SPF 112: The Wisdom & Ways of God (+ectopic pregnancy)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” God’s wisdom means that God knows the best way to the highest end, which is His Glory and our good. God’s glory and His wisdom are intimately connected. Today we are talking about the wisdom of God and three things He does through His wisdom, plus ways we can prove faithful when considering the wisdom of God.

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"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." God's wisdom means that God knows the best way to the highest end, which is His Glory and our good. God's glory and His wisdom are intimately connected.

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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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

God’s Ways

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s wisdom means that God knows the best way to the highest end, which is His Glory and our good. God’s glory and His wisdom are intimately connected.

Because of God’s wisdom, God is always accomplishing the best way to glorify Himself and bring good to us. That means all things that are happening, God is conforming to the pattern of His will by his wisdom and might.

Job 9:4 says “God is wise in heart and mighty in strength, who has hardened himself against him and succeeded?”

Job 12:13 says, “with God are wisdom an might, he has counsel and understanding.”

God’s wisdom is unfathomable!

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36

God is wisdom.

Romans 16 tells us that God is the only wise God and it’s to His glory forevermore through Jesus Christ; Colossians 2:3 teaches us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ.

"If a person does not know Christ they have not one drop of wisdom at all, they are all just clever fools.” - Dr. Steven Lawson

Those who seem wise without Christ cannot actually be wise for they are forsaking their very soul for condemnation. 

But if we have Christ, we have wisdom; when we fear the Lord we have wisdom. Wisdom is from above and and pure and points us to magnifying the name of God.

Through God’s wisdom:

Number 1: By God’s Wisdom He Created

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all Psalm 104:24

It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens Jeremiah 10:12

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew Proverbs 3:19–20

God’s creation testifies to His attribute of wisdom - By God’s wisdom - His understanding - He created the world and all that is in it. And not only this - but his wisdom in creation testifies to His glory!!!  

VISIT creation.com

Number 2: By God’s Wisdom there is providence 

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. Psalm 107:10-16

Number 3: By God’s wisdom we have salvation

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Only God alone could have planned out the way for men to be reconciled to HIm. God knew this plan from the beginning and in His wisdom He planned it and accomplished it.

Mankind has been inventing ways to get to God and continue to do so. It’s always by their own power, always by their own thoughts and ways and it never works.

Only God could think of this plan to deliver His Son over to be our sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. 

1 Corinthians 1:18 says, For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

and in vs 24 “but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Our salvation is from the wisdom of God.

Three Things To Prove Faithful with Knowing God’s Wisdom

  1. Acknowledge the wisdom of God is above our own and rejoice in it. We are the creation and the Creator has the ultimate wisdom in all things!! By God’s grace when we hear the hard things we can say that God’s ways are above ours and actually take comfort in that.  Which leads to. . .

  2. Rest in God’s wise providence and take joy that He is working all things out to bring Himself glory and our Good which means being more like Christ. When I’m in those season of trials, it’s good to keep thanking God and to keep knowing Him in His Word. And when I want to seize control, to relent. To ask for grace and mercy in my time of need to have a willing heart and mind to follow the Lord where He goes.

  3. Know the wisdom of God in Scripture and teach it to your children. You can incorporate the wisdom of God in normal conversations when you talk about science or nature or history. By His wisdom He made the world, he makes plans, he fulfills plans. He alone is wise.

Resources

*amazon links are affiliate links and give the SPF podcast a small referral fee.

Dr. Steven Lawson Wisdom of God Talk - https://www.ligonier.org/learn/daily-video/2019/02/07/the-wisdom-of-god/

You can purchase the talk for $2 and have it for a lifetime: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/attributes-god/the-wisdom-of-god/

Creation Station
Lightcast.com

SPF 111: The Fear of God vs The Fear of Man

Proverbs 29:25 says, The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trust is in the Lord is safe.

What happens when we fear man? Why does fearing the Lord bring freedom and peace into our lives? How do we fear God? Today we are looking at the difference of fearing man verses fearing God and learning the blessedness of allegiance to the Lord of Hosts.

