Become New with John Ortberg
Religion og åndelighetJoin John Ortberg each day for 10 minutes of spiritual guidance on the person we are becoming.
Siste episoder av Become New with John Ortberg podcast
- 5. Why Gratitude Might Just Save Your Life (Eventually) (00:12:59)
In this episode of Thank God You’re Here, John Ortberg invites us to walk through a cemetery—not to be morbid, but to rediscover what matters most. Drawing from Gratitude by Cornelius Plantinga and the Christian tradition of memento mori, we explore how contemplating death doesn’t crush us—it clarifies us. When we face the brevity of life, we’re freed to truly live it. You’ll walk away from this episode with renewed perspective, a soul-level appreciation for life’s daily gifts, and the gentle...
- 4. Why Gratitude Is Not About Feeling Good (00:12:32)
In this powerful episode, John shares the unforgettable story of Dr. Goodluck, a man born into extreme poverty in Tanzania whose life was transformed by a single act of generosity—a sponsorship through Compassion International. Today, Dr. Goodluck is a heart and brain surgeon who returned to serve at the very hospital where he nearly died as a child. His story will move you and challenge you. Because real gratitude doesn’t stop at “thank you”; it rolls up its sleeves and asks, “How can I join...
- 3. How Fake Gratitude Can Lead to Real Joy (00:13:21)
Do you ever feel like you're supposed to be grateful… but you're just not feeling it? You’re not alone. In this episode, John Ortberg tackles what to do when gratitude doesn’t come naturally and offers a surprisingly powerful spiritual strategy: “Let’s pretend.” But don’t worry — this isn’t fake it till you make it. It’s: “Fake it till He remakes you.” Rooted in the wisdom of C.S. Lewis, the Apostle Paul, and the ancient Hebrew practice of the thanksgiving sacrifice, this episode walks us t...
- 2. Practicing Gratitude Every Day (00:12:40)
We all want to be more grateful, but how do we actually become that kind of person? In this episode of Thank God You're Here, John Ortberg explores the profound truth that gratitude begins when we remember: we are not owed anything and yet we’ve been given everything. Drawing from Scripture, deep spiritual wisdom, and personal stories about mentors like Dallas Willard, John shows how practicing gratitude is more than a habit. It’s a whole way of being. 💡 Practice gratitude this week with u...
- 1. Thank God You're Here: How Feeling Unworthy Makes You More Grateful (00:12:56)
What if the key to deeper gratitude isn’t feeling more deserving but realizing you’re not? In this episode, John explores how a posture of humility can unlock a powerful sense of gratitude, joy, and connection to God. Drawing on stories from real life, Scripture, and thinkers like Dallas Willard and Ronald Rolheiser, we learn why everything we have is a gift… and how remembering that can change your life. Featuring 1 Corinthians 4:7 and the parable of the unworthy servant, this 10-minute devo...
- How to Live in the Light of God (00:11:56)
What does a sunflower know about your spiritual life? In this episode, John Ortberg reflects on how turning toward the light, just like sunflowers do, is the key to real spiritual growth. Drawing on Paul Tournier’s insights and powerful scripture like 1 John 1:5 (“God is light…”), we explore how to shift our inner posture toward God's presence even in darkness. Whether you're stuck in shame, busy with distractions, or just feeling dry this is an invitation to start again. The Kingdom of God i...
- How to ACTUALLY Seek the Kingdom of God (00:12:04)
What does it really mean to “seek first the kingdom of God”? In this message, John walks us through one of Jesus’ most famous teachings (Matthew 6:33) and unpacks how seeking the kingdom is not about adding another spiritual task to your to-do list, but about tuning your eyes and heart to the loving presence of God in everyday moments. Whether you're parenting young kids, navigating work stress, or just walking through a crowded airport, the kingdom is already near. Discover how to live with ...
