Become New with John Ortberg

Become New
  • 4.7 (13)
  • Spirituality
  • Updated Daily

Join John Ortberg each day for 10 minutes of spiritual guidance on the person we are becoming.

  1. 11 hrs ago

    54. Does Prayer Actually Change Anything?

    If God already knows everything... why pray? In this reflection on Psalm 74, John Ortberg wrestles with one of the oldest questions about prayer. Can our prayers actually matter? Drawing on insights from Walter Brueggemann and Dallas Willard, John explores the difference between the ancient philosophical idea of the "Unmoved Mover" and the God revealed in Scripture—the God who listens, responds, and is deeply moved by His people. This episode explores: - Psalm 74 and communal lament - Psalms of orientation and disorientation - Why the church needs lament - God's unchanging character and responsive heart - Dallas Willard's "Most Moved Mover" - Why your prayers matter Scriptures: - Psalm 74 #psalm74  #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #WalterBrueggemann #DallasWillard #Lament #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #God 📚 Today's Resources: Walter Brueggemann, Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit  Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy  🙌 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: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF  00:00 Does Prayer Change God?  00:30 Why Pray If God Already Knows?  01:24 Psalm 74 & Communal Lament  02:03 Psalms of Orientation & Disorientation  02:40 "Why Have You Rejected Us?"  03:34 Remembering God's Faithfulness  03:59 Walter Brueggemann on Lament  05:25 The God Who Suffers With Us  06:21 Is God Really Unchangeable?  07:07 Dallas Willard's Community of Prayerful Love  08:13 The Most Moved Mover  09:00 The Unmoved Mover vs. the God of the Bible  10:03 Jesus Reveals God's Heart  11:03 Bring God Your Disorientation  12:02 Enter Into Another Person's Lament

    54. Does Prayer Actually Change Anything?

  2. 1d ago

    53. The Surprising Cure for Loneliness

    What if the cure for loneliness isn't finding more people... but learning to be alone? In this reflection on Psalm 139, John Ortberg explores one of the deepest realities of being human: our longing to be fully known and never abandoned. Drawing on the wisdom of Dallas Willard, John explains why we spend so much energy avoiding solitude—and why silence may actually become the place where we discover God's loving presence most deeply. This episode explores: Psalm 139 and being fully known by God - The difference between aloneness and loneliness - Why we distract ourselves with constant noise - Dallas Willard's "strange cure for loneliness" - Romans 8 and God's inseparable love - How solitude leads to deeper community Scriptures: - Psalm 139 - Romans 8:35–39 - Hebrews 13:5 #Psalm139 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #Loneliness #Solitude #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #GodKnowsYou 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard, Hearing God  Ludie Day Pickett, “Never Alone” Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy   🙌 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: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Strange Cure for Loneliness 00:30 Psalm 139 Begins 01:01 You Have Searched Me and Know Me 01:47 God Knows Every Moment 02:16 Even There, You Are Present 02:49 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 03:23 Holding My Newborn Daughter 04:28 Dallas Willard's Story of Aloneness 05:17 The Human Condition of Being Alone 06:26 God Can Go Where No One Else Can 07:01 Never Alone 07:56 Why We Distract Ourselves 08:41 The Cure for Loneliness 09:19 Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love 10:05 God Already Knows 10:33 Present to the Presence 11:06 Solitude Leads to Community 11:32 You Are Never Alone

    53. The Surprising Cure for Loneliness

  3. 2d ago

    52. Does God Feel Far Away?

    What do you do when you feel completely forsaken? In this reflection on Psalm 22, John Ortberg explores one of the most haunting prayers in all of Scripture: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" These are not only the words of the psalmist—they are the words Jesus prayed from the cross. John explores the unique pain of abandonment, the difference between explanation and healing, and the remarkable hope hidden in one tiny word that many of us overlook: "My." This episode explores: - Psalm 22 and the experience of forsakenness - Why abandonment wounds so deeply - Jesus' cry from the cross - The man with the withered hand - The difference between explanation and healing - The hope found in belonging to God even in our darkest moments Scriptures: - Psalm 22 - Matthew 27 - Mark 15 - Mark 3 - Isaiah 53 #Psalm22 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Jesus #Cross #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Hope #Suffering 📚 Today's Resources: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri 🙌 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: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 The Deepest Prayer in Scripture  00:36 Psalm 22 Begins  01:21 What It Means to Be Forsaken  02:09 Why Forsakenness Hurts So Deeply  03:07 The Question That Won't Go Away  04:06 It's a Cry for Healing  04:43 The Man With the Withered Hand  05:07 God-Forsaken  06:20 The Fellowship of the Withered Hand  06:52 Jesus Prays Psalm 22  07:50 The Cross & Complete Forsakenness  08:16 One Little Word Changes Everything  08:50 "My God..."  09:42 He Is Still My God  10:18 Meeting Jesus in Our Deepest Pain  11:06 When the Prayer Becomes Simply... "My God"

