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How to Overcome Selfishness by Dealing with Worry Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 AMPC
As the scripture says, God's peace is meant to make us content with who we are and what we have. When we aren't filled with the peace God gives, we end up trying to make ourselves content, leading us to become self-consumed. When we choose to deal with the worry that God's peace is meant to relieve, we are freed up from selfishness and can love God and others.
Join Russ as he talks with Ray Kim about his article, "Why Am I So High-Strung? 5 Signs Your Anxiety is Owning You," and learn how to tackle the worry in your life.
If you'd like to email the show, send us a message at podcast@deepspirituality.net
References

Thanksgiving Holiday Music Special Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

God calls us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. When we do this, we are doing God's will! But too often in the midst of the chaos and stress that often come with the holidays, it can be easy to forget to slow down enough to do these simple things. That's where music can help us.
Join Russ and friends as they discuss different songs that help them get in the Thanksgiving and holiday spirit, whether it's actual songs about Thanksgiving, or songs that remind us to be grateful and joyful.
Check out and enjoy the "Turkey Tunes" Thanksgiving playlist discussed in this episode!
If you'd like to email the show, send us a message at podcast@deepspirituality.net
References

Sunday Best by Surfaces
We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Addicted Youth by Hemlock Ernst
Home by Diana Ross
Home by Michael Buble
Home by Philip Philips
Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Thanksgiving Prayer by Johnny Cash
Everything We Need by Kanye West
New Year's Day by Taylor Swift
Feel The Need by Eryn Allen Kane

3 Common Traps To Watch Out For This Holiday Season Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
God wants our times with him to still our hearts, reminding us that he is strong and capable enough to help us through anything. This is especially important to remember over the holidays. When we get caught up in the busyness and stress of the holidays and lose sight of God, we can easily fall into a few common traps. We need God's help to be aware of these traps and pull us out so we can truly enjoy the holidays.
Join Russ and friends as they discuss these common traps that we can get caught in over the holidays, and how God can help us through it.
If you'd like to email the show, send us a message at podcast@deepspirituality.net
References
3 Common Holiday Traps to Avoid (And 3 Talks to Have)

The Speed Trap
The Comparison Trap
The Isolation Trap

10 Tips To Avoid Arguments Over The Holidays Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. [45] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Luke 6:43-45 NIV

Though the holidays can be a stressful time, they often bring out of us what was already in our hearts. When we work to understand and deal with our hearts as the above scripture mentions, we can be aware of our heart condition going into the holidays, which can help us enjoy them and give to our family and friends.
Join Russ and friends as they discuss more about how to handle Thanksgiving spiritually, along with movie and food suggestions to start your holidays off right.
If you'd like to email the show, send us a message at podcast@deepspirituality.net
References
10 Tips To Avoid Arguments Over Thanksgiving

Politics
Religion
Criticism
Envy/Competition
Bitterness
Be Secure
Be Loving
Forget Quick
Sleep
Slow Down

Steps to Becoming Bitter

Hurt
Resentment
Bitterness

Steps to Forgive

Understand
Resilience
Forgiveness

Movies To Enjoy With Your Family

15 Helpful Tips to Stop Worrying and Start Trusting God Nov 25, 2019

Show notes

[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NASB

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it can be easy to get caught up in the worry and anxiety that often surrounds the holidays - whether it be getting anxious to get things done, worrying over what our families think of us, or having anxiety over finances. But when we have a relationship with God, he can and will help us have the peace and confidence to be able to not only endure the holidays, but enjoy them as well.

Join Russ and friends as they discuss the article "How to Stop Worrying and Start Trusting God: 15 Helpful Tips," and learn how to let go of worry and rely on God.

References

How to Stop Worrying and Start Trusting God: 15 Helpful Tips
Pumpkin Pancake Recipe
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz

Scripture References

Philippians 4:6-7 NASB [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8 NASB Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
James 1:5-8 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. [6] But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. [7] Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. [8] Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Mark 11:22-24 TPT Jesus replied, “Let the faith of God be in you! [23] Listen to the truth I speak to you: If someone says to this mountain with great faith and having no doubt, ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,’ and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done. [24] This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—believe that you have received it and it will be yours.
John 14:27 NLT “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Proverbs 11:14 MSG Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.

