SPF 074: The Christian Hypocrite

I think we’ve all heard it before “Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites”

People expect a certain standard of living and behavior from Christians and when they don’t see it, the word Hypocrite is immediately assigned. Since Christians are not perfect, how do we avoid being a hypocrite? How do we prove faithful when we still sin?

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Help bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to other women across the globe by giving $5 a month to the SPF Podcast. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful

Life Hack - SOAP

Amanda sent in a life hack to put a rubber band on the soap dispenser shaft to keep from pumping too much soap out. Give it a try, especially for little hands that use too much soap!

Also! Amanda is running a Face Mask sale on her site AJapothocary.com during the month of March! I LOVE the Natural Radiance Mask - it smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling so soft.

https://www.ajapothecary.com/product/natural-radiance-mask/

Christians can be Hypocrites

Greek Word - hypokritēs means actor/pretender

Two ways we can be hypocrites as Christians:

  1. we can know the truth and do something different (Example: Paul confronting Peter in Galatians)

  2. we can act out what we know is right but our hearts are far from worshipping God (Example: Jesus rebuking the Pharisees and scribes in Matthew 23)

Bottom line - as Christiasn we are new creations with a new heart able to live lives to God.

If our hearts are new, we live according to the newness. So anytime we sin, we are actually being hypocrites. We are living according to the flesh instead of according to the spirit. 

What do we do when we still sin?

We repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We turn from evil, because we can through the power of Christ.

We live out 1 John 1:9 - When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse of our sins and forgive us of all unrighteousness. 

Turning from hypocrisy does these things:

  1. Glorifies God

  2. assures us of our salvation

  3. shows the world God's authority, holiness, and forgiveness to sinners

When confronted with hypocrisy in our lives remember this verse:

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

Two ways to respond: pride vs humility

Pride: Annanais and Sapphira Acts 5

Humility: Israel and Samual 1 Samuel 12

Practical humility in 1 Samuel:

  • Fear only God

  • Serve Him faithfully with all your heart

  • Consider the great things He has done for you (in Bible, and in own life)

Three Ways We Can Prove Faithful by Turning from our Hypocrisy

1. Turn from evil and obey the Lord

2. Think like a Christian by developing a biblical worldview

3. Ask for forgiveness - seek restoration of relationships

Resources

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

A Survey of Church History - https://www.ligonier.org/store/survey-of-church-history-complete-dvd-package-collection-parts-1-6/

Acts and Facts Magazine - http://www.icr.org/icr-magazines

Answers in Genesis (has kid resources too!) - https://answersingenesis.org

Meet the Puritans: With a Guide to Modern Reprints
By Joel R. Beeke And Randall J. Pederson

 

 

 

SPF 073: The Truth About Anger

In your anger do not sin. Huh. We’ve all been angry a time or two, so important to look at God’s Word when we think about this common and powerful passion that often directs our thoughts, tongue, and actions. Today we are talking about where anger comes from, what it produces, and a few biblical ideas to put it away.

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Support the SPF Podcast

If this podcast has encouraged you and you want to be a part of helping women prove faithful, consider becoming a teammate!

To learn more or to donate go to patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful

Life Hack - How to eat More Veggies

Thank you to SPF Listener Kim for today's life hack:

Kim suggests loading up on the veggies at the grocery store and then chopping them all up when you get home. Store them in the fridge and use as needed! When your veggies are chopped and prepped you're more likely to use them, plus it makes a easy side to any meal:

Roasted Veggies

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees

  • Spread prepared veggies on pan tossed with olive oil, garlic, salt, spices you love

  • Roast for 30-45 minutes

The Truth About Anger

Anger is not always a sin - Anger is an emotion that tells us where our heart is at.

Where does anger come from?

  • Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also - Matthew 6:21

  • From out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks - Luke 6:45

We must be keenly aware that our heart is not always for God; many times in our anger our heart is in it for ourselves. 

Two Questions

Why are we angry? and Where is it going?

Why are we angry?

Righteous Anger: is getting angry when the law of God is violated and God himself is blasphemed

Unrighteous Anger: the reasons are endless (I'm not in control, my feelings are hurt, I am offended, I want to be right, I want to be comfortable, etc)

Where is unrighteous anger going?