Love the 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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

Allegiance to God

Allegiance to God leads to a freedom from the fear of man.  When our allegiance is to God, then we can rejoice in the Truth even when the world say stop, or we are wrong, or makes fun of us. 

The Fear of Man

Proverbs 29:25 says,

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trust is in the Lord is safe.

Hebrews 13:6 says

“So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear, what can man do to me?

Psalm 118:6 says,

“The Lord is on my side, I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Mathew 10:28 says

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Galatians 1:10 says

For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? I fI were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Scripture teaches us that a fear of man is a snare and burden to us. It leads to an allegiance to the created rather than the Creator.  Our minds and hearts are to be set on the King of Glory who sits enthroned above. He has saved us from the power of sin and death and we are dead to our selves and made a live in Christ now. 

Our allegiance is now to the King who rescued us! We are loyal to the one who saved us.  We were bought at a price too high for us to pay and now we have freedom - freedom from death, freedom from the power of sin, and freedom from the fear of man!

Fear of God

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools desire wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil

Ecclesiastes 12:13

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments; for the sis the whole duty of man.

Proverbs 14:27

The fear of the Lord is a foundation of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice it have a good understanding.

Proverbs 25:14

The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him and He makes know to them His covenant.

Proverbs 19:23

The fear of the Lord leads to life and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

When we fear the Lord we have:

  • knowledge

  • hate evil

  • know our purpose and duty in life

  • life and turn from death

  • wisdom and good understanding

  • strong confidence and a refuge

  • friendship with God

  • knowledge of His covenant

  • satisfaction and protection 

Jim Elliot wrote "In reading the Scriptures, I find a great moral power. Therein am I made aware of two great forces for good in human experience: the "fear" of God and the "grace" of God. Without the fear of God, I should not stop at doing evil; the fear of God restrains from evil. Without the grace of God, I should have no desire to approach positive goodness. The one is a deterrent from evil; the other an encouragement to good.”

Application

So how can we prove faithful - or show our allegiance to God instead of man?

1. Know the truth and be set free - study the difference between fearing God and fearing man Be equipped with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God so that when we are confused or tempted we have the truth as a plum line to what is good and right. Check out the show notes for the Scripture from today’s episode. Read through and highlight some words that stick out. Look up the definitions. Memorize one.

2. Repent when we fear man instead of God. Ask God to reveal times you are trusting in man or fearing man instead of Him. And repent. Know the grace of God.

3. Rejoice and give thanks always - it changes our perspective and helps us remember God is God and keeps eternity in the front of our minds and hearts.

SPF 110: What Do We Do When We Don't Like Something in the Bible

What do we do when we get to those Bible passages that we maybe don’t agree with? Maybe we don’t understand them, or maybe we have a hard time embracing them. Today I’m going to talk about how we can prove faithful when it comes to tackling the problems we face with these passages.  

What do we do when we don’t like something in the Bible?

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What do we do when we get to those Bible passages that we maybe don't agree with? Maybe we don't understand them, or maybe we have a hard time embracing them. Today I'm going to talk about how we can prove faithful when it comes to tackling the problems we face with these passages.

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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

God’s Word is the Standard of Truth

God’s Word is the standard of truth.

It’s how we know what is good, right, beautiful, MORAL, immoral, evil. 

We cannot use culture to define these things for us.

What is moral in culture right now may be immoral decades later.

So what about the passages that are hard for us. That we don’t like? OR that we don’t agree with?

Do they exist. Yes. For everyone. Because we are still in the flesh even if we are saved. There are still rebellious parts of our hearts.

The Problem: There is a war on God’s Word. 

There are enemies of the word and a battle to uphold human tradition, reasoning, and opinion rather than the authority of God’s Word in the Bible.

Who are these enemies? 

Well, there are some obvious ones - those who do not believe in God and are not saved. You can see leaders of thought and law in our countries that set themselves up against the God. 

