Show Notes

We maintain wellness and continue our healing and growth by staying anchored. Jesus lets us know that we cannot bear fruit, grow, or live an abundant life apart from Him. Connection is our source and key to wellness, and we nurture our connection with God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit through Communication, Community, and Commitment. Our healing, growth, and transformation starts with Connection with God through Jesus Christ and the other C’s nurture and support us in staying anchored and growing healthy and strong roots. Jesus showed us different practices and principles that nurture these three C’s, and they allow us to deal with the struggles, temptations, and pains of this world and sustain a state of well-being. The some of the disciplines Christ left us to grow our connection to Him in the Body of Christ are: prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, giving, service, witnessing, fasting, and meditation.

The three C’s position us to get our needs and desires. It situates us to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. They place us at the feet of Jesus receiving all the promises and blessings that God has for us.

Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life is a book that addresses the mindsets, attitudes, theologies, struggles, and doubts that keep us from walking in wellness and receive the abundant life Christ died for us to have. Get your copy of Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life by visiting Asparkministries.com/store or Amazon.com.

The Study Guide is available on Amazon and is an excellent resource to enhance your study time. It can be combined with the book to guide small group study or Bible Study. Healing the Body of Christ Study Guide

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

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For other inspiring content, visit ASparkMinistries.com. While there, you can subscribe to receive weekly encouraging newsletters and devotionals.

If you enjoy the resources provided, you can offer your support by sharing our ministry with others and purchasing A Spark Merchandise through the A Spark Ministries website. Any of these methods of support are greatly appreciated.

We want to hear from you, email [email protected] with your ideas, comments, questions, and prayer request.

#connection #wellness #communication #prayer #community #commitment #SoulCare #fruitful #Firstlove #EmbracingAbundantLife #inspirational #Christianity #christianlife #ASparkministries #seedtimeandharvest #ChristianPodcast

Our lives are gardens that we need to continue to cultivate and nurture. Nature (sin nature) is always trying to reclaim and claim new ground and our lives. We need to keep it in check. By repenting, learning, growing, transforming, and disciplining ourselves. We are responsible for the weeding, pruning, watering, fertilizing, and planting. We must tend to our lives in whatever way the season calls for, not relinquishing it to the negative and sinful things that want to establish themselves take it over. Our grass is greener, healthier, and manicured because we tend to it. Our plants are fruitful because we give to God and allow Him to give the increase.

The Song “Breathe” by Maverick City https://youtu.be/CnuE6sbYtfo

Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life. Get your copy of Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life by visiting Asparkministries.com/store or Amazon.com.

The Study Guide is available on Amazon and is an excellent resource to enhance your study time. It can be combined with the book to guide small group study or Bible Study. Healing the Body of Christ Study Guide

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embracing-abundant-life/id1548327346

https://podcasts.google.com/search/Embracing%20Abundant%20Life

https://open.spotify.com/show/2WaUGTIqTbdNOKUOr4NO3A

For other inspiring content, visit ASparkMinistries.com. While there, you can subscribe to receive weekly encouraging newsletters and devotionals.

If you enjoy the resources provided, you can offer your support by sharing our ministry with others and purchasing A Spark Merchandise through the A Spark Ministries website. Any of these methods of support are greatly appreciated.

We want to hear from you, email [email protected] with your ideas, comments, questions, and prayer request.

#Steward #Gardener #SoulCare #fruitful #Firstlove #FirstthingsFirst #EmbracingAbundantLife #inspirational #Christianity #christianlife #ASparkministries #seedtimeandharvest #ChristianPodcast

Show Notes

The mercies of God are new every morning (Lamentations 3: 22-24), and we can prepare ourselves to walk in them. We can plan to approach the day from a victorious stance no matter what discomfort, disposition, deception, or disappointment we face. God has given us tools to help us deal with obstacles and struggles. God has created us for a purpose. And He did not leave us without the tools we need to plant, water, prune and harvest the seeds that contribute to our abundance. He wants us to receive all the blessings, utilize all the tools, and fulfilling all the works He planned for us before He even created us (Ephesians 2:12).

