For Part 29 of 'The Holy Spirit' we have the second episode of our look at 'The Gifts of Healings'. David further explores this gift in the Bible and how it operates today. He considers whether, as some claim, using medicine is somehow showing a lack of faith in the healing gift. He also seeks to answer a common objection to this gift - if you 'have' it why don't you go and heal everyone in the hospitals and hospices? In these two studies we are seeking to biblically, honestly and sensitively explore a subject that dominated the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles and that we are promised to experience in some capacity today. This message is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format and in HD video on our YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/PreachTheWord)...

In Part 30 of our series on 'The Holy Spirit', we continue our look at the gifts of the Spirit by asking: Is there a difference between the gifts of healings and the gift of 'Miracles'? If so, what are the differences? What is the purpose of miracles? What is the best atmosphere for miracles to take place? In this episode, David seeks to help us answer these questions from the truth of scripture. This message is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format and in HD video on our YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/PreachTheWord)...

For Part 31 of our series on 'The Holy Spirit', we begin our consideration of 'Tongues'. What is the gift of tongues? What is it for? Is it a private prayer language or to be used in public in the church? Are there rules around the use of tongues in the church? These are some of the questions David considers in this first study on the vocal gift of different kinds of tongues. This sermon is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format and in HD video on our YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/PreachTheWord)...

Part 32 of our series on 'The Holy Spirit' forms the second episode on the gift of 'Tongues'. David Legge considers more questions that people ask about this gift of the Spirit. You may have had some of these questions yourself after the last study. Is there such a thing as public tongues and private tongues and is there a difference between these? Are we out of control when we speak in tongues? Is there a danger of demonic tongues? Do we have to be careful in seeking this gift in case we receive something harmful? Join us we look for the answers! This sermon is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format and in HD video on our YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/PreachTheWord)...

Join us for Part 33 of 'The Holy Spirit' as we continue looking at the gifts of the Spirit in 'Interpretation Of Tongues'. We have already learned that all the gifts of the Spirit are intended for the edification of the church. For a message in tongues, that means it should be interpreted. In this study, David considers the spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues. Why is it needed? How might it operate? Who should have it? Come and learn more about how the gifts of interpretation of tongues and tongues work together to build up Christ's body the church. This message is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format and in HD video on our YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/PreachTheWord)...

Join us for Part 34 of 'The Holy Spirit' as we continue looking at the gifts of the Spirit. We come now to the final gift of the Spirit, 'Prophecy'. This is the first of a two-part final study which concludes this series and our lessons on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In this episode, David Legge considers the questions of who can prophesy and what prophecy actually is. Come with us to see what God’s word actually teaches about this vital gift that the church needs to be built up as Christ intended. This message is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format and in HD video on our YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/PreachTheWord)...

In our final study in 'The Holy Spirit' series and our mini-series on the gifts of the Spirit, we conclude our consideration of the gift of 'Prophecy'. One of the great concerns around this gift is: how can we know false prophecy from true prophecy? How do we discern the true from the counterfeit? Also, we look at the practical dimension of how we exercise this spiritual gift of prophecy. This series has been so enjoyable to deliver and we do hope you have gleaned a lot of help from it. If so, why not spread it around and share it with those you believe will also be edified? Thank you so much for journeying with us! This final episode is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format and in HD video on our YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/PreachTheWord)...

Very often in some streams of Christianity there is an emphasis upon the Word of God, as opposed to the Spirit of God, or vice versa. At times these strands are even in contention with each other. This is not the way New Testament Christianity is meant to be. It should not be a case of 'either or' but 'both and' as regards the Word and the Holy Spirit. In Part 5 of our 'Revival Now' series, David explores this disparity and how we desperately need a new movement of the Word and the Spirit: The Word with the Spirit - not the Word without the Spirit; and the Spirit with the Word - not the Spirit without the Word. There is great power when the Word and the Spirit are together. Join us for this challenging exhortation, which is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format...

Hearing the voice of God is vital for success in spiritual warfare. It is essential to learn to use the sword of the Spirit, the rhema of God, to overcome the temptations and attacks of the devil. This message from Ephesians 6:17 will teach you the importance of using the sword of the Spirit and some practical pointers on receiving words from God to take into the battle against the enemy. This message is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format...

In this miracle in Luke 13:10-17, we learn that some physical illnesses can have spiritual causes behind them. The woman in this story had to be loosed from a spirit of infirmity that she had because of something that took place in her life 18 years previously. Healing and deliverance often must come together for people to be made whole. We need to understand how the demonic can sometimes affect our health. The good news is that Jesus can still loose people from the bondage of evil spirits that bind them and debilitate their health and well-being. This message is available at https://www.preachtheword.com now in MP3 audio format...

NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, presented revered distribution leader Rod Mims with the 2024 Bo Johnson Spirit Award for Lifetime Achievement for his unwavering commitment to the financial services industry. [PR.com]

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What does Christ mean when He says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven?" Fr. Stephen looks at this familiar verse in the context of St. Paul's teaching on weakness and necessity.

The Orthodox understanding of the spiritual life is unlike most things that we think about in our culture. There is not a "technique" that produces "results." Instead, it is a way of life. Fr. Stephen Freeman explores this understanding.

Frederica reads an email she wrote to an Orthodox priest who has had a couple of encounters with a man who enjoys challenging Christianity.

