Tag: spiritual growth

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Decoys of Deception

 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

 

 

If there was ever a command to keep your mind on matters that mandate the heavenly calling it is this verse. We are often told to just focus on the here and now, which definitely is a part of the Christian walk., but unless we are grounded in our Source of knowledge, Jesus Christ, we will fail in our endeavors to live with confidence in understanding the here and now. We have opposition in keeping our hearts and minds guarded against the minds of men that are the decoys of deception – using their wisdom instead of the Wisdom of God which requires knowing the fear of the Lord.  Join us as we discover the decoys of deception. 

Mentoring Matters Podcasts

The Language of Friendship

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

 

As we build relationships, even from early childhood, we find that issues that draw us together are not always because of personality appeal. For a Christian, the hand of God is placing one another into positions that will further His plan for each life and how that plan will bring glory to Him, not just someone we can enjoy because of comfort or convenience. We learn as time progresses that a true friend will always be loyal and will “SUPPORT YOUR STRENGTHS AND SHORE UP YOUR WEAKNESS.”

 A true friend will be willing to care with kindness, even in difficult places, without feeling burdened by unusual challenges. Sometimes friendships extend outside the “family” connection as brothers and sisters in Christ because one “outside the family circle” needs to be drawn and welcome into those everlasting ties.  Expand your meditation time with how you can add a friend to your family. 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Walking in the Spirit

“Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.“ Galatians 5:16

 

 

Two paths to choose – the Spirit path or the flesh path – one leads to life, and one leads to death. The flesh profits nothing and can sure make our lives miserable. So why do we make decisions guaranteeing pain? In today’s world, we are becoming dull of hearing by building our own walls of protection that don’t protect but separate us from the Spirit’s Source of strength pointing us back to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Let’s tear down the walls that divide and weaken us so that we can KNOW, UNDERSTAND, and DEFEND the freedom we have IN CHRIST. The Holy Spirit is the defender of our walk of faith so we are not deceived by what we see in our worrisome world.  

Mentoring Matters Podcasts

Grieving and Quenching the Holy Spirit

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

 

When we choose to ignore the plain simple commands to obey, in love, what is taught in the Scriptures we grieve and can quench the Holy Spirit’s working in our lives. He will no longer support us in our poor choices but wants to restore us if we will REPENT and follow His leading. 

Confess in agreement that we are out of step with Him and REPENT, turn around, and change our direction in thinking and actions. Failing to respond to these matters leaves us in self-dependency traveling in a danger zone of doubt, denial, and disobedience. Come visit with us as we chat about the downfall of ignoring the Truth and Grieving the Spirit.    

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Compromise with the World

“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

 

 

Pergamos, one of the 7 churches in Rev. 2-3 was a cultural city with one of the largest libraries in the known world.  Knowledge was premium and a man of science was considered more of an authority than a man of faith. The intellectual mind was looked upon with great authority that crept into the church life with the congregation compromising and following the opinions of man. Slowly but surely, they made soft choices, little things did not matter if they were keeping the big issues upheld. Pleasing self is always one of the greatest dangers we can do. Compromise destroys from the inside out. Do not lean to your own understanding. How did the deterioration occur? Let’s find out. 

 

Mentoring Matters Podcasts

Keeping the Spirit Strong

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?” Proverbs 18:4

 

We probably do not give much thought that our spirit can be a tool for fighting sickness in the soul and body – an actual healing tool for getting well. With that same thought we are told when our spirits are broken, and torn apart, focusing on the overwhelming circumstances and losses may contribute to the breaking down of our health and wellness.  What grace for our Designer and Creator to have built into our body systems strength to fight against what damages and destroys.

Today, let’s see and hear what makes and keeps a strong spirit. The Word of God reveals what may be hidden to many people searching for real solutions. 

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Promises to Overcomers

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Psalms 133:1

 

 

We learn what Christ-like unity involves as we understand the stages of growth. People that are in the world but being drawn by the Father God through His Spirit need to have a simple sharing of the Gospel that is easy to understand for acceptance and becoming a member of the family of God, the first step of overcoming… 

As we identify with what is desired of us in God’s family, we can see stages of growth that can cause differences in priorities as we mature – still needing to maintain harmony in becoming like-minded; easier said than done. This is the way we make the promises of God real, to be partakers as an Overcomer. 

 Check out our discussion today as we weave through the maze of growing in grace, making our walk and talk be the same in our attitudes and actions, as proof of being a true Overcomer.  

