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On this episode, we're talking about Christian married sex with Pastor Doug Hannah, author of Sex and Self Forgetfulness. Does your sex life reflect covenant love through self-forgetfulness rather than selfishness transactional “getting what I’m owed"? We'll talk about serving your spouse, sinning against conscience, and even losing one’s voice. Boundaries matter, and sex is designed by God to be mutually pleasurable and received with thanksgiving. Well also play “compliment ping pong” and answer an email about a manipulative husband.

Sex and Self-Forgetfulness

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Think about what you looked like in seventh grade. You say, "Oh, no! Please, I'd rather not." Are you thinking, "Man, what a hunk I was! What a Miss America!" Probably not.

Our daughter had a funny experience in her senior French class in high school. There was some down time and some girls were comparing their wallet pictures, including our daughter. She had her senior picture and she also had her seventh grade picture. The teacher asked what everybody was laughing at. Now, my daughter has always had a beautiful smile, but I've got to tell you in seventh grade it was decorated with braces. She had glasses. Her hair was kind of kinky and curly, and she looked like a seventh grader.

Well, her French teacher looked at that picture next to the very beautiful senior in her graduation picture; no glasses, long hair, carefully curled hair, big, blue eyes not concealed by glasses. And that teacher had a simple two-word reaction. I think it was the French words, "La Miracle!" Well, my daughter was laughing with her friends and her teacher at that seventh grade picture because, it wasn't her anymore.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Miraculously Changed."

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from 1 Corinthians 6:9. It starts out with very bad news and ends with some really good news. We read about people with a past here, with a reputation - a record. "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." That's a lot of guilt, a lot of shame, a lot of pain there.

But listen to 1 Corinthians 6:11. Stand by for the very good news. "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified." That means made special again. "You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." People who are cleaned up, made special again, made right with God; only one possible way, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It's like my daughter with her seventh grade picture. She couldn't laugh at it when she was that person, but she sure could as a senior because that photo represented who she was then, not now. That's the "la miracle" of being a new creation in Jesus Christ.

Here's what the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "When you're in Christ you're a new creation. The old is gone; a new life has begun." He not only changes your eternal future from hell to heaven and makes your present meaningful and satisfying, but He miraculously makes your past sins irrelevant. It may be that you're sometimes pursued by a past you wish you could do over or erase, but the question is, "Did you honestly bring it to Jesus' cross and repent of it?"

Well, if that's so, Acts 3:19 says, "Repent and turn to God and your sins will be wiped away and times of refreshing will come from the Lord." It's gone! God is treating you as if you're a whole new person.

Listen to this: "He carried our sins in His own body on the tree that we might die to sin and live for righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24). He's dealt with your past. It's all paid for on His cross. It's all part of the sorrows He carried and the sin He was crushed for.

This very day you can have every one of those sins erased from God's Book if you would come to Jesus and say, "Jesus, you died for my sin, I'm putting my trust in You." That miracle could take place for you this very day. I would love to show you how. Just go to our website - it's ANewStory.com.

You can tear up the old photo. That was you. It won't be you any more because of Jesus.

Read: Philippians 3:4-9

As Dad and Micah walked into the station, the train on the track gave two long whistles. “It looks like our train is almost ready to pull out—we must be later than I thought!” said Dad. “Good thing I got our tickets ahead of time. Come on!” They made a dash for it and were just settling down in their seats when the train began to move.

Micah was so excited he could hardly sit still. “I can’t believe we’re really going to see the Cubs play in person! How many miles is it to Chicago, Dad?”

“I don’t know exactly. You can ask the conductor. Here he comes now—get your ticket ready! Here, you can give him mine too.”

The conductor approached, and Micah proudly held out the tickets. “Thank you, young man,” the conductor said. He looked at the tickets, and then turned to Dad. “Sir, I’m afraid you’ve either got the wrong tickets or the wrong train. Your tickets are for Chicago, but this train is going to St. Louis.”

