<![CDATA[Eig Blog]]>
despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/podcastSubstackMon, 25 May 2026 13:57:40 GMThttps://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/1403444.rssEdgarMy personal Substack. Most of it comes from my teaching and personal posts.episodicEdgardespond@substack.comNo<![CDATA[HOW TO BE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN - 1 Chronicles 4:9-10]]>There's a man in the Old Testament who teaches us what it is to have spiritual victory. His name is Jabez. We want to learn from him.

 What does it mean to be victorious?

 To be victorious means: "To use all my spiritual resources to overcome all the spiritual obstacles that prevent me from being faithful to God to the end."



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/how-to-be-a-victorious-christiansubstack:post:198615830Wed, 20 May 2026 20:36:32 GMTEdgarNo2660<![CDATA[True Spiritual Identity - 1 Kings 17]]>There are many Christians today who live mediocre lives that impact no one because they don't know or understand their true spiritual identity. They are "religious" but not spiritual. As a result, they live lives devoid of authority and spiritual power and no influence over others. Many of us Christians have grown up in a very “normal". We just think of ourselves as “normal” people. We are afraid of doing anything that would make us be seen as weird, freaks or charismatics. A person from from the Old Testament illustrates what it means to have true spiritual identity (influence and authority) is Elijah (the Lord is my God). He was a prophet of God who impacted others because he knew his identity in God and exercised it without fear.

YouTube Video



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/true-spiritual-identity-1-kings-17substack:post:197278953Mon, 11 May 2026 22:37:47 GMTEdgarNo2794<![CDATA[How to Be a Devoted Christian - 1 Kings 11]]>Why do some Christians make progress in their Christian walk more than others? It has to do with our devotion to God. But today we want to find out how to be a Christian that is devoted to God (or how to resolve the problem of mediocrity or incomplete surrender). Some Christians today live a life of incomplete surrender to God. In the Old Testament we find an example of incomplete surrender: King Solomon. The wisest man who ever lived.  He started with full devotion but lost it at the end of his life. We who are Christians should heed this. Being older doesn’t give us the option of  “coasting” the Christian life as we have already arrived at perfection.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/how-to-be-a-devoted-christian-1-kingssubstack:post:196568174Tue, 05 May 2026 17:31:29 GMTEdgarNo3022<![CDATA[How to be Faithful to God as a Christian?]]>Many Christians start their spiritual journey well but not all end it well. Why is this? Why do some live their entire Christian lives being faithful to God, but others live in spiritual infidelity? Do we have a different faith? The Bible says that our faith is the same as that of the apostles (2 Peter 1:1). However, the way we live that faith varies with the person. The goal of every Christian should be to be faithful to God all his life. How can we achieve this? This is what we want to talk about today.

We will learn of a king named Azariah (”Jehovah has helped”) or Uzziah (”Jehovah is my helper”) who “did what was right in the sight of Jehovah,” but who made a serious mistake that cost him his faithfulness to God. From him we will learn how to be a faithful Christian to God.

YouTube video



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/how-to-be-faithful-to-god-as-a-christiansubstack:post:195063848Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:20:34 GMTEdgarNo3017<![CDATA[God of a Place and Any Place Acts 28 ]]>It seems that Paul was always on the move, but he was not. This morning’s passage shows us how Paul lived for Christ and did His will in “any place” and in “a place.” This teaches us that, like Paul, all of us must also live out God’s call to be his witnesses in “any place” and in “a place” as God leads us.

Also, one thing Paul had was that he was attentive to every event, every circumstance, every guidance that God gave him to follow the way of His will. On this path things happened where God used Paul.

The challenge this morning as we conclude the book of Acts is that, if you are one who likes “a particular place” and doesn’t want to move, you must open your heart to God’s movement especially as we consider our current situation in this building.

Perhaps you are very comfortable thinking that it is here in this place that you will fulfill or finish your American dream. You must be open to what God commands you to do. In America, to do what is comfortable is a very easy to do. I think most of us in the church are in this category.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/god-of-a-place-and-any-place-actssubstack:post:194105265Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:49:00 GMTEdgarNo3035<![CDATA[ A Living Hope Through the Resurrection - 1 Peter 1:3]]>What difference does Easter make in our lives? What difference does the resurrection of Jesus from the dead make in our lives as Christians?