- What Crime and Punishment Taught Me About the Burden of Being Loved (00:13:29)
In this episode, John Ortberg explores the story of Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment. A man whose pride and guilt nearly destroy him and how his journey mirrors our own. Through the lens of Scripture and soul-searching questions, we discover the dangerous trap of self-justification and the radical gift of grace. If you’ve ever felt crushed by your mistakes or isolated by your ego, this one’s for you. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0...
- Why You Should Stop Trying So Hard (00:12:23)
In today’s episode, John Ortberg explores one of the most surprising spiritual invitations Jesus offers: not try harder, but try softer. When your efforts lead to exhaustion, and faith feels forced, there’s another way. Learn what it means to walk with Jesus under the easy yoke, to trust the Spirit’s gentle power, and to release the illusion of control. You’ll hear stories, practical wisdom, and biblical truth from Matthew 11 and beyond. Take a breath, lean in, and discover how trying softer ...
- You Can Choose Who You're Becoming (00:12:34)
Your character is being shaped right now. In this episode, John Ortberg invites you to consider the quiet truth we all feel: we’re always becoming someone. Whether it’s intentional or accidental, today you will change. Drawing from Matthew 6:33 and insights from C.S. Lewis, this teaching explores how to seek first the Kingdom of God in a world of noise, distraction, and drift. If you’ve ever felt stuck, aimless, or overwhelmed by your own habits—this one's for you. You’ll walk away inspired, ...
- How to Forgive When You CAN'T Forget (00:12:27)
What do you do when the pain lingers but forgiveness still calls your name? In this powerful and honest teaching, John Ortberg explores the emotional and spiritual complexities of forgiving when you've been deeply hurt. Drawing from Scripture, real-life stories, and spiritual practices, this episode dives into what forgiveness really is and what it’s not. Learn how to forgive without forgetting, trust God with justice, and take one step closer to freedom. Become New is here to help you grow ...
- How Jesus Taught Habit Formation (00:12:59)
The habits you already have are shaping who you’re becoming, whether you mean them to or not. In this episode, John Ortberg shares how small, ordinary routines can become sacred rhythms that turn your attention back to God. Transformation doesn’t start with willpower; it starts with what you practice every day. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.co...
- God Is Not a Control Freak (And You Don’t Have to Be Either) (00:12:18)
Is God really in control… or just controlling? In this powerful message, John Ortberg explores the surprising truth about God’s relationship to control and how it invites us into a life of freedom, trust, and creativity. If you’ve ever wrestled with anxiety, the need to manage everything, or the fear of letting go, this episode is for you. Learn how to release your grip, listen to the Spirit, and experience the expansive life God designed you for. 🌿 🧠 Topics: how to stop trying to control ev...
- How to Overcome Self-criticism and Accept Your Body (00:12:50)
In a culture obsessed with filters, fitness hacks, and endless self-critique, this episode invites you into something far deeper: radical acceptance. What if your body isn’t a problem to fix but a place where God delights to dwell? Join John Ortberg as he unpacks a spiritual (and countercultural) approach to loving the body you have, not in spite of it, but because it's a gift from God. Learn how to live at peace with your physical self, embrace your body with gentleness, and see it through t...
- Why Mental Health Isn't Enough (00:12:47)
We talk a lot about mental health these days, and that’s a good thing. But what if there’s something even deeper we’re missing? In this reflection, John explores why peace of mind, while valuable, was never meant to be life’s ultimate goal and looks at a forgotten truth about what it really means to flourish as a human being and why the deepest kind of wellness can’t be measured by how we feel. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 E...
- 41. The True Meaning of "Jesus Christ Is Lord" (Philippians 2 Explained) (00:14:01)
“God will meet all your needs…” You’ve probably heard that line before, maybe hanging in a frame or scribbled in a journal. But what did Paul really mean when he wrote it from a prison cell to a struggling church? In this episode, we close out the letter to the Philippians by looking at one of the most quoted (and misunderstood) verses in Scripture. What does it actually mean for God to meet our needs? What are our real needs? And how can we live in joyful confidence, even when circumstances ...
