Every person you encounter today is carrying a story you cannot see.In this episode, John reflects on the unseen battles every human being fights and the surprising truth that healing often comes not from focusing on our own pain, but f...

John reflects on Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount regarding giving in secret. His words weren’t just spiritual advice. They were revolutionary. In a world built on reciprocity, status, and public recognition, Jesus offered a radical...

Why do some habits change and others seem impossible to break?In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked role of belief in transformation. Many of us confuse our habits with our identity. We say, “That’s just the way I am.” But Sc...

Darkness won't have the last word.Today’s reflection centers on a simple, powerful word: light. Scripture tells us that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. That doesn’t mean we deny the reality of suffering, grief, or ...

What if faith isn’t meant to comfort us, but to disturb us?In today’s reflection, we explore conscience, prophecy, and the unsettling gift of a sensitive soul. Throughout history, God has sent “disturbing people” into the world—prophets...

What if one of the most important spiritual practices is learning to laugh at yourself?This teaching centers on Rule #62, a simple but liberating wisdom that emerged from the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous: Don’t take yourself too s...

There is a virtue that doesn’t get much love anymore.It sounds cautious. Boring. Overly careful. But the ancient world believed that PRUDENCE was the hinge on which a good life turns. In this episode, John Ortberg reclaims prudence as a...

Forgiveness is never simple. And it’s rarely quick.In this episode, John Ortberg explores a powerful, research-backed practice that helps move forgiveness from an idea into the heart. Drawing from the story of Joseph and his brothers, a...

Every human being longs for significance.Not just to be busy. Not just to be successful. But to know that their presence has made a difference in someone else’s life. In this teaching, John Ortberg explores five relational needs identif...

What if the sound of heaven is laughter?Drawing on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, biblical wisdom, and surprising research, this episode explores joy not as a personality trait, but as a spiritual strength. Humor. Playfulness. De...

Your face is never neutral. It communicates hope or fear, welcome or distance, trust or anxiety. In this reflection, John Ortberg explores the profound idea that our faces are not just physical features but outward expressions of o...

Every January, millions of people make bold resolutions.And by mid-January… they’re negotiating with a Twinkie.In this teaching, John Ortberg draws on wisdom from Dallas Willard to explain why willpower alone always fails—and why th...

Why do so many goals fail, even when our intentions are good?John Ortberg explores why lasting change doesn’t begin with outcomes or even habits, but with identity. Drawing on wisdom from James Clear, the apostle Paul, and everyday expe...

We tend to believe contentment is always just around the corner. One change away. One upgrade away. One new season away. But what if that belief is the very thing stealing joy from our lives?John Ortberg reflects on wisdom from C. S. Le...

What if worry isn’t just a bad habit but a misunderstanding of reality?John Ortberg invites us to reconsider how we see God, how we see the world, and how we carry today’s concerns. What if trust is not passive resignation, but active a...

Becomenew.com/Give Thank you for being on the journey with us. We are so grateful and plan to keep at it.We will return with FRESH teaching from John on January 1st and then again January 19th for our new series: NO CONDEMNATIO...

Away in a Manger isn’t just a sweet song. It’s a radical message of hope. In today’s episode, John explores why Jesus was born in a manger, what that says about who He came for, and how Christmas answers the question we all carry: what will bec...

This song doesn’t just sound beautiful. It tells the truth about you. In today’s episode, John unpacks O Holy Night and explores what it means for the soul to feel its worth. From the Bible’s understanding of the soul to the surprising backstor...

This Christmas song isn’t just festive — it’s revolutionary. In today’s episode, John unpacks Go Tell It on the Mountain, tracing its roots through Scripture, the African American spiritual tradition, and the long struggle for freedom and digni...

The “three kings” weren’t kings at all. They were outsiders. In today’s episode, John explores We Three Kings and what this carol teaches us about light, belonging, and letting go of what weighs us down. From sunrise reflections to strange gift...

Regardless of what anyone believes about Jesus, it’s impossible to deny his impact. In this special Christmas teaching, John Ortberg asks a simple but profound question: Who is this man? Without religious hype or argument, this episode explores...

This is a Christmas episode for anyone carrying trouble. In today’s teaching, John explores I Wonder as I Wander, a carol born out of poverty and lament, and reflects on how suffering can sometimes become a meeting place with God. If life feels...

This Christmas carol was born out of a broken organ, a quiet night, and a simple guitar. In today’s episode, John explores Silent Night and invites us into a deeper understanding of intimacy, stillness, and God’s gentle presence. If you’re long...

This Christmas carol isn’t saying “be happy.” It’s saying “be held.” In today’s episode, John unpacks the surprising meaning behind God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and why this ancient song speaks directly to our need for strength, belonging, and ...

Today John sits down at the piano and plays Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, then talks honestly about expectations, hope, and real life during the holidays. This episode isn’t about a perfect Christmas. It’s about a real one. The kind w...