In this episode, I speak about the kinds of suffering we try and avoid and how we can use the grieving process to let go of our heavy burdens, when we are walking on the narrow path to new life.

Suffering is one of the aspects of our walk with God that we find the hardest to understand and yet we are given many examples in the Scriptures of people who suffer, like Jonah, Jospeh and Job. We are told in the Letter to the Hebrews that Jesus was perfected by His suffering, so we can expect this to happen to us too.

We have a cloud of witnesses that attest to the necessity of the refining process that leads to our sanctification.

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Bible references:

Exodus 3 and 4, Moses’ call at the Burning Bush; Jonah 4, Anger of the prophet; Numbers 11:10-15, Moses asks to die; 1 Kings 19:1-4, Elijah asks to die; Matthew 7:13-14, Narrow Gate and Path; Psalm 66:10-12, Isaiah 48:10, Malachi 3:2-3, God refines His people; Hebrews 2:10, Jesus perfected through suffering; Colossians 3:3, You have died; Matthew 10:39 & 16:25, Lose life to find it; Romans 8:30 & 1 Corinthians 6:11, Justified & Sanctified; Romans 12:3, Don’t think too highly of yourself; Luke 15:11-32, Prodigal son returns; Hebrews 3:12, Warning against backsliding; 1 Peter 6-7, Testing of believers; Genesis 37-50, Story of Joseph; Psalm 105:16-19, The Word of the Lord tests Joseph; Exodus 50:15-21, Jospeh forgives his repentant brothers; 2 Corinthians 5:17, New creation in Jesus; 2 Peter 1:5-8, Character development; 2 Corinthians 13:5, Jesus in you, if you meet the test; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Deliver the unrepentant sinner over to Satan; 2 Corinthians 7:8-13, Godly grief leads to repentance; Romans 6:23, Wages of sin is death; Matthew 25:31-46 & Exodus 20:11-15, The final judgement; Matthew 19:25, Nothing impossible with God; 1 John 5:16-17, The sin that leads to death; Matthew 12:31-32, Unforgivable sin; Matthew 18:17-18, Treat them as a tax collector; Matthew 6:9-15 and Mark 11:24-25, Ephesians 4:32, Forgive and be forgiven; 1 John 1:9-10, If we confess sins He will forgive us; Luke 13:1-5, Repent or perish; Acts 4:32-5:11, Ananias and Sapphira; Job 7:11-21, I loath my life; John 3:19, People love the darkness; Psalm 139:11-12, Darkness is as light with you; Job 42, Job’s repentance and restoration; 1 Peter 2:9, Called into His glorious light; Psalm 43:3, The light of His truth; Psalm 39:7-13, Look away from me; Psalm 102:3-11, You have taken me up and thrown me down; Psalm 103, Bless the Lord O my soul; Psalm 37:28, The Lord loves justice; Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus separates sheep and goats; Luke 12:51, Jesus comes to bring division, not peace; Hebrews 12:4-11, God disciplines His children; Jeremiah 31 & 31, New covenant; Ezekiel 36 & 37, Valley of Dry Bones; Genesis 2:7, God breathes on Adam; Acts 2, Pentecost; John 14:15—27, Jesus promises us the Holy Spirit; John 20:19-23, Jesus breathes on Disciples; Mark 14:43-50, Disciples abandon Jesus; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 & 11:16-33, Paul’s persecutions; 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul foremost of sinners; Romans 7:15-24, Paul’s struggles with sin; 2 Corinthians 12:9, Jesus’ grace sufficient for us; Isaiah 43:1-2, God will be with us when we pass through the deep waters; Job 23:10, I will come out as gold; Hebrews 2:10-18, Jesus understands suffering; Matthew 27:46, Jesus cries, Why have you forsaken me?; Matthew 12:38-41, Sign of Jonah; Psalm 112:4, Light dawns in the darkness for the upright.

The Spirit is the one who teaches us about Jesus when He comes to dwell within us.

"But it is the Spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand." Job 32:8

Without the Spirit we are immature in Christ and can lack discernment, as we are told in the letter to the Hebrews.

The Holy Spirit renews our mind so we can understand spiritual things and He cleanses the intentions of our heart, so we no longer focus on worldly desires. Without the Spirit it can be hard to distinguish between our desires and God's will.

In this podcast we look at some of the people in the Bible who lacked discernment and were blinded by their own desires.

