Live: Calvary Church Ottawa: Recent Episodes
Calvary Church Ottawa
A practical bible study for adults to learn how to follow Christ and live out your faith among friends, family, and community.
In today's episode of the Live: Calvary Church podcast, Pastor Jeremy Hanscom continues our series The Beast That Lies Within by confronting the subtle and often hidden nature of greed. Drawing from the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, we explore how fear fuels our desire to hoard possessions and mistakenly equate our stuff with our security. Ultimately, this message reminds us that we are not the owners of our resources, but merely managers. Listen in as we discover how embracing a lifestyle of generosity can break the grip of greed and transform our hearts.
In this "Best of" episode, discover how to break free from the destructive cycle of anger and resentment. In this insightful episode from Live Calvary Church. In this message, Pastor Jeremy Hanscom explores the root cause of anger, explaining how harboring a "debtor mindset" can paralyze our hearts and lives. Learn the biblical steps to overcome this emotional monster through the life-changing power of forgiveness. Tune in today to discover how canceling past debts can heal your spirit and restore your peace.
Hey everyone, and welcome back to this "best of" episode of the Calvary Church Live podcast! Today, we're diving back into our series The Beast that Lies Within to talk about a monster we all know too well: guilt. It turns out that just secretly apologizing to God is a bit like taking a Tylenol for the soul—it might take the edge off, but it doesn't break the cycle of our mistakes. To truly kick out the problem of our hearts, we’ve got to step into the light, own up to our actions, and do the hard work of making things right. Hit play to learn how to clear out those dark corners of your heart.
In this "Best of" episode from Calvary Church Live, we kick off a powerful series titled "The Beast That Lies Within," which challenges us to look past behavioral management and examine the true spiritual state of our hearts. While society teaches us to modify our external actions, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 15 that our words, deeds, and sudden behavioral "slippage" are actually direct symptoms of internal heart issues. Using illustrations ranging from physical heart disease to an apple tree, the message exposes how undetected emotional and spiritual wounds throw off our natural rhythm and cause us to hurt those we love. Ultimately, listeners are invited to invite the Holy Spirit to perform a heart checkup and experience the profound internal transformation promised in Ezekiel 36:26.
In this "best of" archived episode of the Live Calvary Church podcast, Pastor Hanscom addresses the challenge of living in a negative world and how negativity can sneak into our spirits and steal our joy. By learning to delight in and meditate on the law of the Lord day and night, believers can protect their minds, cultivate a positive spirit, and securely pursue God's promises.
Welcome to this "best of" episode of the Calvary Church live podcast with Jeremy Hanscom. In this archived message, we dive into the powerful Old Testament story of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. While other followers chose to keep their distance, Elisha refused to settle for a second-rate faith and boldly pursued a double portion of God’s spirit. His journey challenges us to step out of our comfort zones, overcome our fear of failure, and stop settling for just getting by in our spiritual lives. Tune in to discover how opening your heart to a deeper commitment can unlock extraordinary miracles and transform your daily life into a true act of worship.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: Putting Family First.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Exodus 20:12 New International Version
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
The Power of a Changed Life
In this episode of the Calvary Church live podcast, host Pastor Hanscom concludes the series on building a ready defense for your faith by exploring the ultimate testimony: a transformed life. Being a true Christian isn't about rigid religious activity, but rather an internal shift where the Holy Spirit produces fruits like love, peace, and self-control. True faith moves beyond treating Jesus as a mere moral example and accepts Him as a Savior who empowers us to overcome the flesh and walk in grace. Listen in to discover how we are healed by the Spirit, loved to love others, and rescued to help rescue those who are perishing.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Best of: When the Spirit Prays.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Romans 8:26-27 NLT
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
In this episode of the A Ready Defense series, Pastor Jeremy Hanscom explores how a transformed life serves as the most powerful evidence for the reality of a living God. Drawing from the story of "Doubting Thomas," the message highlights that people today are seeking hard evidence of faith found in the character and actions of believers rather than just in books. Pastor Hanscom shares personal stories and scriptural insights to explain that while salvation is a gift, we carry a daily responsibility to let the "new man" in Christ lead our attitudes and decisions. Discover how the Resurrection isn't just a historical event, but a present-day power that can upgrade your relationships, purpose, and daily walk.
In this episode of our Ready Defense series, we explore the historical reliability and divine origins of the Bible, addressing common cultural objections and questions regarding its credibility. From the painstaking preservation seen in the Dead Sea Scrolls to the remarkable unity of 40 different authors writing across 1,500 years, the evidence points toward a master architect behind the text. Discover how the Word of God remains an active, living "owner's manual" for life that stands firm even as empires crumble.
