"It is a scientific fact that these macaques, like all other primates, including humans, are communicating. They communicate in much the same way we do - facial expressions, vocalizations, body postures, those kinds of things." - Jeff Kerr Jeff Kerr is PETA foundations Chief Legal Officer. I asked him to come on the show to talk about one of PETA’s current lawsuits against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Nathional Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). PETA is arguing that the monkeys being tested on in a government run facility are capable of communication (or “are communicating”). And that we have a constitutional right under the First Amendment to receive their communications. This could be a game changer in allowing us to see what’s really going on in labs that are funded by taxpayer money, and which have so far been censored from public view. PETA’s lawsuit follows years of NIH’s attempts to deny Freedom of Information requests banning PETA executives from its campus and illegally censoring animal advocates’ speech on NIH’s public social media pages. Through the lawsuit, PETA is seeking a live audio-visual feed to see and hear real-time communications from the macaques who have been kept isolated, used in fear experiments, and had posts cemented into their heads. Anthropologists and other scientists have studied macaque and other primate communications for decades and know that the monkeys communicate effectively and intentionally through lip smacking, fear grimaces, body language, and various cries and sounds—all of which constitute speech under the law. Primatologists can analyze that speech on a deeper level to share their stories with the world.…
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محتوای ارائه شده توسط Gene Kissinger. تمام محتوای پادکست شامل قسمت‌ها، گرافیک‌ها و توضیحات پادکست مستقیماً توسط Gene Kissinger یا شریک پلتفرم پادکست آن‌ها آپلود و ارائه می‌شوند. اگر فکر می‌کنید شخصی بدون اجازه شما از اثر دارای حق نسخه‌برداری شما استفاده می‌کند، می‌توانید روندی که در اینجا شرح داده شده است را دنبال کنید.https://fa.player.fm/legal
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Daily Deals
Something New #RTTBROS #Nightlight
Manage episode 458116471 series 3236990
محتوای ارائه شده توسط Gene Kissinger. تمام محتوای پادکست شامل قسمت‌ها، گرافیک‌ها و توضیحات پادکست مستقیماً توسط Gene Kissinger یا شریک پلتفرم پادکست آن‌ها آپلود و ارائه می‌شوند. اگر فکر می‌کنید شخصی بدون اجازه شما از اثر دارای حق نسخه‌برداری شما استفاده می‌کند، می‌توانید روندی که در اینجا شرح داده شده است را دنبال کنید.https://fa.player.fm/legal
Something New #RTTBROS #Nightlight Something New "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:19 In the depths of life's most challenging moments, when the familiar landscapes of our comfort zones crumble beneath our feet, God's promise rings true - He is doing something new. Like the Israelites in exile, we often find ourselves clinging to the memories of what was, whether victories or defeats, unable to see the fresh work God is orchestrating in our present circumstances. Consider the profound imagery God uses through the prophet Isaiah when He declares, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2). These words weren't mere poetry but a divine guarantee of His presence in every trial. Just as a skilled lifeguard maintains an unwavering grip on someone they're rescuing, God's hold on us never falters. The Lord doesn't promise a life free from waters or fires - those trials will come. Instead, He promises His unfailing presence through them. Like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace who emerged without even the smell of smoke on their garments, God's protection doesn't always prevent the trial but ensures our preservation through it. Sometimes, we find ourselves like those ancient Israelites, staring at the ruins of what once was - a broken relationship, a failed business, a shattered dream. Yet God's message rings clear: "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old" (Isaiah 43:18). He's not calling us to develop spiritual amnesia but rather to shift our focus from the past to His present work. This divine paradox teaches us that while we should learn from our past, we mustn't live in it. Like a Formula One driver in a spin who must focus on the open track rather than the concrete wall, our spiritual success often depends on where we fix our gaze. The past can either be a teacher or a prison - the choice lies in how we handle it. God's pattern throughout scripture reveals He is both a Creator and a Re-creator. In the beginning, He spoke light into darkness, and He continues to bring forth new life from seemingly dead situations. Just as He made "a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert," He specializes in bringing forth springs of hope in the barren places of our lives. The key to embracing God's new thing lies in understanding our identity in Him. Throughout Isaiah 43, God repeatedly emphasizes, "thou art mine." This foundation of belonging provides the security needed to release our grip on the past and reach forward to what lies ahead. When we truly grasp that we belong to Him, we can trust His timing and purposes, even when they differ from our own expectations. Our response to life's challenges often reveals more about our character than our credentials ever could. Crisis has a way of stripping away everything that isn't essential, leaving us with the fundamental question: Is God enough? When we reach that place where Jesus is all we have, we discover that Jesus is all we need. The message of "something new" isn't just about God changing our circumstances; it's about Him transforming our perspective. Like a carrier pigeon delivering a life-saving message during wartime, God's promise of new beginnings comes to us when we're trapped behind enemy lines, offering hope and direction when we need it most. Finally, this promise of newness calls us to active participation. While God is the author of the new thing, we must be willing to let go of the old to embrace it. Just as a tree must release its autumn leaves to make way for spring's new growth. https://linktr.ee/rttbros
