Become New with John Ortberg

What are you looking to for help today?

In this reflection on Psalm 121, John Ortberg explores two simple actions that can make today a blessed day:

God watches over us.
We lift our eyes toward Him.

But "I lift up my eyes to the hills" may mean something different than we often assume. In the ancient world, the hills weren't merely beautiful. They were places of idolatry, uncertainty, and danger. The psalmist looks directly toward them and asks: Where does my help really come from?

John explores what it means to live under God's watchful care, why Psalm 121 doesn't promise a life without suffering, and how this Psalm became deeply personal as he recited its final words at his father's deathbed.

Whatever hills you're facing today, your help comes from the One who made them.

In this episode:

Psalm 121 and God's watchful care
"I lift up my eyes to the hills"
The high places and ancient idolatry
What we're tempted to trust instead of God
Nicholas Wolterstorff and Lament for a Son
Why God's protection doesn't mean a pain-free life
Romans 8 and God's inseparable love
John Ortberg's final moments with his father

Scriptures:

Psalm 121
1 Kings 18
Romans 8:35–39

#Psalm121 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Prayer #TrustGod #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Faith #godspresence 

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Music Credits:
Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson - License # MB01LXS9AQLSJGH

00:00 Two Actions for a Really Good Day
00:21 John's Most Meaningful Psalm
00:43 I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills
01:30 God Is Watching Over Your Life
02:22 Living the Watched-Over Life
02:46 What Does "Lift Up My Eyes" Mean?
03:08 The Hills & Ancient Idolatry
03:29 What Are Your Idols?
04:13 The Hills We Have to Climb
04:55 "He Will Not Let Your Foot Slip"
05:17 Nicholas Wolterstorff & Lament for a Son
05:39 The Friend Who Put Psalm 121 to Music
06:04 The God Who Never Sleeps
06:34 Living in the Shade of God
07:16 The Moon, Madness & a Sound Mind
07:40 Harm Doesn't Mean No Hurt
08:05 Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love
08:31 Psalm 121 at My Father's Deathbed
09:26 Face Your Hills & Lift Your Eyes
09:48 My Help Comes From the Lord

Should you pray every line of every Psalm?

In this reflection on Psalm 109, John Ortberg tackles one of the most difficult passages in the Bible—and offers one of the most freeing insights of the entire Psalms series.

What do we do with prayers that sound angry, vengeful, or even shocking?

Drawing on the work of René Girard, John explains that the Psalms are not polished theological essays. They are honest prayers in process. They teach us how to bring our real emotions into God's presence without pretending, suppressing, or acting on them.

This episode explores:
- Psalm 109 and the imprecatory psalms
- Why the Bible gives voice to victims
- The difference between words and actions
- Internal processors vs. external processors
- Why prayer is a journey, not a performance
- How Jesus Himself prayed the Psalms

Scriptures:
- Psalm 109
- Psalms 113–118
- Matthew 5:43–48
- Matthew 26:30

#Psalm109 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Psalms #RenéGirard #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HonestPrayer #Jesus

📚 Today's Resources:
René Girard, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning 
Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird  
Lewis Smedes, Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve 

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

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Music Credits:
Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson - License # MB01LXS9AQLSJGH

What does it really cost to follow Jesus?

In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Jesus' most misunderstood invitations: "Count the cost." Drawing from Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart, he explains why discipleship is not an emotional decision but a thoughtful one. More importantly, he asks a question many of us rarely consider: What is the cost of not following Jesus?
Discover why surrender isn't the loss of life, but the pathway to the greatest treasure you'll ever find.

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
TEXT us at 51504
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Music Credits:
Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH

This episode was originally released in January 2022.
Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT

For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

What if doing whatever you want doesn't actually make you free?

In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Dallas Willard's most profound ideas from The Renovation of the Heart: true freedom isn't the ability to satisfy every desire. It's becoming the kind of person who desires what is good and has the strength to live it out.

Discover why self-denial is not the enemy of freedom, how envy quietly steals our joy, and why the path Jesus offers leads to the deepest kind of human flourishing.

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
TEXT us at 51504
EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com

GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe
GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504
SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team
DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides

😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/
🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/

Music Credits:
Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH

This episode was originally released in January 2022.
Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT

For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226

Is Christianity about becoming a better version of yourself?

In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Dallas Willard's most challenging and hope-filled ideas from The Renovation of the Heart: the ruined life isn't meant to be enhanced, but replaced. Discover why self-denial isn't about self-hatred, why Jesus calls us to lose our lives in order to find them, and how true transformation goes far beyond self-improvement.

If you've ever wondered what Jesus really meant by "deny yourself," this conversation offers a hopeful vision of the new life God desires to create in every believer.

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
TEXT us at 51504
EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com

GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe
GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504
SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team
DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides

😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/
🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/

Music Credits:
Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson, License #MB01LXS9AQLSJGH

This episode was originally released in January 2022.
Find all episodes from this series (Become New) here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Egad-Un8UFQxspz4fgd8L6D3GUFridT

For more from Dallas Willard check out The Dallas Willard Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2373226