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When life is really tough, should we consider it a sign that God wants us to move on? If we’re offered a better paying job, is that an indication that God is leading us away from our current situation? Maybe; maybe not. In this message, Chip lays out four steps to follow when considering a change of scenery.

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With rising prices and an uncertain economy often in the news, it’s easy for families to feel stressed about money. In fact, after surveying nearly 4,000 women, Crystal Paine discovered that nearly all of them admitted to having some level of fear about their money or financial future. Crystal is no stranger to this stress. Early in her marriage to Jesse, they struggled to pay the bills after job opportunities fell through, leaving them scrabbling to provide for themselves and their two young kids. Through careful money habits and decisions, they moved from scraping by to thriving, establishing foundational habits that helped them from those early days until now. In this interview, she will help listeners with practical advice for getting a handle on their money, such as decide on financial priorities, predetermine spending, create accountability and stop paying full price.

Get "The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women" free with your gift

Thriving in Love and Money -- Money is a leading source of conflict for many couples, but it doesn’t have to be. Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn help couples uncover the issues behind financial disagreements and develop a more unified approach to managing money together.

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Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!

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Jesus still finds blind people and restores their sight. Did you know he promised that through his ministry the blind shall see? Christ came to give light and sight.

Consider what he is doing in the Muslim world. According to Tom Doyle, more Muslims have become Christians in the last couple of decades than in the previous 1400 years since Muhammad and about one out of every three Muslim background believers has had a dream or vision prior to their salvation experience.

Jesus is in hot pursuit of the spiritually blind and he finds them, he touches them. He may use a vision or he may use the kindness of a friend or the message of a sermon or the splendor of creation. But believe this, he came to bring sight to the blind.

Remember friend, you are never alone.

Read more You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God's Presence & Power

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

For years, the stories of J. R. R. Tolkien’s “Middle-earth” were contained in his “Lord of the Rings” book trilogy and enjoyed by a relatively small number of people who loved those stories passionately. But since the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy exploded from books to blockbuster Hollywood movies, millions became enthusiastic fans. The engaging fantasy world of Tolkien’s “Middle-earth," the unique characters, the epic battles, and the spiritual themes that run through the stories; there are many layers that have blended into an experience that has magnetized millions of people. It’s a great story, but for many, this is a story that seems to say something — something important. Tolkien, the author of the “Lord of the Rings,” was a man with a deep Christian faith, and that faith helped to shape the provocative spiritual themes that many find in “Return of the King,” the finale of the trilogy. There is this ring. There is this king. And there, somewhere tied to both, are many of us.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Trying to Be King.”

At the center of “The Return of the King,” is the ring; the gold ring that many want to possess, no matter what the cost. The dark secret of owning that ring and its power is that the power ultimately comes to own you. It’s called by one of its owners, “The Precious”—demonstrating its perverse value to the one who has it. You can’t let go of it, even when it begins to destroy you…as it always does.

That image suggests a disturbing reality about our lives here on Real-earth. There are life-pursuits that we believe will fulfill us, answer our questions and give us the love we’re looking for, or the spiritual power that the human soul is hungry for. We want the power of whatever “ring” we feel compelled to pursue; someone who will love us, something we define as success, something that will relieve our pain, something that will make us feel significant. We all have our “Precious.” Sadly, our “Precious” ends up being less than we had hoped, but often something we can’t let go of.

Two words ultimately define the essence of all our “Precious” pursuits—my way or “sin,” as the Bible calls it. Time after time, the road marked “My Way” has turned out to be a dead-end street hasn’t it? And all too often, the ring that we have selfishly fought for has ended up hurting us and hurting those we love. That’s the point at which “The Return of the King” intersects the life of a real king; the one described in the Bible as the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16). The one in whose honor we stand when we hear the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The battles of Tolkien’s “Middle-earth” culminate with the return and the victory of a liberating king named Aragorn. The battles of Real-Earth culminate with the coming, and the victory, of the King of all kings - King Jesus.

