We have all struggled at some point to understand God's will and purpose for our lives. And in different seasons, we may also feel like we are missing out, forgotten or doing less important work than what He has for us. That simply isn't true!
God's will is at work all the time and He invites us to join Him. We miss out on His will when we don't accept those invitations. He gives us assignments in life that fulfill His will in our life and in our world.
God is inviting you to fulfill His purpose for your life in the assignments He is placing around you. You are not too young, too old, too late, and you don't need to do it perfectly. You are right where you are supposed to be.
If you are in the middle of God's will, you are never missing out, forgotten, or doing work that is less than. Be faithful with the assignments He gives you because you never know where they will lead you.
In this episode, you will hear Candace and Heather discuss:
Do you ever feel like you are trying to figure everything out and don't even know where to start? We have something special just for you this season. We want to help you discover how your gifts, talents, and experiences can equip you to face whatever season of life you are in. Download our FREE guide that will help you discover right where you belong.
Head to Candace.com/ to download the FREE guide, and to order Heather's latest book, Right Where You Belong.
For all things mentioned in this episode head over to https://ccbpodcast.com/episodes/season-2/01
Thank you to this season's sponsors:
AccessMore https://www.accessmore.com/
Great American Family https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/
During today's conversation on Back Porch Theology we're going to spend some quality time with Apostle Paul, the chief bully of ancient believers who was so gob-smacked by grace on the way to Damascus that he experienced a radical conversion, went on to write at least 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament, and laid the foundation for what we now call systematic theology. Eminent Pauline scholar F.F. Bruce describes his dramatic transformation from anti-Christian crusader to Christian missionary like this: "With astonishing suddenness the persecutor of the church became the apostle of Jesus Christ. He was in mid-course as a zealot for the law, bent on checking a plague which threatened the life of Israel, when, in his own words, he was 'apprehended by Christ Jesus' and constrained to turn right round and become a champion of the cause, which up to that moment, he had been endeavoring to exterminate, dedicated henceforth to building up what he had been doing his best to demolish." Paul's striking turn-about proves that in the spiritual realm old dogs can most certainly learn new tricks and more importantly, our Savior can mold the hardest of human hearts into the beautiful shape of God and others-honoring humility. I think today is going to provide some much-needed fresh encouragement for those of you who've been tempted to give up praying for a precious, albeit hard-hearted, loved one in your corner of the world. So please grab a cup of coffee and your Bible - unless you're driving or cleaning the keyboard of your laptop with a Q-tip, of course - and come hang out on the porch with us!
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I have Mark Batterson with me today and he's got a new book coming out titled, "Please, Sorry, Thanks: The Three Words That Change Everything" on April 4th 2023! In today's episode we reminisce old times spent together, dive into topics discussed in his new book and share lots of laughs along the way.
Mark serves as the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC and is the author of 23 books including the New York Times bestselling The Circle Maker.
Follow Bob: @bobgoff
Follow Mark: @markbatterson
Purchase "Please, Sorry, Thanks: The Three Words That Change Everything"
So often God calls us to go to places we don't want to go and do things we might not be inclined to do. In this episode, Christine Caine reminds us that just because something is hard or inconvenient doesn't mean it's bad or isn't from God. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us along the way because we can't achieve our calling all on our own. This episode will empower you to stay faithful in the process - even when it's uncomfortable - so you can step up and into your destiny.
Get your free Episode Reflection Guide here.
During today's conversation on Back Porch Theology we're going to talk about the spirit of radical generosity that permeated the early church in the book of Acts. Those ancient Christ-followers were so gifted at giving, they made Santa look bush league! In fact, the very first time the Greek word koinonia - which means a close fellowship between people, emphasizing what is common between them and is defined by participation, sharing, and contribution - is used for the first time in the New Testament in the book of Acts to describe the benevolent community that existed among Christ-followers. Andrew Murray, who was a Scottish missionary, pastor, and author in the late 19th & early 20th century framed the theme of today's conversation with his keen observation: The world asks, "What does a man own?" Christ asks, "How does he use it?" Whether at home, work, or church - true community is a place where people are generous and devoted to one another's well-being. And if you haven't found a community quite like that, we hope this episode might just motivate you to start one! So please grab a cup of coffee and your Bible - unless you're driving or spray-painting Pickleball lines in your driveway, of course - and come hang out on the porch with us!
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Check out Lisa's new study on Luke at ChurchSource.com/Luke
Save on the Dwell Bible App at dwellapp.io/LisaHarper
What are some things in life that you're too afraid to ask for in fear of disappointment?
In this episode of 'Get Your Hopes Up,' Christy Wright encourages you to boldly ask God for the desires of your heart, while reminding you about the importance of not diluting the dreams that God has given you. She also shares that often times when you try to shield yourself from disappointment, you're actually keeping yourself from seeing God's faithfulness on full display in your life.
Don't forget that new episodes come out every Monday so be sure to subscribe so you never miss one.
You can stay in touch with Christy Wright on Instagram at @christybwright or online at www.christywright.com.
