Open the Word with Circle of Friends: Recent Episodes
Open the Word
Open the Word is a podcast for every woman. It's for you, for your sister, for your mom, for your daughter, for your neighbor, for your friends. Circle of Friends started as an accountability group and grew into a ministry of encouragement to women. At its heart, it has always encouraged women to be in the Word of God in order to grow and live out their faith. We want to challenge you, equip you, and help instill in you the desire to open the Word.
It's one thing to know what the Word says, it's another to believe it and do what it says. Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are talking about that on todays' radio archive episode.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are talking about how we know we can speak into someone else's life and circumstances.
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Inspired by a listener question, Beth, Missy, Lisa, and Gwyn are talking about how we know when we're not being honest with ourselves and headed down the wrong path.
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The conversation on Romans 12 continues as Gwyn joins Beth and Missy.
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Beth and Missy are taking a look at Romans 12.
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The ladies are taking a look at Psalm 55 on today's episode.
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Gwyn and Missy are taking a look at several passages in Hebrews.
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In this archived radio epidsode, Gwyn and Missy are talking all about suffering and what Scripture has to say about it.
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Gwyn, Beth, and Missy are talking about putting off the old self and putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.
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In this archived radio episode, Gwyn and Missy are taking a look at Gary Moon's book Falling for God.
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In this episode from the radio archives, Gwyn and Missy are looking at Philippians 4 and talking about how we think and our thought patterns, and bringing that under the light of Scripture.
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Gwyn and Missy are talking about the idea of lamenting in the Bible and the circumstances under which Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are looking at some of Paul's words to the Thessalonians and talking about the importance of walking holy in all areas of life as we seek to live for the Holy One.
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The final episode of Revelation - and of the survey series! Gwyn is wrapping up the last book of the Bible on today's episode.
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Look for future episodes under the new podcast "Faith Foundations Discipleship" on your favorite podcast platform.
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Lisa, Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are talking about prayer, how we have been given this incredible tool that we have taken for granted and encouraging us to fully embrace this gift of prayer God has given us.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are wrapping up their week in 2 Timothy in this archived radio episode.
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Gwyn is helping to make sense of all the seals in the book of Revelation and continuing to give us a framework for the timeline of events in the book.
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Beth, Gwyn, Lisa, and Missy, inspired by New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp, are talking about who we go to first - our friends, our family, our loved ones, or the one true source - for what we need.
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Beth, Missy, and Gwyn are looking at 2 Timothy chapter 3 and some of the characteristics that can befall us when we know the Word of God but we don't apply the Word of God.
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Having trouble reading through Revelation? Gwyn's overview will help you read the book with context and understanding. Be sure to listen to the first episodes of Revelation before tuning in to this one.
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Gwyn, Gen, Missy and Beth are taking a look at the imperatives in Ephesians to see how Scripture helps us live this out.
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Gwyn, Beth, and Missy are continuing to take a look at the second chapter of 2 Timothy.
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Gwyn is giving an overview of Revelation and explaining different views to approaching the book and how to read through understanding without assuming it's chronological.
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Gwyn, Beth, Missy, and Gen are taking a look at Ephesians 2 and all the promises we have in Christ.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are taking a look at 2 Timothy 2 on today's archived radio episode.
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Gwyn is going over the seven churches in the first several chapters of Revelation.
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Beth, Gwy, and Missy are taking a look at 1 Peter 1 on today's episode.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are talking about being stubbornly determined to the let the Word of God shape our thoughts, to commit it to memory, and to let it be our source.
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Can you believe it? The final book of the Bible is on the docket for today's podcast. If you've ever been intimidated to read and study this book, then this is a perfect podcast for you. Gwyn is going to take us through and help give us context, providing what we know to be true and letting us know the parts that remain unclear.
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Gwyn, Missy, Beth, and Gen are talking about letting God being enough, trusting in His attributes, and having a true hunger for Him.
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The final episode on generations, Dawn is sharing insight to Joann, Carol, and Missy about Generation Z and Generation Alpha.
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This short letter near the end of the New Testament is the focus of today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Beth, Missy, Gen, and Gwyn are talking about the God who loves us, our Good Shepherd, and how we can let Him hold us and walk us through whatever we face in life.
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It's all about the Millennials on today's archived radio episode as Dawn chats with Carol, Joann, and Missy about this generation.
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Gwyn is giving us an overview of 2 of John's letters on today's episode in the New Testament survey series.
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Gwyn, Beth, and Megan are talking about forgiveness - God's forgiveness towards us, and how we can forgive others and even ourselves.
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We're nearing the end of the New Testament! Gwyn is giving us insight into one of John's epistles, the book of 1 John.
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Dawn Yoder is sharing with Joann, Carol, and Missy insights into Generation X on today's episode from the radio archives.
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Gwyn and Beth are joined by a special guest - Beth's own daughter Megan! The ladies are chatting a little bit about everything on today's episode.
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Gwyn is giving an overview of Peters second letter on today's episode.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Libby are talking bout the importance of how we base our theology from the full counsel of the Word of God.
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Gwyn is taking a look at 1 Peter on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Joann, Carol, and Missy are joined by Dawn again and discussing The Builders and Baby Boomers, sharing insights into the priorities and general values of each.
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Joann, Carol, Missy, and Dawn are talking about the different generations and how understanding people is the greatest way to have influence with people.
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Libby joins Gwyn and Missy as they continue the conversation about dealing with our sin and take a look at Paul's words to the Corinthians.
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Joann, Carol, and Missy are wrapping up their conversation with Jason about heaven.
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A familiar and powerful book, Gwyn is going over the book of James on Faith Foundations.
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Gwyn and Missy are talking more about Saul and David's different responses to sin and encouraging us in how we can walk in repentance.
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Joann, Carol, and Missy's fascinating conversation with Jason continues as he shares more of what he experienced listening to his dad as he transitioned from this life to the next.
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Gwyn is continuing on in the book of Hebrews.
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Gwyn and Missy are looking at 1 Samuel 15, comparing Saul's response when confronted with his sin with David's, and talking about our own responses when we must reconcile with the consequences of our actions, resting in the grace that is there for us when we will inevitably sin.
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Missy, Joann, and Carol are continuing their conversation with Jason as he shares his father's final moments and his transition from earth to the presence of Jesus.
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Gwyn is unpacking the book of Hebrews on this Faith Foundations episode.
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Beth and Missy are taking a look at Ephesians 4 and talking about what godly relationships with other people look like from our perspective.
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Missy, Joann, and Carol are joined by Jason as he shares the story of his dad's journey to heaven, and the reality of what that moment is made more real to us all as we consider life's last moments.
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Gwyn is going over this short book in the New Testament on today's episode.
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Beth, Missy, and Gwyn are looking at passages in Scripture about darkness and talking about the Lord's presence in darkness.
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In this archived radio episode, Missy, Joann, and Carol are joined by Jason and discussing the hope and assurance we have in heaven.
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We're nearing the end of the New Testament as Gwyn takes a look at the book of Titus on today's episode.
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Beth, Libby, and Missy are talking about our will, our choices, and our sanctification while taking a look at Romans 7-8.
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Beth and Missy are at the table in this archived radio episode, talking about how we have a circle of influence and encouraging us to take steps to be wise with what we do with that.
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Gwyn is looking at Paul's second letter to Timothy on today's episode.
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Libby, Missy, and Beth are looking at Psalm 25 and talking about having a teachable heart to learn the lessons God has for us.
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Beth and Missy are taking a look at Psalm 1 and how to be anchored and rooted in Scripture.
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More on the book of 1 Timothy with Gwyn on Faith Foundations.
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Continuing on from last Monday's podcast, Gwyn, Missy, and Lisa are turning to the next chapter of Romans.
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How do we actually make and set goals? What does that look like in practical steps? Missy and Beth are talking about it - and of course doing so from a Biblical perspective - in this archived radio episode.
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We're continuing on in our New Testament survey and taking a look at the book of 1 Timothy with Gwyn on this Faith Foundations episode.
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Lisa, Missy, and Gwyn are taking a look at the 7th chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans.
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Why are goals so important? What if we're in a season where they don't feel necessary? Beth and Missy are talking all about goal-setting in this archived radio episode.
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Gwyn is going over Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians on today's episode.
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Lisa, Libby, Missy, and Gwyn are talking about judging rightly - about worrying about ourselve and our actions and less about others.
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Beth and Missy are taking a look at Colossians 3 in this archived radio episode.
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More on the book of 1 Thessalonians with Gwyn on today's Faith Foundations episode
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Inspired by their recent Bible journaling, Libby, Lisa, Missy, and Gwyn take a look at 2 Timothy 4 and dive into the history and context of Paul calling out some who were opposing the message of the gospel.
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Libby and Missy are talking about developing in solitude, inspired by a passage from Daily With the King, and what that looks like in our relationship with the Lord.
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Lisa, Libby, Missy, and Beth are opening up to 1 Peter 3 and talking about marriage, some of the hard lessons that they've learned along the way and encouragement for those who may be in hard seasons in their own marriages.
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In this archived radio episode, Libby and Missy are taking a look at a reading from W Glyn Evans Daily With the King and talking about how we should be praying through hardships.
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More on the book of Colossians on today's episode!
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Beth, Libby, Lisa, and Missy are talking about gratitude in all things, in the hardest places, in the most painful seasons, how our God has given us things to be grateful for and in those moments of gratitude we find true joy in Him.
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Libby and Missy are talking about pain - how we can let God use those painful circumstances in our life if we are yielded to Him.
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Gwyn is taking us through Paul's latter to the Colossians on today's episode.
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We know we need to read it, and maybe we do. We know we need to hear it, and we probably are. But how are we actually letting the Word of God shape us? How are we letting it mold us? Change our perspective on how we see the world and how we see ourselves? Libby, Lisa, Missy, and Beth are chatting around the table again on today's episode.
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In this episode from the radio archives, Libby and Missy are talking about being willing to walk God's path His way, whatever your story looks like, and seeing what He can do through it.
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It's the overview of the book of Philippians! Tune in to hear Gwyn break down this Pauline epistle.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are talking bout three things we need in our Christian walk - most importantly the logos, the truth of God's Word, then pathos, which is passion in action, and ethos, our internal experience of God's truth. Tune in to hear more about this concept and scriptures to go along with it.
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In this archived radio episode, Libby and Missy are talking about Jesus's words about denying ourselves.
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Gwyn is wrapping up Ephesian's on today's Faith Foundations episode and given an overview chapter by chapter.
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Beth, Missy, and Gwyn are at the table on today's episode talking about being rooted and grounded, and how our foundation determines our ability to impact those in our lives.
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Joann, Carol, and Missy are talking through the principle of inspiration. How often do you think about how you can inspire those around you and the difference that an make? Tune in to this episode for some encouragement on being a positive influence to those around you.
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Gwyn is diving deeper into the book of Ephesians on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Lisa, Libby, Missy, and Gwyn are diving into more Scripture about the Holy Spirit and talking about He specifically works in our lives.
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Carol, Missy, and Joann are looking at the LaRed principle of Developing People.
https://lared.org/principles/leadership/developing-people/
Gwyn is continuing in the New Testament Survey series and moving on to the book of Ephesians. Tune in to learn more context to this Pauline epistle!
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We believe in a Triune God, but are we often neglecting a part of God by not focusing on the Holy Spirit? Libby, Lisa, Missy, and Gwyn are looking at what Jesus had to say about The Holy Spirit in the book of John.
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In a world of short attention spans, this principle may have never been more important. Joann, Carol, and Missy are talking about loving people well by listening in this archived radio episode.
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More on this foundational book about salvation in Gwyn's New Testament Survey series.
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Lisa, Gwyn, Beth, and Libby are taking a look at the short but powerful book of Jude on today's episode.
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Missy, Carol, and Joann are talking bout the principle of understanding people - how we relate to people is so crucial in our Christian walk and Scripture is full of ways to help us do it well.
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It's Gwyn's overview on the book of Galatians!