So are the saved, the redeemed, the adopted sons and daughters of God. the flesh still wars against the spirit. RC Sproul said that Even conversion doesn’t cure immediately this deeply rooted hatred of God’s Word. 

Every day is a struggle for the believer to accept the whole counsel of God. 

So what do we do?

First know that is is part of sanctification. 

If we are recognizing we don’t agree with the Word or do not want to submit - praise God for His work in our heart to acknowledge this.

  1. We need to grow in our understanding of God’s Word so much more. We scratch the surface, but are we looking to understand. 

    • RC says mare those passages and study them for 10 years and see if your heart changes.

  2. Ask yourself why you’re struggling with a passage?

    • Is it because of culture saying something different than God, personal sin that’s being called out by that passage, are you dealing with a situation where believing God’s truth would make relationships difficult

We will inevitable fight against the word at times in our life because of the flesh at war with the spirit.

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

But this crossroad is an opportunity! When we find ourselves hostile to parts of the Word, it is a mirror to our soul - it is so revealing!

We can prove faithful in times where we come up against passages that are hard for us, by humbling ourselves to the wonderful, wise and holy God who has given us the gift of his word, and studying it when we don’t understand, and evaluating our own reasons of resistance.

While I’m away, here’s what you can do:

  1. Join SPF in the Word sheprovesfaithful.com/bible Get some Bible resources, be encouraged in knowing God’s Word

  2. Try audible for free for a month and get two free books that are yours to keep forever. https://amzn.to/2CZLh41

  3. Find me on IG @sheprovesfaithful - I try and hop on there and show a bit of my life and connect with you!

Resources

Amazon links are affiliate links - I receive a very small commission for my recommendations.

RC Sproul sermon (may expire after a certain time): https://renewingyourmind.org/2019/01/24/this-means-war

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



SPF 109: God is Not Silent with the Most Important Questions

Sometimes we are tempted to ask the question “Why doesn’t God _____” When we are searching for answers, there are two things we need to look at - the attitude of our hearts and the truth that God is actually not silent on the most important questions. 

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Sometimes we are tempted to ask the question "Why doesn't God _____" When we are searching for answers, there are two things we need to look at - the attitude of our hearts and the truth that God is actually not silent on the most important questions. 

THANK YOU PATREON SUPPORTERS!

Interested in supporting the podcast?

Please 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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

Life Hack

Tape a roll of duct tape behind your trash can so the lid can open all the way up!

God is NOT Silent

Number 1: When God is silent version 2.0 

God may feel silent sometimes. We may be asking and asking and wondering and wondering and the answers are not coming. 

We may ask the question why doesn’t God _______?

And when God doesn’t answer how we expect We can go two ways - humbly wait and worship knowing He has given us everything we need in Scripture for faith and practice, or we can get demanding.

The problem with a demanding attitude toward God is that we believe God should bend toward our will, rather than us bend toward His. It is revealing of our own desire to rule over our lives rather than submit to His direction.

Leads to feelings of isolation and that God doesn’t care.

Isolation:

It leads to feelings of isolation because we are drifting from the vine - the source of life and nourishment. Maybe we feel alone or like God has left us because He’s not answering us, and so we try to manufacture answers and direction and it’s lonely and empty.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.

God doesn’t Care:

When we want God to bend to our will and he doesn’t do it, it leads to those feelings that He doesn’t care.

The truth is God does care about us - so much he knows how many hairs are on our head at any given time, so much so that He dwells in us after He regenerates our dead hearts. So much that he forgives all our sin.

Number 2: God is actually not silent when it comes to the most important answers we need

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
— Hebrews 1:1-4

What is God not silent about? OUR REDEMPTION! He is not silent about how His plans and now the execution of His plans to save people from their sin.

God has spoken through His creation Hebrews 1:2,10

“1 Kings says:“After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, ‘What are you doing here Elijah?’” (1 Kings 19:12-13).