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1660 قسمت
اشتراک گذاریManage episode 458116471 series 3236990
محتوای ارائه شده توسط Gene Kissinger. تمام محتوای پادکست شامل قسمت‌ها، گرافیک‌ها و توضیحات پادکست مستقیماً توسط Gene Kissinger یا شریک پلتفرم پادکست آن‌ها آپلود و ارائه می‌شوند. اگر فکر می‌کنید شخصی بدون اجازه شما از اثر دارای حق نسخه‌برداری شما استفاده می‌کند، می‌توانید روندی که در اینجا شرح داده شده است را دنبال کنید.https://fa.player.fm/legal
Something New #RTTBROS #Nightlight Something New "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:19 In the depths of life's most challenging moments, when the familiar landscapes of our comfort zones crumble beneath our feet, God's promise rings true - He is doing something new. Like the Israelites in exile, we often find ourselves clinging to the memories of what was, whether victories or defeats, unable to see the fresh work God is orchestrating in our present circumstances. Consider the profound imagery God uses through the prophet Isaiah when He declares, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2). These words weren't mere poetry but a divine guarantee of His presence in every trial. Just as a skilled lifeguard maintains an unwavering grip on someone they're rescuing, God's hold on us never falters. The Lord doesn't promise a life free from waters or fires - those trials will come. Instead, He promises His unfailing presence through them. Like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace who emerged without even the smell of smoke on their garments, God's protection doesn't always prevent the trial but ensures our preservation through it. Sometimes, we find ourselves like those ancient Israelites, staring at the ruins of what once was - a broken relationship, a failed business, a shattered dream. Yet God's message rings clear: "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old" (Isaiah 43:18). He's not calling us to develop spiritual amnesia but rather to shift our focus from the past to His present work. This divine paradox teaches us that while we should learn from our past, we mustn't live in it. Like a Formula One driver in a spin who must focus on the open track rather than the concrete wall, our spiritual success often depends on where we fix our gaze. The past can either be a teacher or a prison - the choice lies in how we handle it. God's pattern throughout scripture reveals He is both a Creator and a Re-creator. In the beginning, He spoke light into darkness, and He continues to bring forth new life from seemingly dead situations. Just as He made "a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert," He specializes in bringing forth springs of hope in the barren places of our lives. The key to embracing God's new thing lies in understanding our identity in Him. Throughout Isaiah 43, God repeatedly emphasizes, "thou art mine." This foundation of belonging provides the security needed to release our grip on the past and reach forward to what lies ahead. When we truly grasp that we belong to Him, we can trust His timing and purposes, even when they differ from our own expectations. Our response to life's challenges often reveals more about our character than our credentials ever could. Crisis has a way of stripping away everything that isn't essential, leaving us with the fundamental question: Is God enough? When we reach that place where Jesus is all we have, we discover that Jesus is all we need. The message of "something new" isn't just about God changing our circumstances; it's about Him transforming our perspective. Like a carrier pigeon delivering a life-saving message during wartime, God's promise of new beginnings comes to us when we're trapped behind enemy lines, offering hope and direction when we need it most. Finally, this promise of newness calls us to active participation. While God is the author of the new thing, we must be willing to let go of the old to embrace it. Just as a tree must release its autumn leaves to make way for spring's new growth. https://linktr.ee/rttbros
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Treasure Worth Seeking Prov. 1,2 #RTTBROS #Nightlight