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What does it look like when women reach out to other women? When seasoned women of God look to make connections with those who may not have lived as long or shared the same experiences yet? Gwyn, Libby, Lisa, and Beth are sharing how God can work when we open ourselves up to create new relationships and help each other find a place to belong.
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Can pressure really be a positive thing? Joann, Carol, and Missy are talking about it on this archived radio episode.
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More on Corinthians with Gwyn on this Faith Foundations episode!
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Libby, Missy, and Lisa are opening up to 2 Kings 5 and talking about the story of Naaman's leprosy and the faith of the servant girl who sent him to the prophet for healing.
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The archived series about the prison ministry of LaRed and Global Priories wraps up as Carol, Joanne, and Missy share testimonies of inmates whose lives have been changed going through the principles found in Proverbs.
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Gwyn is giving more insight into the book of 1 Corinthians and the culture of Corinth.
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Libby, Missy, and Lisa are talking about the importance of being grounded in truth, not experience.
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We're learning more about how God is using principles from His Word through the ministry of LaRed with Roger Shuler on this archived radio episode.
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Gwyn is talking about Paul's letters to the Corinthian believers on today's episode, giving insight into Paul's missionary work and to what was happening in the city of Corinth when he wrote to them.
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Beth, Libby, Missy, and Gwyn are talking about genuine love - a love that recognizes and appreciates the gifts in others and a love that opposes the evil that stands against the Word of God.
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Bernie Torrence and Roger Schuler are talking with Joann and Carol about the round tables occurring in the prison system and how the principles from God's Word are shining light in what can be very dark places.
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Gwyn is finishing up the book of Romans today in the New Testament Survey series!
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Gwyn, Libby, Beth and Missy are talking about unity in Christ, how we will spend eternity with one another despite secondary theological differences, and how standing firm on Jesus gives us common ground.
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Bernie Torrence is sharing how LaRed ministries has been able to take Proverbs principles into prisons and how the truths of God's Word can truly set the captive free.
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Romans is so theologically rich and deep, and Gwyn is taking her time walking us through this book. Today's episode is more on the second section of Romans: sanctification.
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Gwyn, Beth, and Missy are talking about some insights from the book of Revelation.
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Gwyn is taking a look at chapters 5-6 in the book of Romans on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are taking a look at Matthew 26-27 and discussing the significance of Jesus's anointing and the torn veil.
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In this archived radio episode, Joann, Carol, and Missy are talking with Bernie Torrence and hearing his heart for prison ministries and the work God has done.
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More on the book of Romans today! Get ready to dive in, there is so much in this book!
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Beth, Missy, and Gwyn are continuing the conversation from last week, delving into what can sometimes be tough Scriptures to understand regarding marriage and relationships, to discussing how we handle conflict and the importance of doing all of this God's way and not our own.
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This archived week of radio programs is getting wrapped up as Gwyn and Missy look at John 10.
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Gwyn is giving us a little more insight into Paul, the author of Romans, and going over an outline and purpose of the book.
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Beth, Missy, and Gwyn are talking about relationships - how we've been designed for them out of the overflow of the Trinity and God's desire to share with His creation - and what He has purposed marriage to look like.
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Ephesians 5:22-29
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.
Books Mentioned:
When Two Become One by Christopher McCluskey & Rachel McCluskey
A Celebration of Sex by Dr. Douglas Rosenau
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman
Safe People by Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend
How We Love by Milan Yerkovich
The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
Finding the Hero in Your Husband by Dr Juli Slattery
For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
For Men Only by Shaunti Feldhahn & Jeff Feldhahn
Fierce Women by Kimberly Wagner
Men Who Love Fierce Women by Leroy Wagner & Kimberly Wagner
The DNA of Relationships by Gary Smalley
Gwyn and Missy are continuing their conversation in these archived radio episodes of viewing God as our Good Shepherd and taking a look at Psalm 103.
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We're getting into the book of Romans today! Gwyn is giving lots of detail into the time and setting of when the book was written and Paul's purpose behind it so that as we dig in deeper we understand the full context.
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Gwyn, Missy, Lisa, and Beth are looking at Romans 11-12 and putting it in context of how the Jewish audience would have understood Paul's writings.
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Gwyn and Missy are taking a look at Isaiah 40 on this archived radio episode.
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Gwyn is wrapping up the book of Acts on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Libby, Lisa, Missy, and Gwyn are taking a look at a favorite chapter - Colossians 3 - and looking at what we are called to put off and what we are called to put on instead.
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It's all about the book of Acts on this Faith Foundations episode!
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Gwyn is digging further into this history book of the New Testament on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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On this archived radio episode, Gwyn is sharing more about her journey with fostering and adopting, how God has called her to bind up the brokenhearted through the beautiful process of adoption, and how we can apply some of those principles to those around us.
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We're in our New Testament survey and Gwyn is going through the book of Acts. She's giving more insight into the history book that covers the early church.
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Libby, Gwyn, Lisa, and Missy are taking another look at 1 Corinthians 13 and talking more about love and pursuing the holy love God calls us to show to all people.
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Libby and Missy are taking a look at the book The Insanity of God and opening up to John 6.
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Gwyn, Lisa, Missy, and Libby are all opening up the Word to 1 Corinthians and talking all about love on today's episode.
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Libby and Missy are opening up to 1 John 3 and seeing how other truths from Scripture weave into this chapter.
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Gwyn is diving deeper into the book of John in our New Testament Survey series.
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Missy and Lisa are talking about rejoicing in trials, looking at 1 Peter 1:6-7, and how God graciously uses the hardest parts of our lives to refine us in the fire for our good and His glory.
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Missy and Libby are taking a look at the second chapter of 1 John on this episode.
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Gwyn is giving us an overview and insight into the gospel of John on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Missy and Lisa are opening up to Romans 1 on today's podcast.
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Missy and Libby are taking a look at 1 John 1 in this archived episode.
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On today's episode Gwyn is diving further into some of the parables ad passages in the gospel of Luke.
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Faith Foundations Episode on Translations
Lisa, Missy, and Libby are taking a look at the devotional New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp and spinning off a discussion about when life feels out of control how to remember who reigns over it all.
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Libby and Missy are taking a look at Romans 8 and talking about how God pursues us and loves us, even when we fail Him time and time again.
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Gwyn is digging further into the book of Luke and going over passages and events that are recorded in this gospel.
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Taking a look at the book New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp, Libby, Missy, Gwyn, and Lisa are talking about the necessity of love in our theology.
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Joann, Carol, and Missy are discussing the virtue of gentleness - what does the Bible say about it and how can we show gentleness in practical ways?
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Gwyn is giving an overview of the gospel of Luke on this Faith Foundations episode.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are opening up to Exodus 34 and talking about God's righteous anger.
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Books Mentioned:
The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
The Spirit Filled Life by Charles Stanley
In this archive episode, Joann, Carol, and Missy are talking all about mercy.
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Gwyn is giving an overview on the gospel of Mark on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Gwyn, Lisa, Missy, and Libby are talking about the new identity we've been given in Christ - and asking the question - are we living as if we are new creations or are we living as the walking dead?
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Joann, Carol, and Missy are talking about loyalty soon this archived radio episode.
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Gwyn is wrapping up the book of Matthew in the New Testament survey series.
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Libby, Gwyn, Missy, and Lisa are taking a look into Ephesians on today's episode.
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In this archived radio episode, Joann, Carol, and Missy are talking about intentional kindness - how we can show the compassion and care of Jesus in practical ways to those in our circles.
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Gwyn is diving further into the book of Matthew on today's episode.
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Libby, Lisa, Missy, and Gwyn are taking a look at Paul David Tripp's Devotional, New Morning Mercies, and talking about the reality of our sin and the hope of God's endless mercy.
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In this archived episode, Libby and Missy are opening up the Word to Acts 16 and talking about Paul and Silas in the prison.
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Gwyn is continuing on in the book of Matthew on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Libby, Gwyn, Lisa, and Beth are opening up Paul David Tripp's book New Morning Mercies and talking through one of his devotionals.
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Libby and Missy are continuing the conversation on the first chapter of James.
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New Testament survey is kicking off on today's episode! Gwyn is giving an overview of the New Testament books and diving into Matthew.
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Libby, Beth, Lisa, and Gwyn are looking at New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp and discussing one of his devotionals, how doubt and fear are natural but how God will give us the faith He calls us to live by through His grace.
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New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
Libby and Missy are opening up the Word to the first chapter of James in this episode from our radio archives.
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Gwyn is wrapping up her introduction to New Testament Survey on today's episode.
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Libby, Gwyn, Lisa, and Beth are opening up the Word to Matthew 5, looking at what it really looks like to be blessed and how we can be a light to the world around us
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Matthew 5:1-16
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, or theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
In this archived episode, Libby and Missy are talking about what it means to have victory in Jesus - having access to what He has done, the work He has accomplished on our behalf.
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Gwyn is getting us ready to dive into the New Testament! Today's episode is part one of the introduction of the portion of the Bible after Jesus's birth.
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Libby, Missy, and Gwyn are continuing the conversation from 2 Chronicles and looking at the life of Joash.
Listen to part one here.
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Libby and Missy are looking at Romans 8 on today's episode from the archives.
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Romans 8:28-39
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What are the covenants in the Bible and what do they mean? Gwyn's taking us through them on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Beth, Lisa, and Missy are finishing up the third chapter of 1 John, discussing loving our brother and how we can know that we are in Christ.
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1 John 3:11-24
For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends,if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
In this episode from the radio archives, Beth and Missy are talking bout how we can use the support of fellow believers to help us get in the Word.
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Grab your Bible and get ready to see some of the appearances the Lord made to man in the Old Testament! Gwyn's going through these instances in this Faith Foundations episode.
For part one on Theophanies, listen here
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Beth, Lisa, and Missy are opening the Word to John 3 and diving into what it means to be beloved children of God.
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1 John 3:1-10
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of Godare and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
In this archived episode, Beth an Missy are talking about "sitting in first chair" - being committed and wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord, and how that can help our relationships with one another.
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Gwyn is taking us through a few theological discussions before we dive into the New Testament. First up - Theophanies. What is a theophany and where can they be found in the Bible? Tune in to learn all about it!
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Gwyn, Missy, and Libby are sitting down and opening the word to 2 Chronicles, taking a look at the lives of Ahaziah, Athaliah, and Jehoida, and others, observing how some of them obeyed God and some went their own way.
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In this episode from the archives, Beth and Missy are discussing how easily justify our sin, but how essential it is that we call it what it is and choose to walk in obedience with the Lord.
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Gwyn's taking more time before starting New Testament Survey to give more history and insight connecting the Old and New Testaments.
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Beth, Missy, and Lisa are talking about actually sitting and listening to the Lord, and soaking in His Word. Lisa also shares her experience attending one of the Faith Foundations Retreat.
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Beth and Missy are talking about the role of suffering in the life of a believer and how it should not surprise us but grow us in our faith, molding us to be more Christlike.
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Scripture Mentioned:
Philippians 3:10-12
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Resources Mentioned
Suffering by Paul David Tripp
Safely Home by Randy Alcorn
Daughter of China by C. Hope Finchbaugh
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
Before we dive into the New Testament, Gwyn is giving us more insight into the "silent years" or the period of time between the Old and New Testaments. Tune in to understand more about the history of God's people during this time.
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Beth, Missy, and Lisa are opening up the Word to a couple passages in Galatians 5 & 6 and talking about what it looks like to walk in discipline and walk in the Spirit.
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Galatians 5:16-18
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galatians 6:6-9
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
In this archive episode, a conversation about hospitality leads to Beth and Missy talking about yielding to our guide, the Holy Spirit, and yielding to the work He wants to do in our lives.
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John 16:1-15
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Have you ever wondered about the years of "silence" between the Old and New Testaments? Gwyn is taking some time before diving into the New Testament survey and talking about those 400 years.
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Hebrews 1:1-3
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
Beth, Missy, Libby, and Gwyn are opening up to John 15 and seeing what we can learn about Jesus, what it means to be His followers, and what abiding in Him looks like.
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John 15:1-17
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
Matthew 24:6-14
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Joann, Carol, and Missy are talking all about the principle of generosity.
