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

182 – Have you ever wondered how Jesus could say “I have overcome the world,” before he was crucified?

Easter is in just a few days and I’ve been thinking about something Jesus said to his disciples after the Last Supper and just before he went to the Garden of Gethsemane. 

It’s his famous saying, “I have overcome the world.” I’ve been pondering what he meant.

Jesus knew exactly what was coming. He had tried to warn his disciples ahead of time that he would be arrested, tried, falsely accused, and crucified. And he also explained he would return after these ordeals. But they just couldn’t take it in. They had no hooks to hang that information on.

Getting ready for Easter

In this week's episode, I talk about the fact that Jesus claimed victory over the world before his crucifixion and resurrection. Here are some of the points I cover:

• Jesus's kingdom-of-heaven-is-at-hand mindset
• Jesus's I-have-overcome-the-world mindset
• Jesus was conscious that his true spiritual dwelling place was heaven even when he was on earth
• We can claim victory over our problems because Jesus has already overcome the world
• Jesus overcame the world to bless us.

Spend some time this Easter season rejoicing over God’s love for all mankind, and being grateful for Jesus’s gift to you of his victory over the world.

To study all the Bible quotes in this episode, check out the show notes at
thebiblespeakstoyou.com

Text me your questions or comments.

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__________________
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
  
  

181 – It's easy to see what your eyes see, but have you ever wondered how to see spiritually?

Recently a listener asked me to comment of 1 Corinthians 2:9-14.  She wanted to know what it means to see spiritually and how we can do that.

This famous passage points out that the material senses, even the human mind and heart, cannot see or perceive the spiritual things God reveals to us. They can only be discerned spiritually.

That's what this week's podcast is all about: how to see spiritually. I share several Bible stories that had to do with seeing spiritually, seeing things that you couldn't see with your eyeballs.

• When Moses sent twelve men to spy out the Promised Land, only Joshua and Caleb saw the possibility of success. The other ten could only see failure. Their material eyes saw the same thing. But Joshua and Caleb were seeing spiritually.
• When Samuel went to anoint one of Jesse's sons to be king of Israel, he thought Eliab would be the one, because he was tall, handsome, and strong. But God said no. Samuel didn't look at Eliab spiritually
• When the king of Syria, or Aram, sent soldiers to capture the prophet Elisha, Elisha's servant was terrified, but Elisha saw the horses and chariots of fire.

Jesus had a lot to say about seeing spiritually,

• The light of the body is the eye
• The pure in heart see God
• Being judgmental of someone keeps you from seeing your own problems
• The evil thoughts in our heart keep us from seeing spiritually
• The good thoughts in our heart help us see spiritually

Right this minute, you have the ability to see spiritually. Jesus said to his disciples, and it is true for you and me today, "Blessed are your eyes for they see." He was talking about spiritual vision.

In this episode I talk about how to let go of the things and thoughts that keep you from seeing spiritually all that God is revealing to you.

Show notes, transcription, and Bible verses mentioned this week: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/181.

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
  
  

180 – Have you ever had a "burning bush" moment and felt like you were standing on holy ground?

God appears to us in so many ways and situations.

Even when it seems you're wandering in the desert, hungry and thirsty, either literally or figuratively, searching for answers and solutions to problems, in need of healing and love, maybe even at the end of your rope, right there and then, you are on holy ground.

God is ready to guide you, protect you, love you, and heal you. You only need to be humble, listen for and obey His voice. Even though it may not seem like it with all your challenges, you are on holy ground, when you turn to God for help.

In this week's episode I talk about several characters in the Bible who found themselves on holy ground, even though it didn't always seem holy at the time:

• Moses, of course, in front of the burning bush
• Mannaseh, who was disobedient to God and was taken as a prisoner by the Assyrians. He humbled himself in prison, which was his holy ground.
• Saul, who appeared to be on the opposite of holy ground when  he was going to Damascus. But Christ met him where he was and turned that road into holy ground for Saul
• Jesus, who was always on holy ground, you could say. But in this week's episode I talk about his temptation in the wilderness and how he stood on the holy ground of the Scriptures.
• And I share a sweet little story of my youngest daughter when she decided what it meant to her to be on holy ground.

The fact is you are always on holy ground. You are always a nanosecond away from hearing and obeying God’s voice, no matter how far you may feel from God at the time.

Right this moment, you are standing on holy ground. Take off your sandals, anything that would make you feel separated from God. Be quiet. Be still. Be humble. And listen. God will tell you what to do next.

To check out the full show notes and transcript of this episode, along with all the Bible verses quoted, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/180.

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
  
  

179 – Why did God rest on the original Sabbath day?

Was God tired? What does it mean for God to rest? 

How does this apply to you and me? 

