No Higher Calling

What a journey it has been for Denise and I to walk through the book of Titus alongside you listeners throughout this year! God has taught us many things throughout this study, and we pray He has done the same for you. We recap our takeaway truths, and give a charge to continue on in your study of God's Word. As we are on the precipice of a new year, we present the challenge to ask God to put a book of the Bible on your heart to study in 2023. Denise shares several ways to do that as we wrap up our study of Titus.

Psalm 119:103 says, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" As you dig into God's Word and do the work of mining out His truth, you will find that there is great sweetness to be found.

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We've made it to the final episode of the Respectable Sins Bible study on the podcast! Throughout the year, we've looked at sins that might not seem "that bad" in light of culture, but all sin is in direct opposition to a righteous and holy God. So, where do we go from here? We must keep short sin accounts and live in the conscious awareness of the presence of God. Allow Him to shine the light of His Word into your heart and be willing to let Him transform the ugly, sinful reflections into ones that bring Him glory!

Resources:

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 119:133

I Peter 5:5

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"I am responsible for my rest, my quiet time, my health, and my relationship with God. Each of the things that fill my cup allowing me to pour out beauty on the life God has given me." -Sally Clarkson

One of the most impactful pieces of wisdom I have received and applied in our home is to create a rhythm of quiet time every afternoon. Not every day looks the same, but we strive to have 1-2 hours in the afternoon to reset and refresh our hearts. This took intentional training and consistent implementation to become habit, but it has been worth it! The children and I all look forward to this time of day. The baby and toddler go down for naps, I turn on soft instrumental hymns, the older 2 play independently (find ideas in the episode on what they enjoy doing!), and mama gets to spend some time in Bible study, NHC work, homeschool planning, or whatever tasks the day may bring. 

Establishing a quiet time has been such a blessing to our daily rhythms. The beauty of it is that it's not just for moms with littles who take naps. All ages benefit from a peaceful pause in the day!

Do you have a quiet time in your home? What do you enjoy doing during that time? Is it a time to catch up on your favorite book or fold laundry? What do your children enjoy doing? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments!

Resources:

Jonathan Park Audio Adventures

Patch the Pirate CDs and Digital Downloads

Patch the Pirate Plus App

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I Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Life brings storms. Sometimes the waves crash so loudly that it drowns out the still, small voice of God reminding us that He is always in control. 

In this episode, I share some truths that Pastor Tom Sexton shared after experiencing devastating loss in Hurricane Ian. In the midst of tragedy, he gives the reminder of I Thess 5:18 that IN everything, we can give thanks. How is this possible?

*Because nothing can touch a child of God without our Heavenly Father allowing it 

*Because what touches our lives has a greater purpose that what we first see

*Because we must believe to see

Be encouraged to thank God no matter what life brings!

Scriptures Referenced:

Proverbs 3:5-6

John 11:4, 40, 45

I Thessalonians 5:18

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Melanie Cook is a dear friend, and the Lord has used her to be an example to me of what a Christlike woman looks like. God has chosen for her to go through several heartbreaks this year as she has faced three of her precious unborn babies going to heaven. In the midst of pain, Melanie has been a beautiful testimony of someone who has trusted their heart to the One who does all things for our good and His glory.

Hard times do not wait to come when it is convenient for us. It is often in the midst of busy serving and ministering that circumstances cause us to be completely emptied of ourselves while still needing to continue with everyday life. Melanie shares lessons that God has taught her as she has come to a place of complete emptiness, yet there she found a sweetness as she relied upon God to fill her with more of Him. This is not a call to burn out, but a call to be intentional on where we get our strength and nourishment from.

Truths from the lives of David, Joseph, Naomi, and Mary will encourage our hearts and redirect our perspective in empty season.

David: He encouraged himself in the Lord in a time of great distress.

Joseph: He sought to be full of the presence of God.

Naomi: She realized God has a purpose in the empty.

Mary: She was a hungry soul that found satisfaction in God.

Psalm 119:68 "Thou art good, and doest good;" If you are in an empty season, remember- God is good, and He only does good! Anchor your heart to Him, and trust that He holds your heart in His hands.

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 119:68

Proverbs 27:7

Isaiah 58:11

Philippians 4:6-7, 11-12, 19

I Timothy 6:6

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I Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Throughout our study of Titus, we have been looking at the commands and characteristics God's given to women. In today's episode, we look at the list of characteristics God gave to Titus as the pastor of the church in Crete. There are parallels in Paul's instruction to Titus and Timothy, and as it says in I Tim 4:12, pastors are to be an example of the believers. 

We do a deep dive Bible study into the characteristics listed for a pastor in the book of Titus, and learn how they are also to be a part of our lives. As pastors follow Christ, they give a Christlike example for us to follow in.

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We come to the final "respectable sin" in this year long study- the sin of worldliness. At first glance, it might seem odd that worldliness is included as a respectable sin. Don't we know that we are to not be like the world? But as we dig into this topic, we see how our hearts have allowed the world to creep in. 

Jerry Bridges defines worldliness as being attached to, engrossed in, or preoccupied with the things of this temporal life." The things of this temporal life may or may not be sinful in themselves. What makes our attitude towards things that are not sinful worldliness is the high value we put upon them." We look at worldliness in connection with money, immorality, and idolatry. 

Christ should be King of our heart. Nothing else should be allowed to dethrone Him and usurp the place that was created for Him alone.

Resources

Scripture Referenced

I John 2:15-16

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Ashlie Gillit is a pastor's wife, missionary and mother in Birmingham, England. Her family works with the extension ministry of The Crown College, and they have seen God do incredible things in the UK. It is an honor to have her join me on this episode.

What does it mean to "set the tone"? It means when something someone does or says sets the tone for an activity, it establishes the way the activity will continue. As ladies, we have such a powerful responsibility to establish the atmosphere our our homes. A wonderful tool God has given us to accomplish this is music. 

Ashlie shares her own personal story of how music encouraged her in day to day life, and then how that foundation of truth and reminders of God's comfort provided a well from her to draw from in a scary season.

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India Werner joins me to discuss how to create a musical culture in your home. As Christians, we are admonished to make spiritual music a part of our lives. How can mothers encourage this in their homes? India shares five ways she is working to make music a central focus of their home culture.

1. Play music as often as you can

2. Sing with your children

3. Talk about the songs you sin

4. Be willing to invest in music lessons

5. Watch music videos together

Music can be such a wonderful tool to teach children truths of Scripture and to create an atmosphere of worship in the home!

Resources:

Patch the Pirate

Instrumental Hymns: Our Daily Bread, "Arise" by the Galkin Evangelistic Team

Music Videos: Ben Everson, Forever Be Sure, the Hamilton Family

Scriptures Referenced:

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Ephesians 5:19

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Casie Ravert with New Mercies Music joins me to discuss the influence that music has on children. She delves into the impact that it has on their young, developing minds in the areas of social, emotional, and spiritual development. 

Some of the topics covered are:

-How can someone afford music lessons?

-Ways to expose young children to music (from the womb into the preschool years)

-How music breaks down social barriers and allows for connection

-The power music has over the brain, body and soul

-Where to draw the line with what kinds of music we listen to

This episode is the first in a mini series we will be doing on the podcast. I'm excited to dig into this topic more as we seek to glorify God in what we listen to, see the influence music has on us, and use music to spread truth to future generations.

Resources:

www.newmerciesmusic.com

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and www.nohighercalling.org