, and prayer is our lifeline to God. In this uplifting episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast, hosted by Felice Gerwitz, discover timeless insights to elevate your prayer life and draw closer to the Heavenly Father. Whether you’re a lifelong Christian or exploring faith, this episode reminds us that prayer brings joy, peace, and a sense of Divine connection in our busy world.

Pray – Pray – Pray! Episode 360Do you truly know how to pray in a way that transforms your life? While many Christians start with the familiar words of the Lord’s Prayer, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13, genuine prayer is our vital connection to God, fostering deeper intimacy and spiritual growth. Some of you are lifelong believers, and others are just beginning your faith journey, but we all need help to experience prayer as a source of peace amid life’s chaos. Prayer is a conversation with our Heavenly Father that can renew your spirit and align your heart with His divine will.

The Power of Prayer in Everyday LifePrayer is a foundational habit most Christians learn early on. From grace before meals to bedtime petitions, it’s woven into our routines. As Psalm 100:4 encourages, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” My family instilled this in me, and we passed it on to our children. Yet, in today’s fast-paced society, prayer often takes a backseat amid distractions.

Social media, with its clickbait and targeted ads, can pull us away from what matters most. Algorithms track our interests—recipes, crafts, or news—and feed us more, but they also amplify division and anger. Proverbs 15:18 (read on air) warns us. This social engineering fosters rage over differing opinions, robbing us of peace and shifting our focus from God.

I’ve noticed this even in my limited time online for business. It’s insidious, dulling our spirits and distancing us from prayer. But there’s hope: unplug and reconnect with God. As Romans 12:2 urges, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Prayer transcends the earthly, inviting us into holy communion with our Creator, nourishing our souls with harmony and joy.

Cultivating a Heart of Constant PrayerHow do we pray without ceasing? Start with every breath: “Thank you, Jesus, for this day.” Luke 18:1 reminds us, “We ought always to pray and not to faint.” This grace comes from God alone. In our spiritual journey, we must remember that without His grace, we can do nothing, but with it, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

God often blesses us beyond our requests, anticipating our needs with love and mercy. Recently, a family medical scare was resolved in the best way possible—praise God for His protection! Yet, for many blessings, He waits for us to ask: “Ask and it shall be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). Prayer is essential, fostering gratitude and drawing us into God’s will.

Living Out Prayer Through Scripture1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 offers profound guidance on Christian living, emphasizing peace, patience, and prayer. Let me share this portion: (Read on air).

We are called to counter worldly tendencies—irritation, division, impatience—with grace.

Key takeaways include:

• Rejoice always
• Pray constantly
• Give thanks in all circumstances

Why? It’s God’s will in Christ Jesus! Don’t suppress the Holy Spirit—despite past abuses in ministry, God’s gifts of prophecy and healing are for our good. Ephesians 6:18 adds, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

Using the Lord’s Prayer as Your GuideIf you’re unsure how to pray, follow the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) as a blueprint:

1. Worship and Thanksgiving: Begin by honoring God, as in “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
2. Seek God’s Will: Submit your requests, trusting “Your kingdom come, your will be done.”
3. Daily Provision: Ask for needs with gratitude, “Give us today our daily bread.”
4. Forgiveness: Forgive others as God forgives us, promoting peace (Matthew 6:14-15).
5. Protection from Temptation: Pray for deliverance, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
6. Praise and Glory: End with doxology, glorifying God forever.

Friends, prayer unlocks faith, love, and purpose. If peace eludes you, it’s a sign to pray more. I’m praying for you—please pray for me too. Let’s embrace this truth and let prayer transform our lives.

Related Episodes on Prayer and FaithDeepen your prayer journey with these episodes from A Few Minutes with God on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

• Praying for a Friend – Explore the power of intercessory prayer for loved ones.
• Prayer to God – Practical ways to communicate with the Almighty daily.
• Faith Minutes – Turn brief moments into powerful faith-building prayers.
• Asking God – A replay on boldly approaching God with your needs.
• Your God-Given Purpose – How prayer reveals God’s plan for your life.

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A Commitment to Praywith Felice GerwitzAre you ready? Today’s challenge is a commitment to pray. However, will you find the time? In today’s broadcast, Felice shares how you can begin with one minute, add another and another until you reach your goal of spending time with God each day.

Sponsor: Media Angels, Inc. Novels – Truth Seekers Mystery Series available on Amazon. Three novels for tweens!

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins

Show Notes: Commitment to pray

• Beginning steps to listening to the Lord and how to prepare to enter God’s presence.
• Do you need more of Jesus in your life?
• It is no accident you are here!
• Can you make a commitment – today?
• Be still before the Lord. The Lord will pour out an abundance of blessings during this time!

First, there are some decisions to make:

1. Are you a Christian – if not, consider becoming one today.
2. How much time will you spend in prayer?
3. How can you rearrange your schedule to make it happen?
4. Do you need daily reminders? This handout contains information on receiving daily reminders: AFMWGod- Podcast Handout

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Mirror of Scripture Episode 261When was the last time you read a passage in the Bible, and it was as if the Lord was showing you a mirror image? I call that the Mirror of Scripture! In this episode, we’ll look at scripture verses that highlight areas that need our attention.

Visit our sponsor – CTCMath.com, for information about this wonderful math curriculum for kids ages K-12

Everyone wants to hear, “Well done,” or “Great job,” or better yet, “You are on the right track!” Yet, often the response we get when praying is silence. A silence of mind and of our hearts. How are we doing in our spiritual walk, and what does the Lord have to say to us in the words of scripture?

When we least expect it we hear God, it can be in reading a Scripture verse that we feel is powerful or just for us. Or, it can be in the words of a friend or something we hear at Church, maybe in a sermon but often in the Word being read. At my church, we hear readings from the Old and New Testaments each week. The readings may be ones I’ve read many times before yet they are powerful, and more so when it hits me as if a mirror is held up and I see my reflection.

Spiritual MirrorI can say with assurance that many of us do not like what we see in the mirror. In fact, we possibly avoid looking into it other than getting ready for our day, in the morning. A mirror shows all of our flaws, the spots on our faces, the bad hair day, or other things we’d rather not address. By looking in the mirror we see how we look to the world.

Having a good body image and being happy with our own worth, inside and out is important. The point I’m making is that as a mirror shows our flaws and imperfections so too does a spiritual mirror. It shows us areas of faith we should work on to gain a better sense of where we are going. Hopefully toward a deeper faith.

Mirror of ScriptureMatthew 5:14-18 (Read on air.) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I love this verse! There is a Bible Song, “This Little Light of Mine,” we taught our children, and they sang it at Bible camp. It further illustrates that the light of Christ should shine through us to others. Alone we do not shine light but with God we do, and if we have this holy light we have work to do for the Kingdom.

If we hide our light we are not sharing the good news. God knows our situation, He knows what is happening in our lives. He understands our trials and He doesn’t call us to do anything He is not preparing us for ahead of time. A friend of mine didn’t want to embrace faith strongly because he was afraid God would send him to Africa on the mission field. He was a doctor, and he was seriously worried about this! But, when he finally opened his heart to the Lord, He was ready to go anywhere God called him. He and his wife lead our prayer group for many years, and they are some of our closest friends. God never did lead him to the mission field, but God allowed him to pray with his patients and at times allowed healing.

What is the weakness of our lives? Do we make excuses so that we don’t have to go to the mission field as well? Opening our hearts to God allows Him and only Him to work in our lives in a powerful way if we allow Him.

James 1: 22-24 (Read on air)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.[a] 23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.

Powerful! We can be doers with the grace of God, and His providence. Friends, God so loves you. And we can spread that love to others. Today I was at a store and something I purchased was way cheaper than I expected. I told the lady checking me out that God was blessing me. I hadn’t paid too much attention to her, other than to say hi and ask how she was since I was busy loading up the items on the conveyer belt. When she smiled back at me after hearing me say, God was blessing me she said, “I wake up each day and thank God for it, each and every day.” As I looked at her, I was smiling and agreeing with a hearty, Amen! This lady was missing some teeth and fairly elderly, and working, but praising God.

Some of us have harder lives than others and yet if we can praise God in the midst of our trials that is using our lives in a positive way.

By looking at Scripture as a mirror, exposing our shortcomings and ways we have not pleased God, we can offer this to the Lord with a heartfelt purpose and that is to change. By continuing to show God we are dooers not just listeners we can better align our will to His. This week your challenge is to pray to the Lord before you read the Scriptures. Ask Him to use the Word to be a mirror. Let this help you grow closer to Him and in your faith. I will do this as well. May God bless you today and always.

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Why would anyone want to talk about the topic of hopelessness? Because that’s how many people feel today—overwhelmed by a heaviness that seems to press in from every side. Yet in this podcast episode of A Few Minutes with God, we’ll explore how we are called to be people of joy and thanksgiving. In all things, God is glorious, righteous, and the source of true hope.

Overcoming Hopelessness: Embracing Joy, Thanksgiving, and God’s Unfailing Hope ~ Episode 359Introduction: Why Talk About Hopelessness in a World Full of It?Hey friends, welcome back. Today, we’re diving into overcoming hopelessness because all around me, I sense it: people depressed and worried about the future, unable to let go of the past. We’re taught to give glory to God in everything, but what happens when we feel abandoned? Today, I want to unpack how hopelessness is a lie from the enemy. Our focus shouldn’t be on what is, but on what is to come.

The “If Only” Trap: From Unhappiness to Faith-Filled PerspectiveWhen I was younger, I looked at life’s hardships as temporary. I thought, If only we had a bigger house, if only we had another car, if only we could (fill in the blank). The good news? As I grew in my faith, I realized that “if only” kept me in a state of unhappiness. Yet another lie of the enemy to keep my eyes on the wrong thing!

Many times on our journey toward Christ and a deepening of our faith, certain truths are revealed. Usually, this comes later in life. Why not earlier? Why can’t we grasp this as young people? Well, some can. People like Charlie Kirk understood and was given a grace few people have. He was given the grace to understand God’s love, to articulate it, and to challenge those who lived with unbelief or doubt. He was also, I believe, given the grace of martyrdom. His work on earth had come to an untimely end for us, but not for the glory of heaven. God is not surprised, while we are often left in shock, disbelief, and hopelessness.

Sadly, the truths of faith most likely are revealed when we are younger, but we (I) weren’t ready to hear them.That’s why, when I see helplessness in the world today, I know this too shall pass. Some people are ready for the good news; their eyes have been opened. Others just aren’t there yet. And yet there is a way to overcome hopelessness.

Don’t you think the Lord Almighty, the God of heaven and earth, knows this about us? He knows everything about us—which is why we should be thankful and joyful people. Truly, our lives on this earth are but a fleeting moment in the vastness and awesomeness of our God and Creator.

Yet when things hit us personally, we often see them as a personal attack or punishment for something we did. Neither is true. If that were the case, we’d only see righteous people walking around unscathed.

As it is written in (Psalm 42:5): “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Trusting God’s Love: The Key to Joy Beyond CircumstancesWe do not know the mind of God—only He knows why bad things happen to good people. What we must focus on is the love God has for us, an undeniable truth. If we’re open to this love, we can live a life of joy without bounds.

If you’ve ever contemplated God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, you’re at a place where you know the depth of His love. If you haven’t had a chance to reflect on the Trinity, I encourage you to do so—it will change your life.

In this fast-paced world, filled with differences of opinion, strife, contention, even among families, and deep sadness, we can rest in knowing the Lord is with us.If you don’t know this yet, get on your knees, pray, and ask the Lord to reveal that He is there. He has not abandoned us. He has not left us without His love and protection. That doesn’t mean we always feel it, but we should know it in our minds and hearts.

One of my favorite scriptures (Jeremiah 29:11): “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

I choose to be hopeful. I choose to believe in God. I choose to understand that His will is not mine. In doing so, I’ve been freed from the shackles of this world—the “what ifs” and “how comes.” No more questioning, “Lord, I’ve been a good servant—why haven’t I been blessed?” Instead, we can release these thoughts and declare, ‘Here I am, Lord.‘ I come to do Your will. (Remember the enemy wants you hopeless, the Lord wants you, with His help, to overcome hopelessness!)

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Read on air.

Conclusion: Choose Hope in Jesus Christ Today To Overcome Hopelessness(Romans 15:13)“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

I pray that you, too, find hope and understanding in the faith of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Additional Listening: More Encouragement from A Few Minutes with GodFor deeper dives into faith, joy, and overcoming challenges, here are four recommended episodes from the podcast:

• Shock and Awe: Finding God’s Hope in the Midst of Tragedy: Have you been in shock and awe over the events of the day? In this podcast, we will discuss how God works in the midst of tragedy and how to keep things in perspective.
• Spoiler Alert! God Wins (Special Replay): We live in a divided world, where right is wrong and wrong is right, but the good news? God wins! This podcast focuses on the ultimate reality in our lives: God reigns now and forever.
• Never Underestimate Prayer (Replay): Do you think your prayers never get answered? I believe you should never underestimate prayer! In this podcast, Felice discusses ways we can shortchange the Lord and what a blessing it is to realize that our prayers have been answered.
• Keeping Your Faith Alive: When is our faith most tested? During the storm. Keeping your faith alive is only possible when you look to the Lord for the help and guidance you need today and always. This podcast will encourage you to keep Him first.

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Never Underestimate Prayer ~ Episode 281Do you think your prayers never get answered? I believe you should never underestimate prayer! In this podcast, Felice discusses ways we can shortchange the Lord and what a blessing it is to realize that our prayers have been answered.

Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels, you can find curriculum as well as books such as One More Child and A Few Minutes with God.

Before you ask, no, my prayers do not always get answered, well–let me rephrase that. They do get answered but not how I would like them to be answered. I hope that makes you feel better. But that is no excuse to underestimate the power of prayer. We can pray, sometimes for years (or it seems like years), with no results.

Never Underestimate PrayerIf you haven’t done, so already, I invite you to listen to a previous podcast I did that is on the topic of forgiveness. What does this have to do with prayer? Well, I prayed for many years, and it turned out to be seven years, for a situation that happened in my life. Basically, I was praying for a person who had hurt me. Every time I was upset or felt helpless, I asked the Lord to bless this person. Did I feel like praying was a blessing? No, but felt led by the Lord to pray it anyway.

I invite you to do this. If you are upset with a person or hold a grudge against them, it is always best to go to the Lord in prayer and to pray for this person. The reason is that the enemy dislikes it when we pray for someone. The enemy wants us to be upset and unkind in our thoughts and in our actions, and when we reverse that and pray for a person who we believe has wronged us, then the enemy has no power over us and usually leaves us. In my case, a chance meeting showed me that all of that animosity and hurt feelings and everything else that I was feeling was gone.

This was truly a miracle, and seven years–wow! That’s why we should never underestimate prayer! I didn’t even realize it had been so long. However, the outcome was such a blessing in my life and one that I wanted to share with all of you. It isn’t always easy to admit when we are at fault, and holding grudges and unforgiveness in my heart is an example of being at fault. None of us are exempt from sin.

I learned through perseverance and prayer that the Lord always answers our prayers, and we should never underestimate prayer or his power in our lives, we feel defeated and alone and that no one hears us or understands us, and I think that’s what leads so many people into sin —they think that no one understands them, that God doesn’t hear them until finally a situation crops into their lives that they feel is an answer— but instead the situation becomes worse than the solution.

Friends, we must be steadfast and continue to pray. When I look at the lives of the Saints, those holy men and women who’ve gone before us. I see their lives are marked with struggle, yet they continue on and persevere. What a wonderful example that is for each one of us. Can you imagine if Abraham had given up or if David had stopped worshiping God after sinning? Sure, it took him some time to repent, but eventually God, God wants our hearts and minds to be single, focused and living the best life we can keep him at our center. The key is repentance and prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

That is a scripture we should commit to memory!

One of my sons started listening to a podcast from a businessman. He has been very successful, and he wants to share his success with others who are striving to live lives that he calls “striving for excellence.” I may have mentioned this to you in a previous podcast, but it’s worth mentioning again, especially since it has encouraged my son to strive for excellence. I explained that when we strive for excellence we’re striving to put on the mind of Christ. Excellence only comes from God, the same way we receive grace or blessings in our lives. It is a pure gift.

When we strive to live each day the best way we can, we should offer up our day to the Lord. Otherwise, are attempting the impossible, especially with daily temptations. Striving to do something on your own is a recipe for failure. How can we strive to put on the mind of Christ? One way is to focus on what is important each and every day to our day to the Lord and ask him to come into our lives in a deeper way. I often pray this prayer. I don’t know how successful I am, but I do ask the Lord to come into my life in a deeper way.

We should set aside some time for prayer. How often you can do this depends on what is going on in your life; I know people like the idea of downtime, but what better way than spending time with God? On the days that I can’t spend time with God, I offer my day to him. I try to focus on what is important that day and give it the rest to him.
We can make our lives a prayer to God, and in that way, even if we are not verbalizing our intent, God knows our heart and perhaps will bring a scripture verse to mind or maybe a song of praise. Challenge yourself to memorize a scripture verse this week. Then another one next week. Soon you will have four verses memorized by the end of the month. Can you imagine if we did that monthly? We’d have 48 verses memorized by the end of the year.

Colossians 3:16 (Read on air.)

Gratitude And PrayerCan we sing gratitude? I’m sure if we were all in a room together and sharing about how the Lord has answered our prayers, we would be amazed at each of our stories. Each one of us has hardships that we bear, but each one of us has been blessed whether or not we realize it. If not, perhaps you can pray for an attitude check. Praising God in all things, seeing the good in our lives and those around us. This takes prayer, and it takes grace!

One way we can see how we are doing in our faith walk is to look at our lives as a glass that is half full or half empty which is it? Is your life half full, or is it half empty? If you believe your life is half full, meaning that you are blessed, rather than half empty, meaning you are lacking, that is one indication. No, it’s not an exact science, but it is an illustration that shows how we can look at things optimistically or pessimistically. The choice is ours. Believing that God hears all of our prayers is really Important.

Ultimately, when we pray, it is up to the Lord; if he answers the way we would like him to answer or not, if it is a prayer that is important to our salvation, those are the ones that are answered the most. For example, Lord, give me more faith, our Lord, bring me closer to you. Remember, when we pray, it is not a feeling; it is a decision we make. We make a decision to pray similarly to making a decision to forgive ourselves as well as others as we are closer and closer to the Advent season. As I record this, and it will probably play for the first time during December, the season of Advent, let us call to mind how important it is to pray to the Lord and offer our daily struggles to him.

Your challenge this week is to look at answered prayer as a gift and give God all the glory that He rightly deserves.

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This episode of ‘A Few Minutes with God’ explores how Christians view vocation and purpose. In a recent NBC Gen Z poll, the findings showed how different men and women look at the world. No wonder so many people are depressed. In this episode, we explore ways to incorporate a faith-driven approach to balance family, work, and purpose. Whether you’re wrestling with career pressures or family goals, discover how God’s plan brings peace.

Vocation and PurposeTypically, I don’t approach news trends, but this one struck a chord. The saying that men and women are different is highlighted along with the political divide. If you want to dive into the exact poll and its findings, we won’t cover them here, but what we will cover is the solution that is uncovered in Christian, and especially Catholic, beliefs.

How the NBC Poll Highlights Gen Z’s Divide on Success

Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus is an old book, yet that caption could not be more real, as evidenced by the poll results in a nutshell. Without getting into the politics, the NBC News Decision Desk Poll (August 2025) shows that Gen Z (13-28 year olds) are split in their vision of a successful life. For young conservative men, getting married, a good family and “having children” is their top priority, while more liberal women prioritize “fulfilling work” and “emotional stability,” with only 6% valuing family. Both cite economic pressures, with 40% of Gen Z naming inflation as their top concern. This gender and political divide reflects a broader cultural question. And it is not a new one.

Can family, career, and inner peace coexist? Catholic teaching on vocation offers a timeless answer, guiding young adults to live counterculturally through faith. In fact, this is true for all Bible-believers if they believe and hold dear the Word of God. My Christian friends are often closely aligned with the same ideals and values that I hold as a Catholic.

What is more important than family? Well, God, of course. The Lord should be first and foremost the center of our lives. However, some of these young people have it so wrong.

Catholic Teaching on VocationVocation is God’s call to holiness through love and service, not just a career choice. How do we serve others before ourselves? This is a countercultural idea. We as parents serve our children and our extended families. Most of this service is self-giving. The Bible is clear, faith and family are important. Having a special vocation and calling is a gift from God.

The Bible is clear, we’ve been created for a purpose, and you are not an accident. Genesis 1:27–28 (Read on air).

Matthew 6:33 (Read on air.)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1603, 1877) emphasizes this aspect of family life. The family is a “domestic church” (a community of love). When we work as God intended within our families, we participate in God’s plan for our lives. And what’s more is that every person has a universal call to love God and others, lived out through marriage, single life, or service.

What does all of this have to do with the poll? The survey shows that men value family, while women seek work and stability. Our vocation unites these as sacred paths when rooted in faith.

Balancing Work and Family Through FaithThe Catholic perspective is that work has dignity (Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II). This is reflected by the grace that God gave us, and the God given ability. How do we use it? It can be any role, from parenting to professional work, whether it is white-collar or blue-collar, or anything in between. What does this mean for us? It shows us that our family and relationships take precedence over “hustle culture” or self-focused goals, guided by faith.

Every person has the choice to show up at work or at home. Professionals can strike a balance between work and time for loved ones. Parents can find purpose and joy within the home despite economic strain. Many of us chose to have a single-income household because we prioritized family over income.

Faith offers a countercultural path to fulfillment beyond the pressures of society. Living this way means trusting God’s plan over temporary cultural trends.

Even if you are not in the category of Gen Z we can still ask the Lord to lead us daily and guide us. What is our purpose today, or this week? Often, we float through life without giving any thought to what God wants for us. And, truthfully, we may be afraid to ask!

Practical Tips to Discern Your Vocation and Purpose Pray Daily: Ask God, “What’s my purpose?” through simple gratitude prayers to find clarity. * Be thankful! No matter what happens each and every day, we thank God even when we are not thankful. Choose to be thankful and soon you will see that whether we are or not, it will change our outlook on life. * Use Your Talents: What gifts do you have? If you have a specific gift or calling use it! Apply these skills, for example helping your neighbor, friend, or church. Creating and leading a Bible study. Serving others even from home. If you pray to God and ask Him to use you, offers will come finding you! Each of us wants to be wanted and needed in some capacity and we want to do worthwhile and fulfilling things. When you work for the Kingdom of God, it is very rewarding! * Build Faith-Based Community: Connect with friends or parish groups for support. When I was asked by our local pastor to help with the Pre-Cana, or marriage prep, I agreed. My husband and I meet with couples at our home and work through their needs, addressing some difficult questions as they arise before marriage. In this way, it allows us to act as mentors, and it is fulfilling to both of us because we can work together in this ministry, sharing the knowledge we have gained over our 46 years together. * Offer Your Work*: Dedicate daily tasks to God as acts of love. Try it and again it will change you! God doesn’t need anything from us but we need him. When we dedicate our tasks, our work, and even those chores we don’t want to do to our Lord, it is a great blessing. It transforms routine into purpose. We are basically grounding our lives into God’s call.

Additional podcasts:Finding Your God-Given Purpose in a Chaotic World

Finding Hope

Power Focused Prayer

Fruits of Faith

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Have you been in shock and awe over the events of the day? In this podcast, we will discuss how God works in the midst of tragedy and how to keep things in perspective.

Shock and Awe – Episode 356 As I record this in the early fall of 2025, our world has been shaken by events that have left us in shock and sorrow. Whether you’re a Christian or someone searching for truth, these tragedies have struck a deep chord in the hearts of all who hold faith dear.

I don’t often focus on the specifics of these events, as dwelling on the negative can overwhelm us. Yet, the pain is undeniable—natural disasters and senseless violence have made it hard to catch our breath. Many of us have wept for those we don’t even know, grieving for a world in desperate need of a Savior. As believers, we know that Savior is Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Still, the evil we’ve witnessed points to one source: the enemy, satan, who seeks to divide and destroy. I have been in shock and awe over what has happened.

The State of Our WorldRelentless challenges—hurricanes, earthquakes, ruthless killings—leave us asking, “What has happened to our world?” Many of us just want to live simply: to go to the grocery store, pick up our kids, or spend time with family. For those who homeschool, like I did, we often shield our children from the news because it’s too painful to process. On social media, we see not only hate but also a disturbing joy in tragedy. How can anyone take pride in suffering? The answer lies in the enemy’s influence, capturing hearts and minds across generations.

When churches reopen to half-empty pews, when people turn to horoscopes or New Age philosophies instead of God, when our airwaves are filled with filth, it’s hard to find refuge. Even watching a movie requires careful vetting. As Christians, we face a critical question: What can we do?

The Temptation to Despair OnlineI see frustration boiling over. Many are fed up, unwilling to “turn the other cheek” or seek reconciliation. But this is exactly what the enemy wants—division, strife, and hatred, even toward our neighbors. The oppression is palpable, and it’s in these moments that we, as believers, must storm heaven with prayer.

Yet, even prayer is mocked. Some ask, “Where is your God?” I know where my God is, but do they? The September 2025 issue of The Magnificat offers wisdom for these times. (Read on air) On September 17th, it reflects on trusting God’s providence, drawing from Psalm 36:6: “Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.” St. Augustine reminds us that God’s plan is often hidden, like a single tile in a grand mosaic. We may question why the wicked prosper or the righteous suffer, but we cannot see the full design. God’s justice is not absent—it is beyond our understanding. We must trust Him and leave judgment in His hands.

A Call to Prayer and HopeWe don’t fully understand why God permits evil, but we know He is righteous and good. He has given us free will, and with it comes the choice to follow Him or the enemy. In these dark times, we must pray unceasingly—on our knees, for ourselves, our families, and those who don’t know the Lord. Many who perpetrate evil have bought into the enemy’s lies, and we must pray for their hearts to turn to God.

Amid the pain, there is hope. I hear stories of miracles—people who haven’t opened a Bible or attended church in years are turning to God. Conversions are happening; seeds of faith are being planted. Our role is not to judge how long this will last but to nurture these moments of grace.

Faith in the Midst of TragedyWhy do we follow God? Is it out of duty, or because we love Him with all our heart and soul? I pray it’s the latter, for that love endures. We are all in this together, praying for a world that reflects God’s love and justice. Jesus died on the cross for our redemption, yet many have turned to self-centeredness and evil. If that’s you, there’s still time to turn back to God.

Begin each day with praise: “Lord Jesus, I thank You. You are the King of Kings, the Alpha and Omega, the Bright Morning Star. I worship You.” At day’s end, pray: “My God, I thank You for today ‘s joys and sorrows. Thank You for the chance to serve my family, friends, and those who don’t know You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Let us pray unceasingly, trusting in God’s wisdom, and hold fast to the hope of His salvation.

Podcasts You May Enjoy: Calm in the Storm This episode explores finding peace and trust in God amid life’s storms and crises, echoing the call to prayer and reliance on divine wisdom during overwhelming events. Listen here * Not Abandoned Addressing feelings of isolation and despair in the face of evil and loss, this reflection emphasizes God’s unwavering presence and mercy, much like the script’s message of hope amid shock and sorrow. Listen here * Be Not Afraid* This episode delves into overcoming fear from tragedies and uncertainties through scripture and faith, aligning with the somber tone and encouragement to pray unceasingly. Listen here

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We live in a divided world, where right is wrong and wrong is right, but the good news? God wins! This podcast focuses on the ultimate reality in our lives: God reigns now and forever.

God Wins ~ Now and Forever ~ Episode 321Sponsored by NOW Programs.

I’ve been listening to teachings on the Bible, and the discussion has centered around the concept of wisdom. First, to desire wisdom means identifying that we need it. Once we realize we need it, our minds and hearts are open. The idea is that to love wisdom is to follow God’s laws. That gives us the blessed assurance that our lives will be with God forever.

We often forget that the Lord is victorious no matter what we feel in our hearts or how we deal with the hardships in our lives. We just completed another contentious election. People lie, and others believe. It is astounding to those of us who try to rationalize it, make sense of it, and understand things in a logical manner. I can talk civilly to anyone of all different views. I agree to disagree if it comes down to that, but this inability to converse is truly evil. The inability to disagree is also evil.

The Issues That Divide UsThe issues that plagued our country were and are truly diabolical. Each one of us knows them and we are astounded that this is the world in which we live. Yet God knows. He has delivered us at this point of time, but we must always put our trust in Him and not in man! Somehow, we can see the evil where others are blinded. As one young adult told me recently, “No one believes the news on television.” That wisdom.

Yet, what does wisdom teach us? It teaches us the truth, and it teaches us God’s sovereignty. Our God is a God of order; He is not a God of chaos. There are things that are clear. There are other things that are not, yet God has given us the ability to make up our own mind and act upon it. Yet, are we willing to accept the consequences?

God is indeed control of our lives, but God gives us:

1. The leader we deserve
2. God gives us free will
3. God allows people of ill intent to cheat

Therefore, not voting is becoming complacent in a way, and that is not my teaching; it actually comes from Fr. Rippenger, an exorcist priest. He says we must choose the less of two evils. Why am I discussing this after an election and not before? No matter when you hear this, you are responsible for your own choices, and how those choices affect you (and me) is often overlooked. The prayers and sacrifices of the Christian people I aligned within my own state of Florida managed to overturn very detrimental amendments to our constitution. I am still in total shock they did not pass, and I praise God for this blessing.

God is victorious. God wins – God always wins, yet we must do our part.We must pray, we must fast, and we must hold those truths of faith in our hearts. I’m going to read you a portion of Romans 8. I normally quote Romans 8:28 this is one of my favorite verses, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

That is you and me, yes, but while God works out things for good, we might not like the trial and tribulation (for our own good) that we must go through. It is echoed in Romans 8:31-32 …If God is for us, who can be against us?He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

For our salvation God sent His only begotten Son John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For our salvation, for our sake, for us. Do we cherish this? Do we praise God on a daily basis? Do we say, “Oh my gosh I can not praise and thank-you enough?” Do we truly understand the concept of God wins?

Romans 8:31-39 (read on air).

Amen and Amen! But, friends, what will you do with this information? How will you handle the truth? In what way will you go forth from today onward? We must look within our hearts and pray daily for a growth in our faith and for a true longing for wisdom that only God can bring.

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Mary Mother of Jesus – Episode 97Mary, Mother of Jesus is known throughout humanity, nations and time. We can learn so much from her! Most Christians know her name and read about her in the Bible. She receives a staring role in the New Testament that begins with humble roots, becomes elevated by her, “Yes,” to the Angel, Gabrielle – the spokesperson for Almighty God and culminates in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Why are we discussing Mary – as I record this it isn’t anywhere near Christmas when people consider Mary’s part in redemption history as they set out a Nativity scene perhaps to commemorate the birth of Christ. Yet, I believe that Mary is more than that and we need to take a closer look. She is a kindred spirit. She suffered as we suffer, she felt compassion, loved, trusted God and she is our example.

Mary is known by many names, she is known as Mary Mother of Jesus, she is known as the Virgin Mary, as Theotokos in Greek -Mary Mother of Jesus or in Easter Christianity and the Latin translation is Mother of God or God’bearer

Yet, while the Bible talks so little of Mary. We know her by her attributes:* She was a willing servant * She trusted God * Mary Obeyed God’s call * Mary had great suffering in her life

Can you imagine being a poor girl and learning that you were chosen by God for a great task? As a young Jewish girl, Mary must have learned as all the children did that they were awaiting a Messiah, a Savior to free them from Roman rule. She learned the Old Testament and she must have known about Isaiah and the prediction that a young virgin would bear a son, and he would be named Emmanuel which means God with us. Read all of Isiah 7 but the verse I will read to you is at follows and begins in verse 10-15

Emmanuel – God is With Us: Isiah 7: 10-15When Mary was approached by the angel she didn’t say – “I’m sorry you’ve got the wrong person, didn’t you take a wrong turn at a castle somewhere?” No – she said, “Let it be done to me according to your Word.” She said yes.

How often do we feel like God asks us to do something and we are conflicted. As I’ve shared with you its happened to me often. Yet, Mary was from a poor and humble family. Luke 1:38

The Infancy Narrative is in the Scriptures and you can read the entire verses in Luke 1:1-50 read this in your Bible and think about the words and what they mean. How can you apply this to your life? Luke 1:26-45 especially announces the birth of Jesus to Mary by the angel Gabriel. He was sent by God, and Mary humble servant said, “Yes.” She then visited her cousin Elizabeth. She was unselfish. And the visit turned out to be a blessing when Elizabeth greeted Mary. “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Luke 1:42)

Mary Filled with the Holy Spirit:

Responded with, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Luke 1:46-47 Mary needed a Savior, and her son was the Savior.

For many of us these verses are so familiar and if they are not for you – go back and revisit them, take your time, journal about them. While they are often read around Christmastime, it is so important we take time now to study them now.

God sent His Son for us – and God picked a humble lady.Now, Joseph’s lineage we read is from the house of David with a direct lineage to Abraham, this is very important and not the topic of today’s podcast. However, know that because of prophecy and the fulfillment of prophecy

First known miracle -wedding feast of Cana – do what he tells you.
Mary reminds us that Jesus serves our needs – but we must be obedient to Him.

She was present in the days before Pentecost and she was there at the foot of the cross

A woman of great courage and self-giving – went to visit Elizabeth to help her!

Isaiah 7:14 speaks of the Virgin Mother of Emmanuel

“Virgin-Mother of Emmanuel”: “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel.”

Emmanuel means God with us

The child – Jesus, would be a

Luke 1:46-49 – My soul magnifies the Lord …

Greatest of all saints – chosen by God, prepared by God to be the mother of his son – His divinity at the Council of Nicea was determined by defining his mother. Was Jesus half man and half God – God his human form from May and his Divinity from God or was he fully man and God – all as one?

Mary was called Mother of GodMary was immaculate by an act of God at the time she was conceived so that she would be sinless and therefore a worthy vessel

God gave Mary so many wonderful attributes of Grace
She is the symbol of hope, obedience, and pointing us constantly to her son – do what he tells you. Her life is a witness to the Glory of Jesus

Is Mary Mother of Jesus a Kindred Spirit?Image Attribution:
Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato – http://www.bridgemanartondemand.com/art/104827/The_Madonna_in_Sorrow

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In this fast-paced, chaotic world, have you ever wondered how to uncover your God-given purpose? With the busyness of life pulling us in every direction, how do we find the quiet moments to truly listen to His voice and discover the path He’s calling us to walk? Today, we’re diving into this journey together, seeking His wisdom and grace to guide us toward the purpose He’s designed just for you. Let’s take these few minutes to draw closer to God and find the clarity we all need!

Finding Your God-Given Purpose in a Chaotic WorldGosh, what a week. There is always something going on, but this week has been extremely stressful and chaotic. I won’t bore you with the goings on in my life, but I bet you can relate to this feeling or have suffered a similar week yourself. At times, I feel like a firefighter, putting out fires wherever they land. When I am in the midst of chaos, I wonder to myself, “Seriously, Lord? Is this my purpose in life?”

Yet, even while I feel lost in the whirlwind of life, I believe you can still discern your vocation or search for your true calling within what God has planned. Today, we’re diving deep into discovering your God-given purpose, finding peace and direction through faith. How do we do this? By searching the scriptures for reference, and today you will hear verses I love and share with you often, as well as ways I find peace to continue on this path of faith.

Scripture Reflection
No matter where you are, whether you are driving in a car, sitting on a back porch with a cup of hot tea, or doing your laundry as you listen, try to quiet your heart as I read this scripture to you. Let’s pray. Dear Lord, I ask a blessing on all of the listeners today. I ask that you open their minds and hearts to what you want for them. Not their best, Lord, but your best for them. And I pray this in Jesus, Name. Amen.

Let’s begin with Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Oh, friends, these words are ones that I remember as giving me hope. As I’ve shared with you before, we all need hope, and God promises to give us hope and a future. Plans to prosper us. What does prosper mean? If your mind is racing to the next lottery ticket purchase, that isn’t necessarily what the Lord has in mind for our lives. Prosper in this sense can mean well-being and safety. It can mean a deeper faith which brings happiness, hope and peace. These are the things that bring us closer to God and His purpose for us.

Finding Your God-Given Purpose
What are the ways you can discover your God-given purpose? First, listen to God’s voice. The world’s noise—endless tasks, distractions—can drown out the Holy Spirit’s whisper. As Christians, we’re blessed with faith. We can pray and use whatever prayer brings us the peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. What works for you? How do you pray in silence and ask the Lord, “What do you want of me today?” I try to attend daily mass. On the way, I meditate on one aspect of Jesus’ life. Either on His life, His death, or His resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Whether I do this in church, by praying a Rosary or going to Eucharistic adoration, a time of peace and quiet, I try to focus only on Him. Find what works for you. How can you pray?

Here is a suggestion. Spend five minutes or more praying daily, “Lord, show me Your purpose today.”[In my children’s book, A Few Minutes with God, available on Amazon or at MediaAngels.com, I share a story that brings home the importance of spending time with God. When you purchase the book on my website, you will receive a complimentary accompanying study guide journal.

You can also receive a free journal on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network by signing up for emails. I share journaling prompts to help you capture God’s guidance. It’s not about perfection but about opening your heart to His call.]

Second, embrace your unique gifts.Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” God crafted you with talents—maybe teaching the faith, creating beauty, or showing compassion. In a previous podcast, I shared a story about a listener who found her purpose leading a parish Bible study after feeling unfulfilled. I’m part of the Magnificat Prayer Ministry, and four times a year, we host a prayer breakfast for women to encourage them in their faith journey. We have a book ministry where people come and, for a donation, can take home a book that is virtually free. This ministry enhances our ministry and gives women another avenue to learn more about God’s calling. Do we use these gifts, or do we think that someone else will do the job? Stepping up and volunteering is another way we say yes to the Lord. There is no job too small if you are giving God all the glory for a job well done.

When we read scripture we are exploring our faith and the teachings that have been handed down to us. But be sure to add prayer to the scriptures you read. Ask the Lord for direction, yes, but consider that what brings you joy and serves others—that’s a blessing from the Lord. He blesses us as we try to bless others! If you are not sure about where the Lord is leading you, praying or talking to your pastor can help you discern what gift you have that you can share with others.

Third, trust God in the chaos.Why? Because we know He has not abandoned us, and we need to remember this! Ephesians 1:11 assures us, “In him we were also chosen… according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” We want to know his will now. We want it all laid out for us, illuminated by a lamp or a large flashing sign. This way.

Unfortunately, life does not work that way. Instead of being a chosen people, we become a stubborn people. My way or no way.

Everything that happens in our lives, the good and the bad, is something that is not a surprise to the Almighty God. He knows everything. So, how do we navigate finding our purpose when faced with all these roadblocks that lead us down the wrong path? By stopping, acknowledging our sins, and confessing that we are wrong and ready to begin again.

Take small, faithful steps toward what you consider God’s calling for you.And, how do you know it is the correct one? Seek the “peace that surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7) as a sign that this could possibly be God’s yes! Still, evaluate whether your actions bear spiritual fruit, such as joy and a feeling of closeness to God.

Additional Recommended Episodes
Deepen your journey with these A Few Minutes with God episodes on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network:

• Not Abandoned: Discover how God stays with you, even when purpose feels distant.
• Renew Your Mind : Align your thoughts with God’s truth to discern His plan.
• Caring and Compassion: Learn how serving others reveals your purpose.
• Miracles Happen: Be inspired by God’s guidance in unexpected ways.

Friends, how is God revealing your purpose?Maybe a Scripture spoke to you, or a quiet moment brought clarity. True discernment gives us a peace that persists through trials. Many times we soldier on and rarely take the time to think, “Am I at peace?”

If you are on social media, share your story on our A Few Minutes with God Facebook page—your words could inspire another person, truly! Post a prayer request or praise report, and let’s grow as a family in Christ. Visit the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network for more episodes and our weekly Christian podcast newsletter.

Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect plan for us. Help us hear Your voice, embrace our gifts, and trust You in the midst of chaos. Guide all listeners to live Your purpose boldly. Amen.

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I heard a sermon about this topic, “Let your yes be yes.” It made me think and wonder if this is something I do. In this podcast, we are going to explore some podcasts that point to this, as well as how to include this way of thinking in our prayer life and in the promises we make to other people, and more importantly, to the Lord!

Let Your Yes Be Yes, and Your No Be No ~ Episode 354God’s faithfulness is unwavering; He always keeps His word. As humans, we often fall short in keeping our promises to God, much like the Israelites, whose pride led them to stray despite God’s mercy and repeated chances for redemption. This episode explores how we, as Christians, can commit to a steadfast “yes” to God, honoring our word with integrity and humility, rooted in a Catholic perspective.

God’s reliability is our anchor. Our challenge is to align our words and actions with our commitment to Him, overcoming pride and human weakness to live faithfully.

Scripture Verses

1. Matthew 5:37: Read on air.
   • Jesus calls for simplicity and truth in our words, reflecting a heart aligned with God’s will.
2. James 5:12: Read on air.
   • Reinforces the call to integrity in our commitments, avoiding empty promises.
3. Numbers 23:19: Read on air.
   • God’s unchanging faithfulness contrasts with human inconsistency.
4. Deuteronomy 7:9: Read on air.
   • Highlights God’s covenantal fidelity as a model for our own.
5. Psalm 15:4: Read on air.
   • Describes the righteous person who keeps their word, even when it’s costly.

Main Points:

God’s Faithfulness vs. Human FailureGod’s word is eternal and trustworthy (Numbers 23:19). He never wavers in His promises, as seen in His covenant with Israel and the new covenant through Christ. The Israelites, however, repeatedly broke their “yes” to God due to pride, idolatry, and disobedience (e.g., the golden calf, grumbling in the desert). Like them, we often let pride—thinking we know better—derail our commitment to God.

Catholic Practices That Strengthen Our “Yes” to GodIn Catholicism, our “yes” to God is lived through the sacraments, prayer, and obedience to Church teaching. For example, the sacrament of Reconciliation restores us when we fail and ask for forgiveness, and he forgives us. In the Blessed Sacrament, He strengthens our resolve to live faithfully.

Why We Struggle to Keep Our WordPride, distractions of the world, and fear of sacrifice make it hard to keep our word to God. The Israelites’ pride led them to trust in their own ways over God’s. We face similar temptations when we prioritize personal desires over faith.

Five Ways to Let Your Yes Be Yes1. Practice Humility: Recognize our dependence on God’s grace to keep our commitments. Pride led the Israelites astray; humility keeps us grounded. Regular examination of conscience, a Catholic practice, helps us identify where pride creeps in and seek forgiveness. * Example: Pray, spend time with God, take time to read the Scriptures. 2. Root Commitments in Prayer: A consistent prayer life aligns our will with God’s. Daily prayer, such as the Rosary or Morning Offering, strengthens our resolve to say “yes” to God’s call. * Example: Dedicate time each day to ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in keeping promises. 3. Live with Integrity: Let your actions match your words, as Jesus teaches (Matthew 5:37). If you commit to serving in your parish or helping others, follow through, even when inconvenient. * Example: If you promise to volunteer at church, prioritize it over personal leisure. 4. Seek Accountability: Engage with a faith community, such as a Catholic small group or spiritual director, to stay accountable. The Israelites failed when they isolated themselves from God’s guidance; community helps us stay faithful. * Example: Join a parish group or find a trusted friend to share your spiritual goals. 5. Embrace Sacrifice: Keeping our word to God often requires sacrifice, as Psalm 15:4 notes. Be willing to bear the cost of discipleship, whether it’s time, resources, or comfort. * Example: If you commit to tithing or fasting, do so joyfully, trusting God’s provision.

Reflection: Living Out Integrity in FaithReflect on a time you said “yes” to God but struggled to follow through.

What caused the disconnect—pride, fear, or distraction? How can you use one of the five practices above to strengthen your commitment?

God’s “yes” to us is unwavering—seen in His covenant, Christ’s sacrifice, and the Church’s guidance. As Catholics, we’re called to mirror that fidelity through humility, prayer, integrity, community, and sacrifice. Let’s strive to let our “yes” be yes, trusting God’s grace to sustain us.

Download a Reflection Sheet for This PodcastLet_Your_Yes_Be_Yes_Reflection_Worksheet

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Answered Prayer Through Journaling?Episode 24Sponsored by CTCMath.com

Only when I began journaling did I see answered prayers. Have you found that by journaling to see answered prayers you can actually see that God has listened to your pleas? In this episode, I discuss journaling as a tool as well as the blessing that I found within the pages.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins

Show Notes: Answered Prayer Through Journaling

In today’s show notes, I want to ask you some questions to gauge your interest in journaling.

1. Do I feel that God hears my prayers?
2. Do I know how many times the Lord has answered my prayers?
3. I have journaled in the past and …
4. Journaling has been a passion of mine because …
5. I’ve never tried journaling but would consider it, because…

Have you ever journaled? If so you know the impact it can have on your life and those around you. By documenting the answers to prayers, it helps us to see that the Lord hears us. In addition, it helps us by allowing us a snapshot back in time. Was there a desperate prayer, or one you really wanted answered? Was it answered? Was the answer all you hoped it would be or did it fall short.

No one said Christian life is easy, but it certainly is blessed and by journaling, you can keep an eye on ways you need to improve your relationship with God. There are many different ways you can journal. In the next episode of A Few Minutes With God Podcast, we will explore some of those ways.

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Feeling unworthy of God or God’s love? You’re not alone. In this episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast, Felice Gerwitz explores God’s mercy and how it transforms our hearts. Learn how to overcome feelings of inadequacy with these powerful scriptures and practical steps. Don’t miss this uplifting message—read on and share with a friend!

Unworthy of God? Discover His Boundless Mercy ~ Episode 353Welcome, friends, to a reflection inspired by the latest episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast! Today, we’re tackling a topic that many of us know well: feeling unworthy of God. If you’ve ever felt like you fall short or wondered if God could possibly love you despite your flaws, this post is for you. Let’s explore the beauty of God’s mercy and how it lifts us up, no matter where we are. If you love this message, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast for weekly encouragement! I also want to remind you to take out your Bible and prayer journal if you have one.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

Do You Feel Unworthy of God?As a Christian, I often wonder if God is frustrated with me. I try to serve Him through prayer and obedience, but let’s be honest—I’m human, and I stumble. Maybe you feel the same way. You want to live for God, but those moments of doubt or failure creep in, making you feel insignificant. The good news? God doesn’t need our perfection; He desires our hearts. His mercy is boundless, and it’s available to us every single day. Praise God for that! Every day is a new day.

There are four powerful scriptures that remind me of God’s love and mercy, even when I feel unworthy, which is often. As I get older I feel less worthy, but the good news is that when this happens I rebuke it in the precious Name of God! The enemy does not want us to think or believe that God is merciful, and often this misinformation creeps in. So, today I’ll share practical ways to embrace His grace and love into your daily life.

Scripture 1: God’s Mercy Is SteadfastLet’s begin with a verse that shows us the character of the Almighty God. In Psalm 103:8, we read:

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

This verse is a reminder that God isn’t quick to judge or condemn us. Yet He is a merciful and just God. He is there, waiting for us, ready to meet us no matter where we are in our faith walk. Maybe you are just getting started in your faith journey, or maybe you’ve been on this road a long time. Either way, we can feel like we have fallen short. When you feel unworthy, hold onto this truth: God’s love for you is unwavering.

Application: Write down Psalm 103:8 and place it somewhere you’ll see it daily, like your mirror or workspace. Let it remind you of God’s patience and love.

Scripture 2: You Are Valued by GodIn my little corner of the world, I sometimes feel so small. But God sees me, and He sees you. Our efforts, no matter how small, matter to Him. Luke 12:7 says:

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

God knows every detail about you. You are never insignificant in His eyes. When feelings of unworthiness creep in, remember that you are precious to Him. I love this verse because it reminds me that we are not only important, but we are seen. That is a big buzzword right now: “feeling seen” and recognized for who we are. But how much more important is it to be the person God created you to be? And how wonderful that God sees us. Sure, we all need to improve, yet He is there waiting.

Application: Take a moment to thank God for His personal love for you. Journal about a time when you felt seen or valued by Him. If you can’t think of anything, thank Him for the gift of life!

Scripture 3: God is WaitingCan you believe that? God is waiting for you and me? And the best thing is we don’t have to earn His love. The image of the Father running to us, as in the Prodigal Son, or Jesus knocking at the door, waiting for us to invite Him in, reminds us of His relentless love.

A fitting verse is Revelation 3:20

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

This verse beautifully captures the imagery of Jesus, knocking at the door of our hearts, waiting for us to open it. The handle is on our side, symbolizing our free will to invite Him in. God’s love is always there, but He waits for us to respond, to show we care by opening our hearts to Him. When we do, He doesn’t just enter—He comes to dwell with us, sharing an intimate relationship. God is a gentleman. He doesn’t push Himself on us; instead, He is patient and kind.

This scripture reminds us that even when we feel unworthy, God’s arms are open wide. We don’t have to earn His love; we simply need to turn to Him. For more on God’s constant presence, check out my episode Not Abandoned, where I explore how God never leaves us.

Application: Take a moment to pray and ask Jesus to help you open the door of your heart. Journal about what it means to you to know He’s waiting to come in.

Scripture 4: Mercy Brings New LifeFinally, let’s look at Ephesians 2:4-5:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”

God’s mercy doesn’t just bring us forgiveness. It gives us new life, a spiritual life of abundance and grace. When you feel like you’ve failed, His grace restores you. This is the heart of the Gospel! God’s love for us is renewed daily and when we are open to it, wonderful things happen.

Application: Each morning, pray a simple prayer of gratitude for God’s mercy. Ask Him to help you live in the freedom of His love.

How to Respond to God’s MercySo, how do we live in light of this incredible mercy? For me, it’s through prayer and striving to obey God’s teachings, even when I don’t get it right which is more times than I care to admit. Another verse, 1 John 1:9, offers hope:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This verse is like a reset button. When we mess up, we can come to God, confess our sins, and trust in His forgiveness. Feeling unworthy doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love—it’s an invitation to lean into His mercy. How often? Daily.

Next Steps:

• Pray: Spend a few minutes each day thanking God for His mercy. Use my book, A Few Minutes with God, for guided reflections.
• Journal: Write about how God’s mercy has shown up in your life. What scriptures encourage you?
• Connect: Join our A Few Minutes with God Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/AFewMinutesWithGod) to share prayer requests and praise reports.

More Encouragement from A Few Minutes with GodIf this message resonated with you, I invite you to listen to the full podcast episode, Unworthy of God, at ultimateradioshow.com. For more on God’s constant presence, check out these favorite episodes:

• Not Abandoned: Discover how God never leaves you, even when you feel far from Him.
• Calm in the Storm: Learn how God’s peace sustains you through challenges.

These episodes, along with others at The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network, are designed to encourage your faith journey.

Let’s Pray TogetherLet’s close with a prayer: Lord, thank You for Your mercy that never fails. When I feel unworthy, remind me of Your love and forgiveness. Help me to trust in Your grace and live for You each day. Amen.

Thank you for joining me, friends! I pray this post has encouraged you to embrace God’s mercy and let go of feelings of unworthiness. If it blessed you, please share it with a friend and follow us on Instagram. For more resources, visit mediaangels.com.

Call to Action: Subscribe to A Few Minutes with God Podcast on Spotify, iHeartRadio, or your favorite podcast app. Let’s grow in faith together!

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I recently listened to a secular YouTube video, and when the speaker said, “I always go back to my why,” it hit me. Why? A Powerful Question for Christians to ask ourselves. Do we as Christians go back to our why? In this podcast, we will explore this concept of the why behind our faith.

Why? A Powerful Question for Christians ~ Episode 352Are you searching for deeper meaning in your spiritual life? In this episode of A Few Minutes with God, host Felice Gerwitz tackles the profound question of “WHY.” Discover why you pray, what you hope to gain from a relationship with God, and how faith can be truly freeing. Drawing from six powerful Scripture verses from the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE), Felice explores free will as God’s gift and ways to grow in faith by inviting Jesus into your daily life. Whether you’re a longtime believer or just starting your faith journey, this episode offers insights to strengthen your Christian walk. Exploring Your Spiritual “Why” in Prayer, Faith, and Relationship with God

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or directly on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network website.

This episode is inspired by our ongoing journey to deepen our connection with the Lord, and I’ll share some scriptures that you may want to spend time with at a later point. If you’re driving, walking, or just taking a moment to listen in, I invite you to open your heart and let the Holy Spirit speak to you through these words. Let’s pray – Dear Lord Jesus, inspired by the confidence that you hear all of our prayers, I ask Lord that you be with us today and allow us to focus on why we believe, why we pray, and encourage us in our walk closer to you, today and always, Amen.

Why Faith, Prayer, and Relationship with God MatterLet’s start with the question: What is your “why”? Why do you pray? Prayer shouldn’t be a checklist item; it’s our lifeline to God. It’s how we communicate with our Creator, express our gratitude, seek guidance, and intercede for others. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself why you pray? Is it out of habit, fear, or a genuine desire to draw closer to God? I thought about this very question, and it hit me hard. I’ll share my why with you at the end, but first, let’s look at the scriptures.

This is from James 5:16 (Read on air.) Here, St. James reminds us that prayer has power—not just for our own healing, but for others too. Prayer transforms us, aligns our will with God’s, and unleashes His grace in our lives. If your “why” for prayer is simply to get through the day, I challenge you to shift it toward building that intimate connection with the Father who loves you unconditionally. Remember God loves us. On the other hand, the enemy despises us, our weakness, and uses every chance to exploit those weaknesses. Prayer helps us to be strong in Christ! 2 Timothy 2:1-3 (Read On Air.)

Now, let’s think about what we hope to receive from a relationship with God. In a world full of temporary pleasures and temporary satisfactions, a relationship with God offers something eternal. It offers peace, (that peace that surpasses all understanding, Phillippians 4:7 (Read on air). Our relationship with God also gives us purpose and profound joy. We hope for His presence in our trials, His wisdom in our decisions, and His love that never fails. But ultimately, what we receive is God Himself—the blessed assurance that He is there for us, is something the pleasures of this world can not withstand or compare with.

In the Gospel of John, we read, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 Read on air). Jesus invites us to abide in Him, to remain connected, because without that relationship, our efforts are fruitless. What do you hope to receive? Perhaps strength for today, hope for tomorrow, or the ability to love as He loves. In this, we find fulfillment that the world cannot give.

This leads us to another layer: Is your “why” for yourself or for others? It’s natural to pray for our own needs—health, finances, peace of mind. But true Christian living calls us to look beyond ourselves. Our faith isn’t meant to be self-centered; it’s communal. When we pray for others, we participate in God’s redemptive work, becoming channels of His grace. That is why a faith community, a church, is so important. We join with other like-minded believers to worship and give glory to God.

St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians says: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). This verse challenges us to examine our motivations. Is your “why” only personal gain, or does it extend to lifting up your family, friends, and even strangers? Praying for others not only blesses them but also deepens our humility and compassion, drawing us closer to the heart of Christ, who prayed for us on the cross. It is especially important to pray for our enemies, those whom we don’t like. It is a choice, a decision, and not a feeling. We are told to love others, and faith in action is one way we show this, even if only to ourselves.

In this jaded world, why choose faith? To some, faith may seem outdated or irrational, but it’s the foundation of my spiritual life. Faith isn’t blind belief; it’s trusting in God’s promises even when we can’t see the full picture. It’s what pleases God and opens the door to His blessings. We don’t know the mind of God, and no amount of explaining can ever fully capture Who He is, but when we have faith, true faith, it surpasses anything else. There is nothing we can do for God but everything He can do for us.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Why faith? Because it connects us to the invisible reality of God’s kingdom. The examples we are often given are that you can’t see the wind, but you feel the effects of the wind. While we may not see God, we see the effects of God in our daily lives. Faith assures us that He is real, that He cares, and that seeking Him brings rewards—not material wealth necessarily, but spiritual riches like inner peace and eternal life.

But faith isn’t just about belief; it’s freeing. In a world bound by fears, addictions, and the pressures of society, faith liberates us. It breaks the chains of doubt and despair, allowing us to live in the freedom Christ won for us. Faith reminds us that we’re not slaves to sin or circumstance; we’re children of God, empowered by His Spirit.

Galatians 5:1 states, (and again, this is Paul). “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Faith is freeing because it shifts our reliance from our own strength to God’s infinite power. It frees us from the need to control everything, from the burden of perfectionism, and from the fear of failure. When we embrace faith, we step into the freedom of trusting that God has a plan, even when we don’t know it.

But what is faith without understanding freedom, and this freedom is tied to the gift of free will. Many people believe that faith restricts your freedom and does not allow you to do what they want. On the contrary, God didn’t create us as puppets; He gave us the ability to choose—to love Him or not, to follow His ways or our own. This free will is a profound expression of His love, respecting our dignity as His creations.

The Book of Sirach captures this truth: “It was he who created man in the beginning, and he left him in the power of his own inclination” (Sirach 15:14). Free will is a gift because it allows us to choose God on our own accord, we make our faith authentic by this choice and therefore our love for God is real. But with this gift comes responsibility: We must choose daily to join our will with His, resisting temptations that lead us astray.

Finally, how can we grow in faith by allowing the Lord Jesus to work in our lives? Growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it requires surrender. We grow when we let Jesus prune our us, enlarge our hearts with the capacity to love and to forgive and to guide our steps, and fill us with His grace. Through prayer, Scripture, sacraments, and community, we invite Him to transform us.

Friends, growing in faith means saying “yes” to Jesus every day—yes to His teachings, yes to His corrections, yes to His invitations. It means allowing Him to work through our weaknesses, turning them into strengths for His glory. As we do this, our “why” becomes clearer: We pray, relate, and believe not for temporary reasons, but for the eternal joy of knowing Him.

As promised, I will share my “why,” the reason behind what I do. The reason is ultimately because I can’t stop thanking God for all that He has done for me. In the hardships, in the midst of crisis, in life, and death. I praise Almighty God and the love He has given me, even before I was born. I do what I do because I genuinely believe I can never outgive the Lord. He is my WHY.

Take a moment to consider your “why,” write it down, and ask the Lord to encourage you in your faith journey. If you can, close your eyes and ask God: “Lord, what is my ‘why’? Help me align it with Yours.”

Key Takeaways: Deepen Your Christian Faith Today Prayer Isn’t Just Routine: It’s a powerful tool for healing and connection—make it intentional. * Relationship with God Offers Eternal Rewards: Abide in Him to bear fruit and find purpose. * Faith for Others: Extend your “why” beyond yourself to bless your community. * Faith Frees You: Break free from fears by trusting in God’s plan. * Embrace Free Will: Choose daily to align with Jesus for authentic growth. * Grow Through Surrender:* Invite the Lord to work in your life for deeper faith.

Thank you for joining me today on A Few Minutes with God. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to explore these past episodes for more inspiration:

• Faith in Action: Living Your Faith Boldly – Episode 348 – Dive deeper into putting faith into practice.
• Keeping Your Faith Alive – Tips on nurturing your faith daily.
• Open Your Heart to God’s Love – Episode 328 – Reflect on receiving God’s love in relationships.
• Praying for a Friend – Episode 350 – Explore intercessory prayer for others.
• God’s Provision: Trusting Him – Trusting God’s why in provision.
• Relationship with God – Building that vital connection.

Remember, God is always calling us deeper. Until next time, spend a few minutes with God each day, and may His peace be with you.

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Christian Example ~ 272What is a good Christian example? We can point to the saints, people like Mother Teresa and others. But, truly we can be an example to others by asking the Lord for His grace and His help.

Sponsored By: CTCMath.com a curriculum for students grades K-12 with online tutorials and help. Visit the website for more information.

Sadly, we, as Christians as a whole, are not the best examples of how to live. The promises of the gospel message show others, especially those who are suffering, that there is faith, hope, love, and compassion from the Lord.

God gives us many examples through the scriptures of how he expects us, his people, to act, and we fall short. Sometimes we fall short by word, sometimes by deed, and most of the time, just because we’re too lazy to do what is right truthfully, sometimes we can be so hard on ourselves or as one of our pastors says we have Christian scrupulosity. We care more for the letter of the law rather than the law itself. When we read the scriptures, we see it plainly, and yet how many of us take it to heart I know I’m guilty of this myself.

In Luke 7:31-35 we read, (on air).

Now, if we read the gospel of Luke Chapter 7, we will see before this happened, Jesus had been very busy. He was curing many who had diseases and sicknesses and casting out evil spirits. He gave sight to the blind and cured those who had leprosy. Those who were lame walked, but yet Jesus was reprimanding the people because even though they saw these miracles, they were not ready to change their lives

As Christians, we know the end of the story. We know what it is we should do God had compassion on those, and on those who were suffering, he brought people back to life. This is an example to us today of the gift that God gives us as Christians. We have the opportunity for everlasting life with him, so how are we going to be an example as Christians? How are we going to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Lord?

I can give you a list, of five or ten things you can do. But, my list might not be the one that is right for you. And, in doing this good thing, being a Christian example, it can cause us to be boastful, or to congratulate ourselves that we are not like those sinners over there. Friends, we must be cautious.

I did a podcast sometime back that I titled Judgmental Christians, and I’ll put a show a link I’ll put a link in the show notes. (Tell the story on air)

To summarize the other podcast, I explained how I should live my life according to the gospels I should improve my life, and I needed to forgive those who hurt me and ask forgiveness for those I had hurt. Friends, we are all flawed! It is difficult to show an example of Christianity to others when we are hurting, and as my mother used to say we need to get our own house in order before we can try to fix the houses of others

In giving others an example of what it means to be a Christian, we are following the example Christ gave us. However, when we pray, when we give alms, we do this because we should out of obedience, it is a free-will decision

Being a Christian is a free-will decision, and acting like one means we show others humility, love, and compassion, especially if they are hurting and especially if they feel rejected by others. When Jesus walked the earth, he called his disciples, I love the phrase “Come follow me” This is an example of what it means to follow and to be called by God.

But we know we are all called by God, the Scriptures tell us, He has called us by name…(Isaiah 43:1). Knowing someone’s name held great importance in Biblical times and even today. Aren’t you happy when you remember someone’s name or they remember yours? The significance is import. Even more, God knows the “number of hairs on my head– And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30.

In Matthew 9:9-13 we read (on air).

Wow! God is calling us; he is calling all of us. Not the perfect, not the ones that have it all together, but us. The sinners.

As a Christian, our example may be flawed, but it is at least an attempt, not at perfect but of example. All of these things show us that there is a right and a wrong way to act, but one thing we know, we should not be judgemental like the Pharisees.

Think about everyday life, driving in traffic trying to find a parking spot or maybe returning something at a store when the clerk is very frustrating. We can use these everyday opportunities to say thank you or some other greeting that is welcoming. Or, “I appreciate the excellent job you have done or appreciate how hard you’re working if they haven’t done an excellent job.” You know what I mean.

Sometimes it only costs us a few minutes of our time, and sometimes it costs us much more. It is a sacrifice, and that is a small price to pay. If we can all show just a little bit of grace to others because God has given us grace, we should. Jesus asks us to follow him. It is not a call we should take lightly. It is those baby steps that take us closer to Christ.

Let’s all pray and ask the good Lord to give us the grace we need to be a Christian example because only by his gift of love and grace can we possibly show others just a tiny bit of the goodness of God. My friends rejoice and are glad because he is there for us not just today but every day, and I just pray that this week your challenge will be, can you guess it that’s right, to be a Christian example to either yourself or to others in your life and beyond take care and may the Lord bless you today and always.

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Keeping God’s Word ~ Episode 254How can we keep God’s word close to us? In this podcast, we explore ancient traditions still practiced by those of the Orthodox Jewish faith today and how we can learn from these practices.

Thanks to our sponsor CTC Math and the curriculum receiving rave reviews. Check out the sponsor of this week’s episode.

When reading the Bible, we often hear of the Lord saying over and over again, especially to the Israelites, to keep his WORD next to their hearts and never to forget what the Lord has done for us. The Israelites were taken out of bondage as slaves, yet they had much to learn as they wandered in the desert. And, if you read Exodus and Numbers, you will find they were an ungrateful nation!

We would like to think we would be different, but as we both know, that is impossible without God’s grace. As we live our lives, we do not want to be forgotten. We want to leave a legacy for our family. When people talk about us, we want it to be with fondness and consideration. You can think about this for a moment. What is an accomplishment you do not want to forget or want others to forget?

Throughout salvation history, God has and continues to save His people. It was clear when he took the Israelites to the promised land. The Jewish culture still remembers this and keeps a sign of God’s word on their doorposts, sometimes even in their homes. I was fascinated when reading about the Mezuzah, [MA-ZOO-ZA ], and I looked it up. The word itself means doorposts. It is a small scroll with a piece of parchment paper handwritten by an expert scribe. Some are very basic, and others are quite elaborate. On the outside are Hebrew letters. The Mezuzah is believed to be an extra spiritual protection to the family that places one at the door. When the Jewish person enters or exits their home, they kiss their fingers and then place them on the mezuzah and recite – May God keep my going out and my coming in from now on and ever more – which is from Psalm 12:18

The foundational text of the Holy Scriptures – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 begins with Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, and the Lord is One. This is the command that God gave the Israelites. “And you shall write these words upon the doorposts of your house and upon your city gates.”

It is a beautiful verse; let me read it in its entirety. (read on air) Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Why don’t we, as Christians, have these on our doorposts? Why are we not continuing this tradition? Well, one of the reasons is Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Old Testament, yet, the Old Testament has many things we ascribe to – for example, teaching our Children diligently, putting the words of God in our hearts, and more. We have Bibles in our homes, often multiple Bibles. I have two different apps on my phone where I can read scripture. In reading the Bible, we consider and ponder the words and place them in our hearts, both the Old and New Testaments.

Think about your home, car, apparel, and maybe even a religious symbol like a cross. These are outward reminders of our faith. The Bible verse plaques in my home or on the doors to our bedroom. Where do you see signs of God’s word in your home?

I love the idea of a mezuzah, and I believe we must never forget; we take so much for granted as Christians. Consider how you can improve on your faith journey and keep God’s Word in your heart. What can you do?

We read in Psalms 119:105-106

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.

By our Baptism, we have been made sons and daughters of God; He is the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:4-6 we read (read on air). Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

At times in our lives, when we are lost, and we, like Thomas, do not know where we are going, we can remember this passage. Through Jesus is everlasting life. While God took the Israelites out of bondage and slavery physically and spiritually, the same applies to us today. With our faith in Christ, he takes us out of slavery from sin and into the life everlasting. We must follow that path less traveled, but it is lit with the true light of righteousness.

We may believe that the Old Testament is obsolete and it does not apply to us today. We think it is written for a people long ago. It does apply to us today because, just like any history lesson, if we do not learn from past sins, the sins of our forefathers, we will continue to make the same mistakes. The sins of Adam and Eve, of Moses being a humble servant but in his anger hitting the rock twice and not setting foot in the promised land, in countless events during the time in the desert. Making an idol to worship while Moses was speaking with God for direction for the people. Why go back into sin and slavery when you left it behind?

Because we are stubborn people, we want what we want. We think what we do is not “that bad,” especially if we compare ourselves to others. Friends, I am sure there is some truth to that, but shouldn’t we strive to do the best we can each day? To keep God’s word in our hearts and yearn for time with Him. Our relationships hinge on our relationship with God first. Everything else will fall into place!

This week, consider all the ways you can keep God’s word in your hearts and mind.

I pray that you are reminded of all God has done for you and that you continue to put God’s Word in your heart and never forget! May God be praised, now and forever!

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How To Plan Your Prayer Time #4with Felice Gerwitz

Sponsored by CTC Math.

Do you know how to plan your prayer time? If you take the time to plan once – and the rest becomes automatic. Are you trying to form a new habit? A time – quiet time with just you and God? In this podcast Felice explains ways to make your time with God highly effective and it takes one very special ingredient. Are you ready to spend time with God, today? Are you spending time to plan spend time with God?

Show Notes: How To Plan Your Prayer Time

SO, what’s the plan? How are you setting up your prayer time with God?

1. Do you have a special chair?
2. Do you like to pray Indoors or outdoors?
3. Up on your bed? (too comfy for me!)
4. Can you set up a specific time?
5. Little kids – early in the am or late at night? Nap time? – when kids got older they remembered how much nicer I was when I had my prayer time!!
6. Role model – parents with their Bible’s open in common areas when their kids wake up!

Talking to the Lord1. Whether you are happy OR upset – bring that to the Lord – either way begin by praising HIM – use Scriptures such as … or you can use extemporaneous prayer – You are the Lord of Lords, you are the Almighty, the King of Kings – I praise you and I thank you, I thank you Lord for _____ 2. If you are a singer – sing! Praise God in song… allow yourself to think about the words – singing allows us to get into the presence of God –it lifts us…brings us joy. 3. If you are not a singer – proclaim and praise God longer… don’t go to the Scriptures right now… If you want to proclaim certain scriptures get those out ahead of time and write them out – read from a journal rather than the Bible – right now our focus is to allow our minds to calm down and be in a place where we can pray and be still before the Lord – we want to listen but first we need to unload our baggage all the things on our mind – any emotions whether it is fear, anger, hatred – when do we stop? When we feel hope – joy – forgiveness – calm. 4. Ask the Lord to come into your heart. If you have a prayer request you can ask it – if you just want to spend time with the Lord and be available to Him – just be still, close your eyes and listen. 5. Give Him time – don’t expect anything – but you will be blessed whether you hear anything or not!!

Journal what you thought during your quiet time – is it random or is it specific? If it is confusing or chaotic – take it to the Lord – ask him for clarity. Typically, random or chaotic thoughts are not from the Lord unless it makes sense to you!

The Lord doesn’t bring us guilt or make us feel bad – I so love that!! God is a good God – He gives us HOPE

1. NOW pull out your Bible – read through a passage or two that maybe came to mind during your quiet time, or perhaps something is drawing you to read a specific page.
2. Journal if you want to add these passages.
3. No end with praise and worship again – thank the Lord.

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God’s Love Is Sufficient – Episode 182Uncertainty surrounds our lives yet with God we know that His love is sufficient for all of our needs. In this podcast, learn how you can live a life that is free from worry, stress, and anger.

Thanks to our sponsor CTCMath for all of your children’s (grandchildren or friends and neighbors) math needs. Check out CTCMath.com for more information.

If you know your scriptures you are probably thinking – why is she talking about God’s love being sufficient when the scriptures say, my grace is sufficient: Read: 2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s grace is his love and his forgiveness – it is empowerment by the Holy Spirit that makes us strong in, as the scriptures say our time of weakness. Seriously God’s grace and love is sufficient? Really? When are we weak? When are we scared? When we have infirmities – illnesses?

God’s Love IS SufficientNo one thinks their life is ideal. But if I asked you to take some time to design your ideal life what would be included? Would it be a house on the beach, listening to the waves crashing on the seashore? Or would it be a mountain retreat? What about an unlimited bank fund or maybe good health and happiness in your family? Each of our lists would be very, very long. But for most one of the missing elements is a relationship with God. Our ideal life surrounds our health and welfare, our temporal or temporary needs. We are often more interested in taking care of today, the right now rather than the forever.

We hold on tight to the things that don’t matter in the end.

An ideal life is free from worry, stress, anger, and heartache, to be free from illness … and the only way for this to happen is to have confidence in Almighty God. A stress-free – worry-free life is almost unimaginable. In fact, it is a difficult concept to grasp. Yet God’s love is all we need to live a life that is fulfilling.

This may be again, easier said than done. God is the God of Creation – He is after all the Creator God. Before original sin our lives would have been more astounding than our greatest dreams. One of the things that our first parents shared with the Creator was the gift of communication with Him. Communication is a form of relationship – communion is beyond speech, it is beyond what we can explain with words. This is what was recovered by the life – the example Christ gave to us, His death for redemption and the resurrection. The miracle. God is the only one who can restore us. This communion with God takes us to a level where we can let go of the things of this world. As a Catholic, I believe Holy Communion is the key because it is healing.

Recently we had a medical scare concerning my husband. We thought he might need surgery on his back – the neck region… and we know how back surgery can be – it can be great or the worse nightmares can happen. Well after months and months of tests, MRI, more scans, and even some he still has to go to later this month, we are at peace. The neuro-surgeon basically said my husband had a major issue but that his body had repaired itself, and the vertebrae he would have had to fuse in surgery was already done for him! What a miracle! What a gift from God.

It also turned out – which shows God’s sense of humor, that the surgeon and I chatted about his hometown which is also my hometown (I’m one of these people who read a doctor’s bio on their website), and it turns out he knew me, and I was his teacher in the 4th grade when I was a college student and student-teaching in his classroom. Of course, I was blown away, and we laughed about the chances of meeting up again.

God is amazing and in this life, we can either praise God for all things – those we are scared and uncertain about and those things that are truly happy and amazing blessings in our life. God cares in everything we do even if we think that only bad things happen.

We are called to love God and realize that His grace and His love are all we need, but without a relationship, we cannot love someone we do not know. How do we know someone? We communicate with each other. Some may feel speaking to God is a one-way street. We talk, He listens. We hear nothing back. This takes practice and it takes the Holy Spirit. Have you availed yourself to the Holy Spirit? I attended what is called a Life in the Spirit Seminar in the 1990s and this changed my life. Here I learned that God not only wanted a personal relationship with me but that He wanted to pour His Spirit into my life in a way that I could experience, more fully what it means to be a Christian. People talk about finding faith and the honeymoon period. That is a period when they can’t get enough of reading the Bible or spending time in prayer or just meditating on the goodness of the Lord. They are so excited to share their faith and everything that God has done in their life with anyone – and I mean anyone who will listen.

The Holy Spirit allows Scriptures to become alive. When we read about Jesus healing the Lepers we think about this in terms of being there on the side roads and watching this take place. We feel the elation of those healed and we want to shout from the rooftops – God is a God of miracles. Everything else pales by comparison. We also realize that the things of this world are fleeting.

Sure we need money to live, to buy food, to pay for our bills – but that is not enough for most. Everyone has big dreams that include bigger homes, cars, and vacations, and a bigger, deeper relationship with the Lord is not necessarily high up on the list.

No wonder we are depressed, defeated, and feeling like no one cares or listens to what we have to say. So what can we do? Put aside all of our world aspirations – of course not, but maybe intersperse them with other goals and focuses.

First, when you read Scripture always pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of knowledge, and ask that the Lord allows you to see the parts that really speak to you. Our lives have a way of refining all of the impurities and all of the things we need to release, but our strength is in that grace from God and that Knowledge that God’s love is all we need.

Let’s Pray – Dear Lord we thank you for all of the miracles in our lives for those things we see and for all of those things that are unseen. I praise you for the grace you give us and that is indeed sufficient and I thank you for the love you give for that is sufficient as well. I ask you Lord to bless those I pray for now and provide for all of their needs.. and I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Overwhelmed? Find God!Episode 18Overwhelmed, find God! When you are overwhelmed that is the perfect time to find God. In this episode, I’ll discuss how you can find God even when you are under pressure, busy or overwhelmed by life. It is the perfect way to get refreshed in a hurry and continue on with your schedule. This sure-fire way has been my go-to for years, and when I actually *remember to do this, it has been a lifesaver.

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Depression During The Holiday

Show Notes: Overwhelmed? Find God.Spiritual Side:

1. Identify why you are overwhelmed. Writing helps
2. Ask for an infilling of the Holy Spirit.
3. Renew your commitment to the Lord.
4. Ask the Lord to give you more of HIM and less of you.