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LaRed Principle of Generosity
Gwyn is doing an overview of the final book of the Old Testament - Malachi. Tune in as she gives insight into this minor prophet and outlines the book for us.
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Beth, Missy, Gwyn, and Libby are talking about how to create space for God to speak to us and an update from Gwyn on how God is moving through the Faith Foundations retreat, and what to expect from future events.
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Missy, Joann, and Carol are talking about the principle of humility, using the resources from The LaRed Foundation.
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The LaRed Principle of Humility
Gwyn's taking us through the second to last book of the Old Testament, Zechariah, as we get ready to close out the Old Testament Survey series.
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Beth, Gwyn and Missy are opening the Word to Psalm 43 and talking about resting in God's justice and finding refuge in Him.
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Psalm 43
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Missy, Joann, and Carol are taking a look at the principle of honesty, from scripture and with the resources from LaRed.
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LaRed Principle of Honesty
Gwyn is giving an overview of the book of Haggai on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Beth and Missy are opening the Word to Deuteronomy 6 and talking about what it means to train generations behind us in the Word of God.
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Deuteronomy 6:5-9
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Missy, Joann, and Carol are opening the Word to Matthew 28 and discussing a parable of Jesus.
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Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
Gwyn is giving us an overview on the book of Zephaniah as we near the end of our Old Testament Survey.
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Beth and Missy are talking about how each of us have been given gifts by the Holy Spirit, but that it's how we use those gifts that matters.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Ephesians 3 14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 4:1-7
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit,just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Romans 12:4-21
In this archive episode Missy, Joann, and Carol are opening the Word to Matthew 20 and talking about the parable of the workers in the vineyard.
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Matthew 20:1-16
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend.Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.
Old Testament survey is nearing the end as Gwyn talks all about the book of Habakkuk on today's episode.
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Beth, Lisa, and Gwyn are talking with Libby about her journey through grief.
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In this archive episode, Beth, Missy, and Barb are talking about the blessings they've found in hardships.
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Gwyn's giving us a rundown of this book you may not know too much about! She's talking all about the minor prophet, Nahum, on this Faith Foundations episode.
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Libby is sharing more of her story and how she is living with grief and abiding in the Lord.
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Beth, Missy, and Barb are talking about living through loss and doing what you can, not what you can't.
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It's all about the book of Micah today on Faith Foundations!
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Libby, long time host from Circle of Friend's Radio days, is on the podcast today sharing her story about praying to want God's will in the most difficult of circumstances and how she is living out John 15 and doing nothing apart from Him who strengthens her.
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Beth, Missy, and Barb are talking about how important it is to have people who can mentor you and help shape you throughout your life.
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Gwyn is giving us a breakdown of Jonah and giving us some insights on the book.
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What expectations of church are we holding on to that we need to let go of? What does God say the church should look like? Gwyn, Beth, Missy, and Lisa are talking about it on the podcast.
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Romans 12: 3-18
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Hebrews 5:11-14
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Missy and Beth are continuing their conversation with Barb as she talks about parenting her son and his struggles with ADHD and impulse control and how she found support and rest along the way.
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Gwyn's talking all about Obadiah on today's episode.
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Beth, Lisa, Missy, and Gwyn are sharing Scriptures that God has spoken over them and and the verses that He has made true in their lives.
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Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Romans 4:20-21
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
1 Peter 3:15
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Jeremiah 15:18-21
Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
1 Peter 1:6
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
1 Peter 2:21-24
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Beth has brought her long time friend Barb in to sit down with her and Missy and they're talking about parenting in hard places. Barb shares the perspective of a mom on the other side of parenting a child with some difficulties.
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Gwyn's giving an overview of the book of Amos on today's episode.
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Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps & Time Lines
Beth, Gwyn, Missy, and Lisa are talking about how they've learned to mediate on the Word of God and what to do when we find ourselves in those dry places in our journey.
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Resources Mentioned:
The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith
Falling for God by Gary Moon
Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
This archive series with Amy and Missy is wrapping up as they talk about praying for eyes to see the opportunities God gives us to share with those around us.
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Gwyn's continuing on in the Old Testament Survey series and wrapping up the book of Joel on today's episode.
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How does our faith shape how we love? How can we love those who hurt us, show kindness when others can't? The book Bold Love sparks today's conversation between Beth, Missy, and Lisa.
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Bold Love by Dan Allende
Following up on their apologetics conversations, Amy and Missy are talking about how God can use your unique interests, talents, and gifting to share the gospel, with Amy sharing specifically how God has called her to use her love of art and math.
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Old Testament Survey continues as Gwyn takes a look at the book of Joel on today's episode.
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Join Beth, Missy, and Lisa at the table today as they open the Word!
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Amy and Missy are talking about how to defend your faith - what to say when people question why you believe what you believe and why Christianity is different than any other religion.
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Gwyn is moving on to the minor prophets - the last section of books in the Old Testament Survey series. She's talking all about Hosea today. Listen as she gives an overview of the book.
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Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines
When life gets hard, what has been put in is what will come out. You're building your life on something, but what is it? What's your foundation? Will you stand when put to the test? Beth and Missy are talking all about this on today's episode.
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Amy and Missy are talking apologetics again - how parents can help equip their teens and some of the questions we as believers should be prepared to answer.
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Resources Mentioned:
Summit Conferences
Tactics by Gregory Koukl
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller
Gwyn's wrapping up Daniel today and diving into some of the prophecies in the last half of the book on today's episode.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are continuing the conversation from last week about forgiving people who have done evil against us and asking how love can cover a multitude of sins - and what that truly means.
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Amy and Missy are talking about apologetics, what it is and why we need to be prepared to explain why we believe and what we believe when presented with the opportunity.
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Scripture Mentioned:
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Jeremiah 29:13-14a
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord
Resources Mentioned:
Why Do You Believe That? by Mary Jo Sharp
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
More on the book of Daniel today from Gwyn as she's continuing on in this Old Testament Survey series.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are sitting down and talking about loving people who have sinned against us, and maybe even sinned against us in the worst possible way. How do we love those people? How do we walk in obedience despite this broken and fallen world? How do we live out Romans 12? They're diving into all this and more on today's episode.
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Resources Mentioned:
How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong by Leslie Veronica
Bold Love by Dan Allender
Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Gwyn and Missy are opening up to Psalm 138, reading a psalm of joy and talking about how God shows His love to us individually.
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Psalm 138
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Gwyn is giving us more insight into the book of Daniel on the Faith Foundations episode today.
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Beth, Missy, and Lisa are sitting down and talking about remembering - how their note taking and journaling helps to cement God's word and work in their hearts and minds, and some Scriptures that have stuck with them.
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Gwyn and Missy are talking about Psalm 42 and walking in those dark places - or walking alongside those who are in the dark places, and how this Psalm speaks to that.
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1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?[b]
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation[c] 6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock:
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
Gwyn is giving us an overview on the book of Daniel, the last major prophet in the Old Testament Survey series.
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Beth, Missy, and Lisa are taking a look at Galatians 5 on today's episode.
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But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[e] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Gwyn and Missy are looking at Psalm 91 on this archive episode.
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Gwyn is following up with more on the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament Survey series for Faith Foundations.
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Pod for Israel
Beth, Missy, and Lisa are taking a look at 1 Samuel 25 and the story of Abigail and Nabal on today's episode.
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1 Samuel 25
In this archive series Gwyn and Missy are looking at the Psalms and today they're talking about Psalm 32, where David is speaking about God's forgiveness of sins.
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Psalm 32
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity, I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Gwyn is talking all about Ezekiel as she continues on in the Old Testament Survey series. Listen to today's episode to gain insight into this major prophet!
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Resources Mentioned:
The Essential Bible Handbook
Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines
Scripture Mentioned:
Ezekiel 1:6-10
Except that each one had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight, but their feet looked like the hoofs of calves and sparkled like bronze. Under each of their wings, these creatures had a human hand. The four creatures were standing back to back with the tips of their wings touching. They moved together in every direction, without turning their bodies. Each creature had the face of a human in front, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of a bull on the left, and the face of an eagle in back.
Revelation 4:6-7
Also in front of the throne was something that looked like a glass sea, clear as crystal. Around the throne in the center were four living creatures covered front and back with eyes. The first creature was like a lion, the second one was like a bull, the third one had the face of a human, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.
Beth, Lisa, and Missy are at the table today and their conversation migrates from where our hope comes from, to the foundations of their faith, to looking at the story of Abigail and David, but the overall theme is to strive to continually head due north, even if our journey doesn't look like a straight line.
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Gwyn and Missy are opening the Word to Psalm 51 and looking at David's response to his sin.
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Gwyn is sharing with us an overview of the book of Lamentations.
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Beth, Lisa, and Missy are sitting down and Lisa is sharing where she's been in the Word - the book of Ruth - and what God has been teaching her through her study.
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Gwyn and Missy are looking at Philippians 2 and talking about how we can take on the mind of Christ as Paul urges us to.
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Philippians 2
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gwyn is giving us further insight into the book of Jeremiah and going over some notable passages on the latest Faith Foundations episode.
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Beth, Lisa, and Missy are sitting at the table talking about how to be still and slow down in our focus and time with the Lord in a society that has taught us to move at a lightning pace.
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Gwyn, Missy, and Linda are taking a look at Philippians 3 in this archive episode.
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Old Testament Survey with Gwyn continues with the book of Jeremiah this week.
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Beth, Missy, and Lisa are talking about applying the world to ourselves and letting it change our hearts and how we live out our lives instead of focusing on other's actions.
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Missy and Gwyn are joined by Linda Kate again and they're talking bout when God uses the hard places in our life, when He strips away everything else and what He gives us instead. You'll be encouraged after listening to this!
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Romans 12
Psalm 139
Gwyn is looking through Isaiah and showing us prophecies about the Messiah that Jesus fulfilled.
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Missy and Gwyn are opening the word to 2 Corinthians 4.
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2 Corinthians 4
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side,but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Gwyn and Missy are joined by Linda Kate on this archive episode and they're talking about handling things with a purpose - from raising kids to have a global perspective to setting boundaries with harmful people.
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The Old Testament Survey Series continues on as Gwyn is looking at the first of the major prophets - Isaiah.
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Gwyn and Missy are talking about what it means to live day in day out connected to God in practical ways.
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1 Corinthians 4:9-17
For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;when we are slandered, we try to [g]conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
Beth and Missy are talking with Erica Owolabi from two generational perspectives - a current mother of young children and two mothers who have raised children to adulthood.
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Gwyn is moving onto the last section in the Old Testament Survey - the Prophets!
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Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are talking about raising kids to have healthy relationships with them as adults, establishing necessary boundaries that allows for independence.
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Resources Mentioned:
Changes that Heal by Henry Cloud
Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
How We Love by Milan Yerkovich
Scriptures Mentioned:
1 Corinthians 6:12
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 11:31
But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.
Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.
Dan and Erica are talking about their family values and how they keep the main thing the main thing while raising two young daughters.
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Gwyn's going over the last book of wisdom literature - Song of Solomon - and providing some resources on a topic Christians don't always want to talk about.
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Resources Mentioned:
Sex Has a Price Tag by Pam Stenzel
When Two Become One by Christopher and Rachel McCluskey
A Celebration of Sex by Dr. Douglas E. Rosenau
For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
We're all meditating on something - what is it we're choosing to think about? How can we shift our thoughts to the Word of God? Gwyn, Missy, and Beth are walking through some resources from the Navigators to help encourage us to memorize Scripture.
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www.navigators.org
The Word Hand Illustration
Inductive Bible Study
In this episode, Dan and Erica are talking with Beth about the ministry of Branches Worldwide, how God is using Dan to reach business leaders across the globe and how Erica supports him and their family while he travels.
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https://owolabileadership.com/
https://www.branchesworldwide.org
Authentic Leadership by Dan Owoabi
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Gwyn is taking a look at more portions of Ecclesiastes on today's episode.
