Life Betterment Through God

Follow along as I read the Gospel of Luke https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1-24&version=NLT This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

In the beginning of Acts, the writer (traditionally believed to be Luke) refers to a previous "account" or "treatise" that he had written. This likely refers to the Gospel of Luke, which was also written by Luke and serves as a companion volume to the Book of Acts. The Gospel of Luke ends with Jesus' ascension, and Acts begins with Jesus' ascension and the events that follow, making it a seamless continuation. Therefore, the "letter" or "account" mentioned at the beginning of Acts is commonly understood to be the Gospel of Luke. Theophilus is mentioned at the beginning of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. The name "Theophilus" means "friend of God" or "loved by God" in Greek, suggesting that it could also be a symbolic name representing any believer who loves God. Read along with me HERE. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Revelation 1-3 Matthew 7:16 - "You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" Romans 14:17 - "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" John 15:5 - "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 "Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more, I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened." Ask…is what they are saying comforting you, bringing you closer to Jesus? Or to get you to cower in fear of the man made dominion to obey or else you will be cursed by God? We don’t have to give money “or else!” Salvation is a free gift and Christianity is a relationship. The seed is the word of God. 30, 60, 100 fold is the harvest of the Word of God depending on the growing conditions of our heart. “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matthew 13:23 Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ “And they said to Him, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your Name”….notice all the ministers sharing their prophecies…and dreams….more than the Scripture. Who teaches the Word as the seed, the Word that is able to save your soul? James 1:21 “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” Prophecy has its place to edify, exhort, and comfort; not to give guidance and control the pathway of someone’s life, or tell people how much to give. Read the New Testament. This isn’t Biblical, and is another gospel serving a fake Jesus. If someone says, “I had a dream about you…I have a word for you…” RUN! No thank you, the Word of God will suffice. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Follow the reading HERE. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Schindler's List | "I Didn't Do Enough" Scripture referenced: 1 John 4:17-18, 2 Peter 3:9, Genesis 11:1-9, Deuteronomy 17:18-19, 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Many Church of England Clergy Reject Biblical Teaching on Marriage, Sexuality How far will this go before the bowls of wrath overflow? * CRISPR-Cas9: This is a powerful tool that allows scientists to precisely edit DNA by cutting out or modifying specific sequences. It's being used in research, agriculture, and potentially for treating genetic disorders. * Gene Therapy: In this approach, genetic material is introduced into a patient's cells to treat or prevent disease. This can involve replacing faulty genes with healthy ones, inactivating harmful genes, or introducing entirely new genes. * Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): In agriculture, scientists are modifying the DNA of plants and animals to enhance traits such as resistance to pests or diseases, tolerance to environmental stresses, or improved nutritional content. * Synthetic Biology: This field involves designing and constructing new biological parts, devices, and systems, or redesigning existing ones for useful purposes. It often involves modifying DNA sequences to create novel biological functions. * Organoids are grown from stem cells of embryos and live 100 days as fuel for AI. The organoids use much less energy than traditional sources, and save the environment. Final Spark has a Neuroplatform, with brain organoids comprising about 10,000 living neurons are grown from stem cells. These little balls, about 0.5 mm (0.02 in) in diameter, are kept in incubators at around body temperature, supplied with water and nutrients and protected from bacterial or viral contamination, and they're wired into an electrical circuit with a series of tiny electrodes. 16 lab-grown brains run world’s first ‘living computer’ in SwitzerlandSwiss technology firm Final Spark has successfully launched Neuroplatform, the world’s first bioprocessing platform where human brain organoids (lab-grown miniaturized versions of organs) perform computational tasks instead of silicon chips.The Matrix movie was a documentary. We are the battery for the AI. * Artificial Intelligence and Technological Singularity: The current scientific-technological AI/robotics paradigm is best described as a “Star Wars” spaceship that is speeding toward Technological Singularity: “The technological singularity (also, simply, the singularity) is the hypothesis that the invention of artificial superintelligence will abruptly trigger runaway technological growth, resulting in unfathomable changes to human civilization. According to this hypothesis, an upgradable intelligent agent (such as a computer running software-based artificial general intelligence) would enter a “runaway reaction” of self-improvement cycles, with each new and more intelligent generation appearing more and more rapidly, causing an intelligence explosion and resulting in a powerful superintelligence that would, qualitatively, far surpass all human intelligence.” * The Internet of Bodies (IoB) refers to a network of devices that are connected to the human body through implants, ingestion, or wearables, allowing for the collection, transmission, and analysis of biometric and health-related data. This technology is a subset of the broader Internet of Things (IoT), which connects everyday objects to the internet. Revelation 16:1-21 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go your ways and pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God’s wrath.” So the first angel left the temple and poured out his bowl on the earth, and horrible, festering sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and everything in the sea died. Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs, and they became blood. And I heard the...