  • Stirs up more anger - Proverbs 15:1

  • Leads to evil - Psalm 37:8

  • Does not produce the righteousness of God - James 1:20

An angry and hasty spirit is soon provoked to ill things by afflictions and error and ill opinions that become prevalent through the workings of our own vile and vain affections. - Matthew Henry

In our Anger - Do Not Sin

In your anger do not sin, do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3 tells us to put off anger and put on the new self

We need to STOP ---> THINK ---> REPENT (turn from our sins and turn to the grace of God)

Sometimes anger feels productive and fruitful, but 2 Peter tells us what really makes us fruitful and productive:

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins." 2 Peter 1:3-9

Righteous Anger

A great example of righteous anger is Paul in Athens in Acts 17. When he saw people worshiping idols he was provoked (angered) and preached the Gospel to help people turn to the living God.

"Paul’s love for God and His standards meant he had a corresponding hatred for that which was offensive to the Lord. The idolatry of Athens produced a strong and sharp emotional disturbance within him, one of exasperated indignation." - Greg Bahnsen

Four Helpful Ideas to help when we are angry

  1. Memorize verses about anger

  2. Know God's law and character so we can discern if our anger is righteous

  3. Become familiar with passages about God's justice and judgement (and pray for repentance for people)

  4. Repent of our sin in anger and be quick to forgive (Ephesians 4:32)

Resources

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

 

 

SPF 072: Four Ways to Prove Faithful

We are coming up on two years of the SPF Podcast and today we are talking about four ways we can prove faithful as Christian women and I share a little bit about how the SPF podcast started way back with my emails in High School.

Show Notes: sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode72

Instagram: @sheprovesfaithful

Become a Supporter: patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful 

This Podcast is Made Possible by People like You!

THANK YOU to all the women who sacrificially give each month to help this podcast keep going. It is a huge blessing to me as I can continue teaching and encouraging women with the Gospel over the airwaves.

Have you been encouraged by the podcast? Consider being part of the SPF team with gift of $5 a month!

patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful

Life Hack: Phone + Focus

This life hack is brought to you by SPF listener, Fallon.

"I recommend turning off all your post notifications on your social handles. By doing this you aren’t constantly being notified when someone “hearts, likes or comments” on your post. It helps you not checking your social handles 24/7 and makes you more aware of your surroundings. Plus it’s like a little prize later when u pull it up and see all your notifications."

I agree and have been doing this for a while and it's given me better focus and presence during my day!

Thank you Fallon!

Four Ways to Prove Faithful

No 1: Proving faithful with the Gospel message

"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

If we are believers we are entrusted with the mystery of God and need to be found faithful stewards of it.

The mystery of God is Christ - in the fullest sense, it’s God’s plan of salvation through His Son. We would have never been able to understand the way to eternal life without Jesus, His death and resurrection.
 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

If we are believers, God has unveiled to us the very great and wonderful mystery of salvation! We are now stewards of this message.

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf:as “Be reconciled to God.” He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."  1 Corinthians 5:20-21

No 2: Prove faithful in our roles and responsibilities as women, wives, mothers

We have purpose on earth - God gives us roles and responsibilities as women, wives, and mothers.

Some of these roles and responsibilities are in Genesis 1-3 and we see a feminine charge throughout Scripture including in Titus 2, and general callings such as making disciples of Christ in Matthew 28.

No 3: Prove faithful by pursuing holiness

Jesus return is a reality and as Kevin DeYoung puts it from his book Taking God at His Word:
“And when Jesus comes again we will all realize, even if it is too late for some, that ungodly living is inconsistent with the glory of Christ.”

Holiness is the calling of all believers and it’s different from legalism. 

  • Legalism is a pursuit of righteousness to earn salvation from God.

  • Holiness is a pursuit of obedience because of Christ’s righteousness given to us.

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,"
2 Peter 3:9,11

Pastor R.C. Sproul writes this about pursuing holiness:

"At the same time, we do not know who all the elect are, nor do we know when they shall all be gathered in. Therefore, we should not be complacent when we hear the command to repent. The elect will lead lives of repentance, and those who persistently refuse the command of God reveal themselves to be at emnity with God. Those who claim to know Christ but will not submit to Him as Lord through repentance, faith, and obedience dangerously presume upon God’s grace. We all must repent lest our deaths or Jesus’ return make it too late."