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Gwyn and Missy are wrapping up this mini series on the voice of God. We've talked about how to know His voice you have to know Him and His Word, how we've seen Him speak through Scripture, and now we're diving into how we can recognize His voice in our everyday lives.
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Dan and Erica are talking about parenting their two daughters, how Erica's parents spoke into their lives, and how they navigate hurtful comments about their biracial family with love and grace.
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Buy Dan's book Authentic Leadership
Visit his website
Gwyn's breaking down the book of Ecclesiastes for us on today's episode.
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Gwyn and Missy are continuing the conversation on the voice of God, looking at the whole of Scripture to see how and when He speaks throughout the pages of the Bible.
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In this archive episode we're hearing from Dan Owolabi again and this time he's joined by his wife Erica! The first part of this archive series introduces us to the couple and lets us get to know them a little bit.
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Authentic Leadership by Dan Owolabi
Owolabi Leadership
Gwyn's invited Missy onto this Faith Foundations episode as the jump all over Proverbs, picking out some favorite pieces of wisdom from this book.
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Gwyn and Missy are talking about how we can discern the voice of God and they're starting with the basics - how we first have to know Him and know His Word to be able to have that discernment.
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Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.
Hebrews 5:12-14
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 4:12-16
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. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Gwyn and Missy are talking about hope in parenting, how to trust that God's got the key to our kids and that even if we've messed up along the way, they aren't outside the scope of His grace and love and redemption.
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Gwyn is continuing on in the the Old Testament Survey series and the Wisdom Literature books by diving into the book of Proverbs.
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Book of Proverbs
1 Kings 4:29-33
Fool Proofing Your Life by Jan Silvio's
Beth, Gwyn, and Lisa are talking about how God has laid on their hearts a desire to help women grow in His Word and how He has provided unique opportunities for each of them to do so. They're also encouraging us in pursuing that in our own lives and trusting that God will equip us as only He can.
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Missy and Gwyn are continuing on in the conversation about hope, touching on how to have hope in circumstances where we feel at the end of our rope, whether from the consequences of our own choices or of others.
We are so excited to announce the Faith Foundations Retreat! Spend a day deepening your understanding of God's word while personally connect with God in nature at the Wilderness Center and hear from Gwyn in person! Saturday, July 16 from 9am to 3pm.
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Gwyn is continuing on discussing more portions of Psalms on today's episode.
We are so excited to announce the Faith Foundations Retreat! Spend a day deepening your understanding of God's word while personally connect with God in nature at the Wilderness Center and hear from Gwyn in person! Saturday, July 16 from 9am to 3pm.
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Beth and Gwyn are chatting with Lisa Smith about her testimony and how the Lord led her to start the ministry His Words I Speak.
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The conversation continues with Gwyn and Missy on the topic of hope, looking at a few Psalms and talking about Peter walking on the water.
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Gwyn's walking through another portion of Psalms and showing how we can use this book in our prayer life.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are opening up to 2 Peter on today's podcast.
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Gwyn and Missy are focusing in on Scripture that tells us Who our hope is and spending some time in the book of Hebrews.
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1 Peter 5:5-11
Philippians 1:6
Romans 8:24-25
Hebrews 11:1-2
Hebrews 10:23-24
Hebrews 3:5-6
Hebrews 6:9-20
Hebrews 1:1-4
Gwyn is continuing on in the wisdom literature books of the Old Testament by introducing us to the book of Psalms. She's breaking down the who, what, when, where, and why of the book along with walking us through how we can use a psalm as a guide in our prayer life.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are getting into the context and background at 1 Peter and looking at how the book is talking to a group of people who are aliens - outsiders - and enduring suffering.
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Hebrews 11:9-13
By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
1 Peter 4:12-19
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
1 Peter 15
Gwyn and Missy are talking all about hope on this archive episode.
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Gwyn is wrapping up the book of Job on today's Faith Foundations episode.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are talking a little bit of everything and their conversation finds them one again turning to 1 Peter.
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1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 2:21-23
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Gwyn and Missy are finishing out 1 Peter in this archive series and touching on chapter 5.
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Gwyn is digging further into the book of Job on today's episode.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are discussing a devotional from Paul David Tripp about how sin starts in the heart and how we need to take ownership of it instead of passing the blame.
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Safe People by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
How We Love by Milan & Kay Yerkovich
New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
James 1:2-15
James 4:1-10
Missy and Gwyn are finishing up chapter 4 of 1 Peter.
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Gwyn's moving into the wisdom books in the Old Testament and introducing the book of Job.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are sitting down and opening the Word to Psalm 63, talking about the lifeline of Scripture and community.
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Psalm 63
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my handMy soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
Another Gospel by Alisa Childers
Gwyn and Missy are starting chapter 4 of 1 Peter in this archive episode.
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Gwyn's taking a pause on the next book in OT Survey to go deeper into more of the history of the exile and looking at the dream Daniel interpreted in Daniel chapter 2, helping us to understand the context and see how the pieces of Scripture all tie together.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are talking about motherhood and parenting for the long haul.
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The discussion of 1 Peter continues and Gwyn and Missy dive deep into chapter 3.
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Gwyn's sharing more about the book of Esther on today's episode.
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Missy is joined by her old friends, Mickie and Beth Krish, and they talk about their time in Bible college together as young marrieds, the importance of being in the Word, and the value of having lifelong friends who share the foundation of the love of Christ.
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Gwyn and Missy are starting chapter 3 of 1 Peter and diving deeper into the sometimes difficult discussion of submission.
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Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson
1 Peter 3
Gwyn is continuing in her Old Testament Survey Series and giving us insight into the beloved book of Esther.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are continuing the discussion about difficult relationships and how to work through forgiveness in this episode.
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The Cure by John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, and Bruce Thrall
Missy and Gwyn are going through the rest of 1 Peter chapter 2 in this archive episode.
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1 Peter 2
Gwyn's discussing more of these historical books of the Bible, focusing particularly on Nehemiah.
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Beth, Gwyn, and Missy are talking about healing from difficult relationships and how to have the right perspective in these circumstances and how foundational and necessary a proper view of God and His word is.
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The Cure by John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, and Bruce Thrall
Gwyn and Missy are getting into chapter 2 of 1 Peter in this archive episode.
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1 Peter 2:1-12
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Gwyn is continuing on with Old Testament Survey and talking about Ezra and Nehemiah.
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Gwyn, Beth, and Missy are talking about growing in Christ, how different seasons and struggles help to grow us and some of the reasons we often don’t growth in believers in the church.
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Ecclesiastes 3
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I was afflicted,that I might learn your statutes.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Philippians 1:9-11
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-16
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Matthew 5
Gwyn and Missy are continuing their "live Bible Study" in the archive episode as they dive into the book of 1 Peter and wrap up chapter 1.
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1 Peter 1:10-25
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[b] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Gwyn's giving an overview of Chronicles and helping walk through how the timelines of several Old Testament books overlap.
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Gwyn, Beth, and Missy are sitting at the table talking candidly about parenting, sharing and encouraging one another in the truth of God’s Word.
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Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him
Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Ephesians 5:8-17
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Gwyn and Missy are continuing in 1 Peter chapter 1 in this archive episode.
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1 Peter 1:1-9
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Gwyn's looking at passages covering more of Ahab and Jezebel, and looking at the story of Elisha and the barren Shunammite woman.
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1 Kings 21
2 Kings 9:30-37
Revelation 2:18-25
2 Kings 4
2 Kings 8:1-6
Beth and Missy are opening up to Revelation 19 as they read through a devotional by Paul David Tripp, talking about God’s grace and His judgment.
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New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
Revelation 19
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Gwyn and Missy are talking about resources and context when studying Scripture and beginning this archive series on 1 Peter.
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Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines
Gwyn's pausing in 1&2 Kings to talk more about specific people and their stories. Today she's delving into Ahab and Jezebel.
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Beth and Missy are talking all about peace today - how we can pursue it in our relationships with others and how we can pursue having a sense of peace in our daily lives.
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2 Corinthians 10:5
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Missy and her daughter-in-law are wrapping up their conversation about how we view people from the understanding that it's okay if they have a negative view of us. Others don't have to believe we're right, because Jesus is righteous and we can rest in knowing who we are in Him.
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Gwyn's walking through more of 1&2 Kings and taking a look at several passages with the prophet Elijah.
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Beth and Missy are encouraging us to get in the Word even if we don’t feel like it’s doing anything or even when we’re struggling to understand what we’re reading and trusting that it will not return void.
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Genesis 11:27-32
Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot. Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his kindred, in Ur of the Chaldeans. And Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and Iscah. Now Sarai was barren; she had no child. Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine.
John 14:26-27
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Missy and Beth Horsfall are continuing to talk about how we view people and remembering that we are a family, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and that our love for one another should point people to the love of Christ.
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Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
John 13:35
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogantor rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Gwyn's moving into 1 & 2 Kings in her Old Testament survey.
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Beth and Missy are opening the Word to Philippians 2 and talking about how we are commanded to do everything without grumbling or complaining and how having an attitude of gratitude keeps us in the right perspective. The conversation leads to Romans 12 and how heeding Paul’s words there ties into what he had said in Philippians.
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Sleeping With Bread by Dennis Linn
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Philippians 2:14-15
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
Romans 12
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.Do not be conformed to this world, ]but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.For as in one body we have many members,[e] and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Missy and her daughter-in-law Beth are continuing the conversation about how we see people, and today they're talking about how recognizing that everyone has a story helps gives us the perspective we need.
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Gwyn's taking a pause after going through 1 and 2 Samuel to compare two chapters from each and how Saul and David responded when confronted about sin in our lives and encouraging us to respond well when we sin.
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1 Samuel 15
2 Samuel 12
Exodus 17:13-16
And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, saying, “A hand upon the throne[c]of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
Gwyn and Missy are talking about this interesting chapter of the Bible where Moses meets with the Lord.
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Exodus 33
The Lord spoke to Moses: “Go up from here, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying: I will give it to your offspring. I will send an angel ahead of you and will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hethites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go up with you because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.” When the people heard this bad news, they mourned and didn’t put on their jewelry. For the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites: You are a stiff-necked people. If I went up with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.” So the Israelites remained stripped of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward. Now Moses took a tent and pitched it outside the camp, at a distance from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. Anyone who wanted to consult the Lord would go to the tent of meeting that was outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would stand up, each one at the door of his tent, and they would watch Moses until he entered the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance to the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. As all the people saw the pillar of cloud remaining at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up, then bow in worship, each one at the door of his tent. The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend, then Moses would return to the camp. His assistant, the young man Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the inside of the tent. Moses said to the Lord, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me.’ Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you. Now consider that this nation is your people.” And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” “If your presence does not go,” Moses responded to him, “don’t make us go up from here. How will it be known that I and your people have found favor with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth.” The Lord answered Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and I know you by name.” Then Moses said, “Please, let me see your glory.” He said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name ‘the Lord’ before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”But he added, “You cannot see my face, for humans cannot see me and live.”The Lord said, “Here is a place near me. You are to stand on the rock,and when my glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but my face will not be seen.”
Missy's daughter-in-law is back and they're talking about seeing people purely as God sees them - not in light of their circumstance but in light of who God has created that person to be.
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Psalm 139
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
Gwyn is taking us through the rest of 2 Samuel, touching on David's sin with Bathsheba and some difficult chapters about family sin.
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Beth and Missy are talking about what it looks like to take small, measurable steps, how we need discipline to make those steps, and how we do that in faith and prayer.
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Resources Mentioned:
Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio
New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
The Spirit Filled Life by Charles Stanley
Missy and her daughter-in-law Beth are talking about empowering people - what it means to God has given purpose to each person, to trust in His sovereignty in how He has equipped them, and to strive to see others with His eyes and see the good in them He has created.
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Scriptures Referenced:
Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps
Jeremiah 32:17
‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Gwyn's moving on to 2 Samuel in her Old Testament survey series.
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Beth and Missy are chatting about what it looks like to truly be a peacemaker, and not just seek peace at all costs.
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Scriptures Referenced:
Matthew 5:1-10
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Colossians 3:12-14
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Romans 14
JB, Gwyn, and Missy wrap up this archive week talking about Philippians chapter 3.
