Jim Putman and Lance Wigton are back again to talk about the 3rd core value in our list of the essential beliefs and practices of a disciple maker. They start this conversation out with an analogy - In the world of guitars, a single string by itself is powerless and cannot function. It is only when the string is connected to both the head and body of the guitar that it can produce beautiful music. Similarly, claiming to be a follower of Jesus without fostering relationships with others raises questions about whether one is truly connected to God. If there was a genuine connection to the head, an individual would naturally be drawn towards forming connections with fellow believers.

In today's fast-paced society, people often prioritize surface-level relationships that resemble skipping stones on water. However, true community lies within the Church - a group of individuals called out from the world.

It's important to recognize that distractions and temptations will arise, attempting to divert our focus away from what truly matters. The enemy may present good things in excessive amounts in order to lead us astray and fixate our attention on unimportant matters. As followers of Christ, it is crucial for us to remain discerning and steadfast in prioritizing what truly aligns with God's will.

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https://realliferesources.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about-podcast-with-jim-putman/

On this episode of the podcast, Lance Wigton and Jim Putman delve into the second of the 7 Essentials - Reaching the Lost. Real Life Ministries was founded on these foundational pillars, which we continue to uphold today. These essential values serve as guardrails that keep us on track, both as a church body and as individuals striving to follow Jesus.

As we grow closer to Jesus and experience transformation in our own lives, our perspective shifts from simply seeing demographics to viewing people as either saved or lost. As ambassadors for Christ, our ultimate mission is to reach those who are lost. This calling extends beyond just the "evangelists" among us; it applies to every disciple of Jesus.

While each person on our team may have a unique role, we all play a part in fulfilling this mission. We should all be able to share our personal stories of how Jesus has impacted our lives. Through our actions and lifestyles, we communicate messages that teach others about Jesus. By exemplifying the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we open doors for non-believers who are searching for authenticity and genuine faith.

If we look at what Jesus did during his earthly ministry, we see that he met people's needs with love and compassion. In doing so, he drew in many individuals who were considered outcasts by society. The transformative power of Jesus can change everything in a person's life. We can take care of people's temporary needs but He will take care of their eternal one.

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What does it mean to Abide and why does Jesus tell us to do it?

Jim Putman and Lance Wigton are back to engage in a conversation about what it means to abide in God. Abiding is something that Jesus calls us to in John 15, and it is one of the foundational pillars of Real Life Ministries. Because of this, we want to have a good picture of what it meant to Jesus and his followers so that we have a better perception of what it looks like in our daily lives.

Abiding means that we have accepted Christ and been reconciled to God and been given the gift of the Holy Spirit - because of this we have a relationship with God wherever we go. Abiding in him, spending time with him, is producing the fruit of the spirit in us which is evident in our lives.

Abiding means being in relationship with God, but it also means we are a part of a bigger piece. When the Bible talks about abiding in John 15 - it refers to Jesus being the Vine and God being the Gardener. The Bible also says that when we become a Christian we become part of a tree with many branches, a part of the Body of Christ and the Family of God. 

There are times in our life when we are not abiding in the body of Christ, which means the only opinion we are hearing is in our own heads. When we spend time with God it helps reset our perspective and align ourselves with his will and his spirit. Walking with the Lord leads to relationship - and God works and speaks through other people into our lives. "But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Knowing that someone is abiding in Christ means far more than seeing that they have knowledge, or even that they know a lot of facts about the Bible. Knowing that they are Abiding means seeing some of God's fruit in their lives, in their interactions with others.

Abiding gives you both the direction and power to get to the goal of becoming a mature disciple of Jesus, who makes disciples of Jesus. 

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In this our final episode of the Answering your questions about Prayer series, Lance Wigton and Jim Putman are discussing a tough topic. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus tells us to pray "Lead us not into temptation". What does that mean? Does God really lead us into tempting situations? Why would he do that if he doesn't want us to sin? Watch Jim and Lance do a quick dive into this difficult topic - their answers might surprise you!

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https://realliferesources.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about-podcast-with-jim-putman/

Jim and Lance are back again to answer your questions about Prayer. In this episode they take a look at The Sinner's Prayer - what is it and can it save you? They also address the question: Does God hear the prayers of non-believers? Lastly - they spend some time talking about praying for a sign - asking God to give us a sign about a decision we are trying to make.

Visit the website for this podcast by clicking below:

https://realliferesources.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about-podcast-with-jim-putman/

Lance and Jim are back to answer some more questions about prayer. In this episode they address the topics of praying in tongues and praying for the dead.

When it comes to the topic of prayer, there is often division among believers. Charismatic issues have even been known to be the cause of many church splits.