You Are Seen #RTTBROS #Nightlight The SEEN Life: Moving from Hidden to Healed "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."- Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV) In the depths of our hearts lie chambers we'd rather keep locked. We carry fears that paralyze, shame that silences, expectations that disappoint, and needs that go unmet. Yet God calls us to live a SEEN life: one where nothing remains hidden from His loving gaze or our own honest reflection. What am I SCARED of? Fear has a way of whispering lies in the darkness, convincing us that we're not strong enough, smart enough, or worthy enough. But the psalmist knew that when we bring our fears into God's light, He meets us there. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1). Your fears lose their power when you name them before the One who has already conquered them. What am I EMBARRASSED about? Shame thrives in secrecy, but it withers in the presence of grace. Those moments that make us want to hide, our failures, our weaknesses, our past mistakes, are the very places where God's mercy shines brightest. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). What embarrasses you today can become tomorrow's testimony of God's redemptive power. What am I EXPECTING? Sometimes we build castles in the air with our expectations, only to watch them crumble when reality doesn't match our dreams. Unrealistic expectations breed disappointment, while unrealized ones create bitterness. But when we surrender our expectations to God's will, we find something better than what we imagined. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). His plans surpass our expectations every time. What do I NEED? Beneath our wants lie our true needs, for love, acceptance, purpose, and peace. Often we seek these in places that cannot satisfy, but God knows our deepest needs before we even voice them. "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). When you identify what you truly need, you can bring those needs to the One who is able to meet them abundantly. Living SEEN means choosing vulnerability over hiding, truth over pretense, and faith over fear. It means allowing God to search the hidden places of your heart and trusting that what He finds there, He can heal and transform. When you dare to be fully known, by God and by trusted others, you discover that you are fully loved, not despite your struggles, but through them. Today, invite God into every corner of your heart. Let Him see what scares you, what shames you, what you're hoping for, and what you need. In His presence, you'll find that being SEEN is not something to fear, but something to embrace. For in His eyes, you are precious, chosen, and deeply loved. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros…
Magnificent Obsession #RTTBROS #Nightlight Never Without Christ: The Soul of Every Prayer and Sermon "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14 (KJV) The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once declared with passionate conviction: "See to it then, beloved, that you never pray a prayer which is not sweetened with Christ. I would never preach a sermon—the Lord forgive me if I do—which is not full to overflowing with my Master. I know one who said I was always on the old string and he would come and hear me no more; but if I preached a sermon without Christ in it, he would come. Ah, he will never come while this tongue moves, for a sermon without Christ in it—a Christless sermon! A brook without water; a cloud without rain; a well which mocks the traveller; a tree twice dead, plucked up by the root; a sky without a sun; a night without a star. It is a realm of death—a place of mourning for angels and laughter for devils." What vivid imagery Spurgeon paints of a message devoid of Christ! Like a brook that offers no refreshment to the thirsty soul, or a cloud heavy with promise but yielding no life-giving rain, our words become empty shells when stripped of the Savior's presence. Consider how Christ Himself is woven into the very fabric of Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, every page whispers His name. The sacrificial lamb speaks of Him. The bronze serpent lifted in the wilderness points to Him. The temple veil torn in two proclaims His finished work. Even in the genealogies and seemingly mundane passages, careful study reveals shadows and types of our blessed Redeemer. If the inspired Word cannot be properly understood apart from Christ, how much more should our prayers and proclamations be saturated with His presence? When we pray, we come not in our own merit but through His precious blood. When we speak of spiritual matters, we dare not offer stones for bread or serpents for fish to hungry souls. The apostle Paul understood this truth deeply. In his letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). This was not intellectual limitation but spiritual wisdom. Paul recognized that Christ is not merely a topic among many—He is the golden thread that gives meaning to all other truths. Today, let us examine our own hearts. Are our prayers enriched with gratitude for His sacrifice? Do our conversations naturally turn toward His goodness? When we have opportunity to encourage others, do we point them to the One who is the source of all comfort? A prayer without Christ becomes mere wishful thinking. A message without Christ becomes hollow philosophy. But when our Savior fills our words, they become vessels of grace, instruments of hope, and channels of divine love. May we never be guilty of offering a well without water to thirsty souls. Instead, let us ensure that every word we speak and every prayer we offer overflows with the sweetness of our precious Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us when our prayers have been self-centered and our words have lacked the sweetness of Christ. Help us to be so filled with Your Son that He naturally flows from our lips in every conversation and petition. May we never offer empty cisterns to thirsty souls, but always point to the Living Water. In Jesus' precious name, Amen. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros…
