In this episode we explore the cause and the place to which Elijah, the great prophet, fled because of the threat of his adversary.  This was both a physical and emotional journey that he embarked upon while searching for answers to his current predicament.  With the pressures and adversity we face, we find ourselves sometimes behaving just like Elijah... going on a journey of discovery.

• Main focus of the conversation - I Kings 19:1-18 
• Elijah's start - I Kings 17 - 18
• Elijah's finish - I Kings 21:20-29, 2 Kings 1:1-18, 2 Kings 2:1-11
• Mount Horeb/Sinai - Exodus 3;  Chapt. 19; 31:18; 32:7-18; 33:12-23; 34:1-28

In this episode we explore the who, why, and how of walking in the Spirit.  There are great benefits to learning and applying these trues to our everyday lives.  Starting with Galatians 5:24-26, and walking throughout the epistles, we're seeking to better understand the principle and it's application.

• Who - Galatians 5:24-26,  1 John 2:6, Ephesians 5:8-10
• Why - Romans 6:4, Galatians 5:16-17, Romans 8:8-9
• How - Colossians 2:6-7, 2 Cor. 5:7, Ephesians 5:1-4, 2 John 1:6, Colossians 4:5, Romans 13:13-14
• Benefits - Romans 8:1, Romans 8:13-14, 1 John 1:7

I thought we were all a child of God… nope.  (Romans 3:10-12, 23, Romans 5:12,  John 8:44, 1 John 3:8-10, Romans 8:9, Ephesians 2:12)

Is God my Father… spiritually speaking… not until you're born again. (John 1:12-13, John 3:5-7, Romans 8:15-17, Galatian 3:26-29)

We were apart from God… separated.  We were brought back into right fellowship by the spiritual rebirth.  This rebirth is what gives us access to what we by nature were cut off from… similar to the process of adoption.  An adopted child is brought into a family and is accepted as and has the same rights/privilege as the natural.  By being born again, we receive his Spirit, and are now his children (Romans 8:15-17).  

We have an obligation as God's children... (2Tim. 2:19, 2Cor. 5:17, 1 John 3:2-3, Romans 8:12-14, Galatians 5:16-25, Ephesians 4:1-3)

Greco Roman Adoption Process – to identify an heir (Usually Adults not Children)

• Critical Aspects: Legal appointment as a son by declaration, the promise of an inheritance, and a condition against rebellion.
• Adoption would result in an adoption of power for the adopted child as the status of the adopting family was immediately transferred to the child.
• The actual adoption was often operated like a business contract between the two families. The adopted child took the family name as his own.  Kept his GIVEN name but took on the new family’s CLAN and FAMILY name.
• An adopted child received a new identity. Any prior commitments, responsibilities and debts were erased. New rights and responsibilities were taken on just as though he were a natural born son.
• In ancient Rome, the concept of inheritance was part of life, not something that began at death. Being adopted made someone an heir to their father, joint-sharers in all his possessions and fully united to him.
• In the Roman system, the man or boy being adopted was alieni iuris (still under the control of a pater familias, the patriarch or head of a family). The son who is not his own master (alieni iuris) switched from the control of his own pater familias to the control of his adoptive pater familias. This process was called adoption.  He had to leave everything from his past life behind… he owned nothing and could bring nothing… just himself. 
• Under Roman law, a free non-citizen (peregrine) could not be adopted by a citizen. A slave could be freed to become a Roman citizen; the freedman, who was now a Roman citizen, could then be adopted.
• Was expected to respect and honor new parents as though they were his real parents.
• At any time the adoptee could be emancipated by his adopted father.  Emancipation is the termination of parental control and revokes all the rights that one possessed by having been a part of the family.  All property and inheritance rights would be completely lost.

Sources

Adoption in ancient Rome - Wikipedia

How the Roman practice of adoption sheds light on what St. Paul was talking about (aleteia.org)

Biblical Adoption Is Not What You Think It Is | Christianity Today

Adoption in the Roman Empire - Life in the Roman Empire (carolashby.com)

Adoption in New Testament Times (liberty.edu)

In this powerful episode, Mike and Talesha  discuss the  details of living the dream.   