No 4: Prove faithful by thinking biblically about God, ourselves, and our culture

As children of God we must develop biblical thinking and critical thinking when it comes to God, ourselves, and our culture.

  • It takes time and practice

  • We are immersed in a world of sin, flesh, desire, temptation and it is easy to be misinformed, misguided, tricked, lied to and deceived.

  • I have moments where I’m trying to disprove the word because I think I see something different, OR my feelings feel something different.

  • We need to know what Scriptures teach us about God, ourselves, and culture so we can have true understanding, be discerning, and live above reproach. and so we can walk in FREEDOM

In Matthew 7:18-20 Jesus tells the story about good and bad fruit:

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

What is one sign of good fruit?

  • Good fruit looks like a person who delights in the law of the Lord - Psalm 1

  • The Law of the Lord enlightens the eyes according to Psalm 19

Learning to think biblically puts God’s Word as the authority and helps us apply God’s Word to our lives and culture

It takes time - and it takes practice

As we learn it helps us become better evangelists for the glory of God and salvation of others

Prove Faithful by Holding it up to the Word of God

As a last exhortation, let the Bible be our standard and plumb line for living and knowing God.

Do not follow anyone (including me) blindly. :)

Resources

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

R.C. Sproul article about Holiness and Godliness: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/holiness-and-godliness/

More about legalism: https://www.ligonier.org/blog/3-types-legalism/

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPF 071: The Deconversion Story & Certainty

You may have heard of a conversion story, but what about a de-conversion story? There is a temptation to turn away from the good and certain Word of God when we don’t understand something, instead of pressing into the Scriptures. Today we are talking about uncertainty, certainty, and four reasons the law of God is a gift to us.

Become a Teammate!

Want to be a part of helping women hear the Gospel and think biblically? Join the team with a gift of $5 a month on patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful (or find out more info).

Other ways to support the show:

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

Explore Amazon Affiliate Links - by clicking on links and exploring products I love, you can help support the podcast.

Like Audible! We LOVE audible! You can try it free for a month and get two audiobooks free (and you get to keep them even if you don't continue your audible subscription)

 

Opportunities

Friends of a Feather Podcast

Take a listen to Friends of a Feather Podcast where Wren asked me questions about my open heart surgery, miscarriages, and how I've hoped in God.

Friends of a Feather Podcast episode

Spiritual Spring Cleaning Webinar with Rachel Jankovic

Canon Press is hosting a four week webinar with author and mom, Rachel Jankovic. You can sign up with a group of women and receive a discount!

For more information and to register: http://canonpress.com/spiritual-spring-cleaning-live-webinar-with-rachel-jankovic/

The Deconversion Story

The article my husband sent me that set this whole thing off:  Jen Hatmaker - Changing my mind about the Bible

Kruger writes an incredibly articulate article about the Power of Deconversion stories

  • Christian testimonies are a powerful way to explain our faith in a God who saves us from our sin

  • De-conversion story is not for the lost necessarily but for the Christian

  • Kruger says the purpose is to “convince them that their outdated naive believes are no longer worthy of their assent.

  • They thought they’ve seen the light, but now they’ve REALLY seen the light

One element common of deconversion story - the Word of God is just not certain.

But!

That's a lie.

The Bible is certain.

In all the uncertainties of life, isn't the certainty of God's Word a comfort to us?!

The Certainty of God's Word

2 Peter 1:16-21

Two evidences of the certainty of Scripture:

1. Eyewitnesses

2. Trustworthy documents

SPF Podcasts about the Word:

One HUGE Reason it’s important to be sure about God’s Word

  1. It tells us where and what darkness is

  2. It tells us how to overcome it

How is the darkness overcome?

John 1 : 1-5

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Colossians 1:13-14

 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Four Blessings of the Law

  1. Displays God’s Glory

  2. Reveals our depravity - Romans 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

  3. Demonstrates God’s grace and power (to give us a heart to obey, and a WAY TO OBEY)

  4. Show us to be God’s people - good fruit, called to a holy life

Be Watchful!

