Become New with John Ortberg

We're surrounded by voices telling us to maximize ourselves: our looks, productivity, wealth, health, status, experiences, and potential. But Jesus offers a radically different path to maximum life. In this episode, John Ortberg explores the “self-maximizer” inside us and contrasts it with John the Baptist's famous words: “He must increase; I must decrease.” The paradox of God's kingdom is that abundant life doesn't come from making ourselves bigger. It comes as we loosen our grip on ego, reputation, and self-promotion and give ourselves to love and service. Want to live life to the max? Try a little less of yourself. In this episode: life-maxing • John the Baptist • Philippians 2 • the self-maximizer • Psalm 146 • abundant life #JohnOrtberg #SpiritualFormation #Psalm146 #AbundantLife #Jesus #ChristianFaith 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 How to Maximize Your Life  00:29 Welcome to the Age of Life-Maxing  00:50 Looks, Status & Productivity Maxing  01:08 What's Wrong With Self-Maxing?  01:34 God Is Actually Into Abundance  02:04 Biblical Maxers  02:26 Absalom: The Looks-Maxer  02:42 Five Pounds of Hair?!  03:04 He Maxed Himself to Death  03:26 The Wealth-Maxer & Bigger Barns  03:47 Solomon Maxes Pleasure  04:19 The Original God-Maxing Temptation  04:30 The Self-Maximizer Inside You  04:54 “My First Job Is to Realize My Potential”  05:22 Is Commitment Keeping a Sucker's Game?  05:48 The Self-Maximizer vs. Commitment  06:02 What's in It for Me?  06:25 When Self Becomes the Center  06:53 The Ego-Driven Pastor  07:14 The New Org Chart: Bigger Me  07:38 There Is Another Way  08:02 John the Baptist Starts Losing Followers  08:24 You Need to Max!  08:45 The Friend of the Bridegroom  09:04 “He Must Increase, I Must Decrease”  09:33 Jesus Minimizes Himself  10:10 Meaning Is the New Maxing  10:38 How to Min to Max Today  11:05 Give, Encourage, Listen & Serve  11:26 Less Ego, More Life  11:54 Life to the Max  12:03 John Forgot the Psalm 😂  12:22 Psalm 146: God's Kind of Greatness  12:43 Bonus Material

What does your soul actually need for self-care? Psalm 19 gives a surprising answer: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” In this episode, John Ortberg explores why God's instruction isn't meant to burden us, but to help make us whole. Our souls become divided when our thoughts, desires, values, words, and actions pull in different directions. God's Word shows us what is good and helps bring our lives back into alignment. John also shares how memorizing 1 Corinthians 13 helped him confront anger and resentment in his own life. Sometimes soul care is as simple as taking one piece of God's Word and asking Him to help us actually live it. Go ahead and take the walk, light the candle, or get the massage. But don't miss the deeper invitation: Let God revive your soul. In this episode: Psalm 19 • wholeheartedness • internal integration • 1 Corinthians 13 • Dallas Willard • becoming whole #Psalm19 #JohnOrtberg #SoulCare #SpiritualFormation #Psalms #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What Does Your Soul Really Need?  00:32 Self-Care Isn't Just Candles & Massages  00:49 Psalm 19 & the Surprising Answer  01:10 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God  01:42 The Sun Is Not God  02:27 Creation Is Good, But It's Not #1  02:52 The Law Revives the Soul  03:21 What Is the Soul?  03:52 Seriously...the Law?  04:12 Sweeter Than Honey, More Precious Than Gold  04:31 Why Your Soul Needs God's Instruction  04:56 What Does Wholeheartedness Mean?  05:29 Internal Integration  05:58 Becoming a Whole Person  06:23 The Kind of Person You're Called to Be  06:49 When Your Desires Pull in Opposite Directions  07:20 How We Become Divided  07:43 Can a Bad Person Be Wholehearted?  08:08 Why a Disordered Soul Hurts  08:32 Aristotle: The Soul in Strife  09:00 Why Divided People Can't Be Fully Known  09:16 “I Never Knew You”  09:41 The Soul Needs the Good  10:12 Choose One Thing to Practice Today  10:42 Memorizing 1 Corinthians 13  11:02 When John Wanted to Withdraw  11:17 Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind  12:01 Why God's Words Are Precious  12:26 The Reward Is Becoming Whole  12:50 The Real Meaning of Soul Care  13:19 The Law of the Lord Revives the Soul

We're surrounded by surveys. Rate your phone call. Rate your church experience. Rate your doctor's visit. John even got asked to rate his experience giving a urine sample. 😂 But what about the things that actually matter? In this reflection on Psalm 36, John Ortberg gives us two surveys worth taking every day. Survey #1: Is there anything in me that needs correcting? Instead of reading about “the wicked” and immediately thinking about someone else, Psalm 36 invites us to look honestly at ourselves. What am I seeing? How am I speaking? Where am I shading the truth? What good am I failing to do? Where are my thoughts taking me? John compares this to surfing. His instructor repeatedly tells him: “Look at the wave.” If you don't pay attention to the wave, you won't know where it's taking you. Our thoughts work the same way. Then comes: Survey #2: How good is God? His love reaches to the heavens. His faithfulness reaches to the skies. His righteousness is like the highest mountains. His justice is like the great deep. How high do you rate God's goodness? The numbers don't go high enough. And if you want one final survey, John offers a little extra credit: “When I survey the wondrous cross...” Look honestly at yourself. Look carefully at God. Then look at the cross, where the fullness of His love and goodness is on display. In this episode: Why we're living in “survey palooza”What the Psalms teach us about honest self-examinationPsalm 36 and the human heartHow to recognize what needs correctingSins of omissionWhy our words become subtly deceitfulThe importance of listeningJohn's surfing lesson: “Look at the wave”How to pay attention to your thoughtsMeasuring the goodness of GodGod's immeasurable love and faithfulness“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”Scripture:  Psalm 36 #Psalm36 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #SpiritualFormation #SelfExamination #Prayer #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #GodsLove #Faith 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Only Surveys You Need Today  00:33 Welcome to Survey Palooza  00:54 John Gets Surveyed About a Urine Test  01:31 Are We Measuring What Really Matters?  01:54 The Psalms: Your Soul Book  02:24 Your Real Self Talking to the Real God  02:53 Psalm 36 & the Human Heart  03:26 Survey #1: What Needs Correcting?  03:39 What Does It Mean to Fear God?  04:27 Do You Flatter Yourself?  04:50 What Are Your Eyes Looking At?  05:12 Can You Detect Your Own Sin?  05:37 Are Your Words Completely Honest?  05:53 Sins of Omission  06:21 Happiness, Connection & Listening  06:43 Are You Rejecting What Is Wrong?  07:12 John's Surfing Lesson  07:38 Look at the Wave  07:52 Why You Have to Watch Your Thoughts  08:20 Survey #2: How Good Is God?  08:49 God's Love Is Off the Charts  09:10 God's Faithfulness, Righteousness & Justice  09:35 The Great Lake Tahoe Debate  10:03 God Cares for Every Living Creature  10:27 God's River of Delights  10:47 In Your Light We See Light  11:07 The Two Surveys  11:27 Extra Credit: Survey the Wondrous Cross  11:48 Nice Work

Remember where you come from. According to John Ortberg, remembering where you truly come from gives you two remarkable gifts: Identity and hope. In this reflection on Psalm 139, John explores what it means to be “fearfully and wonderfully made.” In this episode: Psalm 139 and where we truly come from Why remembering your origin gives you identity What it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made Your body as your “little kingdom” The biblical word golem Gollum and the Ring “What's your ring?” William Wordsworth and “trailing clouds of glory” Why we lose our sense of wonder The danger of “peaking too soon” Jesus and the lilies of the field Why remembering where you come from gives you hope The more important question: Where are you headed? Scriptures: Psalm 139:13–16 • Genesis 2:7 • Matthew 6:28–30 #Psalm139 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Identity #Hope #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Purpose #FearfullyAndWonderfullyMade 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Remember Where You Come From 00:34 Where Do I Come From? 00:57 The Birds & the Bees Mix-Up 01:17 A Deeper Question About Your Origin 01:44 Remembering Gives You Identity 02:02 John Is a Rockford Guy 02:25 Humility & Knowing Who You Are 02:49 Psalm 139: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made 03:15 Your Body Is Your Little Kingdom 03:49 Your Body Will Be Redeemed 04:15 Your Unformed Body & the Golem 04:40 The Jewish Legend of the Golem 05:03 Gollum, Sméagol & the Ring 05:30 What's Your Ring? 05:50 What Are You Tempted to Worship? 06:16 Wordsworth & Intimations of Immortality 06:30 Trailing Clouds of Glory 07:00 You Come From God 07:24 Why We Lose Our Sense of Wonder 07:46 Where You Come From Tells You Where You're Going 08:06 Don't Peak Too Soon 08:29 Gollum Peaked Too Soon 08:44 The Second Gift: Hope 09:06 Splendor in the Grass 09:15 Jesus & the Lilies of the Field 09:42 God Will Clothe You 09:53 Find Strength in What Remains 10:00 Faith That Looks Through Death 10:20 You're Headed Toward Splendor 10:30 You Can't Go Back 10:46 Where Are You Headed?

What happens when God shows you something about yourself you don't want to see? Our instinct is often to defend. Explain. Distract ourselves. Push it away. But what if the uncomfortable truth is actually an invitation to transformation? In this reflection on Psalm 32, John Ortberg explores the relationship between pain, honesty, forgiveness, and genuine change. John begins personally, describing a conversation in which a longtime friend helped him recognize uncomfortable patterns of comparison, envy, and competition in himself. Instead of defending himself, John is learning to say: “Yep. That's me. God, I need Your help.” Psalm 32 describes the blessed person as someone “in whose spirit is no deceit.” Then John tells the extraordinary story of Tom Tarrants, a violent white supremacist and KKK terrorist who was imprisoned in Mississippi. In prison, Tarrants encountered the words of Jesus: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” His life began to change. The man who once participated in racist terrorism eventually devoted himself to forgiveness, racial reconciliation, and serving the very people he once hated. How far can somebody fall and still be changed by God? Maybe much further than we imagine. So when your conscience shows you something today, don't immediately run. Don't defend. Don't hide. Ask: God, help me see the truth about myself. And then: Would You change me? In this episode: - Psalm 32 and honest confession - What happens when we become defensive - Dallas Willard on pain and reality - Why hiding the truth fragments us internally - David, Psalm 51, and forgiveness - The story of Tom Tarrants - Radical transformation from hatred to reconciliation - What it means to have “no deceit” in your spirit - How to respond to conviction - Why God's grace can change anyone Scriptures:  Psalm 32 • Psalm 51 • Psalm 1 • Matthew 16:26 • 2 Samuel 11–12 #Psalm32 #JohnOrtberg #Forgiveness #Psalms #Transformation #SpiritualFormation #Confession #ChristianFaith #Grace #BibleStudy 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Power God Has to Change You  00:36 When Someone Tells You the Truth About Yourself  01:00 Stop Defending Yourself  01:26 What Do You Do With the Pain?  01:49 Psalm 32 & David's Repentance  02:20 Blessed After Going Down the Wrong Path  02:27 Forgiven and Changed  02:50 In Whose Spirit Is No Deceit  03:13 Pain Is Running Into Reality  03:34 When I Kept Silent  04:00 Why Sin Divides Us Inside  04:20 Confession & Forgiveness  04:36 How Far Down Can Someone Fall?  04:52 The Story of Tom Tarrants  05:26 A Violent KKK Terrorist  06:00 A Bible in a Mississippi Prison  06:29 Jesus Changes a Life  06:55 Enemies Praying Together  07:14 A Fraternity That Transcends All Others  07:37 The FBI Investigates His Conversion  08:10 From Hatred to Reconciliation  08:41 Forgiven People Can Help Others  09:03 The Truth About Me  09:21 The Lord's Unfailing Love Surrounds You  09:43 Don't Push the Truth Away  10:05 God, Help Me See Myself  10:23 Can God Change a Heart of Hatred?  10:33 Only God

How is it with your soul? It's probably not a question anyone else will ask you today. But it may be one of the most important questions you can ask yourself. In this reflection on the Psalms, John Ortberg draws from Renovation of the Heart to explore what the soul actually is and why its health affects everything else in our lives. Dallas Willard describes the soul as an inner stream of water that brings strength, direction, and harmony to the rest of our being. That's why the Psalms repeatedly use the language of water: “My soul thirsts for You.” “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You.” “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” John then tells the story of a beautiful village whose life depended upon a crystal-clear stream. When the unseen keeper of that stream was dismissed, everything seemed fine...for a while. Then the water began to change. Eventually, the entire village felt the effects. Our souls can work the same way. We can neglect what's happening beneath the surface while remaining busy with everything that seems more urgent. But eventually, everything flows downstream. So ask yourself today: How is it with my soul? The stream is your soul. And you are its keeper. In this episode:  What is the soul?  Why the Psalms are the great “soul book”  Dallas Willard on the inner life  Why the Psalms repeatedly use water imagery  The soul as an inner stream  How the health of your soul affects everything else  Why unseen spiritual work matters  The parable of the keeper of the stream  What happens when we neglect our souls  How to begin tending your inner life Scriptures: Psalm 121:7 • Psalm 63:1 • Psalm 42:1–2 • Psalm 46:4 #JohnOrtberg #Soul #Psalms #DallasWillard #SpiritualFormation #Prayer #ChristianFaith #InnerLife #BibleStudy #SpiritualHealth Suggested YouTube Chapters00:00 How Is It With Your Soul?  00:33 What Is the Soul?  00:59 The Psalms: The Great Soul Book  01:16 Who Is the Keeper of Your Soul?  01:34 My Soul Thirsts for God  01:51 As the Deer Pants for Water  02:20 The Soul Is an Inner Stream  02:43 How Healthy Is Your Soul Today?  03:07 What a Healthy Soul Looks Like  03:34 Where Does Your Soul Get Its Life?  03:48 The Keeper of the Stream  04:11 A Beautiful Village in the Alps  04:35 The Old Man Nobody Noticed  04:59 The Unseen Work of Tending the Stream  05:25 What Happens When the Stream Is Neglected  05:39 At First, Nobody Noticed  06:02 The Whole Village Begins to Suffer  06:11 The Life of the Village Depends on the Stream  06:35 The Stream Is Restored  06:41 You Are the Keeper of Your Soul

What if you haven't lived up to your potential? In this reflection on Psalm 8, John Ortberg explores one of the great wonders of God's creation: human potential. You can count the seeds in an apple. But you cannot count the apples in a seed. Human beings possess an extraordinary capacity to grow, create, love, serve and become. Psalm 8 looks at the vastness of the heavens and then marvels that God is mindful of us. But there's another side to potential. It can become a burden. I should be further along. I should have accomplished more. I should have made better decisions. I should be more successful, disciplined, attractive, productive or fulfilled. What happens when the possibility of what we could become turns into disappointment over what we haven't become? John offers two truths to carry with us: “I am but dust and ashes.” And: “The whole world was created on my account.” One reminds us that we are limited creatures. The other reminds us that we are deeply loved. And if you're worried that too much of your life has already passed or that you've wasted your potential, remember: God never gets trapped in the past. Today is still here. And who knows what God may yet have in store? In this episode: Psalm 8 and human potentialRecovering awe and wonderWhy we become blasé about extraordinary thingsAbraham Joshua Heschel on human possibilityWhat it means to participate in the divine natureHow potential becomes a burdenThe pressure to constantly optimize our lives“I am but dust and ashes”“The whole world was created on my account”What to do when you feel insignificantWhat to do when you feel too importantLetting go of regret about wasted potentialWhy God isn't trapped in your pastScriptures:  Psalm 8 • 2 Peter 1:4 • Genesis 18:27 • Luke 23:39–43 #Psalm8 #JohnOrtberg #Potential #Psalms #SpiritualFormation #Purpose #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Identity #Hope 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Burden of Potential  00:11 You Can't Count the Apples in a Seed  00:34 Psalm 8 & Human Potential  00:55 Have You Considered the Heavens Lately?  01:15 How We Lose Our Sense of Wonder  01:33 What Is Mankind That You Are Mindful of Us?  02:05 The Potential of the Human Soul  02:22 What Could This Child Become?  02:54 Apples in a Seed  03:05 Made to Participate With God  03:22 Participate in the Divine Nature  04:19 Do You Remember What It Was Like With God?  05:31 The Legend of the Child and the Torah  06:44 E. E. Cummings & the Wonder of Creation  07:12 When Potential Becomes a Burden  07:32 What Am I Going to Do With All This Potential?  08:00 The Pressure to Optimize Your Life  08:59 Two Truths You Need to Carry  09:27 I Am But Dust and Ashes  09:33 The Whole World Was Created on My Account  09:45 When You Feel Too Important  10:04 When You Feel Insignificant  10:25 What If You've Wasted Your Potential?  10:47 The Thief on the Cross  11:08 God Isn't Trapped in Your Past  11:18 You Still Can't Count the Apples in a Seed

What do you really want? According to the Gospel of John, that's the first question Jesus asks His would-be disciples: “What do you want?” In this reflection on Psalm 1, John Ortberg explores why that may be one of the most important questions we ever answer. Our lives have a way of organizing themselves around our deepest desires. How do you spend your time? Your money? What makes you angry? What are you willing to sacrifice for? Those things often reveal what we want more accurately than our words do. Psalm 1 gives us a picture of a different kind of life: a flourishing person, like a tree planted beside streams of water, with roots sunk deeply into God. And John closes with the remarkable story of Natan Sharansky, who spent years imprisoned in the Soviet Union and memorized the entire Book of Psalms. When he was finally released, Sharansky refused to cross the bridge to freedom until his captors returned his copy of the Psalms. What we fill our minds with matters. Because what fills our minds helps shape what we desire. So today, ask yourself: What do I really want? And: What am I filling my mind with? In this episode: The first question Jesus asks in John's GospelHow our lives reveal what we actually wantPsalm 1 and the meaning of “blessed”What biblical flourishing looks likeThe tree planted beside streams of waterWhy invisible roots matterThe progression of walking, standing and sittingWhy Psalm 1 isn't a formula for easy circumstancesHow inner goodness crowds out envy and greedNatan Sharansky's remarkable storyHow the Psalms sustained him through Soviet imprisonmentWhy what we fill our minds with shapes our livesScriptures:  John 1:35–38 • Psalm 1 • Acts 20:35 • Matthew 7:12 #Psalm1 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Jesus #SpiritualFormation #Flourishing #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #Prayer #NatanSharansky 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What Do You Want?  00:27 The First Question Jesus Asked  00:39 What Your Life Reveals About You  01:06 What Do You REALLY Want?  01:31 What Kind of Person Do You Want to Be?  01:53 Living With Blinders On  02:10 When Nothing Feels Worth Wanting  02:40 Psalm 1 & the Blessed Life  03:05 What Does “Blessed” Mean?  03:32 A Tree Planted by Streams of Water  03:54 Two Ways to Live  04:14 The Roots Nobody Sees  04:40 Rooted and Nourished by God  05:03 The Challenge of Translating Hebrew  05:49 “Let's Eat, Kids”  06:18 Psalm 1 Guides Us Toward Happiness  06:43 Walk, Stand, Sit  07:14 Why Goodness Is Easy to Mock  07:37 Psalm 1 Isn't a Formula  07:59 What Inner Goodness Does  08:23 What Do You Want?  08:33 What Will You Fill Your Mind With?  08:38 Natan Sharansky's Story  09:15 A Book of Psalms in a Soviet Prison  09:40 Three Ways He Survived Solitary Confinement  10:01 Memorizing the Entire Book of Psalms  10:31 He Refused Freedom Without His Psalms  10:54 Zigzagging Across the Bridge to Freedom  11:17 Carrying the Psalms to Jerusalem  11:34 What Will You Carry in Your Mind?

Today is a good day to die. Which means it's a good day to come alive. In this reflection on Psalm 51, John Ortberg explores an old Christian word that doesn't get used much anymore: mortification. It sounds miserable. But properly understood, mortification isn't about becoming miserable. It's about becoming free. John describes two selves within us: the impulsive self, driven by whatever we happen to want right now, and the valuing self, shaped by what we most deeply believe matters: love, joy, peace, patience and generosity. The goal of the spiritual life isn't to spend every day desperately resisting everything we want. It's to increasingly become the kind of person who is no longer controlled by destructive desires. Drawing from Psalm 51, Romans 8, and Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find, John explores Jesus' strange invitation to die in order to truly live. To mortify is to liberate. And it can begin with one very small act today. In this episode:  What “mortification” actually means  Jesus' paradox of dying in order to live  Samuel Johnson on how death clarifies life  Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find Psalm 51 and David's prayer of repentance  The impulsive self vs. the valuing self  Why following Jesus isn't endless miserable resistance  How destructive desires lose their power  Mortification as liberation  A simple practice for becoming more free today Scriptures: Psalm 51 • Romans 8:13 • 2 Samuel 11–12 • Matthew 16:25 #Psalm51 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #SpiritualFormation #Freedom #DyingToSelf #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Jesus #Transformation 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Today Is a Good Day to Die  00:32 Why Mortification Is a Good Thing  01:01 Which of Your Two Selves Needs to Die?  01:29 Death Concentrates the Mind  01:56 Flannery O'Connor & A Good Man Is Hard to Find 02:52 Meet the Grandmother 03:37 The Misfit 04:08 A Strange Moment of Grace 04:37 “You're One of My Children” 04:59 What Facing Death Did to Her 05:23 What Needs to Die in Me? 05:58 Romans 8: Put It to Death and Live 06:21 Psalm 51 & David's Sin 06:54 Our Sin Isn't Always Before Us 07:17 Create in Me a Pure Heart 07:43 Mortification Isn't Misery 08:05 The Life of the Spirit 08:31 Your Two Selves 08:51 The Valuing Self 09:17 To Mortify Is to Liberate 09:25 Freedom From Destructive Desires 10:10 Addiction, Resentment & Approval 10:44 What Real Freedom Looks Like 11:15 A Good Day to Die 11:38 Practice One Small Act of Mortification 11:58 Don't Do One Thing You Want to Do 12:24 He Will Make You Free

You were made for great joy...but what do you do when you don't feel particularly joyful? In this reflection on Psalm 47, John Ortberg explores a surprisingly practical answer: Do something joyful. Sing. Clap. Dance. Go outside. Listen to birds. Look into the face of someone you love. Maybe even skip. The Psalms weren't merely written to be read. They were meant to be sung. Drawing from William Law and the James-Lange theory of emotion, John explores the fascinating relationship between our bodies and our inner lives. We can't simply command ourselves to feel happy. Our emotions don't work that way. But we can choose our actions. And because our bodies and souls are deeply connected, the things we choose to do can help shape what's happening inside our hearts. So don't wait until you feel joyful to sing. Sometimes, singing helps lead us toward joy. This is your day. You can make this day a song. In this episode: Psalm 47 and the command to sing Why the Psalms were meant to be sung William Law on singing the Psalms The relationship between body and emotion Why “just choose to be happy” doesn't work The James-Lange theory of emotion Why the Psalms include dancing and other physical practices How our outward actions can shape our inward lives Practical ways to move toward joy Making your day a song Scriptures: Psalm 47 • Psalm 113:3 #Psalm47 #JohnOrtberg #Joy #Psalms #Worship #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Prayer #Happiness 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 You Were Made for Great Joy 00:25 How Your Life Becomes a Song 00:48 Psalm 47: Sing Praises 01:20 Sing, Sing, Sing 01:46 Why Were the Psalms Meant to Be Sung? 02:09 William Law on Singing the Psalms 02:32 Don't Just Read the Psalm 02:57 How Singing Changes the Heart 03:21 The James-Lange Theory of Emotion 03:51 Your Body Can Affect Your Feelings 04:11 It's Hard to Be Depressed While You Skip 04:27 From the Rising of the Sun 04:45 How the Body Influences Emotion 05:09 John's Blind Date Advice 05:24 The Union of Soul and Body 06:14 You Can't Just Choose to Be Happy 06:41 How Much Power Do We Have Over Ourselves? 07:05 Choose the Outward Action 07:41 Why Singing the Psalms Matters 08:03 Do Something That Leads to Joy 08:33 Sing, Skip, Dance 08:55 Make This Day a Song

What's the right way to wake up? In this reflection on Psalm 5, John Ortberg continues the daily rhythm begun in Psalm 4. Evening is the time of peace.  Morning is the time of hope. And don't worry: you don't have to become a morning person. John explores how Psalm 5 gives us a practical way to begin an ordinary day with God, even when we wake up carrying heavy burdens, difficult circumstances, or unanswered questions. Drawing from the ancient Christian invitation Sursum corda, “Lift up your hearts,” and the wisdom of Francis de Sales, John invites us to preview the coming day with God. What meetings are ahead? Who will you encounter? Where might you be tempted? Where might you have an opportunity to serve or encourage someone? Bring your actual day to God. Then wait expectantly. Maybe we shouldn't call the thing that wakes us an “alarm clock” at all. As John puts it, perhaps we need a resurrection clock. God has given you another day. This one will never come again. In this episode: Psalm 5 as a morning prayerThe rhythm of Psalms 3, 4, and 5Why you don't have to be a morning personWaking up with God when life feels heavySursum corda: Lift up your heartsWhy waking shouldn't begin with alarmFrancis de Sales on morning prayerPreviewing your day with GodPreparing for difficult interactionsLooking for opportunities to serveWhy morning is the time of hopeThe “resurrection clock”Living this day surrounded by God's careScriptures:  Psalm 3:5 • Psalm 4 • Psalm 5 • Proverbs 27:14 • Psalm 118:24 #Psalm5 #JohnOrtberg #MorningPrayer #Psalms #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #MorningRoutine #Hope 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Right Way to Wake Up  00:23 Psalms 4 & 5: Evening and Morning  00:46 I Wake Because the Lord Sustains Me  01:03 God's Kingdom, Not Mine  01:15 You Don't Have to Be a Morning Person  01:42 All Time Is God's Time  02:11 When You Wake Up Heavy  02:54 Every Morning Is a Resurrection  03:22 Map Out the Coming Day  03:40 Sursum Corda: Lift Up Your Hearts 04:01 Living Today in God's Hands 04:30 Why Do We Call It an Alarm Clock? 05:14 Don't Wake Up Alarmed 05:40 Psalm 5: The Morning Prayer 06:33 Preview Your Day With God 07:21 Prepare for Difficult People 07:47 Look for Opportunities to Serve 08:27 Talk Through Your Day With God 08:45 Wait Expectantly 09:01 You Need a Resurrection Clock 09:11 This Is the Day the Lord Has Made 09:32 Two Ways to Live Today 10:27 Surrounded by God's Favor 10:47 This Day Will Never Come Again 11:10 Wake Up, for God's Sake!

