![Recapturing Joy When Life Hits Us Hard [Friday, #198]](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts112/v4/82/9a/de/829adeaf-5424-0e7c-74ab-4e9259a2f071/mza_2696786199013478553.jpeg/250x250bb.jpg)
Эпизоды
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Living a life of surrender to Christ isn’t easy. It’s agonizing at times. Praise be to God that we surrender to a loving Savior and Heavenly Father. That's what we'll center on today as we start a new devotional theme this week.
KEY PASSAGE;
Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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We can’t throw everything out of our lives to accommodate rest. Indeed, there are some things we might have to toss or put on hold. Maybe a couple commitments that we need to pause for now.
Let’s take a look at one of the busiest men of the New Testament—the Apostle Paul. After he came to Christ, he vanished for years to prepare for ministry. Most of us dive headlong into new things when opportunity arises. Especially when asked to serve God. But not Paul. What can we learn from him? Let's explore that today in our audio devotional.
KEY PASSAGE:
Acts 2:46-47
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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Пропущенные эпизоды?
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The practice of rest is hard, but silently experiencing God’s presence is even harder. In our flurry of activities, input, noise and our interruptive devices, we’re up against an army of enemies. Rest and communion with God don’t come naturally.
If Satan can keep us busy, he keeps us from God. We have to be intentional to win this war. Let's dig into that today in our audio devotional.
KEY PASSAGE:
I Kings 19:9-13
And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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Isn’t it time to stop running on empty? No matter how hard it is to set aside time to rest, you must do it. Shut down your body, mind and emotions. Put them in neutral. Take a break.We'll do it together this week.
KEY PASSAGE:
Matthew 14:18-23
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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It's our last session of "Inside How to Meet with God." Celebrating the release of my new book, I've been reading from it for the past nine days. This is the audio track from my Facebook Live. Today, our focus is on the role of the Holy Spirit in our time with God. The Spirit plays a critical role. Understanding that will make your time with God more personal and rich.
Questions? Email me at [email protected].
You can pick up my new book, How to Meet with God on Amazon.
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Going inside "How to Meet with God," Chapter 8. In today's time together, we'll get very specific. I've got some suggestions on how you can structure your time with God, yet leave room for flexibility.
Need to reach me? Email me at [email protected]
You can pick up my new book, How to Meet with God, on Amazon.
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There’s a good chance you’ll face someone or something that will interrupt your joy today. How you handle it will determine how you feel on the other side of that interruption. It will be a test of the depth of your walk with God.
The key is to be prepared before the surprise hits. That's our focus on today's audio devotional.
Key Passage:
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law [or instruction] of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers."(Psalm 1:1-3)
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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Let's talk basics, but in a unique way. In this episode, I focus on the Bible and prayer, from Chapter 7 in my new book, "How to Meet with God," This Bonus Episode is the audio track from today's Facebook Live on my personal Facebook page. You can leave your comments there, or email me.
Need to reach me? Email me at [email protected].
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In my new book, "How to Meet with God," Chapter 6 is one of the most practical chapters. It gives legs to what I've shared in the first five chapters. So, join me as I share, "A Special Place and a Special Time." This Bonus Episode is the audio track from today's Facebook Live on my personal Facebook page.
Need to reach me? Email me at [email protected].
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Our lives are filled with stuff. So much stuff that storage units seem like the fastest growing business around. Three-car garages are popular, not because we have three cars, but because we need one slot to store all our stuff.
In Psalm 4, the Psalmist is speaking about stuff. Material wealth. He looks around him at all his neighbors’ overflowing blessings. And his response? Contentment. Joy. In fact, more joy than his neighbors are experiencing with their fabulous blessings.
Let's see how we can adopt that attitude in today's audio devotional.
Key Passage:
“Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.There are many who say, ‘Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!’
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”(Psalm 4:4-7 ESV).
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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Pulling back the curtain. That's what I'll do in this bonus episode, as we go inside my new book, How to Meet with God. It's the audio track from my Facebook Live from minutes ago, and you can watch the video on my personal Facebook page.
By the way, if you get the book by Wednesday, you also get the 4 Earlybird Bonuses, including the Audiobook. In addition to that bonus, the Meeting with God Journal Page, a special short audio, 7 Quiet Time Killers and How to Overcome Them, and a book preview from a future book of mine, Better Than Gold: God's Blueprint for Wisdom.
Tell me you purchased the book and I will send you the Earlybird bonuses. [email protected]. You have until Wednesday--TOMORROW--May 7.