Before Sin, There Was a Savior #RTTBROS #Nightlight "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." - Romans 5:20 (KJV) "God's grace is greater than our greatest sin." This simple yet profound truth carries the weight of eternity within its words. When we examine the depths of our human condition, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the magnitude of our failures, our shortcomings, and our rebellion against our Creator. Yet Scripture declares something that defies human logic and surpasses earthly understanding: grace doesn't just match our sin, it overwhelms it. Before There Was Sin, There Was a Savior Long before Adam's hand reached for forbidden fruit, before the first tear of guilt was shed, before humanity even knew what it meant to fall short of God's glory, there existed a plan of redemption. The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. This reveals something extraordinary about the nature of our God, His love and provision preceded our need. He didn't scramble to find a solution after we messed up; He had already prepared the remedy before the disease ever manifested. Before There Was Guilt, There Was Grace When shame first entered the human heart, grace was already there waiting. The very moment Adam and Eve recognized their nakedness and hid from God, grace was pursuing them through the garden, calling out, "Where are you?" This wasn't the question of an ignorant God seeking information, but the call of a loving Father extending an invitation to restoration. Grace had already made provision for their covering, both physical and spiritual. Before I Ever Messed Up, There Was Mercy Personal reflection brings this truth home to our hearts. Every mistake you've made, every failure that haunts your memory, every secret sin that brings you shame, none of these caught God off guard. His mercy toward you existed before you ever needed it. Before your first breath, His love for you was already complete. Before your first sin, His forgiveness was already secured through Christ's sacrifice. The beauty of this divine truth is that grace doesn't diminish as our sins increase. Paul's words in Romans reveal that where sin abounded, grace didn't just show up, it "much more abounded." The Greek word used here suggests an overwhelming abundance, a superabundance that exceeds all boundaries. This means that your worst day doesn't define you. Your deepest failure doesn't disqualify you. Your most shameful moment doesn't separate you from God's love. Grace is greater. Grace was there first. Grace will have the final word. When the enemy whispers that you've gone too far, remember: grace went further. When guilt suggests you're beyond redemption, remember: grace was there before you needed redemption. When shame tries to convince you that you're unworthy of love, remember: God's love existed before you were even capable of earning or losing it. Living in the Reality of Greater Grace: Understanding that God's grace is greater than our greatest sin should transform how we approach both our failures and our relationship with God. We don't have to minimize our sin or pretend it doesn't matter, we can acknowledge its full weight while simultaneously celebrating grace's superior strength. This truth also calls us to extend the same preemptive grace to others that God has shown us. Just as His mercy was waiting for us before we knew we needed it, we can offer grace to others before they even ask for it. Today, let the magnitude of God's grace wash over every area of guilt, shame, and condemnation in your life. You are not defined by your worst moment but by His best gift. His grace doesn't just cover your sin, it overwhelms it, transforms it. #GraceGreater #BeforeSinTherewasaSavior #GodsMercyEndures Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros…
Don't Boss The Boss #Nightlight #RTTBROS Don't Boss The Boss #Nightlight #RTTBROS Don't Boss the Boss: Surrendering Our Demand for Divine Obedience "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?" Isaiah 45:9 (KJV) There's a dangerous reversal happening in many hearts today. We approach God not as humble servants seeking His will, but as demanding customers expecting divine customer service. When circumstances don't align with our plans, when prayers seem unanswered, when God's timing doesn't match our urgency, we find ourselves angry, not with our situation, but with God Himself. The Problem: Playing God to God When we demand that God conform to our understanding, we're essentially saying, "I know better than You do." We're telling the One who spoke galaxies into existence that our finite perspective trumps His infinite wisdom. We're informing the God who sees the end from the beginning that He's gotten our story wrong. This reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of who God is and who we are. As the clay, we have no right to question the Potter's methods. As children, we have no authority to command our heavenly Father. The Spiritual Solution: Returning to Our Rightful Position The remedy begins with repentance, not God repenting to us, but us repenting to God. We must acknowledge that our frustration with His apparent "disobedience" to our will is actually rebellion against His rightful lordship. First, humble ourselves before His sovereignty: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6, KJV). Second, trust His perfect love and wisdom: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, KJV). Third, surrender our timeline to His: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV). Finally, pray with Christ's heart: "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42, KJV). The peace we seek won't come from getting God to obey us, but from learning to trust and obey Him. When we stop trying to be the father and return to our place as beloved children, we'll discover that His will is not a burden to bear but a gift to receive. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros…