Did you know the Bible gives us a way to go to sleep? In this reflection on Psalm 4, John Ortberg explores what sleep can teach us about surrender, control, prayer, and trusting God. Drawing from Answering God, John points out a fascinating biblical rhythm: evening comes before morning. Genesis says, “There was evening, and there was morning.” Sabbath begins at sundown. Psalm 4 gives us an evening prayer before Psalm 5 gives us a morning prayer. Why? Because before we wake up, accomplish anything, solve anything, or even become conscious of the new day, God is already at work. Every night, sleep asks us to relinquish our grip on our work, our relationships, our problems, our thoughts, and our need for control. The world keeps turning. God remains awake. And we can rest. In this episode: Psalm 4 as an evening prayerWhy the biblical day begins at nightEugene Peterson on evening and morning prayerSleep as an act of surrenderWhy we struggle to relinquish control"Search your hearts and be silent"Historical "first sleep" and "second sleep"Reviewing your day with GodGratitude before bedPsalm 4:8 and sleeping in peaceLearning to trust God's providence while we sleepScriptures:  Psalm 3:5 • Psalm 4 • Psalm 5 • Genesis 1 • Genesis 2:2–3 #Psalm4 #JohnOrtberg #Sleep #Prayer #Psalms #EugenePeterson #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #TrustGod 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Right Way to Go to Sleep  00:34 Psalm 4 & Psalm 5  01:01 I Sleep Because the Lord Sustains Me  01:26 Why Evening Comes Before Morning  01:44 Genesis, Sabbath & God's Rhythm  02:05 Who's Really in Control?  02:27 Eugene Peterson on Evening Prayer  03:05 Sleep Is the Practice of Letting Go  03:37 Why We Don't Want to Surrender Control  04:07 Psalm 4: An Evening Prayer  04:33 What False Gods Did You Chase Today?  05:08 Search Your Heart and Be Silent  05:34 First Sleep & Second Sleep  06:30 What to Do When You Can't Sleep  06:42 Review Your Day With God  07:15 Gratitude Instead of Discontent  07:38 The Right Way to Sleep  08:07 God Is God and I Am Not  08:22 Why "Sleep Like a Baby" Isn't Quite Right  08:54 Sleep Is the Friend of God  09:50 Trusting God Through the Night  10:16 Let God Look After the World  10:51 Sleep, for God's Sake

What if you prayed the Psalms as if they could really help? In this reflection on Psalm 30, John Ortberg explores the difference between simply reciting Scripture and allowing its words to become our own prayer. John shares the story of Rabbi Plotkin, whose life seemed to be falling apart. His marriage was ending. His future felt uncertain. Fear and self-pity had taken over. Then one morning, as he prepared to say the same prayers he'd prayed for decades, he challenged himself: “Don't pray as you always have. This time, pray as if it could really help.” The words were the same. But the speaker was different. When he reached Psalm 30 and read, “At night you go to sleep crying. In the morning there is joy,” something changed. The ancient words suddenly became personal. That's John's invitation to us today: don't merely read Psalm 30. Pray it. Bring your actual fear, grief, need, and hope to the words. Read them as though they're addressed to you. Let the Psalms become a vessel of God's grace in your actual life. In this episode: Psalm 30 and transformational prayer How to turn Scripture into prayer Rabbi Plotkin's story of crisis and hope Why familiar words can suddenly become personal The difference between reciting and praying How the Psalms remind us we're not alone “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” Praying Scripture with your whole heart Scripture: Psalm 30 #Psalm30 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Psalms #PrayingScripture #BibleStudy #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Hope #Joy 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 How Do You Pray to Change Your Life? 00:28 Psalm 30 & Duets on Psalms 00:48 Rabbi Plotkin's Story 01:21 When Everything Is Falling Apart 01:40 The Last Straw 01:54 Fear, Despair & Self-Pity 02:20 Put Up or Shut Up Time 02:44 Pray Like It Could Really Help 03:02 Same Words, Different Speaker 03:31 At Night You Cry, In the Morning There's Joy 03:55 Suddenly, He Wasn't Alone 04:11 What Would You Take on Alone? 04:30 Nobody Can Keep You From Taking God 04:59 Hope Enters the Story 05:16 Two Friends Underline the Same Verse 05:59 Don't Just Recite the Words 06:12 Why the Psalms Can Transform Us 06:38 Pray These Words as Your Own 06:52 Psalm 30 07:28 Weeping at Night, Joy in the Morning 08:20 You Turned My Wailing Into Dancing 09:01 There's Joy

What do you do when you find yourself in the pit? In this reflection on Psalm 30, John Ortberg explores one of the Bible's most powerful metaphors for suffering: the pit, the depths, the darkness, Sheol. Sometimes the pit is grief. Sometimes it's depression, failure, anxiety, physical pain, a broken relationship, a dream that has died, or something completely beyond our control. And sometimes the night lasts much longer than we ever imagined. John shares personally about a season when the pain didn't go away the next day...or the next. One thought became especially important: It will not always be this way. That doesn't mean circumstances will immediately improve. It doesn't even mean things can't get worse. It means that even in the darkness, God can still be found. Psalm 30 says, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” We don't know how long the night will last. But the night doesn't get the last word. In this episode: Psalm 30 and the biblical image of "the pit" What to do when suffering overwhelms you Why "joy comes in the morning" isn't a formula or timeline Finding God in darkness Psalm 139 and finding God in Sheol How to keep going when circumstances don't improve Why we can't lift ourselves out of every pit Mourning and dancing existing together Hope when the night feels endless Scriptures: Psalm 30 • Psalm 139:8 • Genesis 37 • Jeremiah 38 • Daniel 6 • Revelation 21:4 #Psalm30 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Suffering #Hope #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Grief 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What to Do When You're in the Pit 00:29 What Does "the Pit" Mean? 00:58 Psalm 30 Begins 01:29 Weeping May Last for the Night 01:56 When God Feels Hidden 02:20 Bargaining With God 03:10 You Turned My Wailing Into Dancing 03:37 This Isn't a Formula or Timeline 04:04 The Biblical Image of the Pit 04:44 When Pain Takes Over Everything 05:35 When All You Can Do Is Hurt 05:46 How Long Does the Night Last? 06:06 It Will Not Always Be This Way 06:30 What If Things Get Worse? 06:52 Finding God in the Darkness 07:19 If I Make My Bed in Sheol 07:46 Remember You're Not the Only One 08:25 God Has Met Suffering People Before 08:44 Finding Meaning in the Pit 09:00 When You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going 09:22 You Can't Lift Yourself Out of the Pit 10:07 Laughter Comes Again 10:36 Mourning Becomes Dancing 10:54 God Is Lord Even Over the Pit 11:14 Don't You Give Up

What do you do with the mess inside your mind? In this reflection on Psalm 102, John Ortberg explores how the Psalms can become a kind of divine therapy, teaching us to bring our actual thoughts, emotions, fears, and beliefs honestly into the presence of God. Drawing from Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, the ABCDE framework associated with Martin Seligman, and insights from Walter Brueggemann and Dallas Willard, John shows us a practical way to process what's happening inside us with God. Psalm 102 doesn't clean up the mess. The psalmist pours it out. Fear. Despair. Exaggeration. Loneliness. Anger. And then comes the turn: "But You, Lord..." We bring God what we're actually thinking and feeling, then allow the truth of who He is to reshape the way we see our circumstances. In this episode: - Psalm 102 and lament - What "divine therapy" might look like - Why our inner lives rarely match what we present publicly - Lori Gottlieb's Maybe You Should Talk to Someone - The ABCDE framework - Why lament Psalms use exaggeration and hyperbole - Walter Brueggemann on Psalm 102 - Bringing truth to our thoughts - Dallas Willard's "Eternity is now in session" - Walking through an ordinary day with the Eternal God Scripture: Psalm 102 #psalm102   #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Prayer #MentalHealth #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #DallasWillard #Lament 📚 Today's Resources: Lori Gottlieb, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed  Martin E.P. Seligman, Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life  Walter Brueggeman, Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Maybe You Should Talk to Someone  00:39 Can God Be Your Therapist?  01:04 The Mess Inside Our Minds  01:52 A Therapist's First Patient  02:33 Finally Naming What's Wrong  02:58 The Life We Present Online  03:48 Psalm 102 & Divine Therapy  04:23 The ABCDE Framework  05:07 Lament Isn't Objective Reporting  05:31 Walter Brueggemann on Psalm 102  06:24 Bring Your Actual Life to God  07:07 My Days Vanish Like Smoke  07:32 Why the Psalms Exaggerate  07:58 Pouring Out the Raw Stuff  08:28 "But You, Lord..."  09:19 Eternity Is Now in Session  09:43 Eternal Life Available Now  10:22 Living in the Presence of the Eternal One  10:53 Whatever Happens Today  11:12 Get It Out, Bring in Truth, Walk With God

How do you deal with foolish people? The Bible gives a surprisingly complicated answer. In Proverbs 26:4 we're told: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly...” And then, in the very next verse: “Answer a fool according to his folly...” So which is it? In this reflection on Psalm 14, John Ortberg explores why biblical wisdom can't be reduced to a simple set of rules. Sometimes wisdom requires speaking. Sometimes it requires silence. Sometimes you engage. Sometimes you walk away. The goal of Scripture isn't merely to give us enough information to always follow the right rule. It's to form us into wise people, capable of judgment, discernment, and love. And Psalm 14 eventually turns the question around. Instead of asking only, “How do I deal with the fools out there?” perhaps we need to ask: “How do I deal with the fool in here?” In this episode: - Psalm 14 and the meaning of foolishness - Why sin isn't only bad, but foolish - Proverbs 26:4–5 and seemingly contradictory wisdom - Why the Bible doesn't simply give us rules - How Scripture forms judgment and discernment - When to engage a foolish person and when to walk away - Why biblical narratives require us to wrestle - The Psalms as honest journals rather than rulebooks - What it means to live as though "there is no God" - 1 Corinthians 13 and filling our minds with Scripture - How to become a wiser person Scriptures: - Psalm 14 - Proverbs 26:4–5 - 1 Corinthians 13 #Psalm14 #JohnOrtberg #Wisdom #Proverbs #Psalms #BibleStudy #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Discernment #Relationships 📚 Today's Resources: David A. Hubbard, Proverbs (The Preacher’s Commentary, Volume 15)   🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Why Do I Do Stupid Things?  01:01 The Folly of Sin  01:47 How Do We Acquire Wisdom?  02:07 Fool Management 101  02:33 Proverbs on Dealing With Fools  03:01 Don't Answer a Fool...Answer a Fool?  03:32 Does the Bible Contradict Itself?  04:14 What Scripture Is Actually Trying to Do  05:08 Why Rules Aren't Enough  05:36 When to Engage a Fool  06:24 Wisdom Requires Discernment  06:49 Contradictory Words of Wisdom  07:16 Wisdom Isn't a Formula  07:59 Why the Bible Makes Us Wrestle  08:25 The Psalms Aren't a Rulebook  08:42 Psalm 14 & the Fool  09:45 Who Are the Righteous?  10:09 The Fool in Here  10:29 Wisdom Begins With Surrender  10:50 Fill Your Mind With Scripture  11:26 How to Become Wiser  11:49 Fool Management 101

What if the goal today isn't to make your life extraordinary? What if it's to learn how to see the extraordinary gift hidden inside the ordinary? In this reflection on Psalm 104, John Ortberg explores how modern life has changed the way we see the world around us. We know more than ever about how nature works, yet we may have lost something along the way: our ability to experience creation as filled with meaning, wonder, and the presence of God. Drawing on Charles Taylor and Dallas Willard, John invites us to recover the eyes of "saints, poets, and artists" and rediscover what Willard called "the well-kept secret of the ordinary." Birds sing. Trees grow. Wild animals drink. Leviathan frolics. People go to work. And apparently God really likes hyraxes. Psalm 104 invites us to look again and recognize that ordinary creation is overflowing with the generosity, creativity, and goodness of God. In this episode: Psalm 104 and the wonder of creationCharles Taylor and the "immanent frame"Recovering the enchantment of realityDallas Willard and the secret of ordinary lifeWhy God made the hyraxSeeing creation as more than something to useThe love-letter analogyReceiving your life as a giftFinding God in everyday momentsScriptures: Psalm 104Genesis 1:26–27#Psalm104 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #CharlesTaylor #Psalms #Creation #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Wonder 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Make It an Ordinary Day  00:27 Recovering the Eyes of the Psalmist  01:06 Psalm 104 Begins  02:17 Charles Taylor & the Loss of Enchantment  02:51 Dallas Willard's Secret of the Ordinary  03:28 Listen to the Birds Sing  03:51 Rediscovering an Ordinary Gift  04:13 All Creatures Are God's Creatures  04:56 Meet the Hyrax  05:49 Why Did God Make Hyraxes?  06:14 We've Forgotten How to See  06:50 The Love Letter Illustration  07:18 You're Missing the Words  07:40 Creation Is Filled With Meaning  08:06 Every Leaf Is Charged With God's Presence  08:31 Go Outside and Actually Look  08:42 Why Did God Make Leviathan?  09:08 The Gratuitous Goodness of God  09:54 God Rejoices in His Creation  10:16 The Gift of Being Ordinary  10:53 Receive Your Life as a Gift  11:15 Give the Gift of Life to Others  11:36 Make It an Ordinary Day

Which version of you shows up when you pray? In this reflection on Psalm 55, John Ortberg explores a surprising truth about prayer: God doesn't want the cleaned-up, polished, "Disney version" of you. He wants the real you. The Psalms aren't theological essays or collections of perfectly polished emotions. They're raw prayers from real human beings bringing fear, anger, anguish, confusion, and desire honestly before God. John connects this idea to the original story of The Adventures of Pinocchio, which is much darker and more spiritually suggestive than the famous Disney adaptation. Pinocchio is lovingly created by his father, rebels against him, rejects his conscience, and longs for something he cannot accomplish on his own: to become real. And that's where Pinocchio's story intersects with ours. Transformation doesn't begin when we finally become the person we think God wants. It begins when the person we actually are becomes willing to stand honestly before Him. In this episode: Psalm 55 and honest prayer Why every emotion in the Psalms isn't necessarily an instruction Bringing our troubled thoughts before God The surprising theology of Pinocchio Conscience, rebellion, and the love of the Father Biblical echoes of Jonah and the Prodigal Son Moving from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh Why transformation begins with getting real Scriptures: Psalm 55 2 Timothy 3:16–17 Hosea 11:3 Luke 15 Jonah 1–2 Matthew 12:38–40 Ezekiel 36:26 #Psalm55 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Psalms #Pinocchio #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HonestPrayer #Transformation 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Which Version of You Does God Want?  00:39 Learning to Pray With the Psalms  01:06 Are All the Psalms Supposed to Be "Right"?  01:49 The Psalms Are Raw Journals  02:15 Psalm 55 & Troubled Thoughts  02:43 Fear, Trembling & Anguish  03:31 Praying About Difficult People  03:55 The Two Versions of You  04:18 The Book John Never Wrote  04:44 The Original Pinocchio  05:14 Pinocchio Rebels Against His Father  05:39 God Taught Israel to Walk  06:17 Jiminy Cricket vs. the Original Story  06:39 Pinocchio Kills His Conscience  07:03 The Tragic Story of Jiminy Cricket's Voice  07:59 Pinocchio Needs Help Beyond Himself  08:50 The Prodigal Son & a Heart of Flesh  09:21 Jonah, Resurrection & Becoming Real  10:07 Transformation Begins With Reality  10:28 Pour Out the Ugly Stuff  10:56 Don't Bring God the Disney Version  11:21 Bring the Real You, Splinters and All

What are you looking to for help today? In this reflection on Psalm 121, John Ortberg explores two simple actions that can make today a blessed day: God watches over us. We lift our eyes toward Him. But "I lift up my eyes to the hills" may mean something different than we often assume. In the ancient world, the hills weren't merely beautiful. They were places of idolatry, uncertainty, and danger. The psalmist looks directly toward them and asks: Where does my help really come from? John explores what it means to live under God's watchful care, why Psalm 121 doesn't promise a life without suffering, and how this Psalm became deeply personal as he recited its final words at his father's deathbed. Whatever hills you're facing today, your help comes from the One who made them. In this episode: Psalm 121 and God's watchful care "I lift up my eyes to the hills" The high places and ancient idolatry What we're tempted to trust instead of God Nicholas Wolterstorff and Lament for a Son Why God's protection doesn't mean a pain-free life Romans 8 and God's inseparable love John Ortberg's final moments with his father Scriptures: Psalm 121 1 Kings 18 Romans 8:35–39 #Psalm121 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Prayer #TrustGod #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Faith #godspresence  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Two Actions for a Really Good Day 00:21 John's Most Meaningful Psalm 00:43 I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills 01:30 God Is Watching Over Your Life 02:22 Living the Watched-Over Life 02:46 What Does "Lift Up My Eyes" Mean? 03:08 The Hills & Ancient Idolatry 03:29 What Are Your Idols? 04:13 The Hills We Have to Climb 04:55 "He Will Not Let Your Foot Slip" 05:17 Nicholas Wolterstorff & Lament for a Son 05:39 The Friend Who Put Psalm 121 to Music 06:04 The God Who Never Sleeps 06:34 Living in the Shade of God 07:16 The Moon, Madness & a Sound Mind 07:40 Harm Doesn't Mean No Hurt 08:05 Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love 08:31 Psalm 121 at My Father's Deathbed 09:26 Face Your Hills & Lift Your Eyes 09:48 My Help Comes From the Lord

Should you pray every line of every Psalm? In this reflection on Psalm 109, John Ortberg tackles one of the most difficult passages in the Bible—and offers one of the most freeing insights of the entire Psalms series. What do we do with prayers that sound angry, vengeful, or even shocking? Drawing on the work of René Girard, John explains that the Psalms are not polished theological essays. They are honest prayers in process. They teach us how to bring our real emotions into God's presence without pretending, suppressing, or acting on them. This episode explores: - Psalm 109 and the imprecatory psalms - Why the Bible gives voice to victims - The difference between words and actions - Internal processors vs. external processors - Why prayer is a journey, not a performance - How Jesus Himself prayed the Psalms Scriptures: - Psalm 109 - Psalms 113–118 - Matthew 5:43–48 - Matthew 26:30 #Psalm109 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Psalms #RenéGirard #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HonestPrayer #Jesus 📚 Today's Resources: René Girard, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning  Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird   Lewis Smedes, Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF

What does it really cost to follow Jesus? In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Jesus' most misunderstood invitations: "Count the cost." Drawing from Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart, he explains why discipleship is not an emotional decision but a thoughtful one. More importantly, he asks a question many of us rarely consider: What is the cost of not following Jesus? Discover why surrender isn't the loss of life, but the pathway to the greatest treasure you'll ever find. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226 

What if doing whatever you want doesn't actually make you free? In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Dallas Willard's most profound ideas from The Renovation of the Heart: true freedom isn't the ability to satisfy every desire. It's becoming the kind of person who desires what is good and has the strength to live it out. Discover why self-denial is not the enemy of freedom, how envy quietly steals our joy, and why the path Jesus offers leads to the deepest kind of human flourishing. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

Is Christianity about becoming a better version of yourself? In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Dallas Willard's most challenging and hope-filled ideas from The Renovation of the Heart: the ruined life isn't meant to be enhanced, but replaced. Discover why self-denial isn't about self-hatred, why Jesus calls us to lose our lives in order to find them, and how true transformation goes far beyond self-improvement. If you've ever wondered what Jesus really meant by "deny yourself," this conversation offers a hopeful vision of the new life God desires to create in every believer. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

What if the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth isn't what has happened to you, but what is happening within you? In this episode, John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by examining one of Christianity's most misunderstood ideas: remorse. Discover why the Bible distinguishes between the wounds we've suffered and the wrong we've committed, and why genuine remorse isn't meant to produce shame, but lasting transformation. Healing begins when we stop hiding from the truth and discover the grace of God waiting on the other side. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

John explains what makes a soul lost and how the truth about ourselves is the beginning of being found. In this episode (2022), John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by examining one of the greatest barriers to spiritual growth: self-deception. Discover why the human heart naturally resists uncomfortable truths, what Jesus meant by "losing your soul," and how learning to love the truth becomes the starting point for genuine transformation. God doesn't reveal the truth to shame us. He reveals it so He can heal us. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

What if your irritation is trying to tell you something? In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Dallas Willard's most practical insights from The Renovation of the Heart: the everyday emotions and reactions we often dismiss may actually be warning lights revealing the true condition of our souls. Discover why denial is one of humanity's greatest spiritual obstacles, how God's grace exposes what needs healing, and why the path to transformation begins with honest self-awareness rather than self-condemnation.

Is self-esteem really the key to a better life? For years, psychologists believed increasing self-esteem would solve many of our greatest personal and social problems. But after decades of research, the evidence pointed in a different direction. In this episode, John Ortberg explores what Dallas Willard teaches in The Renovation of the Heart about the deeper human problem and why lasting transformation begins with truth, humility, and God's mercy. Discover why the Christian path isn't about thinking more highly of yourself, but about receiving the grace that makes genuine change possible. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

Is self-care selfish? Or is it something Jesus actually invites us to practice? In this conversation, John Ortberg sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Rick Blackmon to explore Dallas Willard's vision of soul care from The Renovation of the Heart. Together they discuss emotional health, burnout, self-denial, and why understanding yourself is the first step toward caring for yourself well. Discover why true self-care isn't about self-indulgence, but about cultivating the kind of life that allows you to love God and serve others with greater joy, wisdom, and endurance. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

What does it really mean to live by the Spirit? In this episode, John Ortberg explores Dallas Willard's understanding of the spiritual life through The Renovation of the Heart. Discover why every person is both physical and spiritual, what makes the human will so remarkable, and why Jesus teaches us to pray, "Your will be done." If you've ever wondered what surrender actually looks like in everyday life, this conversation offers a practical and deeply biblical vision of depending on God rather than simply relying on yourself. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

What does it really mean to be a person? In this episode, John Ortberg explores Dallas Willard's powerful framework for understanding the human person through The Renovation of the Heart. Discover how the heart, mind, body, relationships, and soul work together to form the whole person, and why lasting spiritual transformation involves far more than changing behavior. If you've ever felt divided, fragmented, or like different parts of your life are pulling in opposite directions, this conversation offers a hopeful vision of becoming whole through the transforming work of God. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

Can you experience God's peace while still struggling with anxiety? In this special conversation, John Ortberg is joined by his daughter, Laura Turner, to explore one of the deepest themes in Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart: peace. Together they discuss why peace is more than the absence of worry, how acceptance differs from giving up, and why receiving God's love often matters more than getting everything right. If you've ever wondered whether anxiety means you're failing spiritually, this honest conversation offers hope, wisdom, and a fresh perspective on what it means to live at peace with God, yourself, and others. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

What do you do when your life feels like it's falling apart? In Episode 4 of our Become New series, John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by examining one of Scripture's most encouraging promises: "In Christ all things hold together." Even when our relationships, health, finances, or emotions feel fractured, Jesus offers a deeper kind of stability that circumstances cannot destroy. Discover how God's vision of wholeness, or shalom, provides lasting hope in a fragmented world and why spiritual formation is ultimately about becoming whole in Christ. Continue the journey as we walk through The Renovation of the Heart together. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

Fear dominates much of modern life. But Jesus offers something deeper than optimism. In Episode 3 of our Become New series (2022), John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart, asking why every human solution eventually falls short of changing the human heart. From ancient philosophy to politics, psychology, and self-improvement, people have searched for lasting hope. Jesus offers something radically different: transformation from the inside out. Discover why Dallas Willard called Jesus the greatest revolutionary in history and how becoming His apprentice changes not only individual lives but the world itself. Follow along as we continue this 15-part journey through The Renovation of the Heart. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226 

In Episode 2 of our Become New series, John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by unpacking Proverbs 4:23: "Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Together, we examine why our responses to life often expose the deeper formation taking place within us and how Jesus invites us into lasting transformation from the inside out. If you've ever wondered why you keep reacting the same way, despite your best intentions, this conversation offers a hopeful framework for understanding spiritual formation and learning to let Christ shape your heart. Subscribe and follow along as we continue this 15-part journey through The Renovation of the Heart. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226  00:00 Introduction 01:22 Why the Heart Matters Most 03:58 What Is the Human Spirit? 06:42 Your Responses Reveal Your Heart 09:18 The Shoe Store Story 11:52 A Lesson in Honesty 14:45 Everyone Is Being Spiritually Formed 17:22 Discipleship and Spiritual Formation 19:18 Guard Your Heart

What if lasting spiritual transformation isn't about trying harder? In this opening episode of our Become New series, John Ortberg introduces Dallas Willard's classic The Renovation of the Heart and explores Jesus' invitation to become people whose lives are transformed from the inside out. Rather than focusing on behavior modification, this conversation examines the deeper renovation of the heart, the nature of spiritual thirst, and the promise of living water that satisfies our deepest longings. If you've ever felt stuck, spiritually dry, or frustrated by repeated attempts to change yourself, this episode offers a hopeful vision of how genuine transformation happens through life with Jesus. Subscribe for the rest of this 15-part journey through The Renovation of the Heart as we explore what it truly means to become new. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH This episode was originally released in January 2022. Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226  00:00 Introduction 01:18 Why We Struggle to Change 03:34 Jesus' Two Greatest Priorities 05:55 Becoming People of Love 07:50 Introducing Dallas Willard 10:25 The Invitation Into Another World 14:08 Living Beyond Spiritual Thirst 18:10 Transformation vs. Behavior Modification 21:35 Life in the Desert 25:48 The Invitation to Become New 28:10 Final Encouragement

Why is comparison so hard to escape? In this reflection on Psalm 37, John Ortberg explores the hidden power of envy and why it quietly robs us of joy, gratitude, and peace. Drawing on insights from Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung, John explains the difference between jealousy and envy, why comparison always leaves us feeling deficient, and how God's care frees us from measuring our lives against everyone else's. This episode explores: - Psalm 37 and overcoming envy - Why comparison is so destructive - The difference between jealousy and envy - Biblical stories of envy - Social media and the comparison trap - Living each day under God's loving care Scriptures: - Psalm 37 - Genesis 4 - Genesis 25–30 - Genesis 37 - Matthew 5:5 #Psalm37 #JohnOrtberg #Envy #Comparison #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Contentment #Faith 📚 Today's Resources: Rebecca Konyndyk De Young, Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies  Victor Hugo, “L’Avarice et L’Envie,” Le Conservateur littéraire (1819) Pope St. Gregory the Great, Moralia in Job (~580 CE) Francis Bacon, “Of Envy” (1625) Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., “Harrison Bergeon,” The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF  00:00 Comparison Is Stealing Your Joy  00:36 Psalm 37 Begins  01:09 The External Solution to Envy  01:32 Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron  02:49 Why Equality Doesn't Cure Envy  03:18 Living in God's Kingdom  03:42 Don't Fret or Ruminate  04:02 Delight Yourself in the Lord  04:55 Jealousy vs. Envy  05:48 Why God Is Jealous but Never Envious  06:46 The Bible's Story of Envy  07:33 Envy Begins With Deficiency  08:05 An Envy Self-Assessment  09:16 Victor Hugo's Story of Envy  09:56 How Envy Shows Itself  10:56 Social Media & Comparison  11:32 Spending Your Days Under God's Care  12:13 Live an Envy-Free Day

