Episodes
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Research shows that we get a âliftâ from giving. In fact, MRI studies show that providing for other people activates the brainâs ventral striatum, the region that lights up in response to pleasurable experiences such as seeing an attractive person or winning a prize. Scientists are finding that helping others may be as primal or basic a human pleasure as food.
In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul remembers the words of our Savior. He said;
âIn everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: âIt is more blessed to give than to receive.â
Well, it turns, Heâs right! Do you need a lift today? Why not follow Jesusâ wisdom and give of yourself to someone who is in need?
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What quotes do you often hear that people claim are scripture yet you know otherwise?
One that I canât stand is, âGod helps those who help themselves.â Many are surprised to learn that nowhere in the Bible does that appear. In fact, God doesnât want you to be a solely independent spirit.
God often sends others into our lives to help- and⊠us to help them. In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians, chapter 11, Paul had to depend on others to lower him in a basket to escape outside the city wall. And I imagine it must have been tough for Paul to find enough humility to depend on others.
Maybe you have a hard time asking for help. But, God rarely asks us to fly solo.
You can depend on others, and more importantly, you can depend on Him!
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Missing episodes?
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Our sun gives off more energy in one second than all mankind has produced since creation began. With a diameter of approximately 860,000 miles, the sun could hold one million planets the size of the Earth. The rate at which its energy is emitted is equivalent to the energy coming from a furnace at a temperature of about 10,340 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is one magnificent creation that truly, points to an all-powerful Creator God! And friends, His incomparably great power is at work in you! So know this today: if you have the Son spelled with an âO,â you have far more power than the sun that spelled with a âU!â
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In the Bible, we find these words written by the Apostle Paul,
ââŠForgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.â
Too often the Christian life is seen as a passive existence, but these words show that itâs quite the opposite. Our faith should lead us to not just believe but âdoâ. How is your community better because youâre in it?
The old saying that âyou may be the only Bible some people readâ is still so true. So, let this be an encouragement to find opportunities around you to volunteer, to help your neighbor and be the hands and feet of our Savior as we strain to reach the end of the race.
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When Bose introduced their Acoustic Wave Music System in 1984, Sound & Vision Magazine said that it delivered âpossibly the best reproduced sound many people have ever heard.â Since then, we now have companies like Sonos, Denon, and of course Apple, who are constantly striving for the best possible audio.
Sound has a tremendous effect on people. This is why in the Bible, in 1st Corinthians 14:7, the Apostle Paul says that we who are Christians are like musical instruments. If we donât make the right sounds no one will understand what they mean.
If youâre a Christian today, youâre announcers, instruments, and sound systems for the Kingdom. Is God happy with the quality of your sound?
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I was at my friendâs house this weekend for dinner. They now have a very cute, 6-month-old puppy named Lucy and they were showing off her tricks. My friend would say sit- and she sat. Lay, and she laid. My friend turned to me and said, âweâve been working on this oneâ. He turned back to Lucy and said âroll over!â. But Lucy just gave him a blank stare. He shrugged and said, âWell. I guess she hasnât learned that one yetâ.
My friend wasnât upset with her for not rolling over. He just accepted that thereâs still more to learn.
Just like Lucy- weâre constantly in the process of growing up in Christ. We donât know it all yet and thatâs ok. Mistakes are likely but we have a God of grace and love who will be patient with us.
The next time youâre going through a confusing and hard time, remember that youâre a work in progress. Maybe God is in the middle of teaching you something you have yet to learn.
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Solar Star is the largest solar farm in the US and one of the largest in the world. This plant has 1.7 million solar panels spread across Los Angeles and Kern Counties in California. Each of these panels can take the energy from a glowing ball 92 million miles away whose surface temperature reaches 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit and turn it into usable energy for over 250,000 homes.
In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians 3:18 tells us that our faces are to reflect Godâs glory. It says, âAnd we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lordâs glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.â
So, my friends, shine on!
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James Allen, author of the book âAs A Man Thinkethâ, says:
âAll that you accomplish or fail to accomplish with your life is the direct result of your thoughts. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.â
Likewise, in the Bible, King Solomon said, in Proverbs 4:23, âBe careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.â He also said, in Proverbs 23:7, âAs a man thinks in his heart, so is he.â
Do you constantly think negatively of yourself or your circumstances? Our thoughts are so powerful. Our internal dialog has a profound impact on the person we live outwardly. Scripture makes it clear: you ARE what you THINK. And what you THINK, you ARE. So guard your thoughts; they determine your destiny!
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How often do you find yourself in the comparison trap? Do you ever see someone with a nicer car, bigger house, fancier clothes and think, âmust be niceâ.
But the truth is, weâve never walked a mile in their shoes- we donât know the circumstances that brought them to where they are and there will always be someone else looking to you with the same thought- âmust be nice to be you tooâ.
How do we release ourselves from these trappings?
The Apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter 4, âI have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.â
Rather than the constant stress of keeping up with everyone else- breathe in the peace that Paul describes. Learn to be content.
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If youâre a homeowner, when was the last time you replaced your air conditioning filter? AC filters remove harsh chemicals and allergens- making the air safer to breathe. Water filters remove nitrates, bacteria, sodium and heavy metals. We use all kinds of filters in our homes and cars to make them safer for our families.
Like these filters, self-examination and repentance help us remove habits and things in our lives that would otherwise cause us harm. Regular, honest and open conversations with God can highlight areas in our lives that are in need of improvement- and sometimes filtering.
So, it might be time to replace that air filter- and it might be time for some repentance.