Practical Applications:

1. Ask God to help you find answers
   • Simplification
   • An answer to a pressing problem
   • Cutting back
   • Saying, No!
2. Find God in the simple things
   • Sit and listen
   • Enjoy the outdoors
   • Watch the antics in nature
3. Ask God to use you.
   • To be an answer to someone else’s prayers
   • To be His hands and feet
4. All God asks for is our love – that’s it!

Rejoice, the Lord is waiting for you to ask, and He is ready to answer. You can find the Lord even when you are overwhelmed and especially when you are so busy — like during the Christmas holiday. The Lord has an answer. The Lord hears you. It is that small still quiet voice. Are you listening?

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Spiritual Sandpaper – Episode 264Spiritual sandpaper describes the events that happen in our lives that purify us and make us better than before, yet they are painful. In this episode, Felice shares how this can actually cause spiritual growth if we open our eyes to the possibilities.

Visit our sponsor CTCMath.com for all of your family’s math needs. My own grandchildren use this curriculum and I’m excited they are sponsoring our network.

Have you heard sermons about being tested in faith? The longer you follow the Lord, the more you understand this concept. At various times in our life, we strive for goodness, honesty and perhaps even holiness. Yet, our faith deepens not by all the good things that happen in our lives but through our trials.

In the book of Job 23:10 we read, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Our resolve goes one way or another. After being tested, or purified we are not lukewarm but either for or against God. Proverbs 27:21 speaks truth in the verse, “

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.

We’ve discussed praise and worship on my past episodes, and praising God in our daily walk can make the difference between happiness and strife. In fact as I write this the Lord has reminded me of a private matter of which I have been praying and beeseching God and I am now going to thank God for the situation. I am not thankful, but if it is God’s will – or God’s permissive will then I will be thankful out of obedience.

Is this true faith to blindly follow? Not at all. It is faith that understands that while we have free will, God’s will is for us to join Him in heaven at the end of our life, and a life of ease and comfort rarely gets us to that destination. The areas of our life that are unchecked lead to temptation. This can look different for each one of us.

Spiritual sandpaper is that time in our life when things are uncomfortable, and yet we see, after the trial, that the outcome is better than we could have hoped and prayed. We had some years of reduced income due to the economy. We never lived over our means, but even our savings accounts and investments did not prevent the outcome. After this very uncomfortable time, the Lord allowed us to keep our home when many around us with deeper pockets went bankrupt, and we were able to pay off our debt in a difficult yet fulfilling way. This time has taught us to value money in a better way than would not have happened without this uncomfortable time in our life.

I praise God for the outcome, which was so much better than I could imagine. In prayer I kept getting those words, they would pop into my mind, “It will be better than you imagine.”

We know sandpaper can be gritty and abrasive, but what happens afterward? The surface is primed and smooth. The sandpaper in our lives was reduced income, it was not a life and death situation, even though it felt like it at that time. Many of you have had a situation with someone who has been abrasive in your life, and it has been a challenge.

Our pastor talks about a husband and wife being sandpaper to each other and it works out our flaws and shortcomings. Our family is also our spiritual sandpaper.

The scriptures talk about being tested many times. The most notable in our spiritual sandpaper focus today is Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

How are we sharpening each other? Are we helping each other in our walk toward the Lord –that is what we should be doing, but we often fall short. I don’t want to come off as preachy when I talk to my children about spiritual matters. Yet, sometimes I do. I send them videos of good sermons, Scripture verses, or encouragement. That helps in ways that are beneficial without me using a bunch of words.

Our job as parents is to aid our children. Our job as a husband or wife is to aid our spouse. The same goes if you are dating. We are to help and not antagonize each other.

Matthew 5:43-44:

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!’”

God commands us to love as He loves, which is difficult and sometimes impossible. That is why I have prayed, “Lord, I can not love this person right now, but I know you love them; please bless them abundantly.”

MOST OF THE ANIMOSITY WAS LIFTED whenever I prayed this prayer or something similar. Sometimes it took years, but the Lord was victorious in teaching me to forgive.

Why should we love even when people hurt us? Even when we are chafed, annoyed, or persecuted? Because the Lord asks it of us. I love how Jesus explains the main purpose of this command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us in Matthew 5 verse 47, he says:

“If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.”

Do we want to be compared to pagans? Of course not; as believers, we want to do better than those without belief or those who believe in false gods. And that is our challenge today or this week. It is three-fold.

1. First, to be aware of situations where we are sandpaper – that is, abrasive to others without cause. (Not sure there is ever a cause to be abrasive!)
2. Be aware of situations where others have been abrasive to us, and we harbor unforgiveness. Remember the Lord’s prayer.
3. Look at the spiritual sandpaper in our lives as a good thing, one that will help us to grow spiritually.

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What do you believe? Have you taken the time to stop and reflect on your faith? Today, we will discuss ways to increase your faith and spend time with God.

Reflect On Your Faith – 313Friends of mine attended an international conference and shared their experiences with me. There was such joy and hope expressed not only in the experience and the speakers they heard but also in how motivated they were to spread the good news to others. This fire, if you will, the fire that comes from the Holy Spirit, is what we all need. We need a boost from time to time and encouragement. We need that shot in the arm to get going and to spread God’s love for others. This can happen to you when you take the time to reflect on your faith. Why should we?

Thanks to our sponsor, CTMath.com

Romans 8:30-32: What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? 3

Because of who we are in Christ, we are called to speak to anyone who will listen about His love and goodness, yet if we don’t take the time to reflect on our faith, it is difficult, at best, to know what we believe. What do you believe? Do you know? When was the last time you read a book of faith or studied the scriptures? Do you have time set aside for prayer?

Maybe you have not prayed because what you believe is not crystal clear. How can we worship a God we don’t know? How can we worship a God we can not see? How can we worship when we feel empty inside? The answer is you can not worship a God you don’t know and can’t see. And, if you are in the middle of a life crisis, then it will seem more difficult because we as humans tend to blame God, even if our faith in God is weak! Do you know someone who has abandoned their Christian faith because they blame God for their trials and for unanswered prayer?

Listen, we’ve all been there; if you have not doubted God or had a chink in your armor of faith, you have not lived long. Everyone has thoughts that I attribute to the evil one. These thoughts are not from the Almighty, let me tell you! The thoughts are something like this: God doesn’t care about you, God isn’t real, and you are wasting your time. Or even worse, Where is the God that you believed in? He has let you down. No, God never lets us down, but by the free will God has given us, we have a choice to make. Do we follow Him or not? Do we believe or not? Do we continue to worship when we don’t feel like it, or not?

God does not force His will upon us. He did not create us as puppets with Him pulling the strings. No. He gave us a heart and soul, a spirit to worship or not, and a hunger in each one of us for more. But why do we hunger and thirst without it ever being quenched? God created us to know, love, and serve Him because how could we not serve the one who gave us so much?

And here is the bottom line: Faith is a gift—yes, that’s right, a gift. Faith is a gift given to us by the Almighty God, and while it begins with a feeling, it involves so much more. It involves your free will—your free will to continue to love and serve God when you don’t feel like it.

Look up the Nicene Creed (Council 325) and the Apostles Creed. The Nicene Creed is believed to be the oldest creed. Read on air.

What do you believe? Reflect on your faith. Ask the Lord to increase your faith.

Prayer is a conversation with God; it is praying, but it also takes time to listen—spend some time in quiet. This means being present and aware of God’s love for you, meditating on this—God does love you, and you are here for a reason. Last week, the topic was belonging. We are His people, and He is our God. Podcast here.

1. Spend time in prayer and speak to the Lord.
2. Spend time in quiet, listen.
3. Read scripture.
4. Journal
5. Praise God, thank Him for everything.

Dear friends, I pray your faith is increased. In this world, there is a need for people who are on fire for the Lord. Christians need to help those who are suffering, and one way we can do this is by having the love of God within our own hearts and pouring our love into others. Amen!

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Many of us find ourselves praying daily, but often the call is praying for a friend. It is such a blessing and privilege to bring you this episode and share some ways we can help others in need.

Sponsored by the NIV Application Bible.

Praying for a Friend ~ Episode 350Welcome, friends, to A Few Minutes with God Podcast! I’m Felice Gerwitz, and today we’re talking about something close to my heart—praying for a friend. There’s something powerful about bringing a friend before the Lord, whether they’re facing a storm, celebrating a joy, or just need a touch of God’s love. Prayer is a gift we can offer, and it’s a way to show care and compassion. Let’s dive in with a prayer.

(Prayer said on air.)

Why Pray for a Friend?Prayer is a bridge that connects us to God and to each other. When we pray for a friend, we’re not just asking for blessings—we’re partnering with God in His work. It’s a way to show love, bear burdens, and trust God’s plan. The Bible calls us to this in Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Praying for a friend also changes us. It softens our hearts, deepens our empathy, and reminds us to rely on God. Whether your friend is struggling with health, relationships, or faith, your prayers are a powerful act of love. Let’s explore how to pray effectively with some practical steps.

Steps to Pray for a Friend1. Listen with LoveBefore you pray, take time to listen to your friend. What’s on their heart? Are they overwhelmed, grieving, or seeking direction? Listening helps you pray with specificity. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.” Show your friend you’re there by truly hearing them. Maybe they’ve shared a specific need, like a job interview or a family challenge. Use those details in your prayer.

Reach out via a call, text, or coffee date. Ask, “How can I pray for you?” Then, jot down their needs in a journal. Or better yet, if you forget and you are praying, ask the Lord to help you remember, but either way, the Lord knows their specific needs.

1. Pray with ScriptureGod’s Word is powerful, and praying Scripture over your friend brings truth and hope. For example, if your friend is anxious, pray Philippians 4:6-7: (Read on air)

Choose a verse that matches your friend’s situation. Write it on a card or pray it aloud.

1. Be ConsistentPrayer isn’t a one-time event—it’s a commitment. Set a routine to pray for your friend daily or weekly. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 urges us to “pray without ceasing.” Consistency shows your friend they’re not alone.

If you have one available, be sure to add their name to a prayer list or set a phone reminder.

1. Trust God’s PlanSometimes, we want to “fix” our friend’s problems, but prayer reminds us to trust God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, (Read on air, one of my favorite verses!) Lift your friend up, then release the outcome to God.

After praying, say, “Lord, I trust You with [friend’s name].”

1. Follow UpPrayer doesn’t end with “Amen.” Check in with your friend to see how they’re doing. This shows your prayers are backed by care. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

You don’t have to let your friend know you prayed, unless they ask. OR you can send a text like, “I prayed for you today—how’s it going?” Share praise reports on our Facebook page, A Few Minutes with God.

Friends, praying for someone you love is a beautiful way to serve. It’s not about having perfect words—it’s about a heart turned toward God. Think of a friend who needs prayer today. Maybe they’re facing a trial, or maybe they just need encouragement. Take a moment now to pray for them silently. This is our mission field we aren’t always able to go on the mission field, but we can serve the Lord in this mighty and powerful way. Never underestimate prayer.

Thank you for joining me today, friends! Let’s close with a prayer: Prayed on air.

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend. Join our community on Facebook or Instagram. Until next time, may you find joy in spending a few minutes with God!

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Blueprint For Making MAJOR DecisionsEpisode #14Using a blueprint for making major decisions.

Every once in awhile making major decisions is a must, and having a blueprint for making major decisions is important. Decisions such as where do I go to college, should I change jobs, should I write a book – should I do another podcast? Those are some of the decisions I’ve had to make in my life. In this episode, I’ll discuss a blueprint for making those major decisions in your life!

Sponsors: NOW PROGRAMS

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Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins

Major decisions can hold us captive! What do we do? Where do we turn? Oh if God would only answer us clearly we could make good decisions, quickly! How does this happen? It happens with lots of perseverance and prayer as well as some of the steps I’ll share with you.

So, if you listened to the previous podcast – episode 13 you will hear some of the same points mentioned except with a few powerful additions. Making a big decision includes those that can impact you for the rest of your life – I remember when praying for a spouse, I finally gave up. The choices were slim and in my town, truthfully with teaching full time I had no time – and my workplace had one single guy who I was not interested in – at all.

It was difficult to think about my future and I finally said, “Lord if you want me to be single forever that is fine with me – your will Lord, not mine.” I gave it to Him. I could not make decisions at that point – such as moving to another town, closer to some college friends.

Well, the Lord took care of it by having my now husband move into the same town to teach school, he and I went to the same college and while I knew him, I did not know him that well. But, I did think he was awfully cute – and I still think that 38 years later!

This blueprint for making major decisions is a process I’ve used with some additions and modifications throughout the from years. The hard knocks of life and real-life experiences have caused me to fine tune my list. When do I use this blueprint for making major decisions? When I had to make those big decisions – what do I do about college, a job – which one to take – what do I do about homeschooling Lord –should I or shouldn’t I? Lord, should I write a book? Lord, should I podcast? I will tell you in those times I did not turn to the Lord first – no, I’m not perfect – often things fell apart!

I’m quick to jump into a new idea and often the Lord is there to catch me. In those big decisions, we need to give our ALL to Him and he will not let us down.

Blueprint Making Major Decisions:

Here are some helpful tools to use in praying for those major decisions.

1. Pray specifically for your decision.
   • God knows, but do you?
   • Stress creates havoc on nerves, be single-minded in prayer
2. Be open to God’s will in your life.
   • Sometimes it may not be specifically what you want to hear.
   • Sometimes God’s will is different than our own
   • Sometimes we think we “hear” God, but need confirmation
3. Give it to the Lord
   • Praying and seeking God means leaving it at His feet
   • Try not to dwell on it further
   • Let go and let God
4. Ask the Lord’s guidance
   • Pray for guidance
   • Seek outside help, friend or a pastor
   • Look for guidance in the Bible
5. Read Scripture
   • Pray specifically, and read through Scripture
   • Sometimes the Lord answers prayers in verses you’ve read 100 times before
   • Be open to the Lord’s word and your prayer request
6. Pray specifically for your need and ask the Lord to give you the gift of knowledge about what to do.
   • Many gifts fo the Holy Spirit
   • Ask the Lord for the Gift of Knowledge, peace, joy
7. Our subconscious listens and often when we are in tune with God
   • Ideas will come into our minds, miraculously
   • We can pray and think about thoseWrite anything down that comes to you.
8. Write anything down that comes to you.
   • Keep a journal
   • Be sure to take “co-incidences” with a grain of salt (more in the audio)
   • God-incidences do happen but keep our eyes focused on Him, not just the events
9. Look into your options
   • Research
   • Be informed
   • If needed visit the place or seek more information.
10. Seek counsel if you continue to be stuck.
11. Ask the Lord to direct you
    • We are constantly praying in this situation, however ask for direction if you are still “stuck”
    • Praise Him ahead of time.
12. Continue to read Scripture
    1. Believe that the Lord talks to us through His word.
13. Pray about any thoughts
    • Ask the Lord to confirm thoughts that come to mind
    • Confirmation can be through others or the Bible
14. Do you have peace of mind?
    • Peace is a sign from the Lord that it is right.
    • If you are stressed or agitated keep praying!
15. Be careful with signs – continue to journal
    • Continue to journal
    • See #8 above.
    • Sometimes we look for those God-incidences and while those are wonderful, we want to use caution.
16. Make an informed decision.
    • Don’t just go on feeling, especially if this is a major decision.
    • Think wisely with your head – and your heart.
    • Sometimes you just know-that-you-know!
17. If you can’t make a decision… wait!
    • Satan rushes, God leads
    • Pray and continue to read scripture.
18. Once you make a decision trust in the Lord and give it to Him.
    • Surrender to God.
    • Have peace about the decision.
19. Ask the Lord to go ahead of you and prepare the way.
    • Praying for intervention
    • Praying for those involved in your decision.
20. If you make a mistake learn from this and regroup.
    • Go back to the Lord and ask Him for help – again!
    • God can make crooked paths straight
    • If it was the wrong decisions look at this as a learning tool
21. Give all the glory and praise to God!
    • God deserves our praise for the little and big things in our lives
    • Praise conquers all! Continue to praise God in all of the success in your life
    • Continue to praise God in all the failures in your life!

Make your decision for the glory of God – not for ulterior motives, sometimes we want the Lord to bend to our will – and sometimes the Lord allows those mistakes to teach you that HIS way is best. Use all of these methods as a tool but not a miracle guide – it is a blueprint and blueprints are meant to be added onto and revised. This list can be used to add your own revelations from the Lord.

The main idea here is don’t jump or be hasty with your major decisions – rely on the Lord and He will not only make your paths straight He will guide you along the way!

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Are you trusting God this summer? Embracing God’s plan during your family’s summer adventures can transform your faith journey. In Episode 349 of A Few Minutes with God, we explore why trusting God’s will is life-changing, especially when summer plans take unexpected turns.

Sponsored by Judson College.

Trusting God in Your Summer Journey: Episode 349 of A Few Minutes with GodAre you trusting God this summer? Embracing God’s plan during your family’s summer adventures can transform your faith journey. In Episode 349 of A Few Minutes with God, we explore why trusting God’s will is life-changing, especially when summer plans take unexpected turns.

Trusting God This SummerSummer is a time for exploration—think family road trips, hiking trails, or new experiences. But what happens when plans go wrong? This episode dives into how summer adventures can deepen your trust in God’s perfect plan. Reflecting on scriptures like Proverbs 3:5-6, we share a heartfelt story of a family camping trip that didn’t go as planned but revealed God’s guidance in a powerful way.

Listen to the Episode: [Family Size]

Key Bible Verses for Trusting GodThese scriptures anchor our reflections on trusting God during life’s adventures, offering hope and guidance for your summer journey:

• Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
• Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”
• Isaiah 55:9: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
• Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

These verses remind us that God’s plans are always better, even when summer outings don’t go as expected.

God’s GuidanceImagine a family gearing up for a camping trip, excited to hike along a scenic river. The pop-up camper is packed, the cooler is full, and the trail map is ready. But rain clouds roll in, soaking the trails and dampening their spirits.

Ready to give up, the family returned to the campground. Then, a neighbor invited them for a moonlit walk. Leaving flashlights behind, they wandered through moonlit trees, where raindrops sparkled like diamonds. This unplanned moment was magical—a vivid reminder of Isaiah 55:9, where God’s ways surpass our own.

This story shows how summer adventures, with all their surprises, teach us to trust God’s path over our own plans.

3 Practical Tips for Trusting God This SummerGrow in faith during your family’s summer activities with these actionable steps:

1. Pray Before You Go: Begin each adventure with a prayer, asking God to guide your plans and bring peace when things change.
2. Embrace the Unexpected: When detours or disruptions occur, seek God’s hand. A canceled plan might lead to a meaningful conversation or a hidden gem.
3. Reflect as a Family: At day’s end, gather to share where you saw God’s presence, strengthening your family’s faith.

Why Trusting God MattersTrusting God isn’t just for life’s big moments—it’s for every summer road trip, hike, or rainy day. By focusing on God’s will, you’ll discover peace and purpose in every adventure. Ready to deepen your faith? Listen to Episode 349 now and start trusting God in your summer journey.

Subscribe to A Few Minutes with God for weekly inspiration. Share this episode with a friend and leave a review to help others find this message.

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Keys to Unlocking Your Faith ~ Episode 276The keys to unlocking your faith are not complicated, yet often missed in our hectic lives. In this podcast, we discuss the key elements of faith and ways we can be open to receiving more of Him and less of us.

Sponsor: Judson College

Everyone likes keys, and what’s not to like? They unlock previously blocked or locked items and often treasures. What is more important than the treasure of faith? For those of you who are lifelong Christians, the answer may be obvious, but still, when was the last time you asked the Lord to come into your life and unlock those places you’ve previously blocked?

You may enjoy these previously recorded episodes:

• Faithful Christian
• New Eyes of Faith
• 7 Keys to Sharing Your Faith

Think about this. Many of us pray and have an openness to God. We read the Scriptures, pray our prayers, and maybe even confess our sins. But, there is the place we ignore, we don’t think about, and we won’t release to the Almighty.

One time, I felt strongly in prayer that God was calling me to do more. He was asking me to give Him my all — but in a way that made me pause. “Lord, I’ve given you my heart, mind, intellect, all of me.”

But what about your health, your family, your finances?

Do we release everything to Him and say – Your will, Lord, not mine? Sure, within reason or what we believe is reason. We worship God, but what do we leave on the table? There is a saying in business that often we leave money on the table. That means we do not maximize our investment or profit to the fullest. We are, in essence, short, short-changing ourselves.

The same can be said in faith; we give God everything except everything.

The key to unlocking your faith is a complete surrender, and some of you listening are just not ready. Join the club. We are rational human beings. God gave us intellect, He gave us reason, He gave us free will (which often gets us in trouble). But He has also given us everything.

Jesus gave me everything by lowering Himself to come as a babe, live among us, suffer, and die to atone for my sins and the sins of humanity. He opened the gateways of heaven for me. He loves me. And I can choose to deny Him.

We walk around with heaviness and a lack of joy because we carry the burdens of life. We live in a world of war, strife, anger, and deceit. How do we see the silver lining in this world? Yet, we hold on and cling to life, don’t we? On occasion, I suffer from migraines. The pain is excruciating, but it is debilitating. For those of you who are fellow suffers out there, you know. I can do nothing, but I hope and pray it ends soon. Amid the suffering, the thoughts are disjointed as they believe there would be respite in death. How many suicides are there? The number has grown exponentially, especially among our young people. That is a lie from the evil one, and I rebuke it in Jesus’ Name. There is death, yes, when God wills it and only then.

If you are struggling, you can figure out the cause in this way. Try to listen to praise and worship music, try to watch something that is faith-based, and try to read Scripture. Does any of this bring a struggle in your mind or make you want to turn it off or away? If so, you are in the midst of a spiritual struggle. It happens to all of us from time to time. We want to bury ourselves in fluff, entertainment, and veg out occasionally. And, of course, there is nothing wrong with this. However, remember, the enemy wants to keep us in a loop of entertainment to rob us of the joy of a genuine faith infilling (Come Holy Spirit) and the joy that only comes from God.

There is good news! The good news is that true faith comes from releasing our will freely to the Almighty God.

So, back to the keys. The keys to unlocking your faith, what are they?

1. Surrender to God’s will in your life—all of me, Lord, for all of you.
2. Know that God will provide no matter what you cross if you lean on Him.
3. Fill your mind with all that is good; listen to praise and worship music.
4. Join a faith community. There is power in praying with other faithful Christians.
5. Go to church.

Friends, the truth is that the struggle, while real, can be overcome with the simple keys to unlocking your faith. Come, Holy Spirit, come and fill each person listening today! Your challenge is to pray this week for more of Him in your life, and if you are ready, surrender all to Him. Amen!

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You have faith, right? But is your faith something you act upon or share with others? Today our topic is faith in action. This is a challenge for all believers. Join me, Felice Gewitz, as we explore the joys of sharing our faith with others.

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Faith in Action~ Episode 348Have you ever felt a tug to share your faith but hesitated, wondering if it’s too personal? A recent sermon inspired me to move beyond a private faith and let my love for God shine through my actions. For many of us, faith can feel like a quiet conversation between us and God—especially if we’re new to this journey. But when God works wonders in our lives, the joy often can’t be contained, and sharing it becomes a natural response. So, how do we turn that joy into bold, everyday acts of faith?

Let’s start with James 2:17, which declares, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This isn’t about earning God’s love—it’s about faith so alive it spills into action. Similarly, Matthew 5:16 urges, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Our lives can be a living testimony, reflecting God’s goodness to everyone around us.

Prayer is the starting point. Ask God to open your eyes to opportunities, and trust His gentle nudges. While scrolling through my phone to find a contact from over a month ago, I rediscovered the phone number of a neighbor I meant to call. A quick text led to coffee plans and a heartfelt catch-up. Those small moments aren’t accidents—they are God’s invitation to show care and live out our faith.

God designed us for connection, as 1 John 4:7 reminds us: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.” Love doesn’t always mean grand gestures. It’s the text you send to a friend whose parent is ill, the smile you offer a stressed cashier, or the time you spend listening to a child’s story. These acts weave God’s love into the fabric of our communities.

Faith In Action – Not Just WordsFaith in action isn’t just about words—it’s about embodying Christ’s heart. Romans 10:14 asks, “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” You don’t need a megaphone; your life speaks volumes. Whether it’s forgiving a family member after a disagreement or volunteering at a food pantry, these choices plant seeds of faith. And here’s the gift: acting on your faith deepens your trust in God, drawing you closer to Him and others to His light.

After a painful divorce, one of my friends spent her Thanksgiving celebration at a local food pantry. She and her boys did this for many years. She said instead of feeling sorry for herself, she wanted to help others and considered herself fortunate by comparison. This is faith in action, praising God in all things and being thankful.

Ready to live your faith boldly? Try these five practical steps:

1. Pray with Expectation: Ask God daily to reveal where you can serve or share His love.
2. Embrace Small Acts: Send a kind text, help a neighbor, or offer a prayer for someone in need.
3. Share Your Faith Story: Tell a friend how God answered a prayer or brought you peace in a storm.
4. Engage Your Community: Volunteer at church or join a local outreach to meet practical needs.
5. Live with Purpose: Show Christ’s love through patience, kindness, or generosity in every interaction.

Here’s a new way to start: join me for a 7-Day Faith in Action Prayer Challenge! Each day, pray for one person in your life, then take a small action to show them God’s love—a call, a note, or a helping hand. Share your experience on the A Few Minutes with God Facebook page—we’d love to hear how God moves! Not sure where to begin? Try this reflection: Who in my life needs a touch of God’s love today, and how can I reach out? Jot down your thoughts and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Faith in action is about progress, not perfection. Every step you take strengthens your relationship with God and lights the way for others. So, what’s one way you’ll live your faith this week? Share your ideas or praise reports on our Facebook page and let’s inspire each other to shine brightly for Christ!

Here are some other episodes of A Few Minutes with God Podcast you may enjoy:

• Episode 347 – Prayer Time – Time With God Well Spent
  This episode focuses on the importance of prayer as a way to strengthen faith, encouraging listeners to dedicate time to connect with God and grow spiritually.
• Episode 346 – God’s Timing
  URL: http://afewminuteswithgodpodcast.com/episode-346-gods-timing/
  This episode explores trusting in God’s timing, a key aspect of faith, and how patience and reliance on God’s plan can deepen one’s spiritual journey.
• Episode 345 – In The Moment
  URL: http://afewminuteswithgodpodcast.com/episode-345-in-the-moment/
  This episode discusses living faith in the present moment, encouraging mindfulness and trust in God’s presence in everyday life.
• Episode 344 – God’s Gift Of Grace
  URL: http://afewminuteswithgodpodcast.com/episode-344-gods-gift-of-grace/
  This episode reflects on grace as a cornerstone of faith, exploring how accepting God’s grace can inspire a faith-filled life.
• Episode 343 – Overwhelmed? Look To God
  URL: http://afewminuteswithgodpodcast.com/episode-343-overwhelmed-look-to-god/
  This episode addresses turning to God in times of overwhelm, emphasizing faith as a source of strength and peace.

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Salvation History and You Episode 112Have we considered salvation history in the light of not only what Jesus did for humanity but what Jesus did directly for us? In this episode, we will learn how to apply this to our lives and others.

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The Bible consists of the Old and the New Testament. The first book of the Bible begins in Genesis and ends in Revelations. It is the behind the scenes look at the new heaven and the new earth and at the apex or the center is Christ. This is a story of love – the greatest love of all, the love of God for a humanity that He created, that is fallen. It is the story of God’s promise before Jesus came and about Jesus fulfilling the promise by his life, his death, and His ultimate Resurrection.

Simply put, the salvation of history is the storyline of the beginning of time, the creation of man and the redemption by God. The Bible is this intricate puzzle with many books that seem to be unrelated yet overall paint this amazing picture of our history and God.
When we read the Bible we get a glimpse into the lives of the saints that lived before us, the tragedy and the triumph. It really happened. It isn’t an allegory, a theory or a fluff piece. It is real.

Before God created the world He existed. The Father. The Son. The Spirit. For us it is difficult to imagine an always was – always is and always will be because we are finite people.
And before

History is His – Story, the story of a God who was not made, not created, but who always was and will always be. This amazing creator God wanted to enjoy the universe he created with us. He began our story with our first parents, Adam and Eve.

Before the fall we read a wonderful, idyllic story of our ancestors that lived in this beautiful garden with everything they wanted or needed provided. This was how God planned it. No toil, no sin, no problems.

God created the angels before our first parents – and we learn about their sin in Revelations:

And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels: and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Apocalypse 12:7-9)

We know the story, our first parents sinned and were banned from the garden, from that idyllic place because they were tempted by the devil or Satan. The punishment from God to the enemy was swift yet he did not find mercy from God, but man did. Read 2 Peter 2:4

We do not know the mind of God – from paradise on earth, our parents were condemned. The need for a Savior was born. Read Genesis 3:15. Then the trouble began and continued throughout history to this present moment and we still need a Savior!

God has not deserted us – God is active in our lives, each and every day. It is the mission of you, of me, of the CHurch to
The history of salvation leads us to be disciples, and bring others the gospel message.

We must understand the beginning to realize the end.

Salvation history forces us to look at the actions of those who went before us, the story of God’s people from God’s point of view. God’s word tells us all about the way he time and again saved the people who cried out to Him. Do we cry out to God for saving? And if we do, how do we apply what we know not only to our lives but the lives of others? Are we a witness not by word, but by deed? If not we should be.

Let’s pray:

Dear God Almighty the Creator of Heaven and Earth, we thank you for sharing the story of how the world came to be and the history of your people through your point of view. I thank you, God, for giving us this world in which to live, for our family, for our friends, and for those who we will meet in the future. Let us be an example of your kindness, your love, your peace, and your joy. Let us learn from the holy men and women who went before us as well as those who turned their backs on you. Please keep us free from the temptations of the evil one and keep us in your holy mantle of protection. Dear God Almighty we pray for the following: … Please hear our prayers and grant them if they are in your Divine Will. I praise you for all you have done in my life and I thank you until I draw my last breath. And, I pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

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How To Pray ~ Episode 156Have you thought about how to pray? When I think about how to pray sometimes I am at a loss. So, how can I dedicate an entire podcast to this topic? Well, it is a challenge. And the key is the following words, God’s will be done…

Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. – CTC Math.

How to Pray:

Is there a formula? Is there a quick way to have a hotline to the Almighty? I’m sure if you do a search online you will see the correct way, the wrong way, and everything in between. For me, prayer is a conversation with the One True God. The God that cares about everything I do and cares about the number of hairs on my head (Matthew 10:30) or has us in the palm of His Hands:

Isaiah 49:16“See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”I think struggling with prayer happens when we are in the midst of a tragedy or are fearful and feel a situation is hopeless. Nothing is easy, so why should pray? In addition, we think that if we pray and the prayers are not answered we will struggle with our faith. So, again why pray? Then there is the prosperity gospel which is a spin on Christianity as it focuses on our beliefs. If we believe (and that depends on the strength of our belief), we will get the outcome we deserve in prayer. God will only answer us if we pray hard and believe harder. Right? That simple philosophy of prayer has led more people out of the church and away from their faith than any other. I’ve talked to people who have turned their back son Christianity because their belief did not pan out in answered prayers, so in essence, God has let them down.

Let’s think about this… we worship the Almighty God of the universe in Exodus 3:14 we read: “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Do we really think we have power over God? Of course not! As humans, we are given the dignity that only a Creator God who loves us gives – God has given us hope that the future we see on this earth is not all there is. Faith is not a coping mechanism. It is also not a “get out of hell card.” Some think that if we pray we don’t have to worry about eternal damnation. Prayer is so important but also living a life that is right and just. In other words, walking the walk instead of talking.

Yes, we can pray a salvation prayer. Or, if you are a Catholic participate in the sacraments, but once again it is more. There are many forms of prayer for a pentecostal or charismatic there is praying in tongues, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, there is praying extemporaneously, from the heart and in prayers such as the Lord’s prayer. There is singing with I’ve been told is like praying twice. Christian prayer is as diverse as the people praying.

Prayer, like faith, is a choice–a decision that you embrace wholeheartedly, or is it another step in the list of things you should do. Complacency in our faith is a tool of the evil one.

Prayer does not necessarily save us, only Christ can. But, prayer does save us from ourselves. When we pray we are in a state of humility realizing that we are not in charge, and we are in a position of asking the Lord that His will be done for us, and the hope and prayer that we accept His will.

We realize with faith that we are not in charge, we can not manipulate our world or “make our own luck,” as I’ve heard countless people say. Yes, we can choose to be happy, chose to follow God, and select a greater good in this life, but that is a choice. Luck is chance. Faith is not.

Some people think that when prayer is answered, it is pure luck. No! Absolutely not. Answered prayer is Divine intervention of God’s will. I’ve shared this in previous podcasts that sometimes when we pray it is no, not now or yes, but as I contemplate prayer it is really more. God in His infinite wisdom and goodness knows what is best for us so His answer is always His will.

In the Scriptures, Jesus taught us how to pray in what is famously known as the Lord’s Prayer. This is the key to praying and it is simply praying in the Father’s will. I know I recite the Lord’s prayer daily, but like some of you, I have become complacent and say it without thinking.

You should read the entire book of Matthew, but here in chapter six is where we find the Lord admonishes us to pray, not as those who give alms and want everyone to see their good works, but as someone who is humble and realizes our lives are in the care of One who really loves us and not only created the world in which we live but had a hand in creating each one of us, we are the handiwork of God.

Concerning Prayer Matthew: 6:5-14Please pray the Lord’s prayer, ponder the words and place then in your heart. The keys for me might be different than for you, but the main points are to pray God’s will be done, to pray to forgive others and to ask that the Lord forgives us as we forgive others. God wants us to have peace not turmoil in our lives and it calls to mind

Faith is a gift from our Father. Matthew 16: Peter said, “You are the Christ the Son of God.” For those of us who are believers then our focus as we pray is that the Name of the Almighty the great I AM should have greater significance and be front and center in our lives. Thy will be done–now and forever! Lord give me the words to pray…

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father, thank you for the gift of faith, I believe you are the great I AM and I ask that you continue to increase my faith, and I pledge to follow you in all things, the things that matter, the focus on what is right and good. I stand for life, Lord — all lives from conception to death. I stand for all the is holy and righteous. Thank you, Lord, for all the ways you have answered my prayer, and I pray your will be done. I pray for the following needs and intentions…. and Lord, if your will be done, grant these prayers and petitions in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Have you considered the road less traveled? Finding joy on the Calvary road is a foreign thought for many, but without the cross, there is no Easter Sunday to celebrate. In this podcast, we look at the hope that came out of complete devastation and our hope for today.

Finding Joy on the Road to CalvaryGrowing in faith means taking the time to contemplate the hard issues, one of which is the road to Calvary. Thinking about the title, Finding Joy on the Road to Calvary, we may consider it a bit of a paradox. How can we find joy on a road that leads to suffering on the cross? But that’s exactly what God invites us to explore in our walk with Him. It may take additional reflection, and this podcast will hopefully be the first step toward a closer walk with Jesus.

If you enjoy this podcast or this episode, please share it with someone who might need some encouragement. Thank you so much for listening.

Thanks to our sponsor CTCMath.com – visit the website at CTCMath for more information. Our podcasters allow us to bring you wonderful programming at the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network, where you can find other podcasts on wonderful topics that will bless you.

When we think of Calvary, we often picture the weight of the cross, the pain Jesus endured, and the sacrifice He made for us. Without a cross, there is no resurrection. And that’s all true—it’s the cornerstone of our faith. But there’s another layer to this journey, one that gives us hope and even joy when we think about the hardest moments in our faith journey. The road to Calvary isn’t just about suffering; it’s about purpose, love, and the promise of what’s beyond. How can this be?

Let’s look at John 16:33. Jesus says, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Isn’t that beautiful? Jesus doesn’t say we won’t have any problems, and we talked about this in the last podcast about dealing with the struggles in our lives. Jesus tells us that trouble is part of life. I work hard to not focus on the negative in this world. Yet, when hard things happen, Jesus doesn’t leave us stranded. Jesus offers us peace, and not just any peace—His peace. On the road to Calvary, Jesus knew what was coming, yet He walked forward with a heart full of love for us. That’s where joy begins: knowing that no matter what we face, He’s already overcome it.

Now, let’s think about that road for a moment. Imagine Jesus carrying the cross—exhausted, mocked, and in pain. And yet, He continues for us because this injustice has a purpose. I’ve often wondered how He kept going. One answer comes in Hebrews 12:11-14 which says, (Read on air.)

The peaceful fruits of righteousness. That stops me in my tracks every time. Jesus saw beyond the cross—He saw you, me, and the reconciliation of the world to God. That joy wasn’t in the moment of suffering but in what it would accomplish. Friends, when we’re on our roads to Calvary through those tough seasons of life, can we look ahead to the praise report at the end? Maybe not right away, but it’s there, waiting. Today’s trial is tomorrow’s praise report!

I’ll be honest. Sometimes, my own “Calvary” moments feel overwhelming. Maybe you can relate to the problems in your life. Maybe it is a health scare, a strained relationship, or the business of everyday life wearing you down. But here’s where God meets us. In Philippians 4:4, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” This is the same Paul who didn’t believe that Jesus was indeed the Lord; he was the one who, when he converted, faced all types of trials. He was in prison, facing uncertainty. Yet he tells us to rejoice—not in our circumstances, but in the Lord. On the road to Calvary, joy isn’t about pretending everything’s okay; it’s about anchoring ourselves in the One who never fails us. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. When I learn to trust in God to give up my will and unite it to His, I find a sense of peace that carries me through.

So how do we live this out in our lives? For me, it starts with small steps, praying when hardship hits, thanking God for His presence even when I don’t feel it, and trusting Him. And that brings us to one of my favorite verses, Romans 8:28 (Read on air.) This includes all things, including the road to Calvary, and this includes our own struggles. God knows how our life will turn out even if we don’t. Our goal is eternal, and that’s a reason for joy.

Remember this truth, the road to Calvary didn’t end at the cross. It led to the resurrection, to victory over sin, to new life in Christ. The gates of heaven were open, and salvation was a possibility for all of those who believed. Whatever you’re carrying today, know that Jesus walks with you, and there’s joy ahead. Not because the road is easy, but because He is enough. Take a moment right now and spend a few minutes with God. Ask God to show you the joy He’s planned for you, and know that He hears all of your prayers. And I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Spiritual Sandpaper – Episode 264Spiritual sandpaper describes the events that happen in our lives that purify us and make us better than before, yet they are painful. In this episode, Felice shares how this can actually cause spiritual growth if we open our eyes to the possibilities.

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Have you heard sermons about being tested in faith? The longer you follow the Lord, the more you understand this concept. At various times in our life, we strive for goodness, honesty and perhaps even holiness. Yet, our faith deepens not by all the good things that happen in our lives but through our trials.

In the book of Job 23:10 we read, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Our resolve goes one way or another. After being tested, or purified we are not lukewarm but either for or against God. Proverbs 27:21 speaks truth in the verse, ”

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.

We’ve discussed praise and worship on my past episodes, and praising God in our daily walk can make the difference between happiness and strife. In fact as I write this the Lord has reminded me of a private matter of which I have been praying and beeseching God and I am now going to thank God for the situation. I am not thankful, but if it is God’s will – or God’s permissive will then I will be thankful out of obedience.

Is this true faith to blindly follow? Not at all. It is faith that understands that while we have free will, God’s will is for us to join Him in heaven at the end of our life, and a life of ease and comfort rarely gets us to that destination. The areas of our life that are unchecked lead to temptation. This can look different for each one of us.

Spiritual sandpaper is that time in our life when things are uncomfortable, and yet we see, after the trial, that the outcome is better than we could have hoped and prayed. We had some years of reduced income due to the economy. We never lived over our means, but even our savings accounts and investments did not prevent the outcome. After this very uncomfortable time, the Lord allowed us to keep our home when many around us with deeper pockets went bankrupt, and we were able to pay off our debt in a difficult yet fulfilling way. This time has taught us to value money in a better way than would not have happened without this uncomfortable time in our life.

I praise God for the outcome, which was so much better than I could imagine. In prayer I kept getting those words, they would pop into my mind, “It will be better than you imagine.”

We know sandpaper can be gritty and abrasive, but what happens afterward? The surface is primed and smooth. The sandpaper in our lives was reduced income, it was not a life and death situation, even though it felt like it at that time. Many of you have had a situation with someone who has been abrasive in your life, and it has been a challenge.

Our pastor talks about a husband and wife being sandpaper to each other and it works out our flaws and shortcomings. Our family is also our spiritual sandpaper.

The scriptures talk about being tested many times. The most notable in our spiritual sandpaper focus today is Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

How are we sharpening each other? Are we helping each other in our walk toward the Lord –that is what we should be doing, but we often fall short. I don’t want to come off as preachy when I talk to my children about spiritual matters. Yet, sometimes I do. I send them videos of good sermons, Scripture verses, or encouragement. That helps in ways that are beneficial without me using a bunch of words.

Our job as parents is to aid our children. Our job as a husband or wife is to aid our spouse. The same goes if you are dating. We are to help and not antagonize each other.

Matthew 5:43-44:

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!’”

God commands us to love as He loves, which is difficult and sometimes impossible. That is why I have prayed, “Lord, I can not love this person right now, but I know you love them; please bless them abundantly.”

MOST OF THE ANIMOSITY WAS LIFTED whenever I prayed this prayer or something similar. Sometimes it took years, but the Lord was victorious in teaching me to forgive.

Why should we love even when people hurt us? Even when we are chafed, annoyed, or persecuted? Because the Lord asks it of us. I love how Jesus explains the main purpose of this command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us in Matthew 5 verse 47, he says:

“If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.”

Do we want to be compared to pagans? Of course not; as believers, we want to do better than those without belief or those who believe in false gods. And that is our challenge today or this week. It is three-fold.

1. First, to be aware of situations where we are sandpaper – that is, abrasive to others without cause. (Not sure there is ever a cause to be abrasive!)
2. Be aware of situations where others have been abrasive to us, and we harbor unforgiveness. Remember the Lord’s prayer.
3. Look at the spiritual sandpaper in our lives as a good thing, one that will help us to grow spiritually.

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What is that gift that is given freely, it is unearned, and it is totally and purely love. It is the spiritual grace from God. In this podcast, we will delve into the topic of grace.

The Spiritual Grace From God ~ Episode 346Welcome to A Few Minutes with God Podcast. I’m your host, Felice Gerwitz, and today, we’re talking about a topic that is important to me, and that is the spiritual grace God pours out to those who are open to it. This grace is a gift that God is waiting to give us, but often we are too busy to notice, or if we are being honest, to care. A divine embrace is available for those who see miracles in everyday life. We’ve discussed this in other podcasts, highlighting that miracles are all around us and that we must look for them.

I know that many of you listening today are enduring hardships. For those struggling to make it through each day under the weight of financial or medical burdens, I pray that this episode brings you comfort and hope. Let’s spend these few minutes together reflecting on God’s unending love.

Spiritual Grace From GodSpiritual grace is God’s unconditional love that is unearned. In fact, it is probably truthful to say it is often undeserved. It is a gift that flows to us when we open our hearts, even just a crack, to the Lord and His providence for us. In Ephesians 2:8-9, we’re reminded, (Read on air.) This grace isn’t something we work for; it’s something we receive, often in the moments we need it most.

Let’s start with those who are open to seeing miracles in daily life. You know who you are; you are the ones who may go unnoticed, but you see the small wonders in life, and best of all, appreciate them. Think about the way a song comes on the radio, or a child’s laughter cuts through a heavy day, or what about a stranger’s kindness? These all feel like messages of love. I watched a short video about acts of kindness, and it featured a young adult girl with a bandaged leg, which appeared to be broken, and she was using crutches. She had to go down the escalator, and one man actually cut her off and walked in front of her. Another young adult, also a man, noticed her and offered to carry her on his back. I’m not sure I would have accepted; maybe I would have asked him to hold my arm as I navigated the escalator. However, she allowed him to carry her, and he did all the way down.

An act of kindness, however small, is within our ability, and it is something we can do to bless another person. If the person is puzzled or asks why you did what you did, you can answer, “Because God has blessed me.”

Being Open to God’s PresenceWhen we’re open to God’s presence, we see His hand in the ordinary. During a tough season, I appreciated the clouds in the sky more than ever before. We have amazing clouds where I live, and they are beautiful. The sky is huge, and yet I often hurry to one place or another, so I don’t take the time to appreciate it. Yet, one morning, I saw a rainbow. To me, it was a miracle, a reminder that beauty can emerge even when we feel broken inside. Grace helps us see these signs, and you can remind yourself, “God’s got this.” And He does!

But what about those carrying heavier burdens? To those suffering hardships, perhaps the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or a betrayal, God’s grace is there, too. It doesn’t always erase the pain, but it offers strength to endure. I think of Psalm 34:18 (Read on air).

Grace is like a quiet companion, sitting with you in your sorrow, reminding you that you’re not alone. We’ve all heard horrible and heartbreaking stories about people who are ill, or a sudden death in the family, or someone who is disabled and who needs help. Sometimes in these darkest moments, a church community or even strangers will rally together to help with much-needed funds. These people may realize that it is the grace of God working through others to lift them up.

God’s Sees Your StruggleAnd to those struggling to get through each day—maybe because of financial strain, medical challenges, or the weight of endless responsibilities—God sees you. Your struggle is not invisible. Grace might come in the form of a moment of peace amidst the chaos, a kind word from a spouse, or a bill that is taken care of quickly through God’s providence. It’s God saying, “I’m carrying you through this.”

My mother had breast cancer in her late fifties, and I was in college at that time. I recall bombing a test, and my professor took me aside to ask what was wrong. I began to cry and told her about my mother. She hugged me and told me she would give me time to retake it. That’s grace—sustaining us when we’re too weary to stand.

So, how do we open ourselves to this grace? It starts with a simple act: turning to God. You don’t need fancy words or a perfect life. Just say, “God, I’m here. Help me see You.” It’s about trusting that He’s working, even when life feels unfair. Grace meets us in our vulnerability, in our willingness to let go of control and lean into faith.

Be Encouraged with God’s GraceI want to encourage you today: if you’re feeling overwhelmed, look for the small miracles. If you’re hurting, let God sit with you in that pain. And if you’re barely making it through, know that His grace is enough to carry you, one step at a time. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, (Read on air.) Your weakness is where His strength shines.

There is so much more I can say, but I encourage you to reflect on where you’ve seen God’s grace in your life. Maybe it’s a moment you didn’t recognize until now. Hold that close, and let it remind you that you are never alone. If this episode has touched your heart, I would be grateful if you could give us a star rating on your favorite podcast app—it helps others discover this message of hope. And please, share this episode with a friend who might need to hear it. Together, we can spread the light of God’s love.

Thank you for joining me today. May you feel God’s grace surrounding you, now and always.

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Christian Strength ~ Episode 269We have tools and resources available to us; what about Christian strength that comes from the grace of God? In this podcast, we will discuss the tools God has given us to combat the evil one.

Have you visited CTCMath.com for an award-winning curriculum designed for the entire family? It is a great math program for ages K-12, and we are thankful for their sponsorship.

One of my sweet friends, who gets our emails, sent me this quote, “If you get on the scale and don’t like your weight, remember that you are carrying the full armor of God!” Thanks, Carolyn Wright, for sending me this quote. I love it! It is the little things that remind us we are not alone. Our strength comes from the Lord.

Nehimah 8:10 – “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” How can we have this strength?

1. If we love and worship the one true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that is half the battle.
2. We must remember to put on the armor of God, Ephesians 6:10-18 (Here is a podcast on the Armor of God.)
3. We are in good company! We are adopted children of the Almighty God, so we should rejoice.

Today, I was filled with joy that surpasses all understanding. There was no reason for this; in fact, before I went to church, I was burdened. I was praying for my family and felt a weight pressing on me. Whenever I felt this weight, I gave it to the Lord; in my mind, I said, “Your will, Lord, not mine.” Then, I kept praying. When I finally arrived at church and knelt down to pray, I felt an overwhelming sense of the love of God.

Have you realized that as Christians, we have powerful tools given to us through Baptism by the Almighty God? Not only are we claimed during our Baptism, but for some of us, we were infants claimed through the intercession of our parents and godparents, and at other times as adults, for those who convert to Christianity. But there is more. God knows everything about us, and we are worth so much in the eyes of God. We are worth much more than any animals. In Mark 5, we see that Jesus restores one man, casts out the evil spirits, and puts them into the swine, who proceed to go off the cliff. One man was worth so much more than all of the swine!

The concept of exorcism shows us that God is greater than evil. There is more to this world than just what we see; there is a spiritual world. There are principalities and powers, and ever since the fall, we see this brokenness and disobedience of man. Yet, God is light and continues to shed His goodness on a fallen world; we have the choice, and God gives us this free will. After the fall, the world belongs or is under the dominion of the evil one. Jesus came not just to teach, heal, and forgive sins but to fight. We see this with the verses in Ephesians about the armor of God. People looked at Jesus as a prophet; they expected Him to lead an army and wipe out the evil of the day, but He did this in the way that God works. God does not work by outward force. He works by word and deed. He only has to utter a word and evil was cast out. He instructed His disciples to go forth and to command evil to leave in His Name.

After the Baptism of Jesus with John the Baptist, he went into the desert to prepare for the trials to come, and he did it with a fight to take back what belongs to God, and that dear friend is you and me! Praise God, what fantastic news. If that does not give us a boost of faith, remember that the exorcisms that occurred then and now were to reclaim what belongs to the Almighty God.

During the Rite of Baptism (in the Catholic church, I’m not sure about other denominations), there is a right of exorcism; it happens in every Baptism. We are claimed for the Kingdom of God, but we must be delivered from the evil one before this can happen. Wherever the gospel has been proclaimed, wherever Christ is proclaimed, it is accompanied by exorcisms. We have stories of exorcism from the beginning of the New Testament. When missionaries went to various countries, they also had to do exorcisms to deliver the people from bondage.

I heard a teaching on the topic, and there was a man, a priest who was from Spain and a renowned exorcist, who wrote a book on the topic and studied it extensively. In his studies, he found so few exorcisms during the Middle Ages, and he wondered why, but he concluded that the amount of Baptisms had risen. They were transferred from the kingdom of the evil one; they were brought into the Kingdom of God.

Today, there is a rise in exorcisms; why? Well, for many reasons, one is that people are not having their children baptized, and another is that those baptized deny faith in God, in Jesus as the true Savior; those in sin are choosing the evil one. It is their choice. Therefore, this leaves them open to evil. It is a gateway, if you will, an open door.

Fear not! If you are baptized, you have been transformed into the Kingdom of God! Jesus says do not be afraid. We have strength in God through the Holy Spirit. In the book of Romans, particularly Romans 1, we read about the early church and their struggle but, more importantly, how they were encouraged. Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

We have been saved, in fact Romans 6 heading states Dead to Sin Alive in Christ. What good news.

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This reminds me of a podcast I did on the present moment on being mindful. Link here. God provides for us today. In the present, when we need Him most. We torture ourselves with regrets from the past and the fear of the future, yet we only need to focus on today.

So, friends. Rejoice. Today, as always, the Lord will provide for me and you. He will provide for your family. Continue to pray, continue to storm heaven for what we need. This week, your challenge is to pray for Christian strength for the Lord to provide the grace we need when we need it!

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When is our faith most tested? During the storm. Keeping your faith alive is only possible when you look to the Lord for the help and guidance you need today and always. This podcast will encourage you to keep Him first.

Keeping Your Faith Alive in the Storm ~ Episode 345Hey there, friends! Welcome to A Few Minutes with God Podcast, where we focus on God’s Word and find encouragement for the journey. I’m Felice Gewritz, and today we’re talking about something we all face: struggles. Life can throw so many problems when we least expect it; it can be family issues—financial stress, health battles, and more. It’s easy to feel like your faith is being tested. But here’s the good news: God’s got you, and His Word gives us hope along the way of trial or the way of the cross. As I record this, it is the season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. And we are reminded of the hardships of our Lord and Savior (read the book of John), and that gives us hope.

Today, we’re focusing on four powerful Bible verses to remind us how to keep our faith alive, even in the storm. So grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s get started.

Thanks to our sponsor CTCMath – visit the website for more information.

Keeping Your Faith Alive Scriptures:1. Hebrews 6:19 (hope as an anchor) 2. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (grace in weakness) 3. Galatians 6:9 (perseverance) 4. John 16:33 (peace through Christ’s victory)

Do you need an anchor of hope? Just imagine an anchor that is huge and immovable with the word “hope” on it. It is a foundation, a rock, and it is weighed down with steel. It isn’t going anywhere. If we hold on to it, our grasp can fail, but if we are tied to it, we are immovable. This anchor is Christ, and He is our hope and our salvation.

Have you ever felt like you’re drifting, unsure if you’ll make it through? Hebrews 6:19 says: (Read on air.)

I love that image—an anchor. Hope in Jesus keeps us steady. Years ago, a house in my neighborhood had a big anchor (like a ship-sized anchor) in their front yard. You couldn’t avoid seeing it before you turned right to go to our street, and we used that anchor as a point for directions. We’d tell friends When you see that anchor, the street on the corner is ours. It was a beacon, a point of reference, and it took a huge crane to move when the new owners purchased the home.

An anchor is not flimsy; it is not a symbol of we will drift, or ” maybe things will get better kind of hope. No, this anchor is a rooted promise from God Himself. We know from the scriptures that God is here and will not leave us even if we have turned our backs on him. So, when you’re tempted to give up, picture that anchor. Your faith isn’t built on your strength; it’s built on His.

Real Strength in Weakness – Keeping Your Faith Alive

If we are honest, sometimes we feel too weak to keep going. I’ve been there, staring at a mountain of problems, thinking, “God, I can’t do this any longer; please help me.” But listen to 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (Read on air). Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote that when he was struggling with his own “thorn in the flesh.” God didn’t take it away, but He gave Paul something better: His grace. That’s the secret, friends. When you’re at your lowest, God’s power shines brightest. So don’t hide your weakness—bring it to Him. Say, “Lord, I’m struggling, but I trust You’re enough.” He’ll carry you through each and every time.

Don’t you feel better already? I do because every time I read God’s Word, I feel like it is a lifeline. It pulls us out of the pit of despair to quote a line from a book and sets us on our feet on solid ground. When we feel lost, remember you are not alone.

Struggles can feel endless at times. It is as if you’re running a marathon with no finish line. But Galatians 6:9 has this beautiful encouragement. (Read on air.) That’s a call to keep going. Maybe you’ve been praying the same unanswered prayer, and you are praying for a breakthrough, or you’re trying to stay faithful in a tough situation. The creator of the universe knows all things. We can not lose hope, and even if the prayer isn’t answered in the way we want it to be answered, it will come. Some of the greatest praise reports are not of answered prayers but in the fact that the person praying was able to embrace the situation and say, “Your will, Lord, not mine.”

John 16:33. Jesus says, (Read on air.) Isn’t that amazing? Jesus doesn’t say no trouble is coming, but He tells us to be of good cheer. Why? Because of Christ, He has already won, and so have we. When everything’s falling apart, you can have peace because Jesus has overcome it all—sin, death, and every struggle you’re facing. So, take a deep breath today. Even if your faith has been shaken by the chaos, pray John 16:33 over and over again, and soon your faith will be rooted in the One who’s already conquered it. Rest in that. He’s got the final word.

Friends, our struggles, and our hardships don’t get to define our faith—God does. Anchor yourself in His hope, lean on His strength, keep pushing forward, and rest in His victory. Hebrews 6:19, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Galatians 6:9, John 16:33—these aren’t just verses; they’re promises to cling to. Maybe today’s been rough, but you’re not alone. God is right here whether we can feel His presence or not.

Next time, we’ll dig into Finding Joy on the Road to Calvary. Calvary is a topic that has always been difficult for me. We all want to find happiness and joy in Christ but don’t want to consider the price He paid for our sins. Join me next week as we delve into this topic, especially during this time before Easter.

If this podcast has encouraged you, share it with a friend. And you can always comment on the podcast post—I’d love to hear how God’s keeping your faith alive. Until next time, may the Lord keep you and bless you. Amen.

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You have a secret weapon toward greater faith and that is humility. It is often misunderstood. It’s not something that comes naturally—we’ve got to put in some serious effort, even push our own ego aside sometimes, to really follow God’s lead.The Gift of Humility ~ 344Humility is a profound gift—one I’ve come to cherish more deeply through the years and my prayer life. It’s amazing how often I’ll have an idea for a podcast, open my Bible, or flip through my church notebook, only to find the theme of humility staring back at me. Even this morning at Mass, the pastor spoke on it, as if God Himself were nudging me to talk about the topic. Human nature doesn’t naturally incline us toward humility. We’re drawn instead to confidence, pride, or self-assurance—qualities the world often celebrates. Yet, for a Christian, humility is a virtue to pursue, a calling rooted in the very heart of Scripture.

Why should we strive for humility? Because God has given us the ultimate example: Jesus Christ, the all-powerful Son of God, who humbled Himself to enter our world in poverty and simplicity. Philippians 2:5-8 captures this beautifully: read on air. Jesus didn’t come as a conquering king or a wealthy ruler. He came as a helpless infant, born to Mary and Joseph—ordinary people elevated by their humble “yes” to God’s plan. Their trust in Him mirrors the humility we are called to use as an example.

Humility is a powerful weapon against evil, though we often fail to recognize its strength. It dispels darkness because it reflects God’s loving plan—a plan that doesn’t force itself upon us but invites us to surrender. How do we explain this to those who don’t believe? Perhaps by living it out, showing that humility isn’t weakness but a grace that aligns us with God’s will. Friends, I’ve struggled with humility. God has given each of us gifts, and He has allowed us to excel or to be capable. We may think we have no need to be humble. Yet, through the years I’ve witnessed godly people who were blessed or graced in a way that I admired and yet they displayed true humility.

Proverbs 22:4 reminds us, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” It’s not about humiliation—something we instinctively flee from, accompanied by anxiety or embarrassment—but about trusting God’s greater purpose, even when life humbles us.

I’ve seen this in the aging process. As people grow older, they often become dependent on those they once led or cared for. Leaders, parents, and providers find themselves at the mercy of the next generation. As a first-generation Italian, I was raised to honor and care for my elders. My husband and I shared this value, and we were blessed to care for my father in his later years. At first, he took care of us more than we did him, but as time passed, the roles reversed. It’s a humbling reminder that one day, that may be us—needing others, relying on the love we poured into them. In this, humility reveals itself as a gift, not a burden. James 4:6 echoes this truth: “But he gives more grace; therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” When we offer our humbled moments to the Lord, they become blessings in disguise.

Consider Jesus again and what He did for us. He could have descended as a mighty ruler, instantly claiming power. Instead, He entrusted Himself to two earthly parents with free will, who chose to follow God’s call. Luke 1:50-53 reflects this beautifully: (Read on air.) Mary and Joseph’s humility paved the way for the Savior, showing us that ordinary people, open to God, can do extraordinary things. This challenges the world’s message of greatness through wealth, status, or self-reliance. The world urges us to climb over others, to delay life’s joys—like marriage or children—until we’ve “made it.” But God’s plan often looks different. He knows our hearts and gently leads us, not by force, but by example.

So how do we live this out? Through prayer—spending time with God, talking to Him as if He’s right beside us, because He is. Through trust—opening ourselves to His will, even when it humbles us. 1 Peter 5:6-7 offers this encouragement (read on air.)

Did you hear that? Cast all your anxieties on Him for He cares about you! He does, friends, He really does. The Lord is waiting for us to offer our hearts to Him and one way we can begin is to spend time with Him in prayer.

Humility isn’t about destroying others to succeed; it’s about recognizing that true prosperity—spiritual richness—comes as a gift, not a conquest. When we embrace it, we find peace in God’s control, freedom in His plan, and grace in every humbled step. May God be praised now and forever.

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Deliver Us From Evil ~ Episode 275sponsored by NOW Programs.

In the Lord’s prayer, we recite the words, “Deliver us from evil now and at the hour of death,” but what does that mean? As Christians, we avoid evil as much as possible, but that does not mean we aren’t tempted. In this podcast, we discover the scriptures do more than warn.

Sin can paralyze us. We can feel under attack. In some cases, it is difficult to break out of this hold, this attack. We live in a culture of self-indulgence, instant food, and easy access to things most countries can only dream about. Yet, we hear that many people feel empty and alone.

Many people are drawn to the prosperity scriptures, such as in Jeremiah. What is not to love? Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

You may enjoy these podcasts on combatting evil.

• Resisting Evil
• Evil Tactic
• Drenched with Joy

The Lord wants to shower us with an abundance of grace, but often, our hands are firmly in our pockets, or we sit with our arms crossed. We crave prosperity, but we realize it isn’t that easy to receive because of all the blocks we place in the way. God knows our hearts, and often we are found lacking. God wants to bless, heal, and restore us, yet it is up to us to open our arms to the Lord—your will, not ours. Deliver us from evil, Lord, as you will it to be. That should be our prayer.

The Gospel message is not for the faint of heart.

Psalm 9 – The Lord will judge the world with justice. Read all of Psalm 9, but the first (read on air)

Jesus is the Lord; he came and lived among sinful men when they yearned for a Messiah. These people did not recognize him even with all of the miraculous happening. Jesus cast out demons, yet the people of the day said he could only do this because he was evil. Whatever were they thinking? This is what we would call faulty thinking today.

In the Gospel of Luke 11:15-26, we read that the people were complaining about the Lord. They said Jesus casts out the ruler of the demons, but the only way he could do this was because he was evil. In verses 17-22, Jesus says, (Read on air)

And that, my friends, is the crux of the issue — whoever is not with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is against him. There is no time to be lukewarm. Lukewarm will not only get us into trouble but also allow evil to come back with a vengeance. It was difficult for the men then, as well as people now, to give Jesus credit, to believe, and to turn back from sin.

The really scary part is that while the demon was expelled from the man, not only did it come back.

The Return of the Unclean SpiritLuke 11:24-26 (Read on air.)

Spiritual warfare doesn’t take a break; those who get free of addictions, if you get free of the evil, you need to change your lifestyle to maintain that freedom. Turn to a life of prayer and a sacramental life. We are made as a spiritual vessel for the Holy Spirit, and if it is not filled by the Holy Spirit, it gets filled by other spirits. We can not leave it empty.

How do you avoid evil? Recognize it.

Even as Christians, the lure for understanding or knowing the future is prevalent in our society. Two years ago, I was in New Orleans for a conference and visited St. Louis Cathedral. The church had erected a high metal fence in front of it, which I found strange until I saw, little by little, people in colorful garments coming and setting up shop in the open, public space in front of the church. Who were these people? They were the “sellers” of evil. There were fortune tellers and palm readers, to name a few. Some people took tours to talk about the ghosts that inhabited many of the buildings and had been “seen” in years past.

Where there is good, evil abounds. You may think I am exaggerating, but the truth is that the enemy will do anything for your soul. The enemy is allowed in through a gateway, but always with our permission.

One way that evil enters is through occult practices; many are unaware of items such as occult games, for example, the Ouija board and tarot cards. Or activities such as seances and mediums, which is how evil gets in, because people welcome and allow it, believing it is just for fun or not real. Friends, it is real. Evil does have power, but only what we give it; God is greater, He is Almighty, He has dominion over evil. Who will we serve?

Deliver Us From Evil, Scripture Warns UsThe scriptures warn us. The Old Testament is filled with worship of idols, of false gods. The true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, gave warning after warning. The 10 Commandments, the prophets, and what happened? All of the twelve tribes of Israel fell because while two of the twelve (in the south) worshipped the true God, they would not remove the “idols from on high” that the people worshiped. We can not be divided in our worship.

A verse that should give us pause is in Isaiah 47 – in verses 10-11 (Read on air.) Leviticus 20:6 (Read on air.)

This is giving sin permission to come into your life.Deliver Us From Evil – Five Easy Steps1. Renounce your sin, ask the Lord to call the sins to mind, and rebuke them in the Name of Jesus. 2. Renounce permission you may have given the evil one to enter through the sin. Spiritual warfare prayer. 3. Claim in the Name of Jesus that you are a child of God. 4. Pray with a spiritual advisor or clergy. 5. If you are Catholic, go to confession and receive the sacraments often.

Praying, reading the scriptures, asking for more of the Holy Spirit, and confessing are ways to avoid evil.

Spiritual Warfare Prayer

1. Renounce sin – in the Name of Jesus, I give you dominion over my life and renounce the sin of *** ____________________ (pray and quietly wait on the Lord to reveal sin to your mind.)
2. Put on the armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18.
   • RIGHTEOUSNESS: Girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, flaming arrows against the evil one, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
   • WHOLE ARMOR: In verses 13-18,” Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
   • TRUTH: Stand, therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
   • PEACE: As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
   • FAITH: With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
   • SALVATION: Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
   • PRAY: Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.Pray in the Spirit – come Holy Spirit, and keep alert.

***Once you have prayed against evil – for example, the spirit of lies, ask the Lord to fill you with the opposite, “the spirit of truth.” Always pray the opposite of the evil and ask God to fill you with His grace. If you do not know the opposite, pray, Come Holy Spirit.

Remember, the battle has been won! Alleluiah. Alleluiah. Jesus lived, died, has risen, and has broken the bonds of death. We must be open and vigilant and recognize that we can pray, “Come Holy Spirit, Come…fill my heart today and always.”

Your challenge this week is to pray the spiritual warfare prayer and take back any areas you have given over. Amen! May God be praised.

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Does God hear you when you pray? Sometimes, He hears those unspoken prayers as well. God’s provision is always timely and comes just when we need it.

Hey there, friends! Welcome to A Few Minutes with God Podcast. Today we will dive into God’s Word and His promises to lift our spirits and strengthen our faith. I’m your host, Felice Gerwitz, and you can find today’s show notes at AFMWGPodcast.com – I also want to thank our sponsor, Judson College. If you want a unique college experience that is authentically Christian. In this day of not knowing what you will find on a college campus, it is worth checking out. JudsonCollege.com

God’s Provision: Trusting HimToday we’re talking about something so close to my heart: how God provides for us. If you’ve ever wondered if God sees your needs—or if you just need a reminder of His faithfulness—this episode is for you.

You know, life can feel uncertain sometimes. Bills pile up, plans fall apart, and we’re left wondering, “How am I going to get through this?” But here’s the beautiful truth: we serve a God who isn’t distant or distracted. He’s a provider—Jehovah Jireh, “The Lord Will Provide.” And He’s been showing us that from the very beginning.

Let’s start with a story from Scripture that I love—Exodus 16. The Israelites have just been freed from slavery in Egypt. They’re in the wilderness, and they’re hungry. They start grumbling, saying, “At least in Egypt we had food!” All I can think about is that God just saved you from captivity, and you are no longer slaves. How can you not be grateful? But God doesn’t punish them. Instead, He provides. He sends manna—bread from heaven—every single day. Not just once, but faithfully, day after day, teaching them to trust Him.

I think there’s something so powerful here. There are so many lessons. The first is that God provided. But even more, he didn’t give them a stockpile to hoard; He gave them daily provision. Enough for today, with a promise for tomorrow. It’s like He was saying, “Depend on Me. I’m not going anywhere.” And that’s still true for us today. Maybe your “manna” looks like a timely paycheck, a friend’s encouragement, or even strength you didn’t know you had. God provides what we need, when we need it.

In the New Testament—Matthew 6:26. (Read on air.) Jesus is teaching, and He says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Don’t you I love that! Jesus points to the sparrows—little, ordinary birds—and says, “If God takes care of them, how much more will He take care of you?”

A lady recently recounted that her feet were hurting, and she usually walked to church and home afterward. It wasn’t far, maybe two or three miles, but this one day, she wondered how she would get home. Another lady going her way offered her a ride home. She was so amazed. This lady had no idea her feet hurt, but God did. She had already sacrificed and walked to church, but now God provided for her to get home. She was so thankful, but then she said, “Why am I surprised God watches over me!”

A miracle happened when we needed to remodel our home (my husband is a contractor) to make room for our third child. All of a sudden I started saving extra money. I asked my husband if things were going better at work. He said, no things are the same. And, I explained that our savings was growing without us even trying. The cost of the remodel was all that extra money we had in savings, almost to the penny. And, then the big savings stopped! It is like the manna. God provided for right then, this specific need. He didn’t give us a big, big surplus, just what we needed. And, yes we would rely on Him.

And that’s the thing—God’s provision doesn’t always look how we expect. Sometimes it’s miraculous, like the loaves and fishes feeding 5,000 in John 6. Other times, it’s quiet—a kind word, a job opportunity, a moment of peace when your heart’s racing. Philippians 4:19 promises, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Not some needs—all of them. And not from a limited supply, but from His endless riches.

So, what do we do with this? How do we live like we believe God provides? First, we look back. Think of a time God came through for you. Maybe it was big, maybe small—but write it down, remember it. I use to encourage you all the time to keep a Praise Journal. Prayer Journals are great we write down specific prayer petitions and we pray that God blesses them, but a praise journal acknowledges that yes, God – you are there for me. I see you. I know in my heart that I am loved. Those are your “stones of remembrance,” like the Israelites set up in Joshua 4, to remind you He’s faithful. Second, we pray. Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:11, “Give us today our daily bread.” It’s simple, but it’s trust—asking God for what we need today. And third, we rest. Stop striving so hard to control it all. The birds don’t stress, and neither should we.

Please know that you are seen, you are loved, and you are held by a God who provides for you, not just today but always. He sees you, and He knows everything that happens in your life. Some of it is good, some of it a cross to bear and a hardship. Yet it is no surprise to God. Maybe you’re in a wilderness season right now, waiting for your manna. Hold on—He’s already at work. Maybe you’re in a season of plenty—praise Him and share it. Either way, God’s got you in the palms of His hands, and He’s not letting go.

Let’s pray:

“Father, thank You for being our provider. Thank You for seeing our needs and meeting them in Your perfect way. Help us trust You, rest in You, and see Your hand at work. Help us to understand that you truly love us. For anyone listening who’s worried today, please Lord wrap them in Your peace, Your love and Your joy – that joy that surpasses all understanding and please, show them Your provision. We love You, Lord, we praise You, Lord, you are worthy of all the glory and the honor. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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When you pray and fast, you take an active role in your faith journey. In this episode, we discuss how your prayer life and faith can improve for the better.

Pray and Fast ~ Episode 342This is probably one of the least popular tasks of a Christian. We don’t mind attending church, opening and reading our Bible, and giving money to charity. But when challenged to pray and fast? That makes it so much more complex.

However, prayer and fasting are two spiritual powerhouses. These are proven disciplines that can transform your life as a Christian. If you’re ready to learn more, grab your coffee—or maybe skip it if you’re fasting—and let’s get started!

But first, I want to thank our sponsor, Judson College. Judson College offers biblical and practical training wherever a student is called to equip and live all of life for Christ.

Fasting is a timeless practice, especially for Catholics during Lent. This is a time of preparation and penance leading up to Easter, commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before beginning His public ministry. This starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, the week of Easter. Lent is a time not only for Catholics but all Christians to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Why? Because it causes us to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and a personal call to conversion.

The number 40 is indicative of different biblical periods. I’m sure you’ve read about how the number 40 in the Bible is related to times of trial and purification—for example, the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness and Noah’s 40 days of rain. Rooted in the Church’s tradition, Lent invites us, the faithful, to turn away from sin and embrace self-discipline. We are denying the flesh, remembering to say no to whatever we have selected to fast from, and in this way, using it as a powerful reminder. It also is a renewal of our baptismal promises, preparing our hearts to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection. Lent is both a personal journey and an act of solidarity, uniting Catholics and Christians worldwide in spiritual growth and sacrifice.

So, how do you fast? Simply, add the element of “fast” or giving up something in penance to your prayer life. What that looks like is different for each person. Skipping lunch or giving up chocolate and offering it up for a special intention makes it powerful. When we give things up, we are reminded to deny ourselves and our flesh. And when we deny ourselves, we recall the importance of denying sin.

Prayer and fasting aren’t just old-school Catholic habits; they’re actually tools God gives us to grow closer to Him and improve our lives. But why are they so important?”

Let’s start with prayer. It’s our direct line to God. When we pray, we raise our minds and hearts to God, and through prayer, we talk to the Lord, we listen to Him, and we align our will with His. It is not easy, and it takes practice because we are often distracted when we pray. Why is that because the enemy doesn’t want us growing closer to God? We witnessed Jesus, before he began His public ministry, in the desert for 40 days, and at the end, satan tempted the Word and made Flesh. Jesus gave us an example of withstanding temptation.

Prayer takes discipline, and when we do it with a focus on wanting to grow in the Lord, we are not just asking God for things—it’s about building a relationship. Think of it like spending time with a friend: the more you talk, the deeper the bond. Yet, with the Lord, it is so much more powerful. It is as if we are in the presence of Christ.

Now, what about fasting? How can we think about God when we want that cookie or that cup of coffee? Let’s read Matthew 6:16-18, (Read on air.)

Jesus says, ‘When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men… But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret.’

Jesus doesn’t say if you fast—He says when. Fasting’s for a Christian is not optional; it’s a given for a life of faith. But it’s not about showing off to others and letting them know how holy you are by your works. No. It’s about humility, discipline, and turning to God.

In fact, prayer and fasting were so important for the disciples that it was the only way to defeat the evil one. In the following scripture, the disciples tried to heal a young boy suffering from demonic possession. Yet they were unsuccessful. The desperate father brought his son to the Lord and asked him for healing. When you read the scripture, listen to the words as I read them, take note of Christ, as he expresses his frustration with his disciples, but then, when they ask him, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus explains it is because of weak faith. : Matthew 17:14-21

Jesus Cures a Boy with a Demon14 When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, 15 and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,[a] and it[b] came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a[c] mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”[d]

The second place we read about this situation is in Mark 9: 14-29. In Mark 9:27-29 a further explanation of the situation is as follows:

27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. 28 When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.” (In the footnotes it adds the word fasting. )

What are the takeaways from these verses? Pray and meditate on them, but in a nutshell, the Lord is asking us to have faith the size of a mustard seed, which only comes with praying and fasting.

So, how do prayer and fasting together improve your prayer life? Your faith journey? First, they help to tame the chaos. Life’s busy—work, family, endless notifications, the pull to look at social media or watch the news. Prayer gives you peace and a moment to hit pause and refocus on what matters. Fasting, on the other hand, trains your body to say ‘no’ to instant gratification. Skipping a meal or turning off the television for a day reminds you who’s in charge—not your stomach, not your screen, but your soul, guided by God.”

Second, they supercharge your spiritual growth. When the disciples couldn’t cast out a demon, Jesus told them in Matthew 17:21 that ‘this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.’ There’s power here. Fasting sharpens your prayer life, making it more intentional. Ever notice how skipping lunch makes you hungrier for God? It’s like clearing the clutter so His voice comes through louder.

Third, they connect you to the Church. Even if you are not Catholic, Christians I know practice fasting often. Catholics have been fasting since the beginning—Lent, Ash Wednesday, regular Fridays, and especially Holy Thursday-Good Friday-Holy Saturday before Easter. When you fast, you’re not alone; you’re joining millions of believers, past and present, in a shared sacrifice. And prayer? Whether it’s the Our Father at Mass or a quiet moment with your Bible, it’s the essence of our communion with each other and with Christ.”

How To Pray and Fast:
Start small. Pray for five minutes a day—read your Bible, think about what you read, and ask the Lord for some insight or guidance to what you read. Spending time with God is the essence of your prayer life. As far as fasting, I encourage you to try fasting with something simple—snacks between meals or social media for a few hours. Offer it up for someone you love or a struggle you’re facing. You’ll be amazed at the clarity, the strength, the joy that creeps into your life.