Freedom Isn't Free #Nightlight #RTTBROS Freedom Isn't Free - The Price of Liberty in Two Realms "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 (KJV) The phrase "freedom isn't free" adorns monuments and memorials across our nation, reminding us that liberty always comes at a cost. Someone always pays the price for someone else's freedom. Our founding fathers understood this truth when they pledged "our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor" for independence. Generations of Americans have honored that pledge, paying freedom's price with their blood on foreign shores and domestic soil. They understood that some things are worth dying for, and liberty tops that list. But there's another freedom that came at an even greater cost—our spiritual liberty. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19, KJV). Christ paid the ultimate price to free us from sin's tyranny. His sacrifice on the cross broke every chain that bound us to spiritual death and eternal separation from God. The freedom He purchased isn't just for this life—it's freedom that lasts forever. As we honor our military heroes today, let us also honor the Hero of Calvary. Both freedoms demand our gratitude and our commitment to live as free people, not returning to the bondage from which we've been delivered. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros…
New Creature New Features #rttbros #nightlight
New Creature New Features #rttbros #nightlight
Fasting Power #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Normankissinger
Small Steps To Big Faith #RTTBROS #Nightlight Small Steps, Big Faith "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." - Ecclesiastes 7:8 (KJV) In our walk with God, we often fall into the trap of perfectionism. We hear tales of great Christian leaders who spent hours in fervent prayer at dawn, and we think, "I could never measure up to that." This mindset can paralyze us, preventing us from taking even the smallest steps in our spiritual journey. As the saying goes, "The perfect is often the enemy of the good." Consider the act of prayer. We may envision the ideal prayer life as rising at 4 AM and communing with God for hours on end. While this practice can be admirable, it's not the only way to cultivate a meaningful relationship with our Heavenly Father. By setting such a lofty standard, we may discourage ourselves from praying at all. Instead, let's focus on progress, not perfection. The good – a simple, heartfelt conversation with God each day – is far better than the perfect that never materializes. Start small: offer a sentence or two of gratitude, petition, or praise. As you build this habit, you may find yourself naturally expanding your prayers, perhaps even engaging in short bursts of communication with God throughout your day. Remember, God doesn't expect perfection from us. He desires a genuine relationship, one that grows and deepens over time. In Ecclesiastes, we're reminded that the patient in spirit is better than the proud. This patience applies not only to our circumstances but also to our spiritual growth. Take encouragement from the words of Jesus in Matthew 17:20 (KJV): "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Even the smallest act of faith can lead to tremendous growth and change. Today, challenge yourself to take one small step in your spiritual disciplines. Whether it's prayer, Bible reading, or acts of service, remember that consistency in small things often leads to significant transformation. Don't let the illusion of perfection hinder your progress. Embrace the good, and watch as God works in and through your faithful efforts. Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to overcome the paralysis of perfectionism. Grant us the wisdom to start small and the patience to grow steadily in our relationship with You. May we find joy in the journey of faith, trusting that You are pleased with our sincere efforts, no matter how humble they may seem. In Jesus' name, Amen. https://linktr.ee/rttbros Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros…
Change #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Normankissinger