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BIBLE REFERENCES:

Romans 14:1, Don’t quarrel over opinions; Matthew 22:37, Love God with your mind; Colossians 1:28, Being mature in Christ; Romans 11:33, Depths of God’s wisdom; Luke 6:46-49, Putting Jesus’ teachings into practice; Acts 8:4-24, Simon the Magician; Deuteronomy 30:6, Hearts Circumcised; Acts 8:19-24, Simon’s intention of heart; Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius receives the Spirit; Acts 2, The Spirit falls on disciples at Pentecost; John 3:8, The Spirit’s will not our want; Hebrews 12:4-13, God’s training and discipline; Jeremiah 33:31-34 and Ezekiel 36:24-28, God gives us a new heart in the new covenant; Romans 10:9, Confess Jesus as Lord and be saved; Matthew 6:10, God’s will be done; Galatians 5:16-26, Walk in step with the Spirit, not flesh; Luke 6:45, Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; Luke 11:27-28, Blessed are those who her the word and do it; James 1:22-25, Hearers and Doers of the Word; Matthew 7:15-20, Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing; Hebrews 5:11-14, Practicing discernment; 2 Corinthians 11, Accepting “Super Apostles”; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Unrepentant sin in the church; Acts 17:2, Athenians wanting something new; Acts 19:2-7, The Spirit hadn’t come yet; John 3, Born again by the Spirit; Isaiah 6:8-10, Eyes but do not see; Isaiah 1:10-17, Vain worship; Isaiah 29:13, Hearts are far from God; Matthew 13:1-23, Parable of the Sower; Matthew 6:33, Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven; Exodus 20:17, Do not covet; Colossians 3:5, Coveting is idolatry; Colossians 3, New self and desires; Jeremiah 8:4-6, Rushing headlong into our desires; Romans 12:1-3, Don’t think too highly of yourself; John 15, Abide in His Word; James 1:21, His word planted within us; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, The Spirit reveals deeper truths; Job 32:8, Spirit in man that makes him understand; John 16:12-14, Holy Spirit as our teacher; James 1:5, Ask God for wisdom; 2 Corinthians 13:5-6, Examine yourselves; 1 John 4:1 and 1 Corinthians 2:10, Discerning different spirits; Isaiah 44:18-20 & Colossians 3:5 & Jonah 2:8, Romans 1:21-23 & Ephesians 4:17-19, Minds darkened by idolatry; 1 Kings 11, Solomon’s idolatry; 1 Samuel 17, David and Goliath; 1 Samuel 19 to 26, David runs from Saul; 1 Chronicles 14:8-17, David defeats the Philistines; 2 Samuel 11, David and Bathsheba; Psalm 51, David’s repentance; Matthew 1:1 & 21:9, Jesus called the Son of David; 1 Corinthians 6:19, Holy Spirit in us; Romans 8:9, Holy Spirit in us; 2 Corintians 13:5, Christ in us; Ephesians 3:17, Christ in our hearts; Colossians 1:27, Christ in you; 1 Peter 1:11, Spirit of Christ in you; 2 Corinthians 3:17, The Lord is the Spirit; 1 Corinthians 6:11, Jesus and Spirit sanctify us; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Spirit and truth sanctify us; 1 Timothy 2:3-4, God wants all to be saved; 2 Peter 3:9, God wants all to come to repentance; Luke 22:24, Not my will but your will be done; Philippians 2:13, God’s will and our will; 2 Corinthians 3:18, Transformed into Christ’s image; Colossians 3:10, Remade in Christ’s image; Romans 8:29, Being conformed to the image of the Son; Ephesians 4:24, New self created in God’s image; 1 John 2:15-17, Desires of flesh not from God; Philippians 3:20-21, We are citizens of heaven; Ephesians 4:17-24, Old Self, New Self; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Spirit is our teacher; Colossians 1:15, Jesus image of invisible God; Romans 8:29, Be conformed to His image; 2 Corinthians 3:18, Being transformed into His image

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

WEBSITE

For additional resources, contact info:

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The Book of Ecclesiastes is one of the wisdom books in the Bible. It centres around the futility of life and can seem like a strange book to be included in the scriptures, yet it perfectly reflects how many of us feel on a daily basis. The words of the "Preacher" help us to feel less alone in our despair and remind us to focus on God when life seems confusing. It's a book that many people neglect, so I have read it in full.

