Manuel Rivas started following Jesus while he was in a maximum security prison - one of the toughest in Texas.  Trials came from all directions, and there was plenty of opposition, yet through it all, God proved Himself faithful.  Manuel shares how God continued to demonstrate his life-changing love in a truly dark environment.  However, there was an entirely different challenge awaiting - what would it be like to live a Christ-centered life from OUTSIDE the prison walls?  As odd as it may seem, life outside prison gave Manuel some serious challenges as well.  Nevertheless, Manuel remained focused on God's love and His will.  Listen in as he shares that if Jesus has truly made you free, then you are free indeed.  Manuel, and many others like him, are living proof.  

Music: Dirt by Colebin Griffith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrq5I2CoaH8

Manuel Rivas first accepted Jesus on the day he was sentenced to maximum security prison.  Yes, you read that right. He received Jesus as Lord, and then immediately began his sentence in one of the toughest prisons in Texas.  But it was that dark environment that God used to teach Manuel how to live life fully, to appreciate even the smallest blessings, and most importantly, how to love.  Find out how God transformed a former drug dealer into a vessel of honor full of God's light and love.  This is part 2 of 3 of Manuel's amazing testimony.  You will NOT regret hearing this. 

#jesus #testimony  #transformed #lightinthedarkness

Music: Dirt. By Colebin Griffith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrq5I2CoaH8

He had it all.  Money.  Respect.  Power.  And yet, his life felt completely empty.  He knew there had to be something more than what he had, but where would he turn to find it?  Manuel Rivas found the answer to that question in a really strange place on what was, at that point, the worst day of his life.  But when God answered the desperate prayer of this truly lost soul, the result was life-altering - and the aftershocks keep coming to this day.  

Enjoy part 1 of Manuel's testimony as he shares how God revealed Himself to a man about to lose it all - and yet truly discover how to live. 

Music: Dirt. By Colebin Griffith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrq5I2CoaH8

The Bible is full of amazing stories about extraordinary people... or is it?  Is it possible that the people we read about in the Bible were, in many ways, just normal people like you and me?  Did they have shortcomings? Did they have flaws?  Probably so.  When you're reading about faith heroes like Moses, Gideon, and Paul the Apostle, remember that each of these truly incredible people of faith were HUMAN, just like you.  Their agreement with God and His plan was what truly set them apart, and even then, God had some work to do in order to put His glory on display through them.

It's the same for us.  Living out the incredible faith adventure God has planned for you boils down to this: 1. Agree with His word. 2. Surrender to His plan. 3. Act accordingly.   Faith requires that we work it out!  But when we do that, God fills in the blanks and truly incredible things can happen.  Could it be that the next person God intends to accomplish miraculous manifestations of His glory is the one looking back at you from your mirror? That may very well be the case, and that's what this episode explores. 

God knows how to speak to you. God knows what fires you up, what passions ignite your enthusiasm, and what great adventures you dream of when you think nobody notices.  He notices, and He meant for you to pursue what He put inside you.  In this episode, you'll hear more from the book, Average Christians Don't Exist  and be encouraged to know that God not only sees you, He DELIGHTS in speaking to you. He pursues you with more passion than you can imagine. He draws your spiritual gifts out in ways only He can.  And if you think you don't have spiritual gifts, think again.  God didn't design anyone to be merely passable. In God's eyes, you're a walking, talking adventure waiting to happen, and the Creator of the universe is ready to unlock the destiny He put inside you.  

Music: Flow. By Colebin Griffith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stvCQ9TakHo

God didn't create a single person to be average and unremarkable.  That's truth!  It's also the topic of my book by the same title.    This episode offers an excerpt from the book and encouragement for all believers to pursue their amazing destiny with the God who gave it to them.  https://gardenpublishingco.com/product/average-christians-dont-exist-encouragement-for-believers/

Music: Flow. By Colebin Griffith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stvCQ9TakHo

They say God works in mysterious ways.  Maybe He works in interesting places, too. Here's an interesting question:  Can God change lives outside the church walls?  Could He put His love on display at, say, a rodeo, for example? Yep!  Brint Harmon is living proof that God can work anywhere, any time, no matter what you're doing... or what environment you happen to find yourself in.  He ministers to BULL RIDERS right in the midst of their super intense competition.  More importantly, Brint represents the heart of a loving Savior to men who are as close to literally fearless as you can get.   Listen in to see how God uses Brint (and how He could use you) right smack in the middle of your passions or interests.  

Christmas wishes and blessings from my heart to yours.  There's a lot going on right now that is undeniably bad, yet there is so much to be thankful for.  God is the God of HOPE, so this Christmas, let's be people who HOPE outrageously, love unstoppably, and bless others with our lives.  Merry Christmas to you and yours. 

Building upon the last episode, "You're Not JUST Anything," this podcast encourages believers in Jesus Christ to open their eyes up to see just how uniquely created and gracefully gifted they are.  God gave you spiritual gifts, deep desires, and special talents, all with the express intent that you put His glory on display.  Yet, a lot of people discount what God created inside them, and their gifts lay dormant.  NO MORE!  It's time to put your gifts, talents, and passions to work, and at the same time, advance God's kingdom. 

In this episode, Kevin McSpadden interviews up and coming musician, photographer, and all-around good guy, COLEBIN GRIFFITH.  In case you're wondering, Colebin is the guy behind the music in the Victorious Liberty Podcast, and he shares how he has learned to honor what God gave him.  Listen in as Colebin and Kevin encourage every believer to see just how special they are and just how powerful they can be - all while doing the very things that light them up! 

A lot of believers struggle to believe that God would use them to accomplish amazing things.  We compare ourselves to others, we discount our effectiveness in the Kingdom, and we get discouraged, thinking, "I'm just an average Christian."  But that's not what God sees when He looks at you.  God never made a single person and thought, "I'll just make this one pretty average and boring."  Every person is hand-crafted with unique and powerful purposes only God knows - but we have the joy and honor to discover what He dreamt of when He created us. 

This episode is the premier of a series called "Average Christians Don't Exist."  If you struggle to see yourself through God's eyes... If you want to discover more about your purpose on this earth... If you feel like you're not making a difference... If you just want to open yourself up to the possibility of a grand adventure with your Creator...  THIS SERIES IS FOR YOU.  Find out in this episode why you should never say about yourself, "I'm JUST (insert whatever you are here)."  Instead, you should say, "I'm ready for what God has for me today."