In today’s passage, Elijah witnesses a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire. These are awesome sights, but God does not answer him in any of these (vv. 11–12a). Instead, God comes in a whisper (vv. 12b–14) as if to say “Elijah my servant, I, the Lord, am with you even if I am not doing the mighty things you think I should.”
Just as he dealt with Elijah, (and others like Esther and Mordecai) God does not have to appear visibly to be present. Even if we do not feel Him, He is with us and working out His plan in unimaginable ways.”
— Ligonier

One of my favorite Psalms to read when I feel the demanding heart pop up - when the why’s are banging on the door is Psalm 131

Psalm 131

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;

my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul,  like a weaned child with its mother;    like a weaned child is my soul within me.O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

God is at work in great and marvelous ways. We can lean in and trust Him.

Resources

Ligonier Devotion on God’s Silence Presence - https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/gods-silent-presence/

Most listened to podcast of 2018: SPF 096: How to Be Free From Bitterness

Creation.org

Riot and The Dance - Nature Documentary based on God as Creator

Amazon Links are affiliate links.


The Riot and the Dance: Earth
Starring Dr. Gordon Wilson
The Creation Answers Book
By David Catchpoole, Jonathan Sarfati, Carl Wieland

SPF 108: Setting Goals & Treasuring Christ

Goals are made because we treasure a particular outcome. Goals can be about finances, health, business, creating, writing - you name it. But today we are going to look at one goal that Paul had - the goal that treasured Christ above all.

Goals are made because we treasure a particular outcome. Goals can be about finances, health, business, creating, writing - you name it. But today we are going to look at one goal that Paul had - the goal that treasured Christ above all. Show Notes: Sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode108

How You Can Support SPF

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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

Life Hack

Need 15 hacks to make your life easier in 2019? Thought these were a little funny:

https://parade.com/364389/parade/15-hacks-to-make-your-life-easier-in-the-new-year/#gallery_364389-15

Setting Goals

A goal is really just a desired outcome. And if we really treasure those outcomes, those goals, we will actually change our daily living. 

Paul. He treasured Christ. Christ was His goal.

Philippians 3

If I could summarize Paul’s goal in life, what he treasured most, it would be Philipains 3:10 “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share in His sufferings, becoming like him in his death - and then in vs 14 to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.

Paul’s goal in life what Christ. Not to be Christ, the Savior, but to know him and share in His sufferings, that He might attain the prize of being with Him for all eternity. 

Whatever he could have gained from his own education, his own heritage, his own position in the temple among the Pharisees, whatever he could gain from his own works, his own life, he considered it nothing, that He may gain Christ and be found in Him.

If we treasure Jesus, if our goal is to win the prize, as Paul says, to be found in Christ when our day on earth is done, IT WILL SHAPE OUR LIVING.

Treasuring Christ

For the Christian, our number one goal should be a life that revolves around Christ. That He would be at the center of all we do.

To Live is Christ

Philippians 1

Ways we can see how Jesus impacts our daily living when He is our number 1 goal!

  1. Christ will be honored in our bodies whether we live or die.

  2. We faithfully labor for the progress and joy in the faith for others

  3. We live our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

  4. For the sake of Christ we believe in Him and we suffer for Him and engage in the conflict

______ is LIFE

There are these tag lines that circulate - I’ve seen them on t-shirts, memes, maybe bumper stickers - but BLANK is life - like oils are life; running is life; food is life; football is life; brunch is life.

What that translates to is - all we do revolves around that thing. It’s what is treasured.

Maybe there’s something that you are treasuring more than Christ, Maybe there is something your life is revolving around that is your center and it’s not your Savior. 

Repent. 
Believe that God has saved you from your sin and now you can live for Him.

Ask Him to help you treasure Christ above all things. Will it be this perfect treasuring never to treasure anything else? No. We will sin again. Probably in a few minutes, if you’re like me. But that’s how amazing God’s grace is. This is the sanctifying process of this life. That we would love God more and more every day.

She Proves Faithful In The Word

This year it’s about treasuring Christ through the Word of God

If you’ve already signed up for SPF in the Word you will be getting an email this month.