This week on the Live: Calvary Church podcast, we explore the dramatic conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus and discover how a life defined by religious zeal and persecution was transformed into one of the most powerful ministries in history. This study dives deep into the identity of Paul, the significance of his dual names, and the powerful truth that whatever Jesus touches, He changes. Join us as we learn how the Holy Spirit "kicks against the goads" to soften our hearts and lead us toward a new covenant of grace.K
Ready to get plugged in? Visit us at OttawaChurch.ca or connect with us on our social media platforms to stay updated on our latest studies and events!
Welcome to a special "Best Of" episode of the Calvary Church live podcast with Pastor Hanscom, where we dive into the explosive "dunamis" power available to every believer. Drawing from Ephesians 1:19-20, we explore how understanding God’s incredible might transforms our faith from a dull ritual into a life of expectation and purpose. Just as the early church used prayer to unlock divine strength, we are reminded that God isn’t an "add-on" but the very source of our victory. Visit OttawaChurch.ca to get connected.
In this episode of Live: Calvary Church, we investigate The Ready Defense. Pastor Hanscom explores the scientific and scriptural evidence for the existence of God. By examining the "fine-tuning" of the cosmos and the staggering mathematical odds of our universe’s origin, we see how modern physics increasingly points toward a Super-Intellect. From the Earth's precise balance to the ancient descriptions in Psalms, the evidence suggests that creation is a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship rather than a cosmic accident. Join us as we strengthen our faith and prepare to answer the ultimate question: Does God exist?
In this study, Pastor Hanscom explores the call for Christians to move beyond inherited beliefs and develop a personal, well-reasoned "ready defense" for their faith. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:15, the message focuses on how to engage a diverse, modern culture with the hope of the Gospel through both intellectual preparation and lived experience.
"Worship is giving your mind's attention, your heart's affection, and your life's ambitions fully to the Lord. It's knowing God and making Him known through words and actions."
— Jeremy Hanscom
Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 3:15
Connect with us: OttawaChurch.ca
In this week's Live: Calvary Church episode, we are talking about how Spiritual warfare is not a plot point from a sci-fi movie—it is a daily reality for every believer. But as Pastor Hanscom explains in this "Best Of" archive message, God hasn't left us defenseless. We have been fully equipped to stand our ground. Drawing from Ephesians 6:10–18, this episode breaks down the Roman soldier’s gear to reveal the practical spiritual tools available to us today.
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.
Are you stuck in a "slimy pit" or feeling the frustration of a "microwave society" that hates to wait? In this study of Psalm 40, Pastor Hanscom explores the shift from sinking in the mire to standing on the Rock.
Highlights: Active Waiting: Why the hardest part of the journey is actually where God does His best work in us.
* From Mire to Choir: How David’s rescue transformed his personal pain into a public "new song" of praise.
* The Heart of Worship:* A reminder that God doesn't want religious rituals; He wants a surrendered heart.
"Waiting is not about what you get at the end; it’s about what you become during the wait."
Listen now and find encouragement for your current season.
🌐 ottawachurch.ca
In this week's episode, Pastor Jeremy Hanscom delves into Psalms 40, exploring the idea of waiting and the importance of trusting in God. We delve into the concept of waiting, the significance of being rescued, and the blessing of trusting in the Lord. Additionally, we discuss the impact of sincere worship and the importance of proclaiming and remembering God's goodness. The key message is to focus on God's works and sing praises, irrespective of our circumstances. Let's trust in God's plan and remain hopeful while waiting. Join us in spreading this message and being part of what God is doing at Calvary Church.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "Best of: It is Well.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
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Scripture Reference:
Hebrews 11 New Living Translation.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "Meditating on Psalm 96.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "Meditating on Psalm 96.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "Meditating on Psalm 27.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Blinded by Despair.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Blinded by Bitterness.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "Meditating on Psalm 27.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "Meditating on Psalm 19.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
In this week's episode, Pastor Hanscom continues his series on meditating on the Psalms with an in-depth look at the well-known Psalm 23. He shares personal stories and reflections on how meditating on God's word can provide profound spiritual growth and balance. Pastor Hanscom emphasizes the importance of seeing God as our personal shepherd who guides, provides, and protects us. He discusses the shepherd's role in leading sheep to green pastures and still waters, likening it to God's guidance in our lives. The message encourages listeners to trust in God's promises and to find rest and restoration in their faith.
In this week's episode, Pastor Hanscom continues his series on meditating on the Psalms with an in-depth look at the well-known Psalm 23. He shares personal stories and reflections on how meditating on God's word can provide profound spiritual growth and balance. Pastor Hanscom emphasizes the importance of seeing God as our personal shepherd who guides, provides, and protects us. He discusses the shepherd's role in leading sheep to green pastures and still waters, likening it to God's guidance in our lives. The message encourages listeners to trust in God's promises and to find rest and restoration in their faith.
