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A Very Personal Video – Why Streaming is So Important to Me
In this very personal video, Al (XtianNinja) Descheneau shares his heart, story, and reason for working so hard to bring the gospel to people who can only be reached through online ministry. You will learn why he has such a special concern for the lost, lonely, and disenfranchised on Twitch and what you can…
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The Difference Between Devotions and Bible Study
There is a huge difference in approach between your personal devotional time and doing a personal Bible study, and knowing that difference is going to change everything about how you connect with God. XtianNinja explains the difference and then gives an example of what it looks like. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/The-Difference-Between-Devotions-and-Bible-Study-e1lak0r I Need Your Support…
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How long do you need to wait between sinning and praying?
What does it mean that we are “Free in Christ”? How free? Does that mean we can do whatever we want? Is there anything we can do to lose that freedom? How long do you have to wait between sinning and praying? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/How-long-do-you-need-to-wait-between-sinning-and-praying-e1l57e9 I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and…
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What Makes Jesus Special?
What does it mean that Jesus had the “fullness of God” and why is that such a big deal to Christians? What does it mean that Jesus is Preeminent? Join in as XtianNinja (Pastor Al) talks through Colossians 1:15-20 and answers those questions. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Jesus-is-e1kc64k I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time…
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But What if They’re a Really Good Person?
If you’ve ever asked, “Do good people go to heaven?”, give this a watch: XtianNinja talks through the thought process we see in Romans 1-3 and explains why understanding it is critical to understanding what Christians call “salvation”. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/But-What-if-Theyre-a-Really-Good-Person-e1iplfr I split my YouTube channels, so if you’re looking for the fun and…
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Can Anyone Ever Actually Feel “Peace” in this Troubled World?
Everyone in the world wants “peace” – but when we try to make it ourselves it doesn’t seem to work very well or last very long. How does the peace that Jesus promises us in the Bible differ from the peace we keep trying to make for ourselves? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Can-Anyone-Ever-Actually-Feel-Peace-in-this-Troubled-World-e1ikg2v I split my…
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You’ve Probably Already Met Jesus – What Did You Do?
Jesus said that if you’ve met poor, sick, imprisoned, or hungry people, then “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt 25:40) and how you reacted to those people shows a lot about your heart and your faith. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Youve-Probably-Already-Met-Jesus—What-Did-You-Do—–It-Matters-more-Than-You-Think-e1hngbo I Need…
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“I HATE Easter and I love Christians” Tweet is Ridiculous! Twitch Pastor Reacts
Jo Luehmann tweeted out a pretty intense message declaring her love of Christians, but hatred for the Christian gospel. It just so happened that Logos’ Verse of the Day hit this topic perfectly. So, let’s talk about that through the lens of 1 Corinthians 15:19-20. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/I-HATE-Easter-and-I-love-Christians-Tweet-is-Ridiculous–Twitch-Pastor-Reacts-e1hgbeu I Need Your Support I’m doing…
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Does Everything Really “Work Out For the Good”?
Christians often quote Romans 8:28 (“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” to each other as a way to bring encouragement to someone going through a tough time. So, why then does it come as such cold…
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When Jesus Was Attacked by an Angry Mob! (Passion Week: Tuesday)
The leading men of Jerusalem took turns attacking, arguing, and trying to discredit Jesus, in hopes He would fall for their trap so they could accuse and kill Him. It didn’t work. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Jesus-Faces-an-Angry-Mob–Passion-Week-Tuesday-e1h6t0e I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through…
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Cursing Figs & Flipping Tables: Passion Week Monday
What do a dead fig tree and overturned tables have to do with worship? And what does it mean for us today? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Cursing-Figs–Flipping-Tables-Passion-Week-Monday-e1h3psl I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through support from folks like you – so please consider supporting me on Patreon. There…
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Hypocrites and Caregivers
There is a certain kind of “religious person” that thinks that they are God’s favourite – but are actually the kind of person He despises most! And, there are people serving the most difficult parts of society, who think God doesn’t notice them at all, that are some of His favourites! Which are you?…
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Is God Too Busy to Care About You?
We often hear that “God has better things to do” than help unimportant people like us – that He might be at work in the world, but only on the really big stuff. Is that true? Are you a priority to God or not? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Is-God-Too-Busy-to-Care-About-You-e1fji1s **When God called me to this new…
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Fear, Uncertainty, and the War in Ukraine (incl. a note from someone in Ukraine) Devo & Discussion
I have a lot of viewers from Europe so it was only fitting that we would take time to talk about the situation in Ukraine, how to deal with worry, and read a note from someone who actually lives in Ukraine right now. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Fear–Uncertainty–and-the-War-in-Ukraine-incl–a-note-from-someone-in-Ukraine-Devo–Discussion-e1euavr If you’d like to help me stay full-time…
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Use This Test To See How You *Really* Feel About God! (and Discover How He Feels About You Too)
Reading Psalm 139 is like taking a Rorschach test. How you react tells you a lot about yourself, your worldview, and your perspective on God. Are you willing to take the test? I really enjoy sharing these daily devotions during my live streams! If you’d like to help me stay full-time please consider becoming…
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I Forgot To Tell You About So Many YouTube Videos!
