SPF 256: SPF 256: The Resolution to Make in a New Year or New Season

Whether it's a new year or a new season of life, or you are just looking to make the most use of your time, committing to this one thing first helps everything else fall into place.

Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:

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2. Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

3. Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful

4. Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/

5. Leave a review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-she-proves-faithful/id1116242133?mt=2

Read with Me!

Want to read The Mortification of Sin with me? It’s free on monergism.org!

Get it here: https://www.monergism.com/mortification-sin-believers-ebook-1

Chose the Lord

"So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mr Carmel. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him."

Commentator Matthew Henry writes that here "Elijah called on them to make a choice of WHO was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, judge of the world - and follow him alone. "

But in light of all the planning and thinking, and idea gathering, and admist all the goals and resolutions - Choose who you will serve.

Matthew Henry wrote this about Elijah confronting Ahab and the prophets of Baal - and all of Israel who were stradling the lines of worship:

"It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Jesus be the only Savior, let us cleave to him alone for everything; if the Bible be the Word of God, let us reverence and receive the whole of it, and submit our understanding to the Divine teaching it contains."

If we choose God, we are choosing to submit to His ways; we are chosing to set our affections on him; we are choosing to ask the Spirit to identify places of self worship and root them out; we trust that Jesus is the only way to the Father; we put our faith in the Holy Word of God and submit to it's teachings.

“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. 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.” Joshua 24:14-15


SPF 255: The Christmas Spectacular: Using Our Five Senses to Remember Christ at Christmas

Our five senses are Christian virtues because God made them and they are to be used for God’s Glory. Christmas time is full of using our senses but how can we use them to remember and celebrate Christ at Christmas? Today I am joined by my husband, Andy Hlushak, on this Christmas Spectacular!

Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?

Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:

  1. Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com

  2. Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

  3. Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful

  4. Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/

  5. Leave a review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-she-proves-faithful/id1116242133?mt=2

12 Days of Christmas Reading Plan

Looking for a reading plan for after Christmas?

Twelve Days of Christmas Reading Plan and Devotion
Twelve Days of Christmas Reading Plan and Devotion
$7.00

Learn More

Ben Zornes https://www.benzornes.com/

Gingerbread cake recipe: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/gingerbread-cake-recipe/

SPF 254: Three Ways A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Proverbs 14:1 says that a wise woman builds her home but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. One creates and one destroys. Today I'm sharing three ways we can be wise women who builds up and nourishes those in our homes.

Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?

Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:

  1. Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com

  2. Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

  3. Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful

  4. Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/

  5. Leave a review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-she-proves-faithful/id1116242133?mt=2

12 Days of Christmas Bible Reading Plan

Are you looking for a little something to keep you in the Word over the Christmas holiday? The 12 Days of Christmas Bible Reading Plan gives you 12 cards that follow along the 12 days of Christmas gifts and correlate them to a biblical truth or treasure.

Twelve Days of Christmas Reading Plan and Devotion
Twelve Days of Christmas Reading Plan and Devotion
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Three Ways A Wise Woman Builds Her House

One of my favorite verses as a woman is Proverbs 14:1 "A wise woman build her house but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands." It paints a distinct picture of of two women and the fruit of their hands AND how they come by that fruit.

You have the woman who builds her house and it's done through wisdom. She is creating.

In contrast you have a woman who tears down her house through her folly. From her own lack of knowledge and understanding and a quest for herself, she destroys.

Three things a wise women does to build her home. 

  1. A wise woman seeks wisdom

  2. A wise woman has zero tolerance for her own sin

  3. A wise woman uses her tongue to bless

Number 1: A wise woman seeks wisdom

The wise woman who seeks to build up her home and nourish those inside needs wisdom to do this task. She needs both the skill and the perspective that wisdom brings and this wisdom comes from God.

A wise woman who seeks wisdom is a humble woman because she knows that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. She knows that God is the one who knows and understands all things and does not look within herself to figure out her problems or a path forward. She does not lean on her own understandings, but in all her ways, acknowledges the Lord who makes her paths straight.

