The Sinner and The Saint

It's never to late to come to God. We're all sinners, some of us just hide it better than others. Are you holding on to one last secret...afraid that God will never forgive you? Perhaps you've had an interaction that left you thinking,"If this is what being a Christian looks like, I'll pass!" Or maybe you are a Christian and you can't seem to get it just right. T...

What we experience on the mountain top, valley and during rest. 

Let’s be honest. Sin is fun – for a little while, anyway. Whether it’s participating in a little gossip, making decisions without including your husband, taking that item from the office they will never miss anyway, surfing a website that is “inappropriate” or indulging in one more glass of wine that puts you over the top – it can feel good and be fun for the moment, but quickly that feeling is go...

This week we are looking at what I’ve numbered as the 17-19 (out of 22) commandments/guidelines Paul lists on how to live our lives worthy of the gospel. 1 Thessalonians 5:11:25 (17) test everything; and (18) hold fast to what it good (19) Abstain from every form of evil. (Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the...

Do not despise prophecies (ESV) Do not treat prophecies with contempt (NIV) don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master (MSG) 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Prophecy is defined as “the foretelling or prediction of what is to come, something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation; a divinely inspired utterance or revelation” 

1 Thessalonians 5:11-25. This week we are looking at what I’ve numbered the15th (out of 22) commandment/guideline Paul lists on how to live our lives worthy of the gospel. (15) Do not quench the Spirit.  I have pondered these five words for hours and many thoughts have rolled through my head. If we define quench and Spirit and then reread these five words it does so much to deepen our understandin...

Taking a break from our current podcast mini-series on 1 Thessalonians 5 to tackle a great question from a listener.  How do we find balance between loving like Jesus and sharing the truth of God's word?  [Translation: How do we treat others kindly when we really want to smack them upside the head? ] It just so happens to pair nicely with our discussion on how to live in this crazy world as a...

“Sometimes we are looking forward to and planning on the blueberry pie (what we want) but God is busy at work making a cherry pie (He desires and plans). Rest in knowing either outcome is very sweet, but how pleasing it must be to Him to relish that cherry pie!” (12) Rejoice always, (13) pray without ceasing, (14) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for yo...

Seriously, if I had a quarter for every time I have said, “Please treat people how you want to be treated – NOT how they treat you.” to my children, I would have enough money to dig 20 wells in Africa. You may say this as often as I do, however, my question for us today is do we live this out? And if so, how? It’s so easy to say these words until someone drives by you, blares his horn, and gives y...

And we urge you, brothers, (6) admonish the idle, (7) encourage the fainthearted, (8) help the weak, (9) be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-25 When it comes to dealing with the disease of distrust and sin, we can wear sunscreen (armor) to protect us from ever contracting cancer in the first place. That is what the word of God does for us. It protects our hearts and minds, keeping our a...

Can you imagine the peace this would bring to those we know and who serve us? This week, let’s consider how we can respect and love those who encourage us and teach us through the word of God. I have a list of people who have helped me grow in Christ. How about you? Therefore (1) encourage one another and (2) build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to (3) respect those w...

Are you better at giving encouragement or receiving it? Both are important and can play out in different ways in our lives.  Therefore (1) encourage one another and (2) build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to (3) respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and (4) to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. (5) Be at...

Balancing the reverence of an all-powerful God with the grace He gives. This is a deep one folks. We get tongue-tied, tears well up in our eyes, and we are deeply humbled as we discuss the deep love our God has for us. 

Why is it so difficult to forgive ourselves and others? What are the benefits & pitfalls of forgiveness?

What do do when God goes silent. In the church, people often talk about how they feel as if they are in the desert. It's like God is social distancing from them. They aren't experiencing His presence or peace as they have in the past.  In this episode, we explore the benefits of the desert. 

I don't have any gold statues I worship, so I know I don't have any idols . . . . that's not true. In this episode, we explore what idols are and discover that we all have them. 

The Bible warns us about our minds. To defeat the enemy, it helps to know what we are up against.  The Bible tells us (or should I say warns us) that the mind is wicked, sinful, depraved, deceived, easily led astray and worldly. Check out these verses for yourself – Romans 1:28, 12:2, 7:21-23, Ephesians 4:23 and 2 Cor. 11:3.  Filling your mind with the truth of who you are in Christ and what He ha...

What is God's whisper? Is it real and does He still talk to us like He did in the Bible? Check out the bonus material ! Includes YouTube video and discussion/ journal questions. We also referenced a book written by our very own Allison Cain. Access all of her studies here !

What is balance, how do we achieve it and maintain it? Check out our bonus material on YouTube !

Putting up healthy boundaries and learning to say no to things can be difficult. We have some great tips! Looking for more resources? Check out our YouTube channel for more material on this topic! In the podcast, Allison gives a book recommendation check it out here . 

How do you find good friends? Is it like speed dating?

Dealing with loneliness in a busy world! Check out the bonus material on our YouTube Channel ! 

Ever heard someone say, "I've been wrestling with God!"? What the heck does that mean anyway? Additional resources for this podcast can be found on our YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/xY7gNSmOTVg

We interrupt this regularly scheduled podcast for a little encouragement! 

Today we tackle one of the top questions asked by Christians and non-Christians. . . Why Do Good Things happen to Bad People? Watch the bonus video and find the discussion questions on YouTube!