Make praying for others a habit. Does the Lord bring someone to mind? If you think about them often, this can be an indication that they need prayer.

During Lent, select one thing and fast from that thing or group of things during the entire 40-day period. Some Christians do not fast on Sunday but only on weekdays and Saturdays because the Lord rose from the dead on Sunday. However you do it, make it work for you. It always amazed me that when my kids were in college often, non-Catholic friends often joined in their Lenten fast. Some have continued it to this day.

As Christians, prayer and fasting aren’t just duties; they’re gifts. They draw us out of ourselves and into God’s heart. They make us better spouses, parents, friends—better Christians. So, this week, take up the challenge. Pray a little deeper. Fast a little more. Let God work in the quiet spaces.

Please share this episode with a friend and join us next time as we explore more ways to live our faith boldly. Until then, keep praying, keep fasting, and keep seeking Him.

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Fruits of Faith – Episode 341Do you ever feel that the more you know, the more you don’t know? Whenever I study scripture or a topic I want to learn more about, it seems that the Holy Spirit directs me in a specific way, or I “accidentally” stumble upon something that sparks an idea. This happened to me, and my planned topic was postponed until I could write this one. I pray it is a blessing to you.

I was praying and thinking about faith and its importance; I started thinking about the fruits of faith–what are they, and how can we see them in our lives? Jesus said, and I’m paraphrasing, they will know we are Christians by our love. Look up John 13:35. But what are the fruits of faith? Where are those blessings?

If we are faithful, a decision we make, we receive blessings. (Check out my podcast on Blessings here.) But not necessarily how you might think this happens. For example, if you follow God, everything will go great; you will never have hardships or difficulties, right? In some ways, yes, because we can cope with these things, and we realize in the grand scheme of life, they are minor, even if, at that moment, the hardships seem insurmountable. I remember a close friend once shared that she never was concerned with having no money because she had her faith, happiness, and health until her health and that of her husband were under attack. Yet, without faith, how would you live?

Faith is not a feeling. Faith is a belief in the unseen. Faith is truly a gift from God. Can we ask for more faith? Yes, of course. What is faith? It is a belief that there is more in life than what we can see, the material things around us. If we can use our senses to experience the material, that is not faith.

Oh, to live when Jesus roamed the earth in the flesh. Not that I would enjoy all that dust and dirt or even the primitive ways of life. There is something attractive to the simplicity of living, even under those hardships. Can you imagine being one of the disciples? Listening in as Jesus spoke to Joseph and Mary? Can you imagine the Holy Family living life together and learning from Christ? In the movie The Nativity, one of my favorites, there is a line where Joseph talks about the coming Messiah with Mary and says, “Will I even be able to teach him anything?”

Yet, only Jesus, Mary, and Joseph knew before his public ministry that Jesus was God. Joseph and Mary had faith beforehand, but they were chosen and said yes to participate in the greatest mystery of all time. Can you imagine being chosen? Well, we are, and we participate not in the same way as the Holy Family but in a special way by our faith in Jesus.

The Word became flesh.

Thus, Christianity was born, and our faith in Christ grew along with that of many other believers. As Christians, we realize this greatest miracle, and we, through no effort of our own, expect our “yes” we can participate in the miracles and gifts and blessings. After all, God gave us free will, and He will not force us to believe, but the signs are all around us if we have eyes that see!

Matthew 13:15 (read on air)An unbeliever thinks that hard work and effort cause the good in their life. I remember hearing an acquaintance say, “I make my own luck.” Luck is often attributed to chance or good fortune. But how can you make or create “chance” or “fate”? In this case, I believe it is impossible.

Fruits of Faith Through ScriptureIt is more challenging to be without faith than to have faith. I can rest assured that even though many of us fight against sin, we are often victorious because we have the grace of God. Galatians 5:22-23 talks about the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christians, which is a contrast or the opposite of the sin in our lives. These can be considered the fruits of faith. What are they?

• Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control

We can all pray for these gifts, and if we receive them, how will we use them for the kingdom?

Read Galatians 5:15-23 – here you are warned against the things that will close the doors to heaven. A section of verse 20 reads: “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” But verses 22-23 are more joyful! (Read on air.)

Fruits of Faith Purely GraceWhen we have the Holy Spirit and these fruits available to us through faith, we can definitely find joy. One year, I wrote those spiritual words on cards and passed them out randomly to my family. Whatever word we selected was the word for the year. It was amazing that many of us selected the word we needed the most; only God could know this, right? All of us were amazed by God’s hand in this simple family activity. But why are we surprised? When we participate with the Lord and share the good news, He is in our midst. He is always there, but we often do not recognize the gift.

I know I use the word gift in a seemingly cavalier manner, but it is truly a gift.

Remember, virtues are a gift, as are the fruits. God gives them through His grace. But our Lord and Savior provide us with these things, and we must do our part to strive toward the goal of attaining these in our lives and also in our prayers. Ask the Lord, “How can I share this with others? How do we participate in the spiritual life?

First of all, it is a journey. It is a walk, and for some of us, we arrive quickly; for others, like myself, it is a long and winding path. The quickest way to get to the goal is to set aside the old ways of life. How do we shed this old life? One way that helps me understand this is to compare it to a diet.

It means a lifestyle change if you’ve ever been on a diet to lose a few pounds. We eliminate the chips, soda, and other packaged foods that harm our health. We buy fresh produce, and we eat healthily. We exercise, drink lots of water, and get rid of sugary drinks. And we work super hard to try to lose that weight. But what happens after we reach our goal? Hopefully, we will lose the weight we want to shed. But what happens when we go back to our old ways? We gain weight back, sometimes more than we started with initially.

A lifestyle change is only possible by the grace of God, with His blessings, and through prayer. In fact, you can accomplish this both by praying and fasting. Some things take our focus off of self and onto God. But often, we are too hard on how we look or what we do; we think we fail God and the others we love the most.

I recently read the staggering statistics for suicide. This is tragic, and the enemy’s goal is to make us think that life is not worth living. This is a lie; remember, the evil one is the father of lies. God’s grace and goodness are there for each of us to lean into and rely on if only, as the scriptures say, we have “eyes that see.”

Open your eyes wide to the wonders and goodness of the Lord through faith. The fruits of faith are joy, goodness, and so much more. God loves you; He cares about you, and He created you for a purpose.

The fruits of faith are a happier life, the ability to cope with the unexpected, and seeing God in those little things that happen in our lives. One friend who recovered from cancer would tell me how she took such delight in the sunset and the sunrises. She shared that she would tease the Almighty God that He was showing off just for her.

This is true faith when you can see God in the everyday wonders we take for granted and appreciate it as a personal gift. Dear friends, you are a gift; your life is not an accident, and you are here for a reason. Do not ever lose hope, but remember the awesomeness and ability that God has given us because we live. Once again, share the good news with others.

Enjoy your faith, count your blessings, and look toward the grace that comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

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The blessings we receive in our lives are a total gift. Are you ready for more blessings? This podcast discusses how we can be open to God’s grace.

Blessings In Our Life ~ Episode 340Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our entire lives were filled with blessings? One blessing after another. Take a moment to imagine what that would look like.

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What came to mind? I can imagine incredible blessings, but the ones that truly matter are a faith-filled, happy, healthy home and family. The material blessings in this life are wonderful. For many of you listening to this podcast, even if you are not in the USA, you enjoy clean water, a home where you live, food to eat, electricity, and the internet. These things make our lives easier, and we often take them for granted over those less fortunate.

Yet none of the things I mentioned are forever. They are temporary gifts in our lives.

What is a true blessing? Let me read a favorite Psalm of many of us: Psalm 23: (Read on air.)

Consider these words with the eyes of faith. Material blessings are wonderful, but we don’t need them to have everything as much as we need spiritual blessings. God is there to comfort us in our distress; we have the basic needs to live, and we may be blessed with a wonderful family and friends. These are all special gifts and graces.

In the Scriptures, blessings are abundant. They are given in abundance when the will of God is followed. The Divine Will is something I am currently studying, and it is a vast subject. At some point, I will share more about this topic.

• Divine Appointments
• Cooperate With God Sometimes, God gives, and God takes away. That may be the story of your life. Think about Job’s life and the lessons to be learned from those passages. As you get older, you will not be able to escape the difficulties that happen in life. And yet we can rejoice because the blessings abound, knowing that the Almighty and King of the Universe cares about us. We may not see it. We may not hear it. We may feel lost but know He is there.

This brings me to the topic of loneliness. Many people are lonely. It transcends age. Young people, as well as old, can all suffer from feeling alone and left out. The common thread is a relationship, or lack of relationship, with God. As a young homeschool mom, I tried to make daily Mass a routine, and I failed miserably. On occasion, we did go, and I was impressed by the little ladies we sat near and how they seemed to make it routinely. One was always smiling and asked me my children’s names. I watched as she wrote them down in her prayer book and said she would pray for us (and them) each day! Even if I couldn’t attend, God took care of us and blessed us through this lady. She wasn’t lonely; she had a relationship with Christ and prayed for others, and God gave her the gift of joy.

As a young single woman in my first job, I had little chance of meeting anyone. I worked long hours and didn’t like the bar scene. Online dating wasn’t a thing at the time, and I’m not sure if I would have done it anyway. I finally realized it was my choice to be lonely, and I renewed my commitment to God, and all loneliness was gone! I was happy and content.

Truly spiritual blessings demonstrate the goodness and awesome power of God. I heard a priest once explain that the Catholic churches are such vast structures because they attempt to give the glory that God is due within the church through a beautiful structure but also because God is enormous and it is, in fact, symbolic. I believe that is why the oceans and sky are so vast, with millions of stars in the sky. It highlights the glory of God.

Psalm 19: 1-4, 8-10, 14 (read on air). Pray and meditate on that Psalm, especially when you doubt God’s blessings or feel lonely and lost!

A blessing is a grace, a gift. After the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and Mary in a mighty way. This blessing was a gift to infill them with the ability to preach and teach. In this way, while the blessing upon the person is personal, it is for the entire community.

What talent, spiritual gift, and time do you have to work for the Kingdom of God? Do you volunteer in a ministry? Do you give your time and talents to others? When my children were little, the only energy I had was for my husband, children, and extended family. This was my calling, I believed, from God. Family first. Mother Teresa, in her acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, gave a fantastic speech, and a paraphrase is the following: “If you want to bring peace to the whole world, go home and love your family.”- Mother Teres.a

Blessings include spiritual gifts, talents, personality traits, ideas, and material possessions. Have you read the scripture about the talents? Read Matthew 25 in its entirety. The story’s moral truth is that if God gives you a blessing in the form of a “talent” and asks how will you invest the gift I’ve given you?

Will we use it for ourselves? For our family? Or will we seek God and ask how to use it for the kingdom?

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As a Christian, there is a cost to following Jesus. Is it worth it? What does this mean? In this podcast, we compare the minimal sacrifice to the wonderful blessings that come with faith.

The Cost of Following Jesus ~ Episode 329According to Scripture, we realize there is a cost to following Christ. The sacrifice can include giving up personal and sinful desires; all of those things will lead us to death. These sacrifices can bring us peace and joy, yet many people who look at Christians and the Christian faith see only the sacrifice, not the blessings.

I may have told you this story, but it bears repeating. In college, I watched a committed Christian friend suffering many trials. I worried about her and silently thought that while I was happy, I knew the Lord and loved Him; I wasn’t the target of what I felt was an attack.

Her parents gave her a new car, and soon after, she was in an accident that wrecked it. She praised the Lord that she wasn’t hurt badly. Then she was often sick because she spent much time in the science lab. Her lab work required her to look at a microscope, which made her nauseous. It seemed like one thing after another after another. I learned so much from her, and my faith grew. I saw how her love of God transcended all of those things.

But, what did people at school think of her? They were confused and puzzled. They believed that if you followed God, all things should be easy. And they are in some ways. As a Christian, we know what is essential.

When we prioritize Jesus above all things, we essentially say that we will deny ourselves and carry our cross in following Him. In Luke 9:23-26 (Read on air.)

And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

This life is not all there is; we have an everlasting life with God. Having everything in this world, all the riches, all the luck, all the things people think are important, we can’t take it with us. We should consider this; each day is a gift and a blessing that we are alive. But we all know we will not live forever. Is our house in order? Do we see what is important, and what do we think could be more important than our faith in God?

When we prioritize Jesus above all else, we must carry our cross and do this daily. Some days are difficult, but do we see it in perspective? Some days, I don’t want to work, I don’t want to participate in the ministry where I am the coordinator, I don’t want to cook or clean or do anything! I want to go on strike from my busy schedule and have a day off. I was purely miserable until I realized it was something I could not change in the short term. So, my days continue, and I carry my cross, whatever that is, and follow Jesus.

Some people are ill, and that is a cross. Some people have to work way past retirement age, which is a cross. Some people have financial difficulties or struggles with personal situations or people. All those things are a cross. Pick up your cross and follow Jesus.

I want to caution you if you are a complainer, and we all are occasionally. Complaining wastes time takes effort, and makes us all around miserable. Focus on the things you can change, do something about this, and leave all the things you can’t change alone.

When we deny ourselves, we become more resolved. As a society, we have become soft; we want what we want, and that has led to a sedentary lifestyle and general overeating, which then can lead to illness as we age. Denying ourselves and fasting occasionally are all good for you. I read a study that said fasting at least one to two days a week improves your health. And Jesus asks us to fast, especially when we pray for something important. Denying our needs in conjunction with prayer can be powerful. Fasting and prayer go hand in hand.—>Thanks to our sponsor, NowPrograms.com, whose philosophy is to remediate instead of accommodate. Something I’ve been saying for years! When we follow Christ, we may lose friends. The cost of following Jesus may lead to strained relationships with family or friends. I have personally lost friends over being “too Catholic.” Is that even a thing? Shouldn’t you be all in when you have faith? Following Christ is not a halfway measure.

Sometimes, it is a material sacrifice; maybe you’ve never given money to a church or a charity, and now you do. Luke 21:1-4 says (Read on air.)

He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4 for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.”Any material sacrifice we make is not all we have. Sometimes, a material sacrifice may be to not cheat someone out of money or charge too much for something. It might mean returning to a store to pay for an item you inadvertently took out without paying.None of these things are as difficult as facing persecution. In this context, in some countries, Christianity is being eradicated. This is a great cost, yet it is what people are willing to take.Following Jesus means changing our lives and adopting values that may require a different way of life. A friend shared that a couple living together attended a service and were convicted to change their life. They stopped living together and worked on learning more about the Lord’s teachings. Luke 9:23 states: “And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”But the joy of following Jesus means everlasting life in heaven with Him! Eternity in heaven as opposed to a temporary satisfaction here on earth? Which will it be?For those of us who have spent our life following Christ, it is an easy answer. It is a daily “Yes, Lord, yes!” While I’m blessed to have grown up in faith, that may not be the case for some of you listening. Learn more about the Lord, spend time in prayer, and ask the Lord for more faith. These things bring joy that surpasses all understanding and allow me to share the good news with you. I pray that you share the good news with others.The post The Cost of Following Jesus appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

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What happens when you open your heart to God’s love? In this episode of A Few Minutes with God, we will discuss the grace of God’s love and how it can empower you.

Open Your Heart To God’s Love 328God’s love is amazing; it is such a blessing, and His love is unconditional, and yet we often turn from His love because we feel unworthy. Yet we should recall this verse, which is listed as the Greatest Commandment. Matthew 22:34-40 (read on air).

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sad′ducees, they came together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”

Can we embrace that, and can we open our hearts to love the Lord totally?

Recently I’ve reread C.S. Lewis’ popular book, The Screw Tape Letters. This was in preparation for attending the play, which I am looking forward to seeing. This book is excellent if you want to know how the evil one works. One of the ways is by allowing us to doubt that we are worthy of an Almighty and loving God. But we know that is not true.

Romans 3:10-12 states:

as it is written:“None is righteous, no, not one;11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good,not even one.”

If we don’t believe, we have difficulty doing good. Or, as the verse states, we have turned aside altogether.

Psalm 14:1-3 says a similar thing, but we should take heart because later in Romans, we see there is hope for us.

Romans 3:22-24 states: the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Faith is a grace, a gift from God. And with faith, we can see through the eyes of love. Faith opens up an entirely new world for us, and the way we develop it goes a long way in how we can grow in faith. Opening our hearts gives us the capacity to love God more and to love others.

The first step is to open your heart to the Lord through surrender. We have to “let go and let God.” We must believe in faith and trust that He loves us and that His love is available for us, no matter who we are or where we live. God loves you, and yes, if we are in sin, we should repent, but by opening our hearts to God, we will see the sin in our lives. We can be blinded or ignore sin, yet God waits for us.

Proverbs 3:5 — it takes trust. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”

This takes vulnerability. Be honest with God about your fears, struggles, and desires. God knows, but in doing this act, we show our willingness to grow in faith.

Next, open your heart to God with prayer. We thank God and praise Him for all He has done for us. When was the last time you thanked the Creator of the Universe for the gift of life? Sometimes, we have to look hard to find something to be thankful for, and other times, it is easy. By praying and quietly reflecting on the Lord, we can prepare our hearts for a deeper love.

—>Thanks to our sponsor, NowPrograms.com, whose philosophy is to remediate instead of accommodate. Something I’ve been saying for years!How do you further your relationship with the Lord? Through scripture study, reading the Bible, and listening to faith-filled podcasts or videos. In this way, we make an effort to know more about the Lord. How can we love someone we don’t know? How can we expect to open our hearts to the Lord if we don’t understand his mercy? (Podcast on God’s Justice and Mercy.)When we open our hearts to the Lord, we will find areas or people we need to forgive. Sometimes, we need to forgive ourselves or forgive others. In doing so, we are released from the burden of unforgiveness, and this allows us to give to the Lord freely.Create a list of Scripture verses that discuss God’s Love.1. John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 2. Romans 5:8: But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 3. 1 John 4:19 : We love, because he first loved us.

This leads us to the last point. When you open your heart to God, you will be flooded with gratitude. You will see with new eyes, and you will become a thankful person. And you will see that God’s love has always been present. You just never saw it in the same way! Your life will bear fruit.

And what will you do with this knowledge? Who will you tell? How will you share the good news? That is the challenge we all have, and we can once again ask God for the ability and opportunity to share his love with others!

May God be blessed.

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Where do you see true justice and mercy played out other than in Christ Jesus? We read the scriptures and learn that Christ is just, yet He is also merciful. How is that possible? We see it in His charity and the mercy that comes even while we are sinners. This podcast examines how we can grow in our Christian faith and evangelize to others.

Justice and Mercy of Christ ~ Episode 327Before we can delve into the dichotomy between Christ’s justice and mercy, we must look within ourselves. How do we perceive the world and others? If we don’t look at this issue through the lens of faith, the truth can often become distilled.

Our outlook on life is one of the ways we see others and approach life’s issues. One of our pastors made the statement, “To the evil, all things are evil, and to the good, all things are good.” He then smiled and said, “Don’t blame me; this is a teaching from Jesus.”

The verse he alludes to is in Luke 6:45, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

What is in our hearts? Is it love, or is it the grace that comes from God? Is it compassion? When we love, we show mercy to others because we have a greater capacity to love. Jesus taught us so much about justice and mercy, yet we fail to understand this because of the way we see others. Matthew 7: 1-6 reads. (Read on air.)

Do you see the good in others or only the bad? Sometimes we don’t get along with people, and it is difficult to change our mind about the person or to see the good that person has within. This scripture verse tells us to look at ourselves first.

[Thanks to our sponsor NOWPrograms. Their philosophy is don’t accomodate, remediate. And it really works.]

So, as we look within our hearts we can examine our attitude. Are we self-righteous? Is it compassionate? What do you see when you see when you look at yourself? Sometimes we see areas that need to change but take heart. Jesus is there for us!

Jesus lived his life challenging us, yes, but with love and mercy. His teachings and His sacrifice on the cross demonstrate his justice and his mercy. Jesus showed us, as sinners, how to be reconciled to Him. How do we do this? By picking up our own cross and following Him.

How do we thank Jesus for his death on the cross? How do we see his death as the moment where justice (not for Him but for us) and mercy intersect? Jesus was crucified not for any sin He committed but to save us from our sins.

God’s Justice and Mercy Demonstrated

1. The justice of God is highlighted by the requirement that sin, by its very nature, must be punished.
2. The law of God requires obedience. Not through our strength but through our will and the grace of God.
3. The penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
4. Justice is attributed to God alone, and because of His holiness, the wrongs of this life can be reversed.
5. God is mercy exemplified by His very nature.
6. God forgives through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.
7. Jesus’ death was the atonement for our sins. It was payment, and through God’s justice, our sins were forgiven.
8. Jesus forgave our sins by his death and resurrection without compromising His righteousness. Romans 3:23-26
9. Mercy is available to all who believe. That is the key–> those who believe in Jesus.
10. God wants to reconcile with humanity (us) despite our sinfulness.

The Lord is righteous, He is the just judge, He is the Alpha and the Omega and through Jesus and Him alone do we have mercy for our sins.

We are healed by his stripes. Isaiah 53:5 foretold this! (Read on air.) The stipes, the wounds of the scourging at the pillar that Jesus endured and then His torture and death on the cross was for us, for each one of us. So when we are upset or down or feel that no one understands us, we must remember that God is just and merciful to those who repent, believe and call upon His name. He is there for us always.

Share the good news with others!

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Have you heard that the rock of the church is Jesus Christ? Our faith and belief in Jesus is the foundation of the church, our faith, and all that is good and holy. So what do we do with this knowledge as Christians, and where can it take us? This podcast explores the truth of Christ’s teaching and the importance of evangelizing by example.

The Rock – Christ Our Lord ~ Episode 326Have you seen a theme in the podcasts this year? If you said “evangelization,” you are correct. If we have the gift of faith, we must nurture it through prayer, study, listening to good things, and focusing on those who encourage us along our faith journey. However, once you’ve reached the point of having a solid faith, it is time to share the good news with others. One way is to share this podcast.

[Thanks to our sponsor NOWPrograms. Their philosophy is don’t accomodate, remediate. And it really works.]

The Rock Of The ChurchIf you are listening to this podcast I’m going to assume you have faith. Where have you built this faith? Think about this.

I grew up Catholic, with a strong faith in God. I knew Jesus and loved Him. I thought about God and His teachings. But as a child, I remember a traumatic time when we were moving away from family in New York and traveling to a foreign land. Canada! Looking out the window, I was upset and wondered if God was there. So, I decided, in my naivety, to test God. I was thinking about the verse in Matthew. Matthew 17:20: The verse reads,(read on air).

I asked the Lord to move the mountain. I said, “Lord, I have faith; it is greater than a mustard seed. Make this mountain move.” This was as we were traveling down an interstate, and as far as I could tell, the mountain didn’t move. At this point, my faith was fledging, and it was that of a child. Years later, I realized that testing the Lord was unwise. When we doubt, it shows we are struggling with our faith. And, yes — we all have times of doubt.

Yet, situations in our lives cause us to struggle, allowing thoughts to become doubtful and to build up without placing our trust in God. This can hurt our relationship with Him. When we turn away from God, the human heart has no boundaries. It becomes weak. It allows the enemy to creep in and sow doubt. Through the scriptures, if you’ve ever studied them, you will see time and time again that the Lord gives multiple chances to change, and yet, so many times, people turn their back on God.

Read the book of Romans, chapters one and two. It is depressing, to say the least. Some people lived at the time or shortly after the Lord lived upon the earth. They either witnessed or heard about the great things of God, and yet they decided to stay with their sins. How can we prevent evil in our hearts if our minds are not turned toward God? Our intellect will be dimmed and darkened further if we turn away. Many of us are committed Christians, so the gospel is for those of us, and we have no excuse. We either believe or we don’t. Is God the rock on which the church was built? If so, how do we proceed?

Matthew 7:24-26 (read on air).

This verse places Peter at the head of the church, yet the rock of the church is Christ. Without the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, there is no forgiveness of sins; there is no church, and the gates of heaven would remain closed. Yet, God gave his only Son so we could have everlasting life. This is an honor and a privilege, wow!

Jesus spoke in Aramaic and the word for “rock” is Kepha. So Jesus actually said, “You are Kepha, and upon this kepha, I will build my church.” Later we read in John 1:42. (Read on air.) The footnote in regard to where it says “which means Peter” states: “From the word for rock in Aramaic and Greek, respectively”

Where is the reference to Peter as the rock in scripture?Kepas or Cephas both mean rock and refer to Peter. Other verses also point to Peter as the rock:

1. 1 Corinthians 1:12
2. 1 Corinthians 2:33
3. 1 Corinthians 9:5
4. 1 Corinthians 15:5
5. Galatians 2:11
6. Galatians 2:14

The Bible continues to show us how it is an integrated puzzle. Sure, some verses take studying and research, but it is wonderful to see it repeatedly! If you have ever wondered where Catholics get the primacy of the Pope from it is those verses.

Let’s get excited about God; if we are, we will be excited about all he can do for our lives and share the good news with others! We can be a hearer (wow, that’s nice, and go on with our lives) or a doer…that’s amazing, and I want to tell everyone I know about the Lord!

This next verse is strong, but hopefully, it wakes all of us up!

Matthew 7:23-25 (read on air).Is that us? Are we building our lives and our faith upon the true rock of Christ? Are we prepared? Are we ready for the unexpected? Wherever we go, we take Christ in our hearts and know intellectually that God is everywhere; He is always present. Remember that the Lord wants to bless us and give us good things, but we must also be ready for the times when things don’t turn out as we expect. When there is a tragedy, when there are hardships.Think and pray about this.I read something that said, “The sincerity of a husband is known during the sickness of his wife. The sincerity of a wife is known during financial difficulties of her husband. The true love of a child is known during the old age of their parents. The true nature of siblings is known during the sharing of inheritance.” and it goes on until the end where it states: “A true believer is known during hardships.” (Source unknown.)Where have you built this faith? I asked you this question at the beginning of this episode. If we’ve built our faith on people, things, and things that do not matter, we will often be disappointed in this life. Yet, if we build our faith in the Lord, He will never disappoint us.The post The Rock of the Church ~ Jesus Christ appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

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Spiritual decluttering occurs when we decide to do the hard thing before we do the “me” thing. If that doesn’t make sense, stay tuned to learn how to declutter your life meaningfully.

Spiritual DeClutter – Finding God In The Mess – Episode 325Decluttering is not my gift. I always think I need something, so I find a place for it, only to move it or decide months later to give it away. I’ve read so many books on decluttering and how following the important steps in the 400+ pages will make my life so much easier. Many books later, my office looked like a thrift store at times.

[Thanks to our sponsor NOWPrograms. Their philosophy is don’t accomodate, remediate. And it really works.]

Why is it so difficult for some of us to part with things we will never use, articles we won’t read, or momentos (this is the hardest) that we treasure? Sometimes, keeping all of these things gives us a sense of security, and it makes us feel closer to the person to a good time in our lives rather than putting it somewhere we won’t see it.

If we must declutter, there are some steps. The best advice I ever read was to take three boxes: one to trash, one to keep, and one to donate or give away. This was simple enough for even me to implement. And when I am successful at decluttering, I feel like a weight is lifted; it is clean and sparse, and I can actually think! I can put my laptop on my desk without moving a pile of papers or books. it doesn’t help that my office is also the family office, and I file papers for business, my husband’s and mine, and a stack of things I need to shred but don’t have the time to do often. This trash takes up so much room, making me think of other areas where there is trash.

I believe decluttering can relate to the sin in my life. When we look at spiritual decluttering, we are getting rid of those things that are not helpful but harmful. And, when we do this, it can lighten our hearts. Decluttering is more than getting rid of things in our homes; in a sense, when we purge, we get rid of the trash. So, the first step in a spiritual sense is to look at the trash in our lives. I may have shared with you that I gave us reading light-hearted books for a period of time. I found that my time was eaten up by reading for pleasure and putting off all of the important things I needed to do. I decided to put that time to good use and do it for a month. Time kept extending for different reasons. It has now been over a year. There is nothing wrong with pleasure reading unless it takes over your life.

Some of us tend to be “all in” in our lives and in our focus on life. This is a good thing, but it can become an obsession or a distraction. Take an inventory of your life. What are those things keeping you from deepening your relationship with others and God? We can keep those things in moderation or put them in a giveaway later, but we can also keep an eye on the distractions.

Decluttering spiritually can be to shed those burdens. When we take a trip, we often wish to pack light, yet we take many things we do not need. I often pack and bring home half a suitcase of things I never wore or used. Burdens happen in our lives when we carry things around; they become a weight oppressing us. I talked to my brother earlier today, and he shared a situation with his friend. He was getting more and more upset as he was sharing the story. I let him vent for a while and then asked him, “Why is this upsetting you? Is this something you can change?” He agreed he could not change it but had been carrying around this burden that was no fault of his own.

Do we do this? Do we carry the baggage of others? Take inventory of this and think about it. This could be the situation with a child or a family member. Sometimes, we want more for them than they want for themselves. And this is exactly what the Lord wants for us. He wants more than we want for ourselves! When we give to the Lord what is truly His, we can live lives that are less burdened.

Spiritual decluttering can be purging our lives of social media for a time. I’ve often shared how I’ve done this with the news since 90% of it is sensationalized for profit. Bad news sells. Spending too much time on social media can cause difficulties in our lives.

Forgiveness is another way to declutter our lives. We ask the Lord to help us forgive others and allow God to heal any hurts in our lives.

Decluttering is the same as unburdening and we will find we are walking tall in the sense of not carrying all that baggage.

Psalm 51:10 (Read on air)

This new and right spirit will allow you to rejoice and become the version that God wants you to be, and in this way, you can minister to others by your witness.

Matthew 5:16 (Read on air.

Let’s Pray:

We ask YOU, Lord, to allow your light to shine in us so that others may see this – I want to be “all in” for you and to give you all the glory you deserve. Friends, I pray this for you in this new year: that you are blessed and unburdened and rejoice in today, the day the Lord has made. Amen!

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Love As Christ Loves ~ Episode 241How can we love as Christ loves? Is it impossible, or is it? In this episode, we explore what true Christian love means to us.

Visit the website at MediaAngels.com for books and products written by Felice Gerwitz, specifically her ministry books, A Few Minutes with God and One More Child. Please share this episode with a friend, and share God’s love with all.

Sponsored by Now Programs.

If I asked you, “What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say, ‘Christ loves?”

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

In a nutshell, to love as Christ means to love one another and to become Christ’s disciples, not only to learn, by reading the Scriptures, attending a Bible study, or doing a scripture study on your own. It means to look at our lives as a challenge to get better one day at a time. I read a book by a well-known evangelist who claimed that during some seasons of his faith journey, sometimes he just didn’t want to show up for prayer with the Lord. We all go through life struggles that can bring us closer to God or cause us to be stray. Showing up is half the battle.

In past episodes here and here I spoke about forgiveness. The graphic I selected for this podcast is one of Jesus writing in the sand. John 8 is at the Mount of Olives where Jesus went to preach, we read in verse 2-11 (Read on Air)

Another verse that comes to mind shows us how we should love each other. Ephesians 5:25, the entire verse is beautiful, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” this is an appropriate Scripture as I record this podcast in the month of February. How can this be? We are, after all, sinful creatures, and we fail each other often. In fact, we hurt those we love the most.

To love, care, and to be hurt by love means you care so much that it crushes you when you consider the hurt. But love is more than what happens to us. One definition of love is sacrificial, love gives, and love receives. Some of us love to receive gifts, and others like to give gifts; each of us is a unique gift. Scripture tells us we are created in the likeness and image of God. God created us with a body, soul, and spirit.

One of the most recited scripture is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This beautiful scripture speaks about the love of Christ for us – that sacrificial love. Can you imagine if Christians worldwide would think about loving as Christ loves us? Can you imagine the change in our world?

We can take it further, within our own families first and then our larger social circle, those at school, at work, and the people we meet in the grocery store. We can go against the flow and pray to the Lord for grace for this! We are so blessed, and we do not see it, but if we did we would give to others. It does not have to cost money. A smile can brighten someone’s day, and a hug goes a long way toward healing hurts. We are so wounded that we forget that others are hurting as well. Christ’s love for us continues to pour out upon all of us – it wasn’t a one-time thing, sure His sacrifice was one time, but the effects of his sacrifice are everlasting.

1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Can we abide in God’s love? It is never too late. No matter what sin or anger we have in our hearts, there is forgiveness. It can start right now. Today, with a decision to turn away from what the Bible calls sin. Our world says nothing is sinful if you want to do it – just go for it. But in this mindset, we see that some are givers and others are takers, which frustrates all. The givers are upset. They give with nothing in return, and the takers never think it is enough.

Corinthians 3:14 – And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Love binds everything together. That is why romance books and Hallmark movies permeate the stores and airwaves. Everyone wants to love and be loved. Everyone wants that unconditional love that the Scriptures talk about, but no one wants to love unconditionally! While we can love and have sacrificial love, it is difficult to love when we get nothing back. However, we can not out give our God. He is mighty and immense, and His love knows no bounds. Try it; try to give God your love, your trust, your time, and your gifts. Ask God what you can do to serve Him. Watch what happens.

It may not be today, but it will be at some point in time when you least expect it. Have you looked back on the previous year to see the hand of God in your life? As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20 – we may not see the miracles in our life right now, but we will see them in the future.

My son is in the Army Rangers program; this week has been the longest week of my life. He had to pass this week’s challenges to be an RS – a Ranger Student. In the private group, the administrators shared what they were going through. As I was praying for him, I thought, as Christ gave us His sacrifice for our sins, so too did the military, the police, and sheriffs, the firefighters, the first responders put their lives on the line for others. This is their job, yes. But it is Christ-like; it is loving as Christ loves. These little aha moments are so amazing when we pray and ask God for His grace. (Please pray for my son that he successfully makes it through all three stages of this journey.)

So, friends, our choice is to love as Christ loves or to follow our own way. My choice is to follow Christ’s example. This week I urge you to think about Christ’s love and look at the Scripture verses, not only those I shared, but those that you find on your own in the Bible. Journal about it and think about what you have learned, what God is teaching you!

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Renew Your Faith This New Year~ Episode 211(replay)It is time to renew your faith in God. Today. There are so many things we renew but often our faith is not one of those things that we think about in that way. In this podcast, we will discuss ways to recharge your faith and how to do this in a way that makes sense for your life.

Visit MediaAngels.com for books, curriculum, and other offerings, just for you. Check out the books One More Child and A Few Minutes with God there as well. Available in print or digital.

When we renew things such as our auto, health or life insurance, it causes us to pause in our lives to do something that is sometimes painful. Shopping for insurance is no fun. What about our faith? Does your faith need renewal or a recharge? When we stop and look at our faith we may see places that need shoring up or other places where we spend much time but maybe do not see as much fruit in the way of change.

Many times we have not matured into our faith. Our years move on but our faith remains stagnant. I can see the evidence of this when I go into a church and see few people in attendance. Sure, you can watch many different services online, but it is different than participating in purpose, especially if there is no physical reason that you can’t. And, on the other hand just because you go to church doesn’t mean you believe. It can be an obligation you fulfill or you go to make someone else happy.

We go and we worship because it is one of the commandments of God, “Keep Holy the Sabbath,” and the wisdom of God trumps anything else, or it should.

In Christian homes, a child may believe because of their parents, and their faith is their parent’s faith. Faith is a personal decision, it is a fundamental option to choose God, follow God, and live a life that is holy. What does this mean to you?

Take a look at your daily walk with the Lord and ask yourself the following:

1. Do you wake up praising God or in some way thinking about the Lord?
2. Do you pray?
3. Do you spend time in God’s Word, at church or with the Bible, or another app?
4. Do you spend time in quiet with God?
5. Do you journal or are you in a Bible study?

If you find yourself falling a bit short, don’t worry. We can look back to see where we want to improve, but then move forward in how we want our lives to look. All of us want joy, peace, and love in our lives, and these come directly from the source of all love, and that is God. Renewing our faith means renewing our dedication to doing God’s will.

Renewing Your Faith ~ A New BeginningWhere do we begin? With a profession of faith. We can start with a prayer such as the Nicene Creed or the Apostles Creed, but I would invite you to take it a step further. Write the Lord your own love letter, a pledge to love, honor, and follow Him. It can look something like this:

“I praise you and I thank you my Lord for all you have done in my life. I want to dedicate my life to you in a new way, in a deeper way, and in a way that is pleasing to You, my Lord. Come into my heart Lord and fill it to overflowing with your love. Jesus, I trust in You. Help me to place You before all else. Help to keep me on the straight path, do not allow me to stray, and keep me from sin, my God. I dedicate all that I do and say to You and ask that You help make it pleasing. And I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

You can add or take away anything you want, but make it a heartfelt prayer that tells the Lord you trust in Him and His divine will. When we fill ourselves with thoughts about God the darkness is dispelled. We can not live in fear and faith at the same time. God has already overcome the enemy and we need to place our lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

We can easily look at examples in the Bible of people who turned their back on God, the Israelites come to mind. God’s people suffered in exile and yet they continued to be unfaithful. If we trust in God we can not serve two masters.

Examine your life and look at the way that you spend your time. Is there anything you can do to place God first? Is there something you can avoid, or move in your schedule to make more time to learn more about your faith? What can you do to surrender your time to God?

I learned that to be more productive during the week I needed time to recharge. Renewing your faith is like a “recharge” of your faith battery. Keeping holy the sabbath is a way to enjoy the world that God has given to you, to enjoy your life in some small way. Enjoying a beautiful day or finding beauty in a storm with the lightning flashing in the distance. Basically praising God in all things.

While we live in a time of darkness this weariness with the world can get us down to a point that we can not see the light that is God through the sin in the world. We can’t help anyone else if we do not help ourselves first. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away, behold all things are made new.”

God can make us new, each and every day. You can renew your faith daily with a quick prayer and ask the Lord to give you the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the trials that come with each day. Faith or religion without a relationship is hollow. Jesus wants a relationship with us, we know this, but we don’t seem to have the time. We make time for all things except this most important element in our lives.

God loves us with a love that is nothing something we can understand or grasp. Our human love by way of comparison is so inadequate. It falls short of the glory and wonder of God. We look to others for this love and find ourselves disappointed. People will disappoint us, this is one of those things we can count on. Each of our lives has some type of sorrow, tragedy, or hardship. Some of us have harder lives than others. Yet our Father who is in heaven looks to us with open arms.

Read 2 Thessalonians 12 – the entire chapter. It is a teaching to those who suffered, but this verse stands out for me, verse 13: “We also unceasingly give thanks to God because, when we handed on the word of God to you, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it truly is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”

Accepting faith, accepting the Word of God as truth, and accepting the truth that belief in God will help us in our lives is just the start of our faith journey, not the end. You see our struggles become insurmountable when we put our trust in others or in ourselves over God. We can do nothing without God. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”

The best news is that each day is a new day and we can look to the Father for a faith recharge anytime we want or need it. We grow in our faith in the same way as we mature in body. Our faith grows deeper if and when we invite the Lord in, and pray more of you Lord, and less of me.

Read the scriptures and see which verses jump out at you and write them down. Think about them and see what it is that you can learn or what you feel the Lord is telling you.

The challenge this week is to take the time to renew your faith in a meaningful way. Whether it is to purpose to read the Bible each day or spend time with the Lord. What is a way that you can be open to the blessings that can come into your life? This week the focus is on you, not someone else (yes, I know that is hard). Recharge you first and watch the worries and cares fall away! May God be blessed, Amen and Alleluiah!

Thank you to our sponsor, NOW Programs.

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Can you outgive God? I challenge you to try it. In today’s episode of A Few Minutes with God, we explore this concept and ways we can be blessed, even as we give.

Outgive God ~ Episode 324The idea of giving makes some people happy, and for others, it becomes stressful. How can you give the perfect present or, if not perfect, a present that someone even wants? Some people don’t like to buy or even give presents. Some people like to give presents but not receive them. Maybe you fall somewhere in the middle or like to give and receive!

[Thanks to our sponsor NOWPrograms. Their philosophy is don’t accomodate, remediate. And it really works.]

The people who are extremely good at giving presents are those who take the time to figure out what makes a good gift and what the person they are buying or making a gift for is. The idea of gift-giving follows this idea:

1. Who are you gifting?
2. What does this person like or dislike?
3. Is this gift idea within your budget?

It’s simple, really. Buy the gift that person likes. Easy, right? That is why gift cards are such a popular option nowadays—the task can be insurmountable or daunting at best!

There are so many symbolic elements to gift-giving that we don’t see in relation to our spiritual walk. The idea of a gift ultimately is the idea of giving of ourselves. We give of our time, our talents, and our money when we gift our family and friends. But what are we giving when we give to God? Do we give our talents? Do we give our time? What is the most valuable part of us that we give to Him who has given us so much?

Let’s look at the same three questions in light of giving to God.

Outgive God – Gift Giving SurveyBut, with God, it is easy, right? Let’s ask the same three questions.

1. Who are you gifting? God.
2. What does this person like or dislike? He is all goodness and light. He wants us to love Him and serve Him in all we do.
3. Is this gift idea within your budget? It is everything. Do you have that to give?

Outgive God – Try it.

Giving to God first necessitates having faith. Do we believe in God as the creator of all things? Do we believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit? If we know God is all goodness and light, then we know what is expected of us, our whole heart and soul.

Some things we “do” for God would be:

1. Study the scriptures.
2. Spend time in prayer.
3. Praise and worship
4. Living Godly lives
5. Going to Church

Yet when we do these things, study the scriptures; for example, who benefits from this? Or spending time in prayer or praise and worship? We are the ones who receive so much more in return. We find we are thankful and in awe of what God has done for us. The blessings that happen are a gift from God. We take every breath and every step because God wills it. Are we thankful for these things?

We can not outgive God. We can trust in Him in humility, that humble trust, that hope that within our failures, the Lord still finds us and loves us—not the sin, but He loves us. When we reflect on the goodness of Our Lord and Savior, we find the gift is totally selfless. God gave us the world in which we live—He gave us our very lives, our family, our friends. God gave us the most important thing, and that is salvation. God did not leave us orphans.

Jeremiah 30:22 (Read on air.)What a gift! The elements of gift giving is taking care of the other person in some way and showing our gratitude of having them in our lives. Yet, God is our Good Shepherd.Psalm 23, also known as the Psalm of David, is one we may know by heart. Let me read it to you. (Read on air.)God is there for us in good times, yes — but more importantly, when we think we have been forsaken. Look at what He has done for us and try daily to outgive God. Will we succeed? No. But we will be blessed more than ever! I pray you have a wonderful week and that the Lord blesses you beyond anything you can expect or hope for!

This podcast sponsored by NOW Programs.

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Loneliness At Christmas ~ Episdoe 282Loneliness can happen at any time of the year, yet loneliness at Christmas seems especially painful. In this podcast we will discuss our role as Christians and how to bring to those in need the joy of the season of light.

Visit Media Angels.com for gifts for your family, especially the Character Planners that help you and your children focus on the importance of developing good habits.

Thank you to our sponsor, NOW Programs.

Here are some podcasts you may enjoy.

Loneliness

Connection With Others

Temptation is Real

As I think back on Christmas past, I remember how my father felt after my mother’s passing. Every time there was an event or holiday, he missed her, especially the first time. He was so used to spending time with her and sharing his life that when she was gone, it was as if a piece of him was missing. My neighbor died this summer unexpectedly, and I am certain his widow also feels the pains of firsts, the first Thanksgiving without him, the first Christmas, and more. We are only neighbors, and friends, but when someone has a special place in your life, you will definitely feel the loneliness at Christmas.

In Isaiah 41:10 we read: (Read on air.)

God gives us the strength we need, but we need to ask. How often do we forget to ask? I know I do. In living our lives we can feel lonely even in the midst of people. I think that is why we stay so busy, so we don’t feel loneliness and so that we don’t focus on what is bothering us.

Loneliness At Christmas Can Be A StrugglePsalm 16:11 – (Read on air.)

When we are in a good place with our faith and our Lord, it seems to stem the loneliness. We don’t feel as alone or afraid. We find that joy that surpasses all understanding. Yet at times, we feel as if we are being tested.

In 1 Chronicles 29:17, we read on air.

Loneliness At Christmas UnderstoodThere is no secret formula to combat loneliness at Christmas other than to give our hearts to the Lord. My friend would take her three boys and spend time at the soup kitchen or Church ministries. She did this at Thanksgiving as well as at Christmas. This took place after she was divorced, and she felt that her holiday was different, sad, and lonely. She decided that in giving, we receive, not for the sake of receiving. And she did! She said it was the best holiday and she wished she had done it sooner.

That is truly a gift.

Make me an instrument of your peace is a song as well as a prayer attributed to St. Francis…O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

St. Francis gave up his life of wealth to serve the Lord and to serve the poor. We may not all have the opportunity to spend time with the poor this Christmas, but if you can, it is well worth it. Sometimes ministering to our own families and extended families is serving the poor in spirit. Other times they are blessing us with their joy and presence. It takes an effort to travel, especially during the holidays.

Loneliness can be a blessing; it is a pearl of great price. Think about how the Lord Jesus prayed at the garden of Gethsemane and the apostles could not stay awake with him for one hour. I pray in my mind that I am there with him. God, Jesus doesn’t need me, yet we can offer the simple tasks as an offering of our hearts even if it is just in our thoughts.

Matthew 13:44 states (read on air).

Loneliness OvercomeOur loneliness is a struggle, and it is something we may try to overcome, but each in our own way. Finding other like-minded people is helpful. I often see people at church who have lost a loved one join together for the holidays or even after church for coffee. I try to reach out to friends I know who may be struggling. I know they are being social even if they do not feel like it. It is easier to stay home, but putting out the effort is often rewarded.

We can all pray that the Lord uses us to minister to others, whether it is visiting someone without family in a nursing home, serving the needs of the poor, donating to a worthy cause, or buying gifts for those less fortunate. All of these things are small in the scope of our lives, but each one of these things brings us closer to the Lord.

This week the challenge is to pray for those who are struggling and lonely this Christmas as well as other times of the year and to ask the Lord to use us to bring joy to their hearts. Let God be praised now and forever.

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How do we enjoy spiritual inspiration? We can look within. In our hearts, we crave the love of the Lord, joy, and enjoyment in our lives. Today, we unfold ways to bring inspiration and awe back into our lives.

Christian Spiritual Inspiration ~ Episode 323The importance of forgiveness, joy, and faith in the spiritual life cannot be overstated. How do we do thi?

Daily practices for cultivating forgiveness must be actively implemented. These practices could include journaling about forgiveness, praying for those who have wronged us, or engaging in acts of kindness towards them.

The benefits are undeniable: emotional healing, strengthened relationships, and a deeper connection to God our Savior. How do we do this? We can find joy in everyday life, beginning with enjoying ordinary moments. This could be as simple as appreciating the beauty of nature, finding joy in our work, or spending quality time with loved ones. We can transform our routine tasks into worship. View every task as an opportunity for prayer; this mindset change is crucial. This can be helpful if you enjoy praise and worship.

The Holy Spirit’s role is not just powerful; it is transformative. Its potential to bring about profound changes in our lives is a source of hope and inspiration, leading us toward spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God.

2 Timothy 3:16 (Read on air.)

Psalm 46:1-4 (Read on air)

The Lord can help you to find like-minded friends and, through prayer, bring those people into your life!I prayed at a low point in my life and cried out to the Lord for friends who were not only the same denomination as me but also would encourage me. These two dear friends were that and so much more and are still my dearest friends today. We exchanged good Christian and faith-filled books to read, we prayed for each other’s families, and we knew that we were here for each other.

The journey of faith is ever-changing.Only we can make the decision to forgive if that is needed in our lives—sometimes daily—and also to pray for ourselves because often we pray for everyone else and forget that we, too, need prayer.

Faith and trust in God can grow through prayer, spending time with God, and making it a routine. A few minutes with God, daily

Seeing the beauty of God’s creation, especially when we don’t expect it, means being open to the Holy Spirit’s infilling. How many sunsets have we seen yet never appreciated? How many times have we missed those amazing occurrences of God’s blessings and grace, even in the midst of tragedy? If we recognize the blessings in our lives, we can’t help but forgive others and ourselves as well —

Sometimes, when I write these talks, the Lord leads me in the opposite direction I want to go — this is one of them. Is this Christian spiritual inspiration from the Holy Spirit?The idea of forgiveness keeps cropping up when I wanted the focus to be on joy – on wonder and awe. Maybe someone needs to hear this; maybe that person is you or someone you know. But, truly the idea of forgiveness is not new, it is what the Lord did for us the greatest gift. It is what the Lord continues to do in our lives – the focus of the Lord’s Prayer is to be thankful for our daily bread, yes — and to forgive as God forgives us! What a challenge in our lives, but what an amazing way to help us to grow, transform, and overcome the discouragement that tends to creep into our lives … we must find strength in God.

As I record, Christmas is coming soon, and the holidays tend to be the most difficult for most people. This is a time when we see joy all around us or the facade of joy. There is so much hardship and challenge in all of our lives, yet with God, all things are possible.

Remember Philippians 4:13. I can do all this through him who strengthens me.

We can receive that strength from the Lord and ask Him to renew the awe and wonder we may be missing in our lives. Let’s look toward Him and only Him for our spiritual needs. Let’s pray for each other. Me for you, the dear podcast listeners. Some of you I know, and many of you I have never met. I pray the Lord blesses you this season of love and joy, that you can see Him in all things, that you have that joy that surpasses all understanding, and that you thank Him from where all blessings flow. Amen!

This episode is sponsored by NOW Programs.

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Celebrate Christmas and Advent – Episode 280When you celebrate Christmas, does it include Advent? Advent is the time before Christmas. It is the 24-day countdown to the blessed event, the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Advent helps us to put the holiday in perspective. In this podcast, Felice discusses ways you can celebrate this joyous time, whether you are living alone or celebrating as a family.

Thank you to NOW Programs for sponsoring this podcast episode replay.

More podcasts on Celebrating Christmas here:

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Blessings

Christmas is Real

Advent deals with the coming of Christ, yes, but also the openness of our heart to receive our Lord and Savior, as well as the more profound meaning of recognizing he came for a purpose: to open the gates of heaven and to set us free from sin.

In my church, Advent brings in the Christmas season or the start of what is called the liturgical year. This is the season of Christmas and ends in January with the feast of the Epiphany is celebrated—the coming of the wise men to visit Christ.

The liturgical year is also celebrated with special colors worn by the priests at church. They are as follows:

• White: joy and purity, and the resurrection
• Green – hope and perseverance the call to continue to listen
• Purple – penance, waiting and morning
• Red – martyrdom of Jesus and the sayings
• Blue is in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Pink —solemnity
• Gold – royalty

Suppose you had to pick a color which would you pick to celebrate Advent. You would think white, possibly, but it is purple. Advent is a time of waiting and morning. It is a time of joy because we know the end of the story, but it is a time of hope and sorrow for what had to be because of the sinfulness, the free will choice of man. When we celebrate Christmas, we can follow the Lenten practice of prayer and fasting. This is difficult to do unless you live alone. But, some families do make this their practice.

One idea is to fast from a particular bad habit or from overeating during the holiday when it seems that cakes, cookies, and parties are abundant. It does not have to follow the strictness of Lent, the 40 days before Easter. The importance is to recognize the Christmas season as a time of reflection.

What can you do to celebrate Christmas? Decorations, sure. But keeping the focus on the “reason for the Season,” the Christ child. In our decorations, be sure to add a Nativity scene or two, a picture of the Holy Family, or something that reminds you of the coming of our Savior.

Isaiah 7:14 (read on air).

Or we can read the geology of Jesus in Matthew 1 – again a reminder of the prophecy of God the Father to Abraham, Genesis 26:4 (Read on air).

While we love the Christmas season for so many reasons, it is also a time of hardship for many. It is difficult because of the loss of a loved one, financial hardships, or perhaps illness. Yet, the key to the season’s joy is not on the external but the internal, the focus on Christ.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (Read on air)

Who doesn’t want to celebrate the season with joy after hearing that? We can each celebrate in a way that makes sense for your individual family. For us, it begins with nightly prayer. This year, Advent begins on December 3. We will begin early because everyone will be home on Thanksgiving. So we will do the first week twice. Each evening, we light one candle and pray from my favorite book.

During the Advent season, we use a round advent wreath with four candles, three purple and one pink. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent to remind us of the momentous occasion that is to come the following week. It is a time of prayer and scripture readings, and our family adds the prayer of thanksgiving. We share what we are the most thankful for each evening after our prayer time. It is wonderful and I celebrate this time with joy with my family.

I’ve given the children advent wreaths to take to college with them so they could celebrate on their own until we gather at Christmas time. It is called the Season of Light: Daily Prayer for the Lighting of the Advent Wreath. I have purchased other books but do not like them as well. The readings are not very long, but they are heartfelt. The suggestion is given to do this during or before a meal.

However you celebrate this Christmas, I pray you are surrounded by joy. Your challenge this week is to think about how you want to prepare in the coming weeks and, as always keep Christ in your heart.

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What are micro prayers? Is that even a thing? In this podcast, we will explore the concept of praying throughout the day in small pockets of time. It will change your life!

Micro-Prayers ~ From Our Lips to God’s Ears ~ Episode 322Thanks so much to our sponsors NowPrograms.com – Don’t accommodate, remediate is their slogan. Visit the website for additional information.

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Do you want to grow closer to God? Of course, we all do. At times it seems impossible due to our business and our schedules. To create that special bond, we need to spend meaningful time with God. I’ve often tried ambitious Bible studies or podcasts, such as the “Bible in a Year” with Fr. Mike Schmidt. These things are wonderful but tend to fail if we are inconsistent. For example, the Bible in a Year has taken me two years to complete. If I work hard, I’ll finally finish it this year. I like to take my time and savor the lessons, think bout them, and figure out what God is trying to say to me. That is why I like the idea of practicing micro prayers.

The idea of micro prayers is praying throughout the entire day. It means doing things incrementally or in small doses but putting God first. In essence, it means giving my day to God and including Him.

Matthew 6:33 (Read On Air.)

With micro-prayers, I can begin small. We are doing as Matthew 6:33 states, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness. There is no overwhelming schedule to adhere to. I can begin at my own pace and add to this as I can or as time permits. Once I get into a routine, it is easier to be consistent, which is the next point. Being consistent and adding micro prayers to your morning routine, such as a morning walk, can be a benefit. Or, you can pray before bed. In this way, I can focus on God when I wake up and before I go to bed.

What I like the most is the personalization of the prayers. I pray to the Lord using my own words, sharing my thoughts and hardships, and putting the Lord first. I can use a rote prayer or a scrupulous verse if I want, but it is totally up to me. It has a wonderful lifting effect and puts things into perspective, especially in a busy life.

Best of all, it is doable. There is no excuse; you can make time to do this for short periods of time.

We are seeking God, trusting in Him, and making an effort in those small steps we take each day. Proverbs 3:5-6 states: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

God makes our path straight when we look for ways to please Him, seek Him, and honor Him with our thoughts and our deeds. It is an unselfish way to place ourselves and our needs after that of prayer.

Proverbs 16:1-3 puts it in a nutshell: (Read On Air.)

How wonderful is that? Commit our work to the Lord, and our plans will be established – blessed, sanctified, and purified. In our own eyes, we think we are right or just, but in God’s eyes? He sees our hearts and knows why we do what we do, and it is not too late to change our hearts toward the Lord.

If you need motivation other than that, read Galatians 2:18-20 … I’m going to read verse 20 to you:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Do we live for ourselves or for the Lord? Do we live to glorify ourselves and our needs, or do we live by faith in the Son of God? Do we give ourselves to Him and remember the love He had for us to die for us personally? We can answer these questions by seeking the Lord and His help because we can’t do it alone.

Our greatest weakness is the lack of time, yet today, right now, you can plan to add a micro prayer to the list of things to do, and you will be blessed in a mighty way.

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Worship and Thanksgiving ~ Episode 228What do worship and thanksgiving mean to you? Your definition may be similar to many Christians, yet where is the challenge? The challenge is living lives that show that we worship the One True God and, in that way, our faith is permeated in all that we do. Listen to the challenge this week, by your host, Felice Gerwitz.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, and the wonderful books and products such as A Few Minutes with God and to NowProgams for sponsoring this episode.

As we discuss worship and thanksgiving today remember that the key to everything we do is to make it workable for us. What works for me may not work for you and that is important. I’ve read blogs over the years that list things that are so not doable in my life. This is why I try to simplify things for myself and for you! Which reminds me.

Have you heard the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do?”At times when I record podcasts, I feel a nudge from the Lord with the thought, “Are you living your life in the way you are challenging your listeners to live theirs’s?” Unfortunately, the answer is not always, “Yes!” Yet, podcasting on topics that point to the Lord also challenges me as well.

As we head into the months of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations the theme of thanksgiving resounds in my mind. I ask myself the following questions:1. How am I worshipping God daily? 2. How am I giving Him all the praise and thanks He deserves? 3. How am I living my Christian life to the fullest? 4. Am I allowing myself to be used by the Lord (those gentle nudges). 5. Am I giving myself time to pray?

Giving ourselves time is the biggest obstacle in our life, so in this busy season, we need to cut ourselves some slack while placing a focus on the most important things. What have you learned from past mistakes and how are you leading a life that does not parallel the old? Think about this and consider ways you over-commit.

Years ago I found that if I quit one ministry or volunteer position to make more time for my family, I soon found I was volunteering for another position somewhere else that might not take as much time, or perhaps was for a better cause. This is great to give in some type of ministry but look at your life, your family, and your time commitment. Be sure you are not sacrificing your family.Worship is an important facet of giving praise to the Lord. If you have a smartphone it is worthwhile to set up a praise and worship album. At one time I had about five songs and my kids would tease me because I had so few, yet these songs spoke to me. They filled my heart with love for the Lord. Today I have a mix of faster-paced songs with some contemplative tunes. I have new favorites depending on what is going on in my life. I shared with you the song “The Motions,” by Matthew West in a previous podcast and for the longest time that was my song, it was an important one to me because I felt like I was becoming complacent, and I wanted to change. Then my song was, “Joy,” by For King and Country. I wanted to be sure I was choosing Joy, and that was my focus. My next favorite was “He Reigns,” by Newsboys. Of course, I love many other gospel hymns and I go to a traditional church where we often sing songs like “Amazing Grace.” I believe you can tell your spiritual mood by looking at the songs you like to play frequently.

Take time to do this, and create a song playlist. What songs speak to you and what songs lead you into worship? Currently, my new favorite is “Blessed Be Your Name.” It makes me consider God’s precious Name and how we should worship Him not only in song but in our lives.Music is a huge part of helping to set the mood which is why many churches begin with praise and worship. This opens our hearts to the Word of God spoken to teach us and challenge us. If you do not have a playlist make one, either on your phone or on a computer. It is not that difficult to do, and if you do not know how, ask someone to help.

I’m not sure who began the saying when we sing we pray twice. But I believe there is truth to those words. Singing allows us to rejoice and music lowers our inhibitions in a good way and the roadblocks we often put up keeping the Lord out. We can use music in a way that enhances our prayer time and allows the deeper meaning of the words to speak to us in a way that just saying or even reading the words can accomplish. God knew what he was doing when he created music!

I believe that worship music allows us to live our lives more fully. The scriptures are filled with references to music, we read in 1 Chronicles 6:31 “there are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there.” And we know the Psalm is a sacred song or poem used in worship such as the book of Psalms.

In what ways do you like to worship? Think about this and then when you do, make a point to make this part of your life. Worship can be serious and there is a time for this, but it can also be lighthearted. I think laughter is great and I believe with all of my heart that the Lord has a sense of humor. If He is truly Lord of Lords and created all things he created humor (the good kind) as well. Remember anything good can be perverted by the evil one.

I think one of the reasons I like music that I play in the car is because it fits my lifestyle when I am on the go. It puts me in a good frame of mind when I get to my destination. We use the tools at our disposal to make things work for us! In this way, we can more easily add worship and thanksgiving into our lives, daily.

The challenge for you is to look for a way to implement worship and thanksgiving not only during the holiday season but daily in your own life.

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We live in a divided world, where right is wrong and wrong is right, but the good news? God wins! This podcast focuses on the ultimate reality in our lives: God reigns now and forever.

God Wins ~ Now and Forever ~ Episode 321I’ve been listening to teachings on the Bible, and the discussion has centered around the concept of wisdom. First, to desire wisdom means identifying that we need it. Once we realize we need it, our minds and hearts are open. The idea is that to love wisdom is to follow God’s laws. That gives us the blessed assurance that our lives will be with God forever.

We often forget that the Lord is victorious no matter what we feel in our hearts or how we deal with the hardships in our lives. We just completed another contentious election. People lie, and others believe. It is astounding to those of us who try to rationalize it, make sense of it, and understand things in a logical manner. I can talk civilly to anyone of all different views. I agree to disagree if it comes down to that, but this inability to converse is truly evil. The inability to disagree is also evil.

The Issues That Divide UsThe issues that plagued our country were and are truly diabolical. Each one of us knows them and we are astounded that this is the world in which we live. Yet God knows. He has delivered us at this point of time, but we must always put our trust in Him and not in man! Somehow, we can see the evil where others are blinded. As one young adult told me recently, “No one believes the news on television.” That wisdom.

Yet, what does wisdom teach us? It teaches us the truth, and it teaches us God’s sovereignty. Our God is a God of order; He is not a God of chaos. There are things that are clear. There are other things that are not, yet God has given us the ability to make up our own mind and act upon it. Yet, are we willing to accept the consequences?

God is indeed control of our lives, but God gives us:

1. The leader we deserve
2. God gives us free will
3. God allows people of ill intent to cheat

Therefore, not voting is becoming complacent in a way, and that is not my teaching; it actually comes from Fr. Rippenger, an exorcist priest. He says we must choose the less of two evils. Why am I discussing this after an election and not before? No matter when you hear this, you are responsible for your own choices, and how those choices affect you (and me) is often overlooked. The prayers and sacrifices of the Christian people I aligned within my own state of Florida managed to overturn very detrimental amendments to our constitution. I am still in total shock they did not pass, and I praise God for this blessing.

God is victorious. God wins – God always wins, yet we must do our part.We must pray, we must fast, and we must hold those truths of faith in our hearts. I’m going to read you a portion of Romans 8. I normally quote Romans 8:28 this is one of my favorite verses, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

That is you and me, yes, but while God works out things for good, we might not like the trial and tribulation (for our own good) that we must go through. It is echoed in Romans 8:31-32 …If God is for us, who can be against us?He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

For our salvation God sent His only begotten Son John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For our salvation, for our sake, for us. Do we cherish this? Do we praise God on a daily basis? Do we say, “Oh my gosh I can not praise and thank-you enough?” Do we truly understand the concept of God wins?

Romans 8:31-39 (read on air).

Amen and Amen! But, friends, what will you do with this information? How will you handle the truth? In what way will you go forth from today onward? We must look within our hearts and pray daily for a growth in our faith and for a true longing for wisdom that only God can bring.

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Where do we fit in when we consider God’s vastness? In this podcast, we discuss our insignificance in the grand scheme of things and the Lord’s amazing love for each of us.

The Vastness of God ~ Episode 320I live in an area that has been hit hard in the last few years by hurricanes. The radar shows this vast storm out in the ocean that heads our way, and I am always in awe at how huge these things are and how deadly they are. They are powerful and dangerous, and they dwarf the state! Sometimes, we’ve had serious damage, like with Hurricane Ian, and sometimes, we’ve had a few trees down and rain but no real damage to our property, like Hurricane Milton. Each time, we feel helpless, and other than hurricane prep, which we are really good at now, all we can do is get out of harm’s way–if possible and pray!

The opposite is true for God. His vastness is good, holy, and awe-inspiring!

I was praying after hearing a teaching about the scriptures in Job, especially after Job 38, and I started thinking about my insignificance. I had a vision as if I was seeing the situation with new eyes. Wow, the God of the universe is Almighty, powerful, righteous, and, for some reason, our Creator loves and cares about us!

Vastness of GodAll these questions came to mind.

• Where do I fit in?
• Where am I in my walk with the Lord?
• Am I near or far away from God?
• How am I doing in response to my faith?

Think about those questions and add some of your own.

The Vastness of God vs. A Personal GodAfterward, I found myself reading a little book I picked up from the shelf, “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. It has short readings for each day, and the first sentence for the day reads: “I am the Creator of heaven and earth; Lord all that is and all that will ever be.” Although I am unimaginably vast, I choose to dwell within you, permeating you with My Presence.”

That is a coincidence, or truthfully, a God-incidence is more like it. This is the Lord’s way of saying that he hears our prayers and knows what is in our hearts. What a blessing, and you know what? I felt embraced; the Lord chooses to dwell within us and permeates us with His presence!

2 Samuel 7:22 states (read on air).Scripture Verses: Job 38:1, 12-21; Job 40:3-5

Just think about that–that one sentence sums it up. The God of the Universe is truly powerful. From the rising of the sun to its setting, He has a hand in our world. The verses go on…

Job 38:16-21 (Read on air.)

Just ponder those verses.

How can we comprehend the breadth of the earth? We can’t, but Job bravely answers the Lord.

Jobs answer –> Behold; I am of little account; what can I answer you?

Job couldn’t answer, and neither could I, and this again makes me think of how insignificant we are compared to God. Do you see it? Do you have a tiny inkling of how great God is? How awesome and awe-inspiring!

We can consider God a vast entity in heaven or a personal God who wants a relationship with us. How do we repent for our transgressions? How do we make amends? Similar to Job, I want to put on sackcloth and sit in the ashes. In some ways, we can make reparation by asking our Lord for forgiveness, going to confession if we are Catholic, and identifying the root cause of sinful actions.

Typically, when we fail before the Lord and our expectations for ourselves, it is because we’ve taken our eyes off of the Lord and put them elsewhere. God is in charge, He is the Creator, evil will not prevail.

When we read these verses and others, we are brought to the realization that we are not alone. God hears our prayers, even the insignificant ones. God hears the questions in our hearts, spoken and unspoken. The realization I found through all of this is that I should give God all the praise and glory He deserves, and I can begin each day anew!

Each day begins with praising God and should end with praise and thanks. Are we grateful for the day we’ve lived, even if it was stressful? For each of us, our praises should be the knowledge that God is with us.

How do you speak to God? Here is an example”

Glory in your works, oh Lord –I accept the idea that You answer prayer, and I marvel at this, but we should not be surprised. You always show up, Lord, and I thank You and praise You, now and forever. Amen.

Talk to the Lord. He is there waiting for you. Like the new, improved Job, who suffered hardship and then was once again blessed, let us keep our eyes on the Lord, realize His powerful works, and glory in His Name, now and forever. Amen.

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Striving for excellence is a topic I love to discuss, but Christian excellence is even better. How do we do this? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz discusses what Jesus tells us about excellence and the stunning truth behind His words!

Christian Excellence ~ Epiosde 319We find the concept of Christian excellence in the fifth book of Matthew, the scripture we discussed in episode 319. Last week we discussed the importance of loving our enemies with the underlying reason that if we do, at least in our will, we “chose” to love, we will not be stressed, upset, or harbor unforgiveness in our hearts when we think of or remember those who have harmed us in some way. Yet today, we find the idea of excellence under the heading of an “eye for an eye.”

Christian Excellence In The Most Unlikely PlaceMatthew 5:38-42 states: (read on air)

What is the Lord asking of us? It’s impossible to be sure. However, when we consider this concept of giving more than we have to give, we will see the concept of excellence permeates the verse. How can we not resist an evil person? How can we turn the other cheek? Why would we even want to do this?

God’s Ways Are RighteousAt the root of the idea of turning the other cheek involves not retaliating or in any way seeking revenge. Yet Jesus does not want a group of followers who are pushovers or pacifists. That in the face of evil will sit there doing nothing. The idea of a slap goes back to Roman times and the idea of class and distinction. A slap on the left cheek would mean the person asked the other to show they were equal. A right cheek slap signified you were in the class below. It would take guts and bravery to turn the other cheek, and basically, that meant, in a non-violent manner, you were challenging this status.

Similar to the idea of praying for a person who has hurt you instead of seeking harm or ill will toward them, we see the challenge for us goes deep; it goes to the heart of who we are as people. God is always right and just. Yet His ways at the core are humility and courage. Jesus showed humility yet true courage when He faced execution, not for crimes He committed but for the sins we commit daily. It is important to recall He died for us!

We further read in Luke 6:27-31 (Read on air.)

Again, go above and beyond and again in humility!

Does that mean we take physical abuse at the hands of a tormentor? Of course not. But, we can avoid the need to stir up trouble and cause dissent when it can be avoided. How often are we reminded of this within our own families? Several of my children are instigators; they knew how to get each other in trouble when they were younger. These sentences often began with “Mom (said in a whinny voice), so-and-so is doing XYZ.” As parents, we react to the squeaky wheel.

This is a chance for a parent to teach a child (or, in this case, remind ourselves) the importance of humility in dealing with others. However, it often reminds us to strive to be the best we can be and not settle for mediocrity.

Christian Excellence God’s WayThe concept of excellence is not ingrained, although it should be, and it is something that we can learn and practice. A parenting class I attended long ago told us to be an example to our children, and one way we could do this was by returning the grocery cart to a holding rack. What a pain that can be, and yet it made sense. If we go above and beyond in returning a cart, how much more will we do in our personal lives and in other areas of our life?

In a world of bad service, careless people, and a narcissistic society, we find that those who strive for excellence do it for themselves. As a family, we go out to dinner after church services, and at one of our favorite restaurants, one server gives us excellent service. We are not an easy crowd since one of my sons can drink as many lemonades as she puts on the table. She started bringing him two. As we left one evening, I commented that she had spoiled us and made it difficult for us to go elsewhere. She told me she loves her job and decided to be the best.

My dad first owned a bakery and then a restaurant through college. I remember waitressing, and I send a virtual hug to all of you who do. It can be a thankless job. It never occurred to me once to do it with joy or self-giving. As much as I could, I worked in the back, preparing the meals. It was so much more rewarding for me. There, I could be appreciated for my talent. But that is not what the Lord asks us to do: work at a task only for the praise we will receive.

Can we say that in our lives? Being the best shows an example of God’s love for us. Being the best means we strive not only for excellence because we should but because this is what the Lord would want for us. How can you strive for Christian excellence?

Think and pray about this and see what the Lord calls to mind. Make time this week to strive for excellence beyond our job title or the title we hold in our homes and families.

Renounce any thoughts that you are not good enough or can’t do it — because you can, and I know this because anything is possible with God! Matthew 19:26 “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Let’s focus on the thought that we can strive for excellence, go above and beyond what we expect for ourselves, and rely on the strength, power, and miracles of Almighty God. I pray you are blessed!

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Christian Example ~ 272What is a good Christian example? We can point to the saints, people like Mother Teresa and others. But, truly we can be an example to others by asking the Lord for His grace and His help.

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Sadly, we, as Christians as a whole, are not the best examples of how to live. The promises of the gospel message show others, especially those who are suffering, that there is faith, hope, love, and compassion from the Lord.

God gives us many examples through the scriptures of how he expects us, his people, to act, and we fall short. Sometimes we fall short by word, sometimes by deed, and most of the time, just because we’re too lazy to do what is right truthfully, sometimes we can be so hard on ourselves or as one of our pastors says we have Christian scrupulosity. We care more for the letter of the law rather than the law itself. When we read the scriptures, we see it plainly, and yet how many of us take it to heart I know I’m guilty of this myself.

In Luke 7:31-35 we read, (on air).

Now, if we read the gospel of Luke Chapter 7, we will see before this happened, Jesus had been very busy. He was curing many who had diseases and sicknesses and casting out evil spirits. He gave sight to the blind and cured those who had leprosy. Those who were lame walked, but yet Jesus was reprimanding the people because even though they saw these miracles, they were not ready to change their lives

As Christians, we know the end of the story. We know what it is we should do God had compassion on those, and on those who were suffering, he brought people back to life. This is an example to us today of the gift that God gives us as Christians. We have the opportunity for everlasting life with him, so how are we going to be an example as Christians? How are we going to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Lord?

I can give you a list, of five or ten things you can do. But, my list might not be the one that is right for you. And, in doing this good thing, being a Christian example, it can cause us to be boastful, or to congratulate ourselves that we are not like those sinners over there. Friends, we must be cautious.

I did a podcast sometime back that I titled Judgmental Christians, and I’ll put a show a link I’ll put a link in the show notes. (Tell the story on air)

To summarize the other podcast, I explained how I should live my life according to the gospels I should improve my life, and I needed to forgive those who hurt me and ask forgiveness for those I had hurt. Friends, we are all flawed! It is difficult to show an example of Christianity to others when we are hurting, and as my mother used to say we need to get our own house in order before we can try to fix the houses of others

In giving others an example of what it means to be a Christian, we are following the example Christ gave us. However, when we pray, when we give alms, we do this because we should out of obedience, it is a free-will decision

Being a Christian is a free-will decision, and acting like one means we show others humility, love, and compassion, especially if they are hurting and especially if they feel rejected by others. When Jesus walked the earth, he called his disciples, I love the phrase “Come follow me” This is an example of what it means to follow and to be called by God.

But we know we are all called by God, the Scriptures tell us, He has called us by name…(Isaiah 43:1). Knowing someone’s name held great importance in Biblical times and even today. Aren’t you happy when you remember someone’s name or they remember yours? The significance is import. Even more, God knows the “number of hairs on my head– And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30.

In Matthew 9:9-13 we read (on air).

Wow! God is calling us; he is calling all of us. Not the perfect, not the ones that have it all together, but us. The sinners.

As a Christian, our example may be flawed, but it is at least an attempt, not at perfect but of example. All of these things show us that there is a right and a wrong way to act, but one thing we know, we should not be judgemental like the Pharisees.

Think about everyday life, driving in traffic trying to find a parking spot or maybe returning something at a store when the clerk is very frustrating. We can use these everyday opportunities to say thank you or some other greeting that is welcoming. Or, “I appreciate the excellent job you have done or appreciate how hard you’re working if they haven’t done an excellent job.” You know what I mean.

Sometimes it only costs us a few minutes of our time, and sometimes it costs us much more. It is a sacrifice, and that is a small price to pay. If we can all show just a little bit of grace to others because God has given us grace, we should. Jesus asks us to follow him. It is not a call we should take lightly. It is those baby steps that take us closer to Christ.

Let’s all pray and ask the good Lord to give us the grace we need to be a Christian example because only by his gift of love and grace can we possibly show others just a tiny bit of the goodness of God. My friends rejoice and are glad because he is there for us not just today but every day, and I just pray that this week your challenge will be, can you guess it that’s right, to be a Christian example to either yourself or to others in your life and beyond take care and may the Lord bless you today and always.

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While loving those who love you is easy, Jesus tells us we should love our enemy! How do we do this? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz will discuss the concept of Christian love and how it applies to our lives.

Love Your Enemy: A Spiritual Challenge~ Episode ~ 318This is a joyous message, and yet, at the same time, it is difficult. How do you love someone who does not want the best for you? How do you love someone who wishes harm against you? Is it even possible for us to consider Christian or not? It doesn’t make sense, and it is counterculture for sure, but that’s what makes it so intriguing.

I will admit that one of the hardest lessons of all is that we are asked to love our enemy, and as Christians, we have a higher calling. While thinking about taking revenge and thinking bad thoughts about those who have hurt us is natural, it gets us nowhere. Revenge and anger make us upset and frustrated. Yet what do we do?

Should we become pushovers or pacifists? No, the Lord doesn’t call us to sit back and allow for abuse. In these cases, the best thing to do is leave or avoid the person. So again, where does this leave us? If we are to forgive our enemy but not allow that enemy to hurt us, what do we do if we’ve been hurt?

