237 – Is it possible to find healing from the effects of trauma and abuse? Have you or someone you know been in an abusive or traumatic situation or relationship? This episode is for you. Marina Carrier shares how she overcame the residual effects of being an unwanted child and sexual abuse at the age of nine. It was only through the power of the Holy Spirit, which brought her back to the church and the study of the Bible, which started her journey of healing. Some important steps along the way were The Prayer of Jabez to enlarge her territories Learning French Writing in her journal Listening to God and to herself Bringing her well-hidden pain out where she could acknowledge it and give it to God Marina talks about how important it is to have a working relationship with God, but points out there's a difference between head-knowledge and heart-knowledge of God. She loves when John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. She can relate to what it's like to be in prison full of doubts. Her solution is always to keep turning to God and listening for His voice. Don't close the door on God, on others, or yourself. And if you haven't experienced abuse and trauma in your life, remember that those who have need your love and compassion. Don't try to fix them. Don't give them platitudes or quote Bible verses to them. Just love them. Just listen with your heart. Contact info for Marina Carrier: Facebook YouTube www.overcoming.live Show notes: Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/237 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

236 – If the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to your church, what would he say? First, imagine if you had lived back in the days of the early Christian Church. Paul may have come to your church to preach. And you may have received a letter from him later with some helpful ideas, prayers, and reminders of what he told you when he was there. Of course, he might also rebuke you for a couple of things your church was doing that wasn't faithful to Christ. Now, think of your church today. What would Paul say to your church? In this week's episode, I create an imaginary church in Franklin, Tennessee in the United States. I talk about some of it's strengths and some of its challenges, in particular, a couple of members who are real sticklers for the letter of the law. Legalism is keeping this church from growing. I write a letter to this church, in the style of Paul, just to give an idea of what he might have said. All this is to get you to think about what Paul would have said to your church. Do you want your church to grow? Here's a prayer project for you and your whole church. Please choose one of Paul's letters to a church and read it as if he had written it to your church. What can you learn about how to follow Jesus collectively as a church from this? Please contact me to let me know what you discover in this process. Show notes: For a full transcript of this episode and all Bible quotes referred to, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/236. Previous episode mentioned: 235: How to Be Filled with the Fullness of God Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

235 – What does it even mean to be filled with God's fullness? In his letter to the Ephesians, at the end of Chapter 3, Paul prays that the church members would know the love of Christ and be filled with all the fullness of God. But is that even possible? Most Christians I talk to think that's the sort of thing that happens after they die and go to heaven. But Paul is praying for the Ephesians to experience here on earth. In this week's episode, I talk about Paul's prayer (there's a lot more in there that applies to you and me as well). Fortunately Paul gives some really helpful guidance in chapters 4, 5, and 6, which helps prepare us to be able to receive the fullness of God. You know this passage, (Ephesians 4:22-24) but think about it as a roadmap to experiencing the love of Christ and the fullness of God. Put off your old sinful nature, which is corrupt and deceitful Be renewed by the Spirit in your mind Put on your new self, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy How do we put off our sinful nature? Paul makes it sound so simple. In this episode I share two key points that will help you let go of the sin mindset and embrace the mindset of holiness and righteousness. Your sin does not define you A previous episode mentioned this week has some great insights on how to get rid of your sinful nature, change your mindset, and accept your true identity as a child of God. Check out Episode 144: Finding Your Identity in the Bible with Keith Ferrin. Show notes For a full transcript and all Bible verses mentioned in this episode, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/235 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

234 – Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself? Right. Join the club. It's not easy to forgive yourself. But it's something we need to do. And we can. This week I look at several Bible characters who, in one way or another, had to come to terms with the mistakes they made and their sins. The Bible doesn't tell us what these folks were thinking and if they ever forgave themselves or if it was enough just to feel God's forgiveness. Here are the people I talk about this week. Do you think they ever forgave themselves? If you had done what they did, would you be able to forgive yourself? Samson: Did he forgive himself for being deceived by Delilah? King David: Did he ever regret the choices he made with Bathsheba and Uriah? Peter: Did he ever forgive himself for denying Jesus three times? Paul: Did he forgive himself for persecuting Christians before he converted? When you have a hard time forgiving yourself, what may be going on is that you haven’t felt worthy of, accepted, or experienced God’s forgiveness of your sin, perhaps because there’s someone you need to forgive. When you forgive, you’ll be able to accept and experience God’s forgiveness. When God has washed away your sins, even the tiniest mistake, there is nothing left to forgive, no longer a need to forgive yourself. Wherever you are on the path of forgiveness, whether of someone else or yourself, take a moment right now to take a humble look at any situation where you need to forgive someone else or yourself. And then…forgive. Previous episodes on forgiveness Episode 18: Forgiving 70 x 7: How I Forgave My 8th Grade Gym Teacher Episode 97: Mark Sowersby - Forgiveness Brings Freedom Show notes: For full transcript and Bible references: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/234 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

