Do you ever feel like the Bible or your pastor is speaking in terms you don't understand? Today, we will grow in the knowledge of God's grace, mercy, covenant, sanctification, justification, salvation, repentance, and righteousness.

GRACE: Grace is an extension of God's mercy. It is the free, unmerited favor of God
MERCY: While it is in God's power to condemn us, He doesn't. Instead, He forgives us.

I hope you see grace in a new way today, and can say Lord, "I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is written on my heart." Psalm 40:7-8, NASB

"Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied." Matthew 5:6

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You may feel like you want to give up when you are faced with unending, relentless trials. Or your heart may be filled with hopelessness and despair wondering how we will make it through one more day.

Through our faith in God, the lifter of our heads, our Mighty Counselor, Everlasting God, Prince of Peace, the one who binds up the wounds of our broken hearts, we find our hope restored. We can overcome anything the enemy throws our way as we trust and believe in who we are in Christ.

Today on the podcast we look at the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11 who were faithful to the Lord and overcame trials of infertility, homelessness, poverty, and immense suffering. Still, because of their faith, they gained approval from the Lord.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the men of old gained approval." Hebrews 11:1-2 (KJV)

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 (NASB)

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NASB)

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." 1 John 5:4 (NASB)

Finish your race well.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Do NOT grow weary in well doing. (Romans 8:28)

Be faithful and Overcome

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Welcome to the 2nd-anniversary episode of the podcast!!

“For it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear has heard, nor has entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him.’” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV

This scripture was my "life verse" in my twenties. Revisiting it almost twenty years later I think I was misinterpreting its meaning. Today on the podcast we will look at what this scripture really means and how to interpret scripture properly.

How do we properly interpret scripture?

1) We always ask the Holy Spirit to help us as we read the Word. The Holy Spirit is the giver of wisdom and helps us to understand.
Jesus says in John 16:13-14, “13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” ESV

2) Read the Bible in context: chapter, book as well as historical and cultural context. “The Bible is for us, but it wasn’t written to us.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.:”

3) Put the scripture through the whole counsel of God. Scripture will not contradict scripture.

4) Look at commentaries to see if the Biblical scholars of the last two thousand years agree with your interpretation of the Word.

“The things God has for those who love Him…” isn’t something believers have to wait for, it is already ours every time we reach out to the One who loves us and calls us by name.

In closing, I will pray Ephesians 3:20-21, NASB “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

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"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

Join the conversation with my friend Lori, a 15-year Homeschool Mama, who encourages women in the value of the sovereign and noble assignment from the Lord; the ministry of our home.

Tips for successful ministry in our homes:

1. Find time to be alone with the Lord.
   You may feel unseen, but He sees you and will minister to you.
   "Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
   
   
2. Find ministry partners.
   It is essential to find other women who get the value of what you are doing and will come alongside you.
   
   
3. Remember this is Kingdom Work!
   "God will never call us to a ministry outside of our home at the expense of our home." Lori
   
   
4. Pray for your family. Release control to God.
   "We often can go into a place of fear and anxiety with parenting when we don't feel like we have control, but God is always reminding me that I am a parent, but He is THE parent." Lori

Prayer for our children from 2 Timothy 2:22-26: God, we ask that our children flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. May they like King David, call on You from a pure heart and refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. Your Word says, "the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient, when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition." God lead us to repentance and help us to show our children the importance of repentance because it leads to the knowledge of the Truth. Bring our children to their senses! God, I ask that they escape the snare of the devil so that they are no longer captive by him to do his will. Lord let it be Your will that they follow all the days of their life. God, as is modeled in the Lord's Prayer, may Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In Jesus name, Amen.

RESOURCES: "Find Your People" by Jennie Allen

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"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—" Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NASB)

There are many seasons in our lives, but through it all, we can trust the God of the universe to equip us, strengthen us, and provide for us in every moment.

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)

Be patient and faithful to your season, trust God with the process.

Truth from God's Word:
We need to operate in God's strength.
"We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength." Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

Jesus will equip me for every good work according to His will, working in me that which is pleasing in His sight. To Him be the glory forever and ever.
" equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:21 (NASB)

God will set me on the right path.
"The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

Today was not the best day. I feel wronged, I am hurt, but I know that God is working all things together for my good.
"God is working all things together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (NASB)

I chose rest today instead of burnout, because Jesus says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NASB)

"The thief comes to steal kill and destroy, but Christ is come for us to have life." John 10:10

"'I am the way', Jesus said.
'To enter through me is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction.

A thief has only one thing in mind – he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy.

But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect –
life in its fullness until you overflow!"
John 10:9-10 (The Passion Translation)

Your homework is to REST!

EPISODES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
What is my Purpose?
You Are Not Alone: Christy Ash

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"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love and sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

Fear is not from God.

Whether you are tormented by nightmares, fearful of scary movies or fear failure, fear steals our peace and leads to anxiety and terror. For all who love the Lord and put their trust in Him we do not have to fear or be afraid.

As it says in Josuha 1:6 "Have I not commanded you, 'Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Today we study Psalm 91, Ephesians 6, and Isaiah 54. They are full of God's promises for His people.

Peace, not fear, is our heritage from the Lord!

He is with us, He is our stronghold, our Maker, and His lovingkindness endures forever.

Check out the podcast: Praying God's Word Psalm 91 and Ephesians 6

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Today, I have my first-ever interview with my good friend Christy. She is a young professional who wants to encourage women to know that we are not alone.

On the podcast, we talk about the different seasons of life we go through as women, and how to stay closely connected to the Lord and surround ourselves with others who are like-minded in our Christian faith.

You are not alone!

"There are so many other people out there who are fighting for the FAITH, who are fighting for the TRUTH of God, who are fighting to share the GOSPEL in a way that is true and genuine." Christy

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV

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Did you discover your spiritual gifts?
If not, listen to the previous podcast "What is My Purpose?"

Today we expand on knowing the gifts, talents, and skillset the Lord has entrusted us and discuss how Jesus tells us to use them in Matthew 25 "The Parable of the Talents".

When we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives, that is not the end, that is the first step in becoming His disciple. We begin living a changed, new, transformed life surrendered to his Lordship. Jesus taught this parable of talents to His disciples about a week before He went to the cross to help them to understand the Kingdom of Heaven and their job until the Master, Jesus returns.

Two of the servants were faithful, diligent, and good stewards of what the Lord had given them. They took what God gave them and multiplied it.

The third servant buried his talent in the ground. This servant was unfaithful to the Lord and wasted opportunity and the resources he was given.

If you have buried your talent, dig it up!
God is a God of second chances, mercy, and love. Repent and return to your God.

2 Peter 3:9-18 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own firm commitment, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

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Sharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living