45 Days of Faith
91 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratings45 Days of Faith is a daily leap of faith through written and audio devotionals for families and individuals of all ages from bestselling author, Pastor Michael DiMarco. The first “season” is 45 Days of Faithfulness which is suggested as a yearly lead up to Easter starting the Monday prior to Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Listening every Monday through Saturday every week leading up to Easter makes 45 days. Season Two is 45 Days of Thankfulness, perfect for starting early in November ending on Christmas Day.
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Episodes
Day 45: Easter Eggs, Faithfulness, and We are Done, Thank You Very Much
December 25, 2019 07:53 - 3 minutes - 4.95 MBFor by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 Well, this is it; the 45th day of thankfulness! If you’ve held on this long, you’re probably the type of […]
Day 44: Making a List, Checking it Twice, and Overlooked Gifts
December 24, 2019 07:01 - 3 minutes - 5.37 MBBut now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23 When I was a kid, I would make a […]
Day 43: Elephants, Finish Lines, and an Appetite of Thankfulness
December 23, 2019 07:26 - 5 minutes - 7.09 MBDo you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as […]
Day 42: Failure, Pride, and the Luxury of Misery
December 21, 2019 07:18 - 6 minutes - 8.76 MBPride cannot trust God. The posture of trust is too weak. Too dependent. It calls too much attention to the strength and wisdom of another. Trusting God is the heartbeat of humility, the opposite of pride. John Piper There are few greater luxuries than misery. Does that sound right? Indulging in the luxury of misery, […]
Day 41: Pain, Suffering, and the Perfect Gift
December 20, 2019 07:50 - 6 minutes - 8.46 MBDear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT In […]
Day 40: BFFs, Twins, and the Unthankfulness of Partiality
December 19, 2019 07:11 - 6 minutes - 8.45 MBIf you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:8-10 A […]
Day 39: Braveheart, Freedom, and Thieves of Thankfulness
December 18, 2019 07:55 - 6 minutes - 8.79 MBFor this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:15-16 In the movie Braveheart, William Wallace gave his ragtag group of Scotsmen a […]
Day 38: Oceans, Nutshells, and the Awesomeness of Creation
December 17, 2019 07:05 - 3 minutes - 5.23 MB“But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you. Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of […]
Day 37: Grief, Gratitude, and Wrestling with the Dark
December 16, 2019 07:33 - 5 minutes - 6.87 MBWe were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, ‘Blessed are they that mourn,’ and I accept it. I’ve got nothing that I hadn’t bargained for. Of course it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination. C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed […]
Day 36: Firings, Rejection, and the Thankfulness of Letting Go
December 14, 2019 07:02 - 5 minutes - 8.11 MBAs you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 A friend of mine wrote a business book with short […]
Day 35: =Good Guilt, Bad Guilt, and the Thankfulness of Forgiveness
December 13, 2019 07:34 - 5 minutes - 7.91 MBFor godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 What if I told you you could live a guilt-free life? Would you do it? Wanting to live a guilt-free life is wanting Heaven on Earth when we are still sinning, still far less from […]
Day 34: Tech Support, Hackers, and Who Gets the Good News
December 12, 2019 07:52 - 5 minutes - 7.02 MBContinue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to […]
Day 33: Sleep, Busyness, and the Thankfulness of Rest
December 11, 2019 07:37 - 5 minutes - 6.92 MBJesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the […]
Day 32: Temptation, Future Failure, and Where Sin Starts
December 10, 2019 07:00 - 5 minutes - 8.01 MBBut each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. JAMES 1:14-15 Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, “Minority Report” is an action-detective thriller set in Washington […]
Day 31: Limited Menus, Critics, and the Root of Unthankfulness
December 09, 2019 07:34 - 5 minutes - 7.6 MBAnd the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into […]
Day 30: Barometers, Worship, and Idols that Steal our Thankfulness
December 07, 2019 07:28 - 5 minutes - 7.9 MBOh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3 Growing up watching a lot of TV during a […]
Day 29: Penpals, Persistence, and the Idol of Comfort