Mentoring Matters Podcasts

Evidence of Self-Denial

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

Then He said to them ALL, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

 

On the surface, these words are not the most soothing to hear in wanting to grow as a Christian. We think we have a good standard of what our lives should look like, but the Lord knows the depths of hidden threats that will rob us of the best. Thank goodness we do not have to lean on our own understanding.

 How does one die to self? Join us today, as we expose examples, explanations, and evidence of a life that “Dies Daily to self.”  When we appropriate the impossible made possible through the Lord Jesus and the power of His Spirit, the results are strength and joy unspeakable and full of glory for whatever comes. 

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Promises from Persecution

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

 

 

That promise does not guarantee there will be NO persecution but by casting all our concerns and needs, no matter how tough, we have the assurance His caring includes everything we need to survive the persecution and come forth as pure gold. Should the persecution result in death, then we know as Paul claims, that it is far better to be with the Lord. Usually, the persecution passes and although we may have some battle scars, we are richer in what matters most lasting throughout eternity.  Today, we will offer further insight into the specifics of successful suffering concerning persecution. Come join us.

 

Mentoring Matters Podcasts

Pressure From the Potter’s Hand

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

 

In that one sentence, we have a mini-view of why we are here on earth at this appointed time and place. God told Jeremiah I am responsible for your very life for a special purpose, he was set apart. The path Jeremiah was to walk included times of trials and pressure. To prepare us for God’s BEST, He may place us on the Potter’s wheel as he sculpts and fashions us for why we were born and formed. Hard times are simply the pressures from the Potter’s hand in reshaping us as a lump of clay so that nothing can mar the vessel He is making. Today, if you are feeling pressed, be aware that good matters are at work in the vessel He is preparing. Today, make sure you are pliable in the Potter’s Hand.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Our Calling to Suffer

“…All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

 

 

Most suffering, the Lord told us we would pass through, is allowed to develop our character and understanding of what is important to our Father for our well-being. We allow hard times for our children, that does not always understand, by training them to be able to live successfully in this world. Challenges develop character. There are many examples of lives that benefitted from facing unknowns. Today, let’s review some Biblical examples. 

Mentoring Matters Podcasts

Victory in Attitude

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 

 

With the upside-down world, we are daily confronted giving thanks for our circumstances is posing more and more of a challenge with many new pressures. Romans 8:37-39 is TRUTH  His Word can be trusted. How do we choose to respond to difficulties in our thinking THAT CONTROL our attitudes? Let’s visit about VICTORY IN ATTITUDES.  

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Overcoming Adversity

“Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” Hebrews 3:6

 

 

The Church in Smyrna needed to hear words that encouraged and strengthen their hearts to prepare them for the calling God was going to allow in their midst. Everything they knew about how good, how caring, how protected He promised to be was getting ready to test to the max. 

 We don’t choose the time in history when we are to live on earth and Jesus knew these dear souls would need special insight for the different seasons of suffering they were facing. History repeats itself. Are we ready to heed these same words in the upcoming days of unknowns? As decisions are made that threaten our future, do we know our God and can sing “I know whatever befall me, Jesus doeth all things well?

 

Mentoring Matters Podcasts

Victory Over Circumstances

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 28.6MB)

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” James 1:2

 

 

Now, where is the logic and wisdom from rational thinking with this verse? Normally we avoid trials at all costs,s not with all joy. We look for the quickest escape route to return to “normal.” We fail to reflect on the wisdom of the Word that tells us many times that the JOY of the Lord is your strength, which is exactly what you need when in over your head with testing and temptations. Fear and anxiety take over our brainwaves as we look to our own abilities to solve the problem.

We are blessed with Biblical wisdom as the only means that teaches us how to pass through a crisis, become stronger, and actually profit from the challenges. Encountering unknowns in life develops character, if knowing the facts, we choose faith over fear. Unknowns are a course in the school of life that we must all attend. Today, how do we respond to these words of wisdom?

Podcasts Woman to Woman

The Point of Return

“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” Revelation 2:5

 

 

As new Christians, we have accepted our identity in Christ and that is the beginning of our life, in Him. “As time travels forward, many matters can dull us, pull us off course, grow indifferent, and mar us by our poor choices. Living a mixed-up defeated life makes us want the “world to go away.” 

That is not the answer, but there is a solution for returning to your first love in living. The solution is available to anyone in need and hungry for release. Today, join the discovery.