Become New with John Ortberg

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 

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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TEXT us at 51504
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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