Join Pastor Hanscom and the Calvary family in an exciting episode of Mediating on Psalms exploring the profound teachings of the Psalms! This episode dives deep into Psalm 19, hailed by C.S. Lewis as "the greatest poem in the Bible." Pastor Hanscom reflects on the awe-inspiring ways in which God reveals Himself through nature—showing His creative power, presence, and provision—and guides us toward discovering the beauty and depth of our relationship with Him. This episode promises to inspire and encourage your spiritual journey.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode, "Best of: The Starting of Miracles.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Join Pastor Hanscom and the Calvary family in an exciting episode of Mediating on Psalms exploring the profound teachings of the Psalms! This episode dives deep into Psalm 19, hailed by C.S. Lewis as "the greatest poem in the Bible." Pastor Hanscom reflects on the awe-inspiring ways in which God reveals Himself through nature—showing His creative power, presence, and provision—and guides us toward discovering the beauty and depth of our relationship with Him. This episode promises to inspire and encourage your spiritual journey.
In this episode of Live: Calvary Church, join Pastor Hanscom and the Calvary family as they dive deep into Psalms 15, reflecting on integrity, holiness, and the importance of staying true to God's standards in our daily lives. From personal anecdotes about choosing ethics over convenience to biblical examples of righteousness, this inspiring study highlights how honesty, faithfulness, and spiritual preparation can strengthen our connection to God and create a welcoming environment for others to encounter Him. Prepare to be encouraged as we explore practical wisdom, self-reflection, and the empowering grace found in Jesus. Check out this transformative message and connect further via ottawachurch.ca!
In this episode, Pastor Hanscom continues the series on "Meditating on the Psalms," focusing on Psalms 15. This is just the beginning come back next week for part 2!
In this episode, Pastor Hanscom continues the series on "Meditating on the Psalms," focusing on Psalms 1:1-6 and the theme of two destinies—the righteous and the wicked. He explores what it means to live the "good life" from a biblical perspective, emphasizing that true happiness is found in seeking God and delighting in His word. The discussion highlights the structure and authorship of the Psalms, as well as the importance of meditating on Scripture. Pastor Hanscom contrasts the enduring prosperity of the righteous with the fleeting existence of the wicked, using vivid biblical imagery and personal anecdotes. The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to choose the path of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of the blessed life described in Psalm 1.
Join Pastor Hanscom in this inspiring NEW episode as he dives deep into Psalm 16, uncovering the true meaning of refuge in God. Discover powerful truths about trusting His presence, serving Jesus, and our eternal inheritance. Be encouraged to strengthen your faith, prioritize God above all else, and walk in His joy and protection. Don’t miss this uplifting message—your spiritual journey awaits!
Scripture Reference: Psalms 16
In this "Best of" episode from the Live Calvary Church podcast, Pastor Hanscom wraps up a captivating sermon series on the "fruit of the spirit" with the final focus on how to lead a spiritually productive life. Packed with deep biblical insights, Pastor Hanscom shares practical steps to spiritual growth, including developing strong roots through trust in God, eliminating obstacles, preparing for divine pruning, and waiting patiently for the harvest. Listeners are encouraged to embrace God's love at every growth stage and reminded that it's never too late to start being fruitful and spiritually productive—God provides the power to transform and thrive!
In this "best of" episode of the Live Calvary Church podcast hosted by Pastor Hanscom, delves into the concept of gentleness as part of the Fruit of the Spirit series. Pastor Hanscom defines gentleness biblically as “strength under control,” citing examples of Jesus and Moses to illustrate that gentleness is neither weakness nor passivity. Drawing from scripture, including Galatians 5:22-23 and Philippians 4:4-5, Pastor Hanscom emphasizes practical applications in daily life, such as being understanding, accepting, and responding tenderly to conflict while maintaining clarity and conviction.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
This “Best Of” episode of the Live: Calvary Church podcast explores the biblical concept of gentleness as “strength under control.” Host Pastor Hanscom shares five practical ways to embody gentleness in daily life, emphasizing the importance of understanding, acceptance, and proactive kindness. Listeners are encouraged to cultivate a gentle spirit to build stronger relationships and reflect the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
This episode of the Live: Calvary Church podcast is a “Best Of” message focusing on the theme of faithfulness, part of the Fruit of the Spirit series. Host Pastor Hanscom explores how faithfulness is essential in five key areas: promises, relationships, abilities, time, and giving. Listeners are encouraged to cultivate reliability and trustworthiness in their lives, drawing inspiration from biblical teachings and practical examples.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
In this episode of the Live: Calvary Church podcast, we explore the true meaning of "goodness" as a fruit of the Spirit, challenging the common ideas of the "good life." The message emphasizes that real goodness comes from fulfilling God's purpose. Listeners are encouraged follow a variety of steps to better their lives.
Galatians 5:22-23. New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
Discover timeless wisdom and practical insights in this "best of" episode of the Live Calvary Church podcast, hosted by Pastor Hanscom. From exploring the virtues of patience, joy, and love to unpacking scripture like Galatians 5:22-23 and Proverbs 17:22. Be inspired by biblical teachings, personal anecdotes, and actionable reflections that encourage growth in love, humility, and faith.
