Barbara & Jess have a casual conversation looking back on Season 1.

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Thankfully the word of God uses analogies and imagery which relates to roles in everyday life and cross cultural norms and boundaries. Jesus said even the parables, although simple, can only be discerned or understood through spiritual lenses, eyes to see and ears to ear, opened by the Holy Spirit of God. 

We take a look at 3 types from Paul’s examples to Timothy to note HOW we are to use courage:

Key passage 2 Timothy 2:1-7 
We’re not an apostle, we’re not Timothy, but we all have some role in relating precious biblical truths from one generation to the next!

The Farmer: We are to scatter the seed. The seed is the gospel.

The Athlete: We are not competing against other women.  We are each running our own race toward Jesus.  Our comparison is Jesus. Keeping our eyes on Him. We are called to run hard after and become more and more like Him, not more and more like each other.  

The Soldier: Anyone who God calls to serve is also being called to battle. 

Lastly, we want you to be enCOURAGEd to seek the Lord, stand firm, and advance onward!

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It takes courage to have convictions, draw a line, set boundaries, and sometimes stand alone.  

In this episode, we look at what it takes to possess:

• The courage to separate/not participate
• The courage to pray, speak, and/or perform
• Courage to serve (and not have to be seen, prayer)

Verses sited:
Deuteronomy 8:5
Proverbs 3:12
1 John 1:8-9
Hebrews 10:26-27, 12:4-11

Reference:
Should a Christian Drink Alcohol? - Paul Chappell 

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Considering all Esther went through to prepare to go before the King, it is such a testimony of courage and the bigger picture. 

See God doesn’t just save us, clean us up, beautify us, make us an heir, prepare us, provide for us, and bless us so we can only enjoy the kingdom of God for ourselves, so we can look strong, tough, and put together.  

The saving and sanctifying work He is performing in us is for us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and serve. To be an advocate for the least, last, lost, and lonely, to become an ambassador for the gospel, and assimilate ministry for others. To build the kingdom of God. 

We continue observing some examples of courage by reading some narratives of King Jehosaphat, Esther, Sabina Wurmbrand, and more.

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So often we want to avoid awkwardness or dodge fear and God is saying, you need to walk right through this. But do not fear:  I will be with you.” 

We wonder if for some of us, do we believe this and is that enough for us? It should be…

Also we note that although God could easily eliminate Israel’s enemies with just the shadow of the wave of His finger - He invited Israel to partner with Him to complete the work in order to witness His great will and glory. 

How many opportunities has God given us to partner with Him to accomplish and witness a miraculous work from Him that we have said “no thank you. I do not wish to work. Nevertheless will you bring me happiness and success and good health?”

We also look at some examples of God's leading in Barbara's life and comparing it to scripture, as well as looking at the biblical example of Pheobe.

Furthermore, if you're a woman who knows God has called you into ministry, we discuss identifying what that biblically may not be... however we focus more on the the less-addressed what women CAN do.

Episode Links:

Barbara's book - Rescued, Ransomed, Restored: from Damaged to Delivered (episode 6.b)

YouTube references:
“Is it wrong for guys to listen to female speakers?”

“50 Crucial Questions About Manhood and Womanhood: What's the Difference” 

“A Challenge For Women” (a little free book where JP gives 80 kinds of ministries for women)

desiringgod.org  

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How do you define courage? When you ask for boldness, what is it you picture needing it for?

Is it to speak in front of others? To worship without worrying about how others perceive you? Is it moving across the world or facing the person next to you? If you HAD the courage, then what would you do?

So many women desire to be courageous. Many want to be more bold, more confident, self-assured, brave, daring, fearless, fierce, strong, valiant, and tenacious. 

Juxtapose this against the ongoing challenges of fear, anxiety, anxiousness, depression, worry, and insecurity. The reality of just how much we’re struggling with it is conspicuous; there are thousands of books, messages and programs available with the intent of assisting women to look better, speak better, act better, get better, and feel better about themselves. 

Is when we think of courage, is what we’re really after, the absence of fear? 

As I (Barbara) was thinking about how I would define courage, what I view as courageous, what in my own life demanded the most courage, I was surprised at what I settled in on because frankly I lived in this state of fear for so long, so many things, everyday things which to many others, they find common, or which come easily.        

We tend to think the opposite of, antithesis of, antonym of fear is courage, confidence, independence, or bravery. As if only I could gain those things, I would no longer be or live afraid. So the verdict for me is this, what took the most courage in my life was to receive, accept, and live loved, as if I am loved.

The truth is the inverse of fear isn’t courage, it’s love. God’s love was the only fear-wrecking force powerful enough to overcome what I learned later was a spirit of fear. God does not give us a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Over and over the word of 

God tells us to not fear and to not be afraid, do not be terrified because of them, He will never leave us or forsake us.  

But that can only truly occur, cessation of fearing, having true courage, and is only possible when God is with us and after Christ indwells us by the Holy Spirit; now driving out fear. It's God’s amazing love which sets me free from debilitating fear and is ultimately the overcoming power which I abide, move, and have my being today. 

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.   