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/a-living-hope-through-the-resurrectionsubstack:post:193384555Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:57:56 GMTEdgarNo3042<![CDATA[Serving God in the World in a Time of Crisis ]]>This morning we will learn that God is sovereign over our lives and circumstances. that He will fulfill His will for our lives and that in the process we must trust His sovereignty, be wise in our decisions trusting that He will use us to help in the crises of other Christian pilgrims and to testify of God’s power to those who do not know the gospel.

This was the case with Paul in Acts 27. God had promised Paul that He would witness in Rome (Acts 23:11) and He sets out on His journey. But it wouldn’t be an easy journey. It was an extremely dangerous journey. However, God uses his servant Paul to bear witness to his faith in Christ, and to serve people who do not know him in times of crisis.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/serving-god-in-the-world-in-a-timesubstack:post:192565480Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:41:28 GMTEdgarNo3048<![CDATA[Pedro, Judas, Pilato, la multitud y el Juicio del Señor Jesús - Mateo 26:69 al 27:31]]>Este pasaje nos muestra tres personajes y la multitud en conexión con lo que creían acerca del Señor. Todas sus reacciones y decisiones giran alrededor de los que creían acerca del Señor. La mayoría de ellos negaron que Jesús es era el Salvador que vino para morir por nosotros los pecadores y darnos la vida eterna en Él. Todos tuvieron oportunidades para creer la verdad de Dios, pero aun con todo esto la rechazaron. Nos muestra como el corazón humano es duro y pecaminoso, ciego y rebelde a la verdad de Dios.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/pedro-judas-pilato-la-multitud-ysubstack:post:192034835Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:26:13 GMTEdgarNo2603<![CDATA[Obedient to God's Call Acts 26]]>In today’s passage we look at how Paul bears witness to King Agrippa of how the Lord called him to salvation and how he gave him the call to serve Him (for which he is imprisoned). In all of this, Paul says that he was obedient to this call.

God has called us too. If you are a Christian, have believed in Christ as your Lord and Savior, He has called you. If you haven’t given your life to Christ, God is calling you today. Open your heart to what Paul shares with Agrippa. It’s for you too.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/obedient-to-gods-call-acts-26substack:post:191164473Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:53:13 GMTEdgarNo2681<![CDATA[Free Prisoners]]>There are prisoners. Some are in jail, but others are out. There are guilty prisoners. There are prisoners at large. The prisons of some are made of iron and walls, the prisons of others are mental, habitual controlling their will. This morning we look more at the free prisoner in Christ and the prisoners of his sin who want to kill him. Paul has already been imprisoned for 2 years. It is easy to feel sorry for Paul. "Poor man," we say, "What an injustice!" Yes, it is. Yes, it was. But this was God's plan for their lives. These men were free in Christ and used their freedom not to pity themselves but to share the gospel of Christ.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/free-prisonerssubstack:post:190448531Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:55:14 GMTEdgarNo2633<![CDATA[Three Profiles]]>The episode that the book of Acts shows us in chapter 24 shows us three people that we can find outside and inside the church.As we talk about them, think which one would you identify with and make the necessary changes.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/three-profilessubstack:post:189797523Tue, 03 Mar 2026 19:00:57 GMTEdgarNo2470<![CDATA[Prisoner of Christ]]>In this section we find that the Apostle Paul, prisoner of Christ is sovereignly protected by God amidst a plot of forty men who bowed to kill him. God is in control. The enemies of the Gospel are well and alive and will go to any length to stop those who serve the Lord. Yet God is sovereign and will let nothing happen outside of his plan.

This applies to us as we are also called to to complete surrender to Christ’s authority, living in obedience, humility, and service.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/prisoner-of-christsubstack:post:188163207Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:47:24 GMTEdgarNo2731<![CDATA[You are Immortal]]>“To all appearance, the present year will be more perilous than any I have seen; but if I live to complete the Persian New Testament, my life after that will be of less importance. But whether life or death be mine, may Christ be magnified in me! If he has work for me to do, I cannot die. This has often been paraphrased as “I am immortal till Christ’s work for me to do is done.” “– - Providence by John Piper This was the case with Paul in this passage. We know that Paul fulfilled his mission and that it was not easy. We also know that he was eventually killed by Emperor Nero. But God cared for him until he fulfilled the mission of his calling.

