A Prayer to Rest in God‘s Goodness When Everything is ChangingBy Keri Eichberger "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." – Psalm 23:6 I finally found the photo I'd been looking for. It had been taken just short of four years ago at the wake of my beloved "Papa." It was a sweet captured moment on my phone of me and my sister, Amy, with our grandmother, who'd just lost the love of her life, sitting side-by-side with her only sister, Mitza. I was prompted to share the memory with Amy as Mitza had suddenly passed the prior day. Dodie, as we knew my maternal grandmother, had sadly left us not even two years before that. And what finally cracked the emotional well within us both was playing the live photo I'd sent, to hear the voice of Amy's also recently deceased husband chiming, "One, two, three, look at me." A stamped memory of four people we loved dearly-that less than four years ago were precious, prominent threads woven deeply into the joy-filled parts of the beautiful quilt of our lives-now gone. Left as treasures to store away in our souls. In the moment, I was taken back by my reaction and words released in solitude. I can't take it anymore. Lord, no more. I continued reflecting. So much has changed. This hurts too much. I know this is part of life, but it's happening too fast. For once, I allowed myself to unload on God and feel. Many times in the past, I would suppress what felt like nonsense and smother my feelings with the truths of God that I had grown in confidence of. He is in control. He certainly loves me. He's always with me. It will all be OK. Yes, God is still good. God is indeed good.And this is where I want to place our primary focus today. Well, first, I want to validate and justify the pain and struggle of change. You may not necessarily be grieving the loss of loved ones, or maybe you are. But it may look more like a child that has moved out, a divorce changing your entire family dynamic, a life-altering diagnosis, or possibly a job or career change. Whatever the change you are currently encountering, know that with any change comes a death to the old. A way of life that you may have come to find great comfort in. There is no denying that death or loss of anything that has brought us joy can cause hurt, discomfort, and grief. I feel it. You can allow yourself to feel it, too. But bring your feelings before the Lord. Because though God is still in control and has a good plan for your future, he also knows it won't always be easy, and he continues to care so deeply. He knows that it will be hard, but he still loves you like crazy through it all. And his love will follow you through it all. Which means his goodness will also follow you. Yes, he knows there is so much good ahead, and because of his constant love, he stays with us with compassion through the growing, persevering pains we weather.  God is still good. He is good because he is there when we hurt. He is good because he cares and shows up when we suffer. He is good because he'll never leave. And he is good because he will write, and is most certainly still writing, a really good story with your life. He is good because he is God. The God of perfect love. The ever-present, loving, good God over all creation. When you hurt because of all that's changed, or what you've lost, like I did coming across that picture, our God is there. When you fear more change is close, our good, sovereign God is still there. And when you find yourself weighed down by a future that will likely become unrecognizable and drenched with more loss, remember our good God. Our Almighty, loving Father, who will 100% still and always be there. His constant love for you means good for you throughout your entire life. He is good now-I bet if you look close enough around you, you'll see it-and he will be good for all eternity. Rest in his goodness this very moment with me. His faithful, unfailing, always-following goodness. Let's pray: Dear heavenly Father, this world is continually changing, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Sometimes it hurts. Deeply. Lord, we know you are in control, and we know you love us. But it still hurts. Help us to look around, see the good, and focus on your unwavering goodness. On the truth that no matter what we lose, no matter what comfort escapes our comfortable worlds, you are always there following us, and you are still so good. You can see what we can not. You know your plan is good. Give us confidence and comfort today in your good plan. And help us rest in your good and perfectly loving, sovereign hands. Thank you for blessing us abundantly. Thank you for staying near to our broken hearts and for saving our crushed spirits. (Psalm 34:18) In Your faithful Name, Jesus, we pray, amen. Photo credit: Unsplash/Suzanne D Williams Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer to Rest in God‘s Goodness When Everything Is Changing – Your Daily Prayer – June 6 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer to Rest in God‘s Goodness When Everything is ChangingBy Keri Eichberger "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." – Psalm 23:6 I finally found the photo I'd been