We need to seek the true meaning of this love that God advocates for, and it is simply a challenge.

First, let’s look at the extremes. When Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt, he later went to the jail of the man who tried to kill him and had a private conversation with him where he told him he was forgiven. The man, it was said, had a conversion experience. Whether or not this is true is irrelevant because the miracle is the forgiveness on the part of John Paul II.

The pope, as leader of the Church at the time, was teaching by example. This is truly from the gospel, which we must look at, consider, and ponder in our hearts. What does it take for a person to transcend the normal reaction and to forgive, especially in this way?

Love your enemies—a spiritual challenge that God allows in our lives. This is probably one of my least favorite scriptures because it is difficult to follow.

I’d challenge you to read all of Matthew 5 but the last of the Beatitudes is in Matthew 5:10 (Read on air.) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, *for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.*

In this case, the persecution is for faith, justice, and standing up to bullies.

But then it goes on in verse 11 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Our spiritual challenge lies in the idea that when we are falsely accused or persecuted for our belief in God, it becomes another level of faith. We’ve risen from a level playing field to one in a heavenly realm, yet the outcome may not be what we hope. Even if we stand up for truth or teach about faith, it is not always rewarded.

But, I’ve learned that those who teach or preach for a reward and those whose hearts are not in the right place. Large companies will try to block our message, which is okay; that is what they think is right. But the Lord allows those who want to hear something the ability to find what they need. I can not tell you the number of times that has happened to me. So, if you are here and have listened thus far, the Lord has a message for you. Pray and seek Him. Ask.

Often, the Lord takes care of things without us even knowing or asking! Again, this is a miracle that happens from time to time in our lives. I call these faith boosters. Our faith and our lives are enriched and encouraged when these events happen.

In the past, I shared two podcasts on Forgiveness, and Asking for Forgiveness. I think a big part of loving your enemy is the ability to forgive, and that only comes by the grace of God.

In Luke 6:32-36 we read:

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Again, this may be something we have to think about, pray about, and ponder. The Lord is admonishing us here that He means what He says. We don’t want to be like sinners; we don’t want to only love those who can give us something in return; and we don’t want to only receive our reward in this life. Our reward will be great, the Lord promises. And that reward is eternal and everlasting.

Friends, the Lord says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” And, let’s all pray for that for us, for our family and all of our friends. Praise You, Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.

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What is Christian love, and how can you get it? It comes from the Lord and fills us to overflowing, so much that it can’t be contained. In this podcast, we discuss how we can share the love that comes from Christ with a hurting world.

Christian Love ~ Episode 317One thing I love about being a Christian is that God’s love can’t be contained. It is overwhelming and vast, unlimited, and unconditional. It is the opposite of human love or what we consider love to be. There are many different types of love in the Christian sense. But without getting in the weeds and the different types of love (you can look those up for yourself), I want to focus on God’s love for us—the love of the Creator.

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We hear things like – God loves you! And you may think, does he? I don’t feel like that right now. He does. You were made with the complete knowledge of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Believe it.

Part of understanding love is believing it exists. We are here because we have a purpose, a function, a job to do in the sense of being part of the human race but more than that. As a believer, and I hope you are if you are listening to this podcast, you know that Romans 8:28 holds true. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

You have been called according to his purpose, and whatever that purpose is for our individual lives, we must remember the grace from the Almighty will equip us daily.

God so loved the world; we hear this, and we know it. 1 John 4:7-10 (read on air).

Think about those words.

Those who love are God’s children. Why? Because they know God.

How do we know God? The theme of this entire podcast is A Few Minutes With God Podcast … spend time with God. From now on, from this podcast forward, my new ending will be a reminder, “Spend time with God!”

Because when we spend time with God, we get to know Him, we read about Him in His Word, and we read verses such as 1 John 4:7-10 and think wow, that is amazing love for me.

The verse goes on to say, “Those who do not love do not know God because God is love.” By His very nature, God, the creator of all that is good and beautiful, spoke the world into being. But this love, which is God, asks us to serve but does not demand it. It is up to us, and we have free will. The reason our world isn’t totally beautiful is that sin entered the world by the enemy that would not serve.

Just like walking out into traffic with fast-moving cars will likely cause an accident and someone’s death, it is a choice. It is the wrong choice, but our choice nonetheless, which is why there are consequences.

Yes, bad things happen to good people, and we can’t explain them. We can’t explain the forces of nature or the sinful actions of others. But God understands it all. He realizes our pain and hears our cries.

God sent His only Son for our salvation, and He took on our sins. How can we fathom that type of love? When we are annoyed, when we are upset, when we feel like things are not working as we want them to work, we must remember that truth.

Friends, if we as Christians demonstrated Christian love to others, we would change the face of the earth. Just one person at a time, one smile at a time, one kind word at a time. One of the priests I enjoy online talked about making micro-progress in his faith walk. He said to work on the little things each day. Write what you want to improve upon and do it! I will discuss that in a future podcast, as it is a great idea—little steps. Baby steps.

What is Christian love? It is self-giving. Just as God gave His life for us, we can give of our lives for others in so many ways. Do you volunteer for a ministry, visit the poor, or do other works of charity? Those are generous examples of God’s love pouring out of us toward others.

But more than that, love that is overflowing and can’t be contained flows to others. It is the commitment and decision to do for others and to do for ourselves by investing our time in a deeper relationship with God. Do it today.

And don’t forget, spend time with God. It’s not too late. Be blessed.

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Do you feel like you belong? How important is your faith? Today’s podcast focuses on belonging to Christ and discusses the importance of knowing where and to whom you belong.

Belonging To Christ ~ Episode 316There was a popular bumper sticker with a picture of a fish and the words, “Swim against the stream.” The Ithucus (the Jesus fish) was a secret symbol of early Christians trying to avoid persecution. This symbol, even today, reminds us not to follow the crowd but to stand as individuals for Christ. As my mother always reminded me, “Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean it is good.”

How does this square up with the idea of belonging to Christ? We, as Christians, are part of a larger group of people who have made some important decisions. We’ve decided to follow Christ, read the Bible, attend Bible study or prayer groups, listen to wonderful testimonies of what God has done in other people’s lives, and yet think, “What about me?”

What questions do you ask of God?

1. God, do you see me?
2. Am I doing your will?
3. How can I best serve you?

Belonging To Christ In Perspective:If you have a solid understanding of your faith and are a strong Christian, you know better than most that the struggle is real. No one has all the answers all the time. We doubt we pray, hear silence, and get overextended with work and home responsibilities. How can we follow someone we don’t know? We must spend time with God, in His Word, and think about the importance of our role in this life. But it becomes more difficult if our faith is in its infancy.

Perhaps the decision to follow a Christian faith was made for you, and you’ve just followed along. That is what happened to me. Yet, at some point, I had to make the decision as an adult during a time of struggling that I was all in for God. I gave over my life several distinct times in my teens and early twenties. God always showed up, yet I didn’t see it at the time.

You are not alone if you feel like you are floating down a stream without direction. Some days, we are so busy that we can barely make all the meetings we’ve scheduled or complete the list at work or at home in a timely fashion. Perhaps you struggle with feeling the love and presence of God in your life.

So, how can you have a sense of belonging if you feel so unsettled? What I find helpful is searching the scriptures and keeping a prayer journal. This is old news for those who have listened to this podcast, yet it is worth repeating. You and I are part of a bigger picture, and it bears thinking about, examining, and praying that God does indeed see our hearts and our motivations that are all in for Him!

Some of my go-to scriptures:

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Read on air.)
2. Ephesians 2:10—(Read on air.)
3. Philippians 3:20 (Read on air.)
4. Romans 8:1 – (Read on air.)

This is a short yet powerful list, and what is helpful is not only reading these verses but praying these verses. Having a bad day? Philippians 3:20 (read on air). This is not all there is, there is more, and I am so thankful for that! I am so thankful for my faith, which is a gift from God. It is one of those gifts that God answers, “Lord, give me more faith,” “Lord, help me to put you first,” and “Here I am, Lord!”

For the times we feel that we are failing at home or at work, we have Ephesians 2:10 (read on air.) God doesn’t make junk, we are created in Christ, the good works we do are not ours to brag about but truly a gift from loving and following Christ. In each of us, there is a desire to love and be loved, and often we do things hoping someone will notice and realize how great we are; these are tendencies that, as humans, we may possess — but God, and only God, knows our hearts and our motivations.This then brings us to Romans 8:1 (Read on air.) There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus — but let’s read verses 2-5 (Read on air.)

Some say that they accept the Lord as Savior and can live any life they wish, even if it is sinful because they are saved. But here we read that while our flesh may be weak, and Jesus died for us, we must set our minds on Christ and live according to the Holy Spirit. When Jesus died and rose again, He told his apostles He had to leave so that the Holy Spirit could be sent to empower, embolden, and lead them as God intended. This is the Holy Spirit that, if we allow Him to be part of our lives, will empower us with the gifts of the Spirit.

These gifts are powerful, and the enemy doesn’t want you to be emboldened or empowered. Read Ephesians 12.

This faith, this Christian faith, is extremely powerful. I recently learned that many Christians do not vote. Can you imagine if the Christians, as a voting block, those who truly love the Lord Jesus and follow Him, those who belong to God, stood up for what is right? They would stand against the culture of death, against the crimes against humanity, against the powers that be out there—whatever and whoever they are. If Christians stood up and truly led by example, this world would be an amazing place.

I heard recently from Father Rippinger that our lives are what we make them; it can be heaven on earth or hell on earth. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have struggles, but what it does mean is that our struggles are not of this world; our struggles are roadblocks. Praise God in all things. Read Ephesians 3. Then, read Acts 16. One thing that is notable is that in Acts 16, Paul drives out a demon from a girl, which allows her to predict the future. Her masters were upset because they couldn’t make money with her any longer, so they had Paul and Silas thrown in jail on false charges. They were beaten, but at midnight, they began singing praises to God. Acts 16:25 reads, “About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs of thanks to God.”

How could they praise God? Because they knew to whom they belonged—to Christ. How would we have reacted if we were Paul and Silas? Tactics are used to scare us and send us hiding in our homes, but Holy Boldness comes when we focus on what is most important, and that is life in Christ.

Today, focus on Jesus as Savior and continue to ask Him into your heart in a deeper way. Ask for Holy Boldness and praise God in all things.

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Understanding the impact of God in our lives is an eye-opening experience. In fact, we often miss the real evidence before us in the search for God in all the wrong places. In this podcast, we discuss how faith can impact your

Impact of God In Your Life ~ Episode 315How can we realize God’s impact on our lives? Let’s start with Genesis. Genesis 1:1—In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Without God, we would not exist, and I like to remind myself that my God is the creator of heaven and earth. What a powerful, loving, and all-knowing God I serve!

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Impact of God – A CovenantAnd there is more! God not only created this beautiful world for us to live in, but He actually made us a promise. You probably remember the covenant between God and Abraham because that is the most well-known. Genesis 12:1-3 (read on air).

Now the Lord said[a] to Abram, “Go from your country[b] and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

It continues in the books of Genesis through Genesis 17; this is known as the Abrahamic covenant. It is the beginning of the Nation of God. While most of you listening are not direct descendants of Israel and, like me, we are Gentiles or people of another race, this covenant is for us as well. Yet God made covenants first with Adam and Eve and later with Noah.

Now, bring that down to a kid’s level of understanding.

Can you imagine teaching a group of middle schoolers, grades 6, 7, and 8, about the impact of God in their lives without getting in the weeds or too deep? This is the overall goal of my latest project, volunteering for Sunday School. I often share that we must give of ourselves and listen to God’s voice, but I admit it isn’t easy. It requires sacrifice and discipline—two things we often shy away from!

We show God’s impact in our lives through example, which often includes miraculous occurrences. My example to the kids was seeing a beautiful rainbow. A rainbow is an example or symbol of God’s love for us, and I explained that they should be reminded of this love every time they see one! But it goes deeper than that.

This symbol is actually a covenant between us and God. Genesis 12:1-3

However, although the words “covenant” were not used, God’s first covenant was with Adam and Eve. God created our first parents, yet they sinned. They rebelled against God and were cast out of the garden.

But God is a God of second chances! God’s covenant with Noah after the Flood shows us.

Genesis: 9:6-17 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

This everlasting covenant was a promise from the Almighty never to destroy the earth by flood. God loved the human race so much, even though they rebelled against Him. Do you see a pattern here? Humanity today is in complete rebellion as well. I am working on a podcast about Christian Excellence, and it is a wake-up call for us all to do and be the best we can be and not devolve into sinfulness or mediocrity. These vices, among others, do not bring us joy, just the opposite.

In Matthew 6, we are reminded that God impacts our lives in ways we do not see! How can we become aware of the working of God in our lives? One way is by appreciating and taking to heart His Word:

Matthew 6:33-34

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

In our worry, we forget that God is in control, and our need for Him does not diminish but increases. What would we do without the Lord in our life? Can you really think about this, if not now but at a later time? How would you feel? I would feel hopeless, thinking this: the current situation I am in is all there is, and I would be depressed and despondent. Even if everything is going well, thinking that this life is all we have would not make me happy. Spiritual happiness goes beyond anything we can imagine here on earth, and often, people do not understand it.

There is so much suicide today, and much could be averted if people really understood this world. This life is not all there is; there is more! God touches every area of our lives. Our source is the Word of God, our Bibles, and studying the Word is so important to all of us—not just one time a week or on occasion but every day.

Spiritual happiness is a feeling we get when we read or hear a Bible verse read, or recall a teaching that lifted us up and encouraged us beyond the toil of the everyday. It is the idea that we must look beyond our world and consider a world without strife or anger, without violence, and a world that is pure peace. A peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. For me, heaven is peace, beauty, and love.

What is the thought of heaven for you? That, after all, is our goal.

Striving for heaven means we walk in justice, pray for God’s grace to do what is right, and expect the best from ourselves. It also means we accept the truth of Scripture.

1 Thessolonians 2:13 – And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. It was written by men who were inspired by God, whether it was in their teachings or actual events that happened. It became more fully understood when Jesus came and preached. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-5).

The light does indeed shine in the darkness, and for many years, we had only the oral teachings of godly men and women until we had our own Bibles. Yet, we can see the impact of the Lord in our lives by the teachings at church, a book or blog we read, or even a podcast. In fact, John 1:1-5 came alive for me at one point in my life when I really needed it. It was as if a lightbulb went on, and I realized Jesus (the second person of the Trinity) was with God at the time of the creation of the world. Wow.

Reading the scriptures, looking around the world, and expecting the best, even miracles will change our lives. The greater truth is that while we work, pay our bills, and do our daily chores, we are really bidding our time until the ultimate reward of heaven comes our way. When we spend time with God and pray he opens our eyes.

Our prayer can be something like this, “Lord, how can I recognize your greatness? Lord, what should I do today? Lord help me to serve you in a deeper and more personal way.” Our eyes will be opened, and we will learn how to apply this to our everyday life. This simple thought or notion can transform our lives. God is there for us, not just sometimes but always. We do not rely on ourselves, but we do rely on God’s grace. The impact on our lives is beyond our ability to understand. We can try, but it is astounding when we consider all God does for us.

God gave us himself; he opened the gates of heaven, and how did this happen? By dying for our sins, the ultimate sacrifice for sins He did not commit. Salvation!

John 14:6 — Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

We accept Jesus and follow Him, but that is sometimes where it ends. Take today to thank God for all He has done for you, for the gift of family, for the love that surrounds you each day (God’s love is ever present in our lives), and for salvation, the greatest gift we can receive and a way to enter with Him eternally. May God be blessed now and forever!

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In the middle of our troubles, we can rely on only one person to get us through: God. Today’s podcast is about holy reliance, and we will delve into ways to trust in God even when we feel like things are hopeless!

Holy Reliance ~ Episode 314What is your first reaction when you are struggling? Today, I had a perfect opportunity to practice what I “preach” and failed miserably! Yet, with God, we get a do-over, a chance to change, repent, and sin no more. We have a chance to see the areas where we need work and to make a decision. Changing is difficult, especially because we want our results to be instantaneous. But change takes time, and it is hard work, consistent work, showing up and rolling up our sleeves, and expecting the best from ourselves and those around us.

I volunteer—a lot! I was very good at one point in time at saying, “No!” when asked. But something happened, and I’m not sure what. I often feel overwhelmed and that there is no more to give, yet God keeps showing up and showing me that I am not in charge. He is in charge, and when I give Him my yes and my life, He makes everything work out!

Do you rely on the Lord for everything? Do you ask God for a parking space? Do you pray when you need help with your finances and to pay your bills? When my two youngest were going to college, I prayed that the Lord would provide scholarships, and He did! We can ask God for the mundane as well as an increase in our spiritual life and an increase in our faith.

Holy Reliance – The ProphetScripture talks about prophets and how they did the work of the Lord. Each of them had challenges. Some, like Jonah, were not very good prophets, but one that stood out was Ezekiel. Ezekiel is a prophet, and he is being called by the Lord with a warning. Ezekiel 2:1-2 – He said to me, “Son of man,[a] stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

In verses 3-4 the God states: I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn

He goes on to explain the hardships Ezekiel will have, yet the prophet does not turn his back on God. Why? Because he has Holy Reliance. He knows his strength comes from the Almighty. How can he speak to the Israelites otherwise? Even knowing the hardships, he continues on. Can we do that? Can we persevere even when we know there will be hardships?

Holy Reliance – The PsalmistThe Psalmist knew this as well – in Psalm 121:1-8 (read on air), we read.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Read those verses slowly, pray them, and add them to your prayer journal. Mediate on the words, “Where does my help come from?” Many times, we think our help is from ourselves. We are the ones who get things done. We can only rely on ourselves because others let us down! But that is not true. The next verse tells us, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Do we realize that God, the Creator of the Universe and everything in it, cares about us in an intimate way? He knows everything about us, and yet we rely on ourselves or perhaps those closest to us. On a practical level, when I work, I rely on the tools I use, the computer, the internet, and a microphone to record. But if the internet goes down or my computer shuts off midstream, I’m stuck, I’m frustrated, and my peace is shaken. It really does not take much. In our lives, we can quit or continue on.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve saved one finished recording over another, and I’ve had to re-record a podcast. But I don’t—okay, I try not to let it get me down because I feel that the Lord has something so much better for me to say! I’ll get a thought or an inspiration, some idea that hits me, and I will be glad that I had an opportunity to do it again.

What about spiritually? What about those times we know we’ve let ourselves down or the Lord down? This is where we can repent. We can once again call upon the Lord. We can ask him to help us. And when we do, He shows up in a mighty way! In previous podcasts, we’ve discussed miracles. Do we expect miracles in our daily lives?

Friends, we don’t do it alone – in fact, we can’t do it without the help of God! When you are struggling, turn to Psalm 119:7-8

I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

I love that! Do not forsake me, Lord. I need you now more than ever. We must have trust, and this trust must come with a humble heart. Our hearts ache because we fail to see the goodness around us and focus on the hardships or our failures. Even in our failures, we must trust that God has a righteous plan and will turn it around. Think of the book of Ruth. God turned around a tragedy, the death of her husband and her sister’s husband, and she left her home and went with her mother-in-law Naomi to Israel, where she later remarried and had a child. Ruth was the grandmother of King David, which led to the lineage of Jesus Christ. Our King and Savior!

God has a plan for our lives. What can we do? We can trust. We can rely on Him, we can ask God to give us more of Him and we can ask for an abundance of faith and strength to traits we can always use in our lives. Amen~

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Penny From Heaven ~ Episode 252When you find a penny, what do you do? I call it a gift, a penny from heaven. It is something little, often ignored and stepped over but valued nonetheless. In this episode, Felice shares her finds and treasures that are inspirations from the Lord.

Thanks to our sponsor, this curriculum is for kids of all ages. Visit CTCMath.com, a math curriculum from the comfort of your home with self-paced lessons. This is one not to miss. Share this with a friend, and we appreciate CTC math.

What do you do when you see a penny lying on the ground? Most of us walk over it and ignore the coin. We do this for many reasons, and all of them are valid. It is an insignificant amount; it is dirty, we don’t want to bend down to pick it up, and so on.

I was right there with you for quite some time. But then something changed. I decided that each penny signified a gift from God. While it may hold little value in the monetary sense, it is, after all, the smallest coin we have; it represents the gifts that God has in store for me. Each penny is a blessing; each penny is a reminder that God knows me and sees me. He sees all of me, and I am important in His eyes.

Do you see a penny from heaven as a blessing?This is one of those podcasts where I wish we were together because I imagine some of you are like me; you stop and pick up that penny or that coin. You recognize it for what it is – not for the monetary value, but for the gift. It is a blessing, you happened upon it, and it has value in your eyes.

It reminds me of the widow’s mite, and we read about it in Luke 21:1-4 [Read on air.]

Just as the widow gave her savings, what was described in her poverty, to the Lord, I, too, set aside this money for the Lord. I have areas throughout my home set up like little prayer corners and plaques proclaiming scripture verses, and basically, some have called my home a mini-shrine. It’s not, but it is all a matter of perspective. Walking by a sign or a prayer corner reminds me to pray or consider what the Lord has done for me. One particular shelf above my computer has a small depiction of Jesus and Joseph. Jesus is seated on a bench, animated with his hand outstretched, and Joseph listens to him in rapt attention. The workbench and work are briefly forgotten as Joseph is focused on the Lord. I set up a small container where I place any pennies I find. I feel that these gifts are given to me, but then I can turn around and donate it back. After some time, these coins add up, and I donate them to charity.

This is a visual sign of an invisible truth. Faith is invisible but has such an impact on our lives. I know some people think that having a statue, a cross, or even a picture depicting a religious scene is idolatry which the old testament warns us about. And, if I had a statue of Baal or Budda, I would agree with you, but I don’t.

I believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, the lineage of David and Jesus, the true Lord and Messiah. My God is a God of infinite love and mercy. I want reminders of Bible verses and religious scenes.

Maybe picking up pennies seems silly to you. But it is a small gesture and reminds me about so things that are spiritually important. My shortlist would include the following:

1. A reminder not to take anything in life for granted.
2. Acknowledgment that even a penny can symbolize something greater
3. The understanding that value is in the eyes of the beholder
4. Remembering that the value placed by material things in our world is nothing compared to that of heaven
5. A reminder not to ignore the simple things in my life

Maybe your list looks different, and I have a much longer list, but the purpose here is to give you the overall idea–which is looking at your day, each day, and seeing the gift that God has for you. No matter what happens, we can turn to the Lord and thank Him. What is that penny you have stepped over and ignored in your life? What is it that seems insignificant but holds bigger value?

I feel blessed in many ways, not because I live in a castle, am royalty, or am a multi-billionaire. I am blessed because my eyes have been opened like Saul on the road to Damascus, and the Lord has called me by name.

In Acts 9:1-20 We read the entire account of Saul – but here is the first part (Read on air).

We later read in the following verses that Ananais also receives a vision from the Lord, and he says, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord tells him specifically where to go and that he will find Saul of Tarsus. Ananias knows how he is – Saul has been harming the Christians in Jerusalem, and he reminds the Lord of this. Let me stop here – doesn’t that strike you as ironic? Here is a man with a vision from God; he is conversing with the Lord, yet he is reminding him of something that the Lord already knows!
God is so patient with us, isn’t he?

The Lord says to him, in verses 15-16 (Read on air.)

I am sure Ananias was fearful, but he went, laid hands on him, saying verses 17-20 (Read On Air.)

Saul thought he was doing the right thing, he thought he was doing the will of God, but God showed him that he wasn’t and purged him into the three days of darkness. It was a false belief – which makes me think, what false beliefs do I harbor that I need to dispel? Is it simple, like the value of finding a coin on the ground, or is it deeper in understanding that the God we serve is loving and kind but also righteous?

God restores our belief daily if we let him. Your challenge this week is to look at those little things as gifts from heaven, whether it is a penny found or something more!

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What do you believe? Have you taken the time to stop and reflect on your faith? Today, we will discuss ways to increase your faith and spend time with God.

Reflect On Your Faith – 313Friends of mine attended an international conference and shared their experiences with me. There was such joy and hope expressed not only in the experience and the speakers they heard but also in how motivated they were to spread the good news to others. This fire, if you will, the fire that comes from the Holy Spirit, is what we all need. We need a boost from time to time and encouragement. We need that shot in the arm to get going and to spread God’s love for others. This can happen to you when you take the time to reflect on your faith. Why should we?

Thanks to our sponsor, CTMath.com

Romans 8:30-32: What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? 3

Because of who we are in Christ, we are called to speak to anyone who will listen about His love and goodness, yet if we don’t take the time to reflect on our faith, it is difficult, at best, to know what we believe. What do you believe? Do you know? When was the last time you read a book of faith or studied the scriptures? Do you have time set aside for prayer?

Maybe you have not prayed because what you believe is not crystal clear. How can we worship a God we don’t know? How can we worship a God we can not see? How can we worship when we feel empty inside? The answer is you can not worship a God you don’t know and can’t see. And, if you are in the middle of a life crisis, then it will seem more difficult because we as humans tend to blame God, even if our faith in God is weak! Do you know someone who has abandoned their Christian faith because they blame God for their trials and for unanswered prayer?

Listen, we’ve all been there; if you have not doubted God or had a chink in your armor of faith, you have not lived long. Everyone has thoughts that I attribute to the evil one. These thoughts are not from the Almighty, let me tell you! The thoughts are something like this: God doesn’t care about you, God isn’t real, and you are wasting your time. Or even worse, Where is the God that you believed in? He has let you down. No, God never lets us down, but by the free will God has given us, we have a choice to make. Do we follow Him or not? Do we believe or not? Do we continue to worship when we don’t feel like it, or not?

God does not force His will upon us. He did not create us as puppets with Him pulling the strings. No. He gave us a heart and soul, a spirit to worship or not, and a hunger in each one of us for more. But why do we hunger and thirst without it ever being quenched? God created us to know, love, and serve Him because how could we not serve the one who gave us so much?

And here is the bottom line: Faith is a gift—yes, that’s right, a gift. Faith is a gift given to us by the Almighty God, and while it begins with a feeling, it involves so much more. It involves your free will—your free will to continue to love and serve God when you don’t feel like it.

Look up the Nicene Creed (Council 325) and the Apostles Creed. The Nicene Creed is believed to be the oldest creed. Read on air.

What do you believe? Reflect on your faith. Ask the Lord to increase your faith.

Prayer is a conversation with God; it is praying, but it also takes time to listen—spend some time in quiet. This means being present and aware of God’s love for you, meditating on this—God does love you, and you are here for a reason. Last week, the topic was belonging. We are His people, and He is our God. Podcast here.

1. Spend time in prayer and speak to the Lord.
2. Spend time in quiet, listen.
3. Read scripture.
4. Journal
5. Praise God, thank Him for everything.

Dear friends, I pray your faith is increased. In this world, there is a need for people who are on fire for the Lord. Christians need to help those who are suffering, and one way we can do this is by having the love of God within our own hearts and pouring our love into others. Amen!

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The idea of belonging, being wanted, and having someone who cares for us is a fundamental need in all humans. It isn’t a case of losing your identity but more of feeling loved and secure. In this podcast, we will discuss the importance of understanding where our trust lies and to whom we belong.

Belonging To God – Episode 312If you are feeling down today, feeling that no one cares or that God does not hear you, feeling that you are being ignored, or that everything you planned and hoped for has fallen apart, then this podcast will turn that around. Writing and recording this podcast has helped me tremendously after a very trying week. And it started today. I heard a scripture that really touched me, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized I belong to God. No, really, I. Belong. To God.

This isn’t a novel idea or truth. You probably think that as a Christian who has professed a belief in Jesus Christ, it is a simplistic statement to make. And you may be correct. Yet, we walk around carrying the burdens of the world on our shoulders, and if we remembered that we belong to God, how much easier this load would be. The scripture I want to share is one I’ve heard so many times, but this time, it made me feel special. We don’t often walk around, and the truth is, we never walk around saying how special we are or how special we feel. It is not the way of humility, right? But God, in His Word, often makes us feel special. I pray that God opens your heart and shows you how special you really are in His eyes!

It is a passage in Ezekiel. I want to read it to you, but I’d like you to read it yourself, perhaps later, and meditate on the words. Ezekiel 36:26-28 (read on air).

Let me read the last half of the last line again: “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” Friends, God has called you and asked that you be His people. And, in return, He gives us Himself. That is so shocking, and yet it should not surprise us that the God of the universe cares intimately about you, all of you. He wants you to understand that you have been called by name.

1. He has called us by name, and we read this in Isaiah 43:1:
2. He knows the number of hairs on our head: Matthew 10:30:
3. He has given us everything and paid the ultimate sacrifice: John 3:16:

How does this make you feel? Do you feel special yet? Well, let’s try this, let’s try praising God:

Psalm 147:1-6

How about Exodus 15:2: Read on air.

God is our salvation, and He is our God, and He is deserving of all of my praise. This is the least we can offer our Lord and Savior, yet there is so much more He is willing to give to each of us.

Psalm 63:11 states (read on air)

When we feel like no one cares, please remember this Psalm. God’s constant love is there for us, and if we praise Him, we will remember this truth and how much better our life will become.

Another verse I want to share with you is Psalm 145:9 (read on air). His tender mercies! Listen to those words and let them penetrate your heart.

and the last verse – Isaiah 41:13-

We are not to fear, we belong to the Lord, he has our hand in His, he is there for use, and he will come to your aid, in fact He has never left you and has always been by your side. Dear friends, remember these words, cherish them, and know that God is real and you belong to him.

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How are you doing? Are you finding hope in our hurting world? As Christians, we know where our hope is, right? It is in the Lord. Yet, we often struggle to find hope when we can only think about the negative things affecting our world and life.

Christians – Finding Hope ~ Episode 311If I had to make a list of my top ten scripture verses, Jeremiah 29:11 would be at the top. (Read on air). I think I love this verse so much because it gives me hope. My favorite parts deal with safety (not to harm you) and plans to give you hope and a future. Today, we live in a society with at least fifty percent that has turned its back on the God I serve, a Christian God.

Some people, some with faith and others without faith, don’t want to see Christians happy, prospering, or unified (see last week’s Christian Unity podcast link here). I have watched some horrifying short videos lately, and what I heard made me fearful. So, what did I do? I took authority in the Name of Jesus and asked the Lord to place my fear at the foot of His cross because perfect love casts out all fear! 1 John 4:18 (Read on air.)

Finding Hope:Our hope is in Christ; it is not in what might happen when we leave our homes, cross the street, or clean our homes. Our hope is in Christ and Him alone. I must focus on Him when I am worried about our world and the state of our economy, but I can also pray and encourage you in the same way. Today, I dropped my prescription sunglasses, and they scratched. Guess where? That’s correct. Right across my eye, I am looking straight. So, I picked them up and praised God. I had them repaired not too long ago, and they were expensive, like everything is today. But I was thankful because I chose to be. There is a list of reasons why I could be thankful, but choosing to be thankful is a decision I can make, and it gave me hope.

This does not diminish the fact that I have to look through a scratched lens, but I’ve chosen to praise God even for the hurtful, costly, and annoying things in my life. This gives me hope, and I pray it encourages you to hope in the face of hardships and trials.

Hope without Struggline:At Christmas time, we have family time, and usually, I have an activity that goes along with something I’ve prayed about. This year, the theme was Fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23: (Read on air.)

Each person selected a word that I had upside down and hidden. In other words, they didn’t know the words they would receive. Two people received the word “hope.” Two people received the word “peace.” Two people use the word “love,” and one person uses the word “joy.”

I received the word peace for this year, and I really need it, and I pray the Lord gives it to me in abundance! But I also crave hope. Without hope, there is no tomorrow. That may be a bit melodramatic, but there is truth in that statement. We spiral downward when we believe things will not get better or we feel hopeless. There is hope in Christ and against all of the negativity bombarding us through the airwaves. You can turn off the television and avoid the news, only to receive it in a digest form on your phone or hear it from your neighbor!

What Causes Hopelessness?What causes hopelessness? So many things! But when hopelessness becomes a problem, it is when we feel that no one cares and we are all alone. Just know I care, and you are not alone! God hears us, whether the answer is no or not. We may feel powerless and oppressed in our situations, but we know it is only for a short time. There is hope that things will change. Maybe not for the better quickly, but change it will. Some days, I feel I transfer one set of problems to another. But I soon realized the solution was right in front of me, and I did not see it.

When we are in the midst of hardship or trial, we look for a way out without looking at our situation and addressing our needs one at a time. Ask questions like this:

• Am I safe?
• Do I need to make any decisions right now?
• Do I have the time I need to pray and offer it to the Lord?

I’m a get-it-done-right this-minute kind of person. If I have something to do, I feel it is hanging right out there and out of reach, and if I do not address it, it bothers me. Yet, that is something of my own making. That is why the three things I listed above and the questions I can ask are so important. It makes me think and consider if I need to address the problem, chore, or item on my to-do list this second. Sometimes, the day gets away from me, and I feel hopeless because what I wanted to accomplish was left undone. This is where I need to regroup, see if there is time to address this need, and go forward. There is always hope!

Always Hope:The truth is our hope does not come from a person or thing. It does not come from a perfectly completed to-do list. Our hope does not even come from a sterling credit score or money in the bank. Our hope only comes from Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And if we remember this, we will truly be on the right track!

The saying “hope springs eternal” is defined as “People always hope for the best, even in the face of adversity. This saying is from “An Essay on Man,” by Alexander Pope. And there is truth to that statement. If there is no adversity, there is no victory! We learned that from the cross. Jesus broke the bonds of death with his life and resurrection. We love the Christmas story, the Nativity of the birth of Jesus. We love Easter with the focus on the Resurrection. But what most of us forget is there was suffering, an inhuman amount of suffering, in between those two joyful times.

Take the time to create a list of scripture verses for times when you need encouragement that there is hope. Place Jeremiah 29:11 at the top of the list (it is on mine!). Then, spend some time in prayer, giving thanks to the Lord for everything, even those things that we can not control.

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Christian Unity ~ Uniting God’s PeopleEpisode 310: Exploring Christian Unity based on Ephesians 4:1-6

How can we have Christian unity when we can’t even get along with those we live with and love? The same goes for world peace. How can we expect World Peace when we argue with our spouse or friends? If we can’t get along with those we like, how can we find common ground among various nations? Our world is falling apart, friends. Right before our eyes, today is the day to pray like never before.

Thanks to CTCMath.com for sponsoring this episode. CTC is a math curriculum found online for grades K-12.

Today is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. (Psalm 118:24) So we begin with praise, rejoicing in the day and giving God all the glory. As I’ve shared many times on this podcast, we praise God and thank Him even in the midst of trial and adversity. Things are falling apart all around us, and we praise God. One of the reasons is because, yes, God is worthy of praise. The other is because it helps remind us that we are not in this alone. Even if you are driving by yourself, taking a walk, or at your home alone, God is with you.

Once we have praised God, we put on God’s armor. Ephesians 6:10-18. Don’t just read it, pray it. Slowly and with meaning. We ask the Lord for protection against evil one. Why? Because he is the disrupter and the one who causes the division. This began in the Garden and continues today.

Christian Unity Starts Here:

Where does Christian unity begin? It begins with me—right here, right now. It doesn’t start with my neighbor, my friend, or my spouse. I don’t stop to pick up the phone and say, “Hey, you really need to get with it and be united.” It won’t work. For there to be peace, it starts with me. Mother Teresa famously said this about peace: “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”

So, it starts with me: what can I do and how can I do it?

A friend posted an article from a website, and I am posting the link here. The topic is the importance of Christian Unity. It goes on to explain the importance of doing our part (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to not be the cause of division, which means to guard us against temptation, guarding our mouths and what we say, and, more importantly, your social media posts.

When I read the title of the article, I was convicted to watch my words, especially among my family and friends.

As I write this, we are currently in an election cycle, and it can be horrible to read what people say and watch neighbors and friends become enemies. I lost friends during the last election cycle because I would not engage in conversation or be swayed by the beliefs of those who contacted me. They “unfriended” me on Facebook which truthfully hurt my feelings tremendously. In retrospect, while I had many champions for my cause, and the majority of friends agreed with me, I found that those who did not were steeped in a way of thinking I could not identify or understand. I am steeped in prayer this election cycle, making an effort to set aside time daily for our country and the disunity. And for the disunity in our world as well, with countless wars!

Jesus wants us united, yet He is well aware that the evil one is trying to wreck our lives. We read of this in

Ephesians 4:1-6 (read on air).

We are called to be “forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” How can we do this? There is only one way, with an infilling and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is something like this, “Dear Holy Spirit, come and fill me with to overflowing with your love, your peace, and your joy. Please fill me with love for my children and my spouse (name anyone close to you here). Fill me with love and compassion for those who I don’t like, and I don’t care to know. Help me to be faithful to you, my Lord, and help me never to be parted from unity with You. Holy Spirit, come.”

Create your own prayer or version of asking the Holy Spirit for help bringing unity and peace to your life and the lives of others.

The only way for us to have Christian unity is to pray and ask God for a deeper desire for peace in our hearts. Another thing the article said that resonated with me was to ask the Lord to keep us away from “every temptation of the enemy to rip us apart.” These are very wise words. We must avoid the temptation to get in the last word or to say something that might be considered funny yet hurtful. We must rally the troops and let your family and friends know what you are doing. This is not bragging (oh, look at me praying here); this is explaining a way of thinking that I believe most Christians will rally around and unite.

God loves us; He loves this fallen humanity of which we are a part, and He knows our needs before we even ask. Yet ask we must today. Begin now. Ask the Lord for peace and unity, and let it begin with me. May you be blessed now and forever.

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Family Transformed – Episode 217Are you ready for a transformation within your own family? How about a challenge for a transformed family? This is a follow-up to the last episode of Heart Transformed

Thanks to our sponsor, CTC Math a wonderful math curriculum for kids K-12

Why is it we can see the faults in other people so much easier than we can see the faults in ourselves? Did you know when we focus on ourselves first (the opposite of what we have been taught), and get our own spiritual house in order, the rest of the family will see the change and want to be a part of what you have? If you didn’t catch the last episode, Heart Transformed be sure to check it out.

St. Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:1-4 [ Read on air]

When our family is at peace, when we are serving the Lord as a group, we will all get along so much better. I taught my children that God put us together as a family on purpose. There are no mistakes in Lord’s plan for family life. Each person was selected to be together because of what they could learn from each other. It is a beautiful thing when it works the way God designed. If we focus on the things above we are so much happier.

The best teacher is the example we set If we want our family to read the Bible, we need to read the Bible. If we want our family to pray, we need to lead in prayer. Years ago I wanted my husband to be the spiritual leader of our home, and he is in so many ways, but not in the way I wanted him to be. I wanted him to lead the Bible studies and the prayer sessions we had as a family and while he contributed to these, he is not a leader. So we became co-leaders, I would initiate the studies and he and I would contribute to the discussion. We can become upset or bitter because things do not go our way rather than take on the leadership ourselves if that is what God leads us to do. Don’t box yourself in with your own ideas, but rather what works best for your family. Never, never compare your family to other families. That will surely set you up for failure. Many people put up a good front when everything is falling apart. So don’t judge by exteriors.

Here are some simple things to do, for yourself if you do not have a young family and with a family, if you do:

1. Start each day by giving thanks. By doing this we are giving God all the glory (Colossians 4:4 – When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.”) That is enough for us to rejoice daily.
2. Family prayer. Begin each meal with thanks to God. Keep it brief. Have a nighttime routine that includes prayer.
3. Encourage each member of the family to have their own time to pray.
4. Participate in helping. Whether it is each other or contributing to the family needs. Meals, cleaning up, helping when needed.
5. Participate in ministry outside of the home. Volunteering, visiting the elderly (neighbor), etc.

Talk to your family members and add to this list. As the children grew and left home we had a big gap in our lives, and my husband and I found we were no longer praying together because our nightly routine was changed. Even when our children were younger, the two of us would pray each evening together. This habit changed as our lives became busier. For anyone who has children, you always think you will have so much time when the kids grow older, but soon find that our lives just change and often become even busier. We must make the time to pray together.

If you are alone in your home and have a good prayer life, that is wonderful, now invite a friend. I pray with my friends often. Sometimes it is in church, sometimes it is a friend in need. I am part of several email prayer groups that send out prayer requests. I set up a Facebook group – A Few Minutes with God years ago for prayer requests. It was used to help people who needed prayers and also to post their praise reports.

And that is really the crux of the transformed family, and that is you will have so many praise reports! A praise report is where we thank God for the blessings in our lives. My son was hit by a falling object that was large and metal off of a single-story roof. The injury could have been so bad, but it turned out that while it bled profusely, the damage was minimal and mostly a scrape. That was a miracle. No swelling, no concussion, no brain damage, or worse! So thank you Lord for your blessings. If you think about it each day you can come up with so many things to thank the Lord for and to praise His Name. But, it takes time to stop and think.

What do you do when you enter a church? Is it a time to be social, or is it a time to listen and pray? Can we pray and be social? Of course! But I feel that often church is used as a social outlet rather than a time of worship. Going to church for me is a time to get on my knees, for as long as I am able, and begin by thanking and praising God, asking His forgiveness for the ways I have offended Him, and petitioning Him in prayer. However, you serve to worship it is an individual choice.

This week I challenge you to work within your own family no matter how big or how small and make positive changes. Small to begin with and grow as your family grows and adapts to a time of prayer, worship, and growing closer to the Lord. I pray this is a blessing to you and your family.

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Virtues for Heaven? Episode 309Why do you need virtues for heaven’s entrance? Isn’t it just accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior good enough? Sure, belief in Christ is pivotal to salvation, but there is more. In this podcast, we explore the meaning of exhibiting virtues that are important and meaningful in our lives.

Thanks to our sponsor CTCMath.com. For more information on this fabulous online math program for K-12, check them out. Thanks to our sponsors for keeping this network and these shows on air.

What are the building blocks of our faith? Belief in Christ as Lord and Savior, rejecting sin, and leading a holy life. Easy right? Not so much!

The building blocks for leading a good and moral life require a belief in life, sacrificial death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Yes, but how do we live a virtuous life? How do we follow Jesus’ example? How do we pick up our crosses of this world and rely on His help to carry them? Each one of the questions can only be answered with thought and contemplation.

As an aside, I would like to share with you what I have encountered in my email inbox lately. I am asked at least three times or more a week if I will interview various speakers and authors. One of the speakers caught my eye recently, and I went to listen to his podcast. The topic was the falsehood of faith. The speaker said, “If you are sensitive to faith or you have faith, you may want to skip this podcast in the series.” Truthfully I should have because what I heard left me unsettled. The podcaster went on to explain how the brain works and how people are brainwashed into believing in God, even a false god. (with a little g). That’s it?

Oh my gosh. I wanted to tell the speaker he was really stretching his explanation to explain away faith as a psychosomatic occurrence. When people of faith feel love, an infilling of the Holy Spirit, and are witnesses to miracles, is this a falsehood brought about by what is, in essence, brainwashing?

There is no room in this atheist’s mind for miracles, for the idea that our world did not come out of nothing, that we should have respect for those who gave up their lives as martyrs not just in the days of Christ but currently all over the world where Christians and those of other faiths are persecuted.

Why is there a fear of faith? Why is there a denial of faith? Because having faith requires a change. Having faith requires a decision. Having faith requires self-denial. The building blocks of the Christian life are not only choosing to follow Christ and turn our back on sin but also living a life that is an example to others. I heard a quote, and the attributes of this quote are given to different people; if you want to see the history of this quote, there is a website here. (Quote Investigator.) Yet, I want to share it with you because I love the lessons it gives.

“Watch your thoughts because thoughts turn into words, watch your words because words turn to actions, watch your actions because actions turn into habits, watch your habits because habits develop your character, and watch your character because your character will determine where you spend eternity.”

If we need further instruction, we can go to Psalm 141:1-4 (read on air).

We can look at four virtues, also known as natural or moral virtues. (Also known as the Cardinal Virtues)

These virtues are achieved through practice and lead to a good life.

1. Prudence – think before you speak
2. Justice – is giving someone their due, whether it is forgiveness, etc. (God deserves our worship, people deserve mercy from us)
3. Courage (or fortitude) is the ability to disagree when needed with love and to speak out for one’s faith.
4. Temperance: Self-control – whether that is holding your tongue, cutting back on eating, or other bad habits that are often formed.

We can’t live a good life and an immoral life at the same time. We often hear of someone living what scripture would term an immoral life and say, “But they are a good person. How do we determine that? The question arises – yes, but who are you to judge? We are not the judge, but God is a just judge. Earthly good, or the definition of someone who is an upstanding citizen, is not the same as moral good. When you reject God’s teaching and the Word of God, then you can not be morally good.

Friends, we sometimes elevate ourselves and those we love on the supernatural level. However, only God can do that. We must be in union with God. The best way other than to accept the Lord as our Savior is to practice these good habits.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (read on air).

We can’t do this alone, nor should we try. Another talk I recently heard challenged us to ask the Lord for the impossible. In fact, one thing the speaker said was that we often don’t ask the Lord for enough. It has caused me to really think about this notion, and I will do a follow-up on the topic because, seriously, we often fall short of what we can ask the God of the Universe. God is Almighty, He is Lord of All, He is the Mighty One, the King of Peace, He and only He is worthy of our praise. We can ask the Almighty to grant us the grace to live a life with prudence, with justice, with courage and with temperance. We can ask the Lord to give us more faith. We can pray without ceasing in our daily lives when we take out the trash, walk the dog, or do anything we do in our lives. Let us all give God the honor and the glory He deserves. Amen and Amen! May God be raised today and always.

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Spiritual Experience | A Few Minutes with God Podcast with Felice GerwitzEpisode 308: Exploring Spiritual Experiences Based on Matthew 17Have you had a spiritual experience? Have you ever felt like you were on a spiritual mountaintop? In this episode of the “A Few Minutes with God” podcast, Felice Gerwitz explores these profound moments. She draws inspiration from Matthew 17, where Jesus is transfigured on the mountain before Peter, James, and John:

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:1-2)

You might be curious about what defines such an experience or blessed to have had one. These moments can come through prayer, music, a powerful sermon, a unique situation, or a special moment from the Lord. In this episode, Felice discusses:

• Understanding Spiritual Experiences: Felice explains what a spiritual experience is and isn’t, helping you recognize these moments.
• Common Elements of Spiritual Experiences: Many of these experiences share typical components, such as a sense of immense peace, overwhelming joy, or a deep connection with God.
• The Joy of Spiritual Experiences: Felice shares insights into the profound joy that accompanies a true spiritual encounter and how this joy can transform your faith journey.
• Experiencing God’s Grace Anew: This can open your heart to God’s grace in new and unexpected ways. Felice provides examples and personal stories to illustrate this transformation.
• A New Calling: Sometimes, it brings a sense of new purpose or calling. Felice discusses how to discern and embrace this new direction.
• What to Do After a Mountaintop Experience: Practical advice on integrating these powerful moments into your daily life and maintaining spiritual growth.

This episode is proudly sponsored by CTC Math. They offer an excellent resource for homeschooling families seeking a comprehensive and engaging math curriculum.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of spiritual encounters and how they can profoundly impact your walk with God.

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Evil Tactic – Combatting Evil ~ Episode 225What is an evil tactic? It is something employed by the evil one to take souls to hell. Harsh? Maybe. But, this is something that few of us want to talk about or consider. In this podcast, Felice will explore the tactics used and how to prevent being led to the dark side.

Visit this month’s wonderful sponsor who helps bring this network to you for free, visit CTCMath.com for a great math curriculum for grades K-12

Few people realize the greatest tool of evil is to convince people that evil does not exist. Everything is fine, it’s good, there is nothing to worry about. Everyone gets a free pass to go to heaven. Don’t worry, proclaim God once, claim Him and go on and live your life in whatever way you see fit. I realize we all come from different faith walks. Some are non-denominational and others adhere to a specific denomination. Some teach it is faith alone and others that it is faith and works.

In the previous podcast, I cited James 2:14-26, Faith without works is dead. With this thought, we must look at the ways that evil sets to destroy not only others but specifically our lives.

I see evil glorified everywhere I look during the month of October, whether I am in the grocery store or at a restaurant. Some people celebrate fall with leaves and such, but many, enjoy what they believe is making light of darkness with evil-looking and scary decorations. While spoofs are fine, being surrounded by evil-looking decorations is not something I enjoy. Walking into a hair salon while hearing an evil cackling voice is not my idea of fun, and believe me, I soon went to another hair salon.

Here is a short list of things that are considered evil tactics:

1. Not believing evil or satan exists. John 8:44 (read)
2. Fearfulness (in a minute I’ll read from Matthew 10 which helps us to combat fear)
3. Deception and lies, Confusion, Twisting of words – reproductive freedom, no big deal, not for us to judge
4. Division – because when we are divided we are weak. John 17:20-24 (read)
5. Diversion – an overload of information, social media, anxiety, and distractions of everyday life Matt 10:26-32 (read)
6. Discouragement and depression – personal setbacks, always wanting more, if “this” happens, I’ll be happy. (humility)

There is so much packed into these verses, first, we have nothing to fear, the next is that we should not fear the body because what is most important is our soul, and the only person to fear is what can destroy us -that is giving into evil tactics and ultimately hell. Then there is the wonderful verse about the Father’s intimate knowledge about each one of us because he even knows the number of hair on our heads. We have value to God, my friends more than we know! We must also acknowledge God, we must not be afraid of our Christian faith or deny him unless we want to be denied before the Father in heaven. Powerful words!

1. Humility – the key to discouragement and depression is humility. Realizing we can do nothing without God. This is not a way to push off blame or alleviate our guilt, it is a way however to realize that when we do things under our own steam we are setting up ourselves for failure. Have you ever wondered when your life falls apart, and you can’t seem to handle anymore that you are “doing” it yourself and without God? Sure, we are all gifted in some way, but those gifts should be attributed to the Almighty.

In our humility we ask the Lord for help, to come into our lives in a deeper way (I know – I must sound like I repeat myself over and over) but it is a truth that when we grow closer to God we find things that are so important in our life or that we think are important fall way. All the people who suffer loss realize in the end that these are things they can not take with them when they die. That is why we are taught to look to the end, to look at our lives and when we do, when we grow closer to God we can see the areas where we have sinned.

Evil tactics are lost on those who are grounded, who surround themselves with like-minded Christians, and who immerse themselves in all that is good and holy, beginning with your relationship with Christ and the Scriptures. This week make a list of the evil tactics aimed at you and work at ways (with God, Scripture, and prayer) that you can combat the evils.

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God’s Word Revealed – Episode 220We often read the Bible and are left unmoved, but through the words of scripture, God’s word is revealed. Why is that? What are the tools you need to get you into the right frame of mind before praying and delving into the scriptures? Stay tuned and find out.

We are so appreciative of this wonderful company and our sponsor CTC Math – for a math curriculum that is geared to teaching children K-12 visit CTCMath.com our sponsors help keep this show and our network on the air.

When was the last time you read the Bible or listened to the Bible read to you in church and found your mind wandering or the words had less of an impact than you hoped? God’s word teaches and instructs us and it can reveal truths to us that will help us in our daily lives and we are taught are good for our eternal soul. What is revealed in God’s word is more than can we usually unpack on our own and that is where the commentaries are helpful.

A quick guide to reading scripture.

1. Pray to the Lord for the forgiveness of past sins.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit for a blessing upon you to open your mind to the words the Lord wants you to hear.
3. Close your eyes and pray thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for you.
4. Put on the “mind of Christ,” and pray for understanding.
5. Open your Bible and read!

As I was preparing this podcast I thought about some of the highlights of which there are many but these were earth-shattering revelations about the sovereignty of God.

God revealed His name in Exodus to Moses in the burning bush – we learn that it was a miraculous event, the bush was not consumed in fire and by the power of God, he sustained it, and revealed Himself with the promise of liberating the oppressed people.

Exodus 3: 1-8 [Read on air] The bush was sustained by the power of God and in this passage, God revealed His name. I AM. What a miracle and one that we wish was happening today – a miracle to set His people free those of us who are believers who are crying out to the Lord for help. Not as I want my God but as you want for me. That too is takes a miracle of faith to trust in God and His insight and knowing what is best for us.

The Lord revealed His plan of a Savior through his prophetic word, and even through Mary. We may not consider the Mother of Christ sharing a prophetic word but she did and we know this because we read her prophetic word in what is known as the Magnificat, in some translations I read Mary’s song but I feel that falls short of the magnitude of her words: Luke 1:46-56 Please read those words and think about them, friends. My goodness, when I read … my soul magnifies the Lord we should pray for that blessing and grace. To trust as Mary trusted what a gift! Sure, she was visited by an angel of God, but we all know that the punishment for an unwed woman in those days was death. I’m sure she was afraid but still, she went to tend to her cousin, Elizabeth and we further read the baby in Elizabeth’s womb lept for joy. That baby was the future John the Baptist.

I think that is why so many of us feel so strongly about abortion that we never know who the future child that will be born is, and all are gifts from God and created in God’s image. Again, we have to suspend our thoughts and put on the mind of Christ as the scriptures teach.

And another prophetic word by Zechariah – the father of John the Baptist. Because he did not believe the word he received from the Lord when he was in the temple offering the sacrifice of the people, he was struck mute. Yet once his wife Elizabeth argued about the name that should be given to their child, the Lord gave him his voice back. Luke 1:67-80 (this was soon after Mary’s words). His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied that his son would be a prophet called by God the Most High. The miracle next to that of Elizabeth being barren, and old and still giving birth to a healthy child.

Those prophetic words and the many that the Bible contains are not just for your neighbor, your friend, or the people down the street, no. These words are for you and for me! There are prophets of today some are sound and teach truth and others I believe want to sow fear in our hearts. We do not need to have a spirit of fear but we must be of sound mind and that comes from putting on the armor of Christ!

Your challenge this week is to pray to discern God’s Word in the scripture and to pray to only hear the truth and discern when it is not of the Lord. May you be blessed today and always.

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Foundations of the Spiritual Life ~ Episode 307The foundation of a spiritual life is a call to holiness. We (the human race) must decrease as He (God) must increase. This, in essence, means dying to self, and no one in this age of temptation can say they do not struggle with this from time to time. We all, if we are striving for holiness will be before the face of God at some point, and we will have to account for our lives. Sure, there are many who believe that once saved, always saved, but this only goes so far. My Christian friends who share this philosophy will agree that you can not live a life of sin and claim to be saved. So, it is, yes–an acceptance of God as Lord and Savior, but also renouncing sin.
One of the greatest sermons of all time is the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5 through 7. Here, we learn at the feet of Jesus how we should live our lives. It starts beautifully with the Beatitudes Matthew 5:3-11 When I was younger, I read these passages and thought – well, I’m a failure; I am never going to make it to heaven. This is a tall order, and how can someone who lives as a mom and wife mourn, become poor in spirit, develop a pure heart, become a peacemaker, and be persecuted for righteousness’s sake? Well, as you know, just being in a family qualifies you if you are open to God’s will– and Christians are currently being persecuted for what they believe. Just putting the 10 Commandments in schools, as several states have asked, seems to cause an avalanche of lawsuits and cries of injustice.

Recipe for the Spiritual Life:Let’s read the Beatitudes: (Read on air)

Only through the gift of God’s grace can we achieve this. Doing it on our own will cause us to fail. And we need God’s grace to get through each day. The Kingdom of God was created for us; God created us to be immortal, to never die but to live forever with Him in the beautiful garden he created, but due to sin, this door was shut, and death and destruction entered, so that leaves us with free choice and free will. Evil happens when good people are too scared to speak out and to stop it because, as Matthew 5:10 states, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” We all want heaven without persecution!

Can you believe that the Creator of the Universe allows us a yes or no in deciding whether or not we want to serve Him? That is why Matthew 5:13 is so scary to us. It says,

The Narrow and Wide GatesHow can we find that narrow gate? How can we find the road that leads to life? Let’s look at the Old Testament for some help: 2 Kings. The book of Kings is about – yes, the Kings. Here, we learn the sad fate of the people who turned their backs on God. The intermarried people of different faiths were swayed in their worship, and the decline and collapse of Israel and Judah were devasting. Israel was captured by the Assyrians, and Judah was exiled to Babylon. They disobeyed the covenant of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and were handed down by Moses. God said, “I am your God, and you are my people.”

A quick search shows this verse is in Exodus and Jeremiah.

• Exodus 6:7: “You will be my people and I will be your God. I am the LORD your God, and you will know that I made you free from Egypt.”
• Jeremiah 30:22: “And you will be My people, and I will be your God.”
• Jeremiah 32:38: “They will be My people, and I will be their God.”
• Exodus 29:45-46: “I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them.

Our cry, personally in prayer, should be, “God! I want to be your people — please, please be my GOD!” We should also look at the example of King Hezekiah; he showed us how to find that narrow road and narrow gate.

• 10:1-7 and King Hezekiah. Read on air.

What did the King do? He repented, renounced his sin and the sins of the nation, fasted, and paid homage through sacrifice to the Lord. He also asked everyone to do the same. And God heard his prayer. The Lord is the beacon of light for those who love and trust Him. King Hezekiah trusted God no matter the outcome. He prayed and fulfilled another scripture—not to throw what is holy to the dogs or throw your pears to the swine.

Who would throw pearls to the swine? This is a colorful example that we read in Matthew 7:6, where Jesus says, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord is teaching, strengthening, and preserving our faith. Here, the Lord shares a jarring description of what happens when we take what is holy and should only be reserved for God, and we throw it, if you will, toward those who will not appreciate it. Take, for example, a movie star or perhaps a pop star. The obsession people have with these stars is an example of throwing your pearls. You are talking about a kind of worship and giving it to someone who won’t appreciate it coming from you. Collectively, we often hear the stars say how they appreciate their fans. But individually, no. The appreciation and worship you have are one-sided; they are not reciprocated.

However, our love and worship of the Lord is appreciated and blessed. Our worship does nothing to make God greater, but it is something we were created for — to love and serve the Lord. Getting too involved with the world can rob us of our faith and make it difficult to live our convictions. It takes our eyes off of God and puts them on another created being. This could be anything that we spend our time and focus on without time and focus on the Almighty.

In addition, these obsessions often cause compromise. We lose sight of what is holy. Sadly, this doesn’t help us eternally, and it isn’t going to get us anywhere. Surely, it is the wide road most traveled, not that narrow gate. We need time for God and a place in our home where we can pray and focus on our time with the Lord and not lose faith.

Ultimately, the spiritual life can be summed up in the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Basically, this means treating others as you would treat yourself. And this, my friends, is the key to finding that narrow gate. With confidence, we pray for God’s grace to follow this less-traveled path. Amen!

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What is a spiritual burden, and is this baggage, and does this pertain to you? I found that we all carry some baggage, and in this show, we will discuss ways to lessen the load.

Spiritual Baggage Episode 306What is spiritual baggage? Or should it be called spiritual burden? I heard a great analogy of this the other day, and it was related to backpacking in the wilderness. When roughing it, it is important to take the essential items the things (such as food and water) that you can not live without, but in doing so, you end up weighing down your bag. The more you add to your backpack, the more you have to carry, and after a while, it is so heavy it will become a burden or slow you down. This is the same with our spiritual burdens. These are the things that weigh us down and stifle our growth and relationship with the Lord. It affects our emotions,

It affects our emotions psychologically, our relationships, and our well-being. Not only are we struggling to carry this weight every day, but often, the baggage spills over onto others. There are all types of spiritual and emotional baggage, and this can be summed up in our emotional well-being. Are we hurt, frustrated, traumatized, or has our faith been damaged in some way? Often, when we struggle with trauma, we can become bogged down in grief, anger, or sadness. Daily we struggle with not getting enough done or accomplishing all we hoped, and then we are upset with ourselves or others.

If you’ve listened to this show, you know I encourage spending time with God. When I don’t, I feel like I let the Lord down, and my spiritual growth is inching along instead of leaping ahead. Many times, we struggle with unrealized goals or how we think things should turn out instead of actual circumstances.

Baggage can also be things of the past, fighting past sins or grievances. Perhaps we still struggle to forgive someone who has hurt us, or we are carrying the pain from past relationships. Something could trigger a past response or remind us of something in the past, and we react badly. Then, of course, that spirals into guilt.

I believe the worst baggage is the unidentified ones that are in our subconscious, but we don’t realize or just don’t acknowledge. This can affect our everyday interactions with our family and those around us. It keeps us in bondage, and that, my friends, is something we must rebuke.

Baggage slows us down and can keep us from living a life that is filled with love, laughter, and the knowledge that our lives center around our faith in God.

What should we do? Daily, we should put on the whole armor of God to combat the schemes of the evil one, as Scripture states! Read Ephesians 6

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (Read on air.)

Our spiritual baggage is not won by anything we can physically do on our own – as the scripture states, “for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” Strongholds are areas in our lives that we give over to the evil one!

I love Matthew 11:28-30. (Read on air.)

It gives us all so much hope! We are laboring and carrying a burden we don’t have to and that God never wanted us to carry. It is something that we have to release on a daily basis. I often pray, “Lord, I give you my worries, my needs, and all of the things I can not control in my life. Please, Lord, take this burden from me and allow me to rest in the knowledge that you are there for me, always.” Write your own prayer and focus on the words, allowing your burden to lighten. If you can’t think of anything, ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

We can overcome our struggles with anything by first acknowledging there is a problem. This is step one in any addiction program: recognizing you have an addiction first so that you can overcome it instead of being in denial and thinking it is not a problem. We can not overcome something we do not acknowledge.

Overcoming Spiritual Baggage

1. Spend time in prayer, asking the Lord to reveal burdened areas of your life and write them down.
2. Acknowledge these burdens with the hope that the Lord will lift them from you!
3. Pray. Ask someone to pray with you, visit your priest or clergy, and ask for help. If you have a prayer partner, ask them to pray as you discern ways to deal with the issues at hand.
4. Acknowledge anyone you need to forgive. Forgiving is a decision, not a feeling (Podcast on forgiveness here), and asking for forgiveness here.
5. Letting go and letting God is a form of releasing our stress and anxiety to Him and Him alone.
6. Asking the Lord into your heart in a deeper way and praying for God’s guidance and healing.
7. Surrendering all to the Lord. Daily.

Will you pray for me? I will pray for you that you can release your burdens to the Lord and enjoy life, because your burden will be light!

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Christian Retreat ~ At Home – Episode 213It is time to fill up your spiritual tank with a Christian retreat. No matter what time of the year a refilling is good and that begins with a good Bible Study, or you, the Holy Spirit, and a pad and paper. Have you ever tried to listen to God and then had a sense of something you wanted to write down? In this way, we can communicate (in our own fallen way) with the Almighty. While it is not the same as face-to-face, we’ll have to wait for that time at the end of our lives, it is still a way to have a Christian retreat in our own homes.

– and if you missed my podcast on Renewing Your Faith you can catch it here.

Not all of us can leave to go on a weekend retreat, but if you have ever had the opportunity to go on a really good one, you know the blessings are unsurpassed. In the past, we’ve talked about spending time with God, the entire purpose or theme of this podcast, but this takes it one step further. Prayer is a communication of some sort, many times we feel it is one-sided. We talk, we listen and we hear silence. Or we look for a particular feeling, one of joy, thanksgiving, or peace. When we try to find these things and don’t we feel that we’ve failed in some way, or perhaps given up.

If you could go on a retreat what are your goals? What is it that you would want to get out of it? Is it getting closer to God? Growing in your relationship? Is it learning, listening, or perhaps making a point to rely upon the Lord? Or, is it to rest in the Lord, to become infilled and empowered by the Holy Spirit?

Recently I read something that really caused me to analyze my own relationship with the Lord. It said that if we are short-tempered, finding ourselves quickly annoyed, or unable to deal with the detours of life, we need to look at our relationship with the Lord. The people who are on track, who have a good relationship with God, and who feel that they spend time in meaningful prayer, learning, sharing their faith, and giving of themselves in service to others are the ones that can handle most things calmly.

Wow, that was eye-opening. In fact, I had just shared with my husband shortly before that the opposite. I asked him why I was unable to deal with all of the minor issues, many of them computer related that normally didn’t cause me to become upset. In the space of two weeks, my husband’s website was hacked, junk emails were created and sent from his account, and we had to move our server to a more secure one including this podcast network and the other one I owned, and website. Not only that, but the accounting software my husband’s business uses was giving me issues! And, I had no patience at all.

Sure, we all have things that happen in our lives and sometimes we handle them better than others, but this type of thing never bothered me. I was attributing my irritations to getting older! But, the Lord set me straight. If I truly believe, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my savior, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 then I have to live my life in this way. And, the best way to begin is by filling back up and renewing my relationship with God.

And, today we will discuss a customized retreat just for you!

First, if you have been on a retreat, think about some of the things you enjoyed. I’m going to share my list with you, be sure to add to this or subtract things that don’t interest you. You may need to tweak or adjust it to fit your schedule.

My favorite aspects of the retreat are the following?

1. Quiet.
2. Time for prayer.
3. Praise and Worship.
4. Solitude.
5. Time for confession.

Retreats usually contain some type of guest speaker who gets us started on the journey of turning our hearts toward God. This may be several talks or one key talk. I spent the weekend at a retreat that started with a keynote on a Friday evening, then the silent part of the retreat. We were asked to go back to our rooms, and if we had a roommate to still remain silent. We could break our silence the next day at breakfast. The focus was on giving our thoughts to God and reading, praying or spending time in that quiet thinking about what the speaker said that was impactful but more importantly to train our busy minds to slow down. When you take communication out of the equation and are forced into quiet it is amazing. It allows you a chance to breathe and relax.

When you are in the car, can you just drive in silence? If the answer is always no, maybe it is time to begin your car trip with prayer. I plan to do another podcast on this very topic at some point soon. I use my car trips always the very beginning of one to pray. Once I am finished with my prayers, then I can flip on the radio or podcasts. But first I must have time with God.

The point of a retreat is relationship and communication only with the Lord. It can be a time of prayer and petition for yourself, wait another time to pray for others, unless you are really led to do it during this time.

So, your dream retreat what would it look like? Here is a thumbnail outline to start you off.

1. First, ask the Lord to fill you to overflowing with His love joy, and peace or whatever the goals are for your retreat.
2. Find a quiet place. Somewhere you will not be interrupted.
3. Have a journal, a pen, your Bible, and something to drink.
4. Praise God – either in word or song. If you can sing, do it! Have a favorite playlist? Play it.
5. Wait until you feel the joy or the sense of peace and allow that to fill you in the quiet. Remain in this way as long as you’d like or time permits.
6. Write down any thoughts or words. Don’t be in a hurry with this. Close your eyes and just wait upon the Lord.
7. Read scripture if you are led to a particular scripture. Again, write down the words that touch you, and in the quiet and listen. Mediate on what they mean in your life.
8. Ask the Lord, in prayer to strengthen your faith (or whatever it is you want to ask the Lord).
9. Write down any thoughts or goals you want for this day or the future. Make these goals reachable!
10. Praise God and thank Him for this time with Him.

Create your own retreat and you will be blessed.

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Who are the peacemakers? Are you a peacemaker, and do you find yourself in that role? What does the Holy Bible say? This podcast discusses being a peacemaker and how we can all strive to do our part.

Peacemakers ~ EpisodeIf you look up the word online, you will find that being a peacemaker is not a good thing. In all fairness, this information came from a search using the latest AI technology, artificial intelligence. There have always been computer programs that search for keywords and match websites with the words. However, the latest technology gives a synopsis of what is found in literal seconds, which needs to be corrected. One of the reasons is technology does not have a heart; a human element is missing.

My search showed me that a peacemaker is drawn to those who disagree and are typically worn out or frustrated, and it is a person who does not take care of themselves. While all of that can be correct, making a blanket statement in some people is not always good. It is said that peacemakers are not assertive. How can you be a peacemaker without speaking up and trying to see things from different sides? That requires diplomacy. Sure, not everyone is diplomatic, but it is a gift if you are. I try to see things from both sides outside my family, and the frustration comes when I can not understand an evil motivation. I can not computer things like abortion on demand or late-term abortion. In truth, I can not understand abortion at all, the killing of a life. In some states, legally. As one popular television personality said, he was for abortion. He agreed it was murder, and he said he could live with that thought and urged abortion advocates to embrace that terminology.

Wow. Our world is a place where evil is recognized and allowed. And we should all be okay with it—are you? We must pray, dear friends, because there is good news. The good news is that Jesus reigns now and forever, and evil has no hold over those who profess Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior (if they live holy and, in my case, sacramental lives).

When we discuss the word peace in a religious context, we are talking about a feeling that comes from an action. This can be caused by an action on our part, being in a quiet room, reading a scripture verse, and meditating on the meaning, which comes from God’s grace. However, a peacemaker can refrain from using words that can incite or cause problems or dissension. A peacemaker can see a situation that has gotten out of control and turn it around into one that is diffused, forcing those in disagreement to agree or compromise.

Recently, I watched someone do this effortlessly. This person took a volatile situation filled with misunderstanding and frustration and, in a few sentences, told each of those affected what the other was trying to say diplomatically. I was impressed. It caused me to think and consider the idea of being a peacemaker. Who are those who strive for peace, and how are they rewarded? As the scriptures tell us – we are told, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Wow! I want to be called a child of God.

I have to admit that I have not always been a peacemaker outside my family. It is sometimes easy to get others riled up, and it is under the guise of teasing, just having fun, or trying to make a point. I realized that it did more harm than good, and while I am not being specific here in my examples, I believe we can all look at our own lives and find situations where we could have used our words more effectively and in a way that would do good rather than harm.

Being a peacemaker is a good thing. In the Bible, we have Christ’s wonderful words when he was surrounded by the crowds. The Beatitudes contain words we should read daily (read on air).

These are words we should read daily. I remember reading these words back in my smart-aleck days and thinking, well, I’m no meek or humble; I’m in trouble! Friends, I was laughing at myself here and kidding around, but I had much work to do on my spiritual journey! It has been quite the journey, and the Lord is still working with me—praise you, Jesus!

Being a peacemaker in this world means making a conscious effort to examine your words, what you are saying, and how they impact the lives of others. Words matter. (More on air.)

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Did you know there are questions Christians ask? What are they, and how does this pertain to you whether you are walking with the Lord or don’t know Him? In this episode, we explore this idea of questions we should ask and ponder.

Questions Christians Ask ~ Episode 303I ask questions all the time. It is the nature of a teacher to ask, or it is part of my makeup anyway. When my kids misbehaved, I asked them questions to see exactly why they were stubbornly refusing the rules or if they had a different motivation. My husband, an athlete, would ask my children, “What were you thinking?” when they were playing sports and messed up. We ask questions each day, of ourselves or others. How many of us use popular search engines online on our computers or phones to search for answers to our questions?

Besides typical questions we ask, there are those that are deep.

1. What is the meaning of life?
2. Why am I here?
3. What is my purpose?
4. Who am I?
5. What do I believe?

Many of these questions, while asked by the greatest minds of all times, philosophers, and others throughout the centuries, all stemmed from a lack of purpose, knowledge, and faith.

So, it should not be startling that, as Christians, we should also ask questions. “Does God exist?”

If we are honest with ourselves, we have all wondered if God exists at some point. Sure, we can attribute that thought to the evil one, but all people struggle with the idea, “What if it is not true?” at some point in their lives.

But, “What if it is true?”

The worst that can happen if you follow a Christian life is that you may die, and there is no heaven. The worst that can happen if you deny Christ exists is eternal damnation. Don’t take my word for it, look it up! However, if you don’t believe the Bible is true, that may be problematic.

Questions Christians Ask ~ Leading a Virtuous LifeFor those of us who have faith, we know that God does not force anyone to believe, however, He is clear in the scriptures that there is only one way to heaven. What is the way? Deny yourself, pick up the cross, and follow Him. Denying yourself means leaving sin behind. Picking up your cross deals with facing the trials in life (that we all face at one time or another). No one who is deeply in sin is happy. Sin makes a person miserable.

How do we know God asks us to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior? And, should we fear? Of course not, but be warned. Let’s read Matthew 10:32-33 (Read on air)

Mark 8:38 (Read on air)

Sounds like that verse is very applicable today.

John 3:36 is a verse we know. (Read on Air)

God is loving, kind, full of grace, and ready to forgive. God is also righteous. Often we think God must act the way we expect Him to while we get a pass. We expect more out of the Almighty than we are willing to do ourselves.

The ultimate question we should ask is are we ready to meet our maker? Are we ready to face the Lord? Many of us are not. We each need to strive through God’s grace to avoid sin. That is why we pray for God’s grace. God has given us a conscience for this very reason. Many know in their hearts that God exists but are not ready to follow Him on His terms.

At the beginning of this podcast, I listed some age-old questions. Let’s look at these questions in light of Christianity. How would you answer them?

1. What is the meaning of life?
2. Why am I here?
3. What is my purpose?
4. Who am I?
5. What do I believe?

I’m not going to answer these questions for you, but I do know how I would answer them. This is one of those times that I really wish we were all in a room together so we could discuss everyone’s answers! Take some time to truly think about these questions, and if you are struggling with the answers, go to the scriptures and read them, especially the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There you will find the answers and that my friends should give us joy. May God be praised now and forever.

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At church, you often hear that God is with you, but do you really believe that is true? How would you lead your life if you thought about the Lord walking beside you daily? And, should you think of the Almighty in such a personal way? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz explores these thoughts.

God IS With You ~ Episode 302I’m a note-taker, even at church. Sometimes, after prayer, I look through my notes to see if something resonates in my heart. This struck me as I read the words: “God is with you…” Take a few moments to consider this. How does it make you feel?

More importantly, do you believe it? Do you truly believe that God is with You?

Matthew 28:16-20 – The Great Commission (Read on air)

From the mouth of Jesus, friends! “…Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Now do you believe? If you are a Bible believer your answer should be a resounding, “Heck, Yeah!” If you are not a Bible believer, I can understand your hesitancy. How can you become a believer? Renounce sin, follow Christ, and at your first opportunity, receive Baptism in the Name of the Father, the Name of the Son, and the Name of the Holy Spirit.

Receiving Christ into your hearts should bring you peace. And, considering God the Son being with you should bring you hope and happiness. What a wonderful thing to consider.

God Is With You And Gives You HopeWe have such hope in our faith, don’t we? We may be challenged to lead better lives and to choose better options in our prayer and spiritual lives, but truly, there is hope. There is always hope when we lean upon the Lord, and realize that He is here in our midst. And we are assured that Jesus cares about us and our needs in a personal way. We have verse after verse in the Bible about how Jesus spoke to the common people, he lived a humble life. He could have come as a prince of men, but instead, He came as the Prince of Peace, the Prince of the heavenly realm.

Jesus walked among men, and through His example, we see how to live. As we reflect on these thoughts, how do you feel God is calling you today? He does call us each day to a deeper walk, but many times we are so busy we ignore this call. We know the call is there (search your hearts) but we often say in our minds, later. I will get to it later.

Later may never come! Do it today. Do it now! Recommit your life to Christ, thank Him for being with you, ask Him into your heart. Ask Him to give you the strength, the grace, and the joy that comes from doing what you should do all the time. If we strive for the best and we fall short that is better than striving to do the minimum and falling short of our goal. No one said following Christ is easy, but it truly is rewarding.

Do you need hope? Do you need strength? Do you need God’s grace? Ask.When we struggle, we often forget to pray. We are so bogged down with the problem at hand that our minds race to come up with solutions, or for some, to ignore the problem and carry on, or worse, shut down. We must persevere and consider that God’s word is truth. When Jesus rose into heaven He did not leave us orphans, He sent the Holy Spirit to infill the disciples to empower and strengthen them to face death.