233 – Where are you looking for Jesus? A lot of people are looking for Jesus these days, the real Jesus. Unfortunately, a lot of people have become disillusioned by the difference between what they’re discovering about Jesus in the Bible and the way their churches have followed, or rather not followed, Jesus. This week's episode is about where to look for Jesus and where not look for him. The Bible gives some pretty good insights on this. Where NOT to look for Jesus: Your preconceptions and opinions Someone else's opinions Theological debates and man-made doctrines Asleep at the back of a boat On the cross In the tomb Where TO look for Jesus: The Bible Jesus's teachings Your obedience to Jesus's teachings The way you help and heal people in need In heaven at the right hand of God But your motives in looking for Jesus are just as important as where you look for him. Take a moment and ask yourself: Where are you trying to find Christ? And just as important: Why are you looking for Christ in the first place? Is it for the loaves and fish? Is it to be healed? Is it because you are hungry and thirsty for righteousness? The only real place to look for and find Jesus, the real Jesus, is in his pure spiritual dwelling place in heaven, the realm of God, the realm of Spirit. The best way to find Jesus is to close your material eyes and open your spiritual eyes. You will find Jesus when you look through the honest and sincere lens of your own heart: every time you follow and obey his teachings, every time you search for him in Scripture, every time you help others and heal in his name. When you do these things, you can say with Stephen, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56 NIV) Show notes: Full transcript of the episode and all Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/233 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

232 – Is anything keeping you from doing what God has called you to do? Do you have a strong sense of purpose in your life but it seems things keep getting in the way of you doing what God has called you to do? Or maybe you're still waiting to see what God wants you to do with your life. Sometimes, even when we know what God's will is for our lives, we haven't really pursued it because somehow we're waiting to get permission and approval from someone else. This week's episode is all about not waiting for someone to give you permission to do what God has called you to do. There are lots of people in the Bible who didn't wait for someone else to give them the green light before they jumped in and did what God wanted them to. Here are the folks I talk about this week: David: didn't ask permission to fight Goliath. He just did it Jesus: didn't ask permission to preach, teach, heal, and forgive people Jesus: didn't ask permission to say everything he wanted in the Sermon on the Mount The Disciples: didn't get permission to speak in tongues on the day of Pentecost Peter: didn't get permission to preach to the crowd on the day of Pentecost Paul: did ask permission to speak to an angry crowd, but didn't ask permission for what to say There are a few exceptions - listen to this episode to find out what they are The bottom line is: when God calls you to do or say something, you don't need anyone's permission or approval. Previous episode mentioned: Episode 19: How to Discover Your Spiritual Purpose in Life Show notes: For a full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/232 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

231 – Do you notice when God is trying to get your attention? God talks to us in lots of ways. But how often do we notice? Take a minute to think of all the ways God tries to get your attention. Sometimes it might be because you're doing something you shouldn't. Sometimes it's because you're not doing something you should. And sometimes it's because your doing exactly what God wants you to do and He's confirming that you're right where you need to be. In this week's episode, I talk about how God got the attention of several Bible characters. And it wasn't always rainbows and butterflies. And how God used others to get their attention Moses and the burning bush, but more importantly it's how God talked to him Jonah: God had to get his attention lots of times (does that ever happen to you?) The Israelites often didn't pay attention to how God tried to get their attention through the prophets. Guess what happened to them! John the Baptist got people's attention and pointed to Jesus Jesus really got people's attention and pointed them back to God, not just because of all the people he healed, but especially because of the crucifixion and resurrection How does all this apply to you and me? God is always trying to get your attention. Why? Because He loves you and He wants the very best for you. Please take some time to look back on your life and ponder all the ways God has spoken to you, protected you, directed you, rebuked you, provided for you, healed you. Every time these things happen, even if you don’t realize God is there doing it, God is calling out to you, saying, “I see you. Do you see Me? Look for Me everywhere in your life. Trust Me. Love Me. Lean on Me. Ask Me for what you need. I am here for you. Pay attention to Me and all the love I have for you." How is God getting your attention today? Then... what will you do next? Show notes: Full transcript of Episode 231 and Bible verses Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

