Living With Less Podcast

This week Chelsey dives into submitting our desires and preferences before the Lord, seeking His heart through the study of His Word, and having constant reminders around that point us back to Him. 

Women In The Word:

• We have to approach God's Word seeking His heart and not through the lens of what we prefer.
• We have to have dialogue with other believers that will challenge us to seek His Word, we can't just agree with what everyone says God's Word says and claim we know it to be true.
• God's Word will never contradict itself.

Stories in scripture where we see the slippery slope of leading with what we prefer and the detriments of giving into the desires of our flesh:

• 2 Timothy 3:2-7
• 2 Samuel 11 & 12
• Numbers 15:32

We Need Reminders:

• Numbers 37-40 - We need reminders and things/people to hold us accountable to what God desires for us!
• He told the Israelites to make blue tassel cords as reminders of God's commands, to keep them, and to not follow their own heart + eyes.
• Our flesh's preferences and emotions do not have authority over us.
• We can't allow our flesh's preferences and emotions to deluded the work of Christ on the cross.
• Get your freebie blue tassel reminder book mark/printable here! 

Provoked to Proclaim: Spotting False Teachers, Keeping Honor in Women's Bible Study, & Knowing God Rightly with Marcie Morris. Episode 114 is packed with much needed truth to equip us as we walk with the Lord and keep Him and His Word as the center of our lives. 

False Teachers: 2 Peter 2:1-2

• But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Peter 2:1-2
• False teachers bank on unsteady souls and biblical illiteracy, they bank on you not reading your Bible.
• If you think your pastor has fallen into this or you have questions take them to Him in love and respect. Take God's Word and ask him to clarify what he meant and to point out in scripture where he drew his conclusion from.
• A good, faithful, honest pastor will tell his people and want his people to go to Scripture and hold him accountable to it! 

The Difference Between False Teacher and Heretic:

• False teachers believe in core doctrine.
• Heritics deny core doctrine.
• A false teacher does not always mean a heretic.
• A Heretic will always be a false teacher.

Scripture Reference to Mark and Avoid:

• Romans 16:17 - I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
• Titus 3:10 - As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him..
• 2 John 10 - If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting..

Women's Bible Study

• If you are leading a women's ministry, be FAITHFUL to scripture, don't bank of the felt need of the women.
• Study God's Word and use a solid commentary. Go verse by verse. 
• Edmund Clowney book - The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament
• We must KNOW God in order to worship Him rightly.

Connect with Marcie:

IG: @provokedtoproclaim

Twitter: @provoked2proclm

This is one of Chelsey's favorite episodes ever recorded. She walks through Exodus and points out the call over our lives as followers of Christ to have hearts full of reverence for God, to desire accountability for ourselves and others, and that we are promised a distinction between God's people and those of this world. 

Exodus 35-40 

• goes through the construction of tabernacle, making the ark of the covenant, , making the alter, making priests garments. These chapters show us that God desires for us to keep sacred what He has called sacred. 
• We need to approach God's HOLY PLACE knowing that it is a HOLY PLACE. 
• The alter is not a place for a show or a place to glamorize to make it look attractive to the world. It is a place dedicated to God the Father.

Exodus 12:24-27 - The Passover 

• We must uphold the call that the Lord gave the Israelites to SHARE what God has done.
• We need to share scripture and TELL of ALL His wonderful works.
• Psalm 9:1-2

Exodus 15 - Moses' Song of Praise

• We should desire to write down the details of our lives that the Lord has orchestrated.
• We should always seek God with a heart of PRAISE! 

Exodus 21-23 - Accountability 

• We see in Ch. 22:1-4 that ALL are held accountable no matter who they are or what they came from.
• We need to stop withholding consequences and start to allow people to see the detriments of their sin, because in this place - they see the cost, redemption, and heart of the Father at work.
• Holding people accountable is NOT withholding grace. 

Exodus 32:26, Exodus 10:21-23, Matthew 10:34-39 - Distinction 

• Exodus 32 - the call to those who were on the Lord's side. 
• Exodus 10 - the LIGHT over ONLY the Israelites (God's people) when darkness was over the Egyptians for 3 days. 
• Matthew 10 - There will be a separation between people who choose a life for Christ or a life that loves the world 

This week Chelsey sat down with Alisha Illian to dive into a deep conversation of living surrendered to the Lord and pursuing Christ's heart in a world that desires to distract us with living for ourselves.