If God already knows everything... why pray? In this reflection on Psalm 74, John Ortberg wrestles with one of the oldest questions about prayer. Can our prayers actually matter? Drawing on insights from Walter Brueggemann and Dallas Willard, John explores the difference between the ancient philosophical idea of the "Unmoved Mover" and the God revealed in Scripture—the God who listens, responds, and is deeply moved by His people. This episode explores: - Psalm 74 and communal lament - Psalms of orientation and disorientation - Why the church needs lament - God's unchanging character and responsive heart - Dallas Willard's "Most Moved Mover" - Why your prayers matter Scriptures: - Psalm 74 #psalm74  #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #WalterBrueggemann #DallasWillard #Lament #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #God 📚 Today's Resources: Walter Brueggemann, Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit  Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF  00:00 Does Prayer Change God?  00:30 Why Pray If God Already Knows?  01:24 Psalm 74 & Communal Lament  02:03 Psalms of Orientation & Disorientation  02:40 "Why Have You Rejected Us?"  03:34 Remembering God's Faithfulness  03:59 Walter Brueggemann on Lament  05:25 The God Who Suffers With Us  06:21 Is God Really Unchangeable?  07:07 Dallas Willard's Community of Prayerful Love  08:13 The Most Moved Mover  09:00 The Unmoved Mover vs. the God of the Bible  10:03 Jesus Reveals God's Heart  11:03 Bring God Your Disorientation  12:02 Enter Into Another Person's Lament

What if the cure for loneliness isn't finding more people... but learning to be alone? In this reflection on Psalm 139, John Ortberg explores one of the deepest realities of being human: our longing to be fully known and never abandoned. Drawing on the wisdom of Dallas Willard, John explains why we spend so much energy avoiding solitude—and why silence may actually become the place where we discover God's loving presence most deeply. This episode explores: Psalm 139 and being fully known by God - The difference between aloneness and loneliness - Why we distract ourselves with constant noise - Dallas Willard's "strange cure for loneliness" - Romans 8 and God's inseparable love - How solitude leads to deeper community Scriptures: - Psalm 139 - Romans 8:35–39 - Hebrews 13:5 #Psalm139 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #Loneliness #Solitude #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #GodKnowsYou 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, Hearing God  Ludie Day Pickett, “Never Alone” Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy   🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Strange Cure for Loneliness 00:30 Psalm 139 Begins 01:01 You Have Searched Me and Know Me 01:47 God Knows Every Moment 02:16 Even There, You Are Present 02:49 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 03:23 Holding My Newborn Daughter 04:28 Dallas Willard's Story of Aloneness 05:17 The Human Condition of Being Alone 06:26 God Can Go Where No One Else Can 07:01 Never Alone 07:56 Why We Distract Ourselves 08:41 The Cure for Loneliness 09:19 Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love 10:05 God Already Knows 10:33 Present to the Presence 11:06 Solitude Leads to Community 11:32 You Are Never Alone

What do you do when you feel completely forsaken? In this reflection on Psalm 22, John Ortberg explores one of the most haunting prayers in all of Scripture: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" These are not only the words of the psalmist—they are the words Jesus prayed from the cross. John explores the unique pain of abandonment, the difference between explanation and healing, and the remarkable hope hidden in one tiny word that many of us overlook: "My." This episode explores: - Psalm 22 and the experience of forsakenness - Why abandonment wounds so deeply - Jesus' cry from the cross - The man with the withered hand - The difference between explanation and healing - The hope found in belonging to God even in our darkest moments Scriptures: - Psalm 22 - Matthew 27 - Mark 15 - Mark 3 - Isaiah 53 #Psalm22 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Jesus #Cross #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Hope #Suffering 📚 Today's Resources: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Deepest Prayer in Scripture  00:36 Psalm 22 Begins  01:21 What It Means to Be Forsaken  02:09 Why Forsakenness Hurts So Deeply  03:07 The Question That Won't Go Away  04:06 It's a Cry for Healing  04:43 The Man With the Withered Hand  05:07 God-Forsaken  06:20 The Fellowship of the Withered Hand  06:52 Jesus Prays Psalm 22  07:50 The Cross & Complete Forsakenness  08:16 One Little Word Changes Everything  08:50 "My God..."  09:42 He Is Still My God  10:18 Meeting Jesus in Our Deepest Pain  11:06 When the Prayer Becomes Simply... "My God"

Who really gets the good stuff? In this reflection on Psalm 113, John Ortberg explores what Dallas Willard called the Law of Inversion—one of the great themes running through the entire Bible. Again and again, God overturns the world's prestige system. The first become last. The overlooked become honored. The humble are lifted up. From Abel to Jacob, Hannah to Mary, the Beatitudes to Jesus washing His disciples' feet, Scripture tells one remarkable story: God's kingdom operates differently. This episode explores: - Psalm 113 and God's care for the overlooked - The Law of Inversion - The world's pecking order - Hannah's prayer and Mary's Magnificat - The Beatitudes - Jesus' upside-down kingdom - Why every person has access to "the good stuff" Scriptures: - Psalm 113 - Genesis - Exodus 15 - 1 Samuel 2 - Luke 1 - Matthew 5 - John 13 - Philippians 2 #Psalm113 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #KingdomOfGod #Beatitudes #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Humility 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Who Gets the Good Stuff?  00:35 Psalm 113 Begins  01:15 God Raises the Poor From the Dust  01:40 The World's Prestige System  02:10 Dallas Willard's Law of Inversion  02:30 Cain, Abel & the First Reversal  02:53 Jacob, Joseph & God's Pattern  04:00 Miriam's Song of Victory  04:21 Hannah's Prayer  05:16 Mary's Magnificat  06:05 The Pecking Order Explained  07:21 Jesus Turns the World Upside Down  08:07 The Beatitudes & the Blessed Life  09:33 Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet  09:56 The Great Law of the Kingdom  10:26 Remember: You Are Blessed  10:53 See People the Way God Does  11:16 Live the Law of Inversion

What if the two most freeing words you could say are: "I can't." In this reflection on Psalm 143, John Ortberg explores why admitting our limitations isn't failure—it's the beginning of faith. Through a humorous story about assembling a chair, the story of Elijah's exhaustion, and a fresh look at Philippians 4:13, John reminds us that we were never meant to carry life on our own. This episode explores: - Psalm 143 and praying from weakness - Why self-sufficiency is a spiritual trap - Elijah's burnout and God's compassion - "The journey is too much for you" - A better understanding of Philippians 4:13 - Why "I can't" opens the door to God's strength Scriptures: - Psalm 143 - 1 Kings 19 - Psalm 127:1 - Philippians 4:13 #Psalm143 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Faith #DependenceOnGod #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #SpiritualFormation #Philippians413 #Hope 📚 Today's Resources: Gerald F. Hawthorne, World Biblical Commentary: Philippians  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Two Words That Can Change Your Life  00:23 Psalm 143 Begins  00:59 My Spirit Grows Faint  01:52 Teach Me the Way I Should Go  02:14 The Barrel Nut Story  03:11 Two Life-Changing Words: "I Can't"  03:59 What You Cannot Control  05:06 Why We Need God  05:31 Elijah's Exhaustion  06:03 "The Journey Is Too Much for You"  06:58 Unless the Lord Builds the House  07:19 Rethinking Philippians 4:13  08:04 "I Can Face All Things"  08:38 I Can't. He Can.  09:00 The Honest Prayer of Psalm 143

Is denial always a bad thing? In this reflection on Psalm 39, John Ortberg explores one of the Bible's strangest prayers: "Look away from me." Why would anyone pray that? Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard, Søren Kierkegaard, and Greg Ten Elshof, John explains the surprising difference between healthy denial and unhealthy denial, and why God often reveals truth gradually rather than all at once. This episode explores: - Psalm 39 and radical honesty - Why Job, Peter, and Jonah wanted distance from God - Healthy vs. unhealthy denial - Self-deception and procrastination - Why Jesus said, "You cannot bear it now" - The grace of gradual transformation Scriptures: - Psalm 39 - Job 7 - Luke 5 - Jonah 1 - John 16 #psalm39  #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #SelfDeception #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Truth #Healing 📚 Today's Resources: Gregg A. Ten Elshof, I Told Me So: Self-Deception and the Christian Life  Søren Kierkegaard, The Sickness Unto Death  Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF  00:00 One of the Strangest Prayers in the Bible  00:33 Why We Need Denial  00:59 Psalm 39 Begins  01:22 Silence Isn't the Goal  02:12 "Look Away From Me"  02:51 Job's Similar Prayer  03:40 Peter & Jonah Run From God  04:29 How Self-Deception Works  05:08 "I'll Deal With It Later"  05:35 Kierkegaard on Denial  06:13 "You Cannot Bear It Now"  06:58 Dallas Willard on Healthy Denial  08:05 "You Can't Handle the Truth"  08:50 Healthy vs. Unhealthy Denial  10:30 Are You Ready to See?  11:16 God Reveals Truth With Love  11:57 Denial Is an Emergency Brake

Is the opposite of fear really courage? In this reflection on Psalm 27, John Ortberg offers a surprising answer: No. The opposite of fear is God’s presence. Drawing on the wisdom of Dallas Willard, John explains why Jesus could repeatedly tell His followers, "Do not be afraid," and what that invitation actually means. This episode explores: - Psalm 27 and trusting God - Why courage isn't the ultimate antidote to fear - The difference between emotional states and character traits - The powerful "Then what?" exercise - A practical prayer for anxious moments - Learning to be hidden in God's presence Scriptures: - Psalm 27 - Exodus - Esther - Matthew 1 - 1 Samuel 17 #Psalm27 #JohnOrtberg #Fear #TrustGod #Prayer #DallasWillard #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Anxiety 📚 Today's Resources: The Big Book of AA, Step 4 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Fear Isn't the Real Problem  00:47 The Opposite of Fear Isn't Courage  01:15 Was Jesus Nuts?  01:43 Psalm 27 Begins  02:18 The Lord Is My Light and Salvation  02:44 Hidden in God  03:08 God Is the Antidote to Fear  03:33 State vs. Trait  04:43 Becoming a Courageous Person  05:33 Fear Not Doesn't Mean Feel Nothing  06:14 Moses, Esther & Joseph  06:41 What Are You Afraid Of?  07:18 The 12-Step Prayer About Fear  08:01 The Great White Shark Story  08:48 "Then What?"  10:25 Bringing Fear to God  11:17 Take Action, Then Trust God  11:40 The Lord Is My Light and Salvation

What actually makes someone a good person? In this reflection on Psalm 51, John Ortberg explores one of the most important differences between religion and the teaching of Jesus. David doesn't simply pray, "Forgive my sins." He prays, "Create in me a clean heart." Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard and the remarkable story of Joni Eareckson Tada, John explains why God is after something far deeper than behavior modification. He wants transformation from the inside out. This episode explores: - Psalm 51 and David's prayer - The difference between behavior and the heart - Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount - Why outward obedience isn't enough - Joni Eareckson Tada's powerful insight about sin - Becoming the kind of person who naturally desires what is good Scriptures: - Psalm 51 - Matthew 5 - Matthew 23 - 2 Samuel 11–12 #Psalm51 #JohnOrtberg #JoniEarecksonTada #DallasWillard #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HeartTransformation #SermonOnTheMount 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard Joni Eareckson Tada 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What Does God Really Want?  00:44 The Most Misunderstood Part of the Spiritual Life  01:32 Psalm 51 & David's Prayer  02:15 Create in Me a Clean Heart  03:04 What Makes Someone a Good Person?  03:41 Jesus vs. Behavior Modification  04:43 Lust, the Heart & the Sermon on the Mount  05:18 Why Jesus Talks About Gouging Out Your Eye  06:08 Reductio ad Absurdum Explained  06:57 Meet Joni Eareckson Tada  07:50 "Sin Was an Attitude as Much as an Act"  09:20 The Prayer We All Need  09:48 Stop White-Knuckling Your Faith  10:34 God Wants to Change Your Desires  11:01 Love, Joy & Peace Begin in the Heart

What do you do when prayer feels impossible? In this conversation, John Ortberg is joined by pastor and author Glenn Packiam to reflect on Psalm 73 and the reality of spiritual slumps. Glenn shares why he always returns to the Psalms when he struggles to pray, and together they explore envy, self-pity, hope, and God's unwavering presence. This episode explores: - Psalm 73 and spiritual honesty - The danger of a wounded heart and bitter spirit - "The Bible is reading you" - Why "Yet I am always with You" changes everything - Christian hope beyond present circumstances - Ty Cobb's surprising lesson for prayer - Why the best thing you can do is simply keep showing up Scriptures: - Psalm 73 #Psalm73 #JohnOrtberg #GlennPackiam #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #Hope #FaithInHardTimes 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Meet Glenn Packiam 00:48 Returning to the Psalms 02:20 Psalm 73 & A Slipping Faith 03:23 Envying the Prosperity of the Wicked 04:05 When the Bible Reads You 04:56 A Wounded Heart & Bitter Spirit 05:52 Losing Perspective 06:13 "Yet I Am Always With You" 07:00 God Holds You by the Hand 07:29 My Flesh and My Heart May Fail 08:18 When You Can't Fix Yourself 09:46 A Future Filled With Hope 10:31 Ty Cobb's Bunting Lesson 11:14 What to Do in a Spiritual Slump 11:53 Keep Showing Up

How should followers of Jesus love their country? In this Independence Day reflection, John Ortberg explores Psalm 8, the Gettysburg Address, and the biblical foundation of human dignity. Drawing from the writings of Abraham Lincoln, philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff, and the opening chapters of Genesis, John explains why every human being possesses immeasurable worth—not because of what they achieve, but because they bear the image of God. This episode explores: - Psalm 8 and human dignity - The image of God in every person - Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address - Biblical patriotism - Why human rights matter - Our ultimate citizenship in heaven Scriptures: - Psalm 8 - Genesis 1:26–28 - Philippians 3:20 #Psalm8 #JohnOrtberg #HumanDignity #BiblicalPatriotism #ImageOfGod #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #IndependenceDay #Genesis1 #Philippians3 📚 Today's Resources: Garry Wills, Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America  Nicholas Wolterstorff, Justice: Rights and Wrongs  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Happy Independence Day 00:42 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address 01:21 Why "Four Score and Seven"? 02:14 All People Are Created Equal 03:06 A Nation Dedicated to a Proposition 04:00 What Biblical Patriotism Looks Like 04:46 The Gettysburg Address in 272 Words 05:47 A New Birth of Freedom 06:32 Psalm 8 & Human Dignity 06:57 Created in the Image of God 07:52 Bestowed Worth Explained 08:33 The Danger of Dehumanizing Others 09:39 Where Human Rights Come From 10:09 Treat People According to Their Worth 11:11 Our Citizenship Is in Heaven 11:59 See Its Truth. Will Its Good. 12:34 God So Loved the World

What does it actually mean to fear God? In this reflection on Psalm 130, John Ortberg shares from a reunion with lifelong friends and explores one of Scripture's most misunderstood ideas. Why does the psalm say: "With You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared"? Drawing on the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas, John explains the difference between fearing punishment and revering someone you deeply love. This episode explores: - Psalm 130 and crying out from the depths - God's forgiveness and unfailing love - Servile fear versus filial fear - Waiting for the Lord with hope - Lifelong friendships and spiritual formation - Becoming the kind of person who honors God through love Scriptures: - Psalm 130 #Psalm130 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #FearOfTheLord #Forgiveness #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #Grace 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Fifty Years of Friendship 00:28 Learning to Pour Out Our Hearts 00:59 Psalm 130 Begins 01:37 Out of the Depths I Cry 02:21 Hear My Cry for Mercy 02:32 If You Kept a Record of Sins 03:17 With You There Is Forgiveness 03:46 Why Forgiveness Leads to Fear 04:09 Thomas Aquinas on Two Kinds of Fear 04:55 Servile Fear vs. Filial Fear 05:24 Teachers Who Shape a Lifetime 06:26 Living Up to the Calling 07:18 Waiting for the Lord 07:47 More Than Watchmen Wait for Morning 08:16 Full Redemption 08:55 Becoming a Blessing to God

Would you welcome a loving rebuke? In this reflection on Psalm 141, John Ortberg explores one of the most surprising prayers in Scripture: "Let a righteous person strike me—that is a kindness." Why would anyone ask to be corrected? Through stories from the life of Winston Churchill, personal reflections, and the wisdom of the Psalms, John shows how humility and honest feedback can become powerful tools for spiritual growth. This episode explores: - Psalm 141 and guarding our words - Why rebuke can be a gift - The importance of trusted friends - Winston and Clementine Churchill - Defensiveness versus teachability - Learning to welcome correction with gratitude Scriptures: - Psalm 141 #Psalm141 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Humility #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #Growth #Wisdom 📚 Today's Resources: William Manchester and Paul Reid, The Last Lion: William Spencer Churchill  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What Do You Need Today? 00:36 Psalm 141 & Crying Out to God 00:57 Prayer Like Incense 01:26 The Posture of Prayer 01:36 Set a Guard Over My Mouth 02:10 Guarding the Heart, Not Just the Lips 03:01 Don't Feed the Wrong Desires 03:21 "Let a Righteous Person Strike Me" 03:52 Rebuke as Kindness 04:43 Who Can Tell You the Truth? 05:09 Winston Churchill's Sharp Tongue 06:11 Clementine's Courageous Letter 07:16 John's Regret About Defensiveness 08:39 Calling Dr. Rick for Honest Feedback 09:23 Holding Up a Mirror 10:14 The Mirror Every Soul Needs 10:33 Invite the Gift of Correction

Can you actually grow better with age? In this reflection on Psalm 92, John Ortberg is joined by his wife, Nancy Ortberg, for a warm and thoughtful conversation about lifelong spiritual growth. Together they explore the psalm's remarkable promise: "They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green." From stories of nursing patients to reflections on curiosity, hospitality, and John's grandmother Gladys, this episode offers a hopeful vision of aging with joy, purpose, and enduring vitality. This episode explores: - Psalm 92 and flourishing in old age - Staying spiritually fresh and curious - Abraham and Isaac with fresh perspective - The generosity of God in the parable of the sower - Hospitality, gratitude, and living in the present - Becoming the kind of person others long to emulate Scriptures: - Psalm 92:12–15 - Genesis 22 - The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8) #Psalm92 #JohnOrtberg #NancyOrtbergTurner #SpiritualFormation #AgingWell #HumanFlourishing #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #Psalms #KeepGrowing 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Learning to Pour Out Your Heart 00:27 Why Nancy Loves the Psalms 01:32 Psalm 92 & Flourishing in Old Age 02:03 Lessons From Nursing Patients 02:49 They Will Stay Fresh and Green 03:18 Spring Green Growth Explained 04:00 Staying Curious About God 04:20 Abraham, Isaac & God's Character 05:09 The Parable of the Sower Revisited 05:56 Gladys: A Model of Aging Well 06:34 Living Fully in the Present 07:19 When the World Gets Smaller 07:54 They Will Still Bear Fruit 08:26 Human Flourishing & God's Promise 08:48 Be the Kind of Person Others Want to Become

How does God actually guide His people? In this reflection on Psalm 32, John Ortberg explores one of Scripture's most comforting promises: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go." Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard and the story of Peter in the book of Acts, John explains the difference between mechanical control and personal guidance—and why God desires relationship more than coercion. This episode explores: - Psalm 32 and God's guidance - Mechanical vs. personal guidance - Learning to recognize God's voice - The Holy Spirit and spiritual discernment - Peter's vision in Acts 10 - Why discovered truth often changes us more than presented truth Scriptures: - Psalm 32 - Acts 10 #Psalm32 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #Guidance #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HolySpirit #Discernment 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God  George MacDonald, Thomas Wingfold, Curate  Gary Wills, Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Learning to Be Guided by God 00:53 Psalm 32 & Forgiveness 01:57 Oliver Cromwell's Humility Challenge 02:44 "I Will Instruct You" 03:11 Mechanical vs. Personal Guidance 04:11 How God Leads His People 05:16 Don't Be Like a Horse or Mule 05:59 Asking, "Is This Thought From God?" 06:20 The Holy Spirit Works Through Wondering 07:04 Peter's Vision & Cornelius 08:08 Truth Presented vs. Truth Discovered 09:00 Why Wrestling Deepens Faith 09:59 John's Grandfather's Poem: Retrospect 11:18 "I Think I'll Be a Boy Again"

What if the key to gratitude is realizing that none of us is self-made? In this reflection on Psalm 136, John Ortberg explores the repeated refrain: "His love endures forever." Through a powerful exercise inspired by philosopher Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung, John invites us to trace the hidden network of people and gifts behind the things we enjoy every day—and ultimately back to God Himself. This episode explores: - Psalm 136 and enduring love - Gratitude as a way of life - The myth of self-sufficiency - Celebrating dependence rather than independence - The web of generosity behind everyday gifts - Becoming a more grateful and generous person Scriptures: - Psalm 136 #Psalm136 #JohnOrtberg #Gratitude #Thankfulness #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Dependence #GodsLove 📚 Today's Resources: Kent Dunnington (foreword by Rebecca Konydyk DeYoung), Gratitude to God: The Heart of Christian Formation 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Give Thanks to the Lord 00:37 His Love Endures Forever 01:28 Gratitude as a Way of Life 02:17 Rebecca DeYoung's Dependence Exercise 03:03 Celebrating Dependence, Not Independence 03:49 Choose One Thing You Enjoy 04:34 The Story Behind a Cup of Coffee 04:58 The Baby Grand Piano Illustration 05:47 Standing on the Shoulders of Gift-Givers 06:35 A Story of Interlocking Indebtedness 07:26 Gratitude as a Way of Inhabiting the World 07:53 Who Made This Gift Possible? 08:43 Thank You for This Moment 09:16 Every Breath Is a Gift 09:36 Give Thanks to the Lord

How do you process painful emotions without letting them control your life? In this conversation on Psalm 30, John Ortberg sits down with counselor and friend Rick Blackmon to explore one of the most practical lessons in the Psalms: Own your emotions—but don't enthrone them. Together they discuss anxiety, grief, anger, praise, humor, counseling, and the hope found in God's presence. This episode explores: - Psalm 30 and emotional healing - The journey from the pit to praise - Why naming emotions helps - "What you name, you can tame" - Welcoming rather than suppressing difficult feelings - Building a trusted support team - The promise that weeping does not last forever Scriptures: - Psalm 30 - Galatians 6:2 #Psalm30 #JohnOrtberg #RickBlackmon #Prayer #EmotionalHealth #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #MentalHealth 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Learning From the Psalms 01:21 The Therapy Room of the Old Testament 02:02 Own Your Emotions, Don't Enthrone Them 03:20 Praying Psalm 30 Together 04:39 From the Pit to Praise 05:33 Turning Pain Into Praise 06:17 Leaning Into God's Presence 07:08 Looking Through the Window 08:19 What You Name, You Can Tame 09:23 Journaling & Trusted Friends 10:09 Welcome Your Emotions 11:01 Weeping May Last for a Night 12:08 Humor as a Spiritual Practice 12:44 When Medication Can Help 13:02 Schedule Your Worry 14:22 Let Joy Have the Weekend 14:54 Build Your Team 16:00 Joy Comes in the Morning

How do you become a grateful person? In this reflection on Psalm 103, John Ortberg explores one of the great themes of spiritual life: gratitude. At the center of Psalm 103 is a simple command: "Forget not all His benefits." Drawing from philosopher Robert C. Roberts and the rich imagery of the Psalm itself, John explores why gratitude grows through remembering and why forgetting often leads to entitlement. This episode explores: - Psalm 103 and gratitude - The meaning of the soul - The logic of gratitude - God's forgiveness and compassion - Remembering God's benefits - Gratitude as a spiritual practice Scriptures: - Psalm 103 - Luke 7 - Deuteronomy 6 - Leviticus 19 #Psalm103 #JohnOrtberg #Gratitude #Thankfulness #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #Soul 📚 Today's Resources: Robert C. Roberts’ essay: The Blessings of Gratitude: A Conceptual Analysis, published in the edited volume The Psychology of Gratitude (2004) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Gratitude & Psalm 103 00:25 Bless the Lord, O My Soul 00:52 What Is the Soul? 01:37 The Hokey Pokey of Gratitude 02:17 Put Your Whole Self In 02:48 Forget Not His Benefits 03:44 The Logic of Gratitude 04:23 Benefit, Beneficiary & Benefactor 04:55 Why Gratitude Needs God 05:19 Forgiven Much, Loves Much 06:05 God's Benefits to You 06:39 Renewed Like the Eagles 07:32 God Made His Ways Known 08:16 Compassion, Grace & Mercy 09:01 As Far as East Is From West 09:33 A Father's Compassion 10:24 He Remembers We Are Dust 10:53 Every Breath Is a Gift 11:15 Gratitude vs. Entitlement 11:28 Bless the Lord

Do you ever struggle with doubt? In this teaching on Psalm 91, John Ortberg explores faith, trust, doubt, works, and what it really means to believe. Drawing heavily from the teachings of Dallas Willard, John introduces a powerful framework for understanding belief and asks a challenging question: What do your actions reveal that you actually trust? This episode explores: - Psalm 91 and trusting God - Three different kinds of belief - The relationship between faith and works - Dallas Willard's concept of a mental map - Peter's denial of Jesus - What saving faith really means - How trust grows through practice Scriptures: - Psalm 91 - James 2 - Matthew 25 - John 7 #Psalm91 #JohnOrtberg #Faith #TrustGod #DallasWillard #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #SavingFaith 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Do You Ever Wrestle With Doubt? 00:31 Psalm 91 & Trusting God 01:31 Three Kinds of Belief 02:49 Beliefs We Profess 03:51 Beliefs We Think We Believe 04:47 Peter's False Confidence 05:41 Dallas Willard on What Belief Really Is 06:25 Your Wallet Reveals Your Beliefs 06:40 The Mental Map That Guides Your Life 07:33 Trusting a Chair & Trusting Gravity 08:13 Jesus' Mental Map of Reality 08:36 Why You Don't Have to Be Anxious 08:58 What Saving Faith Really Means 09:48 Faith and Works Belong Together 10:45 Living in Jesus' Reality 11:03 How Faith Grows 11:25 Do One Thing Jesus Said To Do 11:55 Trust in God