230 – Has God ever asked you to dance with Him? What does that even mean? When God asks you to dance, it's a metaphor for God asking you to participate in life and follow where He leads. Have you ever danced with someone who didn't know how to lead, or follow, depending on which role you were in? It can be confusing, awkward, and sometimes get pretty messy. Things can get pretty confusing and messy when God asks us to dance with Him and we don't follow His lead, especially if we try to lead. That's what this episode is all about. When God asks you to dance with him, do you Accept and follow every lead Accept and follow Him sometimes Accept and try to lead Him Decline the invitation to dance In this Dance we call Life, I encourage you to accept the invitation to be God’s dance partner. Let Him lead you to the dance floor, and embrace you. Look into His eyes and see His love for you. Follow His lead. Pay attention to and learn the language of the many ways He directs you and shows you what steps to take. You don’t have to have everything figured out all the time. You can trust God to lead you every time He asks you to dance. Show notes: For full transcript and Bible quotes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/230. Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

229 – How often do you hear: "The blood of Jesus saves you from your sins," or something to that effect? The more I have pondered and prayed about all the Bible has to say about God's forgiveness of sins, Jesus's crucifixion, and more specifically, the blood of Jesus, I've come to the conclusion that there's more to forgiveness than just the fact that Jesus's blood was shed. Spoiler Alert: This may sound a little controversial at first, but when you listen to this episode, you'll understand what I'm talking about. What really got me to thinking is something Paul says in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 15, about the crucifixion, the resurrection, forgiveness of sins, and our faith. Too many Christians pass over this crucial passage of Scripture and miss the bigger picture of what Paul is saying about salvation and forgiveness. That's what this episode is all about, Getting a bigger picture of how and why our sins are forgiven The blood of Jesus and why it's not just about the literal blood that flowed through his veins 2,000 years ago The deeper spiritual meaning of what the blood of Jesus represents Why the crucifixion of Jesus, along with his blood, are not enough to free us from sin Let me know your thoughts on this topic. I'd love to hear your thoughts, even if you disagree. Show notes: For a full transcript and Bible quotes: go to Episode 229 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

228 – Did you ever realize how many women leaders there are in the New Testament? More than you probably realized. There are some I didn't even realize were women? Why haven't we been told about these amazing women who risked their lives to share the Gospel in the early Christian Church? This week I talk with Dr. Nijay Gupta about these women leaders in the early Christian church and how they set examples for how women can have leadership roles in the church today. He has written a book called: Tell Her Story (see below for link). Here are the women we talked about. How many of them have you heard of? Mary Magdalene Junia Joanna Susanna Phoebe Tryphena and Tryphosa Persis Rufus's mother Julia Nereus's sister Euodia and Syntyche Priscilla Most of them we know very little about but Paul mentions them and commends many of them for their work in sharing the Gospel. Nijay and I also talked about the so-called submission and women-be-silent verses, but he points out the cultural contexts of these verses, how they seem to contradict the fact that Paul commended women for preaching and promoting the Gospel elsewhere. And Nijay makes it clear we get into serious trouble when we create a theology around just two or three verses. Nijay Gupta's books: Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church.* A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies* Paul and the Language of Faith* Prepare, Succeed, Advance, Second Edition: A Guidebook for Getting a PhD in Biblical Studies and Beyond* New: Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling* All books* by Nijay Gupta Podcast: Slow Theology Blog: Crux Sola Show notes: For a full transcript and more detailed show notes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/228. Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