Alisha is a wife, mom, founder of Women (re)Purposed, author of Chasing Perfect: Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better, and she loves equipping women with biblical truth and hope for their day-to-day struggles. 

1) Tell us a little about you!

• Two years ago I moved from Dallas, TX back to my hometown of Wichita, Kanas with my husband of 14 years and our three, high-octane kids who are 8,10, and 12. We are the in the golden years — the are old enough to rides their own bikes on family bike rides, but no hormonal rollercoaster rides yet. My kids are big into sports and extracurricular activities. Even when we just do one sport per child....it gets busy fast. MOST CHALLENGING PART of ministry and family life. NOT BALANCE, BUT JUGGLING.
• I’ve been in women’s ministry both at home and in the local church for the past 20 years. Currently the founder and director for Women rePurposed, a ministry that God planted in my heart a couple of years ago and is just now launching with a full team this summer.
• WRP MISSION: Encouraging and Equipping Women to Love God, Learn Truth, and Live Transformed

2) I am really excited to dive into this conversation today - I’d love to start with this. Your book is titled, “Chasing Perfect”. Can you give a quick run down of the book and then share where this message came from in your own life. What changed/shifted/conviction did you feel on your heart from the Lord?

• Chasing Perfect: Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better. Authors often write books, not because they have it all figured out or have perfectly overcome a struggle, but they have learned to STRUGGLE WELL.
• Not all women would probably consider themselves “perfectionists”, wanting all dishes put away, beds made and counters immaculate. I certainly don’t! But many of us are constantly seeking the next best thing or reaching for something better in order to feel content.
• We are chasing after so many things — satisfaction in our jobs, happiness in our homes, a great tribe of friends, and a beautiful body. THE PERFECT PLAN, CONTROL, IDENTITY.
• I honestly believe that the most socially acceptable idols of our day IS ACHIEVEMENT — the continual desire to be great or better. I would add...to be in control. The pandemic and state of our world right now has made that painfully clear. We are looking for an answer. So we strive to be better, do better, find better, live better in an attempt to manage, tidy, and control the outcomes of our lives.
• BUT GOD ISN’T ASKING US FOR TIDY LIVES, BUT TRANSFORMED LIVES. HE CALLS US TO PERFECTION, BUT NOT THE PERFECTION THAT WE CAN ATTAIN, BUT THE PERFECTION THAT HE PROVIDES.
• “Be perfect as I am perfect.” Matthew 5:48
• The NT Greek idea of “perfect” here ‘TE-LE-AS’ is less about doing everything just right AND WITHOUT FLAW as the English word describes it and more about living into your purpose and identity we were designed and called to ... “being brought to it’s end, complete and mature”
• NOT A COMMAND TO ETHICAL EQUALITY WITH GOD, BUT THE COMMAND TO IMITATE AND REFLECT GOD. WHICH IS WHY JAMES 1:2-4 IS SO POWERFUL WHEN IT SAYS TO “COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS, FOR YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS. AND LET STEADFASTNESS HAVE ITS FULL EFFECT THAT YOU MAY BE “PERFECT” AND COMPLETE, LACKING IN NOTHING.”
• We are called to aim for increasing holiness and sanctification. He wants us to grow. But through Him and for him and in him. We aren’t chasing perfection in ourselves or for ourselves.
• “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:1-3
• The more I studied the scripture on this idea of “perfection” and contentment, the more I realized that the desire is not wrong. But, In fact, it may be intentional, part of how God created us.
• The problem is that, in my life, I often had and still often do, chase the wrong things. 
• We were made to chase Jesus.

3) The idol of self has blazed a trail in our world and taken the Lord off of the throne of our hearts. Where do you see this being most destructive and where in scripture would you take someone as they are trying to move away from this way of living?

