Why is faithfulness so hard? In Ephesians 6:10-17 (the well-known armor of God passage), the apostle Paul calls us to stand firm for Jesus. He reminds that standing firm is going to be hard because, as followers of Jesus, we have powerful enemies. Enemies way more powerful than if they were mere flesh and blood. Yet, so many of us are surprised when following Jesus is hard. We get frustrated when bad things happen to us. We seem to want life in Christ to be a walk in the park. Intellectually we may know otherwise, but emotionally and pragmatically we expect life to be more of a playground than battleground. And as a result we're unprepared to deal with the world as it actually is right now. Want to deepen your walk with God? Free Resource: The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Teaching through Bible books:  The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means and live it out. https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Suffering. It's a reality. We all experience hardship in some way at some point in life.  And suffering has the power to rock our faith. Are you there God? Don't you care? Why are you letting this happen to me? Where is God in the midst of our suffering?  In this episode, we explore how Psalm 23 and John 10 speak to this question.   Book:  The Bible and the Land, Gary Burge. Click to following link to check it out.  https://amzn.to/3jAkn3r   Bible Passages used in this episode: Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.   John 10:11-15 11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.   Want to deepen you connection with God? Free Resource: The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Teaching through Bible books:  The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means and live it out. https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram   ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net   As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.   *Note: some links are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission at no additional cost to you.  

How do you discern the voice of God? Does God speak to us today? If so, how does He speak to us? And how do you know it's his voice not just your own thoughts? These are important questions that have powerful life implications. And there is a lot of unclear and unhelpful teaching on this topic. What does the Bible say about how to hear God's voice and what it means to be led by the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit Book: Click this link to buy the book on walking in the Spirit by Kenneth Berding: https://amzn.to/2HeQQz0   Bible Passages referenced in the episode: Luke 9:33-36 33 And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.    John 8:31-32  So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”   Romans 8:14 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.   Romans 8:5-6 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,   Romans 8:12-14 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.    Want to deepen you connection with God? Free Resource: The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Teaching through Bible books:  The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means and live it out. https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.   *Note these notes contain affiliate links which mean I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

The single most important subject for us to think about is God. Who is he? What is he like? How do who know who He is and what He's like?  A. W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” And I agree that the stakes are that high - it affects our view of others, how we raise our kids, how we treat our coworkers and neighbors, and even how we view and feel about ourselves.  John 1:1-14 has some powerful insights for who God is.  Text:  John 1:1-5  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Want to deepen you connection with God? Free Resource: The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Teaching through Bible books:  The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means and live it out.  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.  

Galatians 2:11-21 recounts a conflict between the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter, over eating dinner with people. And for Paul, it's a gospel issue! What Paul says in this passage speaks powerfully to God's people today concerning this present cultural moment. Racism. Identity politics. Status and wealth. Political division. Our differences have never been sharper than they are right now and we need to the gospel to level us and transform the way we relate to our fellow Christians who are different than us.  Following Jesus has implications for who we "one another" with and how we "one another" with them.  Galatians 2:11-21 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. 17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Online Courses to help you learn and live the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/courses   Want to deepen you connection with God? The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Teaching through Bible books:  The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means. https://www.listenerscommentary.com Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.  

Are we living in the end times? 2020 has been a crazy year and has so many people asking: are these signs of the times ... is the end near? Is Jesus about to return? I know this is on lots of Christians minds because I have had emails and phone calls asking me about it. There are new YouTube videos about the end times and fresh predictions of Jesus' return.  But what does Jesus and his apostles have to say about it? Would they say they think we're living near the end times? In this episode we explore Matthew 24, as well as 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 and 2 Peter 3:10-11 to answer this question.  Bible Passages used in the episode: Matthew 24:32-36, 42-44 32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3  Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 2 Peter 3: 10-11 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness   FREE MINI-COURSE: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Teaching through Bible books: The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means. https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net   As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Sacred vs. Secular. Sacred music = church music or religious music. Secular music is non-religious.  Sacred activities = religious activities (attending church, reading the Bible, praying). Secular activities is everything else ... which is where we spend the majority of our time - working, cleaning, going to school, and all the stuff of everyday life.  But the Bible doesn't intend for you life to be divided like this.  In a biblical view of the world, everything is spiritual. The only proper division is righteous or unrighteous. And when we live our life unto God, paying the bills is just as spiritual as praying or preaching. Doing homework is just as sacred as doing Bible study.  Discipleship resources for churches and ministries:  https://www.johnwhittaker.net/bible-training-churches   Want to deepen you connection with God? The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/ https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker   Teaching through Bible books: The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means. https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram   ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net   As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.  

In Luke 8:4-18 (the Parable of the Sower) Jesus teaches us a critical truth: hearing the word of God isn't enough; it's the way you hear that really matters.  That means that Bible study alone isn't going to lead to spiritual maturity. In fact, there are some pretty smart people who know more Bible than most people and don't even believe in God or follow Jesus.  In the parable, there are 4 kinds of soils that represent 4 kinds of hearts: a hard heart, a shallow heart, a distracted heart, and a good heart. What makes the difference between the good heart and the other three? Tune it to find out ... and then check your heart!   TEXT   4 When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: 5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 8 Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 9 His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. 10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. 11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12 Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. 16 “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.17 For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”   Want to deepen you connection with God? The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Teaching through Bible books: The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means. https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net   As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.  

"Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Jesus quotes these words when he's being tempted by devil. But the words originally appear in Deuteronomy 8:3, and they provide a real challenge to us as followers of Jesus.   Deuteronomy 8:1-5 “The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.   Want to deepen you connection with God? The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/ Or become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker   Teaching through Bible books: The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means.  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram   ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net   As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email. 

Jesus was not afraid to use a little Bible teacher trash talk when dealing with the religious leaders of his day. He often challenged them on their knowledge of Scripture ... which is both fascinating and frightening. These were the Bible experts of the day and yet Jesus questioned their knowledge of the Bible! Since our spiritual growth is tied to our grasp of the Bible, there's an important lesson in this for us as disciples of Jesus. Do we truly know the Bible? What kind of posture do we have in relationship to the Bible? Do we stand over the text as masters of it or under the text as those who would be mastered by it?    Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/ Want to deepen you connection with God? The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse Teaching through Bible books: https://www.listenerscommentary.com Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.