December 06, 2019 07:45 - 5 minutes - 6.93 MBAsk, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 When I was in elementary school, long before the Internet and back when phones were […]
Day 28: Workaholism, Service, and the One Thing that Matters
December 05, 2019 07:26 - 5 minutes - 7.02 MBBut the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:40-42 NLT Have you ever heard of the term “workaholic?” The term workaholism was […]
Day 27: Hoarders, Mind Clutter, and Breeding Grounds for Discontentment
December 04, 2019 07:47 - 7 minutes - 9.97 MBBut godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Have you ever seen the TV show “Hoarders?” It’s an uncomfortable watch for me. I don’t mind clutter; if you could only see […]
Day 26: Log Trucks, FOMO, and Risking for the Glory of God
December 03, 2019 07:25 - 6 minutes - 9.18 MBFor why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 The first big risk I took (according […]
Day 25: Chunky Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Dressing, and Grace like Gravy
December 02, 2019 07:03 - 4 minutes - 6.29 MBAbove all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9 Since we’re 25 days into our 45 Days of Thankfulness, we might as well talk about the holiday that is all about giving thanks: Arbor Day. That’s right, it’s when we go up […]
Day 24: Keeping it 100, Judge Judy, and Pursuing Truth with Grace
November 30, 2019 07:14 - 5 minutes - 8.19 MBThomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:5-6 Not too long ago, people would use the phrase, “keeping it […]
Day 23: Facebook, Friendships, and Faith from a Pure Heart
November 29, 2019 07:41 - 6 minutes - 8.27 MBHaving purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 1 Peter 1:22 How many friends do you have? When I was in high school, I would’ve probably answered that I had around 15 good friends and 100 acquaintances. Sure I knew a […]
Day 22: Ben Franklin, To-Do Lists, and Living a Focused Life
November 28, 2019 07:58 - 5 minutes - 8.03 MBI thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at […]
Day 21: Tiggers, Sinful Hearts, and Pleasing God with our Imperfect Love
November 27, 2019 07:38 - 5 minutes - 8.01 MBIf we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 Meet Rosey– she’s a golden doodle which means she’s half golden retriever and half poodle. […]
Day 20: Rivers, One Percent, and an Overflowing Heart
November 26, 2019 07:30 - 4 minutes - 5.75 MBOn the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’“ John 7:37-38 Did you know that the Egyptians were the first people to record methods for […]
Day 19: Falling Bridges, Death Rays, and God’s Biggest Failure
November 25, 2019 07:54 - 5 minutes - 7.33 MBFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 Do you ever watch fail videos online? If you’re […]
Day 18: Afflictions, Stranger Danger, and Praising God on Repeat
November 23, 2019 07:49 - 4 minutes - 5.66 MBWhen the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:17-20 Do you […]
Day 17: First Crushes, First Relationships, and Treasuring the Present
November 22, 2019 07:27 - 5 minutes - 7.18 MBAnd let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 Do you remember the first time you had a crush? I certainly do. It was in the late 70s, she was a redhead with a streak of white which was unusual for her age. […]
Day 16: Worksheets, Growth Spurts, and Practice, Practice, Practice
November 21, 2019 07:23 - 4 minutes - 6.3 MBFinally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace […]
Day 15: Cassettes, Clumsiness, and Calculating Forgiveness
November 20, 2019 07:00 - 4 minutes - 6.71 MBThen Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21–22 Before streaming services on smart phones, before iPods and MP3 players, […]
Day 14: Salsa, Surrender, and Thankfulness in Defeat
November 19, 2019 07:51 - 4 minutes - 6.41 MBI appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 One of my favorite restaurants close to home is a Mexican place called Cinco de Mayo. I love their endless chips, salsa, and a […]
Day 13: Temptation, Meal Thieves, and the Escape of Thankfulness
November 18, 2019 11:57 - 4 minutes - 6.13 MBNo temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Cor. 10:13 I’d like to introduce you to one […]
Day 12: Knock Knock Jokes, Good Works, and Missed Opportunities
November 16, 2019 07:52 - 4 minutes - 6.39 MBAnd let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 My daughter’s favorite (okay, it’s really my favorite) knock-knock joke when she was little […]
Day 11: DeLoreans, Disgusting Dogs, and Letting Go of the Past
November 15, 2019 07:57 - 5 minutes - 7.43 MBFor if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14–15 In the 1980s sci-fi classic movie, Back to the Future, teen Marty McFly is thrown back in time to the 1950s when an […]
