Become New with John Ortberg

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Become New with John Ortberg

Become New

1006 episodes

14 hours ago

Today, John explores the surprising timing of gratitude. When does gratitude matter the most? When something good happens? When life goes right? Scripture gives a very different answer. Drawing from Paul’s words in Philippians 4 and 1 Thessalonians 5—and powerful reflections from Karl Barth, Kate Bowler, and the Psalms—John shows why the key moment for gratitude is right now, no matter your circumstances. Not because everything is good, but because God is God in this moment. You’ll hear sto...

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Religion & Spirituality

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Today, John explores the surprising timing of gratitude. When does gratitude matter the most? When something good happens? When life goes right? Scripture gives a very different answer. Drawing from Paul’s words in Philippians 4 and 1 Thessalonians 5—and powerful reflections from Karl Barth, Kate Bowler, and the Psalms—John shows why the key moment for gratitude is right now, no matter your circumstances. Not because everything is good, but because God is God in this moment. You’ll hear sto...

Show more...

Religion & Spirituality

Episodes (20/1006)

Become New with John Ortberg

6. The RIGHT Moment for Gratitude

Today, John explores the surprising timing of gratitude. When does gratitude matter the most? When something good happens? When life goes right? Scripture gives a very different answer. Drawing from Paul’s words in Philippians 4 and 1 Thessalonians 5—and powerful reflections from Karl Barth, Kate Bowler, and the Psalms—John shows why the key moment for gratitude is right now, no matter your circumstances. Not because everything is good, but because God is God in this moment. You’ll hear sto...

15 hours ago

11 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

5. Why Gratitude Might Just Save Your Life (Eventually)

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...

3 days ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

4. Why Gratitude Is Not About Feeling Good

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...

4 days ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

3. How Fake Gratitude Can Lead to Real Joy

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...

5 days ago

13 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

2. Practicing Gratitude Every Day

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...

6 days ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

1. Thank God You're Here: How Feeling Unworthy Makes You More Grateful

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...

1 week ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

How to Live in the Light of God

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...

1 week ago

11 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

How to ACTUALLY Seek the Kingdom of God

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 ...

1 week ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

What Crime and Punishment Taught Me About the Burden of Being Loved

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...

1 week ago

13 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

Why You Should Stop Trying So Hard

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 ...

1 week ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

You Can Choose Who You're Becoming

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, ...

2 weeks ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

How to Forgive When You CAN'T Forget

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 ...

2 weeks ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

How Jesus Taught Habit Formation

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...

2 weeks ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

God Is Not a Control Freak (And You Don’t Have to Be Either)

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...

2 weeks ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

How to Overcome Self-criticism and Accept Your Body

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...

2 weeks ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

Why Mental Health Isn't Enough

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...

3 weeks ago

12 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

41. The True Meaning of "Jesus Christ Is Lord" (Philippians 2 Explained)

“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 ...

3 weeks ago

14 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

40. God Will Meet All Your Needs

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....

3 weeks ago

11 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

39. The Secret to Being Content in Every Circumstance (w/Nancy Ortberg)

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 ...

4 weeks ago

10 minutes

Become New with John Ortberg

38. How Religion Can Make People Worse (and what to do about it)

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...

1 month ago

14 minutes