BeEncourage: Recent Episodes
Michelle Brown-Reynolds
🎨 Canvas and Christ: Fall Edition is Here! 🍂
We’re so excited to invite you to our next Canvas and Christ event! This time, we’re painting 18-inch fall door hangerswhile sharing joy, laughter, and Spirit-led encouragement.
✨ It’s more than just painting—it’s a night of connection, reflection, and creativity in a Christ-centered space.
đź’› Podcast listeners get early access to register!
👉 Register Here
đź“Ť Location details shared after registration
đź• Time: 5:15 PM
Bring a friend or come ready to make new ones. We can’t wait to see you there!
In this heartfelt episode of the BeEncourage Podcast, Michelle slows down and reflects on “life lately.” Through a powerful story, we’re reminded that things are not always as they seem—and that sometimes, what sometimes looks like a setback is really setting us up for something greater.
🌱 Key Lessons in This Episode:
- The power of perspective
- Being content with what we have when we need it
- Living with a heart of gratitude
- Walking in obedience, even when it’s uncomfortable
- Learning to trust God with our future, even when it’s unclear
đź“š Book Club Titles Mentioned:
- Being the Sanctuary by
- The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
🎓 Support the Mission:
Help us invest in the next generation by donating to our BeEncourage Scholarship Fund. Every gift helps plant seeds of hope and opportunity!
👉 Click here to donate: www.beencourage.com/donate
In this enlightening episode of the BeEncourage Podcast, host Michelle delves into the profound freedoms we possess as followers of Christ, anchored by a reflective exploration of Galatians chapter 5. She illuminates the scripture's teaching that in Christ, we are called to a life of liberty, not bound by the chains of legalism or the yoke of slavery.
Michelle emphasizes the singular "fruit of the Spirit," pointing out a crucial aspect often overlooked: that the fruit is a collective whole, not individual pieces to be picked and chosen. This insight leads to a deeper understanding that living by the Spirit encompasses all aspects of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, interwoven and inseparable.
A pivotal part of the discussion revolves around the concept of teaching to learn. Michelle unpacks this idea by highlighting how our journey of faith is enriched not just by acquiring knowledge but by sharing it with others. This process of giving and receiving not only deepens our understanding but also strengthens our community in faith.
Central to the episode is the powerful reminder that we cannot earn our salvation, grace, or favor with God. Michelle stresses that these gifts, along with all other benefits of being a child of God, are freely given to us. We are invited to receive them with open hearts, acknowledging that our relationship with God is not transactional but a testament to His boundless love and grace.
The message of freely giving because we have freely received is woven throughout the episode, encouraging listeners to live out their faith with generosity and kindness. By accepting what God has and wants for us, we embark on a transformative journey of love, growth, and freedom.
Michelle's discussion on Galatians 5 serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible freedom we have in Christ. It calls us to live by the Spirit, embrace the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit, and share the love and grace we have received with the world around us.
Don't let comparison steal your joy during this glorious holiday season. For more on the book of Galatians check out BeEcncourage Bible Study series on the Book of Galations at the links below:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/944266/12578419-the-book-of-galatians-week1.mp3?download=true
https://www.buzzsprout.com/944266/12587541-the-book-of-galatians-week-2.mp3?download=true
https://www.buzzsprout.com/944266/12587821-the-book-of-galatians-week-3.mp3?download=true
https://www.buzzsprout.com/944266/12587978-the-book-of-galatians-week-4.mp3?download=true
https://www.buzzsprout.com/944266/12588062-the-book-of-galatians-week-5.mp3?download=true
Greed is a powerful force that can lead us down a dangerous path. It can blind us to the needs of others, make us insensitive to the suffering around us, and cause us to prioritize material possessions over our relationship with God. In the end, greed can lead us to a spiritual blindness that keeps us from experiencing the fullness of God's grace and love.
It's easy to fall into the trap of blaming others when things don't go the way we want them to. It's natural to want to find someone or something to blame when we experience disappointment, frustration, or pain. However, as Christians, we are called to take responsibility for our own actions and attitudes, and to avoid the temptation to blame others for our problems.
