In this episode Chris gets you ready for the 30-Day First Things First Challenge that starts June 28. Get ready to take notes!

Show Notes & Links for Bonus Episode 1

-As you contemplate joining the 30-day First Things First Challenge, what are your great expectations?

-There is a lane in this challenge no matter where you are in life:

• Lane 1: morning newbie. You've never tried to set up a morning time with God before. We've got you covered in five minutes a day!
• Lane 2: Consistency is your challenge. Some days you spend time with God, sometimes you don't. Let's change that is just ten minutes a day.
• Lane 3: You're already there but you want to rejuvenate your morning time with God. This lane is for you--no time limits!

-How does this all work? The regular weekly podcasts cover the 5 Ws in the challenge and the bonus episodes take you deeper in each "W" with tools and tips. The bonus episodes will be released right after the regular podcasts. They'll go right to your podcast player or you can find them on our Facebook page!

-Don't worry about missing days or falling down. When you fall down, get up!

-Develop a habit you can't live without!

Five Ways to Get Ready For The Challenge:

1. Subscribe to the podcast here: womenfinishingwell.com/podcast

2. Join our Facebook community--it will be the command center for the challenge: https://www.facebook.com/womenfinishingwell

3. Get a journal

4. Download the YouVersion Bible app for your phone or device or access it at bible.com/app We've also made a tutorial video to show you how to do that in case you need help. Access that here:https://vimeo.com/562569673/92280af0f5

5. Start praying!

We'll see you next week. Don't miss the next podcast. We'll be giving away free copies of the Women Finishing Well Bible study.

In this episode, we celebrate the beginning of our third season of the podcast with the return of Diane to the show. You'll hear her story about the big changes God has brought into her life--how she went from her dream job to her "God job."

Show Notes & Links:

-The Bookshelf: This episode, Chris recommends a classic by Elisabeth Elliot titled Be Still My Soul. The subtitle of this book is a battle hymn for our present day: Cultivating Stillness in Our Can't-Stop World. This book will help you take a new look at the deceptions of being busy. Click here for a link to the book.

-Scriptures for this episode:

• Hebrews 12:1,12-13
• Proverbs 3:5-8
• Jeremiah 29:11

Diane's story:

-Going from dream job to no job in 60 seconds.

-We're never told old to change paths and rekindle an old passion. But trusting God through all the negative thoughts is important!

-Stuff sometimes happens when you have your life all planned out.

-What to do when a door closes but you don't feel like you're done yet.

-But wait...there's more!

-"I lost my dream job and got my "God job."

Don't miss the bonus podcast tomorrow:

-To help you navigate the First Things First Challenge we'll be publishing a bonus episode after this podcast. You can find it on our Facebook page, our website, or it will automatically be delivered to your podcast player if you are a subscriber. You won't want to miss this. On the fence about joining the 30-day challenge? This episode will help you make up your mind!

Links this week (click 'em, they're live)

-Join our Facebook community for giveaways and support during our First Things First Challenge. Click here to join. Giveaways coming!

You can find links to subscribe to our podcast by clicking here.

If you need a journal, you can find one here.

Next Week: Get your free copy of the Women Finishing Well Bible study. Don't miss this episode!

In this episode Chris previews the launch of season three of the Women Finishing Well podcast.

Show Notes & Links:

-Our goal this season: help you embrace what God is doing in your everyday life. This season, it's not about the big things, but about the real things that happen in our lives that bring us closer to God.

-Our emphasis this season will be on creating free resources that will help you build that legacy of faith that lasts for generations.

-There will be a massive free book giveaway on June 24-26. Stay tuned!

-We've got a 30-Day Challenge that will change your life! Honest!

-Introducing The Bookshelf--a new weekly feature on our podcast.

-Five things you need to do to get ready for season three:

1. Subscribe to the podcast. Click this link.

2. Join our Facebook community. Click this link to get there.

3. Get yourself a journal if you don't already have one. Click this link for a simple, inexpensive journal from Amazon.

4. Tell a friend about our podcast. Share it on your Facebook page or Instagram.

5. Get ready to give us your input!

Next Week: Hear about Diane's new journey!

In this episode, part two of Getting Your Mind Out of Trouble, Chris gives listeners practical steps to get your mind out of the presence of your troubles and into God's presence.

Note: On June 15 we will begin season three of the WFW podcast with a series you won't want to miss. You'll get a chance to get a free copy of Women Finishing Well, win some prizes, and join a challenge that will change your life. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for details (link below). Tell your friends!

Show Notes & Links:

-The first step in getting our mind out of trouble is to recognize that the root of what is troubling us is a lie. The only antidote to a lie is the Truth!

-Getting to the truth can be hard work--there is no "easy button." But the work is worth it.

Some practical steps to get your mind out of trouble:

1. Call the lie out with a declaration of personal truth from God's Word. Chris gives a personal example from Romans 8:31-35.

2. Put together an arsenal of personal declarations for issues that frequently trip you up (remember last week's inventory challenge?)