Galatians 5:22-23. New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Discover the transformative power of kindness in this "best of" episode of the Live Calvary Church Podcast, hosted by Pastor Hanscom. With insights drawn from scripture and practical tips, the discussion highlights kindness as a deliberate choice—a "love in action"—and explores biblical examples, like the Good Samaritan, to inspire everyday acts of compassion. Listen as we unpacks five characteristics of kind people, showing how sensitivity, supportiveness, honesty, spontaneity, and action can profoundly impact our lives and the world around us.
Galatians 5:22-23. New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
This Live: Calvary Church Best of episode explores the Fruit of the Spirit, focusing on joy as an inner attitude, not dependent on circumstances. Drawing from scripture, it highlights how true joy comes from God’s purpose, hope, and presence in our lives, even during challenges. Listeners are encouraged to cultivate gratitude, give generously, and serve others to experience lasting joy.
Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Struggling with stress? In this Live: Calvary Church, Best of: Episode, we discover how to find true peace—spiritually, emotionally, and in your relationships. This message explores the fruit of the Spirit, with a particular focus on peace in a chaotic world. Let's learn the five keys to God’s perfect peace.
Galatians 5:22-23. New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
This Live: Calvary Church episode kicks off a new series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we focusing on the true meaning of love. Discover practical steps to become more loving and let the fruit of the Spirit shine in your life.
Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
In this Best of: episode of the Live: Calvary Church podcast, the message centers on the virtue of patience, drawing from James 5:7-12. Pastor Hanscom explores how patience is both a challenge and a necessity, especially as we wait for God's timing and Christ's return. Listeners are reminded that enduring trials with patience leads to spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with God.
This week’s podcast episode from Live: Calvary Church is a Best of episode that focuses on the importance of putting on the "Full Armor of God" as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, emphasizing that spiritual warfare is a real daily challenge for believers. The episode encourages us to take the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life.
Join us this Live: Calvary Church Podcast episode as Pastor Jeremy Hanscom draws from personal experiences and timeless biblical principles emphasizing the idea of shedding selfish tendencies to allow for deeper connections with both God and others. Harnessing the transformative power of the Bible, listeners are encouraged to surrender to the divine teachings from Romans 12, inviting us to place God first, others second, and oneself third, in what he terms as the "I'm third" philosophy. Through personal anecdotes and biblical narratives like Abraham and Lot, Pastor Hanscom highlights the importance of sincere love, unity, serving others, and adopting a purpose-driven life that transcends individualistic desires. This episode inspires lessons in humility, unity, and selflessness, urging us all to lead by the example of Christ, fostering a resilient community through love and shared purpose.
Explore the powerful relationship between faith and stress management in this thought-provoking podcast episode of Calvary Church Live. In this Best of episode, Pastor Hanscom delves into Scripture, shining a light on how Jesus handled life pressures and remained calm, providing valuable lessons in tackling today's stressors. Referencing Proverbs, Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:7, and Matthew 6:25-33 on casting one's anxieties on God come to the forefront in this discussion. The narrative is punctuated with Pastor Hanscom speaking on solitude, prayer, and turning to God, following how Jesus himself found rest and peace. In this episode, we learn how to, regardless of life's challenges, lean on Jesus for our strength and peace.
Genesis 21:1-21 NIV
Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.” Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
Join us this Live: Calvary Church Podcast episode as Pastor Jeremy Hanscom draws from personal experiences and timeless biblical principles emphasizing the idea of shedding selfish tendencies to allow for deeper connections with both God and others. Harnessing the transformative power of the Bible, listeners are encouraged to surrender to the divine teachings from Romans 12, inviting us to place God first, others second, and oneself third, in what he terms as the "I'm third" philosophy. Through personal anecdotes and biblical narratives like Abraham and Lot, Pastor Hanscom highlights the importance of sincere love, unity, serving others, and adopting a purpose-driven life that transcends individualistic desires. This episode inspires lessons in humility, unity, and selflessness, urging us all to lead by the example of Christ, fostering a resilient community through love and shared purpose.
Join us this Live: Calvary Church Podcast episode as Pastor Jeremy Hanscom delves into the necessity of authenticity and truth in relationships. He shares his insights on the critical role truth and honesty play in building relationships and also highlights the relevance of Jesus' teachings in everyday life. With personal anecdotes, he emphasizes the essence of understanding the Bible, prioritizing what is vital to God, and addressing root issues in relationships. Tune in to explore the significance of God's word as a guide in our lives.
Welcome to this weeks episode as we delve into a deep discussion about life's 'no wake zones' with Pastor Jeremy Hanscom. Find the strength in authenticity and introspection, and the power of impact on others. Navigate the complexities of relationships with God's guidance, and embrace the courage to be real. Transformation awaits - welcome to your wake check."