We are created with work to do, and God provides what we need to succeed in it. We need physical resources to fulfill our purpose and spiritual tools to support us mentally and emotionally. We gain access to all the physical, spiritual, emotional, mental things we need when we set ourselves to seek His Kingdom and live righteously.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33.

When we set our minds to seeking God and living righteously, we are positioning ourselves to nurture the things God has placed in us through His Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) enables us to face and overcome the obstacles of life honoring God and edifying others. We also learn how to stay clothed in the armor of God (Ephesian 6:10-18) and use them as the lifesaving, mind preserving, and atmosphere setting tools they are.

We can be prepared to tackle the ups and downs of each day and still give glory to God when we set our focus on the one who can help us handle it all.

We believe that topics discussed in this "Healing" Series give us an understanding of how God wants us to live a life of growth, transformation, and wellness. If you enjoy these discussions, check out the book that they come from, Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life, written by Avis Sparks. Get your copy by visiting Asparkministries.com/store or Amazon.com

The Study Guide is available on Amazon and is an excellent resource to enhance your study time. Individuals and Churches can combine the Study Guide with the book to facilitate a small group study or Bible Study. Healing the Body of Christ Study Guide

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

For other inspiring content, visit ASparkMinistries.com. While there, you can subscribe to receive weekly encouraging newsletters and devotionals.

If you enjoy the resources provided, you can offer your support by sharing our ministry with others and purchasing A Spark Merchandise through the A Spark Ministries website. Any of these methods of support are greatly appreciated.

We want to hear from you, email [email protected] with your ideas, comments, questions, and prayer request.

#Prepared #FruitoftheSpirit #Mindset #ArmorofGod #EmbracingAbundantLife #inspirational #Christianity #christianlife #ASparkministries #seedtimeandharvest #ChristianPodcast

"Influencer"

Show Notes

We are created to make an impact. We should not only care about nurturing our relationship with God but influencing others. Our lives and the things we share impact others. We should share seed and water with our friends, families, community, and the nation that helps them form and nurture a relationship with Christ. Our lives should leave an imprint on people that directs them to Christ.

As Christian (Christ-Like) influencers, we are to:

* • Contend for the faith

* • Support the Body of Christ

* • Promote Unity and Harmony

Each one of God's children is to be influencers. And we must make sure that we are living lives that shine and help those around us. The big gestures of faith are incredible but consistent acts of faithfulness are sustainable. Our faithful acts of love, kinds, sharing the word, and forgiveness are the seeds and water that create gardens that glorify God and edify believers and non-believers.

We are to shine a light that reveals the deception, heartache, bondage, and punishment found in the dark. We are to illuminate people on the promises, provision, and deliverance of God. As the Body of Christ, we are to be the salt in a tasteless world, letting people know of the love and sacrifice of God that transforms our present and sets us up for blessed eternity.

The topics discussed in this "Healing" Series come from the book Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life written by Avis Sparks. Get your copy by visiting Asparkministries.com/store or Amazon.com

The Study Guide is available on Amazon and is an excellent resource to enhance your study time. Individuals and Churches can combine the Study Guide with the book to facilitate a small group study or Bible Study. Healing the Body of Christ Study Guide

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

For other inspiring content, visit ASparkMinistries.com. While there, you can subscribe to receive weekly encouraging newsletters and devotionals.

If you enjoy the resources provided, you can offer your support by sharing our ministry with others and purchasing A Spark Merchandise through the A Spark Ministries website. Any of these methods of support are greatly appreciated.

We want to hear from you, email [email protected] with your ideas, comments, questions, and prayer request.