looking for. It had been taken just short of four years ago at the wake of my beloved "Papa." It was a sweet captured moment on my phone of me and my sister, Amy, with our grandmother, who'd just lost the love of her life, sitting side-by-side with her only sister, Mitza. I was prompted to share the memory with Amy as Mitza had suddenly passed the prior day. Dodie, as we knew my maternal grandmother, had sadly left us not even two years before that. And what finally cracked the emotional well within us both was playing the live photo I'd sent, to hear the voice of Amy's also recently deceased husband chiming, "One, two, three, look at me." A stamped memory of four people we loved dearly-that less than four years ago were precious, prominent threads woven deeply into the joy-filled parts of the beautiful quilt of our lives-now gone. Left as treasures to store away in our souls. In the moment, I was taken back by my reaction and words released in solitude. I can't take it anymore. Lord, no more. I continued reflecting. So much has changed. This hurts too much. I know this is part of life, but it's happening too fast. For once, I allowed myself to unload on God and feel. Many times in the past, I would suppress what felt like nonsense and smother my feelings with the truths of God that I had grown in confidence of. He is in control. He certainly loves me. He's always with me. It will all be OK. Yes, God is still good. God is indeed good.And this is where I want to place our primary focus today. Well, first, I want to validate and justify the pain and struggle of change. You may not necessarily be grieving the loss of loved ones, or maybe you are. But it may look more like a child that has moved out, a divorce changing your entire family dynamic, a life-altering diagnosis, or possibly a job or career change. Whatever the change you are currently encountering, know that with any change comes a death to the old. A way of life that you may have come to find great comfort in. There is no denying that death or loss of anything that has brought us joy can cause hurt, discomfort, and grief. I feel it. You can allow yourself to feel it, too. But bring your feelings before the Lord. Because though God is still in control and has a good plan for your future, he also knows it won't always be easy, and he continues to care so deeply. He knows that it will be hard, but he still loves you like crazy through it all. And his love will follow you through it all. Which means his goodness will also follow you. Yes, he knows there is so much good ahead, and because of his constant love, he stays with us with compassion through the growing, persevering pains we weather.  God is still good. He is good because he is there when we hurt. He is good because he cares and shows up when we suffer. He is good because he'll never leave. And he is good because he will write, and is most certainly still writing, a really good story with your life. He is good because he is God. The God of perfect love. The ever-present, loving, good God over all creation. When you hurt because of all that's changed, or what you've lost, like I did coming across that picture, our God is there. When you fear more change is close, our good, sovereign God is still there. And when you find yourself weighed down by a future that will likely become unrecognizable and drenched with more loss, remember our good God. Our Almighty, loving Father, who will 100% still and always be there. His constant love for you means good for you throughout your entire life. He is good now-I bet if you look close enough around you, you'll see it-and he will be good for all eternity. Rest in his goodness this very moment with me. His faithful, unfailing, always-following goodness. Let's pray: Dear heavenly Father, this world is continually changing, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Sometimes it hurts. Deeply. Lord, we know you are in control, and we know you love us. But it still hurts. Help us to look around, see the good, and focus on your unwavering goodness. On the truth that no matter what we lose, no matter what comfort escapes our comfortable worlds, you are always there following us, and you are still so good. You can see what we can not. You know your plan is good. Give us confidence and comfort today in your good plan. And help us rest in your good and perfectly loving, sovereign hands. Thank you for blessing us abundantly. Thank you for staying near to our broken hearts and for saving our crushed spirits. (Psalm 34:18) In Your faithful Name, Jesus, we pray, amen. Photo credit: Unsplash/Suzanne D Williams Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer to Rest in God‘s Goodness When Everything Is Changing – Your Daily Prayer – June 6 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Intelligence and law enforcement officials are preparing to flee the United States to avoid being thrown in jail if Donald Trump is re-elected, according to former FBI chief Andrew McCabe who told CNN’s The Source [...] The post McCabe: ‘Terrified’ Intelligence Officials Preparing To Flee US To Avoid Jail If Trump Is Re-Elected appeared first on The People's Voice.