Number 2: A wise woman has zero tolerance for her own sin

it's really easy to see other people's sin and be very bothered by it, while glossing over our own or making excuses, justifying or blame shifting.

But a wise woman knows that folly destroys. She knows that the fruit of sin is putrid. And while she knows she will never reach perfection on earth and will continue to have struggles with sin and her flesh, when God convicts her heart of sin, she repents.

Being a wise woman means that when we sin we acknowledge we have violated God's glory and commands, and along that path of folly we may have hurt other people. The Gospel is the greatest gift because it means we don't have to mope around as flesh bags full of shame and guilt. it means when we sin, we confess our sins and God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us of unrighteousness.

Number 3: A Wise woman uses her tongue to bless

Words are powerful. they can bless and they can curse. they can lift up or tear down. Our tongues can be a fountain of strength or a drain of joy.

Proverbs 10: 20-21 says

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;

    the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

The lips of the righteous feed many,

    but fools die for lack of sense.

Here we see how the righteous tongue is described: it's choice silver - meaning it's of great value. Righteous words also feed many meaning they nourish hearts and minds of others. and not just a few but many!! How blessed are righteous words for others.

God is good. Turn to him instead of staying in the tearing down mode by using words of folly. He forgives. And let us ask for wisdom in what to say and when to say it.

SPF 253: Is There more to Giving Thanks Thank Just Saying Thank You?

Have you ever wondered what does giving thanks to God look like besides saying thank you? Is there more to it? Today I am sharing three lessons on giving thanks from Psalm 100, the psalm of thanksgiving.

Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?

Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:

  1. Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com

  2. Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

  3. Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful

  4. Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/

  5. Leave a review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-she-proves-faithful/id1116242133?mt=2

Coming Soon! 12 Days of Christmas Reading Plan

Check back soon!! It’s coming!

How and Why We Give Thanks

Psalm 100 is a great little psalm. It's only five verses but it is PACKED with powerful and direct lessons in what it means to be thankful.

It's titled "a psalm of giving thanks" which is noted by scholars as being unique and the only psalm to have this direct title about giving thanks.

Giving Thanks is:

  1. Cheerful

  2. Intelligent

  3. Abounding

No. 1 Giving Thanks is Cheerful

Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth!

This joyful noise signifies a glad shout like when loyal subjects are in the presence of their king. Think of who we are - loyal subjects who have a dear King - one who is currently reigning and has made his enemies a footstool.

We are instructed to give thanks with a cheerful heart.

Sometimes it's difficult to be cheerful, but we can be cheerful when we think of who God is and all he has done.

No. 2 Giving Thanks is Intelligent

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "Knowledge is the mother of devotion, and of all obedience; blind sacrifices will never please a seeing God."

When we give thanks, we have an object that is receiving our worship. True thanksgiving is intelligent and will not worship blindly. True thanksgiving seeks to understand who we are giving thanks to and why.

Here we are instructed to know the Lord. And what about him? HE is God. He made us. We are his. We are his people. We are his sheep, and he is our shepherd. He is the one who created us and he is the one who cares for every bit of our being. How blessed to not only be thought of and created by our creator, but also to be brought into his fold, to be cared for and loved and protected and provided for.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "it is very questionable whether a man can know himself until he knows his God. Jehovah is God, and the fullest, most absolute, and most exclusive sense, he is God alone; to know him in that character, and prove our knowledge by obedience, trust, submission, zeal, and love, is an attainment, which only Grace can bestow."

No. 3 Giving Thanks is Abounding

There is no shortage of reasons why we are to give thanks to the Lord. Our thanksgivings in both word and deed should be abounding because God's goodness, grace, mercy and love abounds to us continually.

George Witfield wrote:

What return shall I make to my ever-blessed Redeemer for all the favours he hath bestowed upon me? Help, I entreat you, help me to be thankful, and as you abound in prayer, abound in praises. I find my heart too backward to this divine exercise. I am ready enough to ask for mercies, but alas! how slow to return thanks! Indeed sometimes God touches me from above, and my heart, hard as it is, is melted down and quite overcome with the sense of his free grace in Christ Jesus towards me. But I want always to go on my way rejoicing; I want the heart of a seraphim;

 I want to sing as loud as they

Who shine above in endless day. 