• It saddens me that so many books, and supposedly Christian authors anchor their messages on self-determination and personal fulfillment. That true hope and purpose is found in “fulfilling your potential”. They may have large followings, but they fail to tell you WHO you should really follow and that the meaningful life is not found in self-empowerment, but the surrender of self to God’s power and provision.
• Rachel Hollis - was on New York Times best seller list 46 weeks, sold over 3 million copies, 1.6 million followers. Her books are flying off the shelf and women are listening and admire her. Says a lot about our culture. 
• HUSTLE CULTURE trend - started when a very popular book was released “Girl, wash your face.” This book was released by a Christian publisher, but is more of a motivational and self-help book with a little Jesus sprinkled in. But the idea of the message and this authors message is that YOU CONTROL YOUR OWN HAPPINESS AND THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS LIVING INTO YOUR BEST SELF POSSIBLE. YOU CONTROL YOUR HAPPINESS AND DESTINY.
• THE MANTRA ... LIVE INTO YOUR POTENTIAL. SO, you need to constantly chase your “ideal self”. You can take active steps to be happy and fulfilled. Definitely a self- help type message. You are in control of your fulfillment in life. Although some of these things can be helpful, we can’t expect to find soul peace and purpose outside of God. According to this author — “lost” means living into other people’s expectations of yourself and not your own. Ultimate happiness is living into your own potential!! (How you look, how much money you have, how you feel about yourself) the posture is rooted in the here and now! Almost a “chasing of your ideal self” that is her idea of heaven. The mantra is ... “Just try harder!”You are your own Savior!
• It seems like culture (and even Christian subculture) is really BUYING INTO THIS IDEA OF THE “GOSPEL OF SELF” — it’s everywhere
• ITS HONESTLY EXHAUSTING TO BE FORCED TO BELIEVE THAT I AM ENOUGH AND THAT MY HAPPINESS IS DEPENDENT ON ME. DEEP DOWN INSIDE I KNOW I’M NOT ENOUGH.
• And the Bible says I’m not enough. - In Romans it says that I am a sinner. In Eph 2 it says that I am dead in my sins. In Is 64:6 it says that my good works are like filthy rags. We have to get the diagnosis right before we can accept the cure. If we think we are good and able and capable, we will never accept God’s remedy. The endless chase for hope and purpose will go no where and in the wrong direction.
• Self is not the answer. It’s the problem.
• The Gospel is the answer, the good news. Jesus perfection for me. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 For. 5:21
• I needed reminded that the GOSPEL changes everything. In my struggles, insecurities, anxieties ... I need to settle my mind and heart in the hope of the gospel. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
• The “yoke” was a visual of the harness that was used for sen to get them to pull a cart or farming equipment. One yoke for two oxen. The yoke of Jesus was his teaching ... the gospel. The Jews of Jesus day were living under the heavy weight of the law, trying to earn favor with God through adherence to over 600 laws and many extra laws that were merely tradition. This was exhausting. Jesus way was light because it wasn’t dependent on their efforts that were futile, but on his sufficiency. Anytime we look inward to find hope and peace, we pick up our heavy yoke.
• It’s so easy to start feeling frazzled and discontent when the source of our hope comes from ourselves...how we measure up, how we perform, how we compare. It’s exhausting. We will never be ENOUGH. We are the problem, so we can’t also be the solution. We know we aren’t enough, so when the world or even the Christian sub-culture tells us that we are, we get disheartened.
• But Jesus is enough, his perfection is enough. He is our hope...not the number on the scale, your spouses mood, your ability to accomplish or impress. Sure, we are called to put forth effort in life, steward our bodies, gifts, and passions, but the point is .... Our acceptance and identity can’t be dependent on those things. We work from a place of acceptance, not for a place of acceptance. That is life-giving and liberating.
• And let’s not forget that the gospel message transforms or should transformed every aspect of our lives. Because of the grace of God, we can forgive others, live in the freedom that we are found worthy on the merit of Jesus, not our performance. We can extend grace to others in the same way. Because of Jesus, we don’t need to find our significance in our significant other, our waist line or even our ability to handle every situation perfectly. The gospel gives us hope outside of ourselves or our uncertain circumcstances, so when we walk in obedience, aiming to live into the “teleas” or perfect completion, we are not fighting for hope and peace, we are living in and from his provision and purpose.

 4) Self-help doesn’t work, the blood of Christ is what saves. You have the quote that went wild on the internet, "You can eat all the kale, buy all the things, lift all the weights, take all the trips, trash all that doesn't spark joy, wash your face and hustle like mad, but if you don't rest your soul in Jesus, you'll never find peace and purpose.” I’ve seen so many women caught in the trap of “self-help” culture. How would you steward someone away from this lie and to the truth of God’s Word?