In the face of climate change, many people question the importance of individual actions in ensuring a sustainable future. While institutional change is necessary, environmentalist and author Heather White emphasizes the importance of individual choices. White states that “Individual action drives culture change, and without culture change, global policies and market solutions will not work.” Finding purpose in sustainability: pinpointing your climate “why” White encourages people to establish their “climate ‘why’,” which is a personal reason for embracing sustainability. For her, “being a good ancestor” entails emphasizing justice and environmental care for future generations. This introspective practice helps people relate their values to their actions, which fosters a feeling of purpose in sustainability efforts. Envisioning a better future: visualizing your ideal 2030 White’s approach includes visualizing an ideal future. Individuals can set concrete goals and hopes for change by envisioning a society in which sustainability is prioritized. This exercise enables individuals to advocate for systemic changes and contribute to a more equal and resilient society. Nature as a solution: accepting ecological restoration White offers the idea of nature as a climate solution, emphasizing the importance of healthy ecosystems in carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Individuals can help to improve global climate resilience by preserving and restoring natural areas. Initiatives such as rewilding and native plant gardening provide simple ways to contribute to ecological restoration. Connecting with the natural world: fostering awe and appreciation Amid environmental anxiety, White highlights the necessity of connecting with nature to reduce stress and promote a sense of awe. Spending time outside allows people to enjoy the beauty of nature and be inspired by its resilience. Whether through forest hikes or urban green spaces, interacting with nature may rekindle enthusiasm and purpose in sustainability initiatives.  The post 4 tips for everyday eco-friendly living first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Set to make history, Tennessee will offer free diapers to Medicaid families, making it the first state in the US to do so. This effort, just approved by federal officials, is set to begin in August. Following closely, Delaware gained similar government approval to expand a trial program that provides free diapers and wipes to postpartum parents for the first three months after birth. These programs represent an important step toward addressing the growing public health challenge of diaper needs among low-income households. Addressing diaper need: an emerging public health concern Public health advocates have long emphasized the difficulties that low-income families confront in purchasing enough diapers. Inadequate diaper supply can pose serious health concerns to newborns, including diaper rash and urinary tract infections, and have far-reaching social and economic consequences for their parents. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), babies typically need eight to ten diapers per day, which equates to around 300 diapers each month. Toddlers, on the other hand, require approximately 150 diapers monthly. “Diaper rash is one of the most common medical conditions for infants and toddlers, and changing diapers frequently is the mainstay of recommendations to prevent this condition,” CMS noted in their May 17 approval letter to Tennessee. A transformative diaper program in Tennessee TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, will soon provide families with up to 100 diapers each month for children under the age of two, available at TennCare pharmacies. This campaign is part of a larger effort to help needy families spearheaded by Republican Governor Bill Lee. Tennessee lawmakers agreed in 2023 to allocate $30 million in TennCare cash for the free diaper program. “Strong families are central to strong communities, and Tennessee is leading the nation in prioritizing resources for families in need,” said Governor Lee. “We are the first state in the nation to cover the cost of diapers for mothers in the first two years of a child’s life, and we hope this is a model for others.” Delaware’s pilot program extension In Delaware, a similar program offers postpartum mothers up to 80 diapers and one box of baby wipes every week for the first twelve weeks following birth. With CMS approval, this pilot program will be extended for an additional five years. The Delaware Health and Social Services stressed the program’s dual benefits, stating that an adequate diaper supply not only minimizes newborn health issues but also reduces maternal stress and depression. “Access to sufficient diapers offers health benefits to the parent, as well, as diaper need is associated with maternal depression and stress,” explained Martha Lodge, a spokesperson for the Delaware Health and Social Services. Expanding access to Medicaid Along with the diaper benefit, Tennessee obtained authority to raise TennCare’s income limit for parents to 100 percent of the federal poverty level. Previously, income eligibility was limited to certain monthly amounts. Under the revised standards, a parent in a three-person home can now earn up to $2,000 per month, up from $1,600. According to the Sycamore Institute, a Tennessee think tank, this adjustment provides Tennessee with the highest income eligibility for parents and caregivers of the ten