I could almost say more than they, and why should I not return angelic thanks? But my heart is as yet unhumbled, I see not what I am, what I deserve, and therefore set not a due value on the divine mercies. Pray therefore, …, that I may receive my sight, that my eyes may be opened, and that seeing what God hath done for me, I may break out into songs of praise, and by such heart-transforming divine exercises be gradually trained up for eternal uninterrupted communion with that heavenly choir, who cease not chanting forth day and night hallelujahs to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb for ever.

 – George Whitefield, Letter XXXIII (Jan. 25, 1738), George Whitefield’s Letters: For the Period 1734 to 1742, pp. 35-36

"The whole life of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God. We should neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep, but eat to God, and sleep to God, and work to God, and talk to God; do all to his glory and praise."

– Richard Sibbes

Our every day living, when we do it to the glory of God, is all day worship service of praise and thanksgiving. this is a thanksgiving that is abounding.

SPF 252: Raising Arrows: Addressing Sibling Conflict

What causes fights and quarrels among you? James asks. Maybe you have asked that same question to your children. But if our homes are green houses, if they are training ground for our children, if the instruction we give is fodder for their heart and mind where emotions and actions are made, isn't it a grand opportunity to address conflict in a biblical manner? Today I am sharing four ways we can prove faithful in teaching our children about conflict with one another.

Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?

Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:

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  2. Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

  3. Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful

  4. Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/

  5. Leave a review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-she-proves-faithful/id1116242133?mt=2

Get the Mini Bible Study to Accompany This Episode

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(For patreon supporters this study is FREE! Go to patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful to access.

Fruitful KIDS Bible Study and Devotion: SPF 252 Raising Arrows - Addressing Sibling Conflict
Fruitful KIDS Bible Study and Devotion: SPF 252 Raising Arrows - Addressing Sibling Conflict
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Sibling Fights and Quarrels

Our children are born sinful and they do not need any help learning how to start conflict, however they are not born knowing how to deal with conflict in a godly way.

So when we see conflict, we see sin, but are we seeing the duty that lies before us? They hard work of training our children to mortify the flesh and learn how to reconcile, forgive, be forgiven, extend grace, and receive it with thanksgiving?

Four Ways to Help Our Children When Conflict and Quarrels Arise

NO. 1: Use the Word to teach about conflict.

James 4 is a passage I quote a lot when quarreling breaks out. It just calls out heart motives so plainly and gives practical instructions on living with one another.

James 4 exposes the root issue of fighting and quarreling - a friendship with the world. It's a worldly heart set on personal, covetous desires and passions.

To have a worldly heart, or a heart bent on temporary desires and pleasures in this world, is to be at enmity with God. We can see society unravel when people are at enmity with God, and we can see it in our homes. This passage reminds us that if we are fighting and quarreling, we need to assess the situation - are we just thinking about ourselves and what we want? Are we being humble and thinking of how God wants us to live and treat our neighbor?

NO. 2: Teach our children what it says about how we treat one another

1 John 3

11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 John 4:19-21

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Matthew 22

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the great and first commandment.39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

NO. 3 Teach them what to do when they quarrel and fight

One of the passages we can teach our children that talks about reconciliation is

Matthew 18

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Scripture tells us to go to our brother first. When there is conflict, teach them to go to each other, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry, and be ready to ask for forgiveness or to forgive, remember how Christ has forgiven us and what he asks of us - to forgive one another.

NO. 4 Teach your kids to overlook an offense, meaning that they wouldn't be easy to offend

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Charles Spurgeon advice:

It is a splendid thing if you will not be offended. Nothing makes a man feel so small as when you accept what he intended for an insult as if it were a compliment, and thank him for it. Can you master yourself to that point? Remember, when you have conquered yourself you have conquered the world. You have overcome everybody when you have so fully overcome your own spirit that you remain content with that which naturally would excite your wrath.