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Philippians 3:7-11
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
From David and Goliath, to his friendship with Jonathan, to his wife Abigail's story, Gwyn's covering the rest of 1 Samuel today in her Old Testament survey series.
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Beth and Missy are sitting at Beth’s kitchen table today and it’s stirring up many memories of Beth sitting at the table, praying for her husband who at the time didn’t believe in Jesus, and the thirty years following how God has worked at that table and in her family.
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What Happens When Women Pray by Evelyn Christenson
Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry
Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture by Jackie Hill Perry
Colossians 4:2
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving
Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Colossians 4:12
that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Gwyn's continuing on in 1 Samuel in her Old Testament Survey series.
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The conversation continues on mentoring and Gwyn, Missy, and JB are talking about practical steps you can take to move forward in obedience and partake in a mentoring relationship.
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Old Testament Survey continues as Gwyn gives insight into the family history behind 1 Samuel and more about the book.
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Jess is back and talking all about discernment, about how serving in southeast Asia as a missionary and returning has given her a different perspective on the American church and how believers need to be in the Word.
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Jude vs 3-4
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Fault Lines by Voddie Bacchus
Missy, Gwyn, and JB are talking all about mentorship today. How to find a mentor and how to step out in faith, ignore the voices that tell you you’re not enough, and mentor women coming up behind you.
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2 Timothy 2:1-2
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Our Old Testament Survey continues today and Gwyn dives into the book of Ruth.
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Jess is talking about how God divinely appointed a friendship in her life and allowed her friend to bless her but also how he spoke into her friend's life as she was able to meet needs in Jess's family.
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God is always previous. In practice, however, (that is, where God’s previous working meets man’s present response) man must pursue God. - A.W. Tozer
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gwyn's brought on her good friend JB on this archive episode and they're reminiscing about connecting as teenagers at summer camp and how impactful those weeks in their lives were.
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Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
The next book up on Old Testament survey is Judges and Gwyn's walking through it on today's episode.
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Jess is back on today sharing more about how God led her to Southeast Asia, even after an epic failure on the mission field in Africa, and about the work she and her family were a part of.
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Lida is sharing more insight into Scripture through her knowledge of Hebrew, how the names of the patriarchs show the story of the gospel, what the word “shalom” really means, and why Hebrew is so important in understanding the beauty of Scripture.
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Resources Mentioned:
Find Lida Mendoza Hill on Facebook
Your People Shall Be My People by Don Into
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
Genesis 5
1 Chronicles 1:1-4
Adam, Seth, Enosh; Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; Noah
Matthew 27:45-51
Now from the sixth hour[f] there was darkness over all the land[g]until the ninth hour.And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Gwyn is walking through the book of Joshua today on the podcast.
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Joshua 1:7-9
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 22:5-6
Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.
Joshua 23:2-13
Joshua 24:14-17
Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed.
Jess, a missionary to Southeast Asia, is on the podcast sharing part of her story. She, Gwyn, and Missy also talk about persecution and suffering and what our perspective should be when we face these things.
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1 Corinthians 4:9-15
For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless[b] guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Lida is walking through how Hebrew plays into several New Testament passages, despite not being originally written in Hebrew, and how remembering that Jesus was Rabbi Jesus brings much more to the Scriptures than we may have realized.
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Matthew 9:18-22
While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly[d] the woman was made well.
Malachi 4:2
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Zephaniah 3:9
For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord
and serve him with one accord
Matthew 5:20-21
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.You have heard that it was said to those of old
Matthew 7:28
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching
Luke 24:44
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Gwyn's continuing the discussion of feasts and festivals celebrated by the Israelites as commanded and detailed in the Old Testament, focusing on the ones that would have occurred in the fall.
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Scriptures Mentioned
1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Isaiah 27:13
And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.
Resources Mentioned
Pod for Israel
Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines
Beth and Missy are discussing Priscilla Shirer's book Discerning the Voice of God and how God is speaking, we only need to be still and listen.
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Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
Lida is sharing more of her Hebrew knowledge as she dives into Psalm 119 and shows us the beauty of Jesus being our Rabbi.
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Psalm 119:9-16
Beth How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules[a] of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one
Your People Shall Be My People by Don Finta
Have you ever wondered about some of the Feasts commanded in the Old Testament? Listen today as Gwyn shares some more detail and insight into these Feasts.
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Resources Mentioned
Pod for Israel
Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps & Time Lines
Beth and Missy are turning to 1 Samuel 25 and looking at Abigail, how she was wise and discerning and how the qualities she shows are ones we should aspire to have.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
1 Samuel 25
Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Resource Mentioned:
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
This archive episode has Lida sharing her heart for Jewish people, love of the Hebrew language, and insight into the book of Ruth.
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Gwyn is outlining and summarizing the rest of the Pentateuch, giving us the who, what, when, where, and why and key verses of each book.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Leviticus 20:7-8
Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance[a] upon you and give you peace.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Narly is sharing the work she is doing with a school in her home country, Nicaragua, providing education and the gospel in this impoverished country.
Branches Worldwide
Compassion in Action
Better Life Coffee
narllys@hotmail.com
Compassion in Action
PO Box 45
Fall City, WA 98024
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Bic and Lida, sisters from the Philippines, are sharing their stories on this archive episode.
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Gwyn's discussing the end of Exodus today including diving into the Ten Commandments on this Faith Foundations episode.
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Listen today to hear how Beth and Narly were brought together for a mentorship relationship, despite one living in Nicaragua and one in Ohio, and how that God has used Beth to impact Narly.
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branchesworldwide.org
1 Chronicles 28:9
And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you.
Troy and Eric are wrapping up this archive series sharing more about their heart for the orphanage and how God weaved together their stories to use them to impact children in India.
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Gwyn's talking all about the tabernacle today, helping us understand some details about it's design and why it's important as modern day American Christians to understand it better.
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Hebrews 8:5
They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”
One for Israel
https://www.oneforisrael.org
Linda Kate is back with Beth and Missy continuing the conversation of life interrupted and relying on the steadfast love of the Lord.
Scriptures Mentioned
1 Kings 19
Lamentations 3:22-32
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust— there may yet be hope; let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults. For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
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In this archive episode, Troy and Eric are back and sharing how God brought the vision of an orphanage to minister to children in the slums of Indiana to fruition.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
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Gwyn's taking on the next section of Exodus in her Old Testament survey series.
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How do we handle it when our everyday, easy going just as planned life gets interrupted? When we're thrown a curve ball? Linda Kate is on today sharing how her life was interrupted when a health crisis occurred.
Scriptures Mentioned:
Psalm 3:3
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Isaiah 43
Resources Mentioned:
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
Grit by Angela Duckworth
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Our conversation continues with Troy and Eric! Catch up on part 1 and part 2.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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Gwyn is starting Exodus today! Tune in for her summary of the first several chapters.
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Beth and Missy are talking about Psalm 119, how the psalmist loves the word and the law of the Lord, and how grace comes into play.
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Scriptures Mentioned
Psalm 119
Matthew 5:17
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Eric, now a young man, first met Troy when he was a nine year old boy traveling through Ohio with an international children's choir. Today, he's sharing more about what it was like to come from poverty to the abundance of America and Troy is sharing how he became tour director for the choir, and found himself reuniting with Eric in India when he traveled there later.
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We're wrapping up Genesis today! Listen as Gwyn summarizes the end of Joseph's story chapter by chapter.
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Vicki is back and sharing more about Love INC and the impact it makes on lives and communities.
Contact Love INC at 330-473-6017 or loveincofghc@gmail.com
Scripture Mentioned:
Ephesians 2:4-10
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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Gwyn's getting into Joseph's story from the book of Genesis today on the podcast as she continues her series walking through the Old Testament.
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You do not want to miss these archive episodes. Your heart will be so encouraged and amazed by how our God works in ways beyond what we can imagine. Today is part one, where Troy and Eric share how they first met, and Eric shares his background of how God saved his family out a legacy of being in headhunting tribe, of being a refugee on the run, to joining a choir that took him across the world.
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Vicki Conn is at the table with Beth and Missy, sharing a bit of her story and how God stirred in her heart to start a local Love INC, an organization that works to be the hands and feet of Christ meeting needs in the community.
To learn more about Love INC, visit their website here.
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Libby, Missy, and Ellie are continuing the conversation on rejection, how to find comfort, how Jesus faced rejection, and how we are prone to reject the God we love at times.
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Psalm 13
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Gwyn's tackling the next section of Genesis as she continues her Old Testament Survey series!
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Beth and Missy are encouraging us all today to make getting in the Word a priority and giving advice on how to do just that, and how being in the Word has made all the difference in their lives.
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Ellie is back and sharing more of her young wisdom through a blog post she wrote - what the Lord has taught her about rejection and His comfort and how Psalm 13 speaks to that.
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Scripture Mentioned:
Psalm 13
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Resources Mentioned
Ellie's Blog Post
Memoirs of a Virtuous Woman
Ellie's Website
Tune in as Gwyn walks through the next section in Genesis - talking about Abraham and Issac, Jacob and Esau.
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Robert and Laurel Miller join the podcast today to talk about what they're discovering about parenting as they raise their young children. Who will you serve? Who will your household serve? Listen today and be encouraged as you choose to serve the Lord, whether you have children in the home or not.
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Missy, Libby, and Ellie are opening the word to Hosea 2 and the conversation leads to discussing how we need to return to God over and over, how in His kindness He leads us back to Him, and how when we focus on the eternal we find the most satisfaction.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Hosea 2:13-15
And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the Lord. “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[a] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Resource Mentioned:
Suffering by Paul David Tripp
We're continuing to work through the big picture of Genesis today on the podcast as Gwyn talks through chapters 9-21.
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Beth and Missy are opening up to James 5, and if you've listened to them chat before you know that's not the only place in Scripture they're turning to! Listen and be encouraged by their conversation.
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James 5:8-11
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Psalm 1
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Isaiah 26:3-4
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 43:1-4
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior, I give Egypt as your ransom,Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,
Ellie is talking with Libby and Missy about God used losing trust in a mentor, a moment of humiliation, and a medical issue within her close family all to work in her life and bring her to Himself.
See what Ellie is up to now on her website.
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Gwyn is kicking off Old Testament Survey at the beginning - going through the first 8 chapters of Genesis 8 and talking through key points.
Scriptures Mentioned:
Genesis 1-8
Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness.”
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Genesis 3:10
He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
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Becca and Missy are picking up the conversation from last week talking about the armor of God, breaking down what each part looks like practically in our lives as we deal with spiritual battles.
Listen to part 1 here
Scriptures mentioned:
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; ]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and request, [i]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, [j]be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Special guest Ellie Zumbach is at the table with Libby and Missy and they're talking about rejection, the arts, and how the creator has instilled His creativity into all of us as His image bearers.
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This episode first aired in 2016. For updated info about Ellie, visit her website elliezumbach.com
Gwyn's introducing the next series in Faith Foundations - Bible Survey. She'll be doing an overview of both the Old Testament and New Testament in the upcoming months and today's episode will give you an idea of what's to come and how having an overarching view of the Bible will help you as you learn how to study the Bible on your own.
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Rebecca and Missy are opening the Word to Ephesians 6 and in the first part of this conversation they're discussing spiritual battles in relationships with people, how Satan can use painful interactions with people we love as an attack, and how viewing that with spiritual eyes can change our perspective on these situations.
Listen to Rebecca's Story:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
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Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and request, [i]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in [l]chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Its the final conversation of the LaRed principle of forgiveness and the ladies are talking through the benefits and steps to follow, what it looks like to walk in obedience and forgive, how God can work in and through us when we do so.
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Resources Mentioned:
LaRed
The Best Yes by Lisa TerKeurst
Switch on Your Brain by Dr Caroline Leaf
The Big Story of Scripture
The Bible is the story of God’s Redemption of Man and creation.
We are made for relationship - created from it and for it, designed to reflect the image of God, who exists in relationship within the trinity. Genesis 1:26 “Then God said ‘Let us make man in our likeness.’