• THE IRONY IS THAT THE SELF-HELP GOSPEL ISN’T HELPING OURSELF— ...We think we are STRIVING FOR ACHIEVEMENT, POWER, OR POPULARITY. What WE ARE really AFTER is JOY, PEACE, PURPOSE, SATISFACTION, LOVE, CONTROL .... JESUS!
• We don’t need transformed out of our idols of success, being better, having more, comfort, control, etc. .... We needed transformed out of our DISBELIEF AND DISTRUST.
• Ultimately, WE don’t believe he is enough. We don’t trust him. The kingdom of God says ... Surrender self ... not this idea of promotion of self or focus on self. Surrender is required for soul peace.
• NLT “If you cling to your life, you will lose it. If you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matt 10:39
• To bear fruit (the fruit of what we are all after — joy, peace, purpose, etc) we must “die” to ourself. John 12:24 (unless the kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains only a single seed ... it won’t produce abundant life)
• The worship of God, the centrality of God in our lives, not self, is the life-giving well that will bear much fruit.
• THE GREATEST SELF-CARE IS SOUL CARE. THE GREATEST WAY TO LOVE YOURSELF (OR HELP YOURSELF) IS TO LOSE YOURSELF.

5) Submission to God’s will is difficult for all of us at some point. What has this looked like for you - where in your life did you see surrender to the Lord needed to happen most?

• I’ve always struggled with wanting to control the outcomes. Jesus said to cast my cares on him. I liked that idea, as long as I didn’t cast them so far that I couldn’t manage them.
•  HE KNEW I HAD A CONTROL PROBLEM. Knowing that, he allowed me to experience and struggle through a condition that would affect the part of the nervous system that we have no control over and with no real clear control over or answer to what it would turn into or how to manage it. I now have temperature control issues, twitching muscles, heart rate/BP. My hands shake ... but my heart no longer does.
• “If dependence is the goal, weakness is the advantage.”
• But anything that makes us lean on him and turn to his word for truth, security, and hope is a blessing.
• C.S. Lewis said this ... “Pain makes us put away our toys”
• In our struggles we tend to turn away from ourselves, our insufficiency, our entertainment and turn toward the ETERNAL, the sufficient. We cling to the steady and immovable.
• It was this season that I realized I was chasing my own sufficiency and control over Jesus for happiness. My joy was dependent on circumstances, not his presence.
• But ... every day is A daily decision to trust God. SOMETIMES HIS DELIVERANCE ISN’T TO TAKE US OUT OR REMOVE US FROM THE DIFFICULTY. HIS DELIVERANCE IS HIS PRESENCE.

6) This makes me want to address the beloved verse Jer 29:11, many in the world even love this. Though many disregard that this is a call to submission, not a promise to have what we want, when we want it, with no pain in life. I’d love to heart from you, how have you seen God draw you in through the “plans and provisions” He’s had for you that were NEVER what you thought it would look like?

• The 3 most important aspects of good Bible study is ....CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT. We have to read scripture in light of the immediate context of what is happening and the big story of scripture if we want to properly interpret. This particular verse is frequently plucked out of context to convey this idea that God will only give us a pleasant and prosperous life....according to world standards. That feels nice. It seems so uplifting. But God was actually giving a promise to his people ISRAEL (who were going to be exiled to Babylon and have their nation and temple destroyed). It was a specific promise that they would return to the land in 70 years. See verse 10. This was a re-assurance that God would not forsake them.
• So the primary application is not for us today. BUT we can apply it as a general principle of God’s consistent character, his grace and affection for those he loves, including us...his daughters! For us, in Christ, he has promised that our sins are forgiven, we stand before God justified (Jesus perfection as ours), and will work all things together for our good ... even the trials and difficulties of life. (Romans 5:5, Romans 8:31-39).
• So, as I walk this out ... I’m daily deciding to trust him. It’s easy to trust him with my soul, it’s harder to trust him with my life. With my chronic neurological condition, with my marriage, my family, my ministry. Sometimes God is quiet.
• He asks me to trust him in the middle moments, when I do the things that don’t get immediately recognized or appreciated. He wants me to walk in step with the spirit, yielding to him instead of controlling and micromanaging every aspect of my day or planning out every step. I’m learning that often his plan isn’t this specific “thing”, but his will is daily dependence and surrender.
• Will I turn to the world’s answer and solution or trust God and his plan, even if it means that the answer may not come or the promise for good may not be realized until I see him face to face and the world is renewed and restored?

7) I ask all my guest this -T he Living With Less Podcast was birthed from John 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease.” If someone asked you what they needed to begin living with less of what would you tell them and why?

