CLA+

Aristotle said that no one can be friends with a god. Why? Because friendship requires equality, and what god would step down from their heavenly status to become equal with lowly human beings?

I wonder what Aristotle would’ve done if he’d been present at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28). For there, Jesus—the Creator of all, who left His heavenly status to become a lowly human being (Colossians 1:16; Philippians 2:6-8)—told His disciples He no longer called them servants, but friends (John 15:15).

Aristotle would’ve been surprised too, at who sat at that table. There was Matthew, the Roman-friendly tax collector; and then Simon, the Roman-denouncing Zealot (Matthew 10:3-4); along with James and John, the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17) sitting with quiet Philip. I imagine Aristotle watching quizzically as Jesus described some bread and wine as His “body” and “blood,” broken and poured out for the “forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). What god would die for mere mortals, even those who’d soon abandon Him (v. 56)?

That’s one reason the Lord’s Supper or Communion is so profound. Through Jesus, God became friends with humans, and enabled friendships between those with political and temperamental differences. As we eat and drink at the Lord’s Table, we celebrate the one who rewrote friendship’s rules, human and divine.

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Breaking the Bonds of Fear – A great resource for those who suffer from fear, stress, and anxiety. Take courage, and learn what the Bible says about a different type of fear: “fear of the Lord.” Use the coupon code: RADIOGIFT for free shipping!

*Limit one copy per person*

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The phrase “led by the Spirit of God” is such a happy one.  The Spirit gently leads us as a shepherd would lead a flock.  He is more committed to leading us than we are to following him.  So relax!  If you don’t sense his guidance, ask again.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV).   He is completely capable to lead you where he wants you to go. He might use a nudge, a prick of the conscience, a reminder of Scripture.

The Spirit first speaks through the verse.  He may complement the verse with a voice. Go first to the verse.  His will never contradicts his Word.  When you open your Bible, God opens his mouth. The verse and the voice. God is calling. Keep listening.

Read more Help Is Here

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Josephine Butler, a prominent minister’s wife, found herself campaigning for the rights of women accused (often unjustly) of being “ladies of the night,” those seen in society as the “least desirables.” Spurred on by her deep faith in God, she fought for years against the British Contagious Diseases Acts of the 1860s, which subjected women to cruel and invasive “medical” exams.

In 1883, during the parliamentary debate over a bill to repeal the Acts, she joined women in Westminster to pray. She was moved by the sight of the “most ragged and miserable women from the slums” alongside “ladies of high rank,” all weeping and asking God for protection of the vulnerable. To their joy, the bill passed.

Josephine’s call to act justly echoes the words of the prophet Jeremiah, who delivered God’s message to evil kings. Jeremiah said, “Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed.” And do “no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow” (Jeremiah 22:3). God wanted to shield those who couldn’t defend themselves against the powerful.

God can spur us to action too, helping us to discern inequalities and to speak and take measures against them. He who hates abuse empowers us to uphold justice and defend the weak.

In Part 2 of our Revival series, Jon Tyson does a deep dive on the history of revival, including a detailed account of what happened/is happening in the Hebrides and in NYC.

Jon explores how to...

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Is your leadership costing you connection?

In this honest and thought-provoking conversation, Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, joins ECFA President Michael Martin to explore the emotional and relational challenges leaders face behind the scenes. From the illusion of transparency to the power of biblical vulnerability, this episode uncovers what it really takes to build meaningful friendships in ministry—and why you can’t lead well without them.

Whether you're a pastor, nonprofit leader, or executive, you'll find practical insight and deep encouragement to help you lead from a place of connection, not isolation.

About Walter Kim:

Walter Kim is President of the National Association of Evangelicals. He earned his PhD at Harvard, was a chaplain at Yale, and has served in diverse pastoral ministries. He is on the board of World Relief, Christianity Today, and The Salvation Army, USA. He is often sought out for his theological and cultural commentary on issues facing the church and society.

Additional Resources:

ECFA.org/LeaderCare
WalterKim.org

National Association of Evangelicals
NAE Podcasts

Call to Action:

If this conversation resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself—like, share, and subscribe for more insights on healthy leadership. Drop a comment below with your biggest takeaway, and keep the conversation going!

Click here to receive today's free gift on the Radio Page: 

Breaking the Bonds of Fear – A great resource for those who suffer from fear, stress, and anxiety. Take courage, and learn what the Bible says about a different type of fear: “fear of the Lord.” Use the coupon code: RADIOGIFT for free shipping!

*Limit one copy per person*

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Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.

Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org.

Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Consistency isn’t flashy, but it’s what sets good leaders apart from great ones. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical hacks to help you show up strong every day—with consistency that builds trust, earns respect, and drives real results over time.

Watch the video and download the leader guide: https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/4-simple-hacks-to-stay-consistent-in-your-leadership.

To enter the giveaway, comment “I want to think ahead” on the CGLP YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@craiggroeschel.

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ABOUT CRAIG

Craig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of Life.Church and one of today’s most trusted voices in leadership. Since 2016, he’s shared practical, empowering leadership insights to help you grow through the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast.

The Spirit of God moves within us to lead us.  He does so with two tools:  the verse and the voice. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NIV).

The primary communication tool of the Holy Spirit is the Bible.  He speaks to us through Scripture.  His will is found in his Word. Scripture has an answer for any issue you face.  The Bible is not only inspirational but also extremely practical. Go first to the verse.

Go next to the voice. The voice might be your inner sense, the “knowing” that results from Scripture interacting with the Spirit.  The voice might be wise counsel, a dream, or a vision.  The Spirit still speaks.  Ask him to guide you.  Seek his will.  And then listen.  Wait for a response.

Read more Help Is Here

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

In this moving episode, we sit down with Vonna — a woman whose story embodies the spirit of resilience, healing, and hope. From walking through deeply painful seasons to discovering renewed purpose, Vonna shares her powerful testimony of what it means to go from simply surviving… to truly thriving.

What You’ll Hear:

How Vonna found strength in the midst of loss and uncertainty

The role faith and community played in her transformation

What it looks like to rebuild your identity after life falls apart

Encouragement for anyone feeling stuck, forgotten, or broken

Why It Matters: