In this episode, we’ll discuss being part of Christ’s inner circle through discipline and faith, which leads to true discipleship. We’ll reflect on the cost of following Jesus, which is outweighed by the hope it brings. I’ll also share the ways faith empowers us to live holy lives in today’s world. Let’s begin with a prayer: Lord, open our hearts to Your will and guide us in the discipline of faith. Amen.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

As I was praying about the last few podcasts, the recurring theme was on silence, pondering in awe, Almighty God, and sacrifice, meaning discipline. I am wondering if it’s because I need it? The answer is yes! I do need it, and I need to be reminded of it often. That is typically how it goes when I podcast.

Have you ever wanted to be in that inner circle—in that group where people care for each other, where they are there for each other, where they will do anything for you? Many of us are blessed to have this within our families or a close group of friends. Can you imagine living in the time of Christ? What was His inner circle? It began with Joseph and Mary, and more than likely extended family. It then expanded to those who were called by Christ, who accompanied Him, who sat at His feet, and who benefited from His teaching.

Today, we have an opportunity to be in that inner circle by the very nature of our faith and belief in that Jesus Christ is indeed Lord. But being a disciple takes discipline, and in a way, it goes along with my last podcast on striving for holiness. I think we can be happy in the fact that the disciples selected by Christ were, in essence, a ragtag group. They were not the elites, the most learned, or the people with the most money; they were everyday working people, what people like to refer to as the everyday man. But that gives us such hope and, again, purpose. We need hope to wake up each day, praying it is better than the last. We need purpose, because without it we have no focus or goal.

As Scripture reminds us, and I love this!  1 Corinthians 1:27-28: “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are.” This shows us that God calls the ordinary to do extraordinary things through Him. Don’t you want to be called? The very fact that you are listening today is a call.

These men learned to give up not only the life they had lived but to become disciples in a way that was going to give them true freedom and true joy—but at a cost. And you know that’s what keeps a lot of people from Christianity: the cost. Discipleship is not free.

It can be learned, but it takes work. Sometimes it means losing your friends, your job, and even your life. In some countries, Christians even today are being persecuted. They’re being wiped off the face of the Earth, and we are helpless, it seems, to stop this genocide. This cost is high, and yet most of us are not called to that level—yet we still take our freedom in Christianity for granted.

In Luke 14:27-28: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Jesus calls us to count the cost, but the reward is eternal joy and freedom in Him. Think about this. The world offers us a counterfeit, something that is temporary. Yet, Christianity offers us salvation and eternal life.

Most of us would agree that it’s important for an Olympic athlete to train, spend countless dollars, give up relationships and sleep, and push their bodies to unbelievable lengths to win a medal and the prestige and honor that come with it. In fact, it’s expected, and that doesn’t keep people from wanting to strive for a seat on an Olympic team. That isn’t just accepted, for a winner, it is mandated.

But isn’t it okay to work toward learning more about God? Faith is a gift, and salvation is free if we choose to believe in Christ as Savior. Yet, many don’t believe we should lose sleep to study, to pray, to surround ourselves with like-minded people, or to choose to be alone and contemplate the Almighty and what He has done for us!

Why then is the cost of discipline and being in the inner circle of people who love, honor, and serve the Lord so unattainable to some? I’ve been told in the past that being a Christian means giving up my freedom, that I am narrow minded that the gate to heaven is not narrow. If giving up my freedom means that I have trained and educated myself in the Word of God and the teachings of the Church, in the love that God has for me—that’s striving for holiness as I shared in the last episode. It means that if I watch what I say and govern my speech, I can bless others with words that build up rather than tear people down. I can be aware that true holiness means following God in all things. It means taking time to fast. It means spending time with God in silence. It means surrounding myself with others who are also uplifting and love the Lord.

Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Discipline in faith is our race toward holiness, and it’s empowering. And our example is Christ.

