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Latest Episodes:

Teachback Tuesday-Trusting God with Trust Issues Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where you'll hear the most popular episodes from the previous season. This episode, "Trusting God with Trust Issues" was a bit of a jab to the ribs. Teachers are also full-time learners, and I saw some new "trust issues" that had crept in since this episode first aired, and these issues needed exposure.

It's understandable when we have trust issues as a side effect of being wronged by someone, especially when it was someone we should have been able to count as reliable. The problem with trust issues is that they tend to spill over into our walk with God, causing us to worry and become filled with anxiety and doubt. Fear and fretfulness are merely signs that our trust in God needs opportunities to grow.

We have common wrestling matches in our spiritual lives, and trust is a big one. We're usually fine as long as things are going according to our plans, or as long as things stay within our comfort zones, but trust is built by testing. You may want your notebook or journal for the five points in this 10-minute episode.

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Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 31 Aug 25, 2022

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BONUS BIBLE SERIES: This is the final chapter in the book of Proverbs. If you started at chapter one, you have now read the entire book. Bravo! I suggest you buy yourself a new Bible. Digital and audio are great, but you can mark and take notes in a printed Bible. We have a few in the shop at keeptheheart.com, if you need ideas.

Even though this chapter is often referred to as the pattern for the "Proverbs 31-Woman," it has valuable insights that anyone can apply. The chapter actually opens with a mother instructing her son, so we know that these instructions also apply to men. One verse that we could all memorize and put into practice in verse 26: "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Improving how we communicate with each other makes relationships better.

Now that you’ve completed the entire book of Proverbs, it’s time to start over. Repeat this habit for another two months and this will become a part of your daily routine. You will want to spend time in the Word, because your relationship with God will be growing, along with the increased wisdom and understanding. Keep this Bible habit going! God will use it to transform you by the renewing of your mind.

A Treasure Worth Keeping by Guest Host Janice Wolfe Aug 22, 2022

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SPECIAL GUEST HOST EPISODE: When Francie doesn't have a podcast-worthy voice, she calls her favorite replacement! You will love the sound of this buttery radio host from Faith Music Radio and their program for women, eleven2one. Do you have a passion for the Bible? Your passion will increase after listening to this very inspiring episode! Our guest host, Janice Wolfe, from shares her story in such an engaging and personal way: "My passion for the Bible began when I was a little girl. My dad, who was legally blind, loved the Bible. He wore the highest prescription-strength reading glasses made, then added another weaker pair inside that pair to read his giant print Bible each morning. And this is the way I found my dad sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bible when I woke up. I knew from an early age the Bible was a book that was meant to be treasured." Would you describe yourself as a Bible-lover? Can you recall learning to "mark it, memorize it, and meditate on it"? By following this system until the end of high school, Janice had memorized over 300 passages of scripture. We can have a passion for studying Scripture, but there may be times when the fire is low and needs rekindling. Have you ever noticed how passionate the Psalmist was in Psalm 119 about God’s Word? In 2021 Janice began meditating on Psalm 119 and spent the entire year doing so, and she will share some incredibly encouraging insights in today's episode. Special closing music by Jennifer Skaw is included in this episode, along with links below. Turn to Psalm 119 and prepare to be blessed as you follow along. This is enriching! eleven2one with Janice Wolfe & Faith Music Radio "As the Deer/His Name is Wonderful--Jennifer Skaw on iTunes "As the Deer/His Name is Wonderful--Jennifer Skaw CD Books, Bibles, Gifts & More at Keep the Heart

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When We Don’t Want to Forgive Aug 15, 2022

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Have you ever dragged your feet on forgiving someone because you thought they deserved to suffer? Or were you so hurt by their words or actions that you felt they deserved punishment? Human nature is painful like that. We don’t like people to hurt us, but we’ll cancel that rule when we’re hurting someone in revenge. We’re not the first to struggle with the issue of not wanting to forgive. Listen to this passage from Matthew 18:21-22:

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

I love the realness of Peter. Obviously, someone had done him wrong enough times that Peter was starting to keep track! Oh no, this brother is up to number six. Let me go and ask Jesus if I have to go beyond seven because I’ve had enough of this. I sure am grateful that God doesn’t have a rule of “seven strikes and you’re out.” We’d all be disqualified before we graduate from kindergarten!

Has someone done or said something that offended you to a point where you don’t feel like forgiving them? This is a risky position. It’s human to want to delay a pardon, but it’s not biblical. It’s carnal.

Our human nature leans toward behaviors and solutions that are the opposite of God’s Word. We have to be on guard for this hazard, because we can deceive ourselves into believing that everyone else has issues but we’re the only clean ones. Failure to forgive someone is rooted in this type of mistaken thinking.

Let’s consider four things that are side effects of failing to grant forgiveness, and how we can avoid the consequences of choosing the wrong course.

