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

271 – How do you celebrate the spiritual meaning of Christmas?

The world tries to make us forget about the real reason we celebrate Christmas with its focus on the excess materialism of the day.

To keep a spiritual approach to Christmas, the best place to start is focusing on Jesus and all he taught and did.

This week I talk about ways to discover the deeper spiritual meaning of Christmas.

• Start with gratitude for Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and everyone in the Christmas story
• Following Jesus's example every day of the year
• Not over-emphasizing the all the running around and festivities
• Finding quietude during the Christmas season to remember Christ's coming
• Reading out loud the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke
• Be more spiritually minded yourself

What would Christmas look like if you took away all the outward celebrations and focused only on Christ? 

In this episode I share a poem, The Mystic's Christmas*, written by John Greenleaf Whittier, an American poet of the 19th century. 

It's about an elderly monk who was not joining the other monks in the way they celebrated Christmas. 

When they asked why, he admitted he used to join in all the festivities, but now he celebrated spiritually in his heart. 

I wish you a very Merry Christmas season and I hope you discover this year, a whole new and deeper spiritual sense of what Christmas is all about. 

Is there any way you can de-materialize, even in some small way, how you celebrate Christmas? The world is desperately crying out for this spiritual sense of Christmas you have to offer.

Show notes:
* To read a full transcript, the Bible quotes and Whittier's poem, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/271

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
  
  

270 – Have you ever put yourself into the Christmas story as one of the Bible characters?

If you're like me, you've probably read the Christmas story so many times, and seen so many Christmas pageants that it seems like the same story over and over, with nothing new or fresh.

But what if you were one of those characters? Which one would you be? Who do you relate to most in the Christmas story?

Have you ever seen yourself in the role of:

• The shepherds
• One of the angels who appeared to the shepherds
• One of the Wisemen
• Hopefully not King Herod
• Gabriel, who told Mary she was going to be the mother of Jesus? No way!
• Certainly not Mary, but...
• Maybe you can relate to Joseph
• What about the innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away
• Okay, just for fun, what about the animals in the stable

There's actually one more character in the Christmas story I didn't put on the list here, but it's the person we should probably relate to more than anyone else. Listen to find out who it is.

As Christmas approaches, take some time to ponder how you can relate to each of the characters in the Christmas story.  

The more you understand and appreciate their unique roles in the Christmas story, the more you will discover your God given purpose in sharing the good news of Christ. 

What unique role will you play in the ongoing Christmas story today?

Previous episode mentioned:
Episode 11: Thank God There Was No Room in the Inn when Jesus Was Born

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes in this episode: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/270

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
  
  

269 – If Jesus walked into your church, would you recognize him?

Would he look the way we have imagined him with a beard and flowing hair? Would he be in a coat and tie or in blue jeans and a flannel shirt?

I know, this is a totally hypothetical situation, but it's helpful to ask these questions once in a while.

In this week's episode I talk about:

• The three main ways to recognize the presence of Christ in your church
• How to see Jesus in everyone who comes to church
• How to treat everyone at church the way you would treat Jesus
• What happens to your church when you do this
• The Parable of the Five Monks

When you look at someone else and recognize Jesus in them, you will treat them with great love, respect, care, and honor.

When you recognize Christ in yourself, you will treat yourself, your body, your mind, your soul and spirit with greater respect, honor and love.

When we do this collectively, that’s what church is all about: seeing Christ within each and every one, and treating them accordingly.

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/269

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
  
  

268 – How do you express your gratitude for Jesus?

There are always so many things to be grateful for during the Thanksgiving season here in the United States. But if you don't live in the US and don't have an official Day of Thanksgiving, I hope you always have some kind of gratitude practice.

Gratitude is always in season.

Right now, I am focusing on how grateful I am for Jesus. And I encourage you to do the same. That's what this week's episode is all about:

• Words are not enough. It's important to feel gratitude for Jesus in your heart
• Take some time to ponder how grateful you are for Jesus
• Put your gratitude into action by following Jesus's commandments
• Get close to what Jesus said and did: study his words and actions and follow his example
• Love people the way Jesus would
• Love people the way you would love Jesus

When you actively strive to follow Jesus’s way of thinking, praying, and loving, you’re going to start acting more and more like him. You'll be more and more like him and your life will be different.

You’ll forgive people who mistreated you. You’ll love your enemies. You will be a peacemaker. You will have compassion on people who are suffering and you’ll be able to bring healing and hope to them.

And you'll support others in their desire to follow Jesus.

There's no better way to express your gratitude for Jesus than to follow his example and share your faith with others.

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/268

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
  
  

267 – What's the most important reason to go to church?

Most people today would probably say it's to worship God. But according to Tom Wadsworth, PhD, the early Christian church did not have worship services, the way we do today.

Tom says the main reason to go to church is found in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 14.
It is to build each other up. Everything we do when we gather together is to edify on another other.

And everyone contributes to this, not just a pastor or church leaders.

Tom calls this "one-anothering." Supporting, loving, edifying one another in all we do.

Worship to early Christians was the way the surrendered to God and served Him in every detail of their daily lives.

Invitation: Next time you go to church, go with the intention to build up your fellow church members, to help them love and grow more in the Spirit.

Connect with Tom:
YouTube Channel
Website: tomwadsworth.com

Previous episodes mentioned:
Episode 224: Why Should I Believe in the Nicaean Creed?
Episode 228: Women Leaders in the New Testament

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/267

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
  
  

266 – Have you ever wanted to be part of a group so bad you tried to fit in but you still felt left out?

It happens all the time. You want to be in a group or community or a church, but to feel part of things and be accepted you have to copy the attitudes and behaviors of the members of the group.

It's hard because you don't feel you can really be yourself, but being part of the group is important. So you sometimes end up compromising your own values and individuality to be in the group.