All of this shows us that God has a plan for us and in the meantime, God has a plan for your life and you are immortal until you fulfill it, He will take care of you.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/you-are-immortalsubstack:post:187669663Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:20:01 GMTEdgarNo2791<![CDATA[ Ready to share your testimony - Acts 21:37-22:24]]>Up to this point in the book of Acts, Paul has arrived in Jerusalem and has been taken prisoner. He is accused of teaching against Judaism (wanting to undo the Jewish religion), against the temple and even polluting it (Acts 2:29) by bringing in Greeks. This trial period will last two years.  All this was false. However, the wish they had to kill them was serious. But even with all this, Paul remains determined to share the gospel with everyone. In this case he does it through his testimony. This is something that all of us should know how to do (in 5 minutes). This sermon will help us learn it from Paul.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/ready-to-share-your-testimony-actssubstack:post:186668699Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:52:34 GMTEdgarNo2619<![CDATA[Unjustly persecuted - Acts 21:15-36]]>The book of Acts shows us that persecution is part of the life of the believers (the church) when they are committed in sharing the Good News of Jesus. We have seen it at least six times (Acts 8, 12, 13-14, 16, 17, and 19). Two of them are against the church as a whole and the others against Paul. Some of these affected the churches that he planted.  We know that the church has always been unjustly persecuted because when she lives for Jesus and shares Jesus. Our association with Jesus makes us a target for Satan and those who follow him. This will continue until Jesus comes back. Paul experiences this in this chapter. This will lead to his imprisonment that will last for over two years. It all starts here.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/unjustly-persecuted-unjustly-actssubstack:post:185112735Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:19:09 GMTEdgarNo2405<![CDATA[Ready to Die For the Lord! – Acts 21:1-25]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/ready-to-die-for-the-lord-acts-211-009https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4782Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:20:28 GMTEdgarNo2522<![CDATA[Why the Church Matters – Matthew 16:15-18]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/why-the-church-matters-matthew-1615-0e3https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4777Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:50:30 GMTEdgarNo2993<![CDATA[When God Ruins Your Plans Matthew 1:18-25]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/when-god-ruins-your-plans-matthew-d04https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4771Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:44:39 GMTEdgarNo2575<![CDATA[Advice from a Spiritual Father – Acts 20:17-38]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/advice-from-a-spiritual-father-acts-ed5https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4765Tue, 25 Nov 2025 20:27:10 GMTEdgarNo2895<![CDATA[Encouraging & Strengthening Others, Worshipping on the Lord’s Day! Acts 20:1-17]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/encouraging-and-strengthening-others-1e8https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4759Mon, 17 Nov 2025 22:49:21 GMTEdgarNo2034<![CDATA[The threat of the Way, the foolishness of idolatry and God’s mission – Acts 19:21-20:1]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/the-threat-of-the-way-the-foolishness-068https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4753Sun, 09 Nov 2025 23:15:55 GMTEdgarNo2359<![CDATA[How God Uses His Servants – Acts 19:1-20]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/how-god-uses-his-servants-acts-191-917https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4748Tue, 04 Nov 2025 17:45:47 GMTEdgarNo2911<![CDATA[Affirming others in the Faith – Acts 18:18-28]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/affirming-others-in-the-faith-acts-9d8https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4740Tue, 21 Oct 2025 22:25:42 GMTEdgarNo2206<![CDATA[Keep talking, Don’t Stay Silent – Acts 18:1-17]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/keep-talking-dont-stay-silent-acts-898https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4734Sun, 12 Oct 2025 22:48:02 GMTEdgarNo2595<![CDATA[The God who is Close – Acts 17:16-34]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/the-god-who-is-close-acts-1716-34-d34https://eigaldamez.com/?p=4728Mon, 06 Oct 2025 22:25:53 GMTEdgarNo2798<![CDATA[Reaching Hispanics in the US]]>This workshop was given at our church. The purpose is to understand who Hispanics are, their characteristics, religious beliefs, their growth in the US (demographics) and how we can engage them with the Gospel of Christ.