If you must be offended, dear brother, do not exaggerate an offence. If there must be something wrong, let it be as little as you can. “Also take no heed,” says Solomon, “unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.” Something you have done may irritate a servant, and he may make remarks which are unbecoming and impertinent. Don’t hear what he is muttering. Keep out of hearing. No, dear friends, as you have to forgive one another, do not take offense, and when offense is given do not exaggerate it, and, if you can, do not even observe it.


SPF 251: How Can I Forgive When I Don't Want To or Don't Feel Like I Can?

Ephesians 4:32 says, "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you." But what if we struggle with forgiving someone? What are we to do?

Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?

Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:

  1. Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com

  2. Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

  3. Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful

  4. Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/

Fruitful Bible Study: SPF 251 How Do We Forgive When We Don't Want To or Don't Feel Like It?
Fruitful Bible Study: SPF 251 How Do We Forgive When We Don't Want To or Don't Feel Like It?
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A Few Thoughts on Forgiveness

First, forgiveness is the pardon or remission of a debt. A willingness to consider the offender not guilty. It is a Christian duty and done out of the power of Christ at work in us.

Second, forgiveness does not mean we ignore what happened. The Bible gives clear instruction for confrontation, reconciliation if possible, and a path forward for personal healing and growth.

Third, we do not wait to forgive until the other person wants to be forgiven. Forgiveness is something we work out in our hearts regardless of the other person.

Fourth, forgiveness puts our hope in God as the one who will righteously judge, execute consequences as He sees is good and just and wise, and who takes care of us despite what sinful people do to us.

Fifth, forgiving someone doesn't always mean a relationship will or should be restored. As far as it depends on us, we should live peaceably with others, but there are  examples in Scripture where a restored relationship might not happen. Forgiveness is still required.

How Do we Forgive When we Don’t Feel Like it?

But what happens when we don't want to forgive or we feel like we can't forgive?

Charles Spurgeon preached on forgiveness many times and I will quote him a lot in this episode - but he has given great explanation of Ephesians 4:32

And preaching through this verse we learn this about Christ's forgivness:

  1. That he has done it certainly.

    1. “Pardon is not a prize to be run for, but a blessing received at the first step of the race. If you have believed in Jesus your sin has all gone— all gone; all your sin has been erased from the records of the past, never to be mentioned against you for ever.” - Spurgeon

  2. That he has done it continuously

    1. "He not only forgave us at the first all our sins, but he continues daily to forgive, for the act of forgiveness is a continuous one. I know I was forgiven, when first I believed in Christ; and I am equally sure of it now: the one absolution continues to ring in my ears like joy-bells which never cease. Pardon once given continues to be given.” - Spurgeon

  3. That he does it freely

    1. “We did nothing to obtain it by merit, and we brought nothing wherewith to purchase it. He forgave us for Christ’s sake, not for aught that we had done. True, we did repent, and did believe, but repentance and faith he gave us, so that he did not forgive us for the sake of them, but purely of his own dear love, because he delighteth in mercy, and is never more like himself than when he passeth by transgression, iniquity, and sin.” - Spurgeon

  4. He has done it eternally

    1. “He will never rake up our past offences and a second time impute them. He will not find us on an evil day, and say, “I have had great patience with you, but now will I deal with you after your sins.” Far otherwise; he that believeth in Jesus hath everlasting life, and shall never come into condemnation. Irreversible is the pardon of heaven.” - Spurgeon

  5. He forgives completely.

    1. “The Lord lets bygones be bygones so completely that he trusts pardoned souls with his secrets, for “the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him”; and he entrusts some of us with his choicest treasures, for Paul said, “He hath put me in trust with the gospel, though I was a blasphemer.” He commits to our keeping that priceless casket which encloses the best hope of men, namely, the gospel of Jesus. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.” This shows how perfect is our forgiveness" - Spurgeon

If you are struggling to forgive - go to the cross where Christ died for your sins - freely, joyfully, enduring much suffering and pain. think of what his forgiveness means for your life and think of what it means to trust in his pardon. Then think what it means to be an imitator of Christ - how can we imitate his forgiveness that he so richly lavishes on us?