227 – Have you ever wondered if God still loves you? All too often we think of all the mistakes we've made or the things that have happened to us, and somehow decide God must not love us anymore, that we're not worthy of His love. But no matter what you've done ( or not done that you should have), no matter what mistakes you've made, big or small, God still loves you. It's as simple as that. Why do we make it so complicated? In this week's episode, I share some of my personal journey to actually accepting and believing that God really does love me. I'm curious if you have gone through a similar process. Here are some of the points along the way to accepting the fact that God still loves you. Sometimes it begins with intellectually knowing that God loves you, even though you don't feel you deserve it Getting over the belief that God loves you only when you do something right Realizing that God sent Jesus to earth because He loves everyone – Gasp! that includes you If you had been with Jesus as one of his followers or asking him to heal you, he would have loved you just as he loved all the folks he ministered to If Jesus loves you, it's because he could see God love you (see John 5:19) Talking to God and asking why He loves you Listening to what God says Believing what God says A conversation with God: I also share a little conversation I had with God several years ago that helped me accept God's love for me. God still loves you. He will never give up on you. No matter who you are, where you’re from, what you’ve done, what you haven’t done, whatever your circumstances are, God still loves you. He will do whatever it takes for you to accept and experience His love. For a full transcript of this episode and Bible verses quoted, check out the show notes at: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/227 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

226 – What does it mean to be more than a conqueror through Christ? With all the challenges in the world and in your own personal life, does it ever seem like there's just no end to the chaos? In Chapter 8 of Romans, Paul lists a host of challenges that describes what a lot of people are dealing with today. But he also promises us that we can find answers, solutions, and healing through Christ. In this week's episode, I talk about what it means to be more than just a conqueror: We can never be separated from God's love Once you have a victory over a problem, you're more than just a former slave to the problem You're more than just someone who had overcome a problem After you conquer a problem, you begin to discover you identity as a child of God You are more than a conqueror. You are the beloved child of God and co-heir with Christ. This is your spiritual identity. Give yourself permission to be what God has created you to be. It’s actually who you already are. You have inherited all the love and blessings God can give. You have inherited His kingdom, with and through Christ. Accept your spiritual inheritance, right now, as an heir of God, and live your life from that perspective. Previous episode mentioned: Episode 61: Your Name Is Written in Heaven Show notes: Full transcript and all Bible verses mentioned: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/226 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

225 – If you could ask Jesus a favor, what would it be? If you had met Jesus 2,000 years ago while as he was traveling around healing and ministering to people, what would you ask him for? A healing? Deliverance from a problem? The answer to a burning question in your heart? Lots of people came up to Jesus to ask him for all sorts of things. Sometimes he granted their requests and sometimes he didn't. There's so much to learn from these folks who approached Jesus with a request. In this week's episode I talk about why Jesus answered some requests and why he didn't answer others. Here's who is in the show: Jairus Various religious leaders asking about how to obtain eternal life A man who wanted Jesus to get his brother to share the inheritance More religious leaders who wanted Jesus to show them a miraculous sign People who weren't sure if Jesus was the Messiah James and John, who wanted to sit next to him in heavenly glory A disciple who asked Jesus how to pray Philip, who wanted Jesus to show God to him The crux of the matter: what you want or what God wants If you could talk to Jesus, would you ask for something you want really bad? Or would you ask him to show you what God's will is for you? And how on earth do you figure out what God's is will for you? There are some helpful ideas to get you started, plus a previous episode I recommend (see below for link). Who should you pray to, Jesus or the Father? Listen to find out... Episodes mentioned: Episode 79: How Do You Know if Something is God’s Will ? Episode 121: Praying in the Name of Christ Please rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks! Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