"The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh." Ecclesiastes 12:11:12

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• Book of Ecclesiastes - Summary (Bible Project, 8 mins)
• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

The Greek word used for "Fellowship" in the New Testament is "Koinonia". It means a deep spiritual partnership. We are to have fellowship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit and each other. This doesn't just mean being part of a church, praying, singing and talking to each other each week. This is an intimate relationship, where we support each other in suffering and encourage each other in our walk with God. This relationship has to be based in the truth in order to be effective.

Paul told the Corinthians to examine themselves to see if they were in the faith because their sinful behaviour testified against them. This practice of self-examination is not encouraged in a church setting today. Self-reflection is usually done alone, rather than with others. We may admit that we are all sinners, but we often use this blanket statement to cover a multitude of personal dysfunction that we would prefer not to acknowledge. This hidden dysfunction then bleeds into our communities and makes our fellowship one of darkness, not light.

Jesus' teaching about repentance and forgiveness sheds light on how we should treat dysfunctional people in our midst. But are we mature enough to hear what he is saying to us today?

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Bible references

Genesis 9:18-28 - Noah’s Descendants (Ham) Become Corrupt; Genesis 11:27- 12:5 - Abram’s call; Genesis 14:13 - Abram the Hebrew; Genesis 15:1-21 - God’s Covenant with Abraham; Genesis 18:1-19 - God promises Abraham a Son; Genesis 21:1-21 - Ishmael and Hagar cast out; Genesis 22:1-19 - Sacrifice of Issac; Genesis 25:19-34 - Esau gives up his birthright; Genesis 27:1-46 - Jacob is blessed by Issac and has to flee; Genesis 32:22-32 - Jacob wrestles with God; Genesis 35:1-15 - God blesses and renames Jacob, Israel; Genesis 37 - Jospeh sold by his brothers; Genesis 3- The Fall; Genesis 4 - Cain kills Abel; Jeremiah 9:14 & 16:12 & 18:12 & 23:17 - People follow own desires lead to destruction; Jeremiah 8:4-6 - People’s perpetual backsliding; Psalm 36 - Vanity and arrogance of evil doers; Isaiah 47 - Pride of Wicked; Micah 6:8 & Deuteronomy 10:12-13 - Do God’s will; John 14:15-24 - Jesus says do his commandments; 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine Yourselves; 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 - Arrogance of Corinthians; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - Corinthians have seen the power of God; John 3 - To Be Born Again; John 16:8-11 - Holy Spirit convicts us; John 16:13 - Holy Spirit of Truth; 2 Corinthians 12:20-13:5 - Paul’s admonishment - Are you in the Faith?; 1 Timothy 3:1-13 - Manage own household; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 - Divisions in the church; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 - Lord’s Supper fiasco; Matthew 6:22-23 - Eye is the lamp of of the body; Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light; Matthew 23:27-28 - White washed tombs; Matthew 5:14-16 - City on a hill; 1 Corinthians 11:1 - Imitators of Christ; Ephesians 5:1-2 - Imitate God, love each other; 1 John 2:6 - Walk in the same way Jesus walked; 1 Corinthians 2:16 - Mind of Christ; Romans 12:2 - Renewal of mind; 1 Corinthians 5 - Sinners cast of out church; Hebrews 12:15 - Beware of the root of Bitterness; Matthew 18:15- 20 - Treat them as a tax collector; Matthew 18:21-35 - Seventy time seven and Parable of unforgiving servant; Revelation 2-3 - Church defilement; 2 Corinthians 7:1 - Cleanse yourself from all defilement; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - What fellowship does light have with darkness?; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly grief leads to repentance; Romans 1:21-23 - Foolish hearts are darkened; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 - God sends them a strong delusion; 1 Peter 4:1-19 - Love covers a multitude of sins; Matthew 6:9-13 - Lord’s Prayer; Romans 10:9 - Confess that Jesus is Lord; 1 John 1:5-10 - If we say we are not sinners, we lie; 2 Chronicles 7:14 - If you seek my face and turn from your wicked ways; Matthew 7:21-23 - I never knew you; John 8:31-32 - Truth sets you free; Luke 17:20-21 - Kingdom of Heaven within you; John 7:37-39 - Streams of living water; Luke 13:3 - Repent or perish; Acts 3:19 - Repent and sins will be blotted out; Psalm 36 - In your light do we see light; Psalm 53 - There is none who does good; Psalm 55:19 - They do not change and they do not fear God; Psalm 7:11-17 - God feels indignation everyday; 1 John 5:11-13 - Eternal life in Jesus.