Spurgeon Sermons

https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/forgiveness-made-easy/#flipbook/

https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/divine-forgiveness-admired-and-imitated/#flipbook/

https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-christians-great-business/#flipbook/


SPF 250: Jesus is Lord Over Past Offenses Against Me

When someone sins against us, the sting can last awhile. If we are not careful, thinking about past wrongs can turn our hearts into simmering pots, bothered and bitter. There are a few things we can do to help us think about past wrongs that leads to a deeper trust in our Lord and a lighter heart that has forgiven.

Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?

Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:

  1. Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com

  2. Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

  3. Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful

  4. Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/

  5. Leave a review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-she-proves-faithful/id1116242133?mt=2

Get the Mini Bible Study to Accompany This Episode

Are you interested in learning more about this topic? Would you like to study the Scriptures and have guided study and application questions? Check out this mini Bible study:

(For patreon supporters this study is FREE! Go to patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful to access.

Fruitful Bible Study: SPF 250 Jesus is Lord Over Past Offenses Against Us
Fruitful Bible Study: SPF 250 Jesus is Lord Over Past Offenses Against Us
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SPF 249: Jesus is Lord over Past Memories

Do you ever recall something in your past - whether triumphant or terrible and it seems to sabotage your thoughts? The way we think about past memories matters. It can lead to bitterness or worship of the Lord. It can lead to despair or thankfulness to God. It can be a stumbling block, or a launching pad into a deeper trust of the Lord. Today I am sharing three things we can do to prove faithful with past memories.

Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?

Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:

  1. Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com

  2. Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

  3. Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful

  4. Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/

  5. Leave a review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-she-proves-faithful/id1116242133?mt=2

Get the Bible Study to this episode!

Are you interested in learning more about this topic? Would you like to study the Scriptures and have guided study and application questions? Check out this mini Bible study:

(For patreon supporters this study is FREE! Go to patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful to access.)

Fruitful Podcast Bible Study: SPF 249 Jesus is Lord Over Past Memories
Fruitful Podcast Bible Study: SPF 249 Jesus is Lord Over Past Memories
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Proving Faithful with Past Memories

The way we think about past memories matters.

It can lead to bitterness or worship of the Lord.

It can lead to  despair or thankfulness to God.

It can be a stumbling block, or a launching pad into a deeper trust of the Lord.

Now past memories don't always come with baggage, but sometimes they can be snare to us, limiting our ability to enjoy the present or the future. Whenever we think about the past we can prove faithful by thinking about our memories in ways that honor the Lord and are a blessing to our souls.

The battle with past memories is a battle in the mind.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. – Proverbs 23:7(KJV)

This proverb reminds us that we can be saying one thing, but our heart is in a completely different place.

How we think matters.

How do we prove faithful with past memories?

First, when we think of past memories we need to remember that God is our Sovereign Father.

I think we need to remember that Memories are history. They are part of God's story that He wrote for his glory and a purpose and your good. It may never make it in a history book, or a memoir, or a biography, but they were moments designed by God. Really past memories are looking back at the Sovereign work of God.

God's sovereign hand is over all things that happen to you. And we cannot always see, understand or know their purposes.

When thinking of our past, we must put those memories through the lens of truth - scriptures like Romans 8:28-29 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Second way to prove faithful when thinking of past memories, is to focus on God's provision for you during that time.

What a faith building exercise to look back and say - this happened, but look how God _____. how did he provide? Maybe you didn't see it as provision back then, or maybe it's not the provision you wanted, but did he provide? Yes. And how did he? Use past memories to build your trust in God by thanking him for how he provided.

Psalm 77:11 says, "I shall remember the deeds of the Lord, surely I will remember your wonders of old.

Psalm 68:19 says, "Blessed be the Lord,   who daily bears us up;God is our salvation.

Joshua 21:45 Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

The third way to prove faithful with our past memories is to focus on what God is doing now and what he will do in the future.

