Living For God in a Wicked World - Message 2 - Part 1 - Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright

“But the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them . . . . Then Samuel took a stone . . . a... More...

Why do some believers grow deep roots while others fade out fast? Jesus answered that question 2,000 years ago in the Parable of the Sower. Turns out, spiritual growth isn’t one big decision—it’s thousands of small, daily choices. Bible or phone? Church or no church? Those choices add up, and they shape who you become. Pastor Greg Laurie walks us through the four kinds of hearts Jesus describes: Hardened, shallow, crowded, and fruitful. And he shares the real “golden key” to lasting spiritual growth. Notes: Luke 8  The Christian life is more than praying a prayer and getting “fire insurance.” It's following Jesus as your Savior and as your Lord. Life is one long string of choices. By not choosing spiritual growth, we choose spiritual decline. Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV)"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.” If you want to go forward as a Christian, you will. God has given us everything we need for spiritual growth and progress.2 Peter 1:3 Read Luke 8:11–15 (NLT) Which of these four soils represents you best?Only one out of four makes it. The job of the Sower is to throw the seed out far and wide. This type of sowing seed was known as “broadcasting.” Our job is to sow the seed of the word of God. God does the work of conversion. The Apostle Paul shows us how we each have a role to play.1 Corinthians 3:6–7 The only way to tell if someone is really a Christian is through the test of time. 1 John 2:19 (NLT)These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. Prodigals come to faith, fall away, and return later. Some people have a weak beginning but a strong finish.That is better than a strong beginning and no finish. The Hardened HeartLuke 8:12 Mark 4:15 (NLT)“Only to have Satan come at once and take it away.” Whenever you share the gospel with people, expect satanic opposition. Every time you hear the gospel, your heart can get softer or harder. Shallow HeartsLuke 8:13 These are the hearers who seem to be converted but never get grounded in the faith. They are living on an emotional high and a state of spiritual euphoria. Perhaps they have experienced a supernatural touch from God. Faith that cannot be tested is faith that cannot be trusted. Christianity is Christ! “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.”—G.K. Chesterton Some people are simply impulsive by nature.Some people fall away because they have built their faith on the wrong foundation. Some people fall away because of persecution. Mark 4:17 (NLT)But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV)Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Some people fall away because unbelief set in, causing them to doubt God at the first emotional low. Infested HeartsLuke 8:14 Second best is often the worst enemy of the best. Excessive worry can crowd out spiritual growth.Mark 4:19 We live in a time when people are obsessed with extending their lives. God determines the length of our lives.Job 14:5 Fruitful HearersLuke 8:15 The golden key to spiritual growth is how you hear and respond to God’s word. Mark 4:20 (NLT)“Those who hear and accept God's word.” The difference isn’t exposure to the word.It’s what the heart does once it lands. The Bible is everywhere, but it’s not in our hearts. The issue is not access. It’s appetite. Luke 12:48 (NIV)From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. The hardest thing about studying the Bible is sitting down and opening it. Standing the test of time, finishing the spiritual life well, is not a mystery.It is maintaining a close and vibrant relationship with Christ. Read the Bible daily.Pray about things.Go to church regularly.Share your faith. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who is the greatest person you've ever known? While our world measures greatness by status and power, God measures it by a humble heart. In this message from Philippians 2, Pastor Philip Miller reveals true greatness through its priority, model, secret, and beauty. Let's get back to the basics of being humble, servant-hearted Christians. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://moodyoffer.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Moody Church Hour" and "Living Hope," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Dr. Philip Miller is the 17th Senior Pastor of The Moody Church. He is the featured speaker on "Living Hope" and "Moody Church Hour," with programs broadcasting on 700 outlets in the U.S. He and his wife Krista live in Chicago with their four children. Pastor Philip is passionate about proclaiming God's Word, cultivating healthy ministry, and investing in future leaders. SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Daily Devotional and Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/

