The Bible Speaks to You: Think, Pray, Love like Jesus

389 – Do you have a spiritual to-do list?

Are you one of those people who likes to have all your activities on a to-do list? 

Have you ever thought about writing out a list of spiritual activities and practices you need to do, to improve on, and to grow into?

Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what we need to do spiritually. Wouldn’t it be nice if we just had a list of things as a starting point?

Well, you don’t have to come up with that list. 

Jesus has already done it for you. That’s what the Sermon on the Mount is all about. It’s actually Jesus’s gift to you, his spiritual to-do list. 

In fact Jesus says that when you do everything on this list, it’s like building your house, your life, on a rock, a firm spiritual foundation that can withstand the storms of life.

In this episode: 

• We look at all the things Jesus says to do in the Sermon on the Mount
• There's a lot there!
• How you can put more and more of these ideas into practice in your own life
• The strong spiritual foundation you build for your life when you do

Wherever you are in the process of obeying Jesus’s spiritual to-do list in the Sermon on the Mount, however much you’re doing or not doing, I encourage you to take a fresh look at this collection of life instructions. 

Accept this spiritual to-do list as your own. And don’t be surprised when God will show up in your life as a result.

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SHOW NOTES: For a full transcript and all the Bible quotes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/389

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

388 – Yes! You are the light of the world.

One of Jesus’s most famous sayings is something he said in his Sermon on the Mount: You are the light of the world.

You’ve probably heard this hundreds of times. But this was a startling statement to his listeners. 

No one had ever referred to them that way before. The so-called religious authorities of the day were pretty judgmental of people and definitely didn’t see everyone as the light of the world.

But Jesus said to everyone there, and not just some of them: You are the light of the world. 

To the righteous, as well as hardened sinners, and everyone in between, Jesus declared: You are the light of the world.

In this week's episode:

• These words of Jesus are still true for you and me today
• Why letting your light shine is so important
• How letting your light shine blesses you and others
• The contrast between when Jesus says to do some things privately and some things to be seen by others
• How Jesus can be the light of the world and we can all at the same time

Jesus knows you are the light. He knows what you are capable of. 

He expects us to follow his example and let our light shine out into the whole world individually and collectively, to bring hope and healing.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

SHOW NOTES: For the full transcript and all Bible quotes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/388

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Subscribe to the podcast 

________________

YOU PROBABLY already know Jesus's first miracle was turning the water into wine at a wedding at Cana in Galilee.

Jesus and his disciples were there along with Jesus’s mother.

When the hosts ran out of wine, Jesus had the servants fill 6 large pots with water and then turned this water into wine. 

This story is often told at weddings today as a reminder to include Christ in your marriage and in your life. 

But then we often forget this story, until the next wedding we go to, and don’t really think about its relevance on a day-to-day basis in our lives.

In this week’s episode, we’re going to 

• Take a deep dive into the wedding in Cana
• Discover what the real miracle was--beyond just turning the water into wine
• How this story is always relevant in our lives every single day
• What it means for Christ to turn the water into wine in your daily life
• How Jesus sets an example of how we are to be involved in society

Jesus turning the water into wine at the wedding in Cana at Galilee is a wonderful metaphor for how daily life can be transformed when we invite, allow, and acknowledge Christ in our lives.

You don’t have to wait for a special event like a wedding to experience Christ’s presence. Every day, every moment, Christ is with you, turning the water into wine, taking the ordinary things that fill your life, and transforming them into God’s glory.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

SHOW NOTES: To read a full transcript and all the Bible quotes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/387

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

386 – You’re probably familiar with the story of Abigail in the Old Testament. 

When her husband refuses to be hospitable to David and the men following him, she quickly responds with kindness and generosity to provide food for David and his men.

Abigail is often held up as a model of feminine virtue for her attitude and behavior by Christians, but she actually breaks some of the unwritten rules many of these same Christians insist on for women today.

Regardless of what some Christians say about wives always obeying their husbands, Abigail completely went against her husband’s choice when she brought food to David and his supporters. She acted without her husband’s permission.

The question we’re talking about on this week’s episode is 

• How you and I can be more like Abigail
• Why we should follow her example
• The blessings that come when we do

This story of Abigail is a classic example of a woman who understood her own power and ability to act, regardless of circumstances or the man she was married to.

• She didn’t lower herself to her husband’s attitudes or behavior
• She maintained her own identity and agency to act freely according to her conscience
• She was principled
• Took initiative
• Acted on her spiritual intuition that something needed to be done as quickly as possible
• She owned her abilities, authority, and influence

We can all learn from her example.

What's your favorite part of Abigail's story?

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

SHOW NOTES: Full transcript and Bible quotes--go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/386

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

385 – Is loving your enemies still relevant?

One of the most challenging commandments Jesus has given us is to love our enemies. 

This was not a request nor a mere suggestion to follow through on only if we want to. It’s not just a recommendation or advice. 

It's a command directly from Jesus’s heart to yours and mine.

But what is the point of loving someone who is mean to you, has abused you, and has done everything in their power to oppose you and what you stand for?

Why on earth did Jesus want us to love our enemies?

In this week’s episode, that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about:

• Why Jesus wants us to love our enemies
• How to do it
• The blessings that come when you do

Think what would happen in the world today if all those who claim to be Christians actually obeyed Jesus’s command to love your enemies. 

The whole world would feel the difference. The change would be immediate. 

Who do you need to love today?