states that have not significantly expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A contrast in federal funding decisions Tennessee’s aggressive attitude on free diapers contrasts sharply with some of its other federal funding selections. Tennessee decided earlier this year to participate in a federal program that provides low-income families $40 per child per month for food during the school year for one year, intending to withdraw in 2025. A model for the nation? As Tennessee and Delaware implement these policies, they set a precedent that may encourage other states to explore similar steps. These initiatives focus not just on giving critical supplies to newborns, but also on improving the general well-being of families. States that address diaper demand can help reduce baby health issues, relieve parental stress, and promote stronger communities. These initiatives emphasize the necessity of state-led efforts to address public health issues, as well as the possibility for innovative programs to enhance the lives of vulnerable communities. Policymakers and public health advocates around the country will surely be keeping a close eye on how these projects progress.    The post Free diapers for Medicaid families opens a new frontier in public health first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

“I call myself a cultural Christian, but I’m not a believer,” stated the famed atheist Richard Dawkins in a recent interview with Rachel Johnson of LBC News. “I love hymns and Christmas carols, and I sort of feel at home in the Christian ethos,” he continued. He wants the cathedrals and parish churches that speckle England’s landscape, just without the faith nonsense that informs them. This interview is yet another signal that culture is changing. Even atheists seem to long for something transcendent. Nietzsche quipped that “God is dead.” And in many ways, he was right; in the West, “God” is dead in the sense that Christianity’s theological and moral claims have become unbelievable and no longer unify society. The age of Christendom in the West, beginning with Constantine, saw Christianity slowly suppress paganism and establish cultural hegemony, but the tide is turning. It seems we’re back where we started. The age of the Caesars is, once again, upon us. Like in a Percy Jackson novel, the pagan gods have taken up residence in our world, becoming the spiritual thread uniting our society and informing its moral imagination. As Christians look for ways to live faithfully in the world, the ancient church provides a helpful model for living in a world that seems increasingly pagan. Back to a Pagan World In his book Full Circle: How the Classical World Came Back to Us, British political commentator Ferdinand Mount draws out the parallels between modern and ancient moral diversity in striking fashion: By the time of the Antonine emperors in the second century AD—that period which Gibbon regarded as the summit of human felicity—Rome was a ferment of religious choice. You could believe in anything or nothing. You could put your trust in astrologers, snake-charmers, prophets and diviners and magicians; you could take your pick between half a dozen creation myths and several varieties of resurrection. Or if you belonged to the educated elite, you could read the poetry of Lucretius and subscribe to a strictly materialist description of the universe. In short, this is a time when anything goes and the weirdest, most frenzied creations of the human mind jostle with the most beautiful visions, the most inspiring spiritual challenges and the most challenging lines of scientific inquiry. It is hard to think of any period quite like it, before or since—until our own time. Mount is not alone in identifying the second century as the closest parallel to our time. Historian Carl Trueman comes to a similar conclusion at the end of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. Similarly in Pagans and Christians in the City, legal scholar Steven D. Smith frames his recommendations for Christian cultural navigation with the second century church in mind. The vacuum created by the supposed death of God is being filled by paganism. We are experiencing a new iteration of the ancient struggle between paganism and Christianity. Imminent Frame A key parallel between the ancient pagan world and our own is the exclusive attention on the immediate world. This narrow focus on a tiny slice of time is a form of “modern paganism,” as T. S. Eliot calls it, and is dominant in the West. Others, such as Smith, draw attention to this parallel and note pagans lack any serious vision of transcendence, which curtails their view of reality. A key parallel between the ancient pagan world and our own is the exclusive attention on the immediate world. Robert Bellah and others note the modern tendency toward an “expressive individualism,” which is another symptom of this denial of transcendence. For the ancient pagan and the modern secularist, their only concern is this world and its immediate problems. They have no conception of where things are headed and, more importantly, no real hope to lean on. This attention to the immediate world closely relates to philosopher Charles Taylor’s description of an “immanent frame” whereby people today see the immediate world and the internal person as the focus of reality. This world, this age, these people are the only things that matter. There’s nothing transcendent, nothing timeless—no God above us nor heaven awaiting us. For the