This is the outline for this section:

The Multiethnic Church of God - We are One in Christ - Galatians 3:26-29

- We are the New Humanity - Eph 2.14-15, 19

- We are the Multiethnic Church of God Gathers in Heaven - Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 5:8-9



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/reaching-hispanics-in-the-us-b7bsubstack:post:145955147Mon, 24 Jun 2024 19:57:03 GMTEdgarNo1660<![CDATA[Reaching Hispanics in the US ]]>This workshop was given at our church. The purpose is to understand who Hispanics are, their characteristics, religious beliefs, their growth in the US (demographics) and how we can engage them with the Gospel of Christ.

2. Hispanics in America

A. Demographic facts, trends and implications to reach them

B. Hispanic Generations in the US Engaging Hispanics with the Gospel

1. General religious beliefs.

2. How the Church can engage them with the Gospel.

3. How do I take steps for Gospel engagement?



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/reaching-hispanics-in-the-us-738substack:post:145904556Sat, 22 Jun 2024 22:49:08 GMTEdgarNo4668<![CDATA[Reaching Hispanics in the US]]>This workshop was given at our church. The purpose is to understand who Hispanics are, their characteristics, religious beliefs, their growth in the US (demographics) and how we can engage them with the Gospel of Christ. It is broken down in three parts.

The outline for this section is:

Introduction

• My Story

• Reaching Hispanics in the New Samaria

Understanding Hispanics

1. General cultural characteristics of Hispanics

A. Geopolitical influences before and after the Spanish Conquest

B. General Economic and Educational status

C. General cultural distinctives



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/reaching-hispanics-in-the-ussubstack:post:145873929Fri, 21 Jun 2024 18:16:34 GMTEdgarNo2733<![CDATA[Christianos – Hechos 11:9-26]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/christianos-hechos-119-26-18chttps://eigaldamez.com/?p=3709Sun, 05 Feb 2023 22:12:54 GMTEdgarNo2345<![CDATA[El Evangelio es para Todos Hechos 10: 9-11:11 primera parte]]>Lo que este pasaje nos enseña es que el evangelio es para todos sin importar el trasfondo étnico, cultural o lingüístico. Todos necesitan escuchar las buenas noticias de salvación. Pedro, como el líder que el Señor escogió para ayudar a fundar la iglesia, recibe una misión del Señor de una manera extraordinaria. Esta misión envuelve a un centurión romano a quien Dios se le ha manifestado para que pueda escuchar, recibir y creer en el evangelio. Esto abrirá las puertas del evangelio a todos sin importar el trasfondo étnico, cultural o lingüístico.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/el-evangelio-es-para-todos-hechos-9d1https://eigaldamez.com/?p=3703Tue, 24 Jan 2023 17:17:14 GMTEdgarNo2423<![CDATA[Haciendo la obra de Dios Hechos 9:32-10:1-8]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/haciendo-la-obra-de-dios-hechos-932-c90https://eigaldamez.com/?p=3688Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:21:11 GMTEdgarNo2903<![CDATA[Jesús Enseña sobre la Oración – Lucas 11:1-13]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/jesus-ensena-sobre-la-oracion-lucas-4c7https://eigaldamez.com/?p=3677Mon, 09 Jan 2023 16:14:07 GMTEdgarNo2312<![CDATA[Jesús Enseña sobre la Oración – Lucas 11:1-13]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/jesus-ensena-sobre-la-oracion-lucas-186https://eigaldamez.com/?p=3669Tue, 03 Jan 2023 02:27:54 GMTEdgarNo3260<![CDATA[Keeping Christmas Well]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/keeping-christmas-well-362https://eigaldamez.com/?p=3638Mon, 26 Dec 2022 01:30:16 GMTEdgarNo1290<![CDATA[El Amor que Llegó para Quedarse – 1 Juan 4:7-18]]>
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit despond.substack.com]]>https://despond.substack.com/p/el-amor-que-llego-para-quedarse-1-2b0https://eigaldamez.com/?p=3632Sun, 18 Dec 2022 23:58:56 GMTEdgarNo2947