Providing like Jesus should include talking like him. According to Bible scholars, there are 35-40 distinctive parables listed in the Bible. In this episode, Jesus shares insights from the book "Speak Like Churchill Stand Like Lincoln," that has a chapter on "Power Parables." This book highlights how Jesus explained concepts more concretely through stories and how we can do the same. Justin also shares 10 powerful parables from Jesus which you can also review on the handout below.  

Episode PDF: Review notes and a list of my top 10 parables from Jesus here. 

As always, this is provided to you for free from the CL Thomas Fellowship non-profit so that you can provide for your family and community in new and fresh ways. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter at www.clthomasfellowship.org 

Keep blessing and protecting! 

On this episode of Provide Like Jesus, Justin welcomes a truly special guest—Susy. Her presence is a gift, and her stories are a beautiful reminder of what it means to live a life of provision, purpose, and faith.

Susy wears many hats. She’s been a motherly figure to countless people, someone who sees needs and responds without hesitation. Whether it’s helping someone in deep distress, sending a letter of encouragement, or supporting a former student, Susy doesn't just notice—she acts. 

Though retired, Susy isn’t sitting back and watching life go by. She’s intentional with her time, caring for her body and her mind, and staying connected to her family, friends, and community. She shows what provision is. Sometimes it’s presence. Sometimes it’s prayer. Sometimes it’s simply saying yes when God nudges you.

As she shares her journey, it becomes clear that she has been protected and provided for by God for over 70 years. Through highs and lows, she has remained grounded in her faith. From her early childhood, when she first experienced answered prayers, to today, Susy’s walk with the Lord has been steady and strong. She reminds us that we never stop growing when we walk with Him.

Her reflections challenge us to look at our own lives and ask: How am I showing up for others? How am I taking care of the life God has given me?

Susy is a light—full of wisdom, warmth, and trust in the Lord. This episode is a quiet, powerful reminder that true religion, as scripture says, is found in how we care for the people around us. And sometimes, it looks like answering a letter, offering a kind word, or simply refusing to turn away when someone is in need.

 

This podcast is brought to you by The CL Thomas Fellowship non-profit. Our mission is to inspire leaders and parents to be providers and servant leaders like Jesus. For more encouragement, sign up for our free weekly newsletter, "Always Provide," at www.alwaysprovide.org.

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How often are we making our decision based on where God is rather than where we just want to go?

Justin highlights two stories from the Bible that reminds us how we are called as Christians to choose God's presence and will above all else. Follow along using the pdf below. 

#161 episode pdf

And be sure to connect with us at www.clthomasfellowship.org and get connected to access more free resources to provide like Jesus for your family and community.

Bless & Protect! 

In today’s episode, Justin sits down with Dr. Brett Blair—keynote speaker, coach, and a powerful voice on what it means to live with unshakable resilience. Through deep loss, major life transitions, and moments that could have broken him, Brett chose something different. He chose to rise. He chose positivity. He chose purpose. He chose joy.

After walking through the painful experience of losing his wife to ALS, Brett didn’t turn away from life—he leaned into it. With quiet strength and a deep-rooted faith, he carried his grief and grew from it. His story is a testament to what’s possible when we allow hardship to refine us rather than define us.

Brett shares how resilience isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s something you build. It’s a daily choice to keep going, to stay grounded in gratitude, and to believe that there’s still beauty ahead. The science of resilience supports it. Faith fuels it. And Brett’s life reflects it.

Throughout the conversation, he invites us to reflect on what it means to provide like Jesus, to put our well-being first without guilt, and to remain anchored in God’s presence—even when life feels overwhelming.

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when life gets heavy, this episode is a push to remember your strength. Resilience doesn’t remove pain—but it gives you the power to move through it with clarity, courage, and hope.

This episode is your reminder: positivity is a force, resilience is a choice, and joy can still rise from hard places.

Learn more about Brett’s work at brettblairphd.com. This podcast is brought to you by The CL Thomas Fellowship non-profit. Our mission is to inspire leaders and parents to be providers and servant leaders like Jesus. For more encouragement, sign up for our free weekly newsletter, "Always Provide," at www.clthomasfellowship.org.

 

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In this episode of 'Provide Like Jesus,' host Justin Thomas reviews the book 'A Deeper Walk' by Dr. Marcus Warner. Justin shares his personal notes and highlights from the book that have positively impacted his spiritual growth. Download his notes below: 

Episode handout pdf

Justin discusses the main problem presented by Dr Warner—that Christians are not maturing in their faith—and dives into Dr Warner's solution, the FISH model of discipleship (Freedom, Identity, Spirit, and Heart-focused community).

Justin also explores some key quotes and practical advice from the book, such as the importance of emotional honesty, the power of self-perception, and effective small group structures. Tune in for practical insights to help you grow as a mature Christian and provide like Jesus in all areas of your life.

Keep growing in your faith by going to www.clthomasfellowship.org and keep blessing and protecting! 

Justin sits down with his brother-in-law, Jonathan Willis, for a conversation about faith, discipleship, and the power of community.