2 Timothy 4:1-4

James 1:25

Be sober minded and watchful - there are false teachers that will pander to our emotions, to worldly passions.

Resources

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

Ligonier Sermon (I believe this is the one that speaks about the man who was converted because of the accuracy of the historicity of the Bible) https://www.ligonier.org/learn/sermons/zeus-and-hermes/

Here are two of Rachel Jankovic's books. I've read Fit to Burst and really enjoyed it!

 

 

SPF 070: Is Self Care Biblical?

Self care is a cultural trend taking social media by storm. What is self-care all about and is it biblical? Today we are addressing the cultural dominance of self-care and look at it through the wisdom of God think biblically about rest and restoration.

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Become a Teammate!

Want to be a part of helping women hear the Gospel and think biblically? Join the team with a gift of $5 a month on patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful (or find out more info).

Other ways to support the show:

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

Explore Amazon Affiliate Links - by clicking on links and exploring products I love, you can help support the podcast.

Like Audible! We LOVE audible!

Life Hack - Coats & Car Seats

This life hack comes from listener Paula who said, put your kid's coats on backwards - when it's time to buckle up, slip off the coat and then put them back on! It's safe and warm for car seats.

Thanks Paula!!

Is Self Care Biblical?

First things first:

1. It is not my intention to shame anyone for ever using the hashtag “self care” or posting about it. It’s not a sin to use this hashtag. The purpose of this episode is to explore a worldly view of self vs a biblical view of self and to not be deceived by cultural trends.

2. This episode is not to say we need to neglect good hygiene or not take care of ourselves. This is about looking to the source of rest and restoration. 

We are going to address the cultural dominance of self-care and look at it through the wisdom of God.

What is self care?

Psych Central says, “any activity we do deliberately in order to take control of our mental emotional, physical health.”

Habits of Well Being says, “A personal journey and each day is changing, so its important to continually look after yourself (i.e. make it a habit) and reflect on your health and well-being.

English Oxford Dictionary says, “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s health.”

Cultural Self care is really about OUR ability to achieve rest and restoration to be our best selves even if it comes at the expense of our duties, responsibilities and worship of God.

Two Troubles:

  1. Culture wants us to believe we have trouble remember ourselves but It’s really impossible to forget about ourselves and our needs. This trend can lie to us and say we’ve forgotten all about yours truly. I spend too much time loving my neighbor and not enough time for me.

One quick # search again on IG would prove otherwise:

#loveyourself has 19.7 million vs #loveyourneighbor 90K

#selflove has 12.7 million vs #loveothers 311K

2. Self care turns into a humanistic source of giving our weary souls rest and restoration. It’s about looking inward for that settled and rested heart, mind, and soul.  That there is some activity or thing we can do to achieve this for ourselves - is this thinking not leaving behind God and forging our own savior?

In order to rightly discern self care, it’s important to develop a right view of our self.

Cultural View of Self:

  • Embrace Self / Love Self

  • Put Me First

  • Think about Now (Temporary)

  • Rest and Restoration come from me

  • Run from hard things - escapism

Biblical View of Self

  • Die to Self - Luke 9:23

  • Put others first - Matthew 20:28, Philippians

  • Eternal Focus - Colossians 3

  • Restoration and Rest (care) Come from God - Isaiah 40

  • Hard things can be for our good - Hebrews 12:11

Here’s the best part about dying to self-care - is the great amount of freedom it brings!!

I think as biblical women we can change the conversation to REALLY help other women - 

That we can turn from self preservation to a submission of self to Christ - to ENTRUST OURselves to our faithful creator and keep doing good. 

1. Go to God first

2. Become biblical thinkers when it comes our struggles

- Check out Truth in Love Podcast by Heath Lambert for biblical wisdom and encouragement.

3. Embrace the hard things as a gift and press into the Lord.

4. Know our limitations because we are not God: learn to say no, get sleep, love sacrificially, be in community, ask for help.

 Resources

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

Holiness
By J. C. Ryle

SPF 069: Past and Modern Day Idols (and what to do about it)

Idolatry simply put is created things worshiping created things instead of the Creator. It’s a snare to the Christian heart and only leads to suffering. Today we are looking at a few idols in Biblical times as well as some modern day idols and two solutions to idol worship. 