Other books

The Gospel of Jesus - John MacArthur

Video resources

• How Does Repentance Help You Transform?
• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

"Blessed is the one who isn't offended by me." Matthew 11:6

Many people were offended by Jesus when he walked on earth, including his own disciples. He wasn't doing what they expected him to do. He wasn't spending time with the "right" people and even though he taught with authority, his teachings were often offensive to those who heard them.

Why aren't we offended by his teachings today? Is it because we don't know what they are or do we simply not understand the deeper meaning? His teachings on salvation, the Remnant, the Kingdom of God, suffering and loss need closer examination if we are to know Jesus as he really is.

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Bible references for further study:

Mark 12:32-34, Luke 20:39-40- Pharisees impressed with Jesus’ teaching; Matthew 7:28-29 - The crowd astonished by Jesus’ teaching; John 6:52-69 - Disciples shocked by Jesus teaching; Matthew 22:37-40 - Love the Lord with your mind; Matthew 13:1-52 - Why Jesus spoke in parables; Matthew 5-7 - Sermon on the Mount; Isaiah 40:3 - A Voice crying out in the wilderness; Matthew 3:1-3 - John the Baptist; Matthew 11:7-14 - Jesus confirms John the Baptist’s role; Isaiah 61:1 - Messiah will set captives free; Matthew 11:1-6 - Blessed is the one not offended by me; Matthew 7:15-20 - Know them by their fruit; John 15:9-17 - Love one another; 1 John 4:20 - Love God and others; 1 Peter 2:24 - Philippians 2:7-8 - Jesus’ Incarnation and suffering; Matthew 19:16-28 - The Rich Man (Then who can be saved?!); Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay up treasures in Heaven; Matthew 6:24 - You cannot serve God and money; Matthew 16:24-25 - Lose life to find it; Matthew 10:37 - Love Jesus more than family; Luke 12:49-53 - Division not peace; Revelation 14:9-11 - Tormented in the presence of Jesus; Revelation 21:6-8 - No liars and cowards in Kingdom; Matthew 24:13 - One who endure to the end will be saved; Revelation 2:10, 26 - Endure and have faith to the end; Luke 13:22-30 - Will those who are saved be few (Narrow Door); Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:60 and Jeremiah 9:25-26 and Romans 2:28-29 - Circumcision of the Heart; Matthew 7:21-23 - I never knew you; Matthew 7:13-14 - Narrow Way leads to life; Genesis 7 - Noah and the flood; Genesis 45:4-7 - Jospeh and brothers; Numbers 14:17-35 - First exodus generation die in wilderness; 1 Kings 19:18 - 7000 Remnant; Isaiah 10:21-22 - Only a remnant is saved; Ezekiel 11:13 - Will you make and end of the remnant?; Romans 11:5 - Remnant chosen by grace; Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in Temple; Ezekiel 9:3-10 - Idolaters killed; Ezekiel 11:17-21 - One Heart and New Spirit (Remnant Saved); John 3:1-5 - Born Again by the Spirit; Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Knowing God; Genesis 22:1-19 - Abraham & Issac; Job 5:17-19 - He wounds but he binds up; Job 13:15 - Though He Slay me; Romans 6 and Ephesians 4 - Death of Old and New Creation; Matthew 23:37-39 - Jesus laments over Jerusalem; John 12:24 - Seed has to die; Colossians 3:3 - For you have died; Galatians 2:20 - Christ lives in me; Hebrews 10:26-31 - Fearful expectation of judgement; Hebrews 12:3-11 - Endurance for discipline and training; Galatians 3:26-28 - All one in Christ; 1 Corinthians 6:17 - One spirit with Christ; John 15 - Jesus is the vine; John 17 - One with Jesus and the Father; Matthew 25:31-46 - Christ divides; Matthew 23:13 -Shut Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces; Luke 3:16-17, Acts 1:5 - Jesus Baptises us in Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts; John 16:33 - In this world you will have tribulation; Micah 7:8 -The Lord will be a light to me.

Other Books:

Beautiful Outlaw - John Eldredge

The Greatest Story Ever Told - Bear Grylls

• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

In this episode, I speak about what it means to have freedom in Christ. To be "in Christ" means to have a relationship with Him so that we can do the things He calls us to do and live the life He calls us to live. But how do we know whether we are in Christ and how can we make sure we aren't abusing the freedom He has given us?

Many of the arguments between believers are around what we should or shouldn't do or say if we are a Christian, so understanding the level of freedom Christ came to give us if we abide in Him will help us be more charitable with each other. We look at some of Jesus' interactions with the teachers of the Law, the Pharisees, and also Paul's teaching in Colossians, 1 Corinthians and Romans to illustrate what it means to have freedom in Christ, rather than being bound by the Law or human traditions.

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Bible references:

John 3:3-5, Born Again to Enter Kingdom; Luke 17:20-21, Kingdom of God within you; 2 Corinthians 5:17, In Christ, New Creation; Galatians 2:20, Christ Lives in Me; Ephesians 4:22-24, Put off Old Self; Ephesians 2:1-5, Alive in Christ, Saved by Grace; Colossians 2:9-12 & 3:1-4, Alive in Christ; 1 Peter 2:24, Jesus Bore Our Sins; Galatians 5:1, Christ Set Us Free; John 8:36, Son Sets Us Free; Matthew 11:28-30, Lay Down Your Burdens; Colossians 1:13, I Peter 2:9, Ephesians 5:8, Acts 26:18, Kingdom of Darkness to Kingdom of Light; Hebrews 2:14-15, Freed from death and Satan; Romans 8:2, Freed from sin; Hebrews 10:19-25, New and Living Way; Ephesians 2:8-9, Saved by Grace Through Faith; John 3:16, Whoever Believes Has Eternal Life; Romans 10:9, Confess Jesus is Lord; Romans 12:1, Present Body as Living Sacrifice; John 7:7, Jesus’ Diagnosis of Us; John 18:36, Kingdom not of this World; John 5:39, Pour Over Scriptures for Eternal Life; Matthew 23:13, Shut Kingdom of Heaven; Matthew 23:4, Pharisees Burden People; Romans 2:1-3, Hypocritical Judgement; Matthew 7:3-5, Take the Log Out of Eye; John 7:24, Judge with right judgement; Colossians 3:16, Admonish with wisdom; Galatians 2:11-14, Paul admonishes Peter; Romans 11:11-24, Gentile grafted in; 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, Paul and the “super-apostles”; Colossians 2:16 and Romans 14, Freedom from human rules; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, Letter Kills but Spirit Brings Life; Romans 3:24-26 & 5:15, Ephesians 1:6-7, God’s Free Gift of Grace to Us; Mark 9:38-41, Whoever is not against us if for us; John 14:15-24, If You love Me You Will Keep My Commandments; Romans 13:8-10, Matthew 19:17-19, 22:36-40 Commandments; Colossians 3, Put on the New Self; John 15:5, Without Me you can do nothing; Romans 7:14-21, Pauls’ struggles with sin; Ephesians 5:25-26, Washing by the Word; John 8:31-32, Abide in Word the True Disciple; Matthew 6:5-15, When you pray; Matthew 7:7-12, Ask Seek Knock; Matthew 6:16-18, When you fast; Matthew 17:21, Demon release through prayer and fasting; Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23, Renewed Mind; 1 Corinthians 2:16, Mind of Christ; Acts 7:48-49, 17:24-25, God doesn’t live in buildings; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Body of Christ; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8, Spiritual gifts and roles; Matthew 15:1-20, What defiles a person; Hebrews 4:15-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Jesus humans so sympathises with us; Colossians 1 and 2, Jesus’s Divinity; 1 Peter 2:24 and 3:18, Romans 5:10, 1 John 2:2, Jesus Died for our Sins; 1 John 1:9, If we confess sin He will forgive us; Hebrews 10, New and Living Way.

• What are Sin, Iniquity and Transgression? - Bible Project Word Study (5 mins)
• Ten Reasons Jesus Came to Die - Apologetics Roadshow (25 mins)
• The Reality of The Moral Law - Mere Christianity, C.S Lewis (10 mins)
• How Can Jesus Be Both God and Human? - John Lennox (4 mins)
• A New Humanity - All Things New (Ephesians) Tim Mackie (1 hour)
• The Renewal of Creation - N.T Wright on Remnant Radio (1 hour)
• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

In this episode, I talk about God's eternal call to His people. He says "Hineni", which means "Here I am" in Hebrew. We see this expressed in the Book of Isaiah where God is constantly calling His people back to walk in His ways.

