Ep 32: I Can Trust God's Timing

God's timing rarely makes sense to us. But is there a way we can trust in it and have peace? How can we wait well when we're struggling to understand the wait?

0:00 - Introduction

1:32 - Lessons from Gandalf!

4:19 - God's timing always has purpose

5:44 - Submitting to God's timetable is part of remaining in His will

7:09 - How can we have confidence that God's timing is trustworthy?

15:17 - Tips for waiting well

21:21 - Memory Verse (Psalm 27:13-14)

22:08 - Practical application

23:09 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we talk about how your story matters!

Ep 31: I Belong

Ever feel overlooked or unsure of where you fit into God's story? In God's Kingdom we all have a place. We all belong. And as His people we are called to unity with one another.

0:00 - Introduction

3:21 - In God's eyes, you belong

4:43 - We are called to unity in the body of Christ

7:47 - Why unity is important

9:51 - How can we grow in unity?

19:07 - Be a person who strives for unity

20:28 - Memory Verse (1 Peter 3:8)

20:49 - Practical application

21:22 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we chat about trusting in God's timing!

Ep. 30: Replace Self-Indulgence with Service

It's far too easy to allow our "picket-fence-life" dreams as Americans to infiltrate even our church culture. But Jesus calls us to a life of service, not self-indulgence.

0:00 - Introduction

1:32 - The problem with a "westernized" view of Christianity

3:22 - Jesus provided us with the ultimate model of servanthood

5:49 - What the Bible says about wealth

11:17 - Self-indulgence doesn't bring the satisfaction it promises

14:02 - Our purpose as believers

19:57 - Memory Verse (Mark 10:45)

20:24 - Practical application

--> How can you demonstrate generosity and service this week?

--> How can you demonstrate sacrifice rather than self-indulgence?

21:00 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week for some encouragement. If you're someone who feels like you just don't belong, I've got a word for you: you belong!

Ep. 29: The Truth About Baptism

There are a lot of thoughts and traditions surrounding the practice of baptism. Today, on the podcast, we're talking about what Scripture says about it and why it matters.

0:00 - Introduction

1:20 - Differing thoughts and traditions with baptism

2:37 - What does Scripture say about baptism?

5:52 - My take on baptism (based on these scriptures and others)

11:57 - Memory Verse (Romans 6:11)

12:17 - Practical application

--> Have you been baptized? If not, look into it!

--> If yes, do you need to recommit your life to Christ? Or do you simply need to look back on that experience and remember, with joy, the commitment you made to follow Jesus?

14:18 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we talk about living a life of service!

Ep. 28: Disciples, Not Converts

We, as believers, are commissioned with going into the world and making disciples, not converts. There's a distinct difference and it's important that we approach ministry with the right mindset.

0:00 - Introduction

1:50 - Conversion is not the goal, discipleship is

5:07 - Discipleship requires that we model Jesus to new believers

6:05 - Essential elements of discipleship

14:05 - Memory Verse (Proverbs 27:17)

14:40 - Practical application

--> Form discipleship relationships

--> Think over the essential elements of discipleship and ask yourself if you've been viewing discipleship in these ways or if you might need to approach this concept a little differently

15:32 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we discuss the topic of baptism!

Ep. 27: I Have Spiritual Gifts

When you come to faith in Jesus Christ, you receive His Holy Spirit. And the Spirit gives you spiritual gifts: gifts that He works in and through you to build up the church. Do you know what yours are?

0:00 - Introduction

1:26 - Natural talents and abilities are different than spiritual gifts

3:13 - What are spiritual gifts?

8:24 - Why we should learn what our spiritual gifts are

9:37 - How do we discover what our spiritual gifts are?

--> Spiritual Gifts Assessment

--> Spiritual Gifts Handout

14:30 - Your gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29)

15:50 - Memory Verse (1 Peter 4:10)

16:06 - Practical application

--> Take the spiritual gifts assessment

--> Get plugged in where you're gifted

17:43 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we discuss the importance of becoming disciples, not converts!

Ep. 26: The Truth About Prayer

This is one big chat about prayer! We're talking about what prayer should look like (as Jesus modeled it), why it's so important, and how we can cultivate a thriving prayer life.

0:00 - Introduction

1:30 - My personal struggles with prayer

4:05 - Jesus set the example for prayer

12:41 - The purpose of prayer

14:22 - Memory Verse (Colossians 4:2)

14:47 - Practical application

21:16 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we talk all about spiritual gifts!

Ep. 25: Marked By Holiness

The life of a Christian is meant to reflect the image of our God. And guess what? Our God is holy. So, we are called to live lives that are marked by holiness.

0:00 - Introduction

2:06 - Holiness is a touchy subject

6:13 - The Holy Spirit sanctifies us gradually

7:48 - The Holy Spirit works within us to produce holiness

9:12 - The Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

12:21 - Patterns of living

14:16 - Tips for pursuing holiness

21:19 - Memory Verse (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

21:36 - Practical application

23:50 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we talk all about prayer!

Ep. 24: I Am Fully Known

Do you ever feel like a misfit? Like no one really "gets" you? Well, I've got news for you, friend! God knows you...fully! He knows the good, the bad, and the cringeworthy. And the most amazing part? He loves you in spite of it!

0:00 - Introduction

3:46 - God "gets" you

5:01 - God's unconditional love

7:01 - God knows you intimately

12:49 - God cares about what you care about

14:43 - God has a great plan for your life

15:40 - Intimacy with God is our greatest pursuit

17:07 - Memory Verse (1 Samuel 16:7)

18:29 - Practical application

20:05 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we talk about our lives being marked by holiness!

Episode 23: God Keeps His Word

In today's episode, I've got a mind to encourage you with this truth: God always keeps His word! God never goes back on a promise. We can trust that whatever God says, He will do!

0:00 - Introduction

1:29 - Humans have trust issues

2:27 - God's character makes Him trustworthy

3:33 - Biblical examples of God fulfilling His promises

5:16 - We need wisdom and discernment to recognize what's a promise and what isn't

9:32 - Some of the promises of God we can depend on

18:05 - Memory Verse (Numbers 23:19)

18:39 - Practical Application

--> The Promises of God (DailyGraceCo resource)

21:53 - Wrap-Up

--> Come back next week as we talk about how we are fully known by God!