Excel Still More

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Every single person can become a better Bible student. The Word is divine and grand and we are not. So it will always have something to show us, some message to place into our lives.  In fact, the whole Bible, page upon page, shares beautiful insight into our King, and every single student of the Bible has more to find if they know how to look.

The key to deeper Bible study is the combination for FOUR simple, daily decisions. These four things will connect you to the Word in a special way. You will see the Truth, interpret it, lock it into place, and share with with people you love. Today's episode walks you through those four steps. 

If you would like to purchase an ESM 3-Month Journal, as discussed in the episode, you can do so here:  www.excelstillmore.life.

If you would like to start the Color Bible Marking series, please like the Facebook page of that same name.  You could also subscribe to the Color Bible Marking YouTube channel.

- Who needs to go deeper in the study of the Word?

- Why is it important to be a daily Bible student?

- Is Bible reading and Bible study different?

- What are the Four daily tips and how do I implement them?

- Is is time for me to become a teacher of the word and not just a student?

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The human experience is filled with both ups and downs.  More specifically, downs followed by recovery.  Most of us move along quite well in life most of the time. But then just like that, something happens.  And you become broken.  Maybe it is a crack. Other times it feels like life is falling apart. But that is not the whole story. The is just the first half of the human experience.  Then comes repair, healing. God meant for us to face crushing realties in this life, and then to be repaired, strengthened, and stronger than ever. 

- What is the Human Experience?

- Who experiences pain and loss and brokenness?

- What is God's plan to "Fix You"?

- How important are Inner Circle relationships when you hurt?

- What can Jesus do to put you back together again?

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The Emerson family took on The Storage Shed this past week! The process was long overdue and represented an all day affair for us. But the results... well, we feel like superheroes!  More importantly, every one of us has a storage building. It is a place where everything we are obligated to, everything we schedule, and everything we pay for, lives. It can get way overfull. Now is an excellent time to reassess what gets to live there. Now is the time trim things, and make sure that less goes back in when we return to "normal." And maybe, if you trim some things down, you will have space to add new and wonderful elements to your life. Come with me on this journal to reorganization and making the most out of the lives we have been blessed to live. 

- How has your life changed during the coronavirus quarantine?

- What are some things that you stopped doing and don't want to start again?

- What are some things you will start again but need to cut back on?

- What have you been doing with your time that is a true blessing to you?

- How can we build new lives, storage places for our activities, to enjoy life more?

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Hope is the desire for better things and the expectation it will happen.
Springs are seasons of new beginning, and the act of sudden change.
Eternal is a guarantee of consistency and even beyond this world.

If we want to excel in our walk, we must be optimistic, hopeful people in Christ.  Good news: God has done a TON of things to make this happen. Let's talk about the culture of hope that we must have, and let's look at ways that God has helped us to get there. May you see the light after the darkness, the warmth after the cold, the hope for better days, in Christ.

As mentioned in the episode, if you have not found in Hope in Jesus, I would love to talk to you more about that. Please reach out:  [email protected]

- How can we overcome dread in our current situation?

- What does it mean to have hope that springs eternal?

- How has God made joy possible even in difficult times?

- What does Easter have to do with it?  What is being combined?

- How much does the world need to see Christians living with hope and joy?

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With the world facing a pandemic unlike anything we've ever seen, people are looking too God for answers. But what questions are they asking? Here's a common one: Is God Angry? Is God angry with the sinfulness of this world.  We will answer that question today absolutely and confidently. But then comes other questions: Is God angry with all men or just some?  Is God allowing this to happen to Christians for a reason?  And maybe the most difficult one of all: Is God punishing godless nations and cities?  How confident can we be in our answers. We will explore what we can know from Scripture. 

In the end, it is less about why it is happening or who is behind it. The bigger question always is: what can I learn from this? What is the right reaction to suffering, sin and death in the world around us? And specifically, what should you be doing, whether you know what God is doing or not.  