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Jesus shows us how. That's the focus in this bonus episode, as we go inside my new book, How to Meet with God. I recorded this today just past sunrise on the Atlantic. Today, I cover chapter four, noting why it was appropriate to record this in the early morning. It's the audio track from my Facebook Live, and you can watch the video on my personal Facebook page.
By the way, if you get the book by Wednesday, you also get the 4 Earlybird Bonuses, including the Audiobook. In addition to that bonus, the Meeting with God Journal Page, a special short audio, 7 Quiet Time Killers and How to Overcome Them, and a book preview from a future book of mine, Better Than Gold: God's Blueprint for Wisdom.
Tell me you purchased the book and I will send you the Earlybird bonuses. [email protected]. You have until Wednesday, May 7.
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Why do we try "joy substitutes" when we have full joy? Good question.
We let joy “substitutes” crowd out our Savior. That’s why we go from one to another. They don’t satisfy for long. Jesus said, “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” When I hear him saying that to me, I picture joy as a seed waiting to grow. Jesus’ joy is inside me, but it only grows when nourished.
Let's explore that today.
Key Passage: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:9-11).
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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God loves you and longs to meet with you. Join me as we go inside my new book, How to Meet with God. Today, I cover chapter three and ask some probing questions. This is the audio track from my Facebook Live a few minutes ago. Watch future ones as we work our way through the pages.
Hear about how to receive 4 Earlybird Bonuses, including the Audiobook. In addition to that bonus, the Meeting with God Journal Page, a special short audio, 7 Quiet Time Killers and How to Overcome Them, and a book preview from a future book of mine, Better Than Gold: God's Blueprint for Wisdom.
You can reach out to me with questions or comments at [email protected].
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Join me as we go inside my new book, How to Meet with God, on Release Day-Plus One. This is the audio track from my Facebook Live just minutes ago. Today, I cover the benefits of spending time with God.
Hear about how to receive 4 Earlybird Bonuses, including the Audiobook. In addition to that bonus, the Meeting with God Journal Page, a special short audio, 7 Quiet Time Killers and How to Overcome Them, and a book preview from a future book of mine, Better Than Gold: God's Blueprint for Wisdom.
You can reach out to me with questions or comments at [email protected].
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“Guilty.” That’s what the judge pronounced at the end of the trial. When the word rang in Susan’s ears, she stood there in shock. She was convinced she would be cleared of the charges. Never in a million years did she think she’d be sent to prison. But that was about to become her new reality.
Susan was sentenced to five years for her crime, soon to be separated from her husband and two young children. Her freedom was about to be snatched away. No friends, no luxuries, not even the chance to see her kids’ school programs. She wouldn’t enter her home for half a decade.
Our story is much like Susan's. Find out why in today's audio devotional.
KEY PASSAGE:
1 John 2:1-2 NIV
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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Join me as we go inside my new book, How to Meet with God, on Release Day, today, May 1. This is the audio track from my Facebook Live minutes ago. It's quite a bit different than the Retreating with God episodes, but I promise you'll be fed and challenged.
Hear about how to receive 4 Earlybird Bonuses, including the Audiobook. In addition to that bonus, the Meeting with God Journal Page, a special short audio, 7 Quiet Time Killers and How to Overcome Them, and a book preview from a future book of mine, Better Than Gold: God's Blueprint for Wisdom.
You can reach out to me with questions or comments at [email protected].
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One of the greatest “light” statements in the Bible was announced by Jesus himself: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12 NIV). Jesus doesn’t shine the light. He is the light. Hang around him and you’ll have enough insight and clarity to take the next step, no matter what you’re facing. Today, we'll center in on Jesus the Light of the world.
KEY PASSAGE:
John 3:19-21
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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Jesus my Savior. Jesus your Savior. We throw that word around casually. “Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” is a term we hear and use often, to the point that it becomes ho-hum. It has lost its significance.
Without Jesus, we’d be separated from God forever. No connection. No relationship. Spiritual death. Eternity in darkness. In Satan’s kingdom and under his rule. Hell is very real and that would be our destiny.In today's audio devotional, we'll stop and take a fresh look at the significance of Jesus as our Savior.
KEY PASSAGE:
Acts 4:10-12
Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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I’m sure you’ve been on the receiving and giving ends of insincere offers for prayer. “I’ll pray for you” is the Christian thing to say. Actually, praying is the Christian thing to do.
Jesus is praying for you.
“Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34 NIV).
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25 NIV).
That should encourage the socks off you. It does for me. Let's center on this today in our audio devotional.
KEY PASSAGE:
Romans 8:31-39
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, k neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
RESOURCES:
Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.
Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.
Connect with Jon at [email protected]
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