#Influencer #Contendforthefaith #BothersKeeper #Sisterskeeper #EmbracingAbundantLife #inspirational #Christianity #christianlife #ASparkministries #seedtimeandharvest #ChristianPodcast

Show Notes

Our Soul is the essence of who we are and is the part of us that makes the discussion and processes our emotions. And as stewards of God's temple, we must take care of ourselves, not just the physical and the Spirit but our souls. We must understand that even in our role as created beings with a purpose to glorify God that we are not just cogs in a wheel but invaluable to God. He has deemed us worthy and goes about redeeming us each day if we allow Him. Just as He designed us to be and have "good" when He created humanity initially, He wants "good" for us now. Through His word, provision, and guidance, He continues to work in our lives, establishing in us and our present state "good." He values and cares for us, and we should and, in turn, care for and value ourselves.

To work on Body dynamics, we must first understand the source that empowers us to be dynamic, to be in a state of constant growth, activity, and progress. As in the human body, it is true in the Soul; we must allow the life source to follow throughout the body to stay healthy, vital, and functioning. In our physical bodies, the life source is blood in our souls; it is the Spirit of God.

God is our life source. When we allow Him to flow through every area of our lives, we can be dynamic. It is tempting to compartmentalize our lives and sections and leave Him out of a lot of them. However, if we genuinely want to be dynamic and diligent, living our lives to the fullest, we must invite God into every area of our being.

It is a trick of the enemy when we rationale compartmentalizing God in our lives. However, I encourage you to take down the "Do not Enter" signs in your life and unlock the doors so that God can flow through every area crack in your life, bringing life, healing, deliverance, hope, and strength.

The topics discussed in this "Healing" Series come from the book Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life written by Avis Sparks. Get your copy by visiting Asparkministries.com/store or Amazon.com

The Study Guide is available on Amazon and is a good resource to enhance your study time. It can be combined with the book to guide small group study or Bible Study. Healing the Body of Christ Study Guide

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embracing-abundant-life/id1548327346

https://podcasts.google.com/search/Embracing%20Abundant%20Life

https://open.spotify.com/show/2WaUGTIqTbdNOKUOr4NO3A

For other inspiring content, visit ASparkMinistries.com. While there, you can subscribe to receive weekly encouraging newsletters and devotionals.

If you enjoy the resources provided, you can offer your support by sharing our ministry with others and purchasing A Spark Merchandise through the A Spark Ministries website. Any of these methods of support are greatly appreciated.

We want to hear from you, email [email protected] with your ideas, comments, questions, and prayer request.

#SoulCare #Firstlove #FirstthingsFirst #EmbracingAbundantLife #inspirational #Christianity #christianlife #ASparkministries #seedtimeandharvest #ChristianPodcast

We are given the freedom to choose whose agenda we will line up our life up with. God allows Satan and His camp to pursue their agenda under His omniscience (all-aware, all-knowing) and omnipotence (all-powerful) rule. As humanity we must decide by whose agenda, we want to govern our lives.

Isaiah 59:19 lets us know that the enemy will comes in like a flood, but the Spirit of the Lord left up a standard against Him and drives Him a way. As children of God the Holy Spirit claims us as God until the day of redemption. However, each day of our lives we must mirror the Spirit of God lift up a standard and our lives declare that not only we are God’s but that our lives are. And we life up this standard and run the enemy off by live our lives in a manner that honors God.

To stay in the mind frame day after day and year after year as the enemy opposes us we have to remember who is the Lord of our life is and yield to what He is calling us to. He is love and He is calling us to Him (1 John 4:7-9). The overarching commands for Our Father God is to love Him and love others (Matt 22:37-40). From the love God showed us through His Son is birthed the good that overcomes (Romans 12:21) the enemy in our hearts, lives, homes, and communities.

The topics discussed in this "Healing" Series come from the book Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life written by Avis Sparks. Get your copy by visiting Asparkministries.com/store or Amazon.com

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

For other inspiring content, visit ASparkMinistries.com. While there, you can subscribe to receive weekly encouraging newsletters and devotionals.

If you enjoy the resources provided, you can offer your support by sharing our ministry with others and purchasing A Spark Merchandise through the A Spark Ministries website. Any of these methods of support are greatly appreciated.