-Ephesians 1:4 says “God chose us in Jesus before the foundation of the world”
- 1Peter 1:18-20 describes Jesus sacrificing to be our redemption”;before the foundation of the world”
So when God says “;Let us make man in our likeness,” the love demonstrated at the cross to restore relationship was already the plan. The cross was the plan before creation. What does that mean? It means that love could best be revealed in sacrifice, redemption and choice.
-John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that
whosoever would believe in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life” This was the only way to demonstrate His love for us and that was a given before the foundation of the World.
-Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Creation as God designed it Genesis 1:1- 2:25 Things as they were
created
1 Commands given to Adam amidst Creation - Gen. 1:28, 2:15
2 One NO given - Genesis 2:17
“The Fall” from perfection and its consequences - Gen. 3:1-6 Things as they become
fallen
1 Sin brings changes to everything.
a. To Man’s relationship with God - Gen 3:7-12
b. To the Serpent Gen 3:14-15
c. To Woman Gen 3:15-16
d. to Adam Gen 3:17-19; Rom 5:12-
e. to creation Gen 3:17-19; Rom 8:19-21
2 First sacrifice to cover - Gen 3:21 Things put Right- redemption!
Redemption is and has always been the plan. The rest of the old Testament
contains shadows of the Perfect Sacrifice to come in Jesus!
-Hebrews chapter 11 “The Faith Chapter” describes the OT saints that believed in the
redemption to come.
-Galatians 3:6 So also “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness”
-James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ”Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” and he was called a friend of God.
The Ark: A boat bears Noah and 7 others to safety and newness of Life. Gen 7-9
The flood is wrath against sinful people.
Rainbow a sign of God’s promise
Command given to Adam repeated Gen 9:1
Future Redemption
-For Creation - Romans 8:19-21. The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
-For Our Bodies - Romans 8:23. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
-For All Things - Acts 3:21. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Jan West is on today sharing her story with Missy, how God has continually worked through her life through hardships and difficulties, and how He has never stopped wooing her and showing His love despite whatever circumstances she has faced.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
1 John 3:1
See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are.
Beth, Sandi, and Missy are continuing to roundtable through the principle of forgiveness, talking about how we can choose to forgive not only others but also ourselves.
Scriptures Mentioned:
Psalm 79:8-9
Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!
Hebrews 2:17
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Resource Mentioned:
LaRed
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Gwyn’s continuing from last week’s episode on the importance of the context of Scripture to understanding its meaning. She’s detailing what can go wrong when we’re trying to understand the interpretation of a passage.
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The Bible cannot mean something to us today that it did not mean to its original audience in its original context.
Barriers to Correct Interpretation by Howard Hendricks
-Language: When we interact with a English as a second Language Speaker, we feel all of the language barriers of trying to fully understand all of the meanings of different words and finding equivalent words to capture the right meaning. Original hearers of the word did not have as many struggles with this.
-Cultural: reconstruct communication, transportation, trade, agriculture, occupations, religion, perceptions of time etc. Roots of the Bible are Jewish! We map our cultural identity on scripture way too much.
-Literary: we can’t read Song of Solomon with the same, cold logic that you need to read Romans. Different types of literature: Historical, prophetic, poetry and song, and letter communication. 14 types of Literary Genres: Apocalyptic, Biographical, Encomium (sings praise), Exposition (careful reasoned argument), Narrative, Oratory, Parable, Pastoral, Poetry, Prophecy, Proverb, Satire, Tragedy, Wisdom Literature.
-Communication: as finite creatures, we can never know what is going on in someone else’ mind completely. As a result, we have to settle for limited objectives in our interpretation of Scripture and expect to have things that blow our minds.
-Faulty Interpretation: Misreading the text, distorting the text, contradicting the text,
subjectivism, relativism and overconfidence.
Five Keys to Interpretation by Howard Hendricks
-Content: Observe the text, what do I actually see?
-Context: literary, Historical, cultural, Geographical, Theological contexts
Comparison: Scripture with Scripture
Culture: Jewish feasts, Weddings, “Unclean,” sacrificial system of atonement and worship, burial customs, (eating of meat sacrificed to idols, circumcision)
-Consultation: Resource Library (Concordance, Bible Dictionaries, Bible Handbooks,
Atlases/Maps, Bible Commentaries, Etc.
Jewish Scripture are the most significant context for the New testament -example Revelations 1-3 letter to the 7 churches.
Resource Books:
The Essential Bible Handbook from Abingdon Press
Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible by J.I. Packer, M.C. Tenney
Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendericks, William D. Hendericks
Beth and Missy are at the table again talking about the importance of abiding in the Word.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
James 2:14-26
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
James 3:18
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Psalm 119:114
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Resources Mentioned:
The Bondage Breaker by Neil T Anderson
Louder than Words by Andy Stanley
Beth, Sandi, and Missy are continuing the conversation of forgiveness today and how through our obedience in forgiving each other, we also carry one another’s burdens as Paul tells us to do in Galatians 6.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Proverbs 16:6
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Galatians 6:1-10
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Gwyn’s talking about the importance of understanding Scripture within its original context and showing us what that looks like in practice.
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The Bible cannot mean something for us today that it did not mean to its orininal audience and in its original context.
Observation, Interpretation and Application
Observe the text:
identify key words and themes
who, what, when, where, how and why
make lists: What does it say about God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, the nation of Israel, us, etc.
Resources Mentioned:
The Essential Bible Handbook from Abingdon Press
Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible by J.I. Packer, M.C. Tenney
Living by the Book, Howard G. Hendericks, William D. Hendericks
Gwyn and Missy are looking at a story you may not know in Numbers 27 about the daughters of Zelophehad coming to Moses and requesting their father's inheritance and how God provides for them. They're also discussing how God has shown His love for women throughout all of Scripture and helping to make sense of how cultural times in the Bible may left us with a different impression than that.
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Numbers 27:1-11
Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers.” Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lordsaid to Moses, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers. And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’”
We're continuing the topic of forgiveness, talking through how to forgive, the process, and recognizing that forgiveness doesn't negate the severity of the offense or relinquish the offender from the consequences.
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Gwyn's sharing how many of the New Testament men lived out the great commission, enduring persecution even to the point of death.
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Peter requested to be crucified upside down. Both Peter and Paul were both eventually martyred in Rome about 66 A.D., during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded by the sword. Peter was crucified upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.
Philip had a far reaching ministry in Carthage North Africa and in Asia Minor. He converted the wife of a Roman proconsul who retaliated by having Philip arrested, scourged and thrown into prison. Afterwards he was crucified at Heliopolis, in Phrygia A.D. 54
Mattias who replaced the Betrayer Judas in the closed group of twelve apostles to Israel was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.
Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria.
Andrew was crucified by a Roman Proconsule on a X shaped cross. Andrew preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in Greece and was crucified on an “X”-shaped cross. It is known today as St. Andrew’s Cross.
James who was the pastor of the Jerusalem church; step brother of Jesus and author of the Epistle died in 62 A.D., by his fellow brethren he tried so desperately to reach. The Sanhedrin Pharisees and Sadducees assembled demanding him to declare from the galleries that Jesus was not the Messiah. He went to the roof and instead of blaspheming the name he shouted out Jesus is the Son of God and judge
of the world. Enraged the Jews hurled him off the temple he was then beaten and as he was stoned He prayed as Jesus did, “Father forgive them they know not what they do.” He finally had his life ended with a club.
James the son of Zebedee was beheaded, this is recorded in Acts 12:1-3: “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.”
Simon the Zealot was ministering in Persia, and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god according to Foxes book of Martyrs
Bartholomew(Nathaniel) ministered in Asia Minor and India. Armenian Church claimed him as their founder. tradition of the church suggests he was flayed alive in Armenia.
Matthew(Levi) went to Persia, Macedonia, Syria, Parthia, Media, and Ethiopia bringing good news to Kings.
Thomas traveled to India, suggested that he died by Spear for his faith.
James the less(son of Alphaeus): tradition suggests that he was crucified in the Sinai or in Persia or stoned to death in Jerusalem.
John the Beloved was the only disciple not to be martyred. Died in Ephesus at about 100 AD. Cared for Mary till her death. led the church from Ephesus in later times.
Resources Mentioned:
The Voice of the Martyrs
Fox's Book of the Martyrs
Missy and Gwyn are opening up the Word to Nehemiah 9 and continuing from last Monday's episode, where after God's people have finally heard the Word of God after years in captivity in Nehemiah 8. In this chapter they confess publicly and to God their sins, the natural response after hearing the Word, and leads to worshipping the Lord.
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Nehemiah 9
v1-5
Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lordtheir God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God. On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God. Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
v16-17
But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.
V29a
And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules.
V33
Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.
Beth, Missy, and Sandi are talking through the LaRed principle of forgiveness today and how victory in our lives comes through forgiving not only others but also ourselves.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Proverbs 16:6
Iniquity is atoned for by mercy and truth. Evil is avoided by reverence for God
Resources Mentioned
LaRed Principle: Forgiveness
Changes that Heal by Henry Cloud
Gwyn's carrying on the conversations about martyrs today as a testament as to why we can trust the Bible.
Listen to part 1 here
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Gwyn and Missy are opening up the Word to Nehemiah 8, giving context to what’s happened to God’s people up until this point, and how they responded to God’s Word being read.
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Nehemiah 8
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. On the second day the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.
LeeAnn sits down with Amy and her parents Bill and Carolyn again in this archive episode to talk about parenting. They chat about maintaining relationships with adult children and regrets in parenting.
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Two things that corroborate and affirm the authenticity of the Bible: Non-christian contemporary sources affirming details of the Bible and the lives of the Martyrs. The willingness of the followers of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to lay down their very lives for this new Kingdom
Heb.11:33-40
The resurrection is what the whole Church and saints of the Old Testament will share together. Being persecuted because of one's commitment to God is not foreign to the saints, it was a normal way of life for the prophets and for the saints.
In Mt. 23 Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day with 7 woes and then makes this assessment in vs.34-35: “Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, “that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” They intentionally rejected the righteous just
as their forefathers did, so Jesus attributes the guilt of all those who murdered the righteous and the prophets on them. Why so great a sentence? Because they had one before them greater than all the prophets, and saw the greatest amount of miracles and despite all the signs given they still stayed in unbelief.
In Mk.12:1-12 Jesus gave a parable teaching that God sent many servants to his vineyard (Israel) but they ended killing them until finally God said he would send his son (Vs.6-7; Lk.20:13-15). The story illustrates how the prophets were sent to their own people who rejected and killed them. The promise at the end of the story was that the vineyard would be put into the Church’s hands to cultivate. However what Israel did to their own prophets they would do to the early church. After Israel was scattered, Rome would do the same and eventually the political Roman Church itself would adopt its policy centuries later for conversion.
Jesus warned those who followed him early on in Mt. 10:17-21: “But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles...V.21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.”
The first martyr, Stephen a deacon became the first martyr because he reminded the Pharisees of their fathers rejection in the wilderness and Jesus’ words in Mt. 23. In one of the greatest and boldest recorded sermons in the Bible Stephen states in Acts 7:52 “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers.” Is it any wonder they killed him on the spot! Great Persecution: We are told by Luke, “there arose a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;” and that “they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” It is said that about two thousand Christians, suffered martyrdom during this time as Acts 11:19 tells us “those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.”
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
Beth and Missy are talking about being emotionally and spiritually healthy today and how relying on our Source allows us to be so individually and within the body.
Romans 12:3-21
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,] serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ephesians 3:7-21
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
John 15:5
Romans 15:13
Emotionally Health Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Is it okay to have doubt? Is it normal in our faith journey? What do we do when our faith isn't rock steady, when we're questioning God and the Bible? LeeAnn and Amy are having an honest conversation about doubts in their faith and sharing some stories of how God has met them in those moments.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Resources Mentioned:
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
What God’s word, Jesus and the Apostles say about the Bible:
The old testament was canonized by the time Jesus came to redeem the relationship lost in the fall. Every time Jesus quotes it, reads it or references it, he affirms its authority. The same goes for Paul, Peter and other New Testament writers.