224 – Do you have to believe in the Nicene Creed to be a true Christian? This is a pretty heavy duty topic. And people have been arguing over this for about 1,700 years. So this is not the final answer or discussion on the topic. But is incredibly important to think about what it means to be a Christian. Is it based on what you believe or how you put into practice the teachings of Jesus? Or is it a combination of the two? This week, I share my thoughts on the Nicene Creed and some of the problems I have with it. And as always, you are free to disagree with me. And I'd love to hear your perspective, whether you agree or not with what I say. I'm always open to another perspective. We have so much to learn from each other. Here are the two main reasons I cannot adhere to the Nicene Creed. The way Athanasius and others who supported the Creed were ruthless and vindictive toward those who disagreed with them. They did not act in a Christ-like way There is nothing in the Creed that talks about obeying God, following Jesus, loving your neighbor, being humble and loving. Jesus says we are to judge a tree by its fruit. The "fruit" of those who supported the Nicene Creed, as well as the fruit of those who opposed it, prove to me they didn't really believe in the Jesus of the Bible. Otherwise they would have followed Jesus's approach and done the mighty works of healing he did. If you believe in the Nicene Creed, I totally respect your choice to do so. But I think it's important to know the history of how this Creed came down through history. And be aware of what it does not include. For me, my approach to having a creed is simple: I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that God is good and made us in His image and likeness. And I add to that my commitment to seek and do God's will, follow Christ the best I can, love my neighbor as myself, and be guided by the Holy Spirit. And I invite you to join me. Book referred to: When Jesus Became God: The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome by Richard E. Rubenstein. * Previous episode mentioned: # 223 The Bible as a Verb with Polly Castor Show notes: Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/224 * Amazon affiliate link Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

223 – Have you ever thought of the Bible as a verb? All too often we think of the Bible as a source for our beliefs, our theology, and our faith. But have you ever looked at the Bible through the lens of the action items that need to be on our daily to-do list? This week, I talk to my wife, Polly Castor, about the Bible as resource for how we are to behave, what we are to do, not just what we're supposed to believe. Polly shares LOTS of Bible action items, things we need to do, like: Obey the Commandments Let your light shine Love your neighbor as yourself Be reconciled to one another Edify one another Sing unto the Lord Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness AND so many more Polly makes a practice during her Bible study to keep track of all the things the Bible instructs us to do. She sees these action items as tools in her spiritual toolbox. When someone is demanding or really needs her attention, she practices patience. If there's a misunderstanding with a friend or family member, she takes out the "be reconciled to each other" tool and works toward healing the situation. You get the idea. You'll love the practical wisdom and humor Polly brings to living the Bible in her daily life. Polly Castor contact info: Daily blog: pollycastor.com Art website: pollycastorart.com Instagram: @pollycastor Email: pollycastor@gmail.com Previous episodes mentioned: Episode 53: How I Met My Wife Episode 15: How to Stop Fighting Your Brother and Love Him Instead Show notes: For a full transcript of this episode and a list of all the Bible quotes, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/223. Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

222 – Have you ever tried to find yourself in the Bible? So many people are trying to find themselves these days. They're looking in so many different directions, but they often overlook the spiritual aspect of who they are as a child of God. The best place to discover your identity is in the Bible. In a couple of previous episodes, I talked specifically about this: Episode 37: You Are the Image and Likens of God. What the Heck Does that Mean? Episode 144: Finding Your Identity in the Bible with Keith Ferrin This week I'm taking a different approach. I'm looking at various Bible characters to see what we can learn about ourselves from the way they dealt with the situations and the issues of their day. Here are the Bible folks explored in this episode: Moses Gideon The 300 men Gideon chose to fight with him The thousands of men who were not chosen to fight King David Bathsheba Uriah Absalom Naaman Naaman's wife's servant girl Elisha Belshazzar’s wife (he was Nebuchadnezzar's son) Pilate's wife Jonah The king of Nineveh Zacharias and Elisabeth Joseph, Mary's future husband Jesus's disciples Saul, who becomes Paul With each of these Bible characters, what can you see in them that helps you understand yourself? What lessons can you learn from them based on the situations they were in and how they responded? If there’s someone in the Bible you especially identify with and relate to, let me know. I’d love to hear who it is and what you’ve discovered about who you are from someone in the Bible. And more importantly, I'd love to know not just what you’ve learned about yourself, but what you’ve discerned that God has called you to do. Show notes: Full transcript and Bible quotes Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

