PonderingGod

Here are some Bible verses that beautifully emphasize your personal value to God:

• Psalm 139:14: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

• Isaiah 43:4: "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life."

• Matthew 10:31: "So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

• 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

• Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

For more information on Pastor Craig McCourt and the ministry of Pondering God or to send us a message visit us at www.ponderinggod.org

For more information on Peace Lutheran Church, where Craig currently serves as Pastor, visit www.peacearlington.org

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To support the ministry of PonderinGod and help cover our online and production costs, visit our support page

Here are some Bible verses that highlight God's eternal and unchanging nature:

• Malachi 3:6: "For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

• Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

• James 1:17: "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

• Psalm 102:27: "But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end."

• Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."

For more information on Pastor Craig McCourt and the ministry of Pondering God or to send us a message visit us at www.ponderinggod.org

For more information on Peace Lutheran Church, where Craig currently serves as Pastor, visit www.peacearlington.org

Please share this podcast with a friend, and do us a favor by giving us a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

To support the ministry of PonderinGod and help cover our online and production costs, visit our support page

Today's Message is titled is "The Others"

Today's Text is Luke 20:9-18

9 And he began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. Luke 20:9 (ESV)

Each Monday Morning, we bring you a message hot off the press or from the archives. We pray that these messages will be an extra boost of encouragement to you.

For more information on Pastor Craig McCourt and the ministry of Pondering God or to send us a message visit us at www.ponderinggod.org

For more information on Peace Lutheran Church, where Craig currently serves as Pastor, visit www.peacearlington.org

Please share this podcast with a friend, and do us a favor by giving us a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

To support the ministry of PonderinGod and help cover our online and production costs, visit our support page

This is the PonderingGod Podcast series "You Are Not Alone." A series dedicated to help tell the story of the Body of Christ - what it is, and how it functions.

Welcome back to another episode of Pondering God — where scripture comes alive and meets real life. In today's episode, we're diving into a powerful and sobering passage: 1 Samuel 15. This chapter tells the story of King Saul and the moment he chose to follow his own judgment rather than the clear instruction of God. It's a simple story — but one that carries a deep message. Saul is told by the prophet Samuel to completely destroy the Amalekites as an act of obedience to the Lord. But instead of following through, Saul spares the best animals and the king, making his own adjustments to God's command. When confronted, he offers excuses and shifts blame to others. Sound familiar? Today, we'll explore what this story reveals about the danger of partial obedience, the excuses we make when we fall short, and how easy it is to deceive ourselves when we put our will ahead of God's. We'll unpack Saul's downfall and what it teaches us about humility, responsibility, and truly listening to God's voice.

We also would love to hear from you. What is your story about the body of Christ? Contact me at [email protected] and share your story good or bad about what it means to be church.

Today's Message is titled is "Prodigal - Coming Home"

Today's Text is Luke 15:11-32

22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:22-24 (ESV)

Each Monday Morning, we bring you a message hot off the press or from the archives. We pray that these messages will be an extra boost of encouragement to you.

For more information on Pastor Craig McCourt and the ministry of Pondering God or to send us a message visit us at www.ponderinggod.org

For more information on Peace Lutheran Church, where Craig currently serves as Pastor, visit www.peacearlington.org

Please share this podcast with a friend, and do us a favor by giving us a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

To support the ministry of PonderinGod and help cover our online and production costs, visit our support page

This is the PonderingGod Podcast series "You Are Not Alone." A series dedicated to help tell the story of the Body of Christ - what it is, and how it functions. In an age of connection like never before, where information can make it around the world before I can get home from work, we are lonely people.

Whether you're sitting in a crowded room or in the quiet of your own home, loneliness can make you feel isolated, disconnected, and even distant from God's promises. But today, we're going to take a deep look at what Scripture says about loneliness, and more importantly, how the church community can be a source of strength, encouragement, and true belonging.

If you're struggling with loneliness right now, I want you to know that there's hope—God never intended for you to walk through life in isolation. We'll explore how to overcome those feelings and find real support in the community God has placed around you.

We also would love to hear from you. What is your story about the body of Christ? Contact me at [email protected] and share your story good or bad about what it means to be church.

Today's Message is titled is "A Way of Escape"

Today's Text is 1 Cor. 10:1-13

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Each Monday Morning, we bring you a message hot off the press or from the archives. We pray that these messages will be an extra boost of encouragement to you.

For more information on Pastor Craig McCourt and the ministry of Pondering God or to send us a message visit us at www.ponderinggod.org

For more information on Peace Lutheran Church, where Craig currently serves as Pastor, visit www.peacearlington.org

Please share this podcast with a friend, and do us a favor by giving us a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

To support the ministry of PonderinGod and help cover our online and production costs, visit our support page

This is the PonderingGod Podcast series "You Are Not Alone." A series dedicated to help tell the story of the Body of Christ - what it is, and how it functions. In an age of connection like never before, where information can make it around the world before I can get home from work, we are lonely people.

Today, we're tackling one of the biggest lies Satan tells us—'You are alone.' He loves to isolate us, convincing us that no one sees, no one cares, and even God has stepped out for a coffee break. But that's not what Scripture says! God's Word is filled with reminders that He is always with us, that we are part of His family, and that we have a community of believers to walk alongside us.

We also would love to hear from you. What is your story about the body of Christ? Contact me at [email protected] and share your story good or bad about what it means to be church.

Today's Message is from March 16, 2025 - Second Sunday in Lent, at Peace Lutheran Church - The title is "The Heart of Jesus

Today's Text is Luke 13:31-35

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32 And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" Luke 13:31-35 (ESV)

Each Monday Morning, we bring you a message hot off the press or from the archives. We pray that these messages will be an extra boost of encouragement to you.

For more information on Pastor Craig McCourt and the ministry of Pondering God or to send us a message visit us at www.ponderinggod.org

For more information on Peace Lutheran Church, where Craig currently serves as Pastor, visit www.peacearlington.org

Please share this podcast with a friend, and do us a favor by giving us a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

To support the ministry of PonderinGod and help cover our online and production costs, visit our support page

This is the PonderingGod Podcast series "You Are Not Alone." A series dedicated to help tell the story of the Body of Christ - what it is, and how it functions. In an age of connection like never before, where information can make it around the world before I can get home from work, we are lonely people.

Today in Episode One we introduce this new series and discuss what we are hoping to unpack in this season.

We also would love to hear from you. What is your story about the body of Christ? Contact me at [email protected] and share your story good or bad about what it means to be church.

Today we look briefly at the cornerstone verses in the Bible on just what is the Body of Christ.

Romans 12:12-27