Jonathan grew up in a Christian home, but for years, his faith was more about structure than relationship. Pride and self-reliance kept him from surrendering, and when life felt uncertain, he found himself frustrated and lost. But in that searching, God kept whispering, Remember, remember. Looking back, Jonathan saw that God had been there all along.

For 16 months, he was without a job, wondering what God was calling him into. But provision doesn’t always come as expected. God’s provision is often people. Community pointed him back to Jesus, reminded him of God’s faithfulness, and helped him navigate uncertainty. Real Christian community isn’t about doing life alone—it’s about leaning on others and allowing God to work through relationships. The biggest breakthroughs often happen in the unplanned moments.

Discipleship has become Jonathan’s greatest passion. Whether through Young Life, outreach trips, or intentional conversations, he’s seen how helping people recognize their gifts and equipping them to love others can transform lives. It’s not just about teaching—it’s about walking together and creating space for God to move.

His journey is a reminder that we aren’t meant to do this alone. When we rely on God and the people He places in our lives, we find strength, direction, and a deeper understanding of what it means to truly follow Jesus.

This podcast is brought to you by The CL Thomas Fellowship non-profit. Our mission is to inspire leaders and parents to be providers and servant leaders like Jesus. For more encouragement, sign up for our free weekly newsletter, "Always Provide," at www.alwaysprovide.org.

 

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Join Justin Thomas, host of Provide Like Jesus, as he delves into the 'FAITH Framework' (see below for the description) for public speaking inspired by Jesus. Discover the five essential principles to speak with humility, empathy, authority, generosity, and honor, ensuring your message resonates deeply with your audience. Learn how to integrate these characteristics into your own presentations and inspire others just like Christ did. Brought to you by the CL Thomas Fellowship, get more encouragement at www.clthomasfellowship.org. Bless & Protect!    

F.A.I.T.H. Framework for Speaking Like Jesus

F - Feet Washing (Humility)

• • Serve your audience with humility, just as Jesus washed His disciples' feet. Approach your talk as an act of service, not self-promotion. (John 13)

A - Audience Empathy (Feel Their Pain)

• • Understand your audience’s struggles and connect with them deeply, as Jesus empathized with humanity (Hebrews 4:15).

I - Inspire Authority (Teach with Authority)

• • Speak with clarity and conviction, like Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, leaving your audience amazed and inspired. (Matt 7:29)

T - Teach Generously (Give More Than You Receive)

• • Freely share your knowledge and wisdom without holding back, modeling Jesus’ generosity in giving without expecting anything in return. (Acts 20:35)

H - Honor God’s Work (Share What You See God Doing)

• • Align your message with God’s will, as Jesus did nothing on His own but followed the Father’s direction (John 5:19).

Welcome to 'Provide Like Jesus,' a podcast dedicated to encouraging Christians to emulate the principles and actions of Jesus in their daily lives. In each episode, we explore scriptures, share personal stories, and draw practical applications to help you better provide for yourself and others, just like Jesus. Whether it's through leadership, family, or community, our aim is to inspire and equip you to become a 'good shepherd' in your own right. Tune in for insightful discussions, spiritual insights, and moments of reflection that will deepen your understanding and commitment to providing like Jesus.

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube 

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There comes a point where you have to stop and ask—am I truly living in God’s calling, or have I been chasing something else? That’s the heart of Ryan’s conversation with Justin. In an honest discussion, Ryan lays everything on the table, reflecting on the weight of provision, the wounds he’s carried, and the realization that true change begins when we confront our struggles and align our lives with Jesus.

Ryan’s journey wasn’t easy. The world had misled him—success, striving, and performance had become distractions. Success felt like a trap until he realized the truth—he needed to find Jesus. That moment changed everything. Too often, people separate faith from work, but Ryan believes every space is an opportunity to engage with believers. As a leader, he builds strong, resilient teams—not just through skill, but by being grounded in faith, authentic in action, and purposeful in pursuit.

Men feel pressure to perform, to succeed, but if we don’t know God, we can’t fully live out His purpose. Ryan challenges us to stop wasting time on things that don’t align with who we are and instead pursue what truly matters.

Life isn’t easy, and those who seek more will face trials. But Ryan reminds us that even in hardship, God is working. The real challenge isn’t just enduring difficulty—it’s being willing to reflect, recognize what needs to change, and trust that God is leading us toward something greater.

Provision isn’t just about what we receive—it’s about how we pour into others and allow others to pour into us.

 

Connect with Ryan: https://rjm.mykajabi.com/rjm-connect

 

This podcast is brought to you by The CL Thomas Fellowship non-profit. Our mission is to inspire leaders and parents to be providers and servant leaders like Jesus. For more encouragement, sign up for our free weekly newsletter, "Always Provide," at www.alwaysprovide.org.

 

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In this episode, Justin shares his experience running a 100-mile ultra-marathon and reflects on the profound lessons he learned about faith, perseverance, and God's presence. He discusses how an unexpected phrase, 'I am with you,' became a divine reminder throughout his journey, supported by scripture and personal stories.

Learn how to provide like Jesus on our website www.clthomasfellowship.org and thank you for listening!