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, In this Best of episode, Pastor Hanscom explores the transformative power of love within family relationships, drawing from biblical verses and personal anecdotes. The discussion emphasizes the importance of emulating God's unconditional love, illustrated through a child's perspective on love and marriage, highlighting its complexity and necessity in familial contexts. Pastor Hanscom draws parallels between Jesus's ultimate expression of love and forgiveness for humanity and our own capacity to sow seeds of love and pardon in challenging situations. This is presented as a crucial aspect of fulfilling God's will for our lives.
Welcome to a Best of episode part 2! This week's Calvary Church Live podcast, hosted by Pastor Jeremy Hanscom from Calvary Church discusses how to maintain spiritual passion by identifying and overcoming common 'passion killers.' Drawing from an article by Rick Warren, he highlights seven key factors: unbalanced schedules, unused talents, unconfessed sin, unresolved conflict, unsupported lifestyles, unclear purpose, and undernourished spirits. Pastor Hanscom emphasizes the importance of using one's talents in service, addressing guilt and conflict, engaging in strong relationships with fellow believers, maintaining clear life purposes, and nourishing one's spirit through daily worship, fellowship, and ministry.
Welcome to a Best of episode! This week's Calvary Church Live podcast, hosted by Pastor Jeremy Hanscom, focuses on recognizing and combating 'Passion Killers' that diminish our enthusiasm for God's work. Pastor Jeremy discusses how passion is essential in every facet of life, driving creativity and achievement. He emphasizes the importance of loving and serving God with full-hearted passion. Pastor Jeremy identifies an 'unbalanced schedule' as the first of seven passion killers, explaining that both overworking and underworking can lead to a loss of passion. He advises maintaining a balanced spiritual life by blending input (learning and worship) and output (service and mission). The discussion is based on an article by Rick Warren and will continue in the next episode. Join us next week for Part 2!
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "No Wake Zone- Part 1 continued.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "No Wake Zone- Part 1.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Best of: What are you expecting?” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Acts 3:1-5
New International Version
3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Roots of Redemption: Unpacking the Core of Christianity- Part 6.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Roots of Redemption: Unpacking the Core of Christianity- Part 5.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Best of: Loving the Undeserving. Wed April 12, 2023” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture reference is the book of Hosea.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Roots of Redemption: Unpacking the Core of Christianity- Part 4.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Best of: Accept No Substitutes. Wed March 9, 2022.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Exodus 20:1-6 New International Version
The Ten Commandments
20 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Roots of Redemption: Unpacking the Core of Christianity- Part 3.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Roots of Redemption: Unpacking the Core of Christianity- Part 2.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Roots of Redemption: Unpacking the Core of Christianity- Part 1.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "The Good Shepherd.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Psalms 23.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "The Proud King.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode of "Best of: When the Spirit Prays.” Let's explore together and discover the profound impact these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Romans 8:26-27 NLT
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "The Starting of Miracles.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "Best of: The Touch of Jesus.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Mark 8:22-26 New International Version
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.”
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "How To Love.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "Best of: Transformational Thinking. Wed Jan 13, 2021.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Proverbs 23:7 New King James Version
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "An Unchanging Message in an Ever Changing World, Part 2.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "An Unchanging Message in an Ever Changing World, Part 1.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in "What a friend we have in Jesus.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: Consider the ant.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Two Roads to Travel: Sermon on the Mount.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Don't Worry About Tomorrow: Sermon on the Mount.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Motives: Sermon on the Mount." Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: Why We Need Each Other. Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 New Living Translation
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[a] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[b]
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: Receiving The Promises: Trademark of the Covenant.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Genesis 17:10-11 New International Version
10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: Receiving The Promises: Who is Melchizedek?” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Genesis 14:17-20 New International Version
17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 12:1-9 (NIV)
"The Call of Abram
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring[c] I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.
9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev."
The song in this week's podcast is Anthony Trimble "Like our God."
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: Don't Quit Now. Wed, Nov 23, 2021.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
2 Corinthians 4:1-16 New International Version
4 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 plainly 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. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b] Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: The Message of Angels. Wed, July 27, 2022.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Acts of the Apostles 5:17-20 NLT
The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: The Lords Angels Pt 2. Wed July 20, 2022.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 1:18-21 NLT
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: The Lord's Angels. Wed, July 13, 2022.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 1:18-21 NLT
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “ Best of: The Ministry of Angels. Wed June 29, 2022.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 34:7 New International Version
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: How to Make a Change.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 18:1-4 NLT
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Sermon on the Mount. PRT 7- Integrity.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Sermon on the Mount- Love Your Enemy, Part 6.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Best of: Putting Family First.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Exodus 20:12 New International Version
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
““You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,”
Matthew 5:21-23 NIV
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “The Sermon on the Mount- True Righteousness- Part 4.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “The Sermon on the Mount- Salt and Light, Part 3.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “The Beatitudes.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 5:1-12
New International Version
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode in a new series “Introducing the Sermon on the Mount.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12 NIV
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Best of: The Good and Bad of Life.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Ecclesiastes 7:14 New Living Translation
14 Enjoy prosperity while you can,
but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.
Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “The Beast that Lies Within Part 5.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “The Beast that Lies Within Part 4.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “The Beast that Lies Within Part 3.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Best of: The Touch of Jesus.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Mark 8:22-26 New International Version
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.”
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “The Beast that Lies Within Part 2” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “The Beast that Lies Within Part 1.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Best of: Can I Trust The Bible?” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Scripture Reference:
Ephesians 2:20 New International Version
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Best of: Everything & Nothing.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Today's Scripture reference:
Mark 10:17-31 New International Version
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Praying for the Unworthy.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Best of: The Faithfulness of God.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Today's Scripture reference:
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ ” The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
Psalms 89:1-8 NIV
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Praying the Scripture.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Blinded by Despair.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the challenges of the modern world. Join us on our journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “Blinded by Bitterness.” Let's embark on this exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
Hosea 2:14-15 NIV
Luke 1:3 New Living Translation
3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
“In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?””
Numbers 20:1-10 NIV
“The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.””
Judges 6:11-16 NIV
“Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” Samson answered her, “If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I’ll become as weak as any other man.” Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. With men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered. Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied.” He said, “If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I’ll become as weak as any other man.” So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them. Then, with men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads. Delilah then said to Samson, “All this time you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied.” He replied, “If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I’ll become as weak as any other man.” So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric and tightened it with the pin. Again she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and pulled up the pin and the loom, with the fabric. Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.” With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.” When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison.”
Judges 16:4-21 NIV
“Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!” “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father. But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.”
1 Samuel 20:30-33 NIV
Welcome to our Live: Calvary Church podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in navigating the myriad challenges of the modern world. Join us on this enlightening journey as we explore inspiring and timeless biblical wisdom that resonates with our contemporary lives. Join us for this week's episode “ The Christ.” Let's embark on this transformative exploration together and discover the profound impact that these virtues can have on our personal growth, relationships, and the world around us.
“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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
James 1:5-8 NIV
Mark 3:17. New International Version
17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”),
Luke 5:27-32
New International Version
27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
1 Corinthians 3:1-17
New International Version
3 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
Acts 3:1-5
New International Version
3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Join us as we launch our new release dates on Thursdays! This week’s episode “We have the Power!” With Pastor Hanscom.
Exodus 20:4-6 New International Version
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Matthew 5:1-12
New International Version
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12 NIV
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.
This is part two to last week's new series, Attributes of the Holy Spirit. Follow along as we discover these attributes in the Word of the Lord.
Genesis 21:1-21 NIV
Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.” Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ ” The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
Psalms 89:1-8 NIV
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—
Psalms 103:8-17 NIV
Psalm 34:7 New International Version
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!
Matthew 18:1-7 NIV
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
Hosea 2:14-15 NIV
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Matthew 17:5 NIV
Gen 41: 1-57
Pharaoh’s Dreams
41 "When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up......"
All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37 NIV
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 NIV
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:
Matthew 5:1-2 NIV
Ephesians 1:12-14 New International Version
12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Romans 8:26-27 NLT
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
Isaiah 43:1-5 New International Version
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Galatians 5:22-23. New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
Galatians 5:22-23. New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23. New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Mark 8:38-9:13 New International Version
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
The Transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Galatians 5:22-23. New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
1 John 4:7-13 New International Version
God’s Love and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
Ephesians 5:15-21 New International Version
"15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Song: Oh My Soul- by Anthony Trimble
Exodus 20:7 New International Version
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Matthew 18:1-4 NLT
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Gen 41: 1-57
Pharaoh’s Dreams
41 "When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up......"
Acts of the Apostles 5:17-20 NLT
The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”
Matthew 1:18-21 NLT
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:18-21 NLT
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Psalm 34:7 New International Version
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Hebrews 1:13-14 NLT
And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Romans 8:26-27 NLT
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
Romans 11:33-36
New International Version
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[a] knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”[b]
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”[c]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Psalms 139:1-6 NLT
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
Psalms 89:1-8 NLT
I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’” Interlude All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness. For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord? What mightiest angel is anything like the Lord? The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne. O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.
Isaiah 44:6-8 New International Version
The Lord, Not Idols
6 “This is what the Lord says—
Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
apart from me there is no God.
7 Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
and what is yet to come—
yes, let them foretell what will come.
8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?
No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
Isaiah 40:21-26 New International Version
21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children
Psalms 103:8-17 NLT
1 John 4:7-13 New International Version
God’s Love and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
Psalm 99 New International Version
Psalm 99
1 The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
2 Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
5 Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on his name;
they called on the Lord
and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
8 Lord our God,
you answered them;
you were to Israel a forgiving God,
though you punished their misdeeds.[a]
9 Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.
Exodus 20:1-6 New International Version
The Ten Commandments
20 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
James 5:7-12 New International Version
Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 New Living Translation
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[a] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[b]
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Matthew 18 New International Version
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Causing to Stumble
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!