pagan world, the Roman empire was their immanent frame, and one’s existence only mattered if it fueled the empire’s glorification. Christians work from a different perspective. This world isn’t all there is, and God’s kingdom will not be seen or realized in its fullness until Christ comes again in glory. We never forget we’re embedded in this world to do the work of the Lord, but we’re always pilgrims longing for home. Pursue Cultural Sanctification The church thrived in the age of the Caesars by pursuing holiness and conformity to the likeness of Christ in any and every cultural context. This is what I call “cultural sanctification.” The process of cultural sanctification requires defending the faith, sharing the good news of salvation in Christ, and visibly embodying the virtues of Christian spirituality. Working from the margins, they were able to slowly and steadily persuade their neighbors that the Christian life offers something so much better for the world. Christians such as Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus of Lyons weren’t part of the cultural elite but, following the apostles’ footsteps, worked from below and slowly and steadily guided the church through a pagan world. They didn’t sit in the prominent seats of the senate nor hobnob among the intellectuals populating the philosophical schools. Instead, they worked “organically,” beginning with sincere and robust forms of catechesis and discipleship, slowly guiding people in Christian doctrine and morality, reshaping the way they viewed the world. The church was a school for the broken, the downcast, and those longing to see a better world, and the Christian vision of life guided their way toward true human flourishing. The church was a school for the broken, the downcast, and those longing to see a better world, and the Christian vision of life guided their way toward true human flourishing. We can learn from the example of the early church, who emphasized the need for the fruit of the Spirit in their public lives. Discipled in their vision of the good life, the early church reoriented their lives in the ways they approached both political and social spheres. Following the apostles, they cultivated an active citizenship—fearing God and honoring the king (1 Pet. 2:13–14)—and a culturally discerning spiritual life that navigated their pagan world’s virtues and vices. Through it all, they challenged each other to walk in hope, knowing the Lord had assured them he’d return to judge the living and the dead and establish a kingdom that has no end. Continued Trust There are many differences between our world and the ancient one. We’re watching the demise of a Christian culture instead of starting from scratch, and we must learn to grieve the loss of institutions and choose wisely between trying to revive them or creating new ones. I suspect our strategy needs to be a prudent combination, but we must let wisdom guide us and work toward cooperation among Christians. We live in a world where some say “Long live the gods.” We need not despair; we’ve been here before. God is not dead. So, just like last time, God will see us through.

I was preparing to begin a four-month series on the Holy Spirit and one of my older pastor friends said, “That’s great. How many people do you think you’ll lose?” He wasn’t entirely joking, and I knew we had important but challenging conversations ahead. It’s an unfortunate reality that division, confusion, and disunity exist around our views on the Spirit. But one of the Spirit’s primary roles is to bring unity to believers and churches. Over and over in Scripture, there’s a direct connection between the Spirit and unity. Learning to walk in the Spirit is essential for the individual Christian and for the local church. As J. I. Packer wrote in Keeping in Step with the Spirit, “Apart from [the Spirit], not only will there be no lively believers and no lively congregations, there will be no believers and no congregations at all. But in fact the church continues to live and grow, for the Spirit’s ministry has not failed, nor ever will, with the passage of time.” We need to be willing to engage the Bible and see its vision for a truly supernatural lifestyle—a “walk by the Spirit” kind of life (see Gal. 5:25). Introducing the Spirit of God On the night of his arrest, Jesus said these words to prepare his followers for his death: If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (John 14:15–20) Put yourself in the disciples’ sandals. Imagine you’ve been walking with Jesus for three years. What have you seen? Miracles. His teachings. Healings—so many incredible healings. This man, you’re sure of it now, is the true Son of God. But now, he looks around the table and essentially says, “I’m going away. I’m leaving. I’m going back to the Father.” Imagine the confusion. Imagine the immensity of your grief. What do you mean you’re leaving us? Later, he says, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (16:7). Trinitarian Identity Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God. He is the third member of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit. Gregg Allison in The Holy Spirit writes, The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, equal in terms of nature, power, and glory with the Father (the first person) and the Son (the second person). Thus, whatever we may affirm of the Father, we may equally affirm of the Son, and we may equally affirm of the Holy Spirit: he is all-powerful, everywhere present, all-knowing, eternal, independent, loving, just, unchanging, truthful, faithful, wise, holy, good, and more. