The Word to Wisdom

The Resurrection and the Life

Resurrection Sunday -- Easter 2026

We are reading from the Gospel of John, chapter 20.
I recommend reading the entire chapter to see and understand the whole story that I am talking about here in this episode—the resurrection on Jesus on that Sunday morning. 


We’re also focusing on verses: John 20:8-9 (NLT)

8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.


 

You can also browse through more than 135 podcast episodes.  

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast! 
 
Your hosts, 
John and Lisa Strazza 

Understanding the Gift of Grace & Righteousness by Faith

Here are some verses to keep on hand as you listen. 

Ephesians 2:4-10 (NKJV)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Imagine a caterpillar that turns into a beautiful majestic butterfly!  You too have been reborn into a new creation, created in Christ.  

2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP)
7 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

Ephesians 1:6-7 (NKJV)
7 In Him we have redemption (rescued) through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Verse 6  says:  He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Accepted here means: to grace, i.e., indue with special honor: — make accepted, be highly favored.

You can also browse through more than 135 podcast episodes.  

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast! 
 
Your hosts, 
John and Lisa Strazza 

Winter Storm Prayer Request

Today I'm just taking a moment to encourage us all to pray for the many families and people whose homes are without power during this harsh freezing cold winter storm. Hundreds of thousands of homes are currently without power so far.  

The next couple of days are critical in getting help out to the people who are in need and cold!  

Let's pray for the many who are struggling, and also the workers and volunteers who are out there trying to help and get power back to these homes as soon as possible. 

God bless you for doing so!

Pray with me:

Lord God, we're asking for your grace and help for those who have been impacted by this severe winter storm.  We ask that they receive help as soon as possible.  We ask for your divine intervention and that they would be kept safe and sound. Rescue those who are stranded, and send helpers to them all. In Jesus' name we pray. 

Also, a suggested prayer for protection:  Psalm 91

   













Cover Photo by Dillon Wanner on Unsplash 

You can also browse through more than 130 podcast episodes.

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.

Thank you for being part of this podcast!

Your hosts,
John and Lisa Strazza

A Joyous Christmas 2025

Gabriel the angel said to Mary:
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  Luke 1:31 (NASB)

From O Holy Night:

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Song Lyrics to O Holy Night

“O holy night! The stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle, we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the Wise Men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend. He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King, before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!

Truly, He taught us to love one another; His law is love, and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name, all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we; Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

You can also browse through more than 130 podcast episodes.

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.

Thank you for being part of this podcast!

Your hosts,
John and Lisa Strazza

Too Many Voices

Take some time each day and simplify things by spending close time with the Lord, in praise, thanksgiving, and prayer.  Stay close to the Lord, and stay in His word. Avoid confusing and fearful thoughts, conversations, and negative media.  Push aside the many voices that leave you burdened. Stay with the simplicity of Christ, and go back to the foundations of the gospel.  

Isaiah 41:10-13 (NASB)
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
13 “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’

Exodus 14:13-14 (NASB) 
13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”

You can also browse through more than 135 podcast episodes.  

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast! 
 
Your hosts, 
John and Lisa Strazza 

Will He find faith on the earth?

John 14:1 (NASB)

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

Isaiah 26:3 (NASB)

3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Reason for this parable: "to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,"

Luke 18:1-8 (NLT) 

1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 

8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

You can also browse through more than 135 podcast episodes.  

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast! 
 
Your hosts, 
John and Lisa Strazza 

Grace & Truth Part 2

John 1:17 (NASB) — the Apostle John is speaking about Jesus 

17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

The old and new covenants are being contrasted here by the Apostle John.  

John 4:23-24 (NASB) — Jesus is speaking here to a Samaritin woman about what is to come, and has already come.  

23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 

24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must (dei) worship in spirit and truth.”

Romans 1:16 (NASB) — Paul is speaking about the gospel

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

This speaks of the life changing gospel, “the power  of God to salvation.”  

Paul’s gospel, was the “gospel of God,” it was given to him directly by Jesus. 

The Gospel message is the Power of God unto Salvation.  This means that the Gospel message, in and of itself, has power to completely save and change a person’s life.  

You can also browse through more than 135 podcast episodes.  

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast! 
 
Your hosts, 
John and Lisa Strazza 

John 1:17 (NASB) 

17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

The law given by Moses is not the same as the truth that came through Jesus. Moses came with the Old Covenant—the law, but Jesus came with the New Covenant—grace and truth. These two covenants are being contrasted here by the Apostle John. This is because Jesus also contrasted them in his parables and many teachings.

The Law is perfect, but it has no power to save.  It’s intended to show the perfect standard of God, and in turn show us our need for a savor, which is Jesus.  

Romans 1:1 (NASB) — Romans 1:16 (NASB) 

1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

Paul’s gospel, was the “gospel of God”, given to him directly by Jesus. 

The Gospel message is the Power of God unto Salvation.  This means that the Gospel message, in and of itself, has power to save and change a person’s life completely.  Power = dynamis in Greek which means (miraculous) power, might, strength. 

Grace and Truth, the gospel, are powerful save anyone who believes it.  If the messages we speak (or hear in our churches, or meetings, etc.) if they have no power to save, then something is missing, and we need to know why it’s powerless—what’s missing—so we can be a light to the world.  We need a clear revelation of the gospel message in order for it to have power in our lives and the lives we influence around us.  

You can also browse through more than 135 podcast episodes.  

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast! 
 
Your hosts, 
John and Lisa Strazza 

Abundance of Grace

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)   Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.   “Throne of grace” to obtain. Mercy, and find grace.  

Romans 5:1-2 (NASB)   Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. We stand in Grace. 

Romans 5:17 (NASB)    For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 

Titus 2:11-12 (NASB)   For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,    Grace instructs us.

Our prayer:  Come Lord, show us your grace!

You can also browse through more than 135 podcast episodes.  

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast! 
 
Your hosts, 
John and Lisa Strazza 

What’s Next... in the times we are in?

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, 
Nor have entered into the heart of man, 
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

It’s time for us to stop looking at the darkness so much, and now to look to the goodness of God.  It’s time for us to start understanding the Gospel that we have already been given, which has been revealed to us.  We need to see how powerful the Gospel is, and how it will be the only message that can and will truly heal our land. 

You can also browse through more than 135 podcast episodes.  

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a positive review which will give our episodes greater reach.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast! 
 
Your hosts, 
John and Lisa Strazza