Is there something we need to know about the original Sabbath day, that helps us find a Biblical rest and what it really means to obey the Fourth Commandment?

In this week's episode, I talk with Gregory Hall about what the original Sabbath is and how we can remember it the way God intended.

Here are some of the things we talked about:

• How some people misunderstand the 4th Commandment
• What the 4th Commandment is actually asking us to do
• What is true Biblical rest?
• How did Jesus think about the Sabbath?
• What kind of rest did Jesus offer us?
• What day of the week is the real Sabbath? (It's not what you think!)

These are just a few of the questions we dove into.

We also talked about Greg's new book Rethinking Rest, Why Our Approach to Sabbath Isn't Working.*

And check out Greg's podcast: Rethinking Scripture podcast.

To see the full transcript of the episode and all Bible quotes, go to the show notes at thebiblespeakstoyou.com/179.

* Affiliate link

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
  
  

178 – How do you see yourself?

There's a lot of debate these days about how some people choose to self-identify when their choices don't follow society's stereotypes.

Who or what is that defines us? 

• Can we decide who and what we are? 
• Are we defined  by our past, our position in life, our culture, our money and education, our emotions. 
• Can our mistakes define us? 
• Can other people define who we are? 
• Can we define ourselves; can we decide our own identity?

You are so much more than whatever label you put on yourself, how you see yourself, and how others see you.

The real question is: How does God define you? How does God see and identify you?

Whether you think you're defined by your circumstances, your past, etc., or whether you think you can define yourself however you choose, your true spiritual identity is already established. You are the image and likeness of God.

Three previous episodes of The Bible Speaks to You Podcast that talk about your identity:

• Episode 037 – You Are the Image and Likeness of God. What the Heck Does that Mean?
• Episode 070 – Why Is It So Hard to Put Off the Old Self?
• Episode 085 – Finding Your Identity in Christ

Check out the Bible quotes in this week's episode: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/178

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
  
  

177 – Are you searching for the pathway to healing?

Have you ever felt like you were a long way off from getting an answer to your prayers? 

Maybe you’ve been praying for a long time about a resolution to challenge of some sort, guidance in making an important choice, or maybe you’ve been praying for healing, either physical or emotional, in your own life or for a friend.

 Sometimes it’s tempting to wish Jesus was here and we could just walk up to him and ask him to heal us, solve our problem, or guide us to make the right decision.

If you’re looking for healing in your life, the spiritual transformation that comes as a result of God’s presence in our lives, I’ve got some good news.

You are not so far away from healing as you might think.

In this week's episode I talk about the pathway to healing.

• The pathway to healing goes both directions. You are seeking Christ to heal you. Christ is coming to you
• Christ meets you exactly where you are on the path of healing
• Jesus didn't just randomly show up where someone was looking for healing
• Jesus knew exactly where to be because of how he listened to God
• Sometimes people came to Jesus asking for healing
• Sometimes Jesus reached out to someone who needed healing
• Someone can be on the pathway to healing and not even know it (think Saul)

Where ever you are, whatever your circumstances, whatever your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual state, you are on the pathway to healing and Christ is coming to you, finding you, encouraging you, strengthening you, and bringing healing to you. Whether you know it or not. Whether you believe it or not.

You are always on the pathway to healing because you can never be separated from Christ.

Christ is meeting you wherever you are, or rather wherever you think you are, and revealing to you where you truly are, the pathway of healing, the pathway of your wholeness, your presence in the kingdom of heaven.

To see the Bible quotes in this episode: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/177

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
  
  

176 – Have you ever wondered if how much you love will have an impact on the future?

A couple of weeks ago during my prayer time, God dropped this question into my heart:

How much do you love the people who will be born 100 years from now?

It really blew me out of the water.

In this week's episode, I share some possible answers to this question. And I encourage you to think how you would answer it.

• Just thinking about this question  gave me a more all-encompassing perspective of what it means to love all mankind
• Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself. People in the future are actually a kind of neighbor too.
• Jesus prayed for everyone in the future who would believe on him. 
• Since Jesus knew he would be a blessing to folks in the future, we can follow his example and be a blessing for those in the future.

If you’re doing what God has called you to do, that will have an influence on those you know and they will pass it along to the people they know. 

That’s how the gospel of Christ has come to us down the ages to this present moment. 

This same process will continue. Even if people 100 years from now never know your name or that you even existed, the influence you have on the people you love and bless right now will have a ripple effect into the future.  

Jesus fulfilled his purpose here on earth. He didn’t live his life just for himself or the people who lived in his time period but for all mankind throughout the ages. 

When you live your life in fulfillment of your God-given purpose, you too will be a blessing for generations yet to come. 

How will that happen? I have no idea. 