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, equal in terms of nature, power, and glory with the Father and the Son. Consider how the Scriptures describe the Spirit of God: He is God (Matt. 12:22–32; Acts 5:3–4; 2 Cor. 3:12–18). He is eternal (Gen. 1:1–2). He is our Advocate—our comforter or helper who strengthens and sustains and empowers us and advocates on our behalf before the Father (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). He rested on Jesus at his baptism (Matt. 3:16) and empowered him for his ministry (Luke 4:14). He understands God’s thoughts and teaches us to understand (1 Cor. 2:10–13). He gives us new life (John 3:3–8; Rom. 8:11). Further, the Spirit is called “the breath of the Almighty” (Job 33:4), “the power of the Most High” (Luke 1:35), “the Spirit of life” (Rom. 8:2), “the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29), “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17), “the Spirit of wisdom” (Eph. 1:17), “the Spirit of holiness” (Rom. 1:4), and “the Spirit of glory” (1 Pet. 4:14). Holy Spirit’s Work Too often, we think of the Spirit as an impersonal force, not a person. We sometimes accidentally refer to the Spirit as an “it” instead of a “he.” But over and over, the Scriptures show us the Spirit’s personhood in referring to all he does. He speaks (in 16 places, mostly in Acts). He teaches or testifies (five instances, including three in John 14–16). He can be sinned against (John 15–16), lied to (Acts 5), and insulted (Heb. 10), and he encourages (Acts 9) and strengthens (Eph. 3). Perhaps we might consider one final way to understand and appreciate the Spirit and his work. What would be missing without the Spirit? Here’s a summary of Allison’s list from God, Gift, and Guide: The existence of the world and everything it contains Awareness of our sin and need for Jesus to save us New birth and conversion (i.e., becoming a Christian) Being united with Christ, justified, and adopted by God Sanctification (our progressive maturity in the Christian life) Understanding and applying the Bible Prayer to God for help, wisdom, and depth of relationship Unity in the church Effectiveness in evangelism, mission, and preaching Spiritual gifts for building up the church Our future resurrected bodies The new heaven and new earth The Spirit is involved in everything needed for creation, salvation, growth, and the renewal of all things. But in all these activities, one thing is at the center of his essence and activity. The Spirit is God’s empowering presence. He isn’t merely omnipresent in a general sense; he’s present with us. The Spirit’s presence means not simply that “God is there” but that “God is here.” The difference between God’s omnipresence and the Spirit’s presence with us might be compared to the difference between being in the same room as my mother and sitting face-to-face with her as we share a meal and talk about life. In summary, the Holy Spirit is God; he’s the third member of the Trinity. We need him for absolutely everything. And thankfully, God the Father is eager to give the Spirit to those who seek him (Luke 11:13). The Father pours out the Spirit on all who believe in Jesus, giving us new birth and welcoming us into a life of joy, peace, and strength as we walk by his Spirit. Walk in the Spirit Paul, the apostle of the Spirit, continually calls believers to engage deeply in life in the Spirit. In Galatians 5:16–25, he references the Spirit seven times in his appeal to Christian holiness and growth. His appeal culminates in this powerful call: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (v. 25). Of course, we “live by the Spirit,” which means the Spirit is the One who brings us out of darkness and into light by illuminating Christ and applying salvation to us. But it then calls us to “keep in step with the Spirit.” The Spirit doesn’t transform us and leave us. He’s not a momentary presence. He’s our abiding, empowering presence. What does it mean to walk with (or keep in step with) the Spirit? Paul’s word for “walk” is stoicheo, which means walking in a line and proceeding another another’s control. To walk by or with the Spirit is to do two things: to put off the flesh and to put on a new, Spirit-filled way of life. Follow the Spirit, live under his control, and don’t walk by the flesh. To walk by or with the Spirit is to do two things: to put off the flesh and to put on a new, Spirit-filled way of life. First, to walk by the Spirit, according to Paul, means putting off the old way of life, “the works of the flesh” (v. 19). It means rejecting sin in all its forms. Living by the Spirit is living in the way of obedience and holiness. Where the Spirit is present, holiness abounds too. Second, to walk by the Spirit is to put on the new way of life, to be “led by the Spirit.” It’s to be under his control and direction. It’s not just the absence of sin; it’s the presence of goodness and love and power. Spiritual Fruit The result of this twofold walking in the Spirit is the development of spiritual fruit. It’s to develop the character of Christ—to develop Christlike “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (vv. 22–23). None of this happens without our participation. The giving of the Spirit comes at God’s initiative, but we must seek to be increasingly filled with the Spirit. The giving of the Spirit comes at God’s initiative, but we must seek to be increasingly filled with the Spirit. