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Peter and his fellow storm riders knew they were in trouble. According to Matthew 14:24-26, “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.” About 4:00 a.m. the unspeakable happened. They spotted someone walking on the water. “‘A ghost!’ they said, crying out in terror!” They didn’t expect Jesus to come to them this way.

Neither do we. We expect to find Jesus in morning devotionals, church suppers, and meditation. We never expect to see him in a storm. But that’s where he does his finest work, for it is in storms that he has our keenest attention. He said. “Take courage; I am here” (Matthew 14:27 NLT).

Look over your shoulder friend; that’s God following you. Look into the storm friend; that’s Christ coming toward you.

Read more Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

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Dr. Stanley describes the character of our ultimate judge, Jesus, and outlines the criteria by which we will be judged. 

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Last week, John Maxwell shared three of his six insights for surrounding yourself with people who can accelerate your growth journey. In this week's episode, John Maxwell is revealing the last three, so you can get yourself around great people!

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow unpack John's lesson so you can apply these principles in your own leadership.

Key takeaways:

• Being unforgettable isn't about showing off—it's about finding innovative ways to serve others and do for them what they can't do for themselves.

• True vision matures when you move from "me" to "we," inviting participation and building energy that attracts great people to your cause.

• Leadership influence grows when your inner character and spirit outshine outward achievements.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Part 2) Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/GreatPeople and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource."

How can I know my purpose in life? What will Christians be judged for at the bema seat? To whom is Jesus going to day, "Depart from Me"? Is it biblical to have pastors and sermons?

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One honest mistake can feel like a verdict on your calling. We’ve been there—rejected shows, failed pieces, spirals of self-doubt—and we know how quickly disappointment tries to rewrite your identity. Today we walk through a clear, grace-filled path to recover emotionally and spiritually after creative setbacks, so you can return to the studio lighter, wiser, and free.

We start by naming how disappointment opens the door to lies and why artists are uniquely vulnerable when work feels personal. Then we draw a sharp line between conviction and condemnation: conviction invites growth and intimacy, while condemnation sentences you to shame. From there, we share a practical five-step process you can use any time things go sideways: separate facts from identity, expose condemnation out loud, re-anchor yourself in the truth of who you are in Christ, let the situation teach instead of torment, and take one simple step in the opposite spirit—whether that’s a sketch, an hour in the studio, or an honest conversation. Along the way, Matt shares a recent misstep from his own practice and how he stopped the spiral by returning to scripture, prayer, and small, faithful action.

You’ll also join us in a guided moment of prayer to hear God’s heart for you and ask for specific wisdom for your next step. We close by inviting testimony and community, because sharing your story breaks isolation and strengthens others to believe the truth. If you’re tired of letting one bad day redefine your worth, this conversation will help you build creative resilience, renew your mind, and create from God’s pleasure—not for it.

If this resonated, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with an artist who needs freedom today. Want deeper support? Explore our Foundations Course for Christian artists and start rebuilding on solid ground.

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