I’ve been working so hard on making new and better content lately that I’ve been completely forgetting to post all of my videos to my blog! I’m so sorry to all of the subscribers who have been missing out on my latest videos and I will try to do better. Here’s a list of…
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Watch This When You Feel Forgotten, Worthless, Guilty, or Inadequate
New YouTube Video: Do you ever feel worthless? Like God and the world are against you? What about nagging feelings of inadequacy or guilt that won’t go away? This devotional on Psalm 139 might help. This video was recorded live during the regular opening devotional I do before each of my streams. I’d love…
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Why Having Authority Over You Matters
When you’re life has gone off the rails, is it possible that it was partly because you decided to go it on your own? Were there authorities and rules that were supposed to keep you in check, that would have saved you, but you worked against because you thought you knew better or were…
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If God Speaks, Why Don’t We Hear Him?
Last week, I shared the number one most downloaded message on my website, this week is number two, entitled, “If God speaks today, why don’t we hear him?”. Plus, a HUGE update on some of the amazing things happening in my life right now. Podcast Link:https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/If-God-Speaks–Why-Dont-We-Hear-Him-e16tn56 Script: Hello and welcome to the podcast, I’m…
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Don’t Mess With Kids (Abortion, Parenting and Ministering to Children)
Jesus didn’t see these kids as less important than the adults around them. He didn’t see them as less significant than the leaders, parents or disciples. No, He saw them as exactly the kind of people that He had come to be with. Podcast Link:https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Dont-Mess-with-Kids-Abortion–Parenting-and-Ministering-to-Children-e16j6l9/a-a6e86nh Script: Hello and welcome to the podcast, I’m super…
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Your Life Has Ripples (Remastered!)
My editor @StarPony999 took one of my older videos and re-edited it with some graphics, tightened it up, added an intro, etc. and I think it looks much better! I think I’ll be doing this style from now on. Is it possible that the misery you have been through – or are going through…
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What *Really* Happens When Someone Becomes a Christian
Christians have been talking about what happens when you give your life to Jesus for a long time, but what do they really mean? What does “conversion” really look like? What really changes when you become a “believer”? This message is from my Twitch channel’s Devos & Chill series where, on Thursdays, I give…
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From Murderer to Missionary: The Story of the Apostle Paul (Devos & Chill Ep. 1: Phil 1:1)
How did one of Christianity’s greatest opponents turn into its greatest missionary? What would it take to turn a murderer into a missionary? Here’s the story. On Thursdays, before we get into the games, we take a little time to do a quick Bible-Study. Please consider joining us! www.Twitch.tv/XtianNInja
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How the Devil Tricks People Into Sinning – Romans 6:22-23 (“Sunday Study” Ep. 2)
This week we’re going to do something a little different. Yes, I’m aware that I’ve only done this once and that last week I told you that we’d be going through the gospel of John, but that was before I came across this amazing clip from a John Piper sermon that I really want…
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New “Sunday Study” Podcast! – John 5:19-29 – “Jesus Declares Himself to be Equal with God”
If you weren’t following along when these were being released as sermon podcasts – or with the YouTube videos of the services – or for that matter, have just completely forgotten since I haven’t been in the Gospel of John since the end of August – then maybe you might want to go back…
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My Last Sermon, Ever?!
We had a phone call last Sunday afternoon that informed us that this could be my last week as pastor of Beckwith Baptist Church. As I said in the announcements, there’s a vote on Wednesday that will determine whether I’ll be around for six more months – or that this will be my last…
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The Lord Jesus, The Pharisees, and The Sabbath
**Sorry, no audio this week due to technical issues (of me not changing the batteries in the mic…🙄)** Let’s turn back to our passage from last week, John 5:1–18. “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a…
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What Does The Healing of the Man at the Pool Tell Us About Jesus? (Gospel of John Series)
Please open up to John 5:1-18 and let’s read it together: “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame,…
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Jesus & The Centurion: Humility & Trust (Gospel of John Series)
Please open up to John 4:46–54: “[46] So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. [47] When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to…
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We are ALL the Woman at the Well (Gospel of John Series)
Please open up to John 4, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, and let’s read it together: “Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again…
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Who Should Christians Love? (Jesus & The Samaritan Woman – Gospel of John Series)
**Sorry, no video or audio this week!** Please open up to John 4, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. We start where we left off last week: Jews and Samaritans “Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself…
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He Must Increase, I Must Decrease (Gospel of John Series)
Please open up to John 3:22-36. We’re back into the Gospel of John series we started a while back. Life is ever-so-slowly starting to look a little bit more normal – and I think it’s good to get back into the regular exposition of God’s Word as we were doing before. Review I think,…
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Same Gospel, Different Responses (The Parable of the Sower)
Please open up to Luke 8:4-15, the Parable of the Sower. I figure that this is the last of the “Building Faith during Difficult Times Series” that I started at the beginning of the pandemic lockdown and it’s time to get back into the expositional study of the Gospel of John that we were…
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Would You Consider Supporting My Work Through Patreon?