But I deeply believe that when we follow Jesus’s example of doing God’s will in our own lives, as Jesus did, it will bless others, just as Jesus did.

And there is no time limit on that blessing.

Previous episode mentioned this week:
Episode 8 – How to Experience the Spiritual Power of the Lord’s Prayer

Show  notes for this week (with Bible verses mentioned):
thebiblespeakstoyou.com/176

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
  
  

175 – How is it possible to live in the kingdom of heaven today?

Recently I was talking with a new listener to The Bible Speaks to You Podcast about what it means to embrace the mind of Christ on the subject of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. If that's really true, how can we be more conscious of its presence? Can we actually live in the kingdom here on earth? And what does that look like?

These are some of the things I talk about in this week's episode:

• I share an experience when I had to see past the surface appearance of things to bear witness to what is true in heaven. It brought healing.
• You can't see, understand, or live in the kingdom of heaven with your material senses or the human mind
• Awareness of heaven's presence comes through revelation from God
• I share three of the many ways to be more receptive to the presence of heaven here on earth
• Jesus's parables are keys that unlock the gates of heaven so we can dwell there. Here are three I talk about:
  • The lady putting yeast in her bread dough
  • The  man who finds a pearl of great value
  • Waiting until the harvest to separate the tares from the wheat

A lot of folks think that the kingdom of heaven should appear in some grandiose and dramatic way with angels flying around blowing trumpets, but more often heaven appears following the model in Isaiah 28:10 – Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,  Line upon line, line upon line,  Here a little, there a little.

When you notice and are faithful over the little ways the kingdom of heaven appears, you’ll be ready to receive more of it in the future.

Think of something or someone in your life right now that’s giving you a bit of a challenge. Just from the three parables mentioned above, is there an aspect of heaven you can bring to your situation? 

Can you add just a little bit of spiritual yeast to the situation like the lady in the parable? What do you need to focus on that is of great spiritual value? Where in your life do you need to wait on God’s timing of events?

 Jesus promises us that the kingdom of heaven is here. It is at hand. And you can experience its presence now.

Previous episodes mentioned this week:
Episode 2: The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand
Episode 34: Windows into Heaven
Episode 46: Are You Working to Establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth or Are You Bearing Witness to the Fact that it’s Already Here?

Website show notes and transcript:
thebibiblespeakstoyou.com/175 

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
  
  

174 – Getting from hurt to hope

Are there things hurting you from the past you're still carrying around? Or do you know someone who is?

This week's podcast episode is full of healing. I'm talking with Steve Wormer about his work as a minister, and the Hurt to Hope program he works with to help churches and individuals find healing in their lives.  It's a Bible-based program that helps someone move from the hurts of the past to hope for the future.

We talk about what it takes to bring healing to a person's life as well as to a whole church membership that may be hurting.

Here are some of the main points we cover:

• Forgiveness and trust are two different things
• What is forgiveness anyway?
• Sometimes forgiveness is like wrestling with God
• God likes you to be specific in your prayers
• Gratitude is the cousin of forgiveness
• Gratitude is a powerful healing prayer
• The 5 things that kill gratitude
• There's always something to be grateful for
• What brings healing to someone's life?
• What does being a follower of Jesus put on your heart?
• We all need to love more like Jesus did
• Our churches especially need to be more loving in and out of church

Connect with Steve Wormer:
Website: https://hurt2hope.org/
Email: [email protected]
Book: Rivers of Hope (Amazon affiliate link)

Check out all the Bible references we talked about: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/174

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
  
  

173 – Is there anything you need to surrender to God?

This week's episode is a parable about  six year-old Charlotte, who tries to take all 12 of her stuffed animals on a hike, crammed into her backpack.

But it's not so easy to keep them all tucked away. One after the other they either fall in the water, get left behind, get covered in mud, or fall in a thorn bush.

But Charlotte is determined to take all her "friends" with her each day.

Join in the fun and listen as the wise little six-year old summarizes the camping and hiking trip:

“I had the best time ever and my favorite thing was that I learned sometimes the things you love, hold you back when you hold onto them too much. Sometimes you have to let go of the things you love so you can go where you want to.”

The question is on the table for you and me: What will you take out of your overloaded backpack? What will you surrender so you can follow Christ more closely?

Check out the full transcript of this episode at thebiblespeakstoyou.com/173.

I also make mention of a conversation I had with my friend Pam Fields, host of The Mom Next Door: Stories of Faith Podcast. Pam shares how she was able to surrender something from the past and accepting the Holy Spirit's gift in exchange.

Two previous parables on The Bible Speaks to You Podcast:
Episode 14 – Would You Let Jesus in Your House if You Hadn’t Cleaned Up for Weeks?
Episode 32 – The Parable of the Unbaked Cake

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