275 – Jesus says you are the salt of the earth. What are you doing about it?

Recently, my friend Terese said: It's time to take your salt out of the salt shaker.

I took that to mean: quit hiding yourself, your God-given gifts and talents, and what you have to contribute to society. Be who God made you to be and share it with the world.

Being the salt of the earth can mean lots of things. In the Bible salt had numerous uses and metaphorical meanings. Salt was

• Connected with purity 
• Used to preserve food
• Used to flavor food
• Sometimes used to destroy the soil's ability to grow crops
• Required in many burnt offerings
• Used as a medium of exchange
• Considered a healing agent

When Jesus said we are the salt of the earth, he could have been referring to some or all of these uses for salt.

In this week's episode, I unpack how all these ways to use and think about salt apply to our lives today.

You'll be surprised how I describe adding salt to burnt offerings applies to us today.

Your salt is the Christly flavor you bring to your life and all those around you. If you keep this Christlikeness to yourself, it's like having a salt shaker on the table but never putting any salt on your food.

If you keep your salt to yourself, you may be the salt, but not the salt of the earth. It’s time to take you salt out of the salt shaker and share your love for Christ with others.

Show notes:
For a full transcript and all Bible quotes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/275

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)
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274 – Putting God first in 2025

First of all, Happy New Year!

I wish you all the best in 2025 and that you'll discover more of who God made you to be and live this out in your daily life.

A new year is a wonderful time to think about your priorities, to let go of things and thoughts you've outgrown. It's a time to embrace more fully where God is calling you.

In this first episode of the new year, I focus on putting God first in your life as your number one priority. I ask and answer the 5 Ws and the 1 H.

• Who should put God first in your life?
• What does it mean to put God first?
• When should you put God first?
• Where should you put God first?
• Why should you put God first?
• How do you put God first, in everything you do?

On the surface, the answers to these questions are pretty obvious. But this episode goes deeper to get at the heart of what it means to put God first in your life.

Listen now. And let me know how you put God first in your life.

Once again: HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Show notes:
For a full transcription and Bible quotes in this episode: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/274

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
  
  

273 – Year in Review for The Bible Speaks to You Podcast

2024 has completed it's designated rounds!

I hope your year has been full of spiritual growth and progress. And I hope you'll take some time to reflect on the the things you have to be grateful for and the lessons you've learned this year.

This week's episode shares some of the highlights from the podcast this past year.

Want to listen to an entire episode?
Here are links to all episodes mentioned this week:

• 232 – You Don’t Need Someone Else’s Permission to Do what God Has Called You to Do
• 235 – How to Be Filled with the Fullness of God
• 239 – God Is Always with You, No Matter What
• 243 – The Secret to Spiritual Restoration
• 245 – How to Be Joyful No Matter what Happens
• 248 – That's Not the Jesus I Believe In
• 254 – God Already Knows What You Need
• 256 – The Biblical Cure for Loneliness
• 261 – The Best Motive for Prayer that Heals
• 262 – Redeeming and Healing the Past
• 264 – Finding Peace During Political Turmoil
• 265 – Trusting God No Matte

Text me your questions or comments.

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Support the show

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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
  
  

272 – When was the last time you read the story of Jesus's birth?

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. How well do you know the story?

When was the last time you read the whole thing?

In this week's episode, I read the entire Christmas story.

That's it.
No commentary.
No explanations.
No historical context or data.

Just the story, all by itself, of Jesus's birth.

This Christmas, take a few minutes just to listen to the story, you probably know so well. But listen again.

Let the Christmas message of Christ's coming sink down into your heart and then shine forth in your life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Show notes:
For a full transcript of the Bible passages in Matthew and Luke, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/272

Text me your questions or comments.

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Your answer will be part of Episode 300

Go to Celebrate 300 and tell me 

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• Your answer to this question: If you could go back in time and talk to Jesus, what would you ask him?

I need your answer by June 13, 2025

Thanks so much!

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
  
  

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 Wh

Text me your questions or comments.

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Your answer will be part of Episode 300

Go to Celebrate 300 and tell me 

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• Your answer to this question: If you could go back in time and talk to Jesus, what would you ask him?

I need your answer by June 13, 2025

Thanks so much!

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 e

Text me your questions or comments.

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HELP ME CELEBRATE 

Your answer will be part of Episode 300

Go to Celebrate 300 and tell me 

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• Your answer to this question: If you could go back in time and talk to Jesus, what would you ask him?

I need your answer by June 13, 2025

Thanks so much!

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.

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Your answer will be part of Episode 300

Go to Celebrate 300 and tell me 

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• Your answer to this question: If you could go back in time and talk to Jesus, what would you ask him?

I need your answer by June 13, 2025

Thanks so much!

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.

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HELP ME CELEBRATE 

Your answer will be part of Episode 300

Go to Celebrate 300 and tell me 

• Your name
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• Your answer to this question: If you could go back in time and talk to Jesus, what would you ask him?

I need your answer by June 13, 2025

Thanks so much!

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.

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HELP ME CELEBRATE 

Your answer will be part of Episode 300

Go to Celebrate 300 and tell me 

• Your name
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• Your answer to this question: If you could go back in time and talk to Jesus, what would you ask him?

I need your answer by June 13, 2025

Thanks so much!

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.

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HELP ME CELEBRATE 

Your answer will be part of Episode 300

Go to Celebrate 300 and tell me 

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• Your answer to this question: If you could go back in time and talk to Jesus, what would you ask him?

I need your answer by June 13, 2025

Thanks so much!

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