Many people think of obedience as the opposite of joy. Obedience can sound restrictive, demanding, or burdensome. Joy, by contrast, sounds freeing and satisfying. Our culture often teaches us that happiness comes from following our desires, resisting limitations, and choosing our own path. Jesus presents a different vision.

In John 15, He teaches that obedience doesn’t rob us of joy. Obedience leads us into joy because it keeps us close to Him. God’s commands aren’t designed to keep us from flourishing. They guide us toward the life for which we were created.

We were created to glorify God, and one of the primary ways we glorify Him is by obeying His Word. But Christian obedience isn’t cold rule-following. It grows from union with Christ, rests on His grace, expresses our love, and produces lasting fruit.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Most people are attempting to find joy, but I don’t think they really understand what they’re looking for.  Real joy is a sincere contentment in Christ regardless of our circumstances.  Happiness isn’t the same as joy.  Happiness is dependent on what’s going on around us.  I’m not opposed to being happy, but if I had to pick between happiness and joy, I’d select joy every time.

Earthly happiness is real, but it’s limited. It changes and fades. Earthly happiness can be lost. Even the best experiences eventually come to an end.

Psalm 16 points us toward a joy that isn’t dependent on perfect circumstances. It’s a psalm that was written by King David, and it shows us that true and lasting joy is found in the presence of God.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

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One of the greatest misconceptions about Christianity is that it's primarily about learning a set of beliefs or following a list of rules. Biblical truth and obedience to God’s Word absolutely matter, but there’s more to the Christian life than some people realize. The Christian life isn't just about acquiring information and doing the right things. At its core, it’s about entering into a relationship with the living God.

That's what makes the words of Jesus in John 17 so fascinating.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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There are few questions more important than this: Why am I here? Every generation wrestles with that question. Some spend their lives pursuing success, believing they'll find purpose through achievement. Others chase wealth, relationships, influence, or experiences, hoping one more accomplishment will finally satisfy the longing inside their hearts. Yet even after reaching their goals, many discover that something still feels incomplete.

The Bible gives us a remarkably clear answer to the question of our purpose. We weren't created merely to exist, survive, or accumulate things. We weren't designed to make ourselves the center of the story. We were created by God, for God, and ultimately to display His glory.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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The book of Revelation is the grand finale of Scripture. It makes known to us God's sovereign plan for history and assures believers that Jesus Christ is and will be victorious.

The book was written by the apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. It’s a book that was given to help strengthen persecuted believers while at the same time remind every generation that no matter how dark the world becomes, God's purposes will not fail.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

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Luke 15 contains three parables that reveal God's heart for lost people. Jesus tells of a lost sheep, a lost coin, and finally a lost son. The third story is often called the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but it could just as accurately be called the Parable of the Loving Father. And even though the younger son in this passage usually receives the bulk of our attention, Jesus intentionally highlights the attitudes of three people: a rebellious younger son, a resentful older son, and a compassionate father.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

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The Bible begins in a garden. It ends in a city. Between those two settings, the story of humanity unfolds. Sin enters the world, relationships fracture, creation groans, death spreads, and people spend their lives longing for something better. Every single one of us knows instinctively that things aren't the way they're supposed to be.

Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of the day when God will make everything right.

Revelation 21 follows the events of Christ's thousand-year reign on earth described in Revelation 20. Satan has been defeated permanently. The Great White Throne judgment has occurred. The present heaven and earth have passed away. Then comes the eternal state, when God creates a new heaven and a new earth and dwells forever with His redeemed people.

This isn't symbolic wishful thinking. This is our future. It's the destiny Jesus purchased for everyone who trusts in Him.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

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If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

Revelation 20 brings us to one of the most significant prophetic passages in all of Scripture. After Christ's glorious return in Revelation 19, John is shown what follows: Satan's imprisonment, Christ's thousand-year reign on earth, Satan's final rebellion, and the Great White Throne Judgment. These verses answer some of the biggest questions people ask. What happens to Satan? Will evil finally be defeated? How will God judge the world? What awaits those who belong to Christ?

For believers in Christ, this chapter isn't meant to produce fear. It's meant to inspire confidence. Jesus wins.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.