Bitterness is a poison that can slowly eat away at our hearts and our relationships. When we hold onto bitterness, it can affect every aspect of our lives, causing us to become resentful, angry, and isolated. However, as Christians, we are called to let go of bitterness and forgive others, just as we have been forgiven by God. Removing bitterness from our hearts is not always easy, but it is possible with God's help. Here in this episode Michelle shared are a few practical steps we can take.Â
In today's world, there is a lot of emphasis placed on outward beauty. Everywhere we look, we are bombarded with images of "perfect" bodies, flawless skin, and airbrushed faces. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to look a certain way in order to be accepted or successful. However, as Christians, we know that true beauty goes far deeper than what we see on the surface.Â
As Christians, we are called to be different from the world around us. We are called to live according to God's standards, not the standards of this world. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
As we go through our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in the busyness and distractions around us. We may find ourselves focusing on our work, our relationships, our hobbies, or our to-do lists. While these things are important, it's important to ask ourselves: what occupies most of our attention?
It's easy to assume the worst in others. When someone does something that bothers us, we might jump to conclusions and assume that they did it intentionally or with malicious intent. However, assuming the worst in others can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and damaged relationships.
As humans, we all desire approval and acceptance from others. We want to be liked, respected, and appreciated by those around us. However, the question we must ask ourselves is: whose approval do we seek?
It's tempting to lie to make ourselves look good in the eyes of others. We might exaggerate our accomplishments, downplay our mistakes, or even invent stories to impress others. We do this for many reasons. My reasons were often caused by not feeling good enough and wanting the approval of others. However, lying to make ourselves look good is a sin, and it ultimately harms ourselves and those around us.
Jesus loves you just the way you are, with all your flaws, imperfections, and weaknesses. He accepts you completely and unconditionally, without any reservations or requirements. His love for you is not based on what you have done or who you are, but on who He is and what He has done for you.
This episode contains a personal testimony for our host Michelle Reynolds and an overview of the Book of Jeremiah.Â
5 Things God uses to grow our faith:
1. Practical Teachings
2. Providential Relationships
3. Private Disciplines
4. Personal Ministry
5. Pivotal Circumstance
Listen to teaching by Andy Stanley on Big Faith.
I apologize if this episode seems choppy or fast. This was my first time editing and connecting the piece of an episode. Thanks for listening. Love you!
I apologize for the mix up in names in minute 2. I called Joseph Jacob about 3 times or so.
Are you struggling in your relationships?.... well so am I. In this episode, I get real with some relationship struggles that I have and I talk about how, when we surrender to God's love, relationships can become easier and better.Â
I just wanted to be authentic, so today IÂ am sharing with you some changes I am making with this podcast.
Eternal Life: We can live forever in the presence of God.
Revelation 21:1-8 22:1-5
I am sharing the word of God in hopes of revealing great treasures to encourage believers of all eras in their faith.
In the last capture of the Book of Isaiah God promised to create new heavens and a new earth that would endure forever. Isaiah 66:22
In the final 2 chapters of Revelation, John begins to describe the fulfillment of that promise while focusing on God’s sovereignty. In Revelation 21:1-8, John gives a basic vision. While in 22:1-5, he describes the new Jerusalem as the ultimate Garden of Eden that, Adam and Eve could have experienced had they not sinned.
Read 21:1-2
With nothing to compare a new heaven and a new earth, other than the present heaven and earth, John’s visions involves God’s creation of the new heaven and earth and the old creation has disappeared because it was subjected to decay. Romans 8:19-21
Vs 1 says that the sea was also gone. The. Sea was associated with chaos or the abyss and was sometimes portrayed as a roaring monster. The sea represented the source from where the beast arose to bring chaos and destruction in Revelation 13:1. The new creation will be free from all such evil.
