Become New with John Ortberg

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

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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

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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 

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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

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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.

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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