As we continue to deal with the challenges that have come about due to COVID-19 and its effects, Marcus Grodi and Jim Anderson look at some passages that show forth God's providence and peace in the midst of uncertainty. Looking at Paul's hopeful remarks in chapter 8 of his Epistle to the Romans, as well as Matthew's account of Jesus calming a storm at sea, Marcus and Jim share how Scripture has been a source of strength for them in these uncertain times.
"We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28
"And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, 'Save, Lord; we are perishing.' And he said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?' Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'" Matthew 8:23-27

God is in Control: Romans 8:28 and Matthew 8:23-27 - Marcus Grodi and Jim Anderson

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For last week's special Thanksgiving episode, Marcus Grodi shared a portion of a sermon he gave as part of a Thanksgiving service back when he was a Presbyterian pastor in 1985. That message focused on Philippians 4:4-7, in which St. Paul calls us to present our requests to God with gratitude already in our hearts.
Marcus follows up this week by focusing on the verses that immediately follow that passage. In Philippians 4:8-9, St. Paul gives us a template of how to guard our hearts and mind from the world, the flesh and the devil, which bombard us with temptations of every kind. Rather than fall to those temptations, Paul offers us this challenge:
 
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you."
 
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A Post-Thanksgiving Reflection - Marcus Grodi

In a special Thanksgiving edition of Deep in Scripture, Marcus Grodi shares audio from a sermon he preached on the Sunday before Thanksgiving in 1985, when he was still a Presbyterian pastor in central Ohio. The text for that sermon came from Philippians 4:6, where St. Paul exhorts his readers to "have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." In 1985, as a Presbyterian pastor, Marcus preached on the need to present our prayers with thanksgiving, because we know that God is trustworthy. On this episode, Marcus reflects on that same passage with the benefit of 35 years of hindsight, to share how his understanding of this passage from St. Paul has deepened over time.

Marcus Grodi Reflects on a Thanksgiving Sermon He Preached in 1985

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi wrap up their study of St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer, specifically looking at the implications of what it means to ask for God's will to be done in our lives. The last points that St. Cyprian makes in this passage have to do with following God's will, even under the threat of persecution. God calls us to faithfulness despite our circumstances, which St. Cyprian had the courage to follow all the way to his martyrdom by beheading in 258AD.

St. Cyprian of Carthage and Perseverance to the End - Marcus and JonMarc Grodi

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue their series looking at St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer, specifically focusing on St. Cyprian's thoughts regarding the will of God. 
St. Cyprian tells us to "prefer nothing whatever to Christ, because He did not prefer anything to us." Jesus held nothing back in His incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection; our call as Christians is to give everything of ourselves back to Him in return.

St. Cyprian of Carthage on Preferring Nothing to Christ - Marcus and JonMarc Grodi

Marcus and JonMarc Grodi continue their study of St. Cyprian of Carthage's treatise on the Lord's Prayer by diving even deeper into what it means to ask for God's will to be done in our lives. What exactly does the fear of the Lord mean, properly understood? What are its implications in regard to our humility, our wonder, our worship, and our obedience? If, as Proverbs 9:10 tells us, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," then how do we enter into that mystery?

God is in Control: Romans 8:28 and Matthew 8:23-27 - Marcus Grodi and Jim Anderson

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