We want to hear from you, email [email protected] with your ideas, comments, questions, and prayer request.

"The Cycle"

Thank you for joining us as we discuss "The Cycle." This topic brings about a lot of reflection. We pray that it helps equip and strengthens you to break some cycles in your life and encourages you to journey from glory to glory. Continue with us on our Healing journey as we tackle Agenda next episode.

Show Notes:

We go around in circles when we stop looking and focusing on God. We have been delivered from the cycle of humanity (pride, sin, and penalty) through salvation and empowered to journey on the linear upward path from glory to glory.

In the Cycle:

* • We reject our purpose, trying to substitute it with other things.

* • We walk in pride, believing we or someone else knows better than God about how and why we live our lives a certain way.

* • Our choice to reject purpose and walk-in pride leads us to consequence and brings us in need of redemption.

Humility:

* • Humility keeps us on purpose and a linear path from glory to glory. James 4 is a great chapter to view humility and see how it contrasts with pride.

* • Humility keeps us in God's will, looking to Him for direction and provision. Knowing without Him, we are nothing.

Pride:

* • Pride is double-edged. It causes us to pull away and devalue God, and it has God to oppose us.

* • Pride is a vehicle that houses and promotes other sins.

* • In pride, we ask for and seek things that promote self and feeds into separation from God.

• Pride causes us to pervert and misuse blessings, looking for ways for them to service us, not glorify God.

Conviction:

* • Conviction is God's mercy and compassion, giving us a ramp off the cycle of sin and consequences.

* • Receiving conviction and answering with repentance is the way to escaping the o destructive and hurtful cycle

* • God convicts and disciplines us because He loves us. He sees the hurt and pain our pride and other sin causes us and those around us, and He calls us to stop so that we can be healed and restored.

* • God wants us to get back on the path, receiving the grace needed to embrace abundant life through Christ. 

Plan of Redemption:

* • When we exit the linear upward path from glory to glory, God never leaves us but calls and encourages us back on the righteous path where we have a close relationship with Him.

* • Of course, life brings with its hardships, but we must remember that God is always there to give you the grace to keep going forward and upward in purpose.

The topics discussed in this "Healing" Series come from the book Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life written by Avis Sparks. Get your copy by visiting Asparkministries.com/store or Amazon.com

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

For other inspiring content, visit ASparkMinistries.com. While there, you can subscribe to receive weekly encouraging newsletters and devotionals.

If you enjoy the resources provided, you can offer your support by sharing our ministry with others and purchasing A Spark Merchandise through the A Spark Ministries website. Any of these methods of support are greatly appreciated.

We want to hear from you, email [email protected] with your ideas, comments, questions, and prayer request.

#TheCycle #Pride #Humility #Redemption #seed #harvest #fruitful #EmbracingAbundantLife #sow #inspirational #Christianity #christianlife #ASparkministries #seedtimeandharvest #ChristianPodcast

“ The Struggle ”

We have been created with a great purpose to grow in relationship with God and impact the world around us to enhance it and bring glory to God. Our objective is powerful, noble, and beautiful, but it doesn’t make it easy. As believers, we must embrace the struggle, stand our ground in God, and persevere in the face of all the circumstances that try to hinder us from being fruitful and walking in abundant life.

The struggle doesn’t change our purpose.

The introduction of sin nature into our beings and this world naturally opposes God’s will, purpose, and character. Yet, God did not modify or change why He created us. He stuck with His original plan for us. He made us for a relationship with Him and to steward the rest of creation through our authority, enhancing, managing, and multiplying it. Sin makes our purpose more challenging but not impossible with God.

Everyone struggles. We struggle triumphantly through our relationship with Christ.

Jesus lets us know, we are going to face hard times, but he also invites us to put down the way of struggle that our culture has taught. He wants to teach us how to struggle well and be successful in honoring the relationship and fulfilling purpose (Matthew 11:28-30). Our culture and the enemy will give us tools to manage the trials, opposition, and pains of life, but God gave us other tools. His Spirit empowers us with love, power, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

The struggle refines us.

