Victorious Faith

In today’s episode, Karen dives into the scriptures to help you position yourself to become a vessel of honor for the kingdom. In Revelation 2:25, Jesus makes a promise to those who keep His works to the end. If you’ve ever wondered what works He desires for you to accomplish and how to be effective in your walk, this episode is key! Scripture references: Ephesians 2:20, Revelation 2:25, 2 Timothy 2:20, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 John 2:4, 1 John 2:28, and 1 John 4:17.

In this episode, Karen dives into the concept of knowledge in the context of our relationship with Jesus Christ. In John 17:1-8, Jesus prays for His disciples and reminds the Father that these have “known surely” that Jesus was of God and their knowledge of Him was true. The Greek word in verse 8 is the same word for know that Peter expressed in John 6:69. It is the word, ginosko, #G1097 in Strong’s concordance and refers to a deep knowledge, similar to the intimacy between a husband and wife. We come to know Him by abiding in His presence, by studying and meditating on His word and we grow into wisdom as we apply this knowing by ministering to others in our daily life. When we know Him, we are eager to release HIs freedom, peace and joy to set others free. This is a lifestyle born out of our relationship with Christ and not simply the “dead works” of religious obligation. Scripture references: John 17:1-8; John 6:69; Proverbs 4:7; John 5:39-40.

Are you a ruminator? Stop it. In this episode, Karen shares how she used the word of God to transform her thoughts and her life. Like most aspects of the kingdom, the message is simple. It’s the application of the message that gets us hung up. Discipline makes all the difference. If you want to experience transformation, you must learn to filter every emotion and thought through scripture and not allow the enemy to invade the precious territory of your mind. We are free in Christ; let’s live free! Philippians 4:6-8; Romans 12:1-2; Jeremiah 29:11; Colossians 3:1-3; 2 Cor. 1:20; 10:5.

This is not what a recovering “perfectionist” wants to hear! In this podcast, Karen dives into the Greek to reveal exactly what Jesus and Paul intended with the command to “be perfect”. Our scriptures come from Matthew 5:48, Colossians 1:27-29, Ephesians 4:13-16, and Psalm 1.

Today’s podcast begins with a reading from Romans 14:10-12. The title of this podcast is a hint of Karen’s personal testimony of God’s conviction and correction through His word. When we are sensitive to His Spirit, He is faithful to restore us into His perfect will. His conviction is a loving reminder of areas in our life that are not honoring to Him and provides the opportunity to bring our thoughts, words, and actions into obedience so that we remain free! Scripture references: Matt. 7:1-5; 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 10:4-6; Galatians 5:24-26.

In the wake of last week’s ruling in the US Supreme Court, many believer's are experiencing greater than usual spiritual battles. In this episode, Karen shares practical tactics from scripture in Ephesians 6:10-18 to encourage you to stand in His victory (1 Cor. 15:57) over every evil attack (2 Timothy 4:17-18). When we stand firm in our faith, and do not give way to fear, our God is pleased (Hebrews 10:36-39). His supernatural blessings of love, joy and peace rain on His children, even in the midst of trials and persecution (Acts 14:17). To God be all glory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD have created it. Isaiah 45:8.

Do you know that the Lord Jesus was sent to extend His Kingdom from Heaven to earth? See Luke 4:43. Jesus spent 3 years of His earthly ministry preaching and teaching His Kingdom principles, mostly through parables. He told His disciples that the mysteries of the Kingdom were hidden from others and given to them (Matthew 13:11). For those of us who choose to believe His teaching and to receive His Life, we become His children born again of His Spirit, and His Kingdom now dwells within us! (Luke 12:32; Luke 17:21). We are released from the bondage of sin and death and transferred immediately into His Kingdom (Romans 8:2; Colossians 1:3). God’s purpose and intent is that His new creation express and reflect His Kingdom culture to the world (2 Cor. 5:17; Galatians 5:16-26). This podcast is a bit longer than most because Karen shares a personal testimony of how she was able to manifest the Kingdom reality in her own life to overcome an alcohol addiction. We have the victory in Christ!

By order of royal command! But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Jesus taught more about Kingdom principals than anything else, mostly in the context of parables. His disciples had trouble grasping the full understanding of the Kingdom message because they were anticipating the earthly restoration of Israel. After His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with them continuing this teaching (Acts 1:3). When the Pharisees asked Jesus about the coming of the Kingdom of God, He responded, The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, see here! Or see there! For indeed, the Kingdom is within you, Luke 17:20. We, His children must learn to take hold of the kingdom here and now and live in the authority that His sacrifice restored to us (Matt. 11:12). Scripture references: Luke 12:31-32, Luke 10:17-19, 1 John 5:18.

You are a walking gospel of Jesus Christ! (1 John 4:17). At the moment of the rebirth, your spirit is made alive and perfect because you are now one spirit with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17). If we were only a spirit, we would have no work to do. But, since we are a 3-part being, we have a role to play in the sanctification of our soul and body. To “walk in the Spirit” we must align our soul (mind, will, emotions) with the truth He has already placed in our spirit by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23-24). We can operate in a unified spirit, soul, and body and if we do, the Spirit flows freely in us and through us to impact the world with His love (John 7:38; 2 Timothy 2:20-21; Ephesians 2:10). Karen shares a personal testimony of how God healed her grandbaby when her spirit, soul, and body acted in alignment to His word.

The post-resurrection revelation of Jesus Christ to the apostle Paul inspired over half of the writings in the New Testament. Paul wrote about this mystery throughout the epistles, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory! Colossians 1:27. Our faith is the only faith in the world that believes God dwells in us. If this is true, why aren’t many of us living in this reality? Why aren’t we experiencing the same and greater works that Jesus did? John 14:12-14. In this episode, Karen discusses the key to understanding and walking in the power of the Spirit as the “new creation” rather than living in the “dead works” of religious experience. Scripture references: Ephesians 4:17-24; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Cor. 2:10-16; 2 Cor. 5:17; Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 2:21; 1 John 3:2-3.