Don't Stop When Tears Start Don't stop when tears start, because tears, sorrow, disappointments, and difficulties are part of the Christian life and part of the Christian journey. A lot of people start into this journey thinking that the presence of God means the absence of trouble, and that isn't true. Jesus Christ himself said, In this world you will have tribulation. You'll have difficulty, there will be trouble, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome this world. In other words, I have overcome this world's power to overcome you. When you opened your heart to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God took up residence inside your physical body, and the Christ who won that victory on the cross — defeated the power of hell and darkness — lives inside of you now and will carry you to the finish line in this journey. You will be opposed, there will be difficulties along the way. For those who are in the middle of the journey, I remember those days so clearly in my life. I told my wife Teresa one time, I said, "I feel like if I wasn't sighing, I wouldn't be breathing." There was a season — a long season — where it was difficult. There are individual moments, but then there's a long season where long-suffering has got to come into your life, and God gives you the power. The Joy of First Salvation — Psalm 126:1–3 Psalm 126, we're going to start there, verses 1 to 3: When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. I remember those first days of salvation. I remember when I sat in church the first time and the person who led me to Christ shared the verse of Scripture that if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things are passed away, and behold, all things have become new. I remember sitting and wondering, is that reality, or is that just a pipe dream? Can it actually happen? God, can you come and give me a future that I could never find in my own strength? No matter how much I would try, it would always escape me because I wasn't capable of fulfilling it. And then one day you begin to realize that you've been forgiven your sin, and the Holy Spirit has come and indwelt your human body. It's like a dream. Life begins to change line upon line, precept upon precept. From place to place, God begins to work a work that only the Holy Spirit can do, and you become aware of it. I remember the first time I ever went to a Christian police officer's conference in Speculator, upstate New York. For the first time ever in my life, I saw grown men weep before God for joy — Texas Rangers, people from all over the country, tough guys too, a lot of them, tenderized by the presence of God. I cried for three days. I couldn't stop crying. I don't know how many boxes of tissue I went through. I actually felt foolish at one point because I simply couldn't stop crying — it was like a dream. I know many of you remember those days, especially if you're in the middle of your journey now. Your mouth is filled with laughter. Your tongue is filled with singing. When I first started going to church, I'd open a hymn book — I wasn't raised on the hymns, so they were brand new to me. "It Is Well with My Soul." "Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine." I would stand there and the tears would come down my face. I remember one time my wife said to me, "You have to stop laughing when the preacher is preaching. He's going to think that you're mocking him." I said, "I'm not. I can't stop." I was just so filled with joy that I had this new life that God had promised. I had a hope. I had a future. I had now laid hold of the possibility of becoming the person that God intended my life to be. It would bubble out of me like a river. And then people among the nations — as Psalm 126 says — began to say, "The Lord has done great things for them." People around you started to say, "Wow, you are changing." Now, some things change quickly, don't they? Some things, the very day you come to Christ — maybe your vocabulary changes. You stop using the words you used to use, or if one slips, you're quick to apologize for it. And then there are certain things that change, and other things don't change quite as fast. I speak from experience. There were some things I was able to put away almost day one, and other things that took forever. Have you ever watched one of those old Western movies on television? They get in a gunfight in a saloon, and one guy gets shot and falls over the table. Then he climbs the stairway, falls over the balcony, stumbles behind the bar, gets up, falls over the bar, stumbles out through the swinging doors, and falls over the hitching post — and you're watching the movie saying, "Is this guy ever going to die?" Well, I don't know about you, but some things in my life went that way. They were shot, in a sense, by the blood of Jesus Christ. They lost their power, but they took time. Don't get discouraged when things in your life take time. They are dead. They might be still standing like the fig tree when Jesus and the disciples went back into Jerusalem, but they've lost their power to dictate your future. Praise be to God. A Season of Sorrow — Bring Back Our Captivity Now the psalmist goes on and he says, Bring back our captivity, O Lord, as streams in the south. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy, and he who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. So this psalm starts out with such victory, and then it has a transitional point where the psalmist is saying, "God, do it again for me. Do it again for us. Bring back that joy that I once knew of my captivity being released. God, I'm in a season of sorrow now. I'm in a season where tears are taking over for what used to be joy. Would you help us in this?" To understand this, I want to go back to the actual journey that most agree this psalm speaks about. It began with the people of Israel being taken into captivity into a land called Babylon. They were taken there because they played fast and loose with the things of God. We go into captivity when we don't acknowledge the presence of God or the reason for which we were created — when we choose, as Adam and Eve once did, to follow our own reasoning and go our own way. Because of it, they lost the protection of God and were taken captive. For 70 years they were in captivity — more than a generation. Many, if not most, of these people were actually born in captivity. They knew the story of what God had done in the past, but they themselves had been the victims of captivity, and their lives were short of what they should have been. The Decree of Cyrus — A Picture of the Cross Now, the interesting thing is that in the book of Ezra, it gives us the history. In Ezra 1:1 it says, In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia. This is where it really gets interesting, because about 150 years before Cyrus became king, it was prophesied that a king would be born whose name would be Cyrus. He is actually called "my servant" in the Word of God, and he would issue a decree letting the people go home to rebuild. It's phenomenal. God knows everything. There's nothing that happens that he doesn't know. Everything is in his control. He knows where you are today. He knows where you'll be tomorrow. As a matter of fact, he's already in your tomorrow before you even get there. He foretold through Jeremiah that his own people would go into captivity for 70 years. But through Isaiah, he declared that a king called Cyrus would be born who would issue a decree and let the people go back home to rebuild again. That's the context, really, of Psalm 126. Can you imagine being there? All you've ever kno...