In vs 2 John is explaining that the new creation is a gift from God. In the beginning God created every thing good, and in the end God will create a new unbroken world. He explains the redemptive work of Christ through the marriage of the Lamb of God and His bride, which is the church, all those who respond to Christ message of salvation.
Read vs 3-5
The new heaven and the new earth is the dwelling of God’s people with the Lord God in the midst. Ever since humanity sinned, separation from God has been our greatest problem. God has repeatedly called his people to himself through the prophets, through Jesus Christ, and through the presences of the Holy Spirit.
In vs 4 nothing that grieves or pains the mind can exist in the fullness of God’s dwelling among his people, therefore, no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.
Read 6-8
In verse 6 God restates Jesus final words on from the cross “it is finished” connecting Christ death with the assurance of eternal life. Also with the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, John portrays God as encompassing total reality and truth. He is from the beginning and the end.
Revelation 7:16-17
In verse 7 it says all who are victorious, meaning God’s children who preserve in life, will inherit His blessings. Our adoption is a convent relationship which certifies our privileges and responsibilities in the family of God.
While verse 8 is the list of those who chose not to live in the power and authority of a saving relationship in Jesus Christ. These sins characterize people who have not experienced adoption by God. Their fate is the fiery lake.
Reflection Questions:
What choice have you made? Have you chose ultimate paradise with God or the fiery lake?
1 Corinthians 6:9-20
Paul is seeking to help us understand the process of being set apart from the rest of the world. We were designed to live set apart from the ways of the sinful world; we are set apart for something greater.
To be set apart is a life that all Christians are called to live.
Although we play a part in our sanctification, it is a work God does in our lives as we follow him. The Christian life is a life of growing in sanctification.
In verses 9-10 Paul gives a list of sins that represent all the major types of ungodly behaviors that should never be characterized with the lives of those who identify with Christ.
Those who practice these sins as a habitual lifestyle will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Read verses 9-10
Read Gal 5:19-21
The life of Gods’ people should be characterized by faithfulness and purity.
Read verse 11
God has made Christians holy, not perfect, by the work of his Holy Spirit, and we are therefore called to live as his holy people.
God gives us everything we need to live a holy life in this world (read 2 Peter 3-4).
Our way of life is to be distinctly different from the unholy world around us. Every part of our lives should reflect the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
The spirit of our God has set us apart for new behavior.
Therefore it is inappropriate for anyone who is united to Christ to violate the Christian body which has become a sanctuary of the living God and is therefore claimed by God himself.
Read verse 12-17
The Corinthian believers thought they were free to sin with no impact on their spiritual lives.
The believe that what we do physically has no affect on our spiritual lives comes from a heresy called Gnosticism. One aspect of this heresy was the idea that only thing that mattered was the spiritual. Our bodies were not important but Paul spoke against this idea. He is teaching that our physical bodies belong just as much to Christ as our spirits do.
For believers the question should never come down to whether something is lawful or a right, but whether is it is beneficial.
The body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. This means that believers belong to God and their behavior should reflect it. Believers should not use their bodies for dishonorable purposes, rather for God’s glory.
Read 18-20
In submitting to Christ , we submit in both body and spirit. We are set apart-sanctified-in Christ and our bodies are no longer to be used as vessels for sin. Instead, our bodies are to be vessels to glorify Christ.
Does your life reflect a daily progression and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit?
Do you glorify god with you being?
What can you do to glorify God with your life?
If you are living a life indulging in sin submit to Christ and allow him to begin a work in you.
The goal is not to be sinless but to sin less. Only Christ was sinless but with the help of the Holy Spirit we can sin less and glorify god with our being.
How do you know that you are saved? What must you do to be saved?
Becoming saved is the easy part. Growing in, accepting, and understanding the faith is when it becomes tricky.
Being saved seems to simplistic to many people so they doubt and question.
How can simply believing and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord enough to give us eternal life? What is eternal life?
How many of you have John 3:16 memorized?
What does that mean to you?
For years I knew this verse but it had no significant meaning in my life it was just head knowledge and not heart knowledge.
What's the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge?