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I went hiking with a group of friends recently on a mountain I hadnât been to before. The trail wasnât steep at all- but the hike was long. After about an hour or so we turned around a bend and the trees opened up to show us an incredible view. We were at the top! It was such a mild slope that I hadnât realized how high we had climbed.
That feels like life sometimes huh? Maybe youâre in a difficult season of life. You feel like youâre getting nowhere no matter how long youâve been on this journey. But maybe you arenât as far from the summit as you think. This is the part of your journey God is using for a purpose.
Trust that God has a plan for your life and keep moving.
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Someone wisely once said, âDream like youâll live forever. Live like youâll die today.â
That might sound intense but itâs great advice; The question is- HOW do you live each day with that degree of meaning, focus and purpose?
Have you ever heard or read the Latin phrase, âCoram Deo?â Coram Deo refers to something that takes place in the presence of God, or before the face of God. The theologian, R.C. Sproul says, âTo live Coram Deo is to live oneâs entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.â I like that! To live before the face of God.
To live like that definitely sounds like a way to dream like youâll live forever, and live like youâll die today. So, go and make the most of today!
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If youâve attended church for a while- what do you picture when you hear âDiscipleship Groupâ? Is it a group of people who meet once a week with pizza and a specific curriculum?
In Christ, discipleship is people leading each other towards Christ. Itâs accountability, praying for each other and bearing each otherâs burdens. You may already be a part of a group like this without knowing! Maybe you have a close group of friends who text each other all day. Mostly ridiculous memes and jokes. But maybe itâs time for you to be the one to step out and discuss something more serious. Ask for prayer for something youâre going through.
Chances are everyone else needs the same thing. Walk with each other spiritually and hold each other up. This is discipleship at its best.
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If youâre anything like me, my days can get so busy- before Iâve realized it, Iâve been stressed about something all day- and never paused to pray about it! On days like these when you feel like you can barely catch your breath- my advice to you is to just- pray. You thought I was going to say breathe didnât you? Well- youâll do that too.
A breath prayer is a simple way to interact with God for just a moment. Some believe breath prayers have been around since the early church. They are short, simple praises or requests coinciding with a nice, deep breath. Maybe itâs just, âDear God, give me strength. Or, âPlease give my family peace in this hard time.â
The truth is, what you say has less importance than the posture in which you say it.
So, the next time you feel like the day and your stress-level is getting away from you, pause, breathe, and pray.
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Think of the last really good action movie you saw. The car chases, the crazy parkour moves, the fight scenesâŠ
Chances are, the actors you know arenât actually doing these stunts themselves. Instead, movies rely on body doubles to make these crazy stunts happen safely. A body double is similar in height and appearance- wears the same clothes and even learns to walk the same way as the actor they are imitating.
Likewise, as Christians- we are to be the âbody doubleâ of Christ on earth. As we learn of His character in scripture, we learn how to imitate His behavior to a world in desperate need of Christ-like love.
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Itâs no secret that poor posture will eventually result in preventable back pain. Our neck muscles tighten, and we start holding a lot of stress in our shoulders too. We simply âforgetâ to stop slouching and to sit upright.
So, a company has created a small gadget that you clip onto your shirt. It analyzes spinal positions and buzzes when your posture needs to be corrected. Thatâs crazy right?!
But just as we can get lazy with our physical posture, we can do the very same thing spiritually. Let this message be a reminder â Psalm 84:11 says, âNo good thing will God withhold from those who walk uprightly.â
So, sit and walk uprightly. No more slouching. And keep both your back and your soul in alignment.
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In a study of 37 cultures around the world, 16,000 people were asked about their most desired traits in a mate. Out of all the responses, the first preference was kindness. Above looks, wealth, or intelligence! Kindness is a deep-seated human value and is considered a virtue in most cultures and religions.
Part of the biblical definition of kindness includes usefulness, making it clear that being kind involves action.
1st John 3:18 says, âLetâs stop just saying we love each other; letâs really show it by our actions.â
Random acts of kindness have become popular as spontaneous actions focused on encouraging others. What can you do today to put kindness into action?
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Itâs been over 500 years since the great artist, Michelangelo painted his famous frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But did you know that when he was first asked to undertake the project, he didnât want the job? He thought it was beneath him! And yet, this incredible work ended up being his biggest legacy and most famous work of his career.
Sometimes opportunities come to us disguised as projects that weâd rather not waste our time with. But in Jeremiah 29:11 God says this to us, âI know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.â You might be facing an opportunity that, on the surface- is beneath you. But we must always remember that God may have a bigger and better plan.
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St. Patrick was a remarkable man who chose to live among what society considered barbaric people, the Celts. The Celts were known for their violent tendencies, bold behavior, and engagement in ritualistic human sacrifices. In his earlier years, Patrick had been enslaved by the Celts. But eventually, he managed to escape captivity, and during his newfound freedom, he felt a profound calling to return to his captors and introduce them to Christianity.
He was already well-known among the Celts, so they were fully aware of the risks he faced by coming back to them.
The driving force behind Patrick's mission was his desire to introduce this community to a God who could inspire a man to willingly face imminent danger. This powerful revelation led the Celts to turn away from their false gods.
Much like in 1st Kings, God again proved to be far more than the little gods humans have made for themselves.
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Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, once told a story about returning to her home soon after sheâd found her fame in New York City. When her family began to do the household chores, her father asked her why she wasnât participating. âIâm a star,â she protested. Her father brought her down to size, and sent her to mop the kitchen floor. That was a lesson in humility she carried with her and never forgot.
The Bible teaches us to consider others better than ourselves. Philippians chapter 2 says,
âDo nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.â
In a world where everyone seems to want to be number one, God asks us to go against the grain and serve others. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was a humble servant, according to Philippians 2. So, are you ready to mop the floor?
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