Not signed up but want to join? Sign up here: sheprovesfaithful.com/bible

Resources

Amazon links are affiliate links.

Past SPF New Year Podcasts:

SPF 024: Can I be the Change?

SPF 067: Goals, Consequences, and True Change


SPF 107: The Christmas Spectacular with Andy Hlushak

That’s right, we’ve reached that special time of year - it’s time for the SPF Christmas Spectacular with guest Andy Hlushak. We are talking all things Christmas today. Get ready for some festive history and Christmas cheer as we celebrate when love came down at Christmas!

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That's right, we've reached that special time of year - it's time for the SPF Christmas Spectacular with guest Andy Hlushak. We are talking all things Christmas today. Get ready for some festive history and christmas cheer as we celebrate when love came down at Christmas! show notes: sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode107

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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I lov

Some of our Favorite Christmas Resources

(amazon links are affiliate links)

Child in the Manger
By Sinclair B. Ferguson
The Last Straw
By Fredrick Thury

SPF 106: JOY! Making our Home in Christ

Tis the season to be joyful right? But no matter how festive the traditions, or fluffy the snow, or twinkly the lights, Christians sentiments just won’t get us there. Today we are going to talk about where to find complete joy and how to make our home in Christ.

image.jpg

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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

Life Hack - Bless the Delivery Folks!

Free Shipping is everywhere! That means the delivery folks are working extra hard this holiday season. There’s an easy way to bless them by putting out some snacks and water bottles.

You can get a cute free printable at Hip2Save and see what they do!

JOY. Complete Joy!

Joy is something at Christmas time that many people think can be attend by the sentiments of the season. But the sentiments will never lead to complete Joy.

John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Joy is not found in sentiment. It is not found in traditions. It is not found under a tree.

True joy is found in Jesus Christ - and how do we partake of this true joy?

Like a branch abiding in a vine, we abide in Christ.

Abide In Christ

Abide means to remain, to dwell - so much so that we make our home there. jesus tells us to abide in Him, to make our home in Him. Remain there. Live there. Why? Because apart from Him we can do nothing! Apart from him there is not complete joy. Apart from Him the Father is not glorified.

Abidingit is only made possible by Jesus Christ himself! Abiding in Christ is made possible through regeneration. When we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ we can now abide in Him. vs 3 tells us that we are already clean;  we were once so dirty from sin and unattached to Christ, that it was impossible to bear fruit; but we have been cleansed by the Blood of Christ, we are now in Him and we are now fitted and ready to bear fruit. 

But there are concrete realities to abiding in Christ which is where there is complete joy.

  • One of the ways we continue in Christ is in verse 7 which is letting His words abide in us. the word of Christ should dwell in us richly like it says in Colossians 3:16.

  • Jesus tells us to abide in His love - we are to rest our lives on the love Christ has for us

  • Another way to abide in Christ is to obey Him. Vs 10 says IF You keep my commands you will abide in my love.

The complete joy of Jesus Christ is found in abiding in HIm.

We first get it at our regeneration in Christ.

And then it is maintained through abiding in Christ daily.

Maybe you can think through this list and try one this week:

  • Read the Word and let it dwell in you richly - read, study, sing it, memorize it

  • Obey the Lord - know His commands and walk in them faithfully - by His grace we obey - He is at work in us as we are humble

  • Fellowship with one another - Scripture is clear that we are to not give up meeting together; be with other believers in church and in fellowship 

  • Grow in the knowledge of God’s love for you.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

Resources

(some links are affiliate links)

I highly recommend listening to this sermon by Pastor Douglas Wilson about Joy and trials. It goes deeper into the sentiment thing and what God is doing in our lives for our JOY in trials:

https://www.christkirk.com/sermon/joy-to-the-world/

(Side note - play the audio only - below the video - the video tends to freeze and then the sound is muted.)

Bear and Squirrel Prayer Calendar and mug! 