John 14:1-2 (Read on air)

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe[a] in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Then read John 14:15-25, I will read you a portion of it…

Then in verses 25-28

Jesus taught the disciples, these simple men, that the first thing they must do is believe, not let their hearts be troubled, and be fearless because God is in control. This tells us also the same thing. God is here; He is in our midst, and we should not fear. Amen, and Amen!

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Blessed Assurance – Episode 178There are few things in life we have assurance in but with the Lord, we have the blessed assurance that He is there for us. In this episode, we look at the ways that we know, that we know, that we know that God is in charge and there for us.

I’d love for you to visit my website MediaAngels.com and to look at some of my books, for example, a book that will help kids with faith: Print version or download: A Few Minutes with God plus study guide

Great for summer reading: The Truth Seekers Mystery Series – Entire Set and Study Guides

And, my book that tells how one big mistake translates into three more blessings — One More Child: Book

UnknownsSo many things in life are unknown. In fact, each day is like an adventure we never know what to expect or what we will find. Even if we have everything planned and scheduled the unexpected can throw us off. In fact, this happens to me all of the time. What about your life? Is it predictable? Or, like many do you have unexpected surprises (not the good kind) that take away your peace and sometimes even your joy. My daughter reminded me recently that in my quest for making sure that things go according to plans (mine not necessarily God’s) I tend to rush things. Recently something was not turning out the way I had hoped and she reminded me that it was God’s will and not mine that needed to take a front and center role. And, she is right.

What is the ultimate goal in our lives? The eternal and the salvation of our souls. Not what goes the way we hoped or planned and definitely not what we think should happen rather than what does actually happen. Sure, we can still plan and we can still hope. Hopefully, we are praying with a focus on what is truly important

There is blessed assurance in:1. Eternal life for those who follow the Lord. John 10:28 states – I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 2. God’s enduring love – Psalm 107:1 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever… 3. Unfailing love – Psalm 36:7 – How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. 4. Faith without sight. We know that we know that we know that God is there for us: 1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 5. God is always with us. Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Read these scriptures and study them.Write then in a prayer journal. Look them up and the verses that surround them and tell me how you feel after you read them after you allow the words to permeate your heart, and after you rest in the assurance, the blessed assurance that you are not allowed. By opening yourself up to the love of God you will realize that any pain we have or disappointments are already known by the Lord.

When we have hardship and disappointments we typically learn from these experiences.It is after the fact that we realize the growth and the lessons learned. Of course in the midst of the struggles we won’t see this nor will we look at the situation with fondness. None of us want to struggle and hurt. But just as we grow we see that there is no way we would learn what we now know without this effort. This love of God and his provision and this assurance allows us to expand our horizons and to understand that with the Lord we can come as we are.

There are no illusions or false faces we put on because God knows us better than we know ourselves.We can live our lives trying to do the best that we can but the assurance we have is the safety net that is God’s love for us and His providence. We can place our trust in His capable hands, recognizing that He has plans for us. These plans will unfold if we simply seek His guidance. As Christians, we invite Him into our hearts, yet we often forget to invite Him into our daily lives.

The ultimate goal?Heaven and we can be assured, John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” What a blessed assurance our salvation is to us as we traverse this obstacle course of the life in which we live avoiding the traps, going around the hardships, and learning from our mistakes.

Let Us Pray –I praise you and thank you my God for you are good and gracious. Lord, I trust in you and realize that all that I have and am is known by you… I can rest, rest assured that you are there for me and that in my times of need you are holding me up, even if I do not feel it. Thank you, Lord, for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for loving those I care for and I ask a special blessing for the following… dear Lord please hear my petitions and even those I did not mention, and I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Allow God ~ Episode 301Allow God in, allow God to use you, and let God’s love penetrate your heart. I’m sure you’ve heard all of these things and lots more if you’ve been a Christian for any time, but how do you allow God? Truly? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz discusses her struggles and victories.

Consider this: the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God, has given us the incredible gift of free will. He allows us to choose, to say yes or no. He even allows us to take the driver’s seat in our lives. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself, how’s that working out for you? Reflect on the times when you’ve chosen your own path instead of surrendering to God’s will.

How did that work out for you? I can tell you it didn’t work out well for me!

You may have seen pictures of allowing Jesus to be a driver in our car, the car symbolizing our lives. We are the passengers, and we allow Him to take the wheel. Whenever we get ahead of the Lord’s plans for our lives, things begin to fall apart, even if they are well-meaning. Then, we need to stop, re-evaluate, and make another plan.

Take a sheet of paper or your prayer journal and write the words “Allow God” as your heading. Once you’ve done that, begin with prayer and ask the Lord how you need to allow Him into your life more deeply. Take some time for this activity; I promise it will change your life.

When we allow God in, it may be painful at first. We may need to purge some of the baggage we’ve carried around with us, some of us for years. We may need to forgive those who have hurt us, and we may need to shed a few tears.

Your experience may be different. You may find yourself set free, feel a weight lifted off your shoulders, and, for the first time, genuinely focus on what it means to let the Lord into your life.

One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11 (Read on air).

Surrendering to God allows that joy to seep in, enabling us to have a deeper faith and hope in the providence of Almighty God. I find that when I surrender, I have greater peace and am less stressed about things because I am confident that the Lord hears me, even if his answer is no or not yet.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we read (Read on air).

As my husband reminds me when we are tested or going through trials, the Lord shows up in a mighty way and gives us the grace to handle it – this grace is His love.

James 4:7-10 (Read on air.)

Think about that: when we draw closer to God, He will draw near to us! Praise you, Jesus, come, Lord Jesus, come!

One of the surprising joys of allowing God is how He can use me in His work. At times when I was home (and I shared this with you before on this podcast), I felt like I wanted to be the one out there sharing the good news. Instead, I was home, caring for the kids, washing the millionth load of laundry, and vacuuming the floors. Invariably, something would happen: the pest control guy would show up, or something would break. The Lord allowed me to share my love for Him in those times.

I try to remember this when things break or I am interrupted. When we say, “Your will, Lord, not mine,” amazing things happen!

Are you ready to let go and let God into your life? Are you ready? Then say it with me, “Yes, Lord, Yes!”

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Journal – How-ToEpisode 25Journal – how to do it and keep it consistent is the emphasis of today’s podcast. Do you keep one in the traditional way or do you keep a journal as a tool to jump start your Christian walk?

Journaling is an amazing way to see the truth, answered prayers and your spiritual growth. There are many ways to journal and there is no definitive way, however, in this episode, we discuss ways to journal.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins

How to get started:You can pick up a book and start writing and that would be considered a journal, but I prefer this method which I will share with you. I found that the way I set up my journal that the most impact on the way I was consistent or not. When you journal, make it personal.

You can find some very inexpensive books at the store. I found very inexpensive lined-paper, bound books for a few dollars with a hardcover that I prefer.

I set mine up with a combination of praises and prayer requests. It was a wonderful way to begin and I felt that praising God and thanking him for all he had done for me!

It allowed me to ask Him in prayer without the fear that I had not been grateful for all the ways He has blessed me! I also wondered if God heard me, which was another reason I would write. In this way I felt I had a conversation going with the Lord.

How To:

1. Purchase a small journal and keep it handy.
2. Keep it with your Bible.
3. Write on the cover or inside — make it your own.
4. Divide your journal if you would like the way I did, in my explanation in this podcast, or…
5. Just begin writing. It helps to put the date of your journal entry.
6. Try to write in your journal every day.

I wanted to praise God before I prayed. I felt that I wasn’t being thankful.

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Planning Time For God Podcast #3Have you ever wondered how you can really love someone you’ve never met? It might seem tricky at first, but the answer is pretty simple—get to know them! Just like making a new friend, you spend time with them, talk to them, and learn about their likes and dislikes.

Now, think about this in terms of God. We often hear that God loves us, but how can we love Him back if we feel like we don’t know Him? The key is to spend time with God, just like you would with a new friend.

In today’s episode, we’re going to explore the wonderful love God has for us and how we can get to know Him better. When you spend time with someone, you learn more about who they are, and the same goes for God. By reading stories from the Bible, praying, or just talking to Him about your day, you start to build a connection.

Prayer is like having a direct chat with God.You can thank Him, ask for help, or even tell Him about things that worry you. Reading the Bible helps too because it’s like reading letters from a friend. The Bible tells us about God’s personality, His plans, and how much He cares for us.

Another great way to feel closer to God is by spending time in nature or listening to music that makes you think of Him. These moments can help you feel His presence and love more deeply.

So, remember, getting to know God is like getting to know a new friend. The more time you spend with Him, the closer you’ll feel. Let’s take this journey together and learn how deep and amazing God’s love for us is!

Sponsor: Media Angels, Inc. Novels – Truth Seekers Mystery Series available on Amazon. Three novels for tweens!

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins

Show Notes: Planning Time For God

1. Can you love someone you don’t know?
2. What is the best way to get to know someone?
3. How is your faith strengthened in prayers?

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When was the last time you wrote your own prayer? What about a prayer to God? Have you ever done this? If not, today is the day. In this episode, Felice Gerwitz explains how she expressly keeps a small journal in her purse for this purpose.

Prayer To God – Episode 300Have you ever tried to write a prayer? We have such a great example, The Lord’s Prayer that perhaps we think there is no way we can even come close. Well, praying is from the heart, and it can be something you pray about and think about or something that comes to mind quickly. Yet prayer is more than a list of petitions and needs it is also a time to thank and praise God.

So many times, we feel that our prayers are not answered, that God does not hear us, but what I’ve learned over the years is that God absolutely hears us and knows the needs of our heart before we even ask for it, but we still ask. If our prayers look like a list of what we’d like to see happen, even if it is well-meaning, we may need to tack on “your will, Lord, not mine.” That, my friends, is the hardest thing to do, to die to ourselves to die for what we want!

Here are some podcasts to help you with prayer:

• Never Underestimate Prayer
• Praying Moms

• Joyful and Battle Ready Before Jesus gave us the Lord’s prayer what preceded was chastisement or a warning how not to pray! In a nutshell and in our terms it is:

• Don’t pray loudly before others (because our reward would be on earth, from those who consider us pious) rather than by our heavenly Father.

• Don’t brag about praying.
• Don’t brag about how much you tithe or give to charity
• Don’t be proud of yourself for how much you give to charity.
• If you pray or you give do it from the heart and not because of your reward in heaven.

Let’s read the Lord’s Prayer as the ultimate example of how to pray. Matthew 6:5-14 (Read on Air)

Later in Luke, we read a slight variation. In this case, the Lord had been praying, and his disciples asked him how to pray.

Luke: 11:1-4 (read on air)

In the example of how to pray, we see that first:

1. We praise God’s name.
2. We ask for God’s will to be done here and in heaven.
3. We ask God for our needs – our daily bread.
4. We ask for forgiveness of our sins.
5. We ask for the Lord’s protection against the evil one
6. We ask that the Lord forgive us as we forgive others.

Our prayer does not need to follow a formula or be in this exact order, but it is helpful to see how the Lord taught us to pray. If you feel awkward about this, don’t. I keep a small notebook in my purse for the times I am inspired to pray, usually it is while at church. Most of the time my prayers are for those that I pray for regularly, like family members. Currently, the prayers include dear friends who are struggling and ill. Whoever is on your list, by writing it down, helps us to remember and recall who we should pray for and their needs.

In celebration of the 300th episode of A Few Minutes with God, Media Angels is making the eBook, A Few Minutes with God, free until Saturday, 4/27/24

Get your copy here.

Introduce your children to a deeper walk of faith, within the pages of a novel, A Few Minutes with God.

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Relationships are built over time and yet can be destroyed in seconds. It all depends on the foundation. In this episode, Felice Gerwitz shares how our relationship with the Lord can endure and carry us through our most difficult times to victory, in Jesus!

Restoring Relationships ~ Episode 299Relationships matter, whether with someone you love, someone you like, or someone you don’t like but need to get along with at work or school. Relationships are the very fabric of human culture, and our relationship with God is the main theme that runs through the Old and New Testaments. Our pastor likes to discuss relationships when he talks about scripture, and in fact, he has preached on the topic in sermon after sermon, pointing to the first sin (Adam and Eve and their disobedience in the garden (Genesis 3) and how sin is a break in their relationship. In regard to Adam and Eve their breach of relationship with the creator, God. The same with all of the human race afterward.

The cause of the brokenness led the people of God to rebel time after time after time. For the last two years, I’ve been studying the Bible, and I become weary, to say the least, when I have to listen to the whining of the Israelites in the desert or the distress of Moses when, once again, the people turn back to their false gods. Yet, it is a reminder to us all that restoring relationships between a nation of people, and God is symbolic of our relationship with the Almighty.

Yet, time and time again, after the rebellion, God still calls for us to return. In Isaiah 65:17-21 we read:

If you are familiar with the Bible, those verses are familiar to you; if not, spend some time with the Bible and look them up, study them, and apply them not only to the people for whom they were written at the time, yes– but it was written for us today. God is promising us a new Jerusalem, and He sent his son, Jesus, to us in order to live, teach, and sacrifice so that this could happen. We have a new life with Jesus; we have a new life for eternity.

We cling to this life, we all do. We know this world and even with all of its flaws and the trials we face daily, we don’t want to leave anytime soon. Yet, Jesus, in His entire work on earth, continued to call us to open His arms wide and to reclaim and restore the people. The New Jerusalem is Christ, He is the fulfillment of the Scriptures, and he is the fruit of our faith and hearlds the new heaven on earth. He proclaimed the Kingdom of God is at Hand! That saying stumped me because I was looking too deeply instead of seeing it for what it was, Jesus, the Kingdom fulfilled and at hand.

The proclamation of the Kingdom of God is the news that Jesus Christ, true man, and true God– Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy. Just as Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet and serving them bread and wine at the Last Supper, for us these signs point to a deeper truth. Jesus himself is the bread and wine, he asked of us to eat of the flesh and drink of the blood. For some the saying was too harsh.

Restoring Relationships True FoodRead all of John Chapter 6 but an excerpt is here, John 6:53-59

The teaching was too hard for many. Is it too hard for you and for me? The apostles were stumped, but not Peter. The same Peter who would later deny Jesus three times. John 6:66-68

How do we feel about these verses? Do we wish to go away like so many did? It always struck me that Jesus didn’t call them back, He didn’t say, “Wait! I was talking symbolically.” It was problematic for many at the time and for many today.

Do we truly believe that Jesus wants to restore us, to restore our relationship with Him? Perhaps your church celebrates the Last Supper symbolically by sharing bread and wine. My church celebrates the Last Supper in communion each time we attend Mass. We truly believe the words of Christ. Literally.

In communion, we are united with Jesus in a deeper way; we strive to live lives with God’s grace that are pleasing to Him. The King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is truly the Messiah. When we approach the altar, we bring Him our worries, our concerns, our problems, our failures, and our joys. We lay them there at the foot of the cross. Jesus died once and for all. We do this as he said, In remembrance of me.” With God, there is no time. He is with us always in the present. Mind-blowing, I know!

Take the idea of a relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to heart. Bring your concerns to Him, the Almighty, He is waiting to restore you and to bring you with Him into everlasting life at the end of your life. If you have time compose a prayer to the Lord, and pray it daily. Ask Him to bring you into a deeper relationship with Him and start today!

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We are Resurrection People! Consumed by joy! Shouldn’t that be the theme of our lives, especially for those of us who are committed Christians? If you feel your life currently falls short, listen in as Felice Gerwitz explores ways to bring that joy back into your life.

Consumed By Joy ~ Resurrection People Episode 298As I share this podcast, we’ve completed our Lenten journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This does not mean we should ever stop; it just means that during Lent, we seem to make a renewed effort to turn our hearts to God. It seems that when Easter Sunday finally comes, we are past ready to rejoice and sing Halleluiah! This is what we’ve been waiting for, and in a renewed way we see it in the lives of our family and extended family members when we gather to celebrate.

Easter is so much more than chocolate bunnies and overly commercialized merchandise. We are so blessed as Christians to see this and to bring this reality to our family celebrations. The focus is on the Resurrection, and as I prayed about this, I kept thinking the words, “Resurrection people—we are Resurrection people.” But, what does that mean? So, I prayed and I researched and I finally concluded it means different things to each one of us, depending on our journey toward the Lord.

Consumed By Grief – Now Consumed By Joy:I read a quote from John Paul II that said, “We are a Resurrection people and Alleluia is our song!” In other words, we rejoice in what the Lord has done for us, and we celebrate this in our hearts and minds. If we allow it to, this is transformative. We are no longer in the proverbial “ashes and sackcloth”. We are in celebratory mode.

We are consumed by grief as we read the scripture verses about the crucifixion and the Marys at the foot of the cross. John 19: 25-26 (read on air)

We know from scripture study that the disciple is John. They watched in horror, and we are often in horror as we read those verses. Most of the time, if you are like me, you want to skip the verse and go straight to the resurrection, the empty tomb, but I often remind myself that without the crucifixion, there is no resurrection. In this, we can be overcome and depressed and even despair, but we know the end of the story. We know that our despair as Jesus was taken to the tomb was short-lived. When we are discouraged, when we have doubts, when we are depressed or in desperate situations, we rely on the Lord because, by the very fact that we are Baptized Christians, we no longer belong in despair but should be reminded to rejoice!

We should bring the Lord all of the situations in our lives, our pain and suffering, our impatience and irritation with others, and ourselves… when we look at those things in light of the death and resurrection, we can see that our worries and our cares are fleeting in the grand scheme of things. Sure, we can acknowledge our pain and our suffering, but we also must put that in perspective. The evil one wants us to wallow in pain, in guilt, in self-recrimination, but Jesus, to a sinner, says, come.

We were blessed to attend the Easter Vigil, that is the service, the Mass that begins on the evening before Easter. It begins in some churches after sundown at 8 or 8:30. This service is beautiful in that the readings are from the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis 1:1-2:2, verses from the Psalms are read in between, and then verses from the Old Testament. Most notably as follows:

• Genesis 22:1-18
• Exodus 14:15-15:1
• Isaiah 54:5-14
• Isaiah 55:1-11
• Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4.4
• Ezekiel 36:16-17, 18-28

New Testament:

• Romans 6:3-11
• Mark 16:1-7

Some services select four from the Old Testament and Mark from the New Testament. This is so that salvation history is read and the fulfillment of the words is joyously proclaimed. Mark 16:5-7

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went looking for the Messiah, but instead, they became disciples—they were the bearers of good news to tell Peter and the others! What an extraordinary grace! They were previously consumed by sorrow, and now they were consumed by joy! God, the creator of the universe, showed us that nothing is too small or too insignificant for Him. He showed us by his extreme sacrifice that our sins would be redeemed and that our sorrow was no longer necessary.

We are resurrection people. Please take some time to think about this and what it means to you. Just like you, I have problems, difficulties, and sorrows. Sometimes, the burden seems too big to carry, and I despair. Yet I know that the Holy Spirit dwells within me by virtue of my Baptism, by virtue of my yes to the Lord, and sometimes, it is a yes that happens multiple times a day. When we consider the resurrection, our hearts should be consumed by joy; it should convert us, and if not, think and pray about this if you can.

We have so many stumbling blocks we put up on our own and in the Name of Jesus, we pray they are removed! Our desire and longing should be for the Lord, for relationship with Him and our prayer is: “Dear Lord, please fan the flames of your love for us, within us, let it rage like a bonfire and ignite our hearts with love for You as you have love for us.” Amen!

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God’s Grace is SufficientEpisode 21God’s grace, is it sufficient for you? Or do you rely on the world for the help you need? In 2 Corinthians 12:9 we read the passage that many sermons are built around, but how do we apply this to our life? In this episode, I’ll explain how I strive to have more of Him and less of me in my life.

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How do we live a grace-filled life when most of the time we can hardly get out of bed without being overwhelmed with all that needs to be done each day? Now that my children are older I’ve taken on some extra activities that put me in the path of people from all walks of life. Some are Christians, others are not, but it is hard to tell the difference. Years ago a good friend of mine used to be asked all the time, “What is different about you?” She carried the joy of Jesus Christ with her wherever she went. She was my writing partner and while we each attended different churches, she was an evangelical Christian and mostly attended non-denominational churches, I am a Catholic. We agreed on the solid foundation that without Jesus there can be no joy in your life.

Jill showed the love of Jesus in her life. She showed others that even if she was under a life burden she would still praise God. Jill loved her children unconditionally as she loved her friends and even her acquaintances. She didn’t live a life without hardship. She went through a painful divorce, bankruptcy and she died suddenly in 2007. Before she died she told me she would soon be homeless if things didn’t change in her life. Yet, she told me she was not worried – she had God. And, instead of being homeless, God took her home. I have never publically told that story before, and while I still miss her tremendously I am happy for her because I know that as she lived she was an example of God’s grace being enough.

It is the inspiration from friends that we surround ourselves with that we too can learn about that joy and that grace should be sufficient for us. That grace that surpasses anything that we can earn or attain in this world. Remember friends, it is in Him that we can have true life. As I record this episode it is the end of November and I approach the Christmas season with a sense of expectancy in the true miracle of the birth of Christ, but also in the miracle that we can be, by example for each other.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

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Agony and VictoryIs there such a thing as agony and victory? Everyone has agonized over something in their lives, yet there is hope. Most of us on this side of heaven have struggled and had trials and tribulations. In this podcast, we discuss agony with a twist: the victory that comes on the other side.

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Jesus wants us to live a life free from agony and strife. He wants us to live a victorious life, but how can we do so when there are so many hardships in our lives? How can we hold on to the hope that is the bedrock of our faith without caving in and losing hope? We can do this by looking at the scriptures but also taking them into our hearts and applying them to our lives.

Jeremiah is one of my favorite prophets in the Bible. I love his steadfast, single-minded focus on the mission at hand. Like most disciples, he left his family and home to pursue the mission God called him to, and in so doing, tragedy could have been averted. There was a movie made for television on the prophet Jeremiah. As we watched it, I kept stopping the DVD player to say to the children who were watching it with me at the time, “Look! Look! Do you hear that? It is the same thing that is happening today.” Finally, the children were so frustrated they asked if we could finish the movie before we talked about it.

The movie depicted Jeremiah’s upward battle and struggle as he agonized over sharing God’s message with an unwilling people. He was willing to articulate his agony in Jeremiah 20:10:13 (Read on air).

God is a God of mercy and forgiveness, but also righteousness. Jeremiah says, “But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior, so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.” When God sends someone to do His mission, He will equip them and provide for them. Jeremiah’s message was not very different from Jonah’s message to Ninevah: Repent. Repent. Repent. Yet, while Jonah was not a very good prophet and was a reluctant one, Jeremiah was obedient, and it cost him so much.

Jeremiah is said to be a prefigurment or a type of Christ in that he was crushed, maligned, rejected, and in anguish, the same as Jesus during his passion, the way of the cross toward the crucifixion.

Jesus quotes the words of Jeremiah: Jeremiah 5:12 (Read on air.) in Mark 8:18 – “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?”

He also quoted Jeremiah 7:11. (Read on air) with Mark 11:17 (Read on air.) and also Luke 19:46

Why did Jesus quote Jeremiah? Because he, too, was rejected, despised, maligned, crushed, and in anguish. As Jesus reflected on the words of Jeremiah, he must have heard an echo of what was to come. The amazing thing, as our pastor pointed out during a sermon, is the same people, the Pharisees, scribes, and scholars who were amazed at the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, amazed at his wisdom and comments and answers to the questions, were now ready to get rid of Him. These were the same people who wanted to crucify him.

The lesson is that out of His suffering, redemptive suffering for all of us comes the VICTORY of the Resurrection. Jesus was born, lived a simple life, and died on the cross to set us free. We can now rejoice because, as we read in the scriptures, the victory has been won!

1 Corinthians 15:54 (Read on air)

The death of Christ was not the end, as we head into the last week before Easter we recall His passion, the events leading up to His crucifixion, but it is what is on the other side that leads us to rejoice!

Jesus wants us to be whole; he wants us to be without the burdens we carry. Yet, he wants us to strive for truth and righteousness. To be like Him, we can look at the example of his mother, Mary. She said to do what he tells you at the wedding feast in Cana. She points to her son, and we, too, take that clue and abandon ourselves to Him.

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina said, “The cross will not crush you; if its weight makes you stagger, its power will also sustain you.” Isn’t that beautiful? It is such a powerful truth. The crosses in our lives often make us stronger, and we grow through suffering.

God abandoned himself for us; shouldn’t we abandon ourselves to Him?

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Luke 9:20:23—After Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” Jesus gave one of his most famous discourses. He predicted His death and gave us a mission in life.

After Peter said, he was the Messiah. Luke 9:21-23 Read On Air.

Friends, to be disciples and follow, we must pick up our crosses daily. When we agonize and despair when we are rejected, lonely, and forgotten, remember the one who will never abandon or forget you, and cry out to Him. When agony comes, remember victory is at the other end. Maybe not how we would like it, but always within the perfect will of God. As we approach Easter or whatever time of year you are listening to this podcast, focus on the task at hand, yes—but rejoice in the Lord and His perfect will in our lives.

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Jesus and His Mother ~ Episode 296Have you considered Jesus’s relationship with His Mother, Mary? By examining this aspect of Sacred Scripture, we can grow in our love for our Lord.

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A Son’s Love For His Mother:

Many of you listening have children or extended families. We know of the bond between mother and child and mother and son. We mothers have the ability to love without limit, and it grows with each child. Sometimes we wonder if we will have enough love, but then, our love expands. In our human condition, we have the ability to love, but can you imagine the love of the Son, Jesus Christ, for His Mother? Yet, we know Jesus and his mother spent time together; she raised him after all; she cooked, bathed, and took care of him. If we love our own parents, how much more did the Lord love his Mother?

Why would Jesus love his mother other than the obvious? When we read scripture, we can see the great sacrifice she went through and how his love must have expanded. Yes, I am using words we understand to describe a Divine occurrence, but we can, by our human reason (because faith requires reason), see between the lines because nowhere in Scripture does our Lord say, “I love you, Mother.”

Yet, by His Divine Nature, Jesus was obedient. His obedience was perfect. He was obedient unto death, death on a cross. Phil. 2:7-8 (Read on air.)

Sometimes, we forget that Jesus took his humanity in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He respected His mother and was always obedient. When he went to Temple at age 12 they were amazed at his wisdom and the questions he answered. He stayed with his parents until he was 30 years old always obeying. Mary was the one who caused him to start His ministry.

We can read the entire verse in John 2:1-12 — Please read and meditate on these verses; they say so much to me, and I get filled with awe every time I read and think about them.

This is the account of the wedding feast of Cana; they ran out of wine, and Mary offered her son’s services, basically to perform a miracle. Jesus said to her in John 2:4 – And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.”

When Jesus refers to his mother as a “woman” here, some people think it is a sign of disrespect. Can you imagine referring to your own mother as a woman? It might not go over too well. However, this was in fulfillment of Scripture. (remember, Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament!) But, this reference in particular is in regard to Genesis 3:15. Adam and Eve had sinned; Adam blamed Eve, “the woman you gave me,” and Eve blamed the serpent, “The serpent tricked me.” So, God, who is righteous and all good, not only cast them out of the Garden but said in Genesis 3:15 (Read on air).

The woman and Eve and the man, Adam, were the Old Testament symbols of disobedience. In the New Testament, the new Adam is Christ, and the new Eve (the obedient woman is Mary). The point Jesus made here to all those scripture scholars was clear. He was a fulfillment of the role of Savior, and His first public miracle was turning water into wine. But, not just any wine, the best they had tasted. John 2:4-6 (Read on air).

Mary always points to Jesus and says, “Do what He tells you.” John 2:11—(Read on air).

In other places in scripture, it says, “his hour had not yet come,” and he was able to escape or was not arrested, but at the request of His Mother, he was obedient. John 2:12 (Read on air.)

The hidden years, the years before the first miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana, are called the hidden years. They are hidden from us because the scriptures do not reveal what went on in Jesus’s life in the home of Mary and Joseph. All we know is that Jesus was an obedient son and that he loved his parents. He loved Joseph, but Joseph was his stepfather. But Mary? Mary was his biological mother; she gave him life by her fiat, her yes.

Their relationship was special. Mary could count on her Son, and she knew in her heart that he was destined to do the Father’s will. He must have performed miracles at home because why else would she ask him to perform His first, publically? Can you imagine the joy of having such a Divine Son, yet with that joy comes crushing hardship and sorrow? Next week we will mediate on the road less traveled, the Stations of the Cross.

Before we end, I want you to know that the Lord, by His life, His death, and His Resurrection, gave us an example of a virtuous life. Join me as we pray. Today Lord, I want to share my love for you and my joy that You are My Savior. I ask, Lord, that you open my heart to be more virtuous and strive for those things that lift me up. I love you, and I thank you for the gift of my life. I ask for Your love and protection, now and forever. Amen.

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What is your relationship with God? Who is God? Do we really know and understand the magnitude of our prayers or what the Almighty has done for us? In this podcast, we will discuss the mystery of God and explore, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13)

Who is God? ~ Episode 295Thanks to our Sponsor, Harper Collins Christian: Kingdom Girls Bible

Girls will discover the power of faith in this beautiful Bible that features women of the Bible! Here is a Bible for girls on their journey of faith! This special Bible is specifically crafted to highlight the stories and lessons of the inspiring, famous, and sometimes infamous women of the Bible. From Eve to Ruth, Esther to Mary, this Bible brings the stories of these women to life and shows how their faith and strength can still inspire girls today. Featuring a beautiful design and easy-to-read text, this Bible is a great resource for girls growing in their faith and learning about the women who have impacted the world. Check it out here!

Many of us have grown up with some type of faith, but even if you haven’t, there may have been a prevailing sense that something out there existed. We are told in the first paragraph of the Catechism – 198: Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the First and the Last,1 the beginning and the end of everything. The Credo begins with God the Father, for the Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity; our Creed begins with the creation of heaven and earth, for creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God’s works.

That is very good, but who is God? Years ago, I heard a debate between a creationist and an evolutionist. The creationist didn’t stick to the science; instead, he pointed out that the evidence for creation was in the Bible. Can you guess why he lost the debate? That’s right. The other person did not believe that the Bible was accurate, let alone that God created the world.

So, if the foundation, belief in God, isn’t there, the entire argument falls apart. Not just creation vs. evolution but faith vs. no faith.

God is undefinable. He is a mystery. He can only be understood (by me, anyway) under the premise of faith. My pastor always says to pray like this, “God, I love You as You Know Yourself to Be. Basically, that means we can not grasp the majesty of the Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and so we pray in a way that is pleasing to Him and understood only by Him.

Too deep?

Seriously, I’ve been thinking about this question, and in looking at the hundreds of topics on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network and on this podcast, A Few Minutes with God, I’ve realized that we’ve discussed so many things, but not. Who. He. Is.

If I asked you to stop the audio and jot down short sentences describing God (and you can do this if you’d like), your list may look like this one:

Who Is God?1. God is the Creator. (Genesis 1:1 In the beginning when God created[a] the heavens and the earth.) 2. God is love. 1 John 4:8 (Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.) 3. God is our salvation. Pslam 68:19 (Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation) 4. God is our Savior. Acts 13:33 Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; 5. God is the way of life and the truth. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

But Who is GOD?We can define God; we can talk about the virtues evident in God. We can discuss the Trinity, but the word Trinity is not found in Scripture. However, we are taught about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. One God and three distinct persons.

We read in Matthew 28:19: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

We baptize as Christians in the Name of the Trinity.

But what did Jesus say about himself, his divinity? Matthew 16:13-19 not only tells us about who Jesus is but also the power He bestows upon men. In this case his disciples. (Read on air.)

Reading that passage, we learn many things.

1. Jesus is defining himself by asking the question, “But who do you say that I am?” The reference “I Am Who Am” Exodus 2:14 – God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”[a] He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
2. Simon Peter, the first disciple to define Jesus correctly, says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
3. The Holy Spirit (Father in Heaven) revealed this to Peter.
4. On this rock, I shall build my church – the foundation of Christianity (as an aside, Catholics believe that Peter was the first pope, which is why the papacy is called the “Petrine” office. The pope is the Bishop of Rome. Jesus further confirms this when he says, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bin on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
5. Do not tell anyone that I am the Messiah — why!

In conclusion, what we say we know about God is a tiny microscopic speck of who He actually is, and it takes faith that can only be given by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to change our hardened hearts. Please make an effort to seek God, no matter where you are in your spiritual walk. Just be still before the Lord and say the words, “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will,” and watch the miracles happen in your life. Praise Be Jesus Christ now and forever, Amen.

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When you feel let down or are suffering, don’t suffer alone! There is no need. The victory is won, and you can rejoice in the good news. Join Felice Gerwitz as she shares her thoughts and ponders about God’s Word and how He will never disappoint you.

Don’t Suffer Alone ~ Episode 294Thanks to our Sponsor, Harper Collins Christian: Kingdom Girls Bible

Girls will discover the power of faith in this beautiful Bible that features women of the Bible! Here is a Bible for girls on their journey of faith! This special Bible is specifically crafted to highlight the stories and lessons of the inspiring, famous, and sometimes infamous women of the Bible. From Eve to Ruth, Esther to Mary, this Bible brings the stories of these women to life and shows how their faith and strength can still inspire girls today. Featuring a beautiful design and easy-to-read text, this Bible is a great resource for girls growing in their faith and learning about the women who have impacted the world. Check it out here!

Have things been rough lately? Have you struggled with just making it through the day? Everyone I’ve talked to, myself included, feels like we’re under attack. Things are going wrong in an unprecedented manner, and to make matters worse, it doesn’t seem to get better.

When you’re going through hardships, it is hard not to place blame on the individuals who caused you harm or the situation, yet it is only through his permissive will that we are allowed to suffer, for lack of a better word. God knows it’s happening. Nothing surprises him; truthfully, that is a comfort for me. The situation may surprise me, but it’s not a surprise for him. I know that God has this, even if I don’t. Hardships happen. (Story shared on air).

Other friends spoke about their hardships, illnesses, family loss, financial issues, and lawsuits. In the grand scheme of things, when we discuss life everlasting in heaven) these events, while complex and tragic, are fleeting. We don’t have to do it alone, we don’t have to suffer alone, and we are not alone. The Lord gives renewed grace to deal with these issues.

Don’t Suffer AloneToday, we will rejoice and be glad, not only because the Lord does hear our prayers but because He has mercy upon us. Just look at the book of Daniel, particularly Daniel Chapter 3. We read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It is a powerful lesson for us all — for when you feel alone, for when you are defeated, for when you think there is no hope. The three are put in the furnace to burn because they angered the King. At first, they praised the Lord, repented, and lamented to the Lord that they no longer had a leader (sound familiar) and had been handed over to their enemies. But they asked for mercy. Again, please read it all yourself, but I wanted to focus on this portion for you, Daniel 3 42-45 (read on air.)

Then it goes on in verses Daniel 3:46-50, and I am paraphrasing here — The angel of the Lord comes down having heard the prayer of Azariah and his companions, and we read he drove the fiery flame out of the furnace and made the inside of the furnace as though a moist wind were whistling through it. The fire did not touch them and caused them no pain or distress.

God sent an angel to drive away the flames. He can also do that for us because when we suffer, we feel as if we are consumed; we can’t think of anything else, and all we can do is dwell on the issue. But we should know by now, especially if you are a long-time listener, that God is in charge. We further read in verses 51-56 (read on air)

Here are some past episodes that may help:

Overcome Daily Struggles

Fill Up Your Spiritual Tank

Your Heart, Your Faith

Those verses should make you rejoice in the Lord. Even amid hardships

The Lord knows our hearts, and he knows when we are hurting, when we are distressed, when we feel broken. He knows our hearts when we are happy and rejoicing and good things are happening in our lives. So what should we do? We rejoice and be glad we thank God for everything, even the hardships, and we pray for those who have hurt us. That friend is the hardest thing to do! Why is forgiveness so difficult when God forgives us? I think for one reason: it’s because of the injustice we see in the situation. We look at it with human eyes and say oh my gosh, why is this happening to these people we know, or why is this happening to us?

But if we spend our time realizing that everything that happens is allowed in our life by the Almighty’s permissive will, then we know it’s for a greater purpose, and what is that purpose? It is so that we can grow closer to him. One of our dear elderly pastors always makes the overarching remark about the New and Old Testament, which can be summed up in the thought that God wants a relationship with his people. Isn’t that true?

So, let’s not suffer alone. Let’s turn toward the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let’s pray; let’s read the Word of God. The Almighty is waiting for us. He wants a relationship with us! He is there, and he is the constant in our lives. When we suffer, we pray and ask our friends to intercede for us and our heavenly friends, such as the saints who have gone before us.

Instead of getting bogged down with semantics, worrying about the outcome, and doing all the things the enemy wants us to do, which will take her eyes off of God, we need to focus on him. Recently, something good happened in our lives, and my husband and I were stunned that we were not joyful and jumping up and down. Instead, we were worn out by the ordeal that happened beforehand, and that’s all we could focus on, so we began to pray for those involved and praised God for the good results!

Friend, this is what our enemy does. He keeps us focused on the things that do not matter and keeps our eyes off of the Lord and toward ourselves, angry toward others who have wronged us, and towards situations we have no control over. I hope it helps you to realize that we all suffer. No one’s life is perfect, and altogether, this side of heaven, so friends, I leave you with this thought: You do not need to suffer alone; rejoice in the Lord always!

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Love of Family ~ Episode 294The love of family comes from an outpouring of our love for God. In this episode, we will discuss why our families should be a priority after our love of the Lord.

Thanks to our Sponsor: Harper Collins Christian: Kingdom Girls Bible

Girls will discover the power of faith in this beautiful Bible that features women of the Bible! Here is the ideal Bible for girls on their journey of faith! This special Bible is specifically crafted to highlight the stories and lessons of the inspiring, famous, and sometimes infamous women of the Bible. From Eve to Ruth, Esther to Mary, this Bible brings the stories of these women to life and shows how their faith and strength can still inspire girls today. Featuring a beautiful design and easy-to-read text, this Bible is a great resource for girls as they grow in their own faith and learn about the women who have impacted the world. Check it out here!

I read an article that claimed most people don’t really love their family. They feel a sense of obligation and duty. What? While we may feel a sense of obligation and duty, that typically happens because we love our family, not as a result of some mistaken obligation. You and I know that our families are under attack, but we have the source of all goodness and truth, that is, the Bible.

Family and marriage have value, and by virtue we are following in the mandate God gave in Genesis 1:28 “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.” We are also told that marriage and family is an honor – Hebrews 13:4 (Read on air)

That is not what we hear from those who are in the world, and sadly, even among Christians who believe that living together is a good idea, especially as it saves money and gives each person a chance to see if the relationship will work. Statistics show that among those who live together before marriage, the rate of divorce is higher.

STATS here.

Most Christians get married, but some are led to a life of celibacy, for example, priests, nuns, and other religious as well as lay people. Yet, even singles would agree that family is important. So, why do the world and the secularists continuously try to minimize godly love or the love of family because they want the family destroyed? Why is this?

If you destroy the family, you destroy society. We were created in the image and likeness of God, and the enemy hates us! One-third of the angels refused to serve God it was infact due to pride. A link here to Biblical verses.

Jesus says in Luke 10: 16-20 (Read on air).

Let’s rejoice that are names are written in heaven but realize that disruption in families begins by dividing the spouse and the children from their parents. It begins slowly with including people in commercials that are not godly examples.

There was a headline that caught my attention, and it read: Extinction activist wants humans to voluntarily die out: ‘Feed ‘em, don’t breed ‘em’ – I have a link in the show notes for you to see for yourself –Here you will read about

What is happening in our world? What is happening to all of those who follow the Lord but remain silent? Friends, we must pray – Proverbs 18:21 states. (Read on air).

Isaiah 54:10 (Read on air).

I recently interviewed Kirk Cameron on my podcast for homeschoolers, Vintage Homeschool Moms – link here. He made a compelling argument for the state of American Family Values, and he said it happened on our watch. Wow – he is right. It happened when so many of us were afraid to speak up, but if God is in it – if God leads us, we will have the grace to follow through. Here is an actor who could spend his time however he wants and instead is fighting for families.

We know God is merciful.

Psalm 86:15. (read on air).

He is merciful, but he is also a just God.

No doubt, the breakdown of the family is Satan’s prime target because he knows that marriage is the earthly representation of the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:22-32). And if he can destroy the marriage (and family), he can destroy the church. For this reason, we must always be ready to fight against his attacks by arming ourselves with the weapons of war as found in Ephesians 6:4-20: The first verse begins with Fathers,[a] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. ” but it ends with the Armor of God, because friends, we need that Armor!

We must be the beautitudes. This could take up an entire podcast, but I recently read Matthew 5:1-10 and felt like my eyes were opened. It moved me, and it sums up what our attitudes should be as Christians.

Matthew 5:1-10 (read on air)

… do we want to enter the kingdom of God? Here is the path, the direction, the outline, if you will. To be poor in spirit, to allow to comfort us when we mourn, to be meek, thirst for righteousness, be merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and if we are persecuted for righteousness sake, we will receive the kingdom of heaven.

To serve our families in a selfless matter, whether they appreciate it or not, to serve our friends and those in need, and that friends is what a Christian looks like – Amen!

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Key To Repentance – 293As a Christian the cornerstone of our faith is the key to repentance. It is an important ingredient to turning toward God and finding that our faith deepens. The key to faith is the topic of today’s episode.

Thanks to our Sponsor: Harper Collins Christian: Kingdom Girls Bible

Girls will discover the power of faith in this beautiful Bible that features women of the Bible! Here is the ideal Bible for girls on their journey of faith! This special Bible is specifically crafted to highlight the stories and lessons of the inspiring, famous, and sometimes infamous women of the Bible. With over 400 engaging features, colorful illustrations, and helpful notes, this Bible is perfect for girls ages 8 to 12 as they learn about the strong and faithful women who came before them. From Eve to Ruth, Esther to Mary, this Bible brings the stories of these women to life and shows how their faith and strength can still inspire girls today. Featuring a beautiful design and easy-to-read text, this Bible is a great resource for girls as they grow in their own faith and learn about the women who have impacted the world.

Key To Repentance:The key to repentance begins with a realization that you have sinned. Just like an person who suffers from drugs, alcoholism or some other form of substance abuse in order to get better you first have to recognize you have a problem! This problem is then addressed and the first order of business is to repent.

We can break it down to repentance to anything contrary to Biblical teachings that crop into our thoughts, our words and manifested in our deeds. This happens over the course of time, making one bad decision after another, and another. These decisions often lead us down the road to difficulties for us and for our families. This is why it is important to surround ourselves with people who are uplifting and likeminded in our Christian walk.

But the good news is that repentance is a first step in following God. In accepting the Lord, at some point in you life you made a decision. The decision was not only to recognize sin and renounce it – but to promise to “sin no more.” Repentance is taught throughout scripture. The first teaching our Lord gave is in Matthew 4:17 – From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

He was announcing that He was ready to begin his public ministry, and now he asks others to join him.

The Lord asked us to repent and then went on to find “fishers of men,” the apostles. He saw Simon and Peter and his brother Andrew. He asked them in Matthew 4:19 “Come follow me…” Then he found two more Simon Called Peter and his brother Andrew. He called them as well.

He invited them to join His mission of conversion of the world to Christianity. Of course it wasn’t called Christianity at that time, but we have come to recognize Christ as the Messiah, the second person of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in that order. When we repent the Lord opens our lives to an entirely new way of thinking.

This invitation is for us as well, are we ready to drop our nets and follow him? The nets in our life can be the very things that keep us bound to worldly pursuits and away from a deeper relationship with the Almighty. I’m not talking about caring for our family, or working, I’m talking about those things that keep us bound. The pull of the internet or social media. One friend shared that she checked Facebook every few minutes because she had the fear of missing out of not knowing what was going on with her friends. She finally realized that it was pulling her away from what she needed to do each day, and made sure to set a time limit for visiting the website, and then eventually rarely if ever visited.

This may seem extreme but each one of us has to analyze what the pull is on our life. Are we drawn to something of value or to a waste of time? I know that when I visit social media for work I get drawn in on what my friends and family are doing and I can waste so much time. So, I rarely use social media. Again, each of us has to decide for themselves. Is social media a sin — of course not, but if it is uses for sinful actions we need to be aware and take heed. Repent and move on!

God is in the today – He is here to give us the graces we need each and every day. Repentance is like taking a shower and washing off all the grime, it is like putting on a white robe of righteousness and vowing to take a step in the right direction. One. Step. At. A. Time. Is it easy, no. It can only be done by God’s grace, so pray and ask Him for it!

Praying For God’s Grace – Key to Repentance:1. Ask the Lord to call to mind areas of sin in need of repentance. 2. If you can, go to confession (Catholics). This is a sacrament of grace. 3. Ask the Lord for forgiveness. 4. Ask the person you have harmed (if any) for forgiveness. 5. Ask God for the grace to sin no more!

Repentance allows us to heal, not only from our human and bodily illness but from spiritual illness. In Matthew 23, after asking us to repent, and asking the apostles (and us by extension) he began to teach and heal. Matthew 4:23-25 (Read on air.)

What great news! Amen and Alleluia. What comes with repentance? Healing.

God gives us the grace, especially with prayer and fasting to live a life that contains self-control and is godly. We begin good habits, avoid the near occasion of sin, whether it is social media, television or other sources. Whatever it is, ask God for the grace to have the control to avoid it! There is power in God’s grace. The first step is to want it and to receive it.

When we repentant there is a painful element of purification. This can be as I just shared by asking those we hurt to forgive us, but there is more. We must understand the reason we sinned in the first place. Getting to the root cause helps us to avoid getting into this sin, again. Maybe you think you can’t do it — you can’t change. But, if we find that difficult to repent we must remember the sacrifice of Christ.

Christ died and suffered for a sin that He did not commit. Yet, He did it for us. John the Baptist was put into prison through no fault of his own.

In Mark 1:15-15 (Read on air.)

Jesus said that the time had come and His Kingdom has come. And once again we read “Repent and believe the good news!”

Repentance is a gift that God gives us to change our ways. It is a mission for us, and we can be transformed. Through the life, death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ he calls us with His love and mercy. I pray you search out the way the truth and the life John 14:6 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Amen and Amen, let’s seek goodness and truth each day, beginning now.

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Your Heart ~ Your Faith ~ Episode 291There is a saying, “Your heart is where your home is,” but I believe your heart is where your faith resides. In this podcast, we discuss how “heart issues” may lead us astray and far away from our faith in what is right and holy in the eyes of God.

Thanks to our sponsor, Sevenfold Films and Genesis Apologetics Presents Film – The Ark and The Darkness – Movie Trailer here: NoahsFlood

In theaters March 20-21! Noah’s Flood is preserved in ancient writings from every major culture around the world. Recent discoveries confirm what the Bible has said all along. Sevenfold Films and Genesis Apologetics present: The Ark and the Darkness. If you missed the in-theatre date, check the website for streaming options.

An extended family member recently shared that after several traumatic experiences, she realized that all that mattered was God, faith, and family. It is somewhat of a hard lesson that we all learn and relearn from time to time. As our lives get busier, and we move to that speed of life that seems to break the sound barrier at times, we find that slowing down helps us finally see the light.

When we have a broken heart, we tend to fold into ourselves; it is hard to be objective or have clarity in the midst of a trial. Our hearts are a powerhouse; they keep us alive and functioning, and in this same way, our internal organ that God created to sustain life is often where we feel that hurt and joy. We are lost we don’t know where to go.

God asks us to follow him, and we read this in John 1:43-51 where Jesus called Philip and Nathanel to follow him. But that call is for each one of us. Do we say, “Yes, Lord.” Or, is our answer, “In a minute, let me finish this first.”

This is a question we all answer in our lives, and when trauma hits, depending on our heart and its inclination, depending on our faith, that is how we will cope with the situation. Our hearts will betray us if we are not grounded in the truth if we go on feelings alone, and if we are swayed by the enticements of this world. The pull of the world is strong, and the evil one works overtime on the young and the old alike to sway us from our path and our mission.

Your Faith – Questions to Ask:1. Where are we going? 2. How are we dealing with the daily struggles in our lives? 3. How is our mental health? We wake up each day often without direction. 4. What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you wake up each day? 5. Where does your heart lean?

Are we like Thomas, the apostle who said to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where we are going, so how can we know the way?”

Friends, we are lost. Our hearts are broken, and there seems to be no way out from our thoughts and sometimes feelings of hopelessness. But there is good news, and there is hope. Without hope, we would be lost, but God gives us a clear path and a clear direction and that is to follow him. If you don’t have this scripture memorized, do it this week, and when you feel lost and forgotten, pray this verse out loud! John 14:5-7 we read (Read on air).

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Do you hear that? We don’t have to feel lost — Jesus is …the way the truth and the life.

If we want to know Jesus, we can, and we can go to Him. He will then introduce us to the Father, for, “if you know me,” he says, ” you will know my Father as well. ”

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We should say this again. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Never lose hope! 2 Corinthians 4:1-3

Therefore, since through God’s mercy, we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

Following Jesus is opening our hearts to the love and mercy that He gives us, and where the heart is, so is our faith. We have faith that God will not let us down and that he will answer prayer, not as we want it but in His time and the way he ordains. We know that we can have a clear conscience and sleep well at night if our hearts are united to His.

But it is more than that! God is calling you and I to dig deeper. How can we do this? By realizing that we are more than what we do, or try to do in this case for the sake of righteousness. The Pharisees complained that Jesus and his apostles were not following the Jewish ritual of cleanliness — which was for a time at the temple. But these men decided they should carry on the letter of the law, by the ritualistic wasing even before meals. But Jesus took them to task explaining that it is rooted in the heart that evil results.

Mark 7:14-23 — (Read on air)

And he called the people to him again, and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him, but the things which come out of a man are what defile him.”[a] 17 And when he had entered the house, and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on?”[b] (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.”

Friends we want our hearts to be full of love, full of compassion, we must fight against the vices that plague our world. How many of us listen to that verse or read it and say — well, I’m not that bad. Maybe not with theft, murder or adultery — but what about envy, slander, pride and foolishness? I know I’ve suffered and confessed those things.

When we look at what the Lord offers, life with him or without him we will always choose Him!

Friends, what else could we want? This week examine your heart take inventory of your priorities and rearrange them to allow the Lord to come and grow you and bless you, today and always.

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God Chose You ~ Episode 290You are not a mistake; God chose you! Many people walk around today depressed or sad. But today is a day to rejoice and to realize that you have a greater purpose in this life. Tune in to today’s episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast and get ready to have a life-changing experience.

Thanks to our sponsor, Genesis Apologetics – The Ark and the Darkness. Learn more here: NoahsFlood

From the movie: There is a tale over 4,000 years old, preserved in ancient writings from every major culture around the world. Many thought it was only a myth, but evidence supports what the Bible has said all along. Sevenfold Films and Genesis Apologetics present: The Ark and the Darkness. It will be in theaters March 20-21 and streaming afterward.

I belong to a women’s ministry named Magnificat, and we have meals about four times a year at these meals. Each person gives their testimony, and it truly is life-changing, especially when you hear where the person had been in their life and how the love of God and his kindness and mercy change them at each meal; I encourage the women to open their hearts and to be ready to be changed. This change may happen quickly, or it may happen over time.

God Chose You ~ Today!

I am going to say the same thing to you today: be ready to be changed. Why do I say this? Well, the reason is many of us walk around each day wondering if we have a purpose or listening to the evil one when he says you are worthless. That is not true! You just need a reminder.

We forget that we have been chosen by God; today, I’m going to share with you a list of some of my favorite scriptures. I’d like you to write down these as well as some of your own search the Bible, and you will find that you truly are chosen by God. He did not make a mistake when he created you. He knew you before you were born. Jeremiah 1:4-5

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

God Chose You and Sent His SonWhen we look outside at the world, we feel insignificant. Instead, look within, look in your heart, and toward the Lord. We often fall short or lose sight of who we are: heirs to the kingdom, and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, eternal life is available to us, not just to you or me, but to each one of us who chooses the Lord.

How can we forget that we are chosen? We must remember this and make a point of waking up each day and saying, ” Thank you, Lord, for choosing me. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the opportunity to serve you today. “

Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Kirt Cameron, who is known for his role in television and movies. He is less known for the fact that he didn’t grow up in a Christian home. In fact, he was far from God while he was in his younger years; he said people often asked him. How did you find God and Hollywood? and he said, I didn’t find God; God found me.

This is Biblical – John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

God is looking for each one of us. God has chosen you. He knows our name, he knows your name, He knows everything about you! Listen as I read some of these scriptures, take them into your heart, and know you are special. You are worthy; you are a son or daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I Peter 2:9 states (read on air).

God knows everything about you! You are worth so much more than the creatures of this world.

Luke 12:7 “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Matthew 10: 26-31 (read on air).

So we praise God daily in Ephesians 1:3-4 we read: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

He chose us before the creation! Do you hear that? How amazing, how wonderful, and how utterly exciting. Not only that, but we belong to Almighty God! Isaiah 43:1 states (Read on air)

And what do we do with this information? First, we ask ourselves, “What does God want of me?”

John 6:44 says to believe: (read on air).

We are to persevere in all things. Romans 8:28 —And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

And so I leave you with this thought. If God has called you by name, and you are an heir to the Kingdom of God, and he knew you before you were created, and you belong to him, then you are most definitely chosen by God, and you definitely should rejoice! Let’s spend this week praising and thanking God for finding us and calling us to Him. Amen.

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Life is tough. It throws us curves when we least expect it. We often endure a trial by fire. Yet, as Christians, we have the tools to make it through challenging times and emerge victorious in the end. In this podcast, Felice shares insights and tips for those who struggle with hardships and, at times, with faith.

Trial By Fire ~ Episode 289When was the last time you said everything was going great? I have no issues, no problems. Life is good. Sure, that happens from time to time. But we all have hardships; sometimes, it is a trial by fire. When there is a crisis in our lives, our faith is challenged. For some, this means they have a faith crisis. For others, they believe that God has abandoned them, and so they abandon their faith. Some stop believing, going to church, or reading the Bible. Still, others think they have done something wrong and deserve the punishment. This is not the way to think. We must first take our thoughts captive. The evil one is a deceiver and a liar and wants us to continue to believe the lies that God does not care.

1 Corinthians 10:3-5 (Read on air).

We can not understand the mind of God.

Abandoning the one who created us is never good. A trial by fire is a test. We must remember that Almighty God is in charge of everything. Whether it is our lives or the lives of our loved ones, we know that God knows our hearts and struggles and hears our prayers.

We can, however, read the Word of God and be encouraged and edified.

In John 1:1-5 we read (on air).

Let those words sink into your heart, and I pray that verse gives you as much hope as it gives me.

1. In the beginning, God existed.
2. Through God, all things came into being. There was nothing without God.
3. What came into being was life. There was nothing beforehand—just a void. Without God, life would not exist.
4. The life was the light of all people
5. God was there to shine a light at the very beginning.
6. The light shines in the darkness…and what? The darkness has been unable to overcome it! Amen and halleluiah.

When we have questions such as, “Why me?” or “How could God allow this to happen.” or “I know God is in charge, but I am so confused.” We must acknowledge that we are hurting and give ourselves time to grieve, but we can not stay in this spot forever. One way to do this is by understanding that God is in control. Things happen for a reason, and ultimately, in the end, our goal is heaven.

God loves us so much He calls us to him. He sent Jonah to Niveh to bring back an evil town to him. The prophet was reluctant, tried to avoid the mandate by the Almighty, and had a rough go of it until he finally went to Nineveh and said the bare minimum. (Jonah was not a very good prophet!) He walked through the town saying, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed.” The city was so large it took three days to walk from one end to the other. Yet, Jonah had only walked one day when the leaders and the people believed Jonah the profit, put on sackcloth, prayed and fasted. God was moved and did not destroy the town.

God called the people of Nineveh to leave their sinful ways and follow him. God calls us to follow him when we are joyful, hurting, or in the pits of despair. God calls us even when we avoid him like Jonah did.

We must have joy. I looked up 1 John 1:1-5, and here it is: (Read on air).

Let’s break that scripture down.

1. God always tells the truth, and the apostles and eyewitnesses testified to it.
2. The Father has revealed the truth about eternal life
3. Relationship (fellowship_ is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ
4. They wrote this so that our JOY could be complete.

Struggling Trial By FireWhen we are struggling, we must realize the truth: the love of God, the hope He gives, and the joy and faith He gives us are all we need. This world is fleeting, and yet we hold on to it as if we can’t stand to think of anything else.

When we struggle, we can cry out to the Lord in prayer and allow our hurt and our needs to be heard. We can cry out to heaven, and we can ask our friends to pray. We can quote scripture; good ones are Col. 3:16, Matthew 4:4, and Ephesians 6:18.

We must fight off any temptation and against any lie that God does not care about us! Let’s all pray together! “In the Precious Name of Jesus, I pray against this lie; Jesus, I know you care about every one of us — each person listening today; please, my Lord, allow them to understand and be comforted by the grace of God.”

Friends, the Almighty pursues us and wants us to reside with him in heaven.

Remember that Jesus was tempted in the desert; the perfect one, the Holy One, was tried. Satan offered him the world; he showed him food. But what did Jesus say?

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

What does living in the “word that proceeds from the mouth of God mean?”

It means that when you follow God when you believe that the Word of God is faithful when you know that God is only good and wants the best for YOU, it changes you. It gives you peace when you go through difficult times and are tried by fire. It makes your life new. You become a new creation! You become the unique, awesome, and glorious person God created you to be.

So, is that it? No. We continue to pray because we are constantly being tested and struggling. Ephesians 6:18 says, “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”

St. Paul tells us to pray in the Spirit to continue to preserve.

1. We pray in the Spirit. Come Holy Spirit.
2. We pray all the time.
3. We pray with humility with our hearts.
4. Prayer is a piece of the Armor of God — God’s armor keeps us protected.

But does God hear our prayers?

James 5:16: (Read on air.)

Remember, our goal is heaven and eternal life with God Almighty. But a fight is ongoing; the enemy wants us to reside in eternal damnation. Remember, the battle has been won; God is victorious. Continue to pray, continue to believe, and let’s pray for each other every day. Amen.

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Understanding the nature of sin, we can often make the right choice, especially when faced with a moral dilemma. In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz discusses the issues and ways to avoid putting ourselves in harm’s way.

Moral Dilemma – Episode 288We are made in the image and likeness of God. We are told this in the first book of the Bible. We read in Genesis 1:26 (Read on air)

God created us; he has given us a body, mind, soul, and spirit. He has given us a sense of reason—the ability to figure things out, to judge, and to make good decisions. Sadly, our first parents, Adam and Eve, used their ability to make moral decisions, but not good ones! They failed and failed miserably. They took the beautiful gift of life, a wonderful world in which to live, and instead of a sense of wonder, they were tempted to defy God.

In a nutshell, a moral dilemma is going against the nature of God, the created order, and trending toward evil. Those who believe in doing whatever they want, whenever they want, are truly free. This is far from the truth. Freedom comes from a clear conscience, a sense of moral good that is ingrained in our souls, and a thirst for what is God. People seek love, for purpose, for friendships. That wanting in our hearts is the gift God has given us that we will find fulfillment first in Him, then in others.

To act morally depends on what we do, why we do it, and the situation or circumstances surrounding the action. For example, a moral good would be feeding the hungry, giving alms to a charity, or helping an older neighbor by cutting the grass. These are good things.

The opposite is murder or stealing. Acts such as these are evil. You could say that in war, murder is permitted; however, for the most part, murder is taking another’s life, and that is against God’s order. The Old Testament is filled with wars, one tribe against the other. The payment for sin is death. Romans 6:23 – 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we sin, we work against the Lord. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me.

Look at the Ten Commandments, and that gives you an idea of what God requires of those who follow Him.

The Ten Commandments

Moral DilemmaWhat makes up a moral dilemma? It is a situation we find ourselves in that stretches our faith and our resistance to evil. It is a temptation to do what is wrong. Many fall into the trap of rationalization. The person who says they cheated on their spouse because the person was unlovable. That is not a reason, nor is it fair to place blame on the other person. It is a symptom of not taking responsibility for an action. Retaliation is another way that people rationalize a bad decision or behavior. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

How do you make the right decision? It takes prayer and help from the Almighty God. It takes surrounding yourself with people who are like-minded in faith and morals. It takes not allowing yourself that first step into what may on the surface appear innocent but turn into something lethal. This happens when kids search online unattended, or even something innocent like an online encyclopedia or library app can lead kids astray.

It is important to have virtue, the realization that every life is valuable from conception to natural death, that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, that earth is our temporary home and our goal is heaven.

Our choices are so important. I read, or tried to read a very lengthy scientific abstract that was written by psychologists who took 48 test subjects, who were women and some were atheists, and others were Catholics. They asked them moral dilemma questions and asked them to make a decision. I took a look at the first question and the two outcome choices. Neither of them was acceptable to me (which I think was the point of the experiment because they were testing brain activity as well.) In fact, the first one was about a time of war, an orphanage and putting to death one child (so you would not be killed), one by suffocation, and another way by lethal injection. Neither is acceptable, right?

The findings were that one set of people had compassion and cared to a greater extent than the other. Their reasoning was that faith was very important to the moral decision that was made. That was not surprising to most of us.

Without faith, our moral compass would be off, but even those with faith tend to stray. It is a small step away from the Lord and then another and another. Think about missing church one time, the second time is easier and so forth. Bad habits can be made as easily as good. This is why it is important to set up a prayer routine and keep to it each day. It is helpful because it keeps us on track.

Being virtuous isn’t something we inherit or fall into, it takes training so to speak. It takes practice; it takes that good habit of prayer, reading the Bible, attending church, reading good moral books, and avoiding shows that are not only unhealthy for our state of being (horror or over-the-top action movies) on a steady diet. Being good is not enough.

The way we act leads to the type of person we are and what we are known for, in the sense of how others see us, but more importantly, how God sees us. How do you see yourself? What acts or choices have you made that give you the true freedom that comes from a life lived in Christ?

People who are against faith say that we do not have freedom but we do, we have the freedom to do anything that is not sinful. If you asked a non-believer if they were free to run a red light, murder someone, or steal, they would say no. Yet, they believe that because we are faithful, we do not have the freedom to do immoral acts, and I would agree with that. Immorality never leads to true happiness.

The evil one is out for our souls and hates anyone who loves and follows the Lord. Yet there is power in God who has defeated the evil one, broken the bonds of sin, and opened the gates of heaven. We read in Romans 6:8-10 (read on air).

But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9 For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin, once and for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God.

We, you and me, can face the moral dilemmas in our lives with the assurance that we have the Lord on our side, and He and only He can give us the true freedom and joy that we seek in this life. Amen! This week, let’s work on creating those good and virtuous habits that will help us to grow in the Lord.

Read more here:

Contraception and Infertility

Birth Control here

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Every day is a new day in Christ for those who believe. We get a blank slate to begin all over again. While this is a wonderful concept, it only matters if you plan to do it better or with the help of God.

Every Day Is A New Day In Christ ~ Episode 287How exciting to wake up every day and do it over. “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118: 24

It can be a chance to make a new habit, spiritual or personal. We can use the new day to get closer to our relationship with Christ and dig deeper. Or we can waste our day and then long for a new day to start again.

Some recommended podcasts:

Calm In The Storm

Renew Your Mind

Each day, our list of things to do gets longer and longer. I used to track everything in a notebook, and now I use a combination of notebooks and apps on my phone, yet I don’t find myself getting any further ahead. In fact, I think sometimes I become distracted. This is one more thing to add to the list of areas of improvement. If you are like me, you are harder on yourself and expect more than you expect of others.

What is your goal? Is it to spend time with God?

We tend to get excited in a new calendar year but slowly lose that ambition as the year continues on and find, mid-year, perhaps, that we are far away from our goals to grow closer to the Lord. This year, I am going to challenge you and myself to keep that determination moving forward during the year. Not only can we begin again, but we can begin with renewed hope. I love the word “Hope.”

New Day In ChristScripture is full of hope and the realization that Christ has made us new; in fact, the Bible says if we are in Christ, we are a new creation. If our goal is to make every new day in Christ special, we begin being here. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” But what is that passage referring to? It tells us in verse five that the Spirit was given as a first installment. This is in reference to the Holy Spirit, God. Let me read the entire section from 2 Corinthians 5:5-10 (read on air.)

5 Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a first installment.[a]6 [b]So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. 9 Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. 10 For we must all appear[c] before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

New Day In Christ ~ 1 Corinthians 5:We can be successful in our new day in Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. The verse tells us so many wonderful things.

1. The Spirit is the first installment.
2. We are to be courageous – because this is not the end. Our world is not our home. (Calendar)
3. We are in this world, but we do not need to be in this world. This means we can live our lives, but we must remember that this is not the end, and heaven is our goal.
4. We walk by faith and not by sight. We do not need to see it to believe it. Faith is belief in what is not seen. If we could see it, we would not have faith to believe. We are confident in our love of God the Father, the Son- the Christ and the Holy Spirit. We have been called by name, and we rest in the assurance of this. What wonderful news.
5. We want to please God; now, we have a chance each and every day. Wake up and give your day to the Lord. Offer it up.
6. We will be judged at the end of time. When we die, we have finished the race, and now we await the judgment.

Being a “good person” is not enough. We should want to aspire for more than that.

Each day, we can go about our routine. Get up, praise God. Get dressed, praise God. Go to work. Praise God. The joys and praises of the Lord should be on our lips at all times. How do we do this? By His grace. Isaiah 40:31 states:

They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength,
they will soar on eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint.

God gives us the renewal of strength so that we will not only run and not grow weary but we will soar on eagles wings!

Malachi 1:11 (Read on air). Each day the Lord reminds us that from the beginning of the day until the end of the day His name will be proclaimed among all of us who follow Him.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
my name is great among the nations;
Incense offerings are made to my name everywhere,
and a pure offering;
For my name is great among the nations,
says the Lord of hosts.

And what about Ephesians 4:20-24 (Read on air.) We are asked to put away our former selves. The person you were yesterday or the day before. That person is a new creation; that person has been reminded that we worship the one true God. You are ready to learn and dive deeper, and you are ready for what th

That is not how you learned Christ, 21 assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, 22 that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on[a] the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

I challenge you to make your list of new day scriptures, jot these down in your prayer journal, and read them daily. Better yet, record yourself reading these scripture verses and listen to this recording daily. It will help you to become a prayer warrior and live each day to the fullest! And I pray we can remind each other to begin each day in prayer and praise, and how much better our day will become.

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Mystery of Faith ~ Episode 286What is the mystery of faith? In this podcast, we discuss the truths about faith, God’s grace, and how we should follow the light. Sometimes, we don’t understand but are willing to learn more. Your host, Felice Gerwitz, will share some powerful insights with you.

Check out MediaAngels.com and download your character planners for families today.

Did you know that the “the mystery of faith” is found in 1 Timothy 3:9 in several translations, The Wycliffe Bible and the Douay-Rheims Bible? The verse states: “Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.” Meanwhile, the New International Version states, “They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.”

The mystery of faith is holding on to the deep truths of faith.

There are many things about faith that are mind-blowing when we stop to think about them. For example, the Trinity. The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. One God and three distinct persons. It is a mystery. Or what about miracles? How do they happen? There is no explanation; it’s miraculous; it is something we believe in by faith.

Now, faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1. The basics of salvation are easy to remember, but for some, they are not so easy to understand. Jesus was born a babe through the power of the Holy Spirit, which overshadowed the Virgin Mary. He was raised by Mary and Joseph in Nazareth, born in Bethlehem of Judea, and lived a humble life. The Christmas story is well known.

The miracle continues with three men from the Orient, The three Wise Men (or the Wise Guys as my children used to call them), and through the study of light, or the star, the Magi knew they would find something remarkable: a king. Our pastor told us that they were studying the constellation Leo, which is the Lion or Judah. They knew the capital of Judah was Jerusalem. The light they saw represented a King, and they expected to see this baby in a palace dressed in finery, as only a prince would be born into a royal household. That is why they went to seek the baby in the palace of King Herod.

In the scriptures, Matthew 2:1-12 (It is long, so I won’t read it on air, but do take the time to read it yourself if you have not already) In this scripture we read that everyone knew the prophecy, and when the Magi asked King Herod, he was troubled. But what is shocking is that all of the chief priests and the scribes, the learned men who knew and studied the Word, ignored the call; they didn’t go, but the Magi didn’t ignore it. They were surprised the babe was not in the palace, but they immediately went to Bethlehem, prostrated themselves before the King of Heaven and of Earth, the baby in abject poverty, and felt prostrate before him and worshipped him. They followed the light. And, by the power of the Holy Spirit, they were infused with grace from God. What they found was not a royal baby dressed in fancy clothing but what they saw exceeded their expectations. This grace was given to them by God and was a mystery they could not understand.

God’s ways are not our ways (I’ll read Isaiah 55:8-9) in a minute, and we’ve long established this concept 0n many of the episodes, yet we continue to try to understand that which is a mystery: why Jesus, who is the second person of the Trinity, fully God, and fully man would come as a babe to a poor family. Why not a wealthy family? Why not as a King? The Magi, the wisest of men, were expecting a royal baby. That was certainly what the people of Israel were expecting: a king who would set them free from Caesar’s rule.

Yet we learn when Jesus was born.* It is in John 3:1 – In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee. It was a time of unrest, and the people were waiting for their savior. Yet, many missed him. Unlike the Magi, the learned men did not follow the light.

It was many years later that Jesus began his ministry at around the age of 30 – Luke 2:23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry… In Numbers 4:3, we read that you had to be at least 30 years old in order to serve as a priest; in Numbers 4:3, “Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.”

Jesus did not begin his public ministry until around 30, but can you imagine his life with Mary and Joseph? How wonderful to live with the Savior! Again, it is a mystery that the Almighty God would humble himself. The last we hear of Jesus is when Mary and Joseph find him in the temple after three days when he was twelve. The years after this are referred to as the hidden years. It was as if the Lord wanted to devote his time to his parents (his foster Father, Joseph, and mother, Mary), who would sacrifice so much for him.

If those concepts are known to us who are Christian and still astound us, can you imagine if you were not a Christian? If I asked you to make a list of all the things that puzzle you about faith, what would your list look like?

List of Mysteries of Faith:

1. Why do bad things happen to good people?
2. How does the Lord allow evil to take place in our world?
3. Why do people continue to reject Jesus as the true Messiah?

In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive. For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts.”

This brings us to how God – who continues to call his people (us) back to Him again and again, has such mercy, such goodness, and such compassion! Yet, we continue to reject Him while we remain in error and sinful.

The mystery of faith is recognized by miracles that happen today. They are shrouded and often kept secret. For example, there are relics of the Holy Cross that Jesus died on that are kept in churches throughout the world. There are some at the Vatican. There are many historical accounts that Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, was instrumental in recovering the True Cross in 326-328. That is something that isn’t often common knowledge!

We live in an age of unbelief and rejection, and as usual, I will not spell it out for you; you already know. And what I can do – what we can do is turn our hearts and minds totally toward God as a way of not only giving to the Lord but also reparation, to make up for those who have rejected Him. I will follow the Lord. I will learn and study; I will read good books that will fill my mind with knowledge and not fall short. It is a commitment I make today before you, and I pray the Lord gives me the grace to follow through.

And so let this be a lesson for us all that our loving God is calling us today and every day. Right now. He is calling you to come to Him. We don’t have to understand everything, and that is faith – the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and that the Almighty has done great things for us. Yes, there are many mysteries of faith or scripture verses that may leave us puzzled, yet He has not rejected us; He waits for us with open arms. He has demonstrated this in His life, death, and resurrection. He has opened the gates of heaven, He continues to bless us and allow miracles to happen daily, and the Holy Spirit is with us always. Please, Lord let us be like the Magi, infuse us with grace to believe and to understand. The Lord Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and he has called us to worship Him.

I pray this is a time of miracles for you in your life – look for them each day. Rejoice in the mysteries of our faith and seek Him always. Amen and Amen.

*There is a super interesting article about how the age of Jesus was figured for all of those who say the math doesn’t add up. You can read it here.

Another article on the True Cross.

True Cross Article here.

A special on the Mystery of Faith here.

Interesting article about the Star of Bethlehem here.

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Renewed By Faith, Miracles Happen ~ Episode 285Today, we will pray that we are renewed by faith! In last week’s episode, I shared with you that miracles do happen; I witnessed people being healed. I also wanted to share with you a list of God’s promises.

If you missed the last episode, you can find it here. Christmas Miracle

I attended a presentation by Maria Vadia, who has dedicated her life to serving the Lord. I spoke more about it in the last episode, here is her ministry is The Glory of God Foundation. Here, you can find a list of all the scripture verses she shared. If you can, pray and ponder these verses, and I pray you are renewed in your faith.

To recap, Maria prayed for miracles, and many people in attendance were healed. The real miracle is that God heals, and we were able to witness this by others present. One of my friends said her back was healed of pain. Another from her knee pain, and yet another from fear and anxiety. Praise God!

As she continued to pray for healing, you could see the people in attendance warm up to her. In the Bible, we read many times about how the Lord healed. People were skeptical that he was the Messiah, but when they witnessed miracles, they realized He was the Son of God. In Mark 2:1-12 there is an account of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof by his friends. The Lord took pity on him, and in Mark 2:5-12 we read…

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” 12 And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

When we read passages like this, how can we not be renewed by faith? Miracles and healings are not just for the past; they are for today! Right now. One thing that touched my heart was hearing Maria say she prayed for herself and she was healed. I’ve done this when I suffer from migraines when I remember to do it! I lay my hand on my head and pray, in the mighty Name of Jesus, that I am healed. Sometimes, I am healed, and other times, I am not. We do not understand the why, but we can praise God in the fruits of prayer, either way. With healing or no healing, that friend is the true miracle.

The miracle is when those who are not healed have the peace and the grace to endure with the help of God.

Yet, when someone shares the good news, people doubt it! We need a kingdom mindset this year. We need to change our attitude and see the goodness of God. When we focus on Him, we can have the peace and joy we crave. We have hope.

Word of God: We can receive healing through the mighty word of God, and it begins with knowing the Scriptures, believing them and memorizing them. God’s word is a lamp unto my feet. Psalm 119:104-106

Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.

Praise: Singing and worshiping is praying twice. Praising God in word or song helps to get our spirit in tune with God. Psalm 33:3 – “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”

The atmosphere changes when we praise God, and the scriptures are full of words of praise for the Lord.

Joy: We must be joyful; the joy of the Lord keeps us strong. Proverbs 22:17-18

The words of the wise:

Incline your ear and hear my words,[b]
and apply your mind to my teaching;
18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.