3. Use praise and worship:

• Recall and remember what God has done (Lam. 3:25, James 1:17). Start keeping a list in your journal of ways God has shown up in your life. Look over this list daily.
• Praise and worship God. Sing when you're alone, in your car, in the shower, at the sink, or whenever trouble comes your way. If singing isn't your thing, memorize some verses (Psalms is great) that praise God or just let it flow from your heart. This isn't always easy in trouble, but just do it!
• Praise needs to be a habit to be spontaneous. Find triggers in your day when you can praise and worship: driving in the car, when you're at the sink doing dishes or meal prep, when you're in front of the mirror putting on make-up--pick some chores you do every day.

-Above all, work on changing your perspective--how you see trouble. Consider memorizing Colossians 3:1-2 from your favorite Bible version.

-Please be sure and leave your tips for getting your mind out of trouble in the comments or on the Women Finishing Well Facebook page.

Links:

-Get your copy of The Mary Answer here.

-Join our Facebook community here.

In this short kickstarter episode, Chris gives listeners a challenge to help turn down the commotion around us so we can hear God whispering to our hearts.

Show Notes & Links:

Question: Have you ever said, "I've had enough!" If so, you're in good company.

-The two-week remodel that is lasting over two months.

-When I feel like I've had enough, I want to remember God is enough. Easier said than done, right?

-Praise will pull us out of the presence of our problems and into God's presence.

-What did God say to Elijah when he ran and hid from Jezebel? 1 Kings 19:11-12

-We need to learn to lean in and listen for that whisper. He is the Waymaker. He is here.

Challenge: Take inventory this week. Is there something going on in your life (commotion?) that is drowning out God's still small voice? Keep track of when you find yourself present with your problems and absent from God. What is happening? What are you thinking? Next week, we'll talk more.

Links:

-Click here to watch the beautiful lyric video of Waymaker by Michael W. Smith

-Click here to join our Facebook community. Lots coming up in June you won't want to miss.

In this episode Chris looks at how accepting troubles that come our way can actually draw us closer to God. This week's episode is inspired by the book Be Still My Soul by Elisabeth Elliott.

Show Notes & Links

-Why trouble can sometimes throw us for a loop that carries us further from God.

-"Our major problems with acceptance usually have to do with timing because God's timetable is always different from ours".

-In Isaiah 40:31, God promises to be walk with us when we walk through our troubles; not if. Troubles in this life are a given. And God will use those troubles to draw us closer to Him.

-The six choices we need to make when we are faced with trouble.

Links:

-Click to check out the book, Be Still My Soul by Elisabeth Elliott.

-Join our Facebook community and get news of upcoming books, events, and giveaways here.

In this kickstarter episode, Chris asks the question, is there such a thing as good trouble?

Show Notes & Links

-In John 16:31-33, Jesus told us we are going to have trouble in this world. He also said we should be of good cheer. How do we reconcile those two?

-If we look for the negative, we will find the negative. If we look for the good, that's what we'll find. You'll always find what you are looking for.

-Sometimes we need to wait awhile before we can see it, but other times it's right there in the midst of the trouble. Seeing God's goodness requires us to trust in His timing.

-O God, help us to find your goodness in our everyday lives.

Links:

Click here to check out Craig Groeschel's book, Winning The War In Your Mind.

Join our Facebook community here.

Don't forget to share this episode with a friend!

In this episode Chris talks about the difference between just knowing God's Word and making it alive and powerful in your life.

Show Notes & Links:

-Honor mothers with us this week!

-Today's scripture: Heb. 4:12

-The difference between knowing the Word of God and owning it as your own.

-How to dig a trench of truth in your life.

Links:

-Click here to learn more about Craig Groeschel's new book, Winning the War in Your Mind.

Be sure and share today's podcast with a friend!

Welcome to our new series, Kickstarters, designed to get your day going with God. Grab your journal or notebook and your Bible let's get going. Just give us ten minutes.

In this episode we explore how anchoring your life in 24-hour increments can keep you from experiencing what God has for you.

Show Notes & Links:

Read Jude: 24-25

-What is the difference between Jesus' timetable (kairos time) and our timetable (chronos time)?

-The art of being able to tell what is important from what is urgent.

-How is God calling us out of our "24-hour calendar" into his divine time schedule?

-What can you give up to create some margin in your life for what is important?

Want to go deeper? Read Matthew 6:25-35 and do a SOAP study (scripture, observations, application, and prayer).

Links:

Are you interested in getting a bulk quantity of books for your next Bible study for just $5 each? Right now, we're offering Women Finishing Well at a group discount when you order through us. Just email Chris at [email protected] for more information.

This week we're kicking off a new series called Kickstarters: 5-minutes podcasts that will get your day focused on Jesus. In this episode we take a quick look at what happens when we let other people make rules for us to live into.

Show Notes & Links:

-Read Eph. 3:16-19, The New Living Translation

-Bob Goff's new parenting story

-People like to make rules that make other people look like themselves. Can you relate?

-Be careful not to compare yourself, your kids, your home, you job, and even your suffering with others around you.

-God never compares what He creates...You're already in!

-Would you join us in prayer?

Links:

Link to Bob Goff's book: Live in Grace, Walk in Love.

Click here to check out our latest Bible study, The Mary Answer.