Wisdom For The Weary #Nightlight #RTTBROS Wisdom For The Weary #Nightlight #RTTBROS Above All Else: The Focus That Changed Wilberforce If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory William Wilberforce stood at the window of his London home, staring across the Thames with weary eyes. For twenty years, he had fought to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire, and for twenty years, he had failed. Stacks of parliamentary papers cluttered his desk, and letters from both supporters and fierce opponents filled his drawers. His health was deteriorating, and doubts clouded his mind. Throughout his life, Wilberforce was deeply influenced by Scripture broadly. His 1797 book "A Practical View of Christianity" revealed his theological foundations, while his journal entries and letters demonstrated how biblical principles regarding human dignity and justice guided his political career. He was especially moved by passages about loving one's neighbor, caring for the oppressed, and the equality of all people before God. As a young, ambitious politician with wealth and social connections, he had experienced a profound spiritual conversion at age 25. His old friend, former slave-ship captain John Newton, now a minister and author of "Amazing Grace", had counseled him not to abandon politics but to use his position for God's purposes. Though he never specifically cited it, the powerful truth in Colossians 3 perfectly summarizes Wilberforce's transformed focus in life. While his peers pursued political power, wealth, and status, he set his mind on higher things, the dignity of every human being created in God's image. This heavenly focus made him willing to endure earthly scorn. Year after year, he introduced anti-slavery bills. Year after year, they were defeated. His political opponents mocked him as a religious fanatic. Business interests slandered him as an economic saboteur. Even some friends suggested he choose a more achievable cause. "Perhaps I should focus elsewhere," Wilberforce confided to his journal one night. "Twenty years of failure wears on a man's soul." Many times when he opened his Bible. Those words renewed his resolve. His focus wasn't meant to be on immediate results but on faithfulness to his calling. He wasn't working primarily for earthly approval but for heavenly purposes. With refreshed determination, Wilberforce continued the fight. His heavenly focus gave him earthly perseverance. In 1807, the Slave Trade Act finally passed, abolishing the slave trade throughout the British Empire. Twenty-six years later, just three days before his death in 1833, he received news that slavery itself would be abolished across the British colonies. Wilberforce's life embodies the wisdom of Paul's words in Colossians. By setting his mind on things above, he changed things on earth. By living as though his true life was hidden with Christ, he found courage to face opposition. By focusing on heavenly glory rather than earthly acclaim, he left a legacy that transformed millions of lives. Like Wilberforce, we face choices daily about where to set our minds. When we focus on things above, we gain the perspective and perseverance to fulfill our calling below. Prayer: Lord, like Wilberforce, help me fix my focus on heavenly values rather than earthly validation. Remind me that my true identity is hidden with Christ, giving me courage to pursue Your purposes even when progress seems slow. May my heavenly focus produce earthly faithfulness. Amen. #WilberforceWisdom #PerseverantFocus #HeavenlyPerspective Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros…
Walk With The Spirit Gal 5:13-26 #rttbros #nightlight
Pocket ofEncouragment #Nightlight #RTTBROS "Found in His Pocket: Unexpected Encouragement" "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." - Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV) On that fateful evening of April 14, 1865, as President Abraham Lincoln settled into his seat at Ford's Theatre, he carried with him more than just the weight of a nation recently emerged from civil war. In the pocket of his coat was a small newspaper clipping—a review praising his leadership and character. This simple paper treasure speaks volumes about the burden Lincoln bore. Throughout his presidency, perhaps no American leader had been more viciously attacked or cruelly caricatured. Political cartoons depicted him as an ape, a tyrant, and a bumbling fool. Newspapers openly called for his defeat, his disgrace, and sometimes even his death. The North criticized him for moving too slowly on emancipation, while the South reviled him as a destroyer of their way of life. Yet amid this storm of criticism, Lincoln had carefully preserved this small token of encouragement. We can imagine how this positive voice among the chorus of critics must have fortified his spirit during dark hours when doubt threatened to overwhelm him. What comfort this clipping must have provided—a reminder that not everyone viewed his work with scorn. How strengthening to know that someone recognized the wisdom and compassion that guided his difficult decisions. In a presidency marked by unbearable pressures, this small affirmation represented a light in the darkness. The presence of this clipping in Lincoln's pocket reminds us of a profound truth: even the strongest among us need encouragement. Even those called to the highest service require reminders that their work matters. In our own lives, we often face criticism and misunderstanding when we stand for what is right. Like Lincoln, we may find ourselves vilified for decisions made with the purest intentions. In those moments, we must treasure the affirmations God sends our way—whether through a kind word, an unexpected note, or the quiet assurance of Scripture. Today, consider whose life you might touch with words of encouragement. Your affirming message might become someone's treasured keepsake—perhaps even carried close to their heart during their darkest hour. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros…
Pastoral Prayer
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Daily Deals
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