Small Steps with God

39 - 3:16 The Numbers of Love

I discuss Max Lucado's book "316: The Numbers of Hope" and how it explores the significance of one of the most famous bible verses, John 3:16.

The message of God's unconditional love for us, flaws and all. It's easy to get caught up in our own imperfections and doubts, but John 3:16 reminds us that God loves us no matter what. That's a powerful message that we can all take to heart.

But accepting God's love can be difficult, especially when we feel like we don't deserve it. That's why I found it so inspiring to read about how John 3:16 can give us hope and purpose in our lives. When we embrace God's love, we can live with a sense of meaning and direction that goes beyond our own limitations.

How has it inspired you to live with purpose, love and hope? What obstacles have you faced in accepting God's unconditional love? I believe that by exploring these questions, we can all grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=281

https://maxlucado.com/products/316-the-numbers-of-hope/

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38 - Challenging the Culture of Convenience

We challenge the status quo and explore the role of convenience in our lives as Christians. Let's start by asking ourselves, is convenience really the way God wants us to live? While it may seem like the easy and comfortable choice, we need to question whether it's truly serving us in the long run. We'll explore the idea of inconvenience and how it can actually be a blessing in disguise.

We take a closer look at the message of comfort and convenience that's constantly being promoted in our culture. Is it really in line with biblical truths? We'll discuss the dangers of self-centeredness and how our focus on ourselves can cause us to turn a blind eye to the world around us.

We'll also explore the ways in which inconvenience can bring us closer to God and to others. We'll challenge ourselves to examine our relationship with convenience and comfort and how it may be impacting our faith and our ability to serve others.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=277

Jill’s Links

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

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37 - Dolly Parton’s Wisdom on Achieving Your Dreams and Helping Others

Today I talk about Dolly Parton’s book “Dream More, Celebrate the Dreamer in You”. Dolly Parton is a woman of deep faith, and her life is a testament to the power of dreaming big and working hard.

In “Dream More”, Parton shares her wisdom and encouragement with readers. She wants us all to dream more, learn more, care for others, and be more. She reminds us that we are all stars in our own dreams, and that we have the power to make those dreams come true. And let me tell you, her positivity is infectious!

One of the things I love most about this book is Parton’s emphasis on the importance of reading. She believes that books can teach us so much about the world and about ourselves. They help us understand other people and give us the tools we need to navigate difficult situations.

But it’s not just about reading. Parton also stresses the importance of common sense and caring for others. She encourages us to avoid negative people and energy vampires who bring us down. Instead, we should surround ourselves with positivity and stay committed to each other.

Overall, I think we can all learn a lot from Dolly Parton’s advice. She reminds us that we are capable of achieving our dreams, no matter how big or small they may be. And she challenges us to use our gifts to make the world a better place. Let’s all be stars in our own dreams, and let’s use that light to shine on those around us.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=279

Jill’s Links

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

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36 - Exploring Liberty and Freedom

Today, we're diving deep into liberty and freedom, exploring what it means from a Christian perspective.

As we explore Biblical passages that discuss freedom, such as John 8:32 and Galatians 5, we'll be asking some big questions. What does true freedom look like in Christianity? Is it just about being able to do whatever we want? Or is there a deeper, more meaningful kind of freedom that we can aspire to?

To answer these questions, we'll be talking about the importance of love, kindness, and service in achieving true freedom. We'll be exploring how serving God and doing what we believe is right can help us to find a sense of freedom that goes beyond just satisfying our impulses.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=271

Jill’s Links

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

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35 - A Radical Kind of Love

Today, we're talking about the radical kind of love that Jesus has for us and how we can have that same kind of love for others. We will discuss the book "Love Does" by Bob Goff. Goff's outlook on Jesus and serving others is so refreshing and inspiring, and I just had to share it with you guys. He emphasizes that love is about doing, not just saying, and I couldn't agree more.

We're all going to be measured by how we love, and Jesus wants us to be bold in our love. He wants us to use our gifts to make the world a better place and to bring others to him. But not as an investment or a number, as a PERSON that Jesus wants back. How powerful is that?

One of my favorite things that Goff talks about is how love assumes that it can find a way to be used, and how love finds a way to do remarkable things. And humility is key to all of this. We need to avoid pride and let God take the credit for the things he does through us.