The Old Testament is filled with prophecies about Jesus and His redemptive work. Even still, many in Israel rejected Him, even delivering Him up to die. From his sermon series in the book of Acts, today R.C. Sproul shows us our need to understand Scripture's revelation of Christ. Get R.C. Sproul's commentary on the book of Acts with your donation: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Acts commentary ebook with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Stu Epperson visits The Light FM at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove and sits down with General Manager Jim Kirkland to discuss the ministry of Christian radio and its lasting impact. Jim shares how The Light FM, a ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, exists to lead people into a personal and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ through music, biblical teaching, and discipleship. They also reflect on the importance of retreating from life's distractions to seek God, the power of Christian media to reach people in their everyday moments, and the countless stories of lives changed through God's perfect timing. The conversation concludes with a reminder from Joshua 1:9 to be strong and courageous, trusting that the Lord is always with us.

Stu Epperson sits down with Dr. Bob Jones III, Chancellor of Bob Jones University, for a thoughtful conversation about faith, leadership, and engaging today's culture from a biblical worldview. Reflecting on the legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham, Dr. Jones discusses the role of Christians in public life, the importance of discernment, and why believers must remain faithful to Scripture while participating in the civic arena. He also challenges Christian educators, pastors, and families to resist compromise, stand firm on God's Word, and pursue faithfulness over popularity. This inspiring conversation is a timely reminder that the greatest legacy anyone can leave is a life devoted to Jesus Christ and His truth.

Dr. Tommy Watson joins Stu Epperson to share his extraordinary journey from a childhood marked by poverty, gang violence, foster care, and family addiction to a life transformed by God's grace. He discusses how his award-winning book, A Face of Courage, inspired the upcoming feature film Resilience, and why his story is a testament to God's faithfulness through life's darkest moments. Dr. Watson also encourages listeners to find hope in their own scars, trust God's purpose, and remember that their past does not define their future. This powerful conversation is an inspiring reminder that God specializes in the impossible.

News analysis from David Dolan, Ken Timmerman, Sharahm Hadian and Dr. Jimmy DeYoung

Guest host Jerry Mathis highlights how God uses ordinary believers to make an extraordinary impact through ministries that meet both physical and spiritual needs. Missionary Ralph Sarzaba shares his passion for planting churches across the Philippines, reaching communities with the gospel, and building a church that will serve as a beacon of hope. The program also features powerful testimonies from listeners whose lives were transformed through Jesus' Labor of Love, a ministry that provides vehicle repairs and transportation assistance to those facing difficult circumstances. NASCAR broadcaster Mark Garrow encourages retirees and believers alike to stay attentive to God's calling, reminding listeners that every season of life is an opportunity to serve His Kingdom. This inspiring episode celebrates generosity, faithful obedience, and the life-changing power of sharing Christ's love in practical ways.