Discipline isn’t cheap, but it is so worthwhile. And true discipleship means asking the Lord again and again and again for His will in our lives. We can’t be complacent; that time is gone. Our world is in shambles, and people of faith are needed now more than ever. We have to be that voice in the darkness. We have to let others know that the love of God is true love, that the love of God does take discipline, but the love of God is so worthwhile. We have a purpose; we have a goal. We know that the enemy has been defeated, and I believe that the enemy knows that which is why there is so much chaos and confusion in our world. It is to take our eyes off of the prize, which is faith in Christ. In his defeat the enemy wants to take down as many as he can. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)

And I challenge you today to make a list, to figure out the ways that you can, in the little slice of life that God has given you, share about the goodness of God. Sometimes it just means being a good example, a good neighbor, a good friend, a good student, a good coworker. Sometimes it means being a witness to others in ways that you will never see—it’s planting those seeds but letting God harvest. But whatever that is for you, know that you are part of this inner circle of those who love the Lord, who want to sit at His feet and hear what He has to say. And we can do that today by opening our Bibles, by memorizing the Word, and by living lives that are holy. May God be praised today and always.

Philippians 3:12-14 inspires us to press on: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Thank you for joining me on this journey of faith and discipline. Remember, God’s love calls us to more—let’s embrace it with joy!

For more encouragement on faith, purpose, and holiness, check out these additional episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast under the category on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

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Magnificat Podcast – A Ministry to Catholic Women

In this powerful episode of the Magnificat Ministry Podcast, Karen Jedrzejewski shares her extraordinary journey from a painful and abusive childhood to complete surrender to Jesus Christ. What began as a lifelong love of horses ultimately became the path God used to draw her into healing, faith, and redemption.

Karen’s testimony is one of perseverance, recovery, and God’s transforming grace—even in the most broken places.

Karen grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a deeply dysfunctional and abusive home. By the age of 14, she realized she could no longer remain with her family and began moving from one household to another.

At 16, she dropped out of school, bought a motorcycle, and moved to a ranch in Ohio. While horses were her passion, they were not enough to stop her descent into addiction and self-destruction.

In 1992, after entering a treatment facility, Karen began her road to recovery—and it was there she encountered Jesus Christ in a life-changing way. Following a devastating horse accident that nearly took her life, Karen experienced a moment of complete surrender to the Lord.

Today, Karen is:

Married for 36 years

A mother of three adult children

A grandmother

Fully devoted to seeking and serving God

Her faith journey didn’t stop there. Karen’s musical gift as a drummer was recognized within her prayer group, and she has faithfully served as a drummer with the Living Praise Worship Team for over 20 years.

Recorded: August 2025

Location: Pittsburgh, PA Magnificat Chapter

Length: 34 minutes, 31 seconds

This episode is a moving witness to how God redeems suffering, restores purpose, and calls His daughters into deeper relationship with Him.

Listen to the full episode:
https://www.magnificatministrypodcast.com

About Magnificat – A Ministry to Catholic Women
Learn more about the mission, chapters, and events of Magnificat by visiting:
https://www.magnificat-ministry.org

Magnificat Store
Looking for meaningful Catholic gifts? Explore rosaries, books, apparel, jewelry, Bible studies, and more:
https://store.magnificat-ministry.net

The post Testimony of Karen Jedrzejewski appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Have you ever considered becoming holy? What about becoming a saint? Do you believe it’s possible, or do you think holiness is impossible? Maybe you believe we can’t be holy—only Jesus, or perhaps some of His followers, or subsequent martyrs and saints became holy. But you and me? No way. My friends, this is a diabolical lie, and many Christians believe it. Therefore, they don’t strive for holiness because why should they? We’re striving for a goal that doesn’t make sense or isn’t possible, especially in the day in which we live today. But holiness is possible.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

As Scripture reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from immorality…” God desires us to be holy, set apart for Him. This verse encourages us to pursue purity and dedication in our daily walk with the Lord. But we can’t do it alone, and when we try to do it without prayer, without seeking God, we will fail. So many times I read a scripture verse and think there is no way I can do it, but then I remember I don’t have to do it without help!

Additionally, in 1 Peter 1:15-16, we read: “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” These words further remind us and confirm what we know intellectually, that holiness is not just a distant ideal but a calling we can embrace through God’s grace. Sometimes getting things from our heads to our hearts can be a challenge.

I used to think that striving to do good—well, good enough—was a decent goal. I didn’t think anyone needed to strive to be great because that’s an unattainable goal. Plus, it’s kind of vain thinking that what we do or who we are is great. But truly, if we are sons and daughters—adopted sons and daughters of God—then by definition, we are heirs to the kingdom. We should strive for holiness not so we can boast but so we can give all the glory to God.

Friends, we get distracted by semantics and we think that holiness isn’t possible this side of heaven. In fact, we very rarely say the word or think that we are working toward holiness because again, that goal seems too far off or unattainable. It’s like saying I’m going to be part of the Olympic team and I’ve never even trained—which brings us to the fact that if we want to be holy, one of the things we must do is train. And the way we can train depends on our situation in life.

The reason I’m qualifying it by saying your situation in life is because we all have responsibilities. Maybe you are a mom of young children, a student with lessons and responsibilities, or maybe you are middle-aged and a caregiver to elderly parents. We all have situations in our lives that may prevent us from striving for holiness in the way of, let’s say, someone who’s in seminary or someone who’s in religious life.

But that doesn’t give us a pass on doing some basic things. As I shared from the book The Forgotten Way by Matthew Kelly, one of the ways to strive for holiness is to watch what we say. As he puts it, “You can become a saint just by governing your speech.”

But is it really? Think of the number of times that we have spoken and hurt someone or have spoken and not thought our words through. Very rarely do people apologize when they should, or maybe they over-apologize, as in the case of my sweet granddaughter Samantha. She often apologizes even when it’s not her fault. But holiness is possible, and that is a purpose that we should strive for. We can start today—it isn’t too late, even if you are overwhelmed, busy, have a huge workload, or have multiple deadlines to meet. You can start being holy just by saying, “Lord, I want to be holy,” and I want help in guarding what I say.”

I’m guilty of talking without thinking and hurting those I love the most. I used to chalk it up to transparency, that there was no need to wonder what I was thinking because I would tell you. Honesty is a virtue, but talking before thinking of the results of those words is not charitable. Something I wish I had learned earlier in life.

So many people have lost their life’s purpose.

Young people, especially, don’t seem to have life goals. I saw a recent post by a dad talking to his children about higher education, and they were wondering which jobs they could get that wouldn’t be replaced by AI in the future.

Without purpose, goals, or hope, we find people living in despair, discouragement, and disappointment. But what if our goal is to strive for heaven, to strive for the love of God, to strive to be a child of God? Does this change our despair? Yes! Realizing that there is more than what we can physically see and touch, and the goal is greater, is a blessing and leads to true freedom.

The first step would be asking the Lord, “Lord, what do you want from me?” What do you want from me today, right now? It doesn’t have to be a huge declaration. It can just be an acceptance of His will in our life for that day.

Sometimes our lives are not our own. We’re not in control, even when we think we have everything organized, scheduled, and perfectly mapped out. It doesn’t work that way—it doesn’t even work out at times when we’re trying to do good for the sake of another. It doesn’t always work out, but each day we get to see the glory and hand of God if we can just thank Him. If we can thank Him in the midst of the adversities, if we can thank Him even when we break a glass jar five minutes before we have to leave the house, or we’re going to be late to an appointment that is 30 minutes away, we can be thankful that no tile was chipped and the jar was not valuable.

Sometimes these little issues take us away from our purpose, and our purpose is to serve God and to bless others by works of charity, even when we pat ourselves on the back, and then something like this happens to take away our peace.

None of us is perfect, and that’s not what holiness means. It doesn’t mean achieving perfection. I think that holiness means striving to be the best that we can be, given our life situations. Again, when I share things like life situations, it’s because I don’t want to put a burden on people. I know that as a young mom, I would hear people share testimonies and think, “Gosh, I want to go to that. I want to share the glory of God with other people,” but I couldn’t. It was not my time; it wasn’t my station in life. Yet I could work with what God gave me: raising my children, homeschooling, being there for my husband, my family, and my friends.

Striving for holiness means guarding our speech, but it also means being deliberate in our speech. You know, speech can either make people happy or miserable, and sometimes we lash out and say things we don’t need to say because we’re upset. Yelling makes us feel better because we’ve gotten it off our chest, but it doesn’t make those who are the recipients of our yelling feel any better. And that is the best time to say nothing—or at least pray before we do.

Holiness isn’t easy. Holiness doesn’t have a direct formula either. I’ve read uplifting articles that if you did X, Y, and Z, then the Lord would bless you—that if you wanted that house, you just needed to claim it, or that car. It’s like telling somebody that you have to go through all of these hoops to please God before you’re blessed. We don’t know the mind of God, but that is not the God I serve.

Striving to be holy is a goal that is attainable, but like anything we strive for, it takes practice. The idea of A Few Minutes with God, the title of this podcast, is a testament to the fact that spending time with God in quiet is a step toward holiness, peace, tranquility, and joy. The holiness comes from acknowledging that God is holy, and in the example of Jesus Christ, we have an example to follow, meditate on, and contemplate.

But we avoid the quiet. When things are quiet, what do you do? Do we reach for our phones, turn on the television, or computer? Again, a tool of the enemy to distract us.

By controlling our speech, we also find we can control our tempers and our reactions to things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. In essence, we have greater control over ourselves and our actions.  Discipline can be trained, and we see it in many athletes, but discipline is something that we need, especially if we are going to work towards striving for holiness.

When we exercise self-control over our words we can avoid gossip, lies, harshness, or unnecessary speech. Read James 3:2-12– my goodness, it is eye-opening! Let me just read you a portion, but please go back and study this verse: James 3: 8-10 (Read on air.) …but no human being can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

This is so true; from our mouths come beautiful and sometimes vile things. Let us repent and move on because we all want healthier relationships, inner peace, and godly character. Let us pray to the Lord that He blesses us with the ability to have self-control, gentleness, and kindness, all fruits of the Spirit, that we may praise God in all things, strive for holiness because it is possible, and live in joy. Amen!

For more uplifting content on faith and Christian living, check out these related episodes on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

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What is an evil tactic? It is something employed by the evil one to take souls to hell. Harsh? Maybe. But, this is something that few of us want to talk about or consider. In this podcast, Felice will explore the tactics used and how to prevent being led to the dark side.

Visit this month’s wonderful sponsor who helps bring this network to you for free, visit CTCMath.com for a great math curriculum for grades K-12

Few people realize the greatest tool of evil is to convince people that evil does not exist. Everything is fine, it’s good, there is nothing to worry about. Everyone gets a free pass to go to heaven. Don’t worry, proclaim God once, claim Him and go on and live your life in whatever way you see fit. I realize we all come from different faith walks. Some are non-denominational and others adhere to a specific denomination. Some teach it is faith alone and others that it is faith and works.

In the previous podcast, I cited James 2:14-26, Faith without works is dead. With this thought, we must look at the ways that evil sets to destroy not only others but specifically our lives.

There is so much packed into these verses, first, we have nothing to fear, the next is that we should not fear the body because what is most important is our soul, and the only person to fear is what can destroy us -that is giving into evil tactics and ultimately hell. Then there is the wonderful verse about the Father’s intimate knowledge about each one of us because he even knows the number of hair on our heads. We have value to God, my friends more than we know! We must also acknowledge God, we must not be afraid of our Christian faith or deny him unless we want to be denied before the Father in heaven. Powerful words!

5. Humility – the key to discouragement and depression is humility. Realizing we can do nothing without God. This is not a way to push off blame or alleviate our guilt, it is a way however to realize that when we do things under our own steam we are setting up ourselves for failure. Have you ever wondered when your life falls apart, and you can’t seem to handle anymore that you are “doing” it yourself and without God? Sure, we are all gifted in some way, but those gifts should be attributed to the Almighty.

In our humility we ask the Lord for help, to come into our lives in a deeper way (I know – I must sound like I repeat myself over and over) but it is a truth that when we grow closer to God we find things that are so important in our life or that we think are important fall way. All the people who suffer loss realize in the end that these are things they can not take with them when they die. That is why we are taught to look to the end, to look at our lives and when we do, when we grow closer to God we can see the areas where we have sinned.

Evil tactics are lost on those who are grounded, who surround themselves with like-minded Christians, and who immerse themselves in all that is good and holy, beginning with your relationship with Christ and the Scriptures. This week make a list of the evil tactics aimed at you and work at ways (with God, Scripture, and prayer) that you can combat the evils.

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“Be not afraid.”

How God meets us personally during seasons of fear and uncertainty

What it looks like to trust the Lord in spiritual warfare and daily struggles

How ordinary women grow extraordinary faith through surrender and prayer

Why the words “Be not afraid” remain central to the Christian life

This episode is part of the Some Women podcast series, inspired by Luke 8:1–3, which highlights the women who accompanied Jesus and His disciples. Their example invites us to ask:

Who were the women who followed and served Jesus?

How are we called to follow and serve Him today?

What does faithful discipleship look like for women in the modern world?

Presented by Magnificat®, Some Women features lively panel discussions (with occasional guest panelists) on topics relevant to Catholic women today, including:

Growing in holiness

Building authentic community

Living a Holy Spirit–led life

Spiritual warfare

Developing a deeper prayer life

Each episode reflects on Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church, encouraging listeners to pray, learn, and experience what God can do when we let Him work in our lives.

Founded in 1981, Magnificat® is an international Catholic nonprofit with over 70 chapters worldwide. The ministry exists to evangelize and encourage women to grow in holiness by opening more fully to the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Inspired by Mary’s words in Luke 1:46—“My soul magnifies the Lord”—Magnificat® gatherings include:

Praise and worship

Testimonies of God’s transforming grace

Faith-sharing in a relaxed, welcoming community

Magnificat® is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, as a model for all Christians, especially women.

Learn more at: https://magnificat-ministry.org

The post Magnificat Presents® Some Women®: Be Not Afraid appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

For Ultimate Christian Podcast Network

Magnificat® Ministry Presents Magnificat® Proclaims. In this episode, Kelly Wahlquist shares her faith-filled journey to becoming a disciple of Christ. Today, through founding the national women’s ministry WINE: Women in the New Evangelization, she shares the faith, empowering women to enjoy a closer relationship with the Lord and to use their unique gifts to bring joy, connection, and community, healing the body of Christ.

Kelly is also Director of the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Kelly is the author of innovative collaborative Bible studies and travels the country speaking at Catholic conferences, retreats and leads women’s pilgrimages through Italy. She and her husband, Andy, reside with their three children in Minnesota.

Magnificat® Ministry Presents Magnificat® Proclaims. The Podcast is a platform for inspiring testimonies that showcase God’s goodness, greatness, and grace in our lives. These testimonies not only inform and educate but also encourage and inspire us to develop, deepen, and cultivate our relationship with the Triune God. The show hosts are Monique Moussot and Maryann Ridini Spencer.

Women of the New Evangelization website: https://catholicvineyard.com

Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHARE Magnificat® Ministry’s Podcasts

Watch the video podcast of this episode on Magnificat Ministry’s YouTube Channel at https://youtube.com/@MagnificatMinistry

Visit: Magnificat® A Ministry to Catholic Women website and peruse the Magnificat Proclaims books in the store: https://magnificat-ministry.org

LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS on The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and other channels: Magnificat® Proclaims: https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/magnificatministry/

**

About Magnificat® Ministry

Founded in 1981, Magnificat®, A Ministry to Catholic Women, an international nonprofit with over 70 Chapters across the globe, exists to evangelize and encourage Catholic women to grow in holiness through opening more fully to the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “My Soul Magnifies the Lord,” recorded in Luke 1:46, is the beginning of Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s joyful greeting. The entire scene of the Visitation is the inspiration for this Ministry. Through quarterly gatherings that include a Chapter Meal, praise and worship, guest speakers proclaiming their testimonies as to how God has transformed their lives, and other faith-sharing experiences organized in a relaxed social setting, women (and men) are inspired and encouraged to grow in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Visit: https://magnificat-ministry.org

All Magnificat® Ministry Podcasts: https://ultimatechristianpodcastnetwork.com/magnificatministry

The post Magnificat® Ministry Presents Magnificat® Proclaims, Episode 13, Kelly Wahlquist- From Heart to Heart: Bringing Joy with the New Evangelization appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Replay sponsored by CTCMath.com

When was the last time you attempted to memorize scripture? This is worthwhile and beneficial to our spiritual growth. By memorizing the verses we can ingrain them into our hearts and call them to mind in times when we struggle. Here are some tips for memorizing with ease.

Visit Media Angels and the books and services provided for Christian Families. Books such as the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, A Few Minutes with God, One More Child as well as the 24 different Character Planners for the entire family.

When the children were younger I would assign them scriptures to memorize. Most of the time they were a verse or two, often nothing longer. I had friends whose children could quote sections of the Bible and I was amazed! And while memorization is great for children, it is important that we as adults also spend time on memorization. In fact, it can really help us as we get older.

I have a list that I call life verses, such as Joshua 24:15 – but the entire verse is not what I quote. Here is the entire verse:

Another version says, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

and another the King James – My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

I love all of those versions, but my favorite is My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…

You can look up various scripture verses on a website such as BibleGateway.com or your own Bible translation.

I’m making a point to memorize some new verses, do you want to join me in the challenge? Let’s get started with some simple techniques for memorization.

Will you join me? That is this week’s challenge, one verse! Be blessed and in the Name of Jesus I ask for an infilling of the Holy Spirit to be upon your family today and always. Amen.

The post Memorize Scripture (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Listening to that still, small voice is the goal of all who are discerning God’s will! In this episode, we explore how we can shift our focus once we have practiced the habit of listening.

Listening to the Lord, following His will, and practicing holding our tongue is not easy. As I shared in the previous episode, as a family, we are reading the book “The Forgotten Way. The Saint James Master Plan.” By Matthew Kelly – This little book is powerful. What it lacks in words it makes up for in punch.

Holding our tongue, thinking before we talk, and spending time in silence helps us to cultivate the habit of listening to that still, small voice. The natural next step is to understand and interpret what He is revealing to us.

There is no formula – you do x + y, and you get Z. No, that is not how it works. But listening takes practice, and it is difficult to listen if we are talking.

When was the last time you were seeking a clear direction in your life? Making decisions—whether it’s a career change, family matters, or spiritual growth is possible without Go,d but how much better is it if we pray for the Lord’s help?

In a world filled with distractions and conflicting voices, discerning God’s will isn’t just a skill; it’s a lifeline to living a purposeful, God-centered life.

Discernment is more than just making good choices; it’s a spiritual practice rooted in prayer, reflection, and obedience. It involves testing the spirits to ensure our decisions align with God’s holy truth rather than our own desires or worldly influences.

In today’s fast-paced society, where self-help gurus and social media influencers bombard us with advice, true discernment calls us back to the foundational principles of our faith. We’ll draw inspiration from biblical figures like the Apostle Paul, whose vision of the Macedonian call in Acts 16 redirected his missionary journey entirely.

This wasn’t a random event but a clear prompting from the Holy Spirit, showing us that God often speaks through circumstances, inner peace, and confirmation from Scripture and community. For Catholics, the Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes forming our moral compass through regular examination and sacraments like Reconciliation.

By prioritizing these elements, we can avoid the pitfalls of confusion and step into the clarity that comes from a heart attuned to God. Discernment isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress in holiness, trusting that God reveals His will progressively as we seek Him diligently.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.”

This powerful verse from St. Paul urges us to reject the patterns of secular culture that prioritize materialism, individualism, and instant gratification. Instead, it calls for a radical transformation through the renewal of our minds—achieved via daily immersion in God’s Word, prayer, and the Eucharist.

After reflecting on this, consider how worldly influences might be clouding your judgment. For instance, in a culture obsessed with success measured by wealth or status, discerning God’s will might mean choosing a vocation that serves others, like teaching or missionary work, even if it’s not lucrative.

Practically, start by cutting back on your media intake: replace scrolling through divisive news feeds… Ultimately, this transformation equips us to test and approve God’s perfect will, leading to a life of fulfillment and eternal reward. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

In an age where self-reliance is idolized—think of the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality—this proverb reminds us that true straight paths come from acknowledging God in every aspect of life, from mundane routines to major crossroads.

After pondering this, reflect on times when leaning on your understanding led to detours. Use apps with daily Scripture I shared about the Bible in a Year podcast by Ascension Press.  It’s free on YouTube. (More on air.)

1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

St. John warns against deception in a world rife with false prophets and misleading ideologies.

This is especially relevant today, with cultural shifts promoting relativism and ideologies contrary to Christian teachings, such as those undermining the sanctity of life or traditional marriage. Testing spirits involves comparing promptings against Scripture, Church tradition, and moral absolutes.

After this reference, delve into how to practically test: use the “fruit inspection” from Galatians 5—does the spirit produce love, joy, peace? Avoid sources that twist the truth, such as progressive theologies that dilute biblical commands.

Instead, draw on solid resources such as the Bible! In personal life, test career callings: if a job requires compromising ethics, it’s not from God.

As a believer, we must speak out against anti-family policies. Surround yourself with like-minded Christians. This safeguards against spiritual pitfalls, leading to authentic freedom in Christ. 

To make discernment a daily habit, begin with structured prayer times, perhaps using a prayer journal to record areas of struggle or praise reports. I love keeping a praise journal to see all that God has provided in our families.

If you can add fasting to your life, not just from food but from noise—turn off the music or news during commutes to listen inwardly. Surround yourself with a faithful community, like Bible study groups, for objective feedback. Remember, discernment thrives in frequent attendance at church. I love that my church encourages silence. When entering, I can kneel and pray quietly. It is a wonderful way to begin to worship God.

If facing major decisions, consider a retreat, even for a few hours! Seek spiritual guidance from your pastor. Patience is key—God’s timing often differs from ours, building trust. Incorporate nature walks and reflect on creation as a means of discernment, as Psalm 19 suggests. Finally, celebrate small discernments to encourage perseverance.

Enhance your spiritual discernment with these additional episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

The post Discerning God’s Will appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

In this episode, Angela, Donna, Jackie, and Pat talk about their prayer lives. They describe what their prayer was like when they first came back to the Lord, how it has changed over the years, and how it’s like for them now.

Who were the women that followed Jesus and his disciples?  Why and how do we follow and serve Him today?  In this SOME WOMEN  podcast series, based on the Luke 8:1-3 reference to women who accompanied Jesus and His disciples,  Magnificat® presents a lively panel discussion, with occasional guest panelists, on issues relevant to women today.

Various topics such as growing in holiness, community, living a Holy Spirit lifestyle, Spiritual warfare, nurturing a prayer life, and more, will be considered in the light of Sacred Scripture and teachings of the Catholic Church.  Join us as we pray, learn, and experience what God can do in our lives if we let Him!

Founded in 1981, Magnificat®, A Ministry to Catholic Women, an international nonprofit with over 70 Chapters across the globe, exists to evangelize and encourage Catholic women to grow in holiness through opening more fully to the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “My Soul Magnifies the Lord,” recorded in Luke 1:46, is the beginning of Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s joyful greeting. The entire scene of the Visitation is the inspiration for this Ministry.

Through quarterly gatherings that include a Chapter Meal, praise and worship, guest speakers proclaiming their testimonies as to how God has transformed their lives, and other faith-sharing experiences organized in a relaxed social setting, women (and men) are inspired and encouraged to grow in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Magnificat® is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, an image of the Church, and model for all Christians, especially women.  Visit: https://magnificat-ministry.org

The post Magnificat Presents Some Women: Personal Prayer Life appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Welcome to A Few Minutes with God Podcast, hosted by Felice Gerwitz. In this episode, we dive into the foundational aspect of our Christian walk: learning to listen to the Lord. As believers, tuning our hearts to God’s gentle whispers amid the noise of the world is essential for spiritual growth.

This four-part series explores listening to Him, following His will, and exercising caution in our speech. Join us as we seek timeless wisdom from Scripture to inspire your faith journey.

In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the still, small voice of God. This episode focuses on practical ways to cultivate a listening heart, drawing from biblical examples like Samuel’s call in the night. By prioritizing quiet time in prayer and meditation, we open ourselves to divine guidance that aligns our lives with His purpose.

Book referenced: The Forgotten Way*

Start your day with intentional silence, perhaps by reading the passage slowly and stopping to contemplate the words, or by journaling. In this way, you can write down your prayer requests and keep track of those that have been answered and those you need to continue praying for. Avoid distractions like social media during devotion time, and seek confirmation through godly counsel. Remember, listening is an active pursuit of intimacy with the Lord.

For more insights on deepening your relationship with God, check out these episodes from A Few Minutes with God Podcast on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

*affiliate link. Please see terms and conditions.

The post Listening To The Lord appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.