- Is God Angry

- Is God testing His people

-Is God punishing evil nations 

- What can we learn from all of this

- What is the right answer, the right outcome, of all questions about God

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I need to tell you about Patrick.  He had a rough upbringing, a tragic loss, and a dark addiction. But two years ago he decided to get help.  And as he sat across from me, in my office, he was on step 12 of the Alcoholics Anonymous program!  And even as he was about to put on Christ in baptism, and celebrate victory over Satan, he needed more.  He said, "Kris, 12 steps is not enough. I need the 13th step."  I want to tell you about that step today.  I want to ask you how far you have come, if you have found victory, and if you are truly enjoying the decision that makes it all hold in place: the 13th step.

- what led Patrick to the waters of baptism

- what is the right way to deal with pain and addiction

- how was the 12 step program helped people heal their brokenness

- why is a 13th step needed to truly make the road to recovery hold

- are you caught in something scary and need a community of believers to help

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Don't panic.  We got this.  In fact, Christians were born for this.  At least, we were born again for this. When the world is turned upside down, Christians see Jesus standing upright.  We are the people who use times of fear to show courage. We use times of uncertainly to stand on solid ground. Today we will read a portion of an essay from 1948 to help with some needed perspective.  And then, at the end, I want to give you 6 basic, daily tips, to keep growing, even in this troubling time. 

- Why are people so scared of this pandemic

- Is this the first generation to have to deal with massive troubles

- How should Christians be found if disaster was to come to them

- Is this instruction from Jesus still valid: don't worry about tomorrow

- What are six things every child of God can do to make all the difference

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Let's explore how to get other people moving. I know, the purpose of these episodes is for you to work on yourself. And sometimes just doing that has the power to influence others. But every once in a while you actually need to get another person moving. How do you empower the individual to get going in their work?  Maybe in your family or in the church? Maybe at school or in the community? How do you get them engaged?

Governments and churches have gotten this wrong for years. To get people engaged, overseers organize programs, groups, public announcements, or sermons. These don't get it done. They are good encouragers for people who are actually trying, and need encouragement.  But legislation and public calls to action do not engage individuals who aren't currently interested in the work.  There is only one way to do that.  Let's explore that in today's episode!

- How do you get someone to engage in the work

- Why does it need to be done through individual connection

- How have churches and governments gotten it wrong over the years

- Why won't a sermon cause someone to engage in rightful living

- What does it take to connect with people in a way that empowers them

 

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No one enjoys trials.  If you are struggling with something in your life right now, you have no doubt prayed for relief. But as Christians, we have also signed on to be molded and trained by God. We wanted to be prepared to be a sanctuary, tried and true, and to do His work. After all, we have been saved to do His good works, and shine for Him. Do we have the right attitude about this? So many people want a life without trial, pain, temptation and sorrow. However, these things make us who God needs us to be. 

Joseph is a tremendous example. He went through many difficult events that were not his fault.  He always lived by faith and God was with him. In the end, though the 23 years away from his father were hard, he understood that God prepared him to do great things. Do you feel that way about the trials you are enduring right now?  Take a listen.

- Why do bad things happen to good people

- How can trials make us who God wants us to be

- What does it mean to be His workmanship, created for Good works

- How did Paul understand pain for the sake of glory

- How does Joseph show us the right attitude in difficult times

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

The term "kick the bucket" has been around for well over 200 years.  But just in the last 15 years, we have started talking about "bucket lists." This represents things we would like to accomplish before the end of life. For the most part, people list places they would like to see or accomplishments they are striving for. And I'm not a big fan of exhaustive lists like this. If you just seize the day, and have a great attitude, a growing faith, and spiritual determination, most of that stuff will work itself out.

However, what if you just picked ONE bucket item?  What would you choose and single, most important thing you hope to pursue and accomplish between now and death.  It would be something you'd have to work hard for, something that would glorify God, and something that could help people long after you were gone.  What would that thing be?

- What is a bucket list and why do we have them

- Why are most bucket list items not really worth listing

- What would be the One Bucket Item you would want read at your funeral

- How do you set up the criteria for One Bucket Item

- How can you shrink down that criteria into everyday living