• First, can I just say that that is my favorite verse in the Bible. It’s actually my life verse. My pastor preached on John 3 last week and talked about JTB. John said these final worlds as a response to his disciples who were frustrated at the greater success of Jesus disciples. What humility to realize that it wasn’t about him! His efforts were always just a response and desire to make much of Jesus. I read the book, “The Voice of Prophet” by A.W. Tozer last month and he talks about how God will use the man (or woman) with whom his glory is most safe.
• This was a mic drop moment for me as I considered how so often I don’t think God’s glory is safe with me. I want the glory. I want applause. I care about what people think, if they like me and approve.
• I want to live with less of me — concern for acceptance, approval and applause. I want to live for the praise and love of Jesus. I want him to lifted, glorified and increased.
• And here’s the crazy thing, the more I live for him, surrender to his will, and willing to lose my life ... the more hope, joy, purpose and freedom I will find.
•  We were never meant to chase perfection, but chase the Perfect one. In him alone and for his glory alone will we find what we are looking for and rest for our souls.

Connect with Alisha:

• www.womenrepurposed.com
• Order Chasing Perfect HERE!
• @womenrepurposed  - Instagram
• @alishaillian - Instagram

This week Chelsey sits down with Lacey Rabalais from the Homegrown Theologian to talk about The Cost Of Grace. We dive into the price of Christ's life so that we may receive grace, the difference between grace and mercy, how cheap graces cheapens all of the things of the Lord, and why we need to know God's Word so that we can deepen our knowledge of the glory of God. 

Scripture Reference:

• Genesis 3
• John 19
• Isaiah 53:5

This quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship 

• Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."
• Costly grace - "Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him."
• He shares this lastly - "Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”

What has been seen under the microscope of the last year and need to accountability:

• A lack of biblical literacy from all facets of the church. We need to know God through His Word personally. 
• Accountability - we need sound people to hold us accountable. In the early church disciples were never sent out alone. We were not intended to be in isolation. 

Connect with Lacey:

IG: lacerab

Website: https://laceyrabalais.com/

This is the last episode of the deception series. Chelsey shares why we have to stop holding hands with the world and why we must live only for Christ. She breaks down several of the main issues we see happening within the church and Christ followers, and reminds us of what God's Word says for us to do on this earth. 

Scriptures:

• Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
• Matthew 10:34 - “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
• Ephesians 5:6-11 - 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
• Matthew 4:10 - For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

This week Chelsey is sharing about God's command to love in deed and in truth. This is yet another post we must not waver from holding. To love like Christ we must LOVE in action and in truth, always.

To love in deed and in truth we must be walking in the light: 

• 1 John 1:5-10 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
• To to walking in His light means you've accepted Christ as Lord and Savior - you believe in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.
• We in Christ confess our sin and seek true repentance because we know He is faithful and just to forgive our sin. 

To love in deed and in truth we must know what the Lord commands of us because those who know Him seek to obey Him:

• 1 John 2:3-6 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
• We in Christ must know His commands. 
• Keep His word.
• Abide in His ways and WALK like Him.

To love in deed and in truth we must not desire to live and love like the world: 

• 1 John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
• To love like Christ we must get comfortable with being unpopular. 
• We have to daily seek God's desires over our fleshly desires.

To love in deed and in truth we must reject the deception of the world and lead others in truth:

• 1 John 2:18-24 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
• We must remember the truth we were taught - VS 24.
• Uphold the truth so you wont be "taken captive by empty deceit". Col 2:8

To love in deed and in truth we must know who we are in Christ, His beloved Children:

• 1 John 3:1-10 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
• True Christ followers have conviction because of the Holy Spirit living within our hearts. We seek repentance and walk in sanctification.
• We love in deed and in truth - 1 John 3:19 "By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him.." 1 John 3:23-24 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God,and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Stand Firm: Standing Firm In Your Faith Against Deception:

• You can get the 7 day devotional at the link here: STAND FIRM DEVO
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This week Chelsey dives into Proverbs 3 and why we have to hold our post for the Lord and what He commands of us.