    52. Does God Feel Far Away?

  4. 3d ago

    51. This Law Explains the Whole Bible (Psalm 113)

    Who really gets the good stuff? In this reflection on Psalm 113, John Ortberg explores what Dallas Willard called the Law of Inversion—one of the great themes running through the entire Bible. Again and again, God overturns the world's prestige system. The first become last. The overlooked become honored. The humble are lifted up. From Abel to Jacob, Hannah to Mary, the Beatitudes to Jesus washing His disciples' feet, Scripture tells one remarkable story: God's kingdom operates differently. This episode explores: - Psalm 113 and God's care for the overlooked - The Law of Inversion - The world's pecking order - Hannah's prayer and Mary's Magnificat - The Beatitudes - Jesus' upside-down kingdom - Why every person has access to "the good stuff" Scriptures: - Psalm 113 - Genesis - Exodus 15 - 1 Samuel 2 - Luke 1 - Matthew 5 - John 13 - Philippians 2 #Psalm113 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #KingdomOfGod #Beatitudes #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Humility 🙌 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: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Who Gets the Good Stuff?  00:35 Psalm 113 Begins  01:15 God Raises the Poor From the Dust  01:40 The World's Prestige System  02:10 Dallas Willard's Law of Inversion  02:30 Cain, Abel & the First Reversal  02:53 Jacob, Joseph & God's Pattern  04:00 Miriam's Song of Victory  04:21 Hannah's Prayer  05:16 Mary's Magnificat  06:05 The Pecking Order Explained  07:21 Jesus Turns the World Upside Down  08:07 The Beatitudes & the Blessed Life  09:33 Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet  09:56 The Great Law of the Kingdom  10:26 Remember: You Are Blessed  10:53 See People the Way God Does  11:16 Live the Law of Inversion

    51. This Law Explains the Whole Bible (Psalm 113)

  5. 6d ago

    50. These Two Words Will Change Your Life

    What if the two most freeing words you could say are: "I can't." In this reflection on Psalm 143, John Ortberg explores why admitting our limitations isn't failure—it's the beginning of faith. Through a humorous story about assembling a chair, the story of Elijah's exhaustion, and a fresh look at Philippians 4:13, John reminds us that we were never meant to carry life on our own. This episode explores: - Psalm 143 and praying from weakness - Why self-sufficiency is a spiritual trap - Elijah's burnout and God's compassion - "The journey is too much for you" - A better understanding of Philippians 4:13 - Why "I can't" opens the door to God's strength Scriptures: - Psalm 143 - 1 Kings 19 - Psalm 127:1 - Philippians 4:13 #Psalm143 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Faith #DependenceOnGod #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #SpiritualFormation #Philippians413 #Hope 📚 Today's Resources: Gerald F. Hawthorne, World Biblical Commentary: Philippians  🙌 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: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Two Words That Can Change Your Life  00:23 Psalm 143 Begins  00:59 My Spirit Grows Faint  01:52 Teach Me the Way I Should Go  02:14 The Barrel Nut Story  03:11 Two Life-Changing Words: "I Can't"  03:59 What You Cannot Control  05:06 Why We Need God  05:31 Elijah's Exhaustion  06:03 "The Journey Is Too Much for You"  06:58 Unless the Lord Builds the House  07:19 Rethinking Philippians 4:13  08:04 "I Can Face All Things"  08:38 I Can't. He Can.  09:00 The Honest Prayer of Psalm 143