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Scripture Memory Cards - Sola Scriptura (Set of 11 cards)
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SPF 105: The Geneaology of Christ + The Meaning of Christmas

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers - what is significant about the genealogy of Christ and how does it teach us about the meaning of Christmas?

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Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers - what is significant about the genealogy of Christ and how does it teach us about the meaning of Christmas?

Three ways to support the SPF 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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

Bear & Squirrel Prayer Calendar

Want a tool to help you teach your kids to pray for others?

Or want a really cool mug to remind you about prayer?

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Teaching Our Kids to Pray for Others - Prayer Calendar
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The Genealogy of Christ

The first verse in Matthew 1 is

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

In Greek it says something more along the lines of:

Bible of the Genesis of Jesus Christ.

or

This is the book of the beginning of Jesus Christ.

Genesis, the first book of the Bible starts with how God brought about the world and mankind, and Matthew, the first book of the New Testament starts with how God brought about the birth of Jesus through a whole family history.

That history was God at work from the beginning to bring about his promises.

5 ways the genealogy of Christ matters

  1. The genealogy of Jesus shows that Jesus came into a fallen world

  2. The genealogy of Jesus shows that Jesus came to save Jews and Gentiles

  3. Jesus’ genealogy is traced back 4,000 years to Adam

    1. 1 corinithans 15:45 Romans 5:12-18

  4. Jesus’ genealogy is traced to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob

  5. Jesus’ Genealogy is traced to King David

    1. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9

The Genealogy of Christ tells meaning of Christmas

First - it means that God keeps His promises.

  • God made big promises to bring about a Savior, a Messiah that would deliver people from their sins, and a King who would reign forever

  • We can see how God preserved a line of people throughout history to fulfill His promises

  • When we read name after name after name in Scripture, we are reading God’s faithfulness. He is faithful to do what He said He would do.

Second, the Genealogy of Christ means that the Light of the World has come.

  • The openings of Matthew and Luke show us that indeed the Light of the Word has come  into the darkness to bring light and life to our hearts.

  • John 8:12 [ I Am the Light of the World ] Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Resources

(amazon resources are affiliate links)

First Adam, last Adam - https://creation.com/first-adamlast-adam

Why Genealogies of Christ is Important: https://answersingenesis.org/answers/biblical-authority-devotional/why-are-the-genealogies-of-christ-important/

Why the genealogies different in Matthew and Luke: https://creation.com/jesus-genealogies

Child in the Manger
By Sinclair B. Ferguson









SPF 104: The Blessing and Warning in Abudance Deut 8 (+ Why History Is Important to the Christian)

There a seasons to everyone’s life. In lean season we often find our hearts set on God moment by moment, but in prosperous times, when our hearts a little fat and blessed, they can be filled with pride. Today we are looking at the first two things that tend to go when prosperous times come our way.

There a seasons to everyone's life. In lean season we often find our hearts set on God moment by moment, but in prosperous times, when our hearts a little fat and blessed, they can be filled with pride. Today we are looking at the first two things that tend to go when prosperous times come our way.

3 Easy Ways to Support She Proves Faithful

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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

Scripture Memory Verse Packs

Here they are! Get your pack or gift one to a friend!

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Scripture Memory Cards - Sola Scriptura (Set of 11 cards)
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Life Hack

here ya go!

The First Two Things to Go in Abudance

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-18

When we are blessed. When we are fat and happy, the first two things that go: 

  1. Remember the commands of God

  2. Remember to thank God

“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day” Deuteronomy 8:17-18

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

History is Important

Part of remembering what God has done and giving Him thanks for His mighty hand and work means more than the happenings in our lives, or even in our current time.

God’s history equals more praise for Him.

Application

How do we prove faithful in times of abundance or need:

Treat them the same. Both meant for our good.

Read God’s Word and obey His commands

Remember what God has done and give thanks for His blessings.

Resources

(Amazon links contain affiliate links)

Pastor Doug Wilson Sermon on Deuteronomy 8

Classical Conversations (our homeschool community I mentioned on the podcast)

Reformation Heritage Books website

I have not read this one (nor do I have it) but it is from Richard Hannula and is exactly what I was talking about on the podcast - history from a Christian perspective!