“Oh no!” exclaimed Dad. “How could I have made such a mistake? I was sure I had the right train.”

“You can get off at the next station,” the conductor said. “Then you can catch the first train back the other way. It shouldn’t take too long.”

“Are we going to make it to Chicago, Dad?” Micah asked anxiously. “What about the ball game?”

“I think we’ll still make it to the game,” Dad assured him. “You know, Micah, this kind of thing happens a lot.”

“You mean a lot of people get on the wrong train?” Micah asked.

“I was thinking of something even worse than that,” Dad replied. “Everyone wants to go to heaven someday, but when we try to get there the wrong way, it’s like we’re on the wrong train. No matter how good we try to be, the Bible says we won’t get to heaven by anything we do. Do you know the way that does lead to heaven, Micah?”

“Sure,” Micah answered. “Jesus says He’s the way.”

“Right,” said Dad. “He’s the one and only way to heaven. We can only have eternal life with God by trusting in Him.”

–Harry C. Trover

How about you? Are you trying to get to heaven by living a good life? By going to church, giving to people in need, or doing nice things for others? If so, you’re going the wrong way! None of those things will get you to heaven. Jesus is the only way. It’s not what you do, but what He did for you on the cross, that gives you eternal life. Trust in Him today! (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus is the way to heaven

The grace of God can sustain you in the midst of your toughest trials and tribulations.

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When Mark was pulled over by an officer for driving while intoxicated, he was afraid his college football career was over. He was sure he was going to jail. But the policeman instead dropped him off at his college. When Mark asked why, he said, “I’m giving you grace.”

Still, the young man was certain his coach would find out, and he’d lose his scholarship. So when his coach asked to see Mark after practice the next day, he was very apprehensive. Surprisingly, the coach said, “I know what happened last night, but I’m giving you grace.” He then suggested that Mark consider attending church the next Sunday.

He went. And guess what the pastor talked about: the grace of Jesus in offering us salvation when we don’t deserve it. Mark got the message. That day, he trusted Jesus as Savior, and he spent the rest of his life serving Him. He even started a ranch for boys who need a second chance—who need grace.

It’s by God’s grace that believers in Jesus “have been saved” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace does what good works can’t do (v. 9; Romans 11:6). It’s a gift provided by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

The burden of our sin doesn’t have to weigh us down. As Mark discovered, God’s grace can free us and give us life “to the full” (John 10:10). And as we trust Jesus as Savior, the power of grace sets us free (Ephesians 2:4–5).

The post Dr. Fred Hartman – Replacement Theology: Part 2 appeared first on MGO Radio/Canada's National Bible Hour.

Read: Psalm 119:9-16

Manuel looked up when Grandpa walked into the room. “Do you know where I left my glasses?” Grandpa asked as he reached for his Bible.

Grandma sighed. “Did you lose those glasses again? You had them on when you paid the pizza delivery man.”

“We didn’t order pizza today. That was yesterday,” said Grandpa. “Somebody else was here today. Now…” He stopped a moment to cough.

“Your cough doesn’t seem to be getting better,” Grandma said. “You’d better get more medicine.”

“I just got some,” said Grandpa. He paused and furrowed his brows. “Leo!” he suddenly called out, making Manuel jump. “That’s who came today!” Grandpa turned to Manuel. “Leo lives next door, and he picks up medicine for me.”

Just then Manuel spied Grandpa’s glasses lying on the table. “Here are your glasses, Grandpa.”

“Oh good, you found them,” Grandma said. “Now, if only I could find mine!”

Manuel grinned. “They’re on your head, Grandma!”

“Oh, look at that!” Grandma laughed. “I don’t remember putting them on.”

Grandpa put on his glasses and opened the Bible he was holding.

“Are you gonna memorize some verses, Grandpa?” Manuel asked.

Grandpa shook his head. “Not today, but we used to memorize whole chapters when we were kids.”

“That’s right,” said Grandma. “Sometimes when our eyes are tired now, we just say some of them together.”

