Be Light Podcast

In our first episode we explained why we chose "be light" as our podcast name.  In today's episode we are starting a mini-series explaining ways to actually be a little lighter while navigating the joys, difficult times, and everything in between.  Today we will be focusing on trust and its importance in our walk with God and even in the relationships with those around us.

This week's memory verse is:  
"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Call to Action:
Get to know the God you want to trust.  Spend time with Him every day.  Make a date.  Don't worry about how long it is, but ask Him to lead you and direct you during that time.  Practice acting out what you read.  It may be a minute to minute thing, but be consistent, trusting God's power through His Holy Spirit who lives within you.

This week’s memory verse is Psalm 127:3-5 where it says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”  Really take this verse in. When I think of arrows you want them be guided and directed in the right direction so they meet their target.  In the moments you have with your family and your children, what targets are you aiming them toward?  I also think about how it says, “blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them”.  Your Children are blessing given to by God.  They weren’t given to some other person.  They were given to you, by God.  When I think about this it really makes me reevaluate our moments together and making them count, not just for our relationship, but ultimately for their relationship with the Lord.

This week’s call to action is finding ways to make the moments count.  What are some things you can do or some ways you can redirect your thinking that would help when it comes to creating that Godly, solid foundation within your kids?  Do you need to set aside just 5-10 minutes of catching up and talk time with your kids, allowing them to tell you about what’s on their mind?  Do you pray with your kids?  Do they see you praying and spending time with the Lord?  Are there fun activities that you can implement into what you are already doing, but will be especially memorable for your kids and family?

Is it really important to spend time in God's word and in prayer?  If so, why can it be so challenging?  What tends to get in our way and what can we do to become more consistent?  Today we discuss the need for growing our relationship with Christ by getting into the Word consistently along with the distractions that tend to compete for our time in this area.  Thanks for listening!

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This week’s memory verse is Luke 10:41 where it says, “'Martha, Martha,'” the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"  We have such a tendency to worry and spend too much time on things or thoughts that just don’t matter.  These distractions often times lead to more stress and anxiety when Jesus calls us to be still, sit at his feet, and just spend time with Him.  

So this week’s call to action is a challenge.  Challenge yourself to spend 7 intentional days in his word and in prayer.  Don’t overwhelm yourself at first.  If this means sitting down and writing down one scripture, asking God to help you understand it, and thanking Him for the things in your life.  Perfect.  If you are interested in learning more about a figure in the Bible or want to know more about what God says about joy, anger, etc. then dig deeper.  Use this time that you are setting aside to get to know Him better.  Be intentional about it.  Prepare for it.  Don’t squeeze Him in last minute.  Make spending time with Him your number one priority.  When you do that everything else falls into its perfect place.

This week’s memory verse is James 1:5 where it says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  If you are seeking direction when it comes to saying yes or when to say no, seek God first.  God may give you that clarity quickly and you will just know and then other times He will ask you to be patient and just wait.  While you are waiting, practice trusting Him and reading His word, just for the sake of getting to know Him better, not only to find the answer to your question.  As this verse says, He will give you wisdom and direction.  We just have to be open to it and willing to follow.

This week’s call to action is for you to practice giving up each yes and no to God, asking him for guidance and direction with each choice you make.  Start asking for God’s will to be first in your heart and not your own.  Ask him what He desires of you within your relationships, your work, and within your commitments.  

Today we will continue our time visiting with my brother in law Brad, my sister in law Melissa, and my two nieces Sophia and Gianna about their recent mission trip to Guatemala.  Last week we touched on why they decided to go, what they did once they arrived, and we heard about some of their personal experiences with the people there.  So, if you missed last week be sure to go back and check out Part 1 of our interview.  Today we will continue our discussion about their mission trip and learn more about what all they saw and experienced while they were there. 



Memory Verse:
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
1 Chronicles 16:24

There  is such a need for more positive talk not just amongst non-believers, but amongst believers too.  We can get so wrapped up in the negative things happening in this world that we start forgetting that we need to share the positive.  And while being positive is wonderful our world is in need of so much more than that.  There is a desperate need in our country to spread the goodness and the truth of Jesus Christ.  People need to hear about the amazing things He is doing in your life and the things that you have seen Him do in others.  This verse says to declare his glory and marvelous deeds to everyone.  These are the things that not only bring on a temporary mental shift for someone, but instead start to change hearts and that’s where the change truly needs to be.  

Call to Action:
Start practicing declaring his glory and the wonderful things you see God doing in your life and other’s lives.  Share them with others.  Write them down.  Thank God for those things in your prayers throughout the day.

Part 1:  Many of you may have thought about going on a mission trip, but wondered, what will it be like, who will I go with, and how will I even fund it?  You start to have fearful thoughts telling you that you are not equipped enough and don't have all of the answers.  Fear starts to creep in and before you know it you have forgotten the idea all together.  Today on our show we will be visiting with my brother in law Brad, sister in law Melissa, and my nieces Sophia and Gianna.  They just returned from a six day mission trip in Guatemala.  Many of you have also thought about going on a mission trip with your whole family so join us today to receive an insider's look on what a mission trip can be, what it looks like, and how it can be to go with your kids too!

Memory Verse:  “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26-28

Call to Action:  Think about different ways you can serve others.  Pray that God will open up those opportunities and that you will have the faith to walk through them.  Ask God that if you are supposed to take part in a mission trip or a specific service opportunity that he would show you. 

We often times have moments where we just want to be IN control.  We want the answers.  We scour the internet, reach out to friends, and read books searching for them.  In the house, we seek control by wanting everything a certain way.  At work, we want to know our next steps and what is to come.  In our family, we want the best for our children and we try to guide, direct, and even control their every move.  The need for control is seen all over the place, and even when we struggle as hard as possible, we start to realize that we are not in control.  Many of us have already discovered this time and time again, but have you accepted it?  What about not only accepting it, but actually celebrating it?  In this week's podcast we will discuss the idea of wanting to be in control and finding joy when we truly accept and celebrate the One who is over it all.


Memory Verse:
 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."   1 Peter 5:6-7

Call to Action:
Make a list of some things in your life that you need to stop trying to control.  What are you holding onto too tightly that you need to release over to God and allow him to guide and direct?  Add to your list during the week if you need too, but once you write it down practice letting it go and surrendering.  Pray and say, "No, Lord I trust you.  You are in control."


Check us out on Instagram at the "belightpodcast"!

Sometimes life just feels crazy and we feel completely out of control, but you know what?  It's all good because we KNOW the one that is IN control.  This week we will be discussing a few of our life changes, a bit of chaos, and how we found God through it all.  Thank you for joining us and we hope you leave feeling encouraged and a little lighter!

Memory Verse:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Call to Action!
How can you take this verse and truly apply it to your life in a tangible way?

Follow us on Instagram at the "belightpodcast"!  We will be posting questions, encouragement, and posts that will connect to our weekly podcast.  We would love to hear from you!

Welcome to the Be Light podcast!  Lynne and Amber will be introducing themselves and explaining why they chose "Be Light" for the podcast.  Thank you for joining us as we kick things off!