- 40. God Will Meet All Your Needs (00:11:40)
Paul is writing from a world where generosity was often about power, the rich giving so the poor would owe them something. But in this new Jesus-shaped community, giving is about love. Gratitude is real. Generosity is mutual. And God is the true source of provision; not status, not wealth, not self-actualization. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew....
- 39. The Secret to Being Content in Every Circumstance (w/Nancy Ortberg) (00:10:22)
What if the secret to joy isn’t more but less? John and Nancy reflect on a lighthouse keeper’s sacred task (watcher of the infinite) and draw a striking parallel to our own spiritual calling. Contentment, Nancy says, is elusive. You find it, lose it, and have to find your way back...maybe 76 times a day. But contentment comes not from how much we have, but where we look. The invitation is to scan the horizon not for what we want, but for what God is already doing. Become New is here to help ...
- 38. How Religion Can Make People Worse (and what to do about it) (00:14:59)
Paul’s strong language in Philippians 3 might be surprising to our modern sensibilities, “Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers…” It sounds harsh, but his concern runs deep. He’s warning the church against turning something good, faith, into something harmful. Religion, when distorted, can divide people into “us” and “them.” When we start to see ourselves as God’s insiders and others as outsiders, pride sneaks in, and love gets pushed out. Paul knew that this way of thinking not only dist...
- 37. Faith Isn’t Complete Until You Act (00:13:45)
As we continue to talk about Philippians it’s important to remember that chapter 4 doesn’t stop at “thinking on these things.” Paul takes it a step further, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice.” Faith is not just a way of thinking; it’s a way of living, choosing, and acting. Paul invites us into a life that moves beyond contemplation into action. It’s one thing to dwell on what is noble and praiseworthy, but another to step forward in o...
- 36. How to Renew Your Mind (Philippians 4:8 Explained) (00:13:56)
Today, John talks about how Paul understood that we cannot live a life of peace and joy without first tending to the garden of our thoughts. If our thinking is careless, our living will be reactive and restless. But when our minds are filled with truth and beauty, our lives begin to reflect the light of Christ. Stories like those of heroes in Saving Private Ryan or the humble villagers in Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed help reorient our thoughts toward honor, purity, and courage. They remind us ...
- 35. How to Pray When You Feel Anxious (00:13:48)
Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7 invite us to bring our worries to God — not to control outcomes, but to open our hearts. John shares how Jerry Hawthorne, Dallas Willard, and Joni Eareckson Tada each taught that prayer is a conversation with a Person, not a formula for results. Through Joni’s example, John introduces the 80/20 rule of prayer. True peace comes not from fixing every circumstance, but from the peace of God guarding the heart that lets go. Become New is here to help you grow sp...
- 34. How to Stop Being Anxious About Tomorrow (w/Dr. Rick Blackmon) (00:15:01)
Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and the need to control everything? In this powerful episode, John Ortberg sits down with clinical psychologist and spiritual leader Dr. Rick Blackmon to unpack Philippians 4:6—“Do not be anxious about anything.” Together, they explore the difference between healthy planning and harmful preoccupation, how to build a tolerance for uncertainty, and why surrendering control may be the most powerful step toward peace. If you’ve ever wrestled with worry, this convers...
- 33. How to Be Gentle (00:13:37)
This is your day to shine. Paul writes to the Philippians, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” It’s a quality so central to the heart of Jesus that he chose it as the word to describe himself: “I am gentle and humble in heart.” Paul would have known how radical that sounded. He’d grown up admiring zeal, the kind that would do anything or go to any length to defend God’s honor. For Paul, zeal was something you did with a knife. But on the road to Damascus, everything changed. God redefine...
- 32. Today, the Lord is Near (00:11:50)
The basic message of the Bible from the beginning is the offer of a life with God. This was true in the garden with Adam and Eve, it was true with Abraham, it was true with Moses, with Ruth, with Joseph, with Jacob, and on and on. And it doesn’t stop there. He is present with you, right now. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TE...