Paul:
1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
Romans 1:1-32 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ...
2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
Jesus
Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Peter
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
2 Peter 3:16 As [Paul] does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
Acts 1:16 Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15 And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Luke 24:25-27 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
There's more heartbreak in Rebecca's story, but there's more hope too. She's sharing another final storm she weathered in her life and how she's had to walk through forgiveness.
If you've missed her previous episodes, make sure to listen to Part 1 and Part 2.
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Scripture Mentioned:
1 Peter 2:23
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Resource Mentioned:
Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lisa TerKeurst
Amy's back with her parents, Bill and Carolyn, along with LeeAnn and they're talking about a passage of Scripture that's hard to make sense of, how God can handle our questions, and what God's healing can look like in different circumstances. This conversation is raw and real and shows us that we can wrestle with what Scripture means in the hardest parts of our lives, and reminds us that God's glory and purposes are above our own and always worth seeking, no matter what that means this side of heaven. Scripture Mentioned: James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
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Today Gwyn is walking us through versions, translations, and paraphrases - what it all means and how to pick the best Bible for yourself!
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Paraphrases: restatement or summaries of a translation into modern language. often expanded for clarification. Critical qualities: can add and remove from Scripture without the reader realizing.
Translations: try to capture thought for thought. easier reading levels, for youth
Versions: more serious and scholarly translations, seeking word for word accuracy. Used for Serious Bible study.
How to Choose:
1) . Define your purpose. I am unappologetically for study Bibles. Anything that helps to unlock and open the historical
and cultural contexts
a) Study Bibles: cross references, dictionary, rear concordance, notes, select commentary, glossary of people
and places, maps, photos and charts.
-English Standard Version (ESV)
-New American Standard Bible (NASB)
-New International Version (NIV)
b) English as a second Language readers, difficulty reading.
c) children: grade level appropriate
d) chronological Bibles: fun for reading, devotional reading.
2) King James only argument
In its Day- it was created from the first collaborative translation endeavor with the largest collaborative
collection of manuscripts and source texts, with the most collaborative and scholarly team assembled to that
point. 1611 AD King James Version completed: 54 scholars are commissioned to undertake a bible translation: 6
years six teams source material: Tyndal's Bible, the Bishops Bible and available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.
So it was THE version of the day! It was at such a level that it was not revised for nearly 200 years when earlier and
more complete manuscripts were found. It remains a faithful version. However it is not the old English that makes it
sacred and it is important to understand that it is written at a 10-12th grade reading level. So feel free to switch to its
more modern form in the New King James Version which looses the "Thees and Thous"; but maintains it structure and
beauty.
The bible is the most quoted, most published, most translated and most influential book in the history of mankind.
Resources Mentioned:
Answers in Genesis article on the Apocrypha
Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines
Rebecca’s sharing another part of her story today. What happens when the person you look up to is no longer worth looking up to? What happens when what you thought was such a sure foundation begins to crumble? She talks about walking through her parents divorce as an adult and how those difficult years taught her to put God in His rightful place on the pedestal in her life.
Listen to the first part of Rebecca's story here.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
1 Peter 2:23
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Amy Schlabach and her parents talk with LeeAnn about what was like to be diagnosed as having a fatal lung disease at age 9 and living another 4 decades despite the odds, how that impacted their parenting and how Amy walked in faith despite any health challenges she faced.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Resources Mentioned
The Best Yes by Lisa Turkeurst
Gwyn picks up where she left off last week with the A.D timeline of how Scripture came together. Catch up here if you missed it!
-0-35AD life of Jesus. Jesus affirms the authority of the Old testament by quoting from it.
-100BC-450AD: The Romans had continued efforts to unify territories by building elaborate systems of roads, buildings, walls and canals. These Roads and the sea routes that were established became the routes that Christians used to carry the gospel to every corner of the known world.
-150AD: New Testament books were circulated and used enough to be referred to as the New Testament.
-200AD : Bible translated into 7 languages
-300AD: Constantine legalizes Christianity, NT books are collected and circulated. OT and NT canon confirmed.
-300 - 1400 Vellum and parchment were used to make copies of the bible. oldest vellum 325-350.
-382: Jerome translation called Latin Vulgate 23 years. Jerome is credited with assembling the full Bible and making full copy translation
-400AD full 27 books listed and affirmed by east and west church; the three church elders (Athanasius, Jerome and Augustine and 3 church counsels)
-500-900AD: Masoretes copy Hebrew scriptures- elaborate system to assure accuracy of copying.
-500AD: translated into 13 languages
-500-900 AD Dark ages: Bible only available in the Latin Vulgate and only organized clergy had access to the limited handwritten copies. lost a connection to the contextual cultural heritage of the original audience of scripture.
-Cultural sin to read the Bible for himself or try to understand the scriptures.
-900AD: Bible translated into 17 languages
-1300AD (1382) first English Bible Wycliffe Bible
-Wycliffe Bible banned and burned. John W. body is exhumed and burnt 40 yrs after death.
1400 Bible translated into 28 languages
1408 illegal to translate the Bible into common English without Bishops approval
1455 Gutenberg Printing Press: Gutenberg Bible is the first book ever printed.
1516: Erasmus priest and Greek scholar (goal was to get the bible into the hand of every farmer and weaver) accurate Latin translation: used by Martin Luther
1522: Martin Luther translates the NT into German.
William Tyndale early 1500 committed to putting the Bible into the everyday language of the English speaking people. Opposition: shipwreck, loss of manuscripts, secret agents, betrayal by friends, succeeded but captured, imprisoned, strangled and burned.
Lots of rough years for Bible translators wanting English Bible.
1611 AD King James Version completed: 54 scholars are commissioned to undertake a Bible translation: 6 years, six teams. Source material: Tyndale’s Bible, the Bishops Bible and available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.
1629-1947 several of the earliest known copies of the Bible were found.
1692 codex Alexandrinus - from 400ad - best copy of revelation.- made available to western scholars.
1870 KJV revised to use better Greek and Hebrew texts and to retranslate words based on new info about ancient Hebrew.
1947 The Dead Sea Scrolls: copied around 100BC(1,000 years earlier)
Rebecca Studer shares the first part of her story today and how God sustained her through the loss of a dear family member. Her heart is one of hope and encouragement despite life’s difficulties.
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Scriptures mentioned:
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,”
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Godthat is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 43:2a
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
Mark 4:35-41
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Beth sits down at the table again with Dan Owolabi again on this archive episode and this time is joined by her own son, Clay as they discuss courage in leadership. Courage for women in leadership, courage for using the gifts God has given you, courage in leaders across the world in the ministry Dan does with Branches Worldwide, and courage to make mistakes and learn from them.
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Resources Mentioned:
www.branchesworldwide.org
www.danowolabi.org
Authentic Leadership by Dan Owolabi
How to Lead When You're Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins
Scriptures Mentioned:
1 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Psalm 139:13-14a
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Romans 12:3-8
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members,[e] and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Gwyn breaks down what the Canon of Scripture means, the criteria for books in the Bible to be included, and the timeline for how the Bible was put together in today's episode.
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The Bible is a collection or Canon of 66 books
The Books of the Bible were collected and arranged and recognized as inspired sacred Authority by councils of Rabbis and Councils of early church leaders based on careful guidelines.
The following is the criteria for a written work to be canonized by the church:
-Apostolic Authority: the book must be written or co-authored by the Holy Spirit. This can
means they must be written by one of the 12 disciples or under the authority or
guidance of one of the disciples. (Because of this Paul counts as a disciple because he
was appointed by the resurrected Jesus, and Mark although he is not a disciple he is
considered Peter’s secretary and side-kick.). Must be close to source.
-Antiquity: must be old enough to be apostolic.
-Orthodoxy: Must teach the right thing. Does the writing match up to the apostle? To test
it must hold true to the teachings of the church the apostle started.
-Catholicity: Universal. Must be universally recognized by all churches.
It should be an incoherent and disorganized mess. But it has a unified message from start to finish!
The Bible was written in the common language of each generation - OT Hebrew and Aramaic and the NT Greek(Koine’). God intended it to be accessible to every person regardless of their background and social status.
Timeline
-500BC Old Testament was gathered by Ezra(450BC)Nehemiah 8:1
-450-325BC: The Greeks(Koine’): When Alexander the Great marched through Asia on his way to India, he and his men passed on a hick version of common language.
-200-100 BC: The Septuagint: Greek translations of the old testament by Jewish Scholars in Alexandria, Egypt.
-200- Books arranged by subject.
-90BC Jewish Scholars remove the Apocrypha. and affirm the 39 OT books
-0-35AD life of Jesus. Jesus affirms the authority of the Old testament by quoting from it.
-100BC-450AD: The Romans had continued efforts to unify territories by building elaborate systems of roads, buildings, walls and canals. These Roads and the sea routes that were established became the routes that Christians used to carry the gospel to every corner of the known world.
Missy shares her faith journey today on the podcast, which is one of grit and grace. She and Beth will also encourage you as they talk about how it doesn't matter how many times you've failed at being consistent in the Word, God's ready and waiting for you to open up the Word and come to Him in prayer.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Psalm 139:13-17
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Dan Owolabi is back on this archive episode and we're talking about what it looks like to impact others, what characteristics you can see in a leader, and how to use that influence for Jesus. Find us on Facebook and Instagram Sign up for our newsletter here Send us a message to openthewordpodcast@gmail.com
Scriptures Mentioned: John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Resources Mentioned: Dan's book is out now! Buy it here and for more from Dan check out his website https://owolabileadership.com https://www.branchesworldwide.org https://www.myfathersdaughter.com https://globalpriority.org https://lared.org
All of us have at least heard of the game of Telephone, where a message is passed down the line and the end message is compared with the original one. The results are always vastly changed and often hilariously bizarre. This game displays clearly what some call "Human Error" or human tendency to make mistakes. So what about the Bible? How much human error is there? Is what I read what was originally written? Can I be confident? This podcast is the continuation of the discussion of the survival of scripture through the meticulous care of scribes. Take a listen. By comparing what we have now with the oldest copies and fragments found, we can verify the accuracy of the copy process. The older copies are closer to those original documents we talked about earlier called Autographs. The Bible has an overwhelming amount of manuscripts and fragments compared to other books of Antiquity.
Dead sea scrolls gave us full manuscripts of all of the old testament except Esther, and in some cases multiple copies (Deuteronomy 25). These manuscripts were 1000 years older than the oldest we had and provide overwhelming evidence in support of the faithfulness of the Jewish scribes. When the dead sea scrolls were compared to their 1,000 year older counterparts there were no significant differences.
The oldest NT manuscripts we have are within 25 years of the last Autographs, with 24,000 copies and 99% accuracy. Compare that with Homer’s Iliad with a 500 year time span, 643 copies, and 95% accuracy.
See charts of the Bible compared to other books of antiquity here and here References and Resources: answersingenesis.org The canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce ISBN # 13 978-0-8308-1258-5 The Indestructible Book: The Bible, Its Translators, and their Sacrifices (1996) by W. Kenneth Connolly, who also has a documentary available on DVD on the same topic. The Complete Guide to Bible Versions (1991) by Philip Wesley Comfort
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Beth shares her story today on the podcast, how the foundation of her faith was laid by her parents although she didn’t start building upon it until years later. She and Missy talk about how sharing our stories encourage authenticity with one another, how it encourages one another as a testimony of God’s faithfulness and work throughout our lives, how it allows us to truly do live together. They dive into Daniel’s story as well and how we have the choice to participate in the story God has for us.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Genesis 11:27-12:4
Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot. Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his kindred, in Ur of the Chaldeans. And Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and Iscah. Now Sarai was barren; she had no child. Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
Joshua 24:15
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Resources Mentioned:
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Dan Owolabi, teacher turned pastor turned executive director for international non-profit that empowers leaders globally is on today’s episode from the archives sharing about his ministry, his background, and how being connected to the one true vine allows us to branch out and impact our circle of influence.