Guest host Jerry Mathis is joined by Bob Young and Darren DeWelt for an encouraging conversation about living out your faith in the workplace and trusting God through life's challenges. They discuss the importance of beginning each day in God's Word, surrounding yourself with Christian community, and leading a business with integrity and compassion. The conversation also explores the rapidly changing automotive industry, from rising repair costs and advanced vehicle technology to helping listeners understand what goes into modern collision repairs. Plus, hear inspiring stories about Jesus' Labor of Love, transformed lives, and practical ways to strengthen your faith while serving others.

“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:6) Pro... More...

Pain can deepen us. It can make us more compassionate, thoughtful, and ready to care for others walking through their own valleys.In Part 1 of Greg Laurie's conversation with Chuck Swindoll, they talk candidly about grief, calling, preaching, and the lessons God teaches through it all. Watch the rest of this episode on The Greg Laurie Show. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Jesus healed a man who’d been blind since birth, why didn’t everyone celebrate the miracle? On Truth For Life, Alistair Begg examines the religious leaders’ response and considers why we often encounter similar opposition when people come to faith today. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series A Study in Daniel’ • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Free Ebook! Names Above All Names by Alistair Begg and Sinclair Ferguson. Deepen your relationship with Christ by knowing more about Him as the True Prophet, Seed of the Woman, Son of Man, Suffering Servant, Conquering King, Lamb on the Throne, and Great High Priest. Comes with a companion study guide! ‘Download Now.’ Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | X This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today’s program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

Send us Fan MailGUEST: Todd Hampson, author, Non-Prophets Guide SeriesWhen countries in Scripture listed as key actors in end times passages, such as Israel, Iran, and Turkey, appear at the top of world news, Christians should be paying attention.The U.S. and Israel are in an intractable war with Iran. Turkey has signed a military cooperation agreement and are planning military exercises with Egypt. President Trump recently met with and spoke favorably of Turkish president and strongman Recep Erdogan and is considering selling U.S. F-35 fighter jets to the country.And the super-sign of the end times—the state of Israel—continues to be at the forefront of the news and the focal point of hatred in the world.Our guest, Todd Hampson, author and host of the Prophecy Pros Podcast, calls this “stage setting.” In other words, the rapture of the church, the invasion by Gog and Magog into Israel, the peace treaty with Israel by the Antichrist, and the rest of the events the Bible predicts for the end of the end times, have not occurred yet but the stage is being set.Last week in Part 1, Todd explained the three main views of biblical prophecy (premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism) and how he believes the premillennial view is most consistent using a literal, grammatical, historical reading of Scripture. He also discussed some of the other key aspects of the end times, like the rapture, the seven-year Tribulation, and ultimately the return and reign of Christ.This week in Part 2, we will discuss how current events in Israel, Iran, and Turkey are setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy, where the United States fits into all this, and much more.We hope you join us as we watch the Lord unfold His plans for the return and reign of His Son!

How do you help your teenager tame their anger and deal with the drama in their lives? On this summer best-of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, he’ll be joined by Dr. Jennifer Thomas to help you guide your teen through conflict. With the proper tools, teens can learn to respond to conflict and deepen their relationships instead of spiraling into isolation, anger, and broken friendships. Get some help on Building Relationships with Gary Chapman. Featured resource: A Teen's Guide to ConflictDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/buildingrelationshipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Christians, corporate worship is the high point of our week. But how should we worship God? How do we know what is glorifying to Him? Today, Jason Helopoulos explains what it means to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. Get Jason Helopoulos' video teaching series Created for Worship with your donation. You'll receive the DVD, lifetime digital access to all 11 messages, and the digital study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   Jason Helopoulos is senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Learn how to follow in King David's footsteps and serve the purposes of God.Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/generalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MAJOR UPDATE: NYC Attack Forces Mamdani to Respond.

God's plans don't always follow our expectations. Dr. Tony Evans explains how Joseph's setbacks reveal the faithfulness of God's greater purpose.

Do you need a miracle? Perhaps you’ve been struggling, toiling, trying to solve an impossible situation, but your own efforts simply aren’t enough. On this episode of The Verdict, Pastor John Munro reminds us that all things are possible when we surrender our lives and our problems to the Lord Jesus.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the discipline of duty starts with knowing God’s will. We can't serve effectively until we understand God's specific plan for our lives. When we seek Him through His Word and prayer, He promises to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go.