• 3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
      but let your heart keep my commandments,
  2 for length of days and years of life
      and peace they will add to you.
• 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
      bind them around your neck;
      write them on the tablet of your heart.
  4 So you will find favor and good success
      in the sight of God and man.
• 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
      and do not lean on your own understanding.
  6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
      and he will make straight your paths.
  7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
      fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
  8 It will be healing to your flesh
      and refreshment to your bones.
• 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
      and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
  10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
      and your vats will be bursting with wine.
• 11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
      or be weary of his reproof,
  12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
      as a father the son in whom he delights.
• 13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
      and the one who gets understanding,
  14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
      and her profit better than gold.
  15 She is more precious than jewels,
      and nothing you desire can compare with her.
  16 Long life is in her right hand;
      in her left hand are riches and honor.
  17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
      and all her paths are peace.
  18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
      those who hold her fast are called blessed.
• 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
      by understanding he established the heavens;
  20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
      and the clouds drop down the dew.
• 21 My son, do not lose sight of these—
      keep sound wisdom and discretion,
  22 and they will be life for your soul
      and adornment for your neck.
  23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
      and your foot will not stumble.
  24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
      when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
  25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror
      or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
  26 for the Lord will be your confidence
      and will keep your foot from being caught.
  27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
      when it is in your power to do it.
• 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
      tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
  29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
      who dwells trustingly beside you.
  30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
      when he has done you no harm.
  31 Do not envy a man of violence
      and do not choose any of his ways,
  32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
      but the upright are in his confidence.
  33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
      but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
  34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
      but to the humble he gives favor.
  35 The wise will inherit honor,
      but fools get disgrace.

This week's episode is mostly diving into the deception of worldly love and how this has begun to infiltrate the church. Chelsey also shares at the end of the episode about who the "Godless" are and who the "Lost" is. People often blend these two sets of people together when in fact, they are different. 

Deception of Worldly Love: 

• People twist the meaning behind Jesus's words in Matthew 22:39, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
• These same people also fail to read past Matthew 7:1. If they read the verses to follow they would see that they are told they will be held to the same standard they hold others too. "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you."
• Many get caught up in believe that "love" is something that can at times withhold truth. The love of God never sidesteps truth. Matthew 8:11 we see the example of Jesus telling the adulterous woman that He didn’t condemn her, but to sin no more. In Mark 2:17 we Jesus openly share that He came for those He was sitting with; which are the sinners.
• John also tells us in 2 John 1:6 what is means to LOVE like Jesus called us to. 2 John 1:6 what this “love” is to look like that Jesus commands of us in Matthew 22:39. “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”

The Godless: (link here for biblical definition) 

• "The principal idea lying at the root of the word is that of pollution and profanity; a condition of not merely being without God but assuming an attitude of open and blatant opposition toward God. The godless man is not merely the atheistic, unbelieving or even irreligious, but the openly impious, wicked and profane man. Indeed it can hardly be rightly claimed that the idea of hypocrisy is involved in the meaning of the word, for the "godless" man is not the one who professes one thing and lives another, but the one who openly avows not only his disbelief in, but his open opposition to, God. Doubtless the idea of pollution and defilement is also to be included in the definition of this word; see Jeremiah 3:9; Numbers 35:33; Daniel 11:31." -BibleStudyTools.com
• Scriptures: Isaiah 9:17; 10:6; Psalms 35:16

The Lost: (link here for full reading)

• "Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” The Bible compares human beings to sheep (Psalm 23; John 10:11–14) because sheep are, by nature, defenseless. They are not overly bright and tend to follow a leader, regardless of where that leader is taking them. Sheep need a shepherd to survive. A shepherd protects them from attacks, guides them to good grazing, and keeps watch so that none are lost. Sheep tend to wander from the herd and can become easy targets for predators. In a spiritual sense, people are prone to wander and become easy targets for our enemy, Satan. Without Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we are spiritually lost and unable to find God on our own.
  
  Jesus told a parable about a lost lamb to explain the Father’s heart for lost people (Luke 15:3–7). The Good Shepherd was willing to leave the ninety-nine sheep in the fold to go in search of the one lost lamb. The lamb would never have found the Shepherd on its own. This parable demonstrates God’s tender concern for every individual. He stops at nothing to find those who need Him and bring them safely into His presence. Just as lost sheep cannot find the Shepherd on their own, lost people cannot find God on their own (Psalm 53:2–3; Romans 3:11)."                            -GotQuestions.org

In today's episode, Chelsey shares about leading those God has entrusted to us well, loving them by not dismissing truth, and running into 2021 with boldness for the Kingdom.

Habakkuk 1:5-11

• 5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth,  to seize dwellings not their own. 7 They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. 8 Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves;  their horsemen press proudly on. Their horsemen come from afar;  they fly like an eagle swift to devour. 9 They all come for violence,all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand. 10 At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh.They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. 11 Then they sweep by like the wind and go on guilty men, whose own might is their god!”

1 Timothy 6:20

• Guard the deposit entrusted to you

Matthew 28:19-20

• 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

1 Corinthians 15:58

• Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

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