1 John 5:11-15 will confirm how we can know we are Christians.
Those who have the Son of God living in them have God's eternal life Now--they enjoy the presence of God's Spirit and they have the guarantee of eternity with God.
What does this mean to you?
What does it mean to have the son of God living in you?
When we accept Christ as our savior he takes up residence in our hearts and minds. Our spirit (our being) merges with the spirit of God.
For now, go to John 1:12-13 which is going to teach us that we are saved based on the works of Christ and not by anything that we can do to deserve it
What is this rebirth? Transformation in Christ.
Romans 8:14-17
These verses are to remind us that we have an intimate relationship with God and we inherit many of the promises and blessing of God.
We should not be slaves but mature children of God with full rights.
What are the effects of slavery?
What are some things that can cause us to become slaves?
Now think about what in your life is causing you to be in bondage?
What about adoption? What happens when a child is adopted into a family?
All rights and privileges are given to that child just as if he or she was a natural child
When we believe we get to have the same intimate relationship with God that Jesus has.
If you are not confident that you have this relationship then today is the day that you take the first leap of faith, which is believing that you can and receiving.
Hebrews 1:1-6
Faith plays an unrecognizable role in our daily lives.
The faith that God requires is different from the faith of the world. There is an element of trust that makes the difference. The faith of the world can be seen as a form of spirituality meaning he or she is a person of faith, others understand faith as a resolute or unwavering belief that something good will happen, and some can see faith as a blind leap against known facts.
While biblical faith, Faith in Christ means that we not only believe in and know about God, but we trust that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. It is confident actions in response to what God has made known.
Read 1-3
In these verses, the author defines what faith is. By expressing the essential qualities of faith. Faith is acting on what God Has revealed about his will and Character.
The confidence of faith is based on the God who fulfills his promises. While the assurance of faith is not a longing that something good will happen in the future. Assurance is an absolute certainty that God will bring to pass what he has promised despite our not seeing it yet.
Faith must include the deep conviction that God created the visible universe out of nothing except His word. This is a basic belief of theology. God created everything that we see now.
A life of faith understands that, by analogy, God's promises are real and will be called into reality by God himself, even if they are unseen at the present.
Read verse 4
Read Genesis 4:3-5
Notice the difference between the two offerings. Cain brought SOME of his crops while Abel brought the best of the FIRST born. Good requires the first and the best (find this in Exodus 23:16-19). The giving to God through the tithe or the 1st 10% of what we have is not to meet a need that God has but is, in fact, a revealer of the hearts attitude. God accepted Abel's gift and not Cains because Abel gave the best he had to offer. When we give God the 1st and best we are acting in faith that he will continue to provide.
Verse 4 also teaches us that death is not the termination of life for people of faith. Although Abel murdered by his brother his life of faith still speaks to us today.
Read verses 5-6
Read Genesis 5:21-24
While living in a wicked culture, by faith Enoch lived out a Godly lifestyle.
A frequent description of the Christian life is to walk with God. This means our lives are in step with God, yielding to obedience to Him, and following his pace and direction. Walking also implies intimacy and fellowship. As we walk with God we grow closer to Him as we share everything in our lives with Him and learn more of His ways.
Faith must also include believing that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Seeking God is doing deliberate and intentional actives. No one can accidentally draw nearer to God. He or she must do so by faith. Believers must not rely on good works, religious rituals, or spiritual disciplines for salvation. We must believe in God’s promise of salvation through Christ and nothing else.
What does it mean to live by faith? It means that in our various circumstances we live out our belief. God exist and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Those who live by faith take confident action based on what God has revealed about his character seeking to do his will in all things
When faced with a terrible trial, do you continue to believe that He loves you and cares for you?
In life’s difficulties, believers are challenged to trust in God and to anticipate the fulfillment of his promises. Believers live in the confidence that the rewards for faith come in eternity, not necessarily in this life.