Hi everyone, This is going to be a little bit different of a post, so thank you for taking the time to read. As you know, I’ve been a full-time pastor since 2005 and have been putting my sermon texts and podcasts and books on ArtoftheChristianNinja.com for about 7 years ago. My greatest passion is helping…
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Where the Rubber Meets the Road (The Sermon on the Plain)
Please turn to Luke 6:17 where we read about Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain”. We’re used to hearing about the “Sermon on the Mount”, but Jesus obviously preached the same message more than once to different audiences. So, this is the “Sermon on the Plain” and you’re going to see lots of parallels to…
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Bridging the Great Divide: The Gospel and the “isms” of Our Day
Service Video: Podcast Audio: Sermon Text: A lot of things sort-of collided this week. First, of course, we’ve got this pandemic looming over us with all that entails – including the enforced social distancing rules that are making daily life increasingly stressful and depressing. Next, I had a few people texting me and asking…
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Withdraw to Desolate Places (Caring For Your Heart, Soul, Mind & Body in Difficult Times)
Service Video: Podcast Audio: Sermon Text: Please open up to Luke 5:16. We’re going to concentrate our efforts on one verse today and use it as a jumping-off point for something that I believe is important for us during this difficult time. Luke 5:16, “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”…
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Stay in the Word (God Speaks to You Personally Through the Bible)
Service Video: Podcast Audio: A Living and Active Word Most of you know the passages I read at the beginning of service – the Call to Worship and the weekly Scripture Reading – are chosen long before I read them on Sunday mornings. Around the beginning of December each year I usually take…
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The Persistent Love of God (A Mother’s Day Sermon)
Podcast Audio: “Before I was a Mom” By Suzana Haertzen Before I was a Mom…I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone. Before I was a Mom… I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into…
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Revealing & Refining Fire (How Tough Times Help You Grow)
Podcast Audio: To say it’s a strange time is an understatement. As this pandemic looms, and the lockdown enters its second month, it’s very interesting to see how people are reacting. While some sit at home bored, others, like front-line and emergency workers, are being run off their feet. The educated professionals that are…
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How Have You Been? (Radical Honesty During Difficult Times)
Podcast Audio: How have you been this week? I know asking that right now is weird. I’m standing alone in a room full of empty pews, addressing myself to an iPhone strapped to a camera – you’re sitting at home in front of a laptop or tablet or tv watching this. You can’t…
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Fear, Worry & The God Who Raises the Dead
Service Video: Podcast Audio: Please open up to 2 Corinthians 1:3-10 and let’s read it together. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who…
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EPIC: The Story of God & Humanity
It’s been sort of my tradition to take time on Palm Sunday to tell the story of the history of the world, the story of salvation, from beginning to end, because I think it’s important – maybe especially during times like these – that we remember that the moment we are living…
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Fear Leaves Scars (How to Fight Fear)
Service Livestream: Sermon Audio: The song I played earlier is called “The Voice of Truth” and it’s by a Christian band called “Casting Crowns”. It’s a song that has meant a lot to me over the years – especially in my first years of being a pastor. You see, when I was…
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Why Did Jesus Suffer? (Lent 2020)
During the season of Lent is the time when we fast and contemplate the sufferings of Jesus, what they teach us about Him, and what they mean to us. Please open up to Mark 8:27-38: “And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked…
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Your Soul is Starving (Lent 2020)
We’re headed into the Easter season. This week we celebrated Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday as it’s sometimes called, followed by Ash Wednesday, the official start of the season of Lent, something Christians have been observing for hundreds of years, dating back before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Traditionally, this has been…
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Drag Your Sin Into the Light (Gospel of John Series)
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered…
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Stumbling Over the Simplicity of the Gospel (Gospel of John Series)
Please open up to John 3:1–21. “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless…
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The Drug of Self-Deception (Gospel of John Series)
**Sorry, no audio this week** “So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show us for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it…
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The Greater Meanings of Jesus Turning Water to Wine (Gospel of John Series)
Please turn to John 2:1–12 and let’s read it together. “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no…