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Don't Get Jealous... Mar 08, 2021

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Kids get jealous. It is obvious on their faces, or in their cries. It pops up fast and then is forgotten. Adults get jealous. They are much better at hiding it, but not so good at letting it go. Jealousy, coupled with pride, is a relationship killer. And saddest of all, it prevent us from getting better! The very person who could help us is being judged by us. We can do better!
Let's talk about how jealousy works and why it is so powerful. Then, I want to add TWO WORDS to the episode title that can make a massive difference in your life and in the way you see yourself in comparisons to others.
- What is jealousy and why is it such a problem?
- Is it okay to compare ourselves with other people?
- How can I focus on differences that are changeable?
- What are the TWO WORDS that will make all the difference?
- How can the right comparisons bring us hope, even in another person's success?

The Unanswered Prayer Mar 01, 2021

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As people of faith, we know that God hears us when we pray. We know He cares and listens and answers. Sometimes we get a YES. Sometimes a NO. Sometimes a WAIT. But why don't we get more YESES? I mean, we are people of faith and love Him, right?
It can be difficult to accept circumstances when you ask Him and He declines. Maybe an old country song can help today. Garth Brooks sang "Unanswered Prayers." I can relate to the lyrics of that song. Can you?
Let's talk about that for a bit, and then settle into a passage of Scripture to give us guidance, gratitude, and confidence in our prayer lives. Let's do the best we can, even though we are living life looking through a straw.
- Do you thank God for unanswered prayers?
- Why doesn't God give us more of what we ask?
- Have you thought about amazing it is that He listens to us at all?
- What must our attitude be about the life God has built for us to live?
- How can we align our prayers more with His will, leading to more YESES?

Prayin' For Daylight Feb 22, 2021

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It has been a rough week in Texas and across most of the Country. The record cold and snow and ice and loss of power and water... quite a mess. I mean, it got below zero in East Texas! I was handling it fine, until one particular night. But I am thankful for that night, even with its weight and burden. I needed it. God knew we needed time together. I want to share that with you.
- What would God have us do with our anxiety and fear?
- But can I ask: do prayers always work?
- If we just give God a few seconds of our time, do the burdens always lift?
- What does it mean to truly be in darkness praying for daylight?
- And how can emotional, longer, deeper prayers bring that light into your soul?

Living In Fear Feb 15, 2021

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Fear is a factor for most of us. We have anxiety and concern about health and safety and COVID, and the government, and any number of things. To say they don't bother us would be dishonest. The question is, have you given these things the power to control your life? Or is your fear of God so absolute, so dominating, that everything falls victim to His control?
Erasing fears in this life are not always possible. But increasing fear of God, in every sense of the word can prepare us to render carnal worries powerful in our lives. And maybe we can even reevaluate our previous decisions to take them captive under the authority of God.
- What scares you?
- Is it fair to say that there are things in the flesh that make you fearful?
- How does that compare to your concept of God and His Power?
- What happens when our fear of God is greater than our fear of everything else?
- Are you willing to evaluate your carnal reaction to carnal things?

His Appointed Priests Feb 08, 2021

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Let's talk Bible today! Specifically, and excitedly, let's talk Leviticus! Okay, not everyone's favorite book. But we do know it, don't we? God set aside priests, sons of Aaron, appointed by Him to do 5 special things. Most Israelites were not priests, but they came to them for help.
Then Christ came. He established a new holy nation, filled with royal priests! We are all priests in Jesus Christ. Every single one of us carries the role of priest in the church. But what is that role? What does it mean to be a priest? And why isn't everyone on board?
- What 5 things did priests do for God under the Old Law?
- Why did citizens have to lean on the priests to connect with God?
- What did Jesus change about that whole setup under the New Law?
- Are you a priest for God? And if so, what does that mean?
- What are 3 things we must each and all be doing in our priestly service?