What if one of the greatest acts of love is simply paying attention? In this reflection on Psalm 8, John Ortberg and Laura Turner explore wonder, attentiveness, and the surprising connection between love and noticing. Drawing on insights from Marilynne Robinson, the film Lady Bird, and the writings of Simone Weil, they invite us to slow down and rediscover God's presence in the ordinary. This episode explores: - Psalm 8 and the wonder of creation - Why attention is an expression of love - Learning to pray with a wandering mind - The beauty hidden in everyday life - Seeing people as image-bearers of God - Waking up to God's presence Scriptures: - Psalm 8 #Psalm8 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Attention #Wonder #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #MarilynneRobinson #SimoneWeil 📚 Today's Resources: Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Pay Attention 00:38 Learning to Pray Honestly 01:18 Marilynne Robinson & Psalm 8 02:25 The Work of God's Fingers 03:12 What Is Man That You Are Mindful of Him? 04:05 Lady Bird and the Meaning of Love 05:48 "Love and Attention Are the Same Thing" 06:43 Simone Weil on Attention as Prayer 07:39 The Miracle Right in Front of Us 08:25 Why People Are So Fascinating 09:20 When Your Mind Wanders in Prayer 10:03 Returning With Compassion 10:29 Wake Up and Pay Attention

What if one of the greatest gifts you could give someone is helping them develop a taste for what is good? In this reflection on Psalm 34, John Ortberg revisits the famous invitation: "Taste and see that the Lord is good." But this time he explores a surprising idea: every one of us is a tastemaker. Through stories from Anthony Bourdain, insights from C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, and reflections on gratitude, beauty, and influence, John explores how our loves shape the people around us. This episode explores: - Psalm 34 and God's goodness - Anthony Bourdain's life-changing oyster - C.S. Lewis and The Weight of Glory - G.K. Chesterton on wonder and gratitude - How taste is formed - Becoming a tastemaker for goodness Scriptures: - Psalm 34 #Psalm34 #JohnOrtberg #TasteAndSee #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Prayer #Gratitude #CSLewis #Chesterton #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: axis.org G.K. Chesterton, Autobiography  C.S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory” 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Taste and See That the Lord Is Good 00:18 What Happens When You Lose Your Sense of Taste? 01:12 Every Joy Is a Gift 01:53 Chivalry Is Dead (The Zombie Joke) 02:23 Anthony Bourdain's First Oyster 03:24 "It Tasted of the Future" 03:58 C.S. Lewis & The Weight of Glory 04:53 We Were Made to Taste Beauty 05:24 G.K. Chesterton & Wonder 05:56 The Birthday Present of Birth 06:19 How Taste Is Formed 07:03 Taste for Beauty, Truth & Goodness 07:34 Who Shaped Your Taste? 07:56 Loving What You Love Out Loud 08:44 You Are a Tastemaker 09:14 Helping Others Discern What Is Good 09:51 Taste and See 10:34 Don't Become a Zombie 10:50 The Lord Is Good

How do you move faith from your head to your heart? In this reflection on Psalm 34, John Ortberg explores one of the most famous invitations in Scripture: "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Many people know about God. Far fewer learn to experience God's goodness in everyday life. Drawing from the story of David, reflections from Augustine of Hippo, and a memorable scene from Prince Caspian, John shows how faith becomes real when it moves beyond ideas and into experience. This episode explores: Psalm 34 and the goodness of God Knowing about God vs. knowing God Why praise matters during suffering The Lord's nearness to the brokenhearted Experiencing God in ordinary life Learning to taste and see Scriptures: Psalm 34 1 Samuel 21 #Psalm34 #JohnOrtberg #TasteAndSee #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #Faith #godsgoodness  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Psalm 34 & Learning Joy 00:26 David, Abimelech & Pretending Madness 00:50 Why Psalm 34 Is an Acrostic 01:28 Praising God During Hard Times 01:54 His Praise Shall Be on My Lips 02:29 David Among the Philistines 03:38 Magnify the Lord 04:02 C.S. Lewis, Aslan & Growing Older 04:59 Taste and See That the Lord Is Good 05:45 Knowing About vs. Knowing By Experience 06:34 Why Faith Is an Encounter 07:26 Coffee, Grace & Everyday Goodness 07:48 Mikey Likes It! 08:22 Life Is Where We Taste God 08:49 Whoever Loves Life 09:55 The Righteous Have Many Troubles 10:35 The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted 11:17 Run the Experiment 11:47 Taste and See

What do you pray when life hurts so much that ordinary words no longer feel adequate? In this reflection on Psalm 69, John Ortberg explores one of the most emotionally intense prayers in all of Scripture. Drawing a surprising connection to Howl, John examines how the Psalms give voice to grief, despair, loss, betrayal, injustice, addiction, depression, and suffering. This episode explores: - Psalm 69 and honest prayer - The language of anguish - Why God welcomes our deepest pain - Jesus and "zeal for Your house" - The danger of bitterness and despair -  Protecting the soul in suffering - Learning to live in a howling world Featuring reflections on: - Allen Ginsberg - John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath Scriptures: - Psalm 69 - John 2:13–17 #Psalm69 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Suffering #Grief #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Hope #psalms 📚 Today's Resources: John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath   🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Psalm 69: A Cry of Anguish 00:25 Allen Ginsberg's Howl 01:28 When Pain Needs a Voice 02:23 Suffering That Feels Powerless 03:01 Loss, Illness & Betrayal 04:05 Save Me, God 04:35 The Waters Have Come Up to My Neck 04:56 Worn Out Calling for Help 05:17 Zeal for Your House Consumes Me 05:52 Anger, Justice & Imprecatory Prayer 06:39 The Turning Point: "But..." 07:33 John's Reflection on His Father's Death 07:57 Protect My Soul 08:24 The Grapes of Wrath Illustration 08:57 What Suffering Can Do to a Person 09:33 God Hears the Needy 09:55 Living in a Howling World 10:27 Meaning, Service & Hope 10:37 May God Protect Your Soul

How do you actually learn to love God? In this reflection on Psalm 31, John Ortberg explores one surprising pathway to loving God more deeply: curiosity. Drawing from theologian Cornelius Plantinga Jr., relationship researcher John Gottman, and Dallas Willard, John invites us to think about building a "love map" for God. This episode explores: - Psalm 31 and loving God - Curiosity as a spiritual discipline - John Gottman's concept of love maps - Fascinating biblical images of God - The mystery and wonder of God's character - Learning to love God with all your mind Scriptures: - Psalm 31 - Deuteronomy 6:5 - Matthew 22:37 - Luke 23:46 - Psalm 78 #Psalm31 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #LoveGod #SpiritualFormation #DallasWillard #JohnGottman #BibleStudy #Psalms #ChristianFaith 📚 Today's Resources: Cornelius Plantinga, “Intellectual Love of God,” Pro Rege, March 2016 John Gottman, The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships  Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Learning to Love God 00:31 Psalm 31: Love the Lord 01:11 The Greatest Commandment 02:15 Cornelius Plantinga on Loving God 03:01 Are Christians Interested in God? 03:29 Lovers Become Fascinated 03:50 John Gottman & Love Maps 04:48 The Jalapeño Ketchup Story 05:55 Curiosity as a Spiritual Discipline 06:25 Fascinating Images of God 07:13 God Like a Warrior Awakening 07:41 Via Negativa & Via Analogia 08:30 Dallas Willard on the Wonder of God 09:25 What Must It Be Like to Be God? 10:19 Letting God Be God 11:03 Giving God the Benefit of the Doubt 11:44 "God, You've Got Some Explaining to Do" 12:27 Loving People, Loving God 12:45 Learn More About God Every Day

What if grace has a rhythm? In this teaching on Psalm 46, John Ortberg explores stillness, spiritual disciplines, grace, and the river of life that flows throughout Scripture. Drawing from A River Runs Through It, John shares a powerful picture of spiritual formation through the practice of learning God's rhythms. This episode explores: - Psalm 46 and God's presence - The purpose of spiritual disciplines - Grace as power, not merely forgiveness - The river in Eden and Revelation - Jesus as the source of living water - The practice of stillness - Learning the rhythm of grace Featuring reflections from: - Norman Maclean - Dallas Willard Scriptures: - Psalm 46 - Genesis 2 - John 7 - Revelation 22 #Psalm46 #JohnOrtberg #Grace #SpiritualFormation #Prayer #DallasWillard #ARiverRunsThroughIt #Stillness #BibleStudy #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: Norman MacLean, A River Runs Through It, and Other Stories 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Rhythm of Grace 00:24 A River Runs Through It 00:56 All Good Things Come by Grace 01:24 Learning God's Rhythms 02:09 The Metronome & Spiritual Formation 03:19 There Is a River 04:14 The River in Eden 04:40 The River in Revelation 05:20 Jesus and the Water of Life 06:06 Grace Is More Than Forgiveness 07:28 Grace as Power 08:16 The River Is Jesus 09:04 Seeking Power Without Grace 09:49 Be Still and Know That I Am God 10:17 Practicing the Pause 11:05 “I Am Haunted by Waters” 12:31 There Is a River 12:39 Be Still

Do you matter? It may be one of the most important questions a human being can ask. In this teaching on Psalm 127, John Ortberg explores meaning, significance, anxiety, achievement, and what the Bible says about human worth. Drawing from the work of Rebecca Goldstein, John examines what she calls a "crisis of mattering" and why so many people feel insignificant despite living in an age of unprecedented progress. This episode explores: - Psalm 127 and the search for meaning - Why achievement cannot provide lasting significance - The lie that your life doesn't matter - Your story inside God's larger story - The Incarnation and human worth - How every act of faithfulness matters If you've ever struggled with purpose, significance, discouragement, or the feeling that your life doesn't make a difference, this conversation is for you. Scriptures: - Psalm 127 - Genesis 1 - Matthew 10 #Psalm127 #JohnOrtberg #Meaning #Purpose #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Prayer #BibleStudy #Significance #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What Matters? 00:30 Progress Without Hope 01:45 The Decline of Meaning & Belonging 02:11 Global Birth Rates & The Future 03:07 The Crisis of Mattering 03:40 Iris Murdoch on Human Worth 04:04 “I Don’t Matter” 04:30 Psalm 127 Begins 04:49 Why the Psalms Are Organized Into Five Books 05:40 Your Story Inside God's Story 06:09 The Lie That You Don't Matter 06:33 Unless the Lord Builds the House 07:26 Everything Matters to God 08:11 Children, Hope & The Future 09:13 The Mattering Index 10:07 Infinite Meaning 10:36 The Incarnation & Human Worth 10:59 You Matter More Than You Think 11:58 Every Small Thing Matters 12:47 Learning to Live Like It Matters

What is the difference between being nice and being kind? In this reflection on Psalm 138, John Ortberg explores one of the most beautiful biblical ideas: God's loving kindness. Why does Scripture constantly praise God for His kindness but never describe Him as "nice"? What is the difference? And how might understanding God's kindness transform the way we live? This episode explores: - Psalm 138 and God's loving kindness - The Hebrew idea of hesed - Niceness versus kindness - Compassion, courage, and truth-telling - Naomi Shihab Nye's poem Kindness - The Incarnation as God's ultimate act of kindness Featuring reflections on: - Naomi Shihab Nye - Cecil Rhodes Scriptures: - Psalm 138 - Philippians 2 - John 13 #Psalm138 #JohnOrtberg #Kindness #LovingKindness #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Hesed #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: Naomi Shihab Nye, “Kindness” 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 God Is Kind, Not Merely Nice 00:29 Psalm 138 & Loving Kindness 01:28 The Meaning of Hesed 01:48 Miles Coverdale & "Loving Kindness" 02:23 Nice vs. Kind 03:02 God Looks Kindly on the Lowly 04:01 Kindness in a Difficult Season 05:06 Naomi Shihab Nye's Poem "Kindness" 06:01 Before You Know What Kindness Is 07:30 Kindness, Sorrow & Compassion 08:01 Only Kindness Makes Sense Anymore 08:49 Receiving and Offering Kindness 09:14 The Story of Cecil Rhodes 10:14 The Incarnation as Kindness 10:49 Jesus Wore Our Clothes 11:16 A Prayer for Kindness

What is the secret to deep relationships? In this teaching on Psalm 133, John Ortberg explores intimacy, connection, loneliness, and the small daily habits that strengthen relationships. Drawing from the work of relationship researcher John Gottman, John explains the powerful idea of "bids for connection"—the small invitations people make every day to share life together. This episode explores: - Psalm 133 and unity - What intimacy really means - The epidemic of loneliness - John Gottman's relationship research - Turning toward connection - Jesus as the master of connection - God's invitation to relationship throughout Scripture Featuring reflections on: - John Gottman - Dallas Willard - Robert Putnam Scriptures: - Psalm 133 - Genesis 2 - Genesis 3 - Genesis 4 #Psalm133 #JohnOrtberg #Relationships #Connection #Intimacy #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #JohnGottman #BibleStudy #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: John Gottman, The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships   Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Psalm 133 and the Nature of Intimacy 00:34 What Intimacy Really Is 01:18 God's Presence, Unity & Flourishing 01:47 Invited Into the Trinity 02:09 Common Myths About Intimacy 02:54 The Epidemic of Isolation 03:28 Twinkies, Broccoli & Friendship 04:15 Dallas Willard on Shared Experience 05:26 John Gottman & Bids for Connection 06:08 What Is a Bid for Connection? 06:54 Relationships Are Built on Bids 07:37 Jesus: Master of Connection 08:22 Turn Toward, Turn Away, Turn Against 09:06 God's Bid for Connection in Eden 09:52 "Want to Go for a Walk?" 10:28 The Cross: God's Costly Bid for Connection 10:59 Building Unity One Moment at a Time 11:46 Move Toward the Bid

What if unity is one of the things God cares about most? In this teaching on Psalm 133, John Ortberg explores unity, reconciliation, the Trinity, and Jesus' remarkable prayer that His followers would be one. Moving from Psalm 133 to Ephesians 4 and John 17, John shows how unity is not merely a church strategy or relational ideal. It is rooted in the very nature of God Himself. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in perfect love, mutual submission, delight, and harmony. This episode explores: - Psalm 133 and unity - Ephesians 4 and "one" - The Trinity as a model for relationships - Jesus' prayer for His followers - Inclusion and reconciliation - Becoming a builder of harmony Featuring reflections on: - Dale Bruner - Greg Ten Elshof - Dallas Willard - William Shakespeare - Bill Gaither Scriptures: - Psalm 133 - Ephesians 4:3–6 - John 17:20–23 #Psalm133 #JohnOrtberg #Unity #Trinity #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #John17 #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: William Shakespeare, “The Phoenix and The Turtle” 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Psalm 133 & God's Favorite Word 00:31 Repair Work & Getting Names Right 01:01 How Good and Pleasant It Is 01:55 Oil, Dew & God's Blessing 02:20 Why Unity Matters So Much 02:38 One Spirit, One Lord, One God 03:19 The Mystery of the Trinity 04:10 Life Inside the Trinity 05:28 The Eternal Dance of Love 05:57 Shakespeare & Becoming One 06:50 Created for Oneness 07:41 Jesus' Prayer in John 17 08:28 "May They Also Be In Us" 09:27 Invited Into the Life of God 10:07 Bill Gaither & The Circle of Music 11:14 Welcomed Into the Center 11:49 Becoming an Includer 12:14 Repairing Relationships 12:52 How Good and Pleasant It Is

What do you do when your soul feels downcast? In this conversation, John Ortberg sits down with Kevin Palau to explore Psalm 42, anxiety, discouragement, emotional honesty, and hope. Kevin shares candidly about his own struggles with anxiety, the pressures of leadership, and why Psalm 42 has become one of the most important prayers in his spiritual life. This episode explores: - Anxiety and spiritual formation - Psalm 42 and emotional honesty - The pressure to appear spiritually strong - Faith and discouragement - Sabbath, rest, and slowing down - Learning to put our hope in God One of the great gifts of Psalm 42 is that it reminds us that faith is not pretending everything is fine. Faith is bringing our real selves before God and placing our hope in Him anyway. Scriptures: - Psalm 42 Featuring: - Kevin Palau - John Mark Comer (referenced) #Psalm42 #JohnOrtberg #KevinPalau #Prayer #Anxiety #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Hope #BibleStudy #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & Kevin Palau 00:54 Ministry, Leadership & Hidden Anxiety 02:06 Why Psalm 42 Resonates So Deeply 03:41 “As the Deer Pants for Streams of Water” 04:42 When Tears Become Your Food 05:45 The Pressure to Appear Spiritually Strong 07:05 Anxiety Beneath the Surface 08:27 It's Okay to Feel This Way 09:13 John Mark Comer, Rest & Sabbath 10:06 Speaking Hope to Your Soul 11:21 God Is My Savior and My God 12:04 Joy, Grandchildren & Future Hope 12:52 Hope and Discouragement Together 13:39 Why Honesty Makes Us Safer 14:31 Giving Others Permission to Be Real 14:56 Simply Read the Psalm

Can you really live without lack? In this reflection on Psalm 23, John Ortberg draws from Life Without Lack to explore one of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture. What does it mean to say, "The Lord is my shepherd"? What if "I shall not want" is not a promise that life will be easy, but an invitation to stop being driven by fear, scarcity, and unsatisfied desire? This episode explores: - Psalm 23 and the Kingdom of God - Dallas Willard's vision of life without lack - Freedom from fear and anxiety - God's presence as the center of the spiritual life - Green pastures, still waters, and restored souls - Goodness and mercy following us every day Featuring reflections from: - Dallas Willard - Charles Spurgeon - C.S. Lewis - Walter Brueggemann Scriptures: - Psalm 23 - Matthew 6:33 - John 4:14 - Matthew 5:44 #Psalm23 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #LifeWithoutLack #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #KingdomOfGod 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Psalm 23: The Comfort We Need 00:30 Dallas Willard & Life Without Lack 01:22 The Lord Is My Shepherd 02:16 I Shall Not Want 03:09 Freedom From Unsatisfied Desire 04:00 Green Pastures & Still Waters 04:51 He Restores My Soul 05:43 Paths of Righteousness 06:05 I Will Fear No Evil 07:03 You Are With Me 08:07 Rod, Staff & Shepherd Care 08:29 A Table in the Presence of Enemies 09:16 Loving Your Enemies 10:09 My Cup Runs Over 10:48 Goodness & Mercy Follow Me 11:18 Grief, Goodness & Mercy 11:42 Living Without Lack

What's your story today? In this teaching on Psalm 59, John Ortberg explores one of the most important lessons of the Psalms: prayer is always prayed from inside a story. Drawing from Answering God, John challenges the idea of "spiritualized prayer" — prayer that removes the conflict, fear, anger, disappointment, and messiness of ordinary life. Psalm 59 was written in the middle of David's crisis. Men were sent to kill him. His prayer wasn't polished. It wasn't neat. It was real. This episode explores: - Why every prayer comes from a story - The danger of spiritually correct prayer - Psalm 59 and David's honesty - Fear, trust, and emotional authenticity - Eugene Peterson's insights on prayer - Bringing your whole self before God Featuring reflections from: - Eugene Peterson - David's life in 1 Samuel Scriptures: - Psalm 59 - Psalm 3 - 1 Samuel 19 #Psalm59 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #EugenePeterson #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #Authenticity #Faith 📚 Today's Resources: Eugene H. Peterson, Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What's Your Story Today? 00:39 Eugene Peterson & Spiritualized Prayer 01:06 Psalm 3 and David's Story 01:51 Every Day Is a Story 02:32 Psalm Titles and Real Life 03:17 Why Scholars Often Ignore the Titles 04:02 Eugene Peterson's Insight 04:31 The Danger of Spiritualized Prayer 05:24 What Trouble Are You Facing Today? 06:21 Psalm 59 Begins 07:02 Trust, Fear & Emotional Honesty 08:20 Mrs. X and Spiritually Correct Prayer 09:19 The Problem With Polished Prayers 10:08 Living in the Mess With God 10:59 “I Am Not My Strength” 11:23 Every Story Matters to God 11:44 Your Outside Story and Inside Story

What if refuge was something you practiced? In this conversation, John Ortberg talks with therapist and trauma specialist Lisa Cuss about anxiety, church hurt, attachment theory, the nervous system, and Psalm 31. Lisa shares how reading the Psalms through the lens of the nervous system helped her understand David's prayers in a completely new way. His cries of fear, confusion, and desperation suddenly felt deeply human and surprisingly familiar. This episode explores: - Trauma and attachment theory - Church hurt and emotional healing - Psalm 31 and the image of refuge - Why God is called a fortress - Right-sizing reality through prayer - Making refuge an active spiritual practice Featuring reflections on: - David's prayers - The nervous system - Martin Luther - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God #Psalm31 #JohnOrtberg #LisaCuss #Prayer #Trauma #AttachmentTheory #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Anxiety #Psalms 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & Meet Lisa Cuss 00:30 Church Hurt, Conflict & Anxiety 01:15 Living Between Panic & Shutdown 02:29 Reading the Psalms Through the Nervous System 03:23 David's Emotional Honesty 04:00 Naming the Amygdala Hijack 04:47 Psalm 31: Refuge & Fortress 05:56 What Refuge Really Means 06:27 Right-Sizing Reality 07:02 Refuge as a Spiritual Practice 07:27 What If Refuge Became a Verb? 08:25 Understanding Fortress 08:42 Protection While Under Attack 09:07 The Battles Inside Us 09:56 Facing Hard Things With God 10:27 Martin Luther & A Mighty Fortress 11:20 Go Refuge

What if your imperfections are not your greatest problem? In this teaching on Psalm 138, John Ortberg explores the difference between perfection and perfectionism, the beauty of human weakness, and why God has so much compassion for imperfect people. Drawing from Psalm 138, Psalm 103, the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, and the image of cracked pottery repaired with gold, John shows how God often creates beauty through what we would rather hide. This episode explores: - The difference between perfection and perfectionism - Why God remembers we are dust - Fear, anxiety, and self-worth - Wabi-sabi and the beauty of imperfection - Jesus retaining His scars after resurrection - Learning to accept imperfect people Featuring reflections on: - Brené Brown - Gordon Flett - Psalm 138 - Psalm 103 Scriptures: - Psalm 138 - Psalm 103:13–14 - Isaiah 53 #Psalm138 #JohnOrtberg #Perfectionism #Grace #WabiSabi #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Prayer #BibleStudy #Psalms 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Today's Only for Imperfect People 00:27 The Psalms & Human Brokenness 00:47 Psalm 138 Begins 01:16 Though I Walk in the Midst of Trouble 02:08 “The Lord Will Perfect That Which Concerns Me” 02:30 “He Remembers We Are Dust” 03:02 Wabi-Sabi & the Beauty of Imperfection 03:37 The Difference Between Perfection & Perfectionism 04:41 Brené Brown, Fear & Self-Worth 05:19 Cracked Pottery Filled With Gold 05:50 Jesus Kept His Scars 06:22 Isaiah 53 & the Appearance of Jesus 07:07 The Leaning Tower of Pisa 07:33 Post-it Notes & Beautiful Failure 08:45 God’s Compassion for Dust 09:19 Living in an Imperfect World 10:04 Welcoming Imperfect People 10:22 Nancy Joins the Conversation 10:35 “You’re Pretty Darn Close to Perfect”

How do you calm and quiet your soul? In this deeply practical conversation on Psalm 131, John Ortberg and Steve Cuss explore anxiety, emotional awareness, prayer, soothing, and learning to rest in the presence of God. Psalm 131 offers one of the gentlest images in all of Scripture:  “I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child with its mother.” This episode explores: - Anxiety and emotional awareness - “Trying to worry your way to peace” - How to notice what’s happening internally - Connected vs. disconnected prayer - Relaxing into God’s presence - Psalm 131 and soothing the soul This conversation is honest, calming, psychologically insightful, and deeply encouraging. Scriptures: - Psalm 131 #Psalm131 #JohnOrtberg #SteveCuss #Prayer #Anxiety #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Peace #BibleStudy #Psalms 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & Steve Cuss Returns 00:28 Prayer, Peace & the Need for Soothing 01:39 Psalm 131 Begins 02:32 “I Have Calmed and Quieted Myself” 03:20 A Weaned Child With Its Mother 03:40 Learning to Notice What’s Happening Inside 04:34 “I Don’t Know How I’m Doing” 05:05 Bringing Yourself Honestly Before God 05:46 Calming & Quieting Ourselves 06:19 “Trying to Worry My Way to Peace” 07:19 “Who or What Is Taking Up Too Much Space?” 08:02 Forgetting the Presence of God 08:29 Relaxing Into God’s Presence 09:15 Small Moments of Relief & Resilience 10:04 “Put Your Hope in the Lord” 10:39 “Now and Forevermore” 11:23 Connected Self vs. Disconnected Self 12:14 “How Am I Really Doing?” 12:44 The Wasp Story & Closing Prayer

What is social media doing to your soul? In this conversation, John Ortberg and Steve Cuss explore Psalm 1, online outrage, anxiety, reactivity, and the emotional formation happening through social media. Why do platforms like Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram so easily pull people toward outrage, contempt, comparison, and self-righteousness? And what do the Psalms have to say about it? This episode explores: - Psalm 1 and “the company of mockers” - Reactivity and self-righteousness online - Why Steve deactivated Twitter - Social media algorithms and outrage - Meditation, attention, and spiritual formation - “Relaxing into God’s presence” This is an honest, thoughtful, and deeply practical conversation about technology, attention, anxiety, and the health of the human soul. Scriptures: - Psalm 1 - Psalm 55 #Psalm1 #JohnOrtberg #SteveCuss #SocialMedia #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Anxiety #Twitter #Psalms 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & Steve Cuss Joins the Conversation 00:52 Social Media, Reactivity & Self-Righteousness 01:38 “One More Statement From Me Is What the World Requires” 02:05 Psalm 1 Begins 03:20 Scoffers, Mockers & Online Culture 04:03 “Thank God I’m Not Like Those People” 04:32 Why Steve Left Twitter 05:16 Psalm 55 & “Violence in the City” 06:13 The Emotional Atmosphere of Social Media 07:23 Trying to Respond With Grace Online 08:11 Algorithms Reward Outrage 09:07 Systems That Amplify the Worst in Us 09:34 Self-Awareness Is Not Enough 10:12 Meditating on Outrage vs. Meditating on God 10:42 “What Street Do I No Longer Need to Walk Down?” 10:56 Closing Prayer

Why should we pray the Psalms slowly? In this reflective teaching, John Ortberg explores the nature of Hebrew poetry, the structure of the Psalms, and why the language of prayer was never meant to be rushed. Using Psalm 90 and several other Psalms, John unpacks the beauty of biblical parallelism — repetition, pivots, refrains, and poetic movement that deepen meaning and slow the soul down enough to notice God. This episode explores: - Why the Psalms are poetry, not prose - Hebrew parallelism explained simply - Why repetition matters spiritually - Psalm 23, Psalm 88, and Psalm 90 - Jesus’ use of poetic teaching - Prayer as attentiveness rather than efficiency Featuring reflections from: - Eugene Peterson - C.S. Lewis - Robert Lowth Scriptures: - Psalm 90 - Psalm 23 - Psalm 88 - Matthew 7 #Psalms #Prayer #JohnOrtberg #SpiritualFormation #HebrewPoetry #BibleStudy #Psalm90 #ChristianFaith #EugenePeterson #CSLewis 📚 Today's Resources: Answering God — by Eugene Peterson Reflections on the Psalms — by C. S. Lewis 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The One Word for Praying the Psalms 00:21 Psalm 90 & Numbering Our Days 00:51 Why the Psalms Repeat Themselves 01:08 The Psalms Are Poetry, Not Prose 01:34 Hebrew Parallelism Explained 02:03 Robert Lowth & Hebrew Poetry 02:59 Poetry Carries Thought Forward 03:24 “It Doesn’t Rhyme!” 04:04 Eugene Peterson on Poetry & Prayer 05:06 Why the Psalms Slow Us Down 06:02 Psalm 8 & Returning Home 07:18 Psalm 23 & Poetic Pivoting 08:06 Psalm 88 & Unresolved Anguish 09:21 The Psalms Were Never Meant for Speed Reading 09:44 Jesus Used Parallelism Too 10:14 “Judge Not…” Explained 10:37 “Ask, Seek, Knock” 11:23 Prayer, Patience & Attention 11:56 The Language of the Soul