Isaiah 43 is so beautiful to illustrate this:

God is telling his people that he is doing a new thing now. He promises deliverance from Babylon but also a greater redemption from sin. In this chapter he reminds Israel what he's done for them, but also what he will do. Sins pardoned wholly and completely by the coming Messiah!

Remember God’s goodness, but live in the present and think of the future.


SPF 248: Reasoning in Our Own Hearts (Taking Our Thoughts Captive)

Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigor; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? - Jane Eyre; Today I am sharing about the blessedness of good theology to guide us through hight intensity emotions and how God's grace and God's Word helps us prove faithful.

Reasoning in Our Own Hearts

When we go through really difficult things - our hearts may try and reason us out of truth because it feels better. It seems like the better way. It is more satisfying or to a bruised or broken or angry heart - it seems more logical.

One example is forgiveness. It is really hard to forgive sometimes. And when we are very hurt, when someone has sinned against us and broken our hearts, it is tempting to withhold forgiveness. We can think it's doing sometime to that person or trick ourselves into thinking it's doing us good.

Reasoning in the Heart without Theology

In Mark chapter 2 four men brought a paralytic to Jesus and lowered him through a roof because there was such a great crowd and Jesus first forgave his sins and it says  NKJV 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,  7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? "

These scribes had unbelief. They were viewing this event through a bias of their own authority and position affecting their understanding and perception of the event.

They grumbled and questioned God inwardly with their own reasoning.

The Greek word used for heart means this seat and center of spiritual life; it is the fountain and seat of thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, and endeavors; its the place of understanding.

That is why we need the Word and we need God's grace.

Let's start with God's grace:

I could go through any sin - gossip, gluttony, malice, disrespect, lust, unbelief - and left to our own hearts, we could find ways to justify them. Our  hearts will often reason our way into things that please the flesh.

But grace.

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,  13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

God's grace at work in us, teaches us to say no to sin. To ungodliness; to wickedness.

It's the power of Christ at work in us! It's our way to what John Owen called "mortification of the flesh" or putting sin to death.

He wrote: “Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of thy sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls. Live in this, and thou wilt die a conqueror; yea, thou wilt, through the good providence of God, live to see thy lust dead at thy feet.”

When we reason in our own hearts without good theology - or the solid truth of God - we will likely ere because we are not a good judge of the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews says Scripture is.

Jane Eyre

Jane says, "I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad- as i am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigor; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. if at my at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth-so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane - quite insane with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count it's throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot."

Give me a heart and mind like Jane!

Though a fictional character, Bronte illustrated the true nature of our hearts when filled with emotions in decision making moments, and how the rock of Christ gives us sure footing - practical, real, trustworthy ways forward.

We need truth.

The truth sets us free.

Resources

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SPF 247: Does Obedience Crush the Heart of Our Children?

The word authority often leaves a bad taste in people’s mouths because authority implies submission and submission is frowned upon as servile. These thoughts have been translated into modern day parenting advice discouraging parental authority. Today I’m sharing truth about the parent’s biblical authority to raise up their children in the knowledge of the Lord and the blessings and freedoms it gives them and share a few practical house rule tips.

The Issue with Authority

Authority

  • Authority is biblical

  • There are different spheres of authority

  • All authorities are to rule according to the Word of God

  • God is the ultimate authority - He is Creator and rule of all

Laws and Statues

  • Designed to honor God

  • Love others

  • Give us peace, freedom and harmony

  • Where there is lawlessness there is no love

Obedience

  • Not about behavior, but about the heart

  • Obedience to God’s law is the better way

Parents

  • Parental authority is a biblical role to raise up God-fearing God-oriented children

  • Parents are not tyrants

  • Parents do not making up the rules, but look to the Lord and His commands in the Holy Scriptures and teaching them to our children

  • We don’t teach our children obey so we can do our own things or make our lives easy, but to train their hearts to be oriented toward the Lord

  • We need to teach the commands of God, what is right and wrong

  • We get to teach the Gospel when the law is broken

  • Make rules in your house that reflect God’s laws and are clear and taught consistently

  • Learn to ask heart-probing questions to reach to the heart