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How do you define courage? When you ask for boldness, what is it you picture needing it for?

Is it to speak in front of others? To worship without worrying about how others perceive you? Is it moving across the world or facing the person next to you? If you HAD the courage, then what would you do?

So many women desire to be courageous. Many want to be more bold, more confident, self-assured, brave, daring, fearless, fierce, strong, valiant, and tenacious. 

Juxtapose this against the ongoing challenges of fear, anxiety, anxiousness, depression, worry, and insecurity. The reality of just how much we’re struggling with it is conspicuous; there are thousands of books, messages and programs available with the intent of assisting women to look better, speak better, act better, get better, and feel better about themselves. 

Is when we think of courage, is what we’re really after, the absence of fear? 

As I (Barbara) was thinking about how I would define courage, what I view as courageous, what in my own life demanded the most courage, I was surprised at what I settled in on because frankly I lived in this state of fear for so long, so many things, everyday things which to many others, they find common, or which come easily.        

We tend to think the opposite of, antithesis of, antonym of fear is courage, confidence, independence, or bravery. As if only I could gain those things, I would no longer be or live afraid. So the verdict for me is this, what took the most courage in my life was to receive, accept, and live loved, as if I am loved.

The truth is the inverse of fear isn’t courage, it’s love. God’s love was the only fear-wrecking force powerful enough to overcome what I learned later was a spirit of fear. God does not give us a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Over and over the word of 

God tells us to not fear and to not be afraid, do not be terrified because of them, He will never leave us or forsake us.  

But that can only truly occur, cessation of fearing, having true courage, and is only possible when God is with us and after Christ indwells us by the Holy Spirit; now driving out fear. It's God’s amazing love which sets me free from debilitating fear and is ultimately the overcoming power which I abide, move, and have my being today. 

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.   

Episode Links:

Barbara's book - Rescued, Ransomed, Restored: from Damaged to Delivered (episode 6.b)
The Pastor's Wife, by Sabina Wurmbrand (episode 6.c)
Should a Christian Drink Alcohol? - Paul Chappell (episode 6.d)
Other's May, You Cannot - bulletin read by J.D. Watson (episode 6.e)

YouTube references:
“Is it wrong for guys to listen to female speakers?”

“Can a Woman Preach if Elders Affirm it?”

“50 Crucial Questions About Manhood and Womanhood: What's the Difference” 

“A Challenge For Women” (a little free book where JP gives 80 kinds of ministries for women)

desiringgod.org  

Support the show

Titus 3: 3-7 “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

When we recall... we remember... where we once were, we’re reminded that fallen nature is not that far from us, and we need constant reminding to stay on course, --where we should be in the Lord lest we begin to drift.

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We can ask for His strength, His mercy, His help, His grace. We have everything we need in Jesus - we only need to seek Him. 

So in this segment we’re going to talk about changing the legacy, walking in freedom, ,and walking in pursuit of holiness. 

I realize that there are many of you listening who cannot exactly relate to what you’ve heard. Perhaps you had a wonderful childhood, a delightful Christian upbringing, and a blessing of godly people to disciple you in life. 

So often those of us who did not have that place our sadness onto these people and they feel guilty for the great start and support they’ve received from their loved ones. 

I’d like to extend the message that if you - you had a healthy upbringing, to rejoice in it and not worry about making up for it! Please don’t feel the need to be silent about it or to apologize in any way - in fact this is something to celebrate! 

Now, those of us who may not have been as fortunate - and I’m talking to myself because this can be a real struggle that creeps in again and again, but we must be careful to not displace our hurt onto those who haven’t walked where we had to walk. I get it - it’s hard! I’ve felt it creep up when someone was mourning a grandparent or relative that they had a wonderful relationship with and all I could think was “at least you had someone you can mourn their great influence instead of grieving the coulda wouldas that never were” or “at least you knew your grandparents” - perhaps we should call this the “at least” syndrome. 

We must be careful, for this is not the attitude we Christians should have. It’s so so difficult … but there is an opportunity in EVERY circumstance of suffering… let’s not waste it, to minister to someone. 

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(From Jess) Praying the most terrifying prayer of my life exposed my character and lead me slowly down one of the most miserable roads of internal madness and disobedience.

It is true that you cannot serve 2 masters - you will love one and hate the other, I lived it, and thankfully by the Lord's grace I'm still here to tell of it.

When the Holy Spirit indwells you, the darkness cannot fit and you feel that battle within yourself. It is nothing short of madness.

God WILL come for His sheep and He will either return with you on His shoulders rejoicing or give you over to the adversary that is wooing you in order to destroy you.

Furthermore, God is PERSONALLY interested and intimately involved in every believer's life.

I also share about how I went from "God loves me, but He loves everyone so what's special about that." to knowing without a doubt that He loves ME the person- and He loves YOU too, with intimate and specific detail to who He created you to be.

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Just because you forgive someone, should you also let them fully participate in your life as if nothing happened? How do you separate forgiving and forgetting?

In this episode we look at the definitions of forgiveness and trust, and explore the different ways we can genuinely obey God, trust Him and forgive and love others; even if it means from a distance.

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