221 – Have you ever been so preoccupied with what others are doing that you don't focus on following Christ? Welcome to 2024! A new year is a wonderful opportunity to take stock of where you've been, where you are and where you're going. Instead of a New Year's Resolution this year, I decided simply to quit comparing myself to what others are doing and just focus on following Christ. Remember when Jesus said to Peter, "What is that to you? As for you, follow me." John 21:22 That's why in this week's episode I explain why my mantra for 2024 is "What is that to you? Just follow Christ." I can't change what other people do or think. But I can change myself. The same is true for you. I choose to follow Christ as a response to whatever happens this year: If someone does something better than me, I will follow Christ If someone does something worse than me, I will follow Christ If the candidates I vote for win or lose, I will follow Christ If people tell me I am right or wrong about the Bible or anything, I will follow Christ If there are still wars between countries, I will follow Christ Whatever happens this year, I will strive to follow Christ the best I can I invite you to do the same. This is possible. Paul says, "We have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:16 That means we can think and act like Jesus did. Show notes: For a full transcript and Bible verses in this episode: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/221 Please join me this year in keeping your eyes on Christ, the Shepherd, and not comparing yourself to the other sheep. _____________ REQUEST: If you're reading this, it probably means you're listening on a podcast app. If your app allows, please rate the podcast and leave a review. Thanks. Rate and leave a review on Apple Podcasts Rate the show on Spotify Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

220 – Highlights from The Bible Speaks to You Podcast in 2023 The end of the year is a good time to look back and see where you've come from. It's a time to appreciate and be grateful for all the blessings from the previous 12 months. In these last few days of 2023, I've gone back to review some of the podcast episodes that, according to you, my listeners, were the most helpful. This week's episode shares some of the highlights from these favorite episodes from 2023. Here are the episodes which are highlighted. There's a 3-5 minute audio clip of each episode this week. The Best of 2023 Episode 172: Living in the Holy Spirit January 24, 2023 Episode 176: How much do you love the people who will be born 100 years from now? February 21 Episode 177: You are on the pathway to healing February 28 Episode 180: You are standing on holy ground March 21 Episode 181: How to See Spiritually March 28 Episode 189: How to Pray When You Feel Rejected May 23 Episode 192: Jesus’s Recipe to Stop Worrying June 13 Episode 193: Quietly surrendering to God June 20 Episode 203: What if Jesus preached at your church? August 29 Episode 216: Does God really love everyone? Christmas is the answer November 28 Show notes: For a transcript and Bible verses, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/220 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

219 – What are you expecting to get for Christmas this year? Remember that sense of expectation you had as a kid at Christmastime? There was so much anticipation for what presents you'd get. What if you could have that same sense of expectation for all that Christ is giving you this Christmas? Have you ever stopped to think about all that Jesus has given us? In this week's episode I talk about some of the more obvious things Christ gives us, not just at Christmas, but all year long: Love, joy, peace A sense of God's glory An awareness of our relationship with God as His children Salvation and spiritual wholeness And so much more... Right this moment Christ is pouring forth infinite, boundless, unlimited blessings, most important of which is a full salvation from the world’s evil, along with the awareness that we are the sons and daughters of God. This is Christ’s gift to you. How much of this gift will you accept, not just at Christmas, but all year long? Previous episode mentioned Episode 167: What Will You Give Jesus for Christmas? Show notes: Transcript and Bible verses: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/219 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

218 – Do you have a prodigal in your family? This week I talk with Pam Fields, mother of nine, and grandmother of four, about how to pray when you have a prodigal child. One of Pam's grown children has broken away from the family and renounced their faith. Pam talks about the way she has prayed about this and how she has supported others who have had similar experiences. Here are some of the points we covered: Acknowledge and deal with your emotions, such as guilt and shame A prodigal may leave not because of what you have done, but because they are rebelling against God Listen to your other children (if you have any) and be willing to listen and learn from them Each child has their own individual relationship with God You can trust God to be at work in the life of a prodigal If you don't have a prodigal, be of comfort to those who do. They are all around you but don't always talk about it. Payer is not limited by time, space, or geography Your prayers are more powerful than your words or physical presence Pam says that having a prodigal does not disable your life. Step up and step into the calling that God has on your life. Find a supportive community where you can feel support as well as support others. _____ For a full transcript (pardon the typos): 218 Transcript. Pam's previous appearance on The Bible Speaks to You Podcast Episode 134: Moms in the Bible Pam Field’s contact info: • Website: TendingFields.net • Facebook: Tending Fields page • Facebook Tending Fields Moms Group • Instagram: Tending Fields Show notes with Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/218 Support the show _________________________ James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here