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To become a teammate or learn more go to www.patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful

Life Hack - Saving for Christmas

A dance mom friend told me this great idea to save for Christmas gifts throughout the year: at the end of each month use whatever cash is leftover to buy a gift card to a store you like to shop at (Target, Amazon, etc). Then at Christmas you can use those gift cards to shop for gifts without adding extra financial pressure to that month.

Idolatry: Then and Now

Idolatry is the worship of created things rather than the ONE and Only Creator. 

Romans 1:25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Idolatry is dangerous because we get to decide who God is and what God does.

Asherath and Baal - idols of the past

  • goddess and god of a particular power

  • changed per culture

  • worshipped through immorality and depravity including prostitution, child sacrifice, and self mutilation

  • proved to be snares to God's people

  • mutable - always changing to fit desires and needs of culture

  • only powerful in certain areas

Joshua 24 and Judges 2

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

IDOLATRY TODAY

Looks a little different - we don’t carve images really

But it’s evident what idols are vying for our hearts when we look at our culture.

Learning from men like Dr. Greg Bahnsen and Dr. Joseph Boot my husband says, “Culture is the public expression of private worship; whatever is worshipped the most privately, will be the dominate force publicly.”

Dominate force publicly - socialism 

Private idol is greed and covetousness 

Dominate force publicly - fluidity of gender

Private idol - feelings

Dominate force publicly - social media addiction

Private idol - self

modern day idols:

  • Social media addiction - an endless feedback loop of affirmation

  • Government - looking for salvation from the government

  • Naturalism and Science - a rejection of biblical creation and worldview and embracing atheistic evolution and earth preservation

  • Self-care - self care is rooted in self worship of my needs. I’m not saying it’s a sin to want to go get coffee by yourself or to have some peace and quiet time, but to say it’s necessary takes it to worship.

It all boils down to SELF AGGRANDIZEMENT - which means the fulfillment of the self to the exclusion of all others and their needs and desires.

What’s the solution to idolatry?

Know the true God and obey his commands

Do you duty - your calling as Christians - to teach your children and tell others.

Joshua 23:6-8

Acts 14:15-17

Judges 2:10

“God is not a God who tolerates you. He is God who loves you. He is a God who desires you.” Paul Washer

Recommended Resources:

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

Got Questions article on modern day idolatry: https://www.gotquestions.org/idolatry-modern.html

SPF Podcast Episode 49: Social Media Battle with Laura Ferguson

Free Bible Reading Plan: Sign up here www.sheprovesfaithful.com/bible

Family Worship Bible Guide
By Joel R Beeke Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

 

SPF 068: Self Deception & Cat Bread

Self Deception is deceiving. We don’t know we are deceived until we see correctly and the correct vision comes from God’s grace and knowing the Truth of the Word. Today were are going to talk about the dangers of self-deception and how to live in the reality of this world God created. 

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Be an SPF Podcast Teammate!

Partner with me in bringing this podcast to other women! For $5 a month you can help me keep SPF up and running. For more information or to donate go to patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful

Life Hack

For those people are hard to buy gifts for - here's an idea I found on the internet: Tell the person you got them a gift and to try and guess what it is - then you'll have a list of things they want!

Happy Birthday January babies!

Self Deception

Self Deception is deceiving.

We don’t know we are deceived until we see correctly and the correct vision comes from God’s grace and knowing the Truth of the Word.

The first time we see deception is in the garden - Genesis 3:1-3

  • Satan is crafty and wants to deceive us

  • He wants us to believe the lie that we know better than God - that our way is better

  • We are self-deceived because we want to be like God.

We see the results of this self-deception ALL OVER Scripture 

  • Jeremiah 17:5-7

  • Matthew 7:21-27

Dangers of Self-deception 

hell. That’s a freebie from my husband

  1. We will never face up to our sin with any realism - blame shift, justify, down play, ignore

  2. We will not face up to the state of our future with any realism - in death and the path of choosing our selves as lord in this life

  3. We place our trust in idols because we can develop a false Jesus. - You don’t get to make up your own Jesus. We can be deceived by our own desire for comfort or justification and make Jesus into someone He is not.