I talk about the ultimate expression of this call in Jesus' self-sacrificial death on the cross. The Word of God came to dwell with us in the flesh, saying "Here I am" to a people who still often choose to ignore Him.

I delve into the real meaning of God's love, how we can learn to wait on the Lord , why we often run from God's call and how we can learn to respond to it.

Support the podcast @buymeacoffee.com

Bible references:

Exodus 20:19, People Don’t Want to Hear God; Genesis 22:1, Abraham’s call; Exodus 3:4, Moses’ call; Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah’s call; Isaiah 52:5-6, Here I Am; John 5:39, Pore Over the Scriptures; Matthew 5:43-48, Love Your Enemies; John 3:16, God so loved the world; Ephesians 2:8-9, Salvation a Gift; Romans 6:23, Wages of Sin is Death; John 1:12, Believers are children of God; John 8:31-47, You are of your father the devil; Romans 10:9, Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus; John 15:13, No greater love than this; Leviticus 17:11, The life is in blood; Acts 9:3-8, Paul sees the risen Christ; Acts 17:29-31, Paul teaches about Jesus’ resurrection; Philippians 3:8-11, Our resurrection because of Jesus; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, Christ’s Resurrection; 1 Corinthians 2:2-7, I knew nothing but Christ crucified; Isaiah 53:4-12, Suffering servant; John 10:8, I lay down my life; Isaiah 46:4, I have made, I will save; Matthew 9:13, I came to save sinners; Romans 5:8, Christ died for sinners; Galatians 5:1-5, Freedom from law in Christ; Matthew 23, Hypocrisy of Pharisees; Isaiah 65:1, Here I Am; Isaiah 29:13, Hearts are Far from Him; Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 37:7, Psalm 27:14, Lamentations 3:25, James 5:7-8, Psalm 40:1, Wait on the Lord; Isaiah 55:8-9, God’s ways higher to ours; 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul hindered by Satan; Acts 16:6-7, Paul hindered by the Holy Spirit; 2 Corinthians 5:17, We are a new creation; Isaiah 58:1-12, True and False Worship; Psalm 50, What God wants; Isaiah 29:13, Our hearts are far from God; Matthew 11:20-24, Jesus and Sodom and Gomorrah; Isaiah 1:10-20, I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly; 2 Chronicles 7:14, If the spirit of God lives in you; 2 Chronicles 7:14, If you seek my face; Mark 9:23 and Acts 16:31, If you believe; Psalm 51:6, God cares about your intentions; 1 Corinthians 10:24, James 3:16, Philippians 2:3, Romans 2:8, Give up ourselves; Mark 3:1-6, Jesus heals on Sabbath; Mark 7:1-23, Disciples washing rituals; Matthew 22:36-40, Most important commandment; Philippians 2:17, Paul’s sacrificial ministry; Jeremiah 17:5-10, Hearts’ desires make us sick; Psalm 32:8-9, God leads us; Proverbs 3:5-8, Trust in Lord. John 17:3, Jeremiah 9:24, God wants us to know Him; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10, Know and Obey God or Perish; John 14:25-26, Holy Spirit teaches us about Jesus; Isaiah 30:15, In returning and rest you shall be saved; Isaiah 30:18, Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you.

• 5 Resurrection Facts that Occurred by 36 A.D - Dr. Gary Habermas (1 hour)
• Christ's Unique Claims - John Lennox (5 mins)
• 7 Atonement Theories Summarised - Video (17 mins)
• Paul and The Cross - N.T Wright on The Victory of the Cross (1 hour)
• Abide In Me You Tube Channel

BLOG AND CONTACT

For additional resources and contact info:

abideinmepodcast.blogspot.com

In this episode, I talk about the marks of a true Christian as outlined by Paul in his letter to believers in Corinth. Many people think that being a Christian means that we are to be nice people. But Jesus didn't die for us so we could be nice people, He died so we could be reconciled to God and become real people; true humans just as God originally intended.

Many Old and New Testament passages show us God's complete character as being kind and severe, which allows us to more fully understand who He expects us to be, as we are made in His image.

If we have a sanitised version of the Lord in our minds, we will often falter in speaking the truth and instead become people-pleasers rather than God-fearers.

"Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." Romans 11:22

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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BIBLE VERSES

Luke 14:23 (Highways & Hedges); Matthew 5:3-12 (Meek, Poor, Seekers); Luke 5:32 (Came for Sinners not Righteous); John 18:37 (Come to bear witness to Truth); Isaiah 28:26 (God has taught them); Luke 24:27-32 (Road to Emmaus teaching); John 16:13 (Holy Spirit leads us to Truth); Luke 2:41-52 (Jesus in Temple at Passover); Ephesians 5:25 (God’s word cleansing); John 15:3 & 17:17 (God’s word purifies us); Psalm 119:9 (Pure Life by following God’s word); Psalm 18:30 (God’s way is perfect); Hebrews 5:11-14 (You ought to be teachers); Genesis 3:1-7 (Serpent’s temptation); Romans 12:1-21 (Marks of a True Christian); 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (Spiritual Gifts); Psalm 15 (A vile person is despised); Psalm 139:19-22 (I hate those who hate you); John 2:13-17 (Jesus whip in Temple); John 1:14 (Jesus/Word Became Flesh); Ephesians 1:15-19 (Jesus Image of God); Hebrews 1:3 (Jesus exact imprint of God’s nature); Jude 1:5 (Jesus saved Israelites out of Egypt); John 10:31 (I and Father are One); John 17:11 (We are one); 2 Corinthians 13:14 (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); Psalm 50 (The Wicked); Psalm 18 (God’s wrath and mercy); Psalm 143 (Despair and Faith); Genesis 16:13-14 (Hagar Seen by God); Matthew 5:27-30 (Tear out your eye); Matthew 11:20-24 (Woe to Unrepentant cities); Matthew 11:25-30 (My yoke is easy); Isaiah 46:4 (I will bear); John 15:20 (They will persecute you); 1 Peter 2:21 (Christ calls you to suffer); Matthew 5:11-12 (Blessed are the reviled); Luke 9:23 (Pick up your cross, day); Exodus 3:12 (I will be with Moses); Joshua 1:5 (I will be with Joshua); Deuteronomy 31:8 (I will be with my people) Isaiah 41:9-10 (I am with you, Israel); Matthew 28:20 (I will be with you till the end); 1 Peter 1:7 (Faith purified through trials); Hebrews 9:14 (Jesus’ sacrifice purifies us); Isaiah 48:10 (Purified by trials); Hebrews 3:6 & 3:14 (Hold fast to faith); Proverbs 12:22 (God wants trustworthy people); Proverbs 6:16-19 (What the Lord hates); 2 Corinthians 3:2-6 (Letter Kills, Spirit Gives Life); 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (Apostles: Scum of World); 2 Corinthians 4:8-15 (Suffering for message of Resurrection); James 2:14-26 (Faith without works is dead); 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 (Paul vs super-apostles); 2 Corinthians 6:4-13 (Suffering of apostles); 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (Grace is Sufficient); Philippians 2:1-17 (God works in and through us); John 15:5 (Apart from Me you can do nothing); Luke 22:42 (Not my will, your will be done); Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31, Lamentations 3:25, Isaiah 30:18, Psalm 33:20-22 (Wait on the Lord); Psalms 98:3, 100:5 138:2 (God’s love and Faithfulness); Isaiah 42:8 (God won’t tolerate Idols); Romans 11:22 (Kindness and Severity for God).

BLOG AND CONTACT

For additional resources and contact info:

abideinmepodcast.blogspot.com

In this week's episode, I delve into Exodus 14 where God parts the Red Sea in order to save the Israelites from destruction. God is testing their faith and says to them, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Even though they believed in God and even feared Him, they still did not have faith that He could save them.

What does this story tell us about ourselves? How will we handle our own Red Sea moment? Will we prefer to be slaves rather than face the unknown in the wilderness? Will we have enough faith to stay the course and reach our promised land?

In the last six minutes of the podcast I read short Psalms that will give you strength and courage during times of change. They are also listed, along with other Bible reference, in the podcast notes below.