"When I Talk to God, I Talk About You" is available now at PenguinRandomHouse.com
Has pain, disappointment, or failure brought you to a place of hurt, anger, or disgust? Do you feel stuck and find it hard to hold onto faith? In this episode, Christine Caine reminds us that there will be seasons and situations in life we won't understand, but that doesn't mean hope is lost. There remains a path forward. And this episode will empower you to look at your circumstances from a whole new perspective as you live with childlike faith.
Get your free Episode Reflection Guide here.
We have all struggled at some point to understand God's will and purpose for our lives. And in different seasons, we may also feel like we are missing out, forgotten or doing less important work than what He has for us. That simply isn't true!
God's will is at work all the time and He invites us to join Him. We miss out on His will when we don't accept those invitations. He gives us assignments in life that fulfill His will in our life and in our world.
God is inviting you to fulfill His purpose for your life in the assignments He is placing around you. You are not too young, too old, too late, and you don't need to do it perfectly. You are right where you are supposed to be.
If you are in the middle of God's will, you are never missing out, forgotten, or doing work that is less than. Be faithful with the assignments He gives you because you never know where they will lead you.
In this episode, you will hear Candace and Heather discuss:
Do you ever feel like you are trying to figure everything out and don't even know where to start? We have something special just for you this season. We want to help you discover how your gifts, talents, and experiences can equip you to face whatever season of life you are in. Download our FREE guide that will help you discover right where you belong.
Head to Candace.com/ to download the FREE guide, and to order Heather's latest book, Right Where You Belong.
For all things mentioned in this episode head over to
https://ccbpodcast.com/episodes/season-2/01
Thank you to this season's sponsors:
AccessMore https://www.accessmore.com/
Great American Family https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/
We're taking your questions on Hey It's the Luskos! We're talking fasting, the moon (of course), wilderness seasons, grief, holidays, living together outside of marriage, and more!
Connect with us on social!
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
Fresh Life Summer Internship: freshlife.church/internship
Today is our 12th and final biblical pearl for Season 1 of our Pearls Podcast. How in the world do we finish this season? What is the biblical pearl to leave you with for now? How do we end such a rich and generous season in the Word of God together? How do we get up from the biblical table and live forward into our lives today?
I spent quite a bit of time in prayer thinking through what the 12th pearl would be. What is ONE more thing in the "better than" Story of the Bible that I would want impart to you, bless you and wash you with today?
In today's final episode, our biblical pearl is located in John 14: 1-6. These are words in red - the words of Jesus given to his disciples at the Last Supper right before crucifixion and resurrection. It's about to go down and he knows it. What will some of his final words be at this final meal before the Garden of Gethsemane, arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection?
Today we are going to learn about the beit av - the house of the father. THIS is some of the encouragement Jesus chose to give his disciples in this final meal and final hours. The imagery and metaphor, the deep meaning that these words would have held for Jesus and his disciples 2,000 years ago speaks a WORD to us in our own lives today. The promise that Jesus speaks of in these verses are a right now promise for you and me today.
No matter what's going on in your life, now matter how high or low, how deep into sadness, ruin and loss - we are headed to the Father's House.
As we end Season 1 of Pearls, I pray these words get worked into your soul like yeast into dough. Shalom to you and your families.
Pearls sponsored in part by Dwell Bible App. Save 30% off Dwell for Life at DwellApp.io/Pearls.
Picture this: you are at a symphony and the musicians begin playing. But something sounds off, and you quickly realize that everyone is playing the same instrument and following the same note pattern. That wouldn't be the most beautiful piece of music you listen to, right? Because what makes a symphony so beautiful is all the different instruments playing together using different melodies, harmonies, and notes that create a song.
The same can be said about the body of Christ. We are all part of the body of Christ; but if we all had the same gifts, talents, and skills we would be a robot instead of a body. Within the body of Christ we are all called to one mission: be like Jesus.
What does it mean to "be like Jesus?" Jesus said that we demonstrate Him to the world by loving people like He loves people. And the way He loved people was scandalous. It was counter cultural. He loved everyone as they were; including the people who were different from Him, enemies to the land He walked, and even the outcasts.
He calls us to be a bridge builder to everyone; including those who are different from us. The best part is that there is always something we can learn from someone who doesn't see the same way we do. It shouldn't stop us from loving them well.
This conversation wraps up Season 1 with Candace and Tara-Leigh Cobble, but there is a BONUS episode available for those who purchase a ticket to the live event on February 16 (whether in person or via livestream). You can still grab a ticket and get the bonus episode!
In this episode, you will hear Candace and Tara-Leigh discuss:
Scripture Memory of the Season:
1 John 5:1-6 (CSB) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of him. This is how we know that we love God's children; when we love God and obey His commands. For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. And His commands are not a burden, because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. Who is the one who conquers the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus Christ--he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
For all things mentioned in this episode head over to https://ccbpodcast.com/episodes/season-1/016
You'll find a link for "He's Where The Joy" Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, and at Candace.com can submit questions to Candace and Tara-Leigh to be answered in a special private livestream event February 16, 2023.