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Resource Mentioned:
www.branchesworldwide.org
Scriptures Mentioned:
John 15:1-9
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples
Psalm 3:3
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Join Gwyn for a discussion of what makes the Bible more than just another book. You may have heard that scripture is God-breathed, but what does that mean? How did more than 40 men with such diverse lives, over that 1500 year span, manage to put together such a diverse yet seamless book with a perfectly harmonized message? Furthermore, how did it survive?
Inspiration
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God Breathed or “Inspired by God” and profitable for...
All scripture is viewed to have come from God to be his words. God moved in the heart of men, telling them what he wanted recorded and those men wrote it down.
Hebrews 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to our forefathers, through the prophets at many times and in various ways, prophets in the Bible spoke the messages that God had for the people.
2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origins in the human will but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The term “carried along” is used in Mark 2:3 of a paralyzed man being carried along by 4 men. The writers were carried along much like a paralyzed man was without using his own initiative. It was God’s message from the beginning when he told Moses to start recording things. One book called it Dual Authorship. The idea is that the character and background of the man penning the book, lends an accent but the message is God’s alone.
Scribes and Copying Accuracy
The prophets originally wrote on Papyrus paper glued together into long scrolls. These originals are called Autographs and had very short life spans. Therefore, copies needed to be made. The Jewish Scribes copying the text recognized it as God’s Word and had dedicated their lives to full time copying of the scriptures meticulously. Transcribing them was a hallowed duty and an awesome responsibility that they carried out with meticulous care. They used every conceivable safeguard to ensure the most accurate copy.
In 586 B.C., Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonians. The Temple was looted and then destroyed by fire.
The Jews were exiled.
About 70 years later, the Jewish captives returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. According to the Bible, Ezra recovered a copy of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) and read it aloud to the whole nation.
From then on, the Jewish scribes solidified the following process for creating copies of the Torah and eventually other books in the Old Testament.
- They could only use clean animal skins, both to write on, and even to bind manuscripts.
- Each column of writing could have no less than forty-eight, and no more than sixty lines.
- The ink must be black, and of a special recipe.
- They must verbalize each word aloud while they were writing.
- They must wipe the pen and wash their entire bodies before writing the word “Jehovah” every time they wrote it.
- There must be a review within thirty days, and if as many as three pages required corrections, the entire manuscript had to be redone.
- The letters, words, and paragraphs had to be counted, and the document became invalid if two letters touched each other.
- The documents could be stored only in sacred places
- No copies of God's Word could be destroyed and were stored in synagogues or cemetaries.
Gwyn continues sharing her journey to adopt her two children on today's episode, detailing how God perfectly orchestrated how all the pieces fell together and what walking through the adoption process was like.
Miss the first part of her story? Take a listen to it here!
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Ephesians 1:3-11
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insightmaking known ]to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christas a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.
LeeAnn, Jennie, Naomi, and Missy sit down again and talk about what it looks like to bridge the gap between generations, what happens when you invite younger women into your home and pour into their lives. And on the flipside, what happens when you seek wisdom and mentorship with an older woman. They also dive into handling loneliness and finding fulfillment in singleness.
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Scriptures mentioned:
Titus 2:3-5
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
John 5:1-9
Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
Series 100: Why We Can Trust the Bible This series is an introduction to the Bible. It is designed to give an overview of how the Bible came to be; how it was assembled, copied and translated throughout history. This is not just for new believers! No matter what your background is with the Bible, take a listen and let this information inspire awe at the length God has gone to speak into the lives of his people and preserve that message tangibly. Sit in awe of the Word of God. Its creation is miraculous! Its preservation is astounding and its message is breathtaking! Faith Foundations 101: Intro to the Bible, The Miraculous Book! Written over 1,600 years (OT 1500-400BC) and (NT 45-100AD) Written over 40 generations Written by over 40 different authors from all walks of life (Leaders, Kings, peasants, philosophers, prophets, Rabbi, fisherman, herdsman, military general, cup-bearer, prime-minister, tax-collector, doctor, and musician) Broad educational training: ranging from basic education to the highest of Royal Educations Written in the wilderness, dungeon, hillside, palace, prison, exile on the isle of Patmos, while traveling and even during war. Written on 3 different continents: Asia, Africa and Europe 3 different languages (OT - Hebrew and Aramaic, NT Greek) The bible is a collection of 66 total books Divided into the Old testament and New Testament. Old Testament: 39 Books also Known as the Hebrew Bible. (different order but same content) 5 different categories of books: Pentateuch, Historical, Poetry/Wisdom, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets. Pentateuch: First 5 books (called the Torah by the Jews) written by Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) Historical: 12 (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) Poetry/Wisdom: 5 (Job, Psalms. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) Major Prophets: 5 (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel) Major because of the length of the books not the message or quality. Minor Prophets: 12 (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. New Testament: 27 Books (5 categories: Gospels, History, Paul’s Letters, General letters, Prophetic) Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Eye-witness accounts of the Life and ministry of Christ from different perspectives. Matthew: Jesus is the long awaited Jewish KIng and Messiah. Jesus qualifies by birth to be both the King and priest. Mark: Jesus is the suffering son of man sent to serve Luke: Luke was a physician and He wrote to show Jesus as the Savior of the World who has compassion for all humans. John: wrote to show Jesus as the Son of God, The Word made flesh History: Acts - Acts of the apostles written by Luke. This is the History of the Early Church Paul’s letters: (Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.) They were written to a specific audience and address current issues going on within the Church Community. When reading an epistle, it is very helpful to research the city, culture and audience as well as the author. Remember scripture cannot mean something for us that it did not mean to its original audience and context. General Letters: Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, 1,2&3 John, Jude (letters not written by Paul) Prophetic: Revelations Resources: Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps and Timelines Living By the Book by Howard Hendricks and William Hendricks
Gwyn shares the first part of her story today how God led her to adoption through foster care and we look at how adoption is at the heart of all our stories. We have been called the children of God, through His great love for us. God has adopted us into His family and we are His. And so whether God has called us to individual adopt children into our homes or not, He has called us to share His heart in caring for orphans and supporting adoption in the ways that we can.
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Scripture Mentioned Ephesians 1:5-6 He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. James 1:7 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
There is something so special about spending time with women of different generations. Relationships with peers and those in the same season of life are great, but there is so much to glean, so much to gain when we stop categorizing ourselves as married or single, Baby Boomer or Gen Z, working mom or stay at home mom, or whatever other category women find themselves in. We miss out on so much when we limit ourselves by not reaching out to women from all generations and all walks of life.
In today’s episode from the archives Missy and LeeAnn sit down with Jennie and Naomi to share in a rich conversation between women, younger and older, about being in a season of singleness, finding gratitude, and managing social media.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of you heart.
1 Samuel 16
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Resource Mentioned:
Let’s All Be Brave by Annie Downs
https://shopanniefdowns.com/collections/books/products/lets-all-be-brave
Do you know on average how many Christians actually read the Bible for themselves? How many believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife? The reality of how many professing Christians don’t know and aren’t in the Word is startling, and so Gwyn breaks down some of the ways we’ve gotten to this point and how crucial it is for everyone to be confident in their knowledge of these faith foundations. Today’s episode will cover what to expect from these upcoming Faith Foundations and how they’ll be beneficial to you, whether you’re a new believer and don’t know where to start, whether it’s been a while since you’ve studied these topics, or whether you’re a mentor looking for a good discipleship resource.
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Scriptures Mentioned:
2 TImothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Joshua 1:8
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Resources Mentioned:
Albert Mohler Jr’s article on Biblical Illiteracy
https://answersingenesis.org/christianity/scandal-biblical-illiteracy/
Inductive Bible Study
https://www.navigators.org/resource/inductive-bible-study
Today we’re talking about why opening the Word with friends adds so much richness to our lives, how it grows our faith and deepens our relationships, and encouraging you to do the same.
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Scriptures mentioned:
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
Romans 7:15-19
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
Colossians 2:6-8
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Resources mentioned:
What Great Ministry Leaders Get Right
https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/what-great-ministry-leaders-get-right-P008015055
https://thisismosaic.org
We had to bring back this conversation Libby (longtime radio host for Circle of Friends) and Missy had with Batha. Batha is a young woman who came from Zimbabwe to spend a year in rural Ohio through the International Volunteer Exchange Program. Be encouraged as she shares a bit of her story, how she found herself in America, how she came to Jesus and how He used her time here to grow her relationship with him, and the Scripture she holds tight to during every season of life.
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Today we meet Gwyn and introduce Faith Foundations! Faith Foundations will be different series going through some deeper understandings of the Bible, such as why we can trust it, the structure of the Bible, looking at the Old Testament and the New Testament, and even delving into topics like the Trinity or Christianity compared to other religions.
Gwyn shares her story on today's podcast, how she came to faith and grew in her love for Jesus and a love for the Bible. You don't want to miss this episode!
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At Forty...something, Gwyn McCaslin has been on the adventure of a lifetime that began when she surrendered her life to Jesus as a young girl. She discovered the Joy of God's word in her teens and decided to follow Jesus anywhere, at any time, with or without anyone. At every turn, she has seen God's provision in extraordinary ways, beyond what she could ask or imagine!
She has been blessed to have served 2 years as a full time missionary with the Navigators EDGE Corps, counseled for more than a decade as a Christian Marriage and Family Therapist, and assisted as a Radio Host for over 6 years. The adventure changed a bit six years ago, when Gwyn chose to embrace instant-motherhood, as a single woman, through foster care and eventually the adoption of her children. In all of this, she considers it a sacred privilege to be allowed to enter into a person's deepest pain and join them as they seek God in their brokenness. No matter where God leads, she will probably be teaching scripture and loving on people, leading them to Jesus' feet to learn and grow and heal!
Christians have been known as "people of the Book" for generations. Judges 2:10 says, " After that generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel." The research is out. Rising is a generation of "Christians" who need someone to inspire and encourage them to Open the Word and discover all that God's Word is. The heart behind Wednesday's Faith Foundations is to awaken respect and confidence in the Bible and inspire future generations to learn how to read and study the scriptures. These podcast series are designed as a resource to aid in the spiritual formation and growth of the church.
It is only by being in the Word faithfully and hiding the Word within our hearts that we are able to discern the Truth from the lies. Only this will allow us to have a secure foundation of faith in the face of increasing fear, uncertainty and hostility. It is Gwyn's hope to inspire rising generations to rediscover the Bible and truly become "People of the Book" who live lives that display God's splendor.
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It’s our first podcast!
Join us today as we debut Open the Word with Circle of Friends. Whether you’ve listened for years on the radio or whether you’ve discovered us for the first time, we’re glad you’re here. Today we introduce ourselves and our heart behind the podcast and give you some insight on what to expect.
Some background on who we are:
Circle of Friends started out of an accountability group and grew into a ministry of encouragement to women. At its heart, it has always encouraged women to be in the Word of God in order to grow and live out their faith.
Beth Beechy is one of the founders of Circle of Friends Ministries. Radio Host and mentor for more than a decade, Beth continues to pour into the lives of women thru Radical Mentoring, Branches Worldwide and local Bible Studies. Wife, momma of five adult children, two of them married, and grandma to three adorable grandsons, Beth lives each day loving her Savior, grateful for the privilege of prayer, the Word of God, and the everyday blessings He bestows.
Gwyn McCaslin came to faith as a young girl, eventually going on staff with the Navigators before completing her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. As a single woman, she embraced motherhood through foster care and adoption. Having exited the world of secular counseling, her passion is to teach the Word of God to the younger generation. She has been a Circle of Friends radio host for almost a decade. She continues to serve through teaching and discipling women in the Word of God through her local church.
Missy Horsfall, a pastor’s wife for more than thirty years, has hosted and produced Circle of Friends radio for over a decade. Co-author of several books, including fiction titles Love Me Back to Life and Legacy of Fools, and non-fiction Can You Tell This is a Knock0ff, Finding Your Identity in Christ, she has also blogged and contributed to numerous devotional books. Wife, mother, and Mia to over twelve grandchildren, Missy’s heart is to encourage women to love and follow Christ.
We can't wait for the podcast to officially launch, but until then here's a little preview of what's to come on Open the Word!