    50. These Two Words Will Change Your Life

  6. Jul 9

    49. Why God Doesn’t Reveal Everything At Once

    Is denial always a bad thing? In this reflection on Psalm 39, John Ortberg explores one of the Bible's strangest prayers: "Look away from me." Why would anyone pray that? Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard, Søren Kierkegaard, and Greg Ten Elshof, John explains the surprising difference between healthy denial and unhealthy denial, and why God often reveals truth gradually rather than all at once. This episode explores: - Psalm 39 and radical honesty - Why Job, Peter, and Jonah wanted distance from God - Healthy vs. unhealthy denial - Self-deception and procrastination - Why Jesus said, "You cannot bear it now" - The grace of gradual transformation Scriptures: - Psalm 39 - Job 7 - Luke 5 - Jonah 1 - John 16 #psalm39  #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #SelfDeception #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Truth #Healing 📚 Today's Resources: Gregg A. Ten Elshof, I Told Me So: Self-Deception and the Christian Life  Søren Kierkegaard, The Sickness Unto Death  Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart  🙌 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: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF  00:00 One of the Strangest Prayers in the Bible  00:33 Why We Need Denial  00:59 Psalm 39 Begins  01:22 Silence Isn't the Goal  02:12 "Look Away From Me"  02:51 Job's Similar Prayer  03:40 Peter & Jonah Run From God  04:29 How Self-Deception Works  05:08 "I'll Deal With It Later"  05:35 Kierkegaard on Denial  06:13 "You Cannot Bear It Now"  06:58 Dallas Willard on Healthy Denial  08:05 "You Can't Handle the Truth"  08:50 Healthy vs. Unhealthy Denial  10:30 Are You Ready to See?  11:16 God Reveals Truth With Love  11:57 Denial Is an Emergency Brake

    49. Why God Doesn’t Reveal Everything At Once

  7. Jul 8

    48. The Opposite of Fear Isn't Courage

    Is the opposite of fear really courage? In this reflection on Psalm 27, John Ortberg offers a surprising answer: No. The opposite of fear is God’s presence. Drawing on the wisdom of Dallas Willard, John explains why Jesus could repeatedly tell His followers, "Do not be afraid," and what that invitation actually means. This episode explores: - Psalm 27 and trusting God - Why courage isn't the ultimate antidote to fear - The difference between emotional states and character traits - The powerful "Then what?" exercise - A practical prayer for anxious moments - Learning to be hidden in God's presence Scriptures: - Psalm 27 - Exodus - Esther - Matthew 1 - 1 Samuel 17 #Psalm27 #JohnOrtberg #Fear #TrustGod #Prayer #DallasWillard #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Anxiety 📚 Today's Resources: The Big Book of AA, Step 4 🙌 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: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Fear Isn't the Real Problem  00:47 The Opposite of Fear Isn't Courage  01:15 Was Jesus Nuts?  01:43 Psalm 27 Begins  02:18 The Lord Is My Light and Salvation  02:44 Hidden in God  03:08 God Is the Antidote to Fear  03:33 State vs. Trait  04:43 Becoming a Courageous Person  05:33 Fear Not Doesn't Mean Feel Nothing  06:14 Moses, Esther & Joseph  06:41 What Are You Afraid Of?  07:18 The 12-Step Prayer About Fear  08:01 The Great White Shark Story  08:48 "Then What?"  10:25 Bringing Fear to God  11:17 Take Action, Then Trust God  11:40 The Lord Is My Light and Salvation

    48. The Opposite of Fear Isn't Courage

  8. Jul 7

    47. What God Actually Wants

    What actually makes someone a good person? In this reflection on Psalm 51, John Ortberg explores one of the most important differences between religion and the teaching of Jesus. David doesn't simply pray, "Forgive my sins." He prays, "Create in me a clean heart." Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard and the remarkable story of Joni Eareckson Tada, John explains why God is after something far deeper than behavior modification. He wants transformation from the inside out. This episode explores: - Psalm 51 and David's prayer - The difference between behavior and the heart - Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount - Why outward obedience isn't enough - Joni Eareckson Tada's powerful insight about sin - Becoming the kind of person who naturally desires what is good Scriptures: - Psalm 51 - Matthew 5 - Matthew 23 - 2 Samuel 11–12 #Psalm51 #JohnOrtberg #JoniEarecksonTada #DallasWillard #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HeartTransformation #SermonOnTheMount 📚 Today's Resources: Dallas Willard Joni Eareckson Tada 🙌 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: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What Does God Really Want?  00:44 The Most Misunderstood Part of the Spiritual Life  01:32 Psalm 51 & David's Prayer  02:15 Create in Me a Clean Heart  03:04 What Makes Someone a Good Person?  03:41 Jesus vs. Behavior Modification  04:43 Lust, the Heart & the Sermon on the Mount  05:18 Why Jesus Talks About Gouging Out Your Eye  06:08 Reductio ad Absurdum Explained  06:57 Meet Joni Eareckson Tada  07:50 "Sin Was an Attitude as Much as an Act"  09:20 The Prayer We All Need  09:48 Stop White-Knuckling Your Faith  10:34 God Wants to Change Your Desires  11:01 Love, Joy & Peace Begin in the Heart

    47. What God Actually Wants
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Join John Ortberg each day for 10 minutes of spiritual guidance on the person we are becoming.

Information

  • Creator
    Become New
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Become New with John Ortberg
  • Show Website
    Become New with John Ortberg

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