Become New with John Ortberg

Discover the surprising wisdom of trying softer instead of harder in your spiritual journey. John Ortberg shares his personal experience with burnout and the transformative notion of letting go of control. Explore how excessive effort can backfire in various aspects of life, from sports to relationships. He introduces Jesus' invitation to the weary and emphasizes the importance of choosing the right yoke to find peace and transformation. Practical tips and prayer models are shared to help ease everyday pressures.

Change is a daily reality, shaping your character in ways both subtle and profound. Discover how each choice influences your inner self, pulling you toward virtues or pitfalls. Learn the importance of seeking God's kingdom over worldly distractions. John Ortberg shares insights from C.S. Lewis on the transformative power of moral choices and the dangers of self-righteousness. Embrace the challenge of dying to your old self, finding true change through divine strength rather than mere willpower. Let today be the start of your transformation.

Explore the emotional journey of forgiveness when painful memories linger. Discover how forgiving doesn't mean forgetting, and learn when memory can help or hinder healing. Dive into Joseph's story, illustrating the complexity of unresolved wounds. Understand that anger and forgiveness can coexist without leading to bitterness. John shares practical exercises to release unforgiveness and emphasizes the importance of making forgiveness a daily practice for spiritual growth.

Explore how ordinary routines can transform into sacred rhythms that redirect focus to God. Discover the concept of habit stacking to build new spiritual practices atop existing habits. Learn the importance of mindful prayer and how gratitude can be woven into daily meals. Dive into biblical examples of communal prayer and the call to adopt Christlike behaviors as replacements for harmful habits. Small, intentional changes can spark meaningful transformation in your spiritual journey.

Is God controlling or simply sovereign? This engaging discussion reveals how God's creative freedom invites us to trust Him more deeply. Learn how letting go of control can lead to spiritual freedom and creativity. Practical advice and biblical wisdom offer fresh perspectives on managing anxiety and the importance of responsibility in leadership. John Ortberg even encourages listeners to embrace deliberate mistakes to break free from perfectionism. Explore the transformative power of releasing control and living in trust.

Dive into the power of radical acceptance and see your body as a divine gift rather than a problem. Explore the damaging cultural standards of beauty and how they hinder true body acceptance. Discover how every body can be a place of God’s blessing and the importance of gratitude for our physical selves. John also introduces a thought-provoking perspective on consciousness without a body and shares a guided prayer to honor your embodiment. This is a heartfelt invitation to embrace and love the body you have.

The discussion dives into the importance of mental health but highlights that it shouldn't be life's ultimate goal. It challenges listeners to consider the limitations of mental health as simply feeling good. The talk emphasizes love as the highest aim, contrasting it with the pursuit of happiness. John explores the biblical concept of shalom, suggesting that true well-being encompasses caring for others. He warns against prioritizing comfort over love, urging a commitment to vulnerability, even if it brings pain.

“God will meet all your needs…” You’ve probably heard that line before, maybe hanging in a frame or scribbled in a journal. But what did Paul really mean when he wrote it from a prison cell to a struggling church? In this episode, we close out the letter to the Philippians by looking at one of the most quoted (and misunderstood) verses in Scripture. What does it actually mean for God to meet our needs? What are our real needs? And how can we live in joyful confidence, even when circumstances fall short? Let’s dig into the deeper, richer, more radical invitation in Paul’s words — one that offers both challenge and comfort in today’s world.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

Paul is writing from a world where generosity was often about power, the rich giving so the poor would owe them something. But in this new Jesus-shaped community, giving is about love. Gratitude is real. Generosity is mutual. And God is the true source of provision; not status, not wealth, not self-actualization.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF

Discover the idea that true joy might stem from having less, not more. John and Nancy explore a lighthouse keeper’s role as a metaphor for our spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of watching for God's work. Contentment, they argue, is fleeting and requires constant returning to faith. The discussion reveals that abundance doesn't equate to inner peace; rather, reliance on Christ is crucial. With God as our infinite anchor, listeners are encouraged to shift their focus from temporal desires to eternal truths.