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Previous blog post mentioned:
Thoughts on Libya and Muammar Qadaffi

SHOW NOTES: For a full transcript and all the Bible quotes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/385

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

384 – How often do you think of and say Jesus is Lord?

One of the hallmarks of the way Christians refer to Jesus is to say Jesus is Lord. 

Sometimes referring to Jesus as their Lord is an open window on the deep sincerity of their devotion to Jesus and commitment to follow him at all costs.

But  all too often, there are times when some Christians refer to Jesus as Lord, almost too casually, sort of like it’s just part of his name or title, without the reverence or depth of loyalty and commitment to Jesus that word “Lord” implies.

In this week's episode:

• What does it actually mean when you say Jesus is Lord? 
• What kind of relationship with and commitment to Christ does it imply?
• What does it require of you? 
• And what does Christ provide you in return?

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SHOW NOTES: For a full transcript and all the Bible quotes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/384

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

383 – Do you want to see more healing in your life?

If you had lived 2,000 years ago, would you have asked Jesus to heal you?

Probably so! Unfortunately, since Jesus isn't here personally the way he was back then, some Christians have concluded God doesn't or can't heal the way He did in the Bible.

But there's a growing movement within the greater Christian church which is experiencing the healing power of God in their everyday lives.

In this week's episode, we're going to answer the question: How can we see more of God's healing in our lives?

• Why it is always God's will for you to be healed
• Your motives make all the difference
• Humility is a key factor in healing
• The power of "running to meet Goliath" when you pray for healing
• Praying with the sword of the Truth

Ask yourself these questions

• Do you trust God completely or are you leaning on your own abilities?
• What do I need to repent of to open the door to healing?
• What does Christ give you that empowers your prayers to heal?
• Why are prayer and Bible study important? (That's obvious!)
• How can gratitude bring healing
• Why does the way you live and love matter?

What if all your prayers for healing go unanswered, and feel like just a bunch of hollow words?

There's a simple remedy for this. Listen now to see what you can do when this happens.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Previous episodes mentioned:
Episode 29: Is it Ever God’s Will You Are NOT Healed When You Pray?
Episode 98: It Is God’s Will for You to Be Healed
Blog Post: Running to Meet Goliath
Episode 353: The Blessing of Facing Challenges Head-On
Episode 23: How to Pray Like Jesus: The Prayer to Rebuke Sickness
Episode 24: Give Gratitude in Advance of a Healing or Blessing

SHOW NOTES: For a full transcript and Bible quotes in this episode, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/383

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

382 – How do you face opposition to your church going forward?

When you’re involved in church, there’s usually a lot of folks interested in helping the church grow. It might be trying to encourage new members to join the church. 

It might literally be a building project or helping to start or plant a new church. It could be helping the whole membership grow spiritually. 

The odd thing is that all too often when you and other church members are focused on building, rebuilding, growing spiritually, and expanding the reach of your church, there are others who oppose this progress.

Sometimes the opposition comes from outside the church, but there are times the resistance actually comes from inside the church organization itself.

In this week’s episode, we’re going to look at 

• Examples in the Bible where there was resistance to those who were building the church 
• How they overcame it 
• How you can use these same ideas to overcome any resistance and opposition to spiritual progress at your church
• Jesus's promise about his church that is a game changer 

Never be afraid of opposition to your church's progress. It's often a sign that you're doing something right, that you're going forward. Trust God to guide you in the process.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

SHOW NOTES: For a full transcript and all the Bible quotes in this episode: thebiblepseakstoyou.com/382

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

381 – Does God still heal today?

The Bible is full of people who were healed by God, both in the Old and New Testaments.

Many Christian churches today believe in and practice Christian healing in some way.

Personally I have seen many healings in my own life and I have friends in many different Christian denominations who have been healed through prayer.

But there are some churches who say God is no longer in the healing business, that He does not heal today the way He did in the Bible. They claim those times are over.

In this week's episode we’re talking about 

• The fact that God does heal today, just as He always has
• Why some Christians have a hard time believing God heals today
• How you can experience more of God’s healing presence in your own life

The reason you can heal and be healed is because you are a child of God, an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ. 

Focus on who you are, that your name is written in heaven, and that you have inherited all God’s goodness. You are an heir of the kingdom of God.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Previous episode mentioned:
Episode 29: Is It Ever God’s Will You Are NOT Healed When You Pray? 

Podcast playlist on healing:
Spiritual Healing Today 

SHOW NOTES:
For a full transcript and all Bible quotes go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/381

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

380 – Would you like to sit at the feet of Jesus?

Have you ever wondered what it would’ve been like to hear Jesus teach and preach? To see him heal people? To ask him to heal you? 

Would you have followed him or opposed him? 

Would your pride have rebelled at the strong moral demands he made on his followers? 

Or would you have sat at his feet, humbly listening to everything he had to say? Hopefully the latter. 

In this week’s episode:

• What it means to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from him 
• How we can still do this today
• The blessings that come from it
• The people in the Bible who sat at Jesus feet and why
• The difference between sitting at and falling down at Jesus's feet

Sitting at the feet of Jesus today is a metaphor for being in Christ’s presence. 

The more you come into Christ’s presence in this way, the more you make yourself available to be instructed, inspired, and healed by Christ.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Previous episode mentioned:
Episode 203: What if Jesus Preached at Your Church? 

SHOW NOTES: For a full transcript and the Bible quotes go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/380

Text me your questions or comments.

Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

__________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. 

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast  (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)       
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here