“Wait a minute,” Manuel said with a puzzled look. “You can’t remember things that happened today—even just a little while ago—so how do you remember things you learned when you were kids?”

Grandpa smiled. “The things we learn as kids just stick in our brains better, I guess. The older you get, the harder it is to remember things. That’s why we encourage you to read and memorize God’s Word as much as you can now, while you’re young.”

Grandma nodded. “The verses I learned as a child have stuck with me all through my life. They’ve reminded me in difficult times that I belong to Jesus and that He’s always with me. That’s something I’ll never forget!”

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Are you hiding God’s Word in your heart? One way to do that is by memorizing Bible verses. Try it now with today’s key verse. Read it over a few times, then shut your eyes and see if you can say it out loud. Try to do that with a different verse every day or week. But don’t just memorize the words—think about what God is telling you. Use His Word to help you remember His truth and promises.

Today's Key Verse: Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Memorize Bible verses

Conquerors can be scary—but God’s power is different. Discover from Genesis to Revelation how He makes us more than conquerors!

Receive 

The word “conqueror” can stir up many mixed feelings and rightfully so. But the idea of conquest is found in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. What if instead of avoiding the complicated topic, we pondered how the Bible points to a better idea of conquering? As we ask God to help us overcome various trials and obstacles in our life, we can take courage knowing that we are more than conquerors though Him who loves us.  

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• Romans 8:28-37 
• Genesis 3:1-7 
• Joshua 1:1-14 
• How does Romans 8:28-37 help you better understand what the apostle Paul meant when he said we are more than conquerors? 
• How does Romans 8:31 boost your faith and courage as you seek to be more than a conqueror? 
• How does Genesis 3:1-7 help you recognize the danger of trying to conquer God’s plan for your life? 
• Joshua 1:1-14 describes how God was with Joshua during the conquest of the Promised Land. How can these verses help encourage you when you need to conqueror the giants of fear, doubt, or unforgiveness in your life? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that You are with me in every trial and battle I face. Thank You that I am more than a conqueror through You! Help me overcome any temptations or sin I’m struggling with in my life.”   

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread Devotional in Print- https://go.odb.org/dtw-printsub  
• Our Daily Bread Mobile App- https://go.odb.org/appdownload-dtw  
• Explore the Devotional Collection from Our Daily Bread Publishing- https://go.odb.org/odbpdtw  

Listen: 

• More Than Conquerors Week 1 - https://go.odb.org/more-than-conquerorsw1  
• More Than Conquerors Week 2 - https://go.odb.org/more-than-conquerorsw2   

Read: 

• Overcoming Fear - https://go.odb.org/overcoming-fear  
• Overcoming Worry - https://go.odb.org/overcoming-worry

Slow Television is the term used to describe marathon coverage of an event, typically shown in real-time. The genre gained popularity in 2009 after the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation broadcast a seven-hour train journey. Yes, seven hours, on a train. Sounds—boring. But it’s gained an audience that finds the scenic ride mesmerizing.

The concept behind Slow TV is to show something at the rate it’s experienced instead of the speed with which a narrative drama is told. It’s built around transition and movement instead of tension and plot. Slow TV is a step toward savoring life’s minutes as opposed to counting them.

The poet Francis Thompson wrote of God’s “unperturbed pace.” Thompson meant that God moves methodically, patiently, with steps measured and intentional. We see this slowness even with God’s emotions. In Scripture, the prophet Joel’s call for the people of Judah to repent is grounded in the reality that our God is “slow to anger” (Joel 2:13). Unlike our dramatic narratives, fueled by tempers and flying-off-the-handle selfishness, God takes a different approach. His anger arrives slowly. To a people who had rebelled against Him, God says, “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God” (v. 13).

God’s anger isn’t like ours. He’s slow to anger, a reality that allows us to return to Him with all our heart.

As a child, Thomas Graumann was put on a train to save his life. As a man, he was put on a mission to save other lives. Don’t miss the conclusion of his inspiring testimony, another true dramatization coming soon on Unshackled!