"Wait for the LORD, be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14

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Bible references:

Exodus 14:14 (The Lord Will Fight For You, And You Have Only to be Silent); Exodus 14:10-12 (Better to be Slaves than to Die); Exodus 7-12 (10 Plagues in Egypt); 1 Kings 19:1-14 (Elijah in Wilderness); Matthew 4:1-11 (Jesus in Wilderness); Galatians 1:17 (Paul in Wilderness); Exodus 14:21 (God Parts the Sea); Psalm 115:3 (God Does What He Pleases); Matthew 19:26 (Nothing Impossible with God); 2 Timothy 1:7 (Not Given Spirit of Fear); 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Be Steadfast & Immovable); Hebrews 12:3 (Don't Be Fainthearted); Exodus 14:24-25 (Egyptians Fear the LORD); Exodus 14:30-31 (Israel Saw, Fear and Believed); Numbers 14:20-32 (Rebellious Generation Will Not Enter the Land); Deuteronomy 32:52 (Moses Not to Enter Promised Land); James 4:3 (You Don't Receive Because You Pray for Your Passions); John 18:36 (His Kingdom if Not of this World); John 17:16 (Disciples Not of the World); John 15:18 (Hated You as they Hated Me); Matthew 6:33 (First Seek the Kingdom of God); 2 Chronicles 7:14 (Humble Yourself, Seek My Face); Jeremiah 7:16 (Do Not Pray for these People); 1 John 5:13-19 (I Do Not Say Pray for That); Psalm 51 (A Broken and Contrite Heart You Will not Despise); Exodus 7:3-4 & 14:4 (God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart); Matthew 7:6 (Don't Cast Your Pearls Before Swine); Revelation 2 & 3 (Judgement on churches); Revelation 3:14-15 (I Will Spit You Out of my Mouth); Luke 8:17 (What is Hidden will be Revealed); 1 Timothy 3:2 (Leaders to be Above Reproach); Exodus 15:1-3 (The LORD is man of War); Isaiah 42:13 (The LORD goes out like a Mighty Man); John 2:15-17 (Jesus Cleanses the Temple); Isaiah 42:14-17 (For a Long Time I Have Held my Peace); Exodus 20 (10 Commandments); Jeremiah 23:29 (Is Not My Word Like Fire); Psalm 57:3 (He Will Send from Heaven and Save me); Isaiah 30:15 (In Returning and Rest You Shall be Saved): Proverbs 3:5:8 (Trust in the LORD with all Your Heart).

The Psalms

18:2 - The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress

27:13-14 - Wait for the LORD, Be Strong

50:3 - Our God Comes

56:3-4 - When I am Afraid, I Put my Trust in You

57:1 - In the Shadow of Your Wings I Will Take Refuge

62:8 - Trust in Him at all Times

121:1-2 - My Help Comes from the LORD

123:3-4 - We Have More than Enough of the Contempt of the Proud

9:15-20 - Arise O LORD, Let Not Man Prevail

138:6 - The Haughty He Knows From Afar

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In this week's episode I talk about three different worldviews and their response to human suffering. Should we have faith in humans to solve the world's problems? Or will Artificial Intelligence give us the answers? Both humans and technology are flawed but if we have faith in our Creator and his sovereignty, might and faithfulness, we will feel more stable in times of suffering.

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BIble references:

Isaiah 53:2-6 (He was pierced for our transgressions), Isaiah 55:6-13 (My thoughts higher than your thoughts) Isaiah 65:17-25 (New Heaven and New Earth), Revelation 21:1-7 (I am making everything new), Isaiah 9:2, 9:6-7 (Wonderful Counsellor, Everlasting Father), Isaiah 26:3-4 (The Lord is an Everlasting Rock), Psalm 56 (In God I trust), Psalm 121 (My help comes from the Lord), Psalm 23 (Lord is my shepherd), 1 Peter 5:6-11 (Cast all your anxieties on him), Ephesians 6:10-20 (Armour of God), James 4:3 (You ask and do not receive), 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (Godlessness in the last days), 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (Wander into Myths), Psalm 46 (God is our fortress), Psalm 27 (The Lord is my light and my salvation)

Other references:

• How to Answer the Problem of Evil in Five Steps - Mike Winger (50 mins)
• The Moral Argument for God (5 mins)
• How to Silence Atheists on the Problem of Evil - David Wood (10 mins)
• The God Debate - Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Richard Dawkins
• The Resurrection of Jesus: Fact or Fiction? - Apologetics Roadshow (25 mins)
• Evolutionist Richard Dawkins Says There Are No Morals: by William Lane Craig (4 mins)
• Why the Bible Can be Trusted - J Warner (Cold Case Christianity) (47 mins)
• Making of the Bible - Tim Mackie (Bible Project) 2 hours
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