Thank you to this season's sponsors:
AccessMore https://www.accessmore.com/
Great American Family https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/
Have you ever considered how God knits together two lives to become one? In this episode, Janice & EJ share the holy and hilarious story of how God took them from teenage friends to the loves of each other's lives. It wasn't a straight line, but life with God rarely is. You'll see that there is great gain in learning to wait and trust the Lord in the areas of love and relationships. New episodes drop every Monday, so be sure to subscribe so you never miss one!
Today's episode is loaded with goodness and I'm so excited to string biblical pearls together with you yet again. We will learn about Jewish discipleship in Jesus' world 2,000 years ago. What did it mean to follow a rabbi? What did discipleship look like in that ancient Jewish world? Discipleship was less about simply knowing your rabbi and much more about walking so closely to your rabbi that the dust of his feet got all over you.
We will look at the Hebraic meaning of "shalom" which is much deeper, richer and more textured than simply meaning "peace". How does one experience shalom? By walking the path of the Living God. Shalom is found on the path. Chaos is experienced when we get off the path.
Today we will look at one of the most famous and most familiar passages in the New Testament but we will look at it through the Middle Eastern lens. It's another water story, yet different from any of the pearls in our previous episodes. Today we will cover the story of Peter walking on water, and we are getting ready to learn that he is the only disciple who got it right in that moment.
Many of us have grown up with some sense of daily Bible reading. Some call it a "quiet time," while others think of it as daily Bible study or Bible reading. The Scriptures are a feast. They are meant to be experienced, taken into our hearts and lives, trusting they will do their work in us.
The Jewish people refer to their daily ready of Scripture as the daily parashah. Parashah carries the idea of "portion." Daily Bible reading is like eating our daily parashah or portion of biblical food.
Today we are going to look at the water stories of the Bible within their ancient cultural context. Believe it or not we are going to string pearls from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 21 & 22. How did the Jewish people and ancient world view water? What were the waters in Genesis 1? What does it mean in Revelation 21 that there will be no sea in heaven?
I am so excited to string these biblical pearls together with you today. We are most definitely getting ready to see that the Living God is BETTER than we ever knew.
Have you prayed for something and God said no? We all have (if we are honest). We have all prayed for something or someone, and the outcome is not what we wanted or expected. The truth is, if when we come to God with our prayers and expect Him to work the outcome in the way we want, we treat God like He is a vending machine. Prayer isn't transactional, it is relational. It isn't about getting what we want, it's about getting God.
Sometimes we get a no, that is true. But that does not mean that God is displeased with you. His no is often the kindest possible answer He can give to you. Throughout the Bible, we see God say no to heroes of the faith; David, Paul, and even Jesus. But look at how God not only blessed them, but used them. So if you get a no from God, you are in good company.
Join Candace and Tara-Leigh as they share vulnerable moments about their life through this conversation around prayer and hearing no from God.
In this episode, you will hear Candace and Tara-Leigh discuss:
Scripture Memory of the Season:
1 John 5:1-5 (CSB) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of him. This is how we know that we love God's children; when we love God and obey His commands. For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. And His commands are not a burden, because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. Who is the one who conquers the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
For all things mentioned in this episode head over to https://ccbpodcast.com/episodes/season-1/014
You'll find a link for "He's Where The Joy" Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, and at Candace.com can submit questions to Candace and Tara-Leigh to be answered in a special private livestream event in February 2023.
Thank you to this season's sponsors:
AccessMore https://www.accessmore.com/
Great American Family https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/
We are created in the image of God. We are recreated through the Holy Spirit at work within us to become more like Jesus. Simply put, we are born again; we are transformed. Our desire to be more like Jesus can only come from God because we cannot change our heart, only He can.
God uses His Word, the Spirit, and those around us to reveal more of who He is to us, so that we can become more like Jesus. Are there people in your life God uses to show you who He is? Maybe it's a friend who, while walking through a really hard season, exudes unexplainable joy. Or maybe it's through a conversation with someone at the grocery, who displays kindness toward you.
Tara-Leigh and Candace hope that through this episode you continue to hunger after a relationship with God AND that He drops people in your life that reveal more of who He is to you. May He bring Debbie's into your garage door to bring your cookies (you have to listen to understand!).
In this episode, you will hear Candace and Tara-Leigh discuss:
Scripture Memory of the Season:
1 John 5:1-6 (CSB) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of him. This is how we know that we love God's children; when we love God and obey His commands. For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. And His commands are not a burden, because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. Who is the one who conquers the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus Christ--he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
For all things mentioned in this episode head over to https://ccbpodcast.com/episodes/season-1/015
You'll find a link for "He's Where The Joy" Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, and at Candace.com can submit questions to Candace and Tara-Leigh to be answered in a special private livestream event in February 2023.
Thank you to this season's sponsors:
AccessMore https://www.accessmore.com/
Great American Family https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/