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Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 30 Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

BONUS BIBLE SERIES: Welcome to Proverbs chapter 30 on Build Your Bible Habit. Chapter 30 is unique in that it begins with an introduction from a man named Agur. Strong’s concordance translates his name as “gathered,” but also calls it a “fanciful name for Solomon.” The chapter opens with notable humility, and closes with a warning not to “lift ourselves up.” Many important life observations are included.

We need to be careful about thinking too highly of ourselves. The scripture calls it the “churning of milk.” Churning the milk leads to butter, and forcing wrath brings strife. As soon as we get the attitude, “Who do they think THEY are,” we’re in trouble. Someone is going to do or say something that will irritate us, and this will be our pop quiz. Will we keep talking when we can tell that things are heating up, or will we do as Scripture says and cover our mouths? Forcing wrath leads to conflicts. The wise choice is to apply Scripture.

Don’t rush through these chapters. Treat them like slow cooking, not fast food.

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Teachback Tuesday-When You Can’t Talk About It Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where you'll hear the most popular episodes from the previous season. Today’s episode, "When You Can't Talk About It," is still being downloaded at a rapid rate, even a year later. Going through things that seem unusually hard and uncommon doesn't mean that we're the first ones to walk the rough road. Tough problems and embarrassing circumstances are as old as the Old Testament. Remember David and Bathsheba?

Grab a notebook and pen to jot down four ways we can get the help we need, even when our situations are difficult to discuss. It's not true that we can't talk about hard things. It just means we'll need greater wisdom and discretion.

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Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions

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In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Study

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Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 29 Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

BONUS BIBLE SERIES: Welcome to Proverbs chapter 29 on Build Your Bible Habit. This chapter reminds me of a class in character-building. When we are growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we grow in wisdom and understand, which improves our integrity, personality, and even our disposition. Without spiritual growth, we run the risk of developing destructive habits that make our lives harder, as well as affecting the lives of those we influence.

We are steps away from completing a month’s worth of Proverbs, and I hope you’ll keep this habit going. It takes humility to admit that we need God to guide us, especially since pride comes naturally to our human nature. As you’re continuing to study the book of Proverbs, pray and ask the Lord to reveal any areas to you where He would like to begin make changes. We know some of our weak spots, but God knows even the secrets of our hearts, so He is way better at transforming us. It helps if we are willing to allow God to work in our hearts.

As it says in Proverbs 29:23, "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." Humility wins over pride every single time.

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One-of-a-Kind Olive Petal KJV Bible

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Teachback Tuesday-Backsliding Looks Like This Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from the previous season. “Backsliding Looks Like This” received thousands of downloads over the year. I wonder if it's because backsliding is such a common temptation? It could happen to any of us.

Have you been making changes in your life that are weakening your faith and causing you to question biblical living? The process of backsliding is often slow but methodical. Skip a few church services, treat Bible study as optional, overindulge on popular movies and other media and before long, your Christian life is unrecognizable. Backsliding is the act of falling from our faith back into habits and behaviors that are selfish and biblically off-base. This episode covers three telltale signs of backsliding, along with suggestions on how to avoid this counterfeit lifestyle.

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Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 28 Jul 28, 2022

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BONUS BIBLE SERIES: Welcome to Proverbs chapter 28 on Build Your Bible Habit. This chapter shows the contrasts between the wicked and the righteous. The term “wicked” means someone who is “criminal” and “hostile to God,” but it also carries the meaning of someone who is guilty of sin against God or man. That could be any of us! It is possible to stray into a zone that is very hazardous for our spiritual health. God wants the best for us, so it pays for us to learn these contrasts so that we can aim for upright living.

Are you getting into a good routine with building your Bible habit? The longer you keep this up, the closer you’ll grow to God, developing a genuine bond. Part of building a real relationship is being honest. Keeping our sins confessed protects us from becoming hard-hearted, and keeps us open and honest with God. As it say in Proverbs 28:13, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." It doesn’t work to live a wicked life while pretending to be righteous. Be honest with yourself and with God. You’re not just building a Bible habit. You’re building a lifelong relationship with God.

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Teachback Tuesday-How to Give Wise Counsel Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where you'll hear the most popular episodes from the previous season. Today’s episode, “How to Give Wise Counsel” was meant to guide those of us who are not trained counselors. We never know when someone may come to us and say, “Can I talk to you about something?” In fact, maybe we’ve been the ones to approach a friend for guidance with a tough situation. Giving counsel is a very serious matter. After all, we surely don't want to make matters worse. Grab a notebook and pen for this five-point episode.

Call Upon Him: An Examination of Prayers Throughout Scripture

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions

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In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Study

In Christ Unconditionally: New Testament Bible Study

In Christ Unconditionally: Old Testament Bible Study

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