Our Northwest Heritage
By Richard M. Hannula
Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries
By Sinclair B. Ferguson, Joel R. Beeke, Michael A. G. Haykin
Meet the Puritans: With a Guide to Modern Reprints
By Joel R. Beeke And Randall J. Pederson

My journaling Bible is similar to this one:





SPF 103: The Work of Gratitude & First Thanksgiving Providence

We have ever reason in the world to be grateful AT ALL TIMES because of Christ. Today we are talking about the spiritual work of gratitude and a little first thanksgiving history.

We have ever reason in the world to be grateful AT ALL TIMES because of Christ. Today we are talking about the spiritual work of gratitude and a little first thanksgiving history.  Show Notes: sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode103

New Scripture Memory Packs!

These are high quality 4x4 inch memory cards to help you hide God’s Word in your heart with foundational verses for the Christian.

They are only $11 for a pack of 11 cards! And only $1 shipping.

Get them here:

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Scripture Memory Cards - Sola Scriptura (Set of 11 cards)
$11.00

Other ways to support the SPF 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 Amazon affiliate links. When I link to the resources I talk about on the podcast, you can click through and SPF receives a small percentage for recommending resources I love!

Life Hack - First Thanksgiving Trivia

Need a little conversation starter? Have some competitive friends or family members? Want a fun little Thanksgiving themed game?

Check out this free printable of First Thanksgiving Trivia:

Trivia Game

Trivia Answer Key

The Work of Gratitude

One of the ways we can prove faithful as Christian women, wives, and mothers, is to be grateful.

In fact, grateful really means Christian - we are to be thankful, ready to show our appreciation for God and return to him good works that bring glory to such a gracious and good God 

I head author Rebecca Merkle say that Gratitude is uniquely Christian because of our God.

Being thankful is a most important spiritual work!

Think about our natural selves, the flesh. It is easy to complain. It is easy to grumble. It is easy to find the negative.

It takes work - it takes an active resistance against our flesh to stop and give praise instead of complain and grumble. 

Gratitude is such an important work!

Think about this when a society turns and slides into darkness:

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

  • They did not honor God as God

  • They did not give thanks to God

For the child of God there is no limit to gratitude.

Gratitude does Three Things:

  1. Gratitude acknowledges God. 

  2. Gratitude keeps our hearts humble. 

  3. Gratitude changes our perspective. 

When we are thankful we are very clear that we are not God. That God is Sovereign and at work and is gracious and merciful and gives good gifts to HIs children.

We may not be able to change our circumstances, but an eye for thankfulness will put our hope in the Eternal God.

One Way to Learn Gratitude

Read the Bible and read it with the right perspective.

The Bible is about God.

Rejoice at the truth we read!

Scripture Reading: Genesis 19 God Rescues Lot

Romans 8

We have committed treason against God - we have rebelled against the Sovereign and we deserve death.

Yet, God in His mercy, God in His loving kindness, God is His goodness, sent His Son Jesus to be sin for us, that we might be forgiven. The one who knew no sin became sin. The innocent one took the blame. He was crushed for our inequity. The punishment that brought us peace was upon HIM.

First Thanksgiving Providence

Shine As Lights Kidscast Podcast - Check out the Thanksgiving Episode about Squanto!
Squanto’s Story - https://bible.org/illustration/story-squanto

Mayflower History - http://mayflowerhistory.com/tisquantum/

“May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: “Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice, and looked on their adversity. Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good, and His mercies endure forever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, shew how He hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the; desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry, and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord His loving kindness, and His wonderful works before the sons of men.”
— William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation
“According to the diary of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, Squanto “became a special instrument sent of God for [our] good . . . He showed [us] how to plant [our] corn, where to take fish and to procure other commodities . . . and was also [our] pilot to bring [us] to unknown places for [our] profit, and never left [us] till he died.”
— https://bible.org/illustration/story-squanto

More Resources



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