The Bridge Austin

For many long ages, the nations lived apart from God's covenant promises and the hope of salvation. But that changed with the coming of Christ. From his sermon series in Ephesians, today R.C. Sproul marvels at God's grace to unite believing Jews and gentiles in the church.

Request R.C. Sproul's commentary on the book of Ephesians with your donation of any amount:
 
Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Ephesians commentary ebook with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global
 
Meet Today's Teacher:
 
R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
 
Meet the Host:
 
Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast.

Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Series: The Messiah in the Margins: Christological Echoes in the Hebrew Bible

Service: Sunday First Bible Study

Type: Bible Message

Speaker: Phillip W. Martin

As the new year dawns, Tony Perkins is joined by U.S. House Speaker MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA) to unpack challenges facing Congress as it returns this coming week…and the Speaker shares his excitement about our 250th birthday as a nation this year.

Former Secretary of State MIKE POMPEO warns of potential dangers in the Middle East and Ukraine, and looks at the deadly ISIS-inspired attack in Australia late last year.

PHILIP WEGMANN—White House correspondent for Real Clear Politics.com—suggests a packed Congressional agenda will kick-off 2026…including a looming January 30th deadline for funding the Federal government. Is another shutdown possible?

And TONY PERKINS’ commentary reminds us why New Year’s resolutions need to be rooted in —and guided by —  Scripture.  All this.…plus much more on our latest edition of THIS WEEK ON CAPITOL HILL, releasing at 10AM Eastern Saturday on the Salem News Channel. More here: http://thisweekoncapitolhill.com. 

Sponsored by:

• Americans for Prosperity
• Clear Path

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Miller, Vice President of International Ministry at The Voice of the Martyrs, looks back to recount changes and transitions he saw during 2025 in places like Syria, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, and Saudi Arabia. He also shares stories of sitting down with fellow believers in hostile areas and restricted nations and how VOM's work expanded in countries such as Benin, Indonesia, Morocco, and western Nepal.

"In times of transition," Aaron says, "our staff sees opportunities." VOM's field staff is excited by the chance to reach new places, which allows them to learn the needs of our persecuted brothers and sisters, pray for them specifically and find the best ways VOM can serve.

You'll hear how VOM is facilitating gatherings where pastors and gospel workers meet brothers and sisters doing similar work in other closed countries. These gatherings are opportunities to hear testimonies, pray together and worship the Lord freely with other persecuted Christians.

Listen as Aaron shares sacred sentences written in a letter from an imprisoned pastor thanking VOM for taking care of his wife and children. "I want to thank you for ministering to orphans of living fathers," the pastor wrote, "ministering to widows of living husbands."

Hear how you can pray for the specific needs of persecuted Christians, and request your free copy of VOM's 2026 Global Prayer Guide to help you know how to pray throughout this year for Christians in India, Venezuela, and many more hostile areas and restricted nations.

The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily in 2026 for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria and Bangladesh, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

What if the cross held more than pain? In this video, Cynthia Schneider shares two divine visions that gave her a new perspective on the beauty and intimacy revealed on the cross.