We are not the source of what is true. We are not the authority in this world. We need the truth to renew our minds and show us where we are trying to be God.

Wake Up from Self-Deception

  1. Know the True God of the Bible

  2. Be doers of the Word - workers of lawlessness

  3. Be in community

“We all have our blind spots, and God, in order to keep us on our spiritual toes has enable us to see everyone elses.” Pastor Doug Wilson

Body Image

We cannot self-love ourselves out of our insecurities.

Confidence in the way we look comes from understanding who God made you to be.

  1. That outward beauty fades, but inward beauty grows

  2. We are created to work - have babies, use our bodies, get wrinkles and gray hairs

  3. We are created to worship our Creator not the created - and give thanks for the gifts He gives us

Recommended Resources

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

SPF Podcast Episode 52 - Body Image Struggle

 

 

 

SPF 067: Goals, Consequences, and True Change

Got Goals? Got dreams? God ideas of a new you? We are going to talk about the true agent of change and expose the secret sauce to REVIVIng the soul. Ready to prove faithful this year? 

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Life Hack for the To-Do List

Vis-à-Vis Markers - These are wet erase markers that stay put until you run your to-do list down the drain with water. It's very therapeutic ;) I lamenated a sheet of paper and use a Vis-à-Vis pen to write some things down for the day, week, etc and it's been a helpful place to store to-do's.

I bought my markers on Amazon (affiliate link):

The True Agent of Change

“Spiritual growth depends on two things: First a willingness to live according to the Word of God, second a willingness to take whatever consequences emerge as a result.” Sinclair Ferguson

1. A willingness to live according to the Word of God

  • First we have to be in God’s Word and know what God’s word has to say about things (like marriage, relationships, children, hope, anxiety, food, etc)

  • Second there needs to be a willingness - that is a heart that is soft and able to say, God, you are God and I am not, and you have written your good words for me, so I can know you and know what is true, beautiful and good. And RIGHT.

This year we need to approach God’s Word as it Truly is - authoritative, good, and RIGHT. We need to come to the Holy Scriptures of God with a heart that says, “teach me Lord.”

2. A willingness to take whatever consequences emerge as a result

This is where the rubber meets the road. If we approach God’s Word and read it and live according to His Truth, then we must be willing to accept the consequences of it.

Those consequences spell out CHANGE for me.

And it’s scary and awesome at the same time.

  • Scary because we have idols we like and are comfortable with

  • Awesome because the Gospel gives life!! and there are blessings to obedience!

Your Number One Goal

Is to worship God and enjoy Him forever.

One way to do this is to read the Word of God DAILY.

This year I’m encouraging women to read a chapter of the Bible every day - and then accept the consequences of the Good and perfect Word. Remember, Psalm 19 says “The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul” the consequences are a REVIVED SOUL. It just takes a little peeling our fingers off idols first.

Join the SPF in the Word plan for FREE:  sheprovesfaithful.com/bible

Joshua chapters 1-6

God gave a command and Achan blatantly disobeyed and lied about it. It put the whole nation of Israel at risk and got men killed as well as his own family. Achan is an example to us that sin is serious and all sin deserves death. But God brings life out of trouble for the repentant heart: Hosea chapter 2 tells us that the Valley of Achor (Valley of trouble, where Achan was killed) will be a door of hope.

Without Christ we are doomed to death. Now we have life in Christ. Hope, and a way out of the misery of being enslave to sin in our daily living.

But true change is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Recommendations

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

1. Sign up for a Bible reading plan and commit to reading the Bible every day.

Join SPF in the Word Bible reading plan free: sheprovesfaithful.com/bible

2. Family Worship Bible Guide by Dr. Joel Beeke - gives a brief summary of EVERY chapter of the Bible with two discussion questions. A great companion to have with your daily reading.

Family Worship Bible Guide
By Joel R Beeke Ph.D.

3. Podcasts about the Word of God from SPF

4. Read the Bible with your kids

SPF 066: The Christmas Special Featuring Andy Hlushak

It's that time again! Time for the festive Christmas episode with my special guest, Andy Hlushak. Today we are answering some of your Christmas questions and having a jolly good time too!

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Merry Christmas!

We had a lot of fun doing this show - laughing and remember Jesus in all things.