Points to ponder:

• Know where the dream came from.
• When God speaks  to you it's not for nothing. Get ready for transition.
• Trust God and Embrace the journey.
• The time in fulfillment far exceeds the time of frustration.
• Understand that you might not understand the fullness of the dream.
• Living is what makes the dream come to fulfillment

Reading:

1. Gen. 37-Gen. 50
2. Prov. 3:5,6
3. Ps. 37:4
4. Ec. 5:3, 7
5. Rom. 8:28

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In this episode Mike and Talesha discuss how to reap a  bountiful harvest both naturally and spiritually. Spoiler alert, we're not farmers! But we hope you can glean some ways to reap a maximum harvest.  

Points to ponder:

• The law of the harvest- You will reap what you sow.
  • You cannot plant one thing and expect a different harvest.
• There is a farming cycle that all crops follow:  Preparation, Planting/Sowing, Protecting, Harvest
• The seed dictates the required conditions and details of the farming process.
  • The things we choose to consume are seeds that are being planted in the seat of our hearts and minds.  It can be our own words and thoughts, or that of others.  This is why the protecting is so critical. Both protecting what we allow in, and the good things that have been planted.

Readings:

Preparing and Planting - Matt. 13:3-9, Mark 4:1-8, 14-20, Luke 8:1-15

Protection- Gal. 6:9, Prov. 4:23-27, Phil. 4:6-9, II Tim. 2:15-23

Harvesting- Hosea 10:12-13, Gal. 6:7-8, Luke 6:43-44

Timing- Ecc. 3:1-2, Ecc. 11:4-6, I Cor. 3:6-9

Working- Prov. 20:4, Prov. 10:5, Prov. 12:11

Location- Ps. 92:13-14, John 15:1-5

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In this episode we discuss:

• Brokenness can lead to contrition.
• Contrition leads to repentance.
• Repentance lead to salvation.

One definition of broken is: damaged or altered by breaking. Disrupted by change, made weak or infirm, subdued completely; crushed. 

Contrite is defined as: the kind of spirit, or heart, pleasing and acceptable to God. The person with a contrite spirit weeps over wrong doings and express genuine sorry for his sin. (Nelson's Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible)

Scriptures:

1. Ps. 34:18
2. Ps. 51:17
3. Is. 66:2
4. Is. 57:15

Story reference: 

• Prodigal son- Luke 15:11-32
• Jonah - Jonah 3
• The Publican and Pharisee- Luke 18:9-14
• David's demise- II Sam. 11, 12:1-23

This episode exposes some things that trigger fear, the consequences of being afraid, and how to overcome it according to the Word of God.  

Scriptures:

• Psalms 27:1-3
• Prov. 29:25
• Matthews 14:24-31
• Mark 4:35-41
• John 14:27

I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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Prophecy is described as the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God.   It is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means. It is foretelling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, present, or the future. 

The purpose prophecy is to edify, to comfort, and to encourage the believers, while its effect upon unbelievers is to show that the secrets of a man's heart are known to God, to convict of sin and constrain worship.

Reading: 

• Deuteronomy 13:1-5,  18:20-22; Numbers 12:6
• I Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-30;  Ephesians 4:11-12
• Numbers 11:16-26; Acts 2:16-18; Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 14:1-33
• Jeremiah 23:9-22; 2 Peter 2:1-3,10,18-20

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In this episode we deal with the concept of self-love.  Interesting enough, the scriptures do say quite a bit about this topic... we just tend to miss it!  Self love done with biblical principles in mind will lead to life, peace, and fulfillment.  Join us as we explore how the Bible addresses this topic.

Love thy neighbor as thyself:  Matthew 22:34-40; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 13:8,10;  Galatian 5:14

Treat people like you want to be treated:  Luke 6:22-23, 27-39

Ways to love yourself:  Psalm  34:12-14; 1 Peter 3:10-11; Colossians 3:1-17;  2 Peter 1:2-11

Charity at it's finest:  1 Corinthians 13:4-8

As a continuation of "Why would I...", sometimes after we have said "I do" and time begins to pass we find ourselves looking for the exit.  In this episode we're discussing what the Bible says regarding exiting a marriage.

For your reference:

• Death Do Us Part - Romans 7:1-3 ; I Cor. 7:39
• Adultery - Exodus 20:14,17 ; Deut. 5:18,21 ; Deut. 22:22  ; Lev. 20:10 ; Prov. 6:32-33
• Divorce (Putting Away) - Deut. 24:1-4 ; Matt. 5:31-32 ; Mark 10:2-12  ; Luke 16:18 ; I Cor. 7:12-15
• Separation - I Cor. 7:10-11

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