We need to remember that God's radical love for us is what inspires us to love others in the same way. So, I challenge you to try to do something for someone this week that you might not have done otherwise. I hope you feel inspired to go out and love like Jesus.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=268

https://www.bobgoff.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaPZGM9ksvM

Jill’s Links

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

Twitter SmallStepsPod

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34 - Moving Beyond Lukewarm Christianity

Today, we're diving into Kyle Eidelman's book "Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus." This book challenges readers to go beyond just being a fan of Jesus and instead become a fully committed follower.

During this episode, I share how this book has impacted my own life and why I believe it's so important for all of us to consider what may be holding us back from giving our all to Jesus. We'll talk about the common approach of treating faith as just a small part of our lives, only attending church on special occasions or when we need something. But, let's be real, Jesus wants to be a fundamental part of our lives, and following him requires us to forsake everything that is contrary to him.

What's really holding us back? Is it our love for other things in life? Our fear of what others may think? Whatever it may be, we need to recognize it and put Jesus in the number one spot in our lives. He should be the great love of our life! And this isn't about following a set of rules or appearances, it's about building a deep, loving relationship with him.

It's a journey that starts with small steps. But that's okay! Let's take those steps together and allow Jesus to be a fundamental part of our lives. Because, let's face it, grace is found at the feet of Jesus and he is the one who saves us. So, let's commit to being a completely committed follower of Jesus.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=261

http://www.notafan.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxkohge4TBQ

Jill’s Links

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

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33 - Exploring the World of Bible Translation

I explore the fascinating world of Bible translations. We all know that there are many different versions of the Bible out there, but have you ever stopped to think about what sets them apart from each other? Today, we’ll be exploring the differences between ESV, NIV, King James, New King James, NASB, and New Living Translation and helping you to understand the translation philosophy and context behind each of these versions.

As we’ll discover, choosing the right translation can be a daunting task, but it’s also incredibly important. That’s why we’ll be recommending Logos software for studying the Bible, which can help you to navigate the complexities of different translations and really get to grips with the meaning behind the words. I encourage our listeners to find a translation that resonates with them and to read multiple translations for a better understanding of the Bible.

So whether you’re a seasoned Bible scholar or just starting out on your journey of faith, this episode is for you. Join me as we explore the fascinating world of Bible translations and discover the beauty and power of the Word of God.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=256

https://www.billmounce.com/trust

https://www.youtube.com/c/BillMounce/playlists

Jill’s Links

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

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32 - Lost and Found in Translation

I discuss the book Why Should I Trust the Bible by William D Mounce. Have you ever wondered why the translation of the Bible is such a challenging task? Well, it turns out that idioms, complex ideas, and differences in language structure can make it quite a daunting task. That's why there are different types of translations, formal and dynamic, aiming to convey the original meaning as accurately as possible. However, it's important to remember that translations can differ from each other and even natural language translations can have errors. So, to truly understand the context and original intent of the text, it's essential to compare different translations.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=251

Jill’s Links

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31 - God's Miracle of Nature

I delve into the incredible ways we can connect with God through nature. I share a review of the children's devotional book "God is in Nature" by Jessica Dobler, which highlights the complexity and beauty of the natural world and how it all works together in harmony. With biblical passages about nature, the book creates meaningful devotionals for all ages. I also discuss how nature can impact us, from beneficial to dangerous, and emphasizes the importance of preserving its majesty.

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=247

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2258783/jessica-doebler/

Jill’s Links

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

Twitter SmallStepsPod

Email the podcast at [email protected]

30 - Tips and Tricks for Effective Bible Study 

Are you looking to deepen your understanding of the Bible? In this episode, you’ll find all the tips and tricks to study the Bible effectively, from reading it daily to finding the perfect time and place to settle down with your Bible. You’ll also learn about different Bible study methods, such as diving in by book, topic, or even life circumstance. And don’t forget about the tools! I’ll explore the best Bibles, study Bibles, concordances, dictionaries, and commentaries to help you on your journey. Plus, we’ll talk about the power of memorization for sharing the gospel and tackling challenging issues like sin and worry. Let’s start exploring the wonderful world of Bible study!

https://www.amazon.com/How-Study-Bible-Yourself-LaHaye/dp/0736916962

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=244

Jill’s Links

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

Twitter SmallStepsPod

Email the podcast at [email protected]