Here are some highlights:

Christmas Lifehack

Andy: use a staple gun and duct tape to wrap presents
Lauren: boil water, pour in a glass and then dump it out, then put glass over a refrigerated stick of butter to bring it to room temp in a minute (I think mine was the more helpful life hack ;)

Favorite Christmas Song

Andy: O Holy Night and Joy to the World
Lauren: O Come O Come Emmanuel

Theology of Gifts

Learn more about the theology of gifts--  on episode 64 of the SPF Podcast and Doug Wilson's sermon

Why is the birth of Christ celebrated on December 25th?

The importance of celebrating Christ's birth is to celebrate it; the date doesn't matter because it doesn't get us closer to the Lord, prove our salvation, or determine when Jesus is coming back. The important part is to make Christ known and to use Christmas as a time of worship and proclamation!

What do we do with all the Santa stuff?

Andy challenges us to not lie to our kids about the truth of Santa- it adds no value to their lives. Instead, share the great legacy of St. Nicolas and when we see a Santa rejoice in the symbol of generosity during Christmas!

What will you eat for Christmas breakfast?

Andy: Sushi.  (But not anymore hahaha)
Lauren: craving Panera Bread treats or homemade cinnamon rolls

Favorite Christmas Resources:

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

Christmas Favorites List:  sheprovesfaithful.com/christmas

 

 

 

SPF 065: The Lord's Perfect Timing

God’s Timing is perfect even when we’re a little skeptical. If the Lord’s timing is perfect, then there is some waiting on our part. Whether a few hours or decades, there are some biblical principles on waiting that can encourage our heart and help us prove faithful as believing women in Christ.

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Partner with me!

If you've benefited from the SPF podcast, consider supporting it on Patreon with a $5 monthly gift. You can learn more and give here: patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful

Norwex

Looking to get rid of harsh and harmful chemicals in your home? Are you looking for ways to have your kids help out with cleaning? Looking for Christmas presents? Check out Norwex products!

I am loving my kitchen towels, window towels, Pet to Dry towels - all of it to help reduce germs and bacteria in my home, without chemicals and with a cloth that purifies itself in 24 hours!

Check out SPF Christmas favorites at sheprovesfaithful.com/christmas

The Cow Tongue

The Lord's Perfect Timing

The inspiration for today’s episode comes from 2 Peter 3, my pastor’s sermon on Sunday, and the advent season.

Today’s take away is - THE LORD’S TIMING IS PERFECT

My timing is not so good.

But God’s timing - it’s always spot on. Perfect.

We can see it with the arrival of Christ! In Jeremiah - just like we talked about last week - at the right time God would send a Savior:

In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’ “For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel,and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.” Jeremiah 33:15-18

And Romans 5:6 tells us: You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."

God has a perspective and a wisdom and  a knowledge and a Sovereignty that we don’t have!

The arrival of Christ came at just the right time.
His death came at just the right time.
His resurrection three days later came at just the right time.
And his second arrival will be at just the right time.

Three wrong directions we can go when waiting

  1. We lose heart and get discouraged or become bitter and scoff - 1 Samuel 13

  2. We forget what we are waiting for - Second Coming 2 Peter 3

  3. We advance our own kingdom and agenda - Matthew 6:33

How to prove faithful while we wait on God's Perfect Timing

  1. Be diligent to be found in Him without blemish or spot 2 Peter 2:14

  2. Know the character of God 2 Peter 3:15

  3. Don't get carried away with the error of lawless people 2 Peter 3:15-17

  4. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 2 Peter 3:18

Take Heart in the WAIT

God is teaching us how to endure waiting for Him to return by waiting for other things. The difference is that we can have hope in Christ and His promised return, knowing He will come back a the right time. God wants us to know Him and the wait allows us to know God-- His goodness and greatness.

Resources

Amazon Links are affiliate links - meaning I get a very small referral credit from Amazon for recommend products, at no cost to you - that goes to supporting the podcast.

Sermon from Pastor Aaron Carlson at New City Church: http://newcitydenver.org/sermons/advent-2-a-gospel-message-for-christmas-scoffers/

Sermon from Pastor Doug Wilson on 2 Peter (overview of book): http://www.canonwired.com/featured/1921/