In the final episode of the series "Shame, Fear, and Control," Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk about the power of surrender and trust in our walks with God. Join us as we discuss our own struggles with control as well as what we see as the ultimate solution, as demonstrated by Jesus Himself. 

In this episode, Bruce, Shay, Janie, and Lisa discuss the debilitating effect of fear, which occurs often as a result of shame. This is the second part of the three-part series: Shame, Fear, and Control. The group dives into different fears they've had and how those fears have been conquered. 

Bruce and Shay dive into the topic of shame in this first part of the series: Shame, Fear, and Control. We all want to be free from shame, but how? In this podcast, we talk about what shame is, what it can lead to, and how we can get free from it. 

If there’s one thing that the world  needs to hear today, it’s the wonderful message of Hope that Jesus gives us. It can be easy to lose hope in the face of mixed messages from media and governmental organizations, as well as our own personal loss. But, Jesus is our living hope. He offers a hope that’s alive. Unlike the world’s hope, which is circumstantial, Jesus is a living hope that never spoils or fades.

1 Peter 1:3-5

Proverbs 13:12

Romans 8:37-39

1 Corinthians 13:12-13

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Whether it’s due to a divorce, death or physical separation, the holidays may be a source of grief instead of joy for you. The pressure of having to be “on” and “happy” during the holidays can add stress to an already overwhelming situation.

The Lord knows that the empty seat at the table can be excruciating. As Christians, one thing we can do is be aware of the hurt that our brothers and sisters in Christ are going through and reach out with an open invitation.

If you’re someone who has experienced loss and grief during the holidays, know that it’s OK to grieve and cry. The Lord wants to comfort you. He knows what it’s like to lose loved ones and suffer. He is there to comfort you no matter what you’re going through.

What we have in common as believers is so much greater than any worldly issue that would seek to divide us. But, what happens when we have different views on the issues that face our world? How do we relate to one another in love despite our differences?

In the last two years, we’ve seen very different opinions on the topic of COVID-19 - along with varying reactions to those opinions.

As brothers and sisters, we aim to look at each other in the eyes and remember our shared love of the Lord, and not fall into a place of judgement. The body of Christ isn’t called to walk the polarizing paths, but to love each other despite our differences.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 1 John 4:18

What does it really mean to live as family? If we’ve grown up in a family that was difficult, are we putting that template on the body of Christ? This week we continue on with the theme of foundations. As Jesus cleans up our hearts, He is restoring and renewing the foundation of our heart. This is how we get a new foundation to which to stand on. And it’s a foundation of His love. We can be comforted, that in a world of divisiveness, we all have something in common as believers - Jesus is living within us. We have a connection with one another. We’re actually connected by Him, and in Him we have our family.

Ephesians 2, Ephesians 4, Romans 5

What does it really mean to live as family? If we’ve grown up in a family that was difficult, are we putting that template on the body of Christ?

This week we continue on with the theme of foundations. As Jesus cleans up our hearts, He is restoring and renewing the foundation of our heart. This is how we get a new foundation to which to stand on. And it’s a foundation of His love.

We can be comforted, that in a world of divisiveness, we all have something in common as believers - Jesus is living within us. We have a connection with one another. We’re actually connected by Him, and in Him we have our family. 

Ephesians 2, Ephesians 4, Romans 5

Jesus prayed that we’d all be one. If we have His heart swelling within us, we can more easily express God’s heart to each other.

But that’s not always easy, is it? Especially in today’s world. So, what is our response supposed to be right now, when it seems the world is going haywire? Great question! Let’s go back to the beginning and talk about foundation.

The bombs of life can come in and make cracks in our foundation: injustice, wounds, hurts, trauma, financial troubles, unforgiveness, infidelities, etc. Maybe you can’t perceive when He is filling in the cracks, but He is faithful.

1 Corinthians 3

In today’s episode, Bruce, Shay, Lisa and Janie revisit a beautiful promise in Ezekiel 36.

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:25-26).

Christian faith is really meant to be a religion of the heart. Over the last two decades, we (Bruce and Shay) have sensed that God is preparing to do a special work in the heart of His children - and it is going to be truly extraordinary. We believe God longs to bring wholeness to our hearts, and when we do that, we can receive so much more of His love. Will our hearts be able to receive when the Lord pours out this wave?

If the tsunami of God’s love were to come today, what areas of our hearts are so hardened that we can’t receive His love? Are we ready?

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Ezekiel 36:25-26, 1 Corinthians 3, Ephesians 2:22, Psalm 139:23-24

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