Ephesians 2:20 New International Version
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Ephesians 1:12-14 New International Version
12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11 New International Version
11 In him we were also chosen,[a] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Luke 10:41-42 New International Version
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Isaiah 43:1-5 New International Version
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
John 14 New International Version
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Join us in a new series called Hard Questions. This episode answers, How can God be good?
2 Corinthians 4:1-16 New International Version
4 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 plainly 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. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b] Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Ephesians 6:11-13 New International Version
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.
Mark 8:22-26 New International Version
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.”
Mark 8:38-9:13 New International Version
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
The Transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Mark 10:17-31 New International Version
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Exodus 20:17 New International Version
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16 New International Version
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Proverbs 14:12 21st Century King James Version
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Exodus 20:12 New International Version
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:7 New International Version
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Proverbs 16:18 New International Version
18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
Exodus 20:4-6 New International Version
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:1-3 New International Version
The Ten Commandments
20 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
Exodus 20:8-11 New Living Translation
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Ephesians 5:18 New Living Translation
18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
John 15 New Living Translation
Jesus, the True Vine
15 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
2 Corinthians 11:16-33 New Living Translation
Paul’s Many Trials
16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!
But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.[a] 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Welcome to this week's podcast episode, this week's key scripture is 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 in the NLT. God Bless!
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[a] even though I am nothing. 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
Today's Podcast "Avoiding Traps of Negativity" has key scriptures from Psalms 1. We pray that this Bible Study blesses you!
Welcome to today's archived episode, the key scriptures for this episode are the following:
1 Kings 2: 1-9
2 Timothy 4: 7-8
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Philippians 4:4
Enjoy!
In today's podcast "How Far Are You Willing To Go", our key scriptures are 2 Kings 2:1-18
New Living Translation.
Welcome to your Wednesday Bible Study, today we have an Archived Message from 2019 by Pastor Jeremy Hanscom. Today's key scriptures are
Philippians 4 (NLT):
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Acts 16 (NLT): 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Luke 6:12 New Living Translation
12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.
Matthew 14:22-23 NLT
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Psalm 1:1-2 NLT
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
Revelation 4:8-11 New Living Translation
8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Nehemiah 8:9-12 New Living Translation
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 And Nehemiah[a] continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
11 And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” 12 So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.
Hebrews 5:11-14 New Living Translation
A Call to Spiritual Growth
11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.[a] You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
Psalm 119:1-8 New Living Translation
1 Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
Join us this week as Pastor Hanscom teaches from Joshua Chapters 3-5. We pray this message blesses you!
John 18:1-14 New Living Translation
18 After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. 2 Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. 3 The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.
4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
5 “Jesus the Nazarene,”[a] they replied.
“I am he,”[b] Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) 6 As Jesus said “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! 7 Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” 9 He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”[c]
10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
12 So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they took him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time.[d] 14 Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”
Special Guest First Lady Rita Shaw has a word of Growing in God. Originally recorded for our Unlimited Ladies Department, we wanted to share this devotion with the whole Calvary family.
This week we are looking at three ways to create endurance in our marriage and relationships.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 New Living Translation
14 Enjoy prosperity while you can,
but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.
Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
Psalm 43:5 New Living Translation
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
Proverbs 12:25 New Living Translation
25 Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.
1 John 3:18 New Living Translation
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
Proverbs 23:7 New King James Version
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.
Luke 1:3 New Living Translation
3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
Jeremiah 29:10-17 New International Version
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
15 You may say, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon,” 16 but this is what the Lord says about the king who sits on David’s throne and all the people who remain in this city, your fellow citizens who did not go with you into exile— 17 yes, this is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will send the sword, famine and plague against them and I will make them like figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New International Version.
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Ephesians 2:1-9 New Living Translation. Made Alive with Christ
2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
1 Corinthians 3:16 New Living Translation
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in[a] you?
Colossians 1:11-14 New Living Translation
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,[a] 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom[b] and forgave our sins.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 New Living Translation
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[a] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[b]
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Ephesians 6:10-20 New Living Translation
The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[d]
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.[e] 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Ephesians 5:21-6:9 New International Version
Instructions for Christian Households
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[c]
4 Fathers,[d] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Ephesians 5:15-21 New International Version
"15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Song: Oh My Soul- by Anthony Trimble
First Lady Karina Hanscom guides us through "Praying the Names of God" by Ann Spangler. This Week: "Dwelling Place, Refuge, Fortress, Strong Tower" We hope you enjoy, God Bless!
Isaiah 26:3 New International Version
3 You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Ephesians 5:1-14 New International Version
5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Ephesians 4:17-20 New International Version
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned
Ephesians 4:13-15 New International Version
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 3:14-19 New International Version
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Acts 10:15 New International Version
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Ephesians 2:12-13 New Living Translation
12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
Psalm 34:8 New Living Translation
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Ephesians 2:3 - New Living Translation
3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Ephesians 1:19 New Living Translation
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power
Romans 12:2 (PHILLIPS)
12 1-2 With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.