Read with me HERE. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Referenced: Matthew 11:20-24, PSALM 53, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Hebrews 12:5-11 Delphi.ai’s founder and his clone were interviewed on Fox News 8.9.24. By 2026, 96% of the internet will be artificial intelligence. People will have clones that can assist them with tasks and outlive them. Watch HERE. Of course I prayed for the man in the story and cursed the cancer at the root: Matthew 21:18-22: 18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry. 19 And he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. 22 You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Paul emphasizes that he doesn't want to be known for his heavenly visitation or revelations but rather for how he lives and what he preaches. He also tells us to follow his example. He speaks of the Lord’s return throughout his letters to the church with emphasis on heavenly bodies in this letter. He also describes that he is not good at speaking, not an orator, and a speech impediment could possibly be the thorn in his side to keep him humble. He also speaks of his qualifications as the apostle to the church, which gives him oversight and the authority to give admonishment and correction when needed. 2 Corinthians 12: This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. You have made me act like a fool—boasting like this. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong! Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me. Read along with me HERE This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Follow along as I read 1 Corinthians! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Absorbe yourself in the Word to FLOW in the fruit and gifts. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

In the quaint village of Virtuopolis, nestled between rolling hills and gentle streams, a unique culture flourished, distinct from the bustling cities governed by materialism. In Virtuopolis, status was not measured by grand estates, opulent possessions, or influential titles, but rather by adherence to the principles of Jesus' beautified blessings. Matthew 5:1-12 New Living Translation The Sermon on the Mount 5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them. The Beatitudes 3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a] for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b] for they will be satisfied.7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul provides valuable insights on the principles of handling money within the context of the church. Pastors can draw upon these teachings to guide their congregations in responsible stewardship. We explore Paul's perspectives on money and offers pastoral guidance on teaching stewardship within the church. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

PSALMS 1-36 I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger. Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him. He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds. Thick clouds shielded the brightness around him and rained down hail and burning coals. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals. He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were greatly confused. Then at your command, O Lord, at the blast of your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. The Lord rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The Lord rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud. You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. I chased my enemies and caught them; I did not stop until they were conquered. I struck them down so they could not get up; they fell beneath my feet. You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet. You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me. They called for help, but no one came to their rescue. They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer. I ground them as fine as dust in the wind. I swept them into the gutter like dirt. You gave me victory over my accusers. You appointed me ruler over nations; people I don’t even know now serve me. As soon as they hear of me, they submit; foreign nations cringe before me. They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds. The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted! He is the God who pays back those who harm me; he subdues the nations under me and rescues me from my...

I am asking you share this episode with your networks. It is relevant to what is happening in people’s lives. ~Alexia As shepherds of the flock, pastors are entrusted with the care and protection of their congregations. Addressing domestic abuse requires a compassionate and strategic response. This tutorial aims to guide pastors in assisting abuse victims to safely escape their abusive situations, rooted in biblical principles. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

In the realm of spiritual leadership and congregational life, the metaphorical concept of "wolves in sheep's clothing" has been a recurring theme. This notion is rooted in biblical teachings that warn believers about deceptive individuals who disguise themselves as genuine members of the flock but harbor ulterior motives. Let's explore how to identify these wolves, understand their tactics, and learn from the wisdom of scripture on this matter. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Follow along with me as I read these four letters written by Paul to the Gentile Church This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

In the complex tapestry of human relationships, the ability to say "no" is a formidable force, serving as both a protective boundary and a revealing litmus test of character. Happy individuals navigate the delicate balance of asserting their limits gracefully, while those struggling with unhappiness often find it challenging to accept and respect these boundaries. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Source: Bible Gateway 1 Peter 1-5 New Living Translation Greetings from Peter 1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.[a] 2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. The Hope of Eternal Life 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 6 So be truly glad.[b] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. 12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. A Call to Holy Living 13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”[c] 17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake. 21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.[d] Love each other deeply with all your heart.[e] 23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field.The grass...

Pastors play a pivotal role in fostering the spiritual well-being of their congregations. However, the alarming issue of burnout among pastors has raised concerns about its potential threat to local church health and ministry vitality. We delve into a comprehensive study that explores the intricate relationships between pastor job burnout and crucial measures of church organizational health. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Faith and Endurance 2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 9 Believers who are[b] poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,[c] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.[d] He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.[e] 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.[f] Listening and Doing 19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger[g] does not produce the righteousness[h] God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. 2 My dear brothers and sisters,[a] how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting[b] dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? 5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love...