The Bible has some very encouraging things to say about this. And that's what this week's podcast is all about.

• The Israelites demanded a king so they could be like the other nations. What were the long term consequences of this decision?
• Why did certain Jewish leaders try to fit in with the Pharisees when they didn't want to admit publicly that they believed in Jesus?
• How did Jesus help Zacchaeus see he belonged to the kingdom of heaven?
• How can you help others realize they don't have to try to fit in to the world's way of thinking because they belong to God?

Take a moment for a little self-reflection. Are you trying to fit in to the way the world sees and does things?

Are you trying to fit in somewhere you don’t really belong. You don’t belong to the world. You don’t belong to sin or the past mistakes you’ve made.

You don’t belong to man-made theological dogma, doctrines, and traditions. And you don’t belong to the devil. You belong to God. 

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes – thebiblespeakstoyou.com/266 

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
  
  

265 – Are you trusting God no matter what happens with the election?

Have you ever felt like your life goes from one challenge to another, or one crisis to another? 

And just look at the national scene.

As soon as one political battle comes to an end another one starts. And what about the election!!!

How do you keep your peace in all these situations? It’s not always easy.

The question is: Do you trust God in the midst of all these problems?

That's what this week's episode is all about. I ask some pretty honest questions:

• Do you only trust things will be okay if your candidate(s) win?
• Do you only trust things will be okay if the policy you want gets implemented?
• Can you trust God to work things out even if your candidate looses?
• Do you trust people and politics more than God?

Regardless of the political outcome here in the United States, or whatever may be going on in the country where you live in, you can trust God to provide for you, protect you, guide you, and heal you.

Regardless of the outcome of any event, large or small, local, regional, federal, and even international, you can trust God in every situation for all your needs.

Show notes:
Transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/265

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
  
  

264 – How do you find peace in the midst of political divisiveness?

Politics can be so divisive. And messy! It's so easy to get caught up in the drama, but at some point, we all need to get away from all the chaos and find a sense of peace.

Some folks think they will only get some peace when their candidate(s) win. But that kind of peace is pretty fragile, when it depends on people and situations to be just right.

True peace comes from God; it’s spiritual, and cannot be taken away from you. It’s about your relationship with God.

That's what this week's episode is all about:

• True peace comes from God
• We need to be in obedience to God to experience this peace completely
• Shalom: so much more than just peace of mind or lack of animosity
• The real reason people are so distressed by the political situation (it's not what you think)
• Why Jesus could share his peace with the disciples just hours before he was crucified
• Whose kingdom do you live in, man's or God's?

Jesus didn’t get involved in the politics of his day in order to make things better for people. He didn’t try to influence Roman politics. He didn’t try to influence the Sanhedrin. He simply went about his Father’s business, not man’s business. 

No matter which political party you’re a member of, no matter who is elected President, or to Congress or any office, no political party’s policy can do for mankind what Jesus did. Don’t expect a human government to do what only God can do.

No matter who wins the election, the peace of God in your heart cannot be taken away. Jesus has given you this peace. Now it’s your turn to share it with others.

Previous episodes mentioned:
#240 How Would Jesus Heal Political Division?
  #49 How Does God Choose Leaders?

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/264

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
  
  

263 – Do you ever think of yourself as an ambassador of Christ?

What does that even mean?

Well, it starts with walking in the footsteps of Jesus and living the way he taught us to, loving like he did.

And most of all it means letting the light of Christ in your heart shine in the world so others can see this light and be drawn to it.

This week's episode is a conversation with Paul Granger, host of the Where Did You See God podcast.

We talk about what it means to be an ambassador of Christ. It's not just the missionary who goes to some foreign country. We all can and should be ambassadors of Christ in every day life.

Paul says: "You are an ambassador of Christ whether you’re preaching at church or when you’re at home with your kids, or walking down the street. It’s in the details of everyday life."

To be an ambassador of Christ, doesn't mean you have to make some giant effort. Paul says:

"You may not feel you can take a giant leap of faith. Just take a small toe-nudge forward, one inch at a time, one day at a time. Focus on the fact that you have been given the privilege and gift and blessing to step toward God today."

Podcast: Where did you see God?"
Website: WhereDidYouSeeGod.com
Author’s page on Amazon*

Show notes for this episode:
Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/263

* Affiliate links

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
  
  

262 – What needs to be healed from your past?

Have you ever felt that because of things that happened to you in the past, either mistakes you made or things other people did to you, you haven’t been able to live your life the way you wanted to or be as successful as you could be?

Once in a while, it a can be a good idea to take a look at your past: mistakes you've made, things others have done that harm you, or situations that had a negative impact on your life.

If you're holding onto resentment for what others did, or the mistakes you made, or if you're still letting a some event from the past have a negative influence on the way you think and act today, it's time for some healing.

That's what this week's podcast episode is all about. I share some stories of people in the Bible who had to face the mistakes they made or the way they were treated unfairly, so they could go forward with God's purpose for them. I talk about

• Jacob
• His son Joseph
• Joseph's 10 older brothers
• God's forgiveness is so thorough, He will not even remember your sins
• The real reason you can let go of the past and it's negative influence on your life
• A prayer that brings healing to your past

You can't take any guilt or shame with you into heaven. You can’t take any memories of your mistakes or sins either. And you can’t take resentment over how someone or some circumstance may have harmed you.

Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This  means you don’t have to wait to begin to experience being in the presence of heaven.

To the degree you are aware that heaven is at hand, you can let go of these things from the past right now.

The love and forgiveness of God can reach back into what you call the past, wash away then negative memories and influence, and bring redemption and healing.

Previous episode mentioned:
Episode 135: Your Past Does not Define You

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/262

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