Quote from Robert's Rich Dad Poor Dad “Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die”
Prayer
In Luke 15 Jesus is telling 3 parables; the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each parable ending in celebration of the lost being found. Jesus is telling these parables after the pharisees and scribes complained against him welcoming sinners.
Like the two previous parables the parable of the lost son demonstrates God’s love for the lost and the joy He experiences when they return. It also allegories Jesus minister.
The father in the parable represents God, the younger brother represents the tax collectors and sinners to whom Jesus ministered, and the older brother represents the religious leaders.
Lets read
Vs 12 The son is asking for his father estate before his fathers death. Doing so, was an insult. He was basically telling his father “To me, you are dead”
How do we insult God ?
Vs 13 According to Jews because he wasted all his money in wild living and lost his families property to Gentiles in a distant land he was disgraceful and this was grounds for excommunication.
Read Duet 21:18-21
Read 14-16 Pigs were unclean animals which made this the most degradable job imaginable for Jews.
Have you ever settled for less than what God has for you because you wanted your own way?
Read 17-19 The son first had to be emptied in ordered to know that his father could and would meet his need if he went back to him.
Awareness
Read 20-21 His father was watching the road, longing for his sons return. He ran to his son which was considered undignified for the family patriarch but the father was full of joy at the sons return.
The son gives his rehearsed speech but is interrupted.
Read 22-24
The finest robes belonged to the father. Giving it to his son affirmed the sons role as an heir and cherished member of the house hold. A ring was a symbol of authority which also indicated his status as son and heir.
The fattening calf and banquet was the son being treated as a visiting dignitary not as a disgraceful son.
Read 25-31
The older brother was angry that his father would forgive such a sinner when he, the faithful son, had worked hard to achieve his position. Like the religious leaders he refused to rejoice when his brother was found. He even refused to recognize his relationship to his brother
Prayer
Open your bibles with me to Romans 3:20-28
Context: At the time that Paul is writing this letter there are two sets of jews, Gentile Christians who were very non-Jewish in costume and Jewish Christian who followed the law.
Paul is writing this letter to the divided churches with the purpose of sharing the Good news that will unify the churches.
Read romans 1:17-18 these versed reveals the righteousness of God while also uncovering his wrath.
Through out Romans 1:18-3:20 Paul is explaining that we are all sinners and are accountable to God for our sins which is a big problem for all people Jew and Gentile.
However in our focus verses Paul’s switches our attention to the God given solution for this universal problem.
Vs 20
The phrase “by doing what the law commands” is referring to obeying the laws of Moses.
Paul was making its crystal clear that even the Jews who followed the law of Moses and gentle alike needed a way to be made in right relationship with God
No good deed. Moral character, or conduct will make a person acceptable before God.
Attempting to use obedience to the law to maneuver into fellowship with God identifiers ones failure to understand a persons complete fallen nature in God’s eyes. “Its simply foolish”
Vs 21-26 reveal the justification and righteousness of God
The statement “but now” is referring to when Christ was nailed on the cross.
Our sin separates us from God. Our sins keeps us from the presence of good our sin prevents us from reaching the placed God created us to experience. We all miss the mark and fail in obeying the laws requirement. God bore the full cost of forgiving us by having Jesus die on Calvary.
God puts people in right relationship with himself without keeping the requirements of the law
However The law serves the purpose that it always had— to show everyone their need for a savior.
The Old Testament looked forward to Gods’s righteous in his Son
What God now accomplishes for us through christ he does apart from the covenant structured set up by the law of Moses read hebrews 8:13
In this new covenant Jesus became what we were so we can become what he is.
God declared us righteous or provided justification by faith in Christ justifictation is the understanding of restored fellowship with god because the sin no longer exist.
this way we get a new status: right with god and forgiven new family: included in goods people and a new future: transformed life. No strings attached
This means that when a believer trusts Jesus as his or her savior god requires nothing further absolutely satisfied with the perfect sacrifice, god forgives the believing sinner
Read 27-28
We can not boast because all human achievement in salvation is excluded.
The point of this message is that Jesus made it possible for us to be righteous before God.