If God is all-powerful, why can't He simply forgive sin and be done with it? It's one of the most common objections to Christianity — and the answer reveals something most of us have never considered about what our sin actually costs.In this episode of Clearview Today, we wrap up our study on the holiness of God by looking at why forgiveness was never free. Dr. Abidan Shah uses a simple illustration — a borrowed pen, broken and handed off — to show what happens every time we take something that belongs to God and twist it. Mercy is easy to give when it costs you nothing. But real forgiveness always has a price, and someone has to pay it.We walk through Leviticus 17:11 and why blood represents both death and life, why the Old Testament sacrificial system was only ever a placeholder for the real thing, and how nearly every ancient culture on earth — Aztec, Egyptian, Hittite, Scandinavian, Irish — understood instinctively that someone had to die. What sets Scripture apart is that God didn't demand a substitute from us. He provided one Himself.The episode closes in Isaiah 53, written centuries before the cross and describing it in detail, and then lands somewhere practical: the response to all of this is humility. There is nothing in you that you can take credit for. Begin every day grateful, and give yourself back to the God who paid for you.Support the showDr. Shah writes a personal letter every week — reflections on Scripture, faith, and living it out with clarity and purpose. GET THE LETTER If you enjoyed the show, please like and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, and also subscribe to our YouTube channel. This is an excellent way to stay connected to the Clearview team and ensure you don't miss a thing.PRE-ORDER BYZANTINE TEXTFORM: https://subsplash.com/u/-MPJ586/forms/d/1090d08a-49c0-498a-ad97-5c0fd575fa9eSUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:MIGHTY MUSCADINE SUPPLEMENTSLEBLEU ULTRA-PURE WATERKEEP YOUR KIDS PROTECTED ONLINE--->> DR SHAH'S BOOKS>> SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE>> CHECK OUT ALL OUR SHOWS

“Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” (

The Grace to You radio broadcast for July 24, 2026. Click the icon below to listen.

Imagine coming upon a burning car with someone trapped inside. And you help them get free. Or imagine seeing a toddler heading toward a busy street just as momma turns her head. And you scoop him up just in the nick of time. It’s a good day when you save someone from peril! Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out, we save someone from eternal peril when we help them come to Christ. And when that happens, it’s a very good day! Practical help today with evangelism. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do Daniel’s apocalyptic visions alarm you and make you anxious? Daniel himself was confused and terrified by what he saw. Nonetheless, Scripture assures us that believers can be comforted. Find out why when you listen to Alistair Begg on Truth For Life. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series A Study in Daniel’ • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Free Ebook! Names Above All Names by Alistair Begg and Sinclair Ferguson. Deepen your relationship with Christ by knowing more about Him as the True Prophet, Seed of the Woman, Son of Man, Suffering Servant, Conquering King, Lamb on the Throne, and Great High Priest. Comes with a companion study guide! ‘Download Now.’ Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | X This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today’s program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

Sometimes when we’re in a heated conversation with a friend or family member, we tend to blurt things out that we later regret. And if we don’t choose our words carefully, their impact could be devastating! Dr. Robert Jeffress describes four types of harmful speech we should avoid at all costs. To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org/donate.

Do you find it difficult to consistently walk with God amidst all the pressures and demands of life? In this program, Chip’s in 2nd Timothy chapter two, explaining how we can build strong spiritual roots to withstand anything that comes our way.ResourcesMessage NotesSpecial OffersConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookYouTubePartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Luke 1:26–38 For centuries, theologians have wrestled with how God could become a human being. The mystery of the incarnation—God taking on flesh—strains the limits of human comprehension. But Scripture doesn’t leave us to wonder. It tells us how it happened. In Luke 1:26–38, Pastor Chuck Swindoll examines the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary and the Holy Spirit’s role in bringing the Son of God into the world. The Spirit’s most significant mission was not power—it was presence, bringing Christ to earth. Stand in wonder before the Spirit’s greatest work. Let this passage renew your awe of the incarnation and deepen your confidence in a God for whom nothing is impossible.