The same book of the Bible that shows Jesus as this King of kings says of Him in Revelation 1:5, our word for today from the Word of God, “He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood.” The King died for you because you have grabbed the “ring” of a self-run life; not realizing the ring will ultimately cost you everything including heaven. But heaven’s King loves you so much He paid that price himself for you on the cross. And then His ultimate victory came three days later when He walked right out of His grave.

The life-or-death choice before you is whether you will continue to grasp that life-sapping ring or release the ring so you can follow your King. The day you say, “Jesus, You died for me. I’m Yours” is the day the King of billions of galaxies moves into your life and does with it what you could never do. The rightful King of your life is coming to you today, because for Jesus, you are His “Precious.”

Are you ready to have that love? Tell Him, "Jesus, I'm yours." Go

Do you ever believe the lie that you have nothing to give?  Today on BOLD STEPS, Mark Jobe opens Ecclesiastes chapter 11 with a message on the divine nature of generosity.  We’ll see why nothing we cast upon the water of faith is ever wasted ... and how God’s divine current brings it back to us in ways we’d never expect.  Learn to live open-handed ... listen to Bold Steps with Pastor Mark Jobe.

Bold Steps Gift: The Church In Babylon: Heeding the Call to Be a Light in the Darkness - Erwin Lutzer and Ed Stetzer

Visit or watch Mark Jobe at New Life Community Church

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Most love stories we know are about chemistry, feelings, and getting something back. Ruth and Naomi show a fiercer love—loyal, giving, and completely unselfish. In this message, Pastor Philip Miller shows how Ruth's hesed mirrors the way God loves us. Discover why the love that truly changes us is the kind that asks for nothing in return.

This is part three of the sermon, "Fellowship in Sufferings."

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00:03 – God's Hesed in the Story: The loyal love running through Ruth.
02:38 – Looking at God's Love: How His faithfulness shapes the scene.
05:08 – Call Me Mara: Naomi's bitterness laid bare.
07:42 – So Gracious, So Forbearing: God's patience with her pain.
10:12 – Changed From the Inside: How God's love remakes us.
12:46 – Carried Back In: A picture of being helped when you can't help yourself.
15:46 – A Different Kind of Love Story: How "hesed" compares to what we usually picture.
18:28 – Why It Matters: What this fierce love means for us.

Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Living Hope" and "Moody Church Hour," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives.

Dr. Philip Miller is the 17th Senior Pastor of The Moody Church. He is the featured speaker on "Living Hope" and "Moody Church Hour," with programs broadcasting on 700 outlets in the U.S. He and his wife Krista live in Chicago with their four children. Pastor Philip is passionate about proclaiming God's Word, cultivating healthy ministry, and investing in future leaders.

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Everyone wants to know how the story ends, especially when evil seems to be winning. Near Nazareth, the world's armies will gather for the final battle: Armageddon. In this message, Pastor Lutzer explains how Christ's return will end earth's last war. Satan would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven, but what if hell has no kings?

This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337.

Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives.

Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

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She loves Jesus. She has good friends. And there’s still one part of her life she hopes nobody ever asks about. Christian women and their private sexual struggles rarely make it into the same conversation. Dr. Juli Slattery and educator Dr. Joy Skarka join Dave and Ann Wilson to talk candidly about secrecy, shame, sexual habits, and what it means to be fully known without running for cover.

Show Notes and Resources

• Her Freedom Journey: A Guide Out of Porn and Shame to Authentic Intimacy.

• Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com.
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Not every spiritual experience is what it seems to be. The apostle Paul warned against any angel who brings a different gospel. In this message, Pastor Lutzer gives three tests to tell God's angels from counterfeits. What would we do if an angel appeared and told us that good deeds would save us?

This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001.

Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives.

Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

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Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/

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Daily Devotional and Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/