What actually creates a peaceful life?

In this teaching on Psalm 15, John Ortberg explores the ancient biblical vision of an “unshakable” life — a life rooted in goodness, grace, truth, and the presence of God.

Psalm 15 asks:
“Who may dwell on your holy mountain?”

The answer turns out to be both beautiful and deeply challenging.

Along the way, John reflects on:

Why peace is more than a feeling
The connection between character and stability
Gossip, envy, greed, ego, and emotional formation
Positive psychology and virtue
What kind of people we become through daily choices
Why “the good life is with God”

This episode is practical, thoughtful, convicting, and hopeful all at once.

Scriptures:

Psalm 15
Matthew 6:33
Luke 23:39–43

#Psalm15 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Peace #Character #BibleStudy #Psalms #formation

🙌 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 Introduction & The Mountain of Peace
00:42 Why Most People Misunderstand Peace
01:21 “Who May Dwell on Your Holy Mountain?”
01:50 Do We Actually Want Life With God?
02:11 The “Sin Room” Illustration
03:01 The Other Gods We Run After
03:41 The Question Psalm 15 Answers
03:48 “The One Whose Walk Is Blameless…”
04:38 Positive Psychology & Human Flourishing
05:21 Speaking the Truth From the Heart
06:09 Slander, Gossip & the Spiritual Life
06:28 Who Is My Neighbor?
07:32 Who Do You Admire?
08:34 Commitments, Oaths & Faithfulness
09:15 Generosity & Stewardship
09:46 “Whoever Does These Things Will Never Be Shaken”
10:17 Peace, Praise & Character Formation
11:05 What If TSA Tested Character?
11:21 Grace, Failure & the Thief on the Cross
11:52 The Invitation to the Holy Mountain

What’s the one thing that would make today a good day?
Psalm 16 says it’s simpler—and deeper—than you think.

In this teaching, John Ortberg walks through Psalm 16 and introduces a powerful idea: your life-scape—the inner world where your thoughts, desires, and attention live.

Most of us drift through our days reacting to whatever comes. But Psalm 16 invites us to something different: “I have set the Lord always before me.”

In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What shapes your inner life (your “life-scape”)
- Why chasing “other gods” leads to restlessness
- How to center your day around one transforming focus
- What it means to live with a steady, unshaken heart

This is a practical invitation to live today with clarity, presence, and purpose.


📚 Today's Resources:

Sam Storms, One Thing: Developing a Passion for the Beauty of God
Jenn Johnson, “Goodness of God” @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FBb6hnwTo
Søren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing

🙌 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 – Opening Prayer
00:20 – What Is Your “Life-Scape”?
00:46 – Psalm 16: The One Thing
01:07 – The “City Slickers” Illustration
01:34 – What Shapes Your Inner World
02:16 – The Illusion of Life Without Purpose
03:06 – The Search for “One Thing”
03:33 – What Scripture Says the One Thing Is
03:55 – “You Are My Lord” (Psalm 16)
04:19 – The Danger of Other “Gods”
04:44 – Modern Idols (Reputation, Ego, Control)
05:05 – “You Are My Portion”
05:30 – Living Where You Actually Are
06:02 – God Speaks Through Your Heart
06:51 – How God Guides Your Thoughts
07:38 – Recognizing God’s Voice
08:04 – “I Set the Lord Always Before Me”
08:18 – Jesus: “Seek First the Kingdom”
08:49 – The Freedom to Choose Your Focus
09:09 – Practicing God’s Presence
09:27 – A Story of Unexpected Grace
10:04 – Becoming a Blessing to Others
10:19 – What It Means to Be Unshaken
10:55 – God Will Not Abandon You
11:08 – The Path of Life
11:27 – Joy in God’s Presence
11:47 – Final Prayer: Walk With God Today

Ever feel stuck in your thoughts… and don’t know how to pray?

Here’s a simple, practical method that actually works.

In this teaching, John Ortberg walks through a powerful and practical way to pray your emotions using Psalm 57.

Adapted from psychological insights and grounded in Scripture, this ABCD prayer method helps you move from anxiety and rumination to clarity, trust, and peace.

You’ll learn how to:
- Identify what’s actually triggering you
- Name the beliefs driving your emotions
- Understand why your feelings feel so strong
- Reframe your thoughts with truth
- Move into a place of steadiness and action

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to talk to God honestly—this gives you a clear path forward.


📚 Today's Resources:
Martin Seligman - referenced for the ABC model/framework John adapted into prayer and the Psalms
Mark Twain - quote: “I have lived through terrible sufferings, horrible events, some of which actually happened.”

🙌 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 – Opening Prayer
00:20 – Why We Struggle to Pray Honestly
00:46 – A Practical Method for Prayer
01:13 – Psalm 57: David in the Cave
01:35 – What Is Your “Cave”?
02:07 – Step A: Antecedent (What Triggered You?)
03:01 – Why Negative Moments Drive Prayer
03:27 – Real-Life Examples (Wallet, Mistakes, Fear)
04:10 – Step B: Beliefs (What Are You Thinking?)
05:02 – Why Writing Matters
05:20 – Naming Fear-Based Beliefs
06:17 – Step C: Consequences (Your Emotions)
06:42 – How Beliefs Drive Feelings
07:08 – Recognizing Emotional Impact
07:47 – Step D: Dispute (Challenge Your Beliefs)
08:08 – Reframing With Truth
08:32 – “Most of My Fears Never Happened”
08:56 – Living One Day at a Time
09:21 – Step E: Energize (New Direction)
09:47 – “My Heart Is Steadfast”
10:11 – From Anxiety → Stability
10:17 – Anticipating God’s Presence
10:43 – Building Life on God’s Faithfulness
11:03 – Putting It All Together
11:28 – God Works in the Cave
11:49 – Final Encouragement