Why do other people’s lives always seem better? In this teaching on Psalm 73, John Ortberg explores envy, comparison, resentment, worship, and the deep human struggle of feeling overlooked while others seem to prosper. The psalmist honestly confesses: “I envied the arrogant.” What follows is one of the most emotionally honest prayers in the Psalms — a prayer about jealousy, discouragement, unfairness, and the exhausting habit of comparing our lives to everyone else around us. This episode explores: - Why comparison distorts reality - Social media, envy, and modern dissatisfaction - Worship as perspective restoration - The turning point of Psalm 73 - Why gratitude disappears when envy grows - “It is good to be near God” This teaching is deeply practical, psychologically insightful, and spiritually grounding. Scriptures: - Psalm 73 #Psalm73 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Worship #Envy #Comparison #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & “Where’s the Beef?” 00:28 Pouring Out Envy Honestly to God 00:45 Psalm 73 Begins 01:13 “I Envied the Arrogant” 01:35 Why Other People’s Lives Look Better 02:08 “They’re Really Happy” 02:32 Comparing, Resenting & Complaining 03:18 “Surely in Vain Have I Kept My Heart Pure” 03:45 The Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” Illustration 04:11 Why Life Feels Unfair 04:36 The Turning Point: Entering the Sanctuary 05:15 Worship Restores Perspective 06:01 Nothing Changed… Yet Everything Changed 06:28 “Afterward You Will Take Me Into Glory” 06:55 The “D in Chemistry” Perspective Story 07:39 Worship as a Way of Life 08:09 What Worship Does to the Soul 08:31 What Happens When We Stop Worshiping 09:19 Learning to Meet God Throughout the Day 10:15 “It Is Good to Be Near God” 11:11 “I Will Tell of All Your Deeds”

Is it possible laughter could be a form of prayer? In this joyful and surprisingly profound teaching on Psalm 126, John Ortberg explores joy, humor, delight, neuroscience, and why laughter may be far more spiritual than many people realize. Why do children laugh so much more than adults? Why does spontaneous laughter feel healing? And what does it mean that God Himself laughs? This episode explores: - Psalm 126 and joy - Why laughter matters spiritually - The neuroscience of laughter - Spontaneous vs. social laughter - Joy, humility, and human connection - Sarah laughing at God’s promise - Why the Gospel itself can feel wonderfully absurd Featuring reflections from: - Eugene Peterson - C.S. Lewis - Carl Jung - Frederick Buechner Scriptures: - Psalm 126 - Psalm 2 - Genesis 18 #Psalm126 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Joy #Laughter #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Psalms #CSLewis #BibleStudy 📚 Today's Resources: Robert Provine: Laughter: A Scientific Investigation  Eugene H. Peterson, Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer  C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew  Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Is Laughter a Form of Prayer? 00:20 Why We Rarely Associate Laughter With God 01:05 Why Adults Stop Laughing 01:30 Psalm 126 & Restored Joy 02:19 What Laughter Actually Is 02:48 Why Jokes Aren’t the Main Reason We Laugh 03:11 The Trinity Walks Into a Wine Bar… 03:37 Jung, Spirit & Joy 04:02 Laughter, Safety & Human Connection 04:24 Who Invented Laughter? 04:45 Two Different Kinds of Laughter 05:36 Spontaneous Joy & the Brain 06:06 God Loves to Give Laughter 06:29 Eugene Peterson: “God Laughs” 07:22 The “Get Your Own Dirt” Joke 08:06 C.S. Lewis & The First Joke 09:07 Frederick Buechner on Sarah’s Laughter 10:17 Laughing at God & With God 11:20 “Are You Kidding Me? God Loves Me?” 11:42 God Filling Our Mouths With Laughter

Why does memory matter spiritually? In this reflective teaching on Psalm 77, John Ortberg explores remembrance, gratitude, grief, forgiveness, healing, and why memory itself can become a form of prayer. Using deeply personal family stories, Memorial Day reflections, and Psalm 77’s call to “remember the deeds of the Lord,” John reflects on the spiritual importance of remembering honestly and hopefully. This episode explores: - Gratitude and memory - Remembering sin and forgiveness - God’s faithfulness through suffering - Augustine’s Confessions - René Girard and mimetic desire - Why Jesus told us to remember This teaching is thoughtful, moving, deeply personal, and filled with hope. Scriptures: - Psalm 77 - Luke 22:19 Resources referenced: - Eugene Peterson - Augustine’s Confessions - René Girard #Psalm77 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Memory #Gratitude #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Healing #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources:  Eugene H. Peterson, Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Memorial Day & Remembering 00:28 Psalm 77 & the Prayer of Memory 01:16 “I Will Remember the Deeds of the Lord” 01:38 Three Ways to Pray Through Memory 02:03 John’s Grandmother’s Notebook 02:42 Gratitude & Family Memories 04:00 Remembering People We Love 04:52 Remembering Sin & Forgiveness 05:18 Augustine’s Pear Theft Story 05:51 René Girard & Mimetic Desire 06:20 The Watermelon Story 07:27 Remembering Without Shame 08:09 Remembering God’s Faithfulness 08:36 Grief, Loss & Family Suffering 09:32 “The Healing Power Is Greater Than the Hurting Power” 10:19 Retrospect & Hope Beyond This Life 11:17 “Remember” 11:29 Jesus & the Last Supper 11:46 Closing Prayer

Why is gratitude so difficult to sustain? In this teaching on Psalm 100, John Ortberg explores the deeper source of genuine gratitude and why thankfulness cannot simply be forced through willpower. Using reflections from Robert Hayden and his poem Those Winter Sundays, John reflects on the hidden acts of love that quietly sustain human life every day — often without being noticed or thanked. This episode explores: - Why gratitude begins with awareness - The hidden acts of love around us - Psalm 100 and worship - “Know that the Lord, He is God” - Gratitude, creation, and ordinary beauty - Learning to “connect the dots” back to God This is a thoughtful, moving reflection on gratitude, worship, attention, and the goodness of God. Scriptures: - Psalm 100 - Genesis 3 (allusion) - John 10 imagery Resources referenced: - Those Winter Sundays — Robert Hayden #Psalm100 #JohnOrtberg #Gratitude #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Thankfulness #Worship #BibleStudy #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: Robert Hayden, “Those Winter Sundays” 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & Praying Gratitude 00:24 Psalm 100 & Childhood Memory Contest 01:02 Why Gratitude Cannot Be Forced 01:21 What Comes Before Gratitude 01:52 Robert Hayden’s “Those Winter Sundays” 03:04 “Love’s Austere and Lonely Offices” 03:40 Hidden Acts of Love We Miss 04:41 Gratitude Begins With Awareness 05:10 “Make a Joyful Noise” 05:48 “Know That the Lord, He Is God” 06:06 The Temptation to Be Like God 06:25 “I Got to Have a Life” 06:42 We Are the Sheep of His Pasture 07:12 “Connect the Dots” Back to God 07:56 “The Lord Is Good” 08:18 Ordinary Gifts & Everyday Glory 08:54 Jesus & the Lonely Offices of Love 09:13 Gratitude Overflowing Into Service

Why would God include violent prayers in the Bible? In this deeply challenging teaching on Psalm 137, John Ortberg explores anger, injustice, enemies, suffering, and why the Psalms are far more emotionally honest than most modern spirituality. John begins with a provocative statement:  “You should stop having a quiet time.” Using reflections from Eugene Peterson, this episode explores the difference between prayer that merely calms us down and prayer that honestly confronts evil, grief, and the brokenness of the world. This episode explores: - Why Psalm 137 feels so disturbing - The role of anger and indignation - Why suppressed hatred is spiritually dangerous - Prayer as honesty before God - Jesus, enemy-love, and the Psalms - “Our hate needs to be prayed, not suppressed” Featuring reflections on: - Eugene Peterson - C.S. Lewis - René Girard Scriptures: - Psalm 137 - Ephesians 6:12 - Matthew 5:44 #Psalm137 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Psalms #EugenePeterson #Justice #Forgiveness #BibleStudy 📚 Today's Resources: Eugene H. Peterson, Answering God: The Psalms As Tools for Prayer  René Girard, The Scapegoat  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction: “Stop Having a Quiet Time” 00:25 Eugene Peterson on Pseudo-Prayer 01:30 “Prayer Is Combat” 02:26 Why the Psalms Talk So Much About Enemies 03:11 Enter Psalm 137 04:10 “How Can We Sing in a Foreign Land?” 04:38 The Most Disturbing Verse in the Psalm 05:13 Why This Psalm Shocks Modern Readers 05:36 The Psalms Refuse Sanitized Spirituality 06:00 Two Kinds of Violence in the Psalms 06:40 René Girard, Victims & Scapegoats 07:08 Indignation, Anger & Injustice 08:06 Why People Want These Psalms Removed 09:03 “Our Hate Needs to Be Prayed” 09:55 Suppressed Anger & False Spirituality 10:18 Jesus, Enemy Love & the Psalms 11:23 Dare to Be Real With God

Why do we avoid uncomfortable truth? In this teaching on Psalm 42, John Ortberg explores self-awareness, attention, distraction, procrastination, and the deep spiritual thirst at the center of the human soul. Using Psalm 42’s famous image — “As the deer pants for streams of water…” — John reflects on how human beings often distract themselves from the deeper realities happening inside them. Why do we avoid certain thoughts? Why do difficult truths fade when we procrastinate? And what does prayer have to do with attention? This episode explores: - The soul’s longing for God - Why humans avoid painful truth - Self-deception and attention management - Procrastination as a spiritual issue - The relationship between awareness and transformation - “The greatest freedom of human life” Featuring reflections from: - William James - Flannery O’Connor - Gregg Ten Elshof Scripture: - Psalm 42 #Psalm42 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #SelfAwareness #ChristianFaith #Psychology #Attention #BibleStudy #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: Gregg A. Ten Elshof, I Told Me So: Self-Deception and the Christian Life  Flannery O’Connor, The Violent Bear It Away  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Psalm 42 & the Problem of Being Real 01:08 Why the Psalms Speak to the Soul 01:31 Awareness, Choice & the Human Will 02:19 “As the Deer Pants for Water” 03:18 Pouring Out the Soul Before God 04:04 “Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?” 04:38 Flannery O’Connor & Avoiding Truth 06:18 William James on Attention & Experience 06:48 The Sneaky Power of Attention Management 07:09 The Greatest Freedom of Human Life 08:21 Forgetting Painful Experiences 09:12 Procrastination & Self-Deception 10:52 Why Moral Convictions Fade Over Time 11:26 “Help Me See What I’ve Been Avoiding” 11:54 Deep Calls to Deep

Why is self-awareness so difficult? In this teaching on Psalm 19, John Ortberg explores self-deception, blind spots, hidden faults, and the surprising difficulty of honestly seeing ourselves. The Psalmist asks:  “Who can discern their own errors?” That question launches a fascinating exploration of: - Freud and the unconscious mind - Cognitive bias and self-deception - Why humans protect their image - The role of feedback and mirrors - Spiritual growth through honesty - Grace, confession, and healing This episode explores how Scripture and modern psychology intersect around one central truth: human beings are remarkably good at hiding truth from themselves. And yet real freedom begins when we become willing to see. Scriptures: - Psalm 19:12–14 - Romans 1 - Obadiah 1:3 Resources mentioned: - Freud - George Eliot - Gregg Ten Elshof - Awakenings #psalm19  #JohnOrtberg #SelfAwareness #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Psychology #Prayer #BibleStudy #BlindSpots #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: George Eliot, Middlemarch  Gregg A. Ten Elshof, I Told Me So: Self-Deception and the Christian Life  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & Mirror Thumbnail Idea 00:09 Psalm 19 & the Problem of Self-Awareness 00:30 “Forgive My Hidden Faults” 00:58 The Problem With Unconscious Behavior 01:19 Freud, Depth Psychology & the Iceberg Mind 02:08 What Freud Got Wrong About Trauma 02:58 Memory Wars & Self-Deception 03:17 The Hidden Layers Beneath Consciousness 03:52 George Eliot & “Confessing to Ourselves” 04:16 The Four Levels of Consciousness 05:00 Skydiving & Stress-Induced Memory Gaps 05:57 Peripheral Awareness & Hidden Faults 06:31 Self-Deception in Modern Psychology 06:58 Romans 1 & Suppressing the Truth 07:25 The Self-Serving Bias Explained 08:16 The Fundamental Attribution Error 09:03 Everyday Self-Deception & Rationalization 09:53 Praying “Help Me See the Truth” 10:19 Reviewing the Day With Honesty 11:02 Why We Manage Other People’s Opinions 11:35 Freud, Sin & the Depth of Self-Deception 12:01 Inviting Other People to Help Us Grow 12:39 “Would You Tell Me More?” 13:23 Closing Prayer From Psalm 19:14

What does bowling have to do with spiritual life? In this teaching on Psalm 19, John Ortberg explores anxiety, surrender, creation, grace, and the deep human longing for soul rest. Using a surprisingly powerful bowling illustration, John reflects on how most people continue trying to control outcomes long after the “ball” has already left their hands. Psalm 19 offers another way: let go, trust God, delight in creation, and allow your soul to rest. This episode explores: - Why modern people struggle with rest - The connection between anxiety and control - Creation as medicine for the soul - Why the law of God is actually a gift - Soul fragmentation and divided living - How love restores wholeness Featuring reflections on: - Dallas Willard - Theodore Roosevelt - Martin Luther - Psalm 19 Scriptures: -Psalm 19 -Matthew 22:37–39 -James 2:8 #Psalm19 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #DallasWillard #SoulRest #Anxiety #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ  The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes, edited by Clifton Fadiman 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & Bowling Thumbnail Idea 00:14 Psalm 19, Soul Rest & the Gift of Law 01:02 “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” 01:23 Creation, Perspective & the Human Soul 02:16 Running Life Like a Champion 02:37 Dallas Willard on Soul Rest 03:44 What Bowling Teaches Us About Anxiety 04:31 “Let the Ball Go” 04:55 Teddy Roosevelt & Becoming Small Enough 05:50 Creation as an Expression of God’s Mind 06:09 Why Nature Is Good for the Soul 06:40 Psalm 19’s Surprising Pivot to Law 07:14 “The Law of the Lord Is Perfect” 07:22 Why Modern People Resist the Law 07:56 Law, Grace & Human Flourishing 08:38 What Makes a Good Person? 09:14 Why Humanity Has Revered Wise Laws 09:40 Sweeter Than Honey, More Precious Than Gold 10:09 The Royal Law of Love 10:39 How Sin Fractures the Soul 10:57 The Law Revives the Soul 11:25 Delighting in God’s Big Book & Little Book

What actually creates a peaceful life? In this teaching on Psalm 15, John Ortberg explores the ancient biblical vision of an “unshakable” life — a life rooted in goodness, grace, truth, and the presence of God. Psalm 15 asks: “Who may dwell on your holy mountain?” The answer turns out to be both beautiful and deeply challenging. Along the way, John reflects on: Why peace is more than a feeling The connection between character and stability Gossip, envy, greed, ego, and emotional formation Positive psychology and virtue What kind of people we become through daily choices Why “the good life is with God” This episode is practical, thoughtful, convicting, and hopeful all at once. Scriptures: Psalm 15 Matthew 6:33 Luke 23:39–43 #Psalm15 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Peace #Character #BibleStudy #Psalms #formation  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction & The Mountain of Peace 00:42 Why Most People Misunderstand Peace 01:21 “Who May Dwell on Your Holy Mountain?” 01:50 Do We Actually Want Life With God? 02:11 The “Sin Room” Illustration 03:01 The Other Gods We Run After 03:41 The Question Psalm 15 Answers 03:48 “The One Whose Walk Is Blameless…” 04:38 Positive Psychology & Human Flourishing 05:21 Speaking the Truth From the Heart 06:09 Slander, Gossip & the Spiritual Life 06:28 Who Is My Neighbor? 07:32 Who Do You Admire? 08:34 Commitments, Oaths & Faithfulness 09:15 Generosity & Stewardship 09:46 “Whoever Does These Things Will Never Be Shaken” 10:17 Peace, Praise & Character Formation 11:05 What If TSA Tested Character? 11:21 Grace, Failure & the Thief on the Cross 11:52 The Invitation to the Holy Mountain

What’s the one thing that would make today a good day? Psalm 16 says it’s simpler—and deeper—than you think. In this teaching, John Ortberg walks through Psalm 16 and introduces a powerful idea: your life-scape—the inner world where your thoughts, desires, and attention live. Most of us drift through our days reacting to whatever comes. But Psalm 16 invites us to something different: “I have set the Lord always before me.” In this episode, you’ll learn: - What shapes your inner life (your “life-scape”) - Why chasing “other gods” leads to restlessness - How to center your day around one transforming focus - What it means to live with a steady, unshaken heart This is a practical invitation to live today with clarity, presence, and purpose. 📚 Today's Resources: Sam Storms, One Thing: Developing a Passion for the Beauty of God  Jenn Johnson, “Goodness of God”  @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FBb6hnwTo Søren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 – Opening Prayer 00:20 – What Is Your “Life-Scape”? 00:46 – Psalm 16: The One Thing 01:07 – The “City Slickers” Illustration 01:34 – What Shapes Your Inner World 02:16 – The Illusion of Life Without Purpose 03:06 – The Search for “One Thing” 03:33 – What Scripture Says the One Thing Is 03:55 – “You Are My Lord” (Psalm 16) 04:19 – The Danger of Other “Gods” 04:44 – Modern Idols (Reputation, Ego, Control) 05:05 – “You Are My Portion” 05:30 – Living Where You Actually Are 06:02 – God Speaks Through Your Heart 06:51 – How God Guides Your Thoughts 07:38 – Recognizing God’s Voice 08:04 – “I Set the Lord Always Before Me” 08:18 – Jesus: “Seek First the Kingdom” 08:49 – The Freedom to Choose Your Focus 09:09 – Practicing God’s Presence 09:27 – A Story of Unexpected Grace 10:04 – Becoming a Blessing to Others 10:19 – What It Means to Be Unshaken 10:55 – God Will Not Abandon You 11:08 – The Path of Life 11:27 – Joy in God’s Presence 11:47 – Final Prayer: Walk With God Today

Ever feel stuck in your thoughts… and don’t know how to pray? Here’s a simple, practical method that actually works. In this teaching, John Ortberg walks through a powerful and practical way to pray your emotions using Psalm 57. Adapted from psychological insights and grounded in Scripture, this ABCD prayer method helps you move from anxiety and rumination to clarity, trust, and peace. You’ll learn how to: - Identify what’s actually triggering you - Name the beliefs driving your emotions - Understand why your feelings feel so strong - Reframe your thoughts with truth - Move into a place of steadiness and action If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to talk to God honestly—this gives you a clear path forward. 📚 Today's Resources: Martin Seligman - referenced for the ABC model/framework John adapted into prayer and the Psalms Mark Twain - quote: “I have lived through terrible sufferings, horrible events, some of which actually happened.” 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 – Opening Prayer 00:20 – Why We Struggle to Pray Honestly 00:46 – A Practical Method for Prayer 01:13 – Psalm 57: David in the Cave 01:35 – What Is Your “Cave”? 02:07 – Step A: Antecedent (What Triggered You?) 03:01 – Why Negative Moments Drive Prayer 03:27 – Real-Life Examples (Wallet, Mistakes, Fear) 04:10 – Step B: Beliefs (What Are You Thinking?) 05:02 – Why Writing Matters 05:20 – Naming Fear-Based Beliefs 06:17 – Step C: Consequences (Your Emotions) 06:42 – How Beliefs Drive Feelings 07:08 – Recognizing Emotional Impact 07:47 – Step D: Dispute (Challenge Your Beliefs) 08:08 – Reframing With Truth 08:32 – “Most of My Fears Never Happened” 08:56 – Living One Day at a Time 09:21 – Step E: Energize (New Direction) 09:47 – “My Heart Is Steadfast” 10:11 – From Anxiety → Stability 10:17 – Anticipating God’s Presence 10:43 – Building Life on God’s Faithfulness 11:03 – Putting It All Together 11:28 – God Works in the Cave 11:49 – Final Encouragement

What do you do with anger you can’t let go of? What if the Bible actually teaches you how to pray it? In Part 3 of this conversation, John Ortberg and Rankin Wilbourne tackle one of the most difficult emotions we face: anger. Psalm 109 is one of the most shocking passages in Scripture—full of raw, unfiltered anger. So why is it in the Bible? In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why denying anger isn’t spiritual maturity - How the Psalms give you permission to be honest with God - What it looks like to pray your anger instead of acting on it - How anger can actually be transformed into something healing - This is Part 3 of a 3-part convo on learning to pray your emotions. 📚 Today's Resources: Life Together / writings on the Psalms — Dietrich Bonhoeffer 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 – Introduction (Part 3: Anger) 00:24 – Recap: Running Toward the Storm 00:46 – “What Do You Do With Anger?” 01:08 – The Reality of Anger in the Psalms 01:34 – Psalm 109 (The Angriest Psalm) 02:21 – Why This Is So Shocking 02:51 – Owning Your Anger (OWN Framework) 03:27 – The “Alchemy” of Prayer 03:55 – Why These Prayers Are in the Bible 04:17 – Are We “Holier” Than the Psalmists? 05:08 – “Vengeance Is Mine” (Letting Go) 05:37 – Be Angry and Do Not Sin 06:02 – Can You Be This Angry and Still Follow God? 06:28 – A Real-Life Example: Unforgiveness 07:04 – Bringing People Into God’s Presence 07:37 – Expanding Perspective (God, Self, Others) 08:11 – Why This Feels Complicated 08:38 – Everyone Has an Anger Problem 09:18 – Should You Pray Psalm 109? 09:30 – Practical: Naming Someone Before God 10:00 – The Turning Point (You Have a Choice) 10:34 – Admitting “I Am Angry” 11:17 – Psalms as Medicine for the Soul 12:34 – When You’re Not Ready to Forgive 13:00 – Starting With Honest Prayer 13:46 – The Breakthrough: You Have a Choice 14:21 – Final Invitation: Bring Your Anger to God

What if the pain you’re avoiding is actually the path to healing? And what if God already gave you the words for it? In Part 2 of this conversation, John Ortberg and Rankin Wilbourne explore one of the most overlooked practices in the Christian life: lament. If the Psalms are the prayer book of God’s people, why are so many of them… sad? And why do we avoid praying that way? You’ll discover: - Why lament is essential (not optional) in spiritual life - How lament becomes a bridge between pain and trust - Why avoiding pain actually deepens it - A practical way to pray honestly without getting stuck in despair This is Part 2 of a 3-part conversation on learning to pray your emotions. 📚 Today's Resources: A Grief Observed — C. S. Lewis (indirect thematic reference) Naming the Silences — Stanley Hauerwas 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 – Picking Up the Conversation (Part 2) 00:21 – Why the Psalms Are Full of Sad Songs 01:17 – 30–70% of Psalms Are Laments 01:44 – “How Long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13) 02:14 – What Lament Reveals About Life 02:40 – Why We Resist Lament 03:06 – What Lament Actually Is 03:36 – Permission to Bring Everything to God 04:08 – Do You Pray Like This? 04:31 – Image 1: Running Toward the Storm (Buffalo) 05:31 – Why Avoiding Pain Makes It Worse 06:04 – The Paradox of Grief 06:34 – Image 2: Lament as a Bridge 06:59 – From Pain → Trust (Psalm 13 Turn) 07:38 – How Psalms Train Us to Trust 08:04 – When Prayer Turns Into Rumination 08:52 – Using Psalms as Scaffolding 09:43 – Why Lament Doesn’t Leave You Stuck 10:11 – Learning the “Turn” to Trust 10:46 – Rehearsing Trust Like a Song 11:13 – Naming the Silences 11:48 – Training Your Heart Through Prayer 12:13 – Guided Prayer (Psalm 5) 12:58 – Key Takeaways + Preview Part 3

Most people don’t know how to pray their emotions… even after years of faith. What if the Psalms were meant to teach you how? In this conversation, John Ortberg sits down with author and pastor Rankin Wilbourne to explore a life-changing idea: learning to pray your emotions. Many of us either suppress our feelings or let them control us—but the Psalms offer a better way. They give us language, permission, and structure to bring our real selves before God. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why most people struggle to pray honestly - The difference between suppressing, expressing, and praying emotions - A simple framework to process emotions with God (OWN: Observe, Welcome, Name) - What “pre-reflective prayer” means—and why it matters This is Part 1 of a 3-part conversation. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 – Opening + Introducing Rankin Wilbourne 00:55 – What the Psalms Are Really For 01:35 – “Pray Your Emotions” (Why This Is Hard) 02:02 – Tim Keller’s Insight on Prayer 02:46 – Two Common Mistakes With Emotions 03:14 – Why Christians Struggle With Feelings 03:46 – A Better Way: Don’t Deny, Don’t Enshrine 04:17 – The OWN Framework (Observe, Welcome, Name) 05:18 – Why Naming Emotions Heals 05:40 – What Mister Rogers Got Right 06:09 – “What’s Mentionable Is Manageable” 07:12 – Pouring Out Your Heart to God 07:36 – Why We Try to Fix Instead of Feel 08:09 – Permission to Be Human Before God 08:38 – How to Actually Practice This 09:04 – Learning Prayer by Praying 09:34 – “Trust and Pour Out Your Heart” 10:00 – Why We Avoid Our Own Hearts 10:25 – The Problem of “Willed Loneliness” 11:01 – Vulnerability Before God 11:34 – Does God Really Want This From Me? 11:59 – What Is Pre-Reflective Prayer? 12:26 – When Theology Gets in the Way 13:05 – Practice: Name What You’re Feeling 13:53 – Why This Matters (Preview of Part 2)