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul writes, “Be filled with the Spirit.” Curiously, he’s writing to a group of believers whom he has just said already has the Spirit (1:13–14). So why would he tell those who have the Spirit to now be filled with the Spirit? Almost certainly, this means we’re to seek a continuous and abiding relationship with the Spirit. We can find ongoing spiritual renewal in the Spirit, and the development of Christlike character will come as we allow the Spirit to produce fruit in us. In summary, Paul’s letters invite us to this life: put off the ways of the flesh and walk by the Spirit, being continually filled with the Spirit, and the result will be a life of Christlike spiritual fruit. Come, Holy Spirit “Understanding the Holy Spirit is a crucial task for Christian theology at all times,” writes Packer. “For where the Spirit’s ministry is studied, it will also be sought after, and where it is sought after, spiritual vitality will result.” We don’t have to be afraid of the Spirit. As C. S. Lewis wrote of Aslan, “’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” There’s nothing to be afraid of in pursuing the Spirit of God. The only thing I’m afraid of is settling for half of what God offers us—to worship him in truth but not in the Spirit (John 4:23–24). As a pastor, I don’t want to do ministry in my own strength and intellect. I don’t want to play church for the next 30 years. I don’t want to be in control. I don’t want my congregation to be a work of human nature. I don’t want to wonder how long it would take for us to even notice if the Spirit lifted from us. The Spirit doesn’t have to be a difficult doctrine. More truly, the Spirit is our beautiful God, the third person of the Trinity. Everything he has for us is for our good. Therefore we pray, with believers from two millennia of church history, “Come, Holy Spirit.”

Get ready to defeat all those enemies walking around the Pale Heart in Destiny 2. Here is everything you need to know about the Overthrow activity, including its tiers, chests, and rewards. What is the Overthrow activity in Destiny 2? Tiers and scoring, explained Overthrow is an overworld activity that will take place either at The Blooming, The Impasse, or The Landing right after completing the main campaign. This activity is quite simple at a simple glance: kill enemies, gain points, and collect your rewards. However, there are several interesting things you need to know beforehand. There are a total of three different tiers you can face in Overthrow, with each of them unlocking after collecting a total of 1,000 points. However, if you just keep shooting at any Taken or Hive enemies you see, you will notice that the score only moves up by one point per kill. This is because kills are tallied differently depending on what type of enemy you defeat, with high-value targets ...

The networks appear to have filled their allotted Biden family scandal with continued coverage of the Hunter Biden federal trial on gun charges, leaving them with no room for the criminal referral to the Department of Justice filed by several House committees against both Hunter and Uncle Jimmy, for lying to Congress. Below you’ll find the sole mention of that referral across the dial- these 8 seconds on NBC Nightly News, a tack-on to the trial recap filed by correspondent Ryan Nobles: RYAN NOBLES: And back in Washington, House Republicans say they’ll file a criminal referral to the Department of Justice against Hunter and James Biden for lying to Congress. Yep, that’s all of it. 8 seconds on NBC. But that’s 8 seconds more than the giant donut that CBS and ABC threw on the board. Per the House Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means Committees, this seems like a fairly big deal that warranted significantly more than 8 seconds on the network evening news. Had the accused parties been named Trump, I am certain that the networks would have made time to air the related details. Over on its X feed, the House Oversight Committee put it this way: Our Committee, along with @JudiciaryGOP and @WaysandMeansGOP, today sent criminal referrals to the DOJ recommending Hunter and James Biden be charged with making false statements to Congress about key aspects of the impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden. These false statements implicate Joe Biden’s knowledge of and role in his family’s influence peddling schemes and appear to be a calculated effort to shield Joe Biden from the impeachment inquiry. During his deposition, Hunter Biden made false statements about holding a position at Rosemont Seneca Bohai (RSB), a corporate entity that received millions of dollars from foreign individuals and entities who met with then-Vice President Biden before and after transmitting money to the RSB account that then transferred funds to Hunter Biden. After deposing Hunter Biden, the Committees obtained documents showing Hunter Biden represented that he was the corporate secretary of RSB. There’s more both within the extended X thread, and within the actual referral letter (which you can view here). The referral alleges, in sum, that Hunter and James Biden gave false testimony to Congress in order to hide the current president’s involvement in a scheme to sell influence. The allegations plus the referral make for a major story that merits significantly more network newscast time than 8 throwaway seconds. Once again, the Regime Media protect Biden rather than report on him.