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The Anatomy of an Inappropriate Relationship Feb 13, 2023

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Inappropriate relationships are common, but common does not equal normal. The Bible devotes an entire chapter of Proverbs to paint a picture of what this is and how it happens. At the root of any inappropriate relationship is a selfish desire to have our own way. This is so Old Testament: "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts." (Proverbs 21:2)

Proverbs chapter seven is both cautionary and instructional. You may want to sit down with your Bible opened for this episode. God has provided us with a vivid example of how things can quickly slide from a seemingly innocent stroll through the field of temptation with an "I can handle it" attitude, to a life that has been destroyed.

ICU--In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Application Study

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Build Your Bible Habit-Psalm 119 verses 25-48 Feb 09, 2023

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Welcome to the second segment of Psalm 119 on Build Your Bible Habit. The Psalmist makes statements that could easily come from the heart of anyone who has been going through a lengthy time of trial and adversity, but you'll also hear hope and trust within this passage.

Build Your Bible Habit was launched as a special bonus segment Keep the Heart Podcast in 2022 with Proverbs, and now we're expanding it to include Psalm 119. The Bible helps us to live the Christian life with passion and victory. Psalm 119:27 makes a great theme verse for the week, and also makes a great prayer request: "Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works."

Psalm 119 Library

ICU-In Christ Unconditionally-Old Testament Leader Guide

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NEW! The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty

It's BACK! Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions

This Liberty of Yours: Unlocking Your Liberty in Christ

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Lying is a Breakable Habit Feb 06, 2023

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Have you ever told a “little white lie?” This phrase refers to "lies that are told about small or unimportant matters to avoid hurting a person.”

"White lies" are a manmade concept, and they sound like these examples:

Your friend comes out of the fitting room in an outfit that’s too tight. She asks you, “Does this fit alright?” You say yes, even though your mind is screaming, “That’s waaaaay too small.”

Or maybe you’ve been served something for dinner and you really hated it, but you didn’t want to hurt the feelings of the hostess, so you lied and said, “This is really good!” That earned you a second helping. Oh oh.

Or perhaps you’ve had a run-in with someone that’s still unresolved. The other person asked you, “Is everything okay between us now?” Your mouth said, “Yeah, we’re all good,” but your mind said, “Not even close.” You’re trying to avoid confrontation and conflict, but you’re not telling the truth.

Lying is a tough habit, but it’s a breakable one. Let’s consider three ways we can begin to get rid of this ugly habit.

ICU--In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Application Study

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SayItAgain Saturday: The TrickyTerrain of Giving Advice Feb 04, 2023

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Welcome to SayItAgain Saturday, where we replay popular episodes from the previous season! This episode first aired in January 2022, and we can tell by the downloads that it hit a nerve. After all, giving advice can lead to unexpected drama.

Are you able to listen to someone sharing a problem without trying to fix it? In other words, can you just listen, or are you formulating a solution as you listen, waiting to blurt it out as soon as the other person stops talking?

Listening to someone tell you that they’re about to make an unwise decision is really hard. We may want to try to talk the person out of their plans, but we know that by inserting ourselves like this, we could end up creating tension in the relationship. By saying nothing, it may seem like we’re agreeing, but if we speak the truth in love, we may get slapped into submission by a verbal rejection. Unsolicited advice is a field of land mines.

We can usually sense when a conversation is taking a sharp turn, and this can easily happen if we swerve into giving advice without having been asked. Unsolicited advice is easy to give but hard to take. If you've ever had someone deliver an analysis about your life that you never requested, you know how this lands on the ears.

What happens if we say something that then things blow up and we get chewed out? How can we sit by and watch someone running straight for the edge of an unseen cliff that we have in full view? Giving advice is tricky terrain. Let’s consider three things to keep in mind when we’re trying to discern when to speak and when to be silent.

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Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 4 Feb 03, 2023

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Build Your Bible Habit with the popular daily Proverb system. Read one Proverb daily, corresponding with the day of the month (chapter 4 on the 4th etc.). Here's a verse from chapter 4, reminding us that wisdom is the "principle thing," which is another way of saying, "first things first":

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

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Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 3 Feb 02, 2023

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Build Your Bible Habit with the popular daily Proverb system. Read one Proverb daily, corresponding with the day of the month (chapter 3 on the 3rd etc.). Here's a familiar passage from chapter 3, with instructions both to trust the Lord for direction and to avoid running ahead of God with our own agendas:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 1 Jan 31, 2023

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Proverbs LibraryBuild Your Bible Habit with the popular daily Proverb system. Read one Proverb daily, corresponding with the day of the month (chapter 1 on the 1st etc.). Here's a verse from chapter 1, reminding us that following God's Word brings peace and quiet even in the midst of difficult times:

"But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." (Proverbs 1:33)

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Build Your Bible Habit-Psalm 119 verses 1-24 Jan 30, 2023

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Welcome to the first segment of Psalm 119 on Build Your Bible Habit. This is the longest chapter in the Bible, so we’ll divide it into seven episodes. Psalm 119 is loaded with thoughts, instructions, and observations written to turn our hearts to a closeness with God. This chapter is written in twenty-two parts, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and each part consists of eight verses for a total of 176 verses. This episode begins with verses 1-24.

Build Your Bible Habit was launched as a special bonus segment Keep the Heart Podcast in 2022 with Proverbs, and now we're expanding it to include Psalm 119. The more we're in the Word, the greater we comprehend how to live. Psalm 119:18 makes a great theme verse for the week, and also makes a great prayer request: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

Psalm 119 Library

ICU-In Christ Unconditionally-Old Testament Participant Guide

NEW! The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty

It's BACK! Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions

This Liberty of Yours: Unlocking Your Liberty in Christ

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 30 Jan 29, 2023

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Build Your Bible Habit with the popular daily Proverb system. Read one Proverb daily, corresponding with the day of the month (chapter 30 on the 30th etc.). Here's a verse from chapter 30, teaching us that God is a protector to those who trust Him.

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." (Proverbs 30:5)