"I Am Discouraged" Feb 01, 2021

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"I am discouraged" - Have you said that in the last 12 months? I have. What were you saying it about? Who were you saying it about? Christians have used a lot of social media time and foyer conversations expressing things that disappoint them. Tensions are high. So, why is that happening in the church? Is there any excuse for it? And how do you match that up to the things that Jesus and His Apostles taught?
The truth is, we tend to be making two simple, but serious, mistakes when we are out of focus and down about life's circumstances. In this episode we will go back to two old ideas, old ESM episodes, that still have the power to reshape your thinking and bring great JOY into your life!
- What are the top 39 things Christians are discouraged by?
- What did Jesus say about the attitude of Christians in trying circumstances?
- How can't the habit of Counting Blessings transform the way you see your life?
- How can Changing Pronouns break the gaze on self and see the world as God sees it?
- What is the daily power of J.O.Y. in the life of God' blessed people?

Receiving Is Hard Jan 25, 2021

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Giving is powerful. Being a giver makes you better and makes other people better. Giving builds strong relationships. HOWEVER... so does receiving! In fact, where there is a giver, there must be a receiver. And yet, great givers sometimes find it very hard to receive.
There may be some science behind that. Check out 4 observations by Dr. John Amodeo, who has a PHD. in Marital and Family Therapy. You and I must overcome these things if we are to find truly rich, rewarding, fair and growing relationships.
- Why do we sometimes Defend Against Intimacy?
- Why do I have trouble Letting Go of Control?
- Why do I Fear Attached Strings?
- Why do I carry a Negative View of Receiving?
- Am I willing to Express My Needs to someone in my life?

He Learned Obedience Jan 18, 2021

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We are Laying out FOUR Action Terms to set the tone for 2021:
1) GIVING (getting ready to share)
2) TEACHING (sharing the Gospel)
Today we add another: 3) LEARNING. The only way to get better is to learn better. If we don't have new revelation, information, or perspective, how can we actually live better lives? Sadly, there are many people who refuse to learn. Pride keeps them locked into their old, and dated, ways. How can God shape those people for His work?
But some of us thing we are learning new things, when really we are just recognizing old truths. We can do better. We can actually allow experiences to reveal things we didn't know. Maybe things about ourselves. Maybe things about others, or God, or our purpose.
Let's look at how EVEN JESUS "learned" obedience through His experiences. He became something more after the event of His suffering and death. If He can learn and change and become more valuable to people, can't we? Let's dig in on that and build a better 2021!
- Is it important to learn new things as we live?
- What did you learn about yourself, God and others, in 2020?
- Did you learn new things, or just realize the same old things?
- How does the example of Jesus learning encourage us to grow?
- How will you apply new information as you build your best year ever?

Real Spiritual Growth Jan 11, 2021

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Jack Wilkie recently released a book, Church Reset, that I highly encourage you to check out. He discusses the 21st century local church model and how much emphasis we put upon people coming to church to be fed a sermon. It is a good thing, but it is a tool to help real growth, not a sign of maturity. Many immature Christians are faithful worshippers, but not growing to the place where Christ can use them best. So let's lay out Jesus' plan for His disciples, that we can be more like Him!
- Am I an infant in Christ?
- Am I a toddler in Christ?
- Am I a pre-teen Christian?
- Am I a teenager in the Lord?
- Am I truly and mature adult in the church?
--- Bonus Questions
- What does the next level look like and how do I go about getting there?

The Math Problem Jan 04, 2021

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Welcome to Season 3 and thanks for joining in!
I hope you heard last week's episode, as we saw the story of Lorenzo and Heather. What started with overcoming my personal weaknesses, led to someone being baptized into Christ! Did it require some time and money to meet their needs? Yes it did. Was it worth it? Oh yeah!
But the question today isn't: "should we be using our goods to help the needy?" You already know the answer to that. The bigger question is: "am I actually ready to share?" Maybe some of us have not prepared well to give, to assist, to serve.
Part of this is "The Math Problem." By the time we get down to what is left in the bank account to give, there just isn't any money left. There is Netflix, but there isn't $15 to help someone get a lunch. We can do better. But first we need to look at a few key things:
- What is The Math Problem that can keep us from helping?
- What did Paul tell Timothy about what to do with our riches?
- What did Jesus specifically command disciples to do with their goods?
- What did Jesus say will be the criteria for eternal judgment in Matthew 25?
- And what steps can you and I take today to solve The Math Problem and start giving?

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