What's the true purpose behind baptism? Christ's own baptism reveals a profound model of obedience and divine identity. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explains why Jesus was baptized and what it means. When we too are baptized, we identify ourselves with all that Jesus did on our behalf. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.   SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Daily Devotional and Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/

True forgiveness means the offense committed against us is gone. It is taken away, and we have no reason to bring it up again. Today, R.C. Sproul surveys some of the challenges we face when extending forgiveness. Get R.C. Sproul's video teaching series Dealing with Difficult Problems when you donate today. You'll receive the DVD, digital access to all 6 messages, and the digital study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Learn how to cultivate lasting, godly love for the people in your life.Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/generalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Share a commentSome words are so familiar we stop hearing them, until we realize they’ve been shaping us the whole time. We take on the vocabulary of our homes, our friends, our stress, our screens and then we wonder why our faith feels thin when life gets loud. Today we slow down and look straight at the Third Commandment: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” and why it speaks to far more than profanity.We talk about why God’s name is never just a label. In the Bible, a name carries character, reputation, and identity, so dragging God’s name into anger, jokes, manipulation, or casual slang is a spiritual issue, not a manners issue. Stephen Davey breaks down three major misuses: profanity (using God’s name in the wrong context), hypocrisy (using His name for the wrong reason), and insincerity (using His name with the wrong attitude). Along the way, we confront the subtle danger of spiritual-sounding shortcuts like “God told me” or “God led me” when they’re used to win an argument or bypass wise counsel.You’ll walk away with clear next steps for Christian living and discipleship: build a habit of reverent speech, ask God to “post a guard” at your mouth, and remember that we represent Jesus Christ as His ambassadors. If you need prayer, we’d be honored to pray for you, and if you want to grow steadily in Scripture, we’ll point you to tools that help.Subscribe to Wisdom for the Heart, share this with a friend who cares about faith in real life, and leave a review so more people can find biblical teaching that changes how we live and speak. What’s one phrase you want to remove from your vocabulary starting today?Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Connecting with another person is a unique and special blessing. And when you come to know that person and rely on them, you place trust in them. So what do you do when that trust is shattered? Lysa TerKeurst shares her personal stories of her divorce and friendships lost due to broken trust. She’ll help you learn how to have healthy and godly perspectives about trust and relationships so you can get on a path toward healing.Receive a copy of I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t and an audio download of "When Trust is Hard: Overcoming Betrayal and Broken Relationships" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.Get more episode resources Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly! If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

All Christians can rest in the security of knowing they have peace with God for eternity. But that’s not the only kind of peace we’re meant to experience. Dr. David Jeremiah shares how we can experience the deep, abiding peace of God every day.

On today's episode or Truth Talk Live, Mike Zwick discusses the topic of  what would cause a Christian  to leave the church?   Please listen to Truth Talk Live daily from 4 to 5 on the Truth Network Please be sure to listen to If Not For God every Saturday!

On this episode of Truth Talk Live, Robby Dilmore welcomes Pastor Michael Sadovsy and his interpreter, Roman Aren, to share how their ministry is reaching people throughout Israel with the hope of Jesus. Hear Michael's powerful testimony of freedom from heroin addiction, learn how Living Israel has planted ministries in cities across the country, and discover how believers are serving immigrants, Holocaust survivors, struggling families, and those in desperate need during wartime. This inspiring conversation highlights God's faithfulness, the importance of praying for Israel, and the life changing power of the gospel in the midst of crisis. Learn more about the ministry at LivingIsrael.org

Under California Governor Gavin Newsom's watch, state Attorney General Rob Bonta has been accused of "rigging" the upcoming midterm elections. Proposition 39 is a proposed measure on the ballot that will require voters to provide ID when at the polls and prove their citizenship when they register to vote. However, AG Bonta has changed the title of the measure to confuse California voters. The Sekulow team discusses California's election chaos, the Trump Administration's efforts to bolster election integrity, the ACLJ's legal work – and much more.