How long can you carry something before it breaks you? And what do you do when God feels… silent? In this teaching on Psalm 13, John Ortberg walks us through one of the most honest prayers in Scripture: “How long, O Lord?” When pain lingers, when answers don’t come, and when God feels distant, we face a choice. We can grumble—turning inward in bitterness and withdrawal—or we can groan—bringing our pain honestly before God. This Psalm shows us how to lament in a way that leads somewhere. Not by denying pain, but by bringing it fully into God’s presence. If you’re carrying something heavy right now—a relationship, anxiety, loss, or a long unanswered prayer—this teaching will help you turn that pain into prayer. 📚 Today's Resources: Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 – Opening Prayer 00:18 – Psalm 13: Bring Your “How Long” 00:53 – “Will You Forget Me Forever?” 01:30 – What “How Long” Really Means 01:59 – When You Don’t Know the Finish Line 02:15 – When God Feels Hidden 02:36 – The Panic of Not Finding What Matters 03:20 – How the Body Holds Pain 03:46 – Why Pain Lingers in Us 04:15 – What Is Your “How Long”? 04:34 – Naming Real-Life Pain 05:05 – Two Ways to Respond to Pain 05:18 – Grumbling vs Groaning 05:58 – What Grumbling Does to the Soul 06:19 – What Groaning Looks Like 06:51 – Groaning = Honest Faith 07:18 – How This Plays Out in Real Life 07:37 – Warning Against Grumbling 08:02 – Groaning for the World’s Pain 08:23 – Creation Is Groaning 08:56 – When You Don’t Have Words 09:28 – God Groans With You 09:53 – The Turning Point: “But I Trust…” 10:25 – What Actually Changes? 10:56 – Lament Opens the Door to Praise 11:23 – Bring Your “How Long” to God 11:46 – When Hope Begins to Rise 12:04 – From Lament to Praise

Everyone’s talking about mindfulness… but what if we’ve missed the most important part? What if the key isn’t your mind being focused—but God’s mind being focused on you? In this teaching on Psalm 8, John Ortberg explores a deeper kind of mindfulness—one that begins not with your attention, but with God’s. While we often struggle with distraction, anxiety, and rumination, Psalm 8 reveals something surprising: God is fully, constantly mindful of you. His attention never drifts. His care never wavers. Through reflection, Scripture, and guided prayer, this teaching invites you to step into praise, re-center your mind, and experience what it means to live in the awareness of God’s presence. You’ll also learn how to pray the Psalm—turning your attention from distraction to delight, and from anxiety to awe. Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 📚 Today's Resources: Thomas Merton, Praying the Psalms (1956) Mark Ralls, “Mindful: Psalm 8,” The Christian Century, 15 May 2007. Eugene Peterson, Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer (1991) C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms (1958) Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible (1940) Timothy Keller and Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions In the Psalms (2015) James W. Sire, Praying the Psalms of Jesus (2007) Walter Bruggeman, Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit (1995) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ 00:00 – Opening Prayer  00:18 – Learning to Pray the Psalms  00:42 – From Wisdom → Lament → Praise  01:02 – Do You Struggle With Your Mind?  01:27 – Resources on Praying the Psalms  02:17 – “Lord, Our Lord…” (Starting With God)  02:50 – What “God’s Name” Really Means  03:22 – God’s Glory in All the Earth  03:49 – The Power of Childlike Praise  04:25 – “What Is Mankind?” (The Big Question)  04:55 – Why Praise Feels So Empty Today  05:46 – Why We Struggle to Praise God  06:08 – Do You Actually Want God?  06:54 – No Blueprint for Ecstasy  07:23 – Practicing Attention and Reflection  07:54 – What Is Mindfulness (Really)?  08:20 – The Universe Exists in God’s Mind  08:42 – God Is Mindful of You  09:11 – The Acorn Illustration (Are You Paying Attention?)  09:54 – God Is Never Distracted  10:14 – Because God Is Mindful… We Can Be Too  10:25 – Practicing Presence (Breath + Spirit)  10:57 – “Present to the Presence in the Present”  11:15 – Why Psalm 8 Ends Where It Begins  11:32 – You Are Held in God’s Attention  11:52 – Seeing Others as Image Bearers  12:02 – Living With Joy, Gratitude, and Praise

We live in a world obsessed with predicting the future… and terrified of it. So how do you actually live when everything feels uncertain? In this teaching on Psalm 3, John Ortberg explores one of the most universal human struggles: uncertainty. We don’t know what’s coming next—and instead of trusting God, we often try to control, predict, or even “gamble” on the future. But Psalm 3 offers a different way. It begins in fear and pressure—real enemies, real anxiety—and moves toward trust, surrender, and confidence in God’s presence. This teaching will help you name the “foes” in your life (both internal and external), bring your honest thoughts to God, and discover what it means to live with courage—even when the future is unclear. You’ll also be guided to pray the Psalm yourself, learning how to turn anxiety into conversation with God. 📚 Today's Resources: McKay Coppins, “Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler,” The Atlantic, 12 March 2026 Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ ⏱️ Chapters (retention-focused) 00:00 – Opening Prayer  00:15 – The Big Question: How Do You Handle Uncertainty?  00:30 – We Understand Life Backwards, Live It Forwards  00:49 – How We Try to Control the Future  01:12 – The Explosion of Gambling Culture  02:39 – Even Betting on the Second Coming?!  03:04 – A Better Way: Turn to God  03:32 – Psalm 3: Where Prayer Begins  03:58 – Start With One Word: “Lord”  04:23 – Practicing God’s Presence (Candle + Chair)  05:07 – “How Many Are My Foes?”  05:44 – Naming Your Real Enemies (Anxiety, Hurry, Envy…)  06:40 – Personal and Relational Pain  07:01 – When You Can’t Fix What’s Broken  07:26 – God as Shield, Glory, and Lifter of Your Head  08:20 – You Don’t Have to Prove Yourself  08:43 – From Shame to Confidence  09:27 – The Real Test of Your Life  09:48 – Can You Sleep in Peace?  10:14 – Waking Up: Life Is a Gift  10:34 – “Arise, Lord” (Resurrection Power)  10:56 – What Does “Break Their Teeth” Mean?  11:18 – Pray What You Actually Feel  11:46 – Where Deliverance Comes From  11:57 – Make This Psalm Your Prayer Today

What if your life is already headed in a direction… and you didn’t choose it? Psalm 1 says there are only two ways to live and only one leads to flourishing. In this opening teaching of a new series on the Psalms, John Ortberg invites us into one of the most important questions we can ask: What is my way of life leading to? Psalm 1 describes a person who is “blessed”—not just happy, but deeply rooted, steady, and flourishing. And it contrasts that life with another path we can slowly drift into without even noticing. Through reflection, story, and guided prayer, this teaching helps you examine your own direction and begin to re-center your life around God. You’ll also be invited to actually pray the Psalm—to let it shape your thoughts, your desires, and your daily decisions. 📚 Today's Resources: Thomas Merton, Praying the Psalms  Markham Heid, “The Number of Words You Say in a Day is Shrinking,” Time, 28 April 2026. McKay Coppins, “Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler,” The Atlantic, 12 March 2026 Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ 00:00 – Opening Prayer: “May the words…”  00:22 – Why Prayer Matters to God  01:25 – The Psalms: Every Emotion with God  02:41 – Why the Psalms Transform Us  03:02 – Do You Need Wisdom Right Now?  03:32 – What Does “Blessed” Really Mean?  04:18 – Everyone Has a Way of Life  04:44 – Flourishing vs. Drifting  05:09 – The Danger of Slow Drift  05:40 – Walking → Standing → Sitting (The Progression)  06:29 – Modern Life Is Forming You (More Than You Think)  07:13 – Even “Religious” Lives Can Miss This  07:40 – The Tree Planted by Water  08:10 – What It Means to Meditate on God  08:52 – Training Your Mind to Delight  09:21 – What You Fill Your Mind With Shapes You  09:43 – Two Ways to See People: Exploit or Love  10:35 – The “Wicked” vs “Righteous” (In All of Us)  10:58 – Guided Prayer: Ask God for Flourishing  11:37 – Where Do You Need Wisdom Today?

Did you enjoy this teaching on Forgiveness? Download the free print and go study guide to experience the journey in its fullness: becomenew.com/study-guides Is reconciliation really possible… after betrayal? In one of the most powerful stories in the Bible, we see the answer: yes—but it’s complicated. In today’s teaching, we walk through the story of Joseph and his brothers—a story filled with jealousy, betrayal, suffering, and ultimately… forgiveness and reconciliation. This is not a neat or easy process. It’s messy, emotional, and deeply human. But it reveals something extraordinary:  God can bring healing even to the most broken relationships. Because forgiveness is powerful…  but reconciliation? That’s a miracle. 📚 Today's Resources: Workbook resource by Everett Worthington (forgiveness process):  https://bit.ly/REACHWorksheet 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

What is forgiveness… really? And what if most of us have been getting it wrong? In today’s teaching, we define forgiveness in a clear and powerful way: replacing ill will with goodwill. But that raises big questions—Does forgiveness excuse wrongdoing? Does it ignore justice? Should we forgive everything? Drawing from Scripture, real-world examples, and the work of Everett Worthington, this message untangles the confusion and reveals a deeper, stronger, more honest vision of forgiveness. Because forgiveness isn’t pretending something didn’t matter it’s choosing a different kind of response. 📚 Today's Resources: Workbook resource by Everett Worthington (forgiveness process):  https://bit.ly/REACHWorksheet 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Most of us think unforgiveness is something we choose. But what if it’s actually something that slowly grows inside of us… without us even realizing it? In today’s teaching, we explore the road to NOT forgiving—how small hurts turn into resentment, how rumination fuels bitterness, and how unforgiveness quietly takes hold of your heart. Drawing from Scripture, personal reflection, and the research of Everett Worthington, this message exposes the hidden patterns that keep us stuck—and offers hope that change is possible. Because unforgiveness doesn’t just affect others…it shapes you.  📚 Today's Resources: Workbook resource by Everett Worthington (forgiveness process):  https://bit.ly/REACHWorksheet 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

What does it take to forgive the unforgivable? In this powerful conversation, Everett Worthington shares his personal story of facing unimaginable loss—and the journey toward forgiveness that followed. Blending deep emotional honesty with practical wisdom, this teaching explores the darkness of the human heart, the reality of anger and rage, and the surprising path that leads to healing. You’ll discover why forgiveness is not about excusing harm, but about transforming your own heart—and how even small steps can begin that process. Because forgiveness doesn’t start with others…  it starts within you. Welcome home. Change starts today. 📚 Today's Resources: Workbook resource by Everett Worthington (forgiveness process):  https://bit.ly/REACHWorksheet 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Forgiveness sounds simple… until you actually have to do it. In today’s teaching, we begin a powerful journey into forgiveness—not as a vague idea, but as a real, practical process that leads to healing and freedom. Because the truth is: we all carry wounds… and we all need to forgive. Drawing from Scripture, the teachings of Everett Worthington, and real-life experience, this message introduces a proven pathway to forgiveness—one that is honest, challenging, and deeply transformative. Because forgiveness isn’t natural…  it’s supernatural. But it is possible. Welcome home. Change starts today. 📚 Today's Resources: Work and research of Everett Worthington (REACH model) Hannah Arendt (on forgiveness in human affairs) Workbook resource by Everett Worthington (forgiveness process): https://bit.ly/REACHWorksheet 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Did you enjoy this teaching? We have a free study guide on this entire series if you'd like to walk through it with a friend or small group! Just download, print and go! Get it here... Becomenew.com/study-guides Submission. Just hearing that word can feel… uncomfortable. In a culture that prizes independence, autonomy, and “doing life your way,” the idea of submitting to someone else can sound outdated—or even dangerous. But what if submission, rightly understood, is actually a pathway to freedom? In today’s teaching, we explore the spiritual discipline of submission—not as control or coercion, but as a humble, intentional decision to learn from those who are further along in wisdom and character. Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of Dallas Willard, and real-life examples, this message reframes submission as a powerful tool for growth, accountability, and transformation. Because sometimes the fastest way forward…  is learning to follow. Welcome home. Change starts today. 📚 Today's Resources: The Spirit of the Disciplines — Dallas Willard Story reference connected to The Sound of Music (Maria von Trapp) Concept parallels with Alcoholics Anonymous (sponsor model) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

What if the thing you most want to hide… is the very thing keeping you stuck? In today’s teaching, we explore the powerful (and often avoided) spiritual practice of confession—the act of telling the truth about your life to God and to a trusted person. It may feel uncomfortable, even painful, but it might also be the key to real freedom. Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of Dallas Willard, and insights from recovery communities like AA, this message shows how confession breaks the cycle of shame, removes hidden burdens, and restores connection with God and others. Because healing begins the moment you stop pretending. Welcome home. Change starts today. 📚 Today's Resources: The Spirit of the Disciplines — Dallas Willard Alcoholics Anonymous (The Big Book) — Alcoholics Anonymous 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

What if worship isn’t just something you do at church… but something that could transform your entire life? In today’s teaching, we explore the true meaning of worship—not as music or a moment, but as a way of seeing and responding to the goodness, beauty, and greatness of God in everyday life. Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of Dallas Willard, and even the simple joy of things like coffee and nature, this message shows how worship awakens awe, restores your heart, and reconnects your life to what really matters. 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

What if the reason you feel anxious, exhausted, or constantly “on”… is because you’re living for other people’s approval? In today’s teaching, we explore the powerful and often overlooked spiritual discipline of secrecy—doing good without anyone knowing. It sounds simple… but it might be one of the hardest things you’ll ever try. Drawing from the teachings of Dallas Willard and the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, this message reveals how secrecy frees you from approval addiction, comparison, and the exhausting need to manage your image. Because the goal isn’t to be seen as good…it’s to become good—quietly, deeply, and freely. 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Silence might be the most uncomfortable… and most transformative… practice in your life. In a world filled with constant noise, distraction, and the pressure to always say something, the discipline of silence feels almost impossible. But what if silence is actually the doorway to peace, trust, and deeper connection with God? In this teaching, we explore why silence matters, how it reshapes your inner life, and why learning not to speak can bring surprising freedom. Drawing from the wisdom of Dallas Willard and the example of Jesus, you’ll discover how silence helps you let go of control, release the need for approval, and experience a deeper sense of being “at home” with God. If your life feels noisy, anxious, or driven by the need to prove yourself… this might be exactly what you need. ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 4.12.23 ORIGINAL SERIES: Home 📚 Today's Resources: The Spirit of the Disciplines — Dallas Willard 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Enjoying these teachings on CHARACTER? Get the Free Study Guide: BecomeNew.com/study-guides - Download, print, and go! Is life actually fair? It’s a question we all wrestle with—at home, at work, in culture, and deep in our own stories. But what if fairness isn’t just something we demand… what if it’s something we’re called to become? In today’s teaching, we explore the biblical vision of fairness and justice, tracing a powerful theme throughout Scripture: God does not show favoritism. From Cain and Abel to David to Jesus Himself, we see a God who consistently elevates the overlooked and challenges human systems of privilege and power. This message will challenge you to examine your own biases, confront favoritism in your life, and ask one simple but profound question:   Who am I overlooking? Because the way you treat people matters more than you think. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Why is self-control so hard? You’re not alone. Research shows that among all character strengths, self-control ranks dead last in how people rate themselves. But what if the problem isn’t just your willpower… what if it’s how you’re using it? In this teaching, we explore the deeper truth behind self-control—why willpower gets depleted, how habits shape your life, and why “white-knuckling it” isn’t the solution. Drawing from Scripture, psychology, and spiritual wisdom, you’ll discover a surprising secret: The key to self-control isn’t trying harder… it’s learning to surrender your will to something greater. If you feel stuck in cycles of frustration, temptation, or burnout, this message offers a better way forward. 📚 Today's Resources: Willpower by Roy Baumeister Insights from Allan Willes  Commentary from Ezra Sullivan 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Most of us think we’re pretty good at reading people. Research says… we’re not. In today’s teaching, we explore the powerful and often overlooked skill of social intelligence, the ability to understand your own emotions and accurately read what’s happening in others.  From facial expressions to tone of voice to body language, this skill shapes every relationship you have. Through biblical insight (including the story of Joseph), practical exercises, and a powerful reflection practice, you’ll learn how to grow in awareness, ask better questions, and become someone who truly sees people. Because when you learn to read faces…you learn to love people better. 📚 Today's Resources: The Opposite of Depression by David M. Carreon MD Spiritual practice of the Examen Prayer, from Ignatius of Loyola Research from Martin Seligman ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 8.15.23 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Life doesn’t always give you the path you would choose... There’s a race set before you, shaped by your circumstances, your story, and the challenges you didn’t ask for. The question isn’t whether you chose it… the question is: will you run it with perseverance? In this powerful teaching, we explore what it really means to persevere—not just through willpower, but through purpose. Drawing from Scripture, philosophy, and real-life stories of suffering and resilience, this message shows how perseverance is fueled by hope, vision, and a deep sense that your life matters. If you’re tired, discouraged, or wondering if it’s worth it to keep going… this is for you. Because sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just to take the next step. 📚 Today's Resources: The Strengths of a Christian — Robert C. Roberts Writings of Søren Kierkegaard (commitment, maturity) Reflections on Bertrand Russell (contrast in perseverance and commitment) Original Air Date: 8/10/23 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

What if the key to real character growth isn’t fixing your weaknesses… but fully living into your strengths? In today’s teaching, Dr. John Ortberg explores the idea of signature character strengths — those unique qualities God has wired into you that, when used intentionally, can transform your life and the lives of others. Drawing from research in positive psychology and the example of Barnabas, the “son of encouragement,” this message invites you to discover how you’re uniquely designed to grow and make an impact. You’ll hear a powerful story of quiet encouragement, learn how your daily choices shape who you are becoming, and be challenged to take one simple step: start using your God-given strengths on purpose today. Because change doesn’t happen someday. Change starts today. ORIGINAL AIR DATE: July 24, 2023 📚 Today's Resources: VIA Character Strengths Survey (via VIA Institute on Character) https://www.viacharacter.org/survey Work of Martin Seligman Mention of C. S. Lewis (idea of becoming something glorious or monstrous) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Beyond by Waes Hael MB01C7DBTWRVYUQ

Tell us what you thought of NO CONDEMNATION: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NYQZHPD Here's what's coming up... 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 - We have a new phone number! 51504 If you subscribe to our texts you'll start hearing from us at 51504 soon - FormationPodcast.com launches April 22nd We will continue with the daily 10 minute teachings here - Formation Newsletter and Podcast are a new offering. - New Study Guides coming your way...stay tuned No Condemnation, Character, Home, Forgiveness...in the works - New series will begin May 4th - The Psalms John will walk through some of the Psalms as a guide for prayer

Take the No Condemnation Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NYQZHPD What if the biggest problem was never “them”… but what happens in us? In this final episode of the No Condemnation series, John brings us to a powerful turning point in Romans 1–2. Paul builds a case against “them” — their sin, their failure, their corruption — until the reader is fully on board. And then he turns it: “You, therefore, have no excuse—you who pass judgment…” In this episode, you’ll learn: the difference between moral discernment and condemnation why labeling people as “them” distorts the heart how contempt quietly takes root in everyday life why humility is the starting point for real change how to live with curiosity instead of judgment This isn’t about ignoring sin. It’s about refusing to let condemnation shape your soul. As the series ends, the invitation remains: See people as individuals. Release the need to judge. Choose curiosity. Practice love. ...because there is now no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

What makes the cross of Jesus different from every other story of sacrifice? In this episode, John explores the idea of scapegoating through the work of René Girard and how human societies have always dealt with conflict the same way: by finding someone to blame.  We find ourselves at the cross. The cross of Jesus changes everything. For the first time, the scapegoat is truly innocent and instead of justifying the system, the cross exposes it. You’ll learn: why humans instinctively assign blame how rivalry and imitation lead to conflict what scapegoating looks like in everyday life how the cross reveals the truth about human systems why God responds to blame with grace In a world that runs on blame, the cross offers a different way. Not more condemnation. Not more scapegoats. But grace. 📚 Today's Resources: René Girard, The Scapegoat 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Why doesn’t shaming actually work? In this episode, Dr. John Ortberg explores two powerful reasons why condemnation and public shaming often backfire and what they do to both the person being judged and the one doing the judging. Drawing from The Scarlet Letter, John shows: - why we never truly know someone else’s story - how shame distorts both identity and relationships - why condemnation corrodes the soul of the one who carries it - how modern culture reinforces division and estrangement - what Jesus offers instead Then he introduces a different calling: The ministry of reconciliation. You’ll learn: - why reconciliation is central to the life of Jesus - how to begin moving away from resentment - what to do when relationships feel broken - why prayer is often the first step - how to live without keeping score Because the goal isn’t just to avoid condemnation. It’s to become someone who brings people back together. SAVE THE DATE: FORMATIONPODCAST.com launches April 22! 📚 Today's Resources: Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter  David Litt, “Is It Time to Stop Snubbing Your Right-Wing Family?” New York Times, 13 July 2025 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

What if the biggest problem isn’t “out there”… but is actually within? In this episode, John speaks directly to a familiar figure, “Uncle Billy," the person whose words are harsh, sarcastic, and condemning. Everyone knows an "Uncle Billy." But then he turns the question back on each one of us. Drawing from Ephesians 4 and the words of Jesus, John explores: - why condemnation often disguises itself as righteousness - how outrage and sarcasm shape our hearts - what the Bible really means by “unwholesome talk” - how our words can either rot or restore relationships - why kindness is central to following Jesus You’ll learn: - how to recognize “unwholesome talk” in everyday life - why it’s easier to judge others than examine ourselves - how to begin changing the tone of your words - what it looks like to speak in a way that builds others up Before we send this message to someone else, we’re invited to ask: “Is that me, Lord?” Because there is now no condemnation...even for the parts of us still being transformed. 📚 Today's Resources: N.T. Wright, Ephesians (For Everyone Bible Study Guides) Samuel Johnson, example of wit without malice James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson  SAVE THE DATE: April 22nd FORMATION LAUNCHES FormationPodcast.com  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

We’re living in a culture of division.  So how do you follow Jesus…when you deeply disagree with someone? In this conversation, John Ortberg sits down with Condoleezza Rice to explore how faith shapes the way we navigate politics, disagreement, and relationships. Together, they unpack: - Why it’s so hard to love your “opponents” - How to disagree without losing respect - The role of humility, curiosity, and friendship - And why prayer may be the most important habit of all Because following Jesus doesn’t remove disagreement…but it transforms how we live within it. 📚 Today's Resources: Condoleeza Rice, Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family  Ralph David Abernathy, And the Walls Came Tumbling Down: An Autobiography Stephen B. Oates, Let the Trumpet Sound: The Life of Martin Luther King Jr. David J. Carrow, Bearing the Cross SAVE THE DATE: April 22nd - Formation Podcast Launch Becomenew.com/formation for more info 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Why did Jesus have to die? What's the deal with sacrifice? Couldn’t God just… forgive? In this Good Friday teaching, Dr. John Ortberg walks through the deeper meaning of the cross. A story that reveals: We all need help The real problem isn’t “out there”… it’s in us And the power of evil is not defeated by force…but by self-giving love On the cross, Jesus didn’t just suffer. He absorbed evil without returning it.He out-loved hatred.He defeated sin by refusing to stop loving. And in doing so, he changed everything. The invitation is not just to believe in the cross… but to live it. 📚 Today's Resources: John H. Walton, Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible William K. Gilders, Blood Ritual in the Hebrew Bible: Meaning and Power  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Not all condemnation is loud. Some of it is… sneaky. In this episode, John Ortberg walks through 10 passive-aggressive habits that quietly damage relationships—things like eye rolls, silence, sarcasm, and “I’m fine.” The twist? Jesus never used them. He was direct. Honest. Clear.And still… full of love. Because you can avoid conflict…and still be full of condemnation. So today, pay attention: Where are you being indirect instead of honest?Where is frustration leaking out sideways? And ask God to help you speak the truth—without condemnation. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Most people don’t struggle with telling the truth…they struggle with how they say it. In this episode, John and Nancy Ortberg unpack what it really means to: “Speak the truth in love.” Through two powerful real-life stories, they show how condemnation quietly grows: - behind people’s backs - inside groups - and in our own hearts And how it can be replaced with something better: - honesty without attack - truth without shame - connection instead of division Because the goal isn’t avoiding hard conversations… It’s learning how to have them without condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Caitlin Simone (mentioned as an author in the context of business consulting work) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Shamed people… shame people. So what do you do with the shame you carry? In this episode, John Ortberg shows how Jesus faced shame—and refused to let it define him. From rejection and ridicule to the cross itself, Jesus endured it all…but scorned the shame. And that changes everything for us. Because shame says:“You’re not enough.”“You don’t belong.”“You are what went wrong.” But Jesus tells a different story. Today’s invitation is simple: Notice when shame shows up Refuse to let it define you Let Jesus tell your story Because you were never meant to live under shame. 📚 Today's Resources: Curt Thompson, The Soul of Shame Eleanor Stump, Wandering in Darkness 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

How does Jesus change the world? Not through force. Not through control. Not by winning arguments. It’s through the cross. In this episode, John looks at a quote from Jesus during one of his most painful moments: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He draws people in not by power, but by self-giving love. Drawing from John 12, Luke 23, and the story of Jesus’ final hours, John shows how the cross reveals character under pressure: not retaliation, but surrender not condemnation, but forgiveness not control, but trust The truth is, the cross is more than a teaching. It’s a story. Even when life gets disappointing, or people let us down, or we feel hurt beyond measure, we can choose to double down on the cross.  Remember: There is now, therefore, no condemnation.  📚 Today's Resources: René Girard and James G. Williams, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Why do so many conversations leave people feeling worse instead of better? In this episode, John walks through a powerful framework for communicating without condemnation, based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg: observe without evaluating name your feelings identify your needs make clear requests Then he shows what it looks like in real life through one of Jesus’ most famous conversations — His encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4. Instead of judging or correcting her, Jesus: crosses social and relational barriers listens beneath the surface speaks truth without shame creates connection before correction And the result? A woman who felt fully known… and still accepted. You’ll learn: why most communication quietly damages relationships how to speak truth without condemnation what it means to listen for deeper needs how curiosity can transform difficult conversations why being known and accepted changes everything Because the goal isn’t to win the conversation. It’s to love the person. 📚 Today's Resources: Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

We live in a cancel culture. Accountability matters — but somewhere along the way, accountability became condemnation. Not just “that was wrong,” but “you are done.” In this episode, John explores: the rise of cancel culture and public shaming why shame and condemnation rarely lead to real change the difference between calling people out and calling them in the surprising place the word “cancel” shows up in the New Testament and what Jesus actually does with sin and people Drawing from voices like Jon Ronson, Adam Grant, and Loretta Ross, John points to a deeper truth: God does not cancel people. God cancels sin. At the cross — the ultimate place of public shame — Jesus absorbs condemnation and disarms it. Which means:  Your sin can be canceled…  but you are not. And neither is anyone else. There is now no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: John Ronson, “How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up X’s Life,” New York Times, 12 Feb 2015 Loretta J. Ross, Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel  Charles Wesley, “O, For a Thousand Tongues To Sing,” (1739) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

