The Sanctuary

This is the second episode in a series on prayer where we discuss the importance of positioning our hearts in prayer. As we grow in our relationship with the Lord through perseverance, our prayers begin to authentically reflect His character. In the third episode, we will talk about the importance of knowing the season and how that relates to our prayers requests.

Quotes:

“You continue to take to Him and just continue to say, Lord, if it's your will, help me to discern if I should keep praying for this. If it's not in your will, redirect me. And then listen.” - MJ [8:20]

“We have these prayers and these deep things that are good in our heart. And if we're not taking action to actually believe for it to come forth, we're not really living out our faith in our prayer” - MJ [10:06]

“We don't know that the Lord cares more about our character than He does about our financial resources. He doesn't want us to lack so much where we have to do things to become immoral, but he also wants us to realize even if we had a million dollars today, that it is not going to solve the root issue of our heart, of why we feel like that's going to fulfill our life.” - MJ [11:57]

Discussion Questions:

* In this episode, MJ talks about the prophet Elijah. When he asked for no rain, there was a drought for 3 years! Elijah knew there needed to be rain, but this time, his prayer was not answered right away. The Lord kept it from raining for three years, yet the Lord was not as quick to respond to Elijah’s request for rain three years later. However, Elijah persisted not once, but seven times, and the Lord brought rain. What takeaways do you have from Elijah’s prayers?

* What do you do when you keep asking for a desire or a dream to come to pass, but it hasn’t?

Scripture Reference:

James 5:17-18

1 Kings 18:41-44

May we realize praying is more about a relationship with our Creator, and that the things we pray for not be more important than becoming like Jesus.

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In part 1 of 2 episodes, MJ and Nicole talk about why it is so important to reframe what prayer can look like and how faithful the Lord is in hearing our prayer. God longs to hear from us all day long!

Quotes:

I'm reflecting on building a relationship [with the Lord], and if you think about this with a spouse or a partner or how you would communicate with someone, in order for that relationship to prosper, to grow, to be anything that is intimate, you need to communicate with that person. - [4:49] MJ

The Lord says to not be anxious about anything, yet to present my petitions and my prayer and my praise to Him and let everything else right come to pass as He aligns it. That allows you the ability to keep moving. - [10:43] MJ

Is there something you need prayer for? Hit reply and let us know how we can be praying for you!

“Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come,your will be done,    on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our debts,    as we also have forgiven our debtors.And lead us not into temptation,    but deliver us from evil.”

-Matthew 6:10-13

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When you think of peace, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe you’re standing on top of a mountain? Or walking next to the water? Those things certainly are peaceful, but it is also so much more. Join MJ & Nicole as they discuss accessing that peace wherever you are.

The Peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ. -Philippians 4:7

Quotes

“This is peace, this is God given, it's a gift. The minute you're his child and you believe in Christ, He’s giving you peace as a gift. - Nicole [10:53]

“Peace is where you can be most effective because you're coming out of a place where you're of sound-mindedness. Your heart is not conflicted. When you're in peace, it's trusting in the Lord. - MJ [18:47]

“Don’t just let your mind be busy. Don’t just let your heart be busy because you’re afraid. Let the Lord recalibrate your pace so you can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.” - MJ [19:50]

Questions:

* What do you do in that moment when the boat of your life is being rocked?

* What is keeping you from the peace that surpasses all understanding?

Scripture References:

Psalm 23

Mark 4:35-39

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 Isa 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;  and the government shall be upon his shoulder,  and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesanctuarywithnicolemj.substack.com

When we put our confidence in Jesus, we let God fight our battles. The LORD is who we can go to and and who will protect us. Join Nicole and MJ as they discuss how you don't have to fight with your own strength when God is your Fortress.

Quotes:

"The LORD will provide. He is going to provide. There is nothing in this entire world that will hinder the LORD from providing for his kids." -MJ [13:55]

"Build your confidence in that it's not just a God who you pray to once in awhile, it's the God who split the seas; it's the God who provided daily manna to the Israelites; it's the same God." - MJ [14:35]

"We cannot build our confidence in what people can do for us" -MJ [15:01] 

"God's ways are better and eventually that's what will come. And we can experience that now when we trust in Him and we can experience that joy." -Nicole [18:00]

Questions:

* Who are you placing your confidence in?

* What is the thing you're believing that God will not come through with? What is the lack?

Scripture References:

Psalm 18

Jeremiah 17:8

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Even though we may believe we are who are and we don't have to forgive people in our lives, that's not true. Our hearts become callous, unloving and toxic - and that's not who we are. God calls us to be made in his likeness. Join Nicole and MJ as they discuss the character of God's forgiveness, and how unforgiveness is far from who He is and what He's all about.

Quotes:

"That's our hope, that forgiveness can actually save people." - Nicole [14:16]

"God so loves us that He knows the burden of unforgiveness is too high to let us stay there. So he calls us to action." -MJ [17:21]

"So many people are stuck in offense and unforgiveness that they don't even know what it feels like to want to love, or to receive love." -MJ [19:42]

 

Scripture References:

Matthew 18:21-35

Genesis 50:15-21

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During periods of affliction, how do we understand our relationship with God? No one wants to suffer, but God often uses these times in our life to not only build our faith in Him, but also crush idols in our hearts.

 

Quotes:

"These men had faith...it's hard because sometimes we don't see the things in our life as idols, but they really are idols...and we bow down to them...and there are things that cause that inner conflict." -MJ [4:00-4:30]

"If it consumes our heart more than God does, it's an idol." -MJ [4:40]

"Sometimes it's good to just sit with the person... When I was really hurting, you could have told me the most inspiring thing in the world and I would just say, can you just pray for me? Because I want to receive that, but my heart hurts so much that I just can't." -MJ [16:20]

 

Questions:

1. MJ spoke about idols that can often be unseen in our life, like pride, self-control, body image, and vanity. What are some idols that may be consuming your heart? If you can identify anything that may be taking the place of God in your heart, invite God into those spaces and give it to Him. 

2. Who is encouraging you? How?

 

 

Scripture Reference: Daniel 3

 

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We're diving into a 4 part series on identity! Join us as we discuss who we are in light of being made in the image of Christ, and how affliction, image, and our everyday roles can mold our hearts for the good and sometimes, the bad. 

 

Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 16:7

 

Questions to reflect on:

"What comes to mind when you think of beauty?"

"Who exemplified beauty to you when you were a kid? How has that changed over time?"

 

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What does it look like to love someone sacrificially as Jesus loved? Join MJ and Nicole as they tackle the challenge to love well in our ME centered, polarized world. 

 

Passages:

John 15:12-14

Phillipians 2:3

 

Quotes:

"What does sacrificial love look like with people we don't know and have an investment in? Because Jesus did that, too. He died for everyone who would come to know them, and even those who did not." - [12:20] -MJ

"We may love people who look different than us, who have different views than us, we may love poeple who wish ill upon us, and that would be the best case scenario...if we chose to love." - [13:35] - MJ

"...or being willing to not only say, 'you're right - but I'm wrong.'" - [14:50] - Nicole 

 

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Who can you trust when the world seems to be falling apart? When you feel like everything is crumbling around you, and that no one is reliable, rely on Jesus as your Rock. Jesus is the only person whom you can build your trust upon. In this episode, MJ and Nicole discuss how this might look in your everday life.

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Who is your refuge? Where do you go when you're feeling depleted? The LORD is our only hope of recharging our souls. Join MJ & Nicole as we dive into this conversation. 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesanctuarywithnicolemj.substack.com