The Older Christian's Guide To Reading The Bible Nov 21, 2019

Show notes

[39] “You are busy analyzing the Scriptures, frantically poring over them in hopes of gaining eternal life. Everything you read points to me, [40] yet you still refuse to come to me so I can give you the life you’re looking for – eternal life!
John 5:39-40 TPT

The longer we are a Christian and spend time with God, the easier it is to see our times with God as rote, routine, and predictable. When we get “used” to being a Christian and know what the Bible says, we, like the above scripture says, end up reading and analyzing the Scriptures without seeing God for who he is. We don’t end up getting the eternal life Jesus talks about in the scripture. This power and hope only comes with a real and engaging relationship with God.

Join Russ Ewell and friends as they discuss how to have a dynamic relationship with God no matter how long we are a Christian, and how to answer the following questions:

How am I doing spiritually?
How are my friends doing spiritually?
How are we changing the world?

References

Scripture References

Psalm 92:12-15 NRSV [12] The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. [13] They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. [14] In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, [15] showing that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. John 5:39-40 TPT [39] “You are busy analyzing the Scriptures, frantically poring over them in hopes of gaining eternal life. Everything you read points to me, [40] yet you still refuse to come to me so I can give you the life you’re looking for – eternal life!
Ezra 7:10 NIV For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Finding the "Quiet" in Quiet Time Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

The True God who inhabits sacred space is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows.
Psalm 68:5 Voice

Our “quiet time” shouldn’t just stop at our morning quiet time we spend with God. If we truly find peace with God in the morning, we can go through the chaos of the day and still be at peace. This is what it means to find a sacred space. The time we spend in the morning should set up the day to be at peace no matter what happens, but we can only accomplish this when we find or create a sacred space in the morning.

Join Russ and friends as they discuss the section of the “How to Have a Quiet Time: A Comprehensive Guide” about finding and creating sacred space in our times with God.

Episode References

Find Clarity From The Scriptures By Journaling With God Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

[5] Why am I so overwrought? Why am I so disturbed? Why can't I just hope in God? Despite all my emotions, I will believe and praise the One who saves me and is my life.
Psalm 42:5 Voice

When we are emotional, it can be overwhelming and difficult to know how to manage them. Whether we indulge the emotions or shut them down, relying on ourselves to deal with the emotions we deal with on a daily basis is frustrating, exhausting, and ultimately, futile. Like the psalmist in the above scripture does, we need to turn our emotions to God, express them, and decide to believe God will take care of us. Journaling is a great way to help us navigate the emotions we feel, but we have to make sure to use this incredible tool spiritually.

Join Russ and friends as they discuss how to use journaling spiritually. Whether to navigate our emotions in prayer or to understand God and the Bible better, spiritual journaling can be extremely useful in our continuous walk with God.

For questions or suggestions, email us at podcast@deepspirituality.net.

Episode References:

How to Have a Transformational Quiet Time with God Oct 07, 2019

Show notes

Our times with God are meant to bring us delight in the midst of distress. They should refresh, replenish, and revive us, rather than show us what rules to follow. Our times with God should teach us more about who God is rather than be used as self-help or a way to please people. When we treat our quiet times as a way to change our behavior rather than a way to have a closer relationship with God, we will either not enjoy them, will get bitter at being told what to do, or will give up under the pressure of the rules we put on ourselves.

What we do in preparation in our times with God will help set us up for a focused and insightful time to know God better, and this includes choosing the translation that best connects and resonates with us.

Join Russ and friends as they discuss the first sections of the study "How to Have a Quiet Time," and the ability for our times with God to be powerful and transformational, as long as we keep our focus and attention on who God is.

Episode References:

DeepSpirituality.net
"How to Have a Quiet Time" article
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi talks about “flow”
Signs movie

Scripture References:

Psalm 37:4 TPT
[4] Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and he will provide for you what you desire the most.
Mark 1:35 NLT
[35] Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
[18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 42:1-3 NIV
[1] As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. [2] My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? [3] My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Genesis 32:28 NIV
[28] Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Job 42:5 NLT
[5] I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
Psalm 73:21-22 NIV
[21] When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, [22] I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
Nehemiah 8:2-3 NIV
[2] So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. [3] He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:8 NIV
[8] They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
[12] For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NLT
[1] Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that "we all have knowledge" about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. [2] Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. [3] But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

Changing Our Relationship With God Empowers Us To Handle Pressure Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.
Proverbs 24:10 NLT

Though most of us have dreams, many of us stop fighting to fulfill them because we don’t feel like we can handle the pressure that comes with them. Without God giving us the strength to keep pushing through, we will become discouraged and fail under pressure. The above scripture is actually a positive message, because it is one that should drive us to ask the question, “How does my relationship with God need to change so I can handle pressure?” Russ Ewell sits down with Scott and Nick to talk about what we do with the pressure we feel, and how God is the only way to help us not give up in the midst of pressure.

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