Day 10: Fear, Stupid Baby Tricks, and the Perfect Love of God
November 14, 2019 07:48 - 5 minutes - 6.97 MBThere is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19 I will forever be grateful to my old softball buddy Dan for showing me a trick that provided a major […]
Day 9: Drive-ins, Focus, and the Point of the Plot
November 13, 2019 07:50 - 5 minutes - 6.97 MBSo we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen […]
Day 8: Canoes, Invisible Obstacles, and Being Thankful for Humiliation
November 12, 2019 07:10 - 4 minutes - 5.88 MBBut when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be […]
Day 7: Celery Sticks, Twinkies, and the Unbelievable Trade
November 11, 2019 07:11 - 4 minutes - 6.68 MBFor our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 5:21–6:1 Growing up and going to public schools, we had two […]
Day 6: Colic, Skinned Knees, and a God Who Understands
November 09, 2019 07:07 - 4 minutes - 5.75 MBGive ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. Psalm 5:1-3 When you were born, […]
Day 5: Personal Pizzas, BeanBoozled, and the Goodness of God
November 08, 2019 07:01 - 4 minutes - 5.87 MBOh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:8-10 I like to […]
Day 4: Dominoes, Control, and the Will of God
November 07, 2019 07:13 - 4 minutes - 5.94 MBTrust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 Have you ever played with dominoes? I’m not talking about the game where you get tiles and match them with your opponent’s tiles to see […]
Day 3: IKEA, YouTube, and the Word of God
November 06, 2019 07:04 - 4 minutes - 6.01 MBAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Have you ever received a gift or made a purchase of something that you couldn’t wait to use, only to discover you had […]
Day 2: College Jobs, Burnt Toast, and Conditional Thankfulness
November 05, 2019 04:24 - 4 minutes - 6.07 MBRejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 In college, I paid much of my way through school waiting tables in a restaurant. Being a food server meant I made very little money per hour from my employer […]
Day 1: Gratitude, Gobstoppers, and the Everlasting Love of God
November 03, 2019 22:34 - 3 minutes - 5.43 MBOh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Psalm 107:1-3 In the children’s book, […]
Day 45: Holidays, Evel Knievel, and Scotch Tape
April 20, 2019 05:52 - 4 minutes - 6.67 MBMy favorite holiday growing up had to be Christmas. What's not to like? School was always out, there was lots of candy and baked goods lying around, and let's not forget about the presents! And even though we were a family of eight and my parents didn't have much money, they always made sure we had a lot of presents to open even if they we're very impressive or extravagant.
Day 44: Birth, New Purpose, and Super Sight
April 19, 2019 05:03 - 4 minutes - 6.15 MBWhen I was young, there was a story about a handsome and athletic astronaut who was seriously injured when his spaceship crashed. Barely alive, the government rushes him into a top secret and experimental surgery where the doctors and scientists give him two new legs, one arm, and one eye; all mechanical but with enhanced and super human strength, speed, and telescopic sight.
Day 43: Mirrors, Alexa, and Fasting From Self
April 18, 2019 05:02 - 4 minutes - 5.82 MBOut of all the classic children’s stories that have made it into Disney movies, there’s one particular home furnishing in one of those stories that is unforgettable to me: the talking mirror in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. You know the one; the evil queen keeps asking the mirror who’s the fairest one of all and faster than she can say Siri or Alexa, she gets her answer.
Day 42: Dogs, Chasing Cars, and Forgiveness
April 17, 2019 05:36 - 4 minutes - 5.75 MBGrowing up as a kid my family always had at least one dog. I still have a great love of dogs. We currently have four now! So it makes sense that one of my favorite books growing up was about a dog; a big red dog named Clifford. Clifford was different from other dogs because he was so big, sometimes he appeared around 25 feet tall!
Day 41: Missiles, Glitches, and Listening to Your Gut
April 16, 2019 05:36 - 3 minutes - 5.41 MBStanislav Petrov isn’t a name you probably recognize, but he is one of the greatest decision-makers of the 20th century. Back in 1983, he was serving as a lieutenant for the Soviet Union Air Defense Forces during the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. During his overnight shift, his computer showed that five U.S. missiles were heading toward his homeland.