There are two main viewpoints on this matter: secessionism and continuationism. Secessionists believe that spiritual gifts were given by God for a specific period of time to authenticate the work of the apostles. Continuationists, on the other hand, contend that spiritual gifts are still active and relevant today.

When you look at the extremes, some would say that if you're not praying in tongues, then you're not tapping into the full power of God. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those that claim speaking in tongues is demonic.

Jim and Lance address the fact that in our church gatherings and wherever we come together as believers, we strive to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the New Testament.

Ultimately, our experiences should be evaluated in light of what Scripture teaches - we must measure them against God's Word.

The question of whether or not prayer is necessary has long been a topic of debate among religious scholars and believers. Why should we bother to pray if God's will is going to happen regardless? This age-old question delves into the complex and nuanced nature of our relationship with God. It explores the concepts of free will, surrender, and the wrestling match between our desires and God's divine plan. Understanding the importance of prayer can have a profound impact on our spiritual journey. In this podcast, Jim Putman and Lance Wigton try to shed some light on this topic and provide insights into the significance of prayer in our lives.

For more resources and tools like this one go to: https://realliferesources.org/

In this episode, Jim Putman and Lance Wigton delve into the subject of Satan and his influence in the world. They explore whether he can manipulate individuals, including Christians, as well as how this relates to the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is important to acknowledge the reality of demonic forces, as people often have extreme views on the matter. Some perceive Satan as a fearful being on par with God, while others simply deny his existence altogether. Unfortunately, in America, there has been a tendency to downplay the actions and abilities of demons, which ironically aligns with Satan's agenda quite effectively.

Satan possesses certain abilities, but he is not omniscient or omnipresent like God. It is important to refrain from participating in activities such as Ouija boards, tarot cards, or consulting mediums. Engaging in these practices can invite unexpected and unprepared-for influences into our lives. The demonic forces often disguise themselves as benevolent beings.

Jim and Lance discuss the fact that though the Bible calls Satan "The god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) it is the word god with a little "g" - Even though Satan may have some influence, God is still in control. The Bible tells us in James 2:19 that even the demons know this - and they tremble.

Resources:

The Screwtape Letters - CS Lewis

Bondage Breaker - Neil T. Anderson

Podcast Home: https://realliferesources.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about-podcast-with-jim-putman/

In this episode, Jim Putman - Senior Pastor at Real Life Ministries - talks about how we should be handling salvational issues vs preferential issues that can end up being divisive in our churches. He does this by using the visual we use at Real Life that we call the Three Buckets.

In the realm of Christianity, there are various issues that have stirred debate and disagreement throughout history. At Real Life Ministries, we categorize these issues into three different buckets: salvation, non-salvational but essential for unity and peace, and non-salvational - preference.

In order to achieve unity, it is crucial for us to have a shared understanding of these buckets. It is important to distinguish between issues that belong in the first and second buckets, and to recognize that there are differences of opinion in the third bucket. While these opinions are not salvation issues, they are still highly popular topics of discussion.

The core of what we are saying is that while discussions about non salvational issues within Christian doctrine may be intriguing, it is unnecessary and can even be harmful to engage in conflict over these details. It is better to come together on the things that impact salvation. Let us focus on the shared beliefs and values that unite us, rather than allowing disagreements over preferential details to divide us. Then together, we can strengthen our faith and impact the world for good. One person at a time.

In this episode of our podcast, Jim Putman, Senior Pastor at Real Life Ministries, and Santha Yinger, Mental Health and Wellness Lead at Real Life Ministries, come together to delve into the profound meaning behind Jesus' declaration of being The Way, The Truth, and The Life. They explore the significance of Jesus being the embodiment of truth and discuss the sources we typically turn to for discovering truth.

It is crucial to give careful thought to our mental health management. Our brains are designed for efficiency and form neural connections based on our recurring thoughts, regardless of their accuracy. These thought patterns gradually shape our habits and affect every aspect of our existence.

Jesus offers us life unlike anything else can promise; everything else falls short in terms of authenticity. When we build our lives around society's version of truth or succumb to Satan's deceitful narratives, it only leads us away from true fulfillment.

Through Jesus, we not only obtain eternal life but also experience a vibrant existence here on earth—a life that is truly abundant and deeply satisfying. According to the Scriptures, Jesus upholds the world; consequently, he possesses the authority to define what constitutes truth. As he boldly proclaims himself as "the truth," he ought to serve as our ultimate reality—the guiding force in our lives.

To find video episodes of this podcast go to our website at: https://realliferesources.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about-podcast-with-jim-putman/