What if you’ve been reading the Bible… the wrong way? In this episode, John shares three unexpected tools for giving up condemnation: lighten upbring your shadow (your own capacity for failure)read everything in the shadow of the cross Drawing on insights from Phillip Cary and the story of Jonah, John challenges a common habit: reading ourselves as the “good” characters while judging everyone else. Instead, we’re invited to identify with the ones who get it wrong. You’ll learn: why moralistic Bible reading fuels judgmenthow humor and humility can disarm condemnationwhat it means to “bring your shadowhow the cross reshapes the way we see otherswhy identifying with failure leads to freedom Because the goal isn’t to prove we’re better than Jonah… It’s to realize we’re not. And that’s where grace begins. And there is now no condemnation.  📚 Today's Resources: Phillip Cary — commentary on Jonah Classical references (via philosophy of literature): tragedy vs. satire/tabloid framing  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.  Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected]  GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team  😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/  Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO    

How does someone go from being full of condemnation… to writing, “There is now no condemnation”? In this episode, John explores the transformation of Paul — a man driven by zeal, judgment, and certainty — who encounters the risen Jesus and sees everything differently. Drawing on insights from What Saint Paul Really Said, John unpacks what Paul actually meant by “justification by faith” — and why it’s not about earning salvation or simply believing a doctrine. You’ll learn: what Paul’s zeal was really about why “justification” means being vindicated, not just forgiven the difference between trusting Jesus and believing about Him how Jesus redefines who belongs why seeing Jesus in others changes everything As you move through your day, you’re invited into a simple but powerful practice: “It could be the Lord.” Because when you begin to see people that way, condemnation starts to fall away. And there is now no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: What Saint Paul Really Said — N. T. Wright Influence from Scott McKnight Historical scholarship from E. P. Sanders Richard Hooker — on justification and faith Richard Rohr — referenced practice (“It could be the Lord”) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

What if our biggest barrier with God isn’t sin, but politeness? In this episode, John Ortberg explores a surprising truth from Scripture: God isn’t looking for polished prayers. He’s inviting honest relationship. Through the story of Job, we discover something shocking: Job rages. Questions God. Speaks words that feel almost dangerous. And yet—God says Job spoke what is right. Why? Because honesty draws us closer to God while polite distance keeps Him far away. Even Jesus cried out on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” So if you’ve ever felt: confused disappointed hurt unsure what God is doing You’re not alone, and you don’t have to hide it. Today’s invitation is simple: Be real with God. Because the path to deeper faith isn’t pretending—it’s honesty. 📚 Today's Resources: Ellen F. Davis, Getting Involved with God Eleonore Stump, Wandering in Darkness Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

We don’t throw stones anymore. Except… we do. Online. In conversations. With a look, a tone, a pause. In this episode, John Ortberg unpacks one of the most famous and unsettling teachings of Jesus: “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.” Through a powerful contrast between ancient scapegoating and the story of the woman in John 8, we see what Jesus is really doing: Not denying sin. Not ignoring truth. But interrupting condemnation. Because there is something in every human heart that wants: someone to blame someone to shame someone to bring down But Jesus offers a different way. A way where: truth is spoken sin is taken seriously but people are not crushed The invitation today is simple—and hard: Put down the stone. Because the moment you release condemnation, you make space for grace. There is now… therefore… no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: René Girard and James G. Williams, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Criticism is inevitable. Condemnation is optional. In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of the most important distinctions for spiritual growth: how to receive criticism without absorbing condemnation. Drawing from the life of King David, we see a man who: Refused to take revenge when attacked Ignored false condemnation Yet humbly received painful truth when it mattered most The Bible consistently teaches us: Listen to criticism. Learn from correction. But do not internalize condemnation. Because condemnation attacks your identity— while healthy criticism can transform your life. So what do you do when criticism comes? Instead of getting defensive… lean in. “Is there anything else?” This simple posture can turn even hard conversations into opportunities for growth. Because when you are rooted in God’s love, you don’t have to protect your ego— you’re free to grow. There is now… therefore… no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Michael B. Nichols and Martha B. Straus, The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Condemnation doesn’t start with what we say. It starts with how we see people. In this episode, John Ortberg explores the root of condemnation and a critical distinction that can change the way we live: observation vs. evaluation. Drawing from insights in Nonviolent Communication, John shows how easily our minds move from simply noticing behavior to assigning judgment, criticism, or contempt. And once that shift happens, condemnation begins to grow. Jesus addressed this problem directly in the Sermon on the Mount when he said: “First take the plank out of your own eye.” The real issue isn’t just our words — it’s our perception. When we learn to see people the way Jesus sees them — as bearers of God’s image — our responses change. Curiosity replaces contempt. Love replaces judgment. Today’s practice is simple but powerful: As you move through your day, pause and ask: What would Jesus see when he looks at this person? Because when we change how we see,we change how we love. And in Christ, there is now… therefore… no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources:  Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life  Iris Murdoch, The Sovereignty of Good  Yoel Kahn, The Three Blessings: Boundaries, Censorship, and Identity in Jewish Liturgy   🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

What do you do with the anger that keeps replaying in your mind? The conversations. The injustice. The words you wish you could say back. In this episode, John Ortberg looks at the remarkable life of Saint Patrick — a man who was kidnapped, enslaved for six years, and yet chose a path almost no one would expect. Instead of revenge, Patrick returned to the people who enslaved him with a message of love and forgiveness. His life raises a hard question for all of us: What do we do with the pain that makes condemnation feel justified? John explores two deeply practical practices that help us escape the prison of bitterness: • Stop ruminating about the person who hurt you • Stop gossiping about them These small decisions can redirect the entire trajectory of your heart. Because the voice you rehearse in your mind will eventually shape the life you live. And the way of Jesus — even in the face of deep injustice — is the way of blessing. 📚 Today's Resources: Saint Patrick, Confession https://a.co/d/03vuAWnF Jonathan Bardon, A History of Ireland https://a.co/d/0bVNXger Northumbria Community, Celtic Daily Prayer https://a.co/d/00ovpl4V 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

There’s a voice in your head that never stops talking. But not every voice deserves to be trusted. In this episode, John Ortberg explores the difference between self-condemnation and conviction. Drawing on insights from Ignatius of Loyola, Marshall Rosenberg, and Michael Singer, John shows how comparison and inner criticism can spiral into despair. But the voice of God works differently. Self-condemnation attacks your identity.Conviction speaks to your actions. Self-condemnation leads to hiding.Conviction leads to hope and change. Learning to recognize the difference may be one of the most important spiritual skills you ever develop. Because the voice you listen to insideis usually the voice you use with others. There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

How do you confront someone’s behavior without becoming condemning yourself? In this episode, John walks through a common real-life situation — dealing with a difficult family member — and explains the three elements required for genuine change. Drawing on insights from Henry Cloud, Dallas Willard, and research on conflict and relationships, John shows why condemnation rarely leads to transformation. You’ll discover: - why grace must come first - how truth can be spoken without hostility - why the emotional tone of a conversation matters - the surprising role patience plays in change - why grace + truth + time are all necessary Real growth rarely happens overnight. But when grace, truth, and time come together, relationships can begin to change in ways condemnation never could. Because there is now no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Henry Cloud — insights on the change process Dallas Willard — interpretation of Galatians 6 The Way Out — Peter Coleman Research from John Gottman and Barbara Fredrickson on emotional tone in conflict 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Is it really surprising that God loves you? In this episode, John challenges a common assumption many Christians carry: that God’s love for us is somehow unexpected or hard for Him. But Scripture paints a different picture. Over and over again, the Bible declares something astonishingly simple — God is love. John explores two truths we must hold together. First, we are broken and imperfect. But second, God’s very nature is love. And our brokenness cannot change who God is. Drawing from passages like John 3, Romans 5, 1 John 4, and Ephesians 3, John explains how understanding God’s nature reshapes our lives. When we become rooted in love, condemnation begins to lose its power, and love naturally flows outward to others. Because the deepest truth of the universe is this:  God is love. 📚 Today's Resources: The Problem of Pain — C. S. Lewis 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

What if the key to overcoming condemnation isn’t arguing better — but listening better? In this episode, John explores Jesus’ surprising instruction in Luke 8:18: “Consider carefully how you listen.” Through the parable of the sower, Jesus explains that the condition of our hearts determines whether the words we hear bring growth or simply bounce off. John shares a recent moment when he caught himself listening critically instead of humbly — and how a simple shift changed everything. You’ll learn: - why we often listen in order to judge - the three unhealthy ways we listen - what Jesus means by a “good and noble heart” - how humble listening opens the door to growth - why listening well makes condemnation harder When we begin to listen with humility — asking what God might want to show us — conversations change. And so do we. Because there is now no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Deborah Tannen, You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation  Kenneth E. Bailey, Poet & Peasant: A Literary-Cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

The opposite of condemnation isn’t just restraint...it’s blessing. In this episode, John Ortberg explores how Jesus calls us to become people who actively bless others — even those who curse us. Drawing from Scripture and insights from The Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent, John walks through five powerful ways to bless others: meaningful words, honoring value, appropriate touch, envisioning a future, and showing up with presence. Blessing doesn’t just change others — it changes us. Because when we bless, we live the life Jesus envisioned. There is now… therefore… no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Gary Smalley & John Trent, Ph.D., The Blessing  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Why does condemnation feel like it’s everywhere today? In this episode, John Ortberg explores a cultural shift: we no longer define a “good person” by love and character, but by holding the “right” opinions. The result? More judgment, more division, and less humility. Jesus offered a different path — a life marked by compassion, forgiveness, and what Kierkegaard called “blithe humility.” Like the birds and lilies, we can release the burden of controlling the world and trust God with it. The result is freedom, joy, and a life without condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Søren Kierkegaard, The Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air Grace Hamman, Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life  Doug Teschner et al., Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Sign up here to receive the Formation Newsletter: https://becomenew.com/formation/ What if the antidote to condemnation isn’t trying harder to be nice… but learning to know yourself? In this conversation, John Ortberg talks with philosopher Jim Taylor about intellectual virtue — qualities like humility, courage, and self-knowledge that help us pursue truth and love people well. Jesus warned against condemning judgment, but he also invited us to remove the log in our own eye. The path forward begins with honest self-examination and a simple prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Because when we grow in self-knowledge, condemnation loses its grip. 📚 Today's Resources: The Blessing — Gary Smalley & John Trent The Lost Art of Listening — Michael Nichols (with Martha Straus) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

You don’t condemn people… right? Let me stop you right there. In this episode, John Ortberg walks through six surprisingly common styles of condemnation — from the obvious (aggressive anger) to the subtle (silence, sarcasm, perfectionism, conditional acceptance, even martyrdom). We all judge.  We all distance.  We all find creative ways to say, “I’m above you.” Drawing on Scripture, psychology, and real-life examples (including the “Pan Am smile” and the devastating power of ridicule), John helps us name our default style — and invites the Holy Spirit to gently interrupt it. Because condemnation doesn’t just hurt others.  It corrodes us. And the freedom we’re after this Lent is simple and radical: Let me stop you right there. There is now… therefore… no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Paul Tournier, Guilt and Grace: A Psychological Study Lewis B. Smedes, Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

There is now no condemnation...but if we’re honest, sometimes condemnation feels effective. In this episode, John Ortberg explores what Dallas Willard called the law of reciprocal condemnation — the almost unbreakable cycle where judgment breeds counter-judgment, attack breeds counter-attack, and anger multiplies itself. It’s extremely rare, Willard observed, that anyone who is condemned responds by changing in the desired way. Instead, condemnation produces: - Counter-condemnation - Passive aggression - Perfectionism - Procrastination - Rebellion - Or quiet relational death Jesus warned about this in the Sermon on the Mount:“As you judge, so you will be judged.” Not as a threat from God — but as an observation about how relationships work. So how do we break the cycle? Paul gives a shocking alternative in Romans 12:Do not repay evil for evil.Leave room for God’s justice.Overcome evil with good. Justice is real.But it is not ours to manage. 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy  C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

In this episode, John Ortberg offers what he calls “two cheers for guilt and shame.” Drawing from the book of Judges, John explores why justice matters, why moral reality is woven into the fabric of existence, and why a world without any sense of guilt or shame would not be more humane — it would be more dangerous. From the brutal story of Adoni-Bezek to the violent cycles of Judges, we see a profound truth emerge: no one ultimately gets away with injustice. As Jesus says in Luke 8:17, nothing hidden will remain hidden. John traces a major turning point in human history — what C.S. Lewis called the moral law — the moment when ancient Israel connected two ideas that had often been separated:There is one God.And that God is good. Justice is real. Accountability is real. And judgment, properly understood, is good news — especially for the oppressed. But here’s the deeper turn: - Guilt and shame can either crush us… or redeem us. - Healthy guilt points out where we have done wrong so we can confess and be cleansed. Healthy shame invites us out of hiding into relationship and grace. - And ultimately, Jesus steps into the story and absorbs the consequences we could not. - “The wages of sin is death.”The sin is ours.The death is his. - The cycle of Judges is broken at the cross. Justice is upheld. Mercy is given.And condemnation does not win. 📚 Today's Resources: Tom Holland, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World  C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man  Tomas Sedlacek, Economics of Good and Evil: The Quest for Economic Meaning from Gilgamesh to Wall Street   Sabrina B. Little, The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

John Ortberg builds on a surprising Lenten invitation echoed even by the Pope: fast from harsh words. Disarm your language. Refuse contempt. John revisits what condemnation actually is — not discernment, not moral clarity — but a toxic mix of malice (ill will) and disgust (repulsion) toward another person. Then he offers one simple, powerful practice that makes condemnation nearly impossible while you’re doing it: Listen. Drawing from Scripture, including Acts 7 (where Stephen’s accusers literally cover their ears), and insights from The Lost Art of Listening by Michael Nichols and Martha Straus, John explores why we overestimate our listening ability — and why the higher our emotions run, the less we tend to listen. It turns out it’s very difficult to listen deeply and condemn someone at the same time. James writes, “Be quick to listen.” That might be the most subversive spiritual discipline of our time. Because curiosity softens judgment.Listening interrupts contempt.And blessing grows where condemnation used to live. There is now… therefore… no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: The Lost Art of Listening by Michael P. Nichols and Martha B. Straus Leo XIV, “Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion,” 13 Feb 2026 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Condemnation comes easily when we quietly assume we earned where we stand. In this episode, John explores two truths that change everything about how we see other people: we do not know their full story — and we do not know their future. Drawing on Psalm 103 and the classic film Angels with Dirty Faces, John tells the story of two boys who run from the police. One clears a fence. One doesn’t. That single moment sends their lives in opposite directions. Years later, one is a priest. One is a criminal. How much of what we call character was shaped by circumstances we did not choose? You’ll discover: - Why condemnation assumes too much - What Psalm 103 means when it says “we are dust” - How curiosity disarms contempt - Why only God sees the whole arc of a life - How to bless someone you’re tempted to judge John closes by inviting you to bring to mind the person you’re most tempted to hold in contempt — and to pray for them instead. Because there is now no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Angels with Dirty Faces starring James Cagney and Pat O'Brien Tim Keller — reflection on the film in The Reason for God 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Today, John Ortberg uses Les Misérables by Victor Hugo to explore two ways of living: • the condemning life (Javert) • the blessing life (the Bishop) • and the transformed life (Jean Valjean) Drawing on Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 3, and insights from Dallas Willard, John explains: - why condemnation feels powerful - what the “ministry of condemnation” really does - how grace humiliates before it heals - why pride resists light - how blessing rewires the soul Through the unforgettable moment of the candlesticks, we see how self-giving love defeats condemnation. One man bends the knee and is transformed. One refuses grace and collapses under its weight. “To love another person is to see the face of God.” That is the blessing life. That is the transformed life. And there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 📚 Today's Resources: Victor Hugo, Les Misérables  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Why does condemnation feel so automatic? In this episode, John explores how shame and judgment often operate through what sociologists call status degradation rituals, the subtle ways we lower others to elevate ourselves. Drawing on insights from Harold Garfinkel, John shows how condemnation works socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Then he walks us through powerful Gospel moments where Jesus reverses the pattern: • the sinful woman at Simon’s house • the prodigal son welcomed home • Jesus washing his disciples’ feet • and ultimately, the cross itself You’ll learn: - how condemnation functions as a social ritual - why Jesus chooses downward mobility - how humility defeats hostility - what Philippians 2 reveals about real greatness - how serving others rewires the heart John also reflects on how crucifixion was designed by Rome as the ultimate humiliation — and how Jesus voluntarily enters that suffering to defeat condemnation once and for all. The invitation is simple and brave: come to Jesus in humility, serve instead of shame, and help elevate the people around you. Because there really is now no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Harold Garfinkel — Status degradation rituals N. T. Wright — On crucifixion as Rome’s ultimate humiliation tool Early Christian graffiti (mocking Jesus on the cross) as historical illustration 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Why does condemnation feel so automatic? In this episode, John Ortberg invites us to slow down, breathe, and notice something surprising: judgment doesn’t just live in our thoughts — it lives in our bodies. Returning to the story of Cain and Abel, John shows how God interrupts Cain with two gentle questions: - Why are you angry? - Why is your face downcast? Those questions open a doorway to freedom. Drawing on neuroscience from Jill Bolte Taylor and Antonio Damasio, John explains how condemnation becomes embodied through stress hormones, muscle tension, and emotional rehearsal. He introduces the difference between decisional non-condemnation (“I choose not to judge”) and emotional non-condemnation (asking God to transform what happens inside your body). You’ll learn: • why condemnation feels physical • how the 90-second pause works • what it means to “feed the monster” • how blessing rewires your reactions • why you can disagree without condemning John also shares painfully honest examples of everyday judgment (hair gel, Tesla drivers, passive people — we’ve all been there 😅) and offers a freeing realization: you don’t have to condemn anyone. Only God knows anyone’s full story. Jesus was right all along: Blessing is easier than contempt. Love is lighter than judgment. And there really is now no condemnation. 📚 Today's Resources: Jill Bolte Taylor — research on the 90-second emotional rule Antonio Damasio — distinction between feelings and embodied emotions Everett Worthington — decisional vs emotional forgiveness (adapted here to condemnation) Better Angels — assessment questions addressing the culture of contempt George Carlin — illustration of the universal judging reflex (“everyone’s an idiot or a maniac”) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

How do you tell someone they’re wrong… without condemning them? John Ortberg explores one of the most important distinctions in communication: the difference between tone and heart. Tone can be soothing or jarring. But the heart must always be love. Looking at Matthew 23, where Jesus confronts religious leaders with blistering language, John asks: Was Jesus condemning them? Or was something deeper happening? You’ll discover: - Why condemnation is not the same as moral clarity - The difference between contempt and courage - What “malice + disgust” really means - Why Jesus compares himself to a mother hen - How to speak the truth in love without losing your soul Drawing from Romans 8, Matthew 23, Luke 19, and a reflection by Barbara Brown Taylor, this episode offers a powerful prayer for Lent: “God, give me the right heart. Then show me the right tone.” If you’re navigating conflict, leadership, parenting, or hard conversations — this one matters. Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment 📚 Today's Resources: Barbara Brown Taylor — reflection on the chapel Dominus Flevit and the image of the mother hen Chapel of Dominus Flevit (“The Lord Wept”) on the Mount of Olives Film reference: A League of Their Own (Tom Hanks coach scene — jarring tone, not necessarily a bad heart) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

John Ortberg tackles a tension many of us feel but rarely name: If there is no condemnation, what do we do with real evil, injustice, and wrongdoing? John walks us through Scripture, the prophets, and Jesus’ own words to show why “no condemnation” does not mean indifference to sin—and why accountability still matters deeply to God. Drawing on insights from Abraham Joshua Heschel, John explores how the prophets saw injustice as a spiritual emergency, and why our culture’s casual attitude toward evil would have stunned them. Along the way, he reminds us: - God hates injustice precisely because God loves people - Jesus was gentle with those everyone expected him to condemn - But fierce with the religious who used righteousness to exclude others - And that before we can hear no condemnation, we must first take condemnation seriously - This is a thoughtful, challenging reflection on judgment, responsibility, and grace—and why condemnation may be a word, but it is never the last word. Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment 📚 Today's Resources: Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Today, John Ortberg tackles one of our most stubborn spiritual habits: blame. Tracing its origins back to Genesis, John shows how blame enters the human story the moment shame appears—and how quickly we learn to deflect responsibility onto others. From Adam and Eve to modern relationships, blame becomes our go-to strategy for avoiding pain. Along the way, John draws from Scripture, Paradise Lost, and insights from thinkers like Charles Tilly and Paul Tournier to explore why we instinctively hog credit and dodge fault—and why spiritual maturity looks like learning to own our part with humility and courage. John reminds us that while removing blame can reduce shame, only love actually heals the soul. Real freedom comes not from avoiding responsibility, but from stepping into God’s presence honestly, without hiding or deflecting. This is a thoughtful, practical invitation to live one day at a time without blaming others—and to discover again the grace that makes change possible. Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment 📚 Today's Resources: John Milton, Paradise Lost  Charles Tilly, Credit and Blame  Paul Tournier, Guilt & Grace: A Psychological Study  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment On the first day of Lent, John Ortberg invites us into a brave and deeply personal journey: giving up condemnation...and learning how shame actually works. This episode goes straight to the source. John traces condemnation back to its root system in shame, beginning in Genesis and moving through psychology, philosophy, trauma-informed theology, and lived experience. Along the way, he explores why our urge to judge others is often fueled by hidden pain in ourselves—and why healing starts when we stop hiding. You’ll hear insights from: John Walton on Genesis and chaos imagery Warren Kinghorn on trauma and the first humans Eleanor Stump on guilt vs. shame Kurt Thompson on the “shame concierge” that narrates our inner lives John makes a crucial distinction: Guilt fears punishment and is healed by forgiveness. Shame fears rejection and is healed only by acceptance, love, and belonging. He introduces two invisible companions we all carry: a shame concierge that quietly judges every moment and a grace concierge—the Spirit—who reminds us we are God’s beloved children. 📚 Today's Resources: The Soul of Shame — Kurt Thompson Wandering in Darkness — Eleonore Stump Wayfaring — Warren Kinghorn Teachings from John Walton 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment Today’s episode opens with an elderly dog, detours through neuroscience and Genesis, and ends by quietly dismantling your default response to annoying people. Classic John Ortberg. As Lent approaches, John invites us into a radical spiritual experiment: giving up condemnation. Not just blaming others, but the inner posture that withholds blessing from people (including ourselves). Along the way, John explores: Why the Bible’s first word is blessing, not judgment How our emotional “like meter” secretly controls our willingness to bless Insights from Jonathan Haidt on moral emotion The famous 90-second rule from Jill Bolte Taylor for interrupting reactive spirals And why disgust, not discernment, often fuels religious condemnation This episode draws a crucial line between judging as discernment (wise) and judging as condemnation (corrosive). John shows how condemnation isn’t just something we think—it’s something we will. And when our will stops blessing, something in us starts breaking. 📚 Today's Resources: The Happiness Hypothesis — Jonathan Haidt Research on emotional regulation from Jill Bolte Taylor Reflections on blessing in Genesis from Gordon Wenham Teachings of Jesus on blessing enemies (Matthew 5) 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Download the free NO CONDEMNATION COMMITMENT: https://bit.ly/NC-commitment What if the most spiritual thing you could do today… is not have the last word? In this episode, John Ortberg tells a powerful story about his friend Dallas Willard and introduces a simple but life-changing practice: letting go of condemnation by releasing our need to be right. As Lent approaches, John invites us into something deeper than giving up chocolate or social media. He challenges us to give up condemning others (and ourselves), drawing from Jesus’ silence under accusation, insights from Arthur Brooks, research by Robert Putnam, and wisdom from Dorothy Day. You’ll explore: • Why condemnation is quietly damaging our relationships and culture • How Jesus modeled a radically different way of living • What it means to practice “not having the last word” • How love, not blame, becomes the path to healing • A 40-day Lenten invitation to live without condemnation John also shares a simple commitment you can practice one day at a time: With God’s help, I abandon condemnation and blaming. Instead, I will live in the love of God, the love of life, and the love of others. If you’re tired of outrage, polarization, and carrying judgment in your body and soul, this episode offers a gentle, courageous way forward. 📚Today's Resources: The Divine Conspiracy — by Dallas Willard Dorothy Day “I only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.” Love Your Enemies — Arthur Brooks Upswing — Robert Putnam 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/Shine-StudyGuide A 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg.  We’ve made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group!   Just download, print and go! John opens this study on Philippians with a deceptively simple question: How are you going to greet people today? We tend to think greetings don’t matter much, but John says they’re actually sacred moments — tiny doorways into connection. He tells a story about a boss who always stopped, made eye contact, smiled, and made people feel seen. Then he notices something remarkable about Jesus: people interrupted him constantly… and nobody ever said, “Sorry to bother you.” Somehow, people weren’t a bother to Jesus. John reminds us that even small changes in how we address one another reflect something much deeper about who we are becoming. ACCESS THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR SHINE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UE38nc_diriBs3EqIq7GcpF Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/GetOutMore-StudyGuide A 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg.  We’ve made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group!   Just download, print and go! In this episode, John opens a new series with a refreshingly honest question: is technology a life-giving gift… or a soul-draining mess? (Spoiler: it’s both.) He talks about how grateful he is for the way tech lets this little “Fellowship of the Withered Hand” learn and pray together, and at the same time, he names the rising tide of loneliness, anxiety, and screen addiction shaping modern life. Drawing from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, John points out how especially hard this has become for young people. That’s why this series is called We Should Get Out More: not as a guilt trip, but as an invitation — back into the real world God made, and beyond the echo chambers that quietly shrink our souls. ACCESS THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR WE SHOULD GET OUT MORE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UEqjtJZ1k9CDNBR7WoAdBvb Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/Untroubled-StudyGuide A 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg.  We’ve made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group!   Just download, print and go! Jesus says something almost unbelievable: “Do not let your heart be troubled.” And he says it on the night before his death. In this episode, John Ortberg opens a journey into what it actually means to live with an untroubled heart in a deeply troubled world. He shares a moment with his friend Dallas Willard, who once asked him, “What are you doing under the circumstances?” That question reframes everything. We’re not meant to live under our circumstances. We’re meant to live inside God’s care. John reminds us that the “heart” in Scripture isn’t just emotions. It’s the control center of your life. And while the world will stay troubled, your heart doesn’t have to. ACCESS THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR UNTROUBLED HEART HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UGEuSydT4Y_gT754T89w535 Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/Insurmountable-StudyGuide A 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg.  We’ve made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group!   Just download, print and go! John Ortberg walks us into Matthew 5, where Jesus announces that the blessed life (life in God’s kingdom) is available right here, right now, no matter your circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not abstract theory or impossible idealism; it is a practical, transformative vision for human life. Tolstoy once wrote that if Jesus’ words were truly lived, they would create an entirely new social order. John brings it home with Jesus’ simple summary of the whole teaching: treat others the way you would want to be treated. ACCESS THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR INSURMOUNTABLE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UHXbT60EfcXVJF33i5mA-5f Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Enjoy this free download: https://bit.ly/Genesis-Study-Guide A 12-week study guide on Genesis 1-3 with John Ortberg.  We’ve made it simple: curated episodes, journal questions, memory verses, and practical next steps. Everything you need to get started with a friend or group!   Just download, print and go! In this episode, John invites us to slow down and breathe in a simple truth: God is the God of new beginnings. From the opening words of Scripture, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”... John shows how creation itself points to fresh starts, clean slates, and new possibilities. God didn’t just create once and walk away; He is continually creating, sustaining every leaf, every breath, every moment. And that same creative presence is available to you right now. The God who says “do it again” to the sun each morning is the God who offers you a do-over. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Good news: You don’t have to live for your critics anymore. John Ortberg looks ahead to Lent and invites us into a bold, freeing experiment: giving up condemnation altogether; the kind we receive, the kind we rehearse in our own heads, and the kind we quietly pass along to others. Drawing from the apostle Paul, John explores the reality that we all live with three critics: - Other people - Ourselves - And God The surprising twist? Freedom doesn’t come from silencing the first two, it comes from a category shift in how we understand the third. Today's Resources: Lewis B. Smedes, How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong? 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