Ephesians 6:11-13 New International Version
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.
1 Corinthians 12:12 New International Version
Unity and Diversity in the Body
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
Genesis 17:10-11 New International Version
10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.
Genesis 14:17-20 New International Version
17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 12:1-9 (NIV)
The Call of Abram
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring[c] I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.
9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.
The song in this week's podcast is Anthony Trimble "Like our God."
Matthew 22:1-14 New International Version
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.
13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Isaiah 6:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
Isaiah’s Commission
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
3 And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Psalm 139:1-6 New International Version
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Isaiah 40:21-26 New International Version
21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
Genesis 3:21 New International Version
21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 New International Version
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Psalm 91:1-6 New International Version
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Ephesians 4:11-13 New International Version
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13 New International Version
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:33 New International Version
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Psalm 37:25
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
Romans 12:2 New International Version
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
Luke 9:
45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
Luke 4:
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
1 Corinthians 12
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Psalm 24, 1-10 King James Version (KJV)
1. The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
Haggai 1:6
You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.
Genesis 25:29-30
Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!”
Genesis 25:31-32
Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.”
Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?”
Question: "What does it mean to love one another?"
Answer: In John 13:34 Jesus taught, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Then He added, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (verse 35). How do we do this? What does it mean to love one another?
The “one another” in these verses is a reference to fellow believers. A distinguishing mark of being a follower of Christ is a deep, sincere love for brothers and sisters in Christ. The apostle John reminds us of this fact elsewhere: “He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 John 4:21).
2 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.
… being continually aware that your labour [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:13
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Acts 9
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Kings 2: 1-9
2 Timothy 4: 7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Philippians 4:4
Haggai 1 (NIV)
1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest:
2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’”
3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:
4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Luke 7: 7-8
7 I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.
8 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
Romans 16 (NIV)
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house...
Hebrews 2 (NIV):
3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
John 13 (NIV)
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
2 Corinthians 1 (NIV):
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us
2 Corinthians 9: (NIV)
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9 As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Deuteronomy 1:28 Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven. And besides, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.”
Deuteronomy 1:21 See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’
Deuteronomy 1:30 The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes
Deuteronomy 28 (NIV)
If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:
3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
7 The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
8 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
9 The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. 11 The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.
12 The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
Galatians 6 (NIV)
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Matthew 13: 3-8
A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
James 1 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 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.
John 4 (NLT):
31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.”
32 But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.”
33 “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other.
34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
Philippians 4 (NLT):
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Acts 16 (NLT): 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
God's will is that we will walk through seasons in our lives where he will provide only what we need for today.
John 10 (NLT) The Good Shepherd and His Sheep:
10 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!
2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
Luke 8 (NLT):
52 The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”
53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died.
Matthew 11 (NLT)
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Paul commissions Titus to show how the good news of Jesus and the power of the Spirit can transform Cretan culture from within. Paul wrote the book of Titus for his companion. Titus was to visit Crete, infamous for its sin, and restore order to house churches there. Part of his job was to replace corrupt teachers in the churches with godly leaders.
Titus 3 (NIV) Saved in Order to Do Good
1) Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2) to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Matthew 6: (NLT)
16: And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
18: Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Psalm 18:6 (NLT): But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help.
Titus 2:11 (NIV) For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
Paul commissions Titus to show how the good news of Jesus and the power of the Spirit can transform Cretan culture from within. Paul wrote the book of Titus for his companion. Titus was to visit Crete, infamous for its sin, and restore order to house churches there. Part of his job was to replace corrupt teachers in the churches with godly leaders.
Paul commissions Titus to show how the good news of Jesus and the power of the Spirit can transform Cretan culture from within. Paul wrote the book of Titus for his companion. Titus was to visit Crete, infamous for its sin, and restore order to house churches there. Part of his job was to replace corrupt teachers in the churches with godly leaders.
Paul commissions Titus to show how the good news of Jesus and the power of the Spirit can transform Cretan culture from within. Paul wrote the book of Titus for his companion. Titus was to visit Crete, infamous for its sin, and restore order to house churches there. Part of his job was to replace corrupt teachers in the churches with godly leaders.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,” Paul says. Truth is the belt that holds all the other pieces of the armor in place.
Paul commissions Titus to show how the good news of Jesus and the power of the Spirit can transform Cretan culture from within. Paul wrote the book of Titus for his companion. Titus was to visit Crete, infamous for its sin, and restore order to house churches there. Part of his job was to replace corrupt teachers in the churches with godly leaders.
Paul commissions Titus to show how the good news of Jesus and the power of the Spirit can transform Cretan culture from within. Paul wrote the book of Titus for his companion. Titus was to visit Crete, infamous for its sin, and restore order to house churches there. Part of his job was to replace corrupt teachers in the churches with godly leaders.