We know God is holy — but what does that word actually mean? In this episode, we pick up where yesterday's conversation left off and work through what Scripture reveals about the holiness of God: that He is absolutely pure, and that He is awful in the truest sense of the word — full of awe, a consuming fire.We look at what happened every time someone encountered that holiness directly, from Moses hiding his face to Isaiah crying out that he was undone. We also talk honestly about how easy it is to carry a diminished, distorted view of God — bringing Him down to our level the way the Greeks did with their gods — and why the standard of righteousness was never the person next to us, but God Himself. The episode closes with real pastoral guidance: look at your sin honestly, but don't stay there. Conviction is meant to lead you to confession, forgiveness, and healing.Dr. Shah writes a personal letter every week — reflections on Scripture, faith, and living it out with clarity and purpose. Join the family: https://abidanshah.com/join-the-family/If you enjoyed the show, please like and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, and also subscribe to our YouTube channel. This is an excellent way to stay connected to the Clearview team and ensure you don't miss a thing. Another great way to support the show is to use promo code TODAY when checking out at mightymuscadine.com.To learn more about Clearview Church, visit us at clearviewbc.org. If you have any questions or want to contact us, email us at contact@clearviewtodayshow.com or text us at 252-429-6069.Check out the links below for more content from Dr. Shah and the Clearview team!Read - https://abidanshah.com/books/Watch - https://www.youtube.com/@abidanshahphdListen - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sermons-by-abidan-shah-ph-d/id619888508Clearview Worship - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2m3OQUdBsucUTj6AFHg81SSupport the showDr. Shah writes a personal letter every week — reflections on Scripture, faith, and living it out with clarity and purpose. GET THE LETTER If you enjoyed the show, please like and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, and also subscribe to our YouTube channel. This is an excellent way to stay connected to the Clearview team and ensure you don't miss a thing.PRE-ORDER BYZANTINE TEXTFORM: https://subsplash.com/u/-MPJ586/forms/d/1090d08a-49c0-498a-ad97-5c0fd575fa9eSUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:MIGHTY MUSCADINE SUPPLEMENTSLEBLEU ULTRA-PURE WATERKEEP YOUR KIDS PROTECTED ONLINE--->> DR SHAH'S BOOKS>> SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE>> CHECK OUT ALL OUR SHOWS

Life's unexpected detours are never wasted in God's hands. Dr. Tony Evans begins Joseph's story by showing how God uses delays to prepare us for destiny.

The world will always be hostile to God and His people. But in the midst of difficulties and opposition, God calls His people to righteousness. On this episode of The Verdict, Pastor John Munro helps us realize that following Jesus is costly—but we are to be faithful and courageous. We’re to do what is right, and leave the consequences to God.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that durability means drawing closer to God, especially during hard and dangerous times. Trouble is not a reason to quit. A strong believer follows Christ, not just in word, but in actions as well.

Living the Enoch Lifestyle: The 243-Year Secret | Until He Comes  What does it really mean to walk with God in a world that has completely lost its way? In this episode, Bible teacher Greg Hinnant returns to our series, Living the Enoch Lifestyle, to unearth surprising, little-known, and illuminating truths about one of the Bible's most mysterious figures. Scripture calls Enoch the "seventh from Adam"―But what is the weighty spiritual message hidden within that title? We're diving deep into a mind-boggling timeline: Enoch was Adam's contemporary for 243 years. Imagine the firsthand instruction, the brokenhearted accounts of Eden, and the foundational wisdom passed from the first man to the man who escaped death. For more information about the ministry or find more of Dr. Hinnant's books please visit: https://greghinnantministries.org/   "If This message has blessed you then like, share, and subscribe. And please consider helping us Stay on the air by sending your tax-deductible donations to Greg Hinnant Ministries. May You walk closely with Christ, trusting and obeying Him in your daily tests of patience UNTIL HE COMES..."   #UntilHeComes #GregHinnant #LivingTheEnochLifestyle #WalkWithGod #Enoch #BibleTeaching #ChristianPodcast #ChristianRadio #BibleStudy #EndTimes #Rapture #Prophecy #JesusIsComing #ChristReturn #Faith #Discipleship #AbideInChrist #BiblicalTruth #Scripture #ChristianLiving #LastDays #HopeInChrist #Gospel #KingdomOfGod #PrepareForHisComing

The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 teaches us how to deal with the giants in our lives. In this message, Adrian Rogers reveals God's plan for His children is to live like kings and queens in victory.