There is now no condemnation. Which is especially good news for our closest relationships. In this conversation, John Ortberg is joined by longtime friend and clinical psychologist Rick Blackmon to explore how condemnation quietly shows up in marriages, families, and friendships—and what actually helps break its grip. Drawing from relationship research, clinical practice, and lived experience, they talk about why “constructive criticism” often backfires, how negativity ratios shape relational health, and the Four Horsemen that predict breakdown (with stonewalling doing more damage than we realize). Along the way, they offer practical wisdom for telling the truth without being harsh, starting hard conversations gently, and learning to calm the soul when emotions run hot. This is an honest, hope-filled conversation about becoming people who can face conflict without crushing one another—and learning to live, even in our relationships, from a place where grace has the final word. Today's Resources: John Gottman, Why Marriages Succeed or Fail 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

John Ortberg asks a surprisingly practical question:What should I be looking for in people (especially the ones I disagree with) if I want to stop the cycle of condemnation? Along the way, John draws from: - Arthur Brooks on how contempt corrodes our culture (and inboxes) - Social psychology’s painfully accurate idea of motivational attribution asymmetry - A dramatic moment in the Gospels where religious leaders look right at suffering… and somehow miss it - The difference between a hermeneutic of suspicion and a far rarer hermeneutic of charity You’ll hear why: - We assume good motives for ourselves and bad motives for “those people” Social media makes us feel morally informed while quietly shrinking our souls - Jesus keeps asking a question we’d rather not answer: What are you actually looking for? - The invitation here is deceptively simple and genuinely difficult:Look for the image of God.Not agreement. Not ammunition. Not confirmation that you’re right. - When we see people the way Jesus does, contempt loses its grip—and condemnation doesn’t get the last word. Also included: academic shade, Gospel-level tension, and a timer reminding John when it’s time to stop talking. Today's Resources: Arthur C. Brooks, Love Your Enemies 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Good news: There is now no condemnation. Awkward news: Christians still manage to find ways to do it anyway. In this episode, John Ortberg sits down with his wife (and favorite guest) Nancy Ortberg. Along the way, they explore:  - Why condemnation doesn’t just live in our words… but in our eyebrows, tone, and jawline.  - How Jesus consistently gathered the people everyone else had already dismissed. Why the parable of the sower would have sounded wildly irresponsible to first-century farmers - How anonymity (hello, freeway driving 🚗) turns normal people into moral commentators - Why learning not to condemn others starts with learning not to condemn ourselves This conversation is honest, funny, deeply human, and quietly transformative. It’s not about pretending truth doesn’t matter. It’s about discovering that grace is far more generous than we imagined—and that Jesus really meant it when he said he didn’t come to condemn the world. Also included: accidental theology, body-language confession, and at least one future t-shirt idea. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Why are Christians so mean to each other? Jesus said, “Do not judge.” So why does judgment feel so common, especially inside the church? In this episode of No Condemnation, John Ortberg explores one of the most uncomfortable and honest questions facing followers of Jesus today. Drawing from the life of William Tyndale, the insights of Dallas Willard, and the words of Jesus himself, John uncovers how condemnation quietly takes root among people of faith and why being “right” can slowly replace being Christlike. Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart William Tyndale, Preface to the New Testament 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

There’s no condemnation for me.But if I’m honest… there’s still plenty of condemnation in me. So today we’re looking at one of the strangest, most uncomfortable, and most liberating stories in the Bible—a deeply messed-up family story involving betrayal, hypocrisy, sex, judgment, and a shocking reversal that exposes how condemnation actually gets broken. It’s the story of Judah and Tamar.It’s awkward. It’s painful. It’s absolutely not a children’s Bible story.And somehow, it turns out to be a Jesus story. This episode explores the moment when a man who is fully prepared to condemn someone else is forced to recognize his own heart—and how that recognition becomes the beginning of freedom, humility, reconciliation, and blessing. Along the way, we discover why the Bible keeps including deeply flawed people in God’s story, why self-righteousness collapses under honest self-recognition, and why Jesus’ family tree is far stranger—and more hopeful—than we expect. If you’ve ever felt judgment rise up in you toward someone else…This story might be exactly what you need. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

The world feels like it’s falling apart and it’s tempting to think condemnation is the only honest response. But what if God sees the world very differently? In this episode, we step back and look at the big picture: not just what’s broken, but what God is actively doing to heal it. Drawing on insights echoed by Dallas Willard, Robert Putnam, and a striking story from positive psychology, we explore why humans become trained to see what’s wrong—and why God refuses to give up on the world. Jesus didn’t come to label the cosmos “condemned.”He came to save, heal, restore, and redeem it. If you’re worried about the state of the world—or the people you love most—this episode invites you to release the burden of condemnation and rediscover a deeper, steadier hope: Jesus is very good at saving the world. Today's Resources: Shaylyn Romney Garrett, The Upswing Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

What do you do when life crushes you?  When failure is public, shame feels loud, and condemnation (external or internal) won’t let up? In this episode, we explore an unexpected truth: God often does His deepest work through difficulty, humiliation, and exposure. Drawing on the craft of a master violin maker, the wisdom of the Psalms, and reflections echoed by Dallas Willard, we consider how the “rough conditions” of life can produce the most beautiful sound. Through stories of biblical figures who were humbled—and transformed—we discover why those who experience humiliation often become the least condemning people of all. And why Jesus, the most condemned person in the Gospels, became the most compassionate. If you’ve ever wondered whether your failures disqualify you, this episode offers a bracing and hopeful answer: no condemnation doesn’t mean no pain—but it does mean pain isn’t the end. Today's Resources: Martin Schleske, author of The Sound of Life’s Unspeakable Beauty  Thomas Keating, Divine Therapy & Addiction  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Comparison is the quiet engine behind condemnation. In this episode, we explore why sizing ourselves up against others feels so natural and why it so often turns us anxious, resentful, and judgmental. Drawing on insights from René Girard, social psychology, and Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we uncover how comparative desire fuels rivalry, outrage, and “us vs. them” thinking. From the Ten Commandments to social media envy, from Cain and Abel to modern prestige rankings, we discover why wanting what our neighbor has never ends well and what Jesus offers as a radically different way to live. Today's Resources: René Girard, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

We all have a them. The people we quietly feel superior to.The ones we distance ourselves from.The ones we’re pretty sure God should work on… preferably far away from us. In this episode, John Ortberg takes an honest look at how a condemning mind works and why Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector still exposes us today. Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard and Kenneth E. Bailey, we explore how contempt sneaks into our prayers, how “us vs. them” thinking feels spiritual, and why Jesus refuses to stand aloof from anyone. The twist?For Jesus, there is no them. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “At least I’m not like that person,” this episode might rearrange how you see others, and how you pray. Today's Resources: Kenneth E. Bailey, Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes  Lauren F. Winner, The Dangers of Christian Practice: On Wayward Gifts, Characteristic Damage, and Sin  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

We’re surprisingly confident judges for people who barely know the math. In this episode, John Ortberg explores why condemnation feels so natural, why it’s usually way off, and how Jesus exposes the absurdity of our moral scorekeeping. Using a strange but unforgettable math exercise (and an even stranger plumbing illustration), we discover why we’re uniquely qualified to judge exactly one person… ourselves. Drawing from Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we learn what “non-condemning math” really looks like—and why grace, like a stubborn plunger, works even when we think nothing else will. If you’ve ever felt morally superior, quietly judgmental, or secretly exhausted by your own mind, this episode is for you. And when you get it wrong (you will), there’s still good news: there is now no condemnation. Today's Resources: Mihaly Csikszentnihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Condemnation doesn’t just come from what others say about us — it also comes from the stories we tell ourselves. In this episode of Become New, John Ortberg explores how easily we slip into self-condemnation, why shame has so much power over our thoughts, and how Jesus offers a radically different way of seeing ourselves. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, and everyday experience, John shows how our minds can become trapped in false beliefs that distort reality and quietly shape how we live. This teaching invites us to slow down, notice the inner narratives driving our reactions, and learn how to bring those stories into the light of truth. If you struggle with negative self-talk, guilt, anxiety, or feeling like you’re never enough, this episode offers a practical and hopeful path forward. Discover how Christian faith, spiritual formation, and the message of no condemnation can lead to greater freedom, clarity, and peace — not by denying reality, but by learning to see it truthfully. Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

We live in a culture of condemnation. Online. In politics. In families. And, if we’re honest, in our own hearts. In this episode, John Ortberg explores why judgment comes so easily, what actually fuels it, and the one question condemning people almost never ask. Through a powerful story made famous by Stephen Covey, we see how quickly our perceptions can shift and how grace begins not with changing behavior, but with changing how we see. Jesus invites us into a way of life marked not by assumptions, but by curiosity. Not by condemnation, but by compassion. Because the truth is simple and humbling: we never know the whole story. If you’ve ever judged too quickly, been misunderstood yourself, or felt trapped in cycles of irritation and self-condemnation, this episode offers a wiser, freer way forward and reminds us why the good news really is good news. Today's Resources: Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

We live in a culture of condemnation: cancel culture, self-judgment, outrage, and quiet shame. Most of us are swimming in it without even realizing it. But the good news of Jesus points to a radically different reality: “There is now no condemnation.” In this episode, John Ortberg explores why condemnation feels so normal, how it shapes both our inner lives and our public conversations, and what it looks like to become a person of blessing instead of judgment. Along the way, we reflect on the remarkable true story of a six-year-old girl who responded to hatred not with fear or anger, but with prayer—and changed history in the process. Today's Resources: Robert Coles, The Story of Ruby Bridges Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy  🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0 Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Every person you encounter today is carrying a story you cannot see. In this episode, John reflects on the unseen battles every human being fights and the surprising truth that healing often comes not from focusing on our own pain, but from learning to notice and care about the stories of others. Drawing from the Book of Job, insights from Eleanor Stump, and lived experiences of suffering, forgiveness, and mercy, this teaching explores how God is at work in stories within stories. Like a fractal, each life reflects a larger pattern of divine care, love, and redemption. This message invites us to slow down, to see the person in front of us, and to remember: when we step into someone else’s story with compassion, generosity, or forgiveness, we enter a reality much larger than our own—and God uses it in ways we may never fully understand. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

John reflects on Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount regarding giving in secret. His words weren’t just spiritual advice. They were revolutionary. In a world built on reciprocity, status, and public recognition, Jesus offered a radically different way to live—one rooted in gratitude, freedom, and quiet goodness. Drawing on insights from ancient history, lived experience, and wisdom from voices like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this reflection shows how generosity can slowly retrain our hearts. When we practice giving without announcing it, something remarkable happens: we become less impressed with ourselves and less dependent on other people’s approval. Over time, generosity becomes second nature. The left hand forgets what the right hand is doing. And goodness begins to feel free. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

Why do some habits change and others seem impossible to break? In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked role of belief in transformation. Many of us confuse our habits with our identity. We say, “That’s just the way I am.” But Scripture, psychology, and lived experience all point to a deeper truth: habits feel natural, but they are not our nature. Drawing on insights from Ezra Sullivan, Charles Duhigg, and the lived wisdom of communities like Alcoholics Anonymous, this reflection shows why change rarely lasts without faith. Not just belief that habits can change, but belief that you can change—with God’s help. Transformation happens in community. We borrow belief from one another. We practice hope until it becomes real. And over time, love itself becomes habit-forming. So the question for today is simple: Who helps you believe that change is possible? 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

Darkness won't have the last word. Today’s reflection centers on a simple, powerful word: light. Scripture tells us that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. That doesn’t mean we deny the reality of suffering, grief, or burden. It means those things are not ultimate. Drawing from Scripture, everyday moments of joy, and insights from Dallas Willard, this episode invites us to see the world the way Jesus did—as a God-bathed, God-permeated reality. A world where light is always closer than we think. A world where God is “right upstairs,” friendly and near. This message is for anyone feeling weighed down by life, anxious about the future, or unsure how to live faithfully in a dark moment. Jesus’ promise still stands: His burden is light. And His message—to both Israel and the Gentiles—was a message of light. Pay attention today. Look for joy. Look for goodness. The light has already come. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

What if faith isn’t meant to comfort us, but to disturb us? In today’s reflection, we explore conscience, prophecy, and the unsettling gift of a sensitive soul. Throughout history, God has sent “disturbing people” into the world—prophets who refuse to ignore injustice, suffering, and hypocrisy. We meet Margery Kempe, a 14th-century woman whose tears became a form of truth-telling, and we reflect on the nature of prophets through the wisdom of Abraham Joshua Heschel, who reminds us that prophets feel the world’s pain more deeply than others. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

What if one of the most important spiritual practices is learning to laugh at yourself? This teaching centers on Rule #62, a simple but liberating wisdom that emerged from the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous: Don’t take yourself too seriously. Drawing on Christian thinkers, church history, Scripture, and everyday life, John Ortberg invites us to be freed from the exhausting burden of self-importance. Joy is not frivolous. Humor is not shallow. And humility is not self-hatred. They are deeply connected, rooted in the very character of God. From Abraham and Sarah’s laughter to the resurrection itself, Scripture reveals a God who brings joy, who relieves gravity, and who delights in human lightness. Today’s invitation is simple but powerful: stop playing God. Let yourself be human. And let joy ripple outward to everyone around you. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

There is a virtue that doesn’t get much love anymore. It sounds cautious. Boring. Overly careful. But the ancient world believed that PRUDENCE was the hinge on which a good life turns. In this episode, John Ortberg reclaims prudence as a courageous commitment to reality. Not wishful thinking. Not emotional reaction. But clear-eyed wisdom that asks: What is really going on, and what is the most loving, skillful way forward? Drawing from Scripture, the story of Abraham Lincoln, and the biblical image of “the stars fighting in their courses,” this teaching invites us to trust that God is already at work in reality itself. The most prudent thing you can do today may simply be to face what’s real and take one wise step forward. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

Forgiveness is never simple. And it’s rarely quick. In this episode, John Ortberg explores a powerful, research-backed practice that helps move forgiveness from an idea into the heart. Drawing from the story of Joseph and his brothers, and the work of psychologist Everett Worthington, we’re invited into a deceptively simple exercise involving two chairs. Forgiveness does not excuse harm. It does not erase boundaries. And it does not guarantee reconciliation. But it does free us from being trapped by resentment and bitterness. This teaching offers a compassionate, practical way to begin that journey, even when wounds are deep and time has passed. What if forgiveness isn’t something you feel first, but something you practice? 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

Every human being longs for significance. Not just to be busy. Not just to be successful. But to know that their presence has made a difference in someone else’s life. In this teaching, John Ortberg explores five relational needs identified by psychologist David Richo that help people flourish: attention, acceptance, affection, appreciation, and allowance. These are not abstract ideas. They show up in marriages, friendships, families, workplaces, and churches. They reveal the heart of God and the way Jesus treated people, especially those who were often overlooked. What if today you chose to help one person feel seen, valued, and free? That might be the most significant thing you do all day. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

What if the sound of heaven is laughter? Drawing on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, biblical wisdom, and surprising research, this episode explores joy not as a personality trait, but as a spiritual strength. Humor. Playfulness. Delight. These are not distractions from spiritual growth. They are often the pathway into it. From babies laughing at peekaboo to the story of Isaac, whose very name means laughter, we discover that joy is woven into the heart of God. Even more, joy is compatible with pain. Real joy does not deny suffering. It survives it. So today, laugh. Do something fun for no reason at all. You might just discover that God is closer than you thought. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

Your face is never neutral.  It communicates hope or fear, welcome or distance, trust or anxiety. In this reflection, John Ortberg explores the profound idea that our faces are not just physical features but outward expressions of our inner life and our sense of God’s presence. Drawing from the Gospel of John, the teachings of Jesus, and wisdom from Dallas Willard, this episode invites us to consider what it means that God made himself known in a face. Not an abstraction. Not an idea. But in Jesus. The Word made flesh. What if the invitation today is not to manage your face, but to let God reshape your inner life so that joy, trust, and love naturally shine through? You are not alone. And it shows. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

Every January, millions of people make bold resolutions. And by mid-January… they’re negotiating with a Twinkie. In this teaching, John Ortberg draws on wisdom from Dallas Willard to explain why willpower alone always fails—and why that’s not because you’re weak, lazy, or spiritually defective. The real issue isn’t effort. It’s vision. We don’t fail because we want the Twinkie too much. We fail because we don’t yet have a compelling vision of life without it. This episode invites you to stop trying harder and start living inside a bigger, truer vision of life with God—one where God is here, God is able, and God is good. Also, yes. Everyone has a Twinkie. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

Why do so many goals fail, even when our intentions are good? John Ortberg explores why lasting change doesn’t begin with outcomes or even habits, but with identity. Drawing on wisdom from James Clear, the apostle Paul, and everyday experience, we’re invited to ask a deeper question: Who am I becoming? Transformation isn’t about achieving “it.” It’s about becoming a certain kind of person and allowing small, faithful habits to shape us over time. This is a vision of change that is patient, grace-filled, and rooted in God’s work within us. What if today isn’t about fixing everything, but about taking one small step toward the person God is forming? 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

We tend to believe contentment is always just around the corner. One change away. One upgrade away. One new season away. But what if that belief is the very thing stealing joy from our lives? John Ortberg reflects on wisdom from C. S. Lewis and The Screwtape Letters, inviting us to rediscover God’s gift of rhythm: change and permanence held together. Seasons that repeat. Days that feel familiar. Moments we rush past without seeing the miracle inside them. Contentment, it turns out, isn’t about getting a new life. It’s about seeing the same life with new eyes. Eyes of gratitude. Eyes of love. What if today, right now, is more than enough? 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

What if worry isn’t just a bad habit but a misunderstanding of reality? John Ortberg invites us to reconsider how we see God, how we see the world, and how we carry today’s concerns. What if trust is not passive resignation, but active attentiveness to a God who is already here? Jesus taught that with a good and competent God present all around us, the universe is a perfectly safe place to be. Not easy. Not painless. But safe. In this episode, we sit with some of Jesus’ most unsettling words about anxiety, provision, and trust, alongside wisdom from Dallas Willard and an unforgettable illustration involving a dog, a wagging tail, and deep focus. Take a breath. Look around. And consider living today as if Jesus was right. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Dive by Traveler - MB01UYPFDKTVJ4Q Forever and For Always feat. Ivywild and Roary by Marie Hines MB01IDTJ7Z0NIZ3

Becomenew.com/Give  Thank you for being on the journey with us. We are so grateful and plan to keep at it. We will return with FRESH teaching from John on January 1st and then again January 19th for our new series: NO CONDEMNATION. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/

Away in a Manger isn’t just a sweet song. It’s a radical message of hope. In today’s episode, John explores why Jesus was born in a manger, what that says about who He came for, and how Christmas answers the question we all carry: what will become of us? This episode is tender, thoughtful, and quietly powerful. A reminder that Jesus meets us where we are and heals what’s broken. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Away in a Manger by Silk Fusion - MB01F2FERX0HU6D

This song doesn’t just sound beautiful. It tells the truth about you. In today’s episode, John unpacks O Holy Night and explores what it means for the soul to feel its worth. From the Bible’s understanding of the soul to the surprising backstory of this carol, this episode offers a new way to talk to God, to yourself, and to others. If you’ve ever questioned your value, this one is for you. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W O Holy Night by Sita - MB01XENMBCWK17Y

This Christmas song isn’t just festive — it’s revolutionary. In today’s episode, John unpacks Go Tell It on the Mountain, tracing its roots through Scripture, the African American spiritual tradition, and the long struggle for freedom and dignity. From Isaiah’s prophecy to Watch Night services to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final Christmas sermon, this episode reminds us that good news is meant to be shared — and lived. Especially by those who think good news isn’t for them. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Go Tell it on the Mountain by Tim Williams

The “three kings” weren’t kings at all. They were outsiders. In today’s episode, John explores We Three Kings and what this carol teaches us about light, belonging, and letting go of what weighs us down. From sunrise reflections to strange gifts to the invitation to “travel light,” this episode is a reminder that no one is beyond the pale and everyone is welcome in the light of Christ. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W We Three Kings by Jesse Brown - MB01DM5ZKFG5OBZ

Regardless of what anyone believes about Jesus, it’s impossible to deny his impact. In this special Christmas teaching, John Ortberg asks a simple but profound question: Who is this man? Without religious hype or argument, this episode explores how one uneducated carpenter from Nazareth reshaped history, compassion, human dignity, education, art, forgiveness, and hope itself. If you’ve ever wondered why Jesus still matters, this is an invitation to look honestly and decide for yourself. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/

This is a Christmas episode for anyone carrying trouble. In today’s teaching, John explores I Wonder as I Wander, a carol born out of poverty and lament, and reflects on how suffering can sometimes become a meeting place with God. If life feels uncertain, confusing, or heavy right now, this episode offers permission to bring your whole heart to Jesus and wonder in the wandering. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W I Wonder as I Wander by Unknown

This Christmas carol was born out of a broken organ, a quiet night, and a simple guitar. In today’s episode, John explores Silent Night and invites us into a deeper understanding of intimacy, stillness, and God’s gentle presence. If you’re longing for connection with God or with others, this episode is a reminder that intimacy often begins in silence. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Silent Night by Chad Lawson - MB01EA29RJHSL75

This Christmas carol isn’t saying “be happy.” It’s saying “be held.” In today’s episode, John unpacks the surprising meaning behind God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and why this ancient song speaks directly to our need for strength, belonging, and hope. If you’ve been craving control but need peace instead, this one might change how you hear Christmas. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Jesse Brown - MB01VRELDTNZMBD

Today John sits down at the piano and plays Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, then talks honestly about expectations, hope, and real life during the holidays. This episode isn’t about a perfect Christmas. It’s about a real one. The kind where joy shows up in ordinary moments and Jesus meets us right where we are. If the season feels full or messy or both, this one is a gentle reminder that there is still treasure here. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane

Today John sits down with Rolf Geyling, President of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, for an honest and moving Advent-conversation about suffering, generosity, and what it really means to be present. From powerful stories of life transformation to Rolf’s own journey through profound loss, this episode reminds us that Christmas is not about fixing pain, but about Emmanuel. God with us. Especially when life hurts. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W O Christmas Tree by Chad Lawson - MB011CPPOUDHFOQ

Today John tells the incredible story behind Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and why this single word shows up 48 times without losing its power. From Handel’s health collapsing to writing a 260-page oratorio in 24 days to the deep meaning of the word hallelujah itself, this episode is an invitation to let your whole life become an act of praise. If you need joy, strength, or a reminder that Jesus comes to imperfect people, this will speak to you. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W The Hallelujah Chorus arranged and performed by Ben Howe

Today John looks at the carol Angels From the Realms of Glory and asks what kind of power we are living in. Through the remarkable story of James Montgomery and a deep dive into the upside down “power rankings” of the Christmas story, we learn why real power is not control but love. This episode will help you see Jesus differently and invite you into one simple act of altruism today. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Angels from the Realm of Glory by Tim Williams

Today John takes us inside one of the richest carols ever written, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and unpacks the deep meaning behind Wesley’s lyrics. From ancient words like welkin to the difference between chronos and kairos to what it really means that God took on flesh, this episode is an invitation to pay attention again. If you need peace, hope, healing, or a reminder that God is with you today, this one is going to speak right to your heart. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W

Today John sits down with worship scholar Dr. John Witvliet to talk about the character we almost never include in our Christmas story. This episode uncovers why the Holy Spirit is actually central to Advent and why ancient prayers, global worship traditions, and even YouTube Christmas festivals can deepen our spiritual life right now. Come ready for fresh insight, a little history, and a reminder that Advent is about longing and joy held together. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W O Come O Come Emmanuel by Christopher Wohrle - MB014N7DOCWGCCY

Today John takes Angels We Have Heard on High and turns it into a masterclass on glory. Not the flashy, influencer kind of glory but the deep, soul-level kind that makes life feel meaningful again. From ancient Latin refrains to modern inspiration psychology to why Jesus put His whole self into the manger, this episode shows why glory is something your soul actually needs. Come ready for a little joy, a little conviction, and maybe a new way to live this week. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Angels We Have Heard on High by Chad Lawson - MB01IKHMXN4XQ3R

Today’s episode takes Do You Hear What I Hear? from “nice old Christmas song” to “wait, this is actually about my life.” John unpacks the wild story of a man who survived the Nazis, fell in love without speaking the same language, and somehow wrote a carol that invites us to see the world the way God does. This is your gentle Advent reminder that God knows you on a level your closest friends don’t. So if you are ready to move from thin faith to thick, honest, fully-alive faith, this one is going to land. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Do You Hear What I Hear? by Carolino - MB01FCGTU0VXQDF

Today John explores the meaning behind The First Noel and why the angels chose the most unlikely people to hear it first. This episode invites us to rediscover the wonder of the incarnation and to see every person we greet today as God’s best work. Noel is not just a word. It is the joyful shout that changes how we look at God, at ourselves, and at every person we meet. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W The First Noel by Chad Lawson - MB01HMX0NVA2I91

Today John unpacks the meaning behind Good Christian Men, Rejoice and why the repeated word “news” lies at the center of the gospel itself. Learn how this medieval carol confronts the false gospels of success, power, and self-reliance, and rediscover why the incarnation is not advice but news; the life-changing announcement that heaven is now open and God is present with us today. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Good Christian Men, Rejoice! by Ben Howe

Today John unpacks the surprising story behind Good King Wenceslas:a carol based on Proverbs 11:25 and the life of a real historical ruler whose generosity transformed Bohemia. Discover how this song invites us to ask a different daily question (“What can I give?”), why generosity actually increases what we have, and how following in the steps of Jesus, and those who follow Him well, leads to a flourishing life. 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at [email protected] GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Chad Lawson - MB01M3YAWW2VF7W Good King Wenceslas by Jesse Brown - MB01Q8UEK47CZRA