A joyful heart is good for our bodies, and it can be healing. The joy of the Lord is good! This is in contrast to what the world tells us. In Galatians 5:22 we read: By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Praying: It is important to pray and to pray with others. Matthew 18:19-20Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”Many times when I pray, I lead with that prayer. I ask the Lord to calm my mind, to help me focus on Him, and I ask for the Holy Spirit to come, then I pray, Lord, you promised, where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Please dwell among us… then I lift up the prayer or the need. When we pray we should use Scriptures they are so powerful.John 14: 15-17If you love me, you will keep[f] my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,[g] to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in[h] you.and God promised not to leave us orphaned. John 14: 18-21“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Not only that, but God gave us the gifts to use to pray for healing. 1 Corinthian 12 4-11Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.It is up to God how he gives the gifts to each one of us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pray for them! God is a generous God. We can claim healings in the Name of Jesus. But then we must give glory to God.The Bread of Life: For me, as a Catholic, that means the Eucharist. At this time, I pray to the Lord, I ask for a deeper relationship with Him, I say, Come, Lord Jesus Come. John 6 (read the entire chapter), but after Jesus performed the miracle of the bread and loaves, the people questioned him, and they wanted more signs. They said what sign you are going to give us then?John 6:29-34 —Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which[g] comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”lieve in him whom he has sent.”So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? He then went on to say in John 6: 35-37 – 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; 38 for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 3We must believe, and that is the biggest obstacle. Just like the people who saw miracles from the very hands of our Lord and Savior didn’t believe and wanted more miracles, that is how we are today. God wants us restored; he broke the bonds of sin, and the enemy has no power over us. Jesus forgave our sins, he died on the cross to take on our sins, and He rose from the dead and conquered it!I want to leave you with this powerful scripture – Romans 8:9-10But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit,[a] since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit[b] is life because of righteousness.Amen and Amen! Let God be praised today and always.The post Renewed by Faith appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

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Christmas Miracle Everyday ~ Episode 284What is a Christmas miracle, and how can we experience this every day? In this episode of A Few Minutes With God, Felice shares a recent event that changed her perspective on prayer and miracles.

Here are some other podcasts to enjoy.

• Christmas is Real.
• Christmas Countdown
• Celebrate Christmas
• Christians After Christmas

Today I want to share with you the good news! Christmas does not just happen one day a year; as Americans, we celebrate this on December 25th, so if you are listening to this on Christmas Day – Merry and Blessed Christmas.

But Merry Christmas should be in our hearts all year long. Why? Because during Christmas we celebrate the Word, the Incarnate, Christ our Lord, being made flesh.

John 1:14 – And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[a] full of grace and truth.

The entire beginning of John is my favorite verse, and I want to read them for you.

Christmas Miracle Today:John 1:18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,[a] and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.[b]

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own,[c] and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[d] full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,[e] who is close to the Father’s heart,[f] who has made him known.

This is the miracle we celebrate once a year with presents and food, with family and friends, and with decorations. Yet, the miracle is truly that because of this amazing event, the Lord Jesus came into our lives as a babe, lived a life free from sin, at 32 began his public ministry, was ridiculed and suffered; he took on our sins and died on the cross to set us free, then rose from the dead three days later.

We reside with Him in the spiritual sense in the Holy of Holys. As Christians, we unite our lives to His, and He, by his life, death and resurrection, has created for us a life that can be miraculous.

In December I attended a dinner hosted by a Christian women’s group featuring Maria Vadia. I have met Maria many times and she spoke at our Magnificat Prayer Breakfast as well a few years ago. Everytime I hear her speak I feel the annointing of God and His presence. She has an amazing story of how God used her to share the good news worldwide. Her ministry is The Glory of God Foundation

(Share how I didn’t want to attend the meeting – and ended up feeling sick after lunch).

Maria spoke to an audience that wasn’t used to hearing about miracles and healing. Her entire ministry is based upon this and the charisms that God has given her in her healing ministry. She gives all the glory to God, as the name of her foundation attests. What happened that evening was that many people (even those reluctant to believe) were healed. A friend shared with me today at Mass that the friend she brought with her was healed. Amazing.

But why are we amazed? Why are we surprised?

Maria told about how the Lord wants to heal us, yet she shared that not everyone she prayed for was healed –but many had joy in their hearts even if they were not healed. God gave them the blessings and consolations of peace in their situations. As she spoke she quoted so many scriptures I had a hard time taking notes! She said one of the gifts the Lord gave her was a hunger for His word. She said that Jesus took on every sin on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21-For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. And Hebrews 9:22–Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

And that the good news was that He took away every sickness. Isaiah 53:5 — But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. And, she said that by his wounds we are healed —1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[a] so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[b] you have been healed.

And that Jesus came and is one with the Father and ministers to his people. John 5:19

–Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father[a] does, the Son does likewise.

Jesus taught, he preached, and he healed – and that is why her ministry is centered on doing what Jesus said, Matthew 10:7-8 As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’[a] 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,[b] cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

She began calling out different ailments. She started by saying that God would heal someone with kidney issues. In my heart, I claimed that healing for my youngest grandchild, my grandson was born with kidney issues that the doctors hope he outgrows. So, in the Name of Jesus, I claim the healing for Andrew.

I want to be like her and proclaim the good news. The King of God is at Hand. Mark 16:15: And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news[a] to the whole creation.

She said God created us for a kingdom purpose, we are to do His will. Ephesians 2: 4-10

But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ[a]—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

One main thing was that she shared was that we needed to change our perception of healing, that God wants us to believe we can be healed. John 8: 31-32 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

She said the healing is there but few believe.

1 John 3:8 — Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

The enemy wants to keep us in bondage – but Jesus Christ came as a babe so that we could be set free! Amen.

She continued on by sharing other ailments that were being healed. Knees, backs, eyes, breathing problems and more. I will do another podcast with all of the scripture verses she used in a handout for you! There were so many and I think it would be beneficial for all of us to have them in a printable form.

A young priest, Father Daniel was in attendance, and later he asked me if I saw the show of hands of those who were healed. I had not, but he said over half of the audience, more than 200 women were in attendance. Praise you Jesus.

So, as you can see the Christmas miracle continues today and every day. Go forth today, my friends. Believe the good news. Jesus Christ is alive today and always. Find your own Christmas miracle daily, that is your challenge.

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Faith Matters ~ Episode 283How important is faith in your life? For many, faith matters to a lesser degree than it should. In this episode, Felice explores the importance of staying vigilant in our walk with the Lord and how to shore up our resolve in times of weakness.

You may enjoy these podcasts:

1. Spiritual Sandpaper
2. Prayer Text
3. Glory and Praise Forever

Have you seen t-shirts, signs, mugs, and even Christmas decorations with the words “Believe” on them? This seems like a good thing, but is it? What do we believe? What do they believe? There are some false prophets out there who talk new-age nonsense, and that is something we should avoid.

Quickly, the new age is a hack of real faith. Some of it sounds good; for example, you should have “love, joy, and peace” in your life. But then it gets wacky and says things like, you should do what your heart tells you, you should do what you feel like doing, whatever feels good, do it. It further gets into the use of “spiritualism,” involving transcendental meditation, reincarnation, the use of crystals, and other strange occult practices. That, my friends, is a recipe for disaster. The new age is entrenched in the occult.

All the more reason, we should be aware of what we believe and shore up our faith in the truth. The real God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. If faith is important, answer the following:

1. Why do you care about faith?
2. Why do you worship?
3. Why do you work at doing what is right?

What do we really believe? In a study my daughter did in her classroom at a Christian school, she asked her students if they could tell her their denomination (if any) and what they believed. Many could not clearly articulate their beliefs, and so their assignment was to go home and discuss it with their parents. It is amazing that we can attend church regularly, Bible studies, and other prayer groups, yet when asked, it is difficult to define our beliefs clearly.

Sure, faith matters, but if we don’t know what we believe, that could be part of the problem. We want to put on the armor of Christ, Ephesians 6:10-18 which begins, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. …

We should spend some time thinking about what we believe and make prayer a priority. Why? Because when strife or adversity comes into our lives, we must be prepared. It typically goes one of two ways. When adversity hits, we either become more committed in our faith or question God with the “Why me?”

Many of us fall into the downward spiral of self-pity, and that is difficult to get out of; we’ve all been there. I just visited the cemetery today to put flowers on the gravesite of my parents, and I still miss them. The stark realization when I look beside their gravesite is the bench that has my last name etched with special scripture verses we picked out. In the end, I am reminded each time I visit the grave site death is inevitable.

This is why faith matters to me! I want to evangelize and share the good news, and I can do this today with you. It is no accident you tuned in to this episode today, even if you are a subscriber to my podcast. God wants to do an amazing work in your life. You may have felt called for some time, and that is wonderful. It begins with you understanding your faith walk and why it matters so that you can explain it to someone else in this hurting world.

Before we can evangelize, we must be disciplined. I heard an exorcist share on YouTube that the main reason that we are attacked by the evil one is because we lack elementary spiritual discipline. He talks about how most people can’t tell themselves no. They do not have self control in their lives to continually say no to temptation. I think I talked about this video, and some of you may be curious and want to listen on your own. Even if you are not Catholic, it is worth giving the video the 55 minutes it takes to watch. The video, which is the second of a three-part series, this one is titled Obstacles to Prayer and Holiness here

As we live our lives, we must give evidence to the truth that we are striving for holiness, but holiness only comes with blessings from God. As Christians, faith matters, but so does honesty, integrity, and doing what is right. A friend of mine’s husband was a born-again Christian, he led a men’s Bible Group at breakfast, yet that didn’t stop him from leaving his wife and children for someone else. Faith matters not only in our proclamation of faith, “Jesus I believe in you! I love you! I want to follow your will!” it means dying to self and taking up the daily cross and following Him.

Faith begins with the understanding that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, came into this world as our Savior, died for our sins, and rose on the third day. He conquered sin and death. He did it for you and for me. That should make us rejoice!

The only place to go is forward. Do not look at the past; look to today and the only place to go is to Jesus. Don’t walk, run! We can become distracted by the things of this world, and to that, we say, “Get behind me, Satan, in the name of Jesus!” By focusing on the eternal, by putting our trust in God, by looking at the good that is in our lives (look carefully, those of you who doubt; it is there), and rejoicing in everything. Remember, everything in our lives does not go unnoticed by the Almighty. God gives us the tools we need for sanctity. Remember that he has armed us (think back at the beginning of this podcast, put on the Armor of God). He has armed and equipped us and it is up to us to allow him to work out the conflicts in our lives so that we can flourish in that peace that surpasses all understanding.

While we should pray, “God give me a new heart!” We read in Ezekiel 11:19 I will give them one[a] heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,

A heart that hungers for the Lord, a heart that hungers for righteousness and goodness, a heart that wants to be used by God to minister to this hurting world. Amen! Dear friends, it isn’t easy, but our faith should be the most important thing in our lives. Everything else will pass, but our faith redeems and gives us a chance at everlasting life.

In the next podcast, I will share with you the miracles in the lives of believers today and how we can enjoy the fullness of life as Christians all year long!

The challenge this week is to live out our faith; if we are not sure what we believe, research and think about it! Then, pray and strive today to walk closer to our Lord.

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Loneliness At Christmas ~ Episdoe 282Loneliness can happen at any time of the year, yet loneliness at Christmas seems especially painful. In this podcast we will discuss our role as Christians and how to bring to those in need the joy of the season of light.

Visit Media Angels.com for gifts for your family, especially the Character Planners that help you and your children focus on the importance of developing good habits.

Here are some podcasts you may enjoy.

Loneliness

Connection With Others

Temptation is Real

As I think back on Christmas past, I remember how my father felt after my mother’s passing. Every time there was an event or holiday, he missed her, especially the first time. He was so used to spending time with her and sharing his life that when she was gone, it was as if a piece of him was missing. My neighbor died this summer unexpectedly, and I am certain his widow also feels the pains of firsts, the first Thanksgiving without him, the first Christmas, and more. We are only neighbors, and friends, but when someone has a special place in your life, you will definitely feel the loneliness at Christmas.

In Isaiah 41:10 we read: (Read on air.)

God gives us the strength we need, but we need to ask. How often do we forget to ask? I know I do. In living our lives we can feel lonely even in the midst of people. I think that is why we stay so busy, so we don’t feel loneliness and so that we don’t focus on what is bothering us.

Loneliness At Christmas Can Be A StrugglePsalm 16:11 – (Read on air.)

When we are in a good place with our faith and our Lord, it seems to stem the loneliness. We don’t feel as alone or afraid. We find that joy that surpasses all understanding. Yet at times, we feel as if we are being tested.

In 1 Chronicles 29:17, we read on air.

Loneliness At Christmas UnderstoodThere is no secret formula to combat loneliness at Christmas other than to give our hearts to the Lord. My friend would take her three boys and spend time at the soup kitchen or Church ministries. She did this at Thanksgiving as well as at Christmas. This took place after she was divorced, and she felt that her holiday was different, sad, and lonely. She decided that in giving, we receive, not for the sake of receiving. And she did! She said it was the best holiday and she wished she had done it sooner.

That is truly a gift.

Make me an instrument of your peace is a song as well as a prayer attributed to St. Francis…O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

St. Francis gave up his life of wealth to serve the Lord and to serve the poor. We may not all have the opportunity to spend time with the poor this Christmas, but if you can, it is well worth it. Sometimes ministering to our own families and extended families is serving the poor in spirit. Other times they are blessing us with their joy and presence. It takes an effort to travel, especially during the holidays.

Loneliness can be a blessing; it is a pearl of great price. Think about how the Lord Jesus prayed at the garden of Gethsemane and the apostles could not stay awake with him for one hour. I pray in my mind that I am there with him. God, Jesus doesn’t need me, yet we can offer the simple tasks as an offering of our hearts even if it is just in our thoughts.

Matthew 13:44 states (read on air).

Loneliness OvercomeOur loneliness is a struggle, and it is something we may try to overcome, but each in our own way. Finding other like-minded people is helpful. I often see people at church who have lost a loved one join together for the holidays or even after church for coffee. I try to reach out to friends I know who may be struggling. I know they are being social even if they do not feel like it. It is easier to stay home, but putting out the effort is often rewarded.

We can all pray that the Lord uses us to minister to others, whether it is visiting someone without family in a nursing home, serving the needs of the poor, donating to a worthy cause, or buying gifts for those less fortunate. All of these things are small in the scope of our lives, but each one of these things brings us closer to the Lord.

This week the challenge is to pray for those who are struggling and lonely this Christmas as well as other times of the year and to ask the Lord to use us to bring joy to their hearts. Let God be praised now and forever.

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Never Underestimate Prayer ~ Episode 281Do you think your prayers never get answered? I believe you should never underestimate prayer! In this podcast, Felice discusses ways we can shortchange the Lord and what a blessing it is to realize that our prayers have been answered.

Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels, you can find curriculum as well as books such as One More Child and A Few Minutes with God.

Before you ask, no, my prayers do not always get answered, well–let me rephrase that. They do get answered but not how I would like them to be answered. I hope that makes you feel better. But that is no excuse to underestimate the power of prayer. We can pray, sometimes for years (or it seems like years), with no results.

Never Underestimate PrayerIf you haven’t done, so already, I invite you to listen to a previous podcast I did that is on the topic of forgiveness. What does this have to do with prayer? Well, I prayed for many years, and it turned out to be seven years, for a situation that happened in my life. Basically, I was praying for a person who had hurt me. Every time I was upset or felt helpless, I asked the Lord to bless this person. Did I feel like praying was a blessing? No, but felt led by the Lord to pray it anyway.

I invite you to do this. If you are upset with a person or hold a grudge against them, it is always best to go to the Lord in prayer and to pray for this person. The reason is that the enemy dislikes it when we pray for someone. The enemy wants us to be upset and unkind in our thoughts and in our actions, and when we reverse that and pray for a person who we believe has wronged us, then the enemy has no power over us and usually leaves us. In my case, a chance meeting showed me that all of that animosity and hurt feelings and everything else that I was feeling was gone.

This was truly a miracle, and seven years–wow! That’s why we should never underestimate prayer! I didn’t even realize it had been so long. However, the outcome was such a blessing in my life and one that I wanted to share with all of you. It isn’t always easy to admit when we are at fault, and holding grudges and unforgiveness in my heart is an example of being at fault. None of us are exempt from sin.

I learned through perseverance and prayer that the Lord always answers our prayers, and we should never underestimate prayer or his power in our lives, we feel defeated and alone and that no one hears us or understands us, and I think that’s what leads so many people into sin —they think that no one understands them, that God doesn’t hear them until finally a situation crops into their lives that they feel is an answer— but instead the situation becomes worse than the solution.

Friends, we must be steadfast and continue to pray. When I look at the lives of the Saints, those holy men and women who’ve gone before us. I see their lives are marked with struggle, yet they continue on and persevere. What a wonderful example that is for each one of us. Can you imagine if Abraham had given up or if David had stopped worshiping God after sinning? Sure, it took him some time to repent, but eventually God, God wants our hearts and minds to be single, focused and living the best life we can keep him at our center. The key is repentance and prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

That is a scripture we should commit to memory!

One of my sons started listening to a podcast from a businessman. He has been very successful, and he wants to share his success with others who are striving to live lives that he calls “striving for excellence.” I may have mentioned this to you in a previous podcast, but it’s worth mentioning again, especially since it has encouraged my son to strive for excellence. I explained that when we strive for excellence we’re striving to put on the mind of Christ. Excellence only comes from God, the same way we receive grace or blessings in our lives. It is a pure gift.

When we strive to live each day the best way we can, we should offer up our day to the Lord. Otherwise, are attempting the impossible, especially with daily temptations. Striving to do something on your own is a recipe for failure. How can we strive to put on the mind of Christ? One way is to focus on what is important each and every day to our day to the Lord and ask him to come into our lives in a deeper way. I often pray this prayer. I don’t know how successful I am, but I do ask the Lord to come into my life in a deeper way.

We should set aside some time for prayer. How often you can do this depends on what is going on in your life; I know people like the idea of downtime, but what better way than spending time with God? On the days that I can’t spend time with God, I offer my day to him. I try to focus on what is important that day and give it the rest to him.
We can make our lives a prayer to God, and in that way, even if we are not verbalizing our intent, God knows our heart and perhaps will bring a scripture verse to mind or maybe a song of praise. Challenge yourself to memorize a scripture verse this week. Then another one next week. Soon you will have four verses memorized by the end of the month. Can you imagine if we did that monthly? We’d have 48 verses memorized by the end of the year.

Colossians 3:16 (Read on air.)

Gratitude And PrayerCan we sing gratitude? I’m sure if we were all in a room together and sharing about how the Lord has answered our prayers, we would be amazed at each of our stories. Each one of us has hardships that we bear, but each one of us has been blessed whether or not we realize it. If not, perhaps you can pray for an attitude check. Praising God in all things, seeing the good in our lives and those around us. This takes prayer, and it takes grace!

One way we can see how we are doing in our faith walk is to look at our lives as a glass that is half full or half empty which is it? Is your life half full, or is it half empty? If you believe your life is half full, meaning that you are blessed, rather than half empty, meaning you are lacking, that is one indication. No, it’s not an exact science, but it is an illustration that shows how we can look at things optimistically or pessimistically. The choice is ours. Believing that God hears all of our prayers is really Important.

Ultimately, when we pray, it is up to the Lord; if he answers the way we would like him to answer or not, if it is a prayer that is important to our salvation, those are the ones that are answered the most. For example, Lord, give me more faith, our Lord, bring me closer to you. Remember, when we pray, it is not a feeling; it is a decision we make. We make a decision to pray similarly to making a decision to forgive ourselves as well as others as we are closer and closer to the Advent season. As I record this, and it will probably play for the first time during December, the season of Advent, let us call to mind how important it is to pray to the Lord and offer our daily struggles to him.

Your challenge this week is to look at answered prayer as a gift and give God all the glory that He rightly deserves.

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Celebrate Christmas and Advent – Episode 280When you celebrate Christmas, does it include Advent? Advent is the time before Christmas. It is the 24-day countdown to the blessed event, the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Advent helps us to put the holiday in perspective. In this podcast, Felice discusses ways you can celebrate this joyous time, whether you are living alone or celebrating as a family.

More podcasts on Celebrating Christmas here:

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Blessings

Christmas is Real

Advent deals with the coming of Christ, yes, but also the openness of our heart to receive our Lord and Savior, as well as the more profound meaning of recognizing he came for a purpose: to open the gates of heaven and to set us free from sin.

In my church, Advent brings in the Christmas season or the start of what is called the liturgical year. This is the season of Christmas and ends in January with the feast of the Epiphany is celebrated—the coming of the wise men to visit Christ.

The liturgical year is also celebrated with special colors worn by the priests at church. They are as follows:

• White: joy and purity, and the resurrection
• Green – hope and perseverance the call to continue to listen
• Purple – penance, waiting and morning
• Red – martyrdom of Jesus and the sayings
• Blue is in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Pink —solemnity
• Gold – royalty

Suppose you had to pick a color which would you pick to celebrate Advent. You would think white, possibly, but it is purple. Advent is a time of waiting and morning. It is a time of joy because we know the end of the story, but it is a time of hope and sorrow for what had to be because of the sinfulness, the free will choice of man. When we celebrate Christmas, we can follow the Lenten practice of prayer and fasting. This is difficult to do unless you live alone. But, some families do make this their practice.

One idea is to fast from a particular bad habit or from overeating during the holiday when it seems that cakes, cookies, and parties are abundant. It does not have to follow the strictness of Lent, the 40 days before Easter. The importance is to recognize the Christmas season as a time of reflection.

What can you do to celebrate Christmas? Decorations, sure. But keeping the focus on the “reason for the Season,” the Christ child. In our decorations, be sure to add a Nativity scene or two, a picture of the Holy Family, or something that reminds you of the coming of our Savior.

Isaiah 7:14 (read on air).

Or we can read the geology of Jesus in Matthew 1 – again a reminder of the prophecy of God the Father to Abraham, Genesis 26:4 (Read on air).

While we love the Christmas season for so many reasons, it is also a time of hardship for many. It is difficult because of the loss of a loved one, financial hardships, or perhaps illness. Yet, the key to the season’s joy is not on the external but the internal, the focus on Christ.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (Read on air)

Who doesn’t want to celebrate the season with joy after hearing that? We can each celebrate in a way that makes sense for your individual family. For us, it begins with nightly prayer. This year, Advent begins on December 3. We will begin early because everyone will be home on Thanksgiving. So we will do the first week twice. Each evening, we light one candle and pray from my favorite book.

During the Advent season, we use a round advent wreath with four candles, three purple and one pink. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent to remind us of the momentous occasion that is to come the following week. It is a time of prayer and scripture readings, and our family adds the prayer of thanksgiving. We share what we are the most thankful for each evening after our prayer time. It is wonderful and I celebrate this time with joy with my family.

I’ve given the children advent wreaths to take to college with them so they could celebrate on their own until we gather at Christmas time. It is called the Season of Light: Daily Prayer for the Lighting of the Advent Wreath. I have purchased other books but do not like them as well. The readings are not very long, but they are heartfelt. The suggestion is given to do this during or before a meal.

However you celebrate this Christmas, I pray you are surrounded by joy. Your challenge this week is to think about how you want to prepare in the coming weeks and, as always keep Christ in your heart.

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Blessed Be The Lord ~ Episode 279This is a time of Thanksgiving and being grateful. But honestly, we should be singing, Blessed be the Lord” from the rooftops. Too much? At the very least, we need to realize where our blessings come from. In this podcast, you will be encouraged and leave with hope!

How do you feel when someone says, great job? Or, thanks so much for what you are doing, or you were so helpful. We enjoy being recognized. And while humility is a virtue, it is still nice to receive praise. It makes us want to strive to do better.

Here are some podcasts you may enjoy.

• Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice
• God’s World Revealed

How much more should we be thanking and praising God? He, after all, gave us our lives. He is the Creator of the Universe; He is the Almighty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The scriptures are filled with verse after verse of the words, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” These are words of worship.

One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 113:2 – Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!

Blessed Be The Name of the LordHow do you feel hearing this? It fills me with joy. When we are thanking God, we may think we are doing it for Him, but we are doing it for ourselves. God is perfect, and we can do nothing to make him “more perfect.” He does not need our praise, but he deserves it.

Just like we don’t need to be thanked or praised for a job well done, it is still nice to hear it coming, especially from our family. Why is it that we take our own family for granted at times, just like we take the Almighty God and Father for granted?

We feel the eternal, heartfelt joy in the words in Ephesians 1:3 (Read on air.)

What is more important than spiritual blessings? Nothing. That is the greatest gift we can receive. By glorifying God, we are doing the little thing. It is a form of love of obedience, and what God gives us back is joy. An abundance of joy!

There is no way we can outgive God; try it. Anything we do to praise and glorify Him is given back tenfold. Just think of singing praise and worship music. The song, “Blessed Be The Lord God Almighty,” gets stuck in my head when I hear it and sing along. It is as if the Lord is reminding me of that—link to lyrics of the song.

Singing the refrain reminds us of what is important; it gives us a chance to let go of the cares of this world and the stresses in our lives. It allows us to see the bigger picture, the end goal, and what we should strive to focus on. When we let go and let God, as the saying goes, we allow Him to work in our lives. Amen? For me, music helps. I can’t listen to music and work on anything at the same time because I tend to want to sing along. It’s a good thing the Lord doesn’t care what we sound like.

At church, I often see people who are not singing. We are taught that singing is praising God twice. Even if you can’t sing well, try it- you can sing low! It is uplifting to sing, and singing prepares you. It opens your heart to hear the Word of God and what the pastor is teaching. It is also helpful to praise God before you open the Bible. When my children were younger, and I didn’t have time to go to church daily, I would pray the one-hour prayer. Not all at once but during the day as I had time. I thought I did a podcast on the one-hour prayer, but I have not. I will do one soon because it was beneficial and so helpful.

In a nutshell, the point of the one-hour prayer was to praise the Lord, repent from sins, and prepare our hearts for reading the Scriptures. It is an abundance of blessings–for us. What a wonderful and merciful God we have.

Today’s topic is probably not anything you don’t already know. Most of you have a relationship with the Lord, most praise the Lord, and most of you listen to praise and worship music, but it is a reminder to us all. First, do not take God for granted. He is worthy of all praise. Second, fill our hearts and minds with glory and praise, and we will find our hearts uplifted. It may even combat fear and depression. And, third, take it to heart. Make it your goal this week to thank God, saying, Blessed be the Lord—amen~and halleluiah. Jesus reigns yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

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Holidays and Faith ~ Episode 278Faith takes a back seat when you get busy, especially during the holidays. This episode explores holidays and faith, keeping God in the forefront—simple ways to get in the holiday mood without taking your focus off of the Lord.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, with books for parents and children.

Here are some great podcasts you will want to listen to.

• Peace within Families
• God’s Word Revealed
• Healing Power of God
• True Faith

Rejoice! The kingdom of God is at hand. Friends, this is a time for rejoicing even if we don’t feel it. We are being bombarded from every side with personal, spiritual, and financial issues—some insurmountable. But nothing is too big for God, and during this time, when people turn their backs on him, we can still praise Him! When we get too busy, praise Him. When we don’t think we can go on, praise Him!

He is worthy of our praise.

Holidays and Faith Begins With The True God.I was searching holidays and faith and was shocked by what I found on a popular search engine. The first one was a pagan holiday, and there were two other pagan holidays listed. I clicked the link to see what else I’d find and was sent to a website where I had to scroll almost to the bottom to find Christian/Catholic – Christmas. Seriously? Should I be surprised? Probably not.

But you and I? We can make a difference, first in our own lives and then in the lives of others. If we were in charge of the search engine analytics, we would ensure Judaism, Christianity, and Catholicism were front and center.

Hebrews 11:1 (Read on air.)

What a wonderful encouragement. We have been blessed! We have been given the most incredible gift: faith in God. We see evidence of this in our lives and the lives of those holy men and women of God whom we respect and admire. For many of us, faith is something we live daily. But when we get busy, we sometimes forget to prioritize the most important thing: our relationship with the Almighty God.

Christian holidays are focused on the essentials of our faith—Christmas centers on the birth of Jesus, and Easter, his death and resurrection. Whatever the holiday, even if it is Thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day we can still pull in the Christian elements. Our faith transcends secular holidays, and we are reminded of the Divine. Especially since we know God is the way, the truth, and the life. He has given us a gift, a priceless gift, and that is faith.

In Romans 21:21-22 (Read on air.)

So, any time we get too busy or overwhelmed, we pray. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” Right? The key is in prayer with faith. God will hear us always; the answer isn’t always “yes.”

Our state of mind is in direct proportion to our spiritual life. I had to take myself to task about this recently. I was feeling down, overwhelmed and really couldn’t handle the least little thing without extreme worry. I began an internal evaluation.

Checklist of Faith:

1. Praying? Check.
2. Attending church regularly? Check.
3. Thanking God during the day? Check.
4. Praise and worship music. No.
5. Spending time with the Lord. No.

I had plenty of excuses, and as I shared on the last podcast, “All in For God,” we need to be done with our excuses. We need to say, “Here I am, Lord!” Amen? I started staying a little later at Mass, praying yes–but spending time in quiet. My mind may wander, but I bring it back to God out of determination. The evil one doesn’t want us to spend any time with God and will put all kinds of thoughts in our heads, even good ones. Yet, we need to be strong, determined, and focused.

During the holidays, things seem to ramp up on our time and emotional well-being. People are either happy or sad during the holidays. People are lonely, or they’ve lost loved ones, and people are overwhelmed and worried about the money they don’t have to spend on gifts. But, if we give some time in prayer to the Lord and spend it with him, enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and seeing the glory of God in the landscape, it is all a way to realize this world is so much bigger than just us.

How do we get to a place to celebrate the holidays and ensure our prayer life is not overlooked? That, dear friends, is up to you. Spend some time and think about what you have to do, how you will do it in the time you have, and what you can cut out. That is one of the most significant dilemmas we have.

Matthew 15:13 (read on air.)

There, we claim hope in the precious Name of God. We ask the Lord to fill us with his joy and peace. We pray that this holiday, whether a major calendar holiday, a birthday, or an anniversary, is filled with joy. You see, joy is a decision. Faith is a decision to accept what is freely given. There are so few things we have control over, yet we do control our minds and faith.

This leads me to our challenge for this week: to be aware if we find ourselves leaving God out of our family celebrations, no matter what the time or the season. Let’s put God first, and everything else will follow.

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All In For God ~ Episode 277What are your priorities? Somewhere in that list, does God make it to the top? In this episode, we will explore how we can be all in for God today and always. It is an easy way to restructure our priorities.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, with books, self-paced classes, and printables. Check out the website for more information.

I belong to a women’s ministry, Magnificat. It is an international ministry that brings women together within the context of a meal. We pray, praise, and worship, and host a speaker who tells us how they have grown in the love of the Lord and how they got to the point they were all in for God. Most of the time, it is a call to action. A call to change our lives for the better and to focus on the most important thing: our faith.

In prayer recently, we felt the Lord was calling us to go deeper, yes, but to be single-minded in our focus on Him. The time of excuses, dear friends, is over. We all have them. I’m too busy; I have too many people who need me, my job, my home, my faith community. All are excuses. I know. I use them. Often.

The Lord is steadfast in love, yes – but he is a jealous God. Exodus 20:5 – You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me…

and then we read in Exodus 34:6 (Read on air).

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Are we willing to reject God? We may not worship false idols in the sense of the people of Israel, statutes that they sacrificed even their children. Yet, today we see abortion is a type of sacrifice. It is a sacrifice of free will, an offering to evil in order. Parenting is hard work, and it is sacrificial. It is the element of self-sacrifice that has been lost. It is self sacrifice that will lead us closer to the Lord, not away from Him. When we die to self we

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Peace Within Families Episode 118Next to world peace, we want peace within families! I’ve heard horror stories of siblings not talking to each other for years, and in this episode, we will pray for broken families and those who are lost to the hope of Jesus.

Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels, Inc. and don’t forget to download our Prayer Journal free for subscribers on this website.

Peace on earth – peace be with you – peace within families goes hand-in-hand. I sometimes marvel that we want world peace, but those born with the same parents sometimes can’t get along! Of course, there are many psychological reasons that this happens, but truthfully, the real reasons are not so complex if we think about it.

I’ve created podcasts on forgiveness, and sometimes, it is the hurt and the unforgiveness that keeps people apart. One of the biggest problems I see among families is the inability to communicate.

We get upset, our feelings get hurt, we can’t understand, we are floored, and we are … well, fill in the blanks. We’ve all had arguments with those we love – and the more you love, the harder it is sometimes to keep from getting hurt. We wear our hearts on our sleeves, especially those of us who are parents, and we hope that our kids and our grandkids will see that we love them. But seeing is often tricky when our actions may show something different.

How do we show we love? For different people, it is in different ways – two quick examples for me are doing something, baking you cookies, having you over for a meal, opening my home, or well-doing. For my husband, it is time – and it is kindness. But peace is something that transcends doing!

John 16:33

Peace is the feeling of being protected and safe, and, most of all, it happens when we feel people understand us. That is why, without good communication within families, it will fall apart! With God, we talk, and He listens – very rarely do we hear the Lord … but when we do, whether through the Word, a friend, or in prayer, it may not be what we want to hear.

God is our haven. In God, we are guaranteed peace. Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

But back to peace within families – how do we achieve this? Especially in the toxic climate in which we, as Americans, live – and at the time of this recording! I’ve heard of family members who avoid getting together for the holidays because they do not want to get into heated discussions!

So, friends, here are some things to pray about if we want peace!

1. Pray for the Lord to shower those you love and are family members with love that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
2. Listen: when others talk, listen and pray for discernment – and Proverbs 1:5 Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—
3. Pray to do God’s will – whether that is to comfort or love. We don’t have to agree, but we can do what God would do – maybe not agree but love.

Only God can love unconditionally, but I believe that as family members, we have a special grace from God to forgive if we allow ourselves to be humbled and realize we are not perfect! I know hard to do and easy to say –

So, Let’s Pray for His Divine Grace.

Dear Jesus, I pray for peace within my family. I know You love me all the time with your unconditional love, and I ask for the Divine grace to love those who have hurt me and ask that those I have hurt forgive me. Lord, I don’t want to conform or be less than I am; I want to be a shining star that shows Your love to others. I want to reflect Your light, and I want to be the one who plants the seeds for You to reap. I ask my God that you bless those I pray for and specifically for their needs … Thank Jesus for all you have done for my family and for the peace and joy that we will feel – and I pray this in Jesus, precious Name. Amen.

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Keys to Unlocking Your Faith ~ Episode 276The keys to unlocking your faith are not complicated, yet often missed in our hectic lives. In this podcast, we discuss the key elements of faith and ways we can be open to receiving more of Him and less of us.

Everyone likes keys, and what’s not to like? They unlock previously blocked or locked items and often treasures. What is more important than the treasure of faith? For those of you who are lifelong Christians, the answer may be obvious, but still, when was the last time you asked the Lord to come into your life and unlock those places you’ve previously blocked?

You may enjoy these previously recorded episodes:

• Faithful Christian
• New Eyes of Faith
• 7 Keys to Sharing Your Faith

Think about this. Many of us pray and have an openness to God. We read the Scriptures, pray our prayers, and maybe even confess our sins. But, there is the place we ignore, we don’t think about, and we won’t release to the Almighty.

One time, I felt strongly in prayer that God was calling me to do more. He was asking me to give Him my all — but in a way that made me pause. “Lord, I’ve given you my heart, mind, intellect, all of me.”

But what about your health, your family, your finances?

Do we release everything to Him and say – Your will, Lord, not mine? Sure, within reason or what we believe is reason. We worship God, but what do we leave on the table? There is a saying in business that often we leave money on the table. That means we do not maximize our investment or profit to the fullest. We are, in essence, short, short-changing ourselves.

The same can be said in faith; we give God everything except everything.

The key to unlocking your faith is a complete surrender, and some of you listening are just not ready. Join the club. We are rational human beings. God gave us intellect, He gave us reason, He gave us free will (which often gets us in trouble). But He has also given us everything.

Jesus gave me everything by lowering Himself to come as a babe, live among us, suffer, and die to atone for my sins and the sins of humanity. He opened the gateways of heaven for me. He loves me. And I can choose to deny Him.

We walk around with heaviness and a lack of joy because we carry the burdens of life. We live in a world of war, strife, anger, and deceit. How do we see the silver lining in this world? Yet, we hold on and cling to life, don’t we? On occasion, I suffer from migraines. The pain is excruciating, but it is debilitating. For those of you who are fellow suffers out there, you know. I can do nothing, but I hope and pray it ends soon. Amid the suffering, the thoughts are disjointed as they believe there would be respite in death. How many suicides are there? The number has grown exponentially, especially among our young people. That is a lie from the evil one, and I rebuke it in Jesus’ Name. There is death, yes, when God wills it and only then.

If you are struggling, you can figure out the cause in this way. Try to listen to praise and worship music, try to watch something that is faith-based, and try to read Scripture. Does any of this bring a struggle in your mind or make you want to turn it off or away? If so, you are in the midst of a spiritual struggle. It happens to all of us from time to time. We want to bury ourselves in fluff, entertainment, and veg out occasionally. And, of course, there is nothing wrong with this. However, remember, the enemy wants to keep us in a loop of entertainment to rob us of the joy of a genuine faith infilling (Come Holy Spirit) and the joy that only comes from God.

There is good news! The good news is that true faith comes from releasing our will freely to the Almighty God.

So, back to the keys. The keys to unlocking your faith, what are they?

1. Surrender to God’s will in your life—all of me, Lord, for all of you.
2. Know that God will provide no matter what you cross if you lean on Him.
3. Fill your mind with all that is good; listen to praise and worship music.
4. Join a faith community. There is power in praying with other faithful Christians.
5. Go to church.

Friends, the truth is that the struggle, while real, can be overcome with the simple keys to unlocking your faith. Come, Holy Spirit, come and fill each person listening today! Your challenge is to pray this week for more of Him in your life, and if you are ready, surrender all to Him. Amen!

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Deliver Us From Evil ~ Episode 275In the Lord’s prayer, we recite the words, “Deliver us from evil now and at the hour of death,” but what does that mean? As Christians, we avoid evil as much as possible, but that does not mean we aren’t tempted. In this podcast, we discover the scriptures do more than warn.

Sin can paralyze us. We can feel under attack. In some cases, it is difficult to break out of this hold, this attack. We live in a culture of self-indulgence, instant food, and easy access to things most countries can only dream about. Yet, we hear that many people feel empty and alone.

Many people are drawn to the prosperity scriptures, such as in Jerimiah. What is not to love? Jerimah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

You may enjoy these podcasts on combatting evil.

• Resisting Evil
• Evil Tactic
• Drenched with Joy

The Lord wants to shower us with an abundance of grace, but often, our hands are firmly in our pockets, or we sit with our arms crossed. We crave prosperity, but we realize it isn’t that easy to receive because of all the blocks we place in the way. God knows our hearts, and often we are found lacking. God wants to bless, heal, and restore us, yet it is up to us to open our arms to the Lord—your will, not ours. Deliver us from evil, Lord, as you will it to be. That should be our prayer.

The Gospel message is not for the faint of heart.

Psalm 9 – The Lord will judge the world with justice. Read all of Psalm 9, but the first (read on air)

Jesus is the Lord; he came and lived among sinful men when they yearned for a Messiah. These people did not recognize him even with all of the miraculous happening. Jesus cast out demons, yet the people of the day said he could only do this because he was evil. Whatever were they thinking? This is what we would call faulty thinking today.

In the Gospel of Luke 11:15-26, we read that the people were complaining about the Lord. They said Jesus casts out the ruler of the demons, but the only way he could do this was because he was evil. In verses 17-22, Jesus says, (Read on air)

And that, my friends, is the crux of the issue — whoever is not with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is against him. There is no time to be lukewarm. Lukewarm will not only get us into trouble but also allow evil to come back with a vengeance. It was difficult for the men then, as well as people now, to give Jesus credit, to believe, and to turn back from sin.

The really scary part is that while the demon was expelled from the man, not only did it come back.

The Return of the Unclean SpiritLuke 11:24-26 (Read on air.)

Spiritual warfare doesn’t take a break; those who get free of addictions, if you get free of the evil, you need to change your lifestyle to maintain that freedom. Turn to a life of prayer and a sacramental life. We are made as a spiritual vessel for the Holy Spirit, and if it is not filled by the Holy Spirit, it gets filled by other spirits. We can not leave it empty.

How do you avoid evil? Recognize it.

Even as Christians, the lure for understanding or knowing the future is prevalent in our society. Two years ago, I was in New Orleans for a conference and visited St. Louis Cathedral. The church had erected a high metal fence in front of it, which I found strange until I saw, little by little, people in colorful garments coming and setting up shop in the open, public space in front of the church. Who were these people? They were the “sellers” of evil. There were fortune tellers and palm readers, to name a few. Some people took tours to talk about the ghosts that inhabited many of the buildings and had been “seen” in years past.

Where there is good, evil abounds. You may think I am exaggerating, but the truth is that the enemy will do anything for your soul. The enemy is allowed in through a gateway, but always with our permission.

One way that evil enters is through occult practices; many are unaware of items such as occult games, for example, the Ouija board and tarot cards. Or activities such as seances and mediums, which is how evil gets in, because people welcome and allow it, believing it is just for fun or not real. Friends, it is real. Evil does have power, but only what we give it; God is greater, He is Almighty, He has dominion over evil. Who will we serve?

Deliver Us From Evil, Scripture Warns UsThe scriptures warn us. The Old Testament is filled with worship of idols, of false gods. The true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, gave warning after warning. The 10 Commandments, the prophets, and what happened? All of the twelve tribes of Israel fell because while two of the twelve (in the south) worshipped the true God, they would not remove the “idols from on high” that the people worshiped. We can not be divided in our worship.

A verse that should give us pause is in Isaiah 47 – in verses 10-11 (Read on air.) Leviticus 20:6 (Read on air.)

This is giving sin permission to come into your life.Deliver Us From Evil – Five Easy Steps1. Renounce your sin, ask the Lord to call the sins to mind, and rebuke them in the Name of Jesus. 2. Renounce permission you may have given the evil one to enter through the sin. Spiritual warfare prayer. 3. Claim in the Name of Jesus that you are a child of God. 4. Pray with a spiritual advisor or clergy. 5. If you are Catholic, go to confession and receive the sacraments often.

Praying, reading the scriptures, asking for more of the Holy Spirit, and confessing are ways to avoid evil.

Spiritual Warfare Prayer

1. Renounce sin – in the Name of Jesus, I give you dominion over my life and renounce the sin of *** ____________________ (pray and quietly wait on the Lord to reveal sin to your mind.)
2. Put on the armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18.
   • RIGHTEOUSNESS: Girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, flaming arrows against the evil one, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
   • WHOLE ARMOR: In verses 13-18,” Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
   • TRUTH: Stand, therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
   • PEACE: As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
   • FAITH: With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
   • SALVATION: Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
   • PRAY: Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.Pray in the Spirit – come Holy Spirit, and keep alert.

***Once you have prayed against evil – for example, the spirit of lies, ask the Lord to fill you with the opposite, “the spirit of truth.” Always pray the opposite of the evil and ask God to fill you with His grace. If you do not know the opposite, pray, Come Holy Spirit.

Remember, the battle has been won! Alleluiah. Alleluiah. Jesus lived, died, has risen, and has broken the bonds of death. We must be open and vigilant and recognize that we can pray, “Come Holy Spirit, Come…fill my heart today and always.”

Your challenge this week is to pray the spiritual warfare prayer and take back any areas you have given over. Amen! May God be praised.

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Faithful Christian ~ Episode 274Do you want to be known as a faithful Christian? What about a faithful and prudent Christian? What does faith mean to you, and how can you use this calling to believe and bless others?

Media Angels is a publishing company dedicated to bringing good books, curriculum, and materials to Christian families. Check out the website for more information.

In the Bible, we read about wisdom and discernment. We also learn that a prudent person uses discretion and makes good decisions. We can’t do this all of the time; alas, no one is perfect, but with the help of God, we can live a life as faithful Christians.

Faithful Christians study the Word, learn from experience, and try to apply Biblical and Church principles to their lives. It is deciding each and every day that I will serve. Isn’t it interesting that those who are opposed to Christianity are those who seek self before others?

We must look outward instead of inward. I find that I can be critical of myself, and that is because I hold myself to a high standard, and when I don’t, measure up to what I think I should do, I can feel let down. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I have time to pray each day, spend time in church or just in quiet with God. I also love to learn and listen to teachings whenever I can, usually taking notes.

Do you feel like that?

But what about those days when we get so busy or without any accomplishments? How do we feel then? Do we give ourselves some slack or allow ourselves to regroup? If we don’t, we can become a slave to lists and requirements without being true to our calling.

What is our calling? To serve God, yes, but to know the mind and heart of God. God is righteous. We see this very clearly in the book of Jonah. We read that one of the lesser prophets, Jonah (and he wasn’t a very good prophet, we come to find out), was sent to Ninevah to warn the people to stop worshipping false Gods or they would be wiped out.

Every child learns of the story of the unrepentant Jonah and how he disobeyed God, went the wrong way, got on a ship, and was thrown overboard by the sailors because he admitted the storm was probably due to disobedience. Once he was thrown over and the seas calmed, the sailors praised and worshipped the one true God and changed their ways.

Jonah was eaten by a large fish, as the scriptures tell us, and finally, he was thrown up on the shores of Ninevah. He warns the people we read in Jonah 3:4-5 – read on air.

Jonah did everything he could not to follow what God asked him. He went the wrong way, barely giving instructions to the people of Nineveh, the bare minimum, yet the people believed. Even the king wore sackcloth and repented from worship to the false Gods. God changed his mind, and this city was not destroyed.

The other prophets at the time went to warn the tribes of Israel, but Jonah was sent to Assyria, which made Jonah angry – he was upset because he didn’t think these people should be saved. In Jonah 4:1-2 we read:

First, Jonah didn’t think they should be saved, and secondly, he knew …it says, “…for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love…”

We may shake our heads at Jonah. Seriously? Why would he disobey God? But consider this: how often do we think we know better than the Almighty? How often are we angry if others prosper and don’t deserve it? This is not how a faithful person should act. We should act in a way that knows the heart of God.

1. God is merciful.
2. God is slow to anger.
3. God is abounding in steadfast love.

God forgives, and yes, He can change His mind because He is God.

Faithfulness means trusting in Divine Providence, even when we don’t want to. It also means that salvation is not just for the elect – it was not just for the tribe of Israel, especially after they continually worshipped the true God of Israel. But then they would not destroy the altars to the false idols and gods.

Salvation was available to the sailors on the ship that almost drowned; it was available to the people of Nineveh when they repented. It is available to you and me and to anyone who wants to follow the teachings of God.

Imagine this…we, as Christian people, decide to repent for humanity. We put on sackcloth, fast, pray, and repent. Can you imagine how we could change the world if we could do this? God would take pity on us and deliver us from evil.

2 Corinthians 5:7, we read, “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” let’s, yes — walk by faith, but let’s also open our eyes to the true God and how to better show others by our obedience and action that we are followers of truth.

This week, look at verses that discuss the heart of God and let’s all try to be more like Him.

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Hunger for God ~ Episode 273Where can you satisfy your hunger, that is, hunger for God? There is only one place, and that is in Him. In this podcast, we will discuss ways to combat that emptiness that we feel from time to time.

Thanks to Media Angels, the sponsor of this episode. You will find more information on the website at MediaAngels.com. Check out the Character Planners for families.

There is a saying that people look for love in all the wrong places; the same can be said about looking for fulfillment that we can only find in God.

Check out the Wholeness and Holiness Podcast on this Network and two episodes I enjoyed.

Coping with stress as well as Greater Peace, Joy, and Freedom.

Hunger For GodUltimately, when we struggle, we must find fulfillment because of a need. We can only find satisfaction in God. That hunger that we have, that restlessness, that unquenchable thirst is because something is missing. As a Catholic, I memorized the questions and answers in the Baltimore Catechism as a kid. The first question was, “Who made the world.” The answer was, “God made the world.” It went on to establish that God was the creator of heaven, earth, and all things and that man was a creature composed of body and soul made in the image of the likeness of God. But the fourth question asked, “Why did God make you? The answer is God made me to know, love, and serve him.

We find we are unfulfilled when we know, love, and serve the wrong things.

A hunger for God is the desire for what is good and holy. It is not in the New Age sense or the false gods. Just like food is nourishing for the soul, God is nourishing for the spirit, and the heart cannot be quenched with the things of this world.

We read in Jeremiah two verses 11 through 13 (Read on air)

In the imagery of these verses, we see the warning of God, and this morning is that God has pointed out that the people of Israel have turned their backs on the one true God, and when they do that, they will find spiritual hunger.

Psalm 81:10 states I am the Lord, your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it

Furthermore, we read in Matthew 5:6 (read on air) and John 6:33-35 (read on air).

And that is the only way, my friends, that we can fulfill our hunger for God unless we totally rely on him, unless we totally ask him for forgiveness, unless we pray “your will” be done in my life, God, we will always be hungry and will remain and satisfied.

Recently, I have changed my prayer petitions. Instead of praying specifically for something I’ve asked for repeatedly, I’ve been praying, “Your will be done, God.” In this way, I am releasing my prayers to him and the stress and anxiety accompanying it. That doesn’t mean I expect God to answer my prayer the way I had initially asked it, although that would be nice, but I can rest assured that whatever happens, it is within God’s will.

In a world where we can’t trust the things we see because how do we know if it hasn’t been manipulated or photoshopped or some other wonders of photography haven’t misled us, we can’t seem to trust words because many times those are skewed to fit a specific agenda, we can’t rely on or trust the government entities and many times we can’t even rely or trust on those. We love those who have hurt us.

But we can trust in God. We can trust in his perfection. Trusting when we are hungry for that spiritual infilling, we can rely upon God if we find ourselves struggling or empty or depressed or lonely. If this happens to you, think about why and analyze what you have put your faith into. What is not filling you up? What is not satisfying your would?

If we are not filling up on the Word of God, if we are not filling up on prayer, if we are not filling up on good videos or books, we may find hopelessness and despair. This creeps in, the enemy is just waiting to prey upon us in our time of weakness.

The hunger for God is a hunger, for the good things. It encourages us to fill up with grace and allows us the tools against the evil one.

John 4:13-14 (Read on air) The hunger for God can only be fulfilled as Jesus says, and in John 6:35 He reminds us of this again.

Dear friends, I challenge you to look at your lives to see ways to regain that joy, regain that hope, and be fulfilled. Do not go hungry another day. Look to the Lord for your needs, and share the good news with others.

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Christian Example ~ 272What is a good Christian example? We can point to the saints, people like Mother Teresa and others. But, truly we can be an example to others by asking the Lord for His grace and His help.

Sponsored By: CTCMath.com a curriculum for students grades K-12 with online tutorials and help. Visit the website for more information.

Sadly, we, as Christians as a whole, are not the best examples of how to live. The promises of the gospel message show others, especially those who are suffering, that there is faith, hope, love, and compassion from the Lord.

God gives us many examples through the scriptures of how he expects us, his people, to act, and we fall short. Sometimes we fall short by word, sometimes by deed, and most of the time, just because we’re too lazy to do what is right truthfully, sometimes we can be so hard on ourselves or as one of our pastors says we have Christian scrupulosity. We care more for the letter of the law rather than the law itself. When we read the scriptures, we see it plainly, and yet how many of us take it to heart I know I’m guilty of this myself.

In Luke 7:31-35 we read, (on air).

Now, if we read the gospel of Luke Chapter 7, we will see before this happened, Jesus had been very busy. He was curing many who had diseases and sicknesses and casting out evil spirits. He gave sight to the blind and cured those who had leprosy. Those who were lame walked, but yet Jesus was reprimanding the people because even though they saw these miracles, they were not ready to change their lives

As Christians, we know the end of the story. We know what it is we should do God had compassion on those, and on those who were suffering, he brought people back to life. This is an example to us today of the gift that God gives us as Christians. We have the opportunity for everlasting life with him, so how are we going to be an example as Christians? How are we going to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Lord?

I can give you a list, of five or ten things you can do. But, my list might not be the one that is right for you. And, in doing this good thing, being a Christian example, it can cause us to be boastful, or to congratulate ourselves that we are not like those sinners over there. Friends, we must be cautious.

I did a podcast sometime back that I titled Judgmental Christians, and I’ll put a show a link I’ll put a link in the show notes. (Tell the story on air)

To summarize the other podcast, I explained how I should live my life according to the gospels I should improve my life, and I needed to forgive those who hurt me and ask forgiveness for those I had hurt. Friends, we are all flawed! It is difficult to show an example of Christianity to others when we are hurting, and as my mother used to say we need to get our own house in order before we can try to fix the houses of others

In giving others an example of what it means to be a Christian, we are following the example Christ gave us. However, when we pray, when we give alms, we do this because we should out of obedience, it is a free-will decision

Being a Christian is a free-will decision, and acting like one means we show others humility, love, and compassion, especially if they are hurting and especially if they feel rejected by others. When Jesus walked the earth, he called his disciples, I love the phrase “Come follow me” This is an example of what it means to follow and to be called by God.

But we know we are all called by God, the Scriptures tell us, He has called us by name…(Isaiah 43:1). Knowing someone’s name held great importance in Biblical times and even today. Aren’t you happy when you remember someone’s name or they remember yours? The significance is import. Even more, God knows the “number of hairs on my head– And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30.

In Matthew 9:9-13 we read (on air).

Wow! God is calling us; he is calling all of us. Not the perfect, not the ones that have it all together, but us. The sinners.

As a Christian, our example may be flawed, but it is at least an attempt, not at perfect but of example. All of these things show us that there is a right and a wrong way to act, but one thing we know, we should not be judgemental like the Pharisees.

Think about everyday life, driving in traffic trying to find a parking spot or maybe returning something at a store when the clerk is very frustrating. We can use these everyday opportunities to say thank you or some other greeting that is welcoming. Or, “I appreciate the excellent job you have done or appreciate how hard you’re working if they haven’t done an excellent job.” You know what I mean.

Sometimes it only costs us a few minutes of our time, and sometimes it costs us much more. It is a sacrifice, and that is a small price to pay. If we can all show just a little bit of grace to others because God has given us grace, we should. Jesus asks us to follow him. It is not a call we should take lightly. It is those baby steps that take us closer to Christ.

Let’s all pray and ask the good Lord to give us the grace we need to be a Christian example because only by his gift of love and grace can we possibly show others just a tiny bit of the goodness of God. My friends rejoice and are glad because he is there for us not just today but every day, and I just pray that this week your challenge will be, can you guess it that’s right, to be a Christian example to either yourself or to others in your life and beyond take care and may the Lord bless you today and always.

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Suffering Christians – Episode 271We know there are suffering Christians worldwide, but what about in your home? We often suffer silently and become depressed when we can turn that suffering into something more that will enhance our own lives and the lives of others.

This podcast is brought to you by our sponsor, Route 60 the Biblical Highway- check out the website for information about tickets and how to watch this fantastic film.

As a Christian, suffering is part of the package. Anyone who comes to Christ learns quickly that salvation does not mean we are free from pain and suffering. As I may have shared in another podcast, a personal situation put me off from deepening my faith. (Listen to the story on air.)

Check out these podcasts for those who suffer:

1. Power of Praise here.
2. Worship and Thanksgiving here.
3. Blessed Assurance here:

When can we hope to be free from suffering? Sadly, not in this lifetime, however, joy can be had. How? Easy – changing your mindset. How do we do this? We look to the life of the saints. These may be holy men and women elevated by what they did in their lives, but they can also be the everyday people we meet.

We can learn much from those who have struggled and come out on the other side. While we struggle to put food on the table or pay for gas these days, or when someone struggles with a medical diagnosis, those moments take our breath away. How do we cope? What do we do?

Mother Teresa ~ True Inspiration for Suffering ChristiansMother Teresa was the most inspiring nun of our day who showed us that life was too short to sit by and watch people suffer on the streets. She said she would never have started her ministry if she had not picked up her first dying man on the roadside. Mother Teresa said that her “yes” to God was what he needed from her to begin her ministry, which continues to this day. She had many quotes, such as “God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.”

That means a mindset change. We look at our struggles and say, “What can I do?” Instead of “I can’t do this.” God requires us to try. It is difficult, I know, yet there is not one person listening to this podcast who has not suffered at one time or another. How did you cope?

When you are suffering, how do you try? How do you try to help others? Is it with prayer, physical help, or another way that God has called you? We can’t all be Mother Teresa. But we can be ourselves. And God knows, loves, and hears you. Do you hear him? In the quiet, we can find the answer by seeking God in prayer and turning to him.

Combat Feeling Down or DepressedOn a trivial note, I have been combatting a cold for over a week, and the cold was not the issue. It was the headaches, which I am prone to anyway. When my head hurts, there is not much that I can do, and I found that in my pain, I started feeling down, discouraged, and annoyed with my lack of bouncing back. I also know that those feelings were not from God. And, so, I took charge, and I began to pray in earnest. What did I find? It was a God-incident. I found a Catholic Catalog containing books, other religious items, and more in the junk mail pile. Just looking through that catalog gave me hope, peace, and joy. It was filled with holy reminders of God’s love and His providence!

Do not think your prayers are in vain – Mother Teresa said, “Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.”

Holy ReminderI can not imagine those in chronic pain; what a field day the enemy can have in your life. He is a destroyer of peace and can cause a suffering Christian to suffer some more! When people are suffering, we often say things to encourage them, like “God will not give you more than you can handle,” but as Mother Theresa said, “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.”

First, let me dispel the notion that if you love God and are a Christian, you will not suffer. This is not true. If anyone has told you that you need more faith or must have done something bad to lose God’s favor, ignore them. Better yet, pray for them because they are misguided. Yes, the Old Testament is full of the times when God has commanded his people to do something, and they turned their backs on him. What happened? They often perished, and their tribes and nations were overcome and overtaken by others. Why? They were not repentant.

What Suffering Christians Know1. We know that God knows what we are going through. 2. We know that no matter what happens, God will not forsake you. 3. God is trustworthy. His Word has stood the test of time. 4. You are not alone. 5. There is an entire Christian community out there. (Discuss chronic illnesses.)

When people we know are suffering, be there for them. Show them, Jesus. Ask them how you can pray. One of the best ways to combat suffering is to have a go-to list of scriptures, praise, and worship music. I did several podcasts on praising God in song.

My List of Scripture Verses For Suffering Christians:1. Romans 8:28 2. Philippians 4:13 3. Matthew 11: 28-30 4. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 5. Psalm 34:18-19 6. John 14:27

Your challenge this week is to look back on ways you may have overcome suffering in the past. How did you cope? Was it successful? If so write it down and share it with others who suffer. Also, make your list of scriptures that are helpful!

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Promises of Christ ~ Episode ~ 270How can we believe anything Jesus said? Why are the promises of Christ real? Why should you care? This podcast will explore whether this is true and how we can apply it to our lives?

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We know that words have power. We know that manipulation comes from those who are good with words. Words are used for good, and words are used for evil. The value of a word depends on who is saying those words. Is it someone you trust, respect, or hold dear? Or is it a stranger? If it is the latter, you can be sure you will consider the weight of those words less effective. How do you feel when you hear the news or something on social media? That’s right, we are suspicious, especially since we’ve been lied to and let down.

However, we know, especially as Christians, that there is someone who will never let us down, and that is Christ. Jesus is man and God, totally. He came into this world and lived, followed by apostles. Jesus preached to the people, healing and casting out demons.

We can trust the words of our Lord. Jesus did not have a sinful nature; he never sinned and can not lie; he only speaks the truth. God is righteous, and He does not change. We are taught He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. There is no time with God the Father, Son, and Spirit. God has infinite wisdom. And God loved his creation so much that he taught and warned them when they sinned.

Promises are powerful, and those promises come within words that can be used to convince and change our hearts, which is why the Holy Bible is a powerful tool. We read Scripture, and we are changed. There are entire books on the promises of Christ, but in this podcast, I want to focus on three.

First, what happens when Almighty God speaks a word? When God spoke, the world came into being. We read this in the account of Genesis. Genesis 1, take out your Bibles and read the words of Creation. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…”

We read repeatedly that when God spoke, amazing things happened. John 1:1-3 one of my favorite ever Scripture verses (read on air).

There are so many more promises of God throughout the Old Testament. Yet, time and time again, the covenant with Abraham is remembered through Moses, the descendants of David, and so forth. Yet, through all of these examples, what do we learn? That men are tempted to sin and disregard the promises of God.

There are so many things we can read about the promises of Christ – here are a few of my favorites.

Promises of Christ -Hope and Everlasting Life. A gift to humanity

John 3: 16-21 (read on air). “For God so loved the world…” This is such a fulfillment of good vs. evil, which will we choose. Jesus promised us many things, but we continue exposing ourselves to darkness instead of light. The lure of darkness is great. I once heard a teaching about the Christian law of physics that it is easier to be pulled down by a non-Christian than for a Christian to lift a non-Christian. Impossible, no, challenging, yes. This scripture explains why in a nutshell.

Christ is our Good Shepherd –Read all of John 10:1-15 – Jesus promises to be the gate through which we enter, to save us, to give us life and have it to the full, he promises to lay down his life for us, and that he knows us. Wow. to be known, to be seen; that is what our Lord does for us.

John 10: 7-15 (Read on air) Jesus is the Good Shepherd!

The Father is revealed to the Son:In Matthew 11 – we read about Jesus as he instructs his disciples, but what is eye-opening is that in the place where there were so many miracles performed, we read in Matthew 11; 5-6

Yet further down in Matthew 11:20, Jesus condemns the towns that even though they witnessed these miracles, they were unrepentant. They did not change, so there would be a judgment upon them.

Jesus gives us rest:If we do change and are repentant, what are we promised? Matthew 11: 28-30. Jesus asks us to come to Him! (read on air).

Jesus gives us eternal life:John 10:25-30 – Jesus promises to give us eternal life

He promises to make a place for us in his Father’s houseAre we guaranteed heaven? Jesus gives us a roadmap of belief in Him with an ultimate goal of heaven.

John 14:1-5 (read on air) “Do not let your hearts be troubled…”

So what can we do? We can believe that Jesus promises to be the Good Shepherd, to see us, really to see us and know us, to give us rest when we are struggling, to give us eternal life, and to go ahead of us and prepare a place for us in heaven. What a beautiful gift. And this is just a tiny bit of the promises Jesus gives us!

The following podcast is about holding on to our faith when we struggle and have problems. We keep reminding ourselves that God is righteous and He does care. We cast our worries upon the Lord. In Matthew 6:31-34 we read (on air). Isn’t that right? Each day does hold its troubles, but with Jesus, we are assured help.

In this, we remember, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” While we do not put God into a neat and tidy box, we believe the Words to be true. First, we seek God’s kingdom.

This week, list the promises in Scripture that resonate with you and will sustain you through this life. It helps to memorize them and remind yourself when you are low or feeling down that God is the God of life and truth, and we must have faith.

Friends, we are not alone. God has promised us everlasting life, and I believe. Amen.

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Christian Strength ~ Episode 269 We have tools and resources available to us; what about Christian strength that comes from the grace of God? In this podcast, we will discuss the tools God has given us to combat the evil one. Have you visited CTCMath.com for an award-winning curriculum designed for the entire family? It […]

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Christian Care ~ Episode 268 As Christians, we care for many things, but we also have a responsibility. Christian care means more than thinking about a situation and praying; it means taking action when possible. In this podcast, we will discuss the responsibility of being a Christian and the blessings that come with this knowledge. […]

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Are You Awake? ~ Episode 267 Spiritual awareness is a blessing, and the question, “Are you awake,” comes in part as a nod in that direction and toward the world we live in. How are you awake, and what precautions are you taking to notice what the Lord brings to mind? In this episode, we […]

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Fill Up Your Spiritual Tank ~ Episode 266 What happens when the well runs dry? We all need to fill up our spiritual tanks; for some, that means more often than others. In this podcast, we will delve into ways to receive abundant joy from the simple pleasures God has in store for us! Thanks […]

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Christian Comfort Zone – Time To Get Out! ~ Episode 265 Do you have a comfort zone as a Christian? Is your faith private? Is it personal? Is it something you do not want to share? If you want more from your faith walk, join Felice for this episode of A Few Minutes with God […]

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Spiritual Sandpaper – Episode 264 Spiritual sandpaper describes the events that happen in our lives that purify us and make us better than before, yet they are painful. In this episode, Felice shares how this can actually cause spiritual growth if we open our eyes to the possibilities. Visit our sponsor CTCMath.com for all of […]

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New Eyes of Faith – Episode 263 As a Christian, it is important to practice our faith. But what does your faith look like? The new eyes of faith is an awakening. In this episode, we explore the meaning of faith and how we sometimes deceive ourselves. Thanks to our sponsor CTC Math – visit […]

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Solomons Downfall – Episode 262 Solomon’s Downfall. In the Bible, there are definite lessons to learn but one for the ages is King Solomon’s Downfall. What can we learn and how do we apply this to our lives today? Visit CTC Math for more information about a wonderful Math curriculum for students from grade school […]

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Mirror of Scripture Episode 261 When was the last time you read a passage in the Bible, and it was as if the Lord was showing you a mirror image? I call that the Mirror of Scripture! In this episode, we’ll look at scripture verses that highlight areas that need our attention. Visit our sponsor […]

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Spirit of Trust – Episode 261 How do you trust in what you can not see? That is true faith, a spirit of trust. In this episode, we discuss how trusting in the Lord is a surefire way to have peace and tranquility in our lives. Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com – check out their […]

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Spiritual First Responder ~ Episode 260 What is your spiritual first responder? Where do you go in times of stress, worry, or hardship? This episode explores those tools and a healthy way to deal with stress. Visit MediaAngels.com, today’s sponsor. Driving on busy roads, we often hear emergency vehicles with blaring horns and flashing lights, […]

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Spiritual Cleaning ~ Episode 259 When was the last time you did spiritual housecleaning? In this episode, we will explore why many of us struggle daily and the unnecessary burdens we carry around. Many of these can easily be trashed. Thanks to Media Angels, the sponsor of today’s episode. You can visit MediaAngels.com for books […]

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Sharing Faith ~ Episode 258 Does sharing your faith scare you? Do you share your faith in a personal way? Or do you fear what others will say? In this podcast, we will explore ways to share your faith and how your testimony may impact the lives of others. For some of us, sharing our […]

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Meaningful Faith ~ Episode 257 Has your faith matured through the years to hit the realm of “meaningful faith?” In this podcast, we discuss how our faith needs to be our own and for the right reasons. Visit the Media Angels website and check out the One More Child book and A Few Minutes with […]

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Mercy Seat – Episode 256We know that God is merciful, and his mercy endures forever, but what is God’s mercy seat and what can we learn to apply to our lives?

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I love the idea of a mercy seat; what do you picture in your mind? In scripture, we read that the mercy seat was the cover or a lid of the ark of the covenant. This is discussed in Exodus. I’m sure you know the story, but Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, as they were jealous of him. This led to a tremendous journey for the people of Israel. Joseph was favored by the Pharaoh in Egypt, but after generations they both died. The next pharaoh wasn’t as kind, especially as the Lord blessed the people. Pharaoh put the people into slavery, and they cried out to the Lord in prayer. Many, many years later, they were delivered by Moses.

The Lord gave Moses direction for the people, but they were entrenched in sin. After all the years of living in Egypt even though they were slaves, they dressed, ate, and acted like the Egyptians, even worshipping false gods. Moses was directed to bring the people to the promised land, “flowing with milk and honey.” However, the people were stubborn, and even while Moses was up on the mountain speaking to the Lord the people were making a grave image to worship.

These people were in need of direction and mercy! Therefore it was the Lord himself, through Moses that directed them. He couldn’t leave it to anyone else, he made a covenant with Abraham, this was a promise to his family and his descendants, and this promise is unbreakable. The words received by Moses from the Lord were inscribed on stone tablets that were then put into a chest. This was, in essence, a portable sanctuary used by the Israelites because they were heading toward the promised land, but in essence, wandering in the wilderness.

The Lord gave specific instructions on how to fabricate the ark of the covenant in Exodus 25, then we read in the following verses Exodus 25:17-22 (Read on air.)

What does it mean when the Lord says, “There I will meet with you and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant, I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.” – so, how did the Lord do this? He did it in a visible way. There was a cloud, a symbol of God’s Divine presence which the people saw. It was a cloud during the day and a column of fire at night.

It was a place of worship and the ark contained many precious things. In Hebrews 9:3-5 we read. (Read on air.)

In the ark of the covenant – the chest or container were the two stone tablets inscribed with the Word of God – we know them as the 10 commandments. There was also the law, the way the people were to govern, worship, and other useful information. When we read the passages in scripture they are detailed and ways the people could stay healthy and avoid disease. There were other objects as well, the golden pot of manna – this was the food provided to the Israelites in the desert. There was also Aaron’s rod we can read about that in Numbers 17:1-13. These objects were sacred. Later it would be placed in the temple in Jerusalem, where it was placed in an inner room called the Holy of Holies. And, the ark was made and inlaid with gold. Gold was precious then as it is now. Gold is considered the most precious of currency and has value. In this way so is God. God is not a commodity but he is above all else, above all of the other false gods invented by people and God was and is to be revered above all else.

So what was the mercy seat? Just as the gold cover or lid of the Ark of the Covenant covered the treasures within, the mercy seat covered or protected the people of Israel from the judgment of the Law. It brought to the forefront that God was a God of mercy, slow to anger, and yet righteous.

It is difficult to think about the hardships the people went through in the desert, and some were condemned to die for disobedience. It is difficult with our Western sensibilities to hear about this death and destruction when we read the Bible. Yet, the people who were freed from slavery, who saw a miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, who saw manna come down from the sky to feed them, and doves at night — these people were rebellious. These people continued to complain. These people were made to wander in a desert when there was a direct route into the promised land because of their disobedience and rebellion. In fact, we learn that they will not enter the promised land, however, their descendants will. Even Moses who has been steadfast sins and is kept from this land.

It’s as if God has a Plan A – to bless us and we opt for Plan B or C because of our free will decisions and lack of faith. Just like the people in the desert, God wants us, his people to flourish and God wants to bless his people. But just like the people of Israel, often we have so much we need to unlearn. The people lived in Egypt and took on their ways, we live in basically Sodom and Gomora, our world is turned upside down and we have to focus on what is important, true, and right.

From their time in Egypt, the Israelites learned about all types of sacrifice. This was a people that had participated in pagan worship which included child and human sacrifice. God was teaching them that sin could not go uncorrected and that there had to be atonement for sins if there was a violation of God’s laws as written in the 10 Commandments. They had a day of Atonement where their sins would be presented before the Lord and an animal sacrificed along with very specific things they did as a result. Instead of humans, God taught them animal sacrifices for the atonement of sins. These sacrifices were a way for sin to be removed. This was a foreshadowing of Christ, his atonement as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, the removal of sin, and therefore mercy. Christ shed His blood for us.

Today in Judaism the Day of Atonement known as Yom Kippur is the holiest day. It is a time of repentance, and there is a day-long fast and intensive prayers.

In Christianity, we look at Christ as love and mercy. This ties the Old and New Covenant together in an amazing way. The covering of sin was a visible sign to the Israelites, and for us this sign is Christ. This is the mercy seat of God! In Romans, Paul was telling the people in Romans 3:24-25 (Read on air.)

Just like the mercy seat was the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, Jesus is the covering for sin. It is our faith and our belief that we are set free. God is mercy but He is always just. There cannot be mercy without justice and there cannot be justice without mercy.

John 8:31-32 (Read on air.)

Shouldn’t we want to leave sin behind? I’ve been praying a prayer each evening and these are the words I pray that resonate with me, “You are the strength and the light of my soul in you, I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve you by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against you.”

How I desire this to keep myself from sin, to keep myself pure and holy, but I can do none of this without the Lord, frequent attendance of Mass and communion, and frequent prayer and time to listen to the Lord. The prayer continues with a plea to the Lord to help me to follow His gracious inspirations and to keep me free from sin. 1 John 4:10 states (Read on air.)

If we follow the Lord we will receive mercy, but this comes with justice. The sacrifice of Christ was merciful for humankind. Without His ultimate sacrifice, we would be in eternal sin and damnation. This week pray that the Lord keeps you from sin, pray for that connection to God in such a real and tangible way as to help us avoid those things that are harmful to our immortal souls. Amen, and may the Lord continue to bless you, pray for me as I pray for you.

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Prayer Text – Episode 255When was the last time someone asked you to pray? Have you considered sending them a prayer text? In this podcast, we discuss the importance of prayer and how to use technology to pray now.

Appreciating sponsors are part of what keeps us on the air, so reach out to CTCMath and tell them to thank you for their sponsorship.

When was the last time someone asked you to pray? Or when was the last time you asked someone to pray for you? If someone asks us to pray, we say, “Of course, I’ll pray for you,” or “Yes, count on my prayers.” Or, we say something similar. I would then often forget to pray for the person and feel guilty. Then when I prayed, I reminded the Lord (as if he needed reminding!) that there is no time with God – God is timeless, so even if my prayers were late God still heard them!

That is when I decided I would pray right then. I would pray when talking to someone in person if they asked for prayer, I would place my hand on their arm and pray. If I received a phone call for a prayer request, I’d ask the person if I could pray for them right then.

Then with technology, I found that people were sending texts and asking for prayers. I finally had my solution. I would pray now via a prayer text. After all, if someone is sending me a text and asking for prayer, it is important to do it right away! It helped me to remember to pray for this person throughout the day and their special need, as well as to let them know that I was serious about praying and that we do it right then.

We don’t always have the words we need when it’s time to pray, so sometimes it takes pausing and asking the Lord for his help and asking, “Lord, how should I pray? You know the situation, my God, so please provide.”

Sometimes the request is an easy one, such as praying for me. I feel like I’m getting sick! That is a prayer request I receive from one of my children who teaches and is surrounded by children. So we can easily text something like, “Dear Lord Jesus, I praise You, and I thank You. I ask you to bless my daughter and fill her with your peace, love, and joy. I ask a blessing upon her, and I ask for good health and a swift recovery, keep her from getting sick, and I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Scripture reminds us of the necessity of prayer in Mathew 7:6-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Jesus is the healer; He is the one who gives if we ask, not as we want it but as He wills it. And that is why it is important to remember to pray for God’s will. This can be difficult for us because, as we’ve discussed many times on this podcast, we often pray, Lord, I need this and that, or please do this and then. That is praying “my will” instead of “Lord, please grant this if it is your will or Lord, grant this if it is for the good of my eternal soul.

I love to see others pray via text in special situations. For example, when my son was in a particularly tough training in the military, I set up a Michaels’s Prayer Warriors text message group. Each day I would send out a text prayer, a reminder so that we could all keep him in our prayers, and I did this for each day he was gone for a total of 62 days of training. They kept us focused and united as a family, And I believe it brought us closer. My son claims that it was through our prayers that he was able to pass this rigorous course the first time instead of having to recycle or be dropped from the course like some of his friends and acquaintances. He also prayed, knowing he had our support at home.

We are a family of God with God at our helm. We must be that example to others to pray unceasingly. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 states, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This is a perfect way to pray! Another way to use a prayer text is to do this online. If you are on social media such as Facebook, people often post prayer requests, and usually, other people will like the post or give them a heart or do some other kind of little graphic to let them know that they care and are praying. But how much more powerful if we each take the time and type out a specific prayer for them? It helps us read prayers that others post and unite us all in prayer.

Obviously, it takes practice if you’re not used to praying extemporaneously, but it is similar to just speaking to the Lord. I always like to start with praising and thanking God because he is worthy of our praise. Psalm 145: 1-2 I will exalt you, my God, the King, and I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.

If you take a few minutes to ask the Lord how He wants you to pray, just start by quietly (or aloud) praising Him and lifting up the situation or need to him. You can ask the Lord specifically for help, such as “Dear Lord, I don’t have the words for the situation, so please give me the words you would like me to use,” or “Lord, please come into this prayer and help me to pray your perfect will.”

Then I listen, and whatever the Lord has put on my heart to pray for, I pray. Typically God gives us a thought of something we should pray for specifically. Sometimes you will be inspired to pray a specific way. I remember one time praying for my son for a severe headache; I felt like he was suffering. I had no way of knowing if he had a headache or not. We just pray in faith it doesn’t matter if we find the results; what matters is that we are faithful to pray.