Fredrick Douglas is noted for say “Without struggle, there is no progress.” The struggle has a purpose. It strengthens, teaches, and prepares us for the task of life at hand (James 1:2-4). It challenges us and calls us to reach beyond ourselves to a loving God who wants to teach us how to grow through the struggle and maintain peace, joy, and hope for the present and future.

Scriptural Review:

Purpose:

Genesis 1:28 (stewardship), Genesis 3:8 (Relationship), John 15:5 (Source of Success)

Technique:

Matthew 11:28-30 (Learn and grow in Christ) 2 Timothy 1:7 (Use the tools God gives)

Refinement and Strength:

James 1:2-4 (produces perseverance and leads to maturity and being fully equipped

Thank you for joining us as we talked about “The Struggle.” This topic and others from the “Healing” Series come from the book Healing the Body of Christ: Embracing Abundant Life written by Avis Sparks. Get your copy by visiting Asparkministries.com/store or Amazon

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

For other inspiring content, visit ASparkMinistries.com. While there, you can subscribe to receive weekly encouraging newsletters and devotionals.

If you enjoy the resources provided, you can offer your support by sharing our ministry with others and purchasing A Spark Merchandise through the A Spark Ministries website. Any of these methods of support are greatly appreciated.

We want to hear from you, email [email protected] with your ideas, comments, questions, and prayer request

#ChristianPodcast #Healing #Asparkministries #Christianbooks #ChristianAuthor #BibleStudy #RealTalk #TheStruggle #Purpose

#EmbracingAbundantLife

We must be willing to plant a seed to expect a harvest. Christ came to give us the means and way to an abundant life. It is our job to receive it and walk in it. We have to acknowledge the seeds that He has given us and embrace the way He wants to increase our lives. And the increase began when we take what He has given and plant. We activate the process for growth, development, and with time fruit when we began to plant what we have been given.

Does more seed mean more harvest? What matters when you plant?

Where does the seed come from?

God wants to guide and teach us in all of it. For us to embrace abundant life we must be wiling to learn how to be good stewards. It is necessary for us to accept that all of it is His and He has a plan for it. He wants to direct us in increasing and protecting what is His. We are more inclined to partner with Him allowing Him to be guide our step when we know that His plan has us with Him not on our own trying to figure it out and make it happen. Stewardship takes diligence, work, integrity, and commitment, but do now the harvest that is coming is well worth the effort.

Scriptural Review:

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

2 Corinthians 9:10 “ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Galatians 6:8 “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Get your copy of the “Healing the Body of Christ” Book by visiting Asparkministries.com/shop or Amazon.

Are you enjoying what you are hearing? Then, be sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast.

#seed #harvest #fruitful #EmbracingAbundantLife #sow #inspirational #Christianity #christianlife #ASparkministries #seedtimeandharvest #ChristianPodcast

Education: Catalyst to True Change

Practical Living Series

When we want to be a catalyst of actual change, we must be willing to "Meet People where they are." Education is a door to opportunity, but it hard to encourage someone to walk through something difficult or low on the survival totem pole if they do not first feel like you care about them.

Our Guest this week is Dr. Tiffany Fisher. She has been an educator for 14 years. She has experience as a middle school science teacher, high school science teacher, college science instructor, and administration. Dr. Jones-Fisher has recently started an independent education consulting firm, 1280 Forward Education Consultants. Dr. Jones-Fisher is committed to being a catalyst for true change. Dr. Jones-Fisher is the oldest of four children, married to Jason Fisher, and has a daughter, Cameryn. She is also a lifelong resident of Clarke County.

To reach out to Dr. Tiffany Fisher by following her on social media Facebook: Tiffany Jones-Fisher, IG: @iwearacape, Twitter: @1280Forward

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Go to Asparkministries.com to find devotionals, videos, and other encouraging material.

Email [email protected] to share your topic ideas, questions, or request prayer.