A relationship with a spiritual father is one of the most important relationships in an Orthodox Christian's life. Join Christian and his pastor, Fr. James Coles, this week as they explore the role and the reason for the spiritual father, particularly in the mystery of confession.

The day after Pentecost is the Feast of the Holy Spirit in the Orthodox Church and Fr. Thomas uses it to examine more closely the "Spirit who proceeds from the Father."

Fr. Tom spoke at the 40th Anniversary of the consecration of the chapel at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA, on September 27, 2008. In this lecture he reflects on 40 years of Orthodoxy in North America.

St. Seraphim of Sarov taught that the aim of the Christian life is to live by the Spirit of God. Today Fr. Tom explores the acquisition of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Tom Hopko talks about St. Seraphim's conversation with Nicholas Motovilov on "acquisition of the Holy Spirit."

As we approach Great Lent, Fr. Thomas has a helpful book to recommend entitled Letters to Spiritual Children by Abbot Nikon.

Fr John Finley on the ills of being "community-less"—spiritual but not religious—in Yuma, Arizona.

Fr. Thomas Hopko begins a brand new series taking us through the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church.

Fr. John shares from Mark 7:31-37.

On Pentecost, Fr. John shares about the characteristics of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. John shares from 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.

Fr. John uses the prophecy of Micah to relate the importance of being prepared to receive Christ.

Fr. John Whiteford comments on the role of Proverbs in Great Lent, by speaking on Proverbs 1:1-7.

Fr. John Whiteford discusses the need for perseverance as we struggle to get closer to God.

Fr. John Whiteford speaks on Psalm 50:10-12.

Fr. John Whiteford's Sunday sermon, talking about how we need to anchor ourselves in God in order to make it through any hardship.

Fr. John shares from Revelation 2:18-29.

Fr. John Whiteford reflects on the victory over heresy, winning the spiritual war, by the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Psalm 149).

Fr. John Whiteford helps us to understand how to discern between the evil spirits, who seek our destruction, and those who worship the Holy Trinity and desire our good. (1 John 4:1-6)

Fr. John Whiteford's sermon from June 23, 2024.

The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the Coming of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples of Jesus. But why? As followers of Christ, we too, have been given the grace of the Holy Spirit in our lives as well. So, does the closeness of the Spirit in your life reflect a reality or an untapped resource?

In a society where the noise factor of our lives threatens to drown out the loving Voice of God, learning to listen for that "still, small voice" that tells us who we really are is even more important.

Michael examines the Star Wars phenomenon from an Orthodox Christian and sacramental point of view, and with a special focus on comparisons between the Force and the Holy Spirit.

In the Book of Genesis God says not to eat from the Tree of Life, yet in Revelation He invites us to eat from the Tree of Life. Michael explores the reasons why from an Orthodox Christian perspective. He discusses the sinfulness and sacredness of eating and hunger as taught to us through the Scriptures, specifically Genesis and Revelation, and our Holy Tradition; and what we are really doing when we fast and prepare for and receive the Eucharist.

Comfort, and feeling comfortable, is a desire all of us have and we strive to fulfill this desire. But it can come at a cost because the root of our desire and the means by which we achieve it are not always in our best interests. Join Michael as he explains why comfort can lead to spiritually harmful complacency and blind us to the real purpose of our faith.

One of the big challenges we face in today’s post-Christian era is the near complete erosion of seeing and understanding reality sacramentally. So how do we teach this reality to our young people who live in a society that rejects it? Focusing on the sacramental reality of sin, sickness and spiritual growth, Michael uses simple examples from everyday life and popular culture to offers strategies, thoughts and lessons that can help guide us to meaningful conversations with our youth.

Are we living now in the Divided States of America as opposed to the United States of America? Does the political divide we see and hear about it each day in the news speak to who we are now as persons and a society? What can it teach us about ourselves and our own hearts? Join Michael as he discusses wholeness and division from a spiritual point of view, and what we need to do to be Christ-like in today’s current climate.

Being spiritual and having no religious affiliation is a rapidly increasing segment of society. We hear people say they’re spiritual but religious all the time, but what does it really mean? How do people understand “spiritual” and “religious” when they describe themselves this way? Join Michael as he thoroughly explores this topic and shares personal examples and insights to help us understand this growing movement.

Join Michael for a discussion on how to understand and overcome the subtle spiritual deafness and spiritual blindness we can suffer from that leads to spiritual heart disease.

Fr. Seraphim Aldea narrates the importance of struggle in the relationship with a spiritual father, through his own physical journey from his monastery to the Holy Mountain.

Fr. Seraphim Aldea delivers a talk in Atlanta, GA, about the power of our demons in those we meet, including the unborn.

Fr. Seraphim Aldea shares practical insights about developing a relationship with a spiritual father.

What is the Orthodox practice of total fasting? How do you keep it and why would you? What are the spiritual benefits of fasting for a period from all food and water for the love of Christ?

There is no fall too deep for Christ's love for us. Never lose hope, my brothers and my sisters.

'All is well, but I feel dry. Where there was life, I now have only the memory of it.' We tend to formalise our spiritual life, but Life is not in formalities: Life is in the Spirit—We need to reset our spiritual life to factory settings, jumping out of our comfort zones into a new, living faith.