We are called to pray — in prayer and supplication. Phillippians 4:6-7 we read, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

I love that! The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What better way to use technology for the good than to use the tools we have at our fingertips? Most people today have smartphones with text capability. How wonderful to receive a text from my friend saying they are praying for me, especially when I need those prayers. And if you think of someone and they keep coming to mind, maybe they need your prayers. This has happened to me in the past, so now I try to reach out when I think of a person who needs or may need prayer. By sending them a prayer via text, they know I care. Who doesn’t like to get a prayer or be prayed for?

Your challenge this week is to use technology for the good – whether on a text message, social media, or even a phone call and pray for someone in need.

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Keeping God’s Word ~ Episode 254How can we keep God’s word close to us? In this podcast, we explore ancient traditions still practiced by those of the Orthodox Jewish faith today and how we can learn from these practices.

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When reading the Bible, we often hear of the Lord saying over and over again, especially to the Israelites, to keep his WORD next to their hearts and never to forget what the Lord has done for us. The Israelites were taken out of bondage as slaves, yet they had much to learn as they wandered in the desert. And, if you read Exodus and Numbers, you will find they were an ungrateful nation!

We would like to think we would be different, but as we both know, that is impossible without God’s grace. As we live our lives, we do not want to be forgotten. We want to leave a legacy for our family. When people talk about us, we want it to be with fondness and consideration. You can think about this for a moment. What is an accomplishment you do not want to forget or want others to forget?

Throughout salvation history, God has and continues to save His people. It was clear when he took the Israelites to the promised land. The Jewish culture still remembers this and keeps a sign of God’s word on their doorposts, sometimes even in their homes. I was fascinated when reading about the Mezuzah, [MA-ZOO-ZA ], and I looked it up. The word itself means doorposts. It is a small scroll with a piece of parchment paper handwritten by an expert scribe. Some are very basic, and others are quite elaborate. On the outside are Hebrew letters. The Mezuzah is believed to be an extra spiritual protection to the family that places one at the door. When the Jewish person enters or exits their home, they kiss their fingers and then place them on the mezuzah and recite – May God keep my going out and my coming in from now on and ever more – which is from Psalm 12:18

The foundational text of the Holy Scriptures – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 begins with Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, and the Lord is One. This is the command that God gave the Israelites. “And you shall write these words upon the doorposts of your house and upon your city gates.”

It is a beautiful verse; let me read it in its entirety. (read on air) Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Why don’t we, as Christians, have these on our doorposts? Why are we not continuing this tradition? Well, one of the reasons is Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Old Testament, yet, the Old Testament has many things we ascribe to – for example, teaching our Children diligently, putting the words of God in our hearts, and more. We have Bibles in our homes, often multiple Bibles. I have two different apps on my phone where I can read scripture. In reading the Bible, we consider and ponder the words and place them in our hearts, both the Old and New Testaments.

Think about your home, car, apparel, and maybe even a religious symbol like a cross. These are outward reminders of our faith. The Bible verse plaques in my home or on the doors to our bedroom. Where do you see signs of God’s word in your home?

I love the idea of a mezuzah, and I believe we must never forget; we take so much for granted as Christians. Consider how you can improve on your faith journey and keep God’s Word in your heart. What can you do?

We read in Psalms 119:105-106

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.

By our Baptism, we have been made sons and daughters of God; He is the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:4-6 we read (read on air). Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

At times in our lives, when we are lost, and we, like Thomas, do not know where we are going, we can remember this passage. Through Jesus is everlasting life. While God took the Israelites out of bondage and slavery physically and spiritually, the same applies to us today. With our faith in Christ, he takes us out of slavery from sin and into the life everlasting. We must follow that path less traveled, but it is lit with the true light of righteousness.

We may believe that the Old Testament is obsolete and it does not apply to us today. We think it is written for a people long ago. It does apply to us today because, just like any history lesson, if we do not learn from past sins, the sins of our forefathers, we will continue to make the same mistakes. The sins of Adam and Eve, of Moses being a humble servant but in his anger hitting the rock twice and not setting foot in the promised land, in countless events during the time in the desert. Making an idol to worship while Moses was speaking with God for direction for the people. Why go back into sin and slavery when you left it behind?

Because we are stubborn people, we want what we want. We think what we do is not “that bad,” especially if we compare ourselves to others. Friends, I am sure there is some truth to that, but shouldn’t we strive to do the best we can each day? To keep God’s word in our hearts and yearn for time with Him. Our relationships hinge on our relationship with God first. Everything else will fall into place!

This week, consider all the ways you can keep God’s word in your hearts and mind.

I pray that you are reminded of all God has done for you and that you continue to put God’s Word in your heart and never forget! May God be praised, now and forever!

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Faith Minutes ~ Episode 253Healthy prayer habits can be faith minutes; in other words, making the most of our time. We see the effects of spending time with God, but we typically put off prayer until we have more time. Let’s put some wasted time to good use with tips to get you started.

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Today I heard a sermon, and in it, the deacon said, “God has extravagant love for us.” I love that imagery—almost more love than we can handle. In this love, we should feel secure and safe; it is the place we go when we sin and ask for forgiveness and when we want to thank the Lord. It also reminds us to use the time we have to give God praise and worship.

In past podcasts, I’ve discussed many ways we can do this, for example, in reading a scripture verse or memorizing scripture. We can have faith minutes while listening to music or praying for a friend. It is, in essence, the time we spend that brings to mind God, but in a deeper or more focused way.

Using my time wisely gives me a sense of accomplishment and contentment. I feel I’ve succeeded in my day when I can look back and see the things that are completed. And the first thing is prayer. What makes you feel contentment or success in your prayer life? I know prayer is more than a checkoff point on a list, but shouldn’t it be just as important? For example, we make time at some point to figure out how we will spend the day. When will you shop, cook, do laundry, or clean? When will you eat dinner, or when will you spend time with family or friends? Shouldn’t you make the same use of our time for God?

You can often judge whether you need more time with God by how you feel. Do you feel empty or unfulfilled? We fill up our days with so many activities it is difficult to figure this out at times, but one way is to think about how you pray. Are you always asking?

Asking God in Prayer:

1. God, I need this…
2. God, can you please…
3. God, can you help me…
4. God, can you let this…(or don’t let this) happen?
5. God, do you hear me?!

I felt a sense I was doing that in my prayer time, and I changed my prayers to this…

Asking God’s Will in Prayer

1. God, I need this…if it is Your will.
2. God, can you please…if it is Your will.
3. God, can you help me…if it is Your will.
4. God, can you let this…(or don’t let this) happen if it is Your will?
5. God, let your will be done.

Our faith minutes can be what we make them; at the red light, we can praise the Lord. “Thank you, Jesus, you are good and worthy of all praise.” We can praise God at the grocery store, standing in line, or at the post office. What are those minutes when we wait that we can put under the Lordship of God?

This Sunday, our Pastor talked about waking up at night and praying the following, “Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I Trust in You.” And I thought, wow, this is a prayer minute!

A few minutes with God can look different for each of us, but the essence of prayer is conversation and relationship. Conversation with God and a relationship with the Almighty that begins with respect at its foundation. Sometimes we read Scripture verses and have no idea what they mean, especially in the Old Testament. But here is a wonderful scripture that sums up this podcast, Psalms 20:1-5 (Read on air.) This is called the Psalm of David.

David had many failings in his life, and we have a first-hand seat when we read about it in the Old Testament, but one thing that recurs with David is asking for forgiveness with the thought of moving forward and away from sin. If prayer can help us do this in our lives, I consider it a win!

We are told if we believe, we will be saved, but we can pray in our unbelief at times of weakness! Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

We were created to serve the Almighty, and as the deacon said, “God has extravagant love for us.” Try to outgive God, praise, and worship Him without thinking of anything in return. That is how the Lord loves us without requiring or expecting anything in return, but how can we not give praise to the One who loves us without reserve?

This week our challenge is to find those faith minutes in our life where we take the time to pray and open our hearts to blessings or where our faith is renewed, and we fill overflowing with God’s love for us! I pray this for you this week; may you be blessed!

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Penny From Heaven ~ Episode 252When you find a penny, what do you do? I call it a gift, a penny from heaven. It is something little, often ignored and stepped over but valued nonetheless. In this episode, Felice shares her finds and treasures that are inspirations from the Lord.

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What do you do when you see a penny lying on the ground? Most of us walk over it and ignore the coin. We do this for many reasons, and all of them are valid. It is an insignificant amount; it is dirty, we don’t want to bend down to pick it up, and so on.

I was right there with you for quite some time. But then something changed. I decided that each penny signified a gift from God. While it may hold little value in the monetary sense, it is, after all, the smallest coin we have; it represents the gifts that God has in store for me. Each penny is a blessing; each penny is a reminder that God knows me and sees me. He sees all of me, and I am important in His eyes.

Do you see a penny from heaven as a blessing?This is one of those podcasts where I wish we were together because I imagine some of you are like me; you stop and pick up that penny or that coin. You recognize it for what it is – not for the monetary value, but for the gift. It is a blessing, you happened upon it, and it has value in your eyes.

It reminds me of the widow’s mite, and we read about it in Luke 21:1-4 [Read on air.]

Just as the widow gave her savings, what was described in her poverty, to the Lord, I, too, set aside this money for the Lord. I have areas throughout my home set up like little prayer corners and plaques proclaiming scripture verses, and basically, some have called my home a mini-shrine. It’s not, but it is all a matter of perspective. Walking by a sign or a prayer corner reminds me to pray or consider what the Lord has done for me. One particular shelf above my computer has a small depiction of Jesus and Joseph. Jesus is seated on a bench, animated with his hand outstretched, and Joseph listens to him in rapt attention. The workbench and work are briefly forgotten as Joseph is focused on the Lord. I set up a small container where I place any pennies I find. I feel that these gifts are given to me, but then I can turn around and donate it back. After some time, these coins add up, and I donate them to charity.

This is a visual sign of an invisible truth. Faith is invisible but has such an impact on our lives. I know some people think that having a statue, a cross, or even a picture depicting a religious scene is idolatry which the old testament warns us about. And, if I had a statue of Baal or Budda, I would agree with you, but I don’t.

I believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, the lineage of David and Jesus, the true Lord and Messiah. My God is a God of infinite love and mercy. I want reminders of Bible verses and religious scenes.

Maybe picking up pennies seems silly to you. But it is a small gesture and reminds me about so things that are spiritually important. My shortlist would include the following:

1. A reminder not to take anything in life for granted.
2. Acknowledgment that even a penny can symbolize something greater
3. The understanding that value is in the eyes of the beholder
4. Remembering that the value placed by material things in our world is nothing compared to that of heaven
5. A reminder not to ignore the simple things in my life

Maybe your list looks different, and I have a much longer list, but the purpose here is to give you the overall idea–which is looking at your day, each day, and seeing the gift that God has for you. No matter what happens, we can turn to the Lord and thank Him. What is that penny you have stepped over and ignored in your life? What is it that seems insignificant but holds bigger value?

I feel blessed in many ways, not because I live in a castle, am royalty, or am a multi-billionaire. I am blessed because my eyes have been opened like Saul on the road to Damascus, and the Lord has called me by name.

In Acts 9:1-20 We read the entire account of Saul – but here is the first part (Read on air).

We later read in the following verses that Ananais also receives a vision from the Lord, and he says, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord tells him specifically where to go and that he will find Saul of Tarsus. Ananias knows how he is – Saul has been harming the Christians in Jerusalem, and he reminds the Lord of this. Let me stop here – doesn’t that strike you as ironic? Here is a man with a vision from God; he is conversing with the Lord, yet he is reminding him of something that the Lord already knows!
God is so patient with us, isn’t he?

The Lord says to him, in verses 15-16 (Read on air.)

I am sure Ananias was fearful, but he went, laid hands on him, saying verses 17-20 (Read On Air.)

Saul thought he was doing the right thing, he thought he was doing the will of God, but God showed him that he wasn’t and purged him into the three days of darkness. It was a false belief – which makes me think, what false beliefs do I harbor that I need to dispel? Is it simple, like the value of finding a coin on the ground, or is it deeper in understanding that the God we serve is loving and kind but also righteous?

God restores our belief daily if we let him. Your challenge this week is to look at those little things as gifts from heaven, whether it is a penny found or something more!

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Everyday Prayer ~ Episode 251Did you know that our lives can turn into everyday prayer? We can turn a life of struggle into a life of rejoicing with the idea that we can hold onto the joy of a truly spiritual life.

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Years ago a good friend of mine discusses how she prayed all day long. She had nine kids at the time and I could not believe she had time for so much prayer. In my mind the only people who prayed like that were in a convent somewhere and had the time for an immersion of prayer. But us regular folks? Not so much.

We are busy with all of the things we do. I always thought, as a young mom that I would have so much time when my kids grew up, in fact I worried that I would be bored or not know what to do with all of my time. Now I don’t know where my time goes! Sure, I work from home in my own business and I have some time set aside for the projects I want to tackle, but my days are still filled and busy.

Many of us waste time and this can be something we look at and chose to do something about. How can you pray everyday? Easy. As my friend with the houseful of kids says, “Jesus is always on my lips.” She said she’d pray while folding laundry. As she was folding a particular child’s shirt she prayed for them. While cooking dinner, she prayed for her family, while vacuuming, and even she said while going up and down the stairs. She said instead of asking the kids to retrieve something she forgot upstairs she’d use that time to pray.

Living a life of prayer can be a choice. It doesn’t have to be anything drawn out or inspired, but it should be heartfelt. Can we pray by reading the Bible? Yes! Can we pray while listening to praise and worship music in the car? Yes! And we can pray as my friend does while doing laundry.

Prayer, like faith, is a gift and it is a choice. We can love one another as God loves us. John 13:34-35 [Read on air.]

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”This calls to mind something my mother use to say, “How do you act when no one is watching?” God sees all things, he knows our hearts and he knows our motivations… and when we pray we do it for ourselves since God is God and nothing we can do earns us salvation, nor does it change God. Yes, our salvation should be worked out through fear and trembling in Philippians 2:10-12 we read so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.What I am saying here is that praying changes us. It makes us focus on what is right and just and what is important. We trust in the Lord to hear us and we praise Him in all things. We can live lives that are joyfully worshipping Him or lives that strive only for selfish purposes. This past 40 days of Lent – the days before Easter were probably the hardest but the most fulfilling than any other time of my life. I had a specific intention and was praying daily for it – and the truth is I struggled as I was worrying about my son in the Army Rangers Program (he passed in 62 days without recycling, meaning doing the challenge again which was a miracle). While praying I learned to trust in the Lord, I learned to journal faithfully daily and keep the Lord as the focus of my day.It is amazing how we can focus on what is important when there is a need. But what about the times when there is not an immediate need? Sure we always need prayers for something in our life but when it is not major we tend to slack off.Praying daily is keeping the Lord as the focus, it is concentrating on what we can do for the Lord not what He can do for us. It is sacrifice yes, but it is freedom from slavery and sin, because when we are in His Word, and focused on living lives that are pleasing to the Lord who always sees us at our best and at our worse that we can begin to grow. Divine light is given to us in prayer, it illuminates our minds and our hearts. Praying in our daily lives as we walk the dog or take out the trash is a sign of spiritual growth.Currently, I’m taking care of an elderly dog and that means accidents. I am praising God for the fact that I have tile floors and thanking Him for the blessings of the chore. Do I want this chore? Of course not! When we are filled with grace and the love to serve others, even an animal it is a selfless love that we can pass on and in this way show others the love of God. We can’t do this unless we are filled up to the brim and that means praying in the mundane and the daily struggles and joys of life.Everyday prayer transforms a mundane life into a life of joy. We see this in the lives of the saints. We read about St. Therese of Lisieux, who has many life changing quotes. Here is a link to a page that has more, but a few are:“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice here by a smiling look there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” She didn’t say all for God – but we know that God is synonymous with love! She also said, “Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.”For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”

Mediate on these quotes and think about the truth in her words. She was a simple nun, living out her life in extreme poverty yet her life contained riches beyond compare. How can we live our lives? Let’s start with everyday prayer. That is your challenge for this week, how can you infuse everyday prayer into your daily walk with the Lord? While doing your chores and those things that no one else sees but are important nonetheless. In our simpleness, we will find the grace to live holy lives. Praise God, now and forever!

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Restless For God ~ Episode 250Is your soul restless for God? How can you tell? In this episode, your host, Felice Gerwitz, discusses how we may be unhappy and dissatisfied with life. And she discusses “what” may be missing in our lives.

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When was the last time you prayed, picked up the Bible or just sat in the presence of the Lord and felt relaxed and complete? This happens, yes, but for many of us it is difficult to quiet our minds long enough to hear from the Lord, let alone feel any type of comfort and peace.

Why is this? Why are we restless? Why is it that the minute you pick up your Bible, or focus on a prayer that your mind wanders? You want to jump up and send an email, a text or maybe even fold laundry. Why can’t you just focus?

We can easily lay blame at the enemy’s feet. But there is more than temptation at stake here. And, that is what I’d like you to think about today. Why are you restless? Why are you thinking about all of the things on your to-do list rather than about God?

If we dig deeper we can add the following questions to the list, why are we dissatisfied? Why do we think there has to be something more? Or, that we are not doing enough or not pleasing God for the other side of the equation.

I found myself restless not that long ago and I had to take a hard look at the questions I just posed for you. Part of my restlessness stemmed from a lack of control over my life situations. I was unable to fix things or make things right. I was in fact required to place all of my cares into the hands of a loving and waiting for God. Yet, I was too upset and frustrated to stop and do the very thing I knew would bring me relief.

I felt like I was carrying the world on my shoulders, and in the midst of prayer, I was in the trenches so to speak not wanting to give up one tiny bit of ground to the growing chasm in my soul. That may sound melodramatic but it is true. I felt lost and I felt forsaken.

When we are in the depths of despair there is only one place to look and that is up. We can turn to the right and left but nothing but God will bring us the peace we crave. I knew this in my mind. Like many of you listening I spend time in prayer and stand in the gap so to speak for family members and friends in need. While my faith is strong that does not mean that my faith doesn’t falter in battle. Truly when we are in deep prayer we are in a battle, often for souls. Faith is a gift and while we accept it freely it comes with responsibility. However, that does not mean we take on the cares of the world to the detriment of our own well-being.

I realized that I could not carry the burden of praying for others on my own shoulders and I had to release them to the Almighty only then did I hear a whisper in my mind that said, “I never expected you to carry this burden – it was not for you to carry.” And, then relief as if a weight was taken off my back.

We can only be happy when we are with God not only in our prayers but in releasing our will to His perfect will. Our world is looking for happiness and pleasure in all of the wrong places. We know this, but we are only human.

Psalm 73: 23- 26 [Read on air.] Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

When we are stuck we can go to the Scriptures and find relief. When we are stuck we realize that nothing, nothing will satisfy us but the love of God. Perhaps you can’t feel that love or you feel you are unworthy (news alert: we are all unworthy except for the saving power of Jesus Christ). But if you know it in your head, ask the Lord to feel it in your heart.

John 6:27 reminds us of the fact that while we feel that restlessness and we look for a solution to our problem we look in places that will not give us rest or happiness. [Read on air.] Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”

What is the root cause of the restlessness we feel? Do you know? For each of us this answer may be different, but for most of us, the solution is the same.

Have you heard the saying, You have made us for yourself, O Lord and our hearts are restless until they rest in You. This is a quote from Saint Augustine which he writes in his Confessions. (More of the quote here and here.) Our hearts long for God because we were made (our spirits and souls) in the image of God. We were created as we learned as young children to love and honor Him, and when we don’t we flounder.

Our hearts and in essence, our spirits and souls will only rest when we rest in God. We crave this love that we are missing in our lives and therefore we become restless. Psalm 116:7 sums it up perfectly in a few words: Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

Until we realize that our restless is because of our desire to know God better, to have a deeper communion with Him, a deeper relationship with Him, and only then can we feel that satisfaction that comes from the Lord who is always waiting with open arms. If you read the life of Augustine you will find that a great sinner converted to Christianity many believe due to the prayers of his mother (which gives all parents out there hope for their children). His story is one of redemption and grace and it is a story not only for him but for all of us.

This week examine the restlessness in your life, and determine to make a change, a change in your relationship with God which is always a change for the better! May God be blessed today and always.

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Challenge After Easter ~ Episode 249What is the challenge after Easter? Have you even considered this a question? In this episode, Felice explores the idea of embracing each day with the remembrance of the Resurrection and living our lives as true Christian sons and daughters.

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Before Easter, many of us take the time to seek God in a deeper way as we consider His ultimate sacrifice. This time is called Lent, and it is the 40 days before Easter. Jesus spent 40 days in prayer in the desert before what is called his public ministry. It is an amazing example to us. Jesus spent this time in preparation, and He was tested.

The Easter season is always special, especially if you practice fasting, almsgiving, reconciliation, or confession. We examine our lives and look for ways to improve. Maybe we realize there are sins in our lives, and we make a point of changing for the better. Lent is practiced widely in the Catholic Church and begins on Ash Wednesday, a time of receiving ashes on the forehead at church with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.” This a reminder that we do not live forever, and while God is merciful, He is also just.

Perhaps you focused before Easter on prayer, journaling, or made a concentrated effort to renew your relationship with the Lord. This time is beneficial; if you did not have time to do this in the past, there is always today to begin. It is never too late to increase your faith and your time with God. Each day is a new beginning, and with it comes new hope! I love the word hope – it is inspiring and gives me the confidence that all will be well. Maybe not as I will it, but as the Lord wills it to happen.

During Easter, we celebrate the fact that God has conquered death and opened up a way to heaven and that we, as His followers, have a path ahead that is an invitation. Easter day may include worship, attending church, and celebrating by sharing a meal with friends and family. It is a wonderful time of connection.

What about after? Do we lose that Easter glow? Do we forget about rejoicing the day after HE has RISEN? Unfortunately, that is a yes for many of us. Each day after, we continue on with our lives and forget what God has done for us. However, the challenge is to remember Jesus daily.

Here are a handful of ideas to keep the Lord front and center:

1. Praise and thank Him each day for the simple things. In a future podcast, I will discuss everyday prayer, but for now, know that our lives can be used as a prayer. If we dedicate our concerns to Him, the burden is often lifted. Maybe not totally, but in some way, we know we are not alone.
2. Meditate on one scripture each day. For example, Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Think about the words, and focus on what impacts you. The overarching theme here is that God’s protection for those who follow Him will not overwhelm us. It does not mean life is easy, only that He will give us the grace to handle it. By meditating on this concept, we will be renewed.
3. Realize that you are not in this life alone. As a follower of the Almighty God, the King of the Universe, you are never alone. John 14;25-27 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate,[a] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Again an amazing verse to ponder.
4. Use song as a prayer. Praying through the verses of your favorite Christian songs helps us to be placed in the midst of God. Praying through song is considered by some, praying twice. Here is a podcast I created sometime back on Christian music and using it for praise, here.

Can you add to the list above? What are some ways to keep God the focus of your life? Take some time and consider this question, maybe right now but afterward. We have different ways of worshiping God, but keeping God at the forefront of our lives takes work and a concentrated effort. Our lives would be so much better if we could remember to do this, and not just during the Easter or Christmas season but all year long.

For many of us, our lives are divided into compartments. There is work time and family or friend time; there is time for recreation, whether it is social media, a book, the television, or an online source. There is time for worship which may be one or more days a week. However, if we include God in all we do, if we did this, our lives would not only be richer but more in the sense of keeping us from sin.

When we get busy or our focus is on the wrong thing, we stumble, and we fall. In trying to do our best or make everyone else happy, we discover that we have lost something of ourselves. Many of us are “other-focused,” which means we place our family and friends above ourselves. This is not a bad thing, but we forget to fill up our own tanks with the hope that Jesus is the only important thing and that His life, death, and resurrection give us hope of eternal life. This is the essence of the Easter message. Understanding that God made us for Himself and that our dedication and prayer to Him daily is for us, not for Him. Nothing we can do can earn us salvation, but in the same way, we should give Him our very best. By doing this, we can release the burdens that keep us tied down to Him in the midst of worship.

How will you keep the Easter season alive in your life? Only you know the answer to this, and I pray that you are motivated to make take the message to heart; you are loved so much, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Amen and Amen.

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Feeding Your Soul ~ Episode 248We feed our bodies, but are you feeding your spirit and soul? Everything we put into our bodies affects our physical health, but the same happens with our spirit and soul. Who do you surround yourself with, what do you read or watch, and how we engage with others? In this episode, we discuss ways to feed our souls that benefit our spiritual health.

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Have you heard the saying “Garbage in, garbage out?” I’m sure you have, yet we don’t consider it means anything else than the food we eat. If we are careful about eating well to feed our bodies, why are we not careful with our spiritual being?

We know from the beginning of the creation of the world that God meant for us to live a life of abundance. To live in a garden without sin and to live essentially forever. We are created in the image and likeness of God, we are told. Genesis 1:26-27 God wants a relationship with us and is there waiting. We are the ones avoiding Him. Sin, at its root cause, is an issue of relationship. Relationships that are broken, harmed, and sometimes destroyed.

We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are made up of spirit, soul, and body. We know what a body is, but what about our spirit and soul? While we have a spirit, we are not spirits in the sense of Heavenly Ages or the Holy Spirit. The spirit is the entity we have that connects with God; it is the “relationship” part. It gives us a sense of longing; we long for God, who has made us for Him. If we are unaware that this longing for happiness is essentially a longing for God, we are unhappy and unfulfilled.

People try all types of things to become happy. Whether it is eating, friends, drinking, or shopping. Have you heard the term “retail therapy”? That is a term that refers to shopping to make you happy when you are sad, as if new clothing or some other purchase can take away the sadness that is rooted in brokenness. Let me ask you – have you ever thought, “I would be perfectly happy if I had…” (Fill in the blank.) Whatever that need is, and again if you get that thing, you want, it will be a temporary fix. Money does not buy happiness, only God.

The spirit is also the reservoir, if you will, of faith. It is important for the life of the believer. Once again, it is that God connection, that belief that you know that you know, beyond doubt, that the Almighty lives and He cares for you in an intimate way. Not as some afterthought but designed purposely for this life. That craving is not for chocolate; it is for God!

Our souls and spirits are connected. The soul is shrouded in a body; it is called the “life principle,” all living bodies have a soul; if they do not have a soul, they would not live. Every living thing has a soul; however, man is unique. Why? Because we have rational powers, that makes us different.

Luke 12:19-20 states (Read online.)

Our souls are where our selfish and sinful nature resides, and our souls are part of our bodies that leave our physical selves at the time of death. In Genesis, we read about the death of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob. Genesis 35: 18 (Read online.)

Our soul and spirit combined are where our emotional experiences reside. The soul can refer to the entire person, whether we are alive or have passed on. So shouldn’t we feed our souls with all that is good and pure? If our consciences are well formed, we will know when something is not right, when we shouldn’t watch, listen or be around something we know isn’t good for us.

We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (Read online)

And in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, (red online.)

So now what will you do? How will you feed the part of yourself that is tempted by sin or the part of you that wants a closer relationship with God but does not have the time? My challenge will surprise you. Sure, reading Scripture, praying, keeping a prayer journal, reading a good Christian faith book, and works of charity, all these are wonderful and can indeed fill your soul with nourishment. But there is more. Feeding your soul means working on your conscience. This means making an effort to do what is right. Just like forgiveness, making an effort means making a decision and doing it. Is it easy? No. Is it worthwhile? Yes, and yes.

Feeding our souls means taking the time to put our decisions in alignment. What road do we travel as Christians? The road that is less traveled. Giving into sin may seem like the easy way, but like our diets, eating what is good for our bodies, so too, filling ourselves with what is right and will be a blessing. Think of the people you hold in high regard. Is there a time when you saw someone fail? How did that make you feel? I know I’ve felt let down, especially if this is a person you care about. With all of the scandals going on in churches across our world, people have lost faith in God. That is a shame and truthfully not warranted. Yes, we can be heartbroken, but our eyes should never be on the pastor, the choir, or the Bible teacher; our eyes should only be on Christ because He will not fail us.

A very popular Christian author, speaker, and associate pastor left his faith behind when an extreme scandal at his church came crashing down. While he had nothing to do with this on the surface (maybe he could have done something or not turned a blind eye), the point is he allowed this tragedy to take him away from God. But what else happened? It was a domino effect because he had led many people toward God with his writings and sharing about relationships. We have his books on our own shelves. His downfall came from placing the wrong emphasis on the wrong people. Did God fail him? No. Did man. Yes.

Almighty God gave us life and gave us a chance to do things right. This is the only life you have, so live it well, and that means not in the sense of selfishness. I hear the words, “Live your best life,” as if anyone would purposely live their worse life — yet sometimes, while living your best, you live a life that is devoid of putting others first. Or, maybe if you are a parent, you put everyone else first but yourself and then find you have nothing left to give.

Not surprisingly, last Sunday, our pastor talked about the soul and its need to be considered. He is the same pastor who often talks about sin being a broken relationship with God. He shared that filling our souls in repairing that relationship with God and with the important people in our life. It does not mean we ignore others, we should have Christian charity, but it does mean we do not lose sleep over what people think about our walk with God. Many times people care about what people think of those who are unimportant in their lives.

When God is not a factor in our life, the evil one gets in and causes havoc to our souls. So decide today–what will you do? How will you fill your soul? How will you encourage that sense that nothing is fulfilling in your life (because it can’t be without God as the focus), and make an effort to change? Do you think you need to change, or are you content with your life as it is now?

I pray you to take this idea of feeding your soul to heart and find a way to make it happen. Only you can decide, and only you can create that effort and dedication to place God first in your life and lead by example, which is your challenge this week.

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Fruits of Prayer ~ Episode 247The fruits of prayer are all around us, and we should be encouraged, right? Yet we walk around carrying the burdens of the world on our shoulders. No more! This is a challenge to not only enjoy the fruits of your prayer life, but ways to pray for others.

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In the Holy Bible, fruit is the symbol of many things. It is the symbol of good faith; it is the symbol of avoiding (such as the tree of life and the tree of good and evil), it was the apple that symbolized temptation because of what it represented.

Good fruit is also a sign that we are on the right path. Matthew 7: 17-20 (read on air).

This is important because in Salvation history and throughout Scripture we are shown again and again the sinfulness of mankind. Bad choices are made, even those selected by God, fall into sin. Yes, we should accept the Lord as our God and Savior, as my pastor calls it, and I love it, the “Fundamental Option.” Yes, Lord I repent, I believe, I will sin no more and follow you. But… there is always a but! We must show our decision by our fruits our decisions, and constantly be in prayer.

I love learning new things, and I appreciate this because it is the only way I can grow in faith. I was talking to one of our pastors after church and asked him some specific questions. Finally, he said to me, when you pray think of the Holy of Holies. I knew what he meant, the Bible refers to this place, as I remembered in the Old Testament. We read in Leviticus 16:12 (Read on air.)

There are other references in Scripture, but the point is envisioning this place, the Holy of Holies… can you picture it? It is a quiet place that is filled with goodness, light, and grace. It is where the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit reside.

Then, he asked me to think about bringing God into my problems instead of bringing my problems to God. Wow – think about this. It is such a beautiful analogy of allowing the Lord into our hearts, and that is truly a blessing. Do you see the difference? Bring our prayers to God, or bring our God into our lives and thus into our prayers!

When we think about the fruits of prayer, we consider how God has answered what we want, our prayers, and our petitions. Our happiness often hinges on what God has done for us. When you think about it in this way, it sounds awfully selfish! But it does not have to be, especially when we begin to thank and praise God for our past blessings and what he has done for us.

Can you make a list? What has God done for you in the last year? The last few months? The last few weeks? How about today? Stop this recording, or come back to this question later. The fruits of prayer are, in essence, our life. Our ability to live each and every day, for some it is difficult, especially if you are ill or caring for someone in need. We all have something to be thankful for, and early on in this podcast, I shared the idea of a journal that was filled with thankfulness for what the Lord has done for you.

The fruit of prayer is thankfulness and awe, and wonder. The Creator of the Universe cares for you and for me in a powerful way! Even in our darkest times, we can be thankful for the sun that rises and warms the earth, the glistening of the raindrops, or the gentle breeze that cools us off on a hot day. The fruit of prayer is contentment. That joy that surpasses all understanding, as I paraphrase Philippians 4:7 – one of my favorite scripture verses: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Fruit of Prayer Joy – Peace – Contentment – Satisfaction – UnderstandingNo matter what is on your list of feelings you may have when your prayers are answered, it truly gives us a sense that God is with us, but not only that, it is a sense of hope. 2 Corinthians 5-7 – For we live by faith, not by sight. Or “We walk by faith and not by sight.” helps us when we do not feel his presence. Out of obedience, we say, “Yes, Lord,” daily.

The hope that God gives us is the understanding that no matter what, He is with us—a personal story on the air.

This is the fruit of prayer, a turnaround, and a change of heart. We want our hearts to be on fire for God, but often we can only consider our needs or those of the people we pray for daily. Instead, consider how you fall short, and make a turnaround. A turnaround to do better, to try harder, or to do something differently. When something does not work out well, why do the same thing expecting a better outcome?

Peace, joy, and contentment are wonderful, but a change of heart is even better. It helps us on our journey, and we can consider the prayer, “Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you give me; I need nothing but you.” If we can truly say that with conviction, we are on the road to healing of mind, heart, and will. Our will is being given to God the Almighty!

This week I would love you to join me in prayer and acknowledge the fruit of our prayers. Consider what God has done for you, the good fruit in your life, and praise Him in all things.

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Prayer Warrior ~ Episode 246Are you a prayer warrior? The military raises leaders and those who have physical strength, stamina, and endurance in their physical lives. How can we apply this to our spiritual life? Are we spiritually tough?

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As I’ve shared, my son is in the military and currently in Ranger School, trying for the Army Ranger Tab. This is a grueling sixty-day trial of body, mind, and spirit. It causes good men to dig deep, and it helps if they have a deep relationship with the Lord.

This Lent, I have traveled a path of praying alongside my son. I have journaled consistently, searched the Sacred Scriptures, and been on my knees in church praying for his needs and the Lord’s provision.

I have learned from talking to him during one of his brief breaks after passing the first section and moving on to the second that he has never prayed so much in his life. Being sleep-deprived, sleeping outdoors, eating freeze-dried foods, and not having enough to eat really wreaks havoc on a person’s physical and mental well-being.

Yet it has taught me that we can apply what a soldier goes through to our own prayer lives and become prayer warriors! Soldiers must endure, sacrifice, persevere, and be brave when facing danger. They continue onward when many would call it quits. There is no choice but to continue forward; that is a lesson for all of us. When times are tough, we continue on, and we ask the Lord for His help. We can endure with our Lord’s help. Sacrifice, such as fasting, brings us closer to God. If we persevere through our anguish, we will find hope on the other side, and as for danger? We must pray that our minds are open so that we can recognize and avoid it.

Prayer Warrior TipsHere are some things I find helpful.

1. A blank personal pocket book. I purchased small little lined books that I keep in my purse and clip a pen to the book. On the back of the book, the last page or the cover, I list the people I want to pray for each day. This can be for specific prayer requests, deceased loved ones, or those needs that are dear to your heart. That way, I can flip to the back of the book daily to pray.
2. A consistent prayer time. These are things you do each day. If you pray first thing (before or after a cup of coffee or tea), or maybe on your way to church, at church, and maybe a few minutes afterward.
3. Fasting along when seeking the Lord for His will, or when in prayer for a special intention or for a need.
4. Keep familiar scriptures in your mind that are encouraging. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12 ADD MORE HERE
5. Never quit. We know God is faithful; we know He is there for us even when things seem hard or problems are insurmountable. We must persevere in the face of hardship while acknowledging that while our feelings are legitimate, we must look for the greater good.

When we think about being prayer warriors, we should also consider praying the right way when someone asks. If you have a friend who is having surgery or struggling with a personal issue and asks you to pray, stop and pray immediately. If you do not have time, a simple “Jesus, please provide for her needs.” And then, when you have more time, be intentional in your prayer.

1. Send a text message with a prayer.
2. Send an email message with a prayer.
3. Send a card and tell them you are praying.

Prayer warriors also put on the armor of God. We protect ourselves from the enemy with prayer. We get our strength from God, not from ourselves. When we pour into others, we become depleted, but if we are connected to the Holy Spirit, living water flows through us.

If you have time, become a prayer warrior – ask your family how you can pray. Join a prayer group, or online prayer support chain. Start one yourself. We started a text prayer chain for my son with our immediate family. I even called it Mike’s Prayer Warriors. (f you listen to this podcast, you know Michael’s voice; he does the introduction to this podcast as well as what we call the outro – so please join me in praying for his safety and those of our military and first responders.)

We can be first responders for the Lord. Our strength is in God. Our hope is in God, and our prayers are the result of our repentance from sin and the hope in Christ. Jesus, I trust in You!

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Temptation is Real ~ Episode 245All around me, I see that temptation is real, and the fallout is serious sin. But friends, we cannot become complacent, even if we are walking with the Lord; this podcast explores the meaning of temptation as it applies to our lives and what the Scriptures say.

One of our pastors reminds us that faith is not just a feeling but an action. This is true on so many levels. It is a choice, and I must decide whether I will follow the Lord or myself each day. What do you think temptation means? Does temptation mean doing something wrong, perhaps allowing ourselves to be swayed by the evil one? Something that is sinful or self-destructive? Each of us struggles with temptation of some sort, whether it is food, overindulgence in alcohol, laziness, or slothfulness. We don’t even need to leave home to be tempted.

Some believe their faith will save them from sin, which is only partially correct. Yes, faith helps, absolutely, but faith can also be used as an excuse to fall into depression, with the idea, “How could God allow that to happen to me?” Our faith is like a shield, but the decision is ultimately ours to choose correctly. Sometimes our trials are overwhelming, and it is our faith that keeps us together, that keeps us whole. Why do we want to avoid temptation? Maybe this verse will give us the needed nudge.

Ephesians 2:3 (Read on Air) –

Who wants to be known as a child of wrath? The early Christians had their eyes opened, and then, afterward, they were aware of their sin. Once they were infilled with the Holy Spirit, this wisdom from the Lord allowed them to see the sin they did not think was an issue beforehand. The early Christians taught others. The words which we read in the Bible are powerful and obviously came from God. We are taught the Word of God pierces our hearts like a two-edged sword and is convicting, and those words made an impact and changed lives. In the busyness of this world, we must make the time to allow those words to also penetrate our hearts so that our eyes can be opened. This doesn’t mean we are free from temptation, only that we can identify and avoid it.

We have all sinned, and we have all been tempted. Some of us are stronger than others at avoiding sin, and God knows our hearts. He hears our prayers and knows our weaknesses, but sadly so does the enemy. In the last podcast, I discussed a hardened heart. A hardened heart is us being stubborn; we want what we want. When we follow our own path and our own inclinations, sometimes we stumble or take the wrong turn; how do we avoid this regarding temptation?

An aside here, those who are stronger at avoiding temptation do several things,

1. They pray and seek God, whether it is in the Bible, in talking to the Lord
2. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people and attending church.
3. Put on the armor of Christ; this means putting on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit—Ephesians 6:11-17 (read on air).
4. Identify your weaknesses and avoid them. Not falling into temptation means avoiding the near occasion of sin.
5. Pray against temptation with a simple prayer such as, “Lord, forgive me for my sins in thought, word, and deed.”

In Proverbs 28:14 (read on air)

Let’s look at that passage, how can you guard yourself? Take a few moments and think about this…guarding yourself means being aware, to avoid occasions of sin. This can mean so many things; it can mean avoiding people you know are trouble. I read a funny meme on social media that had a picture of two women, and it said, “partners in crime,” Then it went on to say, “If we get caught, I am deaf, and you do not speak English.” While it might make us smile, it reminds me that there are people I should avoid, and while that doesn’t make us popular, it is important. In college, I was called “mom” because my friends said taking me out with them reminded me of having their mom with them! All those years at the feet of my Italian grandmother and learning from my parents that faith was more than a building we attended Mass at; it was a lifestyle. Something that can be eroded with the wrong influence but should not be forgotten.

Our pastor said he was with a group of people at a social gathering, and one man began to tell an inappropriate joke, so he excused himself and began to walk away. He said he was not allowing himself to be put into this awkward position, but that same man came to him later, apologized, and recognized this was an area of weakness. He wanted to be liked and noticed by others, and he thought this was one way to do it. He was counseled that it was not!

James 1:12 – the trials of temptation while all around us and can be a source of struggle we must pray that we are spared and pray for fortitude and strength – Blessed is the man who perseveres when he is tempted, for when he has been proven, he will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

It is not easy, and no one said life is easy. Some think that becoming a Christian should come with blessings and rewards. It does, but not always in the way we want. A Christian walks the road less traveled, which may make you unpopular with friends, but in my case, my friends (the same ones who called me “Mom”) elected me as president of our sorority and other council positions. Did they want someone responsible, or did they want the party girl? Sure, responsibility comes with a price, and it is up to us to do the best we can, but unfortunately, that best depends on what we know. We can’t be expected to avoid temptation when we can’t identify it or if we don’t care. That is part of the problem in the Catholic and Christian circles, the “church” has been blamed for the failure of educating the youth, but I truly believe the education of Christian morals and values belongs totally in the home. Do your children know the Bible? Did you teach them about the lives of godly men and women, those who the Bible and we call saints? Do children know the difference between Noah and Moses? I had a class of 7th graders tell me that Noah was the one with the parted red sea. We had to do a quick overview of Bible history.

I was blessed to grow up with Bible stories instead of fairy tales, and I learned my Bible history at home. My faith was praying with my family for every little thing – faith by example. So, as Christians, we are called to a higher standard. I’m talking about myself as well as all of you.

Matthew 6 is the Lord’s prayer, and the last part states… and do not lead us into temptation… We are delivered by our awareness and decision, and that is faith. Faith is a decision.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked his apostles to stay awake for one hour, but unfortunately, they were unable, yet he said in Matthew 26:41 (Read on air.)

Our flesh is weak, and the enemy knows how to tempt us, especially if we try fasting. Fasting calls to mind our prayer whenever we want to eat the food. When we avoid that food, we learn how to pray specifically and avoid temptation—avoiding the food instead of eating it.

One of the podcasts I listen to is Wholeness and Holiness – and recently, the topic was “Into the Desert with Jesus.”

She discussed sin and temptation in the desert when the enemy was with the Lord, and he said, “If you are the Son of God.” In other words, Jesus, do you know who you are? In this way, the enemy was trying to trick the Lord into proving He is the Son of God – Jesus knows His identity; he does not need to prove it.

When we don’t know who we are, when we give into temptation, it is because we have lost our identity. We either do not have confidence in who we are or think that doing whatever temptation will fix the issue. For example, a young person who gives into peer pressure by doing drugs or drinking alcohol to fit in – because everyone else is doing it.

If we are confident in our identity, if we know we are indeed sons and daughters of the Almighty, we are part of a Holy Family, then we don’t need those things to make us feel better about ourselves.

This is part of the relationship with God – if we are confident in our relationship, we will be strong. If we believe that God is there and we are here, he is a loving and distant God, then that won’t work in the here and now.

Friends, we as Christians have been given a powerful tool: the understanding that God is with us; he is for us, so who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (Read on air.) Who Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ? What, then, can we say in response to all this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

We need to shore up the troops, get your family on board, be united instead of divided, and conquer the issue head-on. If you are struggling with something major, ask your family to help.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (read on air).

I have asked the Lord for help when I have felt that I could not handle it anymore when things were hard. The temptation was a spiritual one, and that was negativity to give in to self-pity, or depression, to feel that no one cares and I was in “this” alone. Have you been there? Have you been in the depths of despair without a way out? One of the biggest issues for the elderly is loneliness. In the past, there were multi-generational families. I feel that this is a missing element in our family life today.

We may struggle with certain sins and temptations; these are ones we should identify and become aware of; in a past podcast, I shared an episode called Victory Over Sin and discussed these issues and the trap we fall into.

I want to leave you with this encouragement from 1 John 1-2

Avoiding temptation is a blessing, and it makes us stronger. And I pray this helps you make wise and beneficial decisions for your journey with the Lord.

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Harden Not Your HeartHave the verses,”harden not your heart,” given you pause? Have you felt that the Lord is leading you in some way, but you just don’t feel like following? In this podcast, Felice leads you through some thoughts and prayers for getting back on track.

Recently a situation came up in my life that made me realize I was not following the Lord’s leading as I should. It has happened to me throughout the years and so it was easy to recognize when it began to happen again. Have you ever felt like that? You know, or you feel like you know what the Lord wants you to do, but then you decide to do something else, or maybe not act on what the leading is.

First let’s look at several Scriptures that discuss this. Hebrews 3:14-16 (Read on Air)

And, Hebrews 4:6-8

Have You Heard the Words, Harden Not Your Heart in Prayer?This hardening of heart for me was in regard to a thought one time and another time an action. I felt the Lord was leading me in a specific direction, and there was uncertainty on my part to say yes. Here is one example I can give you, as a young mom, I was involved in many volunteer organizations, at church, and at a women’s group. I was selected to be on a group that would tackle educational issues. Since I homeschooled my children, I was the perfect candidate first because I had an education degree, and secondly, because I didn’t have any ties to the local education system. However, I had this feeling that it would not be well received at home, and I was right; my husband was not a fan of this new “honor.” In my mind, rationalizing it, I felt the Lord had prepared me and put me in an ideal position to make real change. But after talking to my husband, I felt unsettled. My heart was unsettled. I lacked peace. It took some deep soul-searching and some extensive conversations with my husband before I let it go. Then the peace came.

I’ve had other situations where I did not feel peace after making a big decision, yet I knew that if it was God’s will, it would happen regardless. One bad decision, in retrospect, was after seeing what I felt was a God thing and then ignoring it. My heart was hardened because I knew what I wanted to do – and did it.

If the previous two verses are not enough to make you prayerfully think – let me read this next one.

Jeremiah 16:12 says, (Read on Air.)

That is a wake-up call for all of us – so how do we check, and how do we know if we have a hardened heart? We can learn so much from the Scriptures. And God gives us multiple chances to return to him and to change our ways, as we can read in the passages of Hebrews and Jeremiah, and we have the option to turn back.

But you may be asking, how do we know? How do we know if we are hardening our hearts?

Here are some ways you can check your motivation and heart.

1. Are you walking with the Lord? Do you have time for prayer, reflection, and reading Scripture or some other spiritual book?
2. Do you have a gut feeling that something is not right? A feeling of hopelessness?
3. Do you have a restlessness you can’t put your finger on?
4. Do you avoid thinking about the issue at hand and bury it under the guise of being busy or not dealing with the problem?
5. Do you suffer from stubbornness? Ask someone close to you; it is hard to figure this out for yourself.

Any of these things can lead to a hardness of heart. Avoiding an issue, not making time for prayer, ignoring your sense that something is not right, restlessness, or avoiding thinking through the issues can then be compounded by helplessness. Some problems are serious and out of our hands, but yet it is important to prioritize time to pray. If nothing else, for yourself so you can get tuned in to God.

In the New Testament, we also read about hardened hearts – but even in the midst of Christ! You would think that having Jesus in your company and being with him day after day would be an eye-opener. Sitting there first hand, watching the miracles and the teachings, but in Mark 8:16-18 (Read on air). The apostles had Jesus in their midst, and still, they didn’t realize that all they had to do was ask, and he would provide for them. This verse gives me hope. It tells me that it was not uncommon to have hearts that were hardened, and there is hope for us because, unlike the disciples, when we do not have bread, we can pray for that bread, that crumb of knowledge, that assurance that God is with us and in our midst.

We read in Isaiah 6:10 (Read on air) We want what we want. I know I pray, but often it truly is, “Lord, please do my will.” With my son in the military, still in training but nonetheless straining when I can’t talk to him for a long stretch of time, I am constantly on my knees – our family has a prayer chain where I post prayer requests each day and a Scripture verse, but it is truly asking the Lord to bless, provide, and allow my son success in this training – Often I remind myself to go to the beginning of the prayer and type in words, Praise You and Thank-you Jesus for all you have provided.

So how should we pray? In Ezekiel, we see a perfect example, Ezekiel 36:26-27 (Read on Air).

We need that reminder. Are we walking in our own flesh? Are we doing what pleases us above others? I am sure the answer is no for many of you, but even as I read this, I think there are ways I can improve. Please, Lord, give me a new heart and a new spirit! Amen!

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Power of Words ~ Episode 243The power of words comes to life in the Gospels, in the healings of Christ, and in the vanquishing of evil. Do we know how to use the words to benefit ourselves and others? In this episode, Felice shares what it means to be used by the Lord in a powerful way.

This episode is sponsored by Media Angels, Inc. – One More Child book — A Few Minutes With God

Have you heard that words have power? Even outside Christian circles, we hear of the power of words in positive thinking and self-help books. Words can be used to build up our own self-esteem, and positive words we are told are good for our health! Words are used to tell stories; in books and conversations, words bring us knowledge.

Even though words are powerful and can bring us knowledge, that does not necessarily mean they bring wisdom. Wisdom is a gift of God, and it is in that gift that the power of words comes. The fountain of wisdom is reading, studying, understanding, and taking the Scriptures (the Word of God) to heart. It allows our faith to be strengthened.

The Bible is called the Word of God, and the Bible has power. Hebrews 4:12 (Read on air.)

God spoke the world into being in the Book of Genesis; with God’s word, the seas parted as Moses, and the Israelites were taken out of Egypt; with the words of Christ, demons were cast out, and people were healed of not only their sins but their illnesses.

But words can be used for evil. We see the effects of evil words in our world today, with the difference between what is true and what is false. Often the words we hear are confusing, and the truth is blurred beyond recognition. Yet, if we are filled with the light of Christ, if we have faith and allow the Lord to work through us, we will have discernment. And, if we know His Word by studying Scripture, we can arm ourselves with the knowledge that truth only comes from God. In fact, the evil that used to be hidden beyond the shadows is now front and center out in the open, and while Christians protest, the evil continues to happen.

We can fool ourselves, but we can not fool God, He knows the intentions of our hearts, and often these intentions spill over into what we say. Changes can happen with the power of words, which can be positive or negative, with overwhelming consequences. If we are not informed, if we do not study the Word of God – if we do not realize that our words have power and can be used in a mighty way for the glory of God, then we are falling short of our mission as Christians.

Words are in prayers; words are in praise a

We must begin by acknowledging that words have power and that a spoken word can heal! I’ve seen it! I’ve seen prayers answered. Words are a gift from God. We can read the Word of God in the Scriptures and learn; we can use this Word to tell others the good news. You and I have a responsibility – we must understand that our words can cause serious damage or good. We can be a positive influence on our own family, our friends, or our place of work. Words can build people up, tear people down or sow discord and confusion. In fact, words have such power that they can be outright dangerous!

In fact, good and true words are often “shut down,” or the new buzzword; now, people are canceled. How can truth be wrong? It can’t. So what do we do? We arm ourselves with that two-edged sword. We arm ourselves with wisdom. If God is the giver of truth, the giver of wisdom which is freely given, we should begin by asking for this grace, similar to what King Solomon did; this is an amazing book of the Bible and shows us through example what can happen by asking in prayer.

We read about King Solomon and how he asked God for wisdom. 1 Kings 5:12 – (Read on air) Then we read about the two women who went before the King, each claiming to have given birth to a child. They asked the King to decide which of them was the true mother. King Solomon recommended cutting the baby in half and giving one half to each, but we read that the true mother gave her child up to the other. The King knew by the true mother’s selfless act that the child was hers.

Following this discourse, we read: 1 Kings 4:30: (read on air_

Why was this? Because God is the giver of wisdom. King Solomon asked, and God delivered.

We read about the wisdom of God in the words of men throughout the Scriptures, and when it is stated, it is followed by the actions being just and righteous, and men were filled with awe.

James 1:5 If someone among you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Throughout the scriptures, we read about wisdom in the book of Judith especially – Judith 11:23 states: (read on air)

Wisdom is given by God in word and in deed. All through Job, we hear about wisdom; there is even the Book of Wisdom in Scripture.

Probably one of the most quoted verses in the book of Job is Job 28:28 (Read on air.)

Psalm 27:30 – The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is right.

How will we use this in our own lives? First, pray to the Lord, “Dear Lord, give me the gift of wisdom and the discernment on how to use it.” This prayer is the beginning. By asking the Lord we are opening our hearts to His will and His providence for us, our lives, and the lives of those we touch. Then as we are filled up, we pour out into others. We ask the Lord to help us with our family, to help us with our neighbors, and those we come into contact with each day.

A friend of ours, a doctor, would pray with his patients. But, first, he asked the Lord if he should pray. He would feel a gentle nudge in his spirit to pray or not to pray. Some people would not be open to prayer, and most came to a doctor for medical treatment, not spiritual treatment. Yet, in his years of practice, God was still using him in a powerful way.

How will you use the words that you have? Only you can decide. The power of words begins with God’s Word, and it ends with us being open to doing God’s will – I challenge you this week to pray for wisdom and the power to use words for the glory of God!

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Prayer and Fasting ~ Episode 242Do you like the idea of prayer and fasting? Is it helpful in your Christian walk? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz shares how scriptures encourage us and ways to grow in our faith through this simple and ancient practice. Perfect as we enter our Lenten Season before Easter.

Visit MediaAngels.com and the personal testimony, One More Child, and the novel, A Few Minutes With God.

I grew up in a household that fasted on specific days a week. For example, on Friday, we didn’t eat meat. This included chicken or pork. This was a remembrance of Good Friday, even though it was not Lent, the 40 days before Easter. Every Friday, we remember that Christ died for our sins and that through his redemptive sacrifice, we have everlasting life if we accept this as truth. This reminder as a child put faith in a real perspective. Especially as a child who did not like fish. Most of the time, I ate some type of egg or pasta.

What is sacrifice? Think about this.

I looked up the word sacrifice in an online dictionary and was astounded to read the first definition was “an act of offering to a deity something precious.” The other definitions had to do with destruction, surrender, or loss. Would you agree that sacrifice means giving up for the sake of something better? When we sacrifice or deny ourselves, we are reminded in a tangible way that there is more than this life. This life is temporary.

Matthew 16:24-26 tells us that sacrifice is taking up your cross to follow Jesus. (Read on air.)

Taking up your cross means bearing your burdens and hardships. It means not complaining when you don’t have to or making do with what you have. It means knowing that our cross is just right for us and that another cross might be too much to bear. The cross is symbolic in this way. Following Christ means taking the road less traveled because it is not easy. The easy road is giving into whatever your “flesh” desires, whether this is food or sinful activities. The old adage, “What would Jesus do,” holds true; we would act differently if Christ were present with us in the flesh. What we fail to remember is that God is everywhere, and there is nowhere you can hide from Him. We learned in the book of Genesis when Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. God is omnipresent; he is always here. God is in the present moment, which is why being present is so important. There is no time and space with God.

Mindblowing, I know.

Matthew 16:24-26 seems like a harsh teaching. But picking up our cross may mean self-denial. What does this look like? We give up a specific food or a sinful activity in prayer and fasting. Giving up food may be difficult; for example, giving up chocolate is sacrificial. We may crave chocolate, and telling ourselves no when we want a piece is not fun, but this reminds us to thank God and praise Him for what He has done for us. Being in a relationship and remaining pure is difficult and means picking up your cross. A cross is different for each person.

This brings us to prayer and fasting. The significance of fasting has Biblical significance from ancient times. Putting on sackcloth and fasting saved everyone, Ester 4:3 (Read On Air.) Even Jesus fasted in the desert before his public ministry, Matthew 4:2 “(Read on air.) That is where the 40 days of Lent before Easter comes from, it is a reminder of the time that Jesus spent in prayer in the desert. Symbolically fasting from something you do daily, whether it is a food or a sinful activity, or even a bad habit (too much social media) is helpful in picking up your cross and following alongside Christ.

Matthew 9: 24-29 (On Air) Some translations leave out the fasting part and include only prayer, but the combination of prayer and fasting is so powerful! It will change your life. So, consider this when you are praying for something of importance or for an unanswered prayer. Give yourself a time period, maybe a week or two, a month or more, whatever that time is. Fasting does not need to be bread and water, although at a certain period of my life, I did this two times a week, once on Wednesday and then on Friday. It was a time of prayer that my husband and I both did for a time. It was truly a blessed time, and we were blessed through the experience. It is not for everyone and should be done only for a specific need. Bring it to prayer before you begin.

Remember, sacrifice is giving up something you don’t want to give up. My husband fasts by giving up soda, which he drinks daily. For me, chocolate is my go-to fast. For you, it may be different. Just remember that prayer and fasting are for a purpose, and fasting to lose weight is different. This type of fasting is for the end goal of your health, perhaps dropping a few pounds, but it is not for the sake of prayer or sacrifice.

God doesn’t need us to fast for Him. He doesn’t only answer prayer that we join to fasting. God is not at our whim waiting for us to command Him to answer our wants, needs, or desires. When people say, “God doesn’t answer my prayers,” that typically translates to, “God isn’t doing what I want Him to do.” It is disappointing not to have your prayers answered and devastating, to say the least. St. Monica prayed for Augustine for over twenty years at least, I’ve heard thirty years, but Augustine was 33 when his mother died. St. Augustine, as he is known now, wrote in his book, “Confessions,” that his mother’s prayers changed him, not his prayers because he was not praying. Augustine did convert to Christianity, became a bishop, a Father of the Church, and later a saint. I can imagine that his mother prayed and fasted for her son. This is a beautiful and true story, and it should give you hope. Monica did not turn her back on God because her prayers were not answered on her timeline.

Will you add prayer and fasting to your walk with the Lord? I challenge you this week to consider it and note in your journal changes, if any, in your spiritual walk! May God be blessed today and always.

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Love As Christ Loves ~ Episode 241How can we love as Christ loves? Is it impossible, or is it? In this episode, we explore what true Christian love means to us.

Visit the website at MediaAngels.com for books and products written by Felice Gerwitz, specifically her ministry books, A Few Minutes with God and One More Child. Please share this episode with a friend, and share God’s love with all.

If I asked you, “What is the first thing that pops into your mind when I say, ‘Christ loves?” As always, our answers would be varied.

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

In a nutshell, to love as Christ means to love one another and to become Christ’s disciples, not only to learn, by reading the Scriptures, attending a Bible study, or doing a scripture study on your own. It means to look at our lives as a challenge to get better one day at a time. I read a book by a well-known evangelist who claimed that during some seasons of his faith journey, sometimes he just didn’t want to show up for prayer with the Lord. We all go through life struggles that can bring us closer to God or cause us to be stray. Showing up is half the battle.

In past episodes here and here I spoke about forgiveness. The graphic I selected for this podcast is one of Jesus writing in the sand. John 8 is at the Mount of Olives where Jesus went to preach, we read in verse 2-11

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Another verse that comes to mind shows us how we should love each other. Ephesians 5:25, the entire verse is beautiful, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” this is an appropriate Scripture as I record this podcast in the month of February. How can this be? We are, after all, sinful creatures, and we fail each other often. In fact, we hurt those we love the most.

To love, you have to care, and to be hurt by love means you care so much that it crushes you when you consider the hurt. But love is more than what happens to us. One definition of love is sacrificial, love gives, and love receives. Some of us love to receive gifts, and others like to give gifts; each of us is a unique gift. Scripture tells us we are created in the likeness and image of God. We are created with a body, soul, and spirit; we crave love, which comes to us unfailingly from Christ.

One of the most recited scripture is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This beautiful scripture speaks about the love of Christ for us – that sacrificial love. Can you imagine if Christians worldwide would think about loving as Christ loves us? Can you imagine the change in our world?

We can take it further, just within our own families first and then our larger social circle, those at school, at work, and the people we meet in the grocery store. We can go against the flow and pray to the Lord for grace for this! We are so blessed, and we do not see it, but if we did we would give to others. It does not have to cost money. A smile can brighten someone’s day, and a hug goes a long way toward healing hurts. We are so wounded that we forget that others are hurting as well. Christ’s love for us continues to pour out upon all of us – it wasn’t a one-time thing, sure His sacrifice was one time, but the effects of his sacrifice are everlasting.

1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Can we abide in God’s love? It is never too late. No matter what sin or anger we have in our hearts, there is forgiveness. It can start right now. Today, with a decision to turn away from what the Bible calls sin. Our world says nothing is sinful if you want to do it – just go for it. But in this mindset, we see that some are givers and others are takers, which frustrates all. The givers are upset. They give with nothing in return, and the takers never think it is enough.

Corinthians 3:14 – And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Love binds everything together. That is why romance books and Hallmark movies permeate the stores and airwaves. Everyone wants to love and be loved. Everyone wants that unconditional love that the Scriptures talk about, but no one wants to love unconditionally! While we can love and have sacrificial love, it is difficult to love when we get nothing back. However, we can not outgive our God. He is mighty and immense, and His love knows no bounds. Try it; try to give God your love, your trust, your time, and your gifts. Ask God what you can do to serve Him. Watch what happens.

It may not be today, but it will be at some point in time when you least expect it. Have you looked back on the previous year to see the hand of God in your life? As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20 – we may not see the miracles in our life right now, but we will see them in the future.

My son is in the Army Rangers program; this week has been the longest week of my life. He had to pass this week’s challenges to be an RS – a Ranger Student. In the private group, the administrators shared what they were going through. As I was praying for him, I thought, as Christ gave us His sacrifice for our sins, so too did the military, the police, and sheriffs, the firefighters, the first responders put their lives on the line for others. This is their job, yes. But it is Christ-like, it is loving as Christ loves. These little aha moments are so amazing when we pray and ask God for His grace. (As an aside, please pray for my son that he successfully makes it through all three stages of this journey.)

So, friends, our choice is to love as Christ loves or to follow our own way. My choice is to follow Christ’s example. This week I urge you to think about Christ’s love and look at the Scripture verses, not only those I shared but those that you find on your own in the Bible. Journal about it and think about what you have learned, what God is teaching you!

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Evangelize Now – Call To Christian Families ~ Episode 240We are called to evangelize now, not next week – not in a few weeks, but now! How are you sharing the explosive news of what the Lord has done in your life with others? Perhaps you need a few minutes to collect your thoughts and consider what Christ has done for you. Perhaps you are a new Christian. All are welcome as Felice shares her thoughts on evangelization.

Visit the website at MediaAngels.com for books and products written by Felice Gerwitz, specifically her ministry books, A Few Minutes with God and One More Child. Please share this episode with a friend; it is a form of evangelization and helping to bring the good news to others.

Last week I shared an amazing story about a friend who was healed of cancer. Not over a long period, virtually overnight. If you missed that podcast, check out Healing Power of God. When we do things like that, share or witness to something incredible that happens in our lives or someone else’s (with their permission), that is a form of evangelization. What is holding you back? Do you feel underqualified? Do you feel that anyone else can do a better job? Maybe you think you don’t have a degree in theology.

In college, I was told that now was my time to work for the Lord. I wasn’t married, I didn’t have adult responsibilities, and now I could dedicate my time to the mission of evangelization. This is great, and yes, this is a perfect time if you are not yet living an adult life with responsibilities. But, it is also an excuse for why we are not available. The time is now; anytime is a good time.

We don’t need fancy degrees or the right words; all we need is the Holy Spirit! When we are around like-minded Christians who love the Lord, it fills us with excitement, and we want to share the good news with others. This isn’t the first podcast I have done on the topic, but this is the first podcast in which I want to discuss our personal needs and that of your family.

Evangelize Now – Personal NeedsYou can’t give what you do not have. If you are burdened or struggling, the first person you need to work on is yourself. You are important in the eyes of God, you are not a mistake, and you are precious in His sight. Psalm 116: 13-16 (read on air)

We must be freed in order to serve. As I’ve shared in many other podcasts, I have turned off the negativity and asked the Lord for help. I’m not naive, and I’m not blind to what is happening in the world, but I ask the Lord to help me to see what He wants me to see and to help where I can and need to help. For example, last year, I donated to two different ministries I had not previously donated to. This is a form of evangelization.

Here are some past episodes on prayer and evangelization:

1. Christian Harvest
2. Miracles of Faith
3. Miraculous Prayers

As we share our needs with the Lord, we may feel down or depressed. THis is not from God, but from the enemy and there is a sure way to combat it!

If you are feeling down and unworthy, here is a simple plan.1. Start with prayer and ask the Lord the ways you have offended Him. 2. Ask for forgiveness: God is merciful, but He is also a just judge, so repent! Let him call these things to mind. Make a list if necessary, go down each of these points, and ask the Lord for forgiveness. Not, “I’m sorry,” but “Will you forgive me.” 3. Accept his Forgiveness, and forgive yourself. The shoulda, woulda, coulda is a killer … Psalm 103:8 states, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” 4. Fill yourself with uplifting songs, and concentrate on the words. Singing is praising God twice. It can fill us and raise us up to another level of prayer. I did a podcast on Worship and Thanksgiving here 5. Finally, delve into God’s Word. It is the inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of God. It is called the three “i’s” — it is the ultimate authority.

So, now that you are filled up, where do you start? You begin with your family. Again there is a simple plan.

Evangelize Now – Family Needs1. Begin with prayer. Ask the Lord how you can pray for each one. 2. Use a prayer journal. Jot down their needs and read through these each day. 3. Send them a card or a note if they are not living at home. Let them know you are praying for them, and ask for their prayer intentions.

One way we can fight against the enemy is by working on our relationship with God and our relationships with our family or extended family members. Is there someone who has hurt you? Pray a blessing on them. Is there someone that you have hurt? Ask for their forgiveness and repent. Sometimes that family member is gone, and there are regrets. Regrets you did not spend more time in their company, regret that they are gone, regrets that you have to pick up the pieces. Give those needs to the Lord and live one day at a time.

Ephesians 6:12-13 (read on air)

Reading the Scriptures about the struggle between good and evil may cause us to become fearful, but fear is what the enemy wants. However, we don’t need to fall into this trap because the battle has been won, and we must keep our eyes on the Lord … when we evangelize, we are thwarting the enemy. I want to be on the side of God, which means I know that God is with me.Why is there sin in the world? Mainly because people are not spiritually educated. There is head knowledge but not heart knowledge. At its very core, sin is selfish, prideful, and putting our own needs before the needs of others. Our focus is not on the sins of others but on our sins and praying for others. Ask the Lord for ways to share His love, and start with your family!

I want to leave you with this; the evil one made his choice, and those who followed him made their choice. God is merciful, yet the angel’s sins are unforgivable because there was no repentance. In this way, there is no repentance after death, which should motivate us to repent now. Evangelize now. Make an effort to be open to God’s will in your life and follow His prompting. Don’t ignore it!

Your challenge this week is to ask the Lord how He wants to use you and follow the simple rules in this podcast. I pray for God’s blessings on you today and always.

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Healing Power of God – Episode 239The healing power of God is not only for past believers, as written in the Bible, but it is for us today. Miracles do happen! In this podcast, Felice shares a personal experience after a phone call a friend shared, telling her of the healing power of God’s love and how it changed her life.

Visit Media Angels, our sponsor, and look for the books One More Child and A Few Minutes with God and the Character Planners for Families.

This past month if you’ve listened to the podcasts in order, the theme was about Christian resolutions and how to avoid anger, overcome guilt, and overcome laziness. We know in our heads that these are all good things to work on but do we realize that the good news, the power of God, is that He is a healing God? But, when we think about healing, we think about spiritual healing, which is important, but sometimes God does the miraculous in healing our body.

As I share this story, I have received permission from my friend. It is a shorter version of our conversation, yet no less powerful.

I received a call from a very good friend who informed me she was diagnosed with cancer; I was shocked and listened as she recounted all the ways the Lord had blessed her and turned her life around. She went on to explain how right before Christmas, she had a pain in her ribs checked out. A blessing is that her husband is an orthopedic surgeon, and she was able to go to his office for the x-ray. Since he was busy, and she was a last-minute addition to the schedule, she prayed and left the office without seeing her husband. She kept checking her phone when she arrived home, expecting a call with the all-clear, but that didn’t happen.

Later that day, as her husband was traveling home, she asked for the results. He didn’t want to tell her on the phone, but she insisted. He said he sent the x-rays to his brother, a Radiologist in another state, and said that it was taken in his office that day, and the person was a patient. He did not tell his brother the patient was his wife (the radiologist’s sister-in-law!). They both came to the same conclusion; the patient had cancer. My friend was floored. Not only that, but cancer had spread, and there was a huge cyst putting pressure on one of the ribs.

My friend explained that she felt a bulge and wondered what it was and meant to mention it to her husband, but in the business of the holiday, she didn’t bring it up. She said she began praying, and when her husband arrived home, they both were upset but continued to pray. What touched me was that she said the Lord gave her a sense of peace and well-being. She shared that she struggled, as we all do from time to time, and the Lord lifted those burdens from her shoulders. She asked for healing but said to the Lord that if she returned to her old way of feeling, she didn’t want to be healed. She also explained that she was happy to spend time preparing for death! She felt that suffering was a gift.

2 Timothy 4:7 says – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

She was keeping the faith and fighting the good fight. She was keeping her eyes on heaven and not on the things of this world. She said interiorly she was healed of things she had struggled with before and felt it was such a gift!

I was listening in shock. Happy about death? Happy about preparing for death. She was given the gift that surpasses all understanding … peace! I couldn’t believe it and was shocked as I listened to say much. So many thoughts raced through my head. Especially when she said that we never know how we will react at the time of death, but she felt that she would have time to prepare and be at peace. She spent some time calling and talking to her adult children and letting them know the results. Needless to say, they were all very upset.

Wow – Philippians 4:7 says that “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” And in Romans 8:28 we read: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

She was called to be a witness, and she was not bitter or condemning God or her situation, but saying that at that moment, she felt the Lord’s presence and healing in her spiritual life. It wasn’t that she didn’t pray for healing but she was at peace either way.

The story continues with an appointment for a CAT scan the next day, and her husband cleared his schedule to attend with her. He told the receptionist that he wanted to talk to the doctor after the scan was completed, and he did. My friend waited in the waiting room at the request of her husband. She said normally, she would have insisted on hearing what the other doctor had to say, but she has such peace over the situation she decided to let her husband handle it. Later her husband said he wanted to talk doctor to doctor and he didn’t want her scared or for him to watch the questions he asked not to worry her.

The results were astounding. The CAT scan showed all was clear, and there was absolutely no sign of cancer. As she told me this, I had trouble grasping what she was saying so I asked, “You don’t have cancer?” she said no and then explained the results showed her ribs and no cyst at all. A CAT scan is much more detailed than an x-ray, which is why her husband requested it, but he had sent the lab the x-ray and had compared the two side-by-side with the other doctor. I asked again for clarification, “So you don’t have cancer?” I was in further shock if that was possible!

The CAT scan showed all was clear, and they went home and shared the good news with their children. The struggle, she said, was that one of her sons wanted more tests to be completed. She and her husband both felt the CAT scan showed reliable results.

I was so surprised she was healed physically. At first, I thought the healing she was talking about was spiritual healing. God can heal us in different ways, and the spiritual element is typically what

She continued to have the pain, but at the time of our conversation, about two weeks later, she said that her pain had minimized but was not totally gone. She asked the Lord why and said she felt Him saying, “So you do not forget what I have done for you.”

Again, wow.

When I shared the story with my children, they said they would want an additional test run if I were in that situation.

2 Chronicles 9:6 – But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard.

Can we not take a miracle at face value? Of course, we can. Should she have another test? Maybe. But for those who don’t believe it doesn’t matter how many tests are run, they will still ask for another. She has proof of the first x-ray and the second scan. She has proof of a brother in law in a different state who is a radiologist that came to the same conclusion as her husband, also a doctor. She has the proof of a CAT scan that showed all clear – praise God!

In the book of Acts, we read about the disciples after Jesus rose from the dead and how they reacted to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the living God. Jesus promised He would not leave us but send us His spirit, and he did.

Acts 10:38 – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

As Christians, we read about the healing of Jesus throughout the Scriptures, such as Matthew 9:35-38

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Are we willing to be sent out as workers into his harvest? Miracles happen; when they do, we need to share them with others. This miracle was close to home in the case of a dear friend. We don’t understand why some people are healed and others are not. God does greater work in our life when we are open to Him. The other day we were in a small gathering, and I asked my friend to share her miracle with another friend. She hesitated and became teary-eyed before she gave a very short version, but the essence was the same, her healing was spiritual and physical healing. She said it took her several weeks to process what happened, and she is still processing the information. The same with me; it took me days to process what happened.

We expect miracles, but even greater than that, the biggest miracle is accepting God’s will in our life. I feel my friend did this in a way that I still can’t comprehend and only could be by the power of the Holy Spirit. Only God has the power to heal, but we can ask.

She called to let me know because she had been asked to give her testimony to a local prayer group and didn’t want me to attend without knowing beforehand what had happened. The prayer group was in for a big surprise when they heard her testimony of healing. Many in the audience had cancer or pre-cancer, and she prayed with them.

I praise God and thank Him for the happy ending that my friend had, but he wants us all to see the miracles every day. This week’s challenge is to see the miracles in our life, to thank God, and to praise Him. Don’t look to the left or the right but keep your eyes on the Lord – Amen!

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Resolution: Overcoming Laziness – Episode 238Overcoming laziness is not for those who do not want change. Laziness can seep into your spiritual life as well. This show covers the causes of laziness and ways to overcome it and lead to a more productive life!

Our sponsor is Media Angels. Two featured books are One More Child and A Few Minutes with God and the family favorite Character Planners for Families.

I love to read, and for many years when I was busy raising my kids and family, I found no time for this pleasurable pastime. Sure I read, but books for my children or books on learning something for my business. The pleasure of escaping into historical fiction, romance, or mystery was something I wanted to do but didn’t. The reason? I had little control once I became immersed in a story, and I knew my weakness, and I knew that I would be prone to laziness if I allowed myself the time to escape.

What causes laziness? It can be procrastination, exhaustion, or just a lack of wanting to try. Did you know that laziness is a sin? Tell that to all of us who love the occasion of being couch potatoes. Or what about vegging out and thinking of nothing in particular?

However, laziness can lead to moral sin and too much time on your hands to get yourself in trouble. Think about the Internet and the access to graphics and video that can lead a person to grave sin. Proverbs 6 is about denying ourselves, working hard, and looking at a mere creature, an ant of all things, as an example of how we should diligently work. Proverb 6 is called “Warnings Against Folly.”

Proverbs 6:6-8 (Read on air)

The Bible tells us how important action is, and laziness is the opposite of doing. We read the following verses:

Read on air:1. Proverbs 12:24 2. Ecclesiastes 10:18 3. Proverbs 19:15 4. Proverbs 10:4 ~ “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

As a young mom, I read a self-help book on getting things done. The section on washing dishes said, “Just do them.” Simple, right? Do the dishes when you use them, and do not allow them to pile up. Practical. Later, when I began a business, I soon learned that successful people are often the most productive. I had a podcast where I interviewed people on the topic of writing and publishing. The most successful authors were the ones that quickly gave me a bio, an answer to the outline of the points that were -to cover as well as prompt attention to whatever else I needed.

Successful people, as Proverbs 10:4 states, know how to get things done in a timely fashion.

Laziness brings its own host of problems and leads us to guilt. It also leads us to attitudes that can block our spiritual life with God. It can lead to indifference, suffering, and ignoring those under our care or needing help. It does not allow us to connect with others. It can also lead us to self-centered behavior, the world continues to tell us what we need and how we should be fulfilled, and my pet peeve is “living your best life,” because what? Would we want to live our worse life? (I get it; I still don’t like that saying!) Laziness can also lead to pessimism. It can foster a critical spirit within us and allow us to fall into arguments which will take us further away from peace and a life filled with goodness.

How do we change? We repent, and we ask the Lord for His help. In Hebrews 6:12 we read: (on air)

Do we want to inherit the kingdom? Is it good enough to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and then live any life you want? Some of you may say no. Others may say yes that salvation is not dependent on what we do. This is both true and false.

If we stop with “accepting the Lord” and do nothing else, we are shortchanging our life and becoming spiritually lazy. That is taking the easy way out. Philippians 2:12 states (read on air)

That does not sound like laziness to me. I believe we must make the fundamental option (as my pastor calls it) and choose Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Still, we must go on and lead a life free from sin (as much as humanly possible and repent when we fall) and then make an effort to spend time in prayer and in the works of service. God – family – self is a recipe for success.

Just like the book said to avoid dish pileup, just do it. What is Nike’s saying – that’s right, “Just Do It.” We, too, must make ourselves people of action. In podcasts past, I’ve invited you to read Scripture and spend time with God and His precious word in the Bible. When was the last time you did these things? We often see things as insurmountable, but in these shows, I work hard on small pieces that are attainable by you and me. I join you each week when I give you a challenge, so I know it can be done.

I’m not giving you ten things. You have to accomplish just one. Look at your life. Are you happy with your productivity? Great, then you are done. But if you are like me, you see your life constantly needs improvement. Sure, we can be happy where we are, but we should move forward in our walk with the Lord. I love the Christian bumper sticker, “Christian under Construction.”

Our work is done at the end of our life, and how wonderful that if I am still recording and you are still here listening, we have time. We have time to overcome laziness, we have time to rededicate our lives to the Lord, and we have time to be the amazing, blessed person that was always meant to be!

This week our challenge is to overcome laziness. Look at those areas of your life and make changes. Small to begin with and larger as you go on and share the good news with others. Our God is miraculous. I can’t wait until next week to share a miracle that happened in my friend’s life. May God be blessed!

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Resolution ~ Overcoming Guilt ~ Episode 237Guilt can be terrible, and we are all plagued by it; however, overcoming guilt is possible, and with it comes the assurance that we are not alone. This podcast explores the meaning of guilt and how we can avoid the near occasion of sin.

Our sponsor is the company Media Angels, featuring the books One More Child and A Few Minutes with God and the Character Planners for Families.

When Adam and Eve sinned against God, what stuck in my mind was that they were embarrassed not because of what they had done but because of what they were not wearing. When I was praying about the topic of this podcast, I did a quick word search on a Bible app, looking for the word guilt. It does not show up until the book of Leviticus, Leviticus 7:1 (Read on air.)

If you remember the books of the Bible, they go like this, Genesis, Exodus, and then Leviticus. It wasn’t until Leviticus that we see the word guilt?

Guilt is what we feel when we have done something wrong. The feeling is powerful because it typically contains some self-recrimination. We are disappointed in ourselves, maybe our lack of charity toward another, our inability to have self-control or the many other reasons we feel guilty. Unfortunately, guilt can drive our lives in a way that is not healthy.

We feel guilty over things we think we should do. What would be on your list if I asked you to make one? When I made my list, I found that these items were not sinful. I can share with you that I feel guilty that I no longer send birthday cards to family members. Even when I buy a gift, I do not include a card. I find it difficult to buy a card since it is hard to find one that conveys my feelings. But is that sinful? Is that something I should waste time feeling guilty about? No, not really. It is wonderful to receive a card and feel like someone in the family thinks about you, but it is not a sin that we should feel guilty about.

And that is what I wanted to share with you that we waste so much time feeling guilty over the things that do not matter. Thankfully the Lord Jesus came to pay the price of our sins with His death and His Resurrection that broke the bonds of death for all of us. We no longer need to pay guilt offerings. So why do we feel guilt? Because the Lord has created us so that we realize that when we sin, we should feel remorse. People hide it in all types of ways that are unhealthy such as drinking, drugs, or denial. The issue is discerning what is true guilt and what is false.

When we sin against God or others in a way that breaks one of the commandments, we truly sin and should feel true guilt. When we don’t do something we should not do, like spoiling a child, we might feel a false sense of guilt. Perhaps we are enforcing some type of discipline, taking away a phone, or denying a child time to visit friends. How many parents feel worse when they punish a child than the child actually feels? If you are not a parent yet, believe me–it’s a thing!

Another way we feel guilt is in the example I shared about sending cards. I think I should do it, so it is on me to have a mindset change (and be okay that I don’t) or to resolve to send out cards to express my sincere thoughts to family members. However, that is something only I can decide. It should not take up head space. We should not worry about it and should put this idea in perspective.

Being guilty can be helpful as a way to identify sin. We can then confess it and move on.

But how do you overcome chronic guilt or guilt that is false?

1. Decide what guilt you are trying to overcome.
2. If it is true guilt, what can you do to change your ways? Can you confess and “sin no more”?
3. How can we move on if it is false or chronic guilt for something we believe we should do, but it is NOT sinful?

When we look at the term “guilt” in the New Testament, it is all related to sin. Guilt over sin and judgment for sin. When is guilt warranted? When we are in sin when there is evil that tempts us into sin. We should feel that guilt due to sin. That, my friend, is good. Guilt from sin brings us to repentance! We can ask for forgiveness from a just but loving God and move on.

Identifying the type of guilt is the first step in freeing our minds. Do you realize how much headspace that guilt takes? It can cause people to fall into a deeper sin of a chronic condition like alcoholism or drug addiction. Guilt can eat away at us, and we need to forgive ourselves. This is easier said than done. Many people live lives of self-hatred and guilt, which turns into those chronic conditions and often true physical illnesses. Again, it is a way the enemy gets in, and we need spiritual warfare (Ephesians – read that book!) to overcome this.

Remember, the enemy looks for ways to tell us we are less than! If we believe this lie, it allows the evil one a foothold to torment us and for us to feel bad about ourselves. Our hope is in God, who is the maker of all things. 1 Timothy 4:10 – (Read on air.)

Our self-worth is not dependent on whether or not we mail out birthday cards or whatever is on your list of guilt-ridden issues. Our hope is in the living God. The Savior of all people–and what is the next line? The Savior of all people, and especially those who believe.

Can you join me this week in looking at how you can overcome the guilt that is not from true sin? How can you overcome the guilt that is false and lies from the enemy? Pray about this during the week, and join me in praising God today and always!

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Resolution – Overcoming Anger 236In the grand scheme of the Christian life, overcoming anger may seem like one of those unavoidable sins. In this podcast, Felice breaks down simple ways to overcome and sustain the joy of the long in the midst of strife!

Visit Media Angels, our sponsor, and look for the books One More Child and A Few Minutes with God and the Character Planners for Families.

This was not the podcast I wanted to record. I had another one planned, and it had to be shelved for later on; why? I lost my temper with my oldest son, who is an adult. We all get upset from time to time, but have you ever spent the time to narrow down the reason why?

When we get angry, even as Christians we are not called to be doormats or to allow someone to take advantage of our kindness. And that is the crux of my anger. I was being taken advantage of, and when I asked for an apology, I was met with the response, “What did I do?”

In relationships, there is always a give and take, but in families, we sometimes allow our children to take advantage of us, our kindness our willingness to help and then we get upset. Especially when the person has no clue why we are upset. Is there a lack of communication? Absolutely. But how does this translate into our Christian walk with the Lord?

As Christians, we are duty-bound to own up to our mistakes and take charge in regard to asking the Lord for forgiveness. As Christians, we want to be a good example, walk with the Lord, and not allow things to bother us. When I lose my temper, I feel that I am failing God. I am frustrated and want retribution, even if it is in an adult-controlled manner. Where is that joy that surpasses all understanding? That peace? That feeling that God is in control of my life?

How often do I let the Lord down? Often. And how often do I need to forgive? 70 x 7

Read all of Matthew 18:15-30, but in an excerpt where Peter asks Jesus how many times he needs to forgive, we read: Matthew 18:21-22 (read on air).

So, if we are to forgive 490 times, how often do I need to ask the Lord for forgiveness? How often do you need to ask the Lord for forgiveness?

Here is the simplified version of the rambling of my thoughts. Use this exercise to see how you have sinned against the Lord. Think about these questions (they are in the show notes).

1. Do I take advantage of the Lord’s love?
2. Do I take advantage of the Lord’s kindness?
3. Do I take advantage of the Lord’s forgiveness?
4. Do I allow myself to reflect on how I have sinned against Him?
5. When was the last time I asked the Lord for forgiveness?

Let’s break this down.

Being taken advantage of hurts us because we feel betrayed and vulnerable. What about our Lord and Savior, who gave so much to us? He gave His life to break the bonds of death so that we could have everlasting life. This is such a hard concept to grasp, but it is the foundation of our Christian faith.

The next time we are angry, we must remember that we have fallen short and sinned. Do we correct the person who is the cause of our anger? Yes. But we do it in a controlled manner, not one where we lose control. I felt like I did this and followed through, but I still felt guilty, which is the topic of next week’s podcast!

Being able to control our anger isn’t always necessary, especially if it is warranted. I’m not talking about screaming, ranting and raving, and having a temper tantrum. I am, however, saying that when needed, we need to express that the issue must be fixed.

We can be angry, but we must be in control. If you feel out of control, and yes, it has happened to me, walk away. Tell the person I am too upset to talk to you right now, and I need a minute (or an hour) to regroup before I can discuss this rationally. And, while we are in our own time-out, we need to pray and ask the Lord for a solution. In my younger parenting days, I asked the Lord what to do with a particular child, and it was amazing when thoughts came to mind that never occurred to me. I believe these are from the Lord and His way of letting us know he is there for us.

I know that anger takes on its own form and can be violent, and this is never acceptable and should never be tolerated.

Anger stems from a sense of being right, and while the Lord loves righteousness — if you search for the word in a Bible app, you will be amazed at how many references there are to the word, especially in the Psalms and the Proverbs. But the Lord also does not like anger. Do a search of that, and the findings are eye-opening, especially this verse, which we should all memorize in Ephesians 4:25-27 – (Read on air).

In your anger, do not sin – and do not let the sun go down angry… which means there should be some form of forgiveness, asking for forgiveness but also an apology. The enemy knows when we are weak, and if you have trouble with “anger,” take it before the Lord because He can help you with this! The Lord cares about each of us, and he knows our struggles! I praise God that I have faith. God cares about the little things.

Yesterday I received an email from a printer I work with who could not deliver a document I needed to have printed on time because her machines were broken, and she was waiting for the repair person. I emailed her, told her I would pray and asked her to keep me informed. Today she said the repairman came, and the document would be ready on Friday. Praise be the Lord! It is always a blessing the Lord provides for us in other ways when we feel down. Praise be to God! It was a small victory and a reminder that God cares.

This week work on your anger if that is an issue, and look at ways we work against the Lord and the ways we offend him! I pray a blessing on you and your family today and always! Amen.

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Christian Resolution ~ 235We hear about New Year’s Resolutions, but what about a Christian Resolution…of faith? In this episode, Felice explores the possibility that the gifts God has for us are more than we can imagine if we put on the right mindset.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, and the entire Ultimate Christian Podcast Network network, where we bring you great Christian content at no cost. Check out the books, One More Child and A Few Minutes with God – these books help defray the costs of bringing you the network for free.

As a Christian, the New Year seems like the perfect time for a Christian Resolution instead of a New Year’s Resolution. Instead of setting yourself up for failure, let’s look at ways to thrive in the new year! So, it is time for a Christian resolution. What is on your list? It may be simple things such as spending time with God in prayer or going to church on a regular basis; maybe you’ve added works of service, visiting the elderly, or volunteering at the soup kitchen. These are all great and helpful in our walk with the Lord.

For most of us, this is all we can do at this time in our life, and it serves us well. When I listen to podcasts or YouTube videos that list ten things to do, I am often overwhelmed and shut down. My focus in these podcasts is to provide you with some tools and let you decide what works for you. In saying that, as a Christian, what is your focus? Is it in improving your relationship with God? One of the beautiful benefits of strengthening our relationship with God is that it flows into our relationships with others. It has the added benefit of giving us a sense of joy and peace.

The obstacles to our relationship with God are usually centered on what we perceive the Lord wants for us or expects us to do. As Christians, we should want to be free from sin; after all, isn’t that what He expects? So, what keeps us from this?

The expectations for being a Christian may seem restrictive to some or insurmountable to others. But truthfully, being a Christian is as the scriptures state – the truth will set you free.

Today we don’t know what is true. We don’t know who to trust. We’ve been deceived, and it is a horrible feeling to be lied to. Who can we trust? Only the Lord. John 8:31-32 (Read on air.)

Jesus answered in the following verses and explained (read the entirety of John 8), but the summation of his teaching was this, if you are in sin or commit a sin, you are then the slave to that sin. The draw to sin increases each time. But by turning away from sin we also turn away from slavery or the enticement of sinning. Therefore, there is freedom. Then we read in Chapter 8, verses 42-43

When we make up our list of things we want to accomplish in the new year or each week or whenever we take the time to improve our Spiritual life, we find that there are obstacles in our way, and that obstacle tends to be sin. God is waiting with open arms.

In verses 42-43, the Lord continues to explain…(Read on air).

If we can not believe the Word of God, we need to spend some time analyzing why. To love, we must spend time with the person and get to know them; this is true with our relationship with God. God is love, and as such, He is there waiting with open arms for us to go to Him, but sin keeps us from a true relationship. This wall we put up is self-preservation. We don’t want to be hurt; we don’t want to be lied to – we are protecting ourselves.

We are protective of our feelings, but with God, we can let those protections go, and the first thing we need to do is remove whatever is keeping us from Him.

Jesus goes on in verses 44-47 (Read on air).

The father of lies continues to wreak havoc on the world in which we live, and because of so many things, mainly the way Christians have retreated, we have a world that is heading toward devastation if not already there. Christians must stand up for truth. Christians who are from God hear the words of God. Are we from God? That, my friends, is my Christian Resolution to be with God in word and deed, to ask God before stepping out on my own, and to pray to God for His love, providence, and protection.

Take the time to text a family member or friend in need who asks for prayer or to stop immediately to pray. Ask the Lord to call to mind a friend or family member who needs prayers, and you will find that this is one way that the Lord can use you in a powerful way.

This year I want to challenge you to find a Christian Resolution you can stick to, and I pray you write it down and grow closer to God each day.

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Christians After Christmas ~ Episode 234What should we feel as Christians after Christmas? Should we rejoice and be glad? Similar to our secular counterparts, we often feel like something is missing. In this episode, Felice delves into the gift of Christmas and how we can celebrate all year long.

I’d like to thank our sponsor, the movie 5000 Blankets; this movie was inspired by a true story; 5000 BLANKETS will encourage you to give to others. Find hope this holiday season when you see 5000 BLANKETS which you will now find on streaming channels such as Pureflix – Check out the website at 5000BlanketsMovie.com or on social media 5000blanketsmovie

Do you feel it? That after-Christmas letdown? Many of us have been busy during the weeks leading up to the big day. After all that preparation, the letdown is sometimes overwhelming. In this episode, we’ll discuss keeping the Christmas “feeling” with us all year.

Well, friends, if you are like me, you have prepared for weeks before the holidays, and now there is nothing to do other than maybe return gifts. Our celebration has just begun if our focus has been on the Almighty, the Word becoming flesh. As Christians, we continue to praise God for one of the greatest miracles of all times, the Birth of Christ…God becoming man. We can focus on the theme of Advent, which is waiting with expectant faith, and now that He has “come” and we’ve remembered the Savior’s birth, the celebration begins.

It is similar to your choice to follow Christ. No one can make you decide this is important; it is a free-will decision. Yet, for some, it is one and done. There is a profession of faith, a proclamation of renouncing sin and following Christ, yet it ends there. Maybe some read the Bible from time to time, or perhaps there is a prayer from time to time. There can even be church attendance, yet that is just the beginning for me.

Each day we should renew our love for God. We should say, Here I am, Lord. I’ve come to do your will. We read in Psalm 40:6-8 …

When we love someone, we are happy to please them and to do things for them without expecting anything in return. As we renew our decision to follow Him, we should seek ways to serve God – in our thoughts and in our actions. How do we seek the Lord? How do we plan our lives? Does it include a prayer to the Lord for direction? Do we seek His will and his direction? Some of you may say you do but don’t hear anything back.

The Lord gives me direction in how things seem to unfold. I don’t sit on my hands and do nothing; I put something out there and pray…then I wait. Sometimes I’ll get an idea or feel like there is a direction I should take, but I do not stress about it; I go on with my life. Then I am attentive and, as we are told during Advent – to stay awake and be aware. How often do you look back in your life and see the hand of God? How often do we realize that God has been there the entire time?

We are meant to serve, not to be perfect. All the other things will follow by allowing our thoughts to focus on the essential parts of our life, faith, family, work, and responsibility. If you are stressed or unsuccessful in putting things into perspective, it might be time to look at what is causing the discomfort in your life.

I’ve shared with you before the importance of putting on the Armor of Christ. Recently I have struggled with many issues that were work-related – I think I’ve talked about this previously! I couldn’t be in business for over twenty-eight years without being able to handle the problems that crop up. Yet, this was doing me in, and I kept thinking … I need to pray a spiritual warfare prayer. But I put it off until I decided to prioritize it. So I knelt down beside my bed and prayed a Spiritual Warfare prayer. I took authority over the things in my life that were an issue, asked the Lord for providence to show me ways I had sinned against Him and rebuked this sin, and then asked the Lord for the grace of the opposite of the struggle. For example, I said, “I take authority in the Name of Jesus Christ over frustration and rebuke it and ask my God for the spirit of peace that surpasses all understanding.” Then I went down the list as I thought of things I should rebuke. I also prayed for an increase in time and had one of the most productive days ever.

We can do this, friends, we have that authority under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and we do nothing without His help and providence. We should not miss the ability or the opportunity to place the things troubling us at the foot of the cross. As I record this, we are heading into a new year and closing out the old. So much emphasis has been put on the nostalgia of thinking about the new year ending sadly (or happily, depending on your situation) and looking forward to a new year of big changes.

As followers of Christ, we have an opportunity to be better, to have a fresh start which I will discuss in my new year’s podcast, and the ability to be the best Christian we can be, which is easy with the love of the Lord has for us.

Instead of the after-Christmas letdown, let’s rejoice that the best is yet to come. We have each other, even from afar or through the audio waves of whatever method you are listening to. We have like-minded friends and a community. You can find that at the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network. If we focus on the love that Christ has for you and how you want to grow this coming year, rejoice because the Savior of the World is with you today and always!

Your challenge this week is to look, to be aware and to rejoice and be glad, to turn that frown upside down and smile, and to say, the Savior loves me, and I love Him. Rejoice and be glad! May God’s blessings be upon you today and always.

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True Faith ~ Episode 233What is true faith? In light of so much counterfeit around us, it is difficult for many people to understand truth vs. fiction. Even during Biblical times, those who witnessed the miracles of Jesus still struggled to believe. Well, take heart! In this episode, we will delve into the truth that will set your free.

The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network is made up of uplifting shows. Be sure to tune in weekly and visit the show page for new shows that are added. UCPN.com, and be sure to check out the sponsor for today’s episode, the movie 5000 Blankets – This holiday season, be reminded that one of the best ways to make the most out of your hard season is to help someone else in theirs! #5000blanketsmovie.com and if you missed the quick release in theatres, it should come out soon on Pureflix.

The church’s teaching authority gave us the Bible that we have today. This way, we can look to the Word of God to confirm our beliefs. Many of those in authority at the time were eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ and recorded His words for all of us today. We believe the Bible is the inerrant word of guide inspired by the Holy Spirit. We also have recordings of teachings that did not make it into the Bible or books believed not to be inspired.

Many of you know of St. Thomas Aquinas, a theologian known for his clarity in the discussion of faith and morals. He says that true faith does not only agree with what is known because he said that even demons do this – they acknowledge the truth but do not have faith. He says that faith requires an act of our will. Remember, we have free choice, a gift from Almighty God. We have the ability to act with free will, not just with our intelligence or intellect. God is God, and His love for us, as incomprehensible as it might be, does not hinge on whether we choose Him or not. We are the ones that have conditional love – it is easier to love those who love us. With God, He is pure love. He loves because that is His nature.

There is a definitive difference between faith that is true and belief. We submit ourselves to God’s will for our lives, a free choice. It is not one that is forced. We agree because, for some of us, not doing so would be inconceivable. If we have true faith, we believe what is taught; for me, that is contained in full in the Nicene Creed or the shorter Apostles Creed. We recite one of these each time I attend Mass. I agree through my free will.

Just as we submit to the authority of the governing body of our town, state or government, so do we submit to the teaching authority of our church. If we disagree, this is not true faith.

I know it sounds like we are getting deep today – but the point is that understanding helps, but true faith is a free-will action. By growing in faith, we can live a life that is not only fulfilling but one of true peace. The peace that surpasses all understanding. Let me read the following passage from Philippians 4: 4-10

Read this passage on your own and think about the words that leap out at you. Several of these for me are ones I talk about often; one is to praise God in all things. Verse 4 states to rejoice in the Lord always. The second is to Let your gentleness be known to everyone. As Christians, we are encouraged to love everyone, not only those who love us. In this way, we show the love of Christ to others. Easy right? Probably a struggle for many of us if we are truthful. Only God can give us the grace we need to carry on as we should. This passage also reminds us that the Lord is near. We always have the Holy Spirit with us, and what a powerful reminder to us all that the Lord is always here. Our faith is inspired by those who went before us but to think that the Creator of the universe cares for each one of us is so amazing. But one of the things we all crave is peace. The scripture reminds us that … the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Why does it say it surpasses all understanding? I believe this touches on what we discussed earlier. Understanding or intellect is a part of faith but deciding to live our faith by a free-will offering is what is difficult for many to comprehend, especially today.

Pray about this and allow the Lord to come into your life in a powerful way because while there is head understanding, the heart must be genuinely engaged for true peace. The peace of Christ is something you may feel from time to time. When I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to be in deep prayer, I don’t want to return to this world. I feel such a deep sense of peace, reverence, and awe. It is like the most perfect dream and only to wake up to the reality of life. Our lives are a blessing but let’s face it; the challenges sometimes are overpowering.

The challenge is real, especially for our faith. We struggle with our faith when we think we know better. As people with free will, we know what we want and want now. If you had your choice of an easy life or a life filled with hardship, which would you choose? An easy life, right?

But what is in the fine print of an easy life? An easy life to some may be doing whatever you want, whenever you want, and with whomever you want. As we know, some of us sadly, from experience, this can lead to heartbreak and dysfunction.

True faith is steeped in love, a conscious and free-will decision, and it encompasses and allows the love of God to permeate our lives.

1. Putting on the armor of God to defeat the wicked one – Ephesians 6:9-11 and verse 10-11 which states: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the devil’s wiles.”
2. Putting God’s will above our own. He knows best. Believe it as a truth. Meditate on the idea of God’s will.
3. Be open to spending time with God. For true and good faith, we need to spend time and allow the Lord to touch our hearts.
4. Remove ourselves from sin and temptation. I think we all know what that means in our own lives.
5. Attend church regularly, not when we feel like it!

As we strive to balance out the head knowledge with our hearts, I pray that each of your challenges this week focus on what is true and good in your life and see where the stumbling blocks of faith exist and work on those slowly each day.

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Faith Comes In Small Packages ~ Episode 232Many precious gifts are small similar to our faith. Faith comes in small packages. What a blessing and something we often overlook. Instead, we often look for those “Faith-Grand-Gestures.” What are those small things that make faith so precious in our life? Consider this in light of the often over-the-top celebrations happening all around us. Truly the biggest blessing are gifts we can’t buy and that is the key to faith!

Thanks to our sponsor the movie – 5000 Blankets, this is a quick theatre release in December It’s incredible what can happen when you transform your heart to serve the people around you. Catch 5000 BLANKETS exclusively in theaters for two days only! December 12 & 13. Tickets at https://www.fathomevents.com/events/5000-Blankets and for more information go to https://www.5000blanketsmovie.com/

What are those things that come in small packages that you cherish? Take a minute to think about this. I have a list of about five things I can think of that are small and important to me. When we look at faith in this way we can see that those small things add up to something priceless. The way we practice our faith should not be a burden or a list of things we have to do, it should be a lifestyle that is effortless. As I’ve shared in previous episodes Christians feel that we don’t give up anything for our faith but that our faith gives us so much more than we can ever repay or give back.

The happiest people I know are the ones that do things for others. My brother, through an unfortunate surgery, lost sight in one of his eyes. He went from a high-powered job to staying at home and living with a disability. Yet, I’ve watched him through the years and his recovery process and he is happier than now and has become involved in various charities. One is where he goes to the schools and reads to kids, another is the Beds for Kids program where the charitable organization works with foster parents to obtain new beds for the kids they foster. He is so happy and animated when he talks about these things, even if he can no longer drive because of his eyesight. While it is difficult for his family, they have all learned to cope and appreciate the gift of life.

In giving to others, we are blessed. That is also an underlying theme of the Christian faith which underscores love for others above self. I think we all know people that put themselves first and they are not happy. Or, if they appear happy to others those who know them well can see the underlying hurt.

It is easy to rejoice in all things when everything is going well, but what about when we have those hardships in our lives? The way we react shows us how we truly are in our walk with the Lord. At one time when finances were tight, I remember rejoicing in all of the things I was surrounded with that were free. One thing was the beautiful sky or the wonderful weather. The other was the love of family and friends. Another is the joy of being able to come to you weekly and proclaim the joys of the Christian faith. These are truly simple pleasures but can be part of the overall joy of celebrating God’s love.

It is good to remember that we should be awake and notice the things happening around us and in this way be awakened to the truth of salvation. Romans 13:11-14 states

The weeks leading up to the Christmas season remind us that Christ is the light and as we know the light dispels darkness. When we are in sin we often don’t recognize it, but later when we see it, we realize that we were in a sense in the dark. That is why I make an effort to see the good in things big and small.

The joy of having family near or spending time with my kids when they are visiting home. The time I spend with a dear friend or even an acquaintance at church. I remember hearing that when we smile at a stranger it might be the only smile they get that day. Can you imagine? We get caught up in our own world and our own problems that we often forget the hardships of others.

When we think about faith coming in small packages we can point to the scene in the manager at the birth of Christ. The fear that Mary and Joseph had to overcome to bring the Savior into the world. The confusion when they were visited by the wise men or the Magi, then by the coming of the shepherds who heard the herald or calling of the angels and followed the star. What a miracle and so many things to think about and ponder in their heart. We hear that about Mary in the scriptures that she pondered things in her heart. I may have shared with you that I love the movie The Nativity because it depicts Mary and Joseph in a way that brings home their humble roots and their hardships and makes the birth of Christ so real and heartfelt. One of my favorite scenes is when a poor shepherd allows them to share his fire as they rest for a short time on their journey he says that he is no one, and Mary says that the child is for everyone.

That tiny bundle, that small package was touching the hearts of men and women before he was hours old. If we open our hearts to those small things in our spiritual lives, we will find our faith grow.

The tiny package in our lives can consist of love, joy, and peace. Those three small words pack a punch and can increase our love and our faith. Your challenge this week is to look for those small and often forgotten joys that we often overlook and thank and praise God for this and for all things!

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Christmas Countdown To Faith ~ Episode 231As the Christmas countdown begins the challenge is to keep your faith focused as you navigate the commercialism of the season. In this podcast Felice suggests you count down to a renewal of faith as you approach the commemoration of the birth of our Lord.| As the Christmas countdown begins the challenge is to keep your faith focused as you navigate the commercialism of the season. In this podcast Felice suggests you count down to a renewal of faith as you approach the commemoration of the birth of our Lord.

Thanks to our sponsor the movie – 5000 Blankets, this is a quick theatre release in December It’s incredible what can happen when you transform your heart to serve the people around you. Catch 5000 BLANKETS exclusively in theaters for two days only! December 12 & 13. Tickets are at here and for more information go to https://www.5000blanketsmovie.com/

Well, it is almost Christmas (and the Christmas countdown has begun!) and once again many homes are buzzing but for all the wrong reasons. Raise your hand if you have the decorations up or are getting ready to decorate. I listened to a video presentation on Advent, and it reminded me that decorations for most Christians didn’t start until December 24th the true beginning of the Christmas season. Is it wrong to have the decorations up? No of course not! I had a full house Thanksgiving weekend and I put all my kids to work, they have it down to a science now and each of them has a favorite thing they like to do. One son buys me poinsettia plants early before they run out on sale, and another son plants them for me. My daughter is the expert on decorating the stairs, and another son works on the arrangements above the cabinets in the kitchen. In years past I haven’t even decorated much of the tree, but this year that was my job after they put on all the lights.

Our preparations look different depending on our family and yet I hope that all of you have “preparation,” in mind as we look forward to Christmas Day. We are in a time of expectation, hoping, and wanting. Our family tradition is to light candles on the Advent wreath. We didn’t do this when I was a child, but my own children have grown up with this tradition. We light candles one for each week leading up to Christmas and read a passage of Scripture and pray. It is a wonderful tradition that brings the coming of our Lord closer to our hearts and our mind.

My son shared that his pastor preached about getting closer to God during the Advent season. While Lent is a time of penance and giving up our sins and vices, Advent is a time of preparation as well. I listened to one of my favorite YouTube priests, Fr. Alar and he talked about the messages that are varied from other pastors about what this season means.

For many of us, it is a time of parties and eating those goodies we only see this time of the year. I believe that God knows we live in “this world,” and we must balance our lives with the obligations of family and even friends. That doesn’t mean we can’t keep our faith in the forefront of our minds during this special season, leading up to one of the greatest miracles God coming to us as a child!

There are only two times of the year when there is a countdown if you will remember an event important in the lives of Christians. One is Advent the birth of Christ and the other is Lent a remembrance of the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior. Both times we prepare, and both times we celebrate the day in commemoration of Christ.

I like to prepare for Advent with the small book, “The Season of Light” by Jay Cormier. It contains daily prayers for the lighting of the Advent Wreath as well as time for contemplation and personal prayer. A key element is praising God in all things. I also like to spend time each day being thankful and that helps to put things in perspective.

Lately, I’ve had a rash of techie issues, and usually, I don’t get upset, but this time I was beyond annoyed. So, as I begin complaining I think instead, praise God, praise God, praise God! Otherwise, I’ll spend my time in frustration. These are little things we can do that make life so much better and put the focus off ourselves and onto God giving Him praise.

I love John 1:1:5 and John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This was one of the Scripture verses that hit me hard at one low point in my life. The Word was with God and the Word was God – the Word of God is Christ, and He was there at the beginning of the Creation.

As Christians one thing, we can do is mediate on God’s word, and you will find as I often do that passages you’ve read before take on an entirely different meaning. Sometimes it is because of what is happening in our lives and other times it is as if the Lord gives us a new awareness of the words. My heart just soars with thanksgiving and it is so wonderful to think that God cared for us so much as to send His only Son.

How exciting that we can pray as we await the celebration on Christmas Day and rejoice! Your challenge this week is to place God as the focus of your thoughts and prayers and celebrate Advent the weeks before Christmas in a way that gives all the glory to God.

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Greatness of God ~ Episode 230The greatness of God is all around us and we see it in the miracles of life.

God’s greatness is nothing we would dispute and a loving God grants favor to us. But what happens when we are overwhelmed or inundated with the holiday sales (yes, Cyber Monday and every day until Christmas is upon us!) How can we be disciples of the One True God and remain faithful in the glitz of the season? By pondering the Greatness of God and His love for us as we approach Christmas. I pray that the Lord is with you and you are filled with the love and peace of Christ.

Little children get it right when it comes to simple faith more times than not. Do you remember that early song you learned or maybe taught your children, “My God is so great, so big and so mighty there is nothing my God can not do?” If you have never heard this song I put a link in the show notes for this episode. (Here) This last stanza of the song goes like this, “My God is so great, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do, for you!”

This hits home for many young children and along with the catchy tune it sticks in their heads and hearts. It is at times like the holidays that we see the true meaning and share it without family and friends. It is a time to share what we have whether it is little or big (and my favorite gifts are the ones that money can not buy).

We see the greatness of God in big things – the awesomeness of nature or perhaps in works of charity but these tend to be things that we enjoy or we do for ourselves. The greatness of God is in giving of self. That is what God did for us – not only the world He created for us to enjoy but also in giving us our lives. Think about this for a minute. What was in it for Him?

We learn that God created because of love and love by its very nature creates. A simple sentence that packs a punch. Let me say it again. (repeated on air)

For me, love is the essence of the greatness of God. Make a list of what you believe is the essence and greatness of God. I so wish you could share your list then Isaiah 40.

Titus 2: 11 – 15 states – (read on air).

Isaiah 40:12-31 Read on your own, read on air: Isaiah 40:21-23 and Isaiah

Do we, even today with the Bible in virtually every translation a finger click away understand the ramifications and essence of the greatness of God? He is greater than anything we can even imagine. We’ve been told to imagine heaven, and whatever you come up with it is so much better than we can comprehend. I shared in past podcasts something my pastor says, “God I love you as you know yourself to be.” Unpack that! In other words, we can not comprehend the greatness of God which does not mean we should not try to understand so that we can better worship.

Isaiah goes on in verses 25-26 (Read on air.)

We are reminded that God has called us by name. Not only did he create the heavens and the earth the Almighty cared enough to create you and me. You are not an accident. Your life is not for nothing. Your hurts and your worries are not trivial. The Almighty Lord has heard your prayers and your cries. Because … “he is great in strength and mighty in power.”

Then Isaiah does on in verses 29-31 -(Read on air.)

The Lord will never weary even though we do, the Lord does not need to replenish because from Him all things originate. The greatness of God can be comprehended in this way, he is always there for us. He cares, He loves and He is the Almighty. We may think God is not approachable, my husband use to say that praying is bothering God. This is not true. We look up to the heavens but He is here, beside us always. Even when we don’t feel him, even when we feel let down, even when we feel we can not go on. God created and God cares for you and for me.

During this season in your life look at the greatness of God with joy and while trying to comprehend His vastness is not a prerequisite for salvation it does help us put our problems and our life in perspective. We are important yet many of the things we want and crave our not important in the grand scheme of things. Does this mean we don’t live our lives? No, of course, we do – but we live our lives with an eye to heaven and joy in our hearts.

The challenge this week is to look at the greatness of God and place your wants and needs before the Lord and discern what is important in your life. May God be blessed and rejoice today and always!

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Miraculous Prayers ~ Episode 229Miraculous prayers are all around us, yet no one but the Lord knows what will be answered and what will not. In this podcast, Felice discusses the prayer that the Lord gave us as well as prayers that are always answered.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels. Visit the website to learn more about the books and products available and the sales.

There are some prayers that are always answered. Do we believe this? In a past episode 227- Miracles of Faith I shared how God uses miracles to increase our faith. However, it seems that at times our prayers go unanswered.

However, I believe the prayers that are always answered are the ones we ask for a deepening of faith. Don’t you think this prayer will be answered? “Lord I pray that my faith is increased and there is a deepening of love for you!”

Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…

And what a gift! What better gift is there than salvation? To spend this life happily as a Christian knowing that the Lord has redeemed us and living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God—with the benefit of happiness.

A prayer that I pray to the Lord and He often grants is for more time. This prayer has been such a blessing especially when I am stressed or have too much on my to-do list. Recently I needed to attack very unsavory plans that I had put off for months. One was updating a will and our final cemetery preparations. Yes, eww! No one wants to think about death but as Christians, we should consider the end and our eternal rest with God.

What miracles have happened in your life? We all have them. I’d ask you to stop this recording and make a list of miracles if you can. If not, do this later. Here is a short list of some of the miracles in my life.

1. I’ve witnessed the healing of illness.
2. I’ve witnessed the healing of chronic issues.
3. I’ve avoided car accidents (multiple times).
4. The Lord saved me from a bad relationship in my younger years.
5. The miracle of healthy births to five children and eight miraculous grandchildren.

And I could go on and on and on. As you listened to this list did you recall miracles in your life? When we pray we give glory to God, but God also blesses us in remarkable ways. In the Lord’s Prayer, given to us by Jesus we read in Matthew 6 so many gems that are hidden in God’s Word. If you have ever wanted a short, quick list of what we are to do according to God’s will and God’s word, read all of Matthew 6 – the synopsis for this would be

1. Give to the needy
2. Prayer
3. Fasting
4. Treasures in Heaven
5. Not to worry

I believe prayer is essential for our souls, to keep us on the right path and to be united to the will of God – as I shared in the podcast on the other podcast on miracles, the act of prayer, especially for something we really want is a lesson in patience and fortitude. Patience in that God may or may not answer our prayer – or not yet – and in fortitude to keep praying without ceasing and maybe in the process our hearts will change and be united with God’s.

Jesus himself taught us how to pray in what we call the Lord’s prayer – in Matthew 6:9-14 [Read on Air.]

Before I read this to you I’d like to challenge you to pray it yourself – most of you have a version you pray, meditate on the words, and take them to heart. The Lord said…

1. We learn the awesomeness of the name of God – Hallowed be your name!
2. We learn the miracle of true piety
3. We learn to unite our will to God’s will
4. We learn to unite our will to God’s will
5. God knows our prayers before we ask
6. The Lord will provide for our needs
7. We are to forgive others
8. We are to pray to be delivered from temptation
9. We are to pray to be delivered from the evil one
10. If we do not forgive the sins done against us – we are praying that our heavenly Father will not forgive yours!

This is SO important and one that is often forgotten in prayer – we must forgive it is imperative and I’ve created several podcasts on the topic.

The Lord’s prayer is truly a miraculous prayer and one we always pray in Church, but I pray this prayer daily. It reminds me that my first obligation is to God and not self.

Another important point concerning prayer is in Matthew 6:5-7 but before the Lord gave us His prayer…[Read on Air.]

Interesting – we are to pray but not so we can boast about how great we are… I believe that works go hand in hand with faith. But works by themselves are hollow. I think that at many services instead of prayer it becomes a social hour. I am all for socializing but before the service – outside and after the service – outside! Last week my husband and I were early because he had foot surgery and he needed to get into the church before it got crowded so he didn’t have to hurry. The people behind us were so loud and talking about making spaghetti and meatballs, and all kinds of things. I had a hard time focusing and praying to the Lord! I love time to pray before the Mass begins. We need to be careful of those around us.

Many times, our prayers take fasting. This is for us, not for the Lord…but it takes our eyes off of our temporal needs and places them squarely on the prayers and on our Lord. Matthew 6 addresses this as well.

Concerning Fasting – And with fasting, we are to… (Matthew 6:16-18) Read on air.

Fasting is important but I will admit this is very hard to do – when I was younger I tried to pray with bread and water one day a week, then I increased it to two days! It was very difficult. I still try to do this on occasion, and I try to abstain from meat on Friday – especially during the Lenten season. It is a way to keep our focus on God.

The miraculous prayer that will be answered today is for the Lord to give you more faith and to give you a greater love for Him! That is your challenge this week, to say the Lord’s prayer daily and to pray for additional faith!

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Worship and Thanksgiving ~ Episode 228What do worship and thanksgiving mean to you? Your definition may be similar to many Christians, yet where is the challenge? The challenge is living lives that show that we worship the One True God and, in that way, our faith is permeated in all that we do. Listen to the challenge this week, by your host, Felice Gerwitz.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, and the wonderful books and products such as A Few Minutes with God.

As we discuss worship and thanksgiving today remember that the key to everything we do is to make it workable for us. What works for me may not work for you and that is important. I’ve read blogs over the years that list things that are so not doable in my life. This is why I try to simplify things for myself and for you! Which reminds me.

Have you heard the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do?” At times when I record podcasts, I feel a nudge from the Lord with the thought, “Are you living your life in the way you are challenging your listeners to live theirs’s?” Unfortunately, the answer is not always, “Yes!” Yet, podcasting on topics that point to the Lord also challenges me as well.

As we head into the months of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations the theme of thanksgiving resounds in my mind. I ask myself the following questions:

1. How am I worshipping God daily?
2. How am I giving Him all the praise and thanks He deserves?
3. How am I living my Christian life to the fullest?
4. Am I allowing myself to be used by the Lord (those gentle nudges).
5. Am I giving myself time to pray?

Giving ourselves time is the biggest obstacle in our life, so in this busy season, we need to cut ourselves some slack while placing a focus on the most important things. What have you learned from past mistakes and how are you leading a life that does not parallel the old? Think about this and consider ways you over-commit.

Years ago I found that if I quit one ministry or volunteer position to make more time for my family, I soon found I was volunteering for another position somewhere else that might not take as much time, or perhaps was for a better cause. This is great to give in some type of ministry but look at your life, your family, and your time commitment. Be sure you are not sacrificing your family.

Worship is an important facet of giving praise to the Lord. If you have a smartphone it is worthwhile to set up a praise and worship album. At one time I had about five songs and my kids would tease me because I had so few, yet these songs spoke to me. They filled my heart with love for the Lord. Today I have a mix of faster-paced songs with some contemplative tunes. I have new favorites depending on what is going on in my life. I shared with you the song “The Motions,” by Matthew West in a previous podcast and for the longest time that was my song, it was an important one to me because I felt like I was becoming complacent, and I wanted to change. Then my song was, “Joy,” by For King and Country. I wanted to be sure I was choosing Joy, and that was my focus. My next favorite was “He Reigns,” by Newsboys. Of course, I love many other gospel hymns and I go to a traditional church where we often sing songs like “Amazing Grace.” I believe you can tell your spiritual mood by looking at the songs you like to play frequently.

Take time to do this, and create a song playlist. What songs speak to you and what songs lead you into worship? Currently, my new favorite is “Blessed Be Your Name.” It makes me consider God’s precious Name and how we should worship Him not only in song but in our lives.

Music is a huge part of helping to set the mood which is why many churches begin with praise and worship. This opens our hearts to the Word of God spoken to teach us and challenge us. If you do not have a playlist make one, either on your phone or on a computer. It is not that difficult to do, and if you do not know how, ask someone to help.

I’m not sure who began the saying when we sing we pray twice. But I believe there is truth to those words. Singing allows us to rejoice and music lowers our inhibitions in a good way and the roadblocks we often put up keeping the Lord out. We can use music in a way that enhances our prayer time and allows the deeper meaning of the words to speak to us in a way that just saying or even reading the words can accomplish. God knew what he was doing when he created music!

I believe that worship music allows us to live our lives more fully. The scriptures are filled with references to music, we read in 1 Chronicles 6:31 “there are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there.” And we know the Psalm is a sacred song or poem used in worship such as the book of Psalms.

In what ways do you like to worship? Think about this and then when you do, make a point to make this part of your life. Worship can be serious and there is a time for this, but it can also be lighthearted. I think laughter is great and I believe with all of my heart that the Lord has a sense of humor. If He is truly Lord of Lords and created all things he created humor (the good kind) as well. Remember anything good can be perverted by the evil one.

I think one of the reasons I like music that I play in the car is because it fits my lifestyle when I am on the go. It puts me in a good frame of mind when I get to my destination. We use the tools at our disposal to make things work for us! In this way, we can more easily add worship and thanksgiving into our lives, daily.

The challenge for you is to look for a way to implement worship and thanksgiving not only during the holiday season but daily in your own life.

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Miracles of Faith ~ Episode 227 What miracles of faith have you considered at length? Do you recall various scripture verses that discuss God’s healing power? Or the ability of Jesus not only to heal the physical body but more importantly the spiritual, the soul. In this podcast, join Felice Gerwitz and the challenge of […]

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God First – Episode 226 When was the last time you put God first? Is God in your first thought of the day? No? How about the last thought? The struggle is real especially when life is overwhelming and seems to get in the way. Join Felice Gerwitz as she shares how she puts God […]

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Evil Tactic  – Combatting Evil ~ Episode 225 What is an evil tactic? It is something employed by the evil one to take souls to hell. Harsh? Maybe. But, this is something that few of us want to talk about or consider. In this podcast, Felice will explore the tactics used and how to prevent […]

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Spiritual Light – Episode 224 Does your spiritual light shine through to others so that there is no doubt you are a Christian? Join Felice Gerwitz as she explores how we can point people to the light that is goodness and truth which is only found in Christ. Visit this month’s wonderful sponsor who helps […]

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What is a Christian Harvest? It is a time for a harvest of souls for Christ. We can only plant seeds, and the Lord reaps the harvest.

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What does being present in prayer have to do with your spiritual life? Well, this is an amazing insight into getting closer to God that was recently shared with me during a sermon, and it really hit home. I hope you are blessed as well.

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Integrity and Faith ~ Episode 221 How can we pray in an effective manner? And where did integrity and faith go? So few people have both! Listen in to learn more about how we can pray for our family, our pastors, our church, and those in the world in a powerful way. Thanks to our […]

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God’s Word Revealed – Episode 220 We often read the Bible and are left unmoved, but through the words of scripture, God’s word is revealed. Why is that? What are the tools you need to get you into the right frame of mind before praying and delving into the scriptures? Stay tuned and find out. […]

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Plant Seeds of Faith ~ Episode 219 Do you plant seeds of faith or do you keep all those wonderful blessings for yourself? It is easier than you think and the good news is that not the Lord harvests and not us! In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz shares the joys of faith planting. Visit our […]

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Word of God ~ God Speaking To Us – Episode 218 When we think about the Word of God we consider The Holy Bible as the source, as we should. But what about internal thoughts or feelings that God is with you? In this podcast, we will delve into the Word of God not only […]

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Family Transformed – Episode 217 Are you ready for a transformation within your own family? How about a challenge for a transformed family? This is a follow-up to the last episode of Heart Transformed  Thanks to our sponsor, CTC Math a wonderful math curriculum for kids K-12 Why is it we can see the faults […]

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In the past few episodes we've looked at ways to grow closer to the Lord, with an at-home Christian retreat, and looking at nature and seeing the hand of God, and renewing our faith. But how do you have a heart transformation?

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Joshua 25:15 is a verse many of us have memorized, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

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When we take the time to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation we are astounded at what we see. God shows us each day how He loves us.

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Christian Retreat ~ At Home – Episode 213 It is time to fill up your spiritual tank with a Christian retreat. No matter what time of the year a refilling is good and that begins with a good Bible Study, or you, the Holy Spirit, and a pad and paper. Have you ever tried to […]

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A Christian journey sometimes feels like a constant struggle to make that lemonade our of lemons.

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It is time to renew your faith in God. Today. There are so many things we renew but often our faith is left behind.

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I had a podcast I wanted to create on my personal journey closer to the Holy Spirit and deeper faith. Yet, it was scheduled to play a few months ago. But I postponed it. Truthfully, I was stuck. I didn’t know what I wanted to say. However, I prayed and felt that the time was right. So, I’ll share with you a bit about my journey.

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What is supernatural faith? It is faith that surpasses all understanding. Join me as we delve into the topic of faith especially when times get hard. We are called to live in the hope that is in Christ, but in our humanness, we often fail.

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Memorize Scripture When was the last time you attempted to memorize scripture? This is worthwhile and beneficial to our spiritual growth. By memorizing the verses we can ingrain them into our hearts and call them to mind in times when we struggle. Here are some tips for memorizing with ease. Visit Media Angels and the […]

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Godly Dependence and Choice ~ Episode 207 We pride ourselves with be independent and able to handle life on our own. But for Christians, we realize that Godly dependence is the most important thing in our lives. How can we depend on God and allow ourselves to grow in faith? Listen in to find out. […]

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Spiritual Realm ~ Anchor Yourself to God ~ Episode 206 We don’t know much about the spiritual realm in the sense of Christianity, other than what we’ve read in the Bible, learned in Church, or studied on our own. Yet there is so much more to learn! Visit my website at MediaAngels.com for more information […]

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Army of God ~ Episode 205 The army of God is here and ready! Are you prepared to do battle the spiritual way? In this episode, I share how we are not alone! We have an entire army ready to battle for us, and here is how to do it! Enjoy all of my books […]

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Pentecost Beginning For Christians ~ Special Replay The truth can set you free, and on Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and became embolden speaking in tongues, in languages they did not know. How can we be filled with this spiritual influence and use it in our everyday lives to go out […]

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Kingdom of God ~ Episode 204 The Kingdom of God is at hand… what does this mean? I struggled with this concept for years, yet I found that the more complicated I made it the more elusive it became. In this podcast, I share what I found in my search for the Kingdom of God. […]

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Presence of God – Special Replay For a Christian, the presence of God is an amazing feeling and even without that feeling, we have faith that God is with us always. How do we understand God’s presence? We will look at the Scriptures for clarification during this episode. Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. […]

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Holy Spirit – Spiritual Journey ~ Episode 203 A spiritual journey is personal and it is different for each one of us, and it begins with faith and a large dose of the Holy Spirit. God promised He would not leave us orphans and the infilling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was this gift […]

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Do you understand the love of God the Father? If so, I applaud you! The love of God is one of those mind-blowing ideas that will take the rest of our lives to fully grasp, and even then, we fall short. I feel the Creator God is so amazing and I'm in awe of Him (as I should be!) In this podcast, we will discuss God the Father and how we worship Him, even when we don't necessarily think of Him.

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Total Surrender – Special Replay Total surrender is easy, right? Well, as a Christian, it should be easier, in theory at least. In this podcast, we will discuss a way that is helpful to let go and let God. Thanks to our sponsor – MediaAngels.com How can we give God a total surrender of our […]

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The work of Jesus Christ - the Ultimate Sacrifice, His saving death on the cross for our sins is learned by Christians very early on, but what have we done with this information? How has this transformed our lives? How can we look at this sacrifice as a gift and with joy for what He has done for us? In this podcast, the challenge will be to live out the good news.

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Faith and Hope Where do we find faith and hope in our lives? We tackle our mountainous to-do lists daily and find ourselves overwhelmed and floundering. And then we wonder where does our hope comes from, surely not the things we turn to daily for escape. Tune in for the answers. Thanks to our sponsor […]

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It’s time for a challenge, a faith challenge! When was the last time you asked God for more of Him and less of you?

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Generosity and Faith ~ Special Replay Some people are just naturally generous and in this episode, we are going to talk about generosity and faith and a way to deepen your love for God which in turn will translate into your love for others. Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. – One More Child book — A Few Minutes With […]

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In this episode, we will look at what motivates us as Christians and how to be sure the motivation is for the right reasons.

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Speaking with Love ~ Christian Love. Episode 198 Speaking with love, Christian love is difficult at the best of times and during the best of conditions. How can you speak to others with the love, easy if you do not have the love of Christ in your heart? Visit the Media Angels website for books […]

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God Loves You ~ Special Replay I probably don’t need to tell you that God loves you – however if you suffer from stress or find yourself overwhelmed you need to hear it again and again. In this episode, we will discuss God’s love and how closely tied it is to who we are and […]

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The ultimate love of Christ is something we can not possibly comprehend. It includes the creation of man, the love He pours out to us in our lives, and the ultimate sacrifice of His death on the cross. Thankfully we have His resurrection to bring joy to our hearts. In this episode we will discuss the ultimate love of Christ and why this should bring us joy.

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Faith Under Pressure In today’s world, our faith is under pressure. There are so many things pulling on our time. We are bombarded with the news, the things happening in our day to day work, the pressure of home and family. Everywhere we look we just can’t catch our breath until the next onslaught of […]

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The joy of the Lord is... can you fill in the blanks here? The joy of the Lord is so many different things to different people but in this podcast, we will explore how God's joy can bring us to a greater and deeper commitment with Him!

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Judgmental Christians In a world that has gone astray the last thing we need is judgmental Christians getting in the way of the goodness that is truly God. In this episode we are going to take a hard look at ourselves and ways we can improve upon our nature to forgive and repent for pointing […]

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Christ Included ~ Episode 195 Do you suffer with anxiety stress the inability some days? Is Christ included in your life? In this podcast we will talk more about a sure fire way to turn all of this around Visit my website at mediaangels.com you can find more books and products that I have written […]

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Faith Tested By Fire – Special Replay We all want faith, but our faith must be tested. Faith tested by fire withstands as we have seen through the many examples of the goldy mean and women who have gone before us. In this episode, Felice discusses that trials do make us stronger and what we […]

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As a Christian, do you live your life for the glory of God? Did you dedicate this new year for the glory of God? I believe this new year will be your best ever and my hope is not in the world but in God!

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Special Replay: Clear Choice For Christians The clear choice is obvious for a Christian who is faced with obstacles, debates, and sadness that threatens to push us into depression. What can we do? The choice is clear. Listen to this episode of A Few Minutes with God. For immediate download: A Few Minutes with God […]

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Christmas is Real – Episode 193 Is Christmas real? What about the date, wasn’t Jesus born in the spring? When we get right down to it, what does the date matter, and what is the bigger and greater message of Christmas? Visit the website at MediaAngels.com. If you have children you may be interested in […]

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Christmas blessings come to us all year long, yet are we aware of the beauty of the Christmas message? The message of peace, love, joy, and most of all, hope!

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Think about these passages and realize this is the Old Testament it was foreshadowing the coming of our Lord and Savior. We celebrate Christmas once a year - the birth of the Savior and we celebrate Easter once a year, the resurrection of our Savior, but what do we celebrate daily? Are we rejoicing in all things?

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True Charity – Episode 192 What is true charity and how can we give with a selfless heart asking nothing in return? Well, with God all things are possible. Check out the books A Few Minutes with God, The Truth Seekers Mystery Series and One More Child. Great for Christmas presents. As the holiday season […]

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There is no cure for fear, or is there? Everywhere we look, no matter what time or place there is something to fear, but there is hope...

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Resist Evil – Episode 190 How can we resist evil when it is all around us? During certain times of the year, the stores are filled with spooky sounds and scary voices that are used in homes and businesses to celebrate a day that I try to avoid! Check out MediaAngels.com for more books by […]

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Prayer Partners – Special Replay One of the biggest blessings that can come in our lives is to have a prayer partner, someone you can go to and pray with for your special needs. In this episode, we will discuss how to use this for the advantage of focused prayer. Thanks to our sponsor Media […]

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Avoiding sin (even those small ones) is something we try to do as a Christian and for some it is easier than others. There is a secret weapon!

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Overcoming fear is something that is important and real for all time, but especially for this present time in which we live.

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We were adopted into the Christian family as followers of Christ, so why can't we have spiritual children?

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Glory and Praise Forever ~ Special Replay Recently I was reminded that we don’t talk enough about giving God all the glory and praise, and honor He deserves. In this episode of A Few Minutes With God Podcast, Felice shares the importance of praise in worship in our lives. Thanks to our sponsor – 40: […]

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Fireproof Faith How strong is your belief in Christianity? Are you a weekend Christian or do you have fireproof faith? In this episode of A Few Minutes With God Podcast, Felice shares how all of us need put on the armor of Christ, each and every day. Thanks to our sponsor – 40: The Temptation […]

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The promise of faith is filled with hope! In a secular world that has turned its back on God, we know that He has not forsaken or forgotten us but He can use us to bring others back to Him.

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Courageous faith by its very definition makes us believe that we can do it! It is believing without seeing.

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What is up with Christians? The classic by CS Lewis, Mere Christianity is a must-read for any of you who are searching. Are Christians really any different than everyone else? Well, they should be and if you tune into today you will hear why.

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We see the glory of God everywhere we look and even during a storm from the safety of our homes. Yet, when we look at devastations such as recent hurricanes we wonder where God is in the midst of tragedy.

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Prayer Time – Overcoming Distractions Spend Time with God Prayer time and overcoming distractions isn’t easy. Do you want to spend time with God and find yourself overcome by distractions? We all have and we can end our time frustrated and angry or take charge. In this podcast Felice suggests ways to turn that distraction […]

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Pleasing God is easier than you think! Is there any way that we can be pleasing to God? Is there anything we can do to earn God’s love? Is this something we should even attempt? In this podcast, we will discuss several ways.

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Uncertainty surrounds our lives yet with God we know that His love is sufficient for all of our needs. In this podcast, learn how you can live a life that is free from worry, stress, and anger.

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What is holy dependence and how can you use this in your life? In this podcast, we talk about how we can find peace that surpasses all understanding.

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God’s Mercy IS Everlasting God is good. And God is merciful. But do we really understand the amazing power behind the Mercy of God? In this episode, we will discuss God’s mercy and the fact that He can forgive your sins if you just let Him. Thank you to …the movie Like Arrows. This family-friendly […]

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Scripture Reflections Scripture reflections should be a normal part of our study of the Bible. When we read the Bible it is more than just a book, it is the inspired and infallible word of Almighty God. How can you get the most out of reading your Bible, and do you have a personal agenda […]

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Holiness looks different for each one of us, but the one constant? We can strive for holiness. It is possible to work toward a goal of a deeper relationship with Christ.

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Divine Appointments Have you missed Divine appointments? Have you experienced one? What is a Divine appointment? All this and more will be discussed in this podcast. Sponsor: Media Angels, Inc. Novels – Truth Seekers Mystery Series available on Amazon. Three novels for tweens! Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, […]

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Freedom in Christ What does true freedom in Christ look like? Many believe religion is a set of rules, a thou shalt and thou shalt not, but it is so much more. True freedom comes from a deep and abiding love of Jesus Christ. This show examines your personal journey. Thanks for staying tuned. First […]

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Where Is God In The Midst of Tragedy? We often hear of a horrific event and we think, “Where is God in the midst of tragedy?” The news is all around us. Our phones send us alerts, and we have instant access to information and the availability of 24/7 news coverage. Days after any tragedy […]

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Blessed Assurance – Episode 178 There are few things in life we have assurance in but with the Lord, we have the blessed assurance that He is there for us. In this episode, we look at the ways that we know, that we know, that we know that God is in charge and there for […]

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Time well spent makes us happy. If we feel accomplished, if we do things on our "lists," it makes us feel that we've spent our time well. Most of us say we need more time each day, we can't finish out tasks, we run out of time. How can we add more time to our days?

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What happens when you need a spiritual fill-up? It is time to go to the source of all that is good and holy!

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WRAP Yourself In Scripture What happens when you wrap yourself in Scripture? You will find yourself in a closer relationship with God! Why wait? Learn what the acronym WRAP means and some great resources to get you started. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the […]

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What does being present in prayer have to do with your spiritual life? Well, this is an amazing insight into getting closer to God that was recently shared with me during a sermon, and it really hit home. I hope you are blessed as well.

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Combating Fear Combating fear is something we all want. Do you worry about things? Join the club –  don’t we all? But in this episode I am going to discuss fear, the result of worry and how we, as Christians, armed with the promises of God can combat the fear and turn it to victory! […]

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The idea of positive thinking, such as turning lemons into lemonade has been around a long time. So, how can you apply this concept to your life as a Christian?

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Blind Faith vs. Real Faith Blind faith is not what is required of us. We should question and wonder in our walk with the Lord, but truthfully while we believe without seeing, it is far from blind faith. In this episode, we will think back to the time of the Ressurection of Our Lord and […]

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When we lead we show and we demonstrate often without words – a quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.”

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Many times people feel alone and forgotten but you can take Jesus with you each and every day. In this episode, we are reminded that God is always with us until the end of time. We are not alone!

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Hearing The Shepherd’s Voice – Episode 173 Have you struggled in your relations with God? Is hearing the Shepherd’s Voice too faint? Sometimes in our humility, we believe we are too sinful to ask to be in the presence of the Almighty. In this episode, we explore that the voice of God is a whisper […]

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Presence of God – Special Replay For a Christian, the presence of God is an amazing feeling and even without that feeling, we have faith that God is with us always. How do we understand God’s presence? We will look at the Scriptures for clarification during this episode. Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. […]

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Do Christians act any different than non-believers? If not, how can we see the sign of God’s love in them? We can’t.

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Do you have a transforming faith? A faith that withstands persecution or a faith that would leave everything behind to follow God? We have many excuses for following God The disciples left everything, family, and home to follow Jesus. In this episode we will discuss following God will transform us.

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Victory over Sin Episode 171 There is victory over sin and in this episode we will talk about the true victory that comes from a relationship with Christ! For immediate download: A Few Minutes with God plus study guide Truth Seekers Mystery Series – Entire Set and Study Guides One More Child: Book Why do we have trouble […]

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Fearless Faith Journey How do we have a fearless faith journey when our lives are fearful and full of confusion? In this episode, we will discuss how our journey should be one with hope instead of fear, and we should not be afraid. Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. – One More Child book — A Few Minutes With God […]

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Faith Tested By Fire Episode 170 We all want faith, but our faith must be tested. Faith tested by fire withstands as we have seen through the many examples of the goldy mean and women who have gone before us. In this episode, Felice discusses that trials do make us stronger and what we should […]

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Asking God – Episode 107 Thy will be done in heaven as on earth is a form of asking God in prayer to guide our life. But is it that simple? Welcome to A Few Minutes with God, where we delve into the scriptures in a practical way. Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels and […]

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How do we speak with kindness? How do we use our words to bless others instead of joining in heated conversations that can only hurt? In this episode, we will discuss using the beautiful gift of communication to uplift others.

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Special Replay: Jesus Calls Us To Change — Transformation In Christ In Christ not only are we transformed and made into a “new creation” but the entire world is transformed! I’ve done another podcast on Christian Transformation, and the link for that is here. However, in this podcast, I want to think about the charge, […]

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Stress and God Episode 168 Stress and God are not compatible. When we stress there are so many things that happen, and sadly none of them are helpful to our mental or physical health. In this episode, I discuss the root cause of stress and how you can make changes for the better in your […]

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Clear Choice For Christians Episode 167 The clear choice is obvious for a Christian who is faced with obstacles, debates, and sadness that threatens to push us into depression. What can we do? The choice is clear. Listen to this episode of A Few Minutes with God. For immediate download: A Few Minutes with God […]

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Beginning the new year with joy and a plan of focusing on increasing our walk with the Lord in the best way possible is the topic of today's podcast.

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Think about these passages and realize this is the Old Testament it was foreshadowing the coming of our Lord and Savior. We celebrate Christmas once a year - the birth of the Savior and we celebrate Easter once a year, the resurrection of our Savior, but what do we celebrate daily? Are we rejoicing in all things?

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Holy Family Our Family –  Special Replay What a beautiful example the Holy Family is in our lives and in this episode we will explore the examples of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and how to live lives that are filled with hope! Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, and the books A Few Minutes with […]

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Amazing Grace – Episode 164 God’s grace, HIS Amazing Grace is a gift that just keeps on giving. In this episode, Felice shares how the grace of God is all you need during any time of your life because you can be sure HE is always there for you. Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. – One More […]

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True Meaning of Christmas – Special Replay The commercial aspect of the holidays almost destroys the true meaning of Christmas. In this episode, I want to share an easy way to bring Jesus to the front and center where He belongs! Thanks to our sponsor to learn more and get today’s show notes to visit […]

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Generosity and Faith ~ Episode 164 Some people are just naturally generous and in this episode, we are going to talk about generosity and faith and a way to deepen your love for God which in turn will translate into your love for others. Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. – One More Child book — A Few Minutes With […]

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This is a time of mercy and thoughtfulness because with both of these items there is hope. It is almost like a math equation. Mercy + Thoughtfulness = Hope, but more than that God has an abundance of both. | #christianpodcast #podcast #mercy

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Thanksgiving and Trust – Episode 163 When we give to God all that we have, we will find ourselves filled with thanksgiving and trust that all things work for good for those that love and serve the Lord. Romans 8:28 – of course, this is a paraphrase of the scripture in the Holy Bible, but […]

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Don’t you wish we could be thankful all the time? Especially in this time of joy sometimes we can’t see because we are covered with the business of every day. In this episode, we will discuss ways to keep thankfulness at the forefront of each day.

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Thanksgiving and Faith Episode 162 Thanksgiving and faith go hand in hand even when our faith is always being tested by the forces of this world. Even if everything in your life is going well, or as well as can be expected, it is as if we have one eye looking in the rearview mirror […]

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Take Jesus With You – Special Replay Many times people feel alone and forgotten but you can take Jesus with you each and every day. In this episode, we are reminded that God is always with us until the end of time. We are not alone! So, how do you take Jesus with you and […]

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Cooperate with God’s Grace – Episode 161 Cooperate with God’s grace? Is it possible? We’ve heard the scripture verse, “My grace is sufficient for you…” but how do we do this in a practical way? In this episode, we will explore the ways we work against the Father, and how much easier it is to […]

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Promises To Abraham | When we read Genesis we learn, soon after the fall that all is not lost. We have hope in the promises to Abraham, from God. All is not lost and we know that through Abraham came the lineage to David and through David the lineage to Joseph and in essence to Jesus.

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Knowing God’s Will Episode 159 If you think that knowing God’s will is impossible, think again. How can I make such a bold claim? It is easy, and I promise it will set you free. This podcast will change the way you think about prayers and promises to grow your faith. Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. […]

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Faith and Hope Episode 159 Where do we find faith and hope in our lives? We tackle our mountainous to-do lists daily and find ourselves overwhelmed and floundering. And then we wonder where does our hope comes from, surely not the things we turn to daily for escape. Tune in for the answers. Thanks to […]

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Cure For Fear – Episode 158 There is no cure for fear, or is there? Everywhere we look, no matter what time or place there is something to fear, if we allow it to creep in. Fear is a tool of the enemy. There is indeed a faction out there that wants us to be […]

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Worthy of Blessings? Special Replay! Are you worthy of blessings? Blessings come to us in different ways and in this episode we will look at the blessings we receive as well as the cost. Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels and the book, One More Child – download a free chapter at MediaAngels.com In the […]

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Spiritual Discernment ~ Special Replay The gift of spiritual discernment is one we all need! It allows us to see the truth to avoid darkness and to be ready for what is in store for those who love the Lord! Welcome to AFMWG – this is a milestone episode for me – 100! When I […]

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Against All Odds Prayer Works – Episode 157 Sometimes we pray for the wrong thing, but often, against all odds prayer works. It is in the little things that we see the hand of Almighty God and in this episode, we will explore that while things seem hopeless we should focus on today, and hope […]

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How To Pray ~ Episode 156 Have you thought about how to pray? When I think about how to pray sometimes I am at a loss. So, how can I dedicate an entire podcast to this topic? Well, it is a challenge. And the key is the following words, God’s will be done… Sponsor Media […]

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Choices We Make – Episode 155 Christians are held to a higher standard and so are the choices we make. Are we held to this standard by ourselves, or by God? How do we live our lives? In this episode, we will discuss the choices in this world of a wide array of paths that […]

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All Men Are Created Equal – Episode 154 Do you believe that all men are created equal? If you are a Christian this truth has been ingrained into you from the beginning of your faith journey. In this episode, we will discuss the issues of our times and how we can combat hate with love. […]

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Overcoming Fear – Episode 153 Overcoming fear is something that is important and real for all time, but especially for this present time in which we live. In this episode, we will discuss how we can allow fear to rule our lives or combat it with the spiritual tools we have freely available to us. […]

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Fearless Faith Journey –  152 How do we have a fearless faith journey when our lives are fearful and full of confusion? In this episode, we will discuss how our journey should be one with hope instead of fear, and we should not be afraid. Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. – One More Child book — A Few Minutes […]

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Relationship with Christ – Episode 151 Relationships come and go and yet with Christ, the relationship is everlasting. In this episode, we will explore the meaning of hope, the senselessness of fear, and the relationship that keeps on giving! Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. – One More Child book — A Few Minutes With God We all know about […]

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Modern Missionaries – Episode 150 Where are all the modern missionaries today? The Lord has taken people that I feel were the saints of the day, including Mother Theresa home. There are many pastors and preachers that are also enjoying their eternal reward. But, what about now when our world needs these modern-day and women, […]

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Secret Mission For God -Episode 149 I love the idea of a secret mission – but a secret mission for God? In this episode, we will discuss how many of us keep our faith hidden and ways we can share the “good news,” and the love that is only in Christ. Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. […]

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Faith Beyond Measure – Episode 148 What is the true measure of success? Some would say, faith without measure. Think about those you love, can you put a limit on the love? No, our love knows all bounds and if we give a portion of that love to our Lord, our faith will grow beyond […]

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Authority & Identity in Christ – Episode 147 Is your identity in Christ? Do we allow other people to take away our peace and to become dismayed or despondent? What about all that is happening in our world? In this episode, we will discuss our identity as Christians needs to be rooted very firmly in […]

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Joseph Model For Fathers Episode 146 Recently my family read about St. Joseph model for fathers and my life will never be the same. In this episode, we will discuss how the saints that lived before us are powerful examples of what it means to live our Christian faith. Today we are going to talk […]

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Jesus For All People ~ Episode 145 Jesus for all people, not some people not just for you and for me – but for all the people in the world who are open to hearing His voice. In this episode, we will explore that if we really want the true peace and joy that surpasses […]

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Challenges For Christians – Replay With the virus and all the chaos that followed it is time to learn that now the challenge is getting our hearts focused on the Lord! Enjoy this replay. I don’t need to tell you that as a Christian we are in peril. There are many challenges for Christians to […]

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The Meaning of Life Episode 144 What is it all about? What is the meaning of life? What is our purpose here? This is an age-old question, and in fact, you probably have joked about it at some point, right? The meaning of life is clearly unfolded in the books of Sacred Scripture but can […]

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Pentecost Beginning For Christians ~ Episode 143 The truth can set you free, and on Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and became embolden speaking in tongues, in languages they did not know. How can we be filled with this spiritual influence and use it in our everyday lives to go out […]

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Christian Faith Essentials Episode 142 Have you packed your Christian faith essentials away, or do you have them on hand when you fight the enemy? How do we explain the way our lives have changed over the course of the last few months of shelter at home and fear of getting sick from a virus? […]

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Faith Tested Under Pressure – Episode 140 During this time of quarantine and stay-at-home orders, we’ve experienced faith tested under pressure. It seems that it was a time of growth for many but panic for some who have not yet experienced the providence of God. In this episode we discuss how your faith tested can […]

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Glory and Praise Forever ~ Episode 140 Recently I was reminded that we don’t talk enough about giving God all the glory and praise, and honor He deserves. In this episode of A Few Minutes With God Podcast, Felice shares the importance of praise in worship in our lives. Thanks to our sponsor – 40: […]

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Fireproof Faith ~ Episode 139 How strong is your belief in Christianity? Are you a weekend Christian or do you have fireproof faith? In this episode of A Few Minutes With God Podcast, Felice shares how all of us need put on the armor of Christ, each and every day. Thanks to our sponsor – […]

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Easter People 138 We are Easter people, that is we have hope and faith. In this episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast we will discuss the amazing impact of our Savior, Jesus Christ in our lives. He has indeed risen! Thanks to our sponsor – 40: The Temptation of Christ This year our […]

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The things of this world are passing but for those who believe we know this is not the end but the beginning of eternal life. A life with God in heaven. Eternal Life – Episode 137 Recently I noticed a friend of mine who has produced a Bible study about Heaven. Apparently she has been […]

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I select my podcast topics typically after prayer and this topic, not abandoned was selected months ago! It seems so timely for our current situation. We are not to fear, and we have an Almighty God that calms us in the midst of the storm. Let’s focus on those two points as we listen to […]

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Can we really have calm in the storm of life as our world is thrown upside down? In this episode of A Few Minutes with God the idea of spending time with God has never been stronger. Calm in the Storm Episode 135 Jesus calmed the sea and when the apostles thought for sure they […]

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Be Not Afraid ~ Episode 134 In the face of this pandemic, we must “be not afraid,” and realize that all of this is not a surprise to God. How are we acting? If we as Christians are not setting the example then who will? In this episode, Felice shares how God is showing her […]

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Tips For Lent Episode 133 Do you take the journey to Easter with seriousness? If so, this episode contains tips for Lent to develop a deeper prayer life and contemplate the meaning of the days leading up to this day of celebration when our Lord and Savior paid the ultimate price for our sins. Thanks […]

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Lent Begins – A Prayer Journey – Episode 132 Lent begins and it is a journey, the forty days before Easter. It is a time of prayer and reflection and it can be life-changing if we take the time to spend some time in quiet with God. Are you ready for the best Lent ever? […]

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Depend On God ~ Episode 131 They will know us by our love and by our fruit, but if we do not depend on God how will we show others the love of Christ? Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and depend on the Almighty? Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, […]

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Trust In God ~ Episode 130 Of course, you trust in God, right? But do you really? In this episode, we will take a hard look at our lives and shine a light on all the times we thought we were trusting when we really holding back! Thanks to our sponsor … Our lives are […]

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Renew Your Mind ~ Episode 129 It’s time to renew your mind with a mini-retreat! Every once in a while we need to be filled up to overflowing so we can be a joyful Christian and others can look at us and say, “I want what they have!” Are you joyful? No? Well, in this […]

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Ten Lies We Believe ~ Episode 128 We all do it we believe lies. There are ten lies we believe! The worse thing? The lies we believe are by definition not true! We give the enemy credit when all the credit should go to Almighty God! In this episode, we explore the most common lies […]

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Caring and Compassion ~ Episode 127 Some people are just natural at caring and compassion and nurturing or so you would think – we have this innate desire to be loved and to love. But sometimes we are so focused on ourselves that we miss those who are in need. I remember going to the […]

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Miracles Do Happen – 126 We read about miracles in the Scriptures but do miracles happen today. Yes, miracles do happen! In this episode, we discuss the miraculous from the Bible but we look at the miracles all around you that defy explanation. Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, and the books A Few Minutes […]

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Prayer Partners – 125 One of the biggest blessings that can come in our lives is to have a prayer partner, someone you can go to and pray with for your special needs. In this episode, we will discuss how to use this for the advantage of focused prayer. Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, […]

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Faith Walk Commitment – 124 Are you ready to make this the best year with a faith walk commitment? We have choices to make and this New Year is a clean slate! We can select our faith walk as one where we get closer to God, walk with purpose and have a goal of hope […]

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New Year Faith Journey 123 As we turn the calendar are you prepared for a New Year Faith Journey? In this episode, we will explore the exciting New Year that God’s got for you, and we look at it with expectant hope. Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, and the books A Few Minutes with […]

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Holy Family Our Family – Episode 122 What a beautiful example the Holy Family is in our lives and in this episode we will explore the examples of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and how to live lives that are filled with hope! Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, and the books A Few Minutes with […]

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True Meaning of Christmas Episode 121 The commercial aspect of the holidays almost destroys the true meaning of Christmas. In this episode, I want to share an easy way to bring Jesus to the front and center where He belongs! Thanks to our sponsor to learn more and get today’s show notes to visit AFewMinuteswithGodPodcast.com. […]

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God Loves You ~ Episode 120 I probably don’t need to tell you that God loves you – however if you suffer from stress or find yourself overwhelmed you need to hear it again and again. In this episode, we will discuss God’s love and how closely tied it is to who we are and […]

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Gift Giving Episode 119 What is the greatest gift that we can give to others? Well, there are plenty that come to mind but the greatest gift-giving comes from Almighty God and His Son, Jesus. In this episode, we will discuss how gift-giving sometimes takes center stage when the focus should be on the Lord! […]

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Peace Within Families Episode 118 Next to world peace, we want peace within families! I’ve heard horror stories of siblings not talking to each other for years and in this episode, we will pray for broken families and those who are lost to the hope of Jesus. Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels, Inc. […]

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Thankful All The Time Episode 117 Don’t you wish we could be thankful all the time? Especially in this time of joy sometimes we can’t see because we are covered with the business of every day. In this episode, we will discuss ways to keep thankfulness at the forefront of each day. Thanks to our […]

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Mercy and Thoughtfulness Episode 116 This is a time of mercy and thoughtfulness because with both of these items there is hope. It is almost like a math equation. Mercy + Thoughtfulness = Hope, but more than that God has an abundance of both. Thanks to our sponsor, Sony / Affirms Films and the movie […]

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Faithful Families Episode 115 As we approach the season of joy, we look at this through the eyes of faithful families. But does